Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The application provides a communication method and device, belongs to the communication technical field, and can improve the communication efficiency. In the communication method, a region served by a first satellite is divided into a plurality of sub-regions, and each sub-region is associated with information of at least one satellite (a neighboring satellite of the first satellite) actually serving the region. When the first satellite serves a terminal device, the first satellite can send first information; correspondingly, the terminal device can receive the first information; the first information indicates information of at least one satellite serving each sub-region in the plurality of sub-regions. Then, the terminal device can determine information of at least one second satellite actually serving a first sub-region in which the terminal device is located according to the first sub-region, and perform mobility management of the terminal device according to the information of the at least one second satellite, so that the complexity of the mobility management of the terminal device is reduced, the access delay during the mobility management is reduced, and the communication efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to communication methods and apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Satellite communication systems offer unique advantages over terrestrial communication. For example, they provide wider coverage, and satellite base stations are less susceptible to damage from natural disasters or external forces. Furthermore, satellite communication systems can provide services to areas inaccessible by terrestrial communication, such as oceans and forests; they can enhance the reliability of mobile communications, ensuring better communication services for users on airplanes, trains, and other modes of transportation; and they provide more data transmission resources for mobile communications, improving network speeds.

[0003] In satellite communication systems, geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellites and low earth orbit (LEO) satellites each have their own advantages and disadvantages. For example, GEO satellites offer a particularly large coverage area and provide relatively continuous coverage, but their signal quality is weaker compared to LEO satellites. LEO satellites can provide better signal quality, but their coverage continuity is still insufficient, resulting in greater access latency for terminals during mobility management. Therefore, improving the communication efficiency of satellite communication systems is an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and apparatus that can improve communication efficiency.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] Firstly, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to the terminal side, such as a terminal or a communication module and / or computing module in the terminal, or a circuit or chip in the terminal responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core or a system-in-package (SIP) chip), or a circuit or chip in the terminal responsible for communication and / or computing functions (such as a graphics processing unit (GPU), a neural processing unit (NPU), an AI processor, or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)), or a logic node, logic module, or software that can implement all or part of the terminal functions.

[0007] Taking the application of this method to a terminal device as an example, in this method, the terminal device can receive first information, which indicates information about at least one satellite serving each of multiple sub-regions. The multiple sub-regions belong to the area served by the first satellite, which is a satellite that provides services to the terminal device. When the terminal device is located in the first sub-region of the multiple sub-regions, mobility management of the terminal device is performed based on information about at least one second satellite serving the first sub-region.

[0008] By using the above method, the area served by the first satellite is divided into multiple sub-regions, and each sub-region is associated with information of at least one satellite (a neighboring satellite of the first satellite) actually serving that region. Then, the terminal device can determine the information of at least one second satellite actually serving that first sub-region based on its own location within that sub-region, and perform mobility management (such as measurement operations on neighboring satellites, neighboring frequencies, neighboring cells, same-frequency, or different-frequency connections) based on the information of at least one second satellite. This reduces the complexity of mobility management for the terminal device, lowers access latency during mobility management, and thus improves communication efficiency.

[0009] One possible design further includes receiving second information indicating the location information of each sub-region within a plurality of sub-regions, wherein the first sub-region is determined based on the location information of each sub-region. Optionally, the location information of each sub-region includes a reference location of each sub-region or a relative location between each sub-region and the area served by the first satellite. Therefore, the terminal device can receive the location information of each sub-region indicated by the network side, and then determine its own sub-region based on its own location, thereby determining information about at least one second satellite serving that sub-region, thus reducing the complexity of mobility management for the terminal device.

[0010] In one possible design, each of the multiple sub-regions is the coverage area of ​​each beam of the first satellite. The design further includes determining a first index, which is the index of the first synchronization signal and the Physical Broadcast Channel Block (SSB). The coverage area of ​​the beam corresponding to the first SSB is the first sub-region. That is, by using the coverage area of ​​the beam corresponding to the SSB as a sub-region, the association of information from at least one satellite with the sub-region can reduce signaling overhead. Furthermore, when the terminal equipment in each sub-region measures the SSB, it can determine its own location based on the SSB's signal strength, thus saving terminal equipment resources.

[0011] In one possible design, the information of at least one second satellite includes the ephemeris of at least one second satellite; based on the information of at least one second satellite serving the first sub-region, mobility management of the terminal device is performed, including: performing mobility management of the terminal device based on the ephemeris of at least one second satellite. That is, different regions are associated with the ephemeris of different satellites, and the terminal device can perform mobility management based on the ephemeris of the satellites serving the sub-region in which it is located, thereby reducing the complexity of terminal device mobility management.

[0012] One possible design scheme further includes: receiving third information indicating the service time of at least one satellite providing services to each sub-region in multiple sub-regions within the corresponding sub-region; determining, based on the third information, the first time at least one second satellite provides services within the first sub-region; and performing mobility management of the terminal device based on the ephemeris of the at least one second satellite, including performing mobility management of the terminal device within the first time based on the ephemeris of the at least one second satellite. That is, when each satellite provides services to each sub-region in a time-division manner, the network side can indicate the service time information of each satellite to the terminal device, further reducing the complexity of neighboring satellite measurements for the terminal device.

[0013] In one possible design, the information of at least one second satellite includes a first priority parameter for that second satellite. Based on the information of the at least one second satellite serving the first sub-region, mobility management of the terminal device is performed, including: performing measurements on the at least one second satellite according to the first priority parameter. That is, different regions are associated with different priority parameters. For example, satellites closer to the first sub-region have higher priority, and the terminal device can prioritize measuring those satellites. If the measurement results of that satellite meet the mobility management requirements, other satellites can be disregarded, thereby reducing the complexity of mobility management for the terminal device.

[0014] One possible design also includes receiving a fourth message indicating the validity period of the first priority parameter. Due to satellite movement, the relevant priorities may change. The network side further indicates the validity period of the priority parameters, allowing the terminal device to clearly specify which priority parameter to use during which time period, thereby reducing the complexity of mobility management.

[0015] In one possible design, before receiving the first information, the process further includes: searching for downlink synchronization signals in a preset grid within the synchronization grid, where the synchronization grid is any frequency band corresponding to the first satellite's frequency domain resources; if a downlink synchronization signal corresponding to the first satellite is found, access to the first satellite is initiated based on that signal. Dividing the grids in the synchronization grid into high and low priorities, with the terminal device prioritizing the search for downlink synchronization signals in high-priority preset grids, reduces the complexity and latency of frequency point searching for the terminal device, thereby reducing access latency.

[0016] One possible design scheme further includes: sending a first request message, which requests the first satellite to transmit information about at least one satellite serving each of the multiple sub-regions. Depending on the actual terminal equipment (e.g., some sub-regions may not have terminal equipment), the terminal equipment can request the information of the corresponding neighboring satellites, which can reduce the signaling overhead on the network side.

[0017] Secondly, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to the network side, such as access network equipment (also known as network device or transmission and reception point), modules (e.g., circuits, chips or chip systems) in the access network equipment, or logical nodes, logical modules or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the access network equipment, or circuits or chips (such as GPUs, AI processors, NPUs or ASICs) in the access network equipment that are responsible for communication and / or computing functions.

[0018] Taking the application of this method to a first satellite as an example, in this method, the first satellite sends first information, which indicates information of at least one satellite serving each of multiple sub-regions, the multiple sub-regions belonging to the area served by the first satellite, and the first satellite being a satellite providing services to the terminal device; wherein, the information of at least one second satellite serving the first sub-region of the multiple sub-regions is used to perform mobility management of the terminal device when the terminal device is located in the first sub-region.

[0019] One possible design scheme also includes: sending a second message indicating the location information of each sub-region in the multiple sub-regions, wherein the first sub-region is determined based on the location information of each sub-region.

[0020] In one possible design, the location information of each sub-region includes the reference location of each sub-region, or the relative location of each sub-region to the area served by the first satellite.

