Communication method, communication device, and storage medium

Abstract

The application provides a communication method, a communication device and a storage medium, relates to the technical field of communication, and can reduce ISI or ICI in the data transmission process of a remote UE, a relay UE and a network device, thereby guaranteeing the decoding performance of the network device on uplink data as much as possible. The method comprises the following steps: a second terminal receives a first message from a first terminal, and sends data from the first terminal to a network device based on first information. The first message comprises the data from the first terminal and the first information, and the first information is used for indicating parameters required for determining the time when the second terminal forwards the data from the first terminal to the network device.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411854747.3, filed on December 13, 2024, entitled "Communication Method, Communication Device and Storage Medium", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technology, specifically to a communication method, communication device, and storage medium. Background Technology

[0003] Currently, remote user equipment (UE) (also known as a terminal) can communicate directly with network devices, and can also communicate indirectly with network devices through relay UEs. When a remote UE communicates indirectly with a network device through a relay UE, the relay UE needs to maintain a radio resource control (RRC) connection with the network device to receive link management signaling or relayed data sent by the network device. However, maintaining an RRC connection with the network device results in higher power consumption for the relay UE.

[0004] To reduce the power consumption of the relay UE, it can be placed in a disconnected state or the relay UE can be deprecated to not support receiving downlink synchronization signals or broadcast messages from the network device. However, if the relay UE is in a disconnected state or does not support receiving downlink synchronization signals or broadcast messages from the network device, it can easily lead to a large discrepancy between the time when the relay UE sends uplink data to the network device and the time when the remote UE sends uplink data to the network device. This can cause severe inter-symbol interference (ISI) or inter-carrier interference (ICI), thereby affecting the decoding performance of the network device for uplink data. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned technical problems, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, communication device, and storage medium that can reduce ISI or ICI during data transmission between remote UE and relay UE and network devices, thereby maximizing the decoding performance of network devices for uplink data.

[0006] Firstly, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a second terminal in a non-terrestrial network (NTN), or by components of the second terminal, such as its processor, chip, or chip system, or by logic modules or software capable of implementing all or part of the second terminal. The following description uses the execution of this method by a second terminal as an example. In this method, the second terminal and the network device are in a disconnected state, and the second terminal is used to forward data between a first terminal and the network device. In a connected state, the first terminal and the network device are in a connected state. The communication method includes: the second terminal receiving a first message from the first terminal, and based on first information, sending data from the first terminal to the network device. The first message includes data from the first terminal and first information, whereby the first information indicates parameters needed to determine the time required for the second terminal to forward the data from the first terminal to the network device.

[0007] In this embodiment, the first terminal is connected to the network device, while the second terminal is disconnected from the network device. The second terminal is used to forward data between the first terminal and the network device. In this case, the network device can detect the first terminal but cannot detect the second terminal. Therefore, the first terminal can obtain the information needed for data transmission with the network device from the network device, while the second terminal cannot obtain the relevant information for data transmission to the network device. Consequently, the second terminal cannot obtain the parameters needed to determine the time required for the second terminal to forward data from the first terminal to the network device. In this embodiment, the first terminal can send a first message to the second terminal to inform the second terminal of the data from the first terminal and the parameters (i.e., first information) required for the second terminal to forward the data from the first terminal to the network device. This allows the second terminal to more accurately determine the time when it forwards the data from the first terminal to the network device in a disconnected state, minimizing the discrepancy between the time the second terminal sends the data from the first terminal to the network device and the time the first terminal sends the uplink data to the network device. This reduces ISI or ICI during the transmission process between the first terminal and the second terminal and the network device, and ensures the decoding performance of the network device for uplink data as much as possible.

[0008] In conjunction with the first aspect above, in one possible implementation, the first information includes second information and / or third information; the second information is used to indicate the parameters required to determine the first timing advance TA, or the second information is used to indicate the first TA, wherein the first TA is the TA used by the second terminal when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state; the third information is used to indicate the information required to determine the first time position, wherein the first time position is the time position at which the second terminal performs timing advance when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state; both the first TA and the first time position are used to determine the time when the second terminal forwards data from the first terminal to the network device.

[0009] In other words, when the second terminal forwards data from the first terminal to the network device in a disconnected state, the first terminal can indicate second information and / or third information to the second terminal. This allows the second terminal to determine the TA (i.e., the first TA) used when sending uplink data to the network device and / or the timing position (i.e., the first time position) when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state. Since the first TA and first time position determined based on the second and third information are more accurate than those determined by the second terminal based on other information, determining the time for the second terminal to forward data from the first terminal to the network device based on the first TA and / or first time position determined by the first terminal using the second and / or third information can improve the accuracy of the time when the second terminal forwards data from the first terminal to the network device in a disconnected state. This minimizes the deviation between the time the second terminal sends data from the first terminal to the network device and the time the first terminal sends uplink data to the network device, thus reducing ISI or ICI during transmission between the first and second terminals and the network device, and ensuring the network device's decoding performance for uplink data as much as possible.

[0010] In conjunction with the first aspect above, in one possible implementation, the second information includes an adjustment value for the second TA, or the second information includes the adjustment value of the second TA and an uplink timing difference, or the second information includes the length of the cyclic prefix CP used by the second terminal when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state. The second TA is determined by the second terminal based on the broadcast message from the network device and the location information of the second terminal. The uplink timing difference is the difference between the predicted first timing and the second timing. The first timing is the uplink signal timing between the first terminal and the network device (which can also be called uplink timing or uplink signal resource timing; this application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this). The second timing is the timing when the first terminal sends a synchronization signal or data to the second terminal when transmitting data between the first terminal and the second terminal, or the second timing is the timing when the second terminal receives a synchronization signal or data from the first terminal when transmitting data between the first terminal and the second terminal. Both the adjustment value of the second TA and the uplink timing difference are used to determine the first TA.

[0011] In other words, among the various implementations of the second information provided in this application, one implementation includes an adjustment value for the second TA. This allows the second terminal to adjust the second TA based on the adjustment value indicated by the first terminal to obtain the first TA, instead of directly determining the TA without considering the relevant parameters indicated by the first terminal, thus improving the accuracy of the first TA. Another implementation includes an adjustment value for the second TA and an uplink timing difference. This allows the second terminal to adjust the second TA based on both the adjustment value indicated by the first terminal and the uplink timing difference to obtain the first TA, instead of directly determining the TA without considering the parameters indicated by the first terminal. The TA determined by the relevant parameters is directly used as the first TA, which further improves the accuracy of the first TA. In another implementation, the second information includes the length of the CP used by the second terminal when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state. In this way, the second terminal can adjust the second TA based on the length of the CP used by the second terminal when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state, instead of directly using the TA determined by the relevant parameters without considering the first terminal's indication as the first TA. This improves the accuracy of the first TA and saves the first terminal from the operation of determining the adjustment value of the second TA and / or the uplink timing difference, thereby reducing the processing burden of the first terminal.

[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect above, in one possible implementation, the adjustment value of the second TA is determined based on the difference between the third TA and the fourth TA, wherein the third TA is the TA used by the first terminal when sending uplink data to the network device, and the fourth TA is determined by the first terminal based on the location information of the first terminal and the broadcast message of the network device; or, the fourth TA is determined by the first terminal based on the location information of the second terminal and the broadcast message of the network device; or, the adjustment value of the second TA is determined based on the difference between the third TA and the fourth TA, and the offset of the first TA, wherein the third TA is the TA used by the first terminal when sending uplink data to the network device, and the fourth TA is determined by the first terminal based on the location information of the first terminal and the broadcast message of the network device. Alternatively, the fourth TA is determined by the first terminal based on the location information of the second terminal and the broadcast message from the network device, and the first TA offset is used to adjust the difference between the third TA and the fourth TA to obtain the adjusted value of the second TA; or, the adjusted value of the second TA is determined based on the timing advance adjustment parameters sent by the network device to the first terminal; or, the adjusted value of the second TA is determined based on the timing advance adjustment parameters sent by the network device to the first terminal and the second TA offset, and the second TA offset is used to adjust the timing advance adjustment parameters to obtain the adjusted value of the second TA; or, the adjusted value of the second TA is determined based on the distance difference and the speed of light, where the distance difference is the difference between the distance between the first terminal and the satellite and the distance between the second terminal and the satellite.

[0013] In this application embodiment, the application embodiment provides multiple implementation methods for determining the adjustment value of the second TA. In one implementation method, the adjustment value of the second TA is determined based on the difference between the TA used by the first terminal when sending uplink data to the network device (i.e., the third TA) and the TA determined by the first terminal based on the location information of the first terminal or the location information of the second terminal and the broadcast message of the network device (i.e., the fourth TA). This can make the first TA determined based on the adjustment value of the second TA more accurate.

[0014] In another implementation, the adjustment value of the second TA can be determined based on the offset of the first TA and the difference between the third TA and the fourth TA. In this way, the second terminal can further adjust the difference between the third TA and the fourth TA based on the offset of the first TA to determine the adjustment value of the second TA, thereby further improving the accuracy of the adjustment value of the second TA.

[0015] In another implementation, the adjustment value of the second TA can be determined based on the timing advance adjustment parameters sent by the network device to the first terminal. Since the timing advance adjustment parameters sent by the network device to the first terminal are very helpful in determining when the second terminal forwards data from the first terminal to the network device, and can effectively prevent data forwarded by the second terminal from the first terminal from arriving at the network device prematurely, the adjustment value of the second TA determined based on the timing advance adjustment parameters sent by the network device to the first terminal can effectively improve the accuracy of the first TA.

[0016] In another implementation, the adjustment value of the second TA can be determined based on the timing advance adjustment parameters sent by the network device to the first terminal and the second TA offset. In this way, the second terminal can further adjust the timing advance adjustment parameters sent by the network device to the first terminal based on the second TA offset to determine the adjustment value of the second TA, thereby further improving the accuracy of the first TA.

[0017] In another implementation, the adjustment value of the second TA can be determined based on the difference between the distance between the first terminal and the satellite and the distance between the second terminal and the satellite (i.e., the distance difference), as well as the speed of light. The adjustment value of the second TA determined in this way can compensate for the error caused by the distance difference between the first terminal and the second terminal and the satellite, thereby improving the accuracy of the first TA determined based on the adjustment value of the second TA.

[0018] In conjunction with the first aspect described above, in one possible implementation, where the second information includes the length of the cyclic prefix (CP) used by the second terminal when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state, the method provided in this application further includes: the second terminal determining a second TA based on the broadcast message of the network device and the location information of the second terminal, and determining an adjustment value for the second TA based on the length of the CP and / or the subcarrier spacing. The second terminal then determines a first TA based on the second TA and the adjustment value of the second TA.

[0019] In other words, if the second information includes the length of the CP used by the second terminal when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state, the second terminal can determine the adjustment value of the second TA based on the length of the CP used by the second terminal when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state, and adjust the second TA determined based on the broadcast message of the network device and the location information of the second terminal based on the adjustment value of the second TA, instead of directly determining the TA determined without considering the relevant parameters indicated by the first terminal as the first TA. This improves the accuracy of the first TA and saves the first terminal from the operation of determining the adjustment value of the second TA and / or the uplink timing difference, thereby reducing the processing burden of the first terminal.

[0020] In conjunction with the first aspect above, in one possible implementation, the third information includes a second time position, or the third information includes a second time position and an uplink timing difference. The second time position is a time reference position for timing advance when the second terminal forwards data from the first terminal in a disconnected state, based on the second timing. The uplink timing difference is the difference between the predicted first timing and the second timing. The first timing is the uplink signal timing between the first terminal and the network device. The second timing is the timing when the first terminal sends a synchronization signal or data to the second terminal when transmitting data between the first terminal and the second terminal, or the second timing is the timing when the second terminal receives a synchronization signal or data from the first terminal when transmitting data between the first terminal and the second terminal. Both the second time position and the uplink timing difference are used to determine the first time position.

[0021] In other words, in this embodiment, the first terminal can use the timing indication between the first and second terminals to indicate the timing advance position when the second terminal forwards data from the first terminal in a disconnected state. In one possible implementation, the first terminal can indicate a reference position (i.e., a second time position) for the timing advance when the second terminal forwards data from the first terminal in a disconnected state, based on a second timing indication. This way, even if the second terminal cannot know the timing of the downlink signal sent by the network device to the second terminal, the second terminal can still accurately determine the timing advance position (i.e., a first time position) when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state using the second time position. This allows the second terminal to forward data from the first terminal to the network device based on a more accurate first time position, minimizing the deviation between the time the second terminal sends data from the first terminal to the network device and the time the first terminal sends uplink data to the network device. This reduces ISI or ICI during transmission between the first and second terminals and the network device, ensuring the network device's decoding performance for uplink data as much as possible.

[0022] In another possible implementation, the first terminal can instruct the second terminal, based on the second timing, to perform timing advance when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state, using a time reference position (i.e., the second time position) and an uplink timing difference. This way, even if the second terminal cannot know the timing of the downlink signal sent by the network device, and the difference between the first and second timings is significant, the second terminal can still accurately determine the timing advance position (i.e., the first time position) when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state using the second time position and the uplink timing difference. This allows the second terminal to forward data from the first terminal to the network device based on a more accurate first time position, minimizing the deviation between the time the second terminal sends data from the first terminal and the time the first terminal sends uplink data. This reduces ISI or ICI during transmission between the first and second terminals and the network device, ensuring the network device's decoding performance for uplink data as much as possible.

[0023] Secondly, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a first terminal in a non-terrestrial network (NTN), or by a component of the first terminal, such as its processor, chip, or chip system, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the first terminal. The following description uses the execution of this method by the first terminal as an example. The first terminal is connected to the network device, while a second terminal is disconnected from the network device. The second terminal is used to forward data between the first terminal and the network device. The communication method includes: the first terminal sending a first message to the second terminal. The first message includes data from the first terminal and first information, whereby the first information indicates parameters needed to determine the time required for the second terminal to forward the data from the first terminal to the network device.

[0024] In conjunction with the second aspect above, in one possible implementation, the first information includes second information and / or third information; the second information is used to indicate the parameters required to determine the first timing advance TA, or the second information is used to indicate the first TA, wherein the first TA is the TA used by the second terminal when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state; the third information is used to indicate the information required to determine the first time position, wherein the first time position is the time position at which the second terminal performs timing advance when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state; both the first TA and the first time position are used to determine the time when the second terminal forwards data from the first terminal to the network device.

[0025] In conjunction with the second aspect above, in one possible implementation, the second information includes an adjustment value for the second TA, or the second information includes the adjustment value for the second TA and an uplink timing difference, or the second information includes the length of the cyclic prefix CP used by the second terminal when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state. The second TA is determined by the second terminal based on the broadcast message from the network device and the location information of the second terminal. The uplink timing difference is the difference between the predicted first timing and the second timing. The first timing is the uplink signal timing between the first terminal and the network device. The second timing is the timing when the first terminal sends a synchronization signal or data to the second terminal when transmitting data between the first terminal and the second terminal, or the second timing is the timing when the second terminal receives a synchronization signal or data from the first terminal when transmitting data between the first terminal and the second terminal. Both the adjustment value of the second TA and the uplink timing difference are used to determine the first TA.

[0026] In conjunction with the second aspect above, in one possible implementation, the adjustment value of the second TA is determined based on the difference between the third TA and the fourth TA, wherein the third TA is the TA used by the first terminal when sending uplink data to the network device, and the fourth TA is determined by the first terminal based on the location information of the first terminal and the broadcast message of the network device; or, the fourth TA is determined by the first terminal based on the location information of the second terminal and the broadcast message of the network device; or, the adjustment value of the second TA is determined based on the difference between the third TA and the fourth TA, and the offset of the first TA, wherein the third TA is the TA used by the first terminal when sending uplink data to the network device, and the fourth TA is determined by the first terminal based on the location information of the first terminal and the broadcast message of the network device. Alternatively, the fourth TA is determined by the first terminal based on the location information of the second terminal and the broadcast message from the network device, and the first TA offset is used to adjust the difference between the third TA and the fourth TA to obtain the adjusted value of the second TA; or, the adjusted value of the second TA is determined based on the timing advance adjustment parameters sent by the network device to the first terminal; or, the adjusted value of the second TA is determined based on the timing advance adjustment parameters sent by the network device to the first terminal and the second TA offset, and the second TA offset is used to adjust the timing advance adjustment parameters to obtain the adjusted value of the second TA; or, the adjusted value of the second TA is determined based on the distance difference and the speed of light, where the distance difference is the difference between the distance between the first terminal and the satellite and the distance between the second terminal and the satellite.

[0027] In conjunction with the second aspect above, in one possible implementation, the method provided in this application embodiment further includes: a first terminal determining a first TA based on a third TA and an adjustment value of the third TA, wherein the third TA is the TA used by the first terminal when sending uplink data to the network device.

[0028] In other words, the first terminal can adjust the TA (i.e., the third TA) used when sending uplink data to the network device based on the adjustment value of the third TA to obtain the first TA, so that the determined first TA can be more accurate.

[0029] In conjunction with the second aspect above, in one possible implementation, the method provided in this application embodiment further includes: the first terminal determining the fourth TA based on the broadcast message of the network device and any one of the location information of the first terminal or the location information of the second terminal, and determining the first TA based on the fourth TA and the adjustment value of the fourth TA.

[0030] In other words, the first terminal can adjust the TA (i.e., the fourth TA) determined by any one of the following: the broadcast message based on the network device, the location information of the first terminal, or the location information of the second terminal, based on the adjustment value of the fourth TA, to obtain the first TA, so that the determined first TA can be more accurate.

[0031] In conjunction with the second aspect above, in one possible implementation, the third information includes a second time position, or the third information includes a second time position and an uplink timing difference. The second time position is a time reference position for timing advance when the second terminal forwards data from the first terminal in a disconnected state, based on the second timing. The uplink timing difference is the difference between the predicted first timing and the second timing. The first timing is the uplink signal timing between the first terminal and the network device. The second timing is the timing when the first terminal sends a synchronization signal or data to the second terminal when transmitting data between the first terminal and the second terminal, or the second timing is the timing when the second terminal receives a synchronization signal or data from the first terminal when transmitting data between the first terminal and the second terminal. Both the second time position and the uplink timing difference are used to determine the first time position.

[0032] The technical effects of the second aspect or any of its implementations can be found in the technical effects of the corresponding implementations of the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0033] Thirdly, a communication device is provided for implementing the various methods described above. This communication device can be a second terminal in the first aspect, or any implementation thereof, or a device including the second terminal, or a device included in the second terminal, such as a chip; or, the communication device can be a second terminal in the third aspect, or any implementation thereof, or a device including the second terminal, or a device included in the second terminal, such as a chip; or, the communication device can be a first terminal in the second aspect, or any implementation thereof, or a device including the first terminal, or a device included in the first terminal, such as a chip; or, the communication device can be a first terminal in the fourth aspect, or any implementation thereof, or a device including the first terminal, or a device included in the first terminal, such as a chip. The communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the methods described above, which can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the functions described above.

[0034] In some possible designs, the communication device may include a processing module and a transceiver module. The transceiver module, also referred to as a transceiver unit, is used to implement the transmission and / or reception functions in any of the above aspects and their possible implementations. The transceiver module may consist of transceiver circuits, transceivers, transceivers, or communication interfaces. The processing module can be used to implement the processing functions in any of the above aspects and their possible implementations.

