Communication methods and communication devices

Abstract

This application provides a communication method and a communication device. The method includes the following: When obtaining measurement configuration information, the terminal device may directly obtain the NTN parameter information required for measurement, or may determine the NTN parameter information based on the indication information. Further, the terminal device performs measurements based on the measurement configuration information and the NTN parameter information. The terminal device compensates or adjusts offsets such as the measurement frequency and measurement time caused by the movement of the satellite based on the ephemeris information in the NTN parameter information, ensuring that the search and measurement can be performed more quickly and accurately, thereby satisfying the communication latency requirement and improving the measurement accuracy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the priority of Chinese Patent Application No. 202210786578.9, titled "COMMUNICATION METHOD AND COMMUNICATION APPARATUS", filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on July 4, 2022, and Chinese Patent Application No. 202210817188.3, titled "COMMUNICATION METHOD AND COMMUNICATION APPARATUS", filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on July 12, 2022. Both of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety into this specification.

[0002] [Technical Field] This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and more specifically, to communication methods and communication apparatuses.

Background Art

[0003] Today, satellite networks are a global hot topic in research, and satellite communication technologies are becoming increasingly mature. For example, a non-terrestrial network (NTN) is a network or network segment that uses radio frequencies mounted on satellites for communication and can provide a wider coverage. In addition, satellite base stations are not vulnerable to natural disasters or external forces.

[0004] In an NTN network, since an NTN cell has a wide coverage, a terminal device is affected by the dynamic movement of the satellite. For example, when the satellite moves at a high speed, the reception timing and reception frequency of the terminal device vary over time.

[0005] In this case, how to improve the measurement accuracy of the measurement target by the terminal device becomes an issue worthy of attention.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method and apparatus that enables a terminal device to measure a target based on measurement configuration information and associated NTN parameter information, thereby improving measurement accuracy and meeting communication latency requirements.

[0007] According to the first embodiment, a communication method is provided. This method may be performed by a terminal device, or by a chip or circuit configured within the terminal device. This is not limited to the present application.

[0008] This method includes the following: A terminal device acquires first configuration information, which includes non-terrestrial network (NTN) parameter information, and the NTN parameter information includes parameter information required by the terminal device to perform measurements on the carrier frequency. Based on the first configuration information and measurement configuration information, the terminal device performs measurements on the carrier frequency, the measurement configuration information indicates the configuration information for the measurement to be performed by the terminal device, and the measurement configuration information and the first configuration information correspond to the same measurement target.

[0009] Based on the aforementioned technical solutions, when acquiring measurement configuration information, the terminal device may directly acquire the NTN parameter information necessary for measurement, or it may determine the NTN parameter information based on instruction information. Furthermore, the terminal device performs the measurement based on the measurement configuration information and the NTN parameter information. Based on the ephemeris information in the NTN parameter information, the terminal device compensates for or adjusts for offsets such as measurement frequency and measurement time caused by satellite movement, ensuring that exploration and measurement can be performed more quickly and accurately, thereby meeting communication latency requirements and improving measurement accuracy.

[0010] In this application, NTN parameter information includes parameter information required by a terminal device to perform measurements on the carrier frequency and relating to accessing the NTN network by the terminal device, and the parameter information may be ephemeris information.

[0011] In this application, the terminal device measures the cell on the cell's carrier frequency.

[0012] In this application, the measurement configuration information refers to the configuration information for a measurement to be performed by a terminal device.

[0013] In this application, the configuration information for measurements to be performed by the terminal device may include measurement configuration information such as in-frequency measurement configuration information, inter-frequency measurement configuration information, inter-RAT measurement configuration information, or measurement gap configuration information.

[0014] Referring to the first aspect, in possible implementations, the acquisition of first configuration information by a terminal device includes: the terminal device receives first information, the first information includes first configuration information and measurement configuration information.

[0015] In this technical solution, the terminal device can acquire first configuration information simultaneously when acquiring measurement configuration information, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0016] Referring to the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the terminal device receives second information, which includes measurement configuration information and first instruction information, the first instruction information indicating a location for transporting the first configuration information. The terminal device determines the first configuration information based on the first instruction information.

[0017] In this technical solution, a terminal device can determine first configuration information based on instruction information transmitted by a network device, and can further use the first configuration information for measurement.

[0018] Referring to the first embodiment, in possible implementations, the terminal device determines, based on the first instruction information, the system information block and / or index information in which the first configuration information is located. Based on the system information block and / or index information, the terminal device determines the first configuration information in third information, the third information containing the first configuration information.

[0019] In this technical solution, the first instruction information may indicate the location or a specific bearer resource of the first configuration information, and the terminal device may determine the first configuration information based on the first instruction information.

[0020] Referring to the first aspect, in possible implementations, the terminal device receives third information, the third information further including carrier frequency information and / or cell identification information.

[0021] In this technical solution, the terminal device receives third information from the network device and further determines the first configuration information within the third information based on the instruction information.

[0022] Referring to the first aspect, in possible implementations, the first configuration information further includes cell identification information and / or a first configuration information index, the first configuration information index indicates NTN parameter information corresponding to the cell, and the cell identification information corresponds to the first configuration information index.

[0023] In this technical solution, when the first configuration information includes NTN parameter information corresponding to multiple cells, the NTN parameter information corresponding to a cell can be determined based on the first configuration information index.

[0024] Referring to the first aspect, in possible implementations, the first configuration information further includes carrier frequency information and / or a first configuration information index, the first configuration information index indicates NTN parameter information corresponding to the carrier frequency information, and the carrier frequency information corresponds to the first configuration information index.

[0025] In this technical solution, when the first configuration information includes NTN parameter information corresponding to a plurality of cells, the NTN parameter information corresponding to the carrier frequency of a cell can be determined based on the first configuration information index.

[0026] It should be understood that there is an association relationship between the first configuration information and the carrier frequency.

[0027] It should be understood that there is a correspondence relationship between the first configuration information and the cell. That is, at least one cell found on the corresponding carrier frequency through search can be measured by using one set of NTN parameter information. In other words, different cells may correspond to different NTN parameter information, or different cells may correspond to the same set of NTN parameter information.

[0028] Optionally, the first configuration information further includes carrier frequency information, and there is a correspondence relationship between the carrier frequency and the first configuration information. That is, the first configuration information is for performing measurements on the carrier frequency.

[0029] Optionally, the first configuration information further includes a first configuration information index, and there is a correspondence relationship between the cell and the first configuration information index. That is, the first configuration information index indicates NTN parameter information corresponding to different cells.

[0030] Optionally, the first configuration information further includes cell identification information or a list of cell identification information. There is a correspondence relationship between the cell identification information or the list of cell identification information and the first configuration information. That is, the cell identification information or the list of cell identification information can indicate the cell corresponding to the first configuration information.

[0031] Optionally, the cell identification information can be a physical cell ID.

[0032] When adding, modifying, or deleting cells on a carrier frequency, the network device modifies the corresponding first configuration information accordingly.

[0033] Referring to the first aspect, in a possible implementation, a terminal device receives second configuration information, the second configuration information includes NTN parameter information, the NTN parameter information includes parameter information required by the terminal device to perform a measurement on a carrier frequency, the second configuration information is used by the terminal device to perform a measurement on a carrier frequency within a first duration, the first duration being a duration exceeding the effective duration of the first configuration information, the effective duration being the maximum time for which the terminal device performs a measurement by using the first configuration information.

[0034] In this technical solution, as the satellite moves, motion parameter information such as velocity, position, and orbit changes dynamically. Therefore, it is necessary to update the NTN parameter information to ensure that the provided ephemeris information is more accurate and that terminal devices can perform exploration and measurement more quickly and accurately. Accordingly, after the validity period of the first configuration information has expired, it is necessary to continue measurements using the updated second configuration information to ensure measurement accuracy and meet communication latency requirements.

[0035] When a network device and a terminal device are connected, the network device may determine that the validity period of the first configuration information has expired. Therefore, the network device may send the second configuration information to the terminal device. However, when the network device is idle or inactive, it may not be able to determine the validity period of the first configuration information. In this scenario, the network device may not be able to send the second configuration information to the terminal device in a timely manner.

[0036] Optionally, the validity period configured by the network for the first configuration information indicates the maximum time the UE can use the first configuration information when it does not acquire new support information (such as satellite ephemeris information or TA parameters).

[0037] Optionally, if the network device can determine that the validity period of the NTN parameter information (first configuration information) required by the terminal device for measurement has expired, the network device may reconstruct the NTN parameter information (second configuration information) required for measurement for the terminal device.

[0038] Optionally, the network device reconfigures a second set of configuration information for the terminal device before the expiration of its validity period.

[0039] Optionally, a network device may determine the effective time based on parameters such as the satellite's speed and orbital altitude. This is not limited to this embodiment of the present application.

[0040] Optionally, a network device may transmit the second configuration information via a broadcast message or via a dedicated signaling message.

[0041] In this application, the terminal device receives new NTN parameter information (second configuration information) and performs measurements based on the new NTN parameter information and measurement configuration information.

[0042] Referring to the first aspect, in possible implementations, a terminal device receives first information, the first information includes first configuration information and measurement configuration information, the first configuration information includes non-terrestrial network (NTN) parameter information, the NTN parameter information includes parameter information required by the terminal device to perform measurements on the carrier frequency, and the measurement configuration information and the first configuration information correspond to the same object being measured. The terminal device performs measurements on the carrier frequency based on the first configuration information and the measurement configuration information.

[0043] Referring to the first embodiment, in possible implementations, a terminal device receives second information, which includes measurement configuration information and first instruction information. The terminal device determines first configuration information based on the first instruction information, which includes non-terrestrial network (NTN) parameter information, and the NTN parameter information includes parameter information required by the terminal device to perform measurements on the carrier frequency. The terminal device performs measurements on the carrier frequency based on the first configuration information and the measurement configuration information, where the measurement configuration information and the first configuration information correspond to the same object being measured.

[0044] Referring to the first embodiment, in possible implementations, a terminal device acquires first configuration information, the first configuration information includes non-terrestrial network (NTN) parameter information, and the NTN parameter information includes parameter information required by the terminal device to perform measurements on the carrier frequency. The terminal device performs measurements on the carrier frequency based on the first configuration information and in-frequency / inter-frequency / inter-RAT measurement configuration information, the in-frequency or inter-frequency measurement configuration information and the first configuration information correspond to the same object being measured.

[0045] In this application, in an idle or inactive state, a network device transmits in-frequency measurement configuration information, inter-frequency measurement configuration information, or inter-RAT measurement configuration information via a broadcast message. In addition, the broadcast message may further carry first instruction information. Based on the first instruction information, a terminal device determines the system information block and / or index information in which the first configuration information is located. Based on the system information block and / or index information in which the first configuration information is located, the terminal device further determines the first configuration information in third information, which is information transmitted by the network device via a broadcast message and contains the first configuration information.

[0046] According to a second aspect, a communication method is provided. This method may be performed by a network device or a chip or circuit configured within a network device. This is not limited to the present application.

[0047] This method includes the following: a network device determines first configuration information based on measurement configuration information, the first configuration information includes non-terrestrial network (NTN) parameter information, the NTN parameter information includes parameter information required by a terminal device to perform a measurement on a carrier frequency, and the measurement configuration information indicates the configuration information for the measurement to be performed by the terminal device. The network device transmits the first configuration information and the measurement configuration information, the first configuration information and the measurement configuration information are used by the terminal device to perform a measurement on a carrier frequency, and the measurement configuration information and the first configuration information correspond to the same object being measured.

[0048] Based on the aforementioned technical solutions, when transmitting measurement configuration information to a terminal device, the network device may directly transmit the NTN parameter information required for measurement, or it may simultaneously transmit instructional information to indicate the location of the NTN parameter information, enabling the terminal device to directly acquire the NTN parameter information. Furthermore, the terminal device performs the measurement based on the measurement configuration information and the NTN parameter information. Based on the ephemeris information in the NTN parameter information, the terminal device compensates for or adjusts for offsets such as measurement frequency and measurement time caused by satellite movement, ensuring that the search and measurement can be performed more quickly and accurately, thereby meeting communication latency requirements and improving measurement accuracy.

[0049] In this application, NTN parameter information includes parameter information required by a terminal device to perform measurements on the carrier frequency and relating to accessing the NTN network by the terminal device, and the parameter information may be ephemeris information.

[0050] In this application, the terminal device measures the cell on the cell's carrier frequency.

[0051] In this application, the measurement configuration information refers to the configuration information for a measurement to be performed by a terminal device.

[0052] In this application, the configuration information for measurements to be performed by the terminal device may include measurement configuration information such as in-frequency measurement configuration information, inter-frequency measurement configuration information, inter-RAT measurement configuration information, or measurement gap configuration information.

[0053] Referring to the second aspect, in possible implementations, the network device transmits first information, the first information includes first configuration information and measurement configuration information.

[0054] In this technical solution, the network device can simultaneously transmit first configuration information when configuring measurement configuration information, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0055] Referring to the second aspect, in a possible implementation, the network device transmits second information, the second information including measurement configuration information and first instruction information, the first instruction information indicating a location for carrying the first configuration information, and the first instruction information is used by the terminal device to determine the first configuration information.

[0056] In this technical solution, a network device may indicate the location of a first configuration by using instructional information so that a terminal device determines the first configuration information for measurement.

[0057] Referring to the second aspect, in possible implementations, the first instruction information indicates an index information and / or system information block in which the first configuration information is located within the third information.

[0058] In this technical solution, the first instruction information may indicate the location or a specific bearer resource of the first configuration information, and the terminal device may determine the first configuration information based on the first instruction information.

[0059] Referring to the second aspect, in possible implementations, the network device transmits third information, the third information further including cell identification information and / or carrier frequency information of a cell.

[0060] In this technical solution, the network device transmits third information to the terminal device, which then determines the first configuration information within the third information based on the instruction information.

[0061] Referring to the second aspect, in possible implementations, the first configuration information further includes cell identification information and / or a first configuration information index, the first configuration information index indicates NTN parameter information corresponding to the cell, and the cell identification information corresponds to the first configuration information index.

[0062] In this technical solution, when the first configuration information includes NTN parameter information corresponding to multiple cells, the NTN parameter information corresponding to a cell can be determined based on the first configuration information index.

[0063] Referring to the second aspect, in possible implementations, the first configuration information further includes carrier frequency information and / or a first configuration information index, the first configuration information index indicates NTN parameter information corresponding to the carrier frequency information, and the carrier frequency information corresponds to the first configuration information index.

[0064] In this technical solution, when the first configuration information includes NTN parameter information corresponding to multiple cells, the NTN parameter information corresponding to the cell's carrier frequency can be determined based on the first configuration information index.

[0065] It should be understood that there is an association relationship between the first configuration information and the carrier frequency.

[0066] It should be understood that there is a correspondence between the first configuration information and the cells. That is, at least one cell found on a corresponding carrier frequency through the search can be measured using one set of NTN parameter information. In other words, different cells may correspond to different NTN parameter information, or different cells may correspond to the same set of NTN parameter information.

[0067] Optionally, the first configuration information further includes carrier frequency information, and there is a correspondence between the carrier frequency and the first configuration information. In other words, the first configuration information is for performing measurements on the carrier frequency.

[0068] Optionally, the first configuration information further includes the first configuration information index, and there is a correspondence between the cell and the first configuration information index. That is, the first configuration information index indicates NTN parameter information corresponding to a different cell.

[0069] Optionally, the first configuration information may further include cell identification information or a list of cell identification information. There is a correspondence between the cell identification information or list of cell identification information and the first configuration information. That is, the cell identification information or list of cell identification information may indicate the cell corresponding to the first configuration information.

[0070] Optionally, cell identification information can be a physical cell ID.

[0071] When adding, modifying, or deleting cells on a carrier frequency, the network device modifies the corresponding first configuration information accordingly.

[0072] Referring to a second aspect, in a possible implementation, a network device transmits second configuration information, the second configuration information includes NTN parameter information for at least one cell on different carrier frequencies, the NTN parameter information includes parameter information used by a terminal device to access at least one cell via NTN, the second configuration information is used by a terminal device to measure at least one cell within a first duration, the first duration being a time length exceeding the effective duration of the first configuration information, the effective duration being the maximum time for which a terminal device performs a measurement by using the first configuration information.

[0073] In this technical solution, as the satellite moves, motion parameter information such as velocity, position, and orbit changes dynamically. Therefore, it is necessary to update the NTN parameter information to ensure that the provided ephemeris information is more accurate and that terminal devices can perform exploration and measurement more quickly and accurately. Accordingly, after the validity period of the first configuration information has expired, it is necessary to continue measurements using the updated second configuration information to ensure measurement accuracy and meet communication latency requirements.

[0074] When a network device and a terminal device are connected, the network device may determine that the validity period of the first configuration information has expired. Therefore, the network device may send the second configuration information to the terminal device. However, when the network device is idle or inactive, it may not be able to determine the validity period of the first configuration information. In this scenario, the network device may not be able to send the second configuration information to the terminal device in a timely manner.

[0075] Optionally, the validity period configured by the network for the first configuration information indicates the maximum time the UE can use the first configuration information when it does not acquire new support information (such as satellite ephemeris information or TA parameters).

[0076] Optionally, if the network device can determine that the validity period of the NTN parameter information (first configuration information) required by the terminal device for measurement has expired, the network device may reconstruct the NTN parameter information (second configuration information) required for measurement for the terminal device.

[0077] Optionally, the network device reconfigures a second set of configuration information for the terminal device before the expiration of its validity period.

[0078] Optionally, a network device may determine the effective time based on parameters such as the satellite's speed and orbital altitude. This is not limited to this embodiment of the present application.

[0079] Optionally, a network device may transmit the second configuration information via a broadcast message or via a dedicated signaling message.

[0080] In this application, the terminal device receives new NTN parameter information (second configuration information) and performs measurements based on the new NTN parameter information and measurement configuration information.

[0081] According to a third aspect, a communication method is provided. This method may be performed by a network device, or by a chip or circuit configured within a network device. This is not limited to the present application.

