Method, apparatus and system for allocating control resources in non-terrestrial communication

Abstract

The present application is applicable to the technical field of communications. Provided are a method, apparatus and system for allocating control resources in non-terrestrial communication. The method comprises: when a first satellite serves as a primary satellite to provide services for a terminal device, selecting a second satellite as a secondary satellite to provide services for the terminal device, and sending to the terminal device first configuration information, which comprises information of a plurality of first control resource sets, identification information of a plurality of primary satellites, information of a plurality of second control resource sets and identification information of a plurality of secondary satellites, wherein the plurality of first control resource sets are control resource sets which can be used by the primary satellite that provides services for the terminal device, and the plurality of second control resource sets are control resource sets that can be used by the secondary satellite that provides services for the terminal device. In this way, when a primary satellite or secondary satellite is changed, it is only necessary to instruct a terminal device to select a corresponding control resource set from first configuration information, thereby reducing allocation overheads of control resources of a satellite.

Description

Method, device and system for allocating control resources in non-terrestrial communications Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a method, device and system for allocating control resources in non-terrestrial communications. Background Art

[0002] In terrestrial cellular mobile communication systems, multi-base station collaboration can significantly improve the data rate performance of user equipment (UE) at the cell edge. This technology, also known as coordinated multi-point (CoMP), enables multiple base stations to collaborate and jointly provide services to certain UEs. CoMP also allows different base stations to provide services to UEs using the same time-frequency resources.

[0003] In the 5th Generation Mobile Networks (5G) new radio (NR), CoMP technology is also known as multi-transmission reception point (Multi-TRP) technology. Among them, the information transmitted by the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) is downlink control information (DCI), and the configuration of PDCCH includes a control resource set (CORESET) and a search space. According to the transmission method of PDCCH, Multi-TRP can be divided into two modes: single downlink control information-multiple transmission reception point (Single-DCI Multi-TRP) and multiple downlink control information-multiple transmission reception point (Multi-DCI Multi-TRP). In Single-DCI Multi-TRP, multiple TRPs use one DCI to schedule the UE, while in Multi-DCI Multi-TRP, each TRP independently uses different DCI to schedule the UE.

[0004] Because low Earth orbit (LEO), ranging from 200 to 2000 km above the ground, offers low communication latency, minimal path loss, and low manufacturing costs, the integration of satellites into 5G can provide communication services to areas difficult to reach by terrestrial networks, such as oceans and forests, enhancing the reliability of 5G communications. However, satellites frequently change locations, so Multi-TRP technology requires reconfiguration of satellites for each change, resulting in a waste of resources.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present application provides a method, device and system for allocating control resources in non-terrestrial communications, which reduces the control resource allocation overhead of the satellite when a satellite communication system applies a multi-transmission receiving point technology.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solutions:

[0008] In a first aspect, a method for allocating control resources in non-terrestrial communications is provided, comprising: when a first satellite serves as a primary satellite and provides communication services to a terminal device, a first network device selects a second satellite as a secondary satellite and provides communication services to the terminal device. The first network device sends first configuration information to the terminal device. The first configuration information includes information about multiple first control resource sets, identification information about multiple primary satellites, information about multiple second control resource sets, and identification information about multiple secondary satellites. The multiple first control resource sets are control resource sets available for the primary satellites providing communication services to the terminal device, and the multiple second control resource sets are control resource sets available for the secondary satellites providing communication services to the terminal device.

[0009] An embodiment of the present application provides a method for allocating control resources in non-terrestrial communications. In this method, when a first satellite acts as a primary satellite to provide communication services to a terminal device, a second satellite is first selected as a secondary satellite for the terminal device, so that the first and second satellites jointly provide communication services to the terminal device. A first network device then configures first configuration information for the terminal device, which includes information about multiple first control resource sets, identification information of multiple primary satellites, information about multiple second control resource sets, and identification information of multiple secondary satellites. The multiple first control resource sets are control resource sets available for multiple primary satellites providing communication services to the terminal device, and the multiple second control resource sets are control resource sets available for multiple secondary satellites providing communication services to the terminal device. In this way, when the primary satellite changes from the first satellite to another satellite, and / or the secondary satellite changes to another satellite, there is no need to configure control resource sets for the terminal device. Instead, the terminal device only needs to be instructed to select the corresponding control resource set from the first configuration information to complete the corresponding control resource configuration, thereby reducing the satellite's control resource allocation overhead.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application includes: a first network device sending information about multiple second control resource sets and identification information of multiple secondary satellites to a second satellite. This enables the second satellite to use a second control resource set from the multiple second control resource sets to configure a PDCCH.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application further includes: a first network device sending a first activation instruction to a terminal device. The first activation instruction is used by the terminal device to determine that the primary satellite is the first satellite and includes information about a first control resource set used by the first satellite among multiple first control resource sets. The first activation instruction is also used by the terminal device to determine that the secondary satellite is the second satellite and includes information about a second control resource set used by the second satellite among multiple second control resource sets. Through the first activation instruction, the terminal device determines the satellites and control resource sets used by the primary and secondary satellites.

[0012] In one possible implementation, when the primary satellite changes from the first satellite to the third satellite and the secondary satellite changes from the second satellite to the fourth satellite, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application further includes: the first network device sending first information to the third satellite, the first information including information about multiple first control resource sets and identification information of multiple primary satellites, the first information being used by the third satellite to determine a first control resource set that can be used among the multiple first control resource sets. The first network device sending second information to the fourth satellite, the second information including information about multiple second control resource sets and identification information of multiple secondary satellites, the second information being used by the fourth satellite to determine a second control resource set that can be used among the multiple second control resource sets.

[0013] In this way, the third satellite and the fourth satellite can not only obtain multiple first control resource sets and second control resource sets to use, but also determine which first control resource set and which second control resource set to use through the first information.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application further includes: the first network device sending a second activation instruction to the terminal device. The second activation instruction is used by the terminal device to determine that the primary satellite is updated to the third satellite, and includes information about the first control resource set used by the third satellite among multiple first control resource sets. The second activation instruction is also used by the terminal device to determine that the secondary satellite is updated to the fourth satellite, and includes information about the second control resource set used by the fourth satellite among multiple second control resource sets. The first control resource set used by the third satellite is different from the first control resource set used by the first satellite, and the first control resource set used by the fourth satellite is different from the first control resource set used by the second satellite.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the first network device sends the first activation instruction or the second activation instruction to the terminal device through downlink control information or a media access control element.

[0016] As an example, when the first network device sends the first activation instruction to the terminal device through downlink control information, the first activation instruction can be sent in more forms and more flexibly.

[0017] As another example, when the first network device sends the first activation instruction to the terminal device through a media access control element, the overhead of the sending process will be smaller.

[0018] In one possible implementation, when the primary satellite is the first satellite and the secondary satellite is the fifth satellite instead of the second satellite, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application further includes: the first network device sending third information to the fifth satellite. The third information includes information about multiple second control resource sets and identification information of multiple secondary satellites. The third information is used by the fifth satellite to determine a second control resource set that can be used among the multiple second control resource sets. The second control resource set used by the fifth satellite is different from the second control resource set used by the second satellite.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application further includes: the first network device configuring multiple timers for the terminal device. The multiple timers correspond one-to-one with the multiple first control resource sets and the multiple second control resource sets, respectively, and the timers are used to indicate the usage time of the first control resource sets and the second control resource sets. Compared to the first activation instruction or the second activation instruction, the timers have lower overhead.

[0020] In one possible implementation, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application further includes: the first network device sending, to the second satellite, information about multiple second control resource sets, identification information about multiple secondary satellites, and timers corresponding to the multiple second control resource sets. One timer may correspond to one first control resource set and one second control resource set.

[0021] In a possible implementation, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application further includes: the first network device sending first indication information to the terminal device. The first indication information is used to indicate starting a first timer among the multiple timers.

[0022] In a possible implementation, when the primary satellite changes from the first satellite to the third satellite, and / or the secondary satellite changes from the second satellite to the fourth satellite, a second timer among the multiple timers is started.

[0023] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for allocating control resources in non-terrestrial communications, comprising: a terminal device obtaining first configuration information. The first configuration information includes: information on multiple first control resource sets, identification information of multiple primary satellites, information on multiple second control resource sets, and identification information of multiple secondary satellites. The multiple first control resource sets are control resource sets that can be used by multiple primary satellites providing communication services to the terminal device, and the multiple second control resource sets are control resource sets that can be used by multiple secondary satellites providing communication services to the terminal device. The terminal device is served by a first satellite and a second satellite, the first satellite being the primary satellite for the terminal device, and the second satellite being the secondary satellite for the terminal device. Based on the first configuration information, the terminal device determines identification information of multiple primary satellites that can provide services to the terminal device, multiple first control resource sets that can be used by the multiple primary satellites, identification information of multiple secondary satellites that can provide services to the terminal device, and multiple second control resource sets that can be used by the multiple secondary satellites.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application includes: a terminal device receiving a first activation instruction. The terminal device determines, based on the first activation instruction, information about a primary satellite and information about a secondary satellite providing communication services to the terminal device. The information about the primary satellite includes information that the primary satellite is a first satellite and a first control resource set used by the first satellite among multiple first control resource sets. The information about the secondary satellite includes information that the secondary satellite is a second satellite and a second control resource set used by the second satellite among multiple second control resource sets.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application includes: a terminal device receiving a second activation instruction. The terminal device determines, based on the second activation instruction, that the terminal device's primary satellite is updated to a third satellite, that the secondary satellite is updated to a fourth satellite, and information about a first control resource set used by the third satellite among multiple first control resource sets, and information about a second control resource set used by the fourth satellite among multiple second control resource sets. The first control resource set used by the third satellite is different from the first control resource set used by the first satellite, and the first control resource set used by the fourth satellite is different from the first control resource set used by the second satellite.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application includes: a terminal device receiving a third activation instruction. The terminal device determines, based on the third activation instruction, that the terminal device's secondary satellite is updated to a fifth satellite, and a second control resource set used by the fifth satellite among the plurality of second control resource sets. The second control resource set used by the fifth satellite is different from the second control resource set used by the second satellite.

[0027] In a possible implementation manner, the first activation instruction, the second activation instruction, or the third activation instruction is carried in downlink control information or a medium access control element.

[0028] In one possible implementation, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application further includes: the terminal device obtaining multiple timers configured for the terminal device. The multiple timers correspond one-to-one to the multiple first control resource sets and the multiple second control resource sets, respectively, and the timers are used to indicate usage time of the first control resource set and the second control resource set.

[0029] In one possible implementation, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application further includes: a terminal device receiving first indication information. The first indication information is used to start a first timer among multiple timers. The terminal device starts the first timer based on the first indication information to determine information about a primary satellite and information about a secondary satellite providing communication services for the terminal device. The information about the primary satellite includes information that the primary satellite is a first satellite and a first control resource set used by the first satellite among multiple first control resource sets. The information about the secondary satellite includes information that the secondary satellite is a second satellite and a second control resource set used by the second satellite among multiple second control resource sets.

[0030] In one possible implementation, the method provided by an embodiment of the present application also includes: starting a second timer among multiple timers to determine that the main satellite providing communication services to the terminal device is updated to a third satellite, using information of a first control resource set, and that the auxiliary satellite providing communication services to the terminal device is updated to a fourth satellite, using information of a second control resource set.

[0031] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device that can implement the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect. The communication device can be a first network device, or a device that supports the first network device to implement the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, such as a chip used in the first network device. The communication device can implement the above method through software, hardware, or by executing corresponding software through hardware.