[0035] In some possible designs, the transceiver module includes a sending module and a receiving module, which are used to implement the sending and receiving functions in any of the above aspects and any possible implementation methods.

[0036] Fourthly, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor and a memory; the memory is used to store computer instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the communication device to perform the method of any of the above aspects. The communication device may be a second terminal in the first aspect or any implementation thereof, or a device including the second terminal, or a device included in the second terminal, such as a chip; or, the communication device may be a second terminal in the third aspect or any implementation thereof, or a device including the second terminal, or a device included in the second terminal, such as a chip; or, the communication device may be a first terminal in the second aspect or any implementation thereof, or a device including the first terminal, or a device included in the first terminal, such as a chip; or, the communication device may be a first terminal in the fourth aspect or any implementation thereof, or a device including the first terminal, or a device included in the first terminal, such as a chip.

[0037] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor and a communication interface; the communication interface being used to communicate with a module outside the communication device; the processor being used to execute computer programs or instructions to cause the communication device to perform the methods of any of the above aspects. The communication device may be a second terminal in the first aspect, or any implementation thereof, or a device including the second terminal, or a device included in the second terminal, such as a chip; or, the communication device may be a first terminal in the second aspect, or any implementation thereof, or a device including the first terminal, or a device included in the first terminal, such as a chip.

[0038] A sixth aspect provides a communication device, comprising: at least one processor; the processor being configured to execute a computer program or instructions stored in a memory, such that the communication device may be a second terminal as described in the first aspect above, or any implementation thereof, or a device including the second terminal, or a device included in the second terminal, such as a chip; or, the communication device may be a first terminal as described in the second aspect above, or any implementation thereof, or a device including the first terminal, or a device included in the first terminal, such as a chip.

[0039] In a seventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a communication device, enable the communication device to perform the methods of any of the above aspects or any implementation thereof.

[0040] Eighthly, a computer program product containing instructions is provided, which, when run on a communication device, enables the communication device to execute the method of any of the above aspects or any implementation thereof.

[0041] Ninthly, a communication device (e.g., a chip or chip system) is provided, the communication device including a processor for implementing the functions involved in any of the above aspects or any implementation thereof.

[0042] In some possible designs, the communication device includes a memory for storing necessary program instructions and data.

[0043] In some possible designs, when the device is a chip system, it can be composed of chips or contain chips and other discrete components.

[0044] It is understood that when the communication device provided by any of the third to sixth aspects is a chip, the aforementioned sending action / function can be understood as an output, and the aforementioned receiving action / function can be understood as an input.

[0045] In a tenth aspect, a communication method is provided, comprising the method of the first aspect or any implementation thereof, and the method of the second aspect or any implementation thereof.

[0046] Eleventhly, a communication system is provided, which includes the first terminal and the second terminal described above.

[0047] The technical effects of any of the implementation methods in the third to eleventh aspects can be found in the technical effects of the corresponding implementation methods in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0048] It should be noted that any of the possible implementations of any of the above aspects can be combined, provided that the solutions do not contradict each other. Attached Figure Description

[0049] Figure 1 This is an example diagram of a relay transmission of information provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 This is an example diagram of another relay transmission of information provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of NTN communication with a synchronization reference point provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a timing relationship provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another timing relationship provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a possible, non-limiting communication system provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a possible, non-limiting O-RAN structure provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of another possible, non-limiting communication system provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of an NTN structure provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an ATG network provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of a communication scenario provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 13 This is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another timing relationship provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another timing relationship provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another timing relationship provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another timing relationship provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another timing relationship provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 19 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 20 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0050] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application, a brief introduction to the relevant technologies of this application is given first. The brief introduction is as follows: 1. Non-terrestrial networks (NTN) NTN refers to a communication network that uses equipment such as drones, high-altitude platforms, and satellites to form a network and provide data transmission, voice communication, and other services to terminals (e.g., UEs).

[0051] Among them, drones, high-altitude platforms, and satellites are all aerial operating equipment. The following provides a detailed explanation of the altitude above the ground for drones, high-altitude platforms, and satellites during operation.

[0052] The flight altitude of drones is typically between 8 and 50 kilometers (km).

[0053] The height of an aerial platform above the ground is typically between 8 and 50 km.

[0054] Satellites typically orbit at altitudes ranging from 300 to 35,786 km.

[0055] Furthermore, satellites can be classified into three types based on their orbital altitude: geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellites (also known as synchronous orbit satellites), medium earth orbit (MEO) satellites, and low earth orbit (LEO) satellites.

[0056] GEO satellites orbit at an altitude of 35,786 km. The advantages of GEO satellites are their ability to remain relatively stationary above the ground and provide a large coverage area. However, GEO satellites also have the following disadvantages: Due to their high orbital altitude, communication transmission suffers from significant propagation loss. Therefore, larger-diameter antennas are needed to increase the satellite's transmit / receive gain and compensate for this loss, resulting in higher deployment costs for communication links. The high orbital altitude also leads to greater latency, making it impossible to meet the demands of low-latency services; for example, the round-trip latency can reach approximately 500 milliseconds (ms). Furthermore, due to the relatively limited orbital resources and high launch costs, GEO satellites currently cannot provide coverage to the polar regions.

[0057] MEO satellites orbit at altitudes ranging from 2000 to 35786 km. Since global coverage can be achieved with relatively few MEO satellites, deploying MEO satellites can reduce the cost of achieving global coverage. However, the relatively high orbital altitude of MEO satellites also leads to greater latency in communication transmission, thus failing to meet the requirements of low-latency services. Therefore, MEO satellites are primarily used in positioning and navigation scenarios, and this application does not impose any limitations on their application.

[0058] LEO satellites orbit at altitudes ranging from 300 to 2000 km. Their relatively low orbital altitude results in lower latency and transmission losses during communication, and also reduces launch costs. Therefore, LEO satellites have a wide range of applications.

[0059] Understandably, terrestrial networks can provide users with wireless communication services characterized by ultra-low latency, ultra-reliability, ultra-high speed, and massive connectivity. However, terrestrial networks cannot achieve seamless global coverage. For example, in areas without terrestrial network equipment, such as ocean areas, polar regions, and rainforests, terrestrial networks cannot provide voice and data services. Compared to terrestrial networks, NTN (Network Transmission Network) offers advantages such as large coverage areas and flexible network deployment, enabling seamless global network coverage. NTN can serve as a supplement to current terrestrial networks or as an independent communication network, providing users with high-speed global internet access.

[0060] 2. Sidelink multipath relay Sidelink multipath relay refers to communication between a remote UE and a network device via a relay UE. The remote UE and relay UE can establish a sidelink connection via the PC5 interface to transmit data, while the relay UE and network device can establish an RRC connection via the Uu interface to transmit data and receive management signaling from the network device. Furthermore, the remote UE also establishes an RRC connection with the network device. In addition, sidelink multipath relay scenarios support layer (L2) and L3 information forwarding.

[0061] It is understood that the remote UE involved in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as the source UE (SUE), the master UE, or other names, and the embodiments of this application do not impose any restrictions on this. The relay UE may also be referred to as the collaboration UE (collaboration UE, or coordination UE, or cooperative UE, or cooperation UE, CUE), the companion UE (or slave UE), or other names, and the embodiments of this application do not impose any restrictions on this.

[0062] For example, Figure 1 This is an example diagram illustrating a relay transmission of information provided in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 1As shown, the remote UE can send data or signaling to the relay UE, and the relay UE can forward the data or signaling to the network device, so as to realize the data transmission between the remote UE and the network device through the relay UE.

[0063] Furthermore, the following section provides a detailed explanation of the implementation process of how a remote UE communicates with a network device through a relay UE in a side-link multipath relay scenario.

[0064] Step 1: The remote UE and relay UE execute the access procedure to access the network device.

[0065] Step 2: The network device sends a broadcast message. Correspondingly, the remote UE and relay UE receive the broadcast message from the network device, such as the system information block (SIB) 12, to obtain the general configuration information of the side link.

[0066] The general configuration information for sidelinks primarily indicates the information needed to discover sidelink resources, the information needed for communication based on sidelink resources, and the configuration information of sidelink resources. Specifically, the general configuration information for sidelinks may include at least one of the following: the resource pool of the sidelink, the configuration information of the measurement sidelink, the discontinuous reception (DRX) parameters of the sidelink, or the power control parameters of the sidelink. Of course, the above is an exemplary description of the general configuration information for sidelinks, and the general configuration information for sidelinks may also indicate or include other information; this application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

[0067] Step 3: The remote UE and relay UE establish a side link based on the common configuration information of the side link.

[0068] Furthermore, step 3 can be implemented as follows: The relay UE broadcasts a discovery message. The remote UE detects sidelink resources to receive the discovery message broadcast by the relay UE and evaluates the relay UE's suitability as a relay device based on the discovery message. The remote UE sends a pairing request to the relay UE to request the establishment of a sidelink connection. The network device sends the allocated sidelink resources (e.g., time domain resources, frequency domain resources, and spatial domain resources) to the remote UE and relay UE via RRC signaling. The remote UE and relay UE establish a sidelink based on the allocated sidelink resources and the general configuration information of the sidelink.

[0069] For example, the discovery message broadcast by the relay UE may include at least one of the following: UE identifier, location information, relay capability, resource information, signal quality information, service information, DRX configuration, battery status, synchronization information, or quality of service (QoS) requirements. The UE identifier serves as a unique identifier for the relay UE and can be used to identify the relay UE and during pairing with a remote UE. Location information includes the relay UE's location coordinates, which can be applied in location-aware sidelink communication scenarios. Relay capability may include supported relay modes (e.g., user-to-network (U2N) or user-to-user (U2U)) and detailed information about the relay capability (e.g., maximum data rate, supported QoS levels, etc.). Resource information indicates the available sidelink resources for the relay UE, mainly including frequency, slot, and sidelink resource allocation strategies. Signal quality information may include reference signal receiving power (RSRP) and received signal strength indicator (RSSI), which can be used to assess the quality of the sidelink. Service information indicates the types of services the relay UE can provide and the corresponding capabilities of those services. DRX configuration information may include the relay UE's DRX parameters, which can be used to optimize the power consumption and performance of the sidelink. Battery status may include the relay UE's battery level, which can be used to assess the long-term reliability of the relay UE as a relay device. Synchronization information may include clock synchronization status, which can be used for time synchronization. QoS requirements are the QoS requirements supported by the relay UE (e.g., latency, packet loss rate, etc.).

[0070] However, remote UEs can also broadcast discovery messages. The information included in a remote UE's broadcast discovery message can be the same as that included in a relay UE's broadcast discovery message, or it can include additional information, such as relay requests, which can be used to indicate whether the remote UE needs relay services, and the remote UE's requests to the relay UE.

[0071] Understandably, discovery messages can be used by relay UEs or remote UEs to perform operations such as UE discovery, assessment of pairing compatibility, resource allocation and management, and service demand matching. This transmits information such as communication capabilities and requirements to potential relay UEs, thereby providing a foundation for establishing sidelink connections and data transmission, and promoting the efficiency and reliability of sidelink communication.

[0072] Step 4: The relay UE reports the connection status information of the side link to the network device (e.g., remote UE identifier, connection quality of the side link, etc.). Correspondingly, the network device receives the connection status information of the side link from the relay UE to complete the establishment of the link for communication between the remote UE and the network device through the relay UE.

[0073] Step 5: The remote UE sends data to the network device through the relay UE, and the network device receives data from the remote UE through the relay UE.

[0074] Furthermore, step 5 can be implemented as follows: The remote UE encapsulates the data to be transmitted based on control information to obtain a sidelink data packet, and sends the sidelink data packet to the relay UE via the sidelink. The relay UE receives the sidelink data packet and processes it to obtain an uplink (UL) data packet. The relay UE sends the uplink data packet to the network device. The network device receives the uplink data packet from the relay UE and demodulates and decodes it to obtain the data from the remote UE. In addition, the network device can further process or forward the data from the remote UE according to network requirements.

[0075] Step 6: The remote UE and relay UE perform maintenance or adjustment on the side link.

[0076] Furthermore, step 6 can be implemented as follows: the relay UE and the remote UE continuously monitor the quality of the sidelink (e.g., signal strength, latency, etc.). If the quality of the sidelink deteriorates, the relay UE can adjust the sidelink between the remote UE and the relay UE and inform the remote UE of the adjusted sidelink; or, in conjunction with network equipment, maintain the current sidelink between the remote UE and the relay UE to ensure reliable communication.

[0077] Step 7: When communication between the remote UE and the network device ends or the relay UE no longer supports relay transmission, the remote UE and the relay UE release side link resources and end the pairing state.

[0078] 3. Multipath relay To improve the reliability, robustness, and throughput of relay transmission, a direct link between the remote UE and the network device can be added to the sidelink multipath relay. This means the remote UE can communicate with the network device through both indirect and direct links. This type of relay transmission can be called multipath relay or multi-channel relay. In a multipath relay scenario, both the remote UE and the relay UE need to maintain an RRC connection with the network device (multipath remote UE and multipath relay UE are in RRC_CONNECTED state).

[0079] For example, Figure 2 This is an example diagram illustrating another relay transmission information provided in an embodiment of this application. (See diagram below.) Figure 2 As shown, a remote UE can send data or signaling to a relay UE, and the relay UE can forward the data or signaling to the network device, so as to enable the remote UE to transmit data with the network device through the relay UE; a remote UE can also send data or signaling to the network device, so as to enable the remote UE to transmit data with the network device.

[0080] However, compared to sidelink relay communication scenarios, the signaling messages transmitted between network devices and remote UEs or relay UEs in multipath relay communication scenarios can include at least one of the following: link identifier, link status information, link priority, link handover control parameters, link resource allocation information, link quality report, link management control information, or multilink transmission parameters. The link identifier identifies each link in the multilink network, helping the UE and network distinguish and manage different transmission links. Link status information includes link signal quality, link loss, and latency, which can be used for link selection and optimization. Link priority is used for link selection and scheduling in multilink transmission. Link handover control parameters indicate the conditions and strategies for link handover based on signal quality handover thresholds. Link resource allocation information includes resource allocation information for each link in the multilink network. The link quality report includes the signal quality of each link reported by the UE to the network, which can be used for network link management and optimization. Link management control information is control information sent by the network device to the UE, which can be used to indicate the addition, deletion, and adjustment of links. Multilink transmission parameters include multilink transmission mode, encoding parameters, and decoding parameters, which can be used to optimize the efficiency of multilink data transmission.

[0081] Understandably, compared to sidelink relay, multipath relay offers the following additional features: multilink data transmission, link diversity, link selection and optimization, link redundancy, link awareness, and resource management. Multilink data transmission refers to allowing data to be transmitted from the remote UE to network devices via multiple links, enhancing transmission reliability and throughput. Link diversity utilizes the signal characteristics of multiple links, such as latency, link loss, and multipath effects, to improve communication robustness. Link selection and optimization dynamically selects the optimal link or adjusts links based on network conditions and QoS requirements to optimize transmission performance. Link redundancy transmits the same data across multiple links to increase data transmission reliability. Link awareness allows the UE to sense and monitor the signal quality of multiple links for link selection and management. Resource management supports the allocation and management of sidelink resources across multiple links to achieve efficient multilink transmission.

[0082] Furthermore, in multi-path relay scenarios, network devices can determine whether to add non-direct links or direct links, as well as determine the pairing and connection of side links between remote UEs and relay UEs. In addition, network devices can more intelligently manage multiple links to adapt to dynamically changing network conditions and UE requirements, thereby achieving efficient and reliable side link communication.

[0083] 4. Amplify-and-forward (AF) relay Amplification and forwarding relay refers to a relay UE receiving information from a remote UE or network device and forwarding it directly to the network device or remote UE without decoding or encoding the information. AF can avoid decoding or encoding the information, thus reducing the processing burden on the relay UE, but it also forwards noise from the relay UE to the remote UE or network device.

[0084] 5. Decode-and-forward (DF) relay Decode-forward relay refers to a relay UE receiving information from a remote UE or network device, decoding the information, and obtaining the decoding result. The relay UE then re-encodes the decoded result and forwards the re-encoded information to the network device or remote UE. DF (Decoding-Forwarding) can avoid forwarding noise from the relay UE to the remote UE or network device, thus preventing excessive noise in the remote UE or network device; however, this increases the processing burden on the relay UE.

[0085] 6. Synchronization Reference Point A synchronization reference point is a reference point used for uplink time synchronization. It can also be called an uplink time synchronization reference point or an uplink timing synchronization reference point.

[0086] For example, Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an NTN communication method that incorporates a synchronization reference point, as provided in this application. Figure 3 As shown, transmission between a terminal (located within satellite coverage) and a gateway station or network device requires passing through the satellite and a synchronization point. Therefore, the round-trip transmission delay between the terminal and the gateway station or network device includes the round-trip transmission delay between the terminal and the satellite, the round-trip transmission delay between the satellite and the synchronization reference point, and the round-trip transmission delay between the synchronization reference point and the network device. Furthermore, the link between the satellite and the terminal can be called a service link, and the link between the satellite and the gateway station or network device can be called a feeder link.

[0087] The round-trip transmission delay between the terminal and the satellite is calculated by the terminal (UE-level calculation). Furthermore, the terminal can determine the satellite's position based on ephemeris information and calculate the round-trip delay between the terminal and the satellite based on the terminal's position and the satellite's position. Figure 3 Round-trip latency of the service link between the terminal and the satellite.

[0088] The round-trip time between the satellite and the geostationary reference point is also calculated by the terminal. Further, the network device determines relevant parameters of the round-trip time between the satellite and the geostationary reference point (e.g., common transmission delay parameters for the terminal (e.g., common TA, common TA drift, etc.), etc., etc. (the common transmission delay portion for all terminals)) and sends these parameters to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the relevant parameters from the network device and determines the round-trip time between the satellite and the geostationary reference point based on these parameters.

[0089] As can be seen from the above descriptions regarding the "round-trip transmission delay between the terminal and the satellite" and the "round-trip transmission delay between the satellite and the geosynchronous reference point," both the round-trip transmission delay between the terminal and the satellite, and the round-trip transmission delay between the satellite and the geosynchronous reference point, are calculated by the terminal. In other words, the round-trip transmission delay from the terminal to the geosynchronous reference point is determined by the terminal, and the uplink transmission delay from the terminal to the geosynchronous reference point can be compensated by the terminal through the TA (Transmission Time Acquisition).

[0090] The round-trip transmission delay between the synchronization reference point and the network device is calculated by the network device. This round-trip delay can be compensated for by the network device using a delayed reception window.

[0091] For example, Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a timing relationship provided for this application. For example... Figure 4 As shown, there is a timing difference between the downlink timing and the uplink timing on the network device side. This timing difference is caused by the network device compensating for the round-trip transmission delay between the synchronization reference point and the gateway station / network device. Ideally, this timing difference is equal to the round-trip delay between the synchronization reference point and the gateway station / network device. However, considering the impact of processing delays, this timing difference is usually greater than the round-trip delay between the synchronization reference point and the gateway station / network device. Therefore, the network device needs to delay its receive window to ensure that it can correctly intercept uplink data and perform demodulation or decoding.

