Methods, apparatuses, and systems for non-terrestrial network communications

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide a method, device and system for non-terrestrial network (NTN) system communication. An electronic device (ED) can obtain timing information of a first synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel (SS / PBCH) block within a frame from a first non-terrestrial transmit and receive point (NT-TRP), so that the ED can obtain a relatively accurate arrival time of the first SS / PBCH block, and the reliability of detecting the SS / PBCH block in the NTN system can be improved.

Description

Cross-reference to related applications

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 556,721, filed February 22, 2024, entitled “Method, Apparatus, and System for Initial Access in Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN)”, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communications, and more specifically, to methods, apparatus and systems for non-terrestrial network communications. Background Technology

[0003] In fifth-generation (5G) systems, the synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel (SS / PBCH) block (also known as the SSB) can be used for downlink synchronization. The terrestrial transmit and receive point (T-TRP) can transmit the SS / PBCH block to an electronic device (ED) (e.g., user equipment (UE)), where the SS / PBCH block can be located at a fixed position within a frame. The ED can detect the SS / PBCH block based on this fixed position.

[0004] With the development of non-terrestrial network (NTN) systems, an ED (Edge Controller) can connect to a non-terrestrial transmit and receive point (NT-TRP). The NT-TRP can send SS / PBCH blocks to the ED. However, due to the large distance between the ED and the NT-TRP, and the possibility that the NT-TRP may be constantly moving, the ED's detection of the SS / PBCH blocks within the NTN system is unreliable.

[0005] Therefore, the urgent technical problem to be solved is how to improve the reliability of ED in detecting SS / PBCH blocks in NTN systems. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a method, apparatus, and system for NTN communication, which can improve the reliability of ED in detecting SS / PBCH blocks in the NTN system.

[0007] According to a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, which can be executed by an ED or a chip of the ED. The method includes: receiving a first SS / PBCH block from an NT-TRP, wherein the first NT-TRP includes timing information of the first SS / PBCH block within a first frame.

[0008] According to a second aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, which can be executed by a first NT-TRP or a chip of the first NT-TRP. The method includes: determining timing information of a first SS / PBCH block within a first frame; and transmitting the first SS / PBCH block to an electronic device (ED) based on the timing information, wherein the first SS / PBCH block contains the timing information.

[0009] According to a third aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, which can be executed by an ED or a chip of the ED. The method includes: receiving timing information of a first SS / PBCH block within a first frame from a first NT-TRP; and receiving the first SS / PBCH block from the first NT-TRP.

[0010] According to a fourth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, which can be executed by a first NT-TRP or a chip of the first NT-TRP. The method includes: determining timing information of a first SS / PBCH block; sending the timing information to an ED; and sending the first SS / PBCH block to the ED.

[0011] According to the above technical solution, the ED can obtain the timing information of the first SS / PBCH block in the first frame from the first NT-TRP, so that the ED can know the relatively accurate arrival time of the first SS / PBCH block and improve the reliability of detecting SS / PBCH blocks in the NTN system.

[0012] Referring to the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, or the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the timing information is associated with the location information of the first NT-TRP.

[0013] According to the above technical solution, the timing information can be designed based on the location information of the first NT-TRP, thereby making the ED more reliable in receiving the first SS / PBCH block.

[0014] In some implementations, the boundary of the first frame can be associated with the location information, wherein the boundary of the first frame is the time at which the ED receives the first frame. According to the above technical solution, the timing information and / or the boundary of the first frame are associated with the location information of the first NT-TRP. In other words, the position of the first SS / PBCH block in the first frame can be associated with the location information of the first NT-TRP, rather than being in a fixed position within the first frame. This can improve the reliability of detecting SS / PBCH blocks in the NTN system. The frame boundary of the first frame can be associated with the location information of the first NT-TRP, and the frame transmission design takes location information into account, thereby improving the reliability of detecting SS / PBCH blocks in the NTN system.

[0015] Referring to the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, or the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the timing information indicates a time slot in the first frame, wherein the first SS / PBCH block is located in the time slot.

[0016] According to the above technical solution, the time slot located by the first SS / PBCH block can be designed based on the location information of the first NT-TRP, and the reliability of detecting the SS / PBCH block in the NTN system can be improved.

[0017] Referring to the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, or the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the timing information also indicates one or more symbols occupied by the first SS / PBCH block.

[0018] According to the above technical solution, the one or more symbols where the first SS / PBCH block is located can be designed based on the location information of the first NT-TRP, and the reliability of detecting SS / PBCH blocks in the NTN system can be improved.

[0019] Referring to the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, or the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the position of the first SS / PBCH block in the first frame and the frame boundary of the first frame satisfy a condition, wherein the frame boundary of the first frame is the time when the ED receives the first frame.

[0020] For example, the condition is used to ensure that the first SS / PBCH block is received at a specific time or within a specific time range.

[0021] Referring to the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, or the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the condition includes: the sum of a first duration and a second duration is within a certain range or equal to a threshold, the first duration being from the moment the first NT-TRP sends the first frame to the frame boundary of the first frame, and the second duration being from the frame boundary of the first frame to the start time of the first SS / PBCH block.

[0022] According to the above technical solution, the sum of the first duration and the second duration is within a certain range or equal to a threshold, meaning the first SS / PBCH block can be received at a specific time or within a specific time range. The range or the threshold can be known to the ED, enabling the ED to reliably receive the first SS / PBCH block.

[0023] Referring to the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, or the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the position of the second SS / PBCH block in the second frame and the frame boundary of the second frame satisfy the condition, the second frame originating from the second NT-TRP.

[0024] For example, the ED can receive multiple SS / PBCH blocks from multiple NT-TRPs, and the position of each SS / PBCH block and the frame boundary of the corresponding frame can satisfy the conditions.

[0025] According to the above technical solution, multiple SS / PBCH blocks from multiple NT-TRPs can be received by the ED at the same time or within the same range. This reduces the time required for the ED to detect SS / PBCH blocks, thereby lowering the complexity of SS / PBCH block detection.

[0026] Referring to the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, or the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the positioning information includes one or more of the following: first information indicating the relative distance between the first NT-TRP and the reference point; and second information indicating the relative direction between the first NT-TRP and the reference point.

[0027] Please note that in this invention, location information and position information can be interchangeable.

[0028] According to the above technical solution, the timing information of the first SS / PBCH block can be associated with the relative distance and / or relative direction between the first NT-TRP and the reference point. Taking into account the long distance between the first NT-TRP and the ground and / or the continuous movement of the first NT-TRP, these factors improve the reliability of the ED in detecting the SS / PBCH block in the NTN system.

[0029] Referring to the first or second aspect, in some embodiments, the first information is obtained from one or more of the following: the DMRS of the first SS / PBCH block and the PBCH payload of the first SS / PBCH block.

[0030] Referring to the third or fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the timing information is included in a system information block (SIB).

[0031] According to the above technical solution, the ED can obtain the timing information based on the decoding of the PBCH or the SIB.

[0032] According to a fifth aspect, an ED is provided. The ED includes functions or units for performing the method according to the first aspect or any possible embodiment of the first aspect.

[0033] According to a sixth aspect, an NT-TRP is provided. The NT-TRP includes functions or units for performing the method described according to the second aspect or any possible embodiment of the second aspect.

[0034] According to a seventh aspect, an ED is provided. The ED includes functions or units for performing the method according to the third aspect or any possible embodiment of the third aspect.

[0035] According to an eighth aspect, an NT-TRP is provided. The NT-TRP includes functions or units for performing the method according to the fourth aspect or any possible embodiment of the fourth aspect.

[0036] According to a ninth aspect, a system is provided. The system includes: the ED according to the third aspect and the NT-TRP according to the fourth aspect.

[0037] According to a tenth aspect, a system is provided. The system includes: the ED according to the fifth aspect and the NT-TRP according to the sixth aspect.

[0038] According to an eleventh aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes at least one processor coupled to at least one memory. The at least one memory is used to store a computer program or one or more instructions. The at least one processor is configured to: invoke the computer program or the one or more instructions from the at least one memory, and execute the computer program or the one or more instructions, causing the communication device to perform the method of any one of the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof, or the communication device to perform the method of any one of the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof, or the communication device to perform the method of any one of the third aspect or any possible implementation thereof, or the communication device to perform the method of any one of the fourth aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0039] Referring to the eleventh aspect, in some implementations of the eleventh aspect, the communication device may be an NT-TRP or a component (e.g., a chip or integrated circuit) installed in the NT-TRP. Alternatively, the communication device may be an ED or a component (e.g., a chip or integrated circuit) installed in the ED.

[0040] According to a twelfth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided. The communication apparatus includes a processor and a communication interface. The processor is connected to the communication interface. The processor is configured to execute one or more instructions, and the communication interface is configured to communicate with other network elements under the control of the processor. The processor is capable of performing the method according to the first aspect or any possible embodiment of the first aspect, or the second aspect or any possible embodiment of the second aspect, or the communication apparatus performing the method according to any one of the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, or the communication apparatus performing the method according to any one of the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect.

[0041] According to a thirteenth aspect, a computer storage medium is provided. The computer storage medium stores program code for executing one or more instructions for the method according to the first aspect or any possible embodiment of the first aspect, or the second aspect or any possible embodiment of the second aspect, or for the communication device to execute the method according to any one of the third aspect or any possible implementation thereof, or for the communication device to execute the method according to any one of the fourth aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0042] According to the fourteenth aspect, this application provides a computer program product comprising one or more instructions that, when the computer program product is run on a computer, the computer performs the method according to the first aspect or any possible embodiment of the first aspect or any possible embodiment of the second aspect or any possible embodiment of the second aspect, or the communication device performs the method according to the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, or the communication device performs the method according to the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect.

[0043] According to a fifteenth aspect, this application provides a non-volatile computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor in a device, cause the processor to perform the method according to the first aspect or any possible embodiment of the first aspect or any possible embodiment of the second aspect or any possible embodiment of the second aspect, or the communication device to perform the method according to the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, or the communication device to perform the method according to the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect.

[0044] According to a sixteenth aspect, this application provides an apparatus for performing a method according to the first aspect or any possible embodiment of the first aspect or any possible embodiment of the second aspect or any possible embodiment of the second aspect, or the communication device performing a method according to any one of the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, or the communication device performing a method according to any one of the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect.

[0045] According to a seventeenth aspect, this application provides a processor for executing instructions that cause a device to perform a method according to the first aspect or any possible embodiment of the first aspect or any possible embodiment of the second aspect or any possible embodiment of the second aspect, or the communication device to perform a method according to any one of the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, or the communication device to perform a method according to any one of the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect.

[0046] According to the eighteenth aspect, this application provides an integrated circuit for performing the method according to the first aspect or any possible embodiment of the first aspect or any possible embodiment of the second aspect or any possible embodiment of the second aspect, or the communication device performing the method according to the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, or the communication device performing the method according to the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect.

[0047] According to a nineteenth aspect, this application provides a communication apparatus, comprising: a transceiver unit configured to perform a receiving step according to the first aspect or any possible embodiment of the first aspect.

[0048] According to a twentieth aspect, this application provides a communication apparatus, comprising: a transceiver unit configured to perform a transmission step according to the second aspect or any possible embodiment of the second aspect; and a processing unit configured to perform a processing step according to the second aspect or any possible embodiment of the second aspect.

[0049] According to the twenty-first aspect, this application provides a communication apparatus, comprising: a transceiver unit configured to perform a receiving step according to the third aspect or any possible embodiment of the third aspect.

[0050] According to the 22nd aspect, this application provides a communication apparatus, comprising: a transceiver unit configured to perform a transmission step according to the fourth aspect or any possible embodiment of the fourth aspect; and a processing unit configured to perform a processing step according to the fourth aspect or any possible embodiment of the fourth aspect. Attached Figure Description

[0051] Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating an application scenario according to this application is shown; Figure 2 An exemplary communication system 100 is shown; Figure 3 Another example of an ED and a base station is shown; Figure 4 An example of device 410 is shown; Figure 5 An example of device 510 is shown; Figure 6 A first example of a communication system including NT-TRP and T-TRP is shown; Figure 7A second example of a communication system including NT-TRP and T-TRP is shown; Figure 8 A third example of a communication system including NT-TRP and T-TRP is shown; Figure 9 An example of an NT-TRP communication link is shown; Figure 10 An example is shown where multiple NT-TRPs send SS / PBCH blocks toward the ground, with each NT-TRP corresponding to a different zenith angle; Figure 11A A schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of this application is shown; Figure 11B Another schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of this application is shown; Figure 12 A schematic diagram is shown of multiple NT-TRPs transmitting frames toward the ground according to method 1100; Figure 13 A schematic diagram of multiple locations of the SS / PBCH block according to method 1100 is shown; Figure 14 A schematic diagram of NT-TRP transmitting SS / PBCH blocks at zenith = -20 is shown; Figure 15 A schematic diagram of NT-TRP transmitting SS / PBCH blocks at zenith = -10 is shown; Figure 16 A schematic diagram of NT-TRP transmitting SS / PBCH blocks at zenith = 0 is shown; Figure 17 A schematic diagram of NT-TRP transmitting SS / PBCH blocks at zenith = 10 is shown; Figure 18 A schematic diagram of NT-TRP transmitting SS / PBCH blocks at zenith = 20 is shown; Figure 19 A given NT-TRP transmission system frame is shown, which includes an SS / PBCH block in the middle of the 3rd time slot; Figure 20 The SS / PBCH block is shown, with its first OFDM symbol located on the sixth OFDM symbol within the third time slot (or time slot #2) of the system frame; Figure 21 A schematic diagram of the structure of the master information block (MIB) is shown. Figure 22 A schematic diagram of the structure of system information block 1 (SIB1) is shown; Figure 23 and Figure 24 A schematic block diagram of a possible device according to an embodiment of this application is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0052] The technical solution of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0053] The technical solutions in this application embodiment can be applied to various communication systems such as fifth-generation (5G) wireless communication systems, new radio (NR) wireless communication systems, sixth-generation (6G) wireless communication systems, or other evolved communication systems.

[0054] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, firstly, using... Figures 1 to 3 The communication system shown is used as an example to describe in detail the communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application.

[0055] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an application scenario according to an embodiment of this application is shown.

[0056] refer to Figure 1As a non-limiting illustrative example, a simplified schematic diagram of a communication system is provided. Communication system 100 (which may be a wireless system) includes a radio access network (RAN) 120. The RAN 120 may be a next-generation (e.g., 6th generation (6G) or higher) radio access network, or a traditional (e.g., 5th generation (5G), 4th generation (4G), 3rd generation (3G), or 2nd generation (2G)) radio access network. In some implementations, 6G radio access refers to a standard next-generation air interface, which may include terrestrial networks (TN) and non-terrestrial networks (NTN), and further details will be described below. One or more electronic devices (EDs) 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, 110e, 110f, 110g, 110h, 110i, and 110j (collectively referred to as 110) may be interconnected with each other or connected to one or more network nodes (170a, 170b, collectively referred to as 170) in RAN 120. The core network (CN) 130 may be part of the communication system and may depend on or be independent of the radio access technology used in the communication system 100. The communication system 100 may also include a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 140, the Internet 150, and other networks 160.

[0057] Typically, communication system 100 enables multiple wireless or wired components to transmit data and other content. Communication system 100 can provide content such as voice, data, video, and / or text via broadcast, multicast, unicast, etc. Communication system 100 can provide a wide range of communication services and applications, including enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) services, ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) services, massive machine-type communication (mMTC) services, integrated sensing and communication (ISAC), immersive communication, massive communication, ultra-reliable low-latency communication, ubiquitous connectivity, integrated AI and communication, and other services that future-generation communication systems can provide. Communication system 100 can also provide other services and applications such as earth monitoring, remote sensing, passive sensing and positioning, navigation and tracking, autonomous delivery and mobility.

[0058] The communication system 100 can operate by sharing resources (such as carrier spectrum bandwidth) among its components.

