Communication method and apparatus, communication device, and communication system

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a communication method and apparatus, a communication device, and a communication system. The communication method comprises: in response to a terminal determining that the amount of change in a first reference signal received power (RSRP) value compared to a second RSRP value is less than or equal to a threshold, the terminal determining that a timing advance (TA) for sending a sounding reference signal (SRS) is valid, wherein the terminal is in a radio resource control (RRC) non-connected state, the SRS comprises at least one of a pre-configured SRS and an SRS for configuring a validity area, the second RSRP value represents an RSRP value saved by the terminal, and the first RSRP value represents an RSRP value obtained by the terminal measuring a reference signal of a specified cell. The present disclosure can effectively improve positioning accuracy.

Description

Communication method and device, communication equipment, and communication system Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular to communication methods and devices, communication equipment, and communication systems. Background Art

[0002] Currently, uplink positioning technology and uplink and downlink hybrid positioning technology require the terminal to send an uplink positioning reference signal to the network device. The network device locates the terminal based on the uplink positioning reference signal sent by the terminal.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] The network device does not accurately locate the terminal, or the positioning fails.

[0005] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method and apparatus, a communication device, and a communication system.

[0006] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, the method comprising: in response to a terminal determining that a change in a first reference signal received power RSRP value compared to a second RSRP value is less than or equal to a threshold, the terminal determines that a timing advance TA for sending a sounding reference signal SRS is valid, the terminal is in a radio resource control RRC non-connected state, the SRS comprises at least one of the following: a pre-configured SRS, and an SRS of a configured valid area; the second RSRP value represents an RSRP value saved by the terminal, and the first RSRP value represents an RSRP value obtained by the terminal by measuring a reference signal of a designated cell.

[0007] According to a second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, comprising: sending second information during the process of sending first information, wherein the first information is used to activate a preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal SRS, and the second information is used to indicate at least one of the following TA commands: a TA command indicated by a media access control unit; a TA command; an absolute TA command.

[0008] According to a third aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, the method comprising: a change in a first reference signal received power RSRP value compared to a second RSRP value is less than or equal to a threshold value, a terminal determines that a timing advance TA for the terminal to send an uplink positioning reference signal SRS is valid, the terminal is in a radio resource control RRC non-connected state, the SRS comprises at least one of the following: a preconfigured SRS, and an SRS of a configured valid area; the second RSRP value represents an RSRP value saved by the terminal, the first RSRP value represents an RSRP value obtained by the terminal by measuring a reference signal of a designated cell; the SRS is a preconfigured SRS, and a network device sends second information in the process of sending the first information to the terminal, the first information is used to activate the preconfigured SRS, and the second information is used to indicate at least one of the following TA commands: a TA command indicated by a media access control unit; a TA command; an absolute TA command.

[0009] According to a fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a terminal is provided, comprising: a processing module for determining, when a change in a first reference signal received power RSRP value compared to a second RSRP value is less than or equal to a threshold, that a timing advance TA for the terminal to send an uplink positioning reference signal SRS is valid, the terminal being in a radio resource control RRC non-connected state, the SRS comprising at least one of the following: a pre-configured SRS, and an SRS with a configured valid area; the second RSRP value represents an RSRP value saved by the terminal, and the first RSRP value represents an RSRP value obtained by the terminal by measuring a reference signal of a designated cell.

[0010] According to a fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a network device is provided, comprising: a transceiver module for sending second information in the process of sending first information to a terminal, wherein the first information is used to activate a preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal SRS, and the second information is used to indicate at least one of the following TA commands: a TA command indicated by a media access control unit; a TA command; an absolute TA command.

[0011] According to a sixth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a terminal is provided, comprising: one or more processors; the processors are configured to call instructions so that the terminal executes the communication method described in the first aspect.

[0012] According to a seventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a network device is provided, comprising: one or more processors; the processors are configured to call instructions so that the network device executes the communication method described in the second aspect.

[0013] According to an eighth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, comprising a terminal and a network device, wherein the terminal is configured to implement the communication method described in any one of the first aspects, and the network device is configured to implement the communication method described in the second aspect.

[0014] According to a ninth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided, wherein the storage medium stores instructions, and wherein when the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the communication method described in any one of the first aspects.

[0015] According to a tenth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided, wherein the storage medium stores instructions, and wherein when the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the communication method described in any one of the second aspects.

[0016] The solution provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure can effectively improve the accuracy of terminal positioning. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the following drawings required for describing the embodiments are introduced. The following drawings are merely some embodiments of the present disclosure and do not impose specific limitations on the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG1 is a schematic diagram showing the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG2 is a schematic diagram showing interaction of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG3 a is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG3 b is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG3 c is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG3 d is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG3e is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG4 a is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG4 b is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG5 is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG6 a is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG6 b is a schematic structural diagram of a network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Fig. 7a is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0031] FIG7 b is a schematic diagram showing a chip structure according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method and apparatus, a communication device, and a communication system.

[0033] In the first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication method, which includes: a change in a first reference signal received power RSRP value compared to a second RSRP value is less than or equal to a threshold, determining that a timing advance TA for a terminal to send an uplink positioning reference signal SRS is valid, the terminal is in a radio resource control RRC non-connected state, the SRS includes at least one of the following: a pre-configured SRS, and an SRS with a configured valid area; the second RSRP value represents an RSRP value saved by the terminal, and the first RSRP value represents an RSRP value obtained by the terminal by measuring a reference signal of a designated cell.

[0034] In the above embodiment, the TA for transmitting the preconfigured SRS or the SRS in the configured valid area is determined to be valid by determining that the difference between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value is less than or equal to a threshold. This allows the preconfigured SRS and the SRS in the configured valid area to be transmitted when the TA is valid, thereby reducing the probability of positioning failure. The first RSRP value represents the RSRP value obtained by the terminal by measuring the reference signal of the designated cell. Positioning accuracy can be improved based on the first RSRP value that can be measured in the designated cell.

[0035] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the designated cell includes at least one of the following: the cell corresponding to the second RSRP value; the last serving cell before the terminal switches from the RRC connected state to the RRC non-connected state; the cell in which the terminal receives the TA command; the cell in which the terminal adjusts the TA by itself; and the current serving cell of the terminal.

[0036] In the above embodiment, the first RSRP values ​​determined by different designated cells can adapt to positioning in different situations, perform positioning flexibly, and improve positioning accuracy.

[0037] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the second RSRP value includes at least one of the following: the RSRP value of the cell in which the terminal receives SRS configuration information in the RRC connected state; the RSRP value of the last serving cell before the terminal switches from the RRC connected state to the RRC non-connected state; the RSRP value of the cell in which the terminal receives a TA command; the RSRP value of the cell in which the terminal adjusts the TA by itself; and the RSRP value of the terminal's current serving cell.

[0038] In the above embodiment, the RSRP value stored by the terminal, that is, the second RSRP value, can determine different second RSRP values ​​in different situations to more accurately determine whether the TA is valid, thereby improving positioning accuracy.

[0039] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method also includes at least one of the following: the terminal receives SRS configuration information through an RRC release message, and the SRS configuration information is used to configure the preconfigured SRS; the terminal receives SRS configuration information through an RRC release message, and the SRS configuration information is used to configure the SRS of the valid area; the terminal receives SRS configuration information through an RRC reconfiguration message, and the SRS configuration information is used to configure the preconfigured SRS.

[0040] In the above embodiment, the terminal can receive SRS configuration information for pre-configured SRS or SRS with configured valid area, thereby determining whether the TA of the pre-configured SRS and SRS with configured valid area is valid, thereby improving positioning accuracy.

[0041] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: the terminal performs cell reselection, adjusts the TA by itself, measures the reference signal of the current serving cell to obtain RSRP, and updates the saved second RSRP value to the measured RSRP value.

[0042] In the above embodiment, for a terminal with the authority to adjust TA by itself, the second RSRP value can be updated to the RSRP value of the current serving cell while adjusting TA by itself, thereby ensuring that the second RSRP value is more reliable, determining TA more accurately, and improving positioning accuracy.

[0043] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: determining that a timer of a TA associated with the uplink positioning reference signal is in a running state.

[0044] In the above embodiment, it can be determined that the timer of the TA associated with the uplink positioning reference signal is in a running state. On this basis, whether the TA is valid is determined, which can make the judgment of the TA validity more accurate, thereby improving the positioning accuracy.

[0045] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the SRS is a preconfigured SRS, and the method further includes: receiving first information, where the first information is used to activate the preconfigured SRS.

[0046] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: sending the SRS according to the preconfigured SRS.

[0047] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, before receiving the first information, and / or before sending the SRS according to the pre-configured SRS, the method also includes at least one of the following: not starting the TA timer associated with the pre-configured SRS; not adjusting the TA automatically when cell reselection occurs; not saving the RSRP value of the last serving cell before the terminal switches from the RRC connected state to the RRC non-connected state; not saving the RSRP value of the cell in which the terminal receives the SRS configuration information in the RRC connected state; not evaluating the relationship between the change between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value and the threshold; the terminal performs cell reselection and adjusts the TA automatically, and does not update the second RSRP value to the RSRP value of the currently serving cell; receiving the second information, not saving the RSRP value of the current serving cell, or not updating the saved RSRP value, the second information is used to indicate at least one of the following TA commands: a TA command indicated by the media access control unit; a TA command; an absolute TA command.

[0048] In the above embodiment, if the SRS is a pre-configured SRS, information for activating the pre-configured SRS is received.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the terminal sends the SRS according to the pre-configured SRS.

[0050] In the above embodiment, if the SRS is a preconfigured SRS, at least one of the above operations is not performed before receiving information to activate the preconfigured SRS or before sending the SRS, so as to make the determination of whether the TA is valid more accurate and improve the positioning accuracy.

[0051] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the SRS is a preconfigured SRS, and when the first information is received, the first information is used to activate the preconfigured SRS, and / or, when the SRS is sent according to the preconfigured SRS, the method also includes at least one of the following: receiving second information sent by the network device in the process of receiving the first information sent by the network device, the second information is used to indicate at least one of the following TA commands: a TA command indicated by the media access control unit; a TA command; an absolute TA command; starting a TA timer associated with the preconfigured SRS; measuring the RSRP value of the reference signal of the current serving cell as a second RSRP value; evaluating the change between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value, and the relationship with the threshold.

[0052] In the above embodiment, if the SRS is preconfigured, at least one of the above operations may not be performed when receiving information to activate the preconfigured SRS or when sending the SRS, so as to make the determination of whether the TA is valid more accurate and improve the positioning accuracy.

[0053] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, after the TA timer associated with the pre-configured SRS is started, the method also includes at least one of the following: automatically adjusting the TA when cell reselection occurs; performing cell reselection and automatically adjusting the TA, updating the second RSRP value to the RSRP value of the current serving cell; receiving the second information, saving the RSRP value of the currently serving cell, and / or updating the saved RSRP value.

[0054] In the above embodiment, if the SRS is preconfigured, at least one of the above operations can be performed after receiving information to activate the preconfigured SRS, or after sending the SRS and after the TA timer of the preconfigured SRS has been started, so as to make the judgment of whether the TA is valid more accurate and improve the positioning accuracy.

[0055] According to a second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, comprising: sending second information during the process of sending first information, wherein the first information is used to activate a preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal SRS, and the second information is used to indicate at least one of the following TA commands: a TA command indicated by a media access control unit; a TA command; an absolute TA command.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the second information may be sent during the process of sending the first information, so that the terminal and the field can adjust the TA to ensure the effectiveness of the TA as much as possible and improve the positioning accuracy.

[0057] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving SRS, and the TA corresponding to the SRS is determined to be valid based on the change in the first reference signal received power RSRP value compared with the second RSRP value being less than or equal to a threshold, and the SRS includes at least one of the following: a pre-configured SRS, and an SRS with a configured valid area; the second RSRP value represents the RSRP value saved by the terminal, and the first RSRP value represents the RSRP value obtained by the terminal measuring the reference signal of the specified cell.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the network device can receive an SRS whose TA is determined to be valid based on the difference between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value being less than or equal to a threshold. The SRS includes a preconfigured SRS or an SRS with a configured valid area, thereby enabling reception of the preconfigured SRS and the SRS with a configured valid area when the TA is valid, thereby reducing the probability of positioning failure. The first RSRP value represents the RSRP value obtained by the terminal by measuring the reference signal of a designated cell. Positioning accuracy can be improved based on the first RSRP value that can be measured in the designated cell.