[0092] In addition, for the uplink and downlink timing on the terminal side, such as Figure 4As shown, there is also a timing difference between the downlink timing on the terminal side and the downlink timing on the network device side. This timing difference is the one-way propagation delay between the network device and the terminal. After receiving data from the network device, the terminal can determine the uplink timing on the terminal side based on the downlink timing and TA on the terminal side. The TA is determined based on the round-trip delay between the terminal and the synchronization reference point.

[0093] It is understood that the timing described in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as time-domain resource timing (e.g., frame timing, time slot timing, symbol timing, which will not be elaborated further below) or timing relationship or time, and the embodiments of this application do not impose any limitations on this. In the embodiments of this application, it is referred to as timing, and will not be elaborated further.

[0094] However, before the terminal sends uplink data to the network device, the terminal needs to determine the TA used when sending uplink data to the network device, so that the transmission delay when the terminal sends uplink data to the network device can be compensated based on the TA used when the terminal sends uplink data to the network device. Furthermore, the process of the terminal determining the TA used when sending uplink data to the network device can be implemented through the following steps 1 and 2.

[0095] Step 1: The network device or satellite sends a broadcast message. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the broadcast message from the network device or satellite.

[0096] The broadcast message includes at least one of the following: broadcast ephemeris, common TA, common TA drift (common TA rate of change), common TA drift variant (common TA drift rate of change), TA offset (timing advance offset), etc.

[0097] Step 2: The terminal determines the TA (Transmission Acquisition Target) to be used when sending uplink data to the network device based on its location and broadcast messages. Additionally, this TA can also be the TA used when the terminal sends a preamble to the network device.

[0098] Optionally, the TA used by the terminal to send uplink data to the network device satisfies the following formula 1: , formula 1; in, The TA used by the terminal to send uplink data to the network device.

[0099] These are the timing advance adjustment parameters (also known as timing advance closed-loop indication parameters) sent by the network device to the terminal, used to adjust the timing advance (TA) when the terminal sends uplink data to the network device. Furthermore, This can be determined by the network device based on uplink signals (e.g., reference signals) sent by the terminal. Furthermore, when the terminal initially connects to the network device... It can be 0.

[0100] All of these are determined by the terminal based on broadcast messages from network devices.

[0101] in, The offset of the TA configured by the network device for the terminal. It is determined based on parameters related to duplex mode, such as the conversion time of downlink data sent by the network device to the terminal in time division duplex (TDD) mode.

[0102] Determined based on the round-trip time delay between the synchronization reference point and the satellite. Optionally, The following formula 2 is satisfied: 2× , formula 2; in, This refers to the one-way transmission delay between the synchronization reference point and the satellite. Further, optionally, The following formula 3 is satisfied: , formula 3; in, It is determined based on the aforementioned common TA. For the aforementioned common TAdrift, This refers to the common TA drift variant mentioned above. When the network device does not send a common TA drift to the terminal device, or... The terminal can be configured with common TA drift or The value is 0. Reference time points for network devices to configure terminals.

[0103] This refers to the round-trip time of the service link, i.e., the round-trip time between the terminal and the satellite. Optionally, It is determined based on ephemeris information (e.g., the position of satellites) and the position of the terminal.

[0104] Tc is a unit of time. For example, Tc can be used as the time unit of TA. Tc satisfies the following formula 4: , formula 4; in, It is 480×103 Hz. The value is 4096. Formula 1 uses Tc as the time unit for example. In actual use, other time units can be used, such as 64×Tc, 1 microsecond (us), 1 millisecond (ms), or 1 second (s), etc.

[0105] The above is a brief introduction to the relevant technologies of this application.

[0106] As described above regarding "side link multipath relay", in the side link multipath relay scenario, the remote UE can not only communicate directly with the network device, but also indirectly with the network device through the relay UE. That is, the remote UE can communicate with the network device through multiple links to improve the throughput of the communication system.

[0107] Currently, when a remote UE communicates indirectly with a network device through a relay UE, the relay UE needs to maintain a radio resource control (RRC) connection with the network device to receive link management signaling or relayed data. However, maintaining an RRC connection with the network device results in higher power consumption for the relay UE.

[0108] To reduce the power consumption of relay UEs, relay UEs can be placed in a disconnected state or the relay UE can be made not to support downlink synchronization signals or broadcast messages broadcast by network devices. In this case, the relay UE cannot obtain accurate information from the network device to determine the time when the relay UE sends uplink data to the network device (which can also be called timing, hereinafter referred to as timing). This can easily lead to a large deviation between the time when the relay UE sends uplink data to the network device and the time when the remote UE sends uplink data to the network device, causing serious ISI or ICI, and thus affecting the decoding performance of the network device for uplink data.

[0109] For example, Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating yet another timing relationship provided in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 5As shown, if there is a significant discrepancy between the time when the relay UE sends uplink data to the network device and the time when the remote UE sends uplink data to the network device, then in the time domain, the data portion of the uplink data sent by the remote UE to the network device will overlap with the CP portion of the uplink data sent by the relay UE to the network device. This will cause severe mutual interference between the signals including the uplink data sent by the remote UE to the network device and the signals including the uplink data sent by the relay UE to the network device, resulting in severe ISI or ICI.

[0110] The following provides a detailed explanation of the causes of ISI or ICI when the relay UE is in a disconnected state or does not support the downlink synchronization signal or broadcast message broadcast by the network device.

[0111] If the relay UE is in a disconnected state, the network device cannot indicate N to the relay UE. TA This causes relay UE to be unable to be based on N TA The timing of uplink data transmission (TA) determined by the relay UE when sending uplink data to the network device can be too high. This can cause the uplink data sent by the relay UE to arrive at the network device prematurely, easily leading to a large discrepancy between the time the relay UE sends uplink data and the time the remote UE sends uplink data. This can result in severe ISI or ICI, which in turn affects the decoding performance of the network device for uplink data.

[0112] If the relay UE does not support downlink synchronization signals or broadcast messages broadcast by the network device, the terminal cannot establish downlink synchronization with the network device based on the synchronization signals from the network device, and thus cannot obtain the timing between the terminal and the network device. This can easily lead to a large discrepancy between the time when the relay UE sends uplink data to the network device and the time when the remote UE sends uplink data to the network device, causing serious ISI or ICI, which in turn affects the decoding performance of the network device for uplink data.

[0113] In addition, ephemeris errors or relay UE positioning errors can also cause the TA (Target Acquisition Time) used when the terminal sends uplink data to the network device to be large. This can also cause the uplink data sent by the relay UE to the network device to arrive at the network device too early, which can easily lead to a large deviation between the time when the relay UE sends uplink data to the network device and the time when the remote UE sends uplink data to the network device, resulting in serious ISI (Inter-Independent Sequence Indicator) or ICI (Inter-Independent Sequence Indicator), and thus affecting the decoding performance of the network device for uplink data.

[0114] In view of this, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that can improve the accuracy of the time when the relay UE sends uplink data to the network device, and minimize the large deviation between the time when the relay UE sends uplink data to the network device and the time when the remote UE sends uplink data to the network device. This can reduce ISI or ICI during the uplink data transmission process between the remote UE and the relay UE and the network device, thereby ensuring the decoding performance of the network device for uplink data as much as possible.

[0115] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0116] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the following points will be explained before introducing the embodiments of this application.

[0117] 1. In the embodiments of this application, for ease of description, when numbering is involved, it can start from 1 and be numbered consecutively, or it can start from 0 and be numbered from any parameter. It should be understood that the above are settings made for the convenience of describing the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application.

[0118] 2. The “protocol (also referred to as technical specification)” involved in the embodiments of this application may refer to standard protocols in the field of communication, such as the Long Term Evolution (LTE) protocol, the New Radio (NR) protocol, the 3GPP protocol, and related protocols applied to future communication systems. The embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0119] 3. In the embodiments of this application, the descriptions such as "when," "under the circumstances," "if," and "if" all refer to the fact that the device (e.g., the second terminal or the first terminal) will make corresponding processing under certain objective circumstances. They are not time limits, nor do they require the device (e.g., the second terminal or the first terminal) to have a judgment action when implementing it, nor do they mean that there are other limitations.

[0120] 4. In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, " / " indicates that the objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B can represent A or B. The "and / or" in the embodiments of this application is merely a description of the relationship between the related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, and B alone. A and B can be singular or plural. Furthermore, in the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" refers to two or more. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, a to b, a to c, b to c, or a to b to c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple. Furthermore, to facilitate a clear description of the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used in the embodiments of this application to distinguish identical or similar items with substantially the same function and effect. Those skilled in the art will understand that the terms "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or execution order, and that "first" and "second" are not necessarily different. Meanwhile, in the embodiments of this application, the terms "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is being used as an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design scheme described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. Specifically, the use of terms such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present related concepts in a concrete manner for ease of understanding.

[0121] The embodiments of this application can be applied to LTE or NR systems (also known as 5th generation mobile communication technology (5G) systems), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems, LTE and NR hybrid networking systems, device-to-device (D2D) systems, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems (such as narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) systems), and other future communication systems. Alternatively, the communication system can also be a 3GPP communication system, without limitation.

[0122] Furthermore, the communication architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of communication architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0123] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating one possible, non-limiting communication system. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the communication system 6000 includes a radio access network (RAN) 600 and a core network 700. The RAN 600 includes at least one RAN node (e.g., Figure 6 610a and 610b (collectively referred to as 610) and at least one terminal (such as Figure 6 The 620a-620j in the RAN600 are collectively referred to as 620. RAN600 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay equipment and / or wireless backhaul equipment. Figure 6 (Not shown in the image). At least one terminal 620 includes a first terminal (e.g., 620h, 620b) and a second terminal (e.g., 620f, 620g). Optionally, the first and second terminals can be integrated into a virtual terminal. Terminal 620 is connected to RAN node 610 wirelessly (e.g., via sidelink, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi). RAN node 610 is connected to core network 700 wirelessly or via wired connection. The core network equipment in core network 700 and RAN node 610 in RAN 600 can be different physical devices, or they can be the same physical device integrating core network logical functions and radio access network logical functions.

[0124] In one possible scenario, a terminal can be a device used to implement wireless communication functions, such as a terminal or a chip that can be used in a terminal. Specifically, a terminal can be a user equipment (UE), access terminal, terminal unit, terminal station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, wireless communication device, terminal agent, or terminal device in a 5G network or a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN). Access terminals can be cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, in-vehicle devices or wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) terminals, augmented reality (AR) terminals, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical care, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, etc. In one possible implementation, the terminal can be mobile or fixed.

[0125] RAN600 can be a 3GPP-related cellular system, such as a 5G mobile communication system, or a future-oriented evolution system. RAN600 can also be an open access network (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system. RAN600 can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0126] RAN node 610, sometimes referred to as a network device, RAN entity, or access node, constitutes part of the communication system and assists terminals in achieving wireless access. Multiple RAN nodes 610 in the communication system 6000 can be of the same type or different types. In some scenarios, the roles of RAN node 610 and terminal 620 are relative, for example... Figure 6 The network element 620i can be a helicopter or a drone, and it can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminals 620j that access RAN 600 via network element 620i, network element 620i is a base station; however, for base station 610a, network element 620i is a terminal. RAN node 610 and terminal 620 are sometimes referred to as communication devices, for example... Figure 6 The network elements 610a and 610b can be understood as communication devices with base station functions, while the network elements 620a-620j can be understood as communication devices with terminal functions.

[0127] In one possible scenario, a RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a gNB, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system. A RAN node can also be a macro base station (such as...). Figure 6 610a), micro base stations or indoor stations (such as Figure 6 RAN nodes can be 610b, relay nodes or donor nodes, or wireless controllers in CRAN scenarios. Optionally, RAN nodes can also be servers, wearable devices, vehicles, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, network devices in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be roadside units (RSUs).

[0128] In another possible scenario, the RAN can be O-RAN, which means that multiple RAN nodes cooperate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, and different RAN nodes respectively implement some of the functions of the base station. Figure 7 This diagram illustrates a possible, non-limiting O-RAN structure. Figure 7As shown, O-RAN can include CU, DU, and radio unit (RU). CU and DU can be set up separately or included in the same network element, such as the baseband unit (BBU). RU can be included in radio equipment or radio unit, such as in a remote radio unit (RRU), active antenna unit (AAU), or remote radiohead (RRH).

[0129] In different systems, CU (e.g., CU - control plane (CP), CU - user plane (UP)), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called O-CU (open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software modules and hardware modules.

[0130] Taking O-RAN, including O-CU-CP, O-CU-UP, O-DU, and O-RU, as an example, the communication between O-CU-CP, O-CU-UP, O-DU, and O-RU is explained as follows: O-CU-CP can communicate with O-DU through the F1-c interface. O-CU-UP can communicate with O-DU through the F1-u interface. O-CU-CP can communicate with O-CU-UP through E1. O-DU can communicate with O-RU by opening the frequency hopping control user synchronization plane (open FH CUS-plane) interface or opening the frequency hopping management plane (open FH M-plane) interface.

[0131] In addition, such as Figure 7As shown, O-RAN may also include a RAN intelligent controller (RIC). The RIC is used to collect network information and perform necessary optimization tasks. The RIC can communicate with the CU or DU via the E2 interface and / or F1 interface. Specifically, the RIC communicates with the DU via the E2 interface, and can also communicate with the DU via the E2 interface, F1 interface, and the CU. The CU or DU can communicate with terminals.

[0132] Optionally, Figure 8 This diagram illustrates another possible, non-limiting communication system. (For example...) Figure 8 As shown, the communication system 8000 includes an O-RAN 801 and a terminal 802. The O-RAN 801 may include a BBU and a RU, and the BBU may include a CU and a DU. Optionally, the communication system 8000 may also include a core network device 803. The core network device 803 can establish a connection with the CU via a backhaul link. The CU can establish a connection with the DU via a midhaul link. The DU can establish a connection with the RU via a fronthaul link. The RU can establish a connection with the terminal 802.

[0133] For a more detailed explanation of BBU, RU, CU, DU, terminal, and O-RAN, please refer to the descriptions in the corresponding sections above. They will not be repeated here.

[0134] In one possible implementation, the method described in the embodiments of this application can be applied to an NTN. For example... Figure 9 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of an NTN provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 9 The NTN900, including terminal 901 and RAN902, is used as an example for explanation. RAN902 includes satellite 9021, gateway 9022, and terrestrial network equipment 9023.

[0135] In the NTN900, terminal 901 can communicate with satellite 9021 via the Uu interface. Satellite 9021 can communicate with gateway 9022 via the feed link between satellite 9021 and gateway 9022. Gateway 9022 can communicate with terrestrial network equipment 9023 via a wired link.

[0136] Furthermore, optionally, satellite 9021 acts as a transparent relay unit, providing services such as radio frequency filtering, frequency conversion, and amplification to the terminal; that is, satellite 9021 is a transparent mode satellite. In this case, satellite 9021 can be understood as a remote radio unit (RRU) in the ground network equipment 9023, providing only simple physical signal coverage. Satellite 9021 needs to communicate with the ground network equipment 9023 through gateway station 9022 and the feeder link between satellite 9021 and gateway station 9022. In addition, the link between satellite 9021 and terminal 901 can be called a service link.

[0137] In this case, the gateway station 9022 has all or some of the functions of a base station. If the gateway station 9022 has all the functions of a base station, then the gateway station 9022 can function as a terrestrial network device 9023, meaning that the terrestrial network device 9023 may not need to be deployed.

[0138] If the gateway station 9022 has some of the functions of a base station, then both the gateway station 9022 and the terrestrial network equipment 9023 need to be deployed. For example... Figure 9 As shown, the ground network equipment 9023 can be deployed separately from the gateway station 9022. The gateway station 9022 is connected to the ground network equipment 9023. In this way, the transmission of the power supply link includes two parts: the transmission between the satellite 9021 and the gateway station 9022, and the transmission between the gateway station 9022 and the ground network equipment 9023. For example, in terms of transmission delay, the delay includes the transmission delay between the satellite 9021 and the gateway station 9022, and the transmission delay between the gateway station 9022 and the ground network equipment 9023.

[0139] Furthermore, optionally, Satellite 9021, as a non-terrestrial network device, provides terminals with all or part of the services supported by the network device; that is, Satellite 9021 is a regenerative mode satellite. In this case, Satellite 9021 has all or part of the functions supported by the network device, meaning that Satellite 9021 can directly provide terminals with all or part of the services supported by the network device. For example, the DU function of a base station can be deployed on the satellite, or the CU and DU functions of a base station can be deployed on the satellite.

[0140] In one possible implementation, the method described in the embodiments of this application can also be applied to a terrestrial network. A schematic diagram of the terrestrial network structure can be found in [reference needed]. Figure 6 This will be understood in more detail here.

[0141] In one possible implementation, the method described in the embodiments of this application can also be applied to an ATG network. And as... Figure 10The diagram shown is a structural schematic of an ATG network provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 10 The ATG network 1000 is illustrated using an example that includes three terminals 1001 and three network devices 1002. For instance, network device 1002 may include ground network equipment, while terminal 1001 may include equipment such as high-altitude aircraft, drones, or onboard terminals.

[0142] In one possible implementation, the first terminal and the second terminal in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as communication devices, which may be a general-purpose device or a special-purpose device. The embodiments of this application do not specifically limit this.

[0143] In one possible implementation, the relevant functions of the first or second terminal in this application embodiment can be implemented by one device, multiple devices working together, or one or more functional modules within a single device. This application embodiment does not specifically limit this. It is understood that the above functions can be network elements in hardware devices, software functions running on dedicated hardware, a combination of hardware and software, or virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

[0144] For example, the relevant functions of the first terminal or the second terminal in the embodiments of this application can be achieved through... Figure 11 The communication device 1110 in the middle is used to implement this. Figure 11 A schematic diagram of a possible communication device is shown. It will be understood that the communication device 1110 includes means of the necessary form, such as modules, units, elements, circuits, or interfaces, to be appropriately configured together to perform this solution. The communication device 1110 can be... Figure 6 The RAN node, first terminal, second terminal, core network equipment, or other network equipment, or components (e.g., chips) within these devices, are used to implement the methods described in the following method embodiments. The communication device 1110 includes one or more processors 1111. The processor 1111 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, while the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device (e.g., RAN node, terminal, or chip), execute software programs, and process data from the software programs.

[0145] Optionally, in one design, the processor 1111 may include a program 1113 (sometimes also referred to as code or instructions), which can be executed on the processor 1111 to cause the communication device 1110 to perform the methods described in the embodiments below. In another possible design, the communication device 1110 includes circuitry (…). Figure 11(Not shown), the circuit is used to implement the communication function in the following embodiments.

[0146] Optionally, the communication device 1110 may include one or more memories 1112 storing a program 1114 (sometimes referred to as code or instructions), which can be run on the processor 1111 to cause the communication device 1110 to perform the methods described in the following method embodiments.

[0147] Optionally, the processor 1111 and / or memory 1112 may include artificial intelligence (AI) modules 1117 and 1118, which are used to implement AI-related functions. AI modules 1117 or 1118 can be implemented through software, hardware, or a combination of both. For example, AI modules 1117 or 1118 may include a radio intelligent controller (RIC) module. For example, AI modules 1117 or 1118 can be a near real-time RIC or a non-real-time RIC.

[0148] Optionally, data may also be stored in the processor 1111 and / or the memory 1112. The processor and memory may be configured separately or integrated together.