[0082] The method includes the following: a network device determines second configuration information based on first configuration information, the first configuration information including cell-specific parameters of a target cell to be accessed by a terminal device, and the second configuration information including parameter information used by the terminal device to access the target cell to be accessed via a non-terrestrial network (NTN). The network device transmits the first configuration information, the second configuration information, and first information, the first information instructing the terminal device to receive the first and second configuration information, and the first and second configuration information being used by the terminal device to access the target cell to be accessed.

[0083] According to this technical solution, a network device (source network device) instructs a terminal device to receive common information (first configuration information) of the cell to be accessed under reasonable conditions (appropriate time, appropriate location, etc.). The terminal device then accesses the target cell to be accessed based on the common information and the second configuration information. This reduces the number of times the terminal receives common information about the cell and the amount of common information it receives, thereby reducing the power consumption overhead of the terminal.

[0084] In this application, the first configuration information includes common configuration information for a target cell to be accessed by a terminal device, and the common configuration information includes cell-specific parameters of the target cell to be accessed by the terminal device.

[0085] It can be understood that when different terminal devices access the same target network device, the common configuration information may be the same, while when different terminal devices access different target network devices, the common configuration information is usually different.

[0086] Optionally, the first piece of information may further include cell-specific configuration information.

[0087] Optionally, after receiving the first configuration information and the second configuration information based on the first information, the terminal device receives cell-specific configuration information.

[0088] It should be understood that cell-specific configuration information may differ depending on the target network device.

[0089] Referring to the third aspect, in possible implementations, the first information includes a first condition, the first condition indicating that a terminal device receives the first and second configuration information.

[0090] In this technical solution, the network device indicates specific conditions to the terminal device, which then determines whether the conditions are met and receives the first configuration information.

[0091] Referring to the third aspect, in possible implementations, the first condition is that the current time of the terminal device is prior to a first start time, the first start time being the start of a first time period, the first time period being the time period during which the terminal device switches from the current serving cell of the network device to the target cell to be accessed.

[0092] In this technical solution, the network device instructs the terminal device to receive first configuration information when the terminal device determines that the current time is before the start time of the first time period.

[0093] Referring to the third aspect, in a possible implementation, the first condition is that the difference between a first offset value and the distance between the terminal device and a first reference point is greater than a first threshold, or the sum of a second offset value and the distance between the terminal device and a second reference point is less than a second threshold, where the first reference point is the location of the terminal device within the coverage of the current serving cell, the current serving cell is a cell within the coverage of the network device, and the second reference point is the location within the coverage of the target cell to be accessed by the terminal device.

[0094] In this technical solution, the network device instructs the terminal device to receive first configuration information when the terminal device determines that its current location satisfies the location conditions.

[0095] The first and second offset values ​​are hysteresis parameters, and the hysteresis parameters are the maximum tolerance values.

[0096] Referring to the third aspect, in possible implementations, the first information includes first instruction information, which instructs a terminal device to receive first configuration information and second configuration information.

[0097] In this technical solution, the network device directly instructs the terminal device to receive the first configuration information by using instructional information.

[0098] Referring to a third aspect, in possible implementations, the first information includes first time information, which indicates the time when a network device transmits first configuration information and the time when a network device transmits second configuration information, and the first time information is used by a terminal device to receive the first configuration information within the time / time when a network device transmits the first configuration information and to receive the second configuration information within the time / time when a network device transmits the second configuration information.

[0099] In this technical solution, the network device instructs the terminal device to receive the first configuration information at the corresponding time / time by indicating specific time information.

[0100] Optionally, the first piece of information may include a handover command message.

[0101] Optionally, the network device sends first information before sending a handover command message to the terminal device.

[0102] Optionally, the first time information may be represented by using an offset time. For example, the first time information may be represented by using an offset value of the base time. The base time may be the cell service end time.

[0103] Optionally, the first time information may be represented by using absolute time.

[0104] Optionally, the first time information may be represented by using system frames and subframes.

[0105] A fourth aspect provides a communication method, which may be performed by a terminal device or by a chip or circuit configured within the terminal device. This is not limited to the present invention.

[0106] The method includes the following: A terminal device receives first information. Based on the first information, the terminal device receives first configuration information and second configuration information, the first configuration information including cell-specific parameters of a target cell to be accessed by the terminal device, the second configuration information including parameter information used by the terminal device to access the target cell to be accessed via a non-terrestrial network (NTN), and the first and second configuration information are used by the terminal device to access the target cell to be accessed.

[0107] According to this technical solution, a terminal device can receive common information about the cell to be accessed under reasonable conditions (appropriate time, appropriate location, etc.) based on instructions from a network device (source network device). This reduces the number of times the terminal receives common information about the cell and the amount of common information it receives, thereby reducing the power consumption overhead of the terminal.

[0108] In this application, the first configuration information includes common configuration information for a target cell to be accessed by a terminal device, and the common configuration information includes cell-specific parameters of the target cell to be accessed by the terminal device.

[0109] It can be understood that when different terminal devices access the same target network device, the common configuration information may be the same, while when different terminal devices access different target network devices, the common configuration information is usually different.

[0110] Optionally, the first piece of information may further include cell-specific configuration information.

[0111] Optionally, after receiving the first configuration information and the second configuration information based on the first information, the terminal device receives cell-specific configuration information.

[0112] It should be understood that cell-specific configuration information may differ depending on the target network device.

[0113] Referring to the fourth aspect, in possible implementations, the terminal device determines a first condition based on the first information. Based on the first condition, the terminal device decides to receive first configuration information and second configuration information.

[0114] In this technical solution, the network device indicates specific conditions to the terminal device, which then determines whether the conditions are met and receives the first configuration information.

[0115] Referring to the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation, the terminal device determines that the first condition is that the terminal device's current time is before the start of a first time period, the first time period being the time period during which the terminal device switches from the network device's current serving cell to the target cell to be accessed. The terminal device receives the first and second configuration information at this time.

[0116] In this technical solution, the network device instructs the terminal device to receive first configuration information when the terminal device determines that the current time is before the start time of the first time period.

[0117] Referring to the fourth aspect, in possible implementations, the terminal device determines that the first condition is that the difference between a first offset value and the distance between the terminal device and a first reference point is greater than a first threshold, or that the sum of a second offset value and the distance between the terminal device and a second reference point is less than a second threshold, where the first reference point is the terminal device's current location within the coverage of a serving cell, the current serving cell is a cell within the coverage of a network device, the second reference point is the location within the coverage of a target cell to be accessed by the terminal device, the first and second offset values ​​are hysteresis parameters, and the hysteresis parameters are the maximum tolerances. The terminal device receives first and second configuration information at its current location.

[0118] In this technical solution, the network device instructs the terminal device to receive first configuration information when the terminal device determines that its current location satisfies the location conditions.

[0119] Referring to the fourth aspect, in possible implementations, the terminal device determines first instruction information based on first information. The terminal device receives first configuration information and second configuration information based on the first instruction information.

[0120] In this technical solution, the network device directly instructs the terminal device to receive the first configuration information by using instructional information.

[0121] Referring to the fourth aspect, in possible implementations, the terminal device determines first time information based on first information, the first time information indicating the time when the network device transmits first configuration information and the time when the network device transmits second configuration information. The terminal device receives the first configuration information within the time / time when the network device transmits the first configuration information and receives the second configuration information within the time / time when the network device transmits the second configuration information.

[0122] In this technical solution, the network device instructs the terminal device to receive the first configuration information at the corresponding time / time by indicating specific time information.

[0123] Optionally, the first piece of information may include a handover command message.

[0124] Optionally, the network device sends first information before sending a handover command message to the terminal device.

[0125] Optionally, the first time information may be represented by using an offset time. For example, the first time information may be represented by using an offset value of the base time. The base time may be the cell service end time.

[0126] Optionally, the first time information may be represented by using absolute time.

[0127] Optionally, the first time information may be represented by using system frames and subframes.

[0128] Referring to the fourth aspect, in possible implementations, the terminal device switches to a target cell based on the first and second configuration information.

[0129] According to a fifth aspect, a communication method is provided. This method may be performed by a network device or by a chip or circuit configured within a network device. This is not limited to the present application.

[0130] This method includes: a network device sends a first message containing group identification information, which indicates the group to which the terminal device belongs. The network device then multicasts first and second configuration information to the terminal device, corresponding to the group to which the terminal device belongs, the first configuration information containing cell-specific parameters of the target cell to be accessed by the terminal device, and the second configuration information containing parameter information used by the terminal device to access the target cell to be accessed via a non-terrestrial network (NTN), and the first and second configuration information are used by the terminal device to access the target cell to be accessed.

[0131] According to this technical solution, a network device sends common information (first configuration information) of a cell to be accessed via multicast messages to a terminal device, and the terminal device can directly receive the first configuration information via multicast messages. This reduces the number of times and the amount of common information that the terminal receives, thereby reducing the power consumption overhead of the terminal.

[0132] Optionally, the group identification information may be a temporary group wireless network identifier.

[0133] For example, a network device configures the same G-RNTI for terminal devices belonging to the same group. That is, terminal devices with the same G-RNTI belong to the same group.

[0134] In this scenario, the terminal needs to receive not only terminal-specific messages, but also multicast messages for the group to which the terminal belongs. For example, the terminal needs to receive scrambled messages using terminal-specific C-RNTI, as well as scrambled messages using G-RNTI.

[0135] Referring to the fifth aspect, in possible implementations, the network device transmits third configuration information, which includes a handover trigger condition, instructing the terminal device to switch to the target cell.

[0136] In this technical solution, the network device configures specific handover trigger conditions for the terminal device to instruct the terminal device to switch to the target cell.

[0137] Referring to the fifth aspect, in possible implementations, the third configuration information further includes identification information of the target cell.

[0138] Referring to the fifth aspect, in possible implementations, the group identification information is a group wireless network temporary identifier.

[0139] According to a sixth aspect, a communication method is provided. This method may be performed by a terminal device or by a chip or circuit configured within a terminal device. This is not limited to the present application.

[0140] The method includes the following: A terminal device receives a first message, which includes group identification information, indicating the group to which the terminal device belongs. The terminal device receives first and second configuration information corresponding to the group to which the terminal device belongs, the first configuration information including cell-specific parameters of a target cell to be accessed by the terminal device, and the second configuration information including parameter information used by the terminal device to access the target cell to be accessed via a non-terrestrial network (NTN), and the first and second configuration information are used by the terminal device to access the target cell to be accessed.

[0141] According to this technical solution, the terminal device receives grouping information transmitted by the network device, further determines the group to which the terminal device belongs, and further receives first and second configuration information transmitted by the network device for the group to which the terminal device belongs. In other words, the terminal device can directly receive the first configuration information via multicast messages, thereby reducing the number of times and the amount of common information the terminal receives for the cell, and reducing the terminal's power consumption overhead.

[0142] Optionally, the group identification information may be a temporary group wireless network identifier.

[0143] For example, a network device configures the same G-RNTI for terminal devices belonging to the same group. That is, terminal devices with the same G-RNTI belong to the same group.

[0144] In this scenario, the terminal needs to receive not only terminal-specific messages, but also multicast messages for the group to which the terminal belongs. For example, the terminal needs to receive scrambled messages using terminal-specific C-RNTI, as well as scrambled messages using G-RNTI.

[0145] Referring to the sixth aspect, in possible implementations, the terminal device receives third configuration information, which includes a handover trigger condition. The terminal device switches to the target cell based on the handover trigger condition.

[0146] In this technical solution, the terminal device decides to switch to the target cell based on specific handover trigger conditions configured by the network device.

[0147] Referring to the sixth aspect, in possible implementations, the third configuration information further includes identification information of the target cell.

[0148] Referring to the sixth aspect, in possible implementations, the group identification information is a group wireless network temporary identifier.

[0149] In conventional technology, the common portion of handover commands can be transmitted via a common message. In existing procedures, after switching to the current cell, the terminal begins receiving common information for candidate target cells. However, NTN cells have broad coverage and many neighboring cells. Due to satellite movement, candidate target cells change, and the NTN cell updates the broadcasted common information for the candidate target cells, requiring the terminal to receive the common information for the latest candidate target cell. After the terminal switches to the current cell, a handover typically does not occur again immediately. However, before a handover occurs, the terminal frequently receives common information for candidate target cells. This results in power consumption overhead for the terminal.

[0150] In view of this, the present application provides a communication method for communicating common messages required by a terminal to access a candidate target cell between a terminal device and a network device, thereby avoiding the terminal frequently receiving common information about the candidate target cell before a handover occurs, and thereby reducing power consumption overhead.

[0151] According to a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided. This device may be a terminal device, or a chip or circuit configured within a terminal device. This is not limited to the present application.

[0152] The apparatus includes a transceiver unit configured to acquire first configuration information, wherein the first configuration information includes non-terrestrial network (NTN) parameter information, and the NTN parameter information includes parameter information required by a terminal device to perform measurements on a carrier frequency; and a processing unit configured to perform measurements on a carrier frequency based on the first configuration information and measurement configuration information, wherein the measurement configuration information indicates the configuration information for a measurement to be performed by a terminal device, and the measurement configuration information and the first configuration information correspond to the same measurement target.

[0153] Based on the aforementioned technical solutions, when acquiring measurement configuration information, the transceiver unit may directly acquire the NTN parameter information required for measurement, or it may determine the NTN parameter information based on instruction information. Furthermore, the processing unit performs the measurement based on the measurement configuration information and the NTN parameter information. Based on the ephemeris information in the NTN parameter information, the processing unit compensates for or adjusts for offsets such as measurement frequency and measurement time caused by satellite movement, ensuring that the search and measurement can be performed more quickly and accurately, thereby meeting communication latency requirements and improving measurement accuracy.

[0154] In this application, NTN parameter information includes parameter information required by a terminal device to perform measurements on the carrier frequency and relating to accessing the NTN network by the terminal device, and the parameter information may be ephemeris information.

[0155] In this application, the processing unit measures the cell at the cell's carrier frequency.

[0156] In this application, the measurement configuration information refers to the configuration information for a measurement to be performed by a terminal device.

[0157] In this application, the configuration information for measurements to be performed by the terminal device may include measurement configuration information such as in-frequency measurement configuration information, inter-frequency measurement configuration information, inter-RAT measurement configuration information, or measurement gap configuration information.

[0158] Referring to the seventh aspect, in possible implementations, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive first information, the first information including first configuration information and measurement configuration information.

[0159] In this technical solution, the transceiver unit can acquire first configuration information simultaneously when acquiring measurement configuration information, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0160] Referring to the seventh aspect, in possible implementations, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive second information, the second information including measurement configuration information and first instruction information, the first instruction information indicating a location for transporting the first configuration information. The processing unit is configured to determine the first configuration information based on the first instruction information.

[0161] In this technical solution, the processing unit is configured to determine first configuration information based on instruction information transmitted by a network device, and to further use the first configuration information for measurement.

[0162] Referring to the seventh aspect, in possible implementations, the processing unit is configured to determine, based on first instruction information, a system information block and / or index information in which the first configuration information is located. The processing unit is further configured to determine, based on the system information block and / or index information, the first configuration information in a third piece of information, the third piece of information including the first configuration information.

[0163] In this technical solution, the first instruction information may indicate the location or a specific bearer resource of the first configuration information, and the processing unit may determine the first configuration information based on the first instruction information.

[0164] Referring to the seventh aspect, in possible implementations, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive third information, the third information further including carrier frequency information and / or cell identification information.

[0165] In this technical solution, the transceiver unit receives third information from the network device and further determines the first configuration information within the third information based on the instruction information.

[0166] Referring to the seventh aspect, in possible implementations, the first configuration information further includes cell identification information and / or a first configuration information index, the first configuration information index indicates NTN parameter information corresponding to the cell, and the cell identification information corresponds to the first configuration information index.

[0167] In this technical solution, when the first configuration information includes NTN parameter information corresponding to multiple cells, the NTN parameter information corresponding to a cell can be determined based on the first configuration information index.

[0168] Referring to the seventh aspect, in possible implementations, the first configuration information further includes carrier frequency information and / or a first configuration information index, the first configuration information index indicates NTN parameter information corresponding to the carrier frequency information, and the carrier frequency information corresponds to the first configuration information index.

[0169] In this technical solution, when the first configuration information includes NTN parameter information corresponding to multiple cells, the NTN parameter information corresponding to the cell's carrier frequency can be determined based on the first configuration information index.

[0170] Referring to the seventh aspect, in a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive second configuration information, the second configuration information includes NTN parameter information, the NTN parameter information includes parameter information required by a terminal device to perform a measurement on a carrier frequency, the second configuration information is used by the terminal device to perform a measurement on a carrier frequency within a first duration, the first duration being a duration longer than the effective duration of the first configuration information, the effective duration being the maximum time for which the terminal device performs a measurement by using the first configuration information.

[0171] In this technical solution, as the satellite moves, motion parameter information such as velocity, position, and orbit changes dynamically. Therefore, it is necessary to update the NTN parameter information to ensure that the provided ephemeris information is more accurate and that the processing unit can perform exploration and measurement more quickly and accurately. Accordingly, after the validity period of the first configuration information has expired, it is necessary to continue measurements using the updated second configuration information to ensure measurement accuracy and meet communication latency requirements.

[0172] Referring to the seventh aspect, in possible implementations, a transceiver unit is configured to receive first information, the first information including first configuration information and measurement configuration information, the first configuration information including non-terrestrial network (NTN) parameter information, the NTN parameter information including parameter information required by a terminal device to perform a measurement on the carrier frequency, and the measurement configuration information and the first configuration information correspond to the same object to be measured. A processing unit is configured to perform a measurement on the carrier frequency based on the first configuration information and the measurement configuration information.

[0173] Referring to the seventh aspect, in possible implementations, a transceiver unit is configured to receive second information, the second information including measurement configuration information and first instruction information. A processing unit is configured to determine first configuration information based on the first instruction information, the first configuration information including non-terrestrial network (NTN) parameter information, the NTN parameter information including parameter information required by a terminal device to perform a measurement on a carrier frequency. The processing unit is further configured to perform a measurement on a carrier frequency based on the first configuration information and measurement configuration information, the measurement configuration information and the first configuration information corresponding to the same object to be measured.