[0032] As an example, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which is a first network device or a chip used in the first network device. The communication device includes: a communication unit and a processing unit, wherein the processing unit is used to process information, and the communication unit is used to receive or send information.

[0033] In a fourth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication device that can implement the method of the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, thereby also achieving the beneficial effects of the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. The communication device can be a terminal device, or a device that supports the terminal device in implementing the method of the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, such as a chip used in the terminal device. The communication device can implement the above method through software, hardware, or through hardware executing corresponding software.

[0034] As an example, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which is a terminal device or a chip used in a terminal device. The communication device includes: a communication unit and a processing unit, wherein the processing unit is used to process information, and the communication unit is used to receive or send information.

[0035] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a system for allocating control resources in non-terrestrial communications, comprising a first satellite corresponding to a first network device, a second satellite corresponding to a second network device, and a terminal device. The first network device executes the method of the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, and the terminal device executes the method of the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0036] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium comprising computer-readable instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to execute the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect.

[0037] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium comprising computer-readable instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to execute the method in the above-mentioned second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0038] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, comprising a computer program, which, when run on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method in the above-mentioned first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect.

[0039] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, comprising a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0040] In the tenth aspect, the present application provides a chip for use in a first network function, the chip comprising at least one processor and a communication interface, the communication interface being coupled to at least one processor, the processor being used to run a computer program or instruction to execute the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, and the communication interface being used to communicate with other modules outside the chip.

[0041] In the eleventh aspect, the present application provides a chip for use in a second network function, the chip comprising at least one processor and a communication interface, the communication interface being coupled to at least one processor, the processor being used to run a computer program or instruction to execute the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, and the communication interface being used to communicate with other modules outside the chip. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a transmission mode of Multi-DCI Multi-TRP in a cellular mobile communication system proposed in an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system proposed in an embodiment of the present application;

[0044] FIG3 is a second schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0045] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a method for allocating control resources in non-terrestrial communications according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0046] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a method for allocating control resources in non-terrestrial communications after a satellite change, provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of another method for allocating control resources in non-terrestrial communications provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of a specific implementation of a method for allocating control resources in non-terrestrial communications provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of a specific implementation of another method for allocating control resources in non-terrestrial communications provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] FIG9 is a device for allocating control resources in non-terrestrial communications according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] To facilitate a clear description of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used in the embodiments of this application to distinguish identical or similar items with substantially identical functions and effects. For example, the terms "first satellite" and "second satellite" are used solely to distinguish between different satellites and do not define their order. Those skilled in the art will understand that the terms "first" and "second" do not limit the number or order of execution, and do not necessarily imply that the terms are different.

[0054] It should be noted that, in this application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described in this application as "exemplary" or "for example" should not be construed as being preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a concrete manner.

[0055] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following items" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, c can be single or multiple.

[0056] The steps involved in the method for allocating control resources provided in an embodiment of the present application are merely examples. Not all steps must be performed, or not all information or content in a message is mandatory. They can be increased or decreased as needed during use.

[0057] In the embodiments of the present application, the same step or steps or messages with the same function in different embodiments can be referenced to each other.

[0058] The system architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, with the evolution of the system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are equally applicable to similar technical problems.

[0059] Before introducing the embodiments of the present application, the following definitions are given for the relevant terms involved in the embodiments of the present application:

[0060] 1) Physical downlink control channel (PDCCH): It is a set of physical resource elements that carries uplink and downlink control information. Depending on its scope, the information carried by PDCCH is divided into public control information and dedicated control information.

[0061] 2) Downlink control information (DCI): refers to the downlink control information sent by the base station to the terminal device, which is carried by the PDCCH. It includes uplink and downlink resource allocation, hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) information, power control, etc.

[0062] 3) Control resource set (CORESET): indicates the number of time domain symbols, frequency domain resource blocks (RBs), and slot allocation occupied by PDCCH.

[0063] 4) Search Space: Indicates the candidate PDCCH set. Each Search Space is associated with a CORESET, and each CORESET may be associated with multiple Search Spaces.

[0064] Currently, the fifth generation mobile communication technology (5G) is a new generation of broadband mobile communication technology with high speed, low latency and large connections. The non-terrestrial network (NTN) proposed in 5G is one of the technologies to achieve global seamless network coverage. In NTN, satellites are one of the key infrastructures. Satellites are generally divided into the following three types according to their orbital altitude: geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellites, also known as synchronous orbit satellites or high-orbit satellites; medium earth orbit (MEO) satellites, also referred to as medium-orbit satellites; and low earth orbit (LEO) satellites, also referred to as low-orbit satellites.

[0065] The orbital altitude of GEO satellite is 35786km. Its main advantage is that it is stationary relative to the ground and provides a large coverage area.

[0066] The orbital altitude of MEO satellites is 2000km~35786km. Global coverage can be achieved using a relatively small number of MEO satellites. Currently, they are mainly used for positioning and navigation.

[0067] LEO satellites have an orbital altitude of 300km to 2000km. Compared to MEO and GEO satellites, LEO satellites have lower orbital altitudes, resulting in shorter data transmission delays, lower power consumption, and lower launch costs.

[0068] As a result, LEO satellite-based communication systems have made significant progress in recent years. LEO satellites serve as information access points, leveraging their wider coverage compared to ground-based base stations to provide efficient coverage in the air, oceans, and remote areas. They can also integrate with Long Term Evolution (LTE) or 5G networks, providing users with even wider coverage and a better user experience while using the same terminals.

[0069] In the existing technology, in order to ensure the communication of terminals at the edge of the coverage area of ​​terrestrial base stations, multi-base station collaboration is usually used. For example, in terrestrial cellular mobile communication systems, the rate performance of terminals at the edge of the cell can be significantly improved through multi-base station collaboration. This technology is also called coordinated multi-point (CoMP) technology. Among them, CoMP technology has multiple implementation methods, mainly including dynamic point selection (DPS), coordinated scheduling (CS), coordinated beamforming (CBF), joint transmission (JT), etc. The following introduces various implementation methods of CoMP:

[0070] DPS means that different base stations use different time resources to provide services to the terminal, that is, the terminal dynamically selects different base stations for communication;

[0071] CS means that different base stations use different frequency resources to provide services to terminals at the same time, that is, terminals communicate with different base stations on different subcarriers. Among them, CoMP also supports different base stations providing services to terminals on the same time-frequency resources.

[0072] CBF means that only one base station in a cell sends a useful signal to the terminal, and the base stations in adjacent coordinated cells reduce interference to the terminal by adjusting the beamforming vector.

[0073] JT allows multiple base stations to transmit useful signals to a terminal. JT has two transmission modes: coherent JT (CJT) and non-coherent JT (NCJT). In CJT, multiple base stations transmit the same useful signal to the terminal, but this requires ideal backhaul between base stations, making system implementation more challenging. In NCJT, multiple base stations transmit different useful signals to the terminal, allowing for non-ideal backhaul between base stations, reducing system implementation complexity.

[0074] In 5G new radio (NR), CoMP technology is also known as multi-transmission reception point (Multi-TRP) technology. In 5G NR, the information transmitted by the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) is downlink control information (DCI), and the terminal demodulates the DCI in the PDCCH through blind detection. The configuration of PDCCH includes a control resource set (CORESET) and a search space. Based on the transmission method of PDCCH, Multi-TRP technology can be divided into two transmission modes: "Single-DCI Multi-TRP", that is, multiple transmission reception points use one DCI to schedule the terminal; and "Multi-DCI Multi-TRP", that is, each transmission reception point uses a different DCI to schedule the terminal. The Single-DCI Multi-TRP mode only supports ideal backhaul between transmission and reception points, while the Multi-DCI Multi-TRP mode supports both ideal and non-ideal backhaul between transmission and reception points.

[0075] In some related technologies, as shown in FIG1 , FIG1 shows a schematic diagram of a transmission mode of Multi-DCI Multi-TRP in a cellular mobile communication system, wherein the system includes a primary base station 10, a secondary base station 20, and a terminal 30. The primary base station 10 and the secondary base station 20 jointly provide NCJT in the Multi-DCI Multi-TRP mode for the terminal 30. The primary base station 10 and the secondary base station 20 each need to be configured with a control resource set pool (CORESETPool). For example, the primary base station 10 configures and uses a CORESETPool coded as CORESETPoolIndex=0, and the secondary base station 20 configures and uses a CORESETPool coded as CORESETPoolIndex=1. Each CORESETPool contains multiple CORESETs. For example, the CORESETPool used by the primary base station 10 includes CORESET1 to CORESET3, and the CORESETPool used by the secondary base station 20 includes CORESET4 to CORESET5.

[0076] As the terminal 30 moves, the current primary base station 10 and / or secondary base station 20 may be unable to provide services for the terminal 30. For example, taking base station 1 as the primary base station 10 and base station 2 as the secondary base station 2, when base station 1 can continue to provide services for the terminal 30, but base station 2 cannot, base station 1 needs to find another base station (such as base station 3) to replace base station 2 to provide services for the terminal 30. Base station 3 reconfigures the PDCCH for the terminal 30, including the CORESET and Search Space. For another example, taking base station 1 as the primary base station 10 and base station 2 as the secondary base station 2, when base station 1 cannot continue to provide services for the terminal 30, but base station 2 can continue to provide services for the terminal 30, the terminal 30 accesses base station 2. At this time, base station 2, as the primary base station 10, establishes a radio resource control (RRC) connection with the terminal 30. Base station 2 reconfigures the PDCCH for the terminal 30, including the CORESET and Search Space.

[0077] The above method is also applicable to NTN. However, due to the long distance between satellites in NTN, it is difficult to ensure ideal backhaul between satellites. Therefore, in satellite communication systems, NCJT in Multi-DCI Multi-TRP transmission mode is usually used to achieve multi-base station collaboration.

[0078] As shown in Figure 2, Figure 2 is an architectural diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication system includes: a terminal device 100, multiple satellites (such as satellite 201, satellite 202,..., and satellite 20n), a network device 300 and a network device 400.

[0079] Each satellite can communicate with the terminal device 100 on the ground through its corresponding network equipment (such as a base station). The terminal device 100 is located in a cell, which is one of the one or more cells covered by the network device 300 and / or the network device 400. The cell can be provided with communication services by any one or more satellites.

[0080] As an example, the network device 300 may be a gateway (GW), wherein the link between the satellite and the terminal device 100 is called a service link, and the link between the satellite and the gateway is called a feeder link.

[0081] The terminal device 100 is located on the surface of the earth, and the satellite is located in the earth's orbit. The satellite can provide communication services to the physical area covered by the signal on the surface of the earth.

[0082] The satellite generates one or more beams (or beam footprints) on the ground, and these one or more beams form a coverage area on the ground. The satellite provides communication services to the terminal devices 100 located within the coverage area. The multiple coverage areas formed by multiple satellites may overlap, and the terminal devices 100 in the overlapping areas can simultaneously receive communication services provided by multiple satellites.

[0083] The satellite operates in two modes: transparent mode and regenerative mode. In transparent mode, the satellite only forwards signals, while network device 300 functions as a 5G base station or a portion thereof. In this case, network device 300 can be considered a base station. In regenerative mode, the satellite processes digital signals and functions as a 5G base station or a portion thereof. In this case, the satellite can replace network device 300 as a base station.

[0084] Network device 300 can be used to connect a satellite to a core network. For example, when a satellite functions as a wireless communication base station, network device 300 can transparently transmit signaling between the satellite and the core network. Alternatively, network device 300 can function as a wireless communication base station, and the satellite can transparently transmit signaling between a terminal device and the network device.