[0021] In one possible design, each of the multiple sub-regions is the coverage area of ​​each beam of the first satellite, and the design also includes: transmitting a first synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel block (SSB), wherein the coverage area of ​​the beam corresponding to the first SSB is the first sub-region, and the first index of the first SSB corresponds to the first sub-region.

[0022] In one possible design, the information of at least one second satellite includes the ephemeris of at least one second satellite.

[0023] One possible design also includes: sending third information indicating the time when at least one satellite providing services to each of the multiple sub-regions provides services within the corresponding sub-region.

[0024] In one possible design, the information of at least one second satellite includes at least one first priority parameter of the second satellite.

[0025] One possible design scheme also includes: sending a fourth message, which indicates the validity period of the first priority parameter.

[0026] One possible design also includes: receiving a request message, which requests the first satellite to transmit information about at least one satellite serving each of the multiple sub-regions. The technical effects of the second aspect are similar to those of the first aspect and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0027] Thirdly, a communication method is provided that can be applied to the terminal side, such as a terminal or a communication module and / or computing module in the terminal, or a circuit or chip in the terminal responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core or a system-in-package (SIP) chip), or a circuit or chip in the terminal responsible for communication and / or computing functions (such as a graphics processing unit (GPU), a neural processing unit (NPU), an AI processor, or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)), or a logical node, logical module, or software that can realize all or part of the terminal functions.

[0028] Taking the application of this method to a terminal device as an example, in this method, when it is determined that the terminal device is located in the first sub-region of multiple sub-regions, the terminal device sends a second request message. The second request message is used to request a first satellite to send information about at least one second satellite serving the first sub-region of multiple sub-regions. The multiple sub-regions belong to the area served by the first satellite. The first satellite is a satellite that provides services to the terminal device. The first sub-region is the area where the terminal device is located. The terminal device receives fifth information, which indicates the information of at least one second satellite. Based on the information of at least one second satellite, the terminal device performs mobility management.

[0029] One possible design scheme further includes: receiving second information, the second information indicating the location information of each sub-region in the plurality of sub-regions, wherein the first sub-region is determined based on the location information of each sub-region.

[0030] Optionally, the location information of each sub-region includes the reference location of each sub-region, or the relative location of each sub-region to the region served by the first satellite.

[0031] In one possible design, each of the multiple sub-regions is the coverage area of ​​each beam of the first satellite, and the design further includes: determining a first index, which is the index of the first synchronization signal and the physical broadcast channel block (SSB), and the coverage area of ​​the beam corresponding to the first SSB is the first sub-region.

[0032] In one possible design, the information of at least one second satellite includes the ephemeris of at least one second satellite; and the mobility management of the terminal device is performed based on the information of at least one second satellite, including: performing mobility management of the terminal device based on the ephemeris of at least one second satellite.

[0033] One possible design also includes receiving third information, which instructs at least one second satellite to provide services within a first sub-area; and performing mobility management of the terminal device based on the ephemeris of at least one second satellite, including performing mobility management of the terminal device within the first time period based on the ephemeris of at least one second satellite.

[0034] In one possible design, the information of at least one second satellite includes a first priority parameter of at least one second satellite; based on the information of at least one second satellite, mobility management of the terminal device is performed, including: performing measurements on at least one second satellite based on the first priority parameter.

[0035] One possible design also includes receiving a fourth message, which indicates the validity period of the first priority parameter.

[0036] In one possible design, before receiving the first information, the method further includes: searching for downlink synchronization signals in a preset grid in the synchronization grid, wherein the synchronization grid is the synchronization grid corresponding to any frequency band in the frequency domain resources of the first satellite; if a downlink synchronization signal corresponding to the first satellite is found, the system accesses the first satellite according to the downlink synchronization signal corresponding to the first satellite.

[0037] Fourthly, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to the network side, such as access network equipment (also known as network device or transmission and reception point), modules (e.g., circuits, chips or chip systems) in the access network equipment, or logical nodes, logical modules or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the access network equipment, or circuits or chips (such as GPUs, AI processors, NPUs, or ASICs) in the access network equipment that are responsible for communication and / or computing functions.

[0038] Taking the application of this method to a first satellite as an example, in this method, the first satellite receives a second request message, which requests the first satellite to send information about at least one second satellite serving a first sub-region in multiple sub-regions. The multiple sub-regions belong to the areas served by the first satellite, the first satellite is a satellite that provides services to the terminal device, and the first sub-region is the area where the terminal device is located. The first satellite then sends fifth information, which is used to indicate information from at least one second satellite. The information from at least one second satellite is used to perform mobility management for the terminal device.

[0039] One possible design scheme also includes: sending a second message indicating the location information of each sub-region in the multiple sub-regions, wherein the first sub-region is determined based on the location information of each sub-region.

[0040] In one possible design, the location information of each sub-region includes the reference location of each sub-region, or the relative location of each sub-region to the area served by the first satellite.

[0041] In one possible design, each of the multiple sub-regions is the coverage area of ​​each beam of the first satellite, and the design also includes: transmitting a first synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel block (SSB), wherein the coverage area of ​​the beam corresponding to the first SSB is the first sub-region, and the first index of the first SSB corresponds to the first sub-region.

[0042] In one possible design, the information of at least one second satellite includes the ephemeris of at least one second satellite.

[0043] One possible design also includes: sending third information indicating the time when at least one satellite providing services to each of the multiple sub-regions provides services within the corresponding sub-region.

[0044] In one possible design, the information of at least one second satellite includes at least one first priority parameter of the second satellite.

[0045] One possible design scheme also includes: sending a fourth message, which indicates the validity period of the first priority parameter.

[0046] Fifthly, this application provides a communication device that has the functions of implementing the first or third aspects described above. For example, the communication device includes modules, units, or means that perform the operations involved in the first aspect. These modules, units, or means can be implemented by software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0047] Sixthly, this application provides a communication device that has the functions of implementing the second or fourth aspects mentioned above. For example, the communication device includes modules, units, or means that perform the operations involved in the second or fourth aspects mentioned above. These modules, units, or means can be implemented by software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0048] In a seventh aspect, this application provides a communication device including an interface circuit and one or more processors. The one or more processors are coupled to a memory. The memory stores part or all of the necessary computer program or instructions for implementing the functions described in the first or third aspect. The one or more processors are executable to the computer program or instructions, which, when executed, cause the communication device to implement the methods in any possible design or implementation of the first or third aspect. The interface circuit is used to implement communication functions within the communication device and / or communication functions between the communication device and other devices or components.

[0049] In one possible design, the processor is used to communicate with other devices or components through the interface circuit.

[0050] In one possible design, the communication device may also include the memory.

[0051] The aforementioned communication device may be a terminal, or a communication and / or computing module in a terminal, or a chip in a terminal responsible for communication functions such as a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip) or a SoC or SIP chip containing a modem module, or a circuit or chip in a terminal responsible for communication and / or computing functions (such as a GPU, AI processor, NPU, or ASIC), or a logical node or logical module capable of implementing all or part of the terminal functions.

[0052] Eighthly, this application provides a communication device including an interface circuit and one or more processors. The one or more processors are coupled to a memory. The memory stores part or all of the necessary computer program or instructions for implementing the functions described in the second or fourth aspect above. The one or more processors are executable to carry out the computer program or instructions, which, when executed, cause the communication device to implement the methods in any possible design or implementation of the second or fourth aspect above. The interface circuit is used to implement communication functions within the communication device and / or communication functions between the communication device and other devices or components.

[0053] In one possible design, the processor is used to communicate with other devices or components through the interface circuit.

[0054] In one possible design, the communication device may also include the memory.

[0055] The aforementioned communication device may be an access network device, or a module (e.g., a circuit, chip, or chip system) within an access network device, or a circuit or chip (e.g., a GPU, AI processor, NPU, or ASIC) within an access network device responsible for communication and / or computing functions, or a logical node or logical module capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the access network device.