[0059] Communication system 100 may include terrestrial communication systems and / or non-terrestrial communication systems. Communication system 100 can provide high availability and robustness through the joint operation of terrestrial and non-terrestrial communication systems. For example, integrating a non-terrestrial communication system (or components thereof) into a terrestrial communication system can create something that can be viewed as a heterogeneous network comprising multiple layers. This heterogeneous network can achieve better overall performance through efficient multi-link joint operation, more flexible function sharing, and faster physical layer link switching between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks.

[0060] The terrestrial communication system and the non-terrestrial communication system can be considered as subsystems of the communication system.

[0061] Figure 2 A more detailed example of the communication system 100 is shown. (Compared to...) Figure 2 The example shown is the same, in Figure 2In the example shown, communication system 100 may include ED 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d (collectively referred to as ED 110) and RAN 120a, 120b. Additionally, communication system 100 may also include a non-terrestrial network (NTN) 120c. Communication system 100 may also include one or more of CN 130, PSTN 140, Internet 150, and other networks 160. RAN 120a, 120b include corresponding network nodes 170a, 170b (e.g., base stations 170a, 170b), which may be collectively referred to as terrestrial network (TN) equipment or terrestrial transmit and receive points (T-TRP) 170a, 170b (collectively referred to as 170). Note that unless otherwise described, TRP and base station may have the same meaning and are interchangeable throughout this application. T-TRPs 170a and 170b are base stations attached to the ground (e.g., mounted on a building or tower). In one implementation, NTN 120c includes RAN nodes (e.g., base station 172), which may be collectively referred to as NTN equipment, non-terrestrial nodes, non-terrestrial network equipment, non-terrestrial base stations, or non-terrestrial transmit and receive points (NT-TRPs) 172. NT-TRP 172 is not attached to the ground. Flying base stations are an example. Flying base stations can be implemented using communication equipment supported or carried by flying equipment. Non-limiting examples of flying equipment include airborne platforms (e.g., small airships or spacecraft), balloons, quadcopters, and other aircraft. In some implementations, flying base stations may be supported or carried by unmanned aerial systems (UAS) or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) (e.g., drones or quadcopters). Flying base stations can be mobile or portable base stations that can be flexibly deployed in different locations to meet network requirements. Satellite base stations are another example of non-terrestrial base stations. Satellite base stations can be implemented using communication equipment supported or carried by satellites. Satellite base stations can also be called orbital base stations. High-altitude platforms are another example of non-terrestrial base stations, including international mobile telecommunications base stations.

[0062] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specifically referred to, "TRP" as used herein can refer to either T-TRP or NT-TRP. T-TRP can alternatively be called "TN TRP," and NT-TRP can alternatively be called NTN TRP. As can be inferred from the similarity of the reference numerals, NTN 120c can be considered a radio access network (RAN), sharing operational aspects with RAN 120a and 120b. In another implementation, NTN 120c may include at least one non-terrestrial network device and at least one corresponding terrestrial network device, wherein the at least one non-terrestrial network device operates as a transport layer device, and the at least one corresponding terrestrial network device operates as a RAN node, the RAN node communicating with the ED through the non-terrestrial network device. Alternatively, an NTN gateway (i.e., referred to as a terrestrial network device) may also exist on the ground, acting as a transport layer device communicating with the NTN device, and the RAN node communicating with the ED through the NTN device and the NTN gateway. In some implementations, the NTN gateway and the RAN node may reside in the same device.

[0063] A base station (as described above, also known as a TRP) is a network element in a radio access network responsible for wireless transmission and reception of user equipment in one or more cells. In some implementations, a base station can have other names, such as base transceiver station (BTS), wireless base station, network node, network device, network-side device, transmit / receive node, Node B, evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB), home eNodeB, next-generation Node B (gNB), transmission point (TP), site controller, access point (AP), wireless router, relay station, ground node, ground network device, ground base station, positioning node, etc. Base stations 170a and 170b can be macro base stations (BS), pico BS, relay nodes, donor nodes, or combinations thereof. The method of this application is applied to the base station side. For example, it can be understood that the method is applied to the base station or the communication module in the base station, the circuit or chip in the base station that is responsible for one or more communication functions (e.g., modem chip (also known as baseband chip), system on chip or system in package (SIP) including modem core).

[0064] ED 110a to 110d and TRP 170a, 170b, 172 are examples of communication devices that can be used to implement some or all of the operations and / or embodiments described herein. Figure 2 In the example shown, T-TRP 170a forms part of RAN 120a and / or other equipment, which may include other TRPs. Similarly, TRP 170b forms part of RAN 120b and / or other equipment, which may include other TRPs. Each TRP 170a, 170b transmits and / or receives radio signals within a specific geographic area or region (sometimes referred to as a "cell" or "coverage area"). TRPs 170a and 170b may be responsible for allocating and / or configuring resources and transmission / reception within a set of cells. A cell is a radio network object, which may be uniquely identified by a (cell) identifier broadcast over the geographic area or region from the base station associated with the cell. A cell may be in FDD or TDD mode. A cell may also refer to a carrier frequency within a single independent carrier or a DL / UL carrier bandwidth resource comprising a carrier in carrier aggregation mode. Cells may be further divided into cell sectors, and base stations 170a and 170b may, for example, employ multiple transceivers to provide services to multiple sectors. In some implementations, established picocells or femtocells supported by radio access technologies may exist. In some implementations, for example, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology may be used to use multiple transceivers for each cell. The number of RANs 120a and 120b shown are merely exemplary. Any number of RANs can be considered when designing the communication system 100.

[0065] Any base station can be a single element, as shown in the figure, or multiple elements distributed across a corresponding RAN, etc. In some implementations, multiple RAN nodes coordinate to assist the ED 110 in achieving radio access, and different RAN nodes independently implement different functions of the base station. For example, the RAN node can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and the DU can be deployed independently or can be included in the same element (i.e., a baseband unit (BBU)). The RU can be included in radio equipment or radio units (i.e., a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH)). In different systems, the CU (or the CU-CP and the CU-UP), the DU, or the 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 (O-CU), a DU can also be called an Open DU (O-DU), and a CU-CP can also be called an Open CU-CP (O-CU-CP). A CU-UP can also be called an Open CU-UP (O-CU-UP), and a RU can also be called an Open RU (O-RU). Any of the CU (or the CU-CP, the CU-UP), the DU, and the RU can be implemented using software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0066] Furthermore, in various embodiments of this application, one or more communications between different devices / apparatus can refer to direct communication between different devices / apparatus (i.e., without the need for forwarding by another device / apparatus), or it can refer to one or more communications between different devices / apparatus via another device / apparatus (i.e., requiring forwarding by another device / apparatus). Alternatively, it can refer to a functional unit within the device / apparatus communicating with another device / apparatus by using another functional unit. In other words, "sending information to... (ED or base station)" in this application can be understood as the destination endpoint of the information being the ED or base station. This can include sending information directly or indirectly to the ED or base station. Similarly, "receiving information from... (ED or base station)" can be understood as the source endpoint of the information being the ED or base station, and can include receiving information directly or indirectly from the ED or base station. Necessary processing such as format conversion, digital-to-analog conversion, amplification, and filtering can be performed on the information between the source endpoint and the destination endpoint. However, the destination endpoint can understand valid information from the source endpoint. Similar descriptions in this application can be understood similarly. Details will not be repeated herein.

[0067] The ED 110 is used to connect people, objects, and machines. It can be widely used in various scenarios, including cellular communication, device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), peer-to-peer (P2P), machine-to-machine (M2M), MTC, Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), digital twins, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, drones, robots, remote sensing, passive sensing, positioning, navigation and tracking, autonomous delivery and mobility, etc.

[0068] Each ED 110 represents any suitable end-user equipment for wireless operation and may include (or may involve, but is not limited to) devices such as: user equipment (UE) or terminal equipment, wireless transmit / receive unit (WTRU), mobile station, fixed or mobile subscriber unit, cellular phone, station (STA), MTC device, personal digital assistant (PDA), smartphone, laptop, computer, tablet, wireless sensor, consumer electronics, smart book, vehicle, automobile, truck, bus, train, or IoT device, wearable device (e.g., watch, glasses, head-mounted device, etc.), industrial equipment, or devices in or including the above-mentioned devices (e.g., communication module, modem, or chip), etc. Future generations of ED 110 may be referred to using other terms. The methods of this application are applied to the ED side, for example, and can be understood as applied to the ED or the communication module in the ED, the circuitry or chip in the ED responsible for one or more communication functions (e.g., modem chip (also called baseband chip), system-on-a-chip or system-in-package (SIP) including modem core).

[0069] Each ED 110 connected to TRP 170a and 170b and / or TRP 172 can be dynamically or semi-statically started (i.e., established, activated, or enabled), shut down (i.e., released, deactivated, or disabled), and / or configured in response to one or more of connectivity availability and connectivity necessity.

[0070] Alternatively or additionally, any ED 110 can be used to connect, access, or communicate with any TRP 170a, 170b, and 172, Internet 150, CN 130, PSTN 140, other network 160, or any combination thereof. In some examples, ED 110a can communicate with site-TRP 170a via terrestrial air interface 190a for uplink (UL) and / or downlink (DL) transmissions. In some examples, ED 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d can also communicate directly with each other via one or more sidelink (SL) air interfaces 190b. In some examples, ED 110d can communicate with NT-TRP 172 via non-terrestrial air interface 190c for UL and / or DL ​​transmissions.

[0071] An air interface (e.g., 190a, 190b, 190c) typically includes several components and associated parameters that together specify how transmissions are sent and / or received over a wireless communication link between two or more communication devices (e.g., an ED and a base station). For example, an air interface may include one or more waveforms, one or more frame structures, one or more multiple access schemes, one or more protocols, one or more coding schemes, and / or one or more modulation schemes that define the transmission of information (e.g., data) over the wireless communication link. Air interfaces 190a and 190b can use similar communication technologies, such as any suitable wireless access technology.

[0072] The non-terrestrial air interface 190c enables communication between the ED 110d and one or more NT-TRP 172s via a wireless link or simply via a link. For some examples, the link is a dedicated connection for unicast transmission, a connection for broadcast transmission, or a connection for multicast transmission between a group of ED 110s and one or more NT-TRP 172s.

[0073] TRPs 170a and 170b, 172 can communicate with each other via one or more air interfaces 190e, 190f using wireless communication links (e.g., radio frequency, microwave, infrared, IR, etc.) or wired communication links. Air interfaces 190e, 190f can utilize any suitable wireless access technology and can be substantially similar to, or substantially different from, the air interfaces 190a, 190c used by EDs 110a to 110d when communicating with one or more of TRPs 170a and 170b, 172. For example, communication system 100 can implement one or more channel access methods, such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), or single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA).

[0074] RANs 120a and 120b communicate with CN 130 to provide various services, such as voice, data, and other services, to EDs 110a, 110b, and 110c. RANs 120a and 120b, and / or CN 130, can communicate directly or indirectly with one or more other RANs (not shown), which may or may not be directly served by CN 130 and may or may not use the same radio access technology as RANs 120a, RAN 120b, or both. CN 130 can also serve as a gateway access between (i) RANs 120a and 120b or EDs 110a, 110b, and 110c, or both, and (ii) other networks (e.g., PSTN 140, Internet 150, and other networks 160). Additionally, some or all of EDs 110a, 110b, and 110c may include the ability to communicate with different wireless networks via different radio links using different radio technologies and / or protocols. Instead of wireless communication (or other than wireless communication), ED 110a, 110b, and 110c can also communicate with service providers or exchanges (not shown) via wired communication channels and with the Internet 150. PSTN 140 may include a circuit-switched telephone network for providing plain old telephone service (POTS). The Internet 150 may include a network of computers and subnets (internal networks) or both, incorporating protocols such as Internet Protocol (IP), Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), and User Datagram Protocol (UDP). ED 110a, 110b, and 110c may be multimode devices capable of operating under various wireless access technologies, incorporating multiple transceivers required to support such wireless access technologies.

[0075] Additionally, the communication system 100 may include a sensing agent (not shown) to manage sensing data from ED 110 and / or any of TRPs 170a and 170b, 172. In one implementation, the sensing agent is located in any of TRPs 170a and 170b, 172. In another implementation, the sensing agent is an independent node having an interface for communicating with CN 130 and / or RAN 120 (e.g., any of TRPs 170a and 170b, 172).

[0076] Figure 3An example of a device 310 for wirelessly communicating with a device 320 in a communication system (e.g., communication system 100) according to one embodiment is shown. Device 310 may be... Figure 2 ED 110 in the middle. Device 320 can be as follows: Figure 2 The T-TRP 170 shown or as Figure 2 The NT-TRP 172 shown. Although Figure 3 There may be only one device 310 and one device 320, but note that the number of devices 310 and / or 320 may be one or more. For example, an ED 110 may be served by only one T-TRP 170 (or one NT-TRP 172), by more than one T-TRP 170, by more than one NT-TRP 172, or by one or more T-TRP 170s and one or more NT-TRP 172s. Similarly, one T-TRP 170 (or one NT-TRP 172) may serve one or more ED 110s.

[0077] like Figure 3 As shown, device 310 includes at least one processor 210. Only one processor 210 is shown in the figure to avoid congestion. Device 310 may also include a transmitter 201 and a receiver 203 coupled to one or more antennas 204. Only one antenna 204 is shown in the figure to avoid congestion. One, some, or all of the antennas 204 may alternatively be panels. The transmitter 201 and receiver 203 may, for example, be integrated as a transceiver. The transceiver is used to modulate data or other content for transmission by at least one antenna 204 or a network interface controller (NIC). The transceiver is also used to demodulate data or other content received through at least one antenna 204. Each transceiver includes any suitable structure for generating signals for wireless or wired transmission and / or processing signals received wirelessly or wiredly. Each antenna 204 includes any suitable structure for transmitting and / or receiving wireless or wired signals. Device 310 may include at least one memory 208. For simplicity, only transmitter 201, receiver 203, processor 210, memory 208 and antenna 204 are described, but device 310 may include one or more other components.

[0078] Memory 208 stores instructions for performing the operations described herein. Memory 208 may also store data used, generated, or collected by device 310. For example, memory 208 may store software instructions or modules executed by one or more processors 210 for implementing some or all of the functions and / or embodiments described herein.

[0079] The device 310 may also include one or more input / output devices (not shown) or interfaces. These input / output devices or interfaces support interaction with users or other devices on the network. Each input / output device or interface includes any suitable structure for providing or receiving information from the user, and / or for network interface communication. Suitable structures include, for example, speakers, microphones, keypads, keyboards, displays, touchscreens, etc.

[0080] Processor 210 performs (or control device 310 performs) operations described herein as being performed by device 310, as illustrated below and elsewhere in the invention. For example, processor 210 performs or control device 310 performs the following operations: receiving a transport block (TB), decoding one TB from the received TB using resources, releasing the resources to decode another TB from the received TB, and / or receiving configuration information for configuration resources. Specifically, these operations may include: those related to preparing a transmission for UL transmission to device 320; those related to processing DL transmissions received from device 320; and those related to processing SL transmissions with another device 310. Processing operations related to preparing a transmission for UL transmission may include operations such as encoding, modulation, transmit beamforming, and generating symbols for transmission. Processing operations related to processing DL transmissions may include operations such as receive beamforming, demodulating and decoding received symbols. Processing operations related to processing SL transmissions may include operations such as transmit / receive beamforming, modulating / demodulating symbols, and encoding / decoding. Depending on the embodiment, the DL transmission may be received by receiver 203 using receive beamforming, and processor 210 may extract signaling from the DL transmission (e.g., by detecting and / or decoding signaling). An example of signaling may be a reference signal transmitted by device 320. In some implementations, processor 210 performs transmit beamforming and / or receive beamforming based on beam direction indications (e.g., beam angle information (BAI)) received from device 320. In some implementations, processor 210 may perform operations related to network access (e.g., initial access) and / or downlink synchronization, such as operations related to detecting synchronization sequences, decoding system information, and acquiring system information. In some implementations, processor 210 may, for example, use the reference signal received from device 320 to perform channel estimation.