[0059] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the designated cell includes at least one of the following: the cell corresponding to the second RSRP value; the last serving cell before the terminal switches from the RRC connected state to the RRC non-connected state; the cell from which the terminal receives the TA command; the cell in which the terminal adjusts the TA by itself; and the current serving cell of the terminal.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the first RSRP values ​​determined by different designated cells can adapt to positioning in different situations, perform positioning flexibly, and improve positioning accuracy.

[0061] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the second RSRP value includes at least one of the following: the RSRP value of the cell in which the terminal receives SRS configuration information in the RRC connected state; the RSRP value of the last serving cell before the terminal switches from the RRC connected state to the RRC non-connected state; the RSRP value of the cell in which the terminal receives the TA command; the RSRP value of the cell in which the terminal adjusts the TA by itself; and the RSRP value of the terminal's current serving cell.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the RSRP value stored by the terminal, that is, the second RSRP value, can determine different second RSRP values ​​in different situations to more accurately determine whether the TA is valid, thereby improving positioning accuracy.

[0063] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method also includes at least one of the following: the terminal receives SRS configuration information through an RRC release message, and the SRS configuration information is used to configure the preconfigured SRS; the terminal receives SRS configuration information through an RRC release message, and the SRS configuration information is used to configure the SRS of the valid area; the terminal receives SRS configuration information through an RRC reconfiguration message, and the SRS configuration information is used to configure the preconfigured SRS.

[0064] In the above embodiment, the network device can determine whether the TA of the preconfigured SRS or the SRS with a configured valid area is valid by sending SRS configuration information for the preconfigured SRS or the SRS with a configured valid area, thereby improving positioning accuracy.

[0065] According to a third aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, the method comprising: an amount of change between a first reference signal received power RSRP value and a second RSRP value is less than or equal to a threshold value, a terminal determines that a timing advance TA for the terminal to send an uplink positioning reference signal SRS is valid, the terminal is in a non-connected state of radio resource control RRC, the SRS comprises at least one of the following: a preconfigured SRS, and an SRS of a configured valid area; the second RSRP value represents an RSRP value saved by the terminal, the first RSRP value represents an RSRP value obtained by the terminal by measuring a reference signal of a designated cell; the SRS is a preconfigured SRS, and a network device sends second information in the process of sending the first information to the terminal, the first information is used to activate the preconfigured SRS, and the second information is used to indicate at least one of the following TA commands: a TA command indicated by a media access control unit; a TA command; an absolute TA command.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the validity of the TA for transmitting the preconfigured SRS or the SRS in the configured valid area is determined by determining that the difference between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value is less than or equal to a threshold. This allows the preconfigured SRS and the SRS in the configured valid area to be transmitted when the TA is valid, thereby reducing the probability of positioning failure. The first RSRP value represents the RSRP value obtained by the terminal measuring the reference signal of the designated cell. Positioning accuracy can be improved based on the first RSRP value that can be measured in the designated cell. The second information can be sent during the transmission of the first information to facilitate adjustments to the TA by the terminal and on-site personnel to ensure the validity of the TA as much as possible and improve positioning accuracy.

[0067] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a terminal, which includes at least one of a communication module and a processing module; wherein the terminal is used to execute the first aspect and the optional implementation method of the first aspect.

[0068] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a network device, including a communication module; wherein the above-mentioned network device is used to execute the second aspect and the optional implementation method of the second aspect.

[0069] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a terminal, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the above-mentioned terminal is used to execute the first aspect and the optional implementation method of the first aspect.

[0070] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a network device, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the above-mentioned network device is used to execute the second aspect and the optional implementation method of the second aspect.

[0071] In the eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication system, which includes: a terminal and a network device; wherein the terminal is configured to execute the method described in the first and third aspects, and the optional implementation methods of the first and third aspects, and the network device is configured to execute the method described in the second and third aspects, and the optional implementation methods of the second and third aspects.

[0072] In the ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a storage medium, which stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in the optional implementation of the first and third aspects, and the second and third aspects.

[0073] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a program product. When the program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in the optional implementation of the first and third aspects, and the second and third aspects.

[0074] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method as described in the first and third aspects, and the optional implementation of the second and third aspects.

[0075] It is understandable that the above-mentioned terminals, network devices, communication devices, communication systems, storage media, program products, and computer programs are all used to execute the methods proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects of the corresponding methods and will not be repeated here.

[0076] In some embodiments, the terms communication method and information processing method are interchangeable, the terms communication device and information processing device are interchangeable, and the terms information processing system and communication system are interchangeable.

[0077] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive and are merely illustrative of some embodiments, and are not intended to be a specific limitation on the scope of protection of the present disclosure. In the absence of contradiction, each step in a certain embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a certain embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily exchanged. In addition, the optional implementation methods in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; in addition, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. For example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0078] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified or provided for by logic, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form a new embodiment based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0079] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0080] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, elements expressed in the singular, such as "a", "an", "the", "above", "said", "the", "the", etc., may mean "one and only one", or "one or more", "at least one", etc. For example, when using articles such as "a", "an", "the" in English in translation, the noun following the article may be understood as a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0081] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, “plurality” refers to two or more.

[0082] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one," "one or more," "a plurality of," "multiple," etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0083] In some embodiments, descriptions such as "at least one of A and B," "A and / or B," "A in one case, B in another case," or "in response to one case A, in response to another case B" may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); and in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0084] In some embodiments, "A or B" and other descriptions may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0085] The prefixes such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only used to distinguish different description objects and do not constitute any restriction on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. For the statement of the description object, please refer to the description in the context of the claims or embodiments, and no unnecessary restriction should be constituted due to the use of prefixes. For example, if the description object is a "field", the ordinal number before the "field" in the "first field" and the "second field" does not limit the position or order between the "fields". "First" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they limit the order of the "first field" and the "second field". For another example, if the description object is a "level", the ordinal number before the "level" in the "first level" and the "second level" does not limit the priority between the "levels". For another example, the number of description objects is not limited by the ordinal number and can be one or more. Taking "first device" as an example, the number of "devices" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the description object is "device", then the "first device" and the "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different; for another example, if the description object is "information", then the "first information" and the "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their contents can be the same or different.

[0086] In some embodiments, “including A,” “comprising A,” “used to indicate A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0087] In some embodiments, terms such as "in response to...", "in response to determining...", "in the case of...", "at the time of...", "when...", "if...", "if...", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0088] In some embodiments, terms such as "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not less than", and "above" can be replaced with each other, and terms such as "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", and "below" can be replaced with each other.

[0089] In some embodiments, devices, etc. can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. Terms such as "device", "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", and "subject" can be used interchangeably.

[0090] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in the network (eg, access network equipment, core network equipment, etc.).

[0091] In some embodiments, the terms "access network device (AN device)", "radio access network device (RAN device)", "base station (BS)", "radio base station" "fixed station", "node", "access point", "transmission point (TP)", "reception point (RP)", "transmission / reception point (TRP)", "panel", "antenna panel", "antenna array", "cell", "macro cell", "small cell", "femto cell", "pico cell", "sector", "cell group", "serving cell", "carrier", "component carrier", "bandwidth part (BWP)" and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0092] In some embodiments, the terms "terminal", "terminal device", "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal", "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0093] In some embodiments, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device can be replaced by a terminal. For example, the various embodiments of the present disclosure can also be applied to a structure in which the communication between the access network device, the core network device, or the network device and the terminal is replaced by communication between multiple terminals (for example, device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, it is also possible to set the structure in which the terminal has all or part of the functions of the access network device. In addition, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" can also be replaced by terms corresponding to communication between terminals (for example, "side"). For example, uplink channels, downlink channels, etc. can be replaced by side channels, and uplinks, downlinks, etc. can be replaced by side links.

[0094] In some embodiments, the terminal may be replaced by an access network device, a core network device, or a network device. In this case, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device may have a structure that has all or part of the functions of the terminal.

[0095] In some embodiments, obtaining data, information, etc. may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the data is obtained.

[0096] In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0097] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in the table of the embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of any elements, any rows, and any columns can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0098] FIG1 is a schematic diagram showing the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0099] As shown in FIG1 , a communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 and a network device 102 .

[0100] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 includes, for example, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device, a car with communication function, a smart car, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, and at least one of a wireless terminal device in a smart home, but is not limited thereto.

[0101] In some embodiments, the network device 102 may include at least one of an access network device and a core network device.

[0102] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 includes, for example, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device, a car with communication function, a smart car, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal 101 device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal 101 device, a wireless terminal 101 device in industrial control, a wireless terminal 101 device in self-driving, a wireless terminal 101 device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal 101 device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal 101 device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal 101 device in a smart city, and at least one of a wireless terminal 101 device in a smart home, but is not limited thereto.

[0103] In some embodiments, the access network device is, for example, a node or device that accesses the terminal 101 to the wireless network. The access network device may include an evolved NodeB (eNB), a next generation evolved NodeB (ng-eNB), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a node B (NB), a home node B (HNB), a home evolved nodeB (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an open base station (Open RAN), a cloud base station (Cloud RAN), a base station in other communication systems, and at least one of an access node in a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system, but is not limited thereto.

[0104] In some embodiments, the technical solution of the present disclosure can be applied to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within the access network devices involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of the Open RAN, and the processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented through software or programs.

[0105] In some embodiments, the access network device can be composed of a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), where the CU can also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can be used to split the protocol layer of the access network device, with the functions of some protocol layers centrally controlled by the CU, and the functions of the remaining part or all of the protocol layers distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU, but is not limited to this.

[0106] In some embodiments, the core network device may be a device including one or more network elements, or may be multiple devices or a group of devices including one or more network elements, or may be physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of an evolved packet core (EPC), a 5G core network (5GCN), and a next generation core (NGC).

[0107] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiment of the present disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of the system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure is also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0108] The following embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1 , or a portion thereof, but are not limited thereto. The entities shown in FIG1 are illustrative only. The communication system may include all or part of the entities shown in FIG1 , or may include other entities outside of FIG1 . The number and form of the entities are arbitrary, and the entities may be physical or virtual. The connection relationships between the entities are illustrative only. The entities may be connected or disconnected, and the connection may be in any manner, including direct or indirect, wired or wireless.

[0109] The embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), future radio access (FRA), new radio access technology (RAT), new radio (NR), new radio access (NX), future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth (registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) networks, Device-to-Device (D2D) systems, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), systems utilizing other communication methods, and next-generation systems based on and extending these methods. Furthermore, multiple systems may be combined (for example, a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0110] In one embodiment, terminal positioning can be achieved using an uplink positioning technology followed by a hybrid uplink and downlink positioning technology. For example, a network device configures an SRS for the terminal, i.e., the network device sends configuration information to the terminal, and the terminal sends an uplink positioning reference signal to the network device based on the configuration information. For example, the uplink positioning reference signal can be a positioning sounding reference signal (Positioning SRS). The terms "uplink positioning reference signal," "positioning SRS," and "SRS" used in this disclosure have the same meaning and can be used interchangeably.

[0111] In one embodiment, a terminal in a radio resource control non-connected state can be positioned. That is, the terminal can send an SRS when it is in an RRC non-connected state. The radio resource control non-connected state may include a radio resource control inactive state (RRC inactive) and / or a radio resource control idle state (RRC idle). For example, when the network device converts the terminal from a radio resource control connected state (RRC connected) to an RRC non-connected state, it can configure the SRS for the terminal through an unlimited resource control release (RRC release) message. That is, the RRC release message contains configuration information for configuring the SRS. The terminal determines the TA for sending the SRS based on the timing advance (TA) of the configuration information. TA can be understood as when the terminal sends a message to the network device, due to the different distances between different terminals and the network device, in order to enable the uplinks of different terminals to reach the network device at the same time, the terminal farther away needs to send the message in advance compared to the terminal closer, and the advance time is TA. The TA may be configured by the network device for the terminal. When the terminal moves from a location close to the network device to a location farther away from the network device, the TA may become invalid. In the process of determining the TA for sending the SRS and sending the SRS based on the determined TA, it is also necessary to determine whether the TA is valid.

[0112] In one embodiment, the validity of the TA can be determined using a TA timer. For example, if the timer expires, the TA is invalid and the terminal stops sending uplink positioning reference signals. If the timer does not expire, the terminal can continue sending uplink positioning reference signals. The TA timer can be, for example, an inactivePosSRS-TimeAlignmentTimer.

