A communication method, apparatus, storage medium, and computer program product

Abstract

The application provides a communication method, device, storage medium and computer program product, which are used for improving the throughput of a communication system. In the application, a terminal device sends information to a first network device in a first time unit. The terminal device sends information to a second network device in a second time unit. The first time unit and the second time unit are determined according to a first offset. The first offset includes an offset between the frame timing of the terminal device sending a signal to the first network device and the frame timing of the terminal device sending a signal to the second network device. In this way, the rationality of the configuration of the first time unit and the second time unit can be improved, so that the success rate of the information sent by the terminal device to multiple network devices can be improved, and then the system throughput can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, apparatus, storage medium, and computer program product. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the 5th generation (5G) New Radio (NR) technology is evolving from revision (R) 18 to revision (R19). Simultaneously, NR technology has moved from the standardization phase to the commercial deployment phase. The NR standard protocol is a wireless communication technology designed for terrestrial cellular network scenarios, providing users with ultra-low latency, ultra-reliability, ultra-high speed, and massive connectivity wireless communication services. Compared to terrestrial networks (TN), non-terrestrial networks (NTN) communication features large coverage areas and flexible networking, achieving seamless global network coverage. NTN communication utilizes equipment such as drones, high-altitude platforms, and satellites to provide data transmission and voice communication services to user equipment (UE). In TN and / or NTN networks, improving the data transmission throughput of terminal devices is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a communication method, apparatus, storage medium, and computer program product for enabling a terminal device to send signals based on the offset between frame timings of signals sent from the terminal device to multiple network devices. This scheme can improve the rationality of time domain resources used by the terminal device to send signals to multiple network devices, thereby improving the success rate of information transmission between the terminal device and multiple network devices, and thus improving the data transmission throughput of the terminal device.

[0004] The solution provided in this application is applicable to NTN networks, TN networks, and networks where TN and NTN are converged. In one possible implementation, the terminal device can communicate with multiple communication devices. For example, the terminal device may communicate with multiple network devices. For instance, the terminal device can send signals to a first network device and a second network device; however, when the terminal device sends signals to multiple network devices at the same time, the signal transmission failure rate is high. This application provides a solution where the terminal device sends signals to multiple network devices based on the offset between the frame timings of the signals sent from the terminal device to the multiple network devices. For example, the terminal device can send signals to multiple network devices using time-division multiplexing, thereby improving the signal transmission success rate. Furthermore, since the terminal device can send signals to multiple network devices, this solution can improve the data transmission throughput of the terminal device.

[0005] Firstly, this application provides a communication method that can be executed by a terminal device. The terminal device may include a terminal equipment or a chip system within the terminal equipment.

[0006] The terminal device sends information to the first network device in the first time unit. The terminal device sends information to the second network device in the second time unit.

[0007] For example, the first time unit may be determined based on the second time unit and the first offset, and / or the second time unit may be determined based on the first time unit and the first offset. As another example, the first time unit and / or the second time unit may be determined based on the first offset.

[0008] The first offset includes the offset between the frame timing when the terminal device sends a signal to the first network device and the frame timing when the terminal device sends a signal to the second network device.

[0009] For example, a second network device (or a first network device, or a third network device) configures a second time unit for a terminal device and informs the first network device (or the third network device) of the configured second time unit. The first network device can configure a first time unit for the terminal device based on the second time unit and a first offset. In this application, the third network device can be the first network device or the second network device, or the third network device can be a network device other than the first network device and the second network device. Other locations will not be described again.

[0010] For example, a third network device (or a first network device, or a second network device) configures a first time unit and a second time unit for a terminal device based on a first offset.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the first offset can also be referred to by other parameter names, such as offset, offset value, or offset. Since the first time unit and / or the second time unit are determined based on the first offset, the rationality of the configuration of the first and second time units can be improved. For example, this scheme can minimize the conflict between the time the terminal device sends information in the first time unit and the time the terminal device sends information in the second time unit. For instance, the time the terminal device sends information in the first time unit and the time the terminal device sends information in the second time unit can be different. This allows the terminal device to send information to the two network devices at different times, thereby improving the success rate of information transmission and increasing transmission throughput.

[0012] In another possible implementation, the terminal device can acquire a first time unit and a second time unit. For example, the terminal device can also receive information indicating the first time unit and / or information indicating the second time unit. Thus, the terminal device can determine the first time unit and the second time unit based on the received information. The senders of the information indicating the second time unit and the information indicating the first time unit can be the same or different. For example, a third network device can configure the first time unit and the second time unit for the terminal device. Thus, the terminal device can use the resources configured by the third network device to transmit information. Alternatively, the terminal device can determine the first time unit and the second time unit itself, and then notify the network device (e.g., at least one of the third network device, the first network device, or the second network device) of the first time unit and / or the second time unit. In this application, the third network device can be the first network device or the second network device, or the third network device can be a network device different from both the first and second network devices.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the terminal device sends information indicating a first offset. For example, the terminal device may send this information to a third network device. The third network device can configure a first time unit and a second time unit based on the first offset, thereby improving the rationality of the configuration and increasing the success rate of data transmission, which in turn increases the data transmission throughput of the terminal device.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the information used to indicate the first offset includes at least one of the following: the first offset; information indicating the initial value of the first offset; information indicating the rate of change of the first offset; information indicating the rate of change of the rate of change of the first offset; or, at least one coefficient of a first formula, wherein the first formula is a formula used to determine the first offset.

[0015] These methods can improve the flexibility of the solution. On the other hand, when the terminal device also sends the rate of change of the first offset or the rate of change of the rate of change of the first offset, the third network device can determine the change of the first offset, update the first offset based on this information, and then configure resources for the terminal device based on the updated first offset. This can improve the rationality of resource allocation, thereby improving the success rate of data transmission and ultimately increasing the data transmission throughput of the terminal device.

[0016] On the other hand, when the information used to indicate the first offset includes at least one coefficient of the first formula, the scheme can reduce the number of bits of information to be transmitted, thereby saving resource overhead.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the terminal device sends information indicating the effective period of the first offset. For example, the terminal device sends this information to a third network device. The first offset may change, for example, as any of the first network device, the second network device, or the terminal device may move. Based on this, the terminal device can set an effective period for the transmitted first offset, during which the resources configured by the third network device for the terminal device based on the first offset can be more reasonable, and the possibility of conflicts is lower. In another possible implementation, if the first offset fails, the terminal device can re-report the offset between the frame timing of the signal sent by the terminal device to the first network device and the frame timing of the signal sent by the terminal device to the second network device, thereby improving the rationality of information transmission.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the information used to indicate the effective period of the first offset includes at least one of the following: the start time of the first offset's effectiveness; the expiration time of the first offset; the effective duration of the first offset; or, the effective period of the first offset. This can improve the flexibility of the solution.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the first time unit and the second time unit are determined according to a first mapping relationship, which is determined based on a first offset. The first mapping relationship includes the mapping relationship between the first time unit and the second time unit. A first network device periodically provides communication services to at least one area in a beam-hopping manner. The first network device provides uplink communication services to the first area within the first time unit of each cycle, and the terminal device is located in the first area. A second network device periodically provides communication services to at least one area in a beam-hopping manner. The second network device provides uplink communication services to the first area within the second time unit of each cycle.

[0020] The first and second network devices can periodically provide services to the first area using beam hopping. In this implementation, the third network device can determine a first mapping relationship based on a first offset, and this first mapping relationship can then be applied to multiple periods. For example, each beam hopping period of the first network device may include a first time unit, and each beam hopping period of the second network device may include a second time unit. The first time units of multiple periods of the first network device can be mapped to multiple second time units of multiple periods of the second network device, respectively. This scheme can configure resources for the terminal device within multiple periods with less signaling overhead.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the terminal device receives first information. For example, the first information may include information instructing a first network device. Alternatively, the first information may instruct the terminal device to send information to the first network device in a first time unit. In yet another possible implementation, the terminal device receives second information. For example, the second information may include information instructing a second network device. Alternatively, the second information may instruct the terminal device to send information to the second network device in a second time unit. The first information may originate from the first network device, the second network device, or a third network device. The second information may also originate from the first network device, the second network device, or the third network device. The network device schedules the terminal device to send uplink information using information (e.g., the first information and / or the second information). In this way, the terminal device can send uplink information according to the network-side scheduling, thereby making uplink information transmission resources more efficient.

[0022] On the other hand, the first and second information can originate from the same network device or from different network devices. For example, if a terminal device establishes an RRC connection with one network device but not with other network devices, the network device with which it has an RRC connection can send the first and second information to the terminal device. It can be seen that this scheme can schedule the terminal device to send uplink information to multiple network devices through a single network device, thereby improving information transmission efficiency and throughput.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the second information comes from either the first or third network device. In this implementation, the second network device may not need to send the second information. It can be seen that this scheme supports one network device scheduling the terminal device to send uplink information to other network devices, thereby improving the data transmission throughput of the terminal device.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the first information is carried in the first downlink control information (DCI). Alternatively, the second information is carried in the second DCI. Or, the first and second information are carried in the same DCI. This allows for greater compatibility with existing technologies. The following describes how the second information is carried in the second DCI, using the second information as an example. The first information can also be carried in the second DCI, or it can be carried in the first DCI. The way the second DCI includes the first information is similar to the way the second DCI includes the second information, and the way the first information is carried in the first DCI is similar to the way the second information is carried in the second DCI, and will not be elaborated further.

[0025] Example 1: The information in the second information used to indicate the second network device is carried in the first field of the second DCI. For example, the first field can be a newly added field in the second DCI. For example, the first field can be a field that is not present in the DCI format to which the second DCI belongs, as defined in existing standards.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the terminal device may also receive information indicating whether the second DCI includes the first field. When the terminal device receives information indicating that the second DCI includes the first field, it determines that the second DCI includes the first field based on this information. Consequently, the terminal device can more accurately estimate the number of fields included in the second DCI and the information length of the second DCI, thereby improving the decoding success rate of the second DCI and increasing the data transmission throughput of the terminal device. Alternatively, if the terminal device does not receive information indicating that the second DCI includes the first field, or if it receives information indicating that the second DCI does not include the first field, the terminal device can determine that the second DCI does not include the first field.

[0027] In another possible implementation, the first field may carry information indicating a network device (e.g., a satellite device) in the NTN communication system. When the first network device needs to schedule data transmission between the network device (e.g., a satellite device) and the terminal device in the NTN communication system, the first field can be added to the second DCI. When the first network device does not need to schedule data transmission between the network device (e.g., a satellite device) and the terminal device in the NTN communication system, the first field may not be added to the second DCI.

[0028] In another possible implementation, the first information may further include information for indicating the first network device. This information is carried in a first field of the first DCI. For example, the first field may be a newly added field in the first DCI. For instance, the first field may be a field not present in the DCI format to which the first DCI belongs, as defined in existing standards. In one possible implementation, the terminal device may also receive information indicating whether the first DCI includes the first field. Related solutions are similar to those described above and will not be repeated.

[0029] Example 2: The information in the second information indicating the second network device is carried in the carrier indication field or reserved field of the second DCI. In another possible implementation, the first information may further include information indicating the first network device. This information is carried in the carrier indication field or reserved field of the first DCI. In this scheme, the terminal device can reuse existing fields in the DCI, which is more compatible with existing technologies and does not increase the number of fields in the existing DCI, thereby saving resource overhead.

[0030] Example 3: When the second DCI includes information indicating a second network device, the second DCI can use the first format. In another possible implementation, the first information may also include information indicating a first network device, and when the first DCI includes such information, the first DCI can use the first format. For example, the first format can be a newly defined DCI format (e.g., the first format may differ from the DCI format defined in existing standards). For example, the first format defines a field carrying information indicating a network device. In this example, the terminal device can determine whether the second DCI includes information indicating a second network device based on the format of the received second DCI. The terminal device can also determine whether the first DCI includes information indicating a first network device based on the format of the received first DCI. For example, if the format of the second DCI is the first format, the terminal device determines that the second DCI includes a second field, which carries information indicating a second network device. Alternatively, if the format of the second DCI is not the first format, the terminal device determines that the second DCI does not include a second field. For example, if the terminal device determines that the first DCI includes a second field when the format of the first DCI is a first format, and the second field carries information for indicating the first network device. Alternatively, if the terminal device determines that the first DCI does not include a second field when the format of the first DCI is not a first format, this solution distinguishes whether the DCI includes information for indicating the network device by its format. This solution does not increase the number of fields in the existing DCI, thus saving resource overhead.

[0031] In another possible implementation, in the scheme provided in Example 3, the DCI format can also be used to distinguish whether the DCI is used to schedule network devices (e.g., satellite devices) in the NTN communication system to transmit data to the terminal device. For example, if the terminal device determines that the received second DCI format is the first format, it determines that the second DCI includes a field for identifying information of the network device (e.g., satellite device), or it determines that the second DCI is used to schedule data transmission between the network device (e.g., satellite device) and the terminal device. As another example, if the terminal device determines that the received second DCI format does not belong to the first format, it determines that the second DCI does not include a field for identifying information of the network device (e.g., satellite device), or it determines that the second DCI is not used to schedule data transmission between the network device (e.g., satellite device) and the terminal device.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the second time unit is further determined based on the time unit for receiving the second information. Since the second time unit also considers the time unit for receiving the second information, its selection can be more reasonable. For example, the second time unit can be avoided from being before the time unit for receiving the second information, and can be after the time unit for receiving the second information. This allows the terminal device to transmit uplink information through the second time unit after receiving the second information, thereby improving the success rate of data transmission and ultimately increasing the data transmission throughput of the terminal device.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the first network device and the second network device may be of the same or different device types. For example, the first network device may be a satellite device, and the second network device may be a satellite device. Alternatively, the first network device may be a ground-deployed network device or a chip system within a network device, and the second network device may be a satellite device. Alternatively, the first network device may be a satellite device, and the second network device may be a ground-deployed network device or a chip system within a network device. Alternatively, both the first and second network devices may be ground-deployed network devices or chip systems within network devices.

[0034] Secondly, this application provides a communication method that can be executed by one or more of a first network device, a second network device, or a third network device. Any of the multiple possible implementations of this aspect can be executed by the same network device or by different network devices. For ease of understanding, the following description uses execution by a first network device as an example. The first network device may include a network device or a chip system within a network device. The second network device may include a network device or a chip system within a network device. The third network device may include a network device or a chip system within a network device. In this application, the third network device can be the first network device or the second network device, or the third network device can be a network device other than the first and second network devices. For example, the network device may include a satellite or a chip (or chip system) within a satellite. As another example, the network device may include a ground station or a chip (or chip system) within a ground station. The ground station may, for example, include network devices deployed on the ground (e.g., access network devices).

[0035] In this scheme, the first network device sends information to the terminal device in a first time unit. For example, the first time unit may be determined based on a second time unit and a first offset, and / or the second time unit may be determined based on the first time unit and the first offset. Alternatively, the first time unit and / or the second time unit may be determined based on the first offset. The first time unit belongs to the time unit in which the terminal device sends information to the first network device. The second time unit belongs to the time unit in which the terminal device sends information to the second network device. The first offset is the offset between the frame timing of the signal sent by the terminal device to the first network device and the frame timing of the signal sent by the terminal device to the second network device.

[0036] Since the first time unit and / or the second time unit are determined based on the first offset, the rationality of the configuration of the first and second time units can be improved. For example, this scheme can minimize the conflict between the time corresponding to the terminal device sending information in the first time unit and the time corresponding to the terminal device sending information in the second time unit. For instance, the time corresponding to the terminal device sending information in the first time unit and the time corresponding to the terminal device sending information in the second time unit can be different. Consequently, the terminal device can send information to the two network devices at different times, thereby improving the success rate of information transmission and increasing transmission throughput.

[0037] In one possible implementation, a first network device (or a second network device, or a third network device) receives information indicating a first offset.

[0038] In one possible implementation, the first network device receives information indicating the effective period of the first offset.

[0039] In one possible implementation, the first network device sends first information, which instructs the terminal device to send information to the first network device in a first time unit.

[0040] In one possible implementation, the first network device sends second information, which instructs the terminal device to send information to the second network device in a second time unit.

[0041] In one possible implementation, the first information is carried on a first DCI.

[0042] In one possible implementation, the second information is carried in a second DCI.

[0043] In one possible implementation, the second information includes information for indicating a second network device, wherein the information for indicating a second network device is carried in a first field of a second DCI.

[0044] In one possible implementation, the first network device sends information indicating that the second DCI includes the first field, and determines that the second DCI includes the first field based on the information indicating that the second DCI includes the first field.

[0045] In one possible implementation, the second information includes information for indicating a second network device, which is carried in a carrier indication field or a reserved field in a second DCI.

[0046] In one possible implementation, the second information includes information for instructing a second network device.

[0047] In one possible implementation, if the second DCI is in the first format, the first network device carries a second field in the second DCI, the second field carrying information for indicating the second network device.

[0048] Information indicating the first offset, information indicating the effective time period of the first offset, a first time unit, a second time unit, a first mapping relationship, first information, second information, a first field, or a second field, etc., at least one of which can be referred to the description of the first aspect or possible implementations of the first aspect above, and will not be repeated here.

[0049] Thirdly, this application provides a communication method that can be executed by a second network device. The second network device may include a network device or a chip system within a network device. For example, the second network device may include a satellite device or a chip (or chip system) within a satellite device. As another example, the second network device may include a ground station or a chip (or chip system) within a ground station. A ground station may, for example, include network devices deployed on the ground (e.g., access network devices).

[0050] In this scheme, the second network device sends information to the terminal device in a second time unit. The second time unit is determined based on a first time unit and a first offset. For example, the first time unit may be determined based on the second time unit and the first offset, and / or the second time unit may be determined based on the first time unit and the first offset. Another example is that the first time unit and / or the second time unit are determined based on the first offset. The first offset is the offset between the frame timing of the terminal device sending a signal to the first network device and the frame timing of the terminal device sending a signal to the second network device.

[0051] Since the first time unit and / or the second time unit are determined based on the first offset, the rationality of the configuration of the first and second time units can be improved. For example, this scheme can minimize the conflict between the time corresponding to the terminal device sending information in the first time unit and the time corresponding to the terminal device sending information in the second time unit. For instance, the time corresponding to the terminal device sending information in the first time unit and the time corresponding to the terminal device sending information in the second time unit can be different. Consequently, the terminal device can send information to the two network devices at different times, thereby improving the success rate of information transmission and increasing transmission throughput.

[0052] Fourthly, this application provides a communication method that can be executed by a terminal device. The terminal device may include a terminal equipment or a chip system within the terminal equipment.

[0053] In one possible implementation, the terminal device receives information from the first network device in a third time unit. The terminal device receives information from the second network device in a fourth time unit. For example, the third time unit may be determined based on the fourth time unit and a second offset, and / or the fourth time unit may be determined based on the third time unit and the second offset. As another example, the third time unit and / or the fourth time unit may be determined based on the second offset.

[0054] The second offset includes the offset between the frame timing of the terminal device receiving the signal from the first network device and the frame timing of the terminal device receiving the signal from the second network device.

[0055] In one possible implementation, the second offset can also be referred to by other parameter names, such as offset, offset value, or offset. Since the third and / or fourth time units are determined based on the second offset, the rationality of the configuration of the third and fourth time units can be improved. For example, this scheme can minimize conflicts between the time the terminal device receives information in the third time unit and the time the terminal device receives information in the fourth time unit. For instance, the time the terminal device receives information in the third time unit and the time the terminal device receives information in the fourth time unit can be different. This allows the terminal device to receive information from the two network devices at different times, thereby improving the success rate of information reception and ultimately increasing data transmission throughput.

[0056] In one possible implementation, the terminal device may also acquire a third time unit and a fourth time unit. For example, the terminal device may also receive information indicating the third time unit and / or information indicating the fourth time unit. Thus, the terminal device can determine the third time unit and the fourth time unit based on the received information. The senders of the information indicating the third time unit and the information indicating the fourth time unit may be the same or different.

[0057] In one possible implementation, the terminal device sends information indicating a second offset. For example, the terminal device may send this information to a third network device. The third network device can configure a third and fourth time unit based on the second offset, thereby improving the rationality of the configuration of the third and fourth time units, thus increasing the success rate of data transmission and consequently increasing the data transmission throughput of the terminal device.

[0058] In one possible implementation, the information used to indicate the second offset includes at least one of the following: the second offset; information indicating the initial value of the second offset; information indicating the rate of change of the second offset; information indicating the rate of change of the rate of change of the second offset; or, at least one coefficient of the second formula. The second formula is a formula used to determine the second offset. These methods can improve the flexibility of the scheme. Furthermore, when the terminal device also sends the rate of change of the second offset or the rate of change of the rate of change of the second offset, the third network device can determine the change in the second offset and update the second offset based on this information. Then, based on the updated second offset, it can configure resources for the terminal device, thereby improving the rationality of resource allocation, increasing the success rate of data transmission, and consequently increasing the data transmission throughput of the terminal device.

[0059] On the other hand, when the information used to indicate the second offset includes at least one coefficient of the second formula, the scheme can reduce the number of bits of information to be transmitted, thereby saving resource overhead.

[0060] In one possible implementation, the terminal device sends information indicating the effective period of the second offset. The offset between the frame timing when the terminal device receives a signal from the first network device and the frame timing when the terminal device receives a signal from the second network device may change, for example, as any of the first network device, the second network device, or the terminal device may move. Based on this, the terminal device can set an effective period for the transmitted second offset, during which the resources configured by the third network device for the terminal device based on the second offset can be more reasonable, and the possibility of conflicts is smaller. In another possible implementation, if the second offset fails, the terminal device can re-report the offset between the frame timing when the terminal device receives a signal from the first network device and the frame timing when the terminal device receives a signal from the second network device, thereby improving the rationality of information transmission.

[0061] In one possible implementation, the information used to indicate the effective period of the second offset includes at least one of the following: the start time of the second offset's effectiveness; the expiration time of the second offset; the effective duration of the second offset; or, the effective period of the second offset. This can improve the flexibility of the solution.

[0062] In one possible implementation, the third and fourth time units are determined based on a second mapping relationship, which is determined based on a second offset. The second mapping relationship includes the mapping relationship between the third and fourth time units. A first network device periodically provides communication services to at least one area in a beam-hopping manner. The first network device provides downlink communication services to the first area within the third time unit of each cycle, and a terminal device is located in the first area. A second network device periodically provides communication services to at least one area in a beam-hopping manner. The second network device provides downlink communication services to the first area within the fourth time unit of each cycle. The first and second network devices can each periodically provide services to the first area in a beam-hopping manner. In this implementation, the third network device can determine the second mapping relationship based on the second offset, and this second mapping relationship can be applied to multiple cycles. For example, each beam-hopping cycle of the first network device can include one third time unit, and each beam-hopping cycle of the second network device can include one fourth time unit. The third time units of multiple cycles of the first network device can be mapped to multiple fourth time units of multiple cycles of the second network device, respectively. This scheme can configure resources for the terminal device within multiple cycles with less signaling overhead.

[0063] In one possible implementation, the terminal device receives third information. For example, the third information may include information instructing a first network device. For example, the third information may instruct the terminal device to receive information from the first network device in a third time unit. In another possible implementation, the terminal device receives fourth information. For example, the fourth information may include information instructing a second network device. For yet another example, the fourth information may instruct the terminal device to receive information from the second network device in a fourth time unit. The third information may originate from the first network device, the second network device, or the third network device. The fourth information may originate from the first network device, the second network device, or the third network device. The network device schedules the terminal device to receive downlink information using information (e.g., the third and / or fourth information). In this way, the terminal device can send downlink information according to the network-side scheduling, thereby making the resources for downlink information transmission more efficient.

[0064] On the other hand, the third and fourth information can originate from the same network device or from different network devices. For example, if a terminal device establishes an RRC connection with one network device but not with other network devices, the network device with which it has an RRC connection can send the third and fourth information to the terminal device. It can be seen that this scheme can improve information transmission efficiency by having one network device schedule multiple network devices to send downlink information to the terminal device.

[0065] In one possible implementation, the fourth information comes from either the first or third network device. In this implementation, the second network device may not need to send the third information. It can be seen that this scheme supports one network device scheduling other network devices to send downlink information to the terminal device, thereby improving the data transmission throughput of the terminal device.

[0066] In one possible implementation, the third information is carried in a third DCI. Alternatively, the fourth information is carried in a fourth DCI. Or, the third and fourth information are carried in the same DCI. This improves compatibility with existing technologies. The following describes how the fourth information is carried in a fourth DCI, using the fourth information as an example. The third information can also be carried in a third DCI, or it can be carried in a fourth DCI. The way the fourth DCI includes the third information is similar to the way the fourth DCI includes the fourth information, and the way the third information is carried in the third DCI is similar to the way the fourth information is carried in the fourth DCI; these details will not be repeated here.

[0067] Example 1: The information in the fourth information that indicates the second network device is carried in the third field of the fourth DCI. For example, the third field can be a newly added field in the fourth DCI. For example, the third field can be a field that is not present in the DCI format to which the fourth DCI belongs, as defined in existing standards.