[0085] For example, when communicating, the network device 300 may send signaling from the core network to the satellite via a feeder link; and the satellite may send the signaling to the terminal device 100 via a user link between the satellite and the terminal device 100. Accordingly, the terminal device 100 may also send signaling to the satellite via the user link, and the satellite may send the signaling to the core network via the network device 300.

[0086] The terminal device in the embodiments of the present application, also referred to as user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc., refers to a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user. For example, a handheld device or vehicle-mounted device with wireless connection function. Currently, some examples of terminals include: mobile phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, etc.

[0087] The network device in the embodiment of the present application may include one or more satellites and ground station devices. A network device may be any device with wireless transceiver functions, including but not limited to: an evolved NodeB (eNB), a radio network controller (RNC), a node base (NB), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a home base station (e.g., a home evolved NodeB, or home node B, HNB), a baseband unit (BBU), an access point (AP) in a wireless fidelity (WIFI) system, a wireless relay node, a wireless backhaul node, a transmission point (TP) or a transmission and reception point (TRP), etc. It may also be 5G, such as a gNB in ​​an NR system, or a transmission point (TRP or TP), one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station in a 5G system, or a network node constituting a gNB or a transmission point, such as a baseband unit (BBU) or a distributed unit (DU), etc.

[0088] It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the network device may be a device for implementing the function of the network device, or it may be a device that can support the network device to implement the function, such as a chip system, which may be installed in the network device.

[0089] It should also be understood that the network devices and terminal devices in the embodiments of the present application can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; or deployed on the water; or deployed in the air on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the application scenarios of the network devices and terminal devices.

[0090] The ground station equipment in the embodiment of the present application can also be referred to as core network equipment. The ground station equipment is, for example, a device in the core network (CN) of an existing mobile communication architecture or a device in the core network of a future mobile communication architecture. The core network, as a bearer network, provides an interface to the data network, provides communication connection, authentication, management, policy control, and data service carrying for terminal devices. Among them, the CN may further include: access and mobility management function (AMF), session management function (SMF), authentication server function (AUSF), policy control function (PCF), user plane function (UPF) and other network elements. Among them, the AMF network element is used to manage the access and mobility of terminal devices, and is mainly responsible for the authentication of terminal devices, mobility management of terminal devices, paging of terminal devices and other functions.

[0091] The method provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to NTN systems such as satellite communication systems, high altitude platform station (HAPS) communications, and drones, for example, integrated communication and navigation (IcaN) systems, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) and ultra-dense LEO satellite communication systems. Satellite communication systems can be integrated with traditional mobile communication systems. Among them, traditional mobile communication systems can be fourth-generation (4G) communication systems (for example, long-term evolution (LTE) systems), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication systems, fifth-generation (5G) communication systems (for example, new radio (NR) systems), and future mobile communication systems.

[0092] For the communication system shown in Figure 2, taking satellites as base stations as an example, as shown in Figure 2, at the initial moment, terminal device 100 is located in an area where coverage area 500 formed by satellite 201 overlaps with coverage area 600 formed by satellite 202. At this time, satellites 201 and 202 simultaneously provide communication services to terminal device 100. At this moment, satellites 201 and 202 need to configure their own PDCCHs. However, since the satellites are always in a high-speed mobile state, at time T1, as shown in Figure 3, the position of terminal device 100 remains unchanged. At this time, terminal device 100 is located in an area where coverage area 600 formed by satellite 202 overlaps with coverage area 700 formed by satellite 203. Similarly, at this time, satellites 202 and 203 simultaneously provide communication services to terminal device 100. Satellites 202 and 203 need to reconfigure their respective PDCCHs. In this way, every time the satellite set changes, PDCCHs need to be reconfigured, resulting in huge overhead. Therefore, how to reduce the overhead of allocating satellite control resources is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved in this application.

[0093] In the embodiment of the present application, the specific structure of the execution subject of a method for allocating control resources in non-terrestrial communication is not particularly limited in the embodiment of the present application, as long as the program that records the code of the method for allocating control resources in non-terrestrial communication according to the embodiment of the present application can be run to communicate according to the method for allocating control resources in non-terrestrial communication according to the embodiment of the present application. For example, the execution subject of the method for allocating control resources in non-terrestrial communication provided by the embodiment of the present application may be a functional module in the first network device that can call and execute the program, or a communication device applied to the first network device, such as a chip. The execution subject of the method for allocating control resources in non-terrestrial communication provided by the embodiment of the present application may be a functional module in the terminal that can call and execute the program, or a communication device applied to the terminal, such as a chip. This application does not limit this. The following embodiment is described by taking the execution subject of the method for allocating control resources in non-terrestrial communication as the first network device and the terminal device as an example.

[0094] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a method for allocating control resources in non-terrestrial communications provided by an embodiment of the present application. The method includes:

[0095] Step 401: When a first satellite is used as a primary satellite to provide communication services for a terminal device, a first network device selects a second satellite as a secondary satellite to provide communication services for the terminal device.

[0096] For example, the first satellite may be satellite 201 in the communication system shown in Figure 2, and the second satellite may be satellite 202 in Figure 2. The first network device is network device 300 corresponding to the first satellite.

[0097] In other words, the terminal device in the embodiment of the present application is provided with communication services jointly by the first satellite and the second satellite.

[0098] In one possible implementation of the present application, step 401 may be implemented as follows: when the first satellite serves as a primary satellite to provide communication services to the terminal device, the terminal device obtains the number or identifier of the physical cell by measuring the synchronization signal block (SSB) of the neighboring cell, and reports the obtained physical cell number or identifier to the first network device, where the physical cell number or identifier includes information about the satellite provided for the cell. The first network device selects the second satellite as a secondary satellite based on the satellite information provided in the physical cell number or identifier, to jointly provide communication services to the terminal device with the first satellite.

[0099] It is worth noting that the first network device and the terminal device can establish a radio resource control (RRC) connection.

[0100] Step 402: The first network device sends first configuration information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device obtains the first configuration information.

[0101] Among them, the first configuration information includes: information of multiple first control resource sets, identification information of multiple main satellites, information of multiple second control resource sets and identification information of multiple auxiliary satellites. The multiple first control resource sets are control resource sets that can be used by the multiple main satellites that provide communication services for the terminal equipment, and the multiple second control resource sets are control resource sets that can be used by the multiple auxiliary satellites that provide communication services for the terminal equipment.

[0102] In a possible implementation of the present application, the first network device may send the first configuration information via an RRC message, such as an RRC setup message, an RRC reconfiguration message, and an RRC resume message.

[0103] By sending the first configuration information to the terminal device, the terminal device can determine the identification information of one or more satellites that can serve as main satellites to provide communication services to the terminal device, as well as the first set of control resources that can be used for each satellite, and the identification information of one or more satellites that can serve as auxiliary satellites to provide communication services to the terminal device, as well as the second set of control resources that can be used for each satellite.

[0104] It is understandable that the identification information of the multiple primary satellites included in the first configuration information may include the identification information of the first satellite, or may not include the identification information of the first satellite, and the identification information of the multiple secondary satellites may include the identification information of the second satellite, or may not include the identification information of the second satellite.

[0105] If the identification information of the multiple primary satellites does not include the identification information of the first satellite, the first configuration information may be used by the terminal device to determine the identification information of the primary satellite that can be used as the terminal device at a subsequent time. If the identification information of the multiple secondary satellites does not include the identification information of the second satellite, the first configuration information may be used by the terminal device to determine the identification information of the secondary satellite that can be used as the terminal device at a subsequent time.

[0106] Optionally, the first configuration information may further include the order in which the primary satellites provide services to the terminal device, and / or the order in which the secondary satellites provide services to the terminal device.

[0107] As an example, the terminal device may obtain the first configuration information from the first network device.

[0108] As another example, in the above embodiment, the first network device sends the first configuration information to the terminal device. Of course, the first network device can also send the first configuration information to the second satellite, and then the second network device corresponding to the second satellite sends the first configuration information to the terminal device. In other words, the terminal device can also obtain the first configuration information from the second satellite.

[0109] As an example, the first configuration information may include first sub-configuration information and second sub-configuration information. The first sub-configuration information is used by the terminal device to determine the identification information of the primary satellite that can serve as the primary satellite of the terminal device to provide communication services for the terminal device, as well as information about multiple first control resource sets that can be used by each primary satellite. For example, the first sub-configuration information includes information about multiple first control resource sets and identification information about multiple primary satellites. The second sub-configuration information is used by the terminal device to determine the identification information of the secondary satellite that can serve as the secondary satellite of the terminal device to provide communication services for the terminal device, as well as information about multiple second control resource sets that can be used by each secondary satellite. For example, the second sub-configuration information includes information about multiple second control resource sets and identification information about multiple secondary satellites.

[0110] It can be understood that in addition to sending the first configuration information to the terminal device, the first network device can also send indication information to the terminal device, where the indication information is used to indicate to the terminal device the first set of control resources that can be used by each main satellite that provides services to the terminal device according to the first sub-configuration information, and to indicate to the terminal device the second set of control resources that can be used by each secondary satellite that provides services to the terminal device according to the second sub-configuration information.

[0111] As an example, the first control resource set or the second control resource set can be sent in the form of a control resource set pool (CORESETPool), which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0112] The information of the first control resource set or the second control resource set may be the number or identifier of the first control resource set. For example, the information of three first control resource sets includes CORESET1, CORESET2, and CORESET3, each corresponding to a first control resource set.

[0113] Among them, the identification information of the main satellite or the auxiliary satellite can be the satellite number. For example, the identification information of multiple main satellites included in the first configuration information includes number sat0, number sat1, and number sat2, among which number sat0, number sat1, and number sat2 are the numbers of the first satellite, the second satellite, and the third satellite respectively.

[0114] The information of each first control resource set corresponds to the identification information of a primary satellite, and the information of each second control resource set corresponds to the identification information of a secondary satellite.

[0115] For example, the first configuration information includes information about three first control resource sets (first control resource set A1, first control resource set A2, and first control resource set A3), identification information of three primary satellites (numbered sat0, sat1, and sat2), information about three second control resource sets (second control resource set B1, second control resource set B2, and second control resource set B3), and identification information of three secondary satellites (numbered sat1, sat2, and sat3). The first control resource set A1 corresponds to sat0, meaning the primary satellite numbered sat0 can use the first control resource set A1. The first control resource set A2 corresponds to sat1, meaning the primary satellite numbered sat1 can use the first control resource set A2. The first control resource set A3 corresponds to sat2, meaning the primary satellite numbered sat2 can use the first control resource set A3. The second control resource set B1 corresponds to sat1, meaning the secondary satellite numbered sat1 can use the second control resource set B1. The second control resource set B2 corresponds to sat2, that is, the secondary satellite numbered sat2 can use the second control resource set B2. The second control resource set B3 corresponds to sat3, that is, the secondary satellite numbered sat3 can use the second control resource set B3.

[0116] In one possible implementation of the present application, the first configuration information is presented in the form of a list. For example, the first configuration information includes first sub-configuration information and second sub-configuration information. The first sub-configuration information can be referred to as a first control resource set list, and the second sub-configuration information can be referred to as a second control resource set list. The specific format is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0117] For example, Table 1 shows a list of first control resource sets sent by a first network device to a terminal device. This list includes a first control resource set A1, a first control resource set A2, and a first control resource set A3. The identification information of the primary satellite corresponding to first control resource set A1 is sat0. The identification information of the primary satellite corresponding to first control resource set A2 is sat1. The identification information of the primary satellite corresponding to first control resource set A3 is sat2.