[0081] Although not stated, processor 210 may be part of transmitter 201 and / or receiver 203. Although not stated, memory 208 may be part of processor 210.

[0082] The processing components of processor 210, transmitter 201, and receiver 203 may each be implemented by one or more processors, which may be the same or different, for executing instructions stored in memory (e.g., memory 208).

[0083] like Figure 3 As shown, device 320 includes at least one processor 260. Only one processor 260 is shown in the figure to avoid congestion. Device 320 may also include at least one transmitter 252 and at least one receiver 254 coupled to one or more antennas 256. Only one antenna 256 is shown in the figure to avoid congestion. One, some, or all of the antennas 256 may alternatively be panels. Transmitter 252 and receiver 254 may be integrated as a transceiver. Device 320 may also include at least one memory 258. Device 320 may also include a scheduler 253. For simplicity, only transmitter 252, receiver 254, processor 260, memory 258, antenna 256, and scheduler 253 are illustrated; however, device 320 may include one or more other components.

[0084] In some implementations, the various parts of device 320 may be distributed. For example, some modules of device 320 may be located at a remote end of the device housing antenna 256 of device 320 (and thus can also be considered as one of multiple nodes), and may be coupled to the device housing antenna 256 via a communication link (not shown) sometimes referred to as a fronthaul (e.g., a common public radio interface (CPRI)). Therefore, in some implementations, the term device 320 may also refer to a network-side node that performs processing operations such as determining the location of device 310, resource allocation (scheduling), message generation, and encoding / decoding, and is not necessarily part of the device housing antenna 256 of device 320. The node may also be coupled to other devices 320. In some implementations, device 320 may actually be multiple nodes operating together to serve device 310, for example, by using coordinated multicast transmission.

[0085] Processor 260 performs operations including: those related to preparing a transmission for DL ​​transmission to device 310; those related to processing UL transmissions received from device 310; those related to preparing a transmission for return transmission to another device 320; and those related to processing a transmission received from another device 320 via return. Processing operations related to preparing a transmission for DL ​​transmission or return transmission may include operations such as encoding, modulation, precoding (e.g., multiple input multiple output (MIMO) precoding), transmit beamforming, and generating symbols for transmission. Processing operations related to processing transmissions received in the UL or via return may include operations such as receive beamforming, demodulating received symbols, and decoding received symbols. Processor 260 may also perform operations related to network access (e.g., initial access) and / or DL ​​synchronization, such as generating the contents of a synchronization signal block (SSB) and generating system information. In some implementations, processor 260 also generates beam direction indications such as BAI, which can be scheduled for transmission by scheduler 253, as described below. In some implementations, processor 276 performs transmit beamforming and / or receive beamforming based on beam direction information (e.g., BAI) received from another device 320. Processor 260 performs other network-side processing operations described herein, such as determining the location of device 310, determining where to deploy another device 320, etc. In some implementations, processor 260 may generate signaling, such as for configuring one or more parameters of device 310 and / or one or more parameters of another device 320. Any signaling generated by processor 260 is transmitted by transmitter 252. In some implementations, device 320 implements physical layer processing. In some implementations, in addition to physical layer processing, device 320 may also implement higher-layer functions, such as functions at the medium access control (MAC) layer or radio link control (RLC) layer. The device 320 may also include a scheduler 253 coupled to or integrated into the processor 260. The scheduler 253 may be included within or operate separately from the device 320a. The scheduler 253 may schedule UL transports, DL transports, SL transports, and / or backhaul transports, including issuing scheduling authorizations and / or configuring unscheduled (e.g., “configuration authorizations”) resources.

[0086] The device 320a may also include a memory 258 that stores instructions for performing the operations described herein. The memory 258 may also store data used, generated, or collected by the device 320a. For example, the memory 258 may store software instructions or modules executed by the processor 260 for implementing some or all of the functions and / or embodiments described herein.

[0087] Although not stated, processor 260 may be part of transmitter 252 and / or receiver 254. Furthermore, although not stated, processor 260 may implement scheduler 253. Although not stated, memory 258 may be part of processor 260.

[0088] The processing components of processor 260, scheduler 253, transmitter 252 and receiver 254 may each be implemented by the same or different one or more processors for executing instructions stored in memory (e.g. memory 258).

[0089] Device 320 and / or device 310 may include other components, but these components are omitted for clarity.

[0090] It should be noted that, for simplicity, the term "signaling" as used herein can be alternatively referred to as control signaling, control message, control information, or message. Base station (e.g., Figure 2 TRP 170a and 170b, 172) and UE or sensing device (e.g., Figure 2 Signaling between ED 110 (in the context of ED 110) or between different UEs or sensing devices (e.g., Figure 2 Signaling between ED 110a and ED 110b can be carried in physical layer signaling (also known as dynamic signaling), which is transmitted in the physical layer control channel. For DL, the physical layer signaling can be called downlink control information (DCI), which is transmitted in the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). For UL, the physical layer signaling can be called uplink control information (UCI), which is transmitted in the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH). For SL, between different UEs or sensing devices (e.g., Figure 2The signaling between ED 110a and ED 110b can be called SL control information (SCI), which is transmitted in the physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH). Signaling can be carried in higher-layer (e.g., above the physical layer) signaling, which is transmitted in physical layer data channels. For example, for downlink signaling, it is transmitted in the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH); for uplink signaling, it is transmitted in the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH); and for SL signaling, it is transmitted in the physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH). Higher-layer signaling can also be called static signaling or semi-static signaling. Higher-layer signaling can be radio resource control (RRC) protocol signaling or media access control-control element (MAC-CE) signaling. Signaling can be contained in a combination of physical layer signaling and higher layer signaling.

[0091] It should be noted that in this application, when "information" and "message" are different, they can be carried in a single message or in more than one independent message.

[0092] Figure 4 An example of device 410 is shown. In some implementations, device 410 may be... Figure 2 ED 110 or Figure 3 The communication module in device 310. In some implementations, device 410 is a circuit or chip (e.g., a modem chip (also called a baseband chip), a system-on-a-chip (SoC) including a modem core, or a system-in-package (SIP)) in ED 110 that is responsible for one or more communication functions. In some implementations, device 410 may be... Figure 2 One or more of TRP 170a and 170b, 172 Figure 3The communication module in device 320. In some implementations, device 410 is a circuit or chip (e.g., a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip), a system-on-a-chip (SoC) including a modem core, or a system-in-package (SIP)) in one of TRPs 170a and 170b, 172 that is responsible for one or more communication functions.

[0093] In the example, device 410 may include one or more processors / processor cores 411 and interface circuitry 412. Device 410 may also include memory 413. The one or more processors / processor cores 411 are used to process signals and execute one or more communication protocols. Memory 413 is used to store at least a portion of corresponding computer program instructions and / or data. In the example, the one or more processors / processor cores 411 execute the computer program instructions stored in memory 413 to implement the relevant operations (e.g., ...) in the above method embodiments. In this invention, the memory 413 storing the corresponding computer program instructions and / or data may mean that: the memory 413 is used to store all of the corresponding computer program instructions and / or data to be executed by one or more processors / processor cores 411; or the memory 413 may be used to store a portion of the corresponding computer program instructions and / or data. The portion of the corresponding computer program instructions and / or data includes the computer program instructions and / or data currently required to be executed by one or more processors / processor cores 411. Memory 413 may store different portions of computer program instructions and / or data multiple times for one or more processors / processor cores 411 to perform the relevant operations in the above method embodiments. Interface circuit 412 serves as a communication interface for communication with another component. For example, interface circuit 412 can transmit signals with other devices / systems (e.g., radio frequency processing devices or processor systems). Optionally, to reduce the load on the processor core, baseband signal processing circuit 414 can also be provided to process at least a portion of the baseband signal, including signal demodulation, modulation, encoding, decoding, etc.

[0094] Device 410 can be Figure 3 The processor 210 (or 260) in the device 310 (or 320), or included in Figure 3The device 310 (or 320) is located in the processor 210 (or 260). The device 410 may be or include a baseband chip. In some implementations, the device 410 may be independently packaged into a chip. In some implementations, the device 310 (or 320) includes different types of chips. The device 410 may be packaged together with different types of chips into a processor chip (e.g., a SoC chip or a SIP chip). In some implementations, the device 410 may be packaged together with some or all of the circuitry of a radio frequency processing system that may also be included in the device 310 (or 320) into a chip.

[0095] Figure 5 An example of device 510 is shown. Figure 5 As shown, the apparatus 510 may include corresponding modules or units for implementing the method embodiments according to this application. In some implementations, the apparatus 510 includes a processing unit 512 and a communication unit 513. Optionally, the apparatus 510 may further include a storage unit 514 for storing apparatus program code and / or data.

[0096] Device 510 may be an ED-side device (e.g., an ED or a communication module in an ED), or a circuit or chip in an ED responsible for communication functions. In some implementations, device 510 may be implemented as device 310, with the processing unit 512 implemented as processor 210, the communication unit 513 implemented as transmitter 201 and / or receiver 203, and the storage unit 511 implemented as memory 208.

[0097] Device 510 may be a base station-side device (e.g., a base station or a communication module in a base station), or a circuit or chip in a base station responsible for communication functions. In some implementations, device 510 may be implemented as device 320, and correspondingly, processing unit 512 may be implemented as processor 260 (which may also include scheduler 253), communication unit 513 may be implemented as transmitter 252 and / or receiver 254, and storage unit 511 may be implemented as memory 258.

[0098] In some implementations, when device 510 is Figure 2 When the device 510 is used in ED 110 or the communication module in ED 110, the functionality of the device 510 can be implemented by one or more processors. Specifically, the processor may include a modem chip or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or SIP chip including a modem core. The functionality of the communication unit 513 can be implemented by transceiver circuitry.

[0099] In some implementations, when device 510 is a circuit or chip in ED 110 responsible for communication functions (e.g., a modem chip, a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip including a modem core, or a SIP chip), the function of processing unit 512 can be implemented by a circuit system in the chip including one or more processors or processor cores. The function of communication unit 513 can be implemented by interface circuitry or data transceiver circuitry on the aforementioned chip.

[0100] It is understood that the division of the various units in the above-described device is merely a logical functional division. Each function may correspond to a functional unit, or two or more functions may be integrated into one functional unit. In actual implementation, all or some of the units may be integrated into one physical entity, or may be distributed across different physical entities. Furthermore, the aforementioned functional units may be implemented in hardware, in software, or a combination of both. Whether a function is executed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the functions described for each specific application, but this implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0101] In the example, the functional unit in any of the above devices can be configured as one or more integrated circuits for implementing the above methods, such as one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or more microprocessors (microcontroller units, MCUs), one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms.

[0102] In the example, storage unit 901 may include random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, and / or registers.

[0103] Processor, processor system, application processor, baseband processor, processor circuit, or processor core can all be collectively referred to as a processor. The processor may include a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microprocessor unit (MPU), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an artificial intelligence processor (AI processor), or a neural network processing unit (NPU).

[0104] The memory may include one or more of the following storage media: random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), phase-change memory (PCM), resistive random access memory (ReRAM), magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM), ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM), cache, register, read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), hard disk, etc. In the example, the computer program instructions for executing the above embodiments may be stored in non-volatile memory (e.g., at least a portion of memory 1060 (e.g., one or more of ROM, flash memory, EPROM, or hard disk)). When the terminal is running, a portion or all of the corresponding computer program instructions can be loaded into a memory (e.g., at least a portion of memory 1036 and / or memory 10312, such as RAM, SRAM, DRAM, PCM, RERAM, MRAM, FRAM, cache, or register) that has a faster transfer speed than the processor, causing the processor to execute the computer program instructions, thereby performing the steps in the above method embodiments.

[0105] Additional details regarding ED 110, T-TRP 170, and NT-TRP 172 are known to those skilled in the art. Therefore, these details are omitted herein.

[0106] As described above, an NT-TRP can communicate directly or indirectly with one or more of another NT-TRP, the core network, the ED, and the T-TRP.

[0107] In some embodiments, an NT-TRP can communicate with another NT-TRP. For example, the NT-TRPs (e.g., satellites) communicate with each other using free-space optical links (e.g., lasers).

[0108] In some embodiments, the NT-TRP can communicate with the core network (e.g., one or more functions within the core network). For example, the NT-TRP can communicate with the core network via a gateway. The gateway can be a terrestrial gateway or a non-terrestrial gateway, and the terrestrial or non-terrestrial gateway can be dedicated to the NT-TRP. The gateway can be located on the ground. The NT-TRP can communicate with the gateway using a wireless link, and the gateway can communicate with the core network using a wired link (e.g., a fiber optic link). This application does not limit this.

[0109] In some embodiments, the NT-TRP can communicate with the T-TRP. For example, the T-TRP can communicate with the NT-TRP using a wireless link. Alternatively, the T-TRP and the NT-TRP can communicate through the core network. The T-TRP communicates with the core network, and the core network communicates with the NT-TRP.

[0110] In some embodiments, the NT-TRP can communicate with a terminal device (e.g., a UE). In a first example, the NT-TRP can communicate with the UE using a radio link. In a second example, the NT-TRP can communicate with the UE through the core network. In a third example, the NT-TRP can communicate with the UE through a T-TRP.

[0111] This invention targets devices such as UEs, IoT devices, and automobiles. The envisioned network scenarios can include terrestrial TRPs such as base stations and / or non-terrestrial TRPs such as drones, balloons, high-altitude platform stations (HAPS), satellites, and any such devices supporting wireless access technologies such as 5G NR, future 6G, or other technologies.

[0112] For illustrative purposes, combined with Figures 6 to 10 Here are some examples.

[0113] Figure 6 A first example of a communication system including NT-TRP and T-TRP is shown. One possible scenario is that a terrestrial TRP communicates with a non-terrestrial TRP that is part of a satellite constellation. The satellite constellation includes multiple satellite orbits, ensuring that the Earth is always covered by satellites, with multiple satellites in each orbit. The terrestrial TRP can connect to the core network via a terrestrial gateway, while the satellite constellation can connect to the core network via a dedicated non-terrestrial gateway. Devices such as EDs can connect to and communicate with either terrestrial or non-terrestrial TRPs, depending on conditions such as traffic load, radio link quality, and congestion.

[0114] Figure 7 A second example of a communication system including NT-TRP and T-TRP is shown. Another possible scenario can be envisioned, where the satellite constellation effectively acts as a gateway for terrestrial TRPs on the ground. Satellites in the constellation communicate with the core network via wireless links through the ground-based gateway, while the ground-based gateway can communicate with the core network using wired links (e.g., fiber optic links). The terrestrial TRPs communicate with the satellites via wireless links, and the satellites communicate with each other using free-space optical links (using, for example, lasers). Devices such as EDs can connect to and communicate with either terrestrial or non-terrestrial TRPs, depending on conditions such as traffic load, wireless link quality, and congestion.

[0115] Figure 8 A third example of a communication system including NT-TRP and T-TRP is shown. Another scenario can be envisioned where the non-terrestrial TRP communicates with the terrestrial TRP via the core network. First, the non-terrestrial TRP can communicate with a dedicated non-terrestrial gateway, which then communicates with the core network. Next, the core network can relay power-saving commands from the non-terrestrial TRP to the terrestrial TRP via a dedicated terrestrial gateway. Devices such as power supplies (EDs) can connect and communicate with either terrestrial or non-terrestrial TRPs, depending on conditions such as traffic load, radio link quality, and congestion.

[0116] In this application, a bidirectional wireless link can exist between a terrestrial TRP and a non-terrestrial TRP, thereby supporting communication between such TRPs. The link from the non-terrestrial TRP to the terrestrial TRP is called a downlink. The link from the terrestrial TRP to the non-terrestrial TRP is called an uplink.

[0117] For illustrative purposes, specific exemplary embodiments will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and the systems, EDs, and TRPs mentioned above.

[0118] The embodiments described herein illustrate information sufficient to practice the claimed subject matter and explain methods for practicing such subject matter. Those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the claimed subject matter upon reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, and will recognize that the application of these concepts is not specifically mentioned herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications are within the scope of this invention and the appended claims.