[0174] Referring to the seventh aspect, in possible implementations, the transceiver unit is further configured to acquire first configuration information, the first configuration information includes non-terrestrial network (NTN) parameter information, the NTN parameter information includes parameter information required by the terminal device to perform measurements on the carrier frequency. The processing unit is further configured to perform measurements on the carrier frequency based on the first configuration information and in-frequency / inter-frequency / inter-RAT measurement configuration information, the in-frequency or inter-frequency measurement configuration information and the first configuration information corresponding to the same object being measured.

[0175] In this application, in an idle or inactive state, a network device transmits in-frequency measurement configuration information, inter-frequency measurement configuration information, or inter-RAT measurement configuration information via a broadcast message. In addition, the broadcast message may further carry first instruction information. Based on the first instruction information, a terminal device determines the system information block and / or index information in which the first configuration information is located. Based on the system information block and / or index information in which the first configuration information is located, the terminal device further determines the first configuration information in third information, which is information transmitted by the network device via a broadcast message and contains the first configuration information.

[0176] According to the eighth aspect, a communication device is provided. This device may be a network device, or it may be a chip or circuit configured within a network device. This is not limited to the present application.

[0177] The apparatus includes a processing unit configured to determine first configuration information based on measurement configuration information, wherein the first configuration information includes non-terrestrial network (NTN) parameter information, the NTN parameter information includes parameter information required by a terminal device to perform a measurement on a carrier frequency, and the measurement configuration information indicates the configuration information for a measurement to be performed by the terminal device; and a transceiver unit configured to transmit the first configuration information and the measurement configuration information, wherein the first configuration information and the measurement configuration information are used by a terminal device to perform a measurement on a carrier frequency, and the measurement configuration information and the first configuration information correspond to the same measurement target.

[0178] Based on the aforementioned technical solution, when transmitting measurement configuration information to a terminal device, the transceiver unit may directly transmit the NTN parameter information required for measurement, or it may simultaneously transmit instruction information to indicate the location of the NTN parameter information, enabling the transceiver unit to directly acquire the NTN parameter information. Furthermore, the processing unit performs the measurement based on the measurement configuration information and the NTN parameter information. Based on the ephemeris information in the NTN parameter information, the processing unit compensates for or adjusts offsets such as measurement frequency and measurement time caused by satellite movement, ensuring that the search and measurement can be performed more quickly and accurately, thereby meeting communication latency requirements and improving measurement accuracy.

[0179] In this application, NTN parameter information includes parameter information required by a terminal device to perform measurements on the carrier frequency and relating to accessing the NTN network by the terminal device, and the parameter information may be ephemeris information.

[0180] In this application, the terminal device measures the cell on the cell's carrier frequency.

[0181] In this application, the measurement configuration information refers to the configuration information for a measurement to be performed by a terminal device.

[0182] In this application, the configuration information for measurements to be performed by the terminal device may include measurement configuration information such as in-frequency measurement configuration information, inter-frequency measurement configuration information, inter-RAT measurement configuration information, or measurement gap configuration information.

[0183] Referring to the eighth aspect, in possible implementations, the transceiver unit is configured to transmit first information, the first information including first configuration information and measurement configuration information.

[0184] In this technical solution, the transceiver unit can simultaneously transmit first configuration information when configuring measurement configuration information, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0185] Referring to the eighth aspect, in a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is configured to transmit second information, the second information including measurement configuration information and first instruction information, the first instruction information indicating a location for carrying the first configuration information, and the first instruction information being used by a terminal device to determine the first configuration information.

[0186] In this technical solution, a network device may indicate the location of a first configuration by using instructional information so that a terminal device determines the first configuration information for measurement.

[0187] Referring to the eighth aspect, in possible implementations, the first instruction information indicates an index information and / or system information block in which the first configuration information is located within the third information.

[0188] In this technical solution, the first instruction information may indicate the location or a specific bearer resource of the first configuration information, and the terminal device may determine the first configuration information based on the first instruction information.

[0189] Referring to the eighth aspect, in possible implementations, the transceiver unit is configured to transmit third information, the third information further including cell identification information and / or carrier frequency information of a cell.

[0190] In this technical solution, the transceiver unit transmits third information, which allows the terminal device to determine the first configuration information within the third information based on the instruction information.

[0191] Referring to the eighth aspect, in possible implementations, the first configuration information further includes cell identification information and / or a first configuration information index, the first configuration information index indicates NTN parameter information corresponding to the cell, and the cell identification information corresponds to the first configuration information index.

[0192] In this technical solution, when the first configuration information includes NTN parameter information corresponding to multiple cells, the NTN parameter information corresponding to a cell can be determined based on the first configuration information index.

[0193] Referring to the eighth aspect, in possible implementations, the first configuration information further includes carrier frequency information and / or a first configuration information index, the first configuration information index indicates NTN parameter information corresponding to the carrier frequency information, and the carrier frequency information corresponds to the first configuration information index.

[0194] In this technical solution, when the first configuration information includes NTN parameter information corresponding to multiple cells, the NTN parameter information corresponding to the cell's carrier frequency can be determined based on the first configuration information index.

[0195] Referring to the eighth aspect, in a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is configured to transmit second configuration information, the second configuration information comprising NTN parameter information for at least one cell on different carrier frequencies, the NTN parameter information comprising parameter information used by a terminal device to access at least one cell via NTN, the second configuration information being used by a terminal device to measure at least one cell within a first duration, the first duration being a time length exceeding the effective duration of the first configuration information, the effective duration being the maximum time for which a terminal device performs a measurement by using the first configuration information.

[0196] In this technical solution, as the satellite moves, motion parameter information such as velocity, position, and orbit changes dynamically. Therefore, it is necessary to update the NTN parameter information to ensure that the provided ephemeris information is more accurate and that terminal devices can perform exploration and measurement more quickly and accurately. Accordingly, after the validity period of the first configuration information has expired, it is necessary to continue measurements using the updated second configuration information to ensure measurement accuracy and meet communication latency requirements.

[0197] According to the ninth aspect, a communication device is provided. This device may be a network device, or a chip or circuit configured within a network device. This is not limited to the present application.

[0198] The apparatus includes a processing unit configured to determine second configuration information based on first configuration information, wherein the first configuration information includes cell-specific parameters of a target cell to be accessed by a terminal device, and the second configuration information includes parameter information used by the terminal device to access the target cell to be accessed via a non-terrestrial network (NTN); and a transceiver unit configured to transmit the first configuration information, the second configuration information, and the first information, wherein the first information instructs the terminal device to receive the first and second configuration information, and the first and second configuration information are used by the terminal device to access the target cell to be accessed.

[0199] According to this technical solution, a network device instructs a terminal device to receive common information (first configuration information) of a cell to be accessed under reasonable conditions (such as the right time and location). The terminal device then accesses the target cell to be accessed based on the common information and the second configuration information. This reduces the number of times the terminal receives common information about the cell and the amount of common information it receives, thereby reducing the power consumption overhead of the terminal.

[0200] Referring to the ninth aspect, in possible implementations, the first information includes a first condition, the first condition indicating that a terminal device receives the first and second configuration information.

[0201] In this technical solution, the network device indicates specific conditions to the terminal device, which then determines whether the conditions are met and receives the first configuration information.

[0202] Referring to the ninth aspect, in possible implementations, the first condition is that the present time of the terminal device is prior to a first start time, the first start time being the start of a first time period, the first time period being the time period during which the terminal device switches from the current serving cell of the network device to the target cell to be accessed.

[0203] In this technical solution, the network device instructs the terminal device to receive first configuration information when the terminal device determines that the current time is before the start time of the first time period.

[0204] Referring to the ninth aspect, in possible implementations, the first condition is that the difference between a first offset value and the distance between the terminal device and a first reference point is greater than a first threshold, or the sum of a second offset value and the distance between the terminal device and a second reference point is less than a second threshold, where the first reference point is the location of the terminal device in the coverage of the current serving cell, the current serving cell is a cell in the coverage of the network device, the second reference point is the location in the coverage of the target cell to be accessed by the terminal device, the first and second offset values ​​are hysteresis parameters, and the hysteresis parameters are the maximum tolerance.

[0205] In this technical solution, the network device instructs the terminal device to receive first configuration information when the terminal device determines that its current location satisfies the location conditions.

[0206] Referring to the ninth aspect, in possible implementations, the first information includes first instruction information, the first instruction information instructs a terminal device to receive first configuration information and second configuration information.

[0207] In this technical solution, the network device directly instructs the terminal device to receive the first configuration information by using instructional information.

[0208] Referring to the ninth aspect, in possible implementations, the first information includes first time information, which indicates the time when a network device transmits first configuration information and the time when a network device transmits second configuration information, and the first time information is used by a terminal device to receive the first configuration information within the time / time when a network device transmits the first configuration information and to receive the second configuration information within the time / time when a network device transmits the second configuration information.

[0209] In this technical solution, the network device instructs the terminal device to receive the first configuration information at the corresponding time / time by indicating specific time information.

[0210] According to a tenth aspect, a communication device is provided. This device may be a terminal device, or a chip or circuit configured within a terminal device. This is not limited to the present application.

[0211] The device includes a transceiver unit configured to receive first information and a processing unit configured to receive first configuration information and second configuration information based on the first information, wherein the first configuration information includes cell-specific parameters of a target cell to be accessed by a terminal device, and the second configuration information includes parameter information used by the terminal device to access the target cell to be accessed via a non-terrestrial network (NTN), and the first and second configuration information are used by the terminal device to access the target cell to be accessed.

[0212] According to this technical solution, a terminal device can receive common information about the cell to be accessed under reasonable conditions (such as the right time and location) based on instructions from a network device. This reduces the number of times the terminal receives common information about the cell and the amount of common information it receives, thereby reducing the terminal's power consumption overhead.

[0213] Referring to the tenth aspect, in possible implementations, the terminal device determines a first condition based on the first information. Based on the first condition, the terminal device decides to receive first configuration information and second configuration information.

[0214] In this technical solution, the network device indicates specific conditions to the terminal device, which then determines whether the conditions are met and receives the first configuration information.

[0215] Referring to the tenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the terminal device determines that the first condition is that the terminal device's current time is before the start of a first time period, the first time period being the time period during which the terminal device switches from the network device's current serving cell to the target cell to be accessed. The terminal device receives first and second configuration information at this time.

[0216] In this technical solution, the network device instructs the terminal device to receive first configuration information when the terminal device determines that the current time is before the start time of the first time period.

[0217] Referring to the tenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the processing unit is particularly configured to determine that a first condition is that the difference between a first offset value and the distance between the terminal device and a first reference point is greater than a first threshold, or that the sum of a second offset value and the distance between the terminal device and a second reference point is less than a second threshold, where the first reference point is the location of the terminal device in the coverage of the current serving cell, the current serving cell is a cell in the coverage of the network device, the second reference point is the location in the coverage of the target cell to be accessed by the terminal device, the first and second offset values ​​are hysteresis parameters, and the hysteresis parameters are the maximum tolerance. The transceiver unit is particularly configured to receive first and second configuration information at the current location.

[0218] In this technical solution, the network device instructs the terminal device to receive first configuration information when the terminal device determines that its current location satisfies the location conditions.

[0219] Referring to the tenth aspect, in possible implementations, the processing unit is particularly configured to determine first instruction information based on first information. The transceiver unit is particularly configured to receive first configuration information and second configuration information based on the first instruction information.

[0220] In this technical solution, the network device directly instructs the terminal device to receive the first configuration information by using instructional information.

[0221] Referring to the tenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the processing unit is particularly configured to determine first time information based on first information, the first time information indicating the time when the network device transmits first configuration information and the time when the network device transmits second configuration information. The transceiver unit is particularly configured to receive first configuration information within the time / time when the network device transmits first configuration information and to receive second configuration information within the time / time when the network device transmits second configuration information.

[0222] In this technical solution, the network device instructs the terminal device to receive the first configuration information at the corresponding time / time by indicating specific time information.

[0223] Referring to the tenth aspect, in possible implementations, the processing unit is further configured to switch to a target cell based on first and second configuration information.

[0224] According to the eleventh aspect, a communication device is provided. This device may be a network device, or a chip or circuit configured within a network device. This is not limited to the present application.

[0225] The device includes a transceiver unit configured to transmit a first message, the first message including group identification information, which indicates the group to which the terminal device belongs; the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit first and second configuration information corresponding to the group to which the terminal device belongs to the terminal device in a multicast manner; the first configuration information includes cell-specific parameters of a target cell to be accessed by the terminal device; the second configuration information includes parameter information used by the terminal device to access the target cell to be accessed via a non-terrestrial network (NTN); and the first and second configuration information are used by the terminal device to access the target cell to be accessed.

[0226] According to this technical solution, a network device sends common information (first configuration information) of a cell to be accessed via multicast messages to a terminal device, and the terminal device can directly receive the first configuration information via multicast messages. This reduces the number of times and the amount of common information that the terminal receives, thereby reducing the power consumption overhead of the terminal.

[0227] Referring to the eleventh aspect, in possible implementations, the transceiver unit is specifically configured to transmit third configuration information, the third configuration information including a handover trigger condition, the handover trigger condition instructs a terminal device to switch to a target cell.

[0228] In this technical solution, the network device configures specific handover trigger conditions for the terminal device to instruct the terminal device to switch to the target cell.

[0229] Referring to the eleventh aspect, in possible implementations, the third configuration information further includes identification information of the target cell.

[0230] Referring to the eleventh aspect, in possible implementations, the group identification information is a group wireless network temporary identifier.

[0231] According to a twelfth aspect, a communication device is provided. This device may be a terminal device, or a chip or circuit configured within a terminal device. This is not limited to the present application.

[0232] The device includes a transceiver unit configured to receive a first message, the first message including group identification information, which indicates the group to which the terminal device belongs; the transceiver unit is further configured to receive first and second configuration information corresponding to the group to which the terminal device belongs, the first configuration information including cell-specific parameters of a target cell to be accessed by the terminal device; and the second configuration information including parameter information used by the terminal device to access the target cell to be accessed via a non-terrestrial network (NTN); and the first and second configuration information are used by the terminal device to access the target cell to be accessed.

[0233] According to this technical solution, the terminal device receives grouping information transmitted by the network device, further determines the group to which the terminal device belongs, and further receives first and second configuration information transmitted by the network device for the group to which the terminal device belongs. In other words, the terminal device can directly receive the first configuration information via multicast messages, thereby reducing the number of times and the amount of common information the terminal receives for the cell, and reducing the terminal's power consumption overhead.

[0234] Referring to the twelfth aspect, in possible implementations, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive third configuration information, which includes a handover trigger condition. The processing unit is further used by the terminal device to switch to a target cell based on the handover trigger condition.

[0235] In this technical solution, the terminal device decides to switch to the target cell based on specific handover trigger conditions configured by the network device.

[0236] Referring to the twelfth aspect, in possible implementations, the third configuration information further includes identification information of the target cell.

[0237] Referring to the twelfth aspect, in possible implementations, the group identification information is a group wireless network temporary identifier.

[0238] According to the thirteenth aspect, a communication device is provided. The device is configured to perform the method provided in the first aspect. Specifically, the communication device may include units and / or modules, such as a processing unit and / or a communication unit, configured to perform the method provided in any implementation of the first and second aspects, the third and fourth aspects, or the fifth and sixth aspects.

[0239] In one implementation, the communication device includes a communication unit and a processing unit. The communication unit may be a transceiver or an input / output interface. The processing unit may be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface may be an input / output circuit.

[0240] In another implementation, the communication device is a chip, chip system, or circuit within a network device. When the communication device is a chip, chip system, or circuit within a network device, the communication unit may be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, associated circuit, etc., on the chip, chip system, or circuit, and the processing unit may be at least one processor, processing circuit, logic circuit, etc.

[0241] According to the 14th aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor and optionally further comprising memory. The processor is configured to control transceivers to receive and transmit signals. The memory is configured to store computer programs. The processor is configured to call computer programs from memory and to execute computer programs, thereby enabling the communication device to perform methods in any possible implementation of the first and second aspects, the third and fourth aspects, or the fifth and sixth aspects.

[0242] Optionally, one or more processors and one or more memory units are present.

[0243] Optionally, the memory may be integrated with the processor, or the memory and processor may be located separately.

[0244] Optionally, the communication device further includes a transceiver. Specifically, the transceiver may consist of a transmitter and a receiver.

[0245] According to the 15th aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising a terminal device configured to perform a method in any possible implementation of the first, fourth, or sixth aspect, and a network device configured to perform a method in any possible implementation of the second, third, or fifth aspect.

[0246] According to the sixteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or code. When the computer program or code is executed on the computer, the computer becomes capable of performing methods in any possible implementation of the first and second aspects, the third and fourth aspects, or the fifth and sixth aspects.

[0247] According to the 17th aspect, a chip is provided which includes at least one processor. The at least one processor is coupled to memory. The memory is configured to store a computer program. The processor is configured to call a computer program from memory and to execute the computer program, thereby causing a transmitting device on which the chip is installed to perform the method in any possible implementation of the first and second aspects, the third and fourth aspects, or the fifth and sixth aspects.

[0248] The chip may include an input circuit or interface configured to transmit information or data, and an output circuit or interface configured to receive information or data.

[0249] According to the 18th aspect, a computer program product is provided. The computer program product includes computer program code. When the computer program code is executed by a transmitting device, a method in any possible implementation of the first and second aspects, the third and fourth aspects, or the fifth and sixth aspects is performed.

[0250] For the beneficial effects of the 7th through 18th aspects, please refer to the beneficial effects of the 1st through 6th aspects. Further details will not be explained. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0251] [Figure 1]This is a diagram of a network architecture applicable to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 2] This is a diagram showing the architecture of a communication system used in one embodiment of this application. [Figure 3] This is a schematic flowchart of the communication method described in this application. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of the communication method described in this application. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram of the communication method described in this application. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram of the communication method described in this application. [Figure 7] This is a schematic flowchart of the communication method described in this application. [Figure 8] This is a schematic diagram of the communication method described in this application. [Figure 9] This is a schematic diagram of the communication method described in this application. [Figure 10] This is a schematic diagram of the communication method described in this application. [Figure 11] This is a schematic diagram of the communication method described in this application. [Figure 12] This is a schematic diagram of the communication method described in this application. [Figure 13] This is a diagram showing the structure of a communication device according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 14] This is a diagram of a communication architecture according to one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 15] This is a diagram showing the structure of another communication device according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 16] This is a diagram of another communication architecture according to one embodiment of the present application. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0252] The technical solution in this application will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0253] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application relate to various communication systems, such as long-term evolution (LTE) systems, long-term evolution-advanced (LTE-A) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) communication systems, next-generation communication systems (e.g., fifth-generation (5G) communication systems), converged systems of multiple access systems, evolutionary systems, and 5G mobile communication systems, specifically three main application scenarios: enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), and enhanced machine type communication. This may be applied to Communication (eMTC), or new communication systems that may emerge in the future. The technical solutions provided in this application may be further applied to future communication systems, for example, sixth-generation mobile communication systems. This is not limited to this application.