[0056] Ninthly, this application provides a communication system that may include one or more terminal devices and / or one or more network devices. The terminal devices are used to perform the methods described in the first or third aspect above, and the network devices are used to perform the methods described in the second or fourth aspect above.

[0057] In a tenth aspect, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium including a computer program or instructions that, when executed, cause the method described in any one of the first to fourth aspects to be performed.

[0058] In one aspect, this application provides a computer program product comprising: a computer program or instructions that, when executed, cause the methods described in any one of the first to fourth aspects to be performed.

[0059] The beneficial effects of the solutions provided in the second to eleventh aspects above can be found in the description of the corresponding beneficial effects in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0060] Figures 1(a) and 1(b) show schematic diagrams of the NTN network architecture;

[0061] Figure 2Figure (a) shows a schematic diagram of the architecture of a non-gazing system;

[0062] Figure 2 Figure (b) shows a schematic diagram of the staring system architecture;

[0063] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system applicable to embodiments of this application is shown;

[0064] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application is shown;

[0065] Figures 5-7 A schematic diagram illustrating the association between at least one satellite serving each sub-region and each sub-region to which embodiments of this application apply;

[0066] Figure 8 A flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application is shown;

[0067] Figure 9 This document illustrates possible exemplary block diagrams of communication devices involved in embodiments of this application;

[0068] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal involved in an embodiment of this application is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0069] In this application, "sending information" can be understood as one device sending information to another device, or it can also be understood as one logic module within a device sending information to another logic module. For example, "terminal sending information" can be understood as the terminal sending information to another device (such as the first satellite), or it can be understood as logic module 1 in the terminal sending information to logic module 2 in the terminal.

[0070] In this application, "receiving information" can be understood as one device receiving information from another device, or it can also be understood as a logic module within a device receiving information from another logic module. For example, "the first satellite receiving information" can be understood as the first satellite receiving information from another device (such as a terminal), or it can be understood as logic module 1 in the first satellite receiving information from logic module 2 in the first satellite.

[0071] In this application, phrases such as "sending information to... (e.g., a first satellite)" or related illustrations in the accompanying drawings can be understood as indicating that the destination of the information is the first satellite. This can include sending information directly or indirectly to the first satellite. Similarly, phrases such as "receiving information from... (e.g., a terminal)," "receiving information from... (e.g., a terminal)," or "receiving information sent (e.g., by a terminal)," or related illustrations in the accompanying drawings, can be understood as indicating that the source of the information is the terminal. This can include receiving information directly or indirectly from the terminal. Information may undergo necessary processing between the source and destination, such as format changes, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be interpreted similarly and will not be elaborated further here.

[0072] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions in this application, the technical terms and related technical solutions in this application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0073] 1. Non-terrestrial network (NTN):

[0074] Figures 1(a) and 1(b) illustrate the architecture of the NTN network provided in this embodiment, which integrates a satellite communication system and a 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system. Ground-based mobile terminals access the network through the 5G mobile communication system. 5G base stations are deployed on satellites and connected to the ground-based 5G core network via wireless links. Simultaneously, wireless links exist between satellites to facilitate signaling interaction and user data transmission between base stations. The base stations can be either 4G or 5G base stations, without limitation. Besides being deployed on satellites, base stations can also function as transparent nodes; in this scenario, communication between satellites is generally not possible.

[0075] The network elements and interfaces are described below:

[0076] Terminal devices: Mobile devices that support 5G mobile communication, such as mobile phones and tablets. They can access satellite networks via air interface and initiate services such as making calls and accessing the internet.

[0077] 5G base stations primarily provide wireless access services, allocate wireless resources to access terminals, and provide reliable wireless transmission protocols and data encryption protocols.

[0078] 5G Core Network: This includes user access control, mobility management, session management function (SMF), user security authentication, billing, and other services. It consists of multiple functional units, which can be divided into control plane and data plane functional entities. The core access and mobility management function (AMF) is responsible for user access management, security authentication, and mobility management. The user plane function (UPF) is responsible for managing user plane data transmission, traffic statistics, and other functions. The session management function (SMF) is mainly used for session management in mobile networks. Terminal devices access the data network (DN) through access network equipment and core network equipment.

[0079] Ground station: Responsible for forwarding signaling and service data between satellite base stations and the 5G core network.

[0080] Air interface: The wireless link between the terminal and the base station.

[0081] Xn interface: The interface between 5G base stations, mainly used for signaling interactions such as handover.

[0082] X2 interface: The interface between LTE base stations, mainly used for signaling interaction such as handover.

[0083] NG interface: The interface between the 5G base station and the 5G core network, mainly used for exchanging signaling such as NAS of the core network, as well as user service data.

[0084] S1 interface: The interface between the LTE base station and the LTE core network, mainly used for exchanging signaling such as NAS of the core network, as well as user service data.

[0085] The integration of satellite communication systems and 5G mobile communication systems, leveraging their respective strengths and compensating for their weaknesses, forms a globally seamless, integrated sea, land, air, and space communication network. This network meets the diverse and ubiquitous business needs of users and represents a crucial direction for future communication development. The integration of satellite communication systems and 5G mobile communication systems will fully utilize their respective advantages to provide users with more comprehensive and high-quality services. This is mainly reflected in the following aspects: (1) In remote areas, on aircraft, or on ocean-going vessels where terrestrial 5G mobile communication systems cannot provide coverage, satellites can provide economical and reliable network services, extending the network to places where terrestrial networks cannot reach. (2) Satellites can provide continuous and uninterrupted network connections for IoT devices and mobile carriers such as aircraft, ships, trains, and automobiles. The integration of satellite communication systems and 5G mobile communication systems can significantly enhance the service capabilities of 5G mobile communication systems in this regard. (3) The superior broadcast / multicast capabilities of satellites can provide efficient data distribution services for network edges and user terminals.

[0086] 2. Satellite communication system beam operating mode:

[0087] Taking satellite communication as an example, based on the working mode of the payload (such as beam), it can usually be divided into staring (earth-fixed or quasi-earth fixed) and non-staring (earth-moving) satellite communication systems.

[0088] Non-gazing systems: such as Figure 2 As shown in (a), the satellite beam coverage area moves along with the satellite over a period of time (e.g., times T1, T2, and T3).

[0089] gaze system: such as Figure 2 As shown in (b), over a period of time (e.g., times T1, T2, and T3), the satellite dynamically adjusts the beam direction to make the beam approximately cover the same area of ​​the ground.

[0090] In existing technologies, the mobility management of terminal devices mainly considers providing the terminal with the ephemeris of neighboring satellites at the same orbital altitude. For example, LEO and GEO provide information on the neighboring satellites of up to four satellites each. GEO provides the ephemeris of its neighboring GEO satellites, and LEO only provides the ephemeris of its four neighboring LEO satellites. However, the potential problems in actual satellite deployment are not taken into account.

[0091] Because GEO satellites cover a very large area (theoretically, three can cover the entire ground), there would be a large number of LEO satellites if their neighboring satellites were LEO satellites. However, as LEO satellites are neighbors within the area served by GEO, each LEO satellite can only cover a portion of the area; that is, one LEO satellite can only serve a small area within the GEO's service area. If the number of LEO satellites is very small, it may be necessary to use time-division multiplexing to cover as much area as possible. Therefore, according to current technology, GEO can only indicate the ephemeris of a maximum of four neighboring satellites, which is insufficient to provide the terminal with enough information about LEO neighboring satellites, resulting in significant access latency for the terminal during mobility management.

[0092] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this application proposes the following technical solutions. The technical solutions in this application will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0093] The network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0094] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, Figure 3 The communication system shown in the figure is used as an example to describe in detail the communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application.

[0095] The technical solution of this application can be applied to non-terrestrial network NTN systems such as satellite communication systems, high altitude platform station (HAPS) communication, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including integrated communication and navigation (ICAN) systems, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), and ultra-dense low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication systems. Satellite communication systems can be integrated with traditional mobile communication systems. For example, the mobile communication system can be a 4th generation (4G) communication system (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE) system), a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, a 5G communication system (e.g., a new radio (NR) system), and future mobile communication systems.