[0068] In one possible implementation, the terminal device can also receive information indicating whether the fourth DCI includes a third field. When the terminal device receives information indicating that the fourth DCI includes a third field, it determines that the fourth DCI includes a third field based on this information. Consequently, the terminal device can more accurately estimate the number of fields included in the fourth DCI and the information length of the fourth DCI, thereby improving the decoding success rate of the fourth DCI and increasing the data transmission throughput of the terminal device. For example, if the terminal device does not receive information indicating that the fourth DCI includes a third field, or if the terminal device receives information indicating that the fourth DCI does not include a third field, the terminal device can determine that the fourth DCI does not include a third field.

[0069] In another possible implementation, the third field can carry information indicating a network device (e.g., a satellite device) in the NTN communication system. When the first network device needs to schedule data transmission between a network device (e.g., a satellite device) and a terminal device in the NTN communication system, the third field can be added to the fourth DCI. When the first network device does not need to schedule data transmission between a network device (e.g., a satellite device) and a terminal device in the NTN communication system, the third field can be omitted from the fourth DCI.

[0070] In another possible implementation, the third information may further include information for indicating the first network device. This information for indicating the first network device is carried in a third field within the third DCI. For example, the third field may be a newly added field in the third DCI. For example, the third field may be a field not present in the DCI format to which the third DCI belongs, as defined in existing standards. In one possible implementation, the terminal device may also receive information indicating whether the third DCI includes a third field. Related solutions are similar to those described above and will not be repeated.

[0071] Example 2: The information in the fourth information used to indicate the second network device is carried in the carrier indication field or reserved field of the fourth DCI. In another possible implementation, the third information may further include information used to indicate the first network device. The information used to indicate the first network device is carried in the carrier indication field or reserved field of the third DCI. In this scheme, the terminal device can reuse existing fields in the DCI, which is more compatible with existing technologies and does not increase the number of fields in the existing DCI, thereby saving resource overhead.

[0072] Example 3: When the fourth DCI includes information indicating a second network device, the fourth DCI can use the second format. In another possible implementation, the third information may also include information indicating a first network device. When the third DCI includes information indicating a first network device, the third DCI can use the second format. For example, the second format can be a newly defined DCI format (e.g., the second format may differ from the DCI format defined in existing standards). For example, the second format defines a field carrying information indicating a network device. In this example, the terminal device can determine whether the fourth DCI includes information indicating a second network device based on the format of the received fourth DCI. The terminal device can also determine whether the third DCI includes information indicating a first network device based on the format of the received third DCI. For example, if the format of the fourth DCI is the second format, the terminal device determines that the fourth DCI includes a fourth field, which carries information indicating a second network device. Alternatively, if the format of the fourth DCI is not the second format, the terminal device determines that the fourth DCI does not include a fourth field. For example, if the terminal device determines that the third DCI includes a fourth field when the third DCI format is the second format, and the fourth field carries information used to indicate the first network device. Alternatively, if the terminal device determines that the third DCI does not include a fourth field when the third DCI format is not the second format, this solution distinguishes whether the DCI includes information used to indicate the network device by its format. This solution does not increase the number of fields in the existing DCI, thus saving resource overhead.

[0073] In another possible implementation, in the scheme provided in Example 3, the DCI format can also be used to distinguish whether the DCI is used to schedule network devices (e.g., satellite devices) in the NTN communication system to transmit data to the terminal device. For example, if the terminal device determines that the received fourth DCI format is the second format, it determines that the fourth DCI includes a field for identifying information of the network device (e.g., satellite device), or it determines that the fourth DCI is used to schedule data transmission between the network device (e.g., satellite device) and the terminal device. As another example, if the terminal device determines that the received fourth DCI format is not the second format, it determines that the fourth DCI does not include a field for identifying information of the network device (e.g., satellite device), or it determines that the fourth DCI is not used to schedule data transmission between the network device (e.g., satellite device) and the terminal device.

[0074] In one possible implementation, the fourth time unit is further determined based on the time unit for receiving the fourth information. Since the fourth time unit also considers the time unit for receiving the fourth information, its selection can be more reasonable. For example, it can avoid having the fourth time unit before the time unit for receiving the fourth information, and instead, it can have the fourth time unit after the time unit for receiving the fourth information. This allows the terminal device to transmit uplink information through the fourth time unit after receiving the fourth information, thereby improving the success rate of data transmission and ultimately increasing the data transmission throughput of the terminal device.

[0075] In one possible implementation, the terminal device sends a first response information, which is a response to the information received from the first network device. The time unit for sending the first response information is determined based on at least one of a third time unit, the value of K1, or a time unit offset value. The value of K1 is associated with the delay of the terminal device in processing downlink information from the first network device and / or processing uplink information. The time unit offset value is associated with the timing advance (TA) corresponding to the first network device.

[0076] For example, the terminal device sends a first response message to a first network device or a third network device. In this scheme, since the time unit offset value is associated with the TA used by the terminal corresponding to the first network device, and the timing difference between the second network device and the first network device is not considered, the time unit offset value can be set to a smaller value, thereby shortening the time between the first response message and the data transmitted by the first network device, thus reducing the feedback delay of the first network device.

[0077] In one possible implementation, the terminal device sends a second response information, which is a response to the information received from the second network device. The time unit for sending the second response information is determined based on at least one of a second offset, a fourth time unit, the value of K1, or a time unit offset value. The value of K1 is associated with the delay of the terminal device in processing downlink information from the first network device and / or processing uplink information. The time unit offset value is associated with the TA corresponding to the first network device.

[0078] For example, the terminal device sends a second response message to a first network device or a third network device. In this scheme, since the transmission of the first response message also takes into account a second offset, this scheme can increase the feedback delay of the second network device, thereby reducing or avoiding the situation where the first response message is transmitted before the terminal device receives data from the second network device, thus improving the success rate of transmitting the first response message and improving communication performance.

[0079] In one possible implementation, the first network device and the second network device can be of the same or different device types. For example, the first network device may be a satellite device, and the second network device may also be a satellite device. Alternatively, the first network device may be a ground-deployed network device or a chip system within a network device, and the second network device may be a satellite device. Alternatively, the first network device may be a satellite device, and the second network device may be a ground-deployed network device or a chip system within a network device. Alternatively, both the first and second network devices may be ground-deployed network devices or chip systems within network devices.

[0080] Fifthly, this application provides a communication method that can be executed by one or more of a first network device, a second network device, or a third network device. Any of the multiple possible implementations of this aspect can be executed by the same network device or by different network devices. For ease of understanding, the following description uses execution by a first network device as an example. The first network device may include a network device or a chip system within a network device. The second network device may include a network device or a chip system within a network device. The third network device may include a network device or a chip system within a network device. In this application, the third network device may be the first network device or the second network device, or the third network device may be a network device other than the first and second network devices. For example, the network device may include a satellite or a chip (or chip system) within a satellite. As another example, the network device may include a ground station or a chip (or chip system) within a ground station. The ground station may, for example, include network devices deployed on the ground (e.g., access network devices).

[0081] In this scheme, the first network device sends information to the terminal device in a third time unit. For example, the third time unit may be determined based on a fourth time unit and a second offset, and / or the fourth time unit may be determined based on the third time unit and the second offset. Alternatively, the third and / or fourth time units may be determined based on a second offset. The fourth time unit belongs to the time unit used by the second network device to send information to the terminal device, and the second offset is the offset between the frame timing when the terminal device receives the signal from the first network device and the frame timing when the terminal device receives the signal from the second network device.

[0082] In one possible implementation, the first network device receives information indicating a second offset.

[0083] In one possible implementation, the first network device receives information indicating the effective period of the second offset.

[0084] In one possible implementation, the first network device sends third information, which instructs the terminal device to receive information from the first network device in a third time unit.

[0085] In one possible implementation, the first network device sends a fourth message, which instructs the terminal device to receive information from the second network device in a fourth time unit.

[0086] In one possible implementation, the third information is carried in the third downlink control information (DCI).

[0087] In one possible implementation, the fourth information is carried in the fourth DCI.

[0088] In one possible implementation, the fourth information includes information for indicating the second network device, and the information for indicating the second network device in the fourth information is carried in a third field of the fourth DCI.

[0089] In one possible implementation, the first network device sends information indicating that the fourth DCI includes a third field, and determines that the fourth DCI includes a third field based on the information indicating that the fourth DCI includes a third field.

[0090] In one possible implementation, the fourth information includes information for indicating the second network device, and the information for indicating the second network device in the fourth information is carried in a carrier indication field or a reserved field in the fourth DCI.

[0091] In one possible implementation, the fourth information includes information for instructing the second network device.

[0092] In one possible implementation, if the format of the fourth DCI is a second format, the first network device carries a fourth field in the fourth DCI, the fourth field carrying information for indicating the second network device.

[0093] In one possible implementation, the fourth time unit is further determined based on the time unit in which the fourth information is received.

[0094] In one possible implementation, the first network device receives first response information. The first response information is a response to information received from the first network device. The time unit for sending the first response information is determined based on at least one of a third time unit, the value of K1, or a time unit offset value. The value of K1 is associated with the delay of the terminal device in processing downlink information from the first network device and / or processing uplink information, and the time unit offset value is associated with the TA corresponding to the first network device.

[0095] In one possible implementation, the first network device receives second response information, which is a response to information received from the second network device. The time unit for sending the second response information is determined based on at least one of a second offset, a fourth time unit, the value of K1, or a time unit offset value. The value of K1 is associated with the delay of the terminal device in processing downlink information from the first network device and / or processing uplink information. The time unit offset value is associated with the TA corresponding to the first network device.

[0096] Information indicating the second offset, information indicating the effective time period of the second offset, a third time unit, a fourth time unit, a second mapping relationship, third information, fourth information, a third field, or a fourth field, etc., at least one of which can be referred to the description of the fourth aspect or possible implementations of the fourth aspect above, and will not be repeated here.

[0097] Sixthly, this application provides a communication method that can be executed by a second network device. The second network device may include a network device or a chip system within the network device. For example, the second network device may include a satellite device or a chip (or chip system) within the satellite device. As another example, the first network device may include a ground station or a chip (or chip system) within the ground station. The ground station may, for example, include network devices deployed on the ground (e.g., access network devices).

[0098] The second network device sends information to the terminal device in a third time unit. For example, the third time unit may be determined based on a fourth time unit and a second offset, and / or the fourth time unit may be determined based on the third time unit and the second offset. Alternatively, the third and / or fourth time units may be determined based on the second offset. The fourth time unit belongs to the time unit used by the second network device to send information to the terminal device, and the second offset is the offset between the frame timing when the terminal device receives the signal from the first network device and the frame timing when the terminal device receives the signal from the second network device.

[0099] A seventh aspect provides a communication device, which can be the aforementioned terminal device, first network device, second network device, or third network device. The communication device may include a communication unit and a processing unit to perform any one of the first to sixth aspects, or any possible implementation of the first to sixth aspects. The communication unit is used to perform functions related to sending and receiving. The communication unit may be referred to as a transceiver unit. Optionally, the communication unit includes a receiving unit and a sending unit. In one design, the communication device is a communication chip, the processing unit may be one or more processors or processor cores, and the communication unit may be the input / output circuit, input / output interface, or antenna port of the communication chip.

[0100] In another design, the communication unit can be a transmitter and a receiver, or the communication unit can be a transmitter and a receiver.

[0101] Optionally, the communication device may also include modules that can be used to perform any one of the first to sixth aspects described above, or to perform any possible implementation of the first to sixth aspects.

[0102] Eighthly, a communication device is provided, which may be the aforementioned terminal device, a first network device, a second network device, or a third network device. The communication device may include a processor and a memory to execute any one of the first to sixth aspects, or to execute any possible implementation of the first to sixth aspects. Optionally, it may also include a transceiver, the memory for storing computer programs or instructions, and the processor for retrieving and executing the computer programs or instructions from the memory. When the processor executes the computer programs or instructions in the memory, the communication device executes any one of the first to sixth aspects, or to execute any possible implementation of the first to sixth aspects.

[0103] Optionally, there may be one or more processors and one or more memories.

[0104] Optionally, the memory can be integrated with the processor, or the memory can be set up separately from the processor.

[0105] Optionally, the transceiver may include a transmitter and a receiver.

[0106] A ninth aspect provides a communication device, which may be the aforementioned terminal device, a first network device, a second network device, or a third network device. The communication device may include a processor to execute any one of the first to sixth aspects, or to execute any possible implementation of the first to sixth aspects. The processor is coupled to a memory. Optionally, the communication device further includes a memory. Optionally, the communication device further includes a communication interface, and the processor is coupled to the communication interface.

[0107] In one implementation, when the communication device is a terminal device, a first network device, a second network device, or a third network device, the communication interface can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the transceiver can be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface can be an input / output circuit.

[0108] In another implementation, when the communication device is a chip or chip system, the communication interface can be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuit on the chip or chip system. The processor can also be manifested as a processing circuit or logic circuit.

[0109] In a tenth aspect, a system is provided, the system including the aforementioned terminal device.

[0110] In one possible implementation, the system may further include a first network device and a second network device.

[0111] In an eleventh aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising: a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions), which, when run, causes a computer to perform any one of the first to sixth aspects, or to perform any possible implementation of the first to sixth aspects.

[0112] In a twelfth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions) that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform any one of the first to sixth aspects described above, or to perform any possible implementation of the first to sixth aspects.

[0113] In a thirteenth aspect, a processing apparatus is provided, comprising: an interface circuit and a processing circuit. The interface circuit may include an input circuit and an output circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive signals through the input circuit and transmit signals through the output circuit, thereby enabling any one of the first to sixth aspects, or any possible implementation thereof, to be implemented.

[0114] In specific implementation, the aforementioned processing device can be a chip, the input circuit can be an input pin, the output circuit can be an output pin, and the processing circuit can be a transistor, gate circuit, flip-flop, and various logic circuits, etc. The input signal received by the input circuit can be received and input by, for example, but not limited to, a receiver, and the signal output by the output circuit can be, for example, but not limited to, output to a transmitter and transmitted by the transmitter. Furthermore, the input circuit and the output circuit can be the same circuit, which is used as the input circuit and output circuit at different times. This application does not limit the specific implementation method of the processor and various circuits.

[0115] In one implementation, the communication device is a terminal device, a first network device, a second network device, or a third network device. The interface circuit can be an RF processing chip in the terminal device, the first network device, the second network device, or the third network device, and the processing circuit can be a baseband processing chip in the terminal device, the first network device, the second network device, or the third network device.

[0116] In another implementation, the communication device can be a component of a terminal device, a first network device, a second network device, or a third network device, such as an integrated circuit product like a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or a communication chip. The interface circuit can be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuit on the chip or chip system. The processing circuit can be the logic circuit on the chip. Attached Figure Description

[0117] Figure 1A This is a possible schematic diagram of a network architecture for a communication system applicable to embodiments of this application;

[0118] Figure 1B This is a possible schematic diagram of a network architecture for another communication system to which embodiments of this application are applicable;

[0119] Figure 1C This is a possible schematic diagram of a network architecture for a communication system applicable to embodiments of this application;

[0120] Figure 1D This is a possible schematic diagram of a network architecture for another communication system to which embodiments of this application are applicable;

[0121] Figure 1EThis is a possible schematic diagram of a network architecture for another communication system to which embodiments of this application are applicable;

[0122] Figure 1F This is a possible schematic diagram of a network architecture for another communication system to which embodiments of this application are applicable;

[0123] Figure 1G This is a possible schematic diagram of a network architecture for another communication system to which embodiments of this application are applicable;

[0124] Figure 1H This is a possible schematic diagram of a network architecture for another communication system to which embodiments of this application are applicable;

[0125] Figure 1I This is a possible schematic diagram of a network architecture for another communication system to which embodiments of this application are applicable;

[0126] Figure 1J This is a possible schematic diagram of a network architecture for another communication system to which embodiments of this application are applicable;

[0127] Figure 1K This is a possible schematic diagram of a network architecture for another communication system to which embodiments of this application are applicable;

[0128] Figure 1L This is a possible schematic diagram of a network architecture for another communication system to which embodiments of this application are applicable;

[0129] Figure 2 A possible flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0130] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a possible beam-hopping pattern for a first network device and a second network device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0131] Figure 4 A possible flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0132] Figure 5 A schematic diagram illustrating the possible locations of time-domain resources of a PUSCH scheduled by a first network device via PDCCH, provided for an embodiment of this application.

[0133] Figure 6A This is a possible schematic diagram of a network architecture for another communication system to which embodiments of this application are applicable;

[0134] Figure 6B This is a possible schematic diagram of a network architecture for another communication system to which embodiments of this application are applicable;

[0135] Figure 6CThis is a possible schematic diagram of a network architecture for another communication system to which embodiments of this application are applicable;

[0136] Figure 7 A possible flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0137] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a possible beam-hopping pattern for another first network device and a second network device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0138] Figure 9 A possible flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0139] Figure 10 A schematic diagram illustrating the possible locations of time-domain resources of a PDSCH scheduled by a first network device via a PDCCH, provided for an embodiment of this application.

[0140] Figure 11 A schematic diagram illustrating the possible location of temporal resources for response information sent by a terminal device, provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0141] Figure 12 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0142] Figure 13 This is another schematic diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0143] Figure 14 This is another schematic diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0144] The terms and nouns used in the embodiments of this application are described below.

[0145] (1) Resources.

[0146] The resources in the embodiments of this application may include, for example, time-domain resources and / or frequency-domain resources.

[0147] (1.1) Time domain resources.

[0148] Time-domain resources may include at least one of the following: radio frames, subframes, slots, mini slots, or symbols (e.g., orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), such as discrete fourier transform (DFT)-spread OFDM (DFT-S-OFDM), orthogonal time-frequency and space (OTFS)).

[0149] A time unit may include a radio frame, a subframe, a slot, a mini slot, or an OFDM symbol. A time unit may also include resources aggregated from multiple radio frames, subframes, slots, mini slots, or OFDM symbols. Specifically, a radio frame may include multiple subframes, a subframe may include one or more slots, and a slot may include at least one symbol. Alternatively, a radio frame may include multiple slots, and a slot may include at least one symbol. It should be noted that, in this embodiment, an OFDM symbol may also be simply referred to as a symbol.

[0150] Depending on the subcarrier spacing, the length of each symbol can vary, and therefore the time slot length can also vary. For example, a time slot with a subcarrier spacing of 15 kilo mega hertz (kHz) has a length of 1 millisecond (ms), while a time slot with a subcarrier spacing of 60 kHz has a length of 0.25 ms, and so on.

[0151] In this embodiment of the application, the time unit can also be replaced by: time domain resource unit or time domain unit, etc.

[0152] (1.2) Frequency domain resources.

[0153] In the frequency domain, frequency domain resources can include one or more frequency domain units. A frequency domain unit can be a resource block (RB), a physical resource block (PRB), a subcarrier, a resource block group (RBG), a predefined subband, a precoding resource block group (PRG), a resource pool, a bandwidth part (BWP), a resource element (RE) (also called a resource unit or resource particle), a carrier, or a serving cell. PRBs and RBs can be interchanged. Optionally, a resource pool can include one or more resources, which can include at least one of time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, code-domain resources, or spatial-domain resources. The number and size of resources included in the resource pool can be predetermined or configured via signaling.

[0154] Subcarrier or RE refers to the smallest frequency domain unit on a specific symbol in a multicarrier system. Subcarrier spacing (SCS) is the interval between the center or peak positions of two adjacent subcarriers in the frequency domain in an OFDM system. In 5G NR, various subcarrier spacings are introduced, and different carriers can have different subcarrier spacings. The baseline is 15kHz, which can be 15kHz × 2n, where n is an integer from 3.75, 7.5 up to 480kHz. In the embodiments of this application, RE can refer to a resource unit of time-frequency resources, such as the smallest time-frequency resource unit. In this application, subcarrier and RE are interchangeable and have the same content.

[0155] A subchannel is the smallest unit of frequency domain resources occupied by a physical cross-channel shared channel. A subchannel can include one or more resource blocks (RBs). The bandwidth of a wireless communication system in the frequency domain can include multiple RBs. For example, in the various possible bandwidths of an LTE system, the number of physical resource blocks (PRBs) included can be 6, 15, 25, 50, etc. In the frequency domain, an RB can include several subcarriers. For example, in an LTE system, an RB includes 12 subcarriers, where the spacing between each subcarrier can be 15kHz. Of course, other subcarrier spacings can also be used, such as 3.75kHz, 30kHz, 60kHz, or 120kHz subcarrier spacings, which are not limited here.

[0156] A frequency domain unit may include a RE, an RB, a channel, a subchannel, a carrier, or a bandwidth part (BWP). A frequency domain unit may also include resources aggregated from multiple REs, multiple RBs, multiple subchannels, multiple carriers, or multiple BWPs. In the embodiments of this application, a channel can be equivalently replaced by a resource block set (RB set), and the frequency domain bandwidth of an RB set can be 20 MHz.

[0157] In this embodiment, the frequency domain unit can also be replaced by: frequency domain resource unit or frequency unit, etc.

[0158] A frequency domain resource set may include one or more frequency domain elements. A frequency domain resource set may also be called a frequency domain resource collection, frequency domain resource group, etc. For example, a frequency domain resource set may include a resource block set (RBset), a resource block (RB), a subchannel, a resource pool, a carrier, and a resource pool (BWP).

[0159] (2) Beam.

[0160] In the NR protocol, beaming can be represented as a spatial domain filter, spatial filter, spatial domain parameter, spatial parameter, spatial domain setting, spatial setting, quasi-colocation (QCL) information, QCL assumption, QCL indication, etc. Beaming can be indicated by transmission configuration indication state (TCI-state) parameters or by spatial relation parameters. Therefore, in this application, beaming can be replaced by spatial domain filter, spatial filter, spatial parameter, spatial parameter, spatial setting, spatial setting, QCL information, QCL assumption, QCL indication, TCI-state (DL TCI-state, UL TCI-state), spatial relation, etc. These terms are also equivalent to each other. Beaming can also be replaced with other beaming terms, which are not limited in this application.

[0161] A beam can include a beam for transmitting signals and / or a beam for receiving signals. A transmitting beam can refer to the distribution of signal strength in different directions in space after a signal is transmitted through an antenna, while a receiving beam can refer to the distribution of signal strength in different directions in space of a wireless signal received from an antenna.

[0162] Beams are generally associated with resources. For example, during beam measurement, network devices transmit different beams through different resources. The terminal device provides feedback on the measured resource quality, allowing the network device to determine the quality of the corresponding beam. During data transmission, beam information is also indicated through its corresponding resources. For instance, network devices use the Transmission Configuration Index (TCI) field in the DCI to indicate the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) beam information of the terminal device.

[0163] Optionally, multiple beams with the same or similar communication characteristics can be considered as a single beam. A beam may include one or more antenna ports for transmitting data channels, control channels, and detection signals, etc. One or more antenna ports forming a beam can also be considered as a set of antenna ports.

[0164] (2.1) Broadcast signal beam.

[0165] The broadcast signal beam refers to the beam of the broadcast signal emitted by the first satellite device.

[0166] Broadcast signals may include, for example, a synchronization signal and PBCH block (SSB), which consists of at least one of a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and a physical broadcast channel (PBCH). The identification information of the broadcast signal beam can be indicated by the SSB identifier. In some systems, broadcast signals are also called beacon signals.

[0167] The PSS (Physical Cell Sequence) can be used to transmit the cell number, and the SSS (Square Cell Sequence) can be used to transmit the cell group number. The cell number and cell group number together determine multiple physical cell identities (PCIs) in the mobile communication system. Once the terminal device successfully finds the PSS and SSS, it also knows the physical cell number of the carrier carrying the PSS and SSS, thus gaining the ability to parse the system messages contained in the SSS.

[0168] System information in the SSB can be carried by the PBCH. Since this information is essential for terminal devices to access the network, it can be called the main information block (MIB). The MIB may contain the system frame number and the initial subcarrier spacing for access, etc.

[0169] The information contained in the MIB is limited and insufficient to support terminal device access to the cell. Therefore, the terminal device can also obtain other system information, such as System Information Block (SIB) 1. SIB1 can be transmitted on the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) with a period of 160ms. The terminal device can obtain the parameters used for SIB1 transmission from the MIB carried in the PBCH, thereby enabling it to receive SIB1. In this way, the terminal device can obtain the system information required for cell access and subsequently access the cell.

[0170] (2.2) Data signal beam.

[0171] A data signal beam refers to the beam corresponding to the data transmitted between a first satellite device and a first communication device (such as a terminal). A data signal beam may include an uplink data signal beam and / or a downlink data signal beam.

[0172] (3) Beam scanning.

[0173] A satellite device in a certain time unit (such as the first satellite device) can concentrate energy in a certain direction, which can transmit the signal further, but the signal cannot be received in other directions. The next time unit transmits in another direction, and finally, by continuously changing the direction of the beam, coverage of multiple areas can be achieved.

[0174] (4) Region.

[0175] Region: Unless otherwise specified, "region" in the following embodiments of this application refers to a geographical region. A region is fixed relative to the Earth, or can be understood as a geographical area that is fixed relative to the Earth. For example, a region may have at least one of the following attributes: shape, outline, size, radius, area, geographical location, etc.