[0254] The technical solutions provided in this application may be further applied to machine-type communication (MTC), long-term evolution-machine (LTE-M), device-to-device (D2D) networks, machine-to-machine (M2M) networks, Internet of Things (IoT) networks, or other networks. IoT networks may include, for example, the Internet of Vehicles. Communication modes in a Vehicle Internet system are collectively referred to as vehicle to X (V2X, where X can represent anything). For example, V2X may include vehicle to vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicle to infrastructure (V2I) communication, vehicle to pedestrian (V2P) communication, vehicle to network (V2N) communication, and so on.

[0255] The network devices in the embodiments of this application may also be called radio access network (R)AN devices. An (R)AN manages radio resources, provides access services to user equipment, and completes the transfer of user equipment data between user equipment and the core network. An (R)AN may also be understood as a base station in the network, and is a device placed in the radio access network to provide wireless communication capabilities to mobile stations (MS).

[0256] For example, the access network device in the embodiments of this application may be any communication device having wireless transceiver functionality and configured to communicate with user equipment. The access network device includes, but is not limited to, evolved NodeB (eNB), radio network controller (RNC), NodeB (NB), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home evolved NodeB (HeNB) or home NodeB (HNB), base band unit (BBU), access point (AP) in a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) system, wireless relay node, wireless backhaul node, transmission point (TP), transmission reception point (TRP), etc. The access network device may alternatively be a gNB or transmission point (TRP or TP) in a 5G system such as an NR system, or one antenna panel or group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station in a 5G system, or network nodes constituting the gNB or transmission point, such as a base band unit (BBU) or distributed unit (DU). It can be understood that all or some of the functions of the access network device in this application may alternatively be implemented by using software functions that run on hardware, or by using virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

[0257] In some configurations, a gNB may include a central unit (CU) and a DU. The gNB may further include an active antenna unit (AAU). The CU implements some of the gNB's functions, and the DU implements some of the gNB's functions. For example, the CU handles non-real-time protocols and services and implements the functions of the radio resource control (RRC) layer and the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer. The DU handles physical layer protocols and real-time services and implements the functions of the radio link control (RLC) layer, the media access control (MAC) layer, and the physical (PHY) layer. The AAU implements some physical layer processing functions, radio frequency processing, and functions related to the active antenna. Information in the RRC layer is generated by the CU and ultimately encapsulated in or converted from information in the PHY layer within the DU's PHY layer. Therefore, in this architecture, higher-layer signaling, such as RRC layer signaling, can also be considered to be transmitted by the DU or by the DU and AAU. It can be understood that an access network device may be a device comprising one or more of CU nodes, DU nodes, or AAU nodes. In addition, a CU may be classified as an access network device in a radio access network (RAN), and a CU may be classified as an access network device in a core network (CN). This is not limited to the present application.

[0258] In the embodiments of this application, terminal devices may also be called user equipment (UE), terminals, access terminals, subscriber units, subscriber stations, mobile stations, remote stations, remote terminals, mobile devices, user terminals, wireless communication devices, user agents, or user equipment. The terminals in the embodiments of this application may include mobile phones, tablet computers, computers with wireless receiver functionality, virtual reality (VR) terminals, augmented reality (AR) terminals, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in telemedicine, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, cellular phones, cordless phones, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to wireless modems, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices, terminals in 5G networks, and terminals in future advanced networks.

[0259] Wearable devices, sometimes called wearable intelligent devices, are a general term for wearable devices developed by applying wearable technology to the intelligent design of everyday clothing, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. Wearable devices are portable devices that can be worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothing or accessories. Wearable devices are not only hardware devices but also implement powerful functionality through software support, data exchange, and cloud interaction. In a broad sense, intelligent wearable devices include large, fully-featured devices that can implement full or partial functionality without relying on a smartphone, such as smartwatches or smart glasses, and devices that are specialized for only one type of application and need to be used in conjunction with other devices such as smartphones, such as various smart bands or smart jewelry for monitoring physical signs.

[0260] In embodiments of this application, the communication device configured to implement the functions of a network device may be a network device, a network device having some functions of a base station, or a device capable of supporting a network device when implementing functions, such as a chip system. The device may be installed in the network device.

[0261] In actual network deployments, it is impossible for terrestrial networks to cover all areas, especially sparsely populated areas such as deserts, oceans, the Arctic, and Antarctica. Non-terrestrial (NTN) networks have broad coverage and are well-suited for deployment in sparsely populated areas. Embodiments of this application are applicable to non-terrestrial (NTN) network communications. An NTN network is a network or network segment that uses radio frequencies mounted on satellites (UAS platforms). The technical solutions of this application will be described in detail below using a satellite communications system as an example.

[0262] In satellite communication systems, network devices may include satellites.

[0263] Figure 1 is a diagram of a network architecture applicable to one embodiment of this application. A terrestrial mobile terminal UE accesses the network via 5G new radio. 5G access network devices are deployed on satellites and connected to the terrestrial core network via radio links. In addition, there are radio links between satellites to carry out signaling exchange and user data transmission between access network devices. The network elements and their interfaces in Figure 1 are described below.

[0264] Terminal devices are mobile devices that support 5G new radio. Typical examples of mobile devices include cell phones and tablets. Terminal devices can access satellite networks via an air interface and initiate services such as calls and internet access.

[0265] 5G access network devices primarily provide wireless access services, schedule wireless resources for access terminals, and offer reliable wireless transmission protocols and data encryption protocols, such as base stations.

[0266] The 5G core network provides services such as user access control, mobility management, session management, user security authentication, and billing, and includes multiple functional units, which can be divided into control plane functional entities and data plane functional entities. The Access and Mobility Management Unit (AMF) is responsible for user access management, security authentication, and mobility management. The User Plane Unit (UPF) is responsible for managing functions such as user plane data transmission and traffic statistics collection.

[0267] Ground stations are responsible for transferring signaling and service data between satellite access network devices and the 5G core network.

[0268] 5G wireless is a wireless link between a terminal and an access network device.

[0269] The Xn interface is an interface between 5G access network devices, primarily used for signaling exchange such as handover.

[0270] The NG interface is an interface between 5G access network devices and the 5G core network, primarily used for exchanging signaling data such as NAS signaling from the core network and user service data.

[0271] Figure 2 is a diagram of the architecture of a communication system used in one embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 2, the communication system may include at least one network device, such as the satellite device shown in Figure 1. The communication system may further include at least one terminal device, such as the terminal device shown in Figure 1. The network device may communicate with the terminal device via a wireless link.

[0272] It should be understood that a network device within a wireless communication system can be any device that has wireless transceiver functionality. The device may include, but is not limited to, a Base Station Controller (BSC), a Base Transceiver Station (BTS), or even a single antenna panel or group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station in a 5G system, or even a satellite.

[0273] Please note that Figure 2 shows only one network device and one terminal device. In this example, the communication system is not limited and may include more terminal devices. For example, in a satellite communication network, a satellite may cover multiple terminal devices for communication. Each terminal device is not limited to communicating with only one network device. For example, after a satellite moves, a terminal device may need to re-select a satellite for access communication.

[0274] It should be understood that Figure 2 is merely an example and does not constitute any limitation on the scope of protection of this application. The communication methods provided in embodiments of this application may further include network elements or devices not shown in Figure 2. Naturally, the communication methods provided in embodiments of this application may alternatively include only some of the network elements shown in Figure 2.

[0275] In the NTN network, the dynamic movement of satellites significantly impacts terminal devices. For example, when a satellite moves at high speed, the reception timing and reception frequency of terminal devices fluctuate over time. Therefore, terminal devices need to estimate the satellite's position and velocity based on ephemeris information, thereby adjusting for or compensating for offsets in frequency, time, etc., caused by the satellite's movement.

[0276] NTN Networks should understand that satellite ephemeris information is used to describe satellite orbit data, and that satellite parameters such as time, coordinates, azimuth, and velocity can be calculated based on orbital parameters.

[0277] Under existing standard protocols, satellite ephemeris information for neighboring cells is broadcast in system information SIB19. Current ephemeris information is cell-based, and the maximum number of NTN neighboring cells providing satellite ephemeris information is specified as 4.

[0278] Given the broad coverage of NTN cells and the large number of neighboring cells, ephemeris information is required when a terminal measures the target. Currently, only ephemeris information for a maximum of four neighboring cells can be provided, and this small amount of information is insufficient to meet the measurement requirements. However, when the network configures the target for a terminal by using dedicated signaling, current standard protocols do not provide the terminal with the ephemeris information necessary to measure the target. When a terminal does not have ephemeris information, the terminal's measurement may not meet the latency and accuracy requirements.

[0279] In view of this, this application provides a communication method and apparatus for transmitting ephemeris information necessary for measurement to a terminal device so that the terminal device can measure the object to be measured, thereby satisfying communication latency requirements and improving measurement accuracy.

[0280] The solution described in this application is explained below.

[0281] FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart of the communication method according to the present application. In this embodiment, an example in which a network device and a terminal device are used as execution entities of the interaction diagram is used to describe the method. However, in the present application, the execution entity of the interaction diagram is not limited. For example, the network device in FIG. 3 may alternatively be a chip, a chip system, or a processor that can support the network device when implementing the present method, or a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the access network device. The terminal device in FIG. 3 may alternatively be a chip, a chip system, or a processor that can support the terminal device when implementing the present method, or a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the terminal device.

[0282] Step S310: The terminal device obtains the first configuration information.

[0283] In the present application, the first configuration information includes NTN parameter information. The NTN parameter information is required by the terminal device to perform measurements on the carrier frequency and includes parameter information related to the terminal device accessing the NTN network, and it can be understood that the parameter information may be ephemeris information.

[0284] In the present application, the terminal device measures the cell on the carrier frequency of the cell.

[0285] In a possible implementation form, the terminal device receives the first configuration information and the measurement configuration information.

[0286] Therefore, the network device transmits the first configuration information and the measurement configuration information to the terminal device.

[0287] The measurement configuration information indicates the configuration information of the measurement to be performed by the terminal device.

[0288] For example, the configuration information of the measurement to be executed by the terminal device may include measurement configuration information such as intra-frequency measurement configuration information, inter-frequency measurement configuration information, inter-RAT measurement configuration information, or measurement gap configuration information.

[0289] By way of example and not limitation, the terminal device receives first information from the network device, and the first information includes measurement configuration information and first configuration information.

[0290] Therefore, the network device transmits the first information to the terminal device, and the first information includes measurement configuration information and first configuration information.

[0291] By way of example and not limitation, the terminal device receives first information from the network device, the first information includes measurement configuration information, the terminal device receives second information from the network device, and the second information includes first configuration information.

[0292] Therefore, the network device transmits the first information to the terminal device, the first information includes measurement configuration information, the network device transmits the second information to the terminal device, and the second information includes first configuration information.

[0293] The first information and the second information may be transmitted via the same message or different messages. In this embodiment of the present application, this is not limited.

[0294] In a possible implementation, the terminal device receives measurement configuration information and determines first configuration information based on the measurement configuration information.

[0295] By way of example and not limitation, the terminal device receives second information from the network device, the second information includes measurement configuration information and first indication information, and the first indication information indicates a position for carrying the first configuration information. The terminal device determines the first configuration information based on the first indication information.

[0296] For example, the first instruction information may indicate a bearer resource of the first configuration information.

[0297] For example, a terminal device may determine the system information block and / or index information in which the first configuration information is located based on the first instruction information, and the terminal device may determine the first configuration information based on the system information block and / or index information in which the first configuration information is located.

[0298] For example, a terminal device may receive third information, which includes first configuration information. The terminal device determines the first configuration information within the third information based on the system information block and / or index information indicated by the first instruction information.

[0299] It should be understood that the network device transmits third information to the terminal device, and that this third information may include different NTN parameter information. This different NTN parameter information may be transmitted via different messages or via the same message. In addition, message transmission may be performed in a broadcast manner. This is not limited to this embodiment of the present application.

[0300] Optionally, the third piece of information may further include carrier frequency information and / or cell identification information.

[0301] Please understand that carrier frequency information includes the carrier frequency corresponding to the cell, and that the cell identified by the cell identification information corresponds to the carrier frequency.

[0302] There is an association relationship between the first configuration information and the carrier frequency.

[0303] There is a correspondence between the first configuration information and the cell. That is, at least one cell found on the corresponding carrier frequency through search can be measured by using one set of NTN parameter information. In other words, different cells may correspond to different NTN parameter information, or different cells may correspond to the same set of NTN parameter information.

[0304] Optionally, the first configuration information further includes carrier frequency information, and there is a correspondence between the carrier frequency and the first configuration information. That is, the first configuration information is for performing measurements on the carrier frequency.

[0305] Optionally, the first configuration information further includes a first configuration information index, and there is a correspondence between the cell and the first configuration information index. That is, the first configuration information index indicates the NTN parameter information corresponding to different cells.

[0306] Optionally, the first configuration information further includes cell identification information or a list of cell identification information. There is a correspondence between the cell identification information or the list of cell identification information and the first configuration information. That is, the cell identification information or the list of cell identification information can indicate the cell corresponding to the first configuration information.

[0307] Optionally, the cell identification information can be a physical cell ID.

[0308] Optionally, when adding, modifying, or deleting a cell on the carrier frequency, the network device accordingly modifies the first configuration information corresponding to the cell.

[0309] In this application, the measurement configuration information includes information such as measurement target information, reporting configuration information, and measurement identifiers. In this embodiment of this application, this is not limited.

[0310] The measurement object (MO) defines the measurement target. For example, the measurement object may include the carrier frequency for measurement, neighboring cell information, and physical cell identifier (PCI) values. This is not limited to this embodiment of the present application.

[0311] Step S320: The terminal device performs a measurement on the carrier frequency based on the first configuration information and the measurement configuration information.

[0312] Specifically, when performing search and measurement on the carrier frequency, the terminal device performs the search and measurement by using NTN parameter information (first configuration information) of the carrier frequency.

[0313] When optionally performing search and measurement on a carrier frequency, the terminal uses NTN parameter information for one or more cells on the carrier frequency to search for and measure the corresponding cells.

[0314] Optionally, if a cell on a carrier frequency does not have corresponding NTN parameter information, the terminal may choose whether or not to measure the cell.

[0315] In possible implementations, a terminal device receives second configuration information, which includes NTN parameter information, and the second configuration information is used by the terminal device to perform a measurement on the carrier frequency within a first duration, where the first duration is a time length exceeding the effective duration of the first configuration information, where the effective duration is the maximum time the terminal device can perform a measurement by using the first configuration information.

[0316] Optionally, the validity period configured by the network for the first configuration information is understood to represent the maximum time the UE can use the first configuration information when it does not acquire new support information (such as satellite ephemeris information or TA parameters).

[0317] It is understood that, optionally, when a network device can determine that the validity period of the NTN parameter information (first configuration information) required by the terminal device for measurement has expired, the network device may reconstruct the NTN parameter information (second configuration information) required for measurement for the terminal device.

[0318] Optionally, it is understood that the network device may reconfigure the second configuration information for the terminal device before the validity period expires.

[0319] It is understood that, optionally, a network device may determine the effective time based on parameters such as the satellite's speed and orbital altitude. This is not limited to this embodiment of the present application.

[0320] Optionally, a network device may transmit the second configuration information via a broadcast message or via a dedicated signaling message.

[0321] In this application, the terminal device receives new NTN parameter information (second configuration information) and performs measurements based on the new NTN parameter information and measurement configuration information.

[0322] According to this technical solution, when transmitting measurement configuration information to a terminal device, the network device either directly transmits the NTN parameter information required for the measurement or indicates the location of the NTN parameter information within the measurement configuration information. This allows the terminal device to retrieve the NTN parameter information and perform further measurements based on the measurement configuration information and NTN parameter information, thereby meeting communication latency requirements and improving measurement accuracy.

[0323] Below, we provide examples of specific communication methods applicable to the aforementioned method 300.

[0324] Figure 4 is a schematic dialogue diagram of the communication method according to this application. Figure 4 shows steps or operations of the communication method, but it should be understood that these steps or operations are only examples. In this embodiment of the application, other operations or variations of the operations in Figure 4 may be performed instead.

[0325] Optionally, the procedure shown in Figure 4 may be performed by a network device, by a module or component (e.g., a chip or integrated circuit) installed in the network device and having the corresponding function, or by a terminal device, or by a module or component (e.g., a chip or integrated circuit) installed in the terminal device and having the corresponding function. This embodiment is applicable to NTN communication scenarios, for example, the scenario shown in Figure 1. The specific steps will now be described.

[0326] S410: The network device sends the first message to the terminal device.

[0327] In this application, a network device sends a first message to a terminal device. Therefore, the terminal device receives the first message.

[0328] Specifically, the first message includes measurement configuration information and NTN parameter information necessary for measurement (first NTN parameter information used as an example of the first configuration information).

[0329] In this application, a network device may transmit a first message to a terminal device via a broadcast message or dedicated signaling.

[0330] S420: The terminal device performs the measurement based on the first message.

[0331] In this application, the terminal device determines the carrier frequency #a based on measurement configuration information and performs search and measurement on the carrier frequency #a by using first NTN parameter information for the carrier frequency #a.

[0332] In possible implementations, the first NTN parameter information of one or more cells on carrier frequency #a is used to locate and measure the corresponding cells.

[0333] It can be understood that when a cell on carrier frequency #a does not have corresponding NTN parameter information, the terminal device may perform a blind measurement or choose not to measure the cell.