[0096] Satellite communication systems can include user equipment (UE) and access network equipment. User equipment can also be referred to as user terminals, mobile stations, terminals, etc. Access network equipment can include one or more satellites and ground station equipment; ground station equipment can also be referred to as core network equipment, and access network equipment can also be referred to as network equipment. Satellites can be LEO satellites, GEO satellites, non-geostationary earth orbit (NGEO) satellites, etc.

[0097] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication system, which can be called a satellite communication system, includes satellites 101, 102, and 103. Each satellite can provide communication services, navigation services, and positioning services to terminal devices through multiple beams. In this scenario, the satellites are LEO satellites, and satellite 103 is connected to ground station equipment. The satellites use multiple beams to cover the service area, and different beams can communicate through one or more of time division, frequency division, and space division. The satellites communicate wirelessly with terminal devices through broadcast communication signals and navigation signals, and can also communicate wirelessly with ground station equipment. The satellites mentioned in this embodiment can be satellite base stations, or may include orbital receivers or repeaters for relaying information, or network-side equipment mounted on the satellite.

[0098] Satellite communication systems include transparent and non-transparent satellite architectures. Transparent transmission, also known as bend-tube relay transmission, means that the signal only undergoes frequency conversion and amplification on the satellite; the satellite is transparent to the signal, as if it doesn't exist. Non-transparent transmission, also known as regenerative (on-board access / processing) transmission, means that the satellite has some or all of the base station functions. For example, satellites 101 and 102 in the diagram are non-transparent satellites, while satellite 103 is a transparent satellite. Furthermore, satellites can operate in earth-fixed, quasi-earth-fixed, or earth-moving modes. Satellites 101, 102, and 103 can communicate via inter-satellite links 01 and 02.

[0099] The terminal devices mentioned in the embodiments of this application include various handheld devices, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, computing devices, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem with wireless communication functions. Specifically, they may refer to user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user device. Terminal devices can also be satellite phones, cellular phones, smartphones, wireless data cards, wireless modems, machine-type communication devices, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, in-vehicle devices or wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) terminal devices, augmented reality (AR) terminal devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical care, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, terminal devices in 5G networks or future communication networks, etc.

[0100] Ground station equipment can be equipment within the core network (CN) of existing mobile communication architectures (such as the 3GPP access architecture of 5G networks) or equipment within the core network of future mobile communication architectures. The core network, as the bearer network, provides the interface to the data network, offering user equipment (UE) communication connections, authentication, management, policy control, and data service delivery. The CN can further include: Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), Authentication Server Function (AUSF), Policy Control Function (PCF), User Plane Function (UPF), and other network elements. The AMF network element manages UE access and mobility, primarily responsible for UE authentication, UE mobility management, and UE paging functions.

[0101] Access network equipment may also include, but is not limited to: evolved node B (eNB), baseband unit (BBU), access point (AP), wireless relay node, wireless backhaul node, transmission point (TP), or transmission reception point (TRP) in a wireless fidelity (WIFI) system. This network equipment may also be a gNB, TRP, or TP in a 5G system, or one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station in a 5G system. Furthermore, this network equipment may be a network node constituting a gNB or TP, such as a BBU, or a distributed unit (DU). Alternatively, this network equipment may also be equipment that performs network-side functions in a device-to-device (D2D) communication system, a machine-to-machine (M2M) communication system, an Internet of Things (IoT) communication system, a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication system, or other communication systems.

[0102] In the aforementioned communication system, the area served by the first satellite can be divided into multiple sub-regions, and each sub-region is associated with information about at least one satellite (a neighboring satellite of the first satellite) actually serving that region. The terminal device can be any terminal device in the aforementioned communication system, the first satellite can be any GEO satellite in the aforementioned communication system, and the at least one satellite serving each sub-region can be any LEO or GEO satellite in the aforementioned communication system, providing services to the terminal device in that sub-region. For example, it could be one or more satellites located close to that sub-region. At least one second satellite serves the first sub-region. When the first satellite serves the terminal device, it can transmit first information; correspondingly, the terminal device can receive the first information. The first information indicates information about at least one satellite serving each sub-region within the multiple sub-regions. Thus, the terminal device can determine the information of at least one second satellite actually serving the first sub-region based on its own location within that first sub-region, and perform mobility management (such as measurement operations on neighboring satellites, neighboring frequencies, neighboring cells, same-frequency, or different-frequency connections) based on the information of the at least one second satellite. This reduces the complexity of terminal device mobility management, lowers access latency during mobility management, and thereby improves communication efficiency.

[0103] The communication method and apparatus will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is understood that this application uses a terminal device and a first satellite as examples to illustrate the interaction, but this application does not limit the execution subject of the interaction. For example, the method executed by the terminal in this application can also be implemented by a module in the terminal (e.g., a circuit, chip, or chip system), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal's functions, or a circuit or chip (e.g., a GPU, AI processor, or ASIC) in the terminal responsible for communication and / or computing functions. The method executed by the terminal in this application can also be implemented by a communication and / or computing module in the terminal, or a circuit or chip (e.g., a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip), or a SoC chip / SIP chip containing a modem core, or a GPU / AI processor / ASIC) in the terminal responsible for communication and / or computing functions, or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal's functions. The first satellite is similar and will not be described further here.

[0104] The following will combine Figures 4-8 The interaction process between devices in the above-described communication system is specifically described through method embodiments. The communication method provided in this application can be applied to the above-described communication system, and will be described in detail below.

[0105] like Figure 4 As shown, the flow of this communication method is as follows:

[0106] S401, the first satellite transmits the first information; correspondingly, the terminal equipment receives the first information.

[0107] The first information indicates information about at least one satellite serving each of the multiple sub-regions.

[0108] Multiple sub-regions belong to the service area of ​​a first satellite, which provides services to terminal devices. The service area of ​​the first satellite can be divided into multiple sub-regions, and there is no limit to the number of sub-regions; it can refer to two or more sub-regions. The method by which the service area of ​​the first satellite is divided into multiple sub-regions is not limited; for example, it can be divided into multiple sub-regions based on wavebands, where a waveband can be the ground area covered by one beam of the first satellite, such as one or more wavebands corresponding to one sub-region; alternatively, the service area of ​​the first satellite can be divided equally according to a fixed number of waves.

[0109] The first information may include information about at least one satellite serving each sub-region, and the association between the information about at least one satellite serving each sub-region and each sub-region.

[0110] Information about at least one satellite can include its identifier, ephemeris, epoch, beam topology, and coverage area, as well as priority parameters corresponding to that satellite. The priority parameter can refer to the priority used by the terminal device when measuring at least one satellite. For example, assuming the first satellite is a GEO satellite, and the satellites serving sub-region 1 are also GEO satellites, such as Neighbor Satellite 1, Neighbor Satellite 2, and Neighbor Satellite 3, which are progressively farther away from sub-region 1, then Neighbor Satellite 1 corresponds to priority 1, Neighbor Satellite 2 to priority 2, and Neighbor Satellite 3 to priority 3, with priority 1 > priority 2 > priority 3. Alternatively, the priority parameter can also be a frequency list. It is understandable that the priorities of Neighbor Satellite 1, Neighbor Satellite 2, and Neighbor Satellite 3 may change as the satellite moves. For example, during time period 1, if a terminal in sub-region 1 is closest to Neighbor Satellite 2, then the frequency corresponding to Neighbor Satellite 2 has the highest priority; during time period 2, if a terminal in sub-region 1 is closest to Neighbor Satellite 3, then the frequency corresponding to Neighbor Satellite 3 has the highest priority.

[0111] Each sub-region can be represented by its regional information, which can include a wave position index (e.g., wave position 1, wave position 2, etc.), a sub-region identifier (e.g., sub-region 1 or first sub-region, sub-region 2 or second sub-region, etc.), the sub-region's location information (e.g., the center of the sub-region, etc.), and the index of the reference signal corresponding to the beam covering the sub-region. The reference signal index can be the index of the synchronization signal and the physical broadcast channel block (PBCH block, SSB) (e.g., first index or SSB1, second index or SSB2, etc.). Table 1 below exemplarily illustrates the association between information of at least one satellite serving each sub-region and each sub-region.