[0176] The term "region" can also have an altitude attribute, meaning a region can be understood as a geographical area at a given altitude or altitude range. By default, a region can refer to a geographical area with an elevation of 0 kilometers (km) or an elevation around 0 km (e.g., within the range of [-2, 2] km), or a geographical area with a certain average elevation. Additionally, it can refer to geographical areas at other specific altitudes or altitude ranges, such as a geographical area with an elevation of 10 km, or a geographical area with an elevation around 10 km (e.g., within the range of [7, 13] km).

[0177] In one possible implementation, the aforementioned region fixed relative to the Earth can also be referred to as a "wave position," "geographical region," etc. Of course, other names are also possible, and this application does not specifically limit the name of the region fixed relative to the Earth.

[0178] Different regions may have the same or different shapes, outlines, sizes, radii, and areas. Different regions may be geographically different. Different regions may or may not overlap.

[0179] In one possible implementation, "region fixed relative to the Earth" can be understood as follows: the region's outline, size, or geographical location remains unchanged; for example, the region's outline, size, or geographical location does not change over time. Alternatively, "region fixed relative to the Earth" can be understood as follows: the region's outline and the points within it can be described using a fixed Earth coordinate system, or the coordinates of each point on the region's outline in the fixed Earth coordinate system remain constant.

[0180] In one possible implementation, the shape of the region can be a regular hexagon, or other shapes such as a regular pentagon, a circle, an ellipse, etc. Alternatively, the shape of the region can also be irregular, without limitation.

[0181] For example, the shape of a region can be defined by a protocol or by a network device. Regions defined by different network devices can have the same or different shapes. The same network device can also define multiple region shapes. Similarly, the size, radius, and area of ​​a region can also be defined by a protocol or by a network device. Regions defined by different network devices can have the same or different sizes, radii, or areas. The same network device can also define multiple region sizes, multiple region radii, or multiple region areas.

[0182] In one possible implementation, the Earth's surface can be divided into multiple regions, and these regions can be indexed (e.g., numbered). Terminal devices and network devices can agree on the numbering method for these regions (e.g., starting from 1 or 0) and the correspondence between regions and indexes. Alternatively, the protocol can define the numbering method for these regions and the correspondence between regions and indexes. Based on the region indexes, information such as the region's geographical location can be determined.

[0183] Optionally, the multiple regions can completely cover the Earth's surface, such that any location on the Earth's surface belongs to a certain region; or, the multiple regions can also cover part of the geographical location on Earth, for example, the multiple regions may not cover the Earth's South Pole and / or North Pole, that is, the South Pole and / or North Pole may not exist in the region.

[0184] Optionally, the method of dividing the network into multiple zones can be defined by a protocol or by the network device. Different network devices can define the same or different division methods. The same network device can also define multiple division methods.

[0185] As a first possible method of partitioning, the Earth's surface can be divided using a latitude and longitude grid with a granularity, for example, a latitude and longitude grid with a granularity of 1 degree. If only this discretization method is used, the globe can be divided into 360×360=129600 regions. Terminal devices and network devices can define the indexes of these 129600 regions as 0,1,…,129599, or they can also define them as 1,2,…,129600.

[0186] Optionally, when introducing the altitude attribute of a geographic region, multiple grids can be defined to divide the Earth's surface. For example, a grid at an altitude of 0 km or within the range of [-2, 2] km can be divided into 1-degree latitude and longitude grids, generating 129,600 regions. At an altitude of 10 km or within the range of [7, 13] km, further division using 1-degree latitude and longitude grids generates another 129,600 regions. When indexing these regions, the index range needs to be expanded. For example, the total index could be 0, 1, ..., 129,599, 129,600, 129,601, ..., 259,199, where the first 129,600 indices represent the region index at an altitude of 0 km or within the range of [-2, 2] km, and the last 129,600 indices represent the region index at an altitude of 10 km or within the range of [7, 13] km.

[0187] For example, the granularity of the latitude and longitude grid can be determined based on the type of network device. For instance, a relatively small granularity can be used for discretization when the network device is a LEO satellite, and a relatively large granularity can be used when the network device is a geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) satellite.

[0188] As a second possible method of division, the Earth's surface can be divided using latitude and longitude grids of various granularities. For example, a portion of the Earth's surface or a portion of its administrative region can be divided using a latitude and longitude grid with a granularity of 1 degree, while another portion of the surface or administrative region can be divided using a latitude and longitude grid with a granularity of 2 degrees.

[0189] Alternatively, by introducing the altitude attribute of a geographic region, the Earth's surface can be divided using a latitude and longitude grid with a granularity of 1 degree at an altitude of 0 km, and the Earth's surface can be divided using a latitude and longitude grid with a granularity of 2 degrees at an altitude of 10 km.

[0190] As a third possible method of division, the Earth's surface can be divided by administrative regions. For example, a township-level administrative region could be considered as a region.

[0191] As a fourth possible division method, for GEO satellites, the projection of one of the GEO satellite's beams onto the ground can be considered as a region. Since GEO satellites are stationary relative to the Earth, the projection of the GEO satellite's beams onto the ground can be considered fixed relative to the Earth.

[0192] In practical applications, the Earth's surface can be divided using a combination of different methods. For example, a portion of the Earth's surface or a part of its administrative region can be divided using a latitude and longitude grid with a granularity of 1, while another portion of the surface or administrative region can be divided according to its administrative region.

[0193] In one possible implementation, when the Earth's surface is divided into multiple regions, different levels of region division can be applied to the same surface area. For example, for a given surface area, a first level of region division can be performed using a 10-degree granularity latitude and longitude grid, a second level using a 6-degree granularity grid, and a third level using a 1-degree granularity grid. In this case, within the surface area, the number of regions at the first level is greater than the number at the second level, and the number of regions at the second level is greater than the number at the third level. Furthermore, in this scenario, each level of region can be individually numbered.

[0194] (5) Jumping beam.

[0195] A single satellite can cover an area of ​​thousands or even tens of thousands of kilometers, while a single beam can cover an area of ​​tens of meters or even thousands of meters. To support wide-area coverage, a satellite typically needs to be configured with tens, hundreds, or even more beams. To alleviate the contradiction between the small payload of a single satellite and its wide coverage area, a beam-hopping approach can be used for regional coverage. That is, a satellite can be configured with more beams to cover a wider area, but only a smaller number of beams are used at any given time to cover the wider area.

[0196] For example, at an orbital altitude of 1150km, the coverage diameter of a single beam is approximately 26km, and a single satellite needs to cover about 700 beam positions. A beam position can be understood as a unit of coverage area (such as the coverage area of ​​a single beam), with each unit called a beam position. Beam positions can also be called by other names; please refer to the previous description of areas for details, which will not be repeated here. Satellite hardware resources are limited, supporting a limited number of beams that can be transmitted simultaneously. For example, a satellite can transmit 8 beams simultaneously; that is, if one beam covers one beam position, then 8 beams can be transmitted simultaneously to cover 8 beam positions. In this case, the number of beams transmitted simultaneously by the satellite is far less than the number of beam positions in the satellite's service coverage area. Simultaneous coverage of the satellite's coverage area cannot be completed at the same time. Therefore, time division multiplexing (TDM) beams are needed to provide services to UEs within different beams of the satellite. This method can be called beam-hopping or TDM beam scheduling.

[0197] For example, such as Figure 1A As shown, a satellite is configured with 16 beams to cover a wide area, but only 4 beams are used for coverage at any given time. At time #1, beams numbered 0, 1, 4, and 5 are used for coverage; at time #2, beams numbered 2, 3, 6, and 7 are used. This continues, serving all areas covered by the single satellite (i.e., the areas corresponding to the 16 beams) in a time-division manner (times #1, #2, #3, and #4). In this diagram, a hexagonal area can be understood as the area illuminated by one beam, for example, as one beam position. Each time in this diagram is illustrated using an example where the satellite's beams illuminate an area including four beam positions. The number of beam positions illuminated by the satellite at a given time can be more or less, and the number is not limited.

[0198] Figure 1B An exemplary schematic diagram illustrates another scenario to which this application embodiment applies. For example... Figure 1BAs shown in Figure X1B, a beam emitted by a satellite illuminates different beams at different times, providing services to different beams in a time-division multiplexing manner. This can also be described as the beam sequentially scanning each beam. Figure 1B The diagram illustrates, for example, the various positions of a beam (e.g., a data signal beam) residing in the time dimension. Figure 1B As shown, in the time dimension, the beams transmitted by the satellite (e.g., data signal beams) can sequentially reside at wave positions #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11, #12, #13, and #14. In the embodiments of this application, the two beams illuminating different wave positions can be two beams transmitted by the satellite through the same antenna port, or they can be two beams transmitted by the satellite through different antenna ports.

[0199] (6) Synchronization reference point.

[0200] In communication scenarios, synchronization reference points can be set. The English name for a synchronization reference point in the standard is "synchronization reference point." A synchronization reference point refers to the aligned position of downlink and uplink frames, or the position where downlink and uplink frames have a fixed deviation (for example, this fixed deviation can be denoted as N). TA,offset The location of the synchronization reference point. For example, the English description of the synchronization reference point in the standard can be: The uplink time synchronization reference point is the point where DL and UL are framealigned with an offset given by N. TA,offset For example, N TA,offset It may be related to duplex mode, and this parameter can be carried in a broadcast message and sent by the network device to the terminal device or relay device.

[0201] The synchronization reference point can also be called the uplink time synchronization reference point or the uplink timing synchronization reference point. The uplink and downlink frame boundaries on the synchronization reference point side can be aligned, or there can be a fixed small deviation value, which can be configured by the network device or defined by the protocol.

[0202] For example, in terrestrial communication scenarios, a terrestrial base station can be used as a synchronization reference point, ensuring that uplink and downlink frame boundaries are aligned on the base station side. Another example is in high-latency scenarios (such as NTN communication), where the synchronization reference point can be set on the communication link between two devices. For instance, in satellite-to-ground communication, where latency is significant, setting the synchronization reference point between the UE and the network device allows the UE to consider only the latency between itself and the synchronization reference point for timing (TA) settings. The network device can also consider the latency between the synchronization reference point and itself for time-domain compensation of the signal. If the synchronization reference point is set on the network device side, all latency needs to be compensated for on the UE side. However, if the synchronization reference point is set between the UE and the network device, both the UE and the network device can perform partial latency compensation, thus reducing the complexity of latency compensation on the UE side.

[0203] The synchronization reference point can be set on a device (such as a relay device) of the communication link. Alternatively, the synchronization reference point can be set at other locations on the communication link, and may not be set on a device (such as not set on a relay device).

[0204] Figure 1C An exemplary schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system 1000 to which this application embodiment applies is shown. For example... Figure 1C As shown, the communication system includes a wireless access network 100 and a core network 200. Optionally, the communication system 1000 may also include an Internet 300. The wireless access network 100 may include at least one wireless access network device (such as...). Figure 1C 110a and 110b in the above), may also include at least one terminal device (such as Figure 1C (Referring to 120a-120j in the original text). Terminal devices connect wirelessly to wireless access network (WLAN) devices, which in turn connect wirelessly or via wired connections to the core network. The core network devices and WLAN devices can be independent physical devices, or they can integrate the functions of the core network devices and the logical functions of the WLAN devices onto a single physical device. Alternatively, a single physical device can integrate some core network device functions and some WLAN device functions. Terminal devices and WLAN devices can be interconnected via wired or wireless connections. Figure 1C This is just an illustration; the communication system may also include other network devices, such as wireless repeaters and wireless backhaul devices. Figure 1C It is not shown in the middle.

[0205] The network devices involved in the embodiments of this application include, for example, radio access network (RAN) devices. RAN devices can be base stations, evolved NodeBs (eNodeBs), transmission reception points (TRPs), transmission points (TPs), base stations in 5th generation (5G) mobile communication systems, base stations in future mobile communication systems, or access nodes in WiFi systems; they can also be modules or units that perform some of the functions of a base station, for example, they can be central units (CUs), distributed units (DUs), or radio units (RUs). The CU (Radio Control Unit) performs the functions of the radio resource control protocol and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) of the base station, and can also perform the functions of the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP). The DU (Radio Link Control Unit) performs the functions of the radio link control layer and medium access control (MAC) layer of the base station, and can also perform some or all of the physical layer functions. For specific descriptions of the above-mentioned protocol layers, please refer to the relevant technical specifications of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The CU and DU can be set up separately, or they can be included in the same network element, such as in the baseband unit (BBU). The RU (Radio Receiver Unit) can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as in the remote radio unit (RRU), active antenna unit (AAU), or remote radio head (RRH). In different systems, CU, DU, or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an open radio access network (ORAN) system, a CU can also be called an open CU (open-CU, O-CU), a DU can also be called an open DU (open-DU, O-DU), and a RU can also be called an open RU (open-RU, O-RU).In this application, any of the following units—CU (or CU control plane (CU-CP), CU user plane (CU-UP), DU, and RU)—can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules. CU-CP can also be called open-CU-CP (O-CU-CP), and CU-UP can also be called open-CU-UP (O-CU-UP).

[0206] Figure 1D An exemplary diagram illustrates an O-RAN system architecture provided in an embodiment of this application. The O-RAN system in the embodiments provided in this application may include... Figure 1D Other components besides those shown. For example... Figure 1D As shown, the access network device (RAN, such as an eNB, gNB, or access network device in a future mobile communication system) communicates with the core network (CN) via a backhaul link and with the user equipment (UE) via an air interface. For example, the baseband unit (BBU) in the access network device communicates with the core network via a backhaul link, and the radio unit (RU) in the access network device communicates with at least one UE via an air interface. The BBU communicates with at least one RU via a fronthaul link. The BBU and RU may be co-located or not. The BBU includes at least one control unit (CU) and at least one distributed unit (DU), which can communicate via at least one midhaul link. In the embodiments of this application, the first network device can send signaling to the terminal device (e.g., UE) for scheduling the first network device and / or auxiliary communication devices. The transmission of this signaling can be sent from the CU and / or DU in the first network device to the terminal device.

[0207] Figure 1E An exemplary diagram of an O-RAN system architecture provided in an embodiment of this application is shown. Figure 1EAs shown, O-RAN can include O-CU-CP, O-CU-UP, O-DU, and O-RU. The system architecture can also include an open cloud (O-cloud), a service management and orchestration framework, an open eNB (O-eNB), a near-real-time (RT) RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC), and a non-real-time RIC. The non-RTIC can monitor, configure, manage, and control radio resources of at least one of multiple O-CU-CP, O-CU-UP, DU, or O-eNB. Figure 1E As shown, the interfaces defined by 3GPP include, for example, E1, F1 (e.g., F1-c, F1-u), NG (e.g., NG-c, NG-u), Xn (e.g., Xn-c, Xn-u), and X2 (e.g., X2-c, X2-u). For example, O-RAN communication systems also include interfaces such as O1, O2, E2, A1, and Open Fronthaul (FH) interfaces (e.g., Open-FH Control (M)-plane, and Open-FH Control, User and Synchronization (CUS)-plane). Figure 1E The names of the interfaces and the connection methods of the units shown are examples. In actual applications, the O-RAN system may include more or fewer interfaces, or more or fewer units.

[0208] Wireless access network equipment can be macro base stations (such as...) Figure 1C 110a in the text), can also be a micro base station or an indoor station (such as... Figure 1C 110b) in the text can also be a relay node or a donor node, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the wireless access network equipment. For ease of description, the following description uses a base station as an example of a wireless access network device.

[0209] Terminal devices can also be referred to as user equipment (UE), mobile stations, mobile terminal devices, etc. Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, etc. Terminal devices can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, sensors, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technologies or device forms used in the terminal devices.

[0210] The aforementioned terminal devices can establish connections with the operator's network through interfaces provided by the operator's network (such as N1), and use data and / or voice services provided by the operator's network. The terminal devices can also access the Domain Name System (DNS) through the operator's network, and use operator services deployed on the DNS, and / or services provided by third parties. These third parties can be service providers outside of the operator's network and the terminal devices, and can provide other data and / or voice services to the terminal devices. The specific form of these third parties can be determined according to the actual application scenario and is not limited here.

[0211] Terminal devices can also be referred to as user equipment (UE), mobile stations, mobile terminal devices, etc. Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, etc. Terminal devices can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, roadside units (RSUs), etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technologies or device forms used in the terminal devices.

[0212] Base stations and terminal equipment can be fixed or mobile. They can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; on water; or in the air on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of the base stations and terminal equipment.

[0213] The roles of base stations and terminal devices can be relative, for example, Figure 1C The helicopter or drone 120i can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminal devices 120j that access the wireless access network 100 via 120i, terminal device 120i is a base station; however, for base station 110a, 120i is a terminal device, meaning that 110a and 120i communicate via a wireless air interface protocol. Of course, 110a and 120i can also communicate via a base station-to-base station interface protocol; in this case, 120i is also a base station relative to 110a. Therefore, both base stations and terminal devices can be collectively referred to as communication devices. Figure 1C The 110a and 110b in the text can be referred to as communication devices with base station functions. Figure 1C 120a-120j in the text can be referred to as communication devices with terminal equipment functions. In the embodiments of this application, the protocol can also be referred to as a standard, technical standard, specification, or technical specification.

[0214] Communication between base stations and terminal devices, between base stations, and between terminal devices can be conducted using licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or both simultaneously. Communication can be conducted using spectrum below 6 GHz, spectrum above 6 GHz, or both simultaneously. The embodiments of this application do not limit the spectrum resources used for wireless communication.

[0215] In the embodiments of this application, the functions of the base station can be executed by modules (such as chips) within the base station, or by a control subsystem that includes base station functions. This control subsystem, including base station functions, can be a control center in the aforementioned application scenarios such as smart grids, industrial control, intelligent transportation, and smart cities. Similarly, the functions of the terminal device can be executed by modules (such as chips or modems) within the terminal device, or by a device that includes terminal device functions.

[0216] In this application, the base station sends downlink signals or downlink information to the terminal device, with the downlink information carried on the downlink channel; the terminal device sends uplink signals or uplink information to the base station, with the uplink information carried on the uplink channel. In order to communicate with the base station, the terminal device needs to establish a radio connection with a cell controlled by the base station. The cell with which the terminal device has established a radio connection is called the serving cell of the terminal device. When the terminal device communicates with this serving cell, it is also subject to interference from signals from neighboring cells.

[0217] The core network involved in this application embodiment may include network devices that process and forward user signaling and data. For example, it includes core network devices such as access and mobility management functions (AMF), session management functions (SMF), user plane gateways, and location management devices. The user plane gateway can be a server with functions such as mobility management, routing, and forwarding of user plane data, generally located on the network side, such as a serving gateway (SGW), packet data network gateway (PGW), or user plane function (UPF). AMF and SMF are equivalent to the mobility management entity (MME) in a long-term evolution (LTE) system. AMF is mainly responsible for admission aspects, and SMF is mainly responsible for session management. Of course, the core network may also include other network elements, which are not listed here.

[0218] Figure 1C , Figure 1D and Figure 1E This is just a schematic diagram. The wireless communication system may also include other devices, such as core network equipment, wireless relay equipment, and / or wireless backhaul equipment, which are not all shown in the diagram.

[0219] Figure 1F and Figure 1G The diagram illustrates network architectures for several communication systems applicable to embodiments of this application. These communication systems may include satellites, network devices, and terminal devices. They may also include gateways and core network devices. Figure 1F and Figure 1G An exemplary network architecture combining NTN and terrestrial networks is illustrated below. This will be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0220] The satellite can be a highly elliptical orbit (HEO) satellite, a GEO satellite, a medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellite, or a low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite. This application does not limit the satellite's operating mode; for example, the satellite can operate in transparent mode or regenerative mode. Figure 1F This illustration uses the satellite's transparent transmission mode as an example. Figure 1G This illustration uses the satellite's operating mode as the regeneration mode as an example.

[0221] When a satellite operates in transparent mode, it provides transparent relay forwarding functionality. A gateway possesses the functions of a network device (such as a base station) or some of the functions of a network device (such as a base station); in this case, the gateway can be considered a network device (such as a base station). Alternatively, the network device (such as a base station) can be deployed separately from the gateway. In this case, the feeder link latency includes both the latency from the satellite to the gateway and the latency from the gateway to the gNB. The transparent mode discussed later assumes that the gateway and gNB are located together or close to each other. For cases where the gateway and gNB are far apart, the feeder link latency is simply the sum of the latency from the satellite to the gateway and the latency from the gateway to the gNB.

[0222] When a satellite is operating in regenerative mode, it has data processing capabilities and functions as a network device (such as a base station) or partially functions as a network device (such as a base station). In this case, the satellite can be regarded as a network device (such as a base station).

[0223] Satellites can communicate wirelessly with terminals via broadcast communication signals and navigation signals. Optionally, each satellite can provide communication, navigation, and positioning services to terminal devices through multiple beams. For example, each satellite uses multiple beams to cover the service area, and the relationship between different beams can be one or more of time-division, frequency-division, and space-division.

[0224] A gateway (also known as a ground station, earth station, or gateway) is a network device used to connect satellites and ground-based networks (such as ground base stations). One or more satellites can connect to one or more ground-based network devices (such as ground base stations) through one or more gateways; this is not a limitation. The link between a satellite and a terminal is called a service link, and the link between a satellite and a gateway is called a feeder link. Network devices can be deployed separately from gateways; therefore, the latency of the feeder link can include both the latency from the satellite to the gateway and the latency from the gateway to the network device.

[0225] The network devices in this application embodiment may include network devices deployed on satellites (such as satellite base stations), network devices deployed on gateways, or network devices deployed on the ground (such as ground base stations). For example, the network devices may be as described above. Figure 1C , Figure 1D and Figure 1E The diagram shows radio access network (RAN) nodes, RAN nodes in the O-RAN system, etc. See the foregoing description for related details, which will not be repeated here.

[0226] A core network (CN) device is a ground-based device that communicates with NTN devices within an NTN system. For example, a CN could be... Figure 1C , Figure 1D and Figure 1E The relevant CNs are described above and will not be repeated here.

[0227] The terminal can be Figure 1C , Figure 1D and Figure 1E The terminals involved are described above and will not be repeated here.

[0228] The embodiments of this application can also be applied to other communication system architectures, such as air-to-ground (ATG) communication systems, which include at least one network device and at least one high-altitude terminal. High-altitude terminals include, for example, high-altitude aircraft and onboard terminals. Figure 1F and Figure 1G The satellites in the relay system can also be replaced with other relay equipment, such as high altitude platform stations (HAPS) and other NTN equipment. Figure 1F or Figure 1G The communication system shown is an example and does not constitute a limitation on the communication systems to which the methods provided in the embodiments of this application are applicable.

[0229] It is understood that the embodiments of this application can also be applied to air-to-ground (ATG) communication systems. For example, please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 1H This is a schematic diagram of a network architecture for another communication system applicable to embodiments of this application. The communication system includes at least one network device and at least one high-altitude terminal device. High-altitude terminal devices may include, for example, high-altitude aircraft and onboard terminal devices.

[0230] Figure 1I An exemplary schematic diagram of a possible scenario provided by an embodiment of this application is shown. Figure 1ITaking the communication system as an example, which includes a first network device, a second network device, and a terminal device. Figure 1I The communication system shown may also include other network devices, which are not shown here again. The network devices in the embodiments of this application may be satellite devices or other ground-deployed network devices, such as ground-deployed base stations. Figure 1I The first and second network devices are used as satellites for illustration.

[0231] For example, the first and second network devices can use a flexible beamaccess (FBA) scheme, allowing both to provide communication services to multiple areas via TDM. For instance, in areas with overlapping multi-satellite coverage, the first and second network devices can use TDM to schedule inter-satellite beams, thereby improving the terminal's uplink (UL) / downlink (DL) transmission resources and increasing the terminal's transmission throughput.

[0232] Figure 1I The image exemplifies the beam scheduling pattern (also called a pattern, design, etc.) of the first and second network devices. Figure 1I As shown, the first network device and the second network device provide communication services for wavelets #1 to #6 respectively in time using TDM (Time Domain Management). For example, the first network device provides communication services for wavelet #1 in time domain resource #1 (or the first network device provides beam coverage or signal coverage for wavelet #1 in time domain resource #1). Similarly, it provides communication services for wavelet #2 in time domain resource #2, for wavelet #3 in time domain resource #3, for wavelet #4 in time domain resource #4, for wavelet #5 in time domain resource #5, and for wavelet #6 in time domain resource #6. Similarly, the second network device provides communication services for wavelet #5 in time domain resource #1, for wavelet #6 in time domain resource #2, for wavelet #1 in time domain resource #3, for wavelet #2 in time domain resource #4, for wavelet #3 in time domain resource #5, and for wavelet #4 in time domain resource #6.