[0334] S430: The network device sends a second message to the terminal device.

[0335] In this application, a network device may transmit a second message to a terminal device. Therefore, the terminal device may receive the second message transmitted by the network device.

[0336] Please note that step S430 is an optional step.

[0337] In this application, the second message includes second NTN parameter information.

[0338] Optionally, the second NTN parameter information is used by the terminal device to perform a measurement on carrier frequency #a within a first duration, where the first duration is a time length exceeding the effective duration of the first configuration information, and the effective duration is understood to be the maximum time the terminal device can perform a measurement by using the first configuration information.

[0339] Optionally, the validity period configured by the network for the first configuration information is understood to represent the maximum time the UE can use the first configuration information when it does not acquire new support information (such as satellite ephemeris information or TA parameters).

[0340] In possible implementations, a network device may determine that the NTN parameter information required by the terminal device for measurement (first NTN parameter information) has expired, and thereby transmit new NTN parameter information (second NTN parameter information) to the terminal device.

[0341] In possible implementations, network devices may periodically transmit NTN parameter information to terminal devices.

[0342] Optionally, a network device may send a second message via a broadcast message or via a dedicated signaling message.

[0343] In this application, the terminal device receives new NTN parameter information and performs measurements based on the new NTN parameter information and measurement configuration information.

[0344] According to this technical solution, when sending measurement configuration information to a terminal device, the network device directly transmits the NTN parameter information required for the measurement. This allows the terminal device to acquire the NTN parameter information and perform further measurements based on the measurement configuration information and NTN parameter information, thereby meeting communication latency requirements and improving measurement accuracy.

[0345] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the communication method according to the present application. Figure 5 shows steps or operations of the communication method, but it should be understood that these steps or operations are only examples. In this embodiment of the present application, other operations or variations of the operations in Figure 5 may be performed instead.

[0346] Optionally, the procedure shown in Figure 5 may be performed by a network device, by a module or component (e.g., a chip or integrated circuit) installed in the network device and having the corresponding function, or by a terminal device, or by a module or component (e.g., a chip or integrated circuit) installed in the terminal device and having the corresponding function. This embodiment is applicable to NTN communication scenarios, for example, the scenario shown in Figure 1. The specific steps will now be described.

[0347] S510: The network device sends the first message to the terminal device.

[0348] In this application, the terminal device receives a first message.

[0349] The first message contains parameter information required by the terminal device to access the cell via NTN.

[0350] The first message further includes NTN parameter information required by the terminal device for measurement.

[0351] In this application, the first message further includes carrier frequency information and / or cell identification information.

[0352] Please understand that carrier frequency information includes the carrier frequency corresponding to the cell, and that the cell identified by the cell identification information corresponds to the carrier frequency.

[0353] In this application, a network device may transmit a first message in a broadcast manner.

[0354] S520: The network device sends a second message to the terminal device.

[0355] The second message includes measurement configuration information and first instruction information.

[0356] The first instruction information may indicate a bearer resource for NTN parameter information (first NTN parameter information) required by the terminal device for measurement.

[0357] Therefore, the terminal device receives the second message and, based on the first instruction information, determines the location of the NTN parameter information required for measurement.

[0358] For example, the first instruction information indicates a system information block where the NTN parameter information is located. Based on the first instruction information, the terminal device may determine the system information block where the first NTN parameter information is located.

[0359] In another example, the first instruction information indicates index information where the NTN parameter information is located, and the terminal device determines the required NTN parameter information in the first message based on the index information where the NTN parameter information is located.

[0360] Please understand that the order of steps S510 and S520 is not limited.

[0361] S530: The terminal device performs the measurement based on the measurement configuration information and the NTN parameter information required for the measurement.

[0362] For this step, please refer to S320 of Method 300 and S420 of Method 400. Further details will not be explained here.

[0363] S540: The network device sends a third message to the terminal device.

[0364] In this application, a network device can transmit a third message to a terminal device. Therefore, the terminal device can receive the third message transmitted by the network device.

[0365] Please note that step S540 is an optional step.

[0366] In this application, the third message includes second NTN parameter information.

[0367] In possible implementations, a network device may determine that the NTN parameter information required by the terminal device for measurement (first NTN parameter information) has expired, and thereby transmit new NTN parameter information (second NTN parameter information) to the terminal device.

[0368] In possible implementations, network devices may periodically transmit NTN parameter information to terminal devices.

[0369] Optionally, a network device may send a third message via a broadcast message or via a dedicated signaling message.

[0370] In this application, the terminal device receives new NTN parameter information and performs measurements based on the new NTN parameter information and measurement configuration information.

[0371] According to this technical solution, when measurement configuration information is transmitted to a terminal device, the network device indicates the location of the NTN parameter information, thereby allowing the terminal device to retrieve the NTN parameter information and perform further measurements based on the measurement configuration information and NTN parameter information, thereby meeting communication latency requirements and improving measurement accuracy.

[0372] In this application, methods 400 and 500 correspond to scenarios where the network device and terminal device are connected. Below, communication methods applicable to idle or inactive scenarios will be described.

[0373] Figure 6 shows an overview of the communication method according to this application. Dialogue Diagram Figure 6 illustrates the steps or operations of the communication method, but it should be understood that these steps or operations are merely examples. In this embodiment of the present application, other operations or variations of the operations in Figure 6 may be performed instead.

[0374] Optionally, the procedure shown in Figure 6 may be performed by a network device, by a module or component (e.g., a chip or integrated circuit) installed in the network device and having the corresponding function, or by a terminal device, or by a module or component (e.g., a chip or integrated circuit) installed in the terminal device and having the corresponding function. This embodiment is applicable to NTN communication scenarios, for example, the scenario shown in Figure 1. The specific steps will now be described.

[0375] S610: The network device sends the first message to the terminal device.

[0376] The first message contains parameter information required by the terminal device to access the cell via NTN.

[0377] The first message further includes NTN parameter information required by the terminal device for measurement.

[0378] In this application, the first message further includes carrier frequency information and / or cell identification information.

[0379] Please understand that carrier frequency information includes the carrier frequency corresponding to the cell, and that the cell identified by the cell identification information corresponds to the carrier frequency.

[0380] In this application, a network device may transmit a first message in a broadcast manner.

[0381] S620: The network device sends a second message to the terminal device.

[0382] The second message includes at least one of the following: an in-frequency measurement configuration message, an inter-frequency measurement configuration message, or an inter-RAT measurement configuration message. The in-frequency measurement configuration message, inter-frequency measurement configuration message, or inter-RAT measurement configuration message is used by the terminal device to perform a measurement when the terminal device is idle.

[0383] It can be understood that an in-frequency measurement configuration message, an inter-frequency measurement configuration message, or an inter-RAT measurement configuration message may be transmitted via a single message (e.g., a second message) or via multiple messages. This is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0384] For example, an in-frequency measurement configuration message may be an SIB3 message, while an inter-frequency measurement configuration message or an inter-RAT measurement configuration message may be an SIB4 message.

[0385] The second message further includes the first instruction information, which may indicate the location of NTN parameter information required by the terminal device for measurement.

[0386] For example, the first instruction information may indicate a bearer resource of NTN parameter information required by the terminal device for measurement.

[0387] Therefore, the terminal device receives the second message and, based on the first instruction information, determines the location of the NTN parameter information required for measurement.

[0388] For example, the first instruction information indicates the system information block where the NTN parameter information is located. Based on the first instruction information, the terminal device may determine the system information block where the NTN parameter information is located.

[0389] In another example, the first instruction information indicates index information where the NTN parameter information is located, and the terminal device determines the necessary NTN parameter information (an example of the first configuration information) in the first message based on the index information where the NTN parameter information is located.

[0390] Please understand that the order of steps S610 and S620 is not limited.

[0391] S630: The terminal device performs measurements based on intra-frequency / inter-frequency / inter-RAT measurement configuration information and NTN parameter information required for the measurement.

[0392] For this step, please refer to S320 of Method 300 and S420 of Method 400. Further details will not be explained here.

[0393] According to this technical solution, when transmitting in-frequency / inter-frequency / inter-RAT measurement configuration information to a terminal device in an idle or inactive state, the network device indicates the location of the NTN parameter information, thereby allowing the terminal device to retrieve the NTN parameter information and perform further measurements based on the measurement configuration information and NTN parameter information, thereby meeting communication latency requirements and improving measurement accuracy.

[0394] This application further describes how, in the NTN network, cells have broad coverage and a large number of terminals. Satellite movement can cause a large number of UE handovers in a short period of time. As a result, a large amount of signaling is exchanged between the network and the UE in a short period of time, resulting in a large signaling overhead.

[0395] In conventional technology, the common parts of handover commands may be sent via a common message. For example, in R16, T304 and ServingCellConfigCommon within ReconfigurationWithSync are the same across all terminals and can be considered the common parts. Table 1 below shows the overhead required for the common parts of handover signaling, i.e., T304 and / or ServingCellConfigCommon. [Table 1]

[0396] The overhead required for ServingCellConfigCommon (excluding the ntn-config field) is approximately 85 bytes. The overhead required for ntn-config is approximately 28 or 29 bytes. Due to physical layer limitations, the maximum size of an SI message is 2976 bits. Therefore, when the number of candidate target cells is 4 or more, the common message required by the terminal to access the candidate target cells must be sent in the new SIB.

[0397] In existing procedures, after switching to the current cell, the terminal begins receiving common information for the candidate target cell. However, NTN cells have broad coverage and many neighboring cells. Due to satellite movement, the candidate target cell changes, and the NTN cell updates the broadcasted common information for the candidate target cell, requiring the terminal to receive the common information for the latest candidate target cell.

[0398] After a terminal switches to the current cell, a handover typically does not occur again immediately. However, before a handover occurs, the terminal frequently receives common information about candidate target cells. This results in power consumption overhead for the terminal. ServingCellConfigCommon is newly introduced in 3GPP R17 to include satellite ephemeris. Satellite ephemeris information is updated frequently. The terminal can synchronize with and switch to the target cell based solely on ephemeris information. To obtain the latest ephemeris information, the terminal needs to receive common information about the latest candidate target cell.

[0399] In view of this, the present application provides a communication method for communicating common messages required by a terminal to access a candidate target cell between a terminal device and a network device, thereby avoiding the terminal frequently receiving common information about the candidate target cell before a handover occurs, and thereby reducing power consumption overhead.

[0400] The solution described in this application is explained below.

[0401] Figure 7 is a schematic flowchart of the communication method according to this application. In this embodiment, the method is described using an example in which a first network device, a second network device, and a terminal device are used as the entities in the dialogue diagram. However, the entities in the dialogue diagram are not limited in this application. For example, the first network device in Figure 7 may alternatively be a chip, chip system, or processor that can support the first network device when implementing the method, or a logic module or software that can perform all or some of the functions of the access network device. The second network device in Figure 7 may alternatively be a chip, chip system, or processor that can support the second network device when implementing the method, or a logic module or software that can perform all or some of the functions of the access network device. The terminal device in Figure 7 may alternatively be a chip, chip system, or processor that can support the terminal device when implementing the method, or a logic module or software that can perform all or some of the functions of the terminal device.

[0402] S710: The terminal device receives the first piece of information.

[0403] In this application, the first network device is the current access network of the terminal device, and the second network device is the target access network of the terminal device.

[0404] In this application, the first network device transmits first information to the terminal device.

[0405] The first piece of information indicates that the terminal device receives the first and second configuration pieces of information.

[0406] Optionally, the first piece of information may further include cell-specific configuration information.

[0407] Optionally, after receiving the first configuration information and the second configuration information based on the first information, the terminal device receives cell-specific configuration information.

[0408] It should be understood that cell-specific configuration information may differ depending on the target network device.

[0409] In this application, the first information further includes cell identification information and / or carrier frequency information.

[0410] The first and second configuration information are used by the terminal device to access the target cell (second network device).

[0411] The first configuration information includes common configuration information for target cells to be accessed by terminal devices, and the common configuration information includes cell-specific parameters for the target cells to be accessed by terminal devices.

[0412] It can be understood that when different terminal devices access the same target network device, the common configuration information may be the same, while when different terminal devices access different target network devices, the common configuration information is usually different.

[0413] In this application, the common configuration information may further include cell identification information and / or carrier frequency information.

[0414] The second configuration information includes NTN parameter information used by the terminal device to access the target cell to be accessed.

[0415] Optionally, the second configuration information may further include cell identification information and / or carrier frequency information.

[0416] When the second configuration information includes NTN parameter information for the target cell, it can be understood that the second configuration information does not need to include cell identification information and / or carrier frequency information.

[0417] In possible implementations, the first network device may determine second configuration information based on first configuration information.

[0418] In possible implementations, the first network device may transmit first configuration information via a first message and second configuration information via a second message.

[0419] Optionally, the first message may further include second instruction information, which indicates the bearer resource for the second configuration information.

[0420] For example, the second instruction information indicates the system information block or index information in which the second configuration information is located.

[0421] In possible implementations, the first network device may transmit two pieces of configuration information via the same message.

[0422] In this application, the first message and the second message may be transmitted by broadcast, by dedicated signaling, by the same method, or by different methods. This is not limited to this embodiment of the application.

[0423] It should be noted that the order in which the network device transmits the first information, the first configuration information, and the second configuration information is not limited in this application.

[0424] S720: The terminal device receives first configuration information and second configuration information based on first information.

[0425] In a possible configuration, the first information includes a first condition, and the terminal device receives the first configuration information and the second configuration information based on the instructions of the first condition.

[0426] As an example, and not an limitation, the first condition is that the current time of the terminal device is before the first time point, where the first time point is the beginning of the first time period.

[0427] For example, in the time-based conditional handover (CHO) trigger condition currently defined by NTN, time is defined by T1 and T2, where T1 is an absolute time value and T2 is a duration starting from T1. The terminal device obtains the current time of the terminal device. If the current time is within the time range from T1 to T1+T2, the time-based trigger condition is considered to be met. In this embodiment, based on the current CHO trigger condition, the first time period in the first condition may be the time range from T1 to T1+T2. In this case, the first time point is time point T1. That is, the terminal device determines that the current time point is before time point T1. In this case, the terminal device may receive first and second configuration information.

[0428] As an example, rather than an limitation, the first condition is that the difference between the first offset value and the distance between the terminal device and the first reference point is greater than the first threshold, or the sum of the second offset value and the distance between the terminal device and the second reference point is less than the second threshold.

[0429] The first reference point is the current serving cell coverage of the terminal device, the current serving cell is the cell in the coverage of the first network device, the second reference point is the current serving cell coverage of the target cell to be accessed by the terminal device, the first and second offset values ​​are hysteresis parameters, and the hysteresis parameters are the maximum tolerance values.

[0430] For example, in the location-based CHO trigger conditions currently defined by NTN, location is defined as the distance between the terminal device and a reference point. Parameters include referenceLocation1, referenceLocation2, distanceThresFromReference1, distanceThresFromReference2, and hysteresis. referenceLocation1 is associated with the serving cell, and referenceLocation2 is associated with the candidate target cell. The UE considers the distance-based trigger condition to be met when the difference between the hysteresis and the distance between the terminal and the serving cell is greater than distanceThresFromReference1, and the sum of the hysteresis and the distance between the UE and the candidate target cell is less than distanceThresFromReference2. In this embodiment, based on the current CHO trigger conditions, the first condition is that the difference between the hysteresis and the distance between the terminal and the serving cell is greater than distanceThresFromReference1, or the sum of the hysteresis and the distance between the UE and the candidate target cell is less than distanceThresFromReference2. In this case, the terminal device may receive first and second configuration information.

[0431] Optionally, the first information may further include a third instruction information, the third instruction information indicating the location of the first configuration information. Based on the third instruction information, the terminal device may receive all system information blocks or index information that may include the first configuration information. For the instruction method of the third instruction information, please refer to the second instruction information in this method. Further details will not be explained again.

[0432] Optionally, the first information may further include a fourth instruction information, which indicates the location of the second configuration information. Based on the fourth instruction information, the terminal device may receive all system information blocks or index information that may include the second configuration information. For the instruction method of the fourth instruction information, please refer to the second instruction information in this method. Further details will not be explained.

[0433] Optionally, the third instruction information and the second instruction information may be the same instruction information. This is not limited to this embodiment of the present application.

[0434] In possible implementations, the first information includes first instruction information, which instructs the terminal device to receive first configuration information and second configuration information.

[0435] The first instruction information specifically indicates the bearer resource for the first configuration information and the bearer resource for the second configuration information. Based on the first instruction information, the terminal device may receive all system information blocks or index information that may include the second configuration information. For the instruction method of the first instruction information, please refer to the second instruction information in this method. Further details will not be explained.

[0436] In this application, the first instruction information may collectively indicate the bearer resource of the first configuration information and the bearer resource of the second configuration information, or the two instruction information may indicate the location of the first configuration information and the location of the second configuration information, respectively. This is not limited to this embodiment of the application.

[0437] It can be understood that after receiving the first instruction information, the terminal device can clearly find the first and second configuration information. In other words, based on the first instruction information, the terminal device receives the first and second configuration information on the corresponding bearer resource.

[0438] In a possible configuration, the first information includes first time information, which indicates the time when the first network device transmits the first configuration information and the time when the first network device transmits the second configuration information, and the first time information is used by the terminal device to receive the first configuration information within the time / time when the first network device transmits the first configuration information and to receive the second configuration information within the time / time when the first network device transmits the second configuration information.

[0439] It can be understood that, based on first time information, the terminal device determines the time when the first network device transmits first configuration information and the time when the first network device transmits second configuration information, and that it can receive the first and second configuration information at the corresponding time / time.

[0440] Optionally, the first piece of information may include a handover command message.

[0441] Optionally, the network device sends first information before sending a handover command message to the terminal device.

[0442] Optionally, the first time information may be represented by using an offset time. For example, the first time information may be represented by using an offset value of the base time. The base time may be the cell service end time.

[0443] Optionally, the first time information may be represented by using absolute time.

[0444] Optionally, the first time information may be represented by using system frames and subframes.

[0445] S730: The terminal device switches to the second network device based on the first and second configuration information.

[0446] Specifically, the terminal device decides whether to perform a handover, and then switches to the second network device based on the first and second configuration information.