[0112] Table 1

[0113] Regional Information Information from at least one satellite Subregion 1 / Location 1 / First Index The identifier, ephemeris, epoch, beam topology, and / or first priority parameters of neighboring star 1. Subregion 2 / Location 2 / Second Index The identifier, ephemeris, epoch, beam topology, and / or second priority parameters of Proxima 2. … …

[0114] Figures 5-7 A schematic diagram illustrating the association between at least one satellite serving each sub-region and the respective sub-regions is provided. For example, as... Figure 5 As shown, a sub-region represents one wavelength, and the identifier of each sub-region is associated with information from at least one satellite serving that sub-region. Figure 5 In the first satellite service area, sub-region 1 (the identifier of the sub-region) is served by neighboring satellite 1, sub-region 2 is served by neighboring satellite 2, and sub-region 3 is served by neighboring satellite 3.

[0115] For example, such as Figure 6 As shown, each sub-region within the multiple sub-regions represents the coverage area of ​​each beam of the first satellite; that is, the coverage area of ​​the beam corresponding to one SSB constitutes one sub-region. The association of the SSB index with information from at least one satellite can reduce signaling overhead. Figure 6 In this context, the service area of ​​the first satellite includes the coverage area of ​​the beams corresponding to SSBs indexed SSB0-SSB7. The coverage area of ​​the beams corresponding to SSBs indexed SSB0 and SSB2 is provided by neighboring satellite 1. The coverage area of ​​the beams corresponding to SSBs indexed SSB1, SSB3, and SSB5 is provided by neighboring satellite 2. The coverage area of ​​the beams corresponding to SSBs indexed SSB4 and SSB6 is provided by neighboring satellite 3. Therefore, the association between the information of at least one satellite serving each sub-region and each sub-region can also be shown in Table 2 below:

[0116] Table 2

[0117] Regional Information Information from at least one satellite SSB0 and SSB2 The identifier, ephemeris, epoch, and beam topology of Proxima 1. SSB1, SSB3 and SSB5 The identifier, ephemeris, epoch, and beam topology of Proxima 2. SSB4 and SSB6 The identifier, ephemeris, epoch, and beam topology of Proxima 3. … …

[0118] Understandably, as satellites move, the location of at least one satellite serving each sub-region may change over time. Therefore, the relationship between the information from at least one satellite serving each sub-region and the sub-region itself may also change. For example, ... Figure 7 As shown, the service area of ​​the first satellite includes the coverage area of ​​the beams corresponding to SSBs indexed SSB0-SSB7. During the time period t0 (service time), the coverage area of ​​the beams corresponding to SSBs indexed SSB1 and SSB3 is provided by Neighbor Satellite 1, and the coverage area of ​​the beams corresponding to SSBs indexed SSB6 and SSB7 is provided by Neighbor Satellite 2; during the time period t1 (service time), the coverage area of ​​the beams corresponding to SSBs indexed SSB0 and SSB2 is provided by Neighbor Satellite 1, and the coverage area of ​​the beams corresponding to SSBs indexed SSB4 and SSB5 is provided by Neighbor Satellite 2. Therefore, the association between the information of at least one satellite serving each sub-region and each sub-region can also be shown in Table 3 below:

[0119] Table 3

[0120]

[0121] Therefore, after receiving the first information, the terminal device can determine its location within the first sub-region among multiple sub-regions. The method by which the terminal device determines the first sub-region is not limited and may include, but is not limited to, the following:

[0122] Method 1: The terminal device can determine the first sub-region based on its own location information. For example, a first satellite transmits second information; correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second information; the second information indicates the location information of each sub-region among multiple sub-regions, and the first sub-region is determined based on the location information of each sub-region. Optionally, the location information of each sub-region includes a reference position for each sub-region, where the reference position can refer to the center or latitude and longitude of the sub-region, or it can be the reference coordinates of the sub-region obtained using a certain reference coordinate system as a standard; or the location information of each sub-region includes the relative position between each sub-region and the area served by the first satellite. For example, if the latitude and longitude of the center of the area served by the first satellite are broadcast to each terminal device, the second information can include the distance of each sub-region relative to that center, which can save signaling overhead. Therefore, after receiving the location information of each sub-region indicated by the network side, the terminal device can determine the nearest reference position based on its own location information, and the sub-region corresponding to this reference position is the first sub-region.

[0123] Method 2: Each sub-region within the multiple sub-regions represents the coverage area of ​​each beam of the first satellite. That is, the coverage area of ​​the beam corresponding to one SSB constitutes one sub-region. The index of the SSB is associated with information from at least one satellite. When measuring an SSB, the terminal device in each sub-region can determine its own location based on the SSB's signal strength, thus saving terminal device resources. For example, the terminal device can determine a first index, which is the index of the first SSB. The coverage area of ​​the beam corresponding to the first SSB is the first sub-region, and the first SSB is the SSB with the strongest signal strength that the terminal device can detect.

[0124] After determining its location in the first sub-region, the terminal device can obtain information about at least one second satellite serving the first sub-region based on the region information of the first sub-region, the information of at least one satellite serving each sub-region, and the association relationship between each sub-region, and then execute step S402. It is understood that "at least one second satellite" is used to distinguish the satellite serving the first sub-region from other satellites, and does not refer to a specific satellite. Therefore, as the satellite moves, the satellite referred to by "at least one second satellite" may be the same or different.

[0125] In conjunction with the above embodiments, the terminal device needs to access the first satellite before receiving the first information. The method by which the terminal device accesses the first satellite is not limited. In one possible design, the terminal device can perform a downlink synchronization signal search on a preset grid in the synchronization grid. If a downlink synchronization signal corresponding to the first satellite is found, the terminal device accesses the first satellite based on the downlink synchronization signal. The downlink synchronization signal can be an SSB (Secondary Sub-Signal), or a reference signal with a quasico-located (QCL) relationship with the SSB, such as a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), a phase tracking reference signal (PTRS), or a demodulation reference signal (DMRS). The synchronization grid is the synchronization grid corresponding to any frequency band in the frequency domain resources of the first satellite. The synchronization grid defines the possible position of the downlink synchronization signal in the frequency domain, and this position is determined according to the rules agreed upon in the protocol. For example, for frequency bands below 6 GHz, a grid interval of 1.44 MHz may be used. A preset grid can be one or more grids randomly or systematically selected from the synchronization grid. For example, a set of grids determined every N grid intervals can be used as the priority grid for searching (i.e., the preset grid). By dividing the grids in the existing synchronization grid into high and low priorities, the terminal device can prioritize searching for downlink synchronization signals on the high-priority preset grids, which can reduce the complexity and delay of frequency point search for the terminal device, thereby reducing access latency.

[0126] In practical applications, many sub-regions may lack terminal devices. Therefore, after a terminal device connects to the first satellite, it can request information from the network side. One possible design involves the terminal device sending a first request message, which requests the first satellite to transmit information from at least one satellite serving each of the multiple sub-regions. The first satellite receives the first request message and then transmits the first information. If a sub-region lacks a terminal, the first satellite may not transmit the first information. Depending on the specific terminal devices, having the terminal device request information from neighboring satellites can reduce signaling overhead on the network side.

[0127] S402, when the terminal device is located in the first sub-region of multiple sub-regions, the mobility management of the terminal device is performed based on information from at least one second satellite serving the first sub-region.

[0128] Mobility management can include handover, cell reselection, tracking area update, paging, etc. A mobility management event may be triggered when a terminal device moves its location in the communication network.