[0233] Taking UE#1 located at wavelength 1 as an example, the first network device provides data transmission to wavelength 1 in time domain resource #1, and UE#1 can transmit information (e.g., uplink and / or downlink data) between time domain resource #1 and the first network device. During other periods (e.g., time domain resources #2, #3, #4, #5, and #6), the first network device schedules beams to provide communication services for other wavelengths, and UE#1 cannot transmit information with the first network device. During these other periods, the second network device can schedule beams to serve wavelength 1; for example, the second network device schedules beams in time domain resource #3 to provide communication services for wavelength 1, and UE#1 can transmit information (e.g., uplink and / or downlink data) between time domain resource #3 and the second network device. It can be seen that this scheme can increase the amount of resources available for data transmission (e.g., uplink and / or downlink data) by the terminal, thereby improving the terminal's uplink throughput.

[0234] There are no restrictions on the frequency domain resources used for data transmission between the first network device and the second network device and UE#1; they may be the same or different. That is, the data transmitted between the first network device and the second network device and UE#1 may use the same frequency band or carrier, or different frequency bands, or partially overlapping frequency bands.

[0235] In scenarios where terminal devices communicate with multiple network devices, resource conflicts may occur. The following example, using uplink transmission, illustrates this. Figure 1J Here is an example of a possible scenario. Figure 1J The example shown in the middle Figure 1I The diagram shows the time-domain resources of the downlink signal received by UE#1 from the first network device, the time-domain resources of the uplink signal sent by UE#1 to the first network device, the time-domain resources of the downlink signal received by UE#1 from the second network device, and the time-domain resources of the uplink signal sent by UE#1 to the second network device.

[0236] like Figure 1J As shown, the time slot in which UE#1 receives the DL signal from the first network device can be referred to as the DL time slot of the first network device. The time slot in which UE#1 sends the UL signal to the first network device can be referred to as the UL time slot of the first network device. The time difference between the DL time slot and the UL time slot of the first network device can include a timing advance (TA). Figure 1JIn this context, it is represented by TA#1. Similarly, the time slot in which UE#1 receives the DL signal from the second network device can be called the DL time slot of the second network device. The time slot in which UE#1 sends the UL signal to the second network device can be called the UL time slot of the second network device. The time difference between the DL time slot and the UL time slot of the second network device can include a TA. Figure 1J It is represented by TA#2.

[0237] from Figure 1J It can be seen that there is an offset value between the frame boundaries of the UL timeslots of the first network device and the UL timeslots of the second network device, for example... Figure 1J The first offset is used to represent this. The correspondence between the UL timeslots of the first network device and the second network device is uncertain. For example... Figure 1J As shown, the UL timeslot #1 of the first network device and the UL timeslot #1 of the second network device do not belong to the same time period. That is, the time when the terminal sends UL timeslot #1 to the first network device is different from the time when the terminal sends UL timeslot #1 to the second network device. For example, the UL timeslots #1 and #2 of the first network device overlap with the UL timeslots #4, #5, and #6 of the second network device. That is, the time when the terminal sends UL timeslots #1 and #2 to the first network device overlaps with the time when the terminal sends UL timeslots #4, #5, and #6 to the second network device.

[0238] For example, suppose UE#1 uses a highly directional antenna or beamforming technology. When the first network device schedules UE#1 to send UL signals to the first network device in UL time slots #1 and #2, UE#1 cannot send UL signals to the second network device in UL time slots #4, #5, and #6. Sending UL signals to the second network device in UL time slots #4, #5, and #6 will result in failure or a high failure rate. Alternatively, UL time slots #1 and #2 of the first network device may conflict with UL time slots #4, #5, and #6 of the second network device.

[0239] To address the aforementioned problems, this application provides a solution. In this solution, the time units used by the terminal device to send information to the first network device and the second network device can be determined based on a first offset. The first offset includes / is the offset between the frame timing of the terminal device sending a signal to the first network device and the frame timing of the terminal device sending a signal to the second network device. This avoids conflicts between the time units used by the terminal device to send information to the first and second network devices, thereby improving the success rate of information transmission and consequently increasing the data transmission throughput of the terminal device. Furthermore, this solution can support the terminal device sending uplink information to multiple network devices, thereby improving information transmission efficiency.

[0240] Figure 1K An example is shown Figure 1J This is a possible schematic diagram of the resources that a terminal device can use in a given situation. For example... Figure 1K As shown, the third network device can determine the resource or transmission time conflicts used by the terminal device to send uplink signals to multiple network devices (e.g., the first network device and the second network device) based on the first offset. Combined with... Figure 1K From this, the third network device can know that there is no conflict between the uplink time slots #1, #2, and #3 of the second network device and the uplink time slots #1 and #2 of the first network device. These resources can be used to schedule the transmission of uplink signals by the terminal device, and the transmission success rate of uplink signals scheduled on these resources is relatively high. Figure 1L An example is shown Figure 1K This is a possible schematic diagram of the resources used by the terminal device in a given situation. For example... Figure 1L As shown, the third network device schedules the terminal device to send an uplink signal to the first network device in uplink time slot #1. The third network device schedules the terminal device to send an uplink signal to the second network device in uplink time slot #3. In this example, there is no conflict between the resources or time used by the terminal device to send uplink signals to the first and second network devices, thereby improving the success rate of signal transmission and thus increasing the data transmission throughput of the terminal device. This example uses the third network device to configure resources for the terminal device. In practical applications, the second network device can also configure the resources for the terminal device to send uplink signals to the second network device, and the first network device can configure the resources for the terminal device to send uplink signals to the first network device. In the embodiments of this application, the third network device is either the first network device or the second network device, or the third network device is a network device other than the first and second network devices.

[0241] The solution provided in this application can be applied to both terrestrial and non-terrestrial communication systems. For example, in an NTN scenario, multiple satellites using the aforementioned FBA scheme can each provide communication services to the area where the terminal device is located. Due to the significant time delay between the satellite and the ground-based terminal device, and the large uplink transmission timing difference between satellites (e.g., the aforementioned first offset), when multiple satellites use the FBA scheme to schedule beams, conflicting time-domain resources can easily occur (see [reference]). Figure 1J Conflicting time slots can lead to signal transmission failures or high failure rates for the terminal device. In the solution provided by this application, the resources allocated to the terminal device by multiple satellites can be determined based on a first offset, thereby minimizing resource conflicts and improving the information transmission success rate, ultimately increasing the data transmission throughput of the terminal device.

[0242] The above Figure 1J , Figure 1K and Figure 1L The provided example uses uplink data transmission as an example. Resource conflicts can also occur during downlink transmission. This application also provides a solution to this problem, which can be found in the description of subsequent embodiments and will not be described here.

[0243] The solution provided in this application is applicable to NTN networks, TN networks, and networks that integrate TN and NTN. Based on Figure 1A , Figure 1B , Figure 1C , Figure 1D , Figure 1E , Figure 1F , Figure 1G , Figure 1H , Figure 1I , Figure 1J , Figure 1K and Figure 1L At least one of the contents shown in the above, as well as the other contents mentioned above, Figure 2 An exemplary flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application is shown. For ease of understanding, Figure 2 The interaction between the terminal device, the first network device, the second network device, and the third network device will be used as an example for introduction.

[0244] Terminal devices can be Figure 1A , Figure 1B , Figure 1C , Figure 1D , Figure 1E , Figure 1F , Figure 1G , Figure 1H , Figure 1I or Figure 1J The terminal or the chip system inside the terminal involved.

[0245] Any one of the first network device, the second network device, or the third network device can be Figure 1A , Figure 1B , Figure 1C , Figure 1D , Figure 1E , Figure 1F , Figure 1G , Figure 1H , Figure 1I or Figure 1J This involves network equipment (such as access network equipment, ground stations, etc.) or the chip system within the network equipment. For example, any one of the first network device, the second network device, or the third network device can be... Figure 1A , Figure 1B , Figure 1F , Figure 1G , Figure 1H , Figure 1I or Figure 1J The satellites involved or the chip systems inside the satellites are mentioned. The operating mode of any satellite in the embodiments of this application can be either pass-through mode or regeneration mode.

[0246] For example, the third network device can be either the first network device or the second network device. Alternatively, the third network device may be different from the first network device, or different from the second network device. The third network device can be a network device that establishes an RRC connection with the terminal device. The first network device may or may not have established an RRC connection with the terminal device. The second network device may or may not have established an RRC connection with the terminal device. For example, a network device that has established an RRC connection with the terminal device can be called a primary network device, and a network device that has not established an RRC connection with the terminal device can be called a secondary network device. In this embodiment, the third network device is described as the primary network device. When the third network device is the first network device, the first network device is the primary network device; when the third network device is different from the first network device, the first network device can be a secondary network device. In this embodiment, the second network device is described as the secondary network device. The terminal device can communicate with more network devices. In this embodiment, the terminal device is used as an example to illustrate uplink / downlink transmission with the first network device and the second network device. The terminal device can also communicate with more network devices. For relevant solutions, please refer to the relevant description of the second network device, which will not be repeated here.

[0247] The network devices in this application embodiment (e.g., at least one of the first network device, the second network device, or the third network device) can also be replaced by a cell, a transmission reception point (TRP), a base station, or a gNB, etc. For example, the third network device can be replaced by a cell, a third cell, or a primary cell. For example, the first network device can be replaced by a cell, a first cell, a primary cell, or a secondary cell. For example, the second network device can be replaced by a cell, a second cell, or a secondary cell. The first cell and the second cell can belong to cells within the coverage areas of different network devices, or they can belong to cells within the coverage areas of the same network device; this application embodiment does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0248] The first network device and the second network device in the embodiments of this application can be devices of the same type or devices of different types. For example, the first network device and the second network device are satellites (or chip systems inside satellites). Another example is that the first network device is a satellite, and the second network device is a ground-deployed network device (e.g., access network equipment, ground station, etc.). Yet another example is that both the first network device and the second network device are ground-deployed network devices (e.g., access network equipment, ground station, etc.).

[0249] The following description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying diagram.

[0250] Step 201: The terminal device sends information to the first network device in the first time unit.

[0251] Correspondingly, the first network device receives information from the terminal device.

[0252] Step 202: The terminal device sends information to the second network device in the second time unit.

[0253] Correspondingly, the second network device receives information from the terminal device.

[0254] For example, the first time unit may be determined based on the second time unit and the first offset, and / or the second time unit may be determined based on the first time unit and the first offset. Alternatively, the first time unit and / or the second time unit may be determined based on the first offset. The first time unit belongs to the time unit in which the terminal device sends information to the first network device. The second time unit belongs to the time unit in which the terminal device sends information to the second network device. For example, the first offset is the offset between the frame timing of the terminal device sending a signal to the first network device and the frame timing of the terminal device sending a signal to the second network device. In one possible implementation, the first offset may also be referred to by other parameter names, such as offset, offset value, or offset, etc.

[0255] Since the first and second time units are determined based on the first offset, the rationality of their configuration can be improved. For example, this scheme can minimize conflicts between the time the terminal device sends information in the first time unit and the time it sends information in the second time unit. For instance, the time the terminal device sends information in the first time unit and the time it sends information in the second time unit can be different. This allows the terminal device to send information to two network devices at different times, thereby improving the success rate of information transmission and increasing transmission throughput. For example, the third network device can use the first offset to determine the resource conflicts used by the terminal device to send uplink signals to multiple network devices (e.g., the first and second network devices), and can then schedule conflict-free resources for the terminal device, further improving the success rate of information transmission and increasing transmission throughput.

[0256] In another possible implementation, the time (or time period, or duration) corresponding to the first time unit sent by the terminal device and the time (or time period, or duration) corresponding to the second time unit sent by the terminal device may not overlap. For example, the time corresponding to the terminal device sending information to the first network device in the first time unit is from 8:01 ms to 8:14 ms (i.e., the terminal device sends information to the first network device between 8:01 ms and 8:14 ms, or it can be understood that the time of the first network device's uplink first time unit on the terminal device side is from 8:01 ms to 8:14 ms), and the time corresponding to the terminal device sending information to the second network device in the second time unit is from 8:20 ms to 8:34 ms (i.e., the terminal device sends information to the second network device between 8:20 ms and 8:34 ms, or it can be understood that the time of the second network device's uplink second time unit on the terminal device side is from 8:20 ms to 8:34 ms). There is no overlap between the time corresponding to the first network device's uplink first time unit and the time corresponding to the second network device's uplink second time unit. In this example, the terminal device can send information to the first network device and the second network device using time-division multiplexing, thereby reducing signal interference. For instance, the time corresponding to the first uplink time unit of the first network device and the time corresponding to the second uplink time unit of the second network device can also partially overlap or not overlap (for example, in the above example, 8:20 ms to 8:34 ms is replaced by 8:13 ms to 8:34 ms), without complete overlap. This can also improve the success rate of information transmission, thereby increasing the information transmission throughput of the terminal device.

[0257] In this embodiment, the terminal device can also transmit data with a larger number of network devices. In this case, the time-domain resources used by the terminal device for transmitting information can take into account the frame timing offsets between more network devices. For example, the terminal device can also send the frame timing offset between the terminal device sending a signal to the first network device (or the second network device) and the frame timing of the terminal device sending a signal to the third network device, so that the network devices can more reasonably configure the time-domain resources used by the third network device, the first network device, and the second network device to send information to the terminal device. The related solutions are similar to those provided in the embodiments of this application and will not be described in detail further.

[0258] In this application's embodiments, "frame timing" can be replaced with timing, delay, time, synchronization timing, time synchronization, or frame boundary. For example, frame timing can be referred to as frame timing in English. For example, frame timing can include uplink frame timing and downlink frame timing in English. Uplink frame timing can be written as uplink frame timing or uplink timing in English, and downlink frame timing can be written as downlink frame timing or down timing in English. For example, uplink frame timing can be used to enable a terminal device to determine the frame boundary, subframe boundary, time slot boundary, symbol boundary, or transmission window position of a frame transmitted by the terminal device. As another example, downlink frame timing can be used to enable a terminal device to determine the frame boundary, subframe boundary, time slot boundary, symbol boundary, or transmission window position of a frame received by the terminal device. As another example, downlink frame timing can be used to enable a terminal device to determine the frame boundary, subframe boundary, time slot boundary, symbol boundary, or transmission window position of a frame transmitted by a network device (e.g., a first network device and / or a second network device).

[0259] For example, the first offset can also replace / include the following corresponding to the first network device and the second network device: timing difference, delay difference, time difference, frame timing difference, frame boundary difference, timing advance difference, advance time difference, difference between uplink timings, uplink timing difference, uplink transmission time difference, uplink transmission frame timing difference, uplink transmission frame boundary timing difference, uplink transmission frame boundary time difference, difference between the frame boundaries of uplink frames, uplink timing difference, synchronization position difference, time difference, uplink time difference, transmission timing difference, transmission frame timing difference, transmission time difference, transmission delay difference, transmission advance time difference, transmission advance timing difference, transmission timing advance difference, or transmission time advance difference, etc.

[0260] For example, the offset between frame timings can also be replaced by: timing difference, delay difference, time difference, frame timing difference, frame boundary difference, timing advance difference, or advance time difference. For example, the first offset can also replace / include the following corresponding to the signals sent by the terminal device to the first network device and the signals sent by the terminal device to the second network device: timing difference, delay difference, time difference, frame timing difference, frame boundary difference, timing advance difference, advance time difference, difference between uplink timings, uplink timing difference, uplink transmission time difference, uplink transmission frame timing difference, uplink transmission frame boundary timing difference, uplink transmission frame boundary time difference, difference between the frame boundaries of uplink frames, uplink timing difference, synchronization position difference, time difference, uplink time difference, transmission timing difference, transmission frame timing difference, transmission time difference, transmission delay difference, transmission advance time difference, transmission advance timing difference, transmission timing advance difference, or transmission time advance difference, etc.

[0261] For example, the difference between the uplink timing corresponding to the first network device and the uplink timing corresponding to the second network device can also be replaced by / included as: the time difference of the frame boundary of the same frame number of the two uplink signals sent by the terminal device to the first network device and the second network device respectively, the time difference of the time slot boundary of the same time slot number, or the time difference of the symbol boundary of the same symbol index number.

[0262] For example, the first offset can be positive, negative, or zero. For instance, if the first offset is positive, the frame timing of the signal sent by the terminal device to the first network device is before the frame timing of the signal sent by the terminal device to the second network device (or the time the terminal device sends the x1th frame to the first network device is earlier than the time the terminal device sends the x1th frame to the second network device, where x1 can be zero or a positive integer). As another example, if the first offset is negative, the frame timing of the signal sent by the terminal device to the first network device is after the frame timing of the signal sent by the terminal device to the second network device (or the time the terminal device sends the x1th frame to the first network device is later than the time the terminal device sends the x1th frame to the second network device, where x1 can be zero or a positive integer). As yet another example, if the first offset is zero, the frame timing of the signal sent by the terminal device to the first network device is the same as the frame timing of the signal sent by the terminal device to the second network device (or the time the terminal device sends the x1th frame to the first network device is equal to the time the terminal device sends the x1th frame to the second network device, where x1 can be zero or a positive integer).

[0263] For example, if the first offset is negative, the frame timing of the terminal device sending a signal to the first network device is before the frame timing of the terminal device sending a signal to the second network device (or the time when the terminal device sends the x1th frame to the first network device is earlier than the time when the terminal device sends the x1th frame to the second network device, where x1 can be zero or a positive integer). Alternatively, if the first offset is positive, the frame timing of the terminal device sending a signal to the first network device is after the frame timing of the terminal device sending a signal to the second network device (or the time when the terminal device sends the x1th frame to the first network device is later than the time when the terminal device sends the x1th frame to the second network device, where x1 can be zero or a positive integer).

[0264] In another possible implementation, the first offset may be associated with (or determined based on, or influenced by) the following information A1 and / or information A2:

[0265] Information A1 is the difference between the TA value used by the terminal device to send a signal to the first network device and the TA value used by the terminal device to send a signal to the second network device.

[0266] Information A1 may also include / be replaced by: the TA value used by the terminal device to send a signal to the first network device (e.g., Figure 1J TA#1); and / or, the TA value used by the terminal device to send a signal to the second network device (e.g., ... Figure 1J TA#2 in the middle).

[0267] In another possible implementation, the difference between the TA value used by the terminal device to send a signal to the first network device and the TA value used by the terminal device to send a signal to the second network device can be associated with (or determined according to, or affected by) at least one of the following:

[0268] Location of the first network device;

[0269] Location of the second network device;

[0270] Location of the terminal device;

[0271] The location of the synchronization reference point corresponding to the terminal device and the first network device; or,

[0272] The location of the synchronization reference point corresponding to the terminal device and the second network device.

[0273] Information A2: The offset between the frame timing when the terminal device receives the signal from the first network device and the frame timing when the terminal device receives the signal from the second network device.

[0274] Information A2 may also include / be replaced by: frame timing for the terminal device to receive signals from the first network device; and / or, frame timing for the terminal device to receive signals from the second network device.

[0275] In another possible implementation, the offset between the frame timing of the terminal device receiving the signal from the first network device and the frame timing of the terminal device receiving the signal from the second network device is associated with (or determined according to, or affected by) at least one of the following:

[0276] The difference between the time when the first network device sends a signal to the terminal device and the time when the second network device sends a signal to the terminal device.

[0277] Signal transmission delay between the first network device and the terminal device; or

[0278] Signal transmission delay between the second network device and the terminal device.

[0279] The difference between the time when the first network device sends a signal to the terminal device and the time when the second network device sends a signal to the terminal device can also be replaced by a downlink signal transmission time difference, a transmission timing difference, or a transmission frame timing difference, etc. For relevant examples, please refer to the description of downlink frame timing in this application; similar examples will not be repeated here.

[0280] In this embodiment, the relevant content regarding the frame timing of the terminal device receiving signals from the first network device and / or the second network device can be found in the description of frame timing in this application, as well as the description of downlink frame timing in this application, and will not be described in detail here.

[0281] In another possible implementation, the terminal device can acquire a first time unit and a second time unit. For example, the terminal device can also receive information indicating the first time unit and / or information indicating the second time unit. Thus, the terminal device can determine the first time unit and the second time unit based on the received information. The senders of the information indicating the second time unit and the information indicating the first time unit can be the same or different. For example, a third network device can configure the first time unit and the second time unit for the terminal device. Thus, the terminal device can use the resources configured by the third network device to transmit information. Alternatively, the terminal device can determine the first time unit and the second time unit itself, then notify the first network device of the first time unit and the second network device of the second time unit. The third network device in this application can be the first network device or the second network device, or the third network device can be a network device different from both the first and second network devices.

[0282] In one possible implementation, the terminal device sends information indicating a first offset. The first offset is used for a first time unit and / or a second time unit. For example, the terminal device may send the information indicating the first offset to at least one of a third network device, a first network device, or a second network device. The first offset is used to determine the first time unit and / or the second time unit. The network device configuring the first time unit and the second time unit may be the same or different. The network device receiving the information indicating the first offset may be the same as or different from the network device configuring the first time unit and / or the second time unit. If the network device configuring the first time unit and / or the second time unit needs to use the first offset, it may receive the information indicating the first offset from the terminal device or from another network device.

[0283] For example, the terminal device sends information indicating a first offset to a third network device, and the third network device determines a first time unit and / or a second time unit based on the first offset. Alternatively, the terminal device sends information indicating a first offset to a first network device, the first network device sends information indicating the first offset to a second network device, the second network device determines a second time unit based on or without the first offset, the second network device sends the determined second time unit to the first network device, and the first network device determines the first time unit based on the first offset and the second time unit. Another example: the first network device determines the first time unit, the terminal device sends information indicating the first offset to the second network device, and the second network device determines the second time unit based on the first offset and the first time unit. Yet another example: the first network device determines the first time unit, the terminal device sends information indicating the first offset to the first network device, the first network device sends information indicating the first offset to the second network device, and the second network device determines the second time unit based on the first offset and the first time unit. The specific content of the information indicating the first offset sent by the terminal device can be the same as or different from the specific content of the information indicating the first offset transmitted between network devices (e.g., sent by the first network device). These schemes can improve the rationality of the configuration of the first and second time units, thereby improving the success rate of data transmission and thus increasing the data transmission throughput of the terminal device.

[0284] For example, the information sent by the terminal device to the network device (e.g., at least one of the third network device, the first network device, or the second network device) to indicate the first offset may include at least one of the following information B1, information B2, information B3, information B4, or information B5.

[0285] Information B1, first offset;

[0286] Thus, a network device (e.g., at least one of a third network device, a first network device, or a second network device) can determine the first offset based on the received information, which reduces the complexity of the network device determining the first offset.

[0287] Information B2 indicates the initial value of the first offset.

[0288] The initial value of the first offset can also be called other names, such as the first value, the starting value, or the initial value of the uplink time offset, etc. For ease of explanation, it is referred to as UL_timing_diff_initial in this embodiment. The initial value of the first offset can also be called other names, and this embodiment does not limit this.

[0289] A network device (e.g., at least one of a third network device, a first network device, or a second network device) may use an initial value of a first offset as a first offset for a period of time, and configure resources for a terminal device based on the initial value during that period of time.

[0290] Alternatively, the first offset can be a variable value. The network device (e.g., at least one of a third network device, a first network device, or a second network device) can update the first offset based on the initial value, and subsequently use the updated first offset to configure resources for the terminal device. The updated first offset can better reflect the actual situation, and the resources configured based on the updated first offset can be more reasonable.

[0291] The network device (e.g., at least one of a third network device, a first network device, or a second network device) can update the first offset based on some information on the basis of the initial value, for example, the first offset can be updated based on the rate of change of the first offset and / or the rate of change of the rate of change of the first offset.

[0292] For example, a network device (e.g., at least one of a third network device, a first network device, or a second network device) can calculate the first offset according to the following formula (1):

[0293] UL_timing_diff=UL_timing_diff_initial+UL_timing_diff_drift×(t-t0)...Formula (1)

[0294] In formula (1), UL_timing_diff is the first offset, UL_timing_diff_initial is the initial value of the first offset, UL_timing_diff_drift is the rate of change of the first offset, t0 represents the effective start time t0 of the first offset or the reference time point, and time t represents the time when the terminal device sends the uplink signal or uses the first offset. For example, t can be the current time.

[0295] For example, a network device (e.g., at least one of a third network device, a first network device, or a second network device) can calculate the first offset according to the following formula (2):

[0296] UL_timing_diff=UL_timing_diff_initial+UL_timing_diff_drift×(t-t0)+

[0297] UL_timing_diff_drift_variant×(t-t0) 2 ...Formula (2)

[0298] In formula (1), UL_timing_diff is the first offset, UL_timing_diff_initial is the initial value of the first offset, UL_timing_diff_drift is the rate of change of the first offset, UL_timing_diff_drift_variant is the rate of change of the rate of change of the first offset, t0 represents the effective start time or reference time point of the first offset, and time t represents the time when the terminal device sends an uplink signal or uses the first offset. For example, t can be the current time.

[0299] Optionally, formulas (1) and (2) above can specify a time unit, such as Tc, Ts, seconds, milliseconds, slot length, frame length, subframe length, etc. Where Tc represents the time unit Tc = 1 / (Δf) max ·N f ), Δf max =480×10 3 Hz, N f =4096. Where Ts is defined as Ts / Tc = 64, that is, Ts = 1 / (Δf) ref ·N f,ref ),Δf ref =15-10 3 Hz, N f,ref=2048. For example, there are several ways for a network device (e.g., at least one of a third network device, a first network device, or a second network device) to obtain the rate of change of the first offset. For example, it can receive information from a terminal device indicating the rate of change of the first offset, or it can calculate it based on the positional relationship between the first network device, the second network device, and the terminal device. Alternatively, the network device (e.g., at least one of a third network device, a first network device, or a second network device) can agree on the value of the rate of change of the first offset through a protocol, negotiation, or historical experience. For example, it can specify that the rate of change of the first offset is 0.