[0119] In traditional cellular systems such as 5G NR, the ED can receive, detect, and measure reference signals such as SS / PBCH blocks and NZP-CSI-RS. These reference signals are based on pseudo-random noise (PRN) binary sequences, such as Gold sequences, which can be initialized using generic or ED-specific scrambling identifiers. As an example, the primary synchronization signal (PSS) and secondary synchronization signal (SSS) sequences are initialized using physical cell identity (PCI) values, which are generic scrambling identifiers. The NZP-CSI-RS sequence is initialized using an ED-specific scrambling identifier configured by the network for the ED.

[0120] Existing technologies introduce support for non-terrestrial networks by introducing several enhancements to timing relationships for timing advance, reference timing for channel state information (CSI) resources, transmission timing for DCI of scheduled PUSCH, transmission timing for random access responses carried by PUSCH, and transmission timing for HARQ-ACK on PUCCH.

[0121] Initial access in the prior art is based on the use of SS / PBCH blocks and so-called "SS bursts". An SS burst is defined as a set of SS / PBCH blocks transmitted by a given TRP in different angular directions, each angular direction corresponding to a Tx / Rx beam (or equivalently, a Tx / Rx spatial filter). Each SS / PBCH block has an "SSB index", which corresponds to a time position within the SS burst. The ED attempts to detect and decode different SS / PBCH blocks; this process is called "beam scanning". The ED selects the SS / PBCH block with the best quality and attempts to perform initial access using that SS / PBCH block.

[0122] Existing technologies introduce support for non-terrestrial networks by introducing several enhancements to timing relationships for timing advance, reference timing for CSI resources, transmission timing for DCI of scheduled PUSCH, transmission timing for random access responses carried by PUSCH, and transmission timing for HARQ-ACK on PUCCH.

[0123] Existing technologies also introduce a scheme that combines closed-loop and open-loop timing advance compensation, wherein the closed-loop portion is controlled by the network, and the open-loop portion is executed by the ED (Electronic Design Analyzer). The compensation by the ED can be based on knowledge of satellite ephemeris (e.g., parameters such as satellite orbital angle).

[0124] Figure 9 An example of an NT-TRP communication link is shown.

[0125] The introduction of NTN support enables the ED to support DL / UL communication with satellites using a so-called "bend" scenario, where the ground station sends signals to a satellite in space, and the satellite reflects the signals back to the ED on the ground. In this "bend" scenario, the base station is located behind an NTN gateway on the ground, which sends transmissions to the satellite (this link is called the "feeder" link), and the satellite sends the transmissions to the ED on the ground (this link is called the "serving" link).

[0126] Dedicated signaling related to NTN was introduced to assist ED in NTN operations. Higher-level signaling, such as RRC, introduced signaling satellite ephemeris, satellite position, satellite signal polarization, timing advance offset, system information block (SIB), and satellite epochs to support NTN operations. Other introduced features include expanding the hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process to 32 steps to accommodate scenarios with large propagation delays and HARQ-ACK feedback disabled.

[0127] In existing technologies, NTN support has been further enhanced to introduce NTN coverage enhancement, network-verified ED positioning, and support for TN-to-NTN and NTN-to-NTN mobile scenarios. Satellites transmit multiple beams to the ground, each beam potentially associated with a given "physical cell identifier." Furthermore, the satellites transmit beams in a "fixed" manner, meaning that the satellite does not steer its beams in a given direction; instead, the beams "slide" across the Earth's surface, thus appearing "moving" from the perspective of devices on the ground.

[0128] The existing support for NTN is based on a non-transparent design because each satellite is effectively seen as a serving cell by devices such as electronic devices (EDs), IoT devices, and automobiles. Devices can also learn the ephemeris of the satellites and their location at any given time because the satellites explicitly broadcast this ephemeris and location in System Information Block 19 (SIB19), which is sent by the satellites to assist devices such as EDs in obtaining NTN access assistance information. This results in a non-transparent radio access design that prevents the smooth integration of transmit diversity schemes, multi-TRP transmission schemes, and distributed satellite systems.

[0129] In the case of LEO NTN access, the satellite is constantly moving, thus maintaining a limited amount of line-of-sight time for ground-based devices. Taking the Starlink constellation as an example, an LEO satellite can remain within line-of-sight of a given ground-based device for approximately a few minutes. Therefore, any information sent or broadcast by the satellite to ground-based devices becomes outdated within minutes and requires continuous updates for satellite communication to function (due to constantly changing uplink synchronization timing and the need to re-acquire downlink synchronization). This results in high signaling overhead between the satellite and ground-based devices simply to maintain the communication link.

[0130] LEO satellites typically use a fixed-beam model to transmit signals and channels to devices on the ground. This causes the satellite beam to "slide" across the Earth's surface, triggering a move and handover procedure whenever a device is located at the edge between two beams. These move and handover procedures often result in latency and interruptions because the RRC connection needs to be re-established upon entering the target cell, which degrades the overall user experience.

[0131] Random access procedures can be another potential bottleneck in communication systems. Millions of devices can exist within a given terrestrial coverage area, and if these millions of devices attempt random access within a short time interval, it may be inconceivable or infeasible for a non-terrestrial TRP to detect so many individual random access preambles transmitted by these devices within that short time interval. This is because it would result in excessively high complexity for non-terrestrial TRPs. Non-terrestrial TRPs are ultimately embedded systems, and they may not be able to handle the processing associated with receiving, detecting, and measuring so many random access preambles within such a short time interval.

[0132] In some implementations, methods supporting NTN are based on assigning a unique physical cell identity (PCI) to different beams. The combined use of fixed beams introduces two interference problems in reference signal measurements and / or physical layer channel communication. The first problem is "PCI confusion," which occurs when two or more adjacent beams use the same PCI. The second problem is "PCI conflict," which occurs when adjacent beams use the same PCI as the serving beam. Both problems can arise when beams transmitted from different satellites begin to overlap.

[0133] As LEO satellites move along their orbits, they inevitably leave a given coverage area, and all EDs within that area need to undergo a relocation procedure to maintain their connectivity with, for example, LEO satellites. This inherently causes latency because RRC connections with the target satellite must be re-established. This problem is exacerbated in NTN LEO scenarios because such handovers occur continuously. Therefore, every time a handover is required, the connection between the ED and, for example, the LEO satellite is interrupted and reset, which degrades the user experience for the ED.

[0134] Terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks are treated as “separate” networks by the ED (Edge Controller) because they are considered separate “Public Land Mobile Networks” (PLMNs) with their own unique codes. PLMN information consists of a mobile country code (MCC) and a mobile network code (MNC), which are unique numbers assigned by the International Telecommunication Union-Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T). In 5G NR, the ED needs to scan all RF channels, detect the strongest cells, and find available PLMNs in order to report them to the ED's non-access stratum (NAS) and register them with the appropriate PLMN. This requires the ED to run an initial access procedure for both terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks.

[0135] Because LEO satellites move along their orbits, mobility measurements (which can be equivalently called radio resource management (RRM)) will be affected by this situation. This is because the signals transmitted by the satellites are affected by very different propagation delays, thus affecting the timing at which these measurements can be performed. Terrestrial networks support the assumption of using the timing of the serving cell, which is applied to all neighboring cells, when performing RRM / mobility measurements, because the distance the wave travels to the ED is relatively short relative to the speed of light. For non-terrestrial networks, this no longer holds true, as the distance is significantly greater and the non-terrestrial TRP is constantly moving. This effectively causes the ED to "lose" the RRM-RS, because the RRM-RS is compared to whether the higher-layer signaling actually arrives earlier or later. This will break the entire RRM / mobility framework, as the ED will be unable to perform RRM / mobility measurements correctly.

[0136] 6G systems are expected to integrate massive satellite constellations, potentially containing thousands or even tens of thousands of satellites in a given constellation. This begins to raise issues regarding the use of satellites and orbits, as having too many orbital planes at the same altitude creates a risk of satellite collisions at rendezvous points. In large constellations, this can lead to a problem known as the "Kessler syndrome," where debris from a collision causes more collisions, resulting in even more debris. This effectively makes the deployment of large-scale constellations impossible.

[0137] Before introducing the communication method provided in this application, some concepts are introduced for better understanding.

[0138] A frame structure is a feature of the physical layer of wireless communication, defining the time-domain signal transmission structure, such as to support timing reference and timing alignment of the underlying time-domain transmission units. Wireless communication between communication devices can take place on time-frequency resources controlled by the frame structure. Alternatively, the frame structure may sometimes be referred to simply as a frame structure.

[0139] An example of a frame structure is a frame structure in New Radio (NR) with the following specifications: it supports multiple subcarrier spacings, each corresponding to a corresponding numberology; the frame structure depends on the numberology, but in any case, the frame length is set to 10 ms, consisting of ten subframes, each 1 ms long; the time slot is defined as 14 OFDM symbols, and the time slot length depends on the numberology. For example, the NR frame structure for a normal CP 15 kHz subcarrier spacing (“numberology 1”) and the NR frame structure for a normal CP 30 kHz subcarrier spacing (“numberology 2”) are different. For the 15 kHz subcarrier spacing, the time slot length is 1 ms; for the 30 kHz subcarrier spacing, the time slot length is 0.5 ms.

[0140] Another example of a frame structure is the exemplary flexible frame structure, such as that used in 6G networks or later. In a flexible frame structure, a symbol block can be defined as the minimum duration that can be scheduled within the flexible frame structure. A symbol block can be a transmission unit with optional redundant portions (e.g., CP portions) and information portions (e.g., data portions). An OFDM symbol is an example of a symbol block. Alternatively, a symbol block can be referred to as a symbol. Embodiments of flexible frame structures include various parameters that can be configurable, such as frame length, subframe length, symbol block length, etc. In some embodiments of flexible frame structures, a non-exhaustive list of possible configurable parameters includes: (1) Frame: The frame length is not limited to 10 ms and can be configurable and vary over time. In some embodiments, each frame includes one or more downlink synchronization channels and / or one or more downlink broadcast channels, each of which can be transmitted in different directions using different beamforming. The frame length can be more than one possible value and is configured based on the application scenario. For example, autonomous vehicles may require relatively fast initial access, in which case the frame length can be set to 5 ms for autonomous vehicle applications. As another example, smart meters on a house may not require fast initial access, in which case the frame length can be set to 20 ms for smart meter applications.

[0141] (2) Subframe Duration: Subframes may or may not be defined in the flexible frame structure, depending on the implementation. For example, a frame may be defined to include time slots but not subframes. In frames that define subframes, the duration of the subframes may be configurable, for example, for temporal alignment. For example, the subframe length may be configured to 0.1 ms, 0.2 ms, 0.5 ms, 1 ms, 2 ms, or 5 ms, etc. In some embodiments, if subframes are not needed in a particular scenario, the subframe length may be defined to be the same as the frame length, or it may not be defined.

[0142] (3) Time Slot Configuration: Time slots may or may not be defined in the flexible frame structure, depending on the implementation. In frames where time slots are defined, the definition of the time slots (e.g., in terms of duration and / or number of symbol blocks) can be configurable. In one embodiment, the time slot configuration is common to all EDs or a group of EDs. In this case, the time slot configuration information can be sent to the EDs in a broadcast channel or one or more common control channels. In other embodiments, the time slot configuration can be ED-specific, in which case the time slot configuration information can be sent in an ED-specific control channel. In some embodiments, the time slot configuration signaling can be sent together with frame configuration signaling and / or subframe configuration signaling. In other embodiments, the time slot configuration can be sent independently of the frame configuration signaling and / or the subframe configuration signaling. Generally, the time slot configuration can be system-wide, base station-wide, ED group-wide, or ED-specific.

[0143] This invention generally relates to mobile wireless communication, and in certain embodiments, to frame timing alignment / realignment, wherein the frame timing alignment / realignment may include timing alignment / realignment with respect to symbols, time slots or subframes within a frame or the boundaries of a frame (therefore, the frame timing alignment / realignment described herein is more general and not limited to the case where timing alignment / realignment originates only from frame boundaries). Furthermore, in this application, timing relative to a frame or frame boundary should be interpreted in a more general sense, meaning that the frame boundary signifies the timing point of a frame element relative to the frame, such as a symbol, time slot or subframe within a frame or the start or end point of the frame. In the following, the phrases "(frame) timing alignment or timing realignment" and "timing relative to a frame boundary" are used in the more general sense described above.

[0144] In summary, aspects of this application relate to network devices, such as base station 170 (hereinafter referred to as TRP 170), that transmit signaling carrying a timing realignment indication message. The timing realignment indication message includes information supporting receiver ED 110 in determining a timing reference point. Based on this timing reference point, the transmission of frames by ED 110 can be aligned. In some aspects of this application, the aligned frames reside in different subbands of a single carrier frequency band. In other aspects of this application, the aligned frames exist in adjacent carrier frequency bands.

[0145] On the TRP 170 side, aspects of this application relate to using one or more signaling methods to indicate the timing realignment (or / and timing correction) message. Two exemplary signaling methods are provided herein to illustrate these schemes. The first exemplary signaling may be referred to as cell-specific signaling, examples of which include group-general signaling and broadcast signaling. The second exemplary signaling may be referred to as ED-specific signaling. One of these two signaling methods, or a combination of the two signaling methods, can be used to send a timing realignment indication message. The timing realignment indication message can be shown as a configuration to notify one or more ED 110s of a timing reference point. The term “ED 110” mentioned below can be understood to refer to a broad category of general wireless communication devices (i.e., network receiving nodes, such as wireless devices, sensors, gateways, routers, etc.) within the cell, i.e., general wireless communication devices served by the TRP 170. A timing reference point is a timing reference time point and, taking into account timing points within a frame, such as symbols, time slots, or subframes or frames (start or end boundaries), can be represented in relation to relative timing. For simplicity, the term "frame boundary" will be used below to refer to the boundary of a symbol, time slot, or subframe, or frame, possibly within a frame. Therefore, the timing reference point can be represented in terms of relative timing, taking into account the current frame boundary, such as the start point of the current frame. Alternatively, the timing reference point can be represented in terms of absolute timing based on a specific standard timing reference such as GNSS (e.g., GPS), Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), etc. In this absolute timing version, the timing reference point can be explicitly stated.

[0146] The timing reference point can be shown as supporting timing adjustments at ED 110. These timing adjustments can be implemented to improve clock accuracy at ED 110. Alternatively or additionally, the timing reference point can be shown as supporting adjustments in future transmissions originating from ED 110. These adjustments can be shown as causing the transmitted frames to be realigned at the timing reference point. It should be noted that realigning the transmitted frames at the timing reference point can include timing realignment for one or more EDs and one or more BSs (in a cell or a group of cells) starting from a symbol, time slot, or subframe or the frame's (start boundary) at the timing reference point, which is applicable to the following applications.

[0147] On the ED 110 side, ED 110 can monitor the timing realignment indication message. In response to receiving the timing realignment indication message, ED 110 can obtain the timing reference point and perform steps to cause frame realignment at the timing reference point. For example, those steps may include starting the transmission of subsequent frames at the timing reference point.

[0148] Alternatively, before monitoring the timing realignment indication message, ED 110 can send a timing realignment request (i.e., a timing realignment request message) to TRP 170, causing TRP 170 to send the timing realignment indication message. In response to receiving the timing realignment request message, TRP 170 can send a timing realignment indication message to ED 110 including information about a timing reference point, thereby enabling ED 110 to perform timing realignment (or / and timing adjustments including clock timing error correction), wherein the timing realignment is for symbols, time slots, or subframes or frames (e.g., start boundaries) within a frame for an ED and one or more base stations in a cell (or a group of cells).

[0149] According to various aspects of this application, a TRP 170 associated with a given cell can send a timing realignment indication message. The timing realignment indication message may include sufficient information to allow the recipient of the message to obtain a timing reference point. This timing reference point may be used by one or more ED 110s in the given cell when performing timing realignment (or / and timing adjustments including clock timing error correction).