[0129] In one possible design, the information from at least one second satellite includes the ephemeris of at least one second satellite; then, the terminal device performs mobility management based on the ephemeris of at least one second satellite. For example... Figure 6 As shown, terminal devices within the coverage area of ​​the beams corresponding to SSBs indexed as SSB0 and SSB2 perform mobility management based on the ephemeris of neighboring satellite 1; terminal devices within the coverage area of ​​the beams corresponding to SSBs indexed as SSB1, SSB3, and SSB5 perform mobility management based on the ephemeris of neighboring satellite 2; and terminal devices within the coverage area of ​​the beams corresponding to SSBs indexed as SSB4 and SSB6 perform mobility management based on the ephemeris of neighboring satellite 3. That is, different regions are associated with the ephemeris of different satellites, allowing terminal devices to perform mobility management based on the ephemeris of satellites serving their respective sub-regions, thus reducing the complexity of terminal device mobility management.

[0130] As satellites move, the service time of at least one satellite serving each sub-area may also change over time. Therefore, the network side can indicate the service time of the satellites to the terminal device. Optionally, the first satellite sends third information; correspondingly, the terminal device receives the third information; the third information indicates the service time of at least one satellite serving each sub-area in the multiple sub-areas within the corresponding sub-area. Based on the third information, the terminal device determines the first time when at least one second satellite provides service in the first sub-area; based on the ephemeris of at least one second satellite, it performs mobility management of the terminal device within the first time. For example, such as... Figure 7 As shown, during the time period t0 (service time), terminal devices within the coverage area of ​​the beams corresponding to SSBs indexed as SSB1 and SSB3 perform mobility management based on the ephemeris of neighboring satellite 1; terminal devices within the coverage area of ​​the beams corresponding to SSBs indexed as SSB6 and SSB7 perform mobility management based on the ephemeris of neighboring satellite 2. During the time period t1 (service time), terminal devices within the coverage area of ​​the beams corresponding to SSBs indexed as SSB0 and SSB2 perform mobility management based on the ephemeris of neighboring satellite 1; terminal devices within the coverage area of ​​the beams corresponding to SSBs indexed as SSB4 and SSB5 perform mobility management based on the ephemeris of neighboring satellite 2. That is, when each satellite provides service to each sub-area in a time-division manner, the network side can instruct the terminal devices on the service time information of each satellite, further reducing the complexity of neighboring satellite measurements for the terminal devices.

[0131] It is understood that the first, second, and third information in this embodiment can be carried in different signaling messages or in the same signaling message, such as all being carried in a broadcast message. The third information can also indicate the service time of at least one satellite serving each sub-region in multiple sub-regions, from which the terminal device obtains the service time of at least one second satellite.

[0132] In one possible design, the information of at least one second satellite includes a first priority parameter for that second satellite. The terminal device can then perform measurements on at least one second satellite based on the first priority parameter. The measurement results can be used to determine whether a handover or cell reselection event is required. The measurement results may include reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), and signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR). Assuming that at least one second satellite includes neighbor satellite 1, neighbor satellite 2, and neighbor satellite 3, and the first priority parameter includes priority 1, priority 2, and priority 3; neighbor satellite 1 corresponds to priority 1, neighbor satellite 2 corresponds to priority 2, and neighbor satellite 3 corresponds to priority 3, with priority 1 > priority 2 > priority 3. The terminal device first measures neighbor satellite 1 according to priority. If the measurement result of neighbor satellite 1 does not meet the mobility management conditions such as handover or cell reselection, then neighbor satellite 2 and neighbor satellite 3 are measured sequentially. Alternatively, the first priority parameter can also be a list of frequencies corresponding to Neighbor 1, Neighbor 2, and Neighbor 3. When performing measurements, the terminal device will perform measurements sequentially according to the order of Neighbor 1, Neighbor 2, and Neighbor 3 in the frequency list. That is, different regions are associated with different priority parameters. For example, satellites closer to the terminal device have higher priority, and the terminal device can perform measurements on satellites that are closer to it, thereby reducing the complexity of terminal device mobility management.

[0133] Due to satellite movement, relevant priorities may change, and the network side further indicates the validity period of the priority parameters. Optionally, the first satellite sends a fourth message; correspondingly, the terminal device also receives a fourth message, which indicates the validity period of the first priority parameter. That is, terminal devices within the first sub-area must use the first priority parameter to perform measurements on at least one second satellite within the valid duration. The valid duration can be determined based on the relative positional relationship between at least one second satellite and the first sub-area, the first time at which at least one second satellite provides service within the first sub-area, or the ephemeris of at least one second satellite, as well as the topology and coverage area of ​​the beam, etc. In other words, the terminal device can clearly specify which priority parameter to use during which time period, thereby further reducing the complexity of mobility management. For example, during time period 1, the frequency point corresponding to neighboring satellite 2 has the highest priority, and the terminal device first measures neighboring satellite 2 according to the priority; during time period 2, the frequency point corresponding to neighboring satellite 3 has the highest priority, and the terminal device first measures neighboring satellite 3 according to the priority.

[0134] It is understood that the first, second, and fourth information in this embodiment can be carried in different signaling messages or in the same signaling message, such as all being carried in a broadcast message. The fourth information can also indicate the validity duration of the priority parameter of at least one satellite serving each sub-region in multiple sub-regions, from which the terminal device obtains the validity duration of the first priority parameter.

[0135] In summary, by dividing the area served by the first satellite into multiple sub-regions, and associating each sub-region with information about at least one satellite (a neighboring satellite of the first satellite) actually serving that region, the terminal device can determine the information of at least one second satellite actually serving that sub-region based on its own location within the first sub-region. By performing mobility management based on the information of at least one second satellite, the complexity of mobility management can be reduced, access latency during mobility management can be lowered, and communication efficiency can be improved.

[0136] The above embodiments all address the network side actively instructing terminal devices on information about at least one satellite serving each of multiple sub-regions. However, in real-world applications, many sub-regions may not have terminals. Therefore, information about at least one satellite can be obtained by the terminal device requesting it. Figure 8 As shown, the flow of this communication method is as follows:

[0137] S801, if it is determined that the terminal device is located in the first sub-region of multiple sub-regions, the terminal device sends a second request message; accordingly, the first satellite receives the second request message.

[0138] The second request message is used to request the first satellite to send information about at least one second satellite serving a first sub-region within a plurality of sub-regions. The plurality of sub-regions belong to the regions served by the first satellite, the first satellite is a satellite that provides services to the terminal device, and the first sub-region is the region where the terminal device is located.

[0139] After receiving the second request message, the first satellite obtains information about at least one second satellite based on the information of the first sub-region, the information of at least one satellite serving each sub-region, and the association relationship between each sub-region, and generates the fifth information, and executes S802.

[0140] S802, the first satellite transmits the fifth message; correspondingly, the terminal equipment receives the fifth message.

[0141] The fifth piece of information indicates information from at least one second satellite.

[0142] S803 performs mobility management of the terminal device based on information from at least one second satellite.

[0143] For details of some of the specific implementations of S801-S803, please refer to S401-S402, which will not be repeated here.

[0144] In summary, by dividing the area served by the first satellite into multiple sub-regions, and associating each sub-region with information from at least one satellite (a neighboring satellite of the first satellite) actually serving that region, and then, based on the actual terminal device, allowing the terminal device to request information from the corresponding neighboring satellite in its own region, the signaling overhead on the network side can be reduced.

[0145] Figure 9 A possible exemplary block diagram of the communication device involved in an embodiment of this application is shown. For example... Figure 9 As shown, the communication device 900 may include modules or units for implementing the methods described in the embodiments above. In one possible design, the communication device 900 includes a processing unit 902 and a communication unit 903. Optionally, the communication device 900 may further include a storage unit 901 for storing device program code and / or data.

[0146] The communication device 900 can be a terminal-side device as described in the above embodiments, such as a terminal or a communication module in a terminal, or a circuit or chip in a terminal that is responsible for communication functions.