[0118] Table 1

[0119] For example, Table 2 shows a list of second control resource sets sent by a first network device to a terminal device. This list includes a second control resource set B1, a second control resource set B2, and a second control resource set B3. The identification information of the secondary satellite corresponding to the second control resource set B1 is numbered sat1. The identification information of the secondary satellite corresponding to the second control resource set B2 is numbered sat2. The identification information of the secondary satellite corresponding to the second control resource set B3 is numbered sat3.

[0120] Table 2

[0121] As an example, the multiple first control resource sets and identification information of multiple primary satellites included in the first control resource set list, or the information of multiple second control resource sets and identification information of multiple secondary satellites included in the second control resource set list, can be arranged in the order of use of the primary satellites or the secondary satellites. For example, at time T0, the primary satellite (i.e., the first satellite) providing communication services to the terminal device is numbered sat0, and the primary satellite uses the first control resource set A1. At time T1, due to a change in the primary satellite providing services to the terminal device, such as from the satellite numbered sat0 to the satellite numbered sat1 (i.e., the second satellite), the first control resource set used by the primary satellite will also be updated to the first control resource set A2. Therefore, in the first control resource set pool list, the first control resource set pool A1 and the first control resource set pool A2 are arranged in order, and the corresponding primary satellite identification information is numbered sat0 and sat1.

[0122] Step 403: The terminal device determines, based on the first configuration information, the identification information of the primary satellite providing services for the terminal device and the multiple first control resource sets that can be used by the multiple primary satellites, and determines the identification information of the secondary satellite providing services for the terminal device and the multiple second control resource sets that can be used by the multiple secondary satellites.

[0123] An embodiment of the present application provides a method for allocating control resources in non-terrestrial communications. In this method, when a first satellite acts as a primary satellite to provide communication services to a terminal device, a second satellite is first selected as a secondary satellite for the terminal device, so that the first and second satellites jointly provide communication services to the terminal device. A first network device then configures first configuration information for the terminal device, which includes information about multiple first control resource sets, identification information of multiple primary satellites, information about multiple second control resource sets, and identification information of multiple secondary satellites. The multiple first control resource sets are control resource sets available for multiple primary satellites providing communication services to the terminal device, and the multiple second control resource sets are control resource sets available for multiple secondary satellites providing communication services to the terminal device. In this way, when the primary satellite changes from the first satellite to another satellite, and / or the secondary satellite changes to another satellite, there is no need to configure control resource sets for the terminal device. Instead, the terminal device only needs to be instructed to select the corresponding control resource set from the first configuration information to complete the corresponding control resource configuration, thereby reducing the satellite's control resource allocation overhead.

[0124] In a possible embodiment of the present application, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application includes:

[0125] Step 404: The first network device sends information about multiple second control resource sets and identification information of multiple secondary satellites to the second satellite. Correspondingly, the second satellite obtains information about multiple second control resource sets and identification information of multiple secondary satellites.

[0126] In this way, the second satellite can determine the second control resource set that can be used when the second satellite serves as the secondary satellite of the terminal device based on the information of the multiple second control resource sets and the identification information of the multiple secondary satellites.

[0127] As a possible implementation, a first network device sends information about multiple second control resource sets and identification information about multiple secondary satellites to a first satellite corresponding to the first network device. The first satellite then sends information about multiple second control resource sets and identification information about multiple secondary satellites to a second satellite via an intersatellite link. Alternatively, the first network device sends information about multiple second control resource sets and identification information about multiple secondary satellites to a second network device corresponding to the second satellite. The second network device then sends information about multiple second control resource sets and identification information about multiple secondary satellites to the second satellite.

[0128] As an example, the first network device may transmit information about multiple second control resource sets and identification information about multiple secondary satellites to the second satellite in the following manner: the first network device transmits second configuration information to the second satellite, where the second configuration information includes information about the multiple second control resource sets and identification information about the multiple secondary satellites. The second configuration information is used by the second satellite to determine identification information about multiple secondary satellites that can provide services to the terminal device, as well as the second control resource sets that can be used by each secondary satellite.

[0129] It can be understood that the multiple second control resource sets correspond to the multiple secondary satellites on a one-to-one basis, that is, one secondary satellite corresponds to one usable second control resource set.

[0130] As a possible implementation manner, the first network device sends first indication information to the second satellite, where the first indication information is used to indicate which control resource is used by the second satellite from among multiple second control resource sets.

[0131] As an example, the first network device may send information of multiple second control resource sets and identification information of multiple secondary satellites to the second satellite while sending the first configuration information to the terminal device.

[0132] In a possible embodiment of the present application, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application may further include, after step 402:

[0133] Step 405: The first network device sends a first activation instruction to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first activation instruction from the first network device.

[0134] In one possible implementation of the present application, the first network device sends a first activation instruction or the following second activation instruction to the terminal device via downlink control information or a media access control element. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first activation instruction or the following second activation instruction from the first network device via downlink control information or a media access control element.

[0135] As an example, the first network device sends a first activation instruction to the terminal device through DCI, so that the terminal device determines a first set of control resources used by the primary satellite that provides communication services to the terminal device, and a second set of control resources used by the secondary satellite that provides communication services to the terminal device.

[0136] As another example, the first network device sends a second activation instruction to the terminal device through a MAC CE, so that the terminal device determines a first set of control resources used by a primary satellite that provides communication services to the terminal device, and a second set of control resources used by a secondary satellite that provides communication services to the terminal device.

[0137] It can be understood that in a possible implementation of the present application, the first network device may send a first activation instruction to the terminal device through downlink control information or a media access control element during the process of sending the first configuration information to the terminal device.

[0138] Step 406: The terminal device determines, based on the first activation instruction, that the primary satellite providing communication services to the terminal device is the first satellite, and information about a first control resource set used by the first satellite among multiple first control resource sets. The terminal device also determines that the secondary satellite providing communication services to the terminal device is the second satellite, and information about a second control resource set used by the second satellite among multiple second control resource sets.

[0139] By sending a first activation instruction to the terminal device, it is convenient for the terminal device to determine that the first satellite is the main satellite that provides communication services for the terminal device, the second satellite is the auxiliary satellite that provides communication services for the terminal device, and which is the first control resource set used by the main satellite and which is the second control resource set used by the auxiliary satellite.

[0140] As an example, the first activation instruction may include identification information of the first satellite and identification information of the second satellite. Optionally, in this case, the first activation instruction may further include third indication information for indicating that the first satellite is a primary satellite and the second satellite is a secondary satellite.

[0141] Alternatively, as another example, the first activation instruction may include identification information of the first satellite, information about a first control resource set used by the first satellite among multiple first control resource sets, identification information of the second satellite, and information about a second control resource set used by the second satellite among multiple second control resource sets. In this case, the first activation instruction may further include fourth indication information indicating that the first satellite is a primary satellite, information about the first control resource set used by the first satellite among multiple first control resource sets, and that the second satellite is a secondary satellite, information about the second control resource set used by the second satellite among multiple second control resource sets.

[0142] For example, taking the example of the first configuration information including the first sub-configuration information and the second sub-configuration information, the first sub-configuration information is the first control resource set list shown in Table 1, and the second sub-configuration information is the second control resource set list shown in Table 2. Taking the example of the first activation instruction including the identification information of the first satellite (for example, numbered sat0) and the identification information of the second satellite (numbered sat1), the terminal device determines, based on the first activation instruction and the first control resource set list, that the primary satellite (i.e., the first satellite) providing communication services for the terminal device is the satellite numbered sat0, and the first control resource set used by the first satellite is the first control resource set A1. In addition, the terminal device can also determine, based on the first activation instruction and the second control resource set list, that the secondary satellite (i.e., the second satellite) providing communication services for the terminal device is the satellite numbered sat1, and the second control resource set used by the second satellite is the second control resource set B1.

[0143] As an example, when the first configuration information is sent to the terminal device in the form of a list, the first activation instruction may be used to instruct the primary satellite currently providing communication services to the terminal device and the secondary satellite currently providing communication services to the terminal device to use the next element in the list. An element refers to the information contained in each column in the list.

[0144] For example, taking the first configuration information as the first control resource set list shown in Table 1 and the second control resource set list shown in Table 2 as an example, when the terminal device receives the first activation instruction, the terminal device uses the next element in the first control resource set list and the second control resource set list. Since the first control resource set list and the second control resource set list have not been used at this time, the next element represents the first element of the list, that is, the first column of the first control resource set list and the second control resource set list, thereby determining that the main satellite providing services for the terminal device is the first satellite, using the first control resource set A1, and at the same time determining that the auxiliary satellite providing communication services for the terminal is the second satellite, using the second control resource set B1.

[0145] In an embodiment of the present application, since the satellite is constantly moving at high speed in the Earth's orbit, the primary satellite and the secondary satellite providing services to the terminal device fixed in a certain area may change. For example, at time T0, the first satellite is at position 1 as the primary satellite providing services to the terminal device, and the second satellite is at position 2 providing communication services to the terminal device. However, at time T1, the first satellite moves to position 3 and the second satellite moves to position 4. At this time, if the terminal device is no longer within the coverage of the first satellite and / or the second satellite, the first satellite and / or the second satellite will no longer be able to provide services to the terminal device. In this case, in order to ensure the communication quality of the terminal device, it is necessary to reselect the primary satellite and / or secondary satellite that can provide services to the terminal device for the terminal device. That is, the first satellite and the second satellite are no longer suitable for continuing to provide communication services to the terminal device. For example, the primary satellite providing services to the terminal device changes from the first satellite to the third satellite, and the secondary satellite providing services to the terminal device changes from the second satellite to the fourth satellite, as shown in FIG5 . In this case, the method provided by the embodiment of the present application may also include:

[0146] Step 501a: The first network device sends first information to the third satellite. In response, the third satellite obtains the first information. The first network device sends second information to the fourth satellite. In response, the fourth satellite obtains the second information.

[0147] The first information includes information of multiple first control resource sets and identification information of multiple master satellites. The first information is used by the third satellite to determine the first control resource set to be used among the multiple first control resource sets.

[0148] The second information includes information of multiple second control resource sets and identification information of multiple secondary satellites. The second information is used by the fourth satellite to determine a second control resource set to be used among the multiple second control resource sets.

[0149] Optionally, the information on multiple first control resource sets included in the first information may not include information on the first control resource set used by the first satellite, and the information on multiple second control resource sets included in the second information may not include information on the second control resource set used by the second satellite.

[0150] In one possible implementation of the present application, the first network device may determine, based on information measured by the terminal device, that the first satellite is no longer suitable for providing communication services to the terminal device, and / or that the second satellite is no longer suitable for providing communication services to the terminal device. Of course, the first network device may also determine, based on the information measured by the terminal device, to use a third satellite as a primary satellite to provide communication services to the terminal device and / or to use a fourth satellite as a secondary satellite to provide services to the terminal device.

[0151] As an example, the terminal device can measure the parameters of each satellite in real time or periodically (for example, reference signal receiving power (RSRP) and / or service time), and then compare the parameters with a threshold. When the parameter is less than or equal to the threshold, it means that the satellite is not suitable to continue providing communication services for the terminal device. When the parameter is greater than the threshold, it means that the satellite can provide communication services for the terminal device. The terminal device sends the detected result to the first network device, and the first network device selects the third satellite and / or the fourth satellite for the terminal device.