[0149] Optionally, the communication device 1110 may also include a transceiver 1115 and / or an antenna 1116. The processor 1111, sometimes referred to as a processing unit, controls the communication device (e.g., a first terminal or a second terminal). The transceiver 1115, sometimes referred to as a transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, or transceiver, is used to realize the transmission and reception functions of the communication device through the antenna 1116.

[0150] For example, Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of a communication scenario provided in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 12As shown, the communication method provided in this application embodiment can be applied to terminal-dominated coordinated transmission (TDCT) scenarios. In this scenario, the second terminal and the network device are in a disconnected state, while the first terminal and the network device are in a connected state. The disconnected state described in this application embodiment can also be replaced with other names such as RRC idle state, RRC inactive state, RRC connection not established between the terminal and the network device, terminal not connected to the system, or terminal not connected to the network device; this application embodiment does not impose any restrictions on these terms. Similarly, the connected state described in this application embodiment can also be replaced with other names such as RRC connected state, RRC active state, terminal in active state, terminal connected to the system, or terminal connected to the network device; this application embodiment does not impose any restrictions on these terms.

[0151] In this scenario, uplink and downlink data (e.g., data transport blocks, TBs) can be transmitted between the first terminal and the network device, and uplink and downlink data can also be transmitted between the first terminal and the second terminal. Since the second terminal can be used to forward data between the first terminal and the network device, it can forward data from the first terminal to the network device, or forward data from the network device to the first terminal. However, in addition to sending data to the second terminal, the first terminal can also send information such as first information to determine the time when the second terminal forwards data from the first terminal in a disconnected state, or the time when the second terminal receives data from the network device in a disconnected state, thereby enabling the second terminal to forward data from the first terminal in a disconnected state, or to receive data from the network device in a disconnected state. Furthermore, both the first and second terminals can transmit data to the network device via satellite.

[0152] In addition, optionally, the data recorded in the embodiments of this application can also be replaced with signals. For example, uplink data can be replaced with uplink signals, and downlink data can be replaced with downlink signals; or the data recorded in the embodiments of this application can also be replaced with information. For example, uplink data can be replaced with information including the uplink data, and downlink data can be replaced with information including the downlink data.

[0153] Optionally, the first terminal and the second terminal can be connected via a side link, Bluetooth, or WiFi, etc. That is, it is not limited to the side link defined in the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) protocol, and other connection or communication methods can also be used. This application embodiment does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0154] Furthermore, the communication method provided in this application embodiment can be applied to situations where the second terminal supports receiving broadcast messages or downlink synchronization signals from a network device, or it can also be applied to situations where the second terminal does not support receiving broadcast messages or downlink synchronization signals from a network device. When the second terminal supports receiving broadcast messages or downlink synchronization signals from a network device, the second terminal can obtain the broadcast messages or downlink synchronization signals from the network device, so that subsequent information such as TA or downlink timing can be determined based on the broadcast messages or downlink synchronization signals from the network device. When the second terminal supports receiving broadcast messages or downlink synchronization signals from a network device, the second terminal can obtain the information required to determine the first time position (i.e., the third information) from the first terminal.

[0155] Optionally, the communication method provided in this application embodiment can also be applied to other transmission scenarios (e.g., relay transmission scenarios), and this application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

[0156] The following will combine Figure 13 The communication method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below.

[0157] It should be noted that the message names, parameter names, or information names between network elements in the following embodiments of this application are merely examples, and may be other names in other embodiments. The method provided in the embodiments of this application does not specifically limit these names. It is understood that in the embodiments of this application, each network element may execute some or all of the steps in the embodiments of this application. These steps or operations are examples, and the embodiments of this application may also execute other operations or variations thereof. Furthermore, the steps may be executed in different orders as presented in the embodiments of this application, and may not necessarily involve executing all the operations in the embodiments of this application.

[0158] Figure 13This is an example of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. The method is described using the interaction between a first terminal and a second terminal, and between the second terminal and a network device as examples. Of course, the subject executing the action of the first terminal in this method can also be a device / module in the first terminal, such as a chip, processor, or processing unit in the first terminal, and the subject executing the action of the second terminal in this method can also be a device / module in the second terminal, such as a chip, processor, or processing unit in the second terminal. The embodiments of this application do not specifically limit this.

[0159] For example, such as Figure 13 As shown, the communication method includes the following steps: S1301, The first terminal sends a first message to the second terminal. Correspondingly, the second terminal receives the first message from the first terminal.

[0160] The first message includes data from the first terminal and first information, which is used to indicate the parameters required to determine the time for the second terminal to forward the data from the first terminal to the network device.

[0161] Optionally, the second terminal forwarding data from the first terminal to the network device can also be replaced by the second terminal sending data from the first terminal to the network device, or by the second terminal sending uplink data from the second terminal to the network device. This embodiment does not impose any limitations on this. Furthermore, the second terminal forwarding data from the first terminal to the network device can be simply referred to as the second terminal forwarding data from the first terminal.

[0162] Optionally, the data from the first terminal involved in the embodiments of this application can be understood as data to be transmitted from the first terminal, or as data to be transmitted from the first terminal to the network device via the second terminal. Furthermore, for example, the data from the first terminal can be data from the first terminal carried in the PUSCH, and this embodiment of the application does not impose any limitations on this. The uplink data from the second terminal can be understood with reference to the data from the first terminal, and will not be elaborated here. For example, the data involved in the embodiments of this application can include TB, and this embodiment of the application does not impose any limitations on this.

[0163] S1302, the second terminal sends data from the first terminal to the network device based on the first information. Correspondingly, the network device receives data from the first terminal based on the first information.

[0164] In one optional implementation, the relay of the second terminal involved in the embodiments of this application may include AF and / or DF. That is, the second terminal may not decode or encode the information including data from the first terminal, but may directly forward the information including data from the first terminal to the network device based on the first control information; or, the second terminal may also decode the information including data from the first terminal, obtain a decoding result, re-encode the decoding result, and forward the re-encoded information to the network device based on the first control information.

[0165] In one possible implementation, the first terminal can also directly send uplink data to the network device, and the network device receives the uplink data from the first terminal. Alternatively, the first terminal can send data to the network device through a second terminal, or it can send data directly to the network device. That is, data from the first terminal can be transmitted through multiple paths, which can provide power gain and diversity gain for the transmission of data from the first terminal, thereby improving the reliability or throughput of the first terminal's transmission.

[0166] Furthermore, optionally, the first terminal can determine whether the data forwarded by the second terminal from the first terminal is the same as the uplink data sent by the first terminal to the network device. That is, the data forwarded by the second terminal from the first terminal and the uplink data sent by the first terminal to the network device as described in this application embodiment can be the same, and the data forwarded by the second terminal from the first terminal and the uplink data sent by the first terminal to the network device as described in this application embodiment can also be different; this application embodiment does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0167] In addition, optionally, the time-frequency resources used by the second terminal when forwarding data from the first terminal may be the same as or different from the time-frequency resources used by the first terminal when sending uplink data to the network device. This application embodiment does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0168] In this embodiment, the first terminal is connected to the network device, while the second terminal is disconnected from the network device. The second terminal is used to forward data between the first terminal and the network device. In this case, the network device can detect the first terminal but cannot detect the second terminal. Therefore, the first terminal can obtain the information needed for data transmission with the network device from the network device, while the second terminal cannot obtain the relevant information for data transmission to the network device. Consequently, the second terminal cannot obtain the parameters needed to determine the time required for the second terminal to forward data from the first terminal to the network device. In this embodiment, the first terminal can send a first message to the second terminal to inform the second terminal of the data from the first terminal and the parameters (i.e., first information) required for the second terminal to forward the data from the first terminal to the network device. This allows the second terminal to more accurately determine the time when it forwards the data from the first terminal to the network device in a disconnected state, minimizing the discrepancy between the time the second terminal sends the data from the first terminal to the network device and the time the first terminal sends the uplink data to the network device. This reduces ISI or ICI during the transmission process between the first terminal and the second terminal and the network device, and ensures the decoding performance of the network device for uplink data as much as possible.

[0169] The first piece of information will be explained in detail below.

[0170] Optionally, the first information includes second information and / or third information. The second information is used to indicate the parameters required to determine the first TA, or the second information is used to indicate the first TA. The first TA is the TA used by the second terminal when forwarding data from the first terminal in a connectionless state. The third information is used to indicate the information required to determine the first time position. The first time position (which can also be called the timing position, hereinafter referred to as the timing position) is the time position at which the second terminal advances the timing when forwarding data from the first terminal in a connectionless state. Both the first TA and the first time position are used to determine the time when the second terminal forwards data from the first terminal to the network device.

[0171] It is understandable that when the second terminal forwards data from the first terminal to the network device in a disconnected state, the first terminal may indicate second information and / or third information to the second terminal so that the second terminal can determine the TA (i.e., the first TA) used when the second terminal sends uplink data to the network device and / or the time position (i.e., the first time position) when the second terminal forwards data from the first terminal in a disconnected state. Since the first TA and first time position determined based on the second and third information are more accurate than those determined by the second terminal based on other information, the first terminal can determine the time when the second terminal forwards data from the first terminal to the network device based on the first TA and / or first time position determined by the second and / or third information. This can improve the accuracy of the time when the second terminal forwards data from the first terminal to the network device in a disconnected state, and minimize the deviation between the time when the second terminal sends data from the first terminal to the network device and the time when the first terminal sends uplink data to the network device. This can reduce ISI or ICI during the transmission process between the first and second terminals and the network device, and ensure the decoding performance of the network device for uplink data as much as possible.

[0172] As described above regarding the "second information," the second information is used to indicate the parameters required to determine the first TA, or the second information is used to indicate the first TA. However, when the second information is used to indicate the parameters required to determine the first TA, the communication method described in the embodiments of this application provides multiple implementations of the information included in the second information.

[0173] In one possible implementation (denoted as implementation 1), the second information includes an adjustment value for the second TA. The second TA is determined by the second terminal based on the broadcast message from the network device and the location information of the second terminal, and the adjustment value of the second TA is used to determine the first TA.

[0174] Optionally, the process of the second terminal determining the first TA can be as follows: the second terminal calculates the second TA based on its location information, and at least one of the following information from the broadcast message of the network device: ephemeris information, common TA, common TA drift, common TA drift variant, and TA offset, and determines the first TA based on the adjustment value of the second TA and the second TA. For example, the first TA can satisfy the following formula 5.

[0175] TA_relay_UE=TA_base±TA_ad, formula 5; Wherein, the first TA is TA_relay_UE. The second TA is TA_base. The adjustment value of the second TA is TA_ad.

[0176] In the embodiments of this application, "±" can be understood as "+" or "-", that is, it can be understood as addition or subtraction. The use of "±" in the following formulas can be understood with reference to this description, and will not be repeated here.

[0177] Alternatively, the implementation method for the second terminal to calculate the second TA based on the second terminal's location information and at least one of the following information in the broadcast message: ephemeris information, common TA, common TA drift, common TA drift variant, and TA offset, can refer to Formula 1 above, and will not be elaborated further in this application. Furthermore, in this case, N in Formula 1 above... TA It is 0.

[0178] In other words, in implementation method 1, the second TA is determined by the second terminal itself. If the second terminal supports broadcast messages from the network device, or supports receiving downlink synchronization signals from the network device, or supports receiving broadcast messages from the first cell, or supports receiving broadcast messages from the first cell, then the second terminal can directly obtain the broadcast message from the network device so that the second TA can be determined based on the broadcast message later. If the second terminal does not support receiving broadcast messages from the network device, or does not support receiving downlink synchronization signals from the network device, or does not support receiving broadcast messages from the first cell, or does not support receiving broadcast messages from the first cell, then the second terminal can obtain the broadcast message from the first terminal, that is, the first terminal sends the broadcast message to the second terminal so that the second TA can be determined based on the broadcast message later. Here, the first cell is the cell managed by the network device that transmits data with the first terminal.

[0179] It is understood that the second terminal supports broadcast messages from the network device, or the second terminal supports receiving downlink synchronization signals from the network device, or the second terminal supports receiving broadcast messages from the first cell, hereinafter referred to as the second terminal supporting receiving broadcast messages or downlink synchronization signals from the network device; the second terminal does not support broadcast messages from the network device, or the second terminal does not support receiving downlink synchronization signals from the network device, or the second terminal does not support receiving broadcast messages from the first cell, hereinafter referred to as the second terminal not supporting receiving broadcast messages or downlink synchronization signals from the network device. In other words, the broadcast messages of the network device described in this application embodiment can also be understood as broadcast messages from the first cell, and the downlink synchronization signals of the network device described in this application embodiment can be downlink synchronization signals from the first cell, which will not be elaborated further below.

[0180] In another possible implementation (denoted as Implementation 2), the second information includes the adjustment value of the second TA and the uplink timing difference (which can also be called the uplink time difference, and will not be elaborated further below). The uplink timing difference is the difference between the predicted first timing and the second timing. The first timing is the uplink signal timing between the first terminal and the network device. The second timing is the timing when the first terminal sends a synchronization signal or data to the second terminal during data transmission between the first and second terminals, or the timing when the second terminal receives a synchronization signal or data from the first terminal during data transmission between the first and second terminals. The uplink timing difference is also used to determine the first TA. Alternatively, the uplink timing difference is the difference between the predicted third timing and the second timing. The third timing is the uplink signal timing between the second terminal and the network device; the second timing is the timing when the first terminal sends a synchronization signal or data to the second terminal during data transmission between the first and second terminals, or the timing when the second terminal receives a synchronization signal or data from the first terminal during data transmission between the first and second terminals. The uplink timing difference is also used to determine the first TA.

[0181] It should be noted that the uplink timing difference described in the embodiments of this application can be a timing difference or time difference between the same or different time domain resource index numbers (e.g., frame resource index number, time slot resource index number, or symbol resource index number) between the first timing and the second timing. Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a timing relationship provided in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 14 As shown, for example, taking the uplink timing difference of the same time domain resource index number as an example, the uplink timing difference can be... Figure 14The time difference between the starting position of slot 1 in the second timing and the starting position of slot 1 in the first timing. For example, taking the uplink timing difference for different time-domain resource index numbers as an example, the uplink timing difference could be... Figure 14 The time difference between the starting position of time slot 1 in the second timing and the starting position of time slot 2 in the first timing (e.g.) Figure 14 (The uplink timing difference is marked in the text). In addition, when the uplink timing difference is the difference between the predicted third timing and the second timing, the uplink timing difference can be the timing difference or time difference between the same or different time domain resource index numbers (e.g., frame resource index number, time slot resource index number, or symbol resource index number) between the third timing and the second timing. Please refer to the above description for understanding, and it will not be repeated here.

[0182] Optionally, the timing involved in the embodiments of this application can also be replaced by frame timing, slot timing, symbol timing, frame time, or frame boundary, and the embodiments of this application do not impose any restrictions on this. The timing difference involved in the embodiments of this application can be replaced by delay difference, time difference, frame timing difference, or frame boundary difference, and the embodiments of this application do not impose any restrictions on this. The uplink timing difference involved in the embodiments of this application can also be called uplink delay difference, uplink time difference, uplink transmission frame timing difference, uplink transmission frame timing difference, uplink transmission frame boundary timing difference, or uplink transmission frame boundary time difference, and the embodiments of this application do not impose any restrictions on this.

[0183] Optionally, the process of the second terminal determining the first TA can be as follows: the second terminal calculates the second TA based on the location information of the second terminal, as well as the ephemeris information, common TA, common TA drift, common TA drift variant, and TA offset information in the broadcast message of the network device, and determines the first TA based on the second TA, the adjustment value of the second TA, and the uplink timing difference.

[0184] For example, the first TA can satisfy the following formula 6: TA_relay_UE=TA_base+TA_ad±△UL, formula 6; Where △UL is the uplink timing difference.

[0185] Optionally, the process by which the first terminal determines the first TA based on the second TA, its adjustment value, and the uplink timing difference can be as follows: the first terminal adjusts the second TA based on its adjustment value to obtain the fifth TA, and then adjusts the fifth TA based on the uplink timing difference to obtain the first TA. For example, as... Figure 14As shown, the uplink timing difference is the difference between the starting position of slot 1 in the second timing and the starting position of slot 2 in the first timing. The first timing interval (TA) is obtained by subtracting the uplink timing difference from the fifth TA. In this example, starting from the starting position of slot 2 in the first timing, timing advance pre-compensation is performed on the transmitted signal based on the difference between the first TA and the uplink timing difference to obtain the time position of the transmitted signal after timing advance pre-compensation by the first terminal. Alternatively, starting from the starting position of slot 2 in the second timing, timing advance pre-compensation is performed on the transmitted signal based on the difference between the first TA and the uplink timing difference to obtain the time position of the transmitted signal after timing advance pre-compensation by the second terminal. In this case, the time domain resource used by either the first or second terminal when sending data to the network device is slot 2. For example, Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a timing relationship provided in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 15 As shown, the uplink timing difference is the difference between the starting position of time slot 2 in the first timing and the starting position of time slot 1 in the second timing. The first timing interval (TA) is obtained by adding the uplink timing difference to the fifth timing interval (TA). In this example, taking the starting position of time slot 2 in the first timing as the starting point, the transmitted signal is pre-compensated for timing advance based on the sum of the first TA and the uplink timing difference to obtain the time position of the transmitted signal after timing advance compensation by the first terminal. Alternatively, taking the starting position of time slot 2 in the second timing as the starting point, the transmitted signal is pre-compensated for timing advance based on the sum of the first TA and the uplink timing difference to obtain the time position of the transmitted signal after timing advance compensation by the second terminal. In this case, the time domain resource used by the first or second terminal when sending data to the network device is time slot 2. Figure 14 ,as well as Figure 15 As shown, the second timing is the timing for the second terminal to receive the signal from the first terminal, the third timing is the timing for the second terminal to send an uplink signal to the network device, and the first timing is the timing for the second terminal to observe, estimate, or predict the first terminal to send an uplink signal to the network device.

[0186] Furthermore, optionally, the first timing and the third timing described in the embodiments of this application can be understood as the timing at which the first terminal or the second terminal sends an uplink signal to the network device when the TA used by the first terminal or the second terminal is 0. Additionally, optionally, the TA in the embodiments of this application can also be replaced with a TA value, and the embodiments of this application do not impose any restrictions on this.

[0187] In addition, combined Figure 14 or Figure 15 It can be seen that, Figure 14 or Figure 15 The document also shows a third timing, which is the uplink signal timing between the second terminal and the network device. Figure 14 or Figure 15 This explanation is based on the example of the first and third timings being aligned or nearly aligned, meaning that the first terminal and the second terminal simultaneously or nearly simultaneously receive data from the network device (or the network device's data arrives at the first and second terminals simultaneously or nearly simultaneously). The first and third timings can only be aligned or nearly aligned when the distance between the first and second terminals is small, for example, within 1 meter. However, in actual communication, the first terminal timing and the third timing may not be aligned, meaning that the time difference between the first terminal and the second terminal receiving data from the network device is significant (or the time difference between the network device's data arriving at the first and second terminals is significant). In this case, the difference between the first and third timings (e.g., denoted as the first side-tracking timing difference) can be determined by the first terminal based on the relationship between the first terminal's location information, the second terminal's location information, and the satellite's location information.