[0447] It can be understood that the terminal device switches from the current serving cell of the first network device to the target serving cell of the second network device that it is to access.

[0448] For example, if the first piece of information includes a CHO trigger condition, the terminal device may evaluate whether the handover condition is met in order to determine whether a handover should be triggered.

[0449] In another example, a terminal device may trigger a handover when it receives a handover command.

[0450] In this application, the specific handover method is not limited to this embodiment.

[0451] According to this technical solution, the first network device (source network device) instructs the terminal device to receive common information about the cell to be accessed under reasonable conditions (appropriate time, appropriate location, etc.), thereby reducing the number of times and the amount of common information the terminal receives, and reducing the power consumption overhead of the terminal.

[0452] Below, we provide examples of specific communication methods applicable to the aforementioned method 700.

[0453] Figure 8 shows an overview of the communication method according to this application. Dialogue Diagram Figure 8 illustrates the steps or operations of the communication method, but it should be understood that these steps or operations are merely examples. In this embodiment of the present application, other operations or variations of the operations in Figure 8 may be performed instead.

[0454] Optionally, the procedure shown in Figure 8 may be performed by a network device, by a module or component (e.g., a chip or integrated circuit) installed in the network device and having the corresponding function, or by a terminal device, or by a module or component (e.g., a chip or integrated circuit) installed in the terminal device and having the corresponding function. This embodiment is applicable to NTN communication scenarios, for example, the scenario shown in Figure 1. The specific steps will now be described.

[0455] S810: The first network device sends the first message to the terminal device.

[0456] In this application, the first message includes first configuration information, and the first configuration information includes common configuration information of a target cell to be accessed by a terminal device.

[0457] For common configuration information, please refer to the explanation in Method 700. Further details will not be explained here.

[0458] In this application, the first configuration information further includes cell identification information and / or carrier frequency information.

[0459] Optionally, the first message may further include first instruction information, and the first instruction information may indicate a bearer resource for the second configuration information.

[0460] For example, the first instruction information indicates the system information block or index information in which the second configuration information is located.

[0461] In this application, the first network device may transmit the first message via a broadcast message or via dedicated signaling.

[0462] S820: The first network device sends the second message to the terminal device.

[0463] In this application, the second message includes second configuration information, which includes parameter information used by the terminal device to access a target cell to be accessed via NTN.

[0464] Optionally, the second configuration information may further include cell identification information and / or carrier frequency information.

[0465] When the second configuration information includes NTN parameter information for the target cell, it can be understood that the second configuration information does not need to include cell identification information and / or carrier frequency information.

[0466] In this application, the first network device may transmit the second message via a broadcast message or via dedicated signaling.

[0467] Please understand that the order of steps S810 and S820 is not limited.

[0468] It should be understood that the first and second configuration information may, alternatively, be transmitted via the same message, and is not limited to solutions where they are transmitted separately. This is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0469] S830: The first network device sends the third message to the terminal device.

[0470] Therefore, the terminal device receives the third message.

[0471] The third message contains cell-specific configuration information. It should be understood that this cell-specific configuration information may vary depending on the target network device.

[0472] The third message further includes a time-based CHO trigger condition. The condition includes a time range from T1 to T1+T2. The terminal device determines that the current time is before time T1. In this case, the terminal device may receive the first and second configuration information.

[0473] Optionally, the third message may further include second instruction information, which indicates the bearer resource of the first configuration information.

[0474] For example, the second instruction information indicates the system information block or index information in which the first configuration information is located.

[0475] Optionally, the third message may further include third directive information, which indicates a bearer resource for the second configuration information.

[0476] For example, the third instruction information indicates the system information block or index information in which the second configuration information is located.

[0477] S840: The terminal device receives the first and second messages based on the third message.

[0478] The terminal device decides to receive the first message and the second message based on the CHO trigger condition.

[0479] Specifically, if the terminal device determines that the current time is before time T1, the terminal device receives the first message and the second message.

[0480] Furthermore, the terminal device determines the first and second configuration information based on the first and second messages.

[0481] S850: The terminal device decides to trigger a handover based on the third message.

[0482] The terminal device decides to trigger a handover based on the CHO trigger conditions.

[0483] A terminal device may trigger a handover if it determines that the current time is after time T1 and within time period T2, another condition for the target cell is met, and the handover conditions for another candidate target cell are not met.

[0484] S860: The terminal device performs a handover.

[0485] The terminal device disconnects from the first network device and accesses the second network device.

[0486] In this application, the specific handover method is not limited to this embodiment.

[0487] According to this technical solution, the first network device (source network device) instructs the terminal device to receive common information about the cell to be accessed at a reasonable time / within a reasonable time, thereby reducing the number of times the terminal receives common information about the cell and the amount of common information, and thus reducing the power consumption overhead of the terminal.

[0488] Figure 9 shows an overview of the communication method according to this application. Dialogue Diagram Figure 9 illustrates the steps or operations of the communication method, but it should be understood that these steps or operations are merely examples. In this embodiment of the present application, other operations or variations of the operations in Figure 9 may be performed instead.

[0489] Optionally, the procedure shown in Figure 9 may be performed by a network device, by a module or component (e.g., a chip or integrated circuit) installed in the network device and having the corresponding function, or by a terminal device, or by a module or component (e.g., a chip or integrated circuit) installed in the terminal device and having the corresponding function. This embodiment is applicable to NTN communication scenarios, for example, the scenario shown in Figure 1. The specific steps will now be described.

[0490] S910: The first network device sends the first message to the terminal device.

[0491] In this application, the first message includes first configuration information, and the first configuration information includes common configuration information of a target cell to be accessed by a terminal device.

[0492] For common configuration information, please refer to the explanation in Method 700. Further details will not be explained here.

[0493] In this application, the first configuration information further includes cell identification information and / or carrier frequency information.

[0494] Optionally, the first message may further include first instruction information, and the first instruction information may indicate the location of the second configuration information.

[0495] For example, the first instruction information indicates the bearer resource of the second configuration information.

[0496] For example, the first instruction information indicates the system information block or index information in which the second configuration information is located.

[0497] In this application, the first network device may transmit the first message via a broadcast message or via dedicated signaling.

[0498] S920: The first network device sends the second message to the terminal device.

[0499] In this application, the second message includes second configuration information, which includes parameter information used by the terminal device to access a target cell to be accessed via NTN.

[0500] Optionally, the second configuration information may further include cell identification information and / or carrier frequency information.

[0501] When the second configuration information includes NTN parameter information for the target cell, it can be understood that the second configuration information does not need to include cell identification information and / or carrier frequency information.

[0502] In this application, the first network device may transmit the second message via a broadcast message or via dedicated signaling.

[0503] Please understand that the order of steps S910 and S920 is not limited.

[0504] It should be understood that the first and second configuration information may, alternatively, be transmitted via the same message, and is not limited to solutions where they are transmitted separately. This is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0505] S930: The first network device sends the third message to the terminal device.

[0506] Therefore, the terminal device receives the third message.

[0507] The third message contains cell-specific configuration information. It should be understood that this cell-specific configuration information may vary depending on the target network device.

[0508] The third message further includes a location-based CHO trigger condition, the trigger condition parameters of which include reference point 1, reference point 2, distance threshold 1, distance threshold 2, offset value 1, and offset value 2.

[0509] The conditions are as follows: The terminal device determines whether the difference between offset value 1 and the distance between the current location and reference point 1 is greater than distance threshold 1, or the terminal device determines whether the sum of offset value 2 and the distance between the current location and reference point 2 is less than distance threshold 2.

[0510] Optionally, offset value 1 and offset value 2 may be the same.

[0511] Optionally, offset value 1 or offset value 2 may be zero.

[0512] If an optional offset value of 1 or 2 is selected as the default, then either offset value 1 or offset value 2 defaults to zero.

[0513] Optionally, offset values ​​1 and 2 are hysteresis parameters, and the hysteresis parameters represent the maximum tolerance.

[0514] Optionally, the third message may further include second instruction information, which indicates the bearer resource of the first configuration information.

[0515] For example, the second instruction information indicates the system information block or index information in which the first configuration information is located.

[0516] Optionally, the third message may further include third directive information, which indicates a bearer resource for the second configuration information.

[0517] For example, the third instruction information indicates the system information block or index information in which the second configuration information is located.

[0518] S940: The terminal device receives the first and second messages based on the third message.

[0519] The terminal device decides to receive the first message and the second message based on the CHO trigger condition.

[0520] Specifically, if the terminal device determines that the difference between offset value 1 and the distance between the current location and reference point 1 is greater than distance threshold 1, or if the terminal device determines that the sum of offset value 2 and the distance between the current location and reference point 2 is less than distance threshold 2, the terminal device receives the first message and the second message.

[0521] Reference point 1 is the current location of the terminal device within the coverage of the serving cell, the current serving cell is the cell within the coverage of the first network device, reference point 2 is the location within the coverage of the target cell to be accessed by the terminal device, offset value 1 and offset value 2 are hysteresis parameters, and the hysteresis parameters are the maximum tolerances.

[0522] Furthermore, the terminal device determines the first and second configuration information based on the first and second messages.

[0523] S950: The terminal device decides to trigger a handover based on the third message.

[0524] The terminal device decides to trigger a handover based on the CHO trigger conditions.

[0525] The terminal device may trigger a handover if it determines that the difference between offset value 1 and the distance between the current position and reference point 1 is greater than distance threshold 1, and the sum of offset value 2 and the distance between the current position and reference point 2 is less than distance threshold 2, and if other conditions for the target cell are also met, and the handover conditions for another candidate target cell are not met.

[0526] S960: The terminal device performs a handover.

[0527] The terminal device disconnects from the first network device and accesses the second network device.

[0528] In this application, the specific handover method is not limited to this embodiment.

[0529] According to this technical solution, the first network device (source network device) instructs the terminal device to receive common information of the cell to be accessed at a reasonable location, thereby reducing the number of times and the amount of common information the terminal receives, and reducing the terminal's power consumption overhead.

[0530] Figure 10 shows a schematic of the communication method according to this application. Dialogue Diagram Figure 10 illustrates the steps or operations of the communication method, but it should be understood that these steps or operations are merely examples. In this embodiment of the present application, other operations or variations of the operations in Figure 10 may be performed instead.

[0531] Optionally, the procedure shown in Figure 10 may be performed by a network device, by a module or component (e.g., a chip or integrated circuit) installed in the network device and having the corresponding function, or by a terminal device, or by a module or component (e.g., a chip or integrated circuit) installed in the terminal device and having the corresponding function. This embodiment is applicable to NTN communication scenarios, for example, the scenario shown in Figure 1. The specific steps will now be described.

[0532] S1010: The first network device sends the first message to the terminal device.

[0533] In this application, the first message includes first configuration information, and the first configuration information includes common configuration information for a target cell to be accessed by a terminal device.

[0534] Common configuration information is described in detail in Method 700. Further details will not be provided here.

[0535] In this application, the first configuration information further includes cell identification information and / or carrier frequency information.

[0536] Optionally, the first message may further include first instruction information, and the first instruction information may indicate the location of the second configuration information.

[0537] For example, the first instruction information indicates the bearer resource of the second configuration information.

[0538] For example, the first instruction information indicates the system information block or index information in which the second configuration information is located.

[0539] In this application, the first network device may transmit the first message via a broadcast message or via dedicated signaling.

[0540] S1020: The first network device sends the second message to the terminal device.

[0541] In this application, the second message includes second configuration information, which includes parameter information used by the terminal device to access a target cell to be accessed via NTN.

[0542] Optionally, the second configuration information may further include cell identification information and / or carrier frequency information.

[0543] When the second configuration information includes NTN parameter information for the target cell, it can be understood that the second configuration information does not need to include cell identification information and / or carrier frequency information.

[0544] In this application, the first network device may transmit the second message via a broadcast message or via dedicated signaling.

[0545] Please understand that the order of steps S1010 and S1020 is not limited.

[0546] It should be understood that the first and second configuration information may, alternatively, be transmitted via the same message, and is not limited to solutions where they are transmitted separately. This is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0547] S1030: The first network device sends the third message to the terminal device.

[0548] Therefore, the terminal device receives the third message.

[0549] The third message contains cell-specific configuration information. It should be understood that this cell-specific configuration information may vary depending on the target network device.

[0550] The third message further includes the second instruction information. Specifically, the second instruction information indicates the bearer resources for the first configuration information and the bearer resources for the second configuration information. Based on the second instruction information, the terminal device may receive all system information blocks or index information that may contain the second configuration information.

[0551] Optionally, the third message further includes a handover command instructing the terminal device to switch to the second network device after it has received the first and second configuration information.

[0552] In this application, the second instruction information may collectively indicate the bearer resource of the first configuration information and the bearer resource of the second configuration information, or the two instruction pieces may indicate the location of the first configuration information and the location of the second configuration information, respectively. This is not limited to this embodiment of the application.

[0553] S1040: The terminal device receives the first and second messages based on the third message.

[0554] The terminal device can be understood to receive a third message and, based on the second instruction information in the third message, clearly locate the first and second configuration information in the first and second messages. In other words, the terminal device receives the first and second configuration information on the corresponding bearer resource based on the second instruction information.

[0555] S1050: The terminal device receives a fourth message.

[0556] The fourth message includes a handover command message instructing the terminal device to switch to the second network device after it has received the first and second configuration information.

[0557] Optionally, the fourth message includes cell-specific configuration information. This cell-specific configuration information varies depending on the terminal.

[0558] It can be understood that step S1050 is an optional step. For example, if the third message in step S1030 contains a handover command, the first network device does not have to send the fourth message to the terminal device, and the terminal device does not have to receive the fourth message sent by the first network device.

[0559] S1060: The terminal device disconnects from the first network device and accesses the second network device.

[0560] In this application, the specific handover method is not limited to this embodiment.

[0561] According to this technical solution, the first network device (source network device) instructs the terminal device to directly receive common information of the cell to be accessed, thereby reducing the number of times and the amount of common information the terminal receives, and thus reducing the terminal's power consumption overhead.

[0562] Figure 11 shows a schematic of the communication method according to this application. Dialogue Diagram Figure 11 illustrates steps or operations of the communication method, but it should be understood that these steps or operations are merely examples. In this embodiment of the present application, other operations or variations of the operations in Figure 11 may be performed instead.

[0563] Optionally, the procedure shown in Figure 11 may be performed by a network device, by a module or component (e.g., a chip or integrated circuit) installed in the network device and having the corresponding function, or by a terminal device, or by a module or component (e.g., a chip or integrated circuit) installed in the terminal device and having the corresponding function. This embodiment is applicable to NTN communication scenarios, for example, the scenario shown in Figure 1. The specific steps will now be described.

[0564] S1110: The first network device sends the third message to the terminal device.

[0565] Therefore, the terminal device receives the third message.

[0566] The third message includes first time information, which indicates the time when the first network device transmits first configuration information and the time when the first network device transmits second configuration information. The first time information is used by the terminal device to receive the first configuration information within the time / time when the first network device transmits the first configuration information and to receive the second configuration information within the time / time when the first network device transmits the second configuration information.

[0567] Optionally, the first time information may be represented by using an offset time. For example, the first time information may be represented by using an offset value of the base time. The base time may be the cell service end time.

[0568] Optionally, the first time information may be represented by using absolute time.

[0569] Optionally, the first time information may be represented by using system frames and subframes.

[0570] S1120: The first network device sends the first message to the terminal device.

[0571] In this application, the first message includes first configuration information, and the first configuration information includes common configuration information for a target cell to be accessed by a terminal device.

[0572] Common configuration information is described in detail in Method 700. Further details will not be provided here.

[0573] In this application, the first configuration information further includes cell identification information and / or carrier frequency information.

[0574] Optionally, the first message may further include first instruction information, and the first instruction information may indicate the location of the second configuration information.

[0575] For example, the first instruction information indicates the bearer resource of the second configuration information.

[0576] For example, the first instruction information indicates the system information block or index information in which the second configuration information is located.

[0577] In this application, the first network device may transmit the first message via a broadcast message or via dedicated signaling.

[0578] S1130: The first network device sends the second message to the terminal device.

[0579] In this application, the second message includes second configuration information, which includes parameter information used by the terminal device to access a target cell to be accessed via NTN.

[0580] Optionally, the second configuration information may further include cell identification information and / or carrier frequency information.

[0581] When the second configuration information includes NTN parameter information for the target cell, it can be understood that the second configuration information does not need to include cell identification information and / or carrier frequency information.

[0582] In this application, the first network device may transmit the second message via a broadcast message or via dedicated signaling.

[0583] Please understand that the order of steps S1120 and S1130 is not limited.

[0584] It should be understood that the first and second configuration information may, alternatively, be transmitted via the same message, and is not limited to solutions where they are transmitted separately. This is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0585] S1140: The terminal device receives the first and second messages based on the third message.

[0586] Based on first time information, the terminal device can determine the time when the first network device transmits first configuration information and the time when the first network device transmits second configuration information, and receive the first message and the second message at the corresponding time / time.

[0587] S1150: The terminal device receives a fourth message.

[0588] The fourth message contains cell-specific configuration information. This cell-specific configuration information varies depending on the terminal.

[0589] S1160: The terminal device performs a handover.

[0590] The terminal device disconnects from the first network device and accesses the second network device.

[0591] In this application, the specific handover method is not limited to this embodiment.

[0592] According to this technical solution, the first network device (source network device) sends common information about the cell to be accessed to the terminal device via multicast messages, thereby reducing the number of times and the amount of common information the terminal receives, and thus reducing the terminal's power consumption overhead.

[0593] Figure 12 shows a schematic of the communication method according to this application. Dialogue Diagram This embodiment describes the method using an example in which a first network device, a second network device, and a terminal device are used as executables in the interactive diagram. However, the executables in the interactive diagram are not limited in this application. For example, the first network device in Figure 12 may alternatively be a chip, chip system, or processor that can support the first network device when carrying out the method, or a logic module or software that can perform all or some of the functions of the access network device. The second network device in Figure 12 may alternatively be a chip, chip system, or processor that can support the second network device when carrying out the method, or a logic module or software that can perform all or some of the functions of the access network device. The terminal device in Figure 12 may alternatively be a chip, chip system, or processor that can support the terminal device when carrying out the method, or a logic module or software that can perform all or some of the functions of the terminal device.