[0300] For example, a network device (e.g., at least one of a third network device, a first network device, or a second network device) may obtain the rate of change of the first offset in various ways. For instance, it may receive information from a terminal device indicating the rate of change of the first offset, or it may calculate the rate of change based on the positional relationship between the first network device, the second network device, and the terminal device. Alternatively, the network device (e.g., at least one of a third network device, a first network device, or a second network device) may agree on the value of the rate of change of the first offset through a protocol, negotiation, or historical experience; for example, it may specify that the rate of change of the first offset is 0.

[0301] Optionally, if the terminal device does not send information to the network device (e.g., at least one of the third network device, the first network device, or the second network device) indicating the rate of change of the first offset or the rate of change of the first offset, the network device (e.g., at least one of the third network device, the first network device, or the second network device) may set the rate of change of the first offset or the rate of change of the first offset to 0.

[0302] Information B3 indicates the rate of change of the first offset.

[0303] The rate of change of the first offset may include one or more parameters, which can be used to demonstrate the pattern of change of the first offset and determine the updated first offset. The rate of change of the first offset can also be called other names, such as uplink timing difference drift, uplink transmission timing difference drift rate, change amount, or uplink time offset rate of change, etc. For ease of description, this embodiment refers to it as UL_timing_diff_drift. The rate of change of the first offset can also be called other names, and this embodiment does not limit this.

[0304] The terminal device can obtain the rate of change of the first offset. For example, the terminal device can calculate it based on the position and velocity relationship between the first network device and the terminal device, and the position and velocity relationship between the second network device and the terminal device (for example, the terminal device can receive ephemeris information of the second network device and the first network device sent by the third network device, the second network device, or the first network device, and then determine the position and velocity of the second network device and the first network device). Another example is that the terminal device can derive or calculate it based on the rate of change of the offset between the frame timing of the signal sent by the terminal device to the first network device and the frame timing of the signal sent by the terminal device to the second network device.

[0305] The rate of change of the first offset can be combined with information such as the initial value of the first offset to determine the updated first offset. Specific examples can be found in the descriptions of formulas (1) and (2) above. A network device (e.g., at least one of a third network device, a first network device, or a second network device) can obtain the initial value of the first offset in various ways. For example, it can receive information from a terminal device indicating the initial value of the first offset, or it can calculate it based on the positional relationship between the first network device and the terminal device, and the positional relationship between the second network device and the terminal device. Alternatively, the network device (e.g., at least one of a third network device, a first network device, or a second network device) can agree on the value of the first offset through a protocol, negotiation, or historical experience.

[0306] Information B4 is used to indicate the rate of change of the rate of change of the first offset.

[0307] The rate of change of the first offset can include one or more parameters. These parameters can be used to demonstrate the changing pattern of the rate of change of the first offset. These parameters can determine the rate of change of the updated first offset, and the accuracy of the first offset determined by the updated rate of change of the first offset can be higher. The rate of change of the first offset can also be called other names, such as the rate of change of the uplink timing difference (UL timingdifference drift variant), the rate of change of the uplink transmission timing difference (drift rate variation of uplink transmission timing difference), the change in the amount of the first offset, or the rate of change of the uplink time offset, etc. For ease of description, it is referred to as UL_timing_diff_drift_variant in this embodiment. The rate of change of the first offset can also be called other names, and this embodiment does not limit this.

[0308] The rate of change of the first offset can be combined with information such as the initial value of the first offset to determine the updated first offset. A specific example can be found in the description of the aforementioned formula (2). The terminal device can obtain the rate of change of the first offset. For example, the terminal device can calculate it based on the position and speed relationship between the first network device and the terminal device, and the position and speed relationship between the second network device and the terminal device (for example, the terminal device can receive ephemeris information of the second network device and the first network device sent by the third network device, the second network device, or the first network device, and thus determine the position and speed of the second network device and the first network device). Another example is that the terminal device can derive or calculate it based on the change pattern of the offset between the frame timing of the signal sent by the terminal device to the first network device and the frame timing of the signal sent by the terminal device to the second network device.

[0309] Information B5, at least one coefficient of the first formula, the first formula being a formula used to determine the first offset.

[0310] The first formula can be agreed upon, negotiated, or determined based on historical experience by the terminal device and the network device (e.g., at least one of a third network device, a first network device, or a second network device). The agreement can also be referred to as a technical standard or technical specification.

[0311] When the terminal device sends information B5, the network device (e.g., at least one of the third network device, the first network device, or the second network device) can determine the first offset by a curve fitting scheme.

[0312] Here are a few possible examples.

[0313] Example 1: The first formula is: y = a*(t-t0)^4 + b*(t-t0)^3 + c*(t-t0)^2 + d*(t-t0) + e. In this example, a, b, c, d, and e are at least one coefficient of the first formula, t0 represents the effective start time of the first offset or a reference time point, and time t represents the time when the terminal device sends an uplink signal or uses the first offset, for example, t can be the current time.

[0314] For example, a = (1.3e-16), b = (-1.3e-12), c = (4.7e-09), d = (-9.3e-06), e = 0.011.

[0315] The network device (e.g., at least one of a third network device, a first network device, or a second network device) can use these coefficients to determine the value of the first offset as y, for example:

[0316] y=a*(t-t0)^4+b*(t-t0)^3+c*(t-t0)^2+d*(t-t0)+e=(1.3e-16)*(t-t0)^4+(-1.3e-12)*x^3+(4.7e-09)

[0317] *x^2+(-9.3e-06)*x+0.011

[0318] Example 2: For example, the first formula is: y = a*(t-t0)^3 + b*(t-t0)^2 + c*(t-t0) + d. In this example, a, b, c, and d are at least one coefficient of the first formula, t0 represents the effective start time of the first offset or a reference time point, and time t represents the time when the terminal device sends an uplink signal or uses the first offset, for example, t can be the current time.

[0319] Example 3: For example, the first formula is: y = a*(t-t0)^2 + b*(t-t0) + c, which fits the change in "uplink transmission timing difference". In this example, a, b, and c are at least one coefficient of the first formula, t0 represents the effective start time of the first offset or the reference time point, and time t represents the time when the terminal device sends the uplink signal or uses the first offset, for example, t can be the current time.

[0320] The examples above illustrate several possible forms of the first formula. In practical applications, the specific form of the first formula can vary.

[0321] When the terminal device sends information B5, the network device (e.g., at least one of the third network device, the first network device, or the second network device) can perform curve fitting based on information B5, and then determine the value of the first offset used at time t based on the determined curve (or formula). This makes resource allocation more reasonable, improves the success rate of information transmission, and thus increases the data transmission throughput of the terminal device. Moreover, this scheme can improve the accuracy of the first offset and reduce the complexity of protocol description.

[0322] In this embodiment, the terminal device may report at least one coefficient from the first formula, while some coefficients may not be reported. In this case, the network device (e.g., at least one of the third network device, the first network device, or the second network device) determines the coefficients not reported by the terminal device through agreement, negotiation, or historical experience (e.g., agreeing that the value of the coefficient not reported is 0). Alternatively, the network device (e.g., at least one of the third network device, the first network device, or the second network device) determines the coefficients not reported by the terminal device based on the positional relationship between the first network device, the second network device, and the terminal device.

[0323] These methods can improve the flexibility of the solution and the accuracy of determining the first offset. Furthermore, when the terminal device also sends the rate of change of the first offset or the rate of change of the rate of change of the first offset, the third network device can determine the change in the first offset, update the first offset based on this information, and then allocate resources to the terminal device based on the updated first offset. This improves the rationality of resource allocation, thereby increasing the success rate of data transmission and ultimately increasing the data transmission throughput of the terminal device.

[0324] On the other hand, when the information used to indicate the first offset includes at least one coefficient of the first formula, the scheme can reduce the number of bits of information to be transmitted, thereby saving resource overhead.

[0325] Multiple information items B1, B2, B3, B4, or B5 can be carried in the same message or sent in different messages. For ease of understanding, in this embodiment, these information items are collectively referred to as information used to indicate the first offset. That is, multiple information items used to indicate the first offset can be sent through one signaling message or through multiple signaling messages.

[0326] In one possible implementation, the terminal device may also send other information, such as one or more of the following information C1, information C2 or information C3.

[0327] Information C1 is used to indicate the effective period of the first offset.

[0328] The information indicating the effective period of the first offset can be carried in the same message as the information indicating the first offset, or it can be carried in different messages. The terminal device can send the information indicating the effective period of the first offset to at least one of the third network device, the first network device, or the second network device. Alternatively, network devices can also send the information indicating the effective period of the first offset between themselves (e.g., between any of the third network device, the first network device, or the second network device). The information indicating the effective period of the first offset sent by the terminal device and the information indicating the effective period of the first offset sent between network devices can be the same or different.

[0329] In one possible implementation, the information used to indicate the effective time period of the first offset includes at least one of the following: the effective start time of the first offset; the ineffective time of the first offset; the effective duration of the first offset; and the effective time period of the first offset.

[0330] The effective start time of the first offset can also be expressed as t0, for example, this parameter can be t0 involved in the aforementioned formulas (1) and (2). For example, the effective start time of the first offset can be the effective start time of the initial value of the first offset. In the embodiments of this application, the effective start time can also be replaced by the effective start time, etc. For example, the effective start time of the first offset (or the reference time point) can represent the time when the first offset and / or related parameters (e.g., the rate of change of the first offset, and / or the rate of change of the rate of change of the first offset) can start to take effect or can start to be used. t0 can be represented by UTC time, or by frame number, subframe number, or time slot number. Alternatively, the terminal device and the network device (e.g., at least one of the first, second, or third network devices) may agree to use the time when the receiving end (e.g., at least one of the first, second, or third network devices) receives the first offset and / or related parameters (e.g., the rate of change of the first offset, and / or the rate of change of the rate of change of the first offset) as t0, or to use the time when the network device (e.g., at least one of the first, second, or third network devices) receives the first offset and / or related parameters (e.g., the rate of change of the first offset, and / or the rate of change of the rate of change of the first offset) delayed by a duration t2 as t0 (the value of duration t2 may be configured by the network device to the terminal device, or a value agreed upon through a protocol). In this scheme, the terminal device may not need to send t0, thereby saving signaling overhead.

[0331] For example, the duration of effectiveness of the first offset can be represented as t_length. This parameter can also be called the validity period of the first offset. For example, t_length can represent the duration from which the first offset and / or related parameters (e.g., the rate of change of the first offset, and / or the rate of change of the rate of change of the first offset) become effective from t0 until time (t0 + t_length) expires (expiration means the corresponding first offset and / or related parameters are no longer applicable, or the terminal device needs to send an updated first offset and / or related parameters to the network device). For example, t_length represents the length of time during which the first offset and / or related parameters (e.g., the rate of change of the first offset, and / or the rate of change of the rate of change of the first offset) are valid. Optionally, the duration parameter t_length can be interchanged with the expiration time (which can also be called the expiration date) t1. For example, before time t1, the first offset and / or related parameters (e.g., the rate of change of the first offset, and / or the rate of change of the rate of change of the first offset) are valid and usable.

[0332] For example, the effective time period of the first offset and / or related parameters (e.g., the rate of change of the first offset, and / or the rate of change of the rate of change of the first offset) is from t0 to t1. The third network device configures the resources used by the terminal device for uplink signals transmitted during the time period t0 to t1 based on the first offset determined by these parameters. During the time period t0 to t1, the first offset used by the third network device can be updated; for example, the first offset can be updated using the rate of change of the first offset and / or the rate of change of the rate of change of the first offset, and the resources used by the terminal device for uplink signals transmitted during the time period t0 to t1 can be configured based on the updated first offset.

[0333] The offset between the frame timing of the terminal device sending a signal to the first network device and the frame timing of the terminal device sending a signal to the second network device may change, for example, as any of the first network device, the second network device, or the terminal device may move. Based on this, the terminal device can set a valid time period for the first offset, during which the resources configured by the third network device for the terminal device based on the first offset can be more reasonable, and the possibility of conflicts is also smaller. In another possible implementation, if the first offset fails, the terminal device can re-report the offset between the frame timing of the terminal device sending a signal to the first network device and the frame timing of the terminal device sending a signal to the second network device, thereby improving the rationality of information transmission.

[0334] Information C2 is used to indicate the updated first offset.

[0335] The first offset can be a variable. In this embodiment, the terminal device can send information indicating the updated first offset so that the network device can configure resources according to the updated first offset, thereby improving the rationality of resource allocation.

[0336] For example, the information indicating the updated first offset can be carried in the same message as the information indicating the first offset, or it can be carried in different messages. The terminal device can send the information indicating the updated first offset to at least one of the third network device, the first network device, or the second network device. Alternatively, the network devices can also send the information indicating the updated first offset between themselves (e.g., between any of the third network device, the first network device, or the second network device). The information indicating the updated first offset sent by the terminal device and the information indicating the updated first offset sent between the network devices can be the same or different.

[0337] Information used to indicate the updated first offset may include, for example, at least one of the following: the updated first offset, the difference (or absolute value) between the updated first offset and the original first offset, the difference (or absolute value) between the original first offset and the updated first offset, the difference (or absolute value) between the updated first offset and the initial value of the first offset, the difference (or absolute value) between the initial value of the first offset and the updated first offset, the difference between the updated first offset and a specified value, or the difference (or absolute value) between a specified value and the updated first offset.

[0338] For example, the updated first offset is UL_timing_diff_initial_new, while the original first offset was UL_timing_diff_initial_old.

[0339] For example, ΔS=(UL_timing_diff_initial_new-UL_timing_diff_initial_old).

[0340] For another example, ΔS=(UL_timing_diff_initiUL_timing_diff_initial_newal_old-UL_timing_diff_initial_new).

[0341] Information used to indicate the updated first offset may include ΔS, and / or UL_timing_diff_initial_new. A network device (e.g., a third network device, a first network device, or a second network device) can determine the updated first offset based on the received information. For example, a network device (e.g., a third network device, a first network device, or a second network device) calculates the updated first offset according to at least one of the following formulas:

[0342] UL_timing_diff_initial_new=(UL_timing_diff_initial_old+ΔS); or

[0343] UL_timing_diff_initial_new=(UL_timing_diff_initial_old-ΔS).

[0344] Information C3 is information used to indicate the identifiers of the first network device and / or the second network device.

[0345] Information used to identify the first network device may include, for example, the satellite identifier of the first network device, the cell identifier of the first network device, or the frequency of the first network device. Information used to identify the second network device may include, for example, the satellite identifier of the second network device, the cell identifier of the second network device, or the frequency of the second network device.

[0346] Information C3 enables network devices (e.g., a third network device, a first network device, or a second network device) to determine which network devices correspond to the first offset, thereby avoiding confusion regarding the relationship between the offset and the network devices.

[0347] In another possible implementation, the relationship between resources used by signals sent by a terminal device to multiple network devices (e.g., a first network device and a second network device) can be described from the angle / method of beam hopping (or beam hopping pattern).

[0348] For example, the first time unit and the second time unit are determined according to a first mapping relationship, which is determined according to a first offset. The first mapping relationship includes the mapping relationship between the first time unit and the second time unit. A first network device periodically provides communication services to at least one area in a beam-hopping manner. The first network device provides uplink communication services to the first area within the first time unit of each cycle, and the terminal device is located in the first area. A second network device periodically provides communication services to at least one area in a beam-hopping manner. The second network device provides uplink communication services to the first area within the second time unit of each cycle.

[0349] The first and second network devices can periodically provide services to the first area using beam hopping. In this implementation, the third network device can determine a first mapping relationship based on a first offset, and this first mapping relationship can then be applied to multiple periods. For example, each beam hopping period of the first network device may include a first time unit, and each beam hopping period of the second network device may include a second time unit. The first time units of multiple periods of the first network device can be mapped to multiple second time units of multiple periods of the second network device, respectively. This scheme can configure resources for the terminal device within multiple periods with less signaling overhead.

[0350] The following is in conjunction with the above. Figure 1J , Figure 1K , Figure 1L and Figure 2The provided embodiments, and other examples mentioned above, illustrate this. For instance, a third network device determines that the first and second time slots within a beam-hopping cycle of the first network device are non-conflicting time slots with the first, second, and third time slots of the second network device (e.g., determined based on a first offset). In these non-conflicting time slots, both network devices can cover the same cell via beams. For example, the first network device can cover band position #1 via beams in at least one of the first and second time slots within a beam-hopping cycle, and the second network device can cover band position #1 via beams in at least one of the first, second, and third time slots within a beam-hopping cycle. In embodiments of this application, network devices (e.g., the first and / or second network devices) covering a band position via beams can include / be understood as / replace with at least one of the following: the network device provides communication services to terminal devices located at that band position; the network device allows terminal devices located at that band position to send uplink signals to the network device; or the network device can (or is capable of) sending downlink signals to terminal devices located at that band position.

[0351] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a possible beam-hopping pattern for a first network device and a second network device is shown as an example. Figure 3 As shown, the beam-hopping period of the first network device and the second network device is 6 time slots, and the revisit period is also 6 time slots. For example, the first network device alternately covers 6 positions through the beam in the 6 time slots of each beam-hopping period. For example, the first network device covers 6 positions in the first time slot of each beam-hopping period (e.g., the first time slot of each beam-hopping period). Figure 3 In time slots #1, #7, and #13, beam coverage is achieved through the second time slot (e.g., time slot #1, time slot #7, and time slot #13). Figure 3 In time slots #2 and #8, beam coverage is achieved through wave position #2, and in the third time slot (e.g., ... Figure 3 In time slots #3 and #9, beam coverage is used to cover wave position #3, and in the fourth time slot (e.g.) Figure 3 In time slots #4 and #10, beam coverage is used to cover wave position #4, and in the fifth time slot (e.g., Figure 3 In time slots #5 and #11, beam coverage is used to cover wave position #5, and in the sixth time slot (e.g.) Figure 3 In time slots #6 and #12, the beam covers wave position #6.

[0352] Similarly, the second network device alternately covers six beam positions through the beam in six time slots within each beam-hopping cycle. For example, the second network device covers six beam positions in the first time slot of each beam-hopping cycle (e.g., Figure 3 In time slots #1, #7, and #13, beam coverage is achieved through wave position #5, and the second time slot (e.g.) Figure 3In time slots #2 and #8, beam coverage is achieved through wave position #6, and in the third time slot (e.g., ... Figure 3 In time slots #3 and #9, beam coverage is achieved through wave position #1, and in the fourth time slot (e.g.) Figure 3 In time slots #4 and #10, beam coverage is used to cover wave position #2, and in the fifth time slot (e.g.) Figure 3 In time slots #5 and #11, beam coverage is achieved through wave position #3, and in the sixth time slot (e.g.) Figure 3 In time slots #6 and #12, wave position #4 is covered by beams.

[0353] For example, the third network device determines that the first and second time slots within a beam-hopping cycle of the first network device are non-conflicting time slots with the first, second, and third time slots of the second network device (e.g., determined based on a first offset). Therefore, for a terminal device within beam position #1, the resource mapping relationship corresponding to that terminal device can include / become: the first time slot within the beam-hopping cycle of the first network device and the third time slot within the beam-hopping cycle of the second network device. This resource mapping relationship can then be applied to subsequent beam-hopping cycles. For example, for a terminal device within beam position #1, the resource mapping relationship corresponding to that terminal device can include / become: time slot #1 within the beam-hopping cycle of the first network device and time slot #3 within the beam-hopping cycle of the second network device, and time slot #7 within the beam-hopping cycle of the first network device and time slot #9 within the beam-hopping cycle of the second network device. It can be seen that these resource mapping relationships exhibit a periodic mapping relationship. In these examples, time slots #1 and 7 within the hopping beam cycle of the first network device correspond to several possible examples of the first time unit, and time slots #3 and 9 within the hopping beam cycle of the second network device correspond to several possible examples of the second time unit.

[0354] For example, the terminal device sends information indicating a first offset to a third network device (or a first network device, or a second network device). The third network device (or one or more of the first, second, and third network devices) can determine the resource mapping relationship in the beam-hopping patterns of the first and second network devices based on the first offset. In another possible implementation, the third network device (or one or more of the first, second, and third network devices) can send information indicating the resource mapping relationship to the terminal device. Information indicating resource mapping relationships may include, for example, at least one of the following: a beam-hopping pattern of a first network device, a beam-hopping period of a first network device (e.g., a period of 6 slots), a beam-hopping revisit time of a first network device (e.g., 6 time slots), a beam-hopping start position of a first network device (e.g., starting in the first time slot within the beam-hopping period of the first network device), a beam-hopping pattern of a second network device, a beam-hopping period of a second network device (e.g., a period of 6 slots), a beam-hopping revisit time of a second network device (e.g., 6 slots), a beam-hopping start position of a second network device (e.g., starting in the third time slot within the period of the second network device), and resources mutually mapped in the beam-hopping patterns of the first and second network devices (e.g., mutual mapping between the first time slot within the beam-hopping period of the first network device and the third time slot within the beam-hopping period of the second network device). The terminal device determines the mutually mapped resources based on this information indicating resource mapping relationships, and can then transmit signals to the first and second network devices based on these resources. Information indicating resource mapping relationships can be carried in one or more messages. Multiple pieces of information in the resource mapping relationship information can be sent by one network device or by multiple network devices.

[0355] In another possible implementation, if the first network devices have the same beam hopping period and the same return visit period (which can also be called the revisit period), then the information used to indicate the resource mapping relationship can use a small number of parameters to indicate the beam hopping period and return visit period of multiple network devices. For example, the information used to indicate the resource mapping relationship can include a set of parameters that can indicate the beam hopping period and / or return visit period of the first and second network devices. This can save signaling overhead.

[0356] In the above example, hopping beams reside in time slots. Hopping beams can also reside in other time units, such as subframes, frames, half-frames, etc.

[0357] The above descriptions are based on examples of avoiding conflicts in time-domain resources used by a terminal device to send uplink signals to multiple network devices, or avoiding conflicts in the timing of uplink signals sent by a terminal device to multiple network devices. The solutions provided in this application can also be applied to other resources. For example, conflicts can also be minimized in frequency-domain resources used by a terminal device to send signals to multiple network devices, and conflicts can also be minimized in beam resources used by a terminal device to send signals to multiple network devices. The relevant solutions are similar to those for avoiding conflicts in time-domain resources and will not be elaborated further.

[0358] based on Figure 1A , Figure 1B , Figure 1C , Figure 1D , Figure 1E , Figure 1F , Figure 1G , Figure 1H , Figure 1I , Figure 1J , Figure 1K , Figure 1L , Figure 2 and Figure 3 The contents shown in at least one of the above, as well as the other contents mentioned above. Figure 4 An exemplary flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application is shown. For ease of understanding, Figure 4 This paper uses the interaction between a terminal device, a first network device, a second network device, and a third network device as an example for illustration. For a detailed description of the terminal device, the first network device, the second network device, and the third network device, please refer to the foregoing. Figure 2 The relevant descriptions will not be repeated here.

[0359] exist Figure 4 In the given implementation, the network device can schedule the terminal device to send uplink information via information (e.g., subsequent first and / or second information). In this way, the terminal device can send uplink information according to the network-side scheduling, thereby making uplink information transmission resources more efficient. For example, the network device can schedule the terminal device to send uplink information to multiple network devices by sending DCI (Digital Information Conversion).

[0360] The solution provided in this application can also be applied to a scenario where, for example, a terminal device can communicate with multiple communication devices. The terminal device may establish a radio resource control (RRC) connection with one communication device but not with any other communication devices. For instance, the communication device that has established an RRC connection with the terminal device can be called the primary communication device, and the communication device that has not established an RRC connection with the terminal device can be called the secondary communication device. Because the terminal device has established an RRC connection with the primary communication device but not with the secondary communication device, the primary communication device is currently unable to schedule data transmission between other communication devices and the terminal device, resulting in low data transmission throughput.

[0361] The solution provided in this application can solve the above-mentioned problems. In the solution provided in this application, the network device that has established an RRC connection with the terminal device can send first information and second information to the terminal device. The first information is used to schedule the terminal device to send a signal to the first network device, and the second information is used to schedule the terminal device to send a signal to the second network device. The network device that has established an RRC connection with the terminal device has the ability to schedule other network devices to transmit data with the terminal device, thereby improving the data transmission throughput of the terminal device.

[0362] like Figure 4 As shown, the method includes steps 401 and 402. Figure 4 The provided embodiment takes the execution of steps 401 and 402 by the first network device as an example. Step 402 can be executed after or before step 401.

[0363] Step 401: The first network device sends the first information.

[0364] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first information from the first network device.

[0365] For example, the first information instructs the terminal device to transmit data with the first network device. Figure 4 The plan and Figure 2 When these schemes are used in combination, for example, the first information is used to instruct the terminal device to send information to the first network device in the first time unit.