[0152] For example, the parameters of the satellite are reference signal receiving power (RSRP) and / or service time. The RSRP of each satellite is compared with the power threshold, and the service time of each satellite is compared with the time threshold. Among them, the power threshold of the first satellite is pth0 and the time threshold is tth0, the power threshold of the second satellite is pth1 and the time threshold is tth1, the power threshold of the third satellite is pth2 and the time threshold is tth2, and the power threshold of the fourth satellite is pth3 and the time threshold is tth3. When the terminal device detects that the RSRP of the first satellite < pth0, or the service time < tth0, the RSRP of the second satellite < pth1, or the service time < tth1, the RSRP of the third satellite ≥ pth2, and the service time ≥ tth2, the RSRP of the fourth satellite ≥ pth3, and the service time ≥ tth3, it means that the first satellite and the second satellite are not suitable to be used as the primary satellite and the secondary satellite to provide communication services for the terminal device, and the third satellite and the fourth satellite can be used as the primary satellite and the secondary satellite to provide communication services for the terminal device. At this time, the terminal device sends the detection result to the first network device, and the first network device determines that the primary satellite changes from the first satellite to the third satellite, and the secondary satellite changes from the second satellite to the fourth satellite.

[0153] Among them, the power threshold or time threshold of each satellite is set according to the specific situation of the satellite. Therefore, the power threshold or time threshold of each satellite can be different or the same, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0154] It can be understood that for the terminal device to obtain the parameters of each satellite, the terminal device can send a request message to the satellite. After the satellite receives the request message, it sends the parameters to the terminal device. Or, the satellite can actively send the parameters to the terminal device at a predetermined time interval (such as every 10 seconds).

[0155] In the embodiment of the present application, the third satellite may be the second satellite that originally provides services for the terminal device and serves as an auxiliary satellite. Of course, the third satellite may also be any other satellite that can provide services for the terminal device in addition to the second satellite.

[0156] It is understandable that the distribution and operation of satellites are generally regular. For example, the first, second, third, and fourth satellites are sequentially distributed in Earth orbit. At a first moment, the first satellite is the primary satellite and the second satellite is the secondary satellite. At a second moment, the second satellite may become the primary satellite and the third satellite may become the secondary satellite, or the third satellite may become the primary satellite and the fourth satellite may become the secondary satellite. In other words, in the above embodiment, the primary satellite can be changed from the first satellite to the second satellite, and the secondary satellite can be changed from the second satellite to the third satellite, which is not limited in the present embodiment.

[0157] Optionally, the first information acquired by the third satellite may also be sent by the second satellite through an inter-satellite link.

[0158] For example, a first satellite sends first information to a second satellite via an inter-satellite link, and the second satellite then sends the first information to a third satellite via the inter-satellite link.

[0159] Optionally, the second information obtained by the fourth satellite may also be sent by the third satellite through an inter-satellite link.

[0160] For example, the first satellite sends the second information to the third satellite through the inter-satellite link, and the third satellite then sends the second information to the fourth satellite through the inter-satellite link.

[0161] Optionally, when the first network device sends the first information to the third satellite and the second information to the fourth satellite, it may also send information about the control resource set in the first configuration information already used by the first satellite to the third satellite, and send information about the control resource set in the second configuration information already used by the second satellite to the fourth satellite.

[0162] For example, consider the case where the first configuration information is the first control resource set list shown in Table 1, and the second configuration information is the second control resource set list shown in Table 2. At time T0, the primary satellite providing communication services to the terminal device is the first satellite, using the first control resource set A1. The secondary satellite providing communication services to the terminal device is the second satellite, using the second control resource set B1. At time T1, the first network device determines that the primary satellite has changed from the first satellite to the third satellite, and the secondary satellite has changed from the second satellite to the fourth satellite. The first network device informs the third satellite that the first satellite has used the first control resource set A1, and informs the fourth satellite that the second satellite has used the second control resource set B1.

[0163] In an embodiment of the present application, when the primary satellite providing communication services for a terminal device is changed from a first satellite to a third satellite, and the secondary satellite providing services for the terminal device is changed from a second satellite to a fourth satellite, in order to facilitate the terminal device in determining that the primary and secondary satellites providing services for the terminal device have changed, as well as the first control resource set and the second control resource set used by the new primary satellite (i.e., the third satellite) and the new secondary satellite, as shown in FIG5 , the method provided in the embodiment of the present application includes:

[0164] Step 502a: The first network device sends a second activation instruction to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device obtains the second activation instruction.

[0165] Step 503a: The terminal device determines, according to the second activation instruction, that the primary satellite providing communication services for the terminal device is updated to the third satellite, as well as information about the first control resource set used by the third satellite among multiple first control resource sets. The terminal device also determines that the secondary satellite providing communication services for the terminal device is updated to the fourth satellite, as well as information about the second control resource set used by the fourth satellite among multiple second control resource sets.

[0166] The first control resource set used by the third satellite is different from the first control resource set used by the first satellite, and the first control resource set used by the fourth satellite is different from the first control resource set used by the second satellite.

[0167] By sending a second activation instruction to the terminal device, it is convenient for the terminal device to determine that the third satellite is the main satellite that provides communication services for the terminal device, the fourth satellite is the auxiliary satellite that provides communication services for the terminal device, and which is the first control resource set used by the main satellite and which is the second control resource set used by the auxiliary satellite.

[0168] As an example, the second activation instruction may include identification information of the third satellite and identification information of the fourth satellite. Optionally, in this case, the second activation instruction may further include fifth indication information for indicating that the third satellite is a primary satellite and the fourth satellite is a secondary satellite.

[0169] Alternatively, as another example, the second activation instruction may include identification information of a third satellite, information about a first control resource set used by the third satellite among multiple first control resource sets, identification information of a fourth satellite, and information about a second control resource set used by the fourth satellite among multiple second control resource sets. In this case, the second activation instruction may further include sixth indication information indicating that the third satellite is a primary satellite, information about the first control resource set used by the third satellite among multiple first control resource sets, and that the fourth satellite is a secondary satellite, information about the second control resource set used by the fourth satellite among multiple second control resource sets.

[0170] For example, take the example where the first configuration information includes the first sub-configuration information and the second sub-configuration information, the first sub-configuration information is the first control resource set list shown in Table 1, and the second sub-configuration information is the second control resource set list shown in Table 2. For example, take the example where the second activation instruction includes the identification information of the third satellite (e.g., numbered sat2) and the identification information of the fourth satellite (numbered sat4), then the terminal device determines, based on the second activation instruction and the first control resource set list, that the primary satellite (i.e., the third satellite) providing communication services for the terminal device is the satellite numbered sat2, and the first control resource set used by the third satellite is the first control resource set A3. Furthermore, the terminal device may also determine, based on the second activation instruction and the second control resource set list, that the secondary satellite (i.e., the fourth satellite) providing communication services for the terminal device is the satellite numbered sat3, and the second control resource set used by the fourth satellite is the second control resource set B3.

[0171] In an embodiment of the present application, it is also possible that the first satellite can still serve as the primary satellite to provide communication services to the terminal device, while the second satellite is no longer suitable to continue to serve as the secondary satellite to provide communication services to the terminal device. In this case, the first network device only needs to reselect the secondary satellite. For example, the primary satellite providing services to the terminal device is the first satellite, and the secondary satellite providing services to the terminal device is changed from the second satellite to the fifth satellite. In this case, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application may also include:

[0172] Step 501b: The first network device sends the third information to the fifth satellite. Correspondingly, the fifth satellite obtains the third information.

[0173] The third information includes information of multiple second control resource sets and identification information of multiple secondary satellites. The third information is used by the fifth satellite to determine the second control resource set to be used among the multiple second control resource sets.

[0174] The second control resource set used by the fifth satellite is different from the second control resource set used by the second satellite.

[0175] It is worth noting that the fifth satellite is a satellite other than the first satellite and the second satellite.

[0176] As an example, the terminal device detects the parameters of each satellite and then compares the parameters with a threshold value. The terminal device sends the detection result to the first network device, and the first network device selects the fifth satellite.

[0177] For example, the power threshold of the first satellite is pth0, the time threshold is tth0, the power threshold of the second satellite is pth1, the time threshold is tth1, and the power threshold of the fifth satellite is pthx, the time threshold is tthx. When the terminal device detects that the RSRP of the first satellite ≥ pth0 and servicetime ≥ tth0, the RSRP of the second satellite < pth1, or servicetime < tth1, and the RSRP of the fifth satellite ≥ pthx and servicetime ≥ tthx, it indicates that the first satellite can still be used as the primary satellite to provide services to the terminal device, while the second satellite is no longer suitable as the secondary satellite to provide communication services to the terminal device, and the fifth satellite can provide communication services to the terminal device. At this time, the terminal device determines that the primary satellite is still the first satellite, and the secondary satellite changes from the second satellite to the fifth satellite.

[0178] It should be noted that since the primary satellite is still the first satellite, in the above embodiments, the identification information of multiple primary satellites in the first configuration information sent by the first network device to the terminal device needs to be updated. Taking the first configuration information including the first sub-configuration information and the second sub-configuration information as an example, the first sub-configuration information is the first control resource set list. Table 3 shows the updated first control resource set list. The identification information of the primary satellites corresponding to the first control resource set A1, the first control resource set A2, and the first control resource set A3 is the number sat0, that is, the primary satellite providing communication services to the terminal device is always the first satellite, but different first control resource sets are used.

[0179] Table 3

[0180] Optionally, in the case where the primary satellite providing communication services to the terminal device remains unchanged and the secondary satellite changes from the second satellite to the fifth satellite, the method provided by the embodiments of the present application may further include:

[0181] Step 502b: The first network device sends a third activation instruction to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device obtains the third activation instruction.

[0182] Among them, since the second satellite provides communication services to the terminal device as the old secondary satellite, when the primary satellite is still the first satellite and the secondary satellite changes from the second satellite to the fifth satellite, the second satellite can send the third activation instruction to the terminal.

[0183] Optionally, the third activation instruction is used by the terminal device to determine that the primary satellite providing services for the terminal device is still the first satellite, and the secondary satellite providing services for the terminal device is updated from the second satellite to the fifth satellite. As an example, the third activation instruction may include a first field and a second field, wherein the first field corresponds to the primary satellite and the second field corresponds to the secondary satellite. For example, the first field may be identification information of the first satellite and the second field may be identification information of the fifth satellite. In this way, upon receiving the third activation instruction, the terminal device can determine, based on the first field, that the primary satellite providing services for the terminal device is still the first satellite, and that, based on the second field, the secondary satellite providing services for the terminal device is updated from the second satellite to the fifth satellite.

[0184] As a possible implementation manner, the second network device first sends the third activation instruction to the second satellite, and then the second satellite sends the third activation instruction to the terminal device, or the second network device directly sends the third activation instruction to the terminal device.

[0185] Step 503b: The terminal device determines, according to the third activation instruction, that the main satellite providing communication services to the terminal device is still the first satellite, as well as information about the first control resource set used by the first satellite among multiple first control resource sets, and determines that the auxiliary satellite providing communication services to the terminal device is updated to the fifth satellite, as well as information about the second control resource set used by the fifth satellite among multiple second control resource sets.

[0186] Optionally, the terminal device may also determine, according to the third activation instruction, that the primary satellite providing communication services to the terminal device is still the first satellite.

[0187] In a possible embodiment of the present application, as shown in FIG6 , the method provided in the embodiment of the present application further includes:

[0188] Step 601: A first network device configures multiple timers for a terminal device. Accordingly, the terminal device obtains the multiple timers.

[0189] The multiple timers correspond one-to-one to the multiple first control resource sets and the multiple second control resource sets in the first configuration information, and the timers are used to indicate the usage time of the first control resource set and the second control resource set.