[0150] According to various aspects of this application, the timing reference point can be represented relative to a frame boundary within the timing realignment indication message (wherein, as previously described and applicable to the following applications, the frame boundary can be a symbol, time slot, or subframe within a frame, or the boundary of a frame). The timing realignment indication message may include a relative timing indication. t. can indicate the relative timing indication. t represents the timing reference point as a specific duration occurring after the frame boundary of a given frame, i.e. Since the frame boundaries are crucial for ED 110 to determine the timing reference point, ED 110 must know the given frame with the frame boundaries of interest. Accordingly, the timing realignment indication message may also include the system frame number (SFN) of the given frame.

[0151] Optionally, the timing realignment indication message may include other parameters. For example, the other parameters may include a minimum time offset. The minimum time offset may be established for a duration prior to the timing reference point. The ED110 may rely on the minimum time offset as an indication that DL signaling including the timing realignment indication message will allow the ED110 sufficient time to detect the timing realignment indication message and thereby obtain information about the timing reference point.

[0152] For all embodiments / examples below, it is assumed that NT-TRPs are synchronized with each other; that is, if it is, for example, 12:00 noon for a given NT-TRP in the constellation, then it is 12:00 noon for all NT-TRPs in the constellation. Similarly, if an NT-TRP performs its scheduling operation every, for example, 1 millisecond, then all NT-TRPs can perform their scheduling operation at the same time. Similarly, if a given NT-TRP starts sending its system frame from, for example, 12:00 noon and the duration of each frame is, for example, 10 milliseconds, then all NT-TRPs can send their system frames at the same time and for the same duration. As an example, all NT-TRPs belonging to, for example, a given orbital plane can send their system frames at the same time, and they can be received by the ED on the ground at different times. For example, there are 5 NT-TRPs working together as a coordination set, and each of the NT-TRPs sends a system frame to the ground. Examples of things that the ED on the ground can see are shown in Figure 10 middle.

[0153] In order to connect with non-terrestrial systems such as satellite constellations, the ED needs to turn its beam into the sky. However, there may be many non-terrestrial TRPs (NT-TRPs), such as satellites within line of sight of the ED. Therefore, there may be many non-terrestrial TRPs with which the ED can establish RRC connections.

[0154] To assist the ED in establishing an RRC connection with the NT-TRP, the ED may need to generate a transmit / receive beam toward the NT-TRP (in order to, for example, receive a reference signal transmitted by the NT-TRP). A BAI table using higher-level signaling (e.g., RRC signaling) in the zenith domain can be provided to the ED in RRC connection mode. An example of this table could be Table 1: Table 1:

[0155] As shown in Table 1 above, each zenith angle corresponds to an absolute angular direction, for example, in degrees, and can be interpreted as an angular direction in which the ED can steer its space receiving beam such that the line of sight of the space receiving beam points to that angular direction. It is assumed that 0 degrees in the zenith domain corresponds to the ED's transmit / receive beam pointing vertically to the sky. Each angular direction is associated with a BAI provided as a 4-bit codeword. In this example, the codeword has a 4-bit width. Since the default zenith BAI table contains 15 entries, other examples of zenith BAI tables with more or fewer entries can be considered or envisioned. Table 1 above may contain one or more entries, where each entry includes a 4-bit codeword, and the ED can use any one or more entries in Table 1 above to steer its space receiving beam in the direction of any one or more entries.

[0156] An SS / PBCH block (also known as an SSB) contains at least a synchronization signal and a PBCH channel packaged as a single block for transmission from the TRP to the ED. The ED can establish downlink synchronization with the network based on this block. The following embodiments illustrate the SS / PBCH block. As a non-limiting illustrative example, an existing 5G SS / PBCH block contains a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and a physical broadcast channel (PBCH). The PBCH contains a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) and PBCH data. The PSS and SSS are specific physical layer signals used for frame synchronization and are key factors in determining the physical cell identifier (ID). The cell ID can be used by the terminal device to distinguish radio signals from different cells. For example, in the time domain, a 5G SS / PBCH block consists of four orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols. In the frequency domain, a 5G SS / PBCH block consists of 240 consecutive subcarriers. It is worth noting that this application does not exclude other possible SS / PBCH structures.

[0157] In one possible implementation, this supports the transmission of SS / PBCH blocks within SS bursts, where each SS burst resides in the first half of the frame. Additionally, the location of the SS / PBCH blocks is fixed and determined based on, for example, the SS burst length and the frequency range (FR) in which the system operates (e.g., FR1 or FR2). This means that the SS / PBCH blocks are bound to the frame structure and cannot be moved around. The SS / PBCH blocks are not transmitted in a vacuum; they are an integral part of the 5G NR frame structure.

[0158] In this invention, the ED is not in a connected mode; that is, the ED can be in, for example, an idle mode, an inactive mode, or a power mode associated with a sleep function. Such power modes can be referred to as, for example, deep sleep, shallow sleep, micro sleep, or very deep sleep. Such power modes can also be associated with measurement reference signals and functions such as cell selection / reselection.

[0159] Additionally, the ED has a certain capability in terms of Tx / Rx beam count, meaning it can, for example, aim at the sky at a certain angle in the zenith domain (or alternatively, in the elevation domain). It should be noted that the elevation domain and the zenith domain are related (using degrees) by the following relationship: (Formula 1) It can be assumed that the ED is equipped with various sensors such as gyroscopes and inclinometers, enabling it to determine, for example, the position of the sky or true north. Such sensors would allow the ED to determine azimuth and / or zenith angles without needing to connect to any specific navigation system. These sensors would also allow the ED to measure angular direction, for example, in the azimuth / zenith domain, where physical layer signals and / or channels are detected, measured, and decoded.

[0160] Figure 10 An example is shown where multiple NT-TRPs send SS / PBCH blocks toward the ground, with each NT-TRP corresponding to a different zenith angle.

[0161] like Figure 10 As shown, each of the five NT-TRPs corresponds to a different zenith angle (e.g., -20 degrees, -10 degrees, 0 degrees, 10 degrees, and 20 degrees from top to bottom in this diagram). The point in any satellite orbit closest to any ED on the ground is the point directly above that ED (or equivalently, on a straight line at 0 degrees zenith), while all other points in the satellite orbit are farther from the ED. Therefore, any physical layer signal or channel must travel a greater distance to reach the ED on the ground. This results in a time delay in receiving system frames from NT-TRPs located farther from the ED.

[0162] From the perspective of the ED, the starting point of system frames with different zenith angles can be different, as shown by the vertical dashed lines. For example, in system frame #0, the leftmost vertical dashed line represents the starting point of system frames with a zenith angle of 0, the middle vertical dashed line represents the starting point of system frames with a zenith angle of {-10, 10}, and the rightmost vertical dashed line represents the starting point of system frames with a zenith angle of {-20, 20}. System frame #1 is similar to system frame #0.

[0163] In other words, the ED can receive different system frames at different times, and correspondingly, the ED can receive different SS / PBCH blocks at different times. For an ED at a given location on the ground, depending on the zenith angle at which the NT-TRP is positioned relative to the ED, a system frame transmitted by the NT-TRP at a given time can arrive at the ED with a specific delay. If the NT-TRP is located at a zenith angle of -20 degrees (relative to the ED), the system frame can be received by the ED at a given time. As the NT-TRP moves along its orbit, it may be located at a zenith angle of -10 degrees (relative to the ED), and due to the fact that it is closer now, the propagation delay is smaller, so the ED can receive the system frame at an earlier time. As the NT-TRP continues to move along its orbit, it may be located at a zenith angle of 0 degrees (relative to the ED), and due to the fact that it is closest now, the propagation delay is now minimal, so the ED can receive the system frame at an even earlier time. As the NT-TRP continues to move along its orbit, it may be located at a 10-degree zenith angle (relative to the ED). Due to the increasing distance, the propagation delay is now greater, and therefore the ED can receive system frames at a later time. As the NT-TRP continues to move along its orbit, it may be located at a 20-degree zenith angle (relative to the ED). Due to the further increasing distance, the propagation delay is even greater than before, and therefore the ED can receive system frames at a later time.

[0164] Each system frame can consist of ten time slots ( Figure 10 The SS / PBCH block is composed of small boxes in the system frame and is transmitted in the third time slot of the system frame. From the perspective of the ED, the ED can detect that the time of the SS / PBCH block changes based on the position of the NT-TRP, because it affects the propagation delay.

[0165] It is worth noting that downlink transmissions, uplink transmissions, and sidelink transmissions can be organized into system frames with predefined durations. This application uses a system frame containing ten time slots as an example; frames of other lengths are not excluded. Unless otherwise specified, the terms "system frame" and "frame" are used interchangeably. In some implementations, the system frame can be equivalently referred to as a radio frame.

[0166] The solutions described in this invention are applicable to next-generation (e.g., sixth generation, 6G or higher) networks, or traditional (e.g., 5G, 4G, 3G or 2G) networks.

[0167] As described above, an SS burst is defined as a set of SS / PBCH blocks transmitted in different angular directions by a given TRP, where each SS burst is located in the first half of the frame. The position of the SS / PBCH blocks can be fixed based on the carrier bandwidth and subcarrier spacing, for example, as... Figure 10 As shown, each SS / PBCH is located in the third time slot of the frame.

[0168] However, due to the large distance between the ED and the NT-TRP and the fact that the NT-TRP may be constantly moving, it is difficult for the ED to find a suitable time to detect the SS / PBCH block in the NTN system.

[0169] Therefore, this application provides a communication method that can improve the reliability of ED detecting SS / PBCH blocks in an NTN system. The ED can obtain timing information of the first SS / PBCH block within the first frame from the first NT-TRP, enabling the ED to know the relatively accurate arrival time of the first SS / PBCH block and improving the reliability of SS / PBCH block detection in the NTN system.

[0170] It is worth noting that the ED can obtain the timing information in several ways. In a first implementation, the timing information may be included in the first SS / PBCH. For example, the ED may try different positions in the time domain to detect the first SS / PBCH block (decode the first SS / PBCH block). After successfully detecting the first SS / PBCH block (decoding the first SS / PBCH block), the ED can know where the first frame begins. This is the timing information used by the ED to know when the first frame begins relative to the detected first SS / PBCH block. In a second implementation, the timing information may not be included in the first SS / PBCH. That is, the first NT-TRP sending the timing information and the first NT-TRP sending can be two steps. For example, the ED may already be connected to the network, and the ED may be informed that the SS / PBCH block position will change, but will not affect the frame boundary. The NT-TRP can send the changed timing information to the ED. Details of these two implementations will be given in conjunction with Figure 11. Figure 11 includes two schematic flowcharts, in which... Figure 11A A flowchart corresponding to the first implementation is shown. Figure 11BA flowchart corresponding to the second implementation is shown.

[0171] It is worth noting that the first implementation and the second implementation can be implemented independently or in combination within the NTN system. For example, the first implementation can be implemented when the ED is not yet connected to the network. The second implementation can be implemented when the ED is already connected to the network.

[0172] Figure 11A A schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of this application is shown.

[0173] In step 1110A, the first NT-TRP determines the timing information of the first SS / PBCH block.

[0174] The first SS / PBCH block contains the timing information. The timing information can indicate the position of the first SS / PBCH block within the first frame. The ED can obtain the timing information of the first SS / PBCH block within the first frame from the first NT-TRP, enabling the ED to know the relatively accurate arrival time of the first SS / PBCH block and improving the reliability of SS / PBCH block detection in the NTN system.

[0175] In some implementations, the timing information is associated with the location information of the first NT-TRP.

[0176] As described above, the relative position between the ED and the first NT-TRP may not be fixed, and this relative position affects the transmission time of the first SS / PBCH block. In this embodiment, the timing information can be designed based on the relative position between the ED and the first NT-TRP, so that the ED can know the relatively accurate arrival time of the first SS / PBCH block, and the reliability of detecting SS / PBCH blocks in the NTN system can be improved.

[0177] In some implementations, the boundary of the first frame may be associated with the location information.

[0178] The transmission between the ED and the first NT-TRP can be organized into frames with a predefined duration. Since signal transmission takes time, there is a time delay between transmitting and receiving the first frame. As described above, the frame boundary can be interpreted in a general sense; however, for ease of description, in the following embodiments, the frame boundary can represent the moment of frame reception.

[0179] In some implementations, the timing information may indicate the time slot in which the first SS / PBCH block is located in the first frame and / or one or more symbols occupied by the first SS / PBCH block. For example, the timing information may include a first parameter (e.g., the parameter slotPosition) and a second parameter (e.g., the parameter symbolPosition), wherein the first parameter indicates the time slot in which the first SS / PBCH block is located, and the second parameter indicates the gap between the time slot boundary and the first symbol (e.g., an OFDM symbol) of the first SS / PBCH block. Figures 20 to 22 Details of the parameters are provided, but for the sake of brevity, these details are omitted here.

[0180] It is worth noting that in some examples, the first SS / PBCH block can span time slots. In this case, the timing information can indicate the previous time slot, and the ED can determine these time slots based on the timing information and the structure of the first SS / PBCH block.

[0181] In some implementations, the boundary of the first frame can be determined based on the timing information. For example, if the length of the first frame is known to the ED, when the ED decodes the first SS / PBCH block, the ED will know the frame boundary based on the position of the first SS / PBCH block in the first frame. In some implementations, when the number of time slots in the first frame is known to the ED, the ED can know the time slot boundaries.

[0182] The frame boundary can be related to the time delay of the first frame. The time delay is between the moment the first NT-TRP transmits the first frame and the frame boundary of the first frame. As mentioned above, multiple NT-TRPs can synchronize with each other, that is, the multiple NT-TRPs can transmit frames at the same time. However, from the perspective of the ED, the frames can be received by the ED at different times.

[0183] It is worth noting that the frame boundaries of two NT-TRPs can be the same or different. For example, see reference... Figure 10 The frame boundary of an NT-TRP located at a 10-degree zenith angle can be the same as that of an NT-TRP located at a -10-degree zenith angle. The frame boundary of an NT-TRP located at a 10-degree zenith angle can be different from that of an NT-TRP located at a 0-degree zenith angle. This application does not impose any limitations on this.

[0184] In some implementations, the location information may include one or more of the following: First information indicating the relative distance between the first NT-TRP and the reference point; Second information indicating the relative direction between the first NT-TRP and the reference point.

[0185] The reference point can be located on the ground. In this embodiment, the reference point can also be referred to as an anchor position.

[0186] For each anchor location on the ground, the anchor location has a "visible cone" that corresponds to a region of the sky. The threshold of the visible cone may correspond to a zenith angle value, also known as a "cone angle." The region of sky "in the field of view" of the anchor location may also be mathematically described as a "dome" or "cap." In embodiments of this application, an anchor location (or equivalently, a "reference point") can be defined as a geographic point on Earth having coordinates in a reference coordinate system (e.g., an earth-centric earth-fixed (ECEF) reference system) that is used by the NT-TRP within the constellation, such that the coordination set of the NT-TRP (belonging to one or more orbits) transmits signals such as SS / PBCH blocks in a time-domain aligned manner. The number of anchor locations implemented and used by the NT-TRP within the constellation to coordinate the transmission of SS / PBCH blocks depends on the network implementation.

[0187] In some implementations, higher-layer signaling carrying information about one or more anchor locations can be provided to the ED. This higher-layer signaling can be provided using a non-access stratum (NAS) protocol, since the ED in idle mode does not have an RRC connection and therefore cannot use the RRC protocol to convey higher-layer signaling. A so-called base file carrying coverage area information can be provided to the ED, and for each coverage area, one or more anchor location information can be provided along with it. Examples of the contents of the coverage areas and the corresponding anchor locations can be described using Table 2.

[0188] Table 2:

[0189] It is worth noting that in some implementations, the ED can be located at or near the reference point. The relative distance between the first NT-TRP and the reference point can be used to determine the timing information.

[0190] In some implementations, the ED may have positioning capabilities, i.e., it may be able to determine its own position due to, for example, receiving Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals. The ED may be able to use its own position to perform corrections in the time domain to enhance its detection and decoding of SS / PBCH blocks transmitted by NT-TRP within its coverage area.