[0366] In one possible implementation, the first information may include / become information for indicating a first network device. This information may include, for example, the identifier of the first network device, the index of the first network device, a satellite identifier of the first network device, or a satellite orbit identifier of the first network device. This information can instruct the terminal device to transmit data with the first network device. For instance, after receiving the first information, the terminal device determines that it needs to transmit data with the first network device based on this information.

[0367] In this embodiment of the application, "the terminal device and the first network device transmit data" may include: the terminal device receiving data from the first network device, and / or, the terminal device sending data to the first network device. The first information instructing the terminal device to transmit data with the first network device may also be replaced by at least one of the following: the first information instructing the first network device, or the first information instructing the terminal device to send a PUSCH to the first network device.

[0368] Step 402: The first network device sends the second information.

[0369] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives second information from the first network device.

[0370] For example, the second information instructs the terminal device to transmit data with the second network device. Figure 4 The plan and Figure 2 When these schemes are used in combination, for example, the second information instructs the terminal device to send information to the second network device in the second time unit.

[0371] In one possible implementation, the second information may include / become information indicating a second network device. This information may include, for example, the identifier of the second network device, the index of the second network device, a satellite identifier of the second network device, or a satellite orbit identifier of the second network device. This information can instruct the terminal device to transmit data with the second network device. For instance, after receiving the second information, the terminal device determines that data transmission with the second network device is necessary based on this information.

[0372] In this application embodiment, "data" can be carried in a channel, such as a "shared channel (SCH)," such as a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) or a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). In this application embodiment, "data transmission between the terminal device and the second network device" can include: the terminal device sending data (e.g., PUSCH) to the second network device. The second information instructing the terminal device to transmit data with the second network device can also be replaced by at least one of the following: the second information instructing the second network device, or the second information instructing the terminal device to send PUSCH to the second network device.

[0373] In this embodiment, the first information may originate from a first network device, a second network device, or a third network device. The second information may also originate from a first network device, a second network device, or a third network device. Figure 4 This example uses the transmission of the first and second information by a first network device. In practical applications, the device transmitting the first and second information may be the same or different. For instance, the first information may be transmitted by the first network device, and the second information may be transmitted by the second network device. Another example is that both the first and second information may be transmitted by a third network device. This third network device can be the first network device, the second network device, or any network device other than the first or second network device.

[0374] Figure 4 The provided solutions can be combined with Figure 2 The provided solutions can be used individually or in combination. For example, in Figure 4 In the provided implementation, the terminal device can also send information indicating the first offset. For example, the terminal device can send the information indicating the first offset to a network device (e.g., a first network device) with which it has established an RRC connection. The information indicating the first offset can also be transmitted between network devices, for example, through a connection between network devices (e.g., an Xn interface) or through core network elements. This facilitates the coordination and scheduling among multiple network devices (e.g., a first network device and a second network device) of the resources (e.g., time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, or beam resources) used by the terminal device to send uplink signals to the first network device and the second network device, respectively.

[0375] For example, the terminal device sends information indicating a first offset to a first network device. After receiving the information indicating the first offset, the first network device sends information indicating the first offset to a second network device. In this way, the second network device can determine the resources (e.g., time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, or beam resources) that the terminal device can schedule to send uplink signals to the second network device, based on the first offset and the resources that the first network device can schedule to send uplink signals to the second network device.

[0376] The above example illustrates the establishment of an RRC connection between a terminal device and one network device. A terminal device can also establish RRC connections with multiple network devices. For instance, the terminal device may establish RRC connections with both a first terminal device and a second network device. The first information can be sent from the first network device to the terminal device, and the second information can be sent from the second network device to the terminal device. Alternatively, the terminal device can send information indicating a first offset to both the first and second network devices, without needing to transmit this information between them. Another example is where the terminal device sends information indicating a first offset to either the first or second network device, and the network device receiving this information then sends the same information to the other network device. The relevant schemes are described above and will not be repeated here. The schemes by which the first and second network devices determine the resources for the terminal device to send uplink signals are also described above and will not be repeated here.

[0377] In steps 401 and 402 above, in one possible implementation, the information sent by the first network device to indicate the network device (e.g., second information and / or first information) can be carried in downlink control information (DCI). For example, the first network device can schedule data transmission between the network device and the terminal device (e.g., PDSCH and / or PUSCH) through DCI. The first network device can schedule data transmission between itself and the terminal device through DCI (e.g., the DCI sent by the first network device carries information to indicate the first network device). The first network device can also schedule data transmission between other network devices (e.g., the second network device) and the terminal device through DCI (e.g., the DCI sent by the first network device carries information to indicate the second network device). The first network device can schedule data transmission between one network device and the terminal device through one DCI (e.g., the DCI sent by the first network device carries information to indicate one network device), or it can schedule data transmission between multiple network devices and the terminal device through one DCI (e.g., the DCI sent by the first network device carries information to indicate multiple network devices). For example, the second information and the first information can be carried in two different DCIs, or they can be carried in the same DCI. For ease of understanding, the following explanation will use the example of the second information being carried in the second DCI and the first information being carried in the first DCI.

[0378] The following describes, using second information as an example, relevant implementation methods for the information indicating a second network device carried in the second DCI through implementation methods D1 and D2. In implementation method D1, the information indicating a second network device in the second information can be carried in the second DCI. In implementation method D1, the format of the second DCI is not limited; for example, it can be a DCI format defined in a standard. In implementation method D2, the second information can be carried in a second DCI with a first format. Relevant implementation methods for the first information carried in the first DCI are similar and can be referred to accordingly, and will not be described in detail again.

[0379] In implementation D1, the information in the second information used to indicate the second network device can be carried in the second DCI.

[0380] For example, the format of the second DCI (and / or the format of the first DCI) can be a DCI format defined in the standard. For example, the format of the second DCI can include DCI format 1_0, DCI format 1_1, DCI format 0_0, DCI format 0_1, etc., as defined in the current protocol standard, and can also include DCI formats defined in future protocols.

[0381] In implementation D1, the information in the second information used to indicate the second network device can be carried in the first field of the second DCI (for example, a newly added field, see implementation D1.1), or it can be a reused existing field of the second DCI (see implementation D1.2).

[0382] In implementation D1.1, the information in the second information used to indicate the second network device can be carried in the first field of the second DCI.

[0383] The solution provided in this application can be applied to NTN networks, TN networks, or networks where NTN and TN are converged. In this application, the first field is used to distinguish the defined name; the first field can also be replaced with other names, such as: satellite indicator field, network device indicator field, or communication device indicator field, etc.

[0384] In this embodiment, the first field can be, for example, a newly added field of the second DCI. For example, the first field may be a field not present in the DCI format defined in the standard. For example, the position of the first field may be after the last field in the DCI format defined in the standard.

[0385] In one possible implementation, the method provided in this application is applicable to NTN communication systems or to communication systems that integrate TN and NTN. The first field can carry information indicating a network device (e.g., a satellite device) in the NTN communication system. When the first network device needs to schedule data transmission between a network device (e.g., a satellite device) and a terminal device in the NTN communication system, the first field can be added to the second DCI. When the first network device does not need to schedule data transmission between a network device (e.g., a satellite device) and a terminal device in the NTN communication system, the first field can be omitted from the second DCI.

[0386] In one possible implementation, the first network device may also send information to the terminal device indicating whether a DCI includes the first field. For example, the information indicating whether a DCI includes the first field may be carried in radio resource control (RRC) or media access control (MAC) control element (CE) signaling.

[0387] For example, if the first network device includes the first field in the second DCI, it can also send information to the terminal device indicating that the second DCI includes the first field. The terminal device determines that the second DCI includes the first field based on the information indicating that the second DCI includes the first field. In this way, the terminal device can more accurately determine the number of fields included in the second DCI and the length of the information in the second DCI, avoiding missed reception and thus improving the success rate of correct information reception. As another example, if the first network device does not include the first field in a DCI, it can also send information to the terminal device indicating that the DCI does not include the first field, so that the terminal device can correctly determine the number of fields included in the DCI and the length of the information in the DCI when receiving it, avoiding receiving too much information and thus improving the success rate of correct information reception. It can be seen that this implementation allows compatibility between DCIs including and excluding the first field, and also reduces the operational complexity on the terminal device side.

[0388] Similarly, the information in the first information used to indicate the first network device can be carried in the first field of the first DCI. The first network device can also send information to the terminal device to indicate that the first DCI includes the first field. The content is similar to the relevant content of the second DCI and will not be described again.

[0389] The following table exemplifies a DCI format example. As shown in Table 1, the DCI may include a first field, which carries information indicating a network device. For example, the DCI in Table 1 is a second DCI, and the first field carries information indicating a second network device. As another example, the DCI in Table 1 is a first DCI, and the first field carries information indicating a first network device. Table 1 exemplarily shows some of the fields included in a DCI, along with the corresponding functions of each field. It also shows a possible example of the number of bits occupied by some fields; relevant details are provided in Table 1 and will not be repeated here.

[0390] Table 1 includes examples of DCIs with the first field.

[0391]

[0392]

[0393] In implementation D1.2, the information in the second information used to indicate the second network device can be carried in an existing field in the second DCI.

[0394] For example, the information in the second information used to indicate the second network device can be carried in a reserved field in the second DCI. As another example, the information in the second information used to indicate the second network device can be carried in the carrier indicator field of the second DCI. This can also be understood as the carrier indicator field being given a new meaning or definition; the carrier indicator field is being redefined, for example, it can be redefined as a satellite indicator field, a network device indicator field, or a communication device indicator field, etc. These implementations can avoid adding new fields to the DCI, thereby reducing the length of the DCI and saving resource overhead.

[0395] Similarly, the information in the first information used to indicate the first network device can be carried in existing fields in the first DCI, with similar content, and will not be described again.

[0396] In implementation method D2, the second information is carried in a first-format DCI.

[0397] In implementation D2, when the first network device needs to schedule data transmission (e.g., PDSCH and / or PUSCH) between the network device and the terminal device via a DCI, it can schedule the data transmission via a first format DCI. When the first network device does not need to schedule data transmission (e.g., PDSCH and / or PUSCH) between the network device and the terminal device via a DCI, it can send DCIs in other formats.

[0398] For example, if the first network device sets the second DCI to a first format when the second DCI includes information for indicating the second network device, then the terminal device determines that the received second DCI includes information for indicating the network device when it determines that the received second DCI is in the first format. As another example, if the first network device sets the first DCI to a first format when the first DCI includes information for indicating the first network device, then the terminal device determines that the received first DCI includes information for indicating the network device when it determines that the received first DCI is in the first format.

[0399] In another possible implementation, the method provided in this application is applicable to NTN communication systems, or to communication systems that integrate TN and NTN. A first network device can distinguish whether a DCI is used to schedule network devices (e.g., satellite devices) in an NTN communication system to transmit data to a terminal device based on the DCI format. For example, if the terminal device determines that the received second DCI format is the first format, it determines that the second DCI includes a field for indicating information about network devices (e.g., satellite devices) in the NTN communication system, or it determines that the second DCI is used to schedule data transmission between one or more network devices (e.g., satellite devices) in the NTN communication system and the terminal device.

[0400] For example, if the terminal device determines that the received second DCI format does not belong to the first format, it determines that the second DCI does not include a field for identifying network devices (e.g., satellite devices) in the NTN communication system, or determines that the second DCI is not used to schedule network devices (e.g., satellite devices) in the NTN communication system to transmit data with the terminal device (e.g., the second DCI may be used for other purposes, such as scheduling base stations (e.g., base stations in cellular networks) in the TN communication system to transmit data with the terminal device), or determines that the second DCI is not used to schedule multiple network devices (e.g., satellite devices) in the NTN communication system to transmit data with the terminal device (e.g., the second DCI may schedule one network device to transmit data with the terminal device).

[0401] The solution provided by implementation method D2 allows the terminal device to identify whether the received DCI contains information for indicating a network device (e.g., a first network device and / or a second network device) through the DCI format. This saves signaling overhead. In this solution, the first network device does not need to notify whether the DCI contains information for indicating a network device through other signaling, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0402] based on Figure 4 The provided implementation methods Figure 5 An exemplary diagram illustrates the possible locations of time-domain resources for PUSCH scheduled by a first network device via PDCCH. For example... Figure 5 As shown, the first network device corresponds to the downlink time slot #n. 11 Send PDCCH#2 (PDCCH#2 carries the second information). The first network device can send PDCCH#2 in the downlink time slot #n corresponding to the first network device. 12 Send PDCCH#1 (PDCCH#1 carries the first information). PDCCH#1 schedules the terminal device to use the uplink time slot #n corresponding to the first network device. 13(First Time Unit) sends PUSCH#1 to the first network device. PDCCH#2 schedules the terminal device to use the uplink time slot #n corresponding to the second network device. 14 (Second time unit) sends PUSCH#2 to the first network device. Figure 5 The time slot is used as an example in the description of the embodiments of this application. The time slot in the various figures can also be replaced with other time units. For example, a time slot can also be replaced with a radio frame, a subframe, a minislot, or an OFDM symbol. Figure 5 The diagram also shows TA#1 and TA#2, as well as the first offset; the meanings of these parameters can be found in the preceding text. Figure 1J , Figure 1K , Figure 1L as well as Figure 2 The relevant descriptions of any of these items will not be repeated here.

[0403] In one possible implementation, the first time unit is further determined based on the time unit for receiving the first information. The second time unit is further determined based on the time unit for receiving the second information. Since the second time unit also considers the time unit for receiving the first information, the selection of the second time unit can be more reasonable. For example, the second time unit can be avoided from being located before the time unit for receiving the first information, and can be located after the time unit for receiving the first information. This allows the terminal device to transmit uplink information through the second time unit after receiving the first information, thereby improving the success rate of data transmission and thus increasing the data transmission throughput of the terminal device. In this embodiment, the selection of the second time unit also considers the first offset, and the specific scheme can be found in the foregoing. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The implementation methods given will not be described again.

[0404] In one possible example, the relationship between the second time unit and the time unit for receiving the second information can be seen in the following formula (3) or formula (4):

[0405] n2=n1+K2+K offset +offset_UL......Formula (3)

[0406] n2=n1+K2+offset_UL......Formula (4)

[0407] For example, in formulas (3) and (4), n2 is the index value of the second time unit, n1 is the index value of the time unit for receiving the second information, and offset_UL can be determined based on the first offset; K2 can be used to determine / include / associate with: the time slot offset value between the DCI and its scheduled PUSCH; for example, Koffset (For example, indicating this to the terminal device via a broadcast message or MAC CE message) could be a scheduling offset value from an existing protocol. For example, K offset It is the scheduling offset configured by the base station for the terminal, for example, K. offset The timeout must be greater than or equal to the sum of the service link round-trip time and the Common TA, which is the timing offset configured by the base station for the terminal. For example, the Common TA is equal to the round-trip time between the uplink time synchronization reference point and the NTN payload (e.g., the NTN payload carried by a satellite). koffset is used to allow the UE sufficient processing time between downlink reception (e.g., scheduling information) and uplink transmission. offset It can also be written as koffset. K is involved in other locations in the embodiments of this application. offse You can also refer to the description here, so I will not repeat it here.

[0408] Formula (4) does not require Koffset, which is equivalent to merging Koffset into offset_UL.

[0409] For example, offset_UL is the first offset, or or

[0410] In one possible implementation, multiple parameters in a formula may have the same unit (e.g., the uplink and downlink transmission timeslot lengths are the same) or different units (e.g., the uplink and downlink transmission timeslot lengths are different). If the units are the same, the above formula (3) or formula (4) can be used directly.

[0411] If the units of the parameters in a formula are different, unit conversion can be considered. For example, n1 in formulas (3) and (4) above can be replaced with or For example, K in formula (3) above offset It can be replaced with or For example, offset_UL in formulas (3) and (4) above can be replaced with... or

[0412] In the embodiments of this application, the parameters in each formula can be rounded (rounded up or rounded down), or they can be left unrounded (e.g., ...). It is an integer. (Rounding is not required in the formula). Based on these descriptions, for example, the formula...

[0413] (3) It can also be replaced with any of the following:

[0414] or,

[0415]

[0416] For example, formula (4) can also be replaced with

[0417] Based on the above description, formulas (3) and (4) can also be replaced with other notations, which will not be listed here.

[0418] In this embodiment of the application, the formula in... Indicates rounding down. The symbol indicates rounding up, and * indicates multiplication.

[0419] In this embodiment, μ is an SCS configuration parameter. PUSCH It is related to the subcarrier spacing corresponding to PUSCH, for example, the subcarrier spacing corresponding to PUSCH is kilohertz (kHz). The 2 in equations (3) and (4) u It can be replaced with μ PDCCH Related to the PDCCH subcarrier spacing, the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the PDCCH is: μ offset_UL The first offset is related to the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the time unit between the first network device and the second network device. The subcarrier spacing corresponding to the time unit used for the first offset is 15kHz, μ. offset_UL equal For example, offset_UL corresponds to a time unit of 1ms, and the corresponding subcarrier is 15kHz. offset_UL The value is 0. The meanings of the same parameters at other locations can be found in the description here; they will not be repeated elsewhere.

[0420] In another possible implementation, the uplink scheduling of the first network device can take parameter K into account. offset The offset_UL parameter is not considered. The uplink scheduling of the second network device can use offset_UL, without considering parameter K. offset For example, the uplink scheduling of the first network device can be achieved using the formula "n2 = n1 + K2 + K". offset For example, the uplink scheduling of the second network device can use the above formula (4). Relevant parameters can be found in the preceding content. K offset The value of the parameter can be the same as or different from that of offset_UL.

[0421] In another possible implementation, the uplink scheduling of the second network device can take parameter K into account.offset Without considering offset_UL, the uplink scheduling of the first network device can use offset_UL, without considering parameter K. offset For example, the uplink scheduling of the second network device can be achieved using the formula "n2 = n1 + K2 + K". offset For example, the uplink scheduling of the first network device can use the above formula (4). Relevant parameters can be found in the preceding content. K offset The value of the parameter can be the same as or different from that of offset_UL.

[0422] In the embodiments of this application, the units of the parameters in the various formulas (e.g., formulas (3) and (4)) can be time units, such as time slots, or other units, such as symbols corresponding to time lengths, 1ms, 1 microsecond (μs), 10ms, etc. The meanings of the units of the parameters in other formulas are similar and will not be repeated here. The formulas appearing in the embodiments of this application can have more variations. For example, rounding up can be replaced by rounding down, and rounding down can also be replaced by rounding up.

[0423] In scenarios where terminal devices communicate with multiple network devices, resource conflicts may occur. The following example illustrates this with downlink transmission. Figure 6A Here is an example of a possible scenario. Figure 6A The scenario shown can also be combined with the aforementioned Figure 1I As shown in the scenario. Figure 6A The example shown in the middle Figure 1I The diagram shows the time-domain resources of the downlink signal received by UE#1 from the first network device and the time-domain resources of the downlink signal received by UE#1 from the second network device.

[0424] like Figure 6A As shown, the time slot in which UE#1 receives the DL signal from the first network device can be referred to as the DL time slot of the first network device. The time slot in which UE#1 receives the DL signal from the second network device can be referred to as the DL time slot of the second network device. The offset between the DL time slot of the first network device and the DL time slot of the second network device is... Figure 6A The second offset is represented as the offset value between the frame boundaries of the DL time slots of the first network device and the second network device. The correspondence between the DL time slots of the first network device and the second network device is uncertain. For example... Figure 6AAs shown, the DL time slot #1 of the first network device and the DL time slot #1 of the second network device do not belong to the same time period. For example, the DL time slots #1 and #2 of the first network device overlap with the DL time slots #4, #5, and #6 of the second network device.

[0425] For example, when the first network device schedules UE#1 to receive DL signals from the first network device in DL time slots #1 and #2, UE#1 cannot receive DL signals from the second network device in DL time slots #4, #5, and #6. Alternatively, UE#1 receiving DL signals from the second network device in DL time slots #4, #5, and #6 will result in failure or a high failure rate. This can also be described as DL time slots #1 and #2 of the first network device conflicting with DL time slots #4, #5, and #6 of the second network device. Or, it can be described as a conflict between the actual time the terminal device receives DL time slots #1 and #2 of the first network device and the actual time the terminal device receives DL time slots #4, #5, and #6 of the second network device.

[0426] To address the aforementioned problems, this application provides a solution. In this solution, the time units occupied by the information received by the terminal device from the first network device and the second network device can be determined based on a second offset. The second offset includes / is the offset between the frame timing of the terminal device receiving the signal from the first network device and the frame timing of the terminal device receiving the signal from the second network device. Consequently, conflicts can be avoided between the time units used by the terminal device to receive information from the first and second network devices, thereby improving the success rate of information transmission by the terminal device and consequently increasing the data transmission throughput of the terminal device. Furthermore, this solution can support the terminal device receiving downlink information from multiple network devices, thereby improving information transmission efficiency.

[0427] Figure 6B An example is shown Figure 6A This is a possible schematic diagram of the resources that a terminal device can use in a given situation. For example... Figure 6B As shown, the third network device can determine the resource conflict relationship used by the terminal device to receive downlink signals from multiple network devices (e.g., the first network device and the second network device) based on the second offset. Combined with... Figure 6BFrom this, the third network device can know that there is no conflict between the downlink time slots #1, #2, and #3 of the second network device and the downlink time slots #1 and #2 of the first network device. These resources can be used to schedule downlink signals, and the downlink signals scheduled on these resources have a higher transmission success rate. Figure 6C An example is shown Figure 6B This is a possible schematic diagram of the resources used by the terminal device in a given situation. For example... Figure 6C As shown, the third network device schedules the terminal device to receive downlink signals from the first network device in downlink time slot #1. The third network device schedules the terminal device to receive downlink signals from the second network in downlink time slot #3. In this example, there is no conflict between the resources for the terminal device to receive downlink signals from the first and second network devices, thereby improving the success rate of signal transmission. This example illustrates how the third network device configures resources for the terminal device. In practical applications, the second network device can also configure the resources for sending downlink signals to the terminal device, and the first network device can configure the resources for sending downlink signals. In the embodiments of this application, the third network device can be the first network device, the second network device, or a network device other than the first and second network devices.

[0428] The solution provided in this application is applicable to NTN networks, TN networks, and networks that integrate TN and NTN. Based on Figure 1A , Figure 1B , Figure 1C , Figure 1D , Figure 1E , Figure 1F , Figure 1G , Figure 1H , Figure 1I , Figure 1J , Figure 1K , Figure 1L , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6A , Figure 6B or Figure 6C At least one of the contents shown in the above, as well as the other contents mentioned above, Figure 7 An exemplary flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application is shown. For ease of understanding, Figure 7 This paper uses the interaction between a terminal device, a first network device, a second network device, and a third network device as an example for explanation. For a detailed description of the terminal device, the first network device, the second network device, and the third network device, please refer to the foregoing. Figure 7 The relevant descriptions will not be repeated here.

[0429] The following description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying diagram.

[0430] Step 701: The first network device sends information to the terminal device.

[0431] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives information from the first network device in the third time unit.

[0432] Step 702: The second network device sends information to the terminal device.

[0433] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives information from the second network device in the fourth time unit.

[0434] For example, the third time unit may be determined based on the fourth time unit and the second offset, and / or the fourth time unit may be determined based on the third time unit and the second offset. As another example, the third time unit and / or the fourth time unit may be determined based on the second offset. For example, the second offset is the offset between the frame timing when the terminal device receives a signal from the first network device and the frame timing when the terminal device receives a signal from the second network device. In one possible implementation, the second offset may also be referred to by other parameter names, such as offset, offset value, or offset, etc.

[0435] Since the third and fourth time units are determined based on the second offset, the rationality of their configuration can be improved. For example, this scheme can minimize conflicts between the time the terminal device receives information in the third time unit and the time it receives information in the fourth time unit. For instance, the time the terminal device receives information in the third time unit and the time it receives information in the fourth time unit can be different. This allows the terminal device to receive information from the two network devices at different times, thereby improving the success rate of information reception and ultimately increasing data transmission throughput. For example, the third network device can use the second offset to determine the conflict relationships of resources used by the terminal device to receive downlink signals from multiple network devices (e.g., the first and second network devices), and can then schedule conflict-free resources for the terminal device, thereby improving the success rate of information transmission.