[0113] In one embodiment, the validity of a TA can be determined based on the change in reference signal received power (RSRP) measured by the terminal. For example, the measured RSRP value is compared with a stored RSRP value. If the increase or decrease in the measured RSRP value compared to the stored RSRP value does not exceed a threshold, the TA is considered valid and uplink positioning reference signal transmission continues. If the increase or decrease exceeds the threshold, the TA is considered invalid and uplink positioning reference signal transmission is stopped. The threshold value can be, for example, inactivePosSRS-RSRP-ChangeThreshold.

[0114] In one embodiment, whether the TA is valid may be determined according to the change in the RSRP value measured by the terminal in the following manner.

[0115] RRC configures the following parameters for validation for SRS transmission in RRC_INACTIVE:

[0116] inactivePosSRS-RSRP-ChangeThreshold: RSRP threshold for the increase / decrease of RSRP for time alignment validation. (The RSRP increase or decrease threshold is used to determine the validity of the time advance)

[0117] The MAC entity shall:

[0118] 1>if the UE receives configuration for SRS transmission in RRC_INACTIVE (if the terminal receives SRS configuration for RRC non-connected state transmission SRS)

[0119] 2>store the RSRP of the downlink pathloss reference with the current RSRP value of the downlink pathloss reference as in TS 38.331[5]. (Determine the current downlink path loss RSRP value according to TS 38.331[5] and save the RSRP value)

[0120] 1>else if the UE is configured with SRS transmission in RRC_INACTIVE: (otherwise: if the terminal is configured with SRS transmission in RRC non-connected state, it is 1)

[0121] 2>if Timing Advance Command MAC CE is received as in clause 5.2, or (if a timing advance command medium access control element (MAC CE) is received in accordance with clause 5.2, or);

[0122] 2>if Timing Advance Command or Absolute Timing Advance Command is received for Random Access procedure that is successfully completed (if a timing advance command or absolute timing advance command is received during a successful random access procedure):

[0123] 3>update the stored RSRP of the downlink pathloss reference with the current RSRP value of the downlink pathloss reference (update the stored RSRP value of the downlink path loss reference to the RSRP value of the current downlink path loss reference).

[0124] The MAC entity shall consider the TA to be valid when the following conditions are fulfilled:

[0125] 1>compared to the stored downlink pathloss reference RSRP value, the current RSRP value of the downlink pathloss reference has not increased / decreased by more than inactivePosSRS-RSRP-ChangeThreshold, if configured (if inactivepossrs-RSRP-changethreshold is configured, the increase / decrease of the current downlink pathloss reference RSRP value compared to the stored downlink pathloss reference RSRP value does not exceed inactivepossrs-RSRP-changethreshold); and

[0126] 1>inactivePosSRS-TimeAlignmentTimer is running. (inactivepossrs-timealignmenttimer is running)

[0127] In one embodiment, the uplink positioning reference signal corresponds to a validity area. For example, the validity area may be composed of a physical cell identifier list (PCI list). If the terminal is within the validity area, the SRS configured by the network device for the terminal may be considered valid; if the terminal is not within the valid area, the SRS configured by the network device for the terminal may be considered invalid. For the SRS configured in the validity area, it is also necessary to determine whether the TA is valid.

[0128] In one embodiment, the stored RSRP value may be the last serving cell, or, if the terminal has the capability to adjust the TA by itself, the stored RSRP value may be the RSRP value of the synchronization signal block (SSB) of the current serving cell.

[0129] In this embodiment, the stored RSRP values ​​are different, and the method of determining whether the TA is valid is also uncertain.

[0130] In one implementation, a preconfigured sounding reference signal (preconfigured SRS) may be released due to TA invalidity before the preconfigured SRS is activated.

[0131] FIG2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an interaction of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2 , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method for use in a communication system 100, the method comprising:

[0132] Step S2101 : The network device 102 sends SRS configuration information to the terminal 101 .

[0133] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 receives SRS configuration information sent by the network device 102 .

[0134] In some embodiments, terms such as "send", "transmit", "report", "download", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be used interchangeably.

[0135] In some embodiments, "obtain", "get", "get", "receive", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be interchangeable, and can be interpreted as receiving from other entities, obtaining from protocols, obtaining from higher layers, obtaining by self-processing, autonomous implementation, etc.

[0136] In some embodiments, SRS configuration information is used to configure an SRS. The SRS includes at least one of the following: a preconfigured SRS and an SRS with a configured effective area. The preconfigured SRS can be understood as the SRS configured by the preconfigured SRS configuration information. Upon receiving the preconfigured SRS configuration information, the terminal does not immediately send the SRS to the network device. For example, the terminal does not send the SRS to the network device before the preconfigured SRS configuration information is activated, and then sends the SRS to the network device after the preconfigured SRS configuration information is activated. Activation can, for example, involve setting a timer. When the timer stops, i.e., when a preset time is reached, the terminal activates the preconfigured SRS configuration information. Alternatively, upon receiving information sent by the network device for activating the preconfigured SRS, the terminal activates the preconfigured SRS and begins sending the SRS. The SRS with a configured effective area can be understood as information about the effective area carried in the SRS configuration information, which indicates that the terminal should send the SRS to the network device if it is within the effective area, and stop sending the SRS to the network device if it is not within the effective area.

[0137] In some embodiments, a preconfigured SRS may also be configured with a valid area. That is, a preconfigured SRS may be preconfigured and configured with a valid area, or preconfigured and not configured with a valid area. An SRS configured with a valid area may be non-preconfigured and configured with a valid area.

[0138] In some embodiments, the SRS configuration information may also be used to configure an SRS that is not pre-configured and has no valid area configured.

[0139] In some embodiments, the network device 102 sends SRS configuration information to the terminal 101 in at least one of the following ways: the network device 102 sends SRS configuration information to the terminal 101 through an RRC release message, and the SRS configuration information is used to configure the preconfigured SRS. The network device 102 sends SRS configuration information to the terminal 101 through an RRC release message, and the SRS configuration information is used to configure the SRS of the valid area. The network device 102 sends SRS configuration information to the terminal 101 through SRS reconfiguration information, and the SRS configuration information is used to configure the SRS of the valid area. It can be understood that the SRS configuration information is used to configure the preconfigured SRS, which means that the SRS configured by the network device is a preconfigured SRS. The SRS configuration information is used to configure the SRS of the valid area, which means that the SRS configuration information is used to configure the SRS, and the SRS is configured with a valid area.

[0140] In some embodiments, network device 102 may send SRS configuration information to terminal 101 via an RRC release message. The SRS configuration information is used to configure the SRS in the valid area. For example, the SRS configuration information includes information about the valid area. After receiving the SRS configuration information, the terminal may determine whether the TA is valid and thus whether it can continue to send the SRS.

[0141] In some embodiments, the network device 102 may send SRS configuration information to the terminal 101 via an RRC release message, or the network device 102 may send SRS configuration information to the terminal 101 via an RRC reconfiguration message. The SRS configuration information is used to configure a pre-configured SRS. For example, the terminal may receive the SRS configuration information and, after the SRS configuration information is activated, determine whether the TA is valid, thereby determining whether to continue sending the SRS.

[0142] In some embodiments, the name of the SRS configuration information is not limited, and can be, for example, "configuration information", "SRS information", etc.

[0143] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc. are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, and terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", "symbol", "codeword", "codebook", "codeword", "codepoint", "bit", "data", "program", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0144] Step S2102: Determine whether the timer of the TA associated with the SRS is in a running state.

[0145] In some embodiments, a TA timer is used to indicate whether the TA sending the SRS is valid. If the TA timer is in a running state, that is, the preset time has not been reached or the conditions for stopping the timer have not been met, the TA can be considered valid. If the TA timer is in a timeout or stopped running state, the TA can be considered invalid.

[0146] In some embodiments, if the timer of the TA associated with the SRS is in a running state, it may continue to evaluate whether the difference between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value is less than or equal to a threshold to further determine whether the TA is valid.

[0147] If the timer of the TA associated with the SRS is in a timeout or stopped state, the TA may be considered invalid, and thus there is no need to continue evaluating whether the change between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value is less than or equal to the threshold.

[0148] In the above embodiment, if the SRS is a pre-configured SRS, the terminal 101 receives information for activating the pre-configured SRS. The terminal 101 receives first information.

[0149] In the above embodiment, the terminal sends the SRS according to the pre-configured SRS.

[0150] In some embodiments, if the SRS is a preconfigured SRS, before receiving the first information or before sending the SRS according to the preconfigured SRS, the network device does not configure the RSRP threshold value (rsrp-threshold) for the terminal. When receiving the first information or when sending the SRS according to the preconfigured SRS, the network device configures the rsrp-threshold for the terminal. The rsrp-threshold is used to compare the first RSRP value with the second RSRP value to determine whether the TA is valid.

[0151] In some embodiments, if the SRS is a preconfigured SRS, before receiving the first information or before sending the SRS according to the preconfigured SRS, the network device does not configure a TA timer associated with the preconfigured SRS for the terminal. When receiving the first information or when sending the SRS according to the preconfigured SRS, the network device configures a TA timer associated with the preconfigured SRS for the terminal.

[0152] In some embodiments, if the SRS is a preconfigured SRS, the terminal does not start a timer for the TA associated with the SRS before receiving the first information or before sending the SRS according to the preconfigured SRS. Upon receiving the first information or starting to send the SRS according to the preconfigured SRS, the terminal starts a timer for the TA associated with the SRS. The first information is used to activate the preconfigured SRS.

[0153] In step S2103, terminal 101 determines that a change between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value is less than or equal to a threshold, and terminal 101 determines that the TA for which terminal 101 transmits the SRS is valid. The terminal is in an RRC unconnected state. The SRS includes at least one of the following: a preconfigured SRS and an SRS with a configured valid area.

[0154] In some embodiments, after determining that the timer of the TA associated with the SRS is in a running state, it can be evaluated whether the change between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value is less than or equal to a threshold. If so, it is determined that the TA to which the terminal sends the SRS is valid.

[0155] In some embodiments, if the timer of the TA associated with the SRS is in a timeout or stopped state, the TA may be considered invalid, and there is no need to continue evaluating whether the change between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value is less than or equal to a threshold.

[0156] In some embodiments, the second RSRP value represents an RSRP value stored by the terminal, and the first RSRP value represents an RSRP value obtained by the terminal by measuring a reference signal of a designated cell. After the terminal stores the RSRP value, i.e., determines the second RSRP value, it can obtain the first RSRP value by measuring the reference signal of the designated cell, and evaluate whether the change between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value is less than or equal to a threshold. The reference signal can be, for example, an SSB. The reference signal can also be other types of reference signals, such as a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS), a demodulation reference signal (DMRS), etc. This disclosure is merely an example and not a limitation. When the change is less than or equal to the threshold, it is determined that the TA for which the terminal transmits the SRS is valid. For example, the terminal can evaluate the change between the second RSRP value and the first RSRP value in real time, or the terminal can evaluate the change between the second RSRP value and the first RSRP value at preset intervals. The change can be an increase or a decrease. That is, if the first RSRP value increases compared to the second RSRP value, and the increase is less than or equal to the threshold, the TA is determined to be valid. If the first RSRP value is reduced compared to the second RSRP value, and the reduction amount is less than or equal to the threshold, it is determined that the TA is valid.

[0157] In some embodiments, the power of the reference signal may attenuate to varying degrees during transmission. For example, if the terminal is far from the network device, the degree of attenuation is relatively large and the RSRP value is relatively small. If the terminal is close to the network device, the degree of attenuation is relatively small and the RSRP value is relatively large. It is understandable that if the first RSRP value changes significantly compared to the second RSRP value, it may indicate that the distance between the terminal and the network device has changed significantly, and the current TA of the terminal may be invalid. For example, if the first RSRP value is greater than the second RSRP value, it may indicate that the terminal has moved from a position relatively far from the network device to a position relatively close to the network device, the current TA may be invalid, and the TA needs to be reduced. For another example, if the first RSRP value is less than the second RSRP value, it may indicate that the terminal has moved from a position relatively close to the network device to a position relatively far from the network device, the current TA may be invalid, and the TA needs to be increased.

[0158] In some embodiments, if the TA is valid, the terminal may send the SRS according to the SRS configuration message; if the TA is invalid, the terminal may stop sending the SRS.