[0190] For example, a first network device configures three timers, Timer 1, Timer 2, and Timer 3, for a terminal device. The first configuration information includes three first control resource sets: First Control Resource Set A1, First Control Resource Set A2, and First Control Resource Set A3; identification information of three primary satellites numbered sat0, sat1, and sat2; three second control resource sets: Second Control Resource Set B1, Second Control Resource Set B2, and Second Control Resource Set B3; and identification information of three secondary satellites numbered sat1, sat2, and sat3. Timer 1 corresponds to the first control resource set A1, the identification information number sat0 of the primary satellite, the second control resource set B1, and the identification information number sat1 of the secondary satellite. Timer 2 corresponds to the first control resource set A2, the identification information number sat1 of the primary satellite, the second control resource set B2, and the identification information number sat2 of the secondary satellite. Timer 3 corresponds to the first control resource set A3, the identification information number sat2 of the primary satellite, the second control resource set B3, and the identification information number sat3 of the secondary satellite.

[0191] As an example, multiple timers may be sent to the terminal device in the form of a list.

[0192] For example, as shown in Table 4, the first configuration information takes the first control resource set list shown in Table 1 and the second control resource set list shown in Table 2 as examples, and multiple timers are a timer list, including timer 1, timer 2, and timer 3.

[0193] Table 4

[0194] In a possible embodiment of the present application, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application includes:

[0195] Step 602: The first network device sends information about multiple second control resource sets, identification information about multiple secondary satellites, and multiple timers to the second satellite. In response, the second satellite obtains information about multiple second control resource sets, identification information about multiple secondary satellites, and multiple timers.

[0196] As an example, after the first network device sends the first configuration information to the terminal device, because the second satellite is a secondary satellite, the first network device sends information about multiple second control resource sets, identification information about multiple secondary satellites, and multiple timers in the first configuration information to the second satellite. This allows the second satellite to determine, based on the information about the multiple second control resource sets, the identification information about the multiple secondary satellites, and the multiple timers corresponding to the multiple second control resource sets, the second satellite can determine the second control resource sets that can be used when the second satellite serves as the secondary satellite of the terminal device.

[0197] In a possible embodiment of the present application, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application includes:

[0198] Step 603: The first network device sends first indication information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first indication information from the first network device. The first indication information is used to instruct the first timer to start.

[0199] Step 604: The terminal device starts a first timer among multiple timers according to the first indication information.

[0200] It can be understood that starting the first timer is equivalent to the terminal device receiving the first activation instruction from the first network device.

[0201] As an example, after the first timer is started, the terminal device determines that the main satellite providing communication services to the terminal device is the first satellite, and the first control resource set used by the first satellite among multiple first control resource sets. The terminal device also determines that the auxiliary satellite providing communication services to the terminal device is the second satellite, and the second control resource set used by the second satellite among multiple second control resource sets.

[0202] For example, when the terminal device receives the first indication information, it starts timer 1 (the first timer) in the timer list shown in Table 4. Referring to Tables 1 and 2, the terminal device determines that the primary satellite providing communication services for the terminal device is the first satellite, and uses the first control resource set A1 corresponding to timer 1 in the first control resource set list. The terminal device determines that the secondary satellite providing communication services for the terminal device is the second satellite, and uses the second control resource set pool B1 corresponding to timer 1 in the second control resource set list.

[0203] Step 605: The terminal device determines that the primary satellite providing services for the terminal device is the first satellite, and the first control resource set used by the first satellite among multiple first control resource sets, and determines that the secondary satellite providing communication services for the terminal device is the second satellite, and the second control resource set used by the second satellite among multiple second control resource sets.

[0204] In a possible embodiment of the present application, when the primary satellite is changed from the first satellite to the third satellite and the secondary satellite is changed from the second satellite to the fourth satellite, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application further includes:

[0205] Step 606: After the first timer expires, the terminal device starts a second timer.

[0206] It can be understood that starting the second timer is equivalent to the terminal device receiving the second activation instruction from the first network device.

[0207] The possibility that the primary satellite changes from the first satellite to the third satellite, and / or the secondary satellite changes from the second satellite to the fourth satellite may include the following:

[0208] 1. The primary satellite changes from the first satellite to the third satellite, and the second timer is started. The terminal device determines that the primary satellite providing communication services for the terminal device is the third satellite, and the first control resource set used by the third satellite among the multiple first control resource sets.

[0209] 2. The secondary satellite changes from the second satellite to the fourth satellite, and the second timer is started. The terminal device determines that the secondary satellite providing communication services for the terminal device is the fourth satellite, and the first control resource set used by the fourth satellite among the multiple first control resource sets.

[0210] 3. The primary satellite changes from the first satellite to the third satellite, and the secondary satellite changes from the second satellite to the fourth satellite. The second timer is started, and the terminal device determines that the primary satellite providing communication services to the terminal device is the third satellite, the first control resource set used by the third satellite among multiple first control resource sets, and the secondary satellite providing communication services to the terminal device is the fourth satellite, and the first control resource set used by the fourth satellite among multiple first control resource sets.

[0211] As an example, after the terminal device starts the second timer according to the second indication information, the terminal device determines that the main satellite providing communication services to the terminal device is the third satellite, and the first control resource set used by the third satellite among multiple first control resource sets. It is also used for the terminal device to determine that the auxiliary satellite providing communication services to the terminal device is the fourth satellite, and the second control resource set used by the fourth satellite among multiple second control resource sets.

[0212] For example, taking the case where the primary satellite changes from the first satellite to the second satellite and the secondary satellite changes from the second satellite to the third satellite, the first configuration information refers to Table 1, Table 2, and Table 4. After timer 1 expires, the terminal device receives the second indication information and starts timer 2. The terminal device determines that the primary satellite providing communication services for the terminal device is the second satellite, and the first control resource set used is the first control resource set A2. The second control resource set used by the secondary satellite providing communication services for the terminal device is determined to be the second control resource set B2.

[0213] The above scheme describes a process in which a first network device sends information about multiple first control resource sets used by a primary satellite and a secondary satellite providing communication services to a terminal device, identification information of multiple primary satellites, information about multiple second control resource sets, and identification information of multiple secondary satellites. When the primary satellite and the secondary satellite change, the first network device receives a second activation instruction or second indication information, thereby re-determining the first control resource set used by the primary satellite providing communication services to the terminal device and the second control resource set used by the secondary satellite providing communication services to the terminal device. Changes in the primary and secondary satellites are divided into two situations: one in which both the primary and secondary satellites change, and the other in which only the secondary satellite changes. Specific embodiments of the two situations are described below:

[0214] As shown in FIG. 7 , FIG. 7 is a specific process of a method for allocating control resources in non-terrestrial communications provided by an embodiment of the present application. Step 701 in FIG. 7 is the same as step 401 and will not be described in detail here.

[0215] In this embodiment, the first satellite corresponds to the first network device, and the first network device can be regarded as the first satellite.

[0216] Step 702: The first satellite sends first configuration information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first configuration information from the first satellite.

[0217] For example, the first configuration information is the first sub-configuration information and the second sub-configuration information. The first sub-configuration information is CORESETPoolList0 as shown in Table 5, and the second sub-configuration information is CORESETPoolList1 as shown in Table 5. CORESETPoolList0 includes three first control resource set pools (CORESETPool0[0], CORESETPool0[1], CORESETPool0[2]), and the corresponding primary satellite numbers (PS[0]=sat0, PS[1]=sat1, PS[2]=sat2). CORESETPoolList1 includes three second control resource set pools (CORESETPool1[0], CORESETPool1[1], CORESETPool1[2]), and the corresponding secondary satellite numbers (SS[0]=sat1, SS[1]=sat2, SS[2]=sat3).

[0218] Table 5

[0219] CORESETPoolList0

[0220] CORESETPoolList1

[0221] TimerList

[0222] Step 703: The first satellite sends information about multiple second control resource sets and identification information of multiple secondary satellites to the second satellite. Correspondingly, the second satellite receives information about multiple second control resource sets and identification information of multiple secondary satellites from the first satellite.

[0223] For example, the first satellite sends CORESETPoolList1 in Table 5 to the second satellite.

[0224] Step 704: The first satellite sends a first activation instruction to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first activation instruction from the first satellite.

[0225] Step 705: The terminal device determines, according to the first activation instruction, that the primary satellite providing services for the terminal device is the first satellite, and the first control resource set used by the first satellite among multiple first control resource sets; and determines that the secondary satellite providing communication services for the terminal device is the second satellite, and the second control resource set used by the second satellite among multiple second control resource sets.

[0226] For example, the first activation instruction is CORESETPoolActive=1. The terminal device can know from CORESETPoolList0 and CORESETPoolList1 that at time T0, the main satellite providing communication services for the terminal device is PS[0]=sat0, that is, the first satellite, and the first control resource set pool used is CORESETPool0[0]. The auxiliary satellite providing communication services for the terminal device is SS[0]=sat1, that is, the second satellite, and the second control resource set pool used is CORESETPool1[0].

[0227] The first network device sends CORESETPoolActive=1 to the terminal device through DCI or MAC CE.

[0228] The specific implementation method is referred to the above embodiment and will not be described again here.

[0229] It is understandable that after the first network device configures the first configuration information to the terminal device, the primary satellite and / or secondary satellite providing services to the terminal device may change. For example, if both the primary satellite and the secondary satellite change, in this case, in order to facilitate the terminal device to promptly understand which satellite is the new primary satellite and which satellite is the new secondary satellite, and the set of control resources used, when both the primary satellite and the secondary satellite change, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application may further include:

[0230] Step 706: The terminal device obtains parameters of the first satellite, the second satellite, and the third satellite.

[0231] Step 707: The terminal device sends parameters of the first satellite, the second satellite, and the third satellite to the first satellite.

[0232] Step 708a: The first satellite determines a test result according to the parameters. The test result includes that the primary satellite changes from the first satellite to the second satellite, and the secondary satellite changes from the second satellite to the third satellite.

[0233] Step 709a: The first satellite sends the first information to the second satellite, and the second satellite sends the second information to the third satellite. Accordingly, the second satellite receives the first information from the first satellite, and the third satellite receives the second information from the second satellite.

[0234] For example, the first satellite sends CORESETPoolList0 to the second satellite through the inter-satellite link, and the second satellite sends CORESETPoolList1 to the third satellite through the inter-satellite link.

[0235] Step 710a: The first satellite sends a second activation instruction to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second activation instruction from the first satellite.

[0236] For example, the second activation instruction is CORESETPoolActive=1. The terminal device can know from CORESETPoolList0 and CORESETPoolList1 that at time T1, the main satellite providing communication services for the terminal device is PS[1]=sat1, that is, the second satellite, and the first control resource set pool used is CORESETPool0[1]. The auxiliary satellite providing communication services for the terminal device is SS[1]=sat2, that is, the third satellite, and the second control resource set pool used is CORESETPool1[1].

[0237] The first satellite sends a second activation instruction CORESETPoolActive=1 to the terminal device through DCI or MAC CE.

[0238] Step 711a: The terminal device determines, based on the second activation instruction or the second indication information, that the main satellite providing services for the terminal device is updated to the second satellite, and the first control resource set used by the second satellite among multiple first control resource sets; and determines that the auxiliary satellite providing communication services for the terminal device is updated to the third satellite, and the second control resource set used by the third satellite among multiple second control resource sets.

[0239] For example, if one of the primary satellite and the secondary satellite changes and the other does not change, taking the case where the secondary satellite changes while the primary satellite does not change as an example, in this case, in order to facilitate the terminal device to promptly understand which satellite is the new secondary satellite and the set of control resources used when only the secondary satellite changes, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application may further include:

[0240] Step 708b: The first satellite determines a test result based on the parameters. The test result includes that the primary satellite is still the first satellite, and the secondary satellite is changed from the second satellite to the third satellite.

[0241] The specific implementation method is referred to the above embodiment and will not be described again here.