[0188] Optionally, the first terminal estimates the transmission delay difference based on the relationship between the location information of the first terminal, the location information of the second terminal, and the location information of the satellite, and determines the difference between the predicted first timing and the third timing (i.e., the first side-tracking timing difference) based on the transmission delay difference. Here, the transmission delay difference is the difference between the transmission delay between the first terminal and the satellite, and the transmission delay between the second terminal and the satellite.

[0189] Optionally, during the process of determining the first TA by the first terminal, the first terminal may also refer to the aforementioned first side-link timing difference to determine the first TA, and may also send the first side-link timing difference to the second terminal, so that the second terminal refers to the first side-link timing difference during the process of determining the first TA. The description regarding the first terminal referring to the aforementioned first side-link timing difference to determine the first TA can be understood by referring to the description regarding the first terminal referring to the aforementioned uplink timing difference to determine the first TA, and will not be repeated here. The description regarding the second terminal referring to the first side-link timing difference during the process of determining the first TA can be understood by referring to the description regarding the second terminal referring to the uplink timing difference during the process of determining the first TA, and will not be repeated here. In other words, the uplink timing difference in the formulas described in the embodiments of this application can all be replaced with the first side-link timing difference, or can all be replaced with the difference between the uplink timing difference and the first side-link timing difference, or can all be replaced with the sum of the uplink timing difference and the first side-link timing difference; the embodiments of this application do not impose any restrictions on this.

[0190] It should be noted that the first side-row timing difference in this application embodiment can be a timing difference or time difference between the first timing and the third timing using the same or different time domain resource index numbers (e.g., frame resource index number, time slot resource index number, or symbol resource index number). For example, taking the first side-row timing difference with the same time domain resource index number as an example, the first side-row timing difference can be... Figure 14 The time difference between the starting position of time slot 1 in the second timing and the starting position of time slot 1 in the third timing. For example, taking the first-side row timing difference of different time-domain resource index numbers as an example, the first-side row timing difference could be... Figure 14 The time difference between the starting position of time slot 1 in the second timing and the starting position of time slot 2 in the third timing.

[0191] Furthermore, the communication method described in the embodiments of this application also provides multiple implementations for determining the adjustment value of the second TA. The multiple implementations for determining the adjustment value of the second TA are described in detail below.

[0192] In one optional implementation (denoted as implementation a), the adjustment value of the second TA is determined based on the difference between the third TA and the fourth TA, wherein the third TA is the TA used by the first terminal when sending uplink data to the network device, and the fourth TA is determined by the first terminal based on the location information of the first terminal and the broadcast message of the network device, or the fourth TA is determined by the first terminal based on the location information of the second terminal and the broadcast message of the network device.

[0193] Optionally, the process by which the first terminal determines the adjustment value of the second TA can be as follows: The second terminal calculates the fourth TA based on its own location information or the location information of the first terminal, as well as at least one of the following information from the broadcast message of the network device: ephemeris information, common TA, common TA drift, common TA drift variant, and TA offset. The first terminal then determines the third TA as the TA used when sending uplink data to the network device. The first terminal determines the adjustment value of the second TA based on the difference between the third TA and the fourth TA. For example, the adjustment value of the second TA (e.g., denoted as TA_ad) is the third TA (e.g., denoted as TA_ac) minus the fourth TA (e.g., denoted as TA_cal) (e.g., TA_ac-TA_cal). Alternatively, the adjustment value of the second TA (e.g., denoted as TA_ad) is the fourth TA (e.g., denoted as TA_cal) minus the third TA (e.g., denoted as TA_ac) (e.g., TA_ac-TA_cal).

[0194] In another alternative implementation (denoted as implementation b), the adjustment value of the second TA is determined based on the difference between the third TA and the fourth TA, and the offset of the first TA, wherein the first TA offset is used to adjust the difference between the third TA and the fourth TA to obtain the adjustment value of the second TA.

[0195] Optionally, the process of the first terminal determining the adjustment value of the second TA can be as follows: the first terminal calculates the fourth TA based on the location information of the second terminal or the location information of the first terminal, as well as at least one of the ephemeris information, common TA, and TA offset in the broadcast message of the network device, and determines the TA used by the first terminal when sending uplink data to the network device as the third TA. The first terminal determines the adjustment value of the second TA based on the difference between the third TA and the fourth TA and the offset of the first TA. For example, the adjustment value of the second TA (e.g., denoted as TA_ad) is the value obtained by subtracting the fourth TA (e.g., denoted as TA_cal) from the third TA (e.g., TA_ac - TA_cal) based on the first TA offset (e.g., TA_ac - TA_cal ± first TA offset). Alternatively, the adjustment value of the second TA (e.g., denoted as TA_ad) is the value obtained by subtracting the third TA (e.g., TA_cal - TA_ac) from the fourth TA (e.g., TA_cal) based on the first TA offset (e.g., TA_ac ± first TA offset). Furthermore, optionally, the second terminal can send its location information to the first terminal, and correspondingly, the first terminal receives the location information of the second terminal.

[0196] In some examples, the first TA offset can be 0. The first TA offset can also be determined by the distance (or positional difference) between the first and second terminals. It can also be half the length of the CP (CP_length) used by the second terminal when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state (e.g., CP_length / 2). Furthermore, the first TA offset can be estimated by the first terminal based on the round-trip time delay difference between the first or second terminal and the satellite, respectively. Other values ​​for the first TA offset can also be used, such as ±0.1 μs or ±0.25 μs. Additionally, the "±" in time can be interpreted as positive or negative; for example, ±0.1 μs can be understood as a positive 0.1 μs (i.e., +0.1 μs) or a negative 0.1 μs (i.e., -0.1 μs).

[0197] Alternatively, the process by which the first terminal calculates the round-trip delay difference can be as follows: the first terminal calculates the round-trip delay between itself and the satellite based on its own location information and the satellite's location information. The second terminal sends its own location information to the first terminal; correspondingly, the first terminal receives the second terminal's location information and determines the round-trip delay between itself and the satellite based on the second terminal's location information and the satellite's location information. The first terminal then calculates the round-trip delay difference based on the round-trip delay between itself and the satellite, and the round-trip delay between itself and the satellite.

[0198] Furthermore, optionally, in implementation method a or implementation method b above, the implementation method in which the first terminal calculates the fourth TA based on the location information of the second terminal or the location information of the first terminal, as well as the ephemeris information, common TA offset, and other information in the broadcast message of the network device, can refer to Formula 1 above, and this application will not elaborate further on this. In addition, in this case, N in Formula 1 above... TA The timing adjustment parameters are sent by the network device to the first terminal in advance.

[0199] In another alternative implementation (denoted as implementation c), the adjustment value of the second TA is based on the timing advance adjustment parameter (e.g., denoted as N) sent by the network device to the first terminal. TA It is certain.

[0200] Optionally, the process by which the first terminal determines the adjustment value of the second TA can be as follows: the first terminal directly determines the timing advance adjustment parameter sent by the network device to the first terminal as the adjustment value of the second TA, for example, TA_ad is N. TA .

[0201] In another optional implementation (denoted as implementation d), the adjustment value of the second TA is determined based on the timing advance adjustment parameters sent by the network device to the first terminal and the second TA offset. The second TA offset is used to adjust the timing advance adjustment parameters sent by the network device to the first terminal to obtain the adjustment value of the second TA.

[0202] Optionally, the second TA offset can be understood with reference to the first TA offset. That is, the second TA offset can be 0, or it can be determined by the distance (or positional difference) between the first terminal and the second terminal. The second TA offset can also be half the length of the CP used by the second terminal when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state (e.g., CP_length / 2). The second TA offset can also be estimated by the first terminal based on the round-trip time delay difference between the first terminal or the second terminal and the satellite, respectively. The second TA offset can also be other data, such as ±0.1us or ±0.25us.

[0203] In another alternative implementation (denoted as implementation f), the adjustment value of the second TA is determined based on the distance difference and the speed of light, where the distance difference is the difference between the distance between the first terminal and the satellite and the distance between the second terminal and the satellite.

[0204] Optionally, the process by which the first terminal determines the adjustment value of the second TA can be as follows: the network device can send the distance difference (which can be called the satellite ephemeris error) between the actual satellite position information and the satellite position information indicated by the ephemeris to the first terminal. Correspondingly, the first terminal can receive the satellite ephemeris error from the network device and determine the adjustment value of the second TA based on the satellite ephemeris error. For example, the adjustment value of the second TA can satisfy the following formula 7: TA_ad = ephemeris error × 2 / speed of light, Formula 7; Optionally, when the first terminal sends an updated adjustment value of the second TA to the second terminal, the second terminal can directly replace the current adjustment value of the second TA with the updated adjustment value of the second TA, or it can determine the sum of the updated adjustment value of the second TA and the current adjustment value of the second TA as the adjustment value of the second TA to be used subsequently.

[0205] In the embodiments of this application, the embodiments of this application provide multiple implementations for determining the adjustment value of the second TA. In one implementation (i.e., implementation a), the adjustment value of the second TA is determined based on the difference between the TA used by the first terminal when sending uplink data to the network device (i.e., the third TA) and the TA determined by the first terminal based on the location information of the first terminal or the location information of the second terminal and the broadcast message of the network device (i.e., the fourth TA). This can make the first TA determined based on the adjustment value of the second TA more accurate.

[0206] In another implementation (i.e. implementation b), the adjustment value of the second TA can be determined based on the offset of the first TA and the difference between the third TA and the fourth TA. In this way, the second terminal can further adjust the difference between the third TA and the fourth TA based on the offset of the first TA to determine the adjustment value of the second TA, thereby further improving the accuracy of the adjustment value of the second TA.

[0207] In another implementation (i.e., implementation c), the adjustment value of the second TA can be determined based on the timing advance adjustment parameters sent by the network device to the first terminal. Since the timing advance adjustment parameters sent by the network device to the first terminal are very helpful in determining when the second terminal forwards data from the first terminal to the network device, and can effectively prevent data forwarded by the second terminal from the first terminal from arriving at the network device prematurely, the adjustment value of the second TA determined based on the timing advance adjustment parameters sent by the network device to the first terminal can effectively improve the accuracy of the first TA.

[0208] In another implementation (i.e. implementation d), the adjustment value of the second TA can be determined based on the timing advance adjustment parameters sent by the network device to the first terminal and the offset of the second TA. In this way, the second terminal can further adjust the timing advance adjustment parameters sent by the network device to the first terminal based on the second TA offset to determine the adjustment value of the second TA, thereby further improving the accuracy of the first TA.

[0209] In another implementation (i.e. implementation f), the adjustment value of the second TA can be determined based on the difference between the distance between the first terminal and the satellite and the distance between the second terminal and the satellite (i.e., the distance difference) and the speed of light. The adjustment value of the second TA determined in this way can compensate for the error caused by the distance difference between the first terminal and the second terminal and the satellite, thereby improving the accuracy of the first TA determined based on the adjustment value of the second TA.

[0210] In one possible implementation (referred to as implementation 3), the second information includes the length of the CP used by the second terminal when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state (e.g., CP_length).

[0211] Optionally, the process of the second terminal determining the first TA can be as follows: the second terminal determines the second TA based on the broadcast message of the network device and the location information of the second terminal, and determines an adjustment value for the second TA based on the length of the CP and / or the subcarrier spacing. The second terminal determines the first TA based on the second TA and the adjustment value of the second TA. Furthermore, optionally, the adjustment value of the second TA is half the length of the CP used by the second terminal when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state (e.g., CP_length / 2). Additionally, the second terminal can also determine the length of the CP used by the second terminal when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state based on the subcarrier spacing configured by the network device for the first terminal.

[0212] For example, the first TA can satisfy the following formula 8.

[0213] TA_relay_UE=TA_base±CP_length / 2, formula 8; In addition, alternatively, Formula 8 above may be agreed upon through an agreement, and this application embodiment does not impose any restrictions on it.

[0214] Understandably, the difference between implementation method 3 and implementation method 1 is that the first terminal does not need to send the adjustment value of the second TA to the second terminal. Instead, it sends the length of the CP used by the second terminal when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state. In other words, during the process of the second terminal forwarding data from the first terminal, the first terminal sends the length of the CP used by the second terminal when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state, or other general parameters (e.g., subcarrier spacing), without adding additional parameters (e.g., the adjustment value of the second TA) to the general parameters, thus avoiding additional signaling overhead.

[0215] Optionally, the descriptions of TA_base in this implementation method 3 and the second terminal's support for receiving broadcast messages or downlink synchronization signals from network devices can be found in the descriptions at the corresponding locations mentioned above, such as the relevant descriptions of implementation method 1, and will not be repeated here.

[0216] Optionally, CP_length / 2 can be replaced with other conventional values. For example, CP_length / 2 can be the maximum value of the round-trip time delay difference between the first terminal or the second terminal and the satellite, or CP_length / 2 can be + / - ±0.1us, or the adjustment value of the second TA can be + / - ±0.25us, etc.

[0217] Understandably, if the second terminal is in a disconnected state, or the second terminal does not support receiving broadcast messages or downlink synchronization signals from the network device, or there are ephemeris errors, or positioning errors of the second terminal, etc., causing the deviation value of the first TA to be less than or equal to half the length of the CP used by the second terminal when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state, or ±0.1us, it can be guaranteed that in the time domain dimension, the data part of the data sent by the first terminal to the network device and the CP part of the data sent by the second terminal to the network device will not overlap, thereby ensuring that serious ISI or ICI will not occur during uplink transmission.

[0218] It is understood that, among the various implementations of the second information provided in this application, one implementation includes an adjustment value for the second TA. This allows the second terminal to adjust the second TA based on the adjustment value indicated by the first terminal to obtain the first TA, rather than directly determining the TA without considering the relevant parameters indicated by the first terminal, thus improving the accuracy of the first TA. Another implementation includes an adjustment value for the second TA and an uplink timing difference. This allows the second terminal to jointly adjust the second TA based on the adjustment value indicated by the first terminal and the uplink timing difference to obtain the first TA, rather than directly determining the TA without considering the parameters indicated by the first terminal. In one implementation, the TA determined by the relevant parameters is directly used as the first TA, thereby further improving the accuracy of the first TA. In another implementation, the second information includes the length of the CP used by the second terminal when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state. In this way, the second terminal can adjust the second TA based on the length of the CP used by the second terminal when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state, instead of directly using the TA determined by the relevant parameters indicated by the first terminal as the first TA. This improves the accuracy of the first TA and saves the first terminal from the operation of determining the adjustment value of the second TA and / or the uplink timing difference, thereby reducing the processing burden of the first terminal.

[0219] As described above regarding the "second information," the second information is used to indicate the parameters needed to determine the first TA, or the second information is used to indicate the first TA. However, if the second information is used to indicate the first TA, it indicates that the first terminal needs to determine the first TA and inform the second terminal of the first TA so that the second terminal can directly forward data from the first terminal to the network device in a disconnected state based on the first TA. That is, the second terminal does not need to calculate the second TA based on the second terminal's location information, and at least one of the ephemeris information, common TA, common TA drift, common TA drift variant, and TA offset in the broadcast message, and therefore does not need to determine the first TA based on the second TA. Furthermore, when the second information is used to indicate the first TA, the communication method described in the embodiments of this application provides multiple implementations for the first terminal to determine the first TA. The advantage of this method is that it avoids calculation by the second terminal and reduces the computational complexity of the second terminal.

[0220] In one possible implementation (denoted as implementation 4), the process of the first terminal determining the first TA can be as follows: the first terminal determines the TA used when it is currently sending uplink data to the network device as the third TA, and determines the first TA based on the third TA and its adjustment value. For example, the first TA satisfies the following formula 9: TA_relay_ue = TA_remote_ue ± adjustment value of the third TA; Formula 9; Among them, TA_remote_ue is the third TA.

[0221] Understandably, the first terminal can adjust the TA (i.e., the third TA) used when sending uplink data to the network device based on the adjustment value of the third TA to obtain the first TA, so that the determined first TA can be more accurate.

[0222] Alternatively, the process of the first terminal determining the first TA can also be as follows: the first terminal determines the TA used when it is currently sending uplink data to the network device as the third TA, and determines the first TA based on the third TA, the adjustment value of the third TA, and the uplink timing difference. For example, the first TA satisfies the following formula 10: TA_relay_ue = TA_remote_ue ± adjustment value of the third TA ± △UL, Formula 10; The above implementation method 2 is illustrated by taking the example of the first terminal sending an uplink timing difference to the second terminal, and the second terminal adjusting based on the uplink timing difference. In this implementation method 4, the first terminal can refer to the uplink timing difference when determining the first TA. For example, the first terminal adjusts the third TA based on the adjustment value of the third TA, and then adjusts the adjusted third TA based on the uplink timing difference to obtain the first TA; or, for example, the first terminal can adjust the adjustment value of the third TA based on the uplink timing difference, and then adjust the third TA based on the adjusted value of the third TA to obtain the first TA.

[0223] In some examples, the adjustment value of the third TA can be 0. The adjustment value of the third TA can also be determined by the distance (or position difference) between the first terminal and the second terminal. The adjustment value of the third TA can also be half the length of the CP used by the second terminal when forwarding data from the first terminal in a non-connected state (e.g., CP_length / 2). The adjustment value of the third TA can also be estimated by the first terminal based on the round-trip time delay difference between the first terminal or the second terminal and the satellite, respectively. The adjustment value of the third TA can also be other data, such as ±0.1us or ±0.25us. The adjustment value of the third TA can also be determined by the first terminal based on the above-mentioned satellite ephemeris error. For example, the first terminal can determine the adjustment value of the third TA through the above formula 7.

[0224] In one possible implementation (denoted as implementation 5), the process of the first terminal determining the first TA can be as follows: the first terminal determines the fourth TA based on either the location information of the first terminal or the location information of the second terminal, and the broadcast message of the network device, and determines the first TA based on the fourth TA and its adjustment value. For example, the first TA satisfies the following formula 11: TA_relay_ue = TA_remote_cal ± the adjustment value of the fourth TA, Formula 11; Among them, TA_remote_cal is the fourth TA.

[0225] Understandably, the first terminal can adjust the TA (i.e., the fourth TA) determined by any one of the following: the broadcast message based on the network device, the location information of the first terminal, or the location information of the second terminal, based on the adjustment value of the fourth TA, to obtain the first TA, so that the determined first TA can be more accurate.

[0226] Alternatively, the process of the first terminal determining the first TA can also be as follows: the first terminal determines the fourth TA based on either the location information of the first terminal or the location information of the second terminal, and the broadcast message of the network device, and determines the first TA based on the fourth TA, the adjustment value of the fourth TA, and the uplink timing difference. For example, the first TA satisfies the following formula 12: TA_relay_ue = TA_remote_cal ± adjustment value of the fourth TA ± △UL, Formula 12; The above implementation method 2 is illustrated by taking the example of the first terminal sending an uplink timing difference to the second terminal, and the second terminal adjusting based on the uplink timing difference. In this implementation method 5, the first terminal can refer to the uplink timing difference when determining the first TA. For example, the first terminal adjusts the fourth TA based on the adjustment value of the fourth TA, and then adjusts the adjusted fourth TA based on the uplink timing difference to obtain the first TA; or, for another example, the first terminal can adjust the adjustment value of the fourth TA based on the uplink timing difference, and then adjust the fourth TA based on the adjusted adjustment value of the fourth TA to obtain the first TA.