[0436] In another possible implementation, the time period (or duration) corresponding to the third time unit and the time period (or duration) corresponding to the fourth time unit may not overlap. For example, the time corresponding to the terminal device receiving information from the first network device in the third time unit is from 8:01 ms to 8:14 ms (i.e., the terminal device receives information from the first network device between 8:01 ms and 8:14 ms, or it can be understood that the downlink third time unit of the first network device is from 8:01 ms to 8:14 ms on the terminal device side), and the time corresponding to the terminal device receiving information from the second network device in the fourth time unit is from 8:20 ms to 8:34 ms (i.e., the terminal device receives information from the second network device between 8:20 ms and 8:34 ms, or it can be understood that the downlink fourth time unit of the second network device is from 8:20 ms to 8:34 ms on the terminal device side). There is no overlap between the downlink third time unit of the first network device and the downlink fourth time unit of the second network device, and there is no time domain conflict between them. The terminal can receive information from both network devices through time-division multiplexing of the receiving beam, improving reception decoding performance and transmission throughput. Furthermore, there is no interference between the downlink signals from the first and second network devices received by the terminal through time-division multiplexing; therefore, the terminal device does not need to implement an interference cancellation scheme, resulting in low implementation complexity on the network device side. For example, the time corresponding to the downlink third time unit of the first network device and the time corresponding to the downlink fourth time unit of the second network device can also partially overlap or not overlap (e.g., in the example above, 8:20 ms to 8:34 ms is replaced by 8:13 ms to 8:34 ms), without complete overlap. This can also improve the success rate of information transmission, thereby increasing the information transmission throughput of the terminal device.

[0437] The content of "frame timing" and "downlink frame timing" in the embodiments of this application can be found in the foregoing description and will not be repeated here. For example, the second offset can also replace / include the following corresponding to the first network device and the second network device: timing difference, delay difference, time difference, frame timing difference, frame boundary difference, timing advance difference, advance time difference, difference between downlink timings, downlink timing difference, downlink reception time difference, downlink reception frame timing difference, downlink reception frame boundary timing difference, downlink reception frame boundary time difference, difference between the frame boundaries of downlink frames, downlink timing difference, synchronization position difference, time difference, downlink time difference, reception timing difference, reception frame timing difference, reception time difference, reception delay difference, reception advance time difference, reception advance timing difference, reception timing advance difference, or reception time advance difference, etc.

[0438] For example, the offset between frame timings can also be replaced by: timing difference, delay difference, time difference, frame timing difference, frame boundary difference, timing advance difference, or advance time difference. For example, the second offset can also replace / include the following corresponding to the signal received by the terminal device from the first network device and the signal received by the terminal device from the second network device: timing difference, delay difference, time difference, frame timing difference, frame boundary difference, timing advance difference, advance time difference, difference between downlink timings, downlink timing difference, downlink reception time difference, downlink reception frame timing difference, downlink reception frame boundary timing difference, downlink reception frame boundary time difference, difference between the frame boundaries of downlink frames, downlink timing difference, synchronization position difference, time difference, downlink time difference, reception timing difference, reception frame timing difference, reception time difference, reception delay difference, reception advance time difference, reception advance timing difference, reception timing advance difference, or reception time advance difference, etc.

[0439] For example, the difference between the downlink timing corresponding to the first network device and the downlink timing corresponding to the second network device can also be replaced by / included as: the time difference of the frame boundary of the same frame number, the time difference of the time slot boundary of the same time slot number, or the time difference of the symbol boundary of the same symbol index number when the terminal device receives two downlink signals from the first network device and the second network device respectively.

[0440] For example, the second offset can be positive, negative, or zero. For instance, if the second offset is positive, the frame timing of the terminal device receiving the signal from the first network device is before the frame timing of the terminal device receiving the signal from the second network device (or the time the terminal device receives the second frame from the first network device is earlier than the time the terminal device receives the second frame from the second network device; x2 can be zero or a positive integer). As another example, if the second offset is negative, the frame timing of the terminal device receiving the signal from the first network device is after the frame timing of the terminal device receiving the signal from the second network device (or the time the terminal device receives the second frame from the first network device is later than the time the terminal device receives the second frame from the second network device; x2 can be zero or a positive integer). As yet another example, if the second offset is zero, the frame timing of the terminal device receiving the signal from the first network device is the same as the frame timing of the terminal device receiving the signal from the second network device (or the time the terminal device receives the second frame from the first network device is equal to the time the terminal device receives the second frame from the second network device; x2 can be zero or a positive integer).

[0441] For example, if the second offset is negative, the frame timing of the terminal device receiving the signal from the first network device is before the frame timing of the terminal device receiving the signal from the second network device (or the time when the terminal device receives the second frame from the first network device is earlier than the time when the terminal device receives the second frame from the second network device; x2 can be zero or a positive integer). Alternatively, if the second offset is positive, the frame timing of the terminal device receiving the signal from the first network device is after the frame timing of the terminal device receiving the signal from the second network device (or the time when the terminal device receives the second frame from the first network device is later than the time when the terminal device receives the second frame from the second network device; x2 can be zero or a positive integer).

[0442] In another possible implementation, the second offset may be associated with (or determined according to, or affected by) at least one of the following: the location of the first network device; the location of the second network device; the location of the terminal device; the location of the synchronization reference point corresponding to the terminal device and the first network device; or, the location of the synchronization reference point corresponding to the terminal device and the second network device.

[0443] In one possible implementation, the terminal device can acquire a third time unit and a fourth time unit. In another possible implementation, the terminal device can also acquire the third time unit and the fourth time unit. For example, the terminal device can also receive information indicating the third time unit and / or information indicating the fourth time unit. Thus, the terminal device can determine the third time unit and the fourth time unit based on the received information. The senders of the information indicating the third time unit and the information indicating the fourth time unit can be the same or different. For example, a network device (one or more of a first network device, a second network device, or a third network device) configures the third time unit and / or the fourth time unit for the terminal device based on a second offset. As another example, the terminal device can configure the third time unit and / or the fourth time unit itself based on the second offset, and the terminal device notifies the third network device of the third time unit and the fourth time unit of the fourth network device.

[0444] In one possible implementation, the terminal device sends information indicating a second offset. The second offset is used for a third time unit and / or a fourth time unit. For example, the terminal device may send the information indicating the second offset to at least one of a third network device, a first network device, or a second network device. The second offset is used to determine the third time unit and / or the fourth time unit. The network device configuring the third and fourth time units can be the same or different. The network device receiving the information indicating the second offset can be the same as or different from the network device configuring the third and / or fourth time units. If the network device configuring the third and / or fourth time units needs to use the second offset, it can receive the information indicating the second offset from the terminal device or from another network device.

[0445] For example, a terminal device sends information indicating a second offset to a third network device, which then determines a third and / or fourth time unit based on the second offset. Alternatively, a second network device determines a fourth time unit, and the terminal device receives information indicating the second offset from a first network device, which then determines a third time unit based on the second offset and the fourth time unit. Another example: a first network device determines a third time unit, and the terminal device receives information indicating the second offset from a second network device, which then determines a fourth time unit based on the second offset and the third time unit. Yet another example: a first network device determines a third time unit, and the terminal device receives information indicating the second offset from both the first and second network devices, which then determine a fourth time unit based on the second offset and the third time unit. The specific content of the information indicating the second offset sent by the terminal device can be the same as or different from the specific content of the information indicating the second offset transmitted between network devices (e.g., sent by the first network device). These schemes can improve the rationality of the configuration of the third and fourth time units, thereby improving the success rate of data transmission.

[0446] The information sent by the terminal device to indicate the second offset may include at least one of the following: a second offset; information indicating an initial value of the second offset; information indicating the rate of change of the second offset; or, information indicating the rate of change of the rate of change of the second offset; at least one coefficient of a second formula, wherein the second formula is a formula for determining the second offset. The relevant content in the information indicating the second offset can be referred to, similarly to, the relevant content in the aforementioned information indicating the first offset, except that the information indicating the second offset is used to determine the second offset, and the information indicating the first offset is used to determine the first offset.

[0447] In one possible implementation, the terminal device may also send other information, such as one or more of the following: information indicating the effective period of the second offset; information indicating the updated second offset; or information indicating the identifiers of the first network device and / or the second network device. These contents are similar to those described in the aforementioned information C1, information C2, and information C3, and will not be described further.

[0448] In another possible implementation, the relationship between the resources used by the terminal device to receive signals from multiple network devices (e.g., a first network device and a second network device) can be described from the angle / method of beam hopping (or beam hopping pattern).

[0449] For example, the third and fourth time units are determined according to a second mapping relationship, which is determined according to a second offset. The second mapping relationship includes the mapping relationship between the third and fourth time units. A first network device periodically provides communication services to at least one area in a beam-hopping manner. The first network device provides downlink communication services to the first area within the third time unit of each cycle, and a terminal device is located in the first area. A second network device periodically provides communication services to at least one area in a beam-hopping manner. The second network device provides downlink communication services to the first area within the fourth time unit of each cycle.

[0450] The first and second network devices can periodically provide services to the first area using beam hopping. In this implementation, the third network device can determine a second mapping relationship based on a second offset, and this second mapping relationship can then be applied to multiple periods. For example, each beam hopping period of the first network device may include a third time unit, and each beam hopping period of the second network device may include a fourth time unit. The third time units of multiple periods of the first network device can be mapped to multiple fourth time units of multiple periods of the second network device, respectively. This scheme can configure resources for the terminal device within multiple periods with less signaling overhead.

[0451] The following is in conjunction with the above. Figure 6A , Figure 6B , Figure 6C and Figure 7 The provided embodiments, and other examples mentioned above, illustrate this. For instance, a third network device determines that the first and second time slots within a beam-hopping cycle of the first network device are non-conflicting time slots with the first, second, and third time slots of the second network device (e.g., determined based on a second offset). In these non-conflicting time slots, both network devices can cover the same cell via beams. For example, the first network device can cover band position #1 via beams in at least one of the first and second time slots within a beam-hopping cycle, and the second network device can cover band position #1 via beams in at least one of the first, second, and third time slots within a beam-hopping cycle. In embodiments of this application, network devices (e.g., the first and / or second network devices) covering a band position via beams can include / be understood as / replace with at least one of the following: the network device provides communication services to terminal devices located at that band position; the network device allows terminal devices located at that band position to receive downlink signals from the network device; or the network device can (or is capable of) sending downlink signals to terminal devices located at that band position.

[0452] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a possible beam-hopping pattern for a first network device and a second network device is shown as an example. Figure 8 As shown, the beam-hopping period of the first network device and the second network device is 6 time slots, and the revisit period is also 6 time slots. For example, the first network device alternately covers 6 positions through the beam in the 6 time slots of each beam-hopping period. For example, the first network device covers 6 positions in the first time slot of each beam-hopping period (e.g., the first time slot of each beam-hopping period). Figure 8 In time slots #1, #7, and #13, beam coverage is achieved through the second time slot (e.g., time slot #1, time slot #7, and time slot #13). Figure 8 In time slots #2 and #8, beam coverage is achieved through wave position #2, and in the third time slot (e.g., ... Figure 8In time slots #3 and #9, beam coverage is used to cover wave position #3, and in the fourth time slot (e.g.) Figure 8 In time slots #4 and #10, beam coverage is used to cover wave position #4, and in the fifth time slot (e.g., Figure 8 In time slots #5 and #11, beam coverage is used to cover wave position #5, and in the sixth time slot (e.g.) Figure 8 In time slots #6 and #12, the beam covers wave position #6.

[0453] Similarly, the second network device alternately covers six beam positions through the beam in six time slots within each beam-hopping cycle. For example, the second network device covers six beam positions in the first time slot of each beam-hopping cycle (e.g., Figure 8 In time slots #1, #7, and #13, beam coverage is achieved through wave position #5, and the second time slot (e.g.) Figure 8 In time slots #2 and #8, beam coverage is achieved through wave position #6, and in the third time slot (e.g., ... Figure 8 In time slots #3 and #9, beam coverage is achieved through wave position #1, and in the fourth time slot (e.g.) Figure 8 In time slots #4 and #10, beam coverage is used to cover wave position #2, and in the fifth time slot (e.g.) Figure 8 In time slots #5 and #11, beam coverage is achieved through wave position #3, and in the sixth time slot (e.g.) Figure 8 In time slots #6 and #12, wave position #4 is covered by beams.

[0454] For example, the third network device determines that the first and second time slots within a beam-hopping cycle of the first network device are non-conflicting time slots with the first, second, and third time slots of the second network device (e.g., determined based on a second offset). Therefore, for a terminal device within beam position #1, the resource mapping relationship corresponding to that terminal device can include / become: the first time slot within the beam-hopping cycle of the first network device and the third time slot within the beam-hopping cycle of the second network device. This resource mapping relationship can then be applied to subsequent beam-hopping cycles. For example, for a terminal device within beam position #1, the resource mapping relationship corresponding to that terminal device can include / become: time slot #1 within the beam-hopping cycle of the first network device and time slot #3 within the beam-hopping cycle of the second network device, and time slot #7 within the beam-hopping cycle of the first network device and time slot #9 within the beam-hopping cycle of the second network device. It can be seen that these resource mapping relationships exhibit a periodic mapping relationship. In these examples, time slots #1 and 7 within the hopping beam cycle of the first network device correspond to several possible examples of the third time unit, and time slots #3 and 9 within the hopping beam cycle of the second network device correspond to several possible examples of the fourth time unit.

[0455] For example, the terminal device sends information indicating a second offset to a third network device (or a first network device, or a second network device). The third network device (or one or more of the first, second, and third network devices) can determine the resource mapping relationship in the beam-hopping patterns of the first and second network devices based on the second offset. In another possible implementation, the third network device (or one or more of the first, second, and third network devices) can send information indicating the resource mapping relationship to the terminal device. Information indicating resource mapping relationships may include, for example, at least one of the following: the beam hopping pattern of the first network device, the beam hopping period of the first network device (e.g., a period of 6 slots), the beam hopping revisit time of the first network device (e.g., 6 time slots), the beam hopping start position of the first network device (e.g., starting in the first time slot within the beam hopping period of the first network device), the beam hopping pattern of the second network device, the beam hopping period of the second network device (e.g., a period of 6 slots), the beam hopping revisit time of the second network device (e.g., 6 slots), the beam hopping start position of the second network device (e.g., starting in the third time slot within the period of the second network device), and the resources mapped to each other in the beam hopping patterns of the first and second network devices (e.g., the first time slot within the beam hopping period of the first network device is mapped to the third time slot within the beam hopping period of the second network device). The terminal device determines the mapped resources based on this information indicating resource mapping relationships, and can then receive signals from the first and second network devices on these resources. Information indicating resource mapping relationships can be carried in one or more messages. Multiple pieces of information in the resource mapping relationship information can be sent by one network device or by multiple network devices.

[0456] In another possible implementation, if the first network devices have the same beam hopping period and the same return visit period (which can also be called the revisit period), then the information used to indicate the resource mapping relationship can use a small number of parameters to indicate the beam hopping period and return visit period of multiple network devices. For example, the information used to indicate the resource mapping relationship can include a set of parameters that can indicate the beam hopping period and / or return visit period of the first and second network devices. This can save signaling overhead.

[0457] In the above example, hopping beams reside in time slots. Hopping beams can also reside in other time units, such as subframes, frames, half-frames, etc.

[0458] The above descriptions are based on examples of avoiding conflicts in time-domain resources or timing when a terminal device receives downlink signals from multiple network devices. The solutions provided in this application can also be applied to other resources. For example, conflicts can be minimized in frequency-domain resources used by the terminal device to receive signals from multiple network devices, and conflicts can also be minimized in beam resources used by the terminal device to receive signals from multiple network devices. The related solutions are similar to those for avoiding conflicts in time-domain resources and will not be elaborated further.

[0459] based on Figure 1A , Figure 1B , Figure 1C , Figure 1D , Figure 1E , Figure 1F , Figure 1G , Figure 1H , Figure 1I , Figure 1J , Figure 1K , Figure 1L , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6A , Figure 6B , Figure 6C , Figure 7 and Figure 8 The contents shown in at least one of the above, as well as the other contents mentioned above. Figure 8 An exemplary flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application is shown. For ease of understanding, Figure 9 This paper uses the interaction between a terminal device, a first network device, a second network device, and a third network device as an example for illustration. For a detailed description of the terminal device, the first network device, the second network device, and the third network device, please refer to the foregoing. Figure 2 The relevant descriptions will not be repeated here.

[0460] exist Figure 9 In the given implementation, the network device can schedule the terminal device to receive downlink information via information (e.g., subsequent third and / or fourth information). In this way, the terminal device can receive downlink information according to the network-side scheduling, thereby making the resources for downlink information transmission more efficient. For example, the network device can schedule the terminal device to receive downlink information from multiple network devices by sending DCI (Digital Information Conversion Code).

[0461] The solution provided in this application can also be applied to a scenario where, for example, a terminal device can communicate with multiple communication devices. The terminal device may establish a radio resource control (RRC) connection with one communication device but not with any other communication devices. For instance, the communication device that has established an RRC connection with the terminal device can be called the primary communication device, and the communication device that has not established an RRC connection with the terminal device can be called the secondary communication device. Because the terminal device has established an RRC connection with the primary communication device but not with the secondary communication device, the primary communication device is currently unable to schedule data transmission between other communication devices and the terminal device, resulting in low data transmission throughput.

[0462] The solution provided in this application can solve the above-mentioned problems. In the solution provided in this application, the network device that has established an RRC connection with the terminal device can send third information and fourth information to the terminal device. The third information is used to schedule the terminal device to receive signals from the first network device, and the fourth information is used to schedule the terminal device to receive signals from the second network device. The network device that has established an RRC connection with the terminal device has the ability to schedule other network devices to transmit data with the terminal device, thereby improving the data transmission throughput of the terminal device.

[0463] like Figure 9 As shown, the method includes steps 901 and 902. Figure 9 In the provided embodiment, steps 901 and 902 are performed by the first network device as an example. Step 902 can be performed after or before step 901.

[0464] Step 901: The first network device sends the third information.

[0465] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives third information from the first network device.

[0466] The third information is used to instruct the terminal device to receive information from the first network device in the third time unit.

[0467] For example, the third information instructs the terminal device to transmit data with the first network device. In one possible implementation, the third information may include / become information for instructing the first network device. This information may include, for example, the identifier of the first network device, the index of the first network device, the satellite identifier of the first network device, or the satellite orbit identifier of the first network device. This information can instruct the terminal device to transmit data with the first network device. For instance, after receiving the third information, the terminal device determines that it needs to transmit data with the first network device based on this information.

[0468] The third information instruction terminal device and the first network device can also be replaced by at least one of the following: the third information instruction terminal device receives PDSCH from the first network device.

[0469] Step 902: The first network device sends the fourth information.

[0470] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the fourth information from the first network device.

[0471] The fourth information instruction terminal device receives information from the second network device in the fourth time unit.

[0472] For example, the fourth information instructs the terminal device to transmit data with the second network device. In one possible implementation, the fourth information may include / become information for instructing the second network device. This information may include, for example, the identifier of the second network device, the index of the second network device, the satellite identifier of the second network device, or the satellite orbit identifier of the second network device. This information can instruct the terminal device to transmit data with the second network device. For instance, after receiving the fourth information, the terminal device determines that data transmission with the second network device is necessary based on this information.

[0473] In the embodiments of this application, "the terminal device and the second network device perform data transmission" may include: the terminal device receiving data (e.g., PDSCH) from the second network device. The fourth information instructing the terminal device to perform data transmission with the second network device may also be replaced by at least one of the following: the fourth information instructs the second network device, or the fourth information instructs the terminal device to receive PDSCH from the second network device.

[0474] In this embodiment, the third information may originate from the first network device, the second network device, or the third network device. The fourth information may originate from the first network device, the second network device, or the third network device. Figure 9 This example illustrates how the third and fourth messages can be sent by the first network device. In practical applications, the device sending the third and fourth messages may be the same or different. For instance, the third message may be sent by the first network device, and the fourth message may be sent by the second network device. Alternatively, both the third and fourth messages may be sent by the third network device, which could be the first network device, the second network device, or any network device other than the first or second network device.

[0475] Figure 9 The provided solutions can be combined with Figure 7The provided solutions can be used individually or in combination. For example, in Figure 9 In the provided implementation, the terminal device can also send information indicating the second offset. For example, the terminal device can send the information indicating the second offset to a network device (e.g., a first network device) with which it has established an RRC connection. The information indicating the second offset can also be transmitted between network devices, for example, through a connection between network devices (e.g., an Xn interface) or through core network elements. This facilitates the coordination and scheduling among multiple network devices (e.g., a first network device and a second network device) of the resources (e.g., time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, or beam resources) used by the terminal device to receive signals from the first network device and the second network device, respectively.

[0476] For example, a terminal device receives information from a first network device indicating a second offset. After receiving the information indicating the second offset, the first network device sends information indicating the second offset to a second network device. Thus, the second network device can determine, based on the second offset and the resources of the downlink signals from the first network device, which resources (e.g., time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, or beam resources) the terminal device can schedule to receive downlink signals from the second network device.

[0477] The above example illustrates the establishment of an RRC connection between a terminal device and one network device. A terminal device can also establish RRC connections with multiple network devices. For instance, the terminal device may establish RRC connections with both a first terminal device and a second network device. The third information can be sent from the first network device to the terminal device, and the fourth information can be sent from the second network device to the terminal device. Alternatively, the terminal device can send information indicating a second offset to both the first and second network devices, without needing to transmit this information between them. Another example is where the terminal device sends information indicating a second offset to either the first or second network device, and the network device receiving this information sends it to another network device. The relevant schemes are described above and will not be repeated here. The schemes for the first and second network devices to determine the resources for the terminal device to receive downlink signals are also described above and will not be repeated here.

[0478] In steps 901 and 902 above, in one possible implementation, the information sent by the first network device to instruct the network device (e.g., fourth information and / or third information) can be carried in downlink control information (DCI). See the foregoing for related details. Figure 4The description will not be repeated here. For example, the fourth and third information can be carried in two different DCIs, or in the same DCI. For ease of understanding, the following explanation will use the example of the fourth information being carried in the fourth DCI and the third information being carried in the third DCI.

[0479] The following describes, using the fourth information as an example, relevant implementation methods for the information indicating the second network device carried in the fourth DCI through implementation methods E1 and E2. In implementation method E1, the information indicating the second network device in the fourth information can be carried in the fourth DCI. In implementation method E1, the format of the fourth DCI is not limited; for example, it can be a DCI format defined in a standard. In implementation method E2, the fourth information can be carried in a fourth DCI with a first format. Relevant implementation methods for the third information carried in the third DCI are similar and can be referred to interchangeably, and will not be described in detail here.

[0480] In implementation E1, the information in the fourth information used to indicate the second network device can be carried in the fourth DCI.

[0481] For example, the format of the fourth DCI (and / or the format of the third DCI) can be the DCI format defined in the standard. For example, the format of the fourth DCI can include DCI format 1_0, DCI format 1_1, DCI format 0_0, DCI format 0_1, etc., as defined in the current protocol standard, and can also include DCI formats defined in future protocols.

[0482] In implementation E1, the information in the fourth information used to indicate the second network device can be carried in the third field of the fourth DCI (for example, a newly added field, see implementation E1.1), or it can be a reused existing field of the fourth DCI (see implementation E1.2).

[0483] In implementation E1.1, the information in the fourth information used to indicate the second network device can be carried in the third field of the fourth DCI.

[0484] The solution provided in this application can be applied to NTN networks, TN networks, or networks where NTN and TN are converged. In this application, the third field is used to distinguish the defined name; the third field can also be replaced with other names, such as: satellite indicator field, network device indicator field, or communication device indicator field, etc.

[0485] In this embodiment, the third field can be, for example, a newly added field in the fourth DCI. For example, the third field may be a field not present in the DCI format defined in the standard. For example, the third field may be positioned after the last field in the DCI format defined in the standard.

[0486] In one possible implementation, the method provided in this application is applicable to NTN communication systems, or to communication systems that integrate TN and NTN. The third field can carry information indicating a network device (e.g., a satellite device) in the NTN communication system. When the first network device needs to schedule data transmission between a network device (e.g., a satellite device) and a terminal device in the NTN communication system, the third field can be added to the fourth DCI. When the first network device does not need to schedule data transmission between a network device (e.g., a satellite device) and a terminal device in the NTN communication system, the third field can be omitted from the fourth DCI.

[0487] In one possible implementation, the first network device may also send information to the terminal device indicating whether a third field is included in a DCI. For example, the information indicating whether a DCI includes a third field may be carried in RRC or MAC CE signaling.

[0488] For example, if the first network device receives a fourth DCI that includes a third field, it can also send information to the terminal device indicating that the fourth DCI includes the third field. The terminal device determines that the fourth DCI includes the third field based on this information. This allows the terminal device to more accurately determine the number of fields and the length of information in the fourth DCI, preventing missed reception and improving the success rate of correct information reception. As another example, if the first network device receives a DCI that does not include a third field, it can also send information to the terminal device indicating that the DCI does not include a third field. This allows the terminal device to correctly determine the number of fields and the length of information in the DCI when receiving it, avoiding receiving excessive information and improving the success rate of correct information reception. It can be seen that this implementation allows compatibility between DCIs that include and do not include a third field, and also reduces the operational complexity on the terminal device side.

[0489] Similarly, the information in the third information used to indicate the first network device can be carried in the third field of the third DCI. The first network device can also send information to the terminal device to indicate that the third DCI includes the third field. The content is similar to the relevant content of the fourth DCI and will not be described again.

[0490] The content of the third field is similar to that described in the first field above. Specific examples can be found in Table 1 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0491] In implementation E1.2, the information in the fourth information used to indicate the second network device can be carried in an existing field in the fourth DCI.