[0242] Step 709b: The first satellite sends third information to the third satellite. Correspondingly, the third satellite receives the third information from the first satellite.

[0243] For example, the first satellite sends CORESETPoolList1 to the third satellite.

[0244] Step 710b: The second satellite sends a third activation instruction to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the third activation instruction from the second satellite.

[0245] It is worth noting that in this embodiment, the first control resource set pool list in the first configuration information sent by the first satellite to the terminal device is different from the above embodiment. As shown in Table 6, the first configuration information is CORESETPoolList0, and the second configuration information is CORESETPoolList1. CORESETPoolList0 includes three first control resource set pools (CORESETPool0[0], CORESETPool0[1], CORESETPool0[2]), and the corresponding primary satellite numbers (PS[0]=sat0, PS[1]=sat0, PS[2]=sat0).

[0246] Table 6

[0247] CORESETPoolList0

[0248] CORESETPoolList1

[0249] For example, the third activation instruction is CORESETPoolActive=1. The terminal device can know from CORESETPoolList0 and CORESETPoolList1 that at time T1, the main satellite providing communication services for the terminal device is PS[1]=sat0, that is, the first satellite, and the first control resource set pool used is CORESETPool0[1]. The auxiliary satellite providing communication services for the terminal device is SS[1]=sat2, that is, the third satellite, and the second control resource set pool used is CORESETPool1[1].

[0250] The second satellite sends a second activation instruction CORESETPoolActive=1 to the terminal device through DCI or MAC CE.

[0251] Step 711b: The terminal device determines, according to the third activation instruction, that the main satellite providing services for the terminal device is still the first satellite, and the first control resource set used by the first satellite among multiple first control resource sets, and determines that the auxiliary satellite providing communication services for the terminal device is updated to the third satellite, and the second control resource set used by the third satellite among multiple second control resource sets.

[0252] In an embodiment of the present application, in addition to determining which primary satellite / secondary satellite is providing services for the terminal device and which control resource set is used through an activation instruction (such as a first activation instruction and a second activation instruction), the terminal device can also be implemented through a timer. As shown in FIG8 , the method provided in the embodiment of the present application may further include:

[0253] Step 801 is the same as step 401 and will not be described in detail here.

[0254] Step 802: The first satellite sends first configuration information and multiple timers to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first configuration information and multiple timers from the first satellite.

[0255] As an example, multiple timers correspond one-to-one to multiple first control resource sets, and multiple timers also correspond one-to-one to multiple second control resource sets.

[0256] For example, multiple timers are sent in the form of a list, such as TimerList in Table 5, which includes three timers (Timer[0]=10s, Timer[1]=9s, Timer[2]=12s).

[0257] Step 803: The first satellite transmits information about multiple second control resource sets, identification information about multiple secondary satellites, and multiple timers corresponding to the multiple second control resource sets to the second satellite. In response, the second satellite receives information about multiple second control resource sets, identification information about multiple secondary satellites, and multiple timers corresponding to the multiple second control resource sets from the first satellite.

[0258] For example, referring to Table 5, the first satellite sends CORESETPoolList1 and TimerList to the second satellite.

[0259] Step 804: The first satellite sends first indication information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first indication information from the first satellite. The first indication information is used to instruct the first timer to start.

[0260] For example, the first indication information is used to start Timer[0]=10s. After Timer[0]=10s is started, the terminal device can know from CORESETPoolList0 and CORESETPoolList1 that at time T0, the main satellite providing communication services for the terminal device is PS[0]=sat0, that is, the first satellite, and the first control resource set pool used is CORESETPool0[0]. The auxiliary satellite providing communication services for the terminal device is SS[0]=sat1, that is, the second satellite, and the second control resource set pool used is CORESETPool1[0].

[0261] Step 805: The terminal device starts the first timer according to the first indication information.

[0262] For example, the terminal device starts Timer[0]=10s according to the first indication information.

[0263] Step 806: The terminal device determines, based on the first indication information, that the primary satellite providing services for the terminal device is the first satellite, and the first control resource set used by the first satellite among multiple first control resource sets; and determines that the secondary satellite providing communication services for the terminal device is the second satellite, and the second control resource set used by the second satellite among multiple second control resource sets.

[0264] In the following example, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application may further include:

[0265] Steps 807 to 809 are the same as steps 706 to 708a and will not be described again here.

[0266] Step 810: The terminal device starts a second timer.

[0267] Step 811: The terminal device determines that the primary satellite providing communication services for the terminal device is updated to the second satellite, and the first control resource set used by the second satellite among multiple first control resource sets, and determines that the secondary satellite providing communication services for the terminal device is updated to the third satellite, and the second control resource set used by the third satellite among multiple second control resource sets.

[0268] For example, start Timer[1]=9s. After Timer[1]=9s is started, the terminal device can know from CORESETPoolList0 and CORESETPoolList1 that at time T1, the main satellite providing communication services for the terminal device is PS[1]=sat1, that is, the second satellite, and the first control resource pool used is CORESETPool0[1]. The auxiliary satellite providing communication services for the terminal device is SS[1]=sat2, that is, the third satellite, and the second control resource pool used is CORESETPool1[1].

[0269] The above mainly introduces the scheme of the embodiment of the present application from the perspective of the interaction between various network elements. It can be understood that, in order to realize the above functions, each network element, such as the first network device, the terminal, etc., includes a structure and / or software module corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed in this document, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or in a computer software-driven hardware manner depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of this application.

[0270] In the embodiment of the present application, the first network device and the terminal device can be divided into functional units according to the above-mentioned method example. For example, each functional unit can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing unit. The above-mentioned integrated unit can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional unit. It should be noted that the division of units in the embodiment of the present application is schematic and is only a logical functional division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation.

[0271] The method of the embodiment of the present application is described above in conjunction with Figures 4 to 6. The following describes the apparatus for allocating control resources in non-terrestrial communications, provided in an embodiment of the present application, for executing the above method. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the method and apparatus may be combined and referenced with each other. The apparatus for allocating control resources in non-terrestrial communications provided in an embodiment of the present application may execute the steps performed by the first network device and the terminal in the above method.

[0272] In the case of adopting an integrated unit, FIG9 shows the apparatus for allocating control resources in non-terrestrial communication involved in the above embodiments. The apparatus for allocating control resources in non-terrestrial communication may include: a communication module 903 and a processing module 902 .

[0273] In an optional implementation, the device for allocating control resources in non-terrestrial communications may further include a storage module 901 for storing program codes and data of the communication device.

[0274] In one example, the control resource allocation device for non-terrestrial communications is a first network device, or a chip implemented in the first network device. In this case, the communication module 903 is configured to support communication between the control resource allocation device for non-terrestrial communications and an external network element (e.g., the first network device). For example, the communication module 903 is configured to perform the signal transmission and reception operations of the first network device in the above-described method embodiment. The processing module 902 is configured to perform the signal processing operations of the first network device in the above-described method embodiment.

[0275] For example, the communication module 903 is used to execute the sending action performed by the first network device in steps 402, 404, and 405 of FIG. 4 or steps 601 to 603 of FIG. 6 of the above embodiment.

[0276] Optionally, the communication module 903 is configured to execute the sending action performed by the first network device in steps 501a to 502a or steps 501b to 502b of FIG. 5 of the above embodiment.

[0277] In another example, the control resource allocation device for non-terrestrial communications is a terminal device, or a chip used in a terminal device. In this case, the communication module 903 is used to support communication between the control resource allocation device for non-terrestrial communications and an external network element (e.g., a terminal device). For example, the communication module 903 is used to perform the signal transmission and reception operations of the terminal device in the above-mentioned method embodiment. The processing module 902 is used to perform the signal processing operations of the terminal device in the above-mentioned method embodiment.

[0278] For example, the communication module 903 is configured to execute the receiving action performed by the terminal device in step 402 or step 405 of FIG. 4 of the above embodiment. The processing module 902 is configured to support the control resource allocation apparatus in the non-terrestrial communication to execute the actions performed by the terminal device in steps 403 and 405 of FIG. 4 or steps 503a and 503b of FIG. 5 .

[0279] Optionally, the communication module 903 is configured to execute the receiving action performed by the terminal device in step 602 or step 603 of Figure 6 of the above embodiment. The processing module 902 is configured to support the control resource allocation apparatus in the non-terrestrial communication to execute the actions performed by the terminal device in steps 404 to 406 of Figure 4.

[0280] It should be noted that the communication module 903 shown in Figure 9 can also be replaced with a communication unit, and the processing module 902 can also be replaced with a processing unit. The storage module 901 can also be replaced with a storage unit. The processing unit is used to control and manage the operation of the communication device. For example, the processing unit is used to execute the steps of information / data processing in the allocation device of non-terrestrial communication control resources. The communication unit is used to support the steps of information / data transmission or reception in the allocation device of control resources in non-terrestrial communication.

[0281] In a possible implementation, the communication unit may include a receiving unit and a sending unit, where the receiving unit is used to receive signals and the sending unit is used to send signals.

[0282] The processing module 902 may be a processor or controller, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a general-purpose processor (GPOR), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device (PLD), a transistor logic device (TLD), a hardware component, or any combination thereof. It may implement or execute the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of this application. A processor may also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, and the like. The communication module may be a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, or a communication interface. The storage module may be a memory.

[0283] When the processing module 902 is the processor 1001 or the processor 1005, the communication module 901 is the communication interface 1003, and the storage module 901 is the memory 1002, the control resource allocation device in non-terrestrial communication involved in this application can be the communication device shown in Figure 10.

[0284] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The structures of the first network device and the terminal device in the embodiment of the present application can refer to the schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device shown in FIG9. The communication device includes a processor 1001, a communication line 1004, and at least one communication interface (communication interface 1003 is used as an example in FIG10).

[0285] The processor 1001 may be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of the program of the present application.

[0286] The communication link 1004 may include a pathway for transmitting information between the aforementioned components.

[0287] The communication interface 1003 is used to exchange information with other devices, for example, using any transceiver-like device for communicating with other devices or communication networks, such as Ethernet, radio access network (RAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), etc.

[0288] Optionally, the communication device may further include a memory 1002 .

[0289] The memory 1002 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device that can store information and instructions, or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, an optical disc storage (including a compact disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, Blu-ray disc, etc.), a magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory may be independent and connected to the processor via a communication line 1004. The memory may also be integrated with the processor.

[0290] Memory 1002 is used to store computer-executable instructions for executing the solution of the present application, and is controlled by processor 1001. Processor 1001 is used to execute the computer-executable instructions stored in memory 1002, thereby implementing a method for allocating control resources in non-terrestrial communications provided in the following embodiments of the present application.

[0291] Optionally, the computer-executable instructions in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as application code, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0292] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the processor 1001 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in FIG10 .

[0293] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, a communication device may include multiple processors, such as processor 1001 and processor 1005 in Figure 10. Each of these processors may be a single-core (single-CPU) processor or a multi-core (multi-CPU) processor. The processor herein may refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores for processing data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0294] 11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip 110 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The chip 110 includes one or more (including two) processors 1110 and a communication interface 1130.

[0295] Optionally, the chip 110 further includes a memory 1140, which may include a read-only memory and a random access memory, and provides operation instructions and data to the processor 1110. A portion of the memory 1140 may also include a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM).

[0296] In some embodiments, the memory 1140 stores the following elements, execution modules or data structures, or a subset thereof, or an extended set thereof.

[0297] In the embodiment of the present application, the corresponding operation is performed by calling the operation instruction stored in the memory 1140 (the operation instruction may be stored in the operating system).