[0159] In some embodiments, the designated cell includes at least one of the following: the cell corresponding to the second RSRP value; the last serving cell before the terminal switches from the RRC connected state to the RRC non-connected state; the cell from which the terminal receives the TA command; the cell in which the terminal adjusts the TA by itself; and the current serving cell of the terminal.

[0160] In some embodiments, the designated cell includes a cell corresponding to the second RSRP value. That is, the terminal may measure the reference signal of the cell corresponding to the second RSRP value to obtain the first RSRP value. For example, if the cell corresponding to the second RSRP value is cell A, and the terminal resides in cell B after cell reselection, the terminal measures the reference signal of cell A to obtain the first RSRP value, rather than measuring the reference signal of cell B to obtain the first RSRP value. For another example, if the cell corresponding to the second RSRP value changes, the cell from which the terminal obtains the first RSRP value must also change accordingly.

[0161] In some embodiments, the designated cell includes the last serving cell before the terminal switches from the RRC connected state to the RRC non-connected state. The terminal can measure the reference signal of the last serving cell before the terminal switches from the RRC connected state to the RRC non-connected state to obtain a first RSRP value. For example, the terminal receives an RRC release message and switches from the RRC connected state to the RRC non-connected state, then the last serving cell is the cell that receives the RRC release message. For another example, assuming that cell 1 sends an SRS configuration message to the terminal through an RRC reconfiguration message, the terminal enters cell 2 through cell switching, and enters the RRC non-connected state in cell 2, then the terminal measures the reference signal of cell 2 to obtain the first RSRP value, instead of measuring the reference signal of cell 1 to obtain the first RSRP value.

[0162] In some embodiments, the designated cell includes the cell in which the terminal receives a TA command. The TA command may be sent by a network device to the terminal to instruct the terminal to adjust the TA. The terminal may measure the reference signal of the cell in which the TA command is received to obtain a first RSRP value. The TA command may include at least one of the following: a TA command indicated by a MAC CE (timing advance command MAC CE), a TA command (timing advance command), or an absolute TA command (absolute timing advance command). The TA command indicated by a MAC CE may be understood as a TA command carried by a MAC CE. The TA command differs from the absolute TA command in that the numerical value included in the TA command can be used to adjust the absolute amount of the TA. The numerical value included in the absolute TA command can be used to adjust the relative amount of the TA. For example, if the TA configured in the terminal is TA1 and the TA command includes TA2, which replaces TA1, then TA2 can be understood as being used to adjust the absolute amount of TA1. For another example, if the TA configured in the terminal is TA1 and the absolute TA command includes parameter X, parameter X is used to determine the increment or decrement of TA1, then parameter X can be understood as being used to adjust the relative amount of TA1.

[0163] In some embodiments, the designated cell includes a cell in which the terminal autonomously adjusts its TA. In some cases, the terminal has permission to autonomously adjust its TA, i.e., the network device allows the terminal to autonomously adjust its TA, or the terminal has the capability to autonomously adjust its TA. In some cases, the terminal does not have permission to autonomously adjust its TA, i.e., the network device does not allow the terminal to autonomously adjust its TA, or the terminal does not have the capability to autonomously adjust its TA. When the terminal autonomously adjusts its TA, it measures the reference signal of the cell in which the TA is autonomously adjusted to obtain a first RSRP value.

[0164] In some embodiments, the designated cell includes the terminal's current serving cell. The terminal may measure the reference signal of the current serving cell to obtain the first RSRP value. For example, if the terminal reselects from cell A to cell B, the terminal may measure the reference signal of cell B to obtain the first RSRP value, rather than measuring the reference signal of cell A to obtain the first RSRP value.

[0165] In some embodiments, the second RSRP value includes at least one of the following: the RSRP value of the cell in which the terminal receives SRS configuration information in the RRC connected state; the RSRP value of the last serving cell before the terminal switches from the RRC connected state to the RRC non-connected state; the RSRP value of the cell in which the terminal receives a TA command; the RSRP value of the cell in which the terminal adjusts the TA by itself; and the RSRP value of the terminal's current serving cell.

[0166] In some embodiments, the second RSRP value includes the RSRP value of the cell in which the terminal receives the SRS configuration information in the RRC connected state. For example, when the terminal receives the SRS configuration information in the RRC connected state, it measures the reference signal of the cell in which the SRS configuration information is received, and saves the measurement result in the terminal, which is the second RSRP value. For another example, if the designated cell corresponding to the first RSRP value is the cell corresponding to the second RSRP value, then the first RSRP value represents the RSRP value obtained by measuring the reference signal of the cell in which the terminal receives the SRS configuration information in the RRC connected state. That is, when the SRS configuration information is received in the RRC connected state of the terminal, the second RSRP value is obtained by measuring the reference signal of the cell in which the SRS configuration information is received. After the SRS configuration information is received in the RRC connected state of the terminal, the terminal can measure the reference signal of the cell in which the SRS configuration information is received at any or specified time to obtain the first RSRP value, wherein the any or specified time may be when the terminal is in the RRC non-connected state.

[0167] In some embodiments, the cell in which the terminal receives SRS configuration information indicates that the terminal has received the SRS configuration in the cell, and the terminal has not entered the RRC non-connected state in the cell. The terminal can measure the reference signal of the cell in which the terminal receives the SRS configuration to obtain a second RSRP value. In this case, assuming that cell 1 sends the SRS configuration message to the UE via an RRC reconfiguration message, the UE switches to cell 2 (cell 2 is the last serving cell of the UE), and then enters the RRC non-connected state in cell 2, the terminal measures the reference signal of cell 1 to obtain the second RSRP value, rather than measuring the reference signal of cell 2 to obtain the second RSRP value.

[0168] In some embodiments, the second RSRP value includes the RSRP value of the last serving cell before the terminal switches from the RRC connected state to the RRC non-connected state. For example, when the terminal switches from the RRC connected state to the RRC non-connected state, the reference signal of the last serving cell before the terminal switches from the RRC connected state to the RRC non-connected state is measured, and the measurement result is saved in the terminal, which is the second RSRP value. For another example, if the designated cell corresponding to the first RSRP value is the last serving cell before the terminal switches from the RRC connected state to the RRC non-connected state, or the designated cell corresponding to the first RSRP value is the cell corresponding to the second RSRP value, then the first RSRP value represents the RSRP value obtained by measuring the reference signal of the last serving cell before the terminal switches from the RRC connected state to the RRC non-connected state. That is, when the terminal switches from the RRC connected state to the RRC non-connected state, the reference signal of the last serving cell before the switch is measured to obtain the second RSRP value. After the terminal switches to the RRC non-connected state, the reference signal of the last serving cell before the switch is measured to obtain the first RSRP value.

[0169] In some embodiments, the second RSRP value includes the RSRP value of the cell in which the terminal receives the TA command. For example, when the terminal receives the TA command, it measures the reference signal of the cell that receives the TA command, and saves the measurement result in the terminal, which is the second RSRP value. For another example, if the designated cell corresponding to the first RSRP value is the cell that receives the TA command, or the designated cell corresponding to the first RSRP value is the cell corresponding to the second RSRP value, then the first RSRP value represents the RSRP value obtained by measuring the reference signal of the cell that receives the TA command. That is, when the terminal receives the TA command, it measures the cell that receives the TA command and obtains the second RSRP value. After receiving the TA command, the cell that receives the TA command is measured to obtain the first RSRP value.

[0170] In some embodiments, the second RSRP value includes the RSRP value of the cell in which the terminal adjusts its TA by itself. For example, when the terminal adjusts its TA by itself, the reference signal of the cell in which the terminal adjusts its TA by itself can be measured, and the measurement result can be saved in the terminal, which is the second RSRP value. For another example, if the designated cell corresponding to the first RSRP value is the cell in which the terminal adjusts its TA by itself, or the designated cell corresponding to the first RSRP value is the cell corresponding to the second RSRP value, then the first RSRP value represents the RSRP value obtained by measuring the reference signal of the cell in which the terminal adjusts its TA by itself. That is, when the terminal adjusts its TA by itself, the reference signal of the cell in which the terminal adjusts its TA by itself is measured to obtain the second RSRP value. After the terminal adjusts its TA by itself, or after the terminal adjusts its TA by itself and before the next self-adjustment of the TA by the terminal, the reference signal of the cell in which the terminal adjusts its TA by itself is measured to obtain the first RSRP value.

[0171] In some embodiments, the second RSRP value includes the RSRP value of the terminal's current serving cell. For example, the terminal measures the reference signal of the current serving cell and saves the measurement result in the terminal, which is the second RSRP value. The current serving cell used to determine the second RSRP value may be the current serving cell when the terminal receives the SRS configuration information, if the SRS configuration information is pre-configured, it may be the current serving cell when the information for activating the SRS configuration information is received, it may be the current serving cell when the SRS starts to be sent, etc. The present disclosure is only an example and is not limited. If the designated cell corresponding to the first RSRP value is the current serving cell, the current serving cell used to determine the first RSRP value may be the current serving cell after the second RSRP value is determined. The current serving cell used to determine the first RSRP value and the cell used to determine the second RSRP value may be the same or different. For example, if cell reselection occurs or TA is adjusted after the second RSRP value is determined, the current serving cell used to determine the first RSRP value and the cell used to determine the second RSRP value may be different.

[0172] In some embodiments, if the TA for which the terminal transmits the SRS is determined to be valid, the terminal may continue to transmit the SRS. If the TA for which the terminal transmits the SRS is invalid, the terminal stops transmitting the SRS. The SRS transmitted by the terminal includes at least one of the following: a preconfigured SRS and an SRS with a configured valid area. For example, the terminal transmits the SRS based on received SRS configuration information.

[0173] In some embodiments, the terminal receives SRS configuration information in the RRC connected state, including at least one of the following: the terminal receives SRS configuration information through an RRC release message, where the SRS configuration information is used to configure a preconfigured SRS. The terminal receives SRS configuration information through an RRC release message, where the SRS configuration information is used to configure an SRS in a valid area. The terminal receives SRS configuration information through an RRC reconfiguration message, where the SRS configuration information is used to configure a preconfigured SRS. The specific implementation of the terminal receiving the SRS configuration information in this embodiment can refer to the implementation in the embodiment of step S2101 and step S2102, and this disclosure will not repeat it here.

[0174] In some embodiments, if the SRS is a preconfigured SRS, the terminal may not determine the second RSRP value before receiving the first information or before sending the SRS according to the preconfigured SRS. The terminal may determine the second RSRP value upon receiving the first information or upon starting to send the SRS according to the preconfigured SRS.

[0175] In some embodiments, if the SRS is a preconfigured SRS, before receiving the first information or before sending the SRS according to the preconfigured SRS, the terminal may not evaluate the relationship between the change between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value and the threshold. Upon receiving the first information or starting to send the SRS according to the preconfigured SRS, the terminal may evaluate the relationship between the change between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value and the threshold. After receiving the first information or starting to send the SRS according to the preconfigured SRS, the terminal may continue to evaluate the relationship between the change between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value and the threshold.

[0176] Step S2104: The terminal adjusts the TA, measures the reference signal of the current serving cell to obtain a third RSRP value, and updates the second RSRP value to the third RSRP value.

[0177] In some embodiments, if the terminal performs cell reselection and automatically adjusts the TA, it can measure the reference signal of the current serving cell to obtain an RSRP value, which is subsequently referred to as the third RSRP value. The current serving cell is the current serving cell at the time of the automatic TA adjustment. The second RSRP value can be updated to the third RSRP value.

[0178] In some embodiments, if the terminal receives a TA command and adjusts the TA according to the TA command, the terminal may measure the reference signal of the current serving cell to obtain a third RSRP value, and update the second RSRP value to the third RSRP value. The current serving cell may be the serving cell that received the TA command. For example, the second RSRP value is the RSRP value obtained by the terminal measuring the reference signal of the last serving cell before entering the RRC inactive state. Upon receiving the TA command, the second RSRP value may be updated from the RSRP value obtained by the terminal measuring the reference signal of the last serving cell before entering the RRC inactive state to the RSRP value obtained by the terminal measuring the reference signal of the cell in which the TA command was received.

[0179] In some embodiments, if the terminal performs cell reselection and automatically adjusts the TA, the reference signal of the current serving cell may be measured to obtain a third RSRP value, and the second RSRP value may be updated to the measured RSRP value (third RSRP value). The current serving cell may be the serving cell for which the terminal automatically adjusts the TA. For example, the second RSRP value is the RSRP value obtained by the terminal measuring the reference signal of the last serving cell before entering the RRC inactive state. After automatically adjusting the TA, the second RSRP value may be updated from the RSRP value obtained by the terminal measuring the reference signal of the last serving cell before entering the RRC inactive state to the RSRP value obtained by the terminal measuring the reference signal of the cell with automatically adjusted TA.