[0594] S1210: The first network device sends the first message.

[0595] The first message contains group identification information, which indicates the group to which the terminal device belongs.

[0596] Optionally, the group identification information may be a temporary group wireless network identifier.

[0597] For example, the first network device configures the same G-RNTI for terminal devices belonging to the same group. That is, terminal devices with the same G-RNTI belong to the same group.

[0598] In this scenario, the terminal needs to receive not only terminal-specific messages, but also multicast messages for the group to which the terminal belongs. For example, the terminal needs to receive scrambled messages using terminal-specific C-RNTI, as well as scrambled messages using G-RNTI.

[0599] S1220: The first network device sends the first message and the second message to the terminal device.

[0600] In this embodiment, the first network device transmits the first message and the second message to the terminal device using a multicast method.

[0601] In this application, the first message includes first configuration information, and the first configuration information includes common configuration information of a target cell to be accessed by a terminal device.

[0602] Common configuration information is described in detail in Method 700. Further details will not be provided here.

[0603] In this application, the first configuration information further includes cell identification information and / or carrier frequency information.

[0604] Optionally, the first message may further include first instruction information, which indicates the bearer position of the second configuration information.

[0605] For example, the first instruction information indicates the bearer resource of the second configuration information.

[0606] For example, the first instruction information indicates the system information block or index information in which the second configuration information is located.

[0607] In this application, the second message includes second configuration information, which includes parameter information used by the terminal device to access a target cell to be accessed via NTN.

[0608] Optionally, the second configuration information may further include cell identification information and / or carrier frequency information.

[0609] When the second configuration information includes NTN parameter information for the target cell, it can be understood that the second configuration information does not need to include cell identification information and / or carrier frequency information.

[0610] In this application, the first network device may transmit the second message via a broadcast message or via dedicated signaling.

[0611] It should be understood that the first and second configuration information may, alternatively, be transmitted via the same message, and is not limited to solutions where they are transmitted separately. This is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0612] S1230: The first network device sends the third message.

[0613] The third message contains cell-specific configuration information. This cell-specific configuration information varies depending on the terminal.

[0614] Optionally, a third message may further include a CHO trigger condition, which is used by the terminal device to determine whether to perform a handover.

[0615] S1240: The terminal device performs a handover.

[0616] Optionally, the terminal device decides to perform a handover based on the CHO trigger condition. The specific decision method is described in detail in Method 700. Further details will not be explained here.

[0617] The terminal device disconnects from the first network device and accesses the second network device.

[0618] In this application, the specific handover method is not limited to this embodiment.

[0619] According to this technical solution, the first network device (source network device) transmits common information to terminal devices using a multicast method, thereby reducing the number of times and the amount of common information that the terminal receives, and reducing the power consumption overhead of the terminal.

[0620] In this application, the first and second are merely distinctions for the sake of clarity and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. For example, different information is distinguished.

[0621] It can be further understood that some of the optional features in the embodiments of this application may be independent of other features, or they may be combined with other features. This is not limited to these cases.

[0622] The solutions in the embodiments of this application may be appropriately combined for use, and it can be further understood that the definitions or descriptions of terms in the embodiments may be mutually referenced or explained in the embodiments. This is not limited to this.

[0623] It can be further understood that the various numerical sequence numbers in the embodiments of this application do not signify an execution order, but are merely distinctions for the sake of clarity, and therefore should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0624] In the embodiments of the method described above, it will be further understood that the methods and operations performed by the device may, alternatively, be performed by components of the device (e.g., a chip or circuit).

[0625] In correspondence with the method provided in the embodiments of the method described above, embodiments of the present application further provide a corresponding apparatus. The apparatus includes a corresponding module configured to perform the embodiments of the method described above. The module may be software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. It may be understood that the technical features described in the embodiments of the method are also applicable to the following embodiments of the apparatus.

[0626] Figure 13 is a diagram showing the structure of a communication device according to one embodiment of this application.

[0627] The device 1300 includes a transceiver unit 1310 and a processing unit 1320. The transceiver unit 1310 may be configured to implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing unit 1320 may be configured to perform data processing.

[0628] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1310 may also be called a communication interface or communication unit, and may include a transmit unit and / or a receive unit. The transceiver unit 1310 may include transceivers (including a transmitter and / or receiver), input / output interfaces (including an input interface and / or output interface), pins, circuits, etc. The transceiver unit 1310 may be configured to perform the transmit step and / or receive step in the embodiments of the method described above.

[0629] Optionally, the processing unit 1320 may be a processor (which may include one or more processors), a processing circuit having processor functions, etc., and may be configured to perform steps other than transmission and reception in the embodiments of the method described above.

[0630] Optionally, the device 1300 further includes a storage unit. The storage unit may be a memory, an internal storage unit (e.g., a register or cache), an external storage unit (e.g., a read-only memory or a random access memory), etc. The storage unit is configured to store instructions. The processing unit 1320 executes the instructions stored in the storage unit, thereby the communication device performs the method described above.

[0631] In one design, the device 1300 may be configured to perform actions performed by the terminal device in embodiments of the methods described above. For example, the device 1300 may be configured to perform actions performed by the terminal device in methods 300, 400, 500, or 600 described above. In this case, the device 1300 may be a component of the terminal device. The transceiver unit 1310 is configured to perform operations related to receiving and transmitting on the terminal device side in embodiments of the methods described above, and the processing unit 1320 is configured to perform processing-related operations on the terminal device side in embodiments of the methods described above.

[0632] For example, the transceiver unit 1310 is configured to acquire first configuration information, which includes non-terrestrial network (NTN) parameter information, and the NTN parameter information includes parameter information required by the terminal device to perform measurements on the carrier frequency. The processing unit 1320 is used by the terminal device to perform measurements on the carrier frequency based on the first configuration information and measurement configuration information, where the measurement configuration information indicates the configuration information for the measurement to be performed by the terminal device, and the measurement configuration information and the first configuration information correspond to the same measurement target.

[0633] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1310 is specifically configured to receive first information, which includes first configuration information and measurement configuration information.

[0634] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1310 is specifically configured to receive second information, which includes measurement configuration information and first instruction information, the first instruction information indicating a position for transporting the first configuration information. The processing unit 1320 is specifically configured to determine the first configuration information based on the first instruction information.

[0635] Optionally, the processing unit 1320 is specifically configured to determine, based on first instruction information, the system information block and / or index information in which the first configuration information is located. The processing unit 1320 is further specifically configured to determine, based on the system information block and / or index information, the first configuration information in third information, the third information including the first configuration information.

[0636] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1310 is further configured to receive a third type of information, the third type of information further including carrier frequency information and / or cell identification information.

[0637] Optionally, the first configuration information further includes cell identification information and / or a first configuration information index, the first configuration information index indicates NTN parameter information corresponding to the cell, and the cell identification information corresponds to the first configuration information index.

[0638] Optionally, the first configuration information further includes carrier frequency information and / or a first configuration information index, the first configuration information index indicates NTN parameter information corresponding to the carrier frequency information, and the carrier frequency information corresponds to the first configuration information index.

[0639] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1310 is further configured to receive second configuration information, the second configuration information including NTN parameter information, the NTN parameter information including parameter information required by a terminal device to perform a measurement on the carrier frequency, the second configuration information being used by the terminal device to perform a measurement on the carrier frequency within a first duration, the first duration being a time length exceeding the effective duration of the first configuration information, the effective duration being the maximum time for which the terminal device performs a measurement by using the first configuration information.

[0640] It should be understood that the transceiver unit 1310 and the processing unit 1320 may further perform other operations that are performed by the terminal device in any one of methods 300, 400, 500, and 600. Details of each will not be explained individually here.

[0641] In one design, the device 1300 may be configured to perform actions performed by the network device in embodiments of the methods described above. For example, the device 1300 may be configured to perform actions performed by the network device in methods 300, 400, 500, or 600 described above. In this case, the device 1300 may be a component of the network device. The transceiver unit 1310 is configured to perform reception and transmission operations on the network device side in embodiments of the methods described above, and the processing unit 1320 is configured to perform processing-related operations on the network device side in embodiments of the methods described above.

[0642] For example, the processing unit 1320 is configured to determine first configuration information based on measurement configuration information, the first configuration information includes non-terrestrial network (NTN) parameter information, the NTN parameter information includes parameter information required by the terminal device to perform the measurement on the carrier frequency, and the measurement configuration information indicates the configuration information for the measurement to be performed by the terminal device. The transceiver unit 1310 is configured to transmit the first configuration information and the measurement configuration information, the first configuration information and the measurement configuration information are used by the terminal device to perform the measurement on the carrier frequency, and the measurement configuration information and the first configuration information correspond to the same object being measured.

[0643] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1310 is specifically configured to transmit first information, which includes first configuration information and measurement configuration information.

[0644] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1310 is specifically configured to transmit second information, which includes measurement configuration information and first instruction information, the first instruction information indicating a location for transporting the first configuration information, and the first instruction information is used by a terminal device to determine the first configuration information.

[0645] Optionally, the first instruction information indicates an index information and / or system information block in which the first configuration information is located within the third information.

[0646] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1310 may be further configured to transmit a third information, the third information further including cell identification information and / or carrier frequency information of the cell.

[0647] Optionally, the first configuration information further includes cell identification information and / or a first configuration information index, the first configuration information index indicates NTN parameter information corresponding to the cell, and the cell identification information corresponds to the first configuration information index.

[0648] Optionally, the first configuration information further includes carrier frequency information and / or a first configuration information index, the first configuration information index indicates NTN parameter information corresponding to the carrier frequency information, and the carrier frequency information corresponds to the first configuration information index.

[0649] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1310 is further configured to transmit second configuration information, the second configuration information comprising NTN parameter information for at least one cell on a different carrier frequency, the NTN parameter information comprising parameter information used by a terminal device to access at least one cell via NTN, the second configuration information being used by a terminal device to measure at least one cell within a first duration, the first duration being a time length exceeding the effective duration of the first configuration information, the effective duration being the maximum time for which a terminal device can perform a measurement by using the first configuration information.

[0650] It should be understood that the transceiver unit 1310 and the processing unit 1320 may further perform any other operations that are performed by the network device in any one of methods 300, 400, 500, and 600. Details of each will not be explained individually here.

[0651] It should be further understood that the apparatus 1300 described herein is embodied in the form of a functional unit. The term “unit” as used herein may refer to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (e.g., a shared processor, a dedicated processor, or a group processor) configured to run one or more software or firmware programs, memory, merged logic circuits, and / or other suitable components supporting the functions described. In an optional example, those skilled in the art will understand that the apparatus 1300 may specifically be a network device in the embodiments described above and may be configured to perform procedures and / or steps corresponding to a network device in the embodiments of the methods described above. To avoid repetition, further details are not described here.

[0652] The device 1300 in the aforementioned solution has the function of performing the corresponding steps performed by the device in the aforementioned method, or the device 1300 in the aforementioned solution has the function of performing the corresponding steps performed by the network device in the aforementioned method. The function may be implemented by using hardware, or by hardware running corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the aforementioned function. For example, a transceiver unit may be replaced with a transceiver (for example, a transmitting unit in a transceiver unit may be replaced with a transmitter, and a receiving unit in a transceiver unit may be replaced with a receiver), and another unit such as a processing unit may be replaced with a processor to perform the receiving and transmitting operations and associated processing operations in an embodiment of the method separately.

[0653] In addition, the transceiver unit 1310 may alternatively be a transceiver circuit (for example, the transceiver circuit may include a receiver circuit and a transmitter circuit), and the processing unit may be a processing circuit.

[0654] It should be noted that the apparatus in Figure 13 may be a network element or device in the embodiments described above, or it may be a chip or chip system, such as a system-on-chip (SoC). The transceiver unit may be an input / output circuit or a communication interface. The processing unit is a processor, microprocessor, or integrated circuit on a chip, but is not limited to these.

[0655] Figure 14 is a diagram of a communication architecture according to one embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1400 shown in Figure 14 includes a processor 1410, a memory 1420, and a transceiver 1430. The processor 1410 is coupled to the memory 1420 and is configured to execute instructions stored in the memory 1420 to control the transceiver 1430 to transmit and / or receive signals.

[0656] It should be understood that the processor 1410 and memory 1420 may be integrated into a single processing unit. The processor 1410 is configured to execute program code stored in memory 1420 to implement the aforementioned functions. In certain implementations, memory 1420 may, alternatively, be integrated into the processor 1410 or be independent of the processor 1410. It should be understood that the processor 1410 may, alternatively, correspond to each processing unit in the aforementioned communication device, and the transceiver 1430 may correspond to each receiving unit and transmitting unit in the aforementioned communication device.

[0657] It should be further understood that transceiver 1430 may include a receiver (also called a receiver) and a transmitter (also called a transmitter). The transceiver may further include an antenna. There may be one or more antennas. The transceiver may alternatively be a communication interface or interface circuit.

[0658] Specifically, the communication device 1400 may correspond to a terminal device in Method 300, Method 400, Method 500, or Method 600 according to embodiments of this application. The communication device 1400 may include a unit of the method performed by a network device in Method 300, Method 400, Method 500, or Method 600. It should be understood that the specific process by which the unit performs the corresponding steps described above is described in detail in embodiments of the aforementioned methods. For the sake of brevity, further details will not be described here.

[0659] When the communication device 1400 is a chip, the chip includes an interface unit and a processing unit. The interface unit may be an input / output circuit or a communication interface. The processing unit may be a processor, a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit integrated on the chip.

[0660] Figure 15 is a diagram showing the structure of another communication device according to one embodiment of this application.

[0661] The device 1500 includes a transceiver unit 1510 and a processing unit 1520. The transceiver unit 1510 may be configured to implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing unit 1520 may be configured to perform data processing.

[0662] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1510 may also be called a communication interface or communication unit, and may include a transmit unit and / or a receive unit. The transceiver unit 1510 may include transceivers (including a transmitter and / or receiver), input / output interfaces (including an input interface and / or output interface), pins, circuitry, etc. The transceiver unit 1510 may be configured to perform the transmit step and / or receive step in the embodiments of the method described above.

[0663] Optionally, the processing unit 1520 may be a processor (which may include one or more processors), a processing circuit having processor functions, etc., and may be configured to perform steps other than transmission and reception in the embodiments of the method described above.

[0664] Optionally, the device 1500 further includes a storage unit. The storage unit may be a memory, an internal storage unit (e.g., a register or cache), an external storage unit (e.g., a read-only memory or a random access memory), etc. The storage unit is configured to store instructions. The processing unit 1520 executes the instructions stored in the storage unit, thereby causing the communication device to perform the method described above.

[0665] In one design, the device 1500 may be configured to perform actions performed by the network device in embodiments of the methods described above. For example, the device 1500 may be configured to perform actions performed by the first network device in methods 700, 800, 900, 1000, or 1100 described above. In this case, the device 1500 may be a component of the first network device. The transceiver unit 1510 is configured to perform reception and transmission operations on the network device side in embodiments of the methods described above, and the processing unit 1520 is configured to perform processing-related operations on the network device side in embodiments of the methods described above.

[0666] For example, the processing unit 1520 is configured to determine second configuration information based on first configuration information, the first configuration information including cell-specific parameters of a target cell to be accessed by a terminal device, and the second configuration information including parameter information used by the terminal device to access the target cell to be accessed via a non-terrestrial network (NTN). The transceiver unit 1510 is configured to transmit first configuration information, second configuration information, and first information, the first information instructing the terminal device to receive first and second configuration information, and the first and second configuration information being used by the terminal device to access the target cell to be accessed.

[0667] Optionally, the first information includes the first condition, which indicates that the terminal device receives the first and second configuration information.

[0668] Optionally, the first condition is that the current time of the terminal device is before the first start time, the first start time being the beginning of the first time period, and the first time period being the time period during which the terminal device switches from the current serving cell of the first network device to the target cell to be accessed.

[0669] Optionally, the first condition is that the difference between the first offset value and the distance between the terminal device and the first reference point is greater than the first threshold, or the sum of the second offset value and the distance between the terminal device and the second reference point is less than the second threshold, the first reference point is the terminal device's current serving cell coverage, the current serving cell is a cell in the network device's coverage, the second reference point is the target cell coverage to be accessed by the terminal device, the first and second offset values ​​are hysteresis parameters, and the hysteresis parameters are the maximum tolerance.

[0670] Optionally, the first information includes the first instruction information, and the first instruction information instructs the terminal device to receive the first configuration information and the second configuration information.

[0671] Optionally, the first information includes first time information, which indicates the time when the network device transmits the first configuration information and the time when the network device transmits the second configuration information, and the first time information is used by the terminal device to receive the first configuration information within the time / time when the network device transmits the first configuration information and to receive the second configuration information within the time / time when the network device transmits the second configuration information.

[0672] It should be understood that the transceiver unit 1510 and the processing unit 1520 may further perform any other operations that are performed by the network device in any one of methods 700, 800, 900, 1000, and 1100. Details of each will not be explained individually here.

[0673] In one design, the device 1500 may be configured to perform actions performed by the terminal device in embodiments of the methods described above. For example, the device 1500 may be configured to perform actions performed by the terminal device in methods 700, 800, 900, 1000, or 1100 described above. In this case, the device 1500 may be a component of the terminal device. The transceiver unit 1510 is configured to perform operations related to receiving and transmitting on the terminal device side in embodiments of the methods described above, and the processing unit 1520 is configured to perform processing-related operations on the terminal device side in embodiments of the methods described above.

[0674] For example, transceiver unit 1510 is configured to receive first information. Transceiver unit 1510 is further configured to receive first configuration information and second configuration information based on the first information, wherein the first configuration information includes cell-specific parameters of a target cell to be accessed by a terminal device, and the second configuration information includes parameter information used by the terminal device to access the target cell to be accessed via a non-terrestrial network (NTN), wherein the first and second configuration information are used by the terminal device to access the target cell to be accessed.

[0675] Optionally, the processing unit 1520 is configured to determine a first condition based on first information. Specifically, the transceiver unit 1510 decides to receive first configuration information and second configuration information based on the first condition.