[0298] In one possible implementation, the chips used by the terminal device and the first network device have similar structures, and different devices may use different chips to implement their respective functions.

[0299] The processor 1110 controls processing operations of any one of the terminal device and the first network device. The processor 1110 may also be referred to as a central processing unit (CPU).

[0300] Memory 1140 may include read-only memory and random access memory, and provides instructions and data to processor 1110. A portion of memory 1140 may also include NVRAM. For example, in an application, memory 1140, communication interface 1130, and memory 1140 are coupled together via bus system 1120. Bus system 1120 may include not only a data bus but also a power bus, a control bus, and a status signal bus. However, for clarity, various buses are collectively labeled as bus system 1120 in FIG. 11 .

[0301] The methods disclosed in the above embodiments of the present application can be applied to or implemented by processor 1110. Processor 1110 may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, each step of the above method can be completed by hardware integrated logic circuits or software instructions in processor 1110. The above processor 1110 may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an ASIC, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component. The methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented or executed. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be directly implemented and executed by a hardware decoding processor, or by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module can be located in a storage medium mature in the art, such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, etc. The storage medium is located in the memory 1140 , and the processor 1110 reads the information in the memory 1140 and completes the steps of the above method in combination with its hardware.

[0302] In one possible implementation, the communication interface 1130 is configured to execute the receiving and sending steps of the first network device and the terminal device in the embodiments shown in Figures 4 to 6. The processor 1110 is configured to execute the processing steps of the first network device and the terminal device in the embodiments shown in Figures 4 to 6.

[0303] The above communication module may be a communication interface of the device, used to receive signals from other devices. For example, when the device is implemented as a chip, the communication module is a communication interface of the chip used to receive or send signals from other chips or devices.

[0304] On the one hand, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, in which instructions are stored. When the instructions are executed, the functions performed by the first network device in Figures 4 to 6 are implemented.

[0305] On the one hand, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, in which instructions are stored. When the instructions are executed, the functions performed by the terminal device as shown in Figures 4 to 6 are implemented.

[0306] In one aspect, a computer program product including instructions is provided. The computer program product includes instructions that, when executed, implement the functions performed by the first network device as shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6 .

[0307] In another aspect, a computer program product including instructions is provided. The computer program product includes instructions that, when executed, implement the functions performed by the terminal device as shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6 .

[0308] On the one hand, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip, which is applied to a first network device. The chip includes at least one processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is coupled to at least one processor. The processor is used to run instructions to implement the functions performed by the first network device as shown in Figures 4 to 6.

[0309] On the other hand, a chip is provided, which is used in a terminal device. The chip includes at least one processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is coupled to at least one processor, and the processor is used to run instructions to implement the functions performed by the terminal device as shown in Figures 4 to 6.

[0310] An embodiment of the present application provides a control resource allocation system for non-terrestrial communications, the system comprising: a first network device, a terminal device, and satellites other than a first satellite. The first network device is configured to perform the functions performed by the first network device in Figures 4 to 6 , and the terminal device is configured to perform the functions performed by the terminal device in Figures 4 to 6 .

[0311] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function described in the embodiments of the present application is performed in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user device or other programmable device. The computer program or instruction can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer program or instruction can be transmitted from one website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center via wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a tape; it can also be an optical medium, such as a digital video disc (DVD); it can also be a semiconductor medium, such as a solid state drive (SSD).

[0312] Although the present application is described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, in the process of implementing the claimed application, those skilled in the art may understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments by reviewing the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude multiple situations. A single processor or other unit may implement several functions listed in the claims. Certain measures are recorded in different dependent claims, but this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

[0313] Although the present application has been described with reference to specific features and embodiments thereof, it is apparent that various modifications and combinations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Accordingly, this specification and the drawings are merely illustrative of the present application as defined by the appended claims and are deemed to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations or equivalents within the scope of the present application. Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations to the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Thus, the present application is intended to include such modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents.

[0314] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for allocating non-terrestrial communication control resources, characterized in that: The method comprises: In the case where the first satellite is used as a primary satellite to provide communication services for the terminal device, selecting the second satellite as a secondary satellite to provide communication services for the terminal device; Send first configuration information to the terminal device, the first configuration information including: information of multiple first control resource sets, identification information of multiple main satellites, information of multiple second control resource sets and identification information of multiple auxiliary satellites, the multiple first control resource sets are control resource sets that can be used by the multiple main satellites that provide communication services for the terminal device, and the multiple second control resource sets are control resource sets that can be used by the multiple auxiliary satellites that provide communication services for the terminal device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: Information of the plurality of second control resource sets and identification information of the plurality of secondary satellites are sent to the second satellite.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The method further comprises: A first activation instruction is sent to the terminal device, wherein the first activation instruction is used by the terminal device to determine that the main satellite is the first satellite, and information about a first control resource set used by the first satellite among multiple first control resource sets, and is also used by the terminal device to determine that the auxiliary satellite is the second satellite, and information about a second control resource set used by the second satellite among multiple second control resource sets.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: In the case where the primary satellite is changed from the first satellite to the third satellite, and the secondary satellite is changed from the second satellite to the fourth satellite, the method includes: sending first information to the third satellite, where the first information includes information of a plurality of the first control resource sets and identification information of a plurality of the primary satellites, and the first information is used by the third satellite to determine a first control resource set that can be used among the plurality of the first control resource sets; Sending second information to the fourth satellite, the second information including information of the plurality of second control resource sets and identification information of the plurality of secondary satellites, the second information being used by the fourth satellite to determine a second control resource set that can be used among the plurality of second control resource sets.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The method comprises: sending a second activation instruction to the terminal device, wherein the second activation instruction is used by the terminal device to determine that the primary satellite is updated to the third satellite, and information about a first control resource set used by the third satellite among a plurality of first control resource sets, and is also used by the terminal device to determine that the secondary satellite is updated to the fourth satellite, and information about a second control resource set used by the fourth satellite among a plurality of second control resource sets, The first control resource set used by the third satellite is different from the first control resource set used by the first satellite, and the first control resource set used by the fourth satellite is different from the first control resource set used by the second satellite.

6. The method according to claim 3 or 5, characterized in that: The first activation instruction or the second activation instruction is sent to the terminal device through downlink control information or a media access control control element.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: In a case where the primary satellite is the first satellite and the secondary satellite is changed from the second satellite to a fifth satellite, the method includes: sending third information to the fifth satellite, the third information including information of a plurality of the second control resource sets and identification information of a plurality of the secondary satellites, the third information being used by the fifth satellite to determine a second control resource set that can be used among the plurality of the second control resource sets, A second set of control resources used by the fifth satellite is different from a second set of control resources used by the second satellite.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The method further comprises: A plurality of timers are configured for the terminal device, wherein the plurality of timers correspond one-to-one to the plurality of first control resource sets and the plurality of second control resource sets respectively, and the timers are used to indicate the usage time of the first control resource set and the second control resource set.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The method comprises: Information of a plurality of the second control resource sets, identification information of a plurality of the secondary satellites, and the timers corresponding one-to-one to the plurality of the second control resource sets are sent to the second satellite.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that: The method comprises: Sending first indication information to the terminal device, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate starting a first timer among the multiple timers, and the first timer corresponds to the first satellite.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that: After the first timer ends, a second timer among the multiple timers is started.

12. A method for allocating control resources in non-terrestrial communications, characterized in that: The method comprises: Acquire first configuration information, the first configuration information including: information of a plurality of first control resource sets, identification information of a plurality of primary satellites, information of a plurality of second control resource sets, and identification information of a plurality of secondary satellites, the plurality of first control resource sets being control resource sets that can be used by a plurality of primary satellites that provide communication services for the terminal device, and the plurality of second control resource sets being control resource sets that can be used by a plurality of secondary satellites that provide communication services for the terminal device; The terminal device is served by the first satellite and the second satellite, the first satellite is a primary satellite of the terminal device, and the second satellite is a secondary satellite of the terminal device; According to the first configuration information, the identification information of multiple main satellites that can provide services for the terminal device, the multiple first control resource sets that can be used by the multiple main satellites, the identification information of multiple secondary satellites that can provide services for the terminal device, and the multiple second control resource sets that can be used by the multiple secondary satellites are determined.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The method comprises: receiving a first activation instruction; determining, according to the first activation instruction, information of the primary satellite and information of the secondary satellite for providing communication services to the terminal device, wherein the information of the primary satellite includes that the primary satellite is the first satellite, and information of a first control resource set used by the first satellite among a plurality of the first control resource sets, The information of the secondary satellite includes information that the secondary satellite is the second satellite and a second control resource set used by the second satellite among a plurality of second control resource sets.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that The method comprises: receiving a second activation instruction; determining, according to the second activation instruction, that the primary satellite of the terminal device is updated to a third satellite, that the secondary satellite is updated to the fourth satellite, information of a first control resource set used by the third satellite among a plurality of the first control resource sets, and information of a second control resource set used by the fourth satellite among a plurality of the second control resource sets, The first control resource set used by the third satellite is different from the first control resource set used by the first satellite, and the first control resource set used by the fourth satellite is different from the first control resource set used by the second satellite.

15. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The method comprises: receiving a third activation instruction; determining, according to the third activation instruction, that the secondary satellite of the terminal device is updated to the fifth satellite, and a second control resource set used by the fifth satellite among a plurality of the second control resource sets, A second set of control resources used by the fifth satellite is different from a second set of control resources used by the second satellite.

16. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that: The first activation instruction, the second activation instruction, or the third activation instruction is carried in downlink control information or a medium access control control element.

17. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The method further comprises: Acquire multiple timers configured for the terminal device, wherein the multiple timers correspond one-to-one to the multiple first control resource sets and the multiple second control resource sets, respectively, and the timers are used to indicate the usage time of the first control resource set and the second control resource set.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving first indication information, where the first indication information is used to start a first timer among the multiple timers, where the first timer corresponds to the first satellite; According to the first indication information, the first timer is started to determine information of the primary satellite and information of the secondary satellite that provide communication services for the terminal device, the information of the primary satellite including that the primary satellite is the first satellite, and information of a first control resource set used by the first satellite among a plurality of the first control resource sets, The information of the secondary satellite includes information that the secondary satellite is the second satellite and a second control resource set used by the second satellite among a plurality of second control resource sets.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that After the first timer ends, a second timer among the multiple timers is started.

20. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The readable storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed, the method for allocating control resources in non-terrestrial communications as described in any one of claims 1 to 11 or 12 to 19 is implemented.

21. A chip, characterized in that: The chip includes a processor, which is coupled to a communication interface. The processor is used to run a computer program or instruction to implement the method for allocating control resources in non-terrestrial communications as described in any one of claims 1 to 11 or 12 to 19. The communication interface is used to communicate with other modules outside the chip.

22. A network device, characterized in that: include: At least one processor, the at least one processor is connected to a communication interface, the communication interface is used to receive or send information, and the at least one processor is used to run instructions stored in a memory to execute the method for allocating control resources in non-terrestrial communications as described in any one of claims 1 to 11.

23. A terminal device, characterized in that: include: At least one processor, the at least one processor is connected to a communication interface, the communication interface is used to receive or send information, and the at least one processor is used to run instructions stored in a memory to execute the method for allocating control resources in non-terrestrial communications as described in any one of claims 12 to 19.

24. A communication system, characterized in that: include: A terminal device, a first network device corresponding to a first satellite, and a second network device corresponding to a second satellite, wherein the first network device is used to execute the method for allocating control resources in non-terrestrial communications as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, and the terminal device is used to implement the method for allocating control resources in non-terrestrial communications as described in any one of claims 12 to 19.

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