[0191] It is worth noting that, for ease of description, in this embodiment of the application, the ED is described as being located at the reference point.

[0192] In some implementations, the relative direction between the ED and the first NT-TRP can be represented by the zenith angle. This relative direction can be associated with a time delay. For example, for an NT-TRP on orbit, a larger zenith angle implies a longer time delay.

[0193] It is worth noting that since the first NT-TRP may not be constant, the location information is also not fixed. The ED can update the timing information of the SS / PBCH block from the first NT-TRP, thereby improving the reliability of detecting the SS / PBCH block in the NTN system.

[0194] For example, as NT-TRPs move along their respective orbits, they can update the timing of the SS / PBCH blocks. This can be done to maintain the same timing reception of the EDs on the ground (based on the assumption that the anchor positions on the ground are used to implement mechanisms to maintain said same timing reception). It should be noted that because the EDs are in idle mode, or in some power mode that can be associated with sleep functionality, or in some power mode that is independent of DL / UL communication functionality, such EDs may not maintain any specific timing reference assumptions because they may be in idle mode (or in some power mode associated with sleep, or in some power mode that is independent of DL / UL communication). Therefore, such EDs may have to continuously monitor / detect synchronization signals (e.g., SS / PBCH blocks) / decode synchronization signals (e.g., SS / PBCH blocks) without making any prior assumptions about the possible locations of such signals in the time domain.

[0195] In some implementations, the position of the first SS / PBCH block in the first frame and the frame boundary of the first frame satisfy a condition. This condition can be used to ensure that the first SS / PBCH arrives at a specific time.

[0196] For example, the conditions include: the sum of a first duration and a second duration is within a certain range or equal to a threshold, the first duration being from the moment the first NT-TRP sends the first frame to the frame boundary of the first frame, and the second duration being from the frame boundary of the first frame to the start time of the received first SS / PBCH block (i.e., the start time of the ED receiving the first SS / PBCH block). It can be understood that, from the first NT-TRP side, the second duration is from the moment the first NT-TRP sends the first frame to the start time of the first NT-TRP sending the first SS / PBCH block.

[0197] An example of this range can be expressed in a relative way, such as 3 to 4 time slots, where the unit of "time slot" can be replaced with other units such as subframe, symbol, etc. Another example of this range can be expressed in an absolute way, such as 3 microseconds to 4 microseconds, where "millisecond" can be replaced with other terms such as millisecond. Similarly, examples of this threshold can be expressed in a relative way, such as 20 symbols, or in an absolute way, such as 3 microseconds.

[0198] In other words, regardless of the time delay, the first SS / PBCH block can be received within a specific range or at a specific time. This can mitigate the impact of the distance between the ED and the first NT-TRP.

[0199] As described above, the ED can receive multiple SS / PBCH blocks from multiple NT-TRPs. Accordingly, the present invention provides a method. The present invention introduces the features of a floating SS / PBCH block scheme.

[0200] In some implementations, the position of the second SS / PBCH block in the second frame and the frame boundary of the second frame satisfy the condition, and the second frame originates from a second NT-TRP. In other words, the ED can receive multiple SS / PBCH blocks from multiple NT-TRPs.

[0201] Each timing information of the plurality of SS / PBCH blocks can satisfy the condition, and the plurality of SS / PBCH blocks can arrive at the ED within a certain range or at the same time. These are related to... Figure 10 The scenario shown is different; multiple SS / PBCH blocks arrive at the ED at different times. For ease of description, this design can be referred to as floating SS / PBCH blocks.

[0202] It is worth noting that this application does not exclude other possible implementations of causing the plurality of SS / PBCH blocks to arrive at the ED within a certain range or at the same time. In some implementations, although not stated, the positions of the plurality of SS / PBCH blocks within their own frames may be fixed, but the plurality of TRPs may send their own frames at different times to cause the plurality of SS / PBCH blocks to arrive at the ED within a certain range or at the same time. This application does not limit this.

[0203] To reduce the complexity of the ED, this application introduces the feature of “floating” SS / PBCH blocks to align SS / PBCH block timings among multiple NT-TRPs, thereby providing coverage for a given coverage area on the ground.

[0204] Using floating SS / PBCH blocks can have several benefits. This can reduce beam search complexity and improve synchronization reliability by allowing EDs to receive / detect / decode system frames simultaneously, regardless of the direction of the Tx / Rx beams chosen by the EDs. It also enables greater network transparency and location-centric design, as the NT-TRP coordinates the transmission of the SS / PBCH blocks, ensuring that the timing of the SS / PBCH blocks matches a given anchor position on the ground.

[0205] In step 1120A, the first NT-TRP sends the first SS / PBCH block to the ED based on the timing information. Accordingly, the ED receives the first SS / PBCH block from the first NT-TRP.

[0206] The ED can obtain the timing information from the first SS / PBCH block. The ED can obtain the timing information in various ways. Part or all of the timing information can be sent by the TRP, predefined based on the application scenario, determined by the ED as a function of other parameters known to the ED, or a combination of the above. For example, as mentioned above, the timing information can be sent by the first NT-TRP, and the boundary of the first frame can be determined by the ED based on the timing information and other relevant parameters. This application does not limit this.

[0207] For example, the timing information can be included in higher-level parameters.

[0208] In some examples, features of PBCH signaling associated with floating SS / PBCH blocks are introduced, specifically signaling mechanisms that enable the ED to determine where the SS / PBCH block is located within the system frame by inserting higher-layer parameters within the PBCH.

[0209] Using PBCH signaling associated with floating SS / PBCH blocks may have several benefits. Using PBCH signaling allows the ED to determine the location of the floating SS / PBCH block within the system frame, thus establishing timing reference assumptions for the floating SS / PBCH block (i.e., the ED knows when the system frame begins, when the next system frame will begin, when the next SS / PBCH block will be located, etc.).

[0210] In the first implementation, the timing information can be obtained from the scrambling value (e.g., initial value) of the PBCH DMRS of the first SS / PBCH block. The first parameter (e.g., symbolPosition) and the second parameter (e.g., slotPosition) can be obtained based on the PBCH DMRS.

[0211] For example, the higher-level parameter symbolPosition can be embedded in the PBCH DMRS sequence initialization equation. (The last part, "i," appears to be a typo and can be left as is.) symb The parameter represented as the value set to symbolPosition, the PBCH DMRS sequence can be represented by the value c. init The initialization equation can be given as follows: (Formula 2) (Formula 3) In the example above, the higher-level parameter symbolPosition is embedded in the PBCH DMRS equation. Therefore, by decoding the PBCH DMRS, the ED can deduce the symbolPosition, and thus, the ED can deduce where the SS / PBCH block is located in the current slot of the current system frame.

[0212] For example, the higher-level parameter slotPosition can be embedded in the PBCH DMRS sequence initialization equation. (The last part, "i," appears to be a typo and can be left as is.) slot The parameter represented as the value set to slotPosition, the PBCH DMRS sequence can be represented by the value c. init The initialization equation can be given as follows: (Formula 4) (Formula 5) In the example above, the higher-level parameter slotPosition is embedded in the PBCH DMRS equation. Therefore, by decoding the PBCH DMRS, the ED can deduce the slotPosition. Thus, the ED can deduce where the slot carrying the SS / PBCH block is located relative to the start boundary of the system frame.

[0213] In the second implementation, the timing information can be obtained from the PBCH payload of the first SS / PBCH block. The first parameter (e.g., symbolPosition) and the second parameter (e.g., slotPosition) can be obtained based on the PBCH payload.

[0214] For the first example, the timing information is obtained from the PBCH payload generation process.

[0215] For example, the higher-level parameter symbolPosition can be embedded in the PBCH payload generation process. Assume symbolPosition is a binary value, represented by, for example, four bits. The BCH data bit sequence can contain an integer number of bits, denoted as A, and given as follows: a0, a1, a2, …, a A-1 (Formula 6) The above BCH data bit sequence can be extended using the four bits of symbolPosition as follows (the four bits of symbolPosition are shown in bold to distinguish them from the bits belonging to the BCH data sequence): a0, a1, a2, …, a A-1 , a A , a A+1 , a A+2 , a A+3 (Formula 7) Represented as {a A , a A+1 , a A+2 , a A+3 The bits in} can be the bits corresponding to the higher-level parameter symbolPosition. In the first example, it is represented by "a A The bits represented by "" can correspond to the most significant bit (i.e., the leftmost bit) of symbolPosition, represented by "a". A+1 The bit represented by "" can correspond to the second most significant bit of symbolPosition (i.e., the second bit from the left), represented by "a". A+2The bit represented by "" can correspond to the third most significant bit (i.e., the third bit from the left) of symbolPosition, represented by "a". A+3 The bits represented by "" can correspond to the least significant bit (i.e., the rightmost bit) of symbolPosition. In the first example, "a" represents the bit. A+3 The bits represented by "" can correspond to the most significant bit (i.e., the leftmost bit) of symbolPosition, represented by "a". A+2 The bit represented by "" can correspond to the second most significant bit of symbolPosition (i.e., the second bit from the left), represented by "a". A+1 The bit represented by "" can correspond to the third most significant bit (i.e., the third bit from the left) of symbolPosition, represented by "a". A The bit represented by "" can correspond to the least significant bit (i.e., the rightmost bit) of symbolPosition.

[0216] For example, the higher-level parameter slotPosition can be embedded in the PBCH payload generation process. Assume slotPosition is a binary value, represented by, for example, four bits. The BCH data bit sequence can contain an integer number of bits, denoted as B, and given as follows: b0, b1, b2, …, b B-1 (Formula 8) The BCH data bit sequence above can be extended as follows using the four bits of slotPosition (the four bits of slotPosition are shown in bold to distinguish them from the bits belonging to the BCH data sequence): b0, b1, b2, …, b B-1 , b B , b B+1 , b B+2 , b B+3 (Formula 9) Represented as {b B , b B+1 , b B+2 , b B+3 The bits in} can be the bits corresponding to the higher-level parameter slotPosition. In the first example, it is represented by "b B The bit represented by "" can correspond to the most significant bit of slotPosition (i.e., the leftmost bit), represented by "b". B+1 The bit represented by "" can correspond to the second most significant bit of slotPosition (i.e., the second bit from the left), represented by "b". B+2The bit represented by "" can correspond to the third most significant bit (i.e., the leftmost third bit) of slotPosition, represented by "b". B+3 The bit represented by "" can correspond to the least significant bit (i.e., the rightmost bit) of the slotPosition. In the first example, "b" represents the least significant bit (i.e., the rightmost bit). B+3 The bit represented by "" can correspond to the most significant bit of slotPosition (i.e., the leftmost bit), represented by "b". B+2 The bit represented by "" can correspond to the second most significant bit of slotPosition (i.e., the second bit from the left), represented by "b". B+1 The bit represented by "" can correspond to the third most significant bit (i.e., the leftmost third bit) of slotPosition, represented by "b". B The bit represented by "" can correspond to the least significant bit of slotPosition (i.e., the rightmost bit).

[0217] For the second example, the timing information is obtained from the PBCH payload scrambling process.

[0218] For example, the higher-level parameter symbolPosition can be embedded in the PBCH payload scrambling process. Assume symbolPosition is a binary value, represented by, for example, four bits. The BCH data bit sequence can contain an integer number of bits, denoted as A, and given as follows: a0, a1, a2, …, a A-1 (Formula 10) The BCH data bit sequence above can be scrambled using a pseudo-random noise binary sequence (which can be, for example, a Gold sequence) c(n) with a higher-level parameter symbolPosition: (Formula 11) (Formula 12) (Formula 13) (Formula 14) (Formula 15) The above x2(n) sequence can be initialized with the following value c. init Initialize with the higher-level parameter symbolPosition: (Formula 16) Where i symb The value is set to the higher-level parameter symbolPosition.

[0219] For example, the higher-level parameter slotPosition can be embedded in the PBCH payload scrambling process. Assume slotPosition is a binary value, represented by, for example, four bits. The BCH data bit sequence can contain an integer number of bits, denoted as B, and given as follows: b0, b1, b2, …, b B-1 (Formula 17) The BCH data bit sequence above can be scrambled using a pseudo-random noise binary sequence (which can be, for example, a Gold sequence) c(n) with a higher-level parameter symbolPosition: (Formula 18) (Formula 19) (Formula 20) (Formula 21) (Formula 22) The above x2(n) sequence can be initialized with the following value c. init Initialize with the higher-level parameter slotPosition: (Formula 23) Where i slot The value of slotPosition is set to the higher-level parameter.

[0220] Embedding information about the location of SS / PBCH blocks within the system frame within the PBCH (e.g., via higher-level parameters such as symbolPosition and / or slotPosition) can have several benefits. A first benefit is enabling ground-based equipment (e.g., an ED) to determine the location of the corresponding time slot and system frame boundaries after successfully decoding the PBCH, which may include decoding the PBCH DMRS and / or the PBCH payload. Another benefit is that embedding higher-level parameters such as symbolPosition and slotPosition makes the initial access procedure smoother, because ground-based equipment (e.g., an ED) can accurately locate the Control Resource Set (CORESET), where the PDCCH scheduling the PDSCH carrying the System Information Block (SIB) can be monitored / detected / decoded by the ED.

[0221] In the third example, the timing information may be included in the master information block (MIB) of the first SS / PBCH block.

[0222] For example, the higher-layer parameters symbolPosition and slotPosition can be included in the MIB. The MIB is typically carried in the BCH payload, thus acting as a ground-based device (e.g., ED) to detect and decode SS / PBCH blocks; it can also detect and decode the BCH payload, i.e., the MIB. The MIB can be extended to include the higher-layer parameters symbolPosition and slotPosition, which will... Figure 21 As shown in the image.

[0223] According to the above technical solution, the ED can obtain the timing information of the first SS / PBCH block in the first frame from the first NT-TRP, so that the ED can know the relatively accurate arrival time of the first SS / PBCH block and improve the reliability of detecting SS / PBCH blocks in the NTN system.

[0224] Figure 11B A schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of this application is shown.

[0225] In step 1110B, the first NT-TRP determines the timing information of the first SS / PBCH block.

[0226] This step can be referred to in the description of step 110A; for the sake of brevity, the details are omitted here.

[0227] In step 1120B, the first NT-TRP sends the timing information to the ED. Correspondingly, the ED receives the timing information from the first NT-TRP.

[0228] The timing information can be contained in a system information block (SIB). The first parameter (e.g., symbolPosition) and the second parameter (e.g., slotPosition) can be obtained based on the SIB.

[0229] For example, the higher-level parameters symbolPosition and slotPosition can be included in the SIB. As an example, the SIB can be a so-called System Information Block 1 (SIB1), but other examples of system information blocks can also be considered, and these other examples are equally applicable. SIB1 is typically carried in the payload of the PDSCH transmission. SIB1 can be extended to include the higher-level parameters symbolPosition and slotPosition, which will... Figure 22 As shown in the image.

[0230] In step 1130B, the first NT-TRP sends the first SS / PBCH block to the ED. Accordingly, the ED receives the first SS / PBCH block from the first NT-TRP.

[0231] The NT-TRP can send a first frame to the ED, wherein the frame includes the first SS / PBCH block. The position of the first SS / PBCH block in the first frame is based on the timing information.

[0232] 5G NR initial access introduced SS bursts to support beam scanning in the angular domain, which is necessary in terrestrial networks. However, this presents additional challenges in non-terrestrial networks because it restricts the ED's ability to receive / detect reference signals and physical layer channels / decode reference signals and physical layer channels within its line of sight (affected by ED capabilities and reduced processing complexity). Due to the continuous movement of the NT-TRP in the LEO constellation, the cell search procedure relies on temporal and angular domain scanning to detect SS / PBCH blocks, meaning the ED needs to find the appropriate time and angle for detection.

[0233] In some implementations, ED can support the reception / detection / decoding of floating SS / PBCH blocks as a mandatory feature. In other implementations, ED can support the reception / detection / decoding of floating SS / PBCH blocks as an optional feature.