[0147] For example, in one embodiment, the communication unit 903 is configured to: receive first information, the first information indicating information about at least one satellite serving each of a plurality of sub-regions, the plurality of sub-regions belonging to the region served by the first satellite, the first satellite being a satellite providing services to the terminal device; and the processing unit 902 is configured to: perform mobility management of the terminal device based on information about at least one second satellite serving the first sub-region when the terminal device is located in the first sub-region of the plurality of sub-regions.

[0148] For example, in one embodiment, the communication unit 903 is configured to: when it is determined that the terminal device is located in a first sub-region of a plurality of sub-regions, send a second request message, the second request message being used to request a first satellite to send information about at least one second satellite serving the first sub-region of the plurality of sub-regions, the plurality of sub-regions being areas served by the first satellite, the first satellite being a satellite providing services to the terminal device, and the first sub-region being the area where the terminal device is located; receive fifth information, the fifth information indicating information from at least one second satellite; and the processing unit 902 is configured to: perform mobility management of the terminal device based on the information from at least one second satellite.

[0149] In one possible design, when the communication device 900 is a terminal or a communication module within a terminal, the function of the processing unit 902 can be implemented by one or more processors. Specifically, the processor may include a modem chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip or a SIP chip containing a modem core. The function of the communication unit 903 can be implemented by transceiver circuitry.

[0150] In one possible design, when the communication device 900 is a circuit or chip in a terminal responsible for communication functions, such as a modem chip or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or SIP chip containing a modem core, the function of the processing unit 902 can be implemented by a circuit system in the aforementioned chip that includes one or more processors or processor cores. The function of the communication unit 903 can be implemented by an interface circuit or data transceiver circuit on the aforementioned chip.

[0151] In one possible design, when the communication device 900 is a terminal or a communication and / or computing module within a terminal, the functionality of the processing unit 902 can be implemented by one or more processors. Specifically, the processor may include a GPU, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or SIP chip containing a GPU. Alternatively, the processor may include an AI processor, or a SoC or SIP chip containing an AI processor. Alternatively, the processor may include an ASIC, or a SoC or SIP chip containing an ASIC. Alternatively, the processor may include an NPU, or a SoC or SIP chip containing an NPU. The functionality of the communication unit 903 can be implemented by transceiver circuitry.

[0152] In one possible design, when the communication device 900 is a circuit or chip in a terminal responsible for communication and / or computing functions, such as a GPU or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or SIP chip containing a GPU, an AI processor or a SoC or SIP chip containing an AI processor, an NPU or a SoC or SIP chip containing an NPU, or an ASIC or a SoC or SIP chip containing an ASIC, the function of the processing unit 902 can be implemented by a circuit system in the aforementioned chip that includes one or more processors or processor cores. The function of the communication unit 903 can be implemented by interface circuits or data transceiver circuits on the aforementioned chip.

[0153] The communication device 900 can be a network-side device as described in the above embodiments. For example, it can be a communication module in the first satellite, or a circuit or chip in the first satellite responsible for communication functions.

[0154] For example, in one embodiment, the communication unit 903 is configured to: send first information, the first information indicating information of at least one satellite serving each of a plurality of sub-regions, the plurality of sub-regions belonging to the region served by the first satellite, the first satellite being a satellite providing services to the terminal device; wherein, the information of at least one second satellite serving the first sub-region of the plurality of sub-regions is used to perform mobility management of the terminal device when the terminal device is located in the first sub-region.

[0155] For example, in one embodiment, the communication unit 903 is configured to: receive a second request message, the second request message being configured to request a first satellite to send information about at least one second satellite serving a first sub-region in a plurality of sub-regions, the plurality of sub-regions being regions served by the first satellite, the first satellite being a satellite providing services to a terminal device, and the first sub-region being the region where the terminal device is located; and send fifth information, the fifth information being configured to indicate information about at least one second satellite, the information about at least one second satellite being configured to perform mobility management of the terminal device.

[0156] It is understood that the division of units in the above-described device is merely a logical functional division. One function can correspond to one functional unit, or two or more functions can be integrated into one functional unit. In actual implementation, all or some units can be integrated onto a single physical entity, or distributed across different physical entities. Furthermore, the aforementioned functional units can be implemented in hardware, 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 described functions for specific applications, but such implementations should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0157] In one example, the functional unit in any of the above devices may be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above methods, such as: one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or more microcontroller units (MCUs), one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), or one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms.

[0158] In one example, storage unit 901 may include random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory or electrically erasable programmable memory and / or registers, etc.

[0159] See Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal 1000 provided in an embodiment of this application. The terminal 1000 can correspond to... Figure 3 The terminal shown is used to implement the operations of the terminal in the above embodiments. Figure 10 As shown, the terminal includes: one or more antennas 1010, a radio frequency processing system 1020, and a processor system 1030.

[0160] In the downlink or sidelink direction, the RF processing system 1020 receives RF signals through the antenna 1010 and sends the RF-processed signals to the processor system 1030 for further processing. In the uplink or sidelink direction, the processor system 1030 processes the terminal-side information and sends it to the RF processing system 1020, which then processes the signal and transmits it through the antenna 1010.

[0161] In one example, the RF processing system 1020 serves as the communication interface for external communication of the terminal and may include an RF front end (RFFE) 1021 and an RF transceiver 1022. The RFFE 1021 is primarily used for one or more processing operations, such as shaping, passband selection, or gain adjustment, on the RF signals received by the antenna or those to be transmitted through the antenna. It may include one or more components such as RF switches, duplexers, filters, power amplifiers, antenna tuners, and low-noise amplifiers. The RFFE 1021 can be a circuit system composed of multiple discrete devices or integrated into one or more chips. The RF transceiver 1022 processes the RF signals received by the RFFE into baseband / IF signals for further processing by the processor system 1030, and processes the baseband / IF signals provided by the processor system 1030 into RF signals for transmission to the RFFE 1021. The baseband / IF signals transmitted between the RF transceiver 1022 and the processor system 1030 can be digital or analog signals. The radio frequency transceiver 1022 can be implemented by one or more chips, which are commonly referred to as radio frequency chips (RFICs).

[0162] In one example, processor system 1030 may include one or more processors for processing signals and executing one or more communication protocols. Optionally, processor system 1030 may also include memory 1036. In one example, the one or more processors include at least one baseband processor 1031 (also known as a modem processor). Memory 1036 is used to store data and / or computer program instructions. Optionally, processor system 1030 may also include one or more application processors 1032 for implementing processing of the terminal operating system and application layer. Application processor 1032 may include, for example, a GPU, NPU, AI processor, or ASIC. Optionally, processor system 1030 may also include one or more of a voice subsystem 1033, a multimedia subsystem 1034, or an interface circuit 1035. The voice subsystem 1033 is used to process voice signals, the multimedia subsystem 1034 is used to handle multimedia-related operations, such as video encoding / decoding, image processing, etc., and the interface circuit 1035 is used to implement communication with other terminal components, such as a display 1040, an input device 1050, memory 1060, etc. The aforementioned components in the processor system 1030 can communicate with each other via a bus or communication interface circuit.

[0163] In one example, the processor system 1030 can be packaged as a single processor chip, such as a SoC chip or a SIP chip. In another example, the processor system 1030 can be a system composed of multiple chips, for example, the baseband processor 1031 can be packaged as a single chip, or packaged with part or all of the circuitry of the radio frequency processing system into a single chip.

[0164] In one example, memory 1036 can be on-chip memory, i.e., located on the processor system 1030 chip. In another example, memory 1060 can be off-chip memory, i.e. located outside the processor system 1030 chip.