[0180] In some embodiments, when the terminal determines that the TA is valid based on the received SRS configuration information and in response to the change between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value being less than or equal to the threshold, and in the process of sending the SRS to the network device, if the terminal reselects a cell and adjusts the TA by itself, the second RSRP value can be updated to ensure that the cell corresponding to the second RSRP value and the designated cell corresponding to the first RSRP value are the same cell as much as possible, so that the network device can locate the terminal more accurately.

[0181] In some embodiments, if the SRS is a preconfigured SRS, the terminal may not update the second RSRP value before receiving the first information or before sending the SRS according to the preconfigured SRS. The terminal may update the second RSRP value upon receiving the first information or starting to send the SRS according to the preconfigured SRS.

[0182] Step S2105 : The network device 102 sends the second information while sending the first information to the terminal 101 .

[0183] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 receives the second information sent by the network device 102 during the process of receiving the first information sent by the network device 102 .

[0184] In some embodiments, if the SRS is a preconfigured SRS, the network device 102 may send first information to the terminal 101. The first information is used to activate the preconfigured SRS.

[0185] In some embodiments, network device 102 may send second information while transmitting first information to terminal 101. The second information indicates at least one of the following TA commands: a TA command indicated by the media access control unit; a TA command; or an absolute TA command. For example, upon receiving the first information, the terminal may activate the preconfigured SRS based on the first information. Upon receiving the second information, the terminal may adjust the TA based on the second information. Specifically, the terminal may adjust the TA and begin transmitting the SRS based on the preconfigured SRS. This allows for timely TA adjustment, preventing the TA from being invalid when SRS transmission begins.

[0186] In some embodiments, if the SRS is a preconfigured SRS, before sending the first information, or before sending the SRS according to the preconfigured SRS, the network device performs at least one of the following: the network device does not send rsrp-threshold configuration information to the terminal, and the rsrp-threshold configuration information is used to configure the rsrp-threshold; the network device does not send TA timer configuration information to the terminal, and the TA timer configuration information is used to configure the TA timer associated with the preconfigured SRS.

[0187] In some embodiments, if the SRS is a preconfigured SRS, the terminal 101 receives the first information.

[0188] In some embodiments, if the SRS is a preconfigured SRS, before receiving the first information, the terminal performs at least one of the following: not receiving rsrp-threshold configuration information, the rsrp-threshold configuration information is used to configure the rsrp-threshold; not receiving TA timer configuration information, the TA timer configuration information is used to configure the TA timer associated with the preconfigured SRS; not starting the TA timer associated with the preconfigured SRS; not automatically adjusting the TA when cell reselection occurs; not saving the RSRP value of the last serving cell before switching from the RRC connected state to the RRC non-connected state; not saving the RSRP value of the cell where the terminal receives the SRS configuration information in the RRC connected state; not evaluating the relationship between the change between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value and the threshold; performing cell reselection and automatically adjusting the TA, and not updating the second RSRP value to the RSRP value of the currently serving cell; receiving the second information, not saving the RSRP value of the current serving cell, or not updating the saved RSRP value, the second information is used to indicate at least one of the following TA commands: a TA command indicated by the media access control unit; a TA command; an absolute TA command.

[0189] In some embodiments, before receiving the first information, or after receiving the first information but before sending the SRS, that is, before sending the SRS, the network device does not send the rsrp-threshold configuration information to the terminal. The terminal does not receive the rsrp-threshold configuration information. That is, the network device may not configure the rsrp-threshold for the terminal.

[0190] In some embodiments, before receiving the first information, or after receiving the first information but before sending the SRS, i.e., before sending the SRS, the network device does not send TA timer configuration information to the terminal. The terminal does not receive the TA timer configuration information. That is, the network device may not configure a TA timer associated with the pre-configured SRS for the terminal.

[0191] In some embodiments, before receiving the first information, or after receiving the first information but before sending the SRS (i.e., before sending the SRS), the terminal may not start the TA timer associated with the preconfigured SRS. It is understood that if the TA timer associated with the preconfigured SRS is started, after a preset time, the TA will determine that the TA is invalid due to the TA timer's inactivity. Therefore, for the preconfigured SRS, the TA timer may not be started until the first information is received.

[0192] In some embodiments, before receiving the first information, or after receiving the first information but before sending the SRS, that is, before sending the SRS, the terminal may not adjust the TA by itself when cell reselection occurs.

[0193] In some embodiments, before receiving the first information, or after receiving the first information but before sending the SRS, i.e., before sending the SRS, the terminal may save the RSRP value of the last serving cell before switching from the RRC connected state to the RRC non-connected state; and not save the RSRP value of the cell in which the terminal received the SRS configuration information in the RRC connected state. For example, the RSRP value of the last serving cell before the terminal switched from the RRC connected state to the RRC non-connected state is not measured, or the RSRP value of the cell in which the terminal received the SRS configuration information in the RRC connected state is not measured.

[0194] In some embodiments, before receiving the first information, or after receiving the first information but before sending the SRS (i.e., before sending the SRS), the terminal may not evaluate the relationship between the change between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value and the threshold. It will be appreciated that evaluating the relationship between the change between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value and the threshold is used to determine whether the TA is valid, and whether the TA is valid can determine whether to send the SRS. If the terminal has not received the first information or has not sent the SRS, it is not necessary to evaluate the relationship between the change between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value and the threshold.

[0195] In some embodiments, before receiving the first information, or receiving the first information but not sending SRS, that is, before sending SRS, if the terminal reselects a cell and adjusts the TA by itself, the terminal may not update the second RSRP value to the RSRP value of the currently serving cell.

[0196] In some embodiments, the terminal may receive second information, where the second information is used to indicate at least one of the following TA commands: a TA command indicated by a media access control unit; a TA command; and an absolute TA command.

[0197] In some embodiments, before receiving the first information, or after receiving the first information but before sending the SRS (i.e., before sending the SRS), if the terminal receives the second information, the terminal may not measure the RSRP value of the reference signal of the current serving cell as the second RSRP value. The current serving cell may be the cell that received the second information.

[0198] In some embodiments, if the SRS is a preconfigured SRS, when receiving the first information, or when sending the SRS according to the preconfigured SRS, the network device performs at least one of the following: the network device sends rsrp-threshold configuration information to the terminal, and the rsrp-threshold configuration information is used to configure the rsrp-threshold; the network device sends TA timer configuration information to the terminal, and the TA timer configuration information is used to configure the TA timer associated with the preconfigured SRS.

[0199] In some embodiments, if the SRS is a preconfigured SRS, when receiving the first information, or when sending the SRS according to the preconfigured SRS, the terminal performs at least one of the following: receiving rsrp-threshold configuration information, the rsrp-threshold configuration information is used to configure the rsrp-threshold; receiving TA timer configuration information, the TA timer configuration information is used to configure the TA timer associated with the preconfigured SRS; receiving the second information sent by the network device in the process of receiving the first information sent by the network device, the second information is used to indicate at least one of the following TA commands: a TA command indicated by the media access control unit; a TA command; an absolute TA command; starting a TA timer associated with the preconfigured SRS; measuring the RSRP value of the reference signal of the current serving cell as the second RSRP value; and evaluating the relationship between the change amount between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value and the threshold.

[0200] In some embodiments, upon receiving the first information or upon starting to send the SRS, the network device sends rsrp-threshold configuration information to the terminal, where the rsrp-threshold configuration information is used to configure the rsrp-threshold. The terminal receives the rsrp-threshold configuration information. That is, the network device configures the rsrp-threshold for the terminal.

[0201] In some embodiments, upon receiving the first information or upon starting to transmit the SRS, the network device sends TA timer configuration information to the terminal, where the TA timer configuration information is used to configure a TA timer associated with the preconfigured SRS. The terminal receives the TA timer configuration information. That is, the network device configures the TA timer associated with the preconfigured SRS for the terminal.

[0202] In some embodiments, when receiving the first information or starting to send the SRS, the terminal may receive the second information sent by the network device during the process of receiving the first information sent by the network device.

[0203] In some embodiments, the network device sends the second information while the first information is being sent to the terminal. Specifically, when the network device sends the first information to the terminal, the second information is sent to the terminal regardless of whether the terminal has permission to adjust the TA. This allows the terminal to adjust the TA to a valid TA before starting to send the SRS. It is understood that the TA can be adjusted even if it is a valid TA.

[0204] In some embodiments, upon receiving the first information or upon starting to transmit the SRS, a TA timer associated with the preconfigured SRS is started. Upon receiving the first information or upon starting to transmit the SRS, the terminal may start the TA timer associated with the preconfigured SRS to facilitate determining that the TA timer is running.

[0205] In some embodiments, upon receiving the first information or upon starting to transmit an SRS, the terminal may measure the RSRP value of the reference signal of the current serving cell as the second RSRP value. The current serving cell may be the cell that received the first information or the cell that started to transmit the SRS. The second RSRP value may be obtained by measuring the reference signal of the cell that received the first information upon receiving the first information. Alternatively, the second RSRP value may be obtained by measuring the reference signal of the cell that started to transmit the SRS upon starting to transmit the SRS.

[0206] In some embodiments, upon receiving the first information or upon starting to transmit an SRS, the terminal evaluates the relationship between the change between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value and the threshold. For example, if the change between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value is less than or equal to the threshold, the terminal continues to transmit the SRS. It is understood that after receiving the first information or after starting to transmit the SRS, the terminal may continue to evaluate the relationship between the change between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value and the threshold.

[0207] In some embodiments, after the terminal starts the TA timer associated with the pre-configured SRS, the terminal performs at least one of the following: automatically adjusting the TA when cell reselection occurs; the terminal performs cell reselection and automatically adjusts the TA, updating the second RSRP value to the RSRP value of the current resident cell; receiving the second information, saving the RSRP value of the currently served cell, and / or updating the saved RSRP value.

[0208] In some embodiments, after receiving the first information, or starting to send the SRS and starting the TA timer associated with the pre-configured SRS, the terminal can adjust the TA by itself when cell reselection occurs.

[0209] In some embodiments, after receiving the first information, or starting to send SRS and starting the TA timer associated with the pre-configured SRS, when cell reselection occurs and the TA is automatically adjusted, the terminal may update the second RSRP value to the RSRP value of the current serving cell. The current serving cell may be the cell that automatically adjusts the TA.

[0210] In some embodiments, after receiving the first information, or after starting to transmit an SRS and starting a TA timer associated with a preconfigured SRS, the terminal may receive second information, save the RSRP value of the currently serving cell, and / or update the saved RSRP value. Upon receiving the second information, the terminal may save the RSRP value of the cell receiving the second information, i.e., measure the reference signal of the cell receiving the second information to obtain the second RSRP value. Alternatively, the terminal may update the existing second RSRP value to the RSRP value obtained by measuring the reference signal of the cell receiving the second information.

[0211] Step S2106 : Terminal 101 sends an SRS to network device 102 .

[0212] In some embodiments, the network device 102 receives the SRS sent by the terminal 101 .

[0213] In some embodiments, SRS is used for positioning.

[0214] In some embodiments, if the TA is determined to be valid, the terminal may send an SRS to the network device. The network device may receive the SRS and locate the terminal according to the SRS.

[0215] In some embodiments, the names of the first information and the second information are not limited. The first information can be, for example, "activation information," "instruction information," etc. The second information can be, for example, "TA instruction," "instruction information," etc.

[0216] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S2101 to S2106. For example, step S2103 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2104 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2103 and step S2104 may be implemented as independent embodiments, and step S2103, step S2104, and step S2105 may be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0217] In some embodiments, step S2102 and step S2103 may be executed in an interchanged order or simultaneously.

[0218] In some embodiments, step S2101, step S2102, step S2104, step S2105 and step S2106 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0219] In some embodiments, steps S2101, S2102, S2103, S2105, and S2106 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0220] In some embodiments, reference may be made to other optional implementations described before or after the description corresponding to FIG. 2 .

[0221] FIG3a is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3a, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is executed by terminal 101 and includes:

[0222] Step S3101: Obtain SRS configuration information.

[0223] The optional implementation of step S3101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0224] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 receives the SRS configuration information sent by the network device 102, but is not limited thereto and may also receive the SRS configuration information sent by other entities.