[0234] It is worth noting that details regarding the timing information, the location information, the first NT-TRP, etc., can be found in [reference needed]. Figure 11A The description is omitted here for the sake of brevity.

[0235] According to the above technical solution, the ED can obtain the timing information of the first SS / PBCH block in the first frame from the first NT-TRP, so that the ED can know the relatively accurate arrival time of the first SS / PBCH block and improve the reliability of detecting SS / PBCH blocks in the NTN system.

[0236] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, they will be combined with Figures 12 to 22 More details are shown below. It is worth noting that this application does not limit the number of NT-TRPs sent for SS / PBCH blocks. The example below uses 5 NT-TRPs for illustrative purposes.

[0237] Figure 12 A schematic diagram is shown of multiple NT-TRPs transmitting frames toward the ground according to method 1100.

[0238] A specific number of NT-TRPs within a constellation can coordinate to transmit their SS / PBCH blocks in a manner that they arrive at a given location on the ground at the same time, referred to as the "anchor position" or "reference point." In other words, all the SS / PBCH blocks arrive at the ED located at the anchor position at the same time. The ED may have a certain capability in monitoring / detecting / decoding the amount of signal from the NT-TRPs at any given time. This can potentially create something that can be called a "visible cone." Figure 12 An example of an ED with a visible cone in the zenith domain that can be within the zenith angle of {-25 degrees; 25 degrees} is shown.

[0239] The leftmost NT-TRP is designated as NT-TRP#1, and the rightmost NT-TRP is designated as NT-TRP#5. In Figure 12 In the example shown, the coordination set of NT-TRPs can transmit SS / PBCH blocks with different timings (shown as black rectangles). Each NT-TRP can select a different timing for the SS / PBCH block it is transmitting based on how long it takes for the SS / PBCH block to reach the anchor position. Additionally, each NT-TRP can be positioned relative to a given zenith angle of the ED, meaning the ED can use different Tx / Rx beams aimed at different zenith angles for detection. As an example, the ED can use Tx / Rx beams with zenith angles of {-20; -10; 0; 10; 20} degrees (as shown in the diagram above, where -20 degrees corresponds to the leftmost beam and 20 degrees corresponds to the rightmost beam).

[0240] Alternatively, from the perspective of the ED, to highlight the concept of "floating SS / PBCH blocks," it is assumed that each NT-TRP is synchronized with the other NT-TRPs within the coordination set. This could mean that all NT-TRPs transmit their system frames at the same time. This could cause system frames to be received at different times at a given location on the ground due to different propagation delays. However, the position of the SS / PBCH block within the system frame may "float," meaning it is not like... Figure 10 Not fixed as in the middle. Alternatively: the position of the SS / PBCH block can change depending on the position of the NT-TRP. Examples of things that can be received at the anchor position are shown below. Figure 13 middle.

[0241] Figure 13 A schematic diagram of multiple locations of the SS / PBCH block according to method 1100 is shown.

[0242] In the first example, the first system frame is represented as system frame #1. Figure 13 In this coordination set, different NT-TRPs can transmit their SS / PBCH blocks at different times. NT-TRPs with an anchor position at + / -20 degrees zenith can transmit their SS / PBCH blocks in the middle of the 3rd time slot (from left to right), and these two NT-TRPs are time-aligned with each other. NT-TRPs with an anchor position at + / -10 degrees zenith can transmit their SS / PBCH blocks at the beginning of the 4th time slot (from left to right), and these two NT-TRPs can adjust the timing of their SS / PBCH blocks within their respective system frames so that they are time-aligned with the SS / PBCH blocks transmitted by other NT-TRPs in the coordination set. NT-TRPs with an anchor position at 0 degrees zenith can transmit their SS / PBCH blocks in the 4th time slot (from left to right), and this NT-TRP can adjust the timing of its SS / PBCH blocks within its respective system frames so that it is time-aligned with the SS / PBCH blocks transmitted by other NT-TRPs.

[0243] In the second example, the second system frame is represented as system frame #2. Figure 13In this coordination set, different NT-TRPs can transmit their SS / PBCH blocks at different times. NT-TRPs with an anchor position at + / -20 degrees zenith can transmit their SS / PBCH blocks in the middle of time slot 5 (from left to right), and these two NT-TRPs are synchronized with each other in terms of timing. NT-TRPs with an anchor position at + / -10 degrees zenith can transmit their SS / PBCH blocks at the beginning of time slot 6 (from left to right), and these two NT-TRPs can adjust the timing of their SS / PBCH blocks within their respective system frames so that they are synchronized with the timing of the SS / PBCH blocks transmitted by other NT-TRPs in the coordination set. NT-TRPs with an anchor position at 0 degrees zenith can transmit their SS / PBCH blocks in time slot 6 (from left to right), and this NT-TRP can adjust the timing of its SS / PBCH blocks within its respective system frames so that it is synchronized with the timing of the SS / PBCH blocks transmitted by other NT-TRPs.

[0244] Equivalently, from the perspective of the NT-TRP, a given NT-TRP can change the position of its SS / PBCH blocks as it moves along its orbit. Figures 14 to 18 This demonstrates how the NT-TRP moves its SS / PBCH block timing based on its position relative to a given anchor position or reference point on the ground.

[0245] Figure 14 A schematic diagram of NT-TRP transmitting SS / PBCH blocks at zenith = -20 is shown.

[0246] When the NT-TRP is located at a zenith angle of -20 degrees, the NT-TRP can determine that SS / PBCH block #1 is located in the 3rd time slot (starting from the left). The timing information of SS / PBCH block #1 is associated with the location information of the NT-TRP.

[0247] Figure 15 A schematic diagram of NT-TRP transmitting SS / PBCH blocks at zenith = -10 is shown.

[0248] When the NT-TRP moves to a position at a -10 degree zenith angle, the NT-TRP can determine that SS / PBCH block #2 is located at the beginning of the 4th time slot (from left to right). The timing information of SS / PBCH block #2 is associated with the position information of the NT-TRP.

[0249] Figure 16 This diagram illustrates NT-TRP transmitting SS / PBCH blocks at zenith=0.

[0250] When the NT-TRP moves to a position at 0 degrees zenith angle, the NT-TRP can determine that SS / PBCH block #3 is located in the middle of the 4th time slot (from left to right). The timing information of SS / PBCH block #3 is associated with the position information of the NT-TRP.

[0251] Figure 17 A schematic diagram of NT-TRP transmitting SS / PBCH blocks at zenith=10 is shown.

[0252] When the NT-TRP moves to a position at a 10-degree zenith angle, the NT-TRP can determine that SS / PBCH block #4 is located at the beginning of the 4th time slot (from left to right). The timing information of SS / PBCH block #4 is associated with the position information of the NT-TRP.

[0253] Figure 18 A schematic diagram of NT-TRP transmitting SS / PBCH blocks at zenith=20 is shown.

[0254] When the NT-TRP is located at a 20-degree zenith angle, the NT-TRP can determine that SS / PBCH block #5 is located in the 3rd time slot (starting from the left). The timing information of SS / PBCH block #5 is associated with the location information of the NT-TRP.

[0255] refer to Figures 14 to 18 The NT-TRP moves from left to right, adjusting the time position of its SS / PBCH block within its system frame to align with the time position of SS / PBCH blocks sent by other NT-TRPs in the coordination set. This is done to facilitate synchronization procedures for ground-based devices, similar to the same SS / PBCH blocks (where "same" might mean the PSS / SSS pseudo-random noise binary sequences were generated using the same scrambling identifier). From the perspective of the anchor position on the ground, a so-called "visible cone" can exist, which can be described as a "dome" above the anchor position.

[0256] The NT-TRP can begin transmitting system frames from its left-hand position, carrying an SS / PBCH block located in the middle of time slot 3. As the NT-TRP enters the visible cone at the anchor position, the SS / PBCH block can be detected by ground-based equipment (e.g., an ED) using a Tx / Rx beam pointing to a -20 degree zenith angle. As the NT-TRP continues to move further into the visible cone at the anchor position, it can transmit system frames carrying an SS / PBCH block located at the beginning of time slot 4. This is done to reflect the fact that as the NT-TRP gradually approaches the anchor position, the SS / PBCH block can be detected by ground-based equipment (e.g., an ED) using a Tx / Rx beam pointing to a -10 degree zenith angle. As the NT-TRP continues to move further into the visible cone at the anchor position, it can transmit system frames carrying an SS / PBCH block located within time slot 4. This is done to reflect the fact that the NT-TRP is in a position closest to the anchor position, and the SS / PBCH block can be detected by a ground-based device (e.g., an ED) that can use a Tx / Rx beam pointing to a 0-degree zenith angle. Up to this point, the NT-TRP may have been getting closer to the anchor position, causing the time position of the SS / PBCH block within the system frame to get closer to the end of the system frame. From this point onward, the NT-TRP may be moving away from the anchor position, causing the time position of the SS / PBCH block within the system frame to get closer to the start of the system frame. As the NT-TRP continues to move away from the anchor position, it can transmit a system frame carrying an SS / PBCH block located at the start of the 4th time slot. This is done to reflect the fact that the NT-TRP is moving away from the anchor position, and the SS / PBCH block can be detected by a ground-based device (e.g., an ED) that can use a Tx / Rx beam pointing to a 10-degree zenith angle. As the NT-TRP continues to move away from the anchor position, it can transmit system frames carrying SS / PBCH blocks located in the time slot. This is done to reflect the fact that the NT-TRP is at its furthest point relative to the anchor position (i.e., at the edge of the visible cone), and that the SS / PBCH block can be detected by ground-based equipment (e.g., an ED) using a Tx / Rx beam directed at a 20-degree zenith angle.

[0257] Such floating SS / PBCH blocks can offer several advantages. The first advantage is that they allow ground-based devices (e.g., EDs) to synchronize more reliably by reducing beam scanning effort. Ground-based devices (e.g., EDs) can perform initial access simply by selecting a direction in the zenith domain and based on the SS / PBCH blocks detected in that direction, rather than performing an exhaustive search across many beams aimed at different directions in the zenith domain to find the optimal beam. The second advantage is that the design of floating SS / PBCH blocks can support location-centric designs, as SS / PBCH blocks can arrive at a given anchor location or reference point from different directions in the zenith domain at the same time. The third advantage is that the design of floating SS / PBCH blocks can support better network transparency, because different NT-TRPs operating within the coordination set can send the same SS / PBCH blocks (where "same" can mean that the PSS / SSS pseudo-random noise binary sequences are generated using the same scrambling identifier), and for ground-based devices, regardless of the NT-TRP's orbit, the SS / PBCH blocks may simply appear to originate from different directions.

[0258] Figure 19 A given NT-TRP transmission system frame is shown, which includes an SS / PBCH block in the middle of the 3rd time slot.

[0259] Because SS / PBCH blocks can move flexibly within a system frame, the ED (Easy Detector) may not be able to determine the system frame boundaries and slot boundaries after detecting an SS / PBCH block. To assist the ED, the PBCH may include specific higher-level parameters. These higher-level parameters may be, for example, symbolPosition, which may represent the first OFDM symbol to which the SS / PBCH block is located; and, for example, slotPosition, which may represent the slot to which the SS / PBCH block is located. Assuming the ED knows that a given system frame contains an integer number of slots, denoted as N, where, for example, N=10, then after decoding the SS / PBCH block and decoding the symbolPosition and slotPosition, the ED will know all slot boundaries and frame boundaries, thus having a clear timing reference assumption about where the physical layer reference signal and / or physical layer channel can be located. An explanation of the higher-level parameters symbolPosition and slotPosition is shown in... Figure 20 middle: Figure 20 The SS / PBCH block is shown, with its first OFDM symbol located on the sixth OFDM symbol within the third time slot (or time slot #2) of the system frame.

[0260] like Figure 20 The diagram shows that the ED can acquire timing information, wherein the timing information indicates a first parameter (e.g., symbolPosition) and a second parameter (e.g., slotPosition). A value of symbolPosition equal to "0110" indicates that the SS / PBCH block is transmitted in symbol #6. A value of slotPosition equal to "0010" indicates that the SS / PBCH block is transmitted in slot #2. The ED can detect the SS / PBCH block and determine the system frame boundary, the slot boundary, and the first OFDM symbol boundary for the SS / PBCH block.

[0261] Figure 21 A schematic diagram of the structure of the master information block (MIB) is shown.

[0262] As described above, the timing information can be included in the MIB. For example, the MIB shows a higher-level parameter ssbPositionInSF, which can include the higher-level parameters symbolPosition and slotPosition. The higher-level parameters symbolPosition and slotPosition can be captured as a bit string of a given size (e.g., 4 bits). The presence of these higher-level parameters can be mandatory, in which case the higher-level parameters may not be followed by the "optional" keyword, or the presence of these higher-level parameters can be optional, in which case the higher-level parameters may be followed by the "optional" keyword.

[0263] Embedding information about the location of SS / PBCH blocks within the system frame within the MIB (e.g., via higher-level parameters such as symbolPosition and / or slotPosition) can have several benefits. A first benefit is enabling ground-based equipment (e.g., an ED) to determine the location of the corresponding time slot and system frame boundaries after successfully decoding the MIB. Another benefit is that embedding higher-level parameters such as symbolPosition and slotPosition makes the initial access procedure smoother, because ground-based equipment (e.g., an ED) can accurately locate the Control Resource Set (CORESET), where the PDCCH that schedules the PDSCH carrying the System Information Block (SIB) can be monitored / detected / decoded by the ED.

[0264] Figure 22A schematic diagram of the structure of system information block 1 (SIB1) is shown.

[0265] As described above, the timing information can be included in SIB1. For example, SIB1 shows a higher-level parameter ssbPositionPerBAI, which can include the higher-level parameters symbolPosition and slotPosition. The higher-level parameter ssbPositionPerBAI can include a list of BAIs represented by the higher-level parameter bai, and for each bai, there can be a corresponding set of higher-level parameters symbolPosition and / or slotPosition. The higher-level parameters symbolPosition and slotPosition can be captured as a bit string of a given size (e.g., 4 bits). The presence of these higher-level parameters can be mandatory, in which case the higher-level parameters may not be followed by the "optional" keyword, or the presence of these higher-level parameters can be optional, in which case the higher-level parameters may be followed by the "optional" keyword.

[0266] This embedding of information about the location of SS / PBCH blocks within the system frame (e.g., via higher-level parameters such as symbolPosition and / or slotPosition) within the SIB can have several benefits. The first benefit is that the ED, which is in idle mode and retains this information from previous iterations of the initial access procedure in its internal memory, can learn how the floating SS / PBCH block timing assumptions can change in other BAI aspects.

[0267] The above text refers to Figures 11 to 12. Figure 22 The method according to embodiments of this application is described in detail. References below... Figure 23 and Figure 24 The apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application has been described in detail. The description of the apparatus embodiments corresponds to the description of the method embodiments. Therefore, for content not described in detail, please refer to the above method embodiments. For the sake of brevity, details are not repeated herein.

[0268] refer to Figure 23 The diagram illustrates a schematic block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of this application. The communication device 10 includes a transceiver unit 11 and a processing unit 12. The transceiver unit 11 can implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing unit 11 is used to perform data processing. The transceiver unit 11 can also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication unit.

[0269] In some embodiments, the communication device 10 may further include a storage unit. The storage unit may be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing unit 12 may read the instructions and / or data from the storage unit to enable the communication device to implement the method embodiments described above.

[0270] The communication device 10 can be used to perform the actions performed by the ED in the above method embodiments. In this case, the communication device 10 can be the ED or a component that can be configured in the ED. The transceiver unit 11 is used to perform communication-related (e.g., receive / transmit related) operations on the ED side in the above method embodiments. The processing unit 12 is used to perform processing-related operations on the ED side in the above method embodiments.