[0676] Optionally, the processing unit 1520 is specifically configured to determine that the first condition is that the current time of the terminal device is before the start of a first time period, the first time period being the time period during which the terminal device switches from the current serving cell of the first network device to the target cell to be accessed. The transceiver unit 1510 is specifically configured to receive the first and second configuration information at the present time.

[0677] Optionally, the processing unit 1520 is specifically configured to determine that a first condition is that the difference between a first offset value and the distance between the terminal device and a first reference point is greater than a first threshold, or that the sum of a second offset value and the distance between the terminal device and a second reference point is less than a second threshold, where the first reference point is the location of the terminal device in the coverage of the current serving cell, the current serving cell is a cell in the coverage of the network device, the second reference point is the location in the coverage of the target cell to be accessed by the terminal device, the first and second offset values ​​are hysteresis parameters, and the hysteresis parameters are the maximum tolerances. The transceiver unit 1510 is specifically configured to receive first and second configuration information at the current location.

[0678] Optionally, the processing unit 1520 is further configured to determine first instruction information based on first information. The transceiver unit 1510 is specifically configured to receive first configuration information and second configuration information based on the first instruction information.

[0679] Optionally, the processing unit 1520 is further configured to determine first time information based on first information, the first time information indicating the time when the network device transmits first configuration information and the time when the network device transmits second configuration information. The transceiver unit 1510 is specifically configured to receive first configuration information within the time / time when the network device transmits first configuration information and to receive second configuration information within the time / time when the network device transmits second configuration information.

[0680] Optionally, the processing unit 1520 is further configured to switch to a target cell based on the first and second configuration information.

[0681] It should be understood that the transceiver unit 1510 and the processing unit 1520 may further perform any other operations that are performed by the terminal device in any one of methods 700, 800, 900, 1000, and 1100. Details of each will not be explained individually here.

[0682] In one design, the device 1500 may be configured to perform actions performed by the network device in the embodiments of the method described above. For example, the device 1500 may be configured to perform actions performed by the first network device in the method 1200 described above. In this case, the device 1500 may be a component of the first network device. The transceiver unit 1510 is configured to perform reception and transmission-related operations on the network device side in the embodiments of the method described above, and the processing unit 1520 is configured to perform processing-related operations on the network device side in the embodiments of the method described above.

[0683] For example, the transceiver unit 1510 is configured to transmit a first message, which includes group identification information, indicating the group to which the terminal device belongs.

[0684] The transceiver unit 1510 is further configured to transmit first and second configuration information to a terminal device in a multicast manner, the first configuration information including cell-specific parameters of a target cell to be accessed by the terminal device, and the second configuration information including parameter information used by the terminal device to access the target cell to be accessed via a non-terrestrial network (NTN), the first and second configuration information being used by the terminal device to access the target cell to be accessed.

[0685] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1510 is further configured to transmit a third configuration information, which includes a handover trigger condition that instructs a terminal device to switch to a target cell.

[0686] Optionally, the third configuration information may further include target cell identification information.

[0687] Optionally, the group identification information is the temporary identifier for the group wireless network.

[0688] It should be understood that the transceiver unit 1510 and the processing unit 1520 may perform additional operations that are performed by the network device in the method 1200 described above. Details will not be explained individually here.

[0689] In one design, the device 1500 may be configured to perform actions performed by the terminal device in the embodiments of the method described above. For example, the device 1500 may be configured to perform actions performed by the terminal device in the method 1200 described above. In this case, the device 1500 may be a component of the terminal device. The transceiver unit 1510 is configured to perform operations related to receiving and transmitting on the terminal device side in the embodiments of the method described above, and the processing unit 1520 is configured to perform processing-related operations on the terminal device side in the embodiments of the method described above.

[0690] For example, transceiver unit 1510 is configured to receive a first message, the first message containing group identification information, which indicates the group to which the terminal device belongs. Transceiver unit 1510 is further configured to receive first and second configuration information corresponding to the group to which the terminal device belongs, the first configuration information containing cell-specific parameters of a target cell to be accessed by the terminal device, and the second configuration information containing parameter information used by the terminal device to access the target cell to be accessed via a non-terrestrial network (NTN), and the first and second configuration information are used by the terminal device to access the target cell to be accessed.

[0691] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1510 is further configured to receive third configuration information, which includes a handover trigger condition. The processing unit 1520 is configured to switch to a target cell based on the handover trigger condition.

[0692] Optionally, the third configuration information may further include target cell identification information.

[0693] Optionally, the group identification information is the temporary identifier for the group wireless network.

[0694] It should be understood that the transceiver unit 1510 and the processing unit 1520 may perform other operations that are performed by the terminal device in the method 1200 described above. Details will not be explained individually here.

[0695] It should be understood that the apparatus 1500 described herein is embodied in the form of a functional unit. The term “unit” as used herein may refer to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (e.g., a shared processor, a dedicated processor, or a group processor) configured to run one or more software or firmware programs, memory, merged logic circuits, and / or other suitable components supporting the described functions. In an optional example, those skilled in the art will understand that the apparatus 1500 may specifically be a network device in the embodiments described above and may be configured to perform procedures and / or steps corresponding to a network device in the embodiments of the methods described above. For the sake of avoiding repetition, further details are not described here.

[0696] The device 1500 in the aforementioned solution has the function of performing the corresponding steps performed by the device in the aforementioned method, or the device 1500 in the aforementioned solution has the function of performing the corresponding steps performed by the network device in the aforementioned method. The function may be implemented by using hardware, or by hardware running corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the aforementioned function. For example, a transceiver unit may be replaced with a transceiver (for example, a transmitting unit in a transceiver unit may be replaced with a transmitter, and a receiving unit in a transceiver unit may be replaced with a receiver), or another unit such as a processing unit may be replaced with a processor to perform the receiving and transmitting operations and associated processing operations separately in an embodiment of the method.

[0697] In addition, the transceiver unit 1510 may alternatively be a transceiver circuit (for example, the transceiver circuit may include a receiver circuit and a transmitter circuit), and the processing unit may be a processing circuit.

[0698] It should be noted that the apparatus in Figure 15 may be a network element or device in the embodiments described above, or it may be a chip or chip system, such as a system-on-chip (SoC). The transceiver unit may be an input / output circuit or a communication interface. The processing unit is a processor, microprocessor, or integrated circuit on a chip, but is not limited to these.

[0699] Figure 16 is a diagram of a communication architecture according to one embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1600 shown in Figure 16 includes a processor 1610, a memory 1620, and a transceiver 1630. The processor 1610 is coupled to the memory 1620 and is configured to execute instructions stored in the memory 1620 to control the transceiver 1630 to transmit and / or receive signals.

[0700] It should be understood that the processor 1610 and memory 1620 may be integrated into a single processing unit. The processor 1610 is configured to execute program code stored in memory 1620 to implement the aforementioned functions. In certain implementations, memory 1620 may, alternatively, be integrated into the processor 1610 or be independent of the processor 1610. It should be understood that the processor 1610 may, alternatively, correspond to each processing unit in the aforementioned communication device, and the transceiver 1630 may correspond to each receiving unit and transmitting unit in the aforementioned communication device.

[0701] It should be further understood that the transceiver 1630 may include a receiver (also called a receiver) and a transmitter (also called a transmitter). The transceiver may further include an antenna. There may be one or more antennas. The transceiver may alternatively be a communication interface or interface circuit.

[0702] Specifically, the communication device 1600 may correspond to a terminal device in Method 700, Method 800, Method 900, Method 1000, Method 1100, or Method 1200 according to embodiments of this application. The communication device 1600 may include a unit of the method performed by a network device in Method 700, Method 800, Method 900, Method 1000, Method 1100, or Method 1200. It should be understood that the specific process by which the unit performs the corresponding steps described above is described in detail in embodiments of the aforementioned methods. For brevity, further details will not be described here.

[0703] When the communication device 1600 is a chip, the chip includes an interface unit and a processing unit. The interface unit may be an input / output circuit or a communication interface. The processing unit may be a processor, a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit integrated on the chip.

[0704] In the implementation process, the steps in the aforementioned method may be completed by using integrated logic circuits of hardware within the processor or by using instructions in the form of software. The steps in the methods disclosed with reference to embodiments of this application may be performed and completed directly by a hardware processor or by using a combination of hardware and software modules within the processor. The software modules may reside in mature storage media in the art, such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, or registers. The storage medium resides in memory, and the processor reads information in memory and, in combination with the processor's hardware, completes the steps in the aforementioned method. To avoid repetition, further details will not be described here.

[0705] Note that the processor in the embodiments of this application may be an integrated circuit chip and has signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, the steps in the embodiments of the method described above may be completed by using integrated logic circuits of hardware within the processor or by using instructions in the form of software. The processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or another programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component. The processor may implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, and the processor may be any conventional processor, etc. The steps in the methods disclosed with reference to embodiments of this application may be performed and completed directly by a hardware decoding processor, or by using a combination of hardware and software modules within the decoding processor. The software modules may reside in mature storage media in the art, such as random-access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, or registers. The storage medium resides in memory, and the processor reads the information from memory and combines it with the processor's hardware to complete the steps in the method described above.

[0706] This application further provides a computer-readable medium for storing a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a computer, the functionality of any one of the embodiments of the method described above is implemented.

[0707] This application further provides a computer program product. When the computer program product is executed by a computer, the functionality of any one of the embodiments of the method described above is implemented.

[0708] All or some of the embodiments described above may be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When software is used to implement an embodiment, all or some of the embodiments may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. A computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the procedures or functions according to the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, a computer network, or another programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, computer instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, or digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, radio, or microwave). The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium accessible by a computer, or a data storage device, e.g., a server or data center integrating one or more available media. Usable media may include magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, or magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., digital video discs (DVDs)), and semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state drives (SSDs)).

[0709] In embodiments of this application, terms such as “example” or “for example” are intended to indicate that an example, illustration, or explanation is being given. Any embodiment or design described as “example” in this application should not be described as being preferable to or having more advantages than another embodiment or design. More precisely, the term “example” is used to present a concept in a particular way.

[0710] Throughout this specification, the term "an embodiment" is used to mean that certain features, structures, or characteristics related to an embodiment are included in at least one embodiment of this application. Therefore, embodiments throughout the specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, these particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0711] It should be understood that in various embodiments of this application, the sequence numbers of the processes described herein do not imply execution order. The execution order of processes should be determined based on the function and internal logic of the processes and should not constitute any limitation to the implementation processes of the embodiments of this application. All node and message names in this application are merely names set forth for the sake of clarity in this application and may differ in actual networks. It should not be understood that this application is limiting to the names of various nodes and messages. Conversely, any name having the same or similar function as a node or message used in this application is considered a method or equivalent substitute in this application and falls within the scope of protection of this application.

[0712] In this application, "when" and "if" mean that the UE or base station performs the corresponding processing in objective circumstances, and are not intended to limit the time, and the UE or base station does not necessarily have to have a decision action during implementation, and this does not imply any other limitation.

[0713] In addition, the terms “system” and “network” are generally used interchangeably in this specification. The term “and / or” in this specification describes only the association relationship between the relevant objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may represent three cases: A alone exists, both A and B exist, or B alone exists.

[0714] In this specification, the term "at least one of..." refers to all or any combination of the listed items. For example, "at least one of A, B, and C" could refer to six cases: when only A is present, when only B is present, when only C is present, when both A and B are present, when both B and C are present, and when all of A, B, and C are present. In this specification, "at least one" means one or more. "Multiple" means two or more.

[0715] In the embodiments of this application, “B corresponding to A” should be understood to indicate that B is associated with A, and that B may be determined based on A. However, it should be further understood that determining B based on A does not mean that B is determined solely based on A, i.e., B may also be determined based on A and / or other information. The terms “include,” “contain,” and “have,” and their variations, all mean “including, but not limited to,” unless otherwise specifically emphasized.

[0716] In the various embodiments of this application, the designations 1, 2, and various other numbers are merely distinctions for the sake of clarity and should be understood as not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. For example, different information is distinguished.

[0717] Those skilled in the art will recognize, by referring to the units and algorithmic steps in the examples described in the embodiments disclosed herein, that this application may be implemented by electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether the functions are performed by hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art may implement the functions described for each specific application using different methods, but such implementations should not be considered to exceed the scope of this application.

[0718] For the sake of convenient and concise explanation, those skilled in the art will readily understand that the detailed operating processes of the aforementioned systems, devices, and units are to be described by referring to the corresponding processes in the embodiments of the methods described above. Further details will not be described here.

[0719] In some embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatus, and methods may be implemented in other ways. For example, the embodiments of the apparatus described above are merely examples. For example, the division into units is merely a logical functional division and may be other divisions in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not performed. In addition, the mutual coupling, direct coupling, or communication connection shown or described may be implemented by using some interfaces. Indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatus or units may be implemented electrically, mechanically, or in other forms.

[0720] Units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one location or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected based on the actual requirements for achieving the objectives of the solution of the embodiment.

[0721] In addition, the functional units in the embodiments of this application may be integrated into a single processing unit, and each unit may exist physically independently, or two or more units may be integrated into a single unit.

[0722] When a function is implemented in the form of a software function unit and sold or used as an independent product, the function may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solutions in this application, in essence, contribute to the prior art, or some of the technical solutions may be implemented in the form of a software product. A computer software product is stored on a storage medium and includes several instructions for instructing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, network device, etc.) to perform all or some of the steps of the method in the embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes any medium capable of storing program code, such as a USB flash drive, removable hard disk, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk, or optical disk.

[0723] The foregoing description represents only a specific implementation of this application, and the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any modifications or substitutions readily conceivable by a person skilled in the art within the scope of the art disclosed herein shall fall within the scope of protection of this application. Accordingly, the scope of protection of this application shall be subject to the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method performed by a communication device, wherein the method is A step of obtaining first configuration information, wherein the first configuration information includes non-terrestrial network (NTN) parameter information, and the NTN parameter information includes parameter information required by the communication device to adjust for offsets of measurement frequency and measurement time caused by satellite movement and to perform measurements on the carrier frequency, The step of obtaining the first configuration information is: A step of receiving second information, wherein the second information includes measurement configuration information and first instruction information, and the first instruction information indicates a bearer resource for transporting the first configuration information. A step of determining the first configuration information based on the first instruction information, Includes, The step of determining the first configuration information based on the first instruction information is: A step of determining the system information block and / or index information in which the first configuration information is located, based on the first instruction information, A step of determining the first configuration information in the third information based on the system information block and / or the index information, wherein the third information includes the first configuration information. Includes, A step of performing a measurement on the carrier frequency based on the first configuration information and the measurement configuration information, wherein the measurement configuration information indicates the configuration information of the measurement to be performed by the communication device, and the measurement configuration information and the first configuration information correspond to the same measurement target. A method that includes this.

2. The aforementioned method, Step of receiving the third information, wherein the third information further includes carrier frequency information and / or cell identification information. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first configuration information further includes cell identification information and / or a first configuration information index, the first configuration information index indicates NTN parameter information corresponding to a cell, and the cell identification information corresponds to the first configuration information index.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first configuration information further includes carrier frequency information and / or a first configuration information index, the first configuration information index indicates NTN parameter information corresponding to the carrier frequency information, and the carrier frequency information corresponds to the first configuration information index.

5. The aforementioned method, A step of receiving second configuration information, wherein the second configuration information includes NTN parameter information, the NTN parameter information includes parameter information required by the communication device to adjust the offset of the measurement frequency and measurement time caused by the movement of the satellite and to perform a measurement on the carrier frequency, the second configuration information is used by the communication device to perform a measurement on the carrier frequency within a first duration, the first duration being a duration longer than the effective duration of the first configuration information, the effective duration being the maximum time for which the communication device performs a measurement by using the first configuration information. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

6. A communication method performed by a communication device, A step of determining first configuration information based on measurement configuration information, wherein the first configuration information includes non-terrestrial network (NTN) parameter information, the NTN parameter information includes parameter information required by a terminal device to adjust for offsets of measurement frequency and measurement time caused by satellite movement and to perform measurements on the carrier frequency, and the measurement configuration information indicates the configuration information of the measurement to be performed by the terminal device. A step of transmitting the first configuration information and the measurement configuration information, wherein the first configuration information and the measurement configuration information are used by the terminal device to perform a measurement on the carrier frequency, and the measurement configuration information and the first configuration information correspond to the same object to be measured, The step of transmitting the first configuration information is: Steps to transmit second information, wherein the second information includes the measurement configuration information and first instruction information, the first instruction information indicates a bearer resource for carrying the first configuration information, the first instruction information is used by the terminal device to determine the first configuration information, and the first instruction information indicates an index information and / or system information block in which the first configuration information is located within the third information. Includes, The method further includes the step of transmitting the third information, wherein the third information further includes cell identification information and / or carrier frequency information of a cell, method.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the first configuration information further includes cell identification information and / or a first configuration information index, the first configuration information index indicates NTN parameter information corresponding to a cell, and the cell identification information corresponds to the first configuration information index.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the first configuration information further includes carrier frequency information and / or a first configuration information index, the first configuration information index indicates NTN parameter information corresponding to the carrier frequency information, and the carrier frequency information corresponds to the first configuration information index.

9. The aforementioned method, A step of transmitting second configuration information, wherein the second configuration information includes NTN parameter information for at least one cell on the carrier frequency, the NTN parameter information includes parameter information used by the terminal device to adjust for offsets of measurement frequency and measurement time caused by the movement of the satellite and to access the at least one cell via NTN, the second configuration information is used by the terminal device to measure the at least one cell within a first duration, the first duration being a duration longer than the effective duration of the first configuration information, the effective duration being the maximum time for which the terminal device performs a measurement by using the first configuration information. The method according to claim 6, further comprising:

10. A communication device comprising a unit configured to perform the method described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A communication device comprising a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is configured to receive computer code or instructions and transmit the computer code or instructions to the processor, and the processor executes the computer code or instructions to enable the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 to be performed.

12. A communication device comprising at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is coupled to at least one memory, and the at least one processor is configured to execute a computer program or instruction stored in the at least one memory, thereby enabling the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 to be performed.

13. A computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions, and when the computer instructions are executed on a computer, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is executed.

14. A computer program product wherein, when the computer program product is executed on a computer, the computer becomes capable of performing the steps in the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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