[0227] In some examples, the adjustment value of the fourth TA can be 0. The adjustment value of the fourth TA can also be determined by the distance (or position difference) between the first terminal and the second terminal. The adjustment value of the fourth TA can also be half the length of the cyclic prefix CP used by the second terminal when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state (e.g., CP_length / 2). The adjustment value of the fourth TA can also be estimated by the first terminal based on the round-trip time delay difference between the first terminal or the second terminal and the satellite, respectively. The adjustment value of the fourth TA can also be other data, such as ±0.1us or ±0.25us.

[0228] Optionally, if the first terminal undergoes a cell handover, for example, to a second cell, the first terminal sends an updated second TA adjustment value to the second terminal. Correspondingly, the second terminal receives the updated second TA adjustment value from the first terminal. For example, this updated second TA adjustment value is determined based on relevant information (e.g., location information) of the satellite to which the first terminal is handovering (e.g., a satellite connected to the second cell). If the first terminal undergoes a cell handover, for example, to a second cell, the first terminal sends an updated first TA to the second terminal. Correspondingly, the second terminal receives the updated first TA from the first terminal, so that the second terminal can transmit data with the second cell based on the updated first TA.

[0229] As described above regarding the "third information," the third information is used to indicate the information needed to determine the first time position. The first time position is the time position at which the second terminal advances the timing when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state. However, the communication method described in this application provides multiple implementations of the information included in the third information.

[0230] In one possible implementation (denoted as implementation 6), the third information includes a second time position. The second time position is a time reference position used to advance the timing when the second terminal forwards data from the first terminal in a disconnected state, based on the second timing. The second time position is used to determine the first time position.

[0231] Optionally, in this implementation, the first terminal can determine the second time position based on the second timing and the starting position of the time-domain resources used by the second terminal when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state, as determined by the first terminal, and send the second time position to the second terminal. Correspondingly, the second terminal receives the second time position from the first terminal and directly determines the second time position as the first time position. However, in this implementation, the second terminal considers the first timing and the second timing to be aligned or nearly aligned. For example, Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another timing relationship provided in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 16 As shown, taking the first timing and second timing alignment as an example: time slots 0 to 5 in the uplink signal timing between the first terminal and the network device (i.e., the first timing) are aligned with time slots 0 to 5 in the second timing. Furthermore, Figure 16 This explanation uses the alignment of the first and second timings as an example. However, the first and second timings can also be misaligned, as described above. Figure 14 or Figure 15 The timing relationship shown allows the second terminal to determine the first time position based on the second timing. For details regarding the second terminal determining the first time position based on the second timing when the first and second timings are not aligned, please refer to the descriptions of the corresponding positions above; these will not be repeated here.

[0232] Alternatively, the first terminal may indicate the second time position by the index number of the time domain resources in the second timing (e.g., the index number of the frame, or the index number of the time slot, or the index number of the symbol, for example, time slot 1 or time slot 2 in frame 5). In this way, the second terminal can determine the first time position by the index number of the time domain resources in the second timing and the agreed time position determination method.

[0233] Combination Figure 16 As shown, if the first terminal determines the second time position as the starting position of time slot 2 in the second timing, and the agreed time position determination method is based on the starting position, then the second time position can be indicated by time slot 2. In this way, the second terminal can determine the second time position as the starting position of time slot 2 in the second timing through time slot 2. In this example, taking the starting position of time slot 2 in the first timing as the starting point, the signal to be transmitted is pre-compensated for timing advance based on the first TA to obtain the time position of the transmitted signal after the timing advance compensation by the first terminal, or taking the starting position of time slot 2 in the second timing as the starting point, the signal to be transmitted is pre-compensated for timing advance based on the first TA to obtain the time position of the transmitted signal after the timing advance compensation by the second terminal. In this case, the time domain resource used by the first terminal or the second terminal when sending data to the network device is time slot 2.

[0234] It is understandable that when the second terminal needs to forward data from the first terminal in a disconnected state, the second terminal needs to determine the uplink signal timing between the second terminal and the network device based on the downlink signal timing sent by the network device to the second terminal (which can also be called downlink timing or downlink signal resource timing, which is not limited in this embodiment). Based on the uplink signal timing between the second terminal and the network device, the second terminal needs to determine the timing advance position when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state. However, if the second terminal does not support receiving broadcast messages or downlink synchronization signals from the network device, the second terminal cannot obtain downlink synchronization signals and broadcast messages (e.g., at least one parameter such as satellite ephemeris, common TA, common TA drift, common TA drift variant, TA bias value, etc.) from the network device. Consequently, the second terminal cannot obtain the downlink signal timing sent by the network device to the second terminal, and therefore cannot determine the timing advance position when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state.

[0235] In this embodiment, the first terminal and the second terminal need to transmit relay transmission information (e.g., a first message), which necessitates establishing a link between them for information transmission. Therefore, a timing indicator between the first and second terminals can be used to advance the timing of the second terminal's forwarding of data from the first terminal in a disconnected state. In other words, the first terminal can indicate a reference time position (i.e., a second time position) for the second terminal to advance its timing when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state, based on a second timing indicator. This allows the second terminal to accurately determine the timing position (i.e., the first time position) for advancing its timing when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state, even if it cannot know the timing of the downlink signal sent by the network device. This enables the second terminal to forward data from the first terminal to the network device based on a more accurate first time position, minimizing the discrepancy between the time the second terminal sends data from the first terminal and the time the first terminal sends uplink data. This reduces ISI or ICI during transmission between the first and second terminals and the network device, maximizing the decoding performance of the network device for uplink data.

[0236] also, Figure 16 The example used is the alignment of the uplink signal timing between the first terminal and the network device (or the uplink signal timing between the second terminal and the network device (i.e., the third timing)) with the second timing (which can also be understood as the alignment of time domain resource boundaries). However, in actual communication processes, such as... Figure 14 and Figure 15 As shown, the uplink signal timing between the first terminal and the network device (or the uplink signal timing between the second terminal and the network device) and the second timing may not be aligned. This allows the first terminal to predict the difference between the first and second timings (i.e., the uplink timing difference) and inform the second terminal of this difference. The first timing is the uplink signal timing between the first terminal and the network device, and the second timing is the timing when the first terminal sends a synchronization signal or data to the second terminal during data transmission between them, or the timing when the second terminal receives a synchronization signal or data from the first terminal during data transmission. The uplink timing difference is also used to determine the first time position. Furthermore, taking the first terminal as a relay UE and the second terminal as a remote UE as an example, the second timing can also be referred to as the timing (or sequence) of the signal from the remote UE to the relay UE (i.e., the signal sent from the remote UE to the relay UE). This embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

[0237] like Figure 16 As shown, the second timing is the timing for the second terminal to receive the signal from the first terminal, the third timing is the timing for the second terminal to send an uplink signal to the network device, and the first timing is the timing for the second terminal to observe, estimate, or predict the first terminal to send an uplink signal to the network device.

[0238] Furthermore, in another possible implementation (denoted as implementation 7), the third information includes the second time position and the uplink timing difference.

[0239] In other words, in this implementation method 7, the first terminal can instruct the second terminal, based on the second timing, to advance the timing reference position (i.e., the second time position) and the uplink timing difference when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state. This way, even if the second terminal cannot know the timing of the downlink signal sent by the network device to the second terminal, and the difference between the first and second timings is significant, the second terminal can still accurately determine the timing advance position (i.e., the first time position) when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state using the second time position and the uplink timing difference. This allows the second terminal to forward data from the first terminal to the network device based on a more accurate first time position, minimizing the deviation between the time the second terminal sends data from the first terminal to the network device and the time the first terminal sends uplink data to the network device. This reduces ISI or ICI during transmission between the first and second terminals and the network device, ensuring the network device's decoding performance for uplink data as much as possible.

[0240] Optionally, Figure 14 , Figure 15 , Figure 16 This explanation uses the example of the uplink signal timing between the first terminal and the network device (or the uplink signal timing between the second terminal and the network device) having the same index number of the time-domain resource in the second timing as an example. However, the uplink signal timing between the first terminal and the network device (or the uplink signal timing between the second terminal and the network device) and the index number of the time-domain resource in the second timing can be different (this can also be understood as the uplink signal timing between the first terminal and the network device (or the uplink signal timing between the second terminal and the network device) not being aligned with the second timing). In this case, the first terminal can also determine the second time position or the first time position by using the index number of the time-domain resource in the second timing (e.g., the frame index number, or the time slot index number, or the symbol index number) and the agreed time position determination method.

[0241] Furthermore, optionally, any of the above implementation methods 1 to 5 can be combined with implementation method 6 or implementation method 7. That is, based on the second terminal determining the first time position based on the third information indicated by the first terminal, the second terminal can also determine the first TA based on the second information indicated by the first terminal, and advance the timing based on the first time position and the first TA, so that the second terminal can forward the data from the first terminal to the network device at the time after the aforementioned timing advance, thus ensuring that the data from the first terminal forwarded by the second terminal to the network device can reach the network device within the specified time window. The above is an exemplary description of the combination of different implementation methods. The different implementation methods in the above implementation methods 1 to 7 can also be combined arbitrarily, and the embodiments of this application do not impose any restrictions on this.

[0242] As described in the above implementations 1 to 7, these implementations can be applied to situations where the second terminal does not support receiving broadcast messages or downlink synchronization signals from the network device. Optionally, in this case, the distance between the first and second terminals can be less than or equal to a distance threshold, for example, less than or equal to 10 meters (m) or 5 meters. That is, when the distance between the first and second terminals is less than or equal to the distance threshold, the second terminal may not support receiving broadcast messages or downlink synchronization signals from the network device, in order to obtain the information needed to determine the first time position through third information. When the distance between the first and second terminals is less than or equal to the distance threshold, the second terminal needs to support receiving broadcast messages or downlink synchronization signals from the network device, in order to obtain the information needed to determine the first time position through the downlink synchronization signals or broadcast messages. Furthermore, this distance threshold can be agreed upon by a protocol or sent by the network device to the first terminal; this application embodiment does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0243] Optionally, in this embodiment of the application, the first terminal, network device, or second terminal may determine whether the distance between the first terminal and the second terminal is less than or equal to a distance threshold. For example, the process of the first terminal determining whether the distance between the first terminal and the second terminal is less than or equal to the distance threshold can be as follows: the first terminal obtains the location information of the second terminal from the second terminal, determines the distance between the first terminal and the second terminal based on the location information of the first terminal and the second terminal, and then compares the distance between the first terminal and the second terminal with the distance threshold to determine whether the distance between the first terminal and the second terminal is less than or equal to the distance threshold.

[0244] Furthermore, if the distance between the first terminal and the second terminal is less than or equal to a distance threshold, the first terminal can determine that the second terminal does not support receiving broadcast messages or downlink synchronization signals from the network device. In this case, the first terminal can send third information to the second terminal to inform it of the information needed to determine the first time location and instruct the second terminal not to receive broadcast messages or downlink synchronization signals from the network device. Alternatively, if the distance between the first terminal and the second terminal is less than or equal to a distance threshold, the first terminal can determine that the second terminal supports receiving broadcast messages or downlink synchronization signals from the network device. In this case, the first terminal can instruct the second terminal to receive the broadcast messages or downlink synchronization signals from the network device so that it can obtain the information needed to determine the first time location through the downlink synchronization signals or broadcast messages.

[0245] Alternatively, as an example, the process by which a network device determines whether the distance between a first terminal and a second terminal is less than or equal to a distance threshold can be as follows: the first terminal obtains the location information of the second terminal from the second terminal and reports the location information of both terminals to the network device. The network device determines the distance between the first terminal and the second terminal based on the location information of both terminals, and then compares this distance with the distance threshold to determine whether the distance between the first terminal and the second terminal is less than or equal to the distance threshold.

[0246] Furthermore, if the distance between the first terminal and the second terminal is less than or equal to a distance threshold, the network device can determine that the second terminal does not support receiving broadcast messages or downlink synchronization signals from the network device, and send information to the first terminal indicating that the second terminal does not support receiving broadcast messages or downlink synchronization signals from the network device. Alternatively, if the distance between the first terminal and the second terminal is less than or equal to a distance threshold, the network device can determine that the second terminal supports receiving broadcast messages or downlink synchronization signals from the network device, and send information to the first terminal indicating that the second terminal supports receiving broadcast messages or downlink synchronization signals from the network device.

[0247] Alternatively, as an example, the process by which the second terminal determines whether the distance between the first terminal and the second terminal is less than or equal to a distance threshold can be as follows: the second terminal obtains the location information of the first terminal from the first terminal, and determines the distance between the first terminal and the second terminal based on the location information of the first terminal and the location information of the second terminal, and then compares the distance between the first terminal and the second terminal with the distance threshold to determine whether the distance between the first terminal and the second terminal is less than or equal to the distance threshold.

[0248] Furthermore, if the distance between the first terminal and the second terminal is less than or equal to a distance threshold, the second terminal may determine that it does not support receiving broadcast messages or downlink synchronization signals from the network device, and send information to the first terminal indicating that the second terminal does not support receiving broadcast messages or downlink synchronization signals from the network device.

[0249] Optionally, the process of the first terminal determining the second time position can be as follows: the first terminal determines an initial time domain resource based on the downlink signal timing sent to it by the network device and scheduling information (e.g., DCI). This initial time domain resource can be used as the time domain resource when the second terminal sends data to the network device without considering timing advance, or as the time domain resource when the TA used by the second terminal to send data to the network device is 0. For example, the initial time domain resource is... Figure 14 or Figure 16 The time slot 2 shown, or Figure 15 The time slot 1 is shown. The first terminal can determine the start position of the time domain resource closest to the start position of the initial time domain resource in the second timing interval as the second time position. For example, the initial time domain resource is... Figure 14 or Figure 16 The starting position of time slot 2 shown, or Figure 15 The starting position of time slot 1 is shown. Alternatively, the first terminal can determine the ending position of the time domain resource closest to the starting position of the initial time domain resource in the second timing as the second time position. For example, the initial time domain resource is... Figure 14 or Figure 16 The end position of time slot 1 shown, or Figure 15 The end position of time slot 0 is shown.

[0250] As described above regarding the "first information," the first information includes second information and / or third information. The second information indicates information related to the TA (i.e., the first TA) used by the second terminal when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state. The third information indicates information related to the timing advance position (i.e., the first time position) of the second terminal when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state. In other words, in this case, the first terminal determines the time when the second terminal forwards data from the first terminal to the network device using the first TA and / or the first time position. However, optionally, if the first and second terminals are time-synchronized, the first terminal can also directly indicate the time when the second terminal forwards data from the first terminal to the network device, or the time range for the second terminal to forward data from the first terminal to the network device.

[0251] For example, Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another timing relationship provided in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 17 As shown, the time when the second terminal forwards data from the first terminal to the network device can be understood as the start time (denoted as the first start time) of the second terminal forwarding data from the first terminal to the network device. This first start time (for example, ...) Figure 17The t0 shown, which is the starting position of time slot 1 in the uplink signal timing between the second terminal and the network device, is determined by the timing of the downlink synchronization signal sent by the network device to the first terminal (e.g., frame timing) and the TA used by the second terminal when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state. Figure 17 As shown, the third timing is the timing for the second terminal to send uplink signals to the network device, and the downlink signal timing between the network device and the second terminal is the timing for the second terminal to receive downlink signals from the network device.

[0252] The time range during which the second terminal forwards data from the first terminal to the network device (e.g., Figure 17 The [t0-t1] shown, which is the range between the start positions of time slot 1 and time slot 2 in the uplink signal timing between the second terminal and the network device, can be determined based on the start time of the second terminal forwarding data from the first terminal to the network device, and the time period during which the second terminal forwards data from the first terminal to the network device. The first start time can be understood by referring to the description of the corresponding position above, and will not be repeated here.

[0253] Furthermore, for downlink transmission, the time when the second terminal receives data from the network device can also be understood as the start time of the second terminal receiving data from the network device (denoted as the second start time). This second start time (for example, Figure 17 The t2 shown, which is the starting position of time slot 2 in the timing of the downlink signal sent by the network device to the second terminal, is determined by the first terminal based on the timing of the downlink synchronization signal sent by the network device to the first terminal (e.g., frame timing) and the downlink time domain resources of the data carried by the network device that the second terminal is expected to receive.

[0254] The time it takes for the second terminal to receive data from the network device (e.g., Figure 17 The range [t2-t3] shown, which is the range between the start of time slot 2 and the start of time slot 3 in the timing of the downlink signal sent by the network device to the second terminal, can be determined based on the start time of the second terminal receiving data from the network device and the time period during which the second terminal receives data from the network device. The second start time can be understood by referring to the description of the corresponding position above, and will not be repeated here.

[0255] Furthermore, in this implementation, optionally, when the first terminal and the second terminal are time-synchronized, the time at which the second terminal directly instructs the first terminal to forward data from the first terminal to the network device (denoted as the first time) can also be understood as the time at which the second terminal forwards data from the first terminal to the network device without considering timing advance, or the time at which the second terminal forwards data from the first terminal to the network device when the first TA is 0. In this case, the second terminal can also determine the first TA and, based on the first TA and the first time, determine the time at which the second terminal forwards data from the first terminal to the network device. That is to say, the first time and the first time position can have the same function. Therefore, the relevant description of the first time can be understood by referring to the relevant description of the first time position above, and will not be repeated here.

[0256] It is understood that this implementation method can be applied to scenarios where the second terminal supports receiving broadcast messages or downlink synchronization signals, and it can also be applied to scenarios where the second terminal does not support receiving broadcast messages or downlink synchronization signals. This application embodiment does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0257] Optionally, the first terminal and the second terminal adjust their local time according to the global navigation satellite system signal (GNSS) to achieve local clock synchronization between the first terminal and the second terminal, that is, to achieve time synchronization between the first terminal and the second terminal. Time synchronization between the first terminal and the second terminal can also be understood as the first terminal and the second terminal keeping their times consistent; however, this embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

[0258] The communication method described in the foregoing embodiments of this application is illustrated using an uplink transmission scenario as an example. However, the communication method described in the embodiments of this application can also be applied to downlink transmission scenarios. When a network device sends data to a second terminal, the second terminal needs to determine the timing of the downlink signal sent by the network device and determine the time when the second terminal receives data from the network device based on the timing of the downlink signal sent by the network device. However, if the second terminal does not support receiving broadcast messages from the network device (e.g., satellite ephemeris, common TA, common TAdrift, common TA drift variant, TA bias value, etc.) or downlink synchronization signals, the second terminal cannot obtain the timing of the downlink signal sent by the network device, and therefore the second terminal cannot determine the time when it receives data from the network device.

[0259] In this embodiment, the first terminal and the second terminal need to transmit relay transmission information (e.g., a first message), which necessitates establishing a link between them for information transmission. Therefore, the timing of the signal between the first and second terminals can be used to determine when the second terminal receives data from the network device. In other words, the first terminal can determine the timing of the second terminal receiving data from the network device based on a second timing mechanism. Thus, even if the second terminal cannot know the timing of the downlink signal sent by the network device, it can still determine the timing of receiving data from the network device (denoted as the third time position) based on the second timing mechanism, so that the second terminal can subsequently receive data from the network device based on the third time position.

[0260] Optionally, the first terminal can determine a downlink timing difference based on the second timing and the start position of the time-domain resources for receiving downlink signals from the network device, and send the downlink timing difference to the second terminal. Correspondingly, the second terminal receives the downlink timing difference from the first terminal. The second terminal can determine the start position of the time-domain resources for receiving downlink signals from the network device based on the second timing and the downlink timing difference, and determine the end position of the time-domain resources for receiving downlink signals from the network device based on the length of the time-domain resources required for receiving downlink signals from the network device as indicated by the first terminal.