[0271] Communication device 10 can realize the functions shown in Figures 11 to 12 according to embodiments of this application. Figure 22 The steps or procedures performed by the ED. Communication device 10 may include functions for executing Figures 11 to... Figure 22 The unit in the method executed by the ED. Additionally, each unit in the communication device 10 and the other operations and / or functions described above are used to implement Figures 11 to... Figure 22 The corresponding program in [the program / system].

[0272] Alternatively, the communication device 10 can be used to perform the actions performed by the first NT-TRP in the above method embodiments. In this case, the communication device 10 can be the first NT-TRP or a component that can be configured in the first NT-TRP. The transceiver unit 11 is used to perform communication-related (e.g., receive / transmit related) operations on the first NT-TRP side in the above method embodiments. The processing unit 12 is used to perform processing-related operations on the first NT-TRP side in the above method embodiments.

[0273] Communication device 10 can realize the functions shown in Figures 11 to 12 according to embodiments of this application. Figure 22 The steps or procedures executed by the first NT-TRP. Communication device 10 may include functions for executing the steps or procedures shown in Figures 11 to 12. Figure 22 The unit in the method executed by the first NT-TRP. Additionally, each unit in the communication device 10 and the other operations and / or functions described above are used to implement Figures 11 to... Figure 22 The corresponding program in [the program / system].

[0274] The specific process by which the unit performs the corresponding steps described above is described in detail in the above method embodiments. For the sake of brevity, the details will not be repeated here.

[0275] refer to Figure 24The diagram illustrates a schematic block diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of this application. The communication device 20 includes a processor 21. The processor 21 is coupled to a memory 22. The memory 22 is used to store computer programs or instructions and / or data. The processor 21 is used to execute the computer programs or instructions and / or data stored in the memory 22, causing the methods described in the above method embodiments to be performed.

[0276] In some embodiments, the communication device 20 includes one or more processors 21.

[0277] In the example, such as Figure 24 As shown, the communication device 20 may also include a memory 22.

[0278] In some embodiments, the communication device 20 may include one or more memories 22.

[0279] In the example, memory 22 may be integrated with processor 21 or arranged separately from processor 21.

[0280] In the example, such as Figure 24 As shown, the communication device 20 may further include a transceiver 23, wherein the transceiver 23 is used to receive and / or transmit signals. For example, the processor 21 may be used to control the transceiver 23 to receive and / or transmit signals.

[0281] In some embodiments, the communication device 20 may be an ED or a component (e.g., a chip, circuit, or processing system) that can be configured in the ED; or, the communication device 20 may be a first NT-TRP or a component (e.g., a chip, circuit, or processing system) that can be configured in the first NT-TRP.

[0282] In one embodiment, the communication device 20 is used to perform the operations performed by the ED in the above method embodiments.

[0283] For example, processor 21 can be used to perform processing-related operations performed by the ED in the above method embodiments, and transceiver 23 can be used to perform communication-related (e.g., receive / transmit related) operations performed by the ED in the above method embodiments.

[0284] In another embodiment, the communication device 20 is used to perform the operations performed by the first NT-TRP in the above method embodiment.

[0285] For example, processor 21 can be used to perform processing-related operations performed by the first NT-TRP in the above method embodiments, and transceiver 23 can be used to perform communication-related (e.g., receive / transmit related) operations performed by the first NT-TRP in the above method embodiments.

[0286] In some aspects of the invention, a device / chipset system is provided, including components (e.g., at least one processor) for implementing a method implemented by (or at the ED of the invention) of the present invention. The device / chipset system may be the ED (i.e., a terminal device) or a module / component within the ED. Specifically, the at least one processor may execute instructions stored in a computer-readable medium to implement the method.

[0287] In some aspects of the invention, a device / chipset system is provided, comprising components (e.g., at least one processor) for implementing a method implemented by (or at the first NT-TRP of the invention, e.g., a satellite) of the invention. The device / chipset system may be the first NT-TRP or a module / component within the first NT-TRP. Specifically, the at least one processor may execute instructions stored in a computer-readable medium to implement the method.

[0288] In some aspects of the invention, a system is provided comprising at least one of a device in the ED of the invention (or at the ED of the invention) or a device in the first NT-TRP of the invention (or at the first NT-TRP of the invention).

[0289] In some aspects of the invention, a method is provided performed by a system comprising at least one of a device in the ED of the invention (or at the ED of the invention) or a device in the first NT-TRP of the invention (or at the first NT-TRP of the invention).

[0290] In some aspects of the invention, a computer program comprising instructions is provided. When executed by a processor, the instructions cause the processor to implement the method of the invention.

[0291] In some aspects of the invention, a non-volatile computer-readable medium is provided storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to implement the method of the invention.

[0292] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions for implementing the methods executed by the ED or by the first NT-TRP in the above method embodiments.

[0293] For example, when the computer program is executed by a computer, it can enable the computer to implement the method executed by the ED or the method executed by the first NT-TRP in the above method embodiments.

[0294] This application also provides a computer program product including instructions. When the instructions are executed by a computer, the computer is able to implement the method executed by the ED or the method executed by the first NT-TRP in the above method embodiments.

[0295] For explanations and descriptions of the relevant content and beneficial effects of any communication device provided above, please refer to the corresponding method embodiments provided above. Further details will not be repeated herein.

[0296] The processor mentioned in this application embodiment can be a central processing unit (CPU). The processor can also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gates, transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, or the processor can be any conventional processor.

[0297] It should be understood that any module, component, or device disclosing executable instructions herein may include or otherwise access one or more non-volatile computer / processor-readable storage media for storing information, such as computer / processor-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, and / or other data. A non-exhaustive list of examples of non-volatile computer / processor-readable storage media includes magnetic tape cassettes, magnetic tape, disk storage devices or other magnetic storage devices, such as compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital video discs or digital versatile discs (DVDs), Blu-ray Discs™ and other optical storage devices, volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology, random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other storage technologies. Any such non-volatile computer / processor storage media may be part of a device or apparatus, or may be accessed or connected to a device or apparatus. Computer / processor-readable / executable instructions used to implement the methods, applications, or modules described herein may be stored by such non-volatile computer / processor-readable storage media or otherwise preserved.

[0298] It should be noted that the message in this invention can be replaced with information, which can be carried in a single message or in more than one independent message.

[0299] Unless otherwise specified, the terms "apparatus" and "device" are used interchangeably, as are the terms "identifier" and "identifier". In embodiments of this application, the terms "system" and "network" are used interchangeably.

[0300] In this invention, when used in conjunction with the term "comprising / including" in the claims and / or description, the word "a / an" may mean "one," but it also has the same meaning as "one or more," "at least one," and "one or more," unless explicitly stated otherwise. Similarly, the word "another" may mean at least a second or more, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0301] In this invention, when used before the same term (e.g., ED or operational step), the terms "first," "second," etc., do not imply an order or sequence of the terms. For example, without specific indication, "first ED" and "second ED" refer to two different EDs; similarly, without specific indication, "first step" and "second step" refer to two different operational steps, but this does not mean that the first step must occur before the second step. The actual order depends on the logical relationship between the two steps.

[0302] The terms “coupled / coupling” or “connected” as used herein can have several different meanings depending on the context in which they are used. For example, the terms “coupled” or “connected” as used herein can indicate that two elements or devices are directly connected to each other or connected to each other via one or more intermediate elements or devices through mechanical elements, depending on the specific circumstances.

[0303] It should be noted that the expression "at least one of A or B" as used herein is interchangeable with the expression "A and / or B". This expression refers to a list from which A, or B, or both A and B can be selected. Similarly, the expression "at least one of A, B, or C" as used herein is interchangeable with "A and / or B and / or C" or "A, B, and / or C". This expression refers to a list from which the following can be selected: A or B or C, or both A and B, or both A and C, or both B and C, or all of A, B, and C. The same principle applies to longer lists with the same format.

[0304] This invention encompasses various embodiments, including not only method embodiments but also other embodiments, such as apparatus embodiments and embodiments related to non-volatile computer-readable storage media. Embodiments may be combined individually or in combination with the features disclosed herein. Therefore, this application may take the form of a purely hardware embodiment, a purely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware. Furthermore, this application may take the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-readable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, optical storage, etc.) including computer-readable program code.

[0305] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to this application. It should be understood that these computer program instructions can be used to implement each process and / or each block in these flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, as well as combinations of processes and / or blocks in these flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or another programmable data processing device to generate a machine such that these instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or the other programmable data processing device, generate means for implementing a specific function in one or more programs in these flowchart illustrations and / or one or more blocks in these block diagrams.

[0306] These computer program instructions may alternatively be stored in a computer-readable storage medium capable of instructing a computer or another programmable data processing device to operate in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of art including instruction means. The instruction means implements one or more programs in these flowcharts and / or a specific function in one or more boxes in these block diagrams.

[0307] These computer program instructions may alternatively be loaded onto a computer or another programmable data processing device to cause a series of operations and steps to be performed on that computer or other programmable device, resulting in a computer-implemented process. Therefore, these instructions, which execute on that computer or other programmable device, provide steps for implementing one or more programs in these flowcharts and / or specific functions in one or more boxes in these block diagrams.

[0308] As used herein, the terms “receive,” “detect,” and “decode” can have several different meanings depending on the context in which they are used. For example, without specific indication, the term “receive” can indicate that information (e.g., DCI or MAC-CE, RRC signaling, or TB) has been successfully received by the receiving node, meaning that the receiving side correctly detected and decoded the information. In this scenario, “receive” can encompass both “detect” and “decode,” or can indicate the same thing; for example, “receive paging” means that the paging was correctly decoded and successfully retrieved, and correspondingly, “received paging” means that the receiving side did not detect and / or decode the paging. “Not received paging” means that the receiving side attempted to detect and / or decode the paging but failed to retrieve it. The term “receive” can sometimes indicate that a signal has arrived at the receiving side, but does not necessarily mean that the information in the signal has been correctly detected and decoded. The receiving side then needs to perform detection and decoding on the signal to retrieve the information carried in it. In this scenario, "receive," "detect," and "decode" can indicate different procedures for the receiving side to obtain the information.

[0309] Although the present invention has reference to illustrative embodiments, it is not intended to be interpreted in a limiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of these illustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to this specification. When two or more embodiments are combined, not all features of the embodiments to be combined are necessary for the combination.

[0310] Additionally or alternatively, features disclosed herein in the context of any particular embodiment may be implemented in other embodiments. For example, method embodiments may be implemented in apparatus, system, and / or computer program product embodiments. Furthermore, although embodiments have been described primarily in the context of methods and apparatus, other implementations are contemplated, such as instructions stored on one or more non-volatile computer-readable media. Such media may store programs or instructions to perform any of the various methods consistent with the present invention.

[0311] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the various examples, units, and methods described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed in this specification can be implemented in electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed by hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but this should not be considered as exceeding the scope of protection of this application.

[0312] The above description is merely one specific implementation of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any variations or substitutions that are readily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application are within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims and the specification.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to an electronic device (ED), including: Receive the first synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel SS / PBCH block from the first non-terrestrial transmit / receive point NT-TRP; The first SS / PBCH block contains timing information of the first SS / PBCH block within the first frame.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The timing information is associated with the location information of the first NT-TRP.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The timing information indicates a time slot in the first frame, wherein the first SS / PBCH block is located in the time slot.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The timing information also indicates one or more symbols occupied by the first SS / PBCH block.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The position of the first SS / PBCH block in the first frame and the frame boundary of the first frame satisfy the condition that the frame boundary of the first frame is the time when the ED receives the first frame.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The conditions include: the sum of the first duration and the second duration is within a certain range or equal to a threshold, the first duration is from the moment the first NT-TRP sends the first frame to the frame boundary of the first frame, and the second duration is from the frame boundary of the first frame to the start time of the first SS / PBCH block.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The position of the second SS / PBCH block in the second frame and the frame boundary of the second frame satisfy the condition, and the second frame comes from the second NT-TRP.

8. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that, The location information includes one or more of the following: First information indicating the relative distance between the first NT-TRP and the reference point; Second information indicating the relative direction between the first NT-TRP and the reference point.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first information is obtained from one or more of the following: the demodulation reference signal DMRS of the first SS / PBCH block and the PBCH payload of the first SS / PBCH block.

10. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a first non-terrestrial transmit / receive point (NT-TRP) and includes: Determine the timing information of the first synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel (SS / PBCH) block within the first frame; Based on the timing information, the first SS / PBCH block is sent to the electronic device ED, wherein the first SS / PBCH block contains the timing information.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The timing information is associated with the location information of the first NT-TRP.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The timing information indicates a time slot in the first frame, wherein the first SS / PBCH block is located in the time slot.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The first information also indicates one or more symbols occupied by the first SS / PBCH block.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that, The position of the first SS / PBCH block in the first frame and the frame boundary of the first frame satisfy the condition that the frame boundary of the first frame is the time when the ED receives the first frame.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The conditions include: the sum of the first duration and the second duration is within a certain range or equal to a threshold, the first duration is from the moment the first NT-TRP sends the first frame to the frame boundary of the first frame, and the second duration is from the frame boundary of the first frame to the start time of the first SS / PBCH block.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that, The position of the second SS / PBCH block in the second frame and the frame boundary of the second frame satisfy the condition, and the second frame is sent from the second NT-TRP to the ED.

17. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that, The location information includes one or more of the following: First information indicating the relative distance between the first NT-TRP and the reference point; Second information indicating the relative direction between the first NT-TRP and the reference point.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The first information is obtained from one or more of the following: the demodulation reference signal DMRS of the first SS / PBCH block and the PBCH payload of the first SS / PBCH block.

19. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to an electronic device (ED), including: Receive synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel SS / PBCH block timing information within the frame from the non-terrestrial transmit / receive point NT-TRP; Based on the timing information, the SS / PBCH block is received from the NT-TRP.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The timing information is contained in the System Information Block (SIB).

21. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to non-terrestrial transmit / receive points (NT-TRP) and includes: Determine the timing information of the synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel (SS / PBCH) block within the frame; Send the timing information to the electronic device ED; Based on the timing information, the SS / PBCH block is sent to the ED.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that, The timing information is contained in the System Information Block (SIB).

23. An apparatus, characterized in that, The apparatus includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing one or more instructions executable on the processor, the one or more instructions, when executed, causing the apparatus to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, or the method according to any one of claims 10 to 18, or the method according to claim 19 or 20, or the method according to claim 21 or 22.

24. An apparatus, characterized in that, The apparatus includes functions or units for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, or the method according to any one of claims 10 to 18, or the method according to claim 19 or 20, or the method according to claim 21 or 22.

25. A communication system, characterized in that, It includes a first device and a second device, wherein the first device performs the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, and the second device performs the method according to any one of claims 10 to 18; or the first device performs the method according to claim 19 or 20, and the second device performs the method according to claim 21 or 22.

26. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, It includes one or more instructions that, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, or the method according to any one of claims 10 to 18, or the method according to claim 19 or 20, or the method according to claim 21 or 22.

27. A non-volatile computer-readable medium storing instructions, characterized in that, When executed by a processor in the device, the instructions cause the processor to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, or the method according to any one of claims 10 to 18, or the method according to claim 19 or 20, or the method according to claim 21 or 22.

28. A device, characterized in that, For performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, or the method according to any one of claims 10 to 18, or the method according to claim 19 or 20, or the method according to claim 21 or 22.

29. A processor, characterized in that, For executing instructions that cause the device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, or the method according to any one of claims 10 to 18, or the method according to claim 19 or 20, or the method according to claim 21 or 22.

30. An integrated circuit, characterized in that, For performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, or the method according to any one of claims 10 to 18, or the method according to claim 19 or 20, or the method according to claim 21 or 22.

31. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A transceiver unit is used to perform the receiving step according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

32. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A transceiver unit, configured to perform the transmission step according to any one of claims 10 to 18; A processing unit for performing the processing steps according to any one of claims 10 to 18.

33. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A transceiver unit is used to perform the receiving step as described in claim 19 or 20.

34. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A transceiver unit, configured to perform the transmission step as described in claim 19 or 20; A processing unit for performing the processing steps according to claim 19 or 20.

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