[0492] For example, the information in the fourth information used to indicate the second network device can be carried in a reserved field in the fourth DCI. As another example, the information in the fourth information used to indicate the second network device can be carried in the carrier indicator field of the fourth DCI. This can also be understood as the carrier indicator field being given a new meaning or definition; the carrier indicator field is being redefined, for example, it could be redefined as a satellite indicator field, a network device indicator field, or a communication device indicator field, etc. These implementations can avoid adding new fields to the DCI, thereby reducing the length of the DCI and saving resource overhead.

[0493] Similarly, the information in the third information used to indicate the first network device can be carried in existing fields in the third DCI, with similar content, and will not be described again.

[0494] In implementation method E2, the fourth information is carried in the second format DCI.

[0495] In implementation E2, when the first network device needs to schedule data transmission (e.g., PDSCH and / or PDSCH) between the network device and the terminal device via a DCI, it can schedule the data transmission via a second DCI format. When the first network device does not need to schedule data transmission (e.g., PDSCH and / or PDSCH) between the network device and the terminal device via a DCI, it can send DCIs in other formats. The description of the second format in this application embodiment is similar to the foregoing description of the first format.

[0496] For example, if the first network device sets the fourth DCI to a second format when the fourth DCI includes information for indicating the second network device, the terminal device determines that the received fourth DCI includes information for indicating the network device if it determines that the received fourth DCI is in the second format. As another example, if the first network device sets the third DCI to a second format when the third DCI includes information for indicating the first network device, the terminal device determines that the received third DCI includes information for indicating the network device if it determines that the received third DCI is in the second format.

[0497] In another possible implementation, the method provided in this application is applicable to NTN communication systems or to communication systems that integrate TN and NTN. A first network device can distinguish whether a DCI is used to schedule network devices (e.g., satellite devices) in an NTN communication system to transmit data to a terminal device based on the DCI format. For example, if the terminal device determines that the received fourth DCI format is the second format, it determines that the fourth DCI includes a field for indicating information about network devices (e.g., satellite devices) in the NTN communication system, or it determines that the fourth DCI is used to schedule data transmission between one or more network devices (e.g., satellite devices) in the NTN communication system and the terminal device. For example, if the fourth DCI format is the second format, it determines that the fourth DCI includes a fourth field, which carries information for indicating a second network device.

[0498] For example, if the terminal device determines that the received fourth DCI format does not belong to the second format, it determines that the fourth DCI does not include a field for identifying network devices (e.g., satellite devices) in the NTN communication system, or determines that the fourth DCI is not used to schedule network devices (e.g., satellite devices) in the NTN communication system to transmit data with the terminal device (e.g., the fourth DCI may be used for other purposes, such as scheduling base stations (e.g., base stations in cellular networks) in the TN communication system to transmit data with the terminal device), or determines that the fourth DCI is not used to schedule multiple network devices (e.g., satellite devices) in the NTN communication system to transmit data with the terminal device (e.g., the fourth DCI may schedule one network device to transmit data with the terminal device).

[0499] The solution provided by implementation method E2 allows the terminal device to identify whether the received DCI contains information for indicating a network device (e.g., a first network device and / or a second network device) through the DCI format. This saves signaling overhead. In this solution, the first network device does not need to notify whether the DCI contains information for indicating a network device through other signaling, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0500] based on Figure 9 The provided implementation methods Figure 10 An exemplary diagram illustrates the possible locations of time-domain resources of the PDSCH scheduled by a first network device via the PDCCH. For example... Figure 10 As shown, the first network device corresponds to the downlink time slot #n. 21 Send PDCCH#3 (PDCCH#3 carries the fourth information). The first network device can send PDCCH#3 in the downlink time slot #n corresponding to the first network device. 22Send PDCCH#4 (PDCCH#4 carries third information). PDCCH#4 schedules the terminal device to use the downlink time slot #n corresponding to the first network device. 23 (Third Time Unit) Receives PDSCH#1 from the first network device. PDCCH#2 schedules the terminal device to the downlink time slot#n corresponding to the second network device. 24 (Fourth Time Unit) Receives PDSCH#2 from the first network device. Figure 10 The time slot is used as an example in the description of the embodiments of this application. The time slot in the various figures can also be replaced with other time units. For example, a time slot can also be replaced with a radio frame, a subframe, a mini slot, or an OFDM symbol.

[0501] In one possible implementation, the third time unit is further determined based on the time unit for receiving the third information. The fourth time unit is further determined based on the time unit for receiving the fourth information. Since the fourth time unit also considers the time unit for receiving the third information, the selection of the fourth time unit can be more reasonable. For example, it can avoid the fourth time unit being located before the time unit for receiving the third information in time, and the fourth time unit can be located after the time unit for receiving the third information in time. This allows the terminal device to transmit downlink information through the fourth time unit in the time after receiving the third information, thereby improving the success rate of data transmission by the terminal device. In the embodiments of this application, the selection of the fourth time unit also considers the second offset, and the specific scheme can be found in the foregoing. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The implementation methods given will not be described again.

[0502] In one possible example, the relationship between the fourth time unit and the time unit for receiving the fourth information can be seen in the following formula (5):

[0503] n4=n3+K0+offset_DL……Formula (5)

[0504] For example, in formula (5), n4 is the index value of the fourth time unit, n3 is the index value of the time unit for receiving the fourth information, offset_DL can be determined according to the second offset, and K0 can be used to determine / include / associate the DCI with its scheduled PDSCH.

[0505] For example, offset_DL is the second offset, or or

[0506] In one possible implementation, multiple parameters in a formula may have the same unit (e.g., the downlink transmission and the downlink transmission time slot length are the same) or different units (e.g., the downlink transmission and the downlink transmission time slot length are different). If the units are the same, the above formula (5) can be used directly.

[0507] If multiple parameters in a formula have different units, unit conversion can be considered. For example, n3 in formula (5) above can be replaced with For example, K0 in the above formula (5) can be replaced with or For example, offset_DL in formula (5) above can be replaced with or Alternatively, offset_DL in formula (5) can be replaced with or Where μ is related to the downlink signal subcarrier spacing (such as PDSCH subcarrier or PDCCH subcarrier).

[0508] In the embodiments of this application, the parameters in each formula can be rounded (rounded up or rounded down), or they can be left unrounded (e.g., ...). It is an integer. Rounding is not required in the formula.

[0509] In this embodiment of the application, the formula in... Indicates rounding down. The asterisk (*) indicates rounding up, and the multiplication symbol (*) indicates multiplication. μ PDSCH It is related to the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the PDSCH, for example, the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the PDSCH is... μ PDCCH Related to the PDCCH subcarrier spacing, the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the PDCCH is: μ offset_DL The second offset is related to the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the time unit between the first network device and the second network device. The subcarrier spacing corresponding to the time unit used for the second offset is 15kHz, μ. offset_DL equal For example, offset_DL corresponds to a time unit of 1ms, and the corresponding subcarrier is 15kHz. offset_UL The value is 0. The meanings of the same parameters at other locations can be found in the description here; they will not be repeated elsewhere.

[0510] In the embodiments of this application, the unit of the parameter in each formula (e.g., formula (5)) can be a time unit, such as a time slot, or other units, such as symbols corresponding to time lengths, 1ms, 1μs, 10ms, etc. The meaning of the unit of the parameter in other formulas is similar and will not be repeated. The formulas appearing in the embodiments of this application can have more variations. For example, rounding up can be replaced by rounding down, and rounding down can also be replaced by rounding up.

[0511] In another possible implementation, the terminal device sends first response information. The first response information is a response to information received from the first network device. The time unit used to send the first response information is determined based on at least one of a third time unit, the value of K1, or a time unit offset value. The value of K1 is associated with the delay in the terminal device processing downlink information from the first network device and / or processing uplink information, and the time unit offset value is associated with the TA corresponding to the first network device.

[0512] For example, the terminal device sends a first response message to a first network device or a third network device. In this scheme, since the time unit offset value is associated with the TA used by the terminal corresponding to the first network device, and the timing difference between the second network device and the first network device is not considered, the time unit offset value can be set to a smaller value, thereby shortening the time between the first response message and the data transmitted by the first network device, thus reducing the feedback delay of the first network device.

[0513] In another possible implementation, the terminal device sends a second response information. The second response information is a response to information received from the second network device. The time unit used to send the second response information is determined based on at least one of a second offset, a fourth time unit, the value of K1, or a time unit offset value. The value of K1 is associated with the delay of the terminal device processing downlink information from the first network device and / or processing uplink information, and the time unit offset value is associated with the TA corresponding to the first network device.

[0514] For example, the terminal device sends a second response message to a first network device or a third network device. In this scheme, since the transmission of the first response message also takes into account a second offset, this scheme can increase the feedback delay of the second network device, thereby reducing or avoiding the situation where the first response message is transmitted before the terminal device receives data from the second network device, thus improving the success rate of transmitting the first response message and improving communication performance.

[0515] In one possible implementation, the terminal device may have only established RRC connections with some network devices, and therefore can send multiple response messages back to the network devices with which it has established RRC connections.

[0516] For example, the terminal device establishes an RRC connection with a first network device (which may be referred to as the primary communication device or primary network device), but does not establish an RRC connection with a second network device (which may be referred to as the secondary communication device or secondary network device). In one possible implementation, after the terminal device transmits data (e.g., PDSCH) with the network device, it can send response information. Because the terminal device has established an RRC connection with the first network device, it sends response information corresponding to the data from both the primary and secondary communication devices to the first network device. For example, after receiving data from the second network device, the terminal device can send a second response message to the first network device. Alternatively, after receiving data from the first network device, the terminal device can send a first response message to the first network device.

[0517] Figure 11 An exemplary diagram illustrates the possible location of temporal resources for response information sent by a terminal device according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 11 Is Figure 10 Based on this, examples of first and second response information have been added. Figure 11 The content can also be found in the preceding text. Figure 10 The description. For example... Figure 11 As shown, the first network device is in time slot #n 23 The second network device sends PDSCH#1 to the terminal device, and in time slot #n 24 Send PDSCH#2 to the terminal device. The terminal device can then send PDSCH#2 in the uplink time slot #n of the first network device. 25 Send the first response information in the uplink time slot #n of the first network device. 26 Send a second response message.

[0518] The relationship between the temporal resources of the first response information and the second response information can be calculated using the following formula (6):

[0519] n6=n5+K1+K offset +offset_DL......Formula (6)

[0520] n6=n5+K1+offset_DL……Formula(7)

[0521] In formulas (6) and (7), n6 is the index value of the time unit occupied by the second response information, n3 is the index value of the time unit for receiving information from the second network device (e.g., PDSCH#2), and offset_DL can be determined according to the second offset, for example, k1 (e.g., it can be indicated to the terminal by the network device side through PDSCH-to-HARQ_feedback signaling) and K offset(For example, indicating to the terminal device via a broadcast message or MAC CE message) can be the scheduling offset value in the existing protocol. Koffset is not required in formula (7), or it can be equivalent to merging Koffset into offset_DL. The offset_DL in formulas (6) and (7) can be the same as or different from the offset_DL in formula (5).

[0522] For example, offset_DL is the second offset, or or

[0523] In one possible implementation, multiple parameters in a formula may have the same unit (e.g., the downlink transmission and the downlink transmission time slot length are the same) or different units (e.g., the downlink transmission and the downlink transmission time slot length are different). If the units are the same, the above formula (6) or formula (7) can be used directly.

[0524] If multiple parameters in a formula have different units, unit conversion can be considered. For example, n5 in formulas (6) and (7) above can be replaced with or For example, K1 in formulas (6) and (7) above can be replaced with K1*. or For example, K in formulas (6) and (7) above offset It can be replaced with or For example, in formulas (6) and (7) above, offset_DL can be replaced with offset_DL*. or

[0525] In the embodiments of this application, the parameters in each formula can be rounded (rounded up or rounded down), or they can be left unrounded (e.g., ...). It is an integer. (In the formula, rounding is not required). Based on these descriptions, for example, formula (6) can also be replaced with any of the following:

[0526] or,

[0527]

[0528] For example, formula (7) can also be replaced with:

[0529] or,

[0530]

[0531] In the embodiments of this application, the parameters in each formula can be rounded (rounded up or rounded down), or they can be left unrounded (e.g., ...). It is an integer. Rounding is not required in the formula.

[0532] In this embodiment of the application, the formula in... Indicates rounding down. The asterisk (*) indicates rounding up, and the multiplication symbol (*) indicates multiplication. μ PDSCH It is related to the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the PDSCH, for example, the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the PDSCH is... μ PDCCH Related to the PDCCH subcarrier spacing, the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the PDCCH is: Similarly, μ PUSCH It is related to the subcarrier spacing corresponding to PUSCH. μ offset_DL The second offset is related to the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the time unit between the first network device and the second network device. The subcarrier spacing corresponding to the time unit used for the second offset is 15kHz, μ. offset_DL equal For example, offset_DL corresponds to a time unit of 1ms, and the corresponding subcarrier is 15kHz. offset_DL The value is 0. The meanings of the same parameters at other locations can be found in the description here; they will not be repeated elsewhere.

[0533] In the embodiments of this application, the units of the parameters in the various formulas (e.g., formulas (6) and (7)) can be time units, such as time slots, or other units, such as symbols corresponding to time lengths, 1ms, 1μs, 10ms, etc. The meanings of the units of the parameters in other formulas are similar and will not be repeated here. The formulas appearing in the embodiments of this application can have more variations. For example, rounding up can be replaced by rounding down, and rounding down can also be replaced by rounding up.

[0534] In another possible implementation, when the terminal device sends the first response information to the first network device, the second offset can be disregarded and therefore set to a smaller value, thereby shortening the feedback latency of the response information sent by the first network device. When the terminal device sends the second response information to the first network device, the second offset needs to be considered. This reduces the feedback latency of the first network device and allows for a larger feedback latency of the second network device to meet the latency requirements of the second response information.

[0535] In the embodiments of this application, the signaling or information (such as at least one of second information, first information, third information, fourth information, etc.) sent by the network device (e.g., the first network device, the second network device, or the third network device) can be sent in multiple ways. For example, any one of these signaling or information can be carried in at least one of the broadcast information of system information block (SIB) 1, SIB 19, other system information (OSI), master information block (MIB), physical broadcast channel (PBCH) messages, etc. The signaling or information (such as at least one of second information, first information, third information, fourth information, etc.) sent by the network device (e.g., the first network device, the second network device, or the third network device) is broadcast, multicast, or unicast to the relay device by the network device. Broadcasting or multicasting the above signaling to the relay device can avoid scheduling different resources for different relay devices in order to send the above signaling, saving the signaling overhead of scheduling resources and reducing the system scheduling complexity.

[0536] In another possible implementation, if transmitted during the radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment phase and subsequent communication, the signaling or information (such as at least one of second, first, third, and fourth information) sent by the network device (e.g., a first network device, a second network device, or a third network device) can be carried in at least one of RRC signaling (e.g., RRC setup message, RRC reconfiguration message, RRC recovery message, etc.), DCI, group DCI, MAC CE, and timing advance command (TAC). The signaling or information (such as at least one of second, first, third, and fourth information) sent by the network device (e.g., a first network device, a second network device, or a third network device) can be indicated by information or tables, or sent unicast or multicast to the relay device along with data transmission or in a separately allocated PDSCH bearer. The advantage of sending the above signaling to UE individually or in groups is that it allows for flexible control of the parameter values ​​of each / group of UEs. Different parameter values ​​can be configured for UEs based on their different locations or regions to optimize system parameters and improve UE / system communication performance.

[0537] It is understood that, in order to achieve the functions in the above embodiments, the terminal device, relay device, and network device may include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, based on the units and method steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed in this application, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0538] Based on the same concept Figure 12 , Figure 13 and Figure 14 A schematic diagram of the structure of a possible communication device provided for embodiments of this application. Figure 12 , Figure 13 and Figure 14 The communication devices shown can be used to implement the functions of the terminal device, the first network device, or the second network device in the above method embodiments, and therefore can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments. In the embodiments of this application, the communication device can be as follows: Figure 1A , Figure 1B , Figure 1C , Figure 1D , Figure 1E , Figure 1F , Figure 1G , Figure 1H or Figure 1I The terminal device shown can also be as follows: Figure 1A , Figure 1B , Figure 1C , Figure 1D , Figure 1E , Figure 1F , Figure 1G , Figure 1H or Figure 1I The network devices shown (such as satellite devices or ground-based network devices) can also be applied to... Figure 1A , Figure 1B , Figure 1C , Figure 1D , Figure 1E , Figure 1F , Figure 1G , Figure 1H or Figure 1I The chip (or chip system) of the terminal device or network device shown.

[0539] like Figure 12 As shown, the communication device 1300 includes a processing unit 1310 and a transceiver unit 1320. The communication device 1300 is used to implement the above-mentioned... Figure 2 , Figure 4 , Figure 7 or Figure 9The methods illustrated in this embodiment include the functions of a terminal device, a first network device, a second network device, or a third network device. The transceiver unit 1320 can also be referred to as a communication unit. The transceiver unit 1320 may include a sending unit and a receiving unit.

[0540] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement Figure 2 and / or Figure 4 In one possible implementation of the method embodiment shown, where the terminal device functions as described, the transceiver unit 1320 is used to send information to the first network device in a first time unit and to send information to the second network device in a second time unit.

[0541] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement Figure 2 and / or Figure 4 In one possible implementation of the method embodiment shown, where the terminal device functions as described, the transceiver unit 1320 is used to transmit information indicating a first offset.

[0542] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement Figure 2 and / or Figure 4 In one possible implementation of the method embodiment shown, where the terminal device functions as described, the transceiver unit 1320 is used to send information indicating the effective time period of the first offset.

[0543] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement Figure 2 and / or Figure 4 In the case of the terminal device function in the method embodiment shown, in one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1320 is used to receive first information.

[0544] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement Figure 2 and / or Figure 4 In one possible implementation of the method embodiment shown, where the terminal device functions as described, the transceiver unit 1320 is used to receive second information.

[0545] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement Figure 2 and / or Figure 4 In one possible implementation of the terminal device in the method embodiment shown, the transceiver unit 1320 is used to receive information indicating that the second DCI includes the first field.

[0546] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement Figure 2 and / or Figure 4 In one possible implementation of the method embodiment shown, where the terminal device functions as described, the processing unit 1310 is used to determine that the second DCI includes a second field if the format of the second DCI belongs to the first format.

[0547] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement Figure 2 and / or Figure 4 In the case of the function of the first network device in the method embodiment shown, in one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1320 is used to send information to the terminal device in the first time unit.

[0548] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement Figure 2 and / or Figure 4 In the case of the function of the second network device in the method embodiment shown, in one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1320 is used to send information to the terminal device in the second time unit.

[0549] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement Figure 2 and / or Figure 4 In the case of the functions of the first network device, the second network device, or the third network device in the method embodiment shown, in one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1320 is used to receive information indicating a first offset.

[0550] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement Figure 2 and / or Figure 4 In the case of the functions of the first network device, the second network device, or the third network device in the method embodiment shown, in one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1320 is used to receive information for indicating the effective time period of the first offset.

[0551] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement Figure 2 and / or Figure 4 In the case of the functions of the first network device, the second network device, or the third network device in the method embodiment shown, in one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1320 is used to send the first information.

[0552] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement Figure 2 and / or Figure 4 In the case of the functions of the first network device, the second network device, or the third network device in the method embodiment shown, in one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1320 is used to send second information.

[0553] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement Figure 2 and / or Figure 4 In the case of the functions of the first network device, the second network device, or the third network device in the method embodiment shown, in one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1320 is used to send information indicating that the second DCI includes the first field.

[0554] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement Figure 2 and / or Figure 4 In the case of the functions of the first network device, the second network device, or the third network device in the method embodiment shown, in one possible implementation, the processing unit 1310 is used to carry a second field in the second DCI if the format of the second DCI belongs to the first format.

[0555] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement Figure 7 and / or Figure 9 In one possible implementation of the method embodiment shown, where the terminal device functions as described, the transceiver unit 1320 is configured to receive information from the first network device in a third time unit and information from the second network device in a fourth time unit.

[0556] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement Figure 7 and / or Figure 9 In one possible implementation of the method embodiment shown, where the terminal device functions as described, the transceiver unit 1320 is used to transmit information indicating a second offset.

[0557] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement Figure 7 and / or Figure 9 In one possible implementation of the method embodiment shown, where the terminal device functions as described, the transceiver unit 1320 is used to send information indicating the effective time period of the second offset.

[0558] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement Figure 7 and / or Figure 9 In t...

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The first time unit sends information to the first network device; Send information to the second network device in the second time unit; The first time unit is determined based on the second time unit and the first offset, whereby the first offset is the offset between the frame timing of the terminal device sending a signal to the first network device and the frame timing of the terminal device sending a signal to the second network device.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send information indicating the first offset.

3. The method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The information used to indicate the first offset includes at least one of the following: The first offset; Information used to indicate the initial value of the first offset; Information used to indicate the rate of change of the first offset; Information used to indicate the rate of change of the first offset; or, At least one coefficient of a first formula, wherein the first formula is a formula used to determine the first offset.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send information indicating the effective period of the first offset.

5. The method as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The information used to indicate the effective time period of the first offset includes at least one of the following: The effective start time of the first offset; The time when the first offset fails; The duration of the first offset; or, The effective time period of the first offset.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The first time unit and the second time unit are determined according to a first mapping relationship, which is determined according to the first offset. The first mapping relationship includes the mapping relationship between the first time unit and the second time unit; The first network device periodically provides communication services to at least one area in a beam-hopping manner, and the first network device provides uplink communication services to the first area in a first time unit of each period, wherein the terminal device is located in the first area; The second network device periodically provides communication services to at least one area in a beam-hopping manner, and the second network device provides uplink communication services to the first area within a second time unit of each cycle.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive first information, the first information being used to instruct the terminal device to send information to the first network device in the first time unit; And / or, The terminal device receives a second message, which instructs it to send information to the network device in the second time unit.

8. The method as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The first information is carried in the first downlink control information (DCI); And / or, The second information is carried in the second DCI.

9. The method as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The second information includes information for indicating the second network device, wherein the information for indicating the second network device is carried in a first field of the second DCI; The method further includes: Receive information indicating that the second DCI includes the first field, and determine that the second DCI includes the first field based on the information indicating that the second DCI includes the first field.

10. The method as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The second information includes information for instructing the second network device; The method further includes: If the format of the second DCI is the first format, it is determined that the second DCI includes a second field, which carries the information used to indicate the second network device.

11. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applicable to a first network device, and the method includes: The unit sends information to the terminal device in the first time. The first time unit is determined based on the second time unit and the first offset. The second time unit belongs to the time unit in which the terminal device receives information from the second network device. The first offset is the offset between the frame timing of the terminal device sending a signal to the first network device and the frame timing of the terminal device sending a signal to the second network device.

12. The method as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive information indicating the first offset.

13. The method as described in claim 12, characterized in that, The information used to indicate the first offset includes at least one of the following: The first offset; Information used to indicate the initial value of the first offset; Information used to indicate the rate of change of the first offset; Information used to indicate the rate of change of the first offset; or, At least one coefficient of a first formula, wherein the first formula is a formula used to determine the first offset.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11-13, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive information indicating the effective period of the first offset.

15. The method as described in claim 14, characterized in that, The information used to indicate the effective time period of the first offset includes at least one of the following: The effective start time of the first offset; The time when the first offset fails; The duration of the first offset; or, The effective time period of the first offset.

16. The method according to any one of claims 11-15, characterized in that, The first time unit and the second time unit are determined according to a first mapping relationship, which is determined according to the first offset. The first mapping relationship includes the mapping relationship between the first time unit and the second time unit; The first network device periodically provides communication services to at least one area in a beam-hopping manner, and the first network device provides uplink communication services to the first area in a first time unit of each period, wherein the terminal device is located in the first area; The second network device periodically provides communication services to at least one area in a beam-hopping manner, and the second network device provides uplink communication services to the first area within a second time unit of each cycle.

17. The method according to any one of claims 11-16, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a first message, the first message being used to instruct the terminal device to send information to the first network device in the first time unit; And / or, Send a second message, which instructs the terminal device to send information to the second network device in the second time unit.

18. The method as described in claim 17, characterized in that, The first information is carried in the first downlink control information (DCI); And / or, The second information is carried in the second DCI.

19. The method as described in claim 18, characterized in that, The second information includes information for indicating the second network device, wherein the information for indicating the second network device is carried in a first field of the second DCI; The method further includes: Send information indicating that the second DCI includes the first field, and determine that the second DCI includes the first field based on the information indicating that the second DCI includes the first field.

20. The method as described in claim 18, characterized in that, The second information includes information for instructing the second network device; The method further includes: If the format of the second DCI is the first format, the second DCI carries a second field, which carries the information used to indicate the second network device.

21. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, or includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 11 to 20.

22. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices and transmit them to the processor or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices, and the processor is used to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, or the method as described in any one of claims 11 to 20, through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

23. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, or the method as described in any one of claims 11 to 20.

24. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product stores a computer program, the computer program including program instructions, which, when executed by a computer, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, or the method as described in any one of claims 11 to 20.

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