[0261] However, before the first terminal sends the downlink timing difference to the second terminal, optionally, the first terminal can determine the starting position of the downlink timing difference (the starting position can also be called the reference position or the reference location of the downlink timing difference, which will not be elaborated further below), and send the starting position of the downlink timing difference to the second terminal. Furthermore, if the index number of the time-domain resource corresponding to the starting position of the downlink timing difference is the same as the index number of the time-domain resource (e.g., the index number of the time slot) of the data received by the second terminal from the network device, then the first terminal may not send the starting position of the downlink timing difference to the second terminal, and the second terminal can determine the starting position of the downlink timing difference based on the index number of the time-domain resource of the data received by the second terminal from the network device. Moreover, the index number of the time-domain resource of the data received by the second terminal from the network device can be the index number of the time-domain resource of the data received by the first terminal from the network device, determined by the first terminal based on the downlink synchronization signal issued by the network device.

[0262] Optionally, the starting position of the aforementioned downlink timing difference can also be agreed upon by the protocol, and this application embodiment does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0263] Optionally, the process of the first terminal determining the downlink timing difference can be as follows: the first terminal can determine the starting position of the time domain resources for the second terminal to receive data from the network device based on the timing of the downlink signal sent to it by the network device, or the timing of the downlink signal received by the first terminal from the network device. The time interval between the starting position of the time domain resources for the second terminal to receive data from the network device and the starting position of the downlink timing difference is then defined as the downlink timing difference. Furthermore, optionally, the timing of the downlink signal sent to the first terminal by the network device can be determined based on the downlink synchronization signal issued by the network device.

[0264] For example, Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another timing relationship provided in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 18 As shown, the starting position of the downlink timing difference is the starting position of time slot 1 in the second timing. The starting position of the time domain resource for the second terminal to receive data from the network device is the starting position of time slot 2 in the timing of the downlink signal sent by the network device to the second terminal, or the timing of the second terminal receiving the downlink signal from the network device (i.e., the timing of the downlink signal sent by the network device to the first terminal, or the timing of the first terminal receiving the downlink signal from the network device). In this example, the downlink timing difference is the time interval between the starting position of time slot 1 in the second timing and the starting position of time slot 2 in the timing of the downlink signal sent by the network device to the second terminal.

[0265] Furthermore, in this example, after the second terminal receives the downlink timing difference, the second terminal can use the starting position of time slot 1 in the second timing as the starting point to determine the starting position of the time domain resources for receiving data from the network device based on the downlink timing difference (i.e., Figure 18 The starting position of time slot 2 in the downlink signal timing sent by the network device to the second terminal (shown in the diagram).

[0266] Optionally, the downlink timing difference described in the embodiments of this application can be a positive or negative value. For example, if the downlink timing difference can be a positive value, it means that the starting position of the time domain resources for the second terminal to receive data from the network device is delayed compared to the reference position; if the downlink timing difference can be a negative value, it means that the starting position of the time domain resources for the second terminal to receive data from the network device is advanced compared to the reference position.

[0267] In addition, combined Figure 18 It can be seen that, Figure 18 The diagram also shows the timing of downlink signals sent by the network device to the second terminal (or the timing of the second terminal receiving downlink signals from the network device). Figure 18This explanation is based on the example where the downlink signal sent by the network device to the first terminal (or the timing of the downlink signal received by the first terminal from the network device) is synchronized or nearly synchronized with the timing of the downlink signal sent by the network device to the second terminal. In other words, the first and second terminals simultaneously or almost simultaneously receive data from the network device (or the data from the network device arrives at the first and second terminals simultaneously or almost simultaneously). When the distance between the first and second terminals is small, for example, within 1 meter, the timing of the downlink signal sent by the network device to the first terminal can be synchronized or nearly synchronized with the timing of the downlink signal sent by the network device to the second terminal. This means that the first and second terminals simultaneously or almost simultaneously receive data from the network device (or the data from the network device arrives at the first and second terminals simultaneously or almost simultaneously). However, in actual communication, the timing of the downlink signal sent by the network device to the first terminal may not be synchronized with the timing of the downlink signal sent by the network device to the second terminal. That is, the time when the first terminal and the second terminal receive data from the network device differs significantly (or the time when the data from the network device arrives at the first terminal and the second terminal differs significantly). In this case, the difference between the timing of the downlink signal sent by the network device to the first terminal and the timing of the downlink signal sent by the network device to the second terminal (for example, denoted as the second downlink timing difference) can be determined by the first terminal based on the relationship between the location information of the first terminal, the location information of the second terminal, and the location information of the satellite.

[0268] Optionally, the first terminal estimates the transmission delay difference based on the relationship between its own location information, the location information of the second terminal (e.g., the second terminal sends its own location information to the first terminal), and the satellite's location information. Based on this transmission delay difference, the first terminal determines the time difference or timing difference (i.e., the second-side downlink timing difference) between the predicted arrival time of the downlink signal sent by the network device to the first terminal and the arrival time of the downlink signal sent by the network device to the second terminal. Here, the transmission delay difference is the difference between the transmission delay between the first terminal and the satellite, and the transmission delay between the second terminal and the satellite.

[0269] Optionally, during the process of determining the downlink timing difference, the first terminal may also refer to the aforementioned second-side downlink timing difference to determine the downlink timing difference, and may also send the second-side downlink timing difference to the second terminal, so that the second terminal can refer to the second-side downlink timing difference during the process of determining the downlink timing difference. The description regarding the first terminal also referring to the aforementioned second-side downlink timing difference to determine the downlink timing difference can be understood by referring to the description of the first terminal also referring to the aforementioned first-side downlink timing difference to determine the first TA or uplink timing difference, and will not be repeated here. That is to say, the downlink timing difference in the formulas described in the embodiments of this application can all be replaced with the second-side downlink timing difference, or can all be replaced with the difference between the downlink timing difference and the second-side downlink timing difference, or can all be replaced with the sum of the downlink timing difference and the second-side downlink timing difference; the embodiments of this application do not impose any restrictions on this.

[0270] Optionally, Figure 18 The timing relationship between the downlink signal timing sent by the network device to the first terminal (or the timing of the downlink signal received by the first terminal from the network device), the timing of the downlink signal sent by the network device to the second terminal (or the timing of the downlink signal received by the second terminal from the network device), and the second timing can be a timing relationship known at the second terminal. That is, as shown... Figure 18 As shown, the timing of the downlink signal sent by the network device to the first terminal can be understood as the timing of the first terminal receiving the downlink signal from the network device, which is observed, estimated, or predicted at the second terminal. The timing of the downlink signal sent by the network device to the second terminal can be understood as the timing of the second terminal receiving the downlink signal from the network device.

[0271] Optionally, the downlink timing difference in this embodiment can be a second timing difference, or a time difference between the same or different time domain resource index numbers (e.g., frame resource index number, time slot resource index number, or symbol resource index number) and the timing of the downlink signal sent by the network device to the second terminal. For example, taking the downlink timing difference with the same time domain resource index number as an example, the downlink timing difference can be... Figure 18 The time difference between the starting position of time slot 1 in the second timing and the starting position of time slot 1 in the downlink signal timing sent by the network device to the second terminal. For example, taking the downlink timing difference for different time domain resource index numbers as an example, the downlink timing difference could be... Figure 18 The time difference between the starting position of time slot 1 in the second timing and the starting position of time slot 2 in the timing of the downlink signal sent by the network device to the second terminal.

[0272] Alternatively, the downlink timing difference in this embodiment can also be a second timing, which is the timing difference or time difference between the downlink signal timing sent by the network device to the first terminal. For a description of the downlink timing difference in this case, please refer to the description of the corresponding downlink timing difference above; it will not be repeated here.

[0273] Optionally, the second-side horizontal timing difference in this application embodiment can be the timing difference or time difference between the timing of the downlink signal sent by the network device to the first terminal and the timing of the downlink signal sent by the network device to the second terminal, which are the same or different time domain resource index numbers (e.g., frame resource index number, time slot resource index number, or symbol resource index number). For example, taking the second-side horizontal timing difference with the same time domain resource index number as an example, the second-side horizontal timing difference can be... Figure 18 The time difference between the start position of time slot 1 in the timing of the downlink signal sent by the network device to the first terminal and the start position of time slot 1 in the timing of the downlink signal sent by the network device to the second terminal. For example, taking the second-side downlink timing difference with different time domain resource index numbers as an example, the second-side downlink timing difference can be... Figure 18 The time difference between the starting position of time slot 1 in the timing of the downlink signal sent by the network device to the first terminal and the starting position of time slot 2 in the timing of the downlink signal sent by the network device to the second terminal.

[0274] Alternatively, in downlink transmission scenarios, the second terminal can also obtain a reference time point (denoted as the third time) from the first terminal to receive data from the network device, provided that the first and second terminals are time-synchronized. In this case, the second terminal can also determine the start time for receiving data from the network device based on the third time and the downlink timing difference. For a description of the third time, please refer to the above description. Figure 17 The relevant descriptions of t2 and / or [t2, t3] in the text will be understood and will not be repeated here.

[0275] Optionally, the signaling, messages, information, or parameters transmitted between the network device and the terminal (e.g., the first terminal or the second terminal) involved in the embodiments of this application, such as the distance threshold sent by the network device to the first terminal, can be carried in at least one of the following broadcast messages: system information block (SIB) 1, SIB19, other system information (OSI), main system information block (MIB), physical broadcast channel message, etc. The following broadcast messages can be broadcast or multicast by the network device to the terminal.

[0276] Understandably, network devices can avoid scheduling different resources for different terminals in order to send the above broadcast messages by broadcasting or multicasting them to terminals, thus saving the signaling overhead of scheduling resources and reducing the complexity of scheduling resources in the communication system.

[0277] Furthermore, if the signaling, messages, information, or parameters transmitted between the network device and the terminal (e.g., the first terminal or the second terminal) are sent during the radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment phase or subsequent communication, the network device can carry the signaling, messages, information, or parameters transmitted between the network device and the terminal (e.g., the first terminal or the second terminal) in at least one of the following information: RRC signaling (e.g., RRC setup message, RRC reconfiguration message, RRC resume message, etc.), downlink control information (DCI), group DCI, and media access control (MAC) control element (CE). In this case, the aforementioned signaling, messages, information, or parameters can be indicated to the terminal in a tabular format.

[0278] Optionally, the network device can also send the aforementioned signaling, message, information, or parameters to the terminal through the message sent when the network device sends data to the terminal.

[0279] Optionally, the network device can also send the above parameters to each terminal or group of terminals in a unicast or multicast manner in a PDSCH allocated separately for each terminal or group of terminals. This allows for flexible control of the parameters corresponding to different terminals or different groups of terminals, that is, different parameters can be configured for different terminals or different groups of terminals to optimize the configuration parameters, thereby improving the overall transmission efficiency and performance of the communication system.

[0280] For example, network devices can also send distance thresholds to the first terminal in unicast or multicast in a PDSCH that is allocated separately for the distance threshold. This allows for flexible control of the distance thresholds corresponding to different terminals, that is, different distance thresholds can be configured for different terminals to optimize configuration parameters and improve the overall transmission efficiency and performance of the communication system.

[0281] In this implementation, the network device can also configure different distance thresholds for different terminals based on the terminal's location or region, and / or the quality of the link used for communication. This allows for targeted configuration parameters for terminals under different conditions, thereby improving the overall transmission efficiency and performance of the communication system. For example, the network device can configure a lower distance threshold for terminals with better link quality and a higher distance threshold for terminals with poorer link quality, thereby increasing the range of terminals providing relay transmission and improving the communication performance of terminals with poorer link quality.

[0282] Furthermore, the adjustment values ​​(e.g., the adjustment value of the second TA, the adjustment value of the third TA, the offset of the fourth TA, etc.) and / or offsets (e.g., the offset of the second TA, the offset of the first TA, etc.) recorded in the embodiments of this application may be the same or different, and the embodiments of this application do not impose any restrictions on this.

[0283] It is understood that, as described in the embodiments of this application, uplink means that the terminal sends a signal to the network device, and downlink means that the network device sends a signal to the terminal.

[0284] The above mainly describes the solutions provided by the embodiments of this application from the perspective of interaction between various network elements. Correspondingly, the embodiments of this application also provide a communication device for implementing the various methods described above. This communication device can be a first terminal in the above method embodiments, or a device including the first terminal, or a component usable in the first terminal; or, this communication device can be a second terminal in the above method embodiments, or a device including the second terminal, or a component usable in the second terminal. It is understood that, in order to achieve the above functions, the communication device includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, in conjunction with the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in the embodiments disclosed herein, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed by hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0285] This application embodiment can divide the communication device into functional modules according to the above method embodiment. For example, each function can be divided into a separate functional module, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional module. It should be understood that the module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and represents a logical functional division; in actual implementation, there may be other division methods.

[0286] Figure 19 A schematic diagram of a communication device 190 is shown. The communication device 190 includes a processing module 1901 and a transceiver module 1902. The transceiver module 1902, also known as a transceiver unit, is used to implement transceiver functions, and may be, for example, a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver device, or a communication interface.

[0287] when Figure 19 When the communication device 190 shown is the second terminal in the above embodiments: In one possible implementation: processing module 1901 is configured to instruct transceiver module 1902 to receive a first message from the first terminal and, based on first information, send data from the first terminal to the network device. The first message includes data from the first terminal and first information, whereby the first information indicates parameters needed to determine the time required for the second terminal to forward the data from the first terminal to the network device.

[0288] In one possible implementation, the first information includes second information and / or third information; the second information is used to indicate the parameters required to determine the first timing advance TA, or the second information is used to indicate the first TA, wherein the first TA is the TA used by the second terminal when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state; the third information is used to indicate the information required to determine the first time position, wherein the first time position is the time position at which the second terminal performs timing advance when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state; both the first TA and the first time position are used to determine the time when the second terminal forwards data from the first terminal to the network device.

[0289] In one possible implementation, the second information includes an adjustment value for the second TA, or the second information includes the adjustment value of the second TA and an uplink timing difference, or the second information includes the length of the cyclic prefix (CP) used by the second terminal when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state. The second TA is determined by the second terminal based on the broadcast message from the network device and the location information of the second terminal. The uplink timing difference is the difference between the predicted first timing and the second timing. The first timing is the uplink signal timing between the first terminal and the network device. The second timing is the timing when the first terminal sends a synchronization signal or data to the second terminal when transmitting data between the first terminal and the second terminal, or the second timing is the timing when the second terminal receives a synchronization signal or data from the first terminal when transmitting data between the first terminal and the second terminal. Both the adjustment value of the second TA and the uplink timing difference are used to determine the first TA.

[0290] In one possible implementation, the adjustment value of the second TA is determined based on the difference between the third TA and the fourth TA, wherein the third TA is the TA used by the first terminal when sending uplink data to the network device, and the fourth TA is determined by the first terminal based on the location information of the first terminal and the broadcast message of the network device; or, the fourth TA is determined by the first terminal based on the location information of the second terminal and the broadcast message of the network device; or, the adjustment value of the second TA is determined based on the difference between the third TA and the fourth TA, and the offset of the first TA, wherein the third TA is the TA used by the first terminal when sending uplink data to the network device, and the fourth TA is determined by the first terminal based on the location information of the first terminal and the broadcast message of the network device, or... The fourth TA is determined by the first terminal based on the location information of the second terminal and the broadcast message from the network device. The first TA offset is used to adjust the difference between the third TA and the fourth TA to obtain the adjusted value of the second TA; or, the adjusted value of the second TA is determined based on the timing advance adjustment parameters sent by the network device to the first terminal; or, the adjusted value of the second TA is determined based on the timing advance adjustment parameters sent by the network device to the first terminal and the second TA offset, and the second TA offset is used to adjust the timing advance adjustment parameters to obtain the adjusted value of the second TA; or, the adjusted value of the second TA is determined based on the distance difference and the speed of light, where the distance difference is the difference between the distance between the first terminal and the satellite and the distance between the second terminal and the satellite.

[0291] In one possible implementation, if the second information includes the length of the cyclic prefix CP used by the second terminal when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state, the processing module 1901 is further configured to determine the second TA based on the broadcast message of the network device and the location information of the second terminal, and to determine the adjustment value of the second TA based on the length of the CP and / or the subcarrier spacing. The processing module 1901 is also configured to determine the first TA based on the second TA and the adjustment value of the second TA.

[0292] In one possible implementation, the third information includes a second time position, or the third information includes a second time position and an uplink timing difference. The second time position is a time reference position for timing advance when the second terminal forwards data from the first terminal in a disconnected state, based on the second timing. The uplink timing difference is the difference between the predicted first timing and the second timing. The first timing is the uplink signal timing between the first terminal and the network device. The second timing is the timing when the first terminal sends a synchronization signal or data to the second terminal when transmitting data between the first terminal and the second terminal, or the second timing is the timing when the second terminal receives a synchronization signal or data from the first terminal when transmitting data between the first terminal and the second terminal. Both the second time position and the uplink timing difference are used to determine the first time position.

[0293] All relevant content of each step involved in the above method embodiments can be referenced from the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and will not be repeated here.

[0294] In this embodiment, the second terminal is presented as an integrated unit divided into functional modules. Here, "module" can refer to a specific ASIC, circuitry, a processor and memory executing one or more software or firmware programs, integrated logic circuitry, and / or other devices that can provide the aforementioned functions. In a simplified embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognize that the second terminal can employ... Figure 11 The communication device 1110 shown is in the form of [example device].

[0295] for example, Figure 11 The processor 1111 in the communication device 1110 shown can call computer execution instructions stored in the memory 1112 to cause the communication device 1110 to execute the communication method in the above method embodiment.

[0296] Specifically, Figure 19 The functions / implementation process of the transceiver module 1902 and the processing module 1901 can be obtained through... Figure 11 The processor 1111 in the communication device 1110 shown calls computer execution instructions stored in memory 1112 to implement this. Alternatively, Figure 19 The function / implementation process of the processing module 1901 can be obtained through Figure 11 The processor 1111 in the communication device 1110 shown calls computer execution instructions stored in memory 1112 to implement this. Figure 19 The function / implementation process of the transceiver module 1902 in the middle can be obtained through Figure 11 This is achieved through the transceiver 1115 in the communication device 1110 shown.

[0297] Since the communication device 190 provided in this application embodiment can execute the above communication method, the technical effects it can obtain can be referred to the above method embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0298] when Figure 19 When the communication device 190 shown is the first terminal in the above embodiments: In one possible implementation: processing module 1901 is used to instruct transceiver module 1902 to send a first message to the second terminal. The first message includes data from the first terminal and first information, which is used to indicate parameters needed to determine the time required for the second terminal to forward the data from the first terminal to the network device.

[0299] In one possible implementation, the first information includes second information and / or third information; the second information is used to indicate the parameters required to determine the first timing advance TA, or the second information is used to indicate the first TA, wherein the first TA is the TA used by the second terminal when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state; the third information is used to indicate the information required to determine the first time position, wherein the first time position is the time position at which the second terminal performs timing advance when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state; both the first TA and the first time position are used to determine the time when the second terminal forwards data from the first terminal to the network device.