[0225] In some embodiments, terminal 101 obtains SRS configuration information specified by the protocol.

[0226] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 obtains SRS configuration information from upper layer(s).

[0227] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 performs processing to obtain the SRS configuration information.

[0228] In some embodiments, step S3101 is omitted, and the terminal 101 autonomously implements the function indicated by the SRS configuration information, or the above function is default or acquiescent.

[0229] Step S3102: Determine whether the timer of the TA associated with the SRS is in a running state.

[0230] The optional implementation of step S3102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0231] In some embodiments, whether the timer of the TA associated with the SRS is in the running state may be determined by the terminal.

[0232] Step S3103: If the difference between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value is less than or equal to a threshold, it is determined that the TA for the terminal to transmit the SRS is valid. The terminal is in an RRC unconnected state. The SRS includes at least one of the following: a preconfigured SRS and an SRS with a configured valid area.

[0233] The optional implementation of step S3103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0234] In some embodiments, the TA validity for the terminal to transmit the SRS is determined based on whether a change between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value is less than or equal to a threshold.

[0235] In step S3104, the terminal adjusts the TA by itself, measures the reference signal of the current serving cell to obtain a third RSRP value, and updates the second RSRP value to the third RSRP value (the measured RSRP value).

[0236] The optional implementation of step S3104 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2104 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0237] In some embodiments, the second RSRP value is obtained and updated based on the terminal performing cell reselection and adjusting the TA by itself, and measuring the reference signal of the current serving cell.

[0238] Step S3105: obtaining the second information in the process of obtaining the first information.

[0239] The optional implementation of step S3105 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2105 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0240] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 receives the second information sent by the network device 102 while receiving the first information sent by the network device 102, but is not limited to this. The terminal 101 may also receive the second information sent by other entities while receiving the first information sent by other entities.

[0241] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 obtains the second information specified by the protocol during the process of obtaining the first information specified by the protocol.

[0242] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 obtains the second information from the upper layer (upper layer(s)) during the process of obtaining the first information from the upper layer (upper layer(s)).

[0243] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 obtains the second information during the process of processing the first information.

[0244] Step S3106, sending SRS.

[0245] The optional implementation of step S3106 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2106 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0246] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 sends the SRS to the network device 102, but is not limited thereto and may also send the SRS to other entities.

[0247] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3101 to S3106. For example, step S3103 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3104 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3103 and step S3104 may be implemented as independent embodiments, and step S3103, step S3104, and step S3106 may be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0248] In some embodiments, step S3102 and step S3103 may be executed in an interchanged order or simultaneously.

[0249] In some embodiments, step S3101, step S3102, step S3104, step S3105 and step S3106 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0250] In some embodiments, steps S3101, S3102, S3103, S3105, and S3106 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0251] In some embodiments, reference may be made to other optional implementations described before or after the description corresponding to FIG. 3 a .

[0252] FIG3b is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3b, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is executed by terminal 101 and includes:

[0253] Step S3201: Obtain SRS configuration information.

[0254] The optional implementation of step S3201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2, step S3101 in Figure 3a, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2 and 3a, which will not be repeated here.

[0255] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 receives the SRS configuration information sent by the network device 102, but is not limited thereto and may also receive the SRS configuration information sent by other entities.

[0256] In some embodiments, terminal 101 obtains SRS configuration information specified by the protocol.

[0257] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 obtains SRS configuration information from upper layer(s).

[0258] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 performs processing to obtain the SRS configuration information.

[0259] In some embodiments, step S3201 is omitted, and the terminal 101 autonomously implements the function indicated by the SRS configuration information, or the above function is default or by default.

[0260] Step S3202: The difference between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value is less than or equal to a threshold, and the TA for the terminal to transmit the SRS is determined to be valid. The terminal is in an RRC unconnected state. The SRS includes at least one of the following: a preconfigured SRS and an SRS with a configured valid area.

[0261] The optional implementation of step S3202 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2, step S3103 in Figure 3a, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2 and 3a, which will not be repeated here.

[0262] In some embodiments, the TA validity for the terminal to transmit the SRS is determined based on whether a change between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value is less than or equal to a threshold.

[0263] Step S3203, send SRS.

[0264] The optional implementation of step S3203 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2106 in Figure 2, step S3106 in Figure 3a, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2 and 3a, which will not be repeated here.

[0265] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 sends the SRS to the network device 102, but is not limited thereto and may also send the SRS to other entities.

[0266] FIG3c is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3c, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is executed by terminal 101 and includes:

[0267] Step S3301: Determine whether the timer of the TA associated with the SRS is in a running state.

[0268] The optional implementation of step S3301 can refer to step S2102 in Figure 2, the optional implementation of step S3301 in Figure 3a, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2 and 3a, which will not be repeated here.

[0269] In some embodiments, whether the timer of the TA associated with the SRS is in the running state may be determined by the terminal.

[0270] In step S3302, the difference between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value is less than or equal to a threshold, and the TA for transmitting the SRS by the terminal is determined to be valid. The terminal is in an RRC unconnected state. The SRS includes at least one of the following: a preconfigured SRS and an SRS with a configured valid area.

[0271] The optional implementation of step S3302 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2, step S3103 in Figure 3a, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2 and 3a, which will not be repeated here.

[0272] In some embodiments, the TA validity for the terminal to transmit the SRS is determined based on whether a change between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value is less than or equal to a threshold.

[0273] Step S3303, send SRS.

[0274] The optional implementation of step S3303 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2106 in Figure 2, step S3106 in Figure 3a, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2 and 3a, which will not be repeated here.

[0275] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 sends the SRS to the network device 102, but is not limited thereto and may also send the SRS to other entities.

[0276] FIG3 d is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3 d , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is executed by terminal 101 and includes:

[0277] Step S3401: A change between a first RSRP value and a second RSRP value is less than or equal to a threshold, and the TA for transmitting the SRS by the terminal is determined to be valid. The terminal is in an RRC unconnected state. The SRS includes at least one of the following: a preconfigured SRS and an SRS with a configured valid area.

[0278] The optional implementation of step S3401 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0279] In some embodiments, the TA validity for the terminal to transmit the SRS is determined based on whether a change between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value is less than or equal to a threshold.

[0280] In step S3402, the terminal adjusts the TA, measures the reference signal of the current serving cell to obtain a third RSRP value, and updates the second RSRP value to the third RSRP value.

[0281] The optional implementation of step S3402 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2104 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0282] In some embodiments, the second RSRP value is obtained and updated based on the terminal performing cell reselection and adjusting the TA by itself, and measuring the reference signal of the current serving cell.

[0283] FIG3e is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3e , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is executed by terminal 101 and includes:

[0284] Step S3501: A change between a first RSRP value and a second RSRP value is less than or equal to a threshold, and the TA for transmitting the SRS by the terminal is determined to be valid. The terminal is in an RRC unconnected state. The SRS includes at least one of the following: a preconfigured SRS and an SRS with a configured valid area.

[0285] The optional implementation of step S3501 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0286] In some embodiments, the TA validity for the terminal to transmit the SRS is determined based on whether a change between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value is less than or equal to a threshold.

[0287] In some embodiments, the designated cell includes at least one of the following: a cell corresponding to the second RSRP value; a last serving cell before the terminal switches from an RRC connected state to an RRC unconnected state; a cell from which the terminal receives a TA command; a cell for which the terminal automatically adjusts its TA; or a current serving cell of the terminal.

[0288] In some embodiments, the second RSRP value includes at least one of the following: the RSRP value of the cell from which the terminal receives SRS configuration information in the RRC connected state; the RSRP value of the last serving cell before the terminal switches from the RRC connected state to the RRC non-connected state; the RSRP value of the cell from which the terminal receives the TA command; the RSRP value of the cell for which the terminal adjusts the TA automatically; and the RSRP value of the terminal's current serving cell.

[0289] In some embodiments, the method further includes at least one of the following: the terminal receives SRS configuration information via an RRC release message, where the SRS configuration information is used to configure a preconfigured SRS. The terminal receives SRS configuration information via an RRC release message, where the SRS configuration information is used to configure an SRS in a valid area. The terminal receives SRS configuration information via an RRC reconfiguration message, where the SRS configuration information is used to configure a preconfigured SRS.

[0290] In some embodiments, the method further includes: the terminal performs cell reselection and automatically adjusts the TA, measures the reference signal of the current serving cell to obtain RSRP, and updates the saved second RSRP value to the measured RSRP value.

[0291] In some embodiments, the method further includes: determining that a timer of the TA associated with the uplink positioning reference signal is in a running state.

[0292] In some embodiments, the SRS is a preconfigured SRS. Before receiving the first information, the first information is used to activate the preconfigured SRS, and / or before sending the SRS according to the preconfigured SRS, the method further includes at least one of the following: not starting the TA timer associated with the preconfigured SRS. Not automatically adjusting the TA when cell reselection occurs. Not saving the RSRP value of the last serving cell before the terminal switches from the RRC connected state to the RRC non-connected state. Not saving the RSRP value of the cell in which the terminal receives the SRS configuration information in the RRC connected state. Not evaluating the relationship between the change between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value and the threshold. The terminal performs cell reselection and automatically adjusts the TA, and does not update the second RSRP value to the RSRP value of the currently serving cell. Upon receiving the second information, the RSRP value of the current serving cell is not saved, or the saved RSRP value is not updated. The second information is used to indicate at least one of the following TA commands: a TA command indicated by the media access control unit. A TA command. An absolute TA command.

[0293] In some embodiments, the SRS is a preconfigured SRS, and upon receiving the first information, the first information is used to activate the preconfigured SRS, and / or, when sending the SRS according to the preconfigured SRS, the method further includes at least one of the following: receiving second information sent by the network device during the process of receiving the first information sent by the network device, the second information is used to indicate at least one of the following TA commands: a TA command indicated by the media access control unit. A TA command. An absolute TA command. Starting a TA timer associated with the preconfigured SRS. Measuring an RSRP value of a reference signal of a current serving cell as a second RSRP value. Evaluating a change between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value and its relationship with a threshold.

[0294] In some embodiments, after starting a TA timer associated with a preconfigured SRS, the method further includes at least one of the following: autonomously adjusting the TA upon cell reselection. The terminal performs cell reselection and autonomously adjusts the TA, updating the second RSRP value to the RSRP value of the current serving cell. Upon receiving the second information, saving the RSRP value of the current serving cell and / or updating the saved RSRP value.

[0295] FIG4a is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4a, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, and the method includes:

[0296] Step S4101: Send SRS configuration information.

[0297] The optional implementation of step S4101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0298] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 sends the SRS configuration information to the network device 102, but is not limited thereto. The SRS configuration information may also be sent to other entities.

[0299] Step S4102: sending the second information while sending the first information.

[0300] The optional implementation of step S4102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2105 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0301] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 sends the second information while sending the first information to the network device 102, but is not limited thereto. The second information may also be sent while sending the first information to other entities.

[0302] Step S4103, obtain SRS.

[0303] The optional implementation of step S4103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2106 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0304] In some embodiments, the network device 102 receives an SRS sent by the terminal 101, but is not limited thereto and may also receive an SRS sent by other entities.

[0305] In some embodiments, network device 102 obtains an SRS specified by the protocol.

[0306] In some embodiments, the network device 102 obtains the SRS from upper layer(s).

[0307] In some embodiments, the network device 102 performs processing to obtain the SRS.

[0308] In some embodiments, step S4103 is omitted, and the network device 102 autonomously implements the function indicated by the SRS, or the above function is default or by default.

[0309] FIG4b is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4b, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, and the method includes:

[0310] Step S4201: sending the second information while sending the first information.

[0311] The optional implementation of step S4201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2105 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0312] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 sends the second information while sending the first information to the network device 102, but is not limited thereto. The second information may also be sent while sending the first information to other entities.

[0313] FIG5 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG5 , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, and the method includes:

[0314] Step S5101: When a change between a first RSRP value and a second RSRP value is less than or equal to a threshold, terminal 101 determines that the TA for which terminal 101 transmits an SRS is valid. The terminal is in an RRC unconnected state. An SRS includes at least one of the following: a preconfigured SRS and an SRS with a configured valid area.

[0315] Optional implementations of step S5101 may refer to S2103 in FIG. 2 , step S3103 in FIG. 3 a , and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 a , which will not be described in detail here.

[0316] In some embodiments, the above method may include the method of the above embodiments related to the communication system 100, the terminal 101, the network device 102, etc., which will not be repeated here.