[0165] In one example, the baseband processor 1031 may include one or more processor cores 10311 and interface circuitry 10314. The one or more processor cores 10311 are used to process signals and execute one or more communication protocols. Optionally, the baseband processor 1031 may also include a memory 10312 for storing at least a portion of the corresponding computer program instructions and / or data. In one example, the one or more processor cores 10311 execute the computer program instructions stored in the memory 10312 to implement the relevant operations in the above method embodiments (such as obtaining a first parameter for mobility management; performing mobility management based on the first parameter, etc.). In this disclosure, memory 10312 is used to store corresponding computer program instructions and / or data. This can mean that memory 10312 stores all corresponding computer program instructions and / or data for execution by processor core 10311; or it can mean that memory 10312 stores a portion of corresponding computer program instructions and / or data, including the computer program instructions and / or data currently required to be executed by processor core 10311. Memory 10312 can store different portions of computer program instructions and / or data multiple times for execution by processor core 10311 to implement the relevant operations in the above method embodiments. Interface circuit 10314 serves as a communication interface for communication with other components, such as transmitting signals with radio frequency processing system 1020, communicating with other subsystems and related components of processor system 1030 via bus, such as transmitting data control signals with application processor 1032, and transmitting data or computer program instructions with memory 1036 or memory 1060. Optionally, in order to reduce the load on the processor core, a baseband signal processing circuit 10313 can be set to perform at least some baseband signal processing, including one or more of signal demodulation, modulation, encoding or decoding.

[0166] In one example, the communication device provided in this application may be a terminal 1000, a communication module including a processor system 1030 and a radio frequency system 1020, or a baseband processor 1031.

[0167] The processor, processor system, application processor, baseband processor, processor circuit, or processor core mentioned above can be collectively referred to as a processor. The processor may include one or more of the following: central processing unit (CPU), digital signal processor (DSP), microprocessor unit (MPU), microcontroller unit (MCU), graphics processing unit (GPU), field programmable gate array (FPGA), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), artificial intelligence processor (AI processor), or neural processing unit (NPU).

[0168] The aforementioned 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 one example, computer program instructions for executing the above embodiments may be stored in non-volatile memory, such as at least a portion of the aforementioned memory 1060 (e.g., one or more of ROM, flash memory, EPROM, or hard disk). When the terminal is running, the corresponding computer program instructions may be partially or wholly loaded onto a memory with a faster transfer speed than the processor, such as at least a portion of memory 1036 and / or memory 10312 (e.g., one or more of RAM, SRAM, DRAM, PCM, RERAM, MRAM, FRAM, cache, or register), for the processor to execute in order to implement the steps in the above method embodiments.

[0169] In one example, the RF transceiver 1022 and the RF front-end 1021 can also be packaged in a single chip. In another example, the RF transceiver 1022, the RF front-end 1021, and the baseband processor 1031 can also be packaged in a single chip.

[0170] The terms "system" and "network" in this application embodiment are used interchangeably. "At least one" refers to one or more, and "multiple" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, "at least one of A, B, or C" includes A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC; "at least one of A, B, and C" can also be understood as including A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in this application embodiment are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the order, sequence, priority, or importance of multiple objects.

[0171] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this application can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this application can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0172] 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 each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in one or more blocks of the flowchart illustrations and / or one or more blocks of the block diagrams.

[0173] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0174] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions, which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus, provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive first information, the first information indicating information about at least one satellite serving each of a plurality of sub-regions, the plurality of sub-regions belonging to the region served by the first satellite, the first satellite being a satellite providing services to the terminal device; When the terminal device is located in the first sub-region of the plurality of sub-regions, mobility management of the terminal device is performed based on information from at least one second satellite serving the first sub-region.

2. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive second information, the second information indicating the location information of each sub-region in the plurality of sub-regions, the first sub-region being determined based on the location information of each sub-region.

3. The communication method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The location information of each sub-region includes the reference location of each sub-region, or the relative location between each sub-region and the region served by the first satellite.

4. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the plurality of sub-regions is the coverage area of ​​each beam of the first satellite, and the method further includes: A first index is determined, which is the index of the first synchronization signal and the physical broadcast channel block (SSB). The coverage area of ​​the beam corresponding to the first SSB is the first sub-region.

5. The communication method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The information of the at least one second satellite includes the ephemeris of the at least one second satellite; The step of performing mobility management of the terminal device based on information from at least one second satellite serving the first sub-region includes: Mobility management of the terminal device is performed based on the ephemeris of the at least one second satellite.

6. The communication method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive third information, the third information indicating the time when at least one satellite providing services to each of the plurality of sub-regions provides services in the corresponding sub-region; Based on the third information, determine the first time when the at least one second satellite provides service within the first sub-region; The step of performing mobility management of the terminal device based on the ephemeris of the at least one second satellite includes: Based on the ephemeris of the at least one second satellite, mobility management of the terminal device is performed during the first time period.

7. The communication method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The information of the at least one second satellite includes the first priority parameter of the at least one second satellite; The step of performing mobility management of the terminal device based on information from at least one second satellite serving the first sub-region includes: Measurements are performed on the at least one second satellite according to the first priority parameter.

8. The communication method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a fourth message, which indicates the effective duration of the first priority parameter.

9. The communication method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, Before receiving the first information, the process also includes: A downlink synchronization signal search is performed on a preset grid in the synchronization grid, wherein the synchronization grid is the synchronization grid corresponding to any frequency band in the frequency domain resources of the first satellite; If the downlink synchronization signal corresponding to the first satellite is found, access to the first satellite is made based on the downlink synchronization signal corresponding to the first satellite.

10. The communication method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a first request message, which requests the first satellite to send information about at least one satellite serving each of the multiple sub-regions.

11. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Send first information, the first information indicating information about at least one satellite serving each of a plurality of sub-regions, the plurality of sub-regions belonging to the region served by the first satellite, the first satellite being a satellite providing services to the terminal device; Information from at least one second satellite serving a first sub-region among the plurality of sub-regions is used to perform mobility management of the terminal device when the terminal device is located in the first sub-region.

12. The communication method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a second message, which indicates the location information of each sub-region in the plurality of sub-regions, wherein the first sub-region is determined based on the location information of each sub-region.

13. The communication method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The location information of each sub-region includes the reference location of each sub-region, or the relative location between each sub-region and the region served by the first satellite.

14. The communication method according to claim 11, characterized in that, Each of the plurality of sub-regions is the coverage area of ​​each beam of the first satellite, and the method further includes: A first synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel block (SSB) are transmitted. The coverage area of ​​the beam corresponding to the first SSB is the first sub-region, and the first index of the first SSB corresponds to the first sub-region.

15. The communication method according to any one of claims 11-14, characterized in that, The information of the at least one second satellite includes the ephemeris of the at least one second satellite.

16. The communication method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The method further includes: A third message is sent, indicating the time during which at least one satellite providing services to each of the plurality of sub-regions provides services within the corresponding sub-region.

17. The communication method according to any one of claims 11-14, characterized in that, The information of the at least one second satellite includes the first priority parameter of the at least one second satellite.

18. The communication method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a fourth message, which indicates the validity period of the first priority parameter.

19. The communication method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The method further includes: A request message is received, which requests the first satellite to transmit information about at least one satellite serving each of the multiple sub-regions.

20. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: If it is determined that the terminal device is located in the first sub-region of multiple sub-regions, a second request message is sent. The second request message is used to request the first satellite to send information about at least one second satellite serving the first sub-region of the multiple sub-regions. The multiple sub-regions belong to the area served by the first satellite, and the first satellite is a satellite that provides services to the terminal device. Receive fifth information, the fifth information indicating information about the at least one second satellite; Mobility management of the terminal device is performed based on information from the at least one second satellite.

21. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive a second request message, the second request message being used to request the first satellite to send information about at least one second satellite serving a first sub-region in a plurality of sub-regions, the plurality of sub-regions being the regions served by the first satellite, the first satellite being a satellite that provides services to a terminal device, and the first sub-region being the region where the terminal device is located; A fifth message is sent, the fifth message being used to indicate information from the at least one second satellite, the information from the at least one second satellite being used to perform mobility management of the terminal device.

22. A communication device, characterized in that, include: Units for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-10 or 20.

23. A communication device, characterized in that, include: Units for performing the method as described in any one of claims 11-19 or 21.

24. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium includes a computer program or instructions that, when executed, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1-10, 20, 11-19, or 21 to be performed.

25. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes: a computer program or instructions that, when executed, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1-10, 20, 11-19, or 21 to be performed.

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