[0300] In one possible implementation, the second information includes an adjustment value for the second TA, or the second information includes the adjustment value of the second TA and an uplink timing difference, or the second information includes the length of the cyclic prefix (CP) used by the second terminal when forwarding data from the first terminal in a disconnected state. The second TA is determined by the second terminal based on the broadcast message from the network device and the location information of the second terminal. The uplink timing difference is the difference between the predicted first timing and the second timing. The first timing is the uplink signal timing between the first terminal and the network device. The second timing is the timing when the first terminal sends a synchronization signal or data to the second terminal when transmitting data between the first terminal and the second terminal, or the second timing is the timing when the second terminal receives a synchronization signal or data from the first terminal when transmitting data between the first terminal and the second terminal. Both the adjustment value of the second TA and the uplink timing difference are used to determine the first TA.

[0301] In one possible implementation, the adjustment value of the second TA is determined based on the difference between the third TA and the fourth TA, wherein the third TA is the TA used by the first terminal when sending uplink data to the network device, and the fourth TA is determined by the first terminal based on the location information of the first terminal and the broadcast message of the network device; or, the fourth TA is determined by the first terminal based on the location information of the second terminal and the broadcast message of the network device; or, the adjustment value of the second TA is determined based on the difference between the third TA and the fourth TA, and the offset of the first TA, wherein the third TA is the TA used by the first terminal when sending uplink data to the network device, and the fourth TA is determined by the first terminal based on the location information of the first terminal and the broadcast message of the network device, or... The fourth TA is determined by the first terminal based on the location information of the second terminal and the broadcast message from the network device. The first TA offset is used to adjust the difference between the third TA and the fourth TA to obtain the adjusted value of the second TA; or, the adjusted value of the second TA is determined based on the timing advance adjustment parameters sent by the network device to the first terminal; or, the adjusted value of the second TA is determined based on the timing advance adjustment parameters sent by the network device to the first terminal and the second TA offset, and the second TA offset is used to adjust the timing advance adjustment parameters to obtain the adjusted value of the second TA; or, the adjusted value of the second TA is determined based on the distance difference and the speed of light, where the distance difference is the difference between the distance between the first terminal and the satellite and the distance between the second terminal and the satellite.

[0302] In one possible implementation, the processing module 1901 is further configured to determine the first TA based on the third TA and the adjustment value of the third TA, wherein the third TA is the TA used by the first terminal when sending uplink data to the network device.

[0303] In one possible implementation, the processing module 1901 is further configured to determine the fourth TA based on the broadcast message of the network device and the location information of the first terminal or the location information of the second terminal, and to determine the first TA based on the fourth TA and the adjustment value of the fourth TA.

[0304] In one possible implementation, the third information includes a second time position, or the third information includes a second time position and an uplink timing difference. The second time position is a time reference position for timing advance when the second terminal forwards data from the first terminal in a disconnected state, based on the second timing. The uplink timing difference is the difference between the predicted first timing and the second timing. The first timing is the uplink signal timing between the first terminal and the network device. The second timing is the timing when the first terminal sends a synchronization signal or data to the second terminal when transmitting data between the first terminal and the second terminal, or the second timing is the timing when the second terminal receives a synchronization signal or data from the first terminal when transmitting data between the first terminal and the second terminal. Both the second time position and the uplink timing difference are used to determine the first time position.

[0305] All relevant content of each step involved in the above method embodiments can be referenced from the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and will not be repeated here.

[0306] In this embodiment, the first terminal is presented as an integrated unit divided into functional modules. Here, "module" can refer to a specific ASIC, circuitry, a processor and memory executing one or more software or firmware programs, integrated logic circuitry, and / or other devices that can provide the aforementioned functions. In a simplified embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognize that the first terminal can employ... Figure 11 The communication device 1110 shown is in the form of [example device].

[0307] for example, Figure 11 The processor 1111 in the communication device 1110 shown can call computer execution instructions stored in the memory 1112 to cause the communication device 1110 to execute the communication method in the above method embodiment.

[0308] Specifically, Figure 19 The functions / implementation process of the transceiver module 1902 and the processing module 1901 can be obtained through... Figure 11 The processor 1111 in the communication device 1110 shown calls computer execution instructions stored in memory 1112 to implement this. Alternatively, Figure 19 The function / implementation process of the processing module 1901 can be obtained through Figure 11 The processor 1111 in the communication device 1110 shown calls computer execution instructions stored in memory 1112 to implement this. Figure 19 The function / implementation process of the transceiver module 1902 in the middle can be obtained through Figure 11 This is achieved through the transceiver 1115 in the communication device 1110 shown.

[0309] Since the communication device 190 provided in this application embodiment can execute the above communication method, the technical effects it can obtain can be referred to the above method embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0310] In this embodiment, the first terminal is presented as an integrated unit divided into functional modules. Here, "module" can refer to a specific ASIC, circuitry, a processor and memory executing one or more software or firmware programs, integrated logic circuitry, and / or other devices that can provide the aforementioned functions. In a simplified embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognize that the first terminal can employ... Figure 11 The communication device 1110 shown is in the form of [example device].

[0311] for example, Figure 11 The processor 1111 in the communication device 1110 shown can call computer execution instructions stored in the memory 1112 to cause the communication device 1110 to execute the communication method in the above method embodiment.

[0312] Specifically, Figure 19 The functions / implementation process of the transceiver module 1902 and the processing module 1901 can be obtained through... Figure 11 The processor 1111 in the communication device 1110 shown calls computer execution instructions stored in memory 1112 to implement this. Alternatively, Figure 19 The function / implementation process of the processing module 1901 can be obtained through Figure 11 The processor 1111 in the communication device 1110 shown calls computer execution instructions stored in memory 1112 to implement this. Figure 19 The function / implementation process of the transceiver module 1902 in the middle can be obtained through Figure 11 This is achieved through the transceiver 1115 in the communication device 1110 shown.

[0313] Since the communication device 190 provided in this application embodiment can execute the above communication method, the technical effects it can obtain can be referred to the above method embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0314] It should be understood that one or more of the above modules or units can be implemented by software, hardware, or a combination of both. When any of the above modules or units are implemented by software, the software exists as computer program instructions and is stored in memory. The processor can be used to execute the program instructions and implement the above method flow. The processor can be built into a SoC (System-on-a-Chip) or ASIC, or it can be a separate semiconductor chip. In addition to the core that executes software instructions for computation or processing, the processor may further include necessary hardware accelerators, such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), or logic circuits that implement dedicated logic operations.

[0315] When the above modules or units are implemented in hardware, the hardware can be any one or any combination of a CPU, microprocessor, digital signal processing (DSP) chip, microcontroller unit (MCU), artificial intelligence processor, ASIC, SoC, FPGA, PLD, application-specific digital circuit, hardware accelerator, or non-integrated discrete device, which can run the necessary software or perform the above method flow independently of software.

[0316] For a more detailed description of the aforementioned processing module 1901 and transceiver module 1902, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 13 The relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown.

[0317] like Figure 20 As shown, this application provides a communication device 2000, which may include at least one processor 2010 coupled to a memory. Optionally, the memory may be located within or outside the device. For example, the communication device 2000 may also include at least one memory 2020. The memory 2020 stores computer programs, configuration information, computer programs or instructions and / or data necessary for implementing any of the above embodiments; the processor 2010 may execute the computer program stored in the memory 2020 to complete the methods in any of the above embodiments.

[0318] The coupling in this embodiment is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, used for information exchange between devices, units, or modules. The processor 2010 may operate in conjunction with the memory 2020. This embodiment does not limit the specific connection medium between the transceiver 2030, processor 2010, and memory 2020.

[0319] The communication device 2000 may also include a transceiver 2030, through which the communication device 2000 can exchange information with other devices. The transceiver 2030 can be a circuit, a bus, a transceiver itself, or any other device capable of exchanging information, also referred to as a signal transceiver unit. Figure 20 As shown, the transceiver 2030 includes a transmitter 2031, a receiver 2032, and an antenna 2033. Optionally, the transceiver 2030 can be used to communicate with network devices. Furthermore, when the communication device 2000 is a chip-based device or circuit, the transceiver in the device 2000 can also be an input / output circuit and / or a communication interface, capable of inputting data (or receiving data) and outputting data (or transmitting data). The processor is an integrated processor, a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit, and the processor can determine the output data based on the input data.

[0320] In one possible implementation, the communication device 2000 can be applied to a terminal. Specifically, the communication device 2000 can be a terminal or an apparatus capable of supporting a terminal and implementing the functions of the terminal in any of the above embodiments. The memory 2020 stores the necessary computer programs, computer programs or instructions and / or data for implementing the functions of the terminal in any of the above embodiments. The processor 2010 can execute the computer programs stored in the memory 2020 to complete the methods executed by the terminal in any of the above embodiments. Applied to a terminal, the receiver 2032 in the communication device 2000 can be used to receive transmission control configuration information sent by a network device through an antenna 2033, and the transmitter 2031 can be used to send transmission information to the network device through an antenna 2033.

[0321] Since the communication device 2000 provided in this embodiment can be applied to a second terminal or a first terminal to complete the method executed by the second terminal or the first terminal, the technical effects it can achieve can be referred to the above method embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0322] In one possible implementation, this application embodiment also provides a communication device (e.g., the communication device may be a chip or a chip system), which includes a processor for implementing the methods in any of the above method embodiments. In one possible design, the communication device further includes a memory. The memory is used to store necessary program instructions and data, and the processor can call the program code stored in the memory to instruct the communication device to execute the methods in any of the above method embodiments. Of course, the memory may not be included in the communication device. When the communication device is a chip system, it may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices; this application embodiment does not specifically limit this.

[0323] In one possible implementation, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when run on a communication device, enable the communication device to execute the methods of any of the above-described method embodiments or any implementation thereof.

[0324] In one possible implementation, this application embodiment also provides a communication method, which includes the method of any of the above method embodiments or any implementation thereof.

[0325] In one possible implementation, this application embodiment also provides a communication system, which includes a second terminal and a first terminal from the above method embodiments.

[0326] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software programs, implementation can be, in whole or in part, in the form of a computer program product. This computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the flow or function according to the embodiments of this application is generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a computer or a data storage device containing one or more servers, data centers, etc., that can be integrated with the medium. The available media can be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., DVDs), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks, SSDs).

[0327] Although this application has been described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, those skilled in the art, by reviewing the accompanying drawings, disclosure, and appended claims, will understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments in carrying out the claimed application. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude multiple instances. A single processor or other unit can implement several functions listed in the claims. While different dependent claims may recite certain measures, this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

[0328] Although this application has been described in conjunction with specific features and embodiments, it is apparent that various modifications and combinations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Accordingly, this specification and drawings are exemplary illustrations of this application as defined by the appended claims and are considered to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations, or equivalents within the scope of this application. Clearly, those skilled in the art can make various alterations and modifications to this application without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Thus, if such modifications and modifications fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application is also intended to include such modifications and modifications.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, A chip applied in a second terminal or a second terminal in an NTN (Network Telecommunication Network), wherein the second terminal is in a disconnected state from the network device, the second terminal is used to forward data between a first terminal and the network device, and the first terminal is in a connected state with the network device, the method comprising: Receive a first message from the first terminal, the first message including data from the first terminal and first information, the first information being used to indicate parameters needed to determine the time required for the second terminal to forward the data from the first terminal to the network device; Based on the first information, data from the first terminal is sent to the network device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first information includes second information and / or third information; the second information is used to indicate the parameters required to determine the first timing advance TA, or the second information is used to indicate the first TA, wherein the first TA is the TA used by the second terminal when forwarding data from the first terminal in the disconnected state; the third information is used to indicate the information required to determine the first time position, wherein the first time position is the time position at which the second terminal performs timing advance when forwarding data from the first terminal in the disconnected state; both the first TA and the first time position are used to determine the time when the second terminal forwards data from the first terminal to the network device.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second information includes the adjustment value of the second TA, or the second information includes the adjustment value of the second TA and the uplink timing difference, or the second information includes the length of the cyclic prefix CP used by the second terminal when forwarding data from the first terminal in the disconnected state. The second TA is determined by the second terminal based on the broadcast message of the network device and the location information of the second terminal. The uplink timing difference is the difference between the predicted first timing and the second timing. The first timing is the uplink signal timing between the first terminal and the network device. The second timing is the timing when the first terminal sends a synchronization signal or the data to the second terminal when transmitting data between the first terminal and the second terminal, or the second timing is the timing when the second terminal receives a synchronization signal or the data from the first terminal when transmitting data between the first terminal and the second terminal. The adjustment value of the second TA and the uplink timing difference are both used to determine the first TA.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The adjustment value of the second TA is determined based on the difference between the third TA and the fourth TA, wherein the third TA is the TA used by the first terminal when sending uplink data to the network device, and the fourth TA is determined by the first terminal based on the location information of the first terminal and the broadcast message of the network device; or, the fourth TA is determined by the first terminal based on the location information of the second terminal and the broadcast message of the network device; or, The adjustment value of the second TA is determined based on the difference between the third TA and the fourth TA, and the offset of the first TA. The third TA is the TA used by the first terminal when sending uplink data to the network device. The fourth TA is determined by the first terminal based on its location information and the broadcast message from the network device; or, the fourth TA is determined by the first terminal based on the location information of the second terminal and the broadcast message from the network device. The first TA offset is used to adjust the difference between the third TA and the fourth TA to obtain the adjustment value of the second TA; or... The adjustment value of the second TA is determined based on the timing advance adjustment parameters sent by the network device to the first terminal; or, The adjustment value of the second TA is determined based on the timing advance adjustment parameters sent by the network device to the first terminal and the second TA offset. The second TA offset is used to adjust the timing advance adjustment parameters to obtain the adjustment value of the second TA; or, The adjustment value of the second TA is determined based on the distance difference and the speed of light, where the distance difference is the difference between the distance between the first terminal and the satellite and the distance between the second terminal and the satellite.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2-4, characterized in that, If the second information includes the length of the cyclic prefix (CP) used by the second terminal when forwarding data from the first terminal in the disconnected state and / or the subcarrier spacing configured by the network device for the first terminal, the method further includes: The second TA is determined based on the broadcast message from the network device and the location information of the second terminal; The adjustment value of the second TA is determined based on the length of the CP and / or the subcarrier spacing; The first TA is determined based on the second TA and its adjustment value.

6. The method according to any one of claims 2-5, characterized in that, The third information includes a second time position, or the third information includes a second time position and an uplink timing difference. The second time position is a time reference position indicated by the second timing when the second terminal forwards data from the first terminal in the disconnected state, based on the second timing. The uplink timing difference is the difference between the predicted first timing and the second timing. The first timing is the uplink signal timing between the first terminal and the network device. The second timing is the timing when the first terminal sends a synchronization signal or the data to the second terminal when transmitting data between the first terminal and the second terminal, or the second timing is the timing when the second terminal receives a synchronization signal or the data from the first terminal when transmitting data between the first terminal and the second terminal. Both the second time position and the uplink timing difference are used to determine the first time position.

7. A communication method, characterized in that, A chip applied in a first terminal or a first terminal in an NTN (Network Telecommunication Network), wherein the first terminal is connected to a network device, and a second terminal is disconnected from the network device, and the second terminal is used to forward data between the first terminal and the network device, the method comprising: Send a first message to the second terminal. The first message includes data from the first terminal and first information, which indicates the parameters required to determine the time required for the second terminal to forward the data from the first terminal to the network device.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first information includes second information and / or third information; the second information is used to indicate the parameters required to determine the first timing advance TA, or the second information is used to indicate the first TA, wherein the first TA is the TA used by the second terminal when forwarding data from the first terminal in the disconnected state; the third information is used to indicate the information required to determine the first time position, wherein the first time position is the time position at which the second terminal performs timing advance when forwarding data from the first terminal in the disconnected state; both the first TA and the first time position are used to determine the time when the second terminal forwards data from the first terminal to the network device.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The second information includes the adjustment value of the second TA, or the second information includes the adjustment value of the second TA and the uplink timing difference, or the second information includes the length of the cyclic prefix CP used by the second terminal when forwarding data from the first terminal in the disconnected state. The second TA is determined by the second terminal based on the broadcast message of the network device and the location information of the second terminal. The uplink timing difference is the difference between the predicted first timing and the second timing. The first timing is the uplink signal timing between the first terminal and the network device. The second timing is the timing when the first terminal sends a synchronization signal or the data to the second terminal when transmitting data between the first terminal and the second terminal, or the second timing is the timing when the second terminal receives a synchronization signal or the data from the first terminal when transmitting data between the first terminal and the second terminal. The adjustment value of the second TA and the uplink timing difference are both used to determine the first TA.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The adjustment value of the second TA is determined based on the difference between the third TA and the fourth TA, wherein the third TA is the TA used by the first terminal when sending uplink data to the network device, and the fourth TA is determined by the first terminal based on the location information of the first terminal and the broadcast message of the network device; or, the fourth TA is determined by the first terminal based on the location information of the second terminal and the broadcast message of the network device; or, The adjustment value of the second TA is determined based on the difference between the third TA and the fourth TA, and the offset of the first TA. The third TA is the TA used by the first terminal when sending uplink data to the network device. The fourth TA is determined by the first terminal based on its location information and the broadcast message from the network device; or, the fourth TA is determined by the first terminal based on the location information of the second terminal and the broadcast message from the network device. The first TA offset is used to adjust the difference between the third TA and the fourth TA to obtain the adjustment value of the second TA; or... The adjustment value of the second TA is determined based on the timing advance adjustment parameters sent by the network device to the first terminal; or, The adjustment value of the second TA is determined based on the timing advance adjustment parameters sent by the network device to the first terminal and the second TA offset. The second TA offset is used to adjust the timing advance adjustment parameters to obtain the adjustment value of the second TA; or, The adjustment value of the second TA is determined based on the distance difference and the speed of light, where the distance difference is the difference between the distance between the first terminal and the satellite and the distance between the second terminal and the satellite.

11. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first TA is determined based on the third TA and its adjustment value, wherein the third TA is the TA used by the first terminal when sending uplink data to the network device.

12. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The method further includes: The fourth TA is determined based on the broadcast message of the network device and either the location information of the first terminal or the location information of the second terminal. The first TA is determined based on the fourth TA and the adjustment value of the fourth TA.

13. The method according to any one of claims 8-12, characterized in that, The third information includes a second time position, or the third information includes a second time position and an uplink timing difference. The second time position is a time reference position indicated by the second timing when the second terminal forwards data from the first terminal in the disconnected state, based on the second timing. The uplink timing difference is the difference between the predicted first timing and the second timing. The first timing is the uplink signal timing between the first terminal and the network device. The second timing is the timing when the first terminal sends a synchronization signal or the data to the second terminal when transmitting data between the first terminal and the second terminal, or the second timing is the timing when the second terminal receives a synchronization signal or the data from the first terminal when transmitting data between the first terminal and the second terminal. Both the second time position and the uplink timing difference are used to determine the first time position.

14. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A functional unit for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-13; wherein the action performed by the functional unit is implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software.

15. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a processor; the processor is configured to run computer programs or instructions, or to cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-13 via logic circuitry.

16. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions or programs that, when executed on a computer, cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-13.

17. A computer program product comprising instructions, characterized in that, When it is operated on a communication device, it causes the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-13.

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