[0317] Step S5102 : The SRS is a preconfigured SRS, and the network device 102 sends the second information while sending the first information to the terminal 101 .

[0318] Optional implementations of step S5102 may refer to S2105 in FIG. 2 , step S3105 in FIG. 3 a , and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 a , which will not be described in detail here.

[0319] In some embodiments, the above method may include the method of the above embodiments related to the communication system 100, the terminal 101, the network device 102, etc., which will not be repeated here.

[0320] The present disclosure also provides a communication method as follows:

[0321] In some embodiments, the SRS includes one of the following:

[0322] Preconfigured SRS: The preconfigured SRS may also include a validity area. Preconfigured SRS means that when a user equipment (UE) receives an SRS configuration, it does not send the SRS according to the SRS configuration, but sends the SRS according to the preconfigured SRS configuration after receiving an instruction from the network.

[0323] In some embodiments, a UE may also be a terminal.

[0324] In some embodiments, if the network allows the UE to automatically adjust the TA, it includes one of the following:

[0325] a. If the UE receives an SRS configuration (pre-configured SRS or SRS with a configured valid area), the UE saves the RSRP value of the cell where the SRS configuration is received. The RSRP value is obtained by the UE measuring the SSB.

[0326] In some embodiments, the SRS configuration may be SRS configuration information for configuring the SRS.

[0327] b. If the SRS configuration received by the UE in the connected state is pre-configured, or the UE receives a pre-configured SRS through an RRC reconfiguration message, the UE saves the RSRP value of the last serving cell or the UE saves the RSRP value of the cell from which the RRC release message was received.

[0328] In some embodiments, the RSRP value of the last serving cell stored by the UE or the RSRP value of the cell that received the RRC release message stored by the UE may be the second RSRP value.

[0329] c. If the UE has been configured with SRS, if the UE performs cell reselection and automatically adjusts the TA, the saved RSRP value is updated to the RSRP value of the current cell, which is the RSRP value obtained by the UE measuring the SSB of the current cell.

[0330] In some embodiments, the current cell may be a current serving cell.

[0331] d. The UE measures the SSB of the cell corresponding to the stored RSRP value and obtains the RSRP value. The UE compares the measured RSRP value with the stored RSRP value. If the measured RSRP value does not increase or decrease by more than a threshold value and the corresponding TA timer is still running, the TA is considered valid.

[0332] In some embodiments, the threshold value may be a threshold value.

[0333] In some embodiments, if the network does not allow the UE to automatically adjust the TA, or the UE maintains the TA from the last serving cell, one of the following is included:

[0334] e. If the UE receives an SRS configuration (pre-configured SRS or SRS with a configured valid area), the UE saves the RSRP value of the last serving cell or the RSRP value of the cell from which the RRC release message was received. The RSRP value is obtained by the UE measuring the SSB;

[0335] f. If the SRS configuration received by the UE in the connected state is pre-configured, or the UE receives a pre-configured SRS through an RRC reconfiguration message, the UE saves the RSRP value of the cell in which the SRS configuration was received.

[0336] g. The UE measures the SSB of the cell corresponding to the stored RSRP value and obtains the RSRP value. The UE compares the measured RSRP value with the stored RSRP value. If the measured RSRP value does not increase or decrease by more than a threshold value and the corresponding TA timer is still running, the TA is considered valid.

[0337] h. The UE measures the RSRP value of the last serving cell and compares the measured RSRP value with the saved RSRP value. If the measured RSRP value does not increase or decrease by more than a threshold value and the corresponding TA timer is still running, the TA is considered valid.

[0338] In some embodiments, if the network allows the UE to automatically adjust the TA, it includes one of the following:

[0339] i. If the SRS configuration received by the UE is a pre-configured SRS, the UE does not start the TA timer associated with the pre-configured SRS before receiving the activation pre-configuration indication sent by the network or the UE starts transmitting the pre-configured SRS. The UE does not automatically adjust the TA when a cell reselection occurs. The UE does not save the RSRP of the last serving cell, or the UE does not save the RSRP value of the received configured cell. The UE does not evaluate the relationship between the change in RSRP value and the threshold value. When the UE receives a Timing Advance Command MAC CE or a Timing Advance Command or an Absolute Timing Advance Command, the UE does not save the RSRP value of the current cell, or does not update the RSRP value.

[0340] j. When the UE receives an activation indication of the pre-configured SRS sent by the network or starts to transmit the pre-configured SRS configuration. The UE receives a TA command sent by the network during the process of receiving the activation indication of the pre-configured SRS sent by the network. The UE starts the TA timer associated with the pre-configured SRS. The UE saves the RSRP value of the cell where the activation indication is received, or saves the RSRP value of the cell when the UE starts to transmit SRS. If the UE performs cell reselection and automatically adjusts the TA, the saved RSRP value is updated to the RSRP value of the current cell, and the RSRP value of the current cell is obtained by the UE measuring the SSB of the current cell. If the UE receives a Timing Advance Command MAC CE or a Timing Advance Command or an Absolute Timing Advance Command, the UE updates the saved RSRP value to the RSRP value of the current cell, and the RSRP value of the current cell is obtained by the UE measuring the SSB of the current cell. The UE measures the SSB of the cell corresponding to the stored RSRP value and obtains the RSRP value. The UE compares the measured RSRP value with the stored RSRP value. If the measured RSRP value does not increase or decrease by more than a threshold value and the corresponding TA timer is still running, the TA is considered valid.

[0341] In some embodiments, if the network does not allow the UE to automatically adjust the TA, one of the following is included:

[0342] k. If the SRS configuration received by the UE is a pre-configured SRS, the UE does not start the TA timer associated with the pre-configured SRS until it receives an activation pre-configuration indication from the network or the UE starts transmitting the pre-configured SRS. The UE does not save the RSRP of the last serving cell, or the UE does not save the RSRP value of the received configured cell. The UE does not evaluate the relationship between the change in RSRP value and the threshold value. When the UE receives a Timing Advance Command MAC CE or a Timing Advance Command or an Absolute Timing Advance Command, the UE does not save the RSRP value of the current cell, or does not update the RSRP value.

[0343] l. When the UE receives an activation indication of the pre-configured SRS sent by the network or starts to transmit the pre-configured SRS configuration. The UE receives a TA command sent by the network during the process of receiving the activation indication of the pre-configured SRS sent by the network. The UE starts the TA timer associated with the pre-configured SRS. The UE saves the RSRP value of the cell where the activation indication is received, or saves the RSRP value of the cell when the UE starts to transmit the SRS. If the UE receives a Timing Advance Command MAC CE or a Timing Advance Command or an Absolute Timing Advance Command. The UE updates the saved RSRP value to the RSRP value of the current cell, and the RSRP value of the current cell is obtained by the UE measuring the SSB of the current cell. The UE measures the SSB of the cell corresponding to the saved RSRP value and obtains the RSRP value. The UE compares the measured RSRP value with the saved RSRP value. If the measured RSRP value increases or decreases by no more than a threshold value and the corresponding TA timer is still running, the TA is considered valid.

[0344] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a terminal in any of the above methods. For another example, another apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network function node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0345] It should be understood that the division of the various units or modules in the above device is merely a division of logical functions. In actual implementation, they may be fully or partially integrated into a physical entity, or they may be physically separated. In addition, the units or modules in the device may be implemented in the form of a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor, the processor is connected to a memory, and the memory stores instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or implement the functions of the various units or modules of the above device, wherein the processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory within the device or a memory outside the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits, and the functions of some or all of the units or modules can be realized by designing the hardware circuits. The above-mentioned hardware circuits can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), which realizes the functions of some or all of the above units or modules by designing the logical relationship of the components in the circuit; for example, in another implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit can be realized by a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by configuring the configuration file, thereby realizing the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. All units or modules of the above devices can be realized in the form of software called by the processor, or in the form of hardware circuits, or in part by the form of software called by the processor, and the rest by hardware circuits.

[0346] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and execution capabilities, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationship of a hardware circuit. The logical relationship of the above-mentioned hardware circuit is fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document to implement the hardware circuit configuration can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. In addition, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), etc.

[0347] Figure 6a is a schematic diagram of the structure of the terminal proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 6a, the terminal 6100 may include: a processing module 6101. In some embodiments, the processing module 6101 is used to determine that the timing advance TA for sending the sounding reference signal SRS is valid when it is determined that the change in the first reference signal received power RSRP value compared to the second RSRP value is less than or equal to a threshold value, the terminal is in a radio resource control RRC non-connected state, and the SRS includes at least one of the following: a pre-configured SRS and an SRS with a configured valid area; the second RSRP value represents the RSRP value saved by the terminal, and the first RSRP value represents the RSRP value obtained by the terminal measuring the reference signal of a specified cell. In some embodiments, 6100 may include a transceiver module 6102, and the transceiver module 6102 is used to perform the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the terminal 101 in any of the above methods.

[0348] In some embodiments, the designated cell includes at least one of the following: a cell corresponding to the second RSRP value; a last serving cell before the terminal switches from an RRC connected state to an RRC unconnected state; a cell from which the terminal receives a TA command; a cell for which the terminal automatically adjusts its TA; or a current serving cell of the terminal.

[0349] In some embodiments, the second RSRP value includes at least one of the following: the RSRP value of the cell from which the terminal receives SRS configuration information in the RRC connected state; the RSRP value of the last serving cell before the terminal switches from the RRC connected state to the RRC non-connected state; the RSRP value of the cell from which the terminal receives the TA command; the RSRP value of the cell for which the terminal adjusts the TA automatically; and the RSRP value of the terminal's current serving cell.

[0350] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 6102 is configured to perform at least one of the following: the terminal receives SRS configuration information via an RRC release message, where the SRS configuration information is used to configure a preconfigured SRS; the terminal receives SRS configuration information via an RRC release message, where the SRS configuration information is used to configure an SRS in a valid area; and the terminal receives SRS configuration information via an RRC reconfiguration message, where the SRS configuration information is used to configure a preconfigured SRS.

[0351] In some embodiments, the processing module 6101 is further configured to: cause the terminal to reselect a cell, adjust the TA by itself, measure the reference signal of the current serving cell to obtain RSRP, and update the stored second RSRP value to the measured RSRP value.

[0352] In some embodiments, the processing module 6101 is further configured to: determine whether a timer of a TA associated with the uplink positioning reference signal is in a running state.

[0353] In some embodiments, the SRS is a preconfigured SRS, and before receiving the first information, the first information is used to activate the preconfigured SRS, and / or, before sending the SRS according to the preconfigured SRS, the processing module 6101 is also used to perform at least one of the following: not starting the TA timer associated with the preconfigured SRS. Not automatically adjusting the TA when cell reselection occurs. Not saving the RSRP value of the last serving cell before the terminal switches from the RRC connected state to the RRC non-connected state. Not saving the RSRP value of the cell where the terminal receives the SRS configuration information in the RRC connected state. Not evaluating the relationship between the change in the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value and the threshold. Terminal

[0354] Performing cell reselection and automatically adjusting the TA command without updating the second RSRP value to the RSRP value of the currently serving cell. Upon receiving second information, not saving the RSRP value of the currently serving cell or not updating the saved RSRP value, the second information being used to indicate at least one of the following TA commands: a TA command indicated by the media access control element; a TA command; or an absolute TA command.

[0355] In some embodiments, the SRS is a preconfigured SRS. When the first information is received, the first information is used to activate the preconfigured SRS, and / or when the SRS is sent according to the preconfigured SRS, the processing module 6101 is further used to perform at least one of the following: receiving second information sent by the network device during the process of receiving the first information sent by the network device, the second information is used to indicate at least one of the following TA commands: a TA command indicated by the media access control unit. A TA command. An absolute TA command. Starting a TA timer associated with the preconfigured SRS. Measuring an RSRP value of a reference signal of a current serving cell as a second RSRP value. Evaluating a change between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value, and its relationship with a threshold.

[0356] In some embodiments, after starting the TA timer associated with the pre-configured SRS, the processing module 6101 is further configured to perform at least one of the following: automatically adjusting the TA when a cell reselection occurs.

[0357] The cell is reselected, and the TA is automatically adjusted to update the second RSRP value to the RSRP value of the current serving cell. The second information is received, and the RSRP value of the current serving cell is saved and / or the saved RSRP value is updated.

[0358] Figure 6b is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 6b, network device 6200 may include a transceiver module 6201. Transceiver module 6201 is configured to transmit second information during the transmission of first information, where the first information is used to activate a preconfigured SRS, and the second information is configured to indicate at least one of the following TA commands: a TA command indicated by a media access control unit; a TA command; or an absolute TA command. Optionally, the transceiver module is configured to execute the communication steps, such as sending and / or receiving, performed by terminal 101 in any of the above methods, and will not be further described here.

[0359] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 6201 is further configured to receive an SRS, where the TA corresponding to the SRS is determined to be valid based on a difference between a first reference signal received power (RSRP) value and a second RSRP value being less than or equal to a threshold, where the SRS includes at least one of the following: a preconfigured SRS and an SRS with a configured valid area. The second RSRP value represents an RSRP value stored by the terminal, and the first RSRP value represents an RSRP value obtained by the terminal by measuring a reference signal of a designated cell.

[0360] In some embodiments, the designated cell includes at least one of the following: a cell corresponding to the second RSRP value; a last serving cell before the terminal switches from an RRC connected state to an RRC unconnected state; a cell from which the terminal receives a TA command; a cell for which the terminal automatically adjusts its TA; or a current serving cell of the terminal.

[0361] In some embodiments, the second RSRP value includes at least one of the following: the RSRP value of the cell from which the terminal receives SRS configuration information in the RRC connected state; the RSRP value of the last serving cell before the terminal switches from the RRC connected state to the RRC non-connected state; the RSRP value of the cell from which the terminal receives the TA command; the RSRP value of the cell for which the terminal adjusts the TA automatically; and the RSRP value of the terminal's current serving cell.

[0362] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 6201 is further configured to perform at least one of the following: the terminal receives SRS configuration information via an RRC release message, where the SRS configuration information is used to configure a preconfigured SRS. The terminal receives SRS configuration information via an RRC release message, where the SRS configuration information is used to configure an SRS in a valid area. The terminal receives SRS configuration information via an RRC reconfiguration message, where the SRS configuration information is used to configure a preconfigured SRS.

[0363] In some embodiments, the network device 6200 may further include a processing module configured to execute the communication method steps involved in the above embodiments.

[0364] Figure 7a is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 7100 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Communication device 7100 can be a network device, a terminal, a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a network device in implementing any of the above methods, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a terminal in implementing any of the above methods. Optionally, the network device can be an access network device, a core network device, or the like. Optionally, the terminal can be a user equipment, or the like. Communication device 7100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description of the above method embodiments.

[0365] As shown in Figure 7a, communication device 7100 includes one or more processors 7101. Processor 7101 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device, execute programs, and process program data. Communication device 7100 is used to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the communication device can be a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal device, a terminal device chip, a DU or CU, etc.

[0366] In some embodiments, the communication device 7100 further includes one or more memories 7102 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 7102 may be located outside the communication device 7100.

[0367] In some embodiments, the communication device 7100 further includes one or more transceivers 7103. When the communication device 7100 includes one or more transceivers 7103, the transceiver 7103 performs the communication step S2101 such as sending and / or receiving in the above method, and the processor 7101 performs other steps.

[0368] In some embodiments, a transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter. The receiver and transmitter may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, and transceiver circuit may be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, and transmitting circuit may be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, and receiving circuit may be used interchangeably.

[0369] In some embodiments, the communication device 7100 may include one or more interface circuits 7104. Optionally, the interface circuit 7104 is connected to the memory 7102. The interface circuit 7104 may be configured to receive signals from the memory 7102 or other devices, and may be configured to send signals to the memory 7102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 7104 may read instructions stored in the memory 7102 and send the instructions to the processor 7101.

[0370] The communication device 7100 described in the above embodiment may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 7100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 7100 may not be limited by FIG. 7a. The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: 1) an independent integrated circuit IC, or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the above IC collection may also include a storage component for storing data or programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, an intelligent terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handheld device, a mobile unit, an in-vehicle device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0371] FIG7 b is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip 7200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. If the communication device 7100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 7200 shown in FIG7 b , but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0372] The chip 7200 includes one or more processors 7201 , and the chip 7200 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0373] In some embodiments, the chip 7200 further includes one or more interface circuits 7202. Optionally, the interface circuit 7202 is connected to the memory 7203. The interface circuit 7202 can be used to receive signals from the memory 7203 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory 7203 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 7202 can read instructions stored in the memory 7203 and send the instructions to the processor 7201.

[0374] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 7202 executes the communication step S2101 of sending and / or receiving in the above method, and the processor 7201 executes other steps.

[0375] In some embodiments, terms such as interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, and transceiver may be used interchangeably.

[0376] In some embodiments, the chip 7200 further includes one or more memories 7203 for storing instructions. Alternatively, all or part of the memories 7203 may be located outside the chip 7200.

[0377] The present disclosure also proposes a storage medium having instructions stored thereon. When the instructions are executed on the communication device 7100, the communication device 7100 executes any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but is not limited thereto and may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited thereto and may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0378] The present disclosure also provides a program product, which, when executed by the communication device 7100, enables the communication device 7100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0379] The present disclosure also proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform any one of the above methods.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: In response to the terminal determining that a change in the first reference signal received power RSRP value compared to the second RSRP value is less than or equal to a threshold, the terminal determines that a timing advance TA for sending a sounding reference signal SRS is valid, the terminal is in a radio resource control RRC non-connected state, and the SRS includes at least one of the following: a pre-configured SRS, and an SRS with a configured valid area; The second RSRP value represents the RSRP value saved by the terminal, and the first RSRP value represents the RSRP value obtained by the terminal by measuring the reference signal of the designated cell.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The designated cell includes at least one of the following: The second RSRP value corresponds to a cell; The last serving cell before the terminal switches from the RRC connected state to the RRC unconnected state; The cell in which the terminal receives the TA command; The terminal adjusts the TA cell by itself; The terminal's current serving cell.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The second RSRP value includes at least one of the following: The RSRP value of the cell in which the terminal receives SRS configuration information in the RRC connected state; The RSRP value of the last serving cell before the terminal switches from the RRC connected state to the RRC unconnected state; The RSRP value of the cell where the terminal receives the TA command; The terminal adjusts the RSRP value of the TA cell by itself; The RSRP value of the terminal's current serving cell.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The method further comprises at least one of the following: The terminal receives SRS configuration information through an RRC release message, where the SRS configuration information is used to configure the pre-configured SRS; The terminal receives SRS configuration information through an RRC release message, where the SRS configuration information is used to configure the SRS in the valid area; The terminal receives SRS configuration information through RRC reconfiguration information, where the SRS configuration information is used to configure the preconfigured SRS.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The terminal performs cell reselection, adjusts the TA by itself, measures the reference signal of the current serving cell to obtain a third RSRP, and updates the second RSRP value to the third RSRP value.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The method further comprises: It is determined that a timer of the TA associated with the SRS is in a running state.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The SRS is a preconfigured SRS, and the method further includes: First information is received, where the first information is used to activate the preconfigured SRS.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The method further comprises: The SRS is sent according to the preconfigured SRS.

9. The method according to any one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that Before receiving the first information, and / or before sending the SRS according to the preconfigured SRS, the method further includes at least one of the following: not starting a TA timer associated with the pre-configured SRS; The TA is not automatically adjusted when a cell reselection occurs; The RSRP value of the last serving cell before the terminal switches from the RRC connected state to the RRC non-connected state is not saved; The RSRP value of the cell in which the terminal receives SRS configuration information in the RRC connected state is not saved; The relationship between the change amount between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value and the threshold value is not evaluated; The terminal performs cell reselection and adjusts the TA by itself, and does not update the second RSRP value to the RSRP value of the currently serving cell; receiving second information, not saving the RSRP value of the current serving cell, or not updating the saved RSRP value, wherein the second information is used to indicate at least one of the following TA commands: TA command indicated by the media access control unit; TA command; Absolute TA command.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The SRS is a preconfigured SRS, and when the first information is received, the first information is used to activate the preconfigured SRS, and / or, when the SRS is sent according to the preconfigured SRS, the method further includes at least one of the following: In the process of receiving the first information sent by the network device, second information sent by the network device is received, wherein the second information is used to indicate the following At least one TA command: a TA command indicated by the media access control unit; TA command; Absolute TA command; Starting a TA timer associated with the pre-configured SRS; Measuring an RSRP value of a reference signal of a current serving cell as a second RSRP value; A relationship between a change amount between the first RSRP value and the second RSRP value and a threshold is evaluated.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that After starting the TA timer associated with the pre-configured SRS, the method further includes at least one of the following: Automatically adjust TA when cell reselection occurs; The terminal performs cell reselection and adjusts the TA by itself, and updates the second RSRP value to the RSRP value of the current serving cell; The second information is received, the RSRP value of the currently served cell is saved, and / or the saved RSRP value is updated.

12. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The network device sends second information during the process of sending the first information, where the first information is used to activate the preconfigured SRS, and the second information is used to indicate at least one of the following TA commands: TA command indicated by the media access control unit; TA command; Absolute TA command.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The method further comprises: The network device receives a sounding reference signal SRS, and the TA corresponding to the SRS is determined to be valid based on a change amount between a first reference signal received power RSRP value and a second RSRP value being less than or equal to a threshold, and the SRS includes at least one of the following: a pre-configured SRS, and an SRS configured with a valid area; The second RSRP value represents an RSRP value saved by the terminal, and the first RSRP value represents an RSRP value obtained by the terminal by measuring a reference signal of a designated cell.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The designated cell includes at least one of the following: The second RSRP value corresponds to a cell; The last serving cell before the terminal switches from the RRC connected state to the RRC unconnected state; The cell in which the terminal receives the TA command; The terminal adjusts the TA cell by itself; The terminal's current serving cell.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that The second RSRP value includes at least one of the following: The RSRP value of the cell in which the terminal receives SRS configuration information in the RRC connected state; The RSRP value of the last serving cell before the terminal switches from the RRC connected state to the RRC unconnected state; The RSRP value of the cell where the terminal receives the TA command; The terminal adjusts the RSRP value of the TA cell by itself; The RSRP value of the terminal's current serving cell.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that The method further comprises at least one of the following: Sending SRS configuration information through an RRC release message, where the SRS configuration information is used to configure the pre-configured SRS; Sending SRS configuration information through an RRC release message, where the SRS configuration information is used to configure the SRS in the valid area; The SRS configuration information is sent through the RRC reconfiguration information, where the SRS configuration information is used to configure the preconfigured SRS.

17. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The change amount between the first reference signal received power RSRP value and the second RSRP value is less than or equal to the threshold value, the terminal determines that the timing advance TA of the terminal to send an uplink positioning reference signal SRS is valid, the terminal is in a radio resource control RRC non-connected state, and the SRS includes at least one of the following: a pre-configured SRS, and an SRS with a configured valid area; The second RSRP value represents an RSRP value saved by the terminal, and the first RSRP value represents an RSRP value obtained by the terminal measuring a reference signal of a designated cell; The SRS is a preconfigured SRS. The network device sends second information during the process of sending first information to the terminal. The first information is used to activate the preconfigured SRS, and the second information is used to indicate at least one of the following TA commands: a TA command indicated by a media access control unit; a TA command; an absolute TA command.

18. A terminal, characterized in that: include: A processing module, configured to determine that a change in a first reference signal received power RSRP value compared to a second RSRP value is less than or equal to a threshold, and determine that a timing advance TA for a terminal to send an uplink positioning reference signal SRS is valid, the terminal is in a radio resource control RRC non-connected state, and the SRS includes at least one of the following: a pre-configured SRS, and an SRS with a configured valid area; The second RSRP value represents an RSRP value saved by the terminal, and the first RSRP value represents an RSRP value obtained by the terminal by measuring a reference signal of a designated cell.

19. A network device, characterized in that: include: A transceiver module, configured to send second information during the process of sending first information to a terminal, wherein the first information is used to activate a preconfigured uplink positioning reference signal SRS, and the second information is used to indicate at least one of the following TA commands: TA command indicated by the media access control unit; TA command; Absolute TA command.

20. A terminal, characterized in that: include: one or more processors; The processor is used to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

21. A network device, characterized in that: include: one or more processors; The processor is used to execute the communication method described in any one of claims 12-16.

22. A communication system, characterized in that: The invention comprises a terminal and a network device, wherein the terminal is configured to implement the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, and the network device is configured to implement the communication method according to any one of claims 12 to 16.

23. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that: When the instruction is executed on a communication device, the communication device is caused to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 or 12 to 16.

Images