Satellite communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A satellite communication method and apparatus, applied to the technical field of communications. The method comprises: after a first communication apparatus reports first duration information, when a GNSS effective duration of the first communication apparatus has changed, reporting again second duration information, and correspondingly, the second communication apparatus can receive the first duration information and the second duration information. The first duration information can be used for indicating a GNSS first residual effective duration of the first communication apparatus, and the GNSS first residual effective duration is determined on the basis of the GNSS effective duration of the first communication apparatus. The second duration information can be used for indicating a GNSS second residual effective duration of the first communication apparatus, and the GNSS second residual effective duration is determined on the basis of the changed GNSS effective duration. The method can effectively increase the communication duration of the first communication apparatus.

Description

Satellite communication method and device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application with application number 202311254443.9 filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on September 26, 2023, and priority to the Chinese patent application with the invention name “Satellite Communication Method and Device”, all contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a satellite communication method and device. Background Art

[0003] Satellite communications offer unique advantages over terrestrial communications, such as wider coverage and reduced vulnerability to natural disasters and external forces. The introduction of satellite communications can provide communications services to areas beyond the reach of terrestrial networks, such as oceans and forests. It also enhances communication reliability, ensuring better service for users on airplanes, trains, and other transportation. It also provides more data transmission resources and increases network speeds. Therefore, supporting both terrestrial and satellite communications offers significant benefits in terms of wide coverage, reliability, multiple connections, and high throughput.

[0004] Satellite communications have been introduced in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standards as a communication scenario for 5th generation (5G) communications, known as non-terrestrial networks (NTN). NTN supports not only various 5G terminals but also terminals for the Internet of Things (IoT). Satellite communications are distinguished by high mobility and high communication latency. Therefore, compared to terrestrial communications, terminals require synchronization based on information such as the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) or ephemeris, in addition to uplink synchronization. After a terminal reports GNSS information, it can maintain a connection for a certain period of time. If the GNSS fails, the terminal device enters an idle state.

[0005] However, the above method causes the terminal device to continuously initiate random access to enter the connected state and exit the connected state, so that the terminal device cannot maintain communication for a long time.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] The embodiments of the present application provide a satellite communication method and apparatus, which can effectively increase the communication duration of terminal equipment.

[0008] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a satellite communication method, characterized in that the method is applied to a first communication device, which can refer to the terminal device itself or a processor, module, chip, or chip system in the terminal device that implements the method, and the method includes:

[0009] Reporting first duration information, where the first duration information is used to indicate a first remaining valid duration of the global navigation satellite system GNSS of the first communication device, and the first remaining valid duration of the GNSS is determined based on the GNSS valid duration of the first communication device; and when the GNSS valid duration changes, reporting second duration information, where the second duration information is used to indicate a second remaining valid duration of the GNSS of the first communication device, and the second remaining valid duration of the GNSS is determined based on the changed GNSS valid duration.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present application, for the same GNSS measurement, when the GNSS valid time changes, the first communication device reports the remaining GNSS valid time again, so that the second communication device can schedule the first communication device to perform GNSS measurement based on the latest remaining GNSS valid time, so that the first communication device can continue to communicate with the second communication device within the GNSS valid period, thereby achieving long-term communication. It can also avoid the signaling overhead caused by the terminal device constantly entering and exiting the connection state, thereby reducing the signaling overhead.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the second duration information includes the value of the second remaining valid duration of the GNSS, or the index of the value of the second remaining valid duration of the GNSS; or, the second duration information includes the difference between the end time of the first remaining valid duration of the GNSS and the end time of the second remaining valid duration of the GNSS, or the index of the difference; or, the second duration information includes one-bit indication information, and the indication information is used to indicate shortening of the first remaining valid duration of the GNSS, or the indication information is used to indicate extending the first remaining valid duration of the GNSS, and the second remaining valid duration of the GNSS is D, where D is a real number greater than 0.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the first remaining GNSS validity period is determined based on the GNSS validity period and a first reference time.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the second remaining GNSS validity period is determined based on the GNSS validity period and a second reference time.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the second reference time is determined based on the time of reporting the second duration information; or, the second reference time is the end time of the first remaining valid duration of the GNSS.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the change in the GNSS valid duration includes at least one of the following situations: a situation where the change value of the GNSS valid duration is greater than a threshold value; a situation where the GNSS valid duration becomes shorter.

[0016] In a possible implementation manner, the second duration information is further used by the first communication device to request to perform GNSS measurement.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0018] If no GNSS measurement information is received within the second remaining valid time of the GNSS, the idle state is entered, and the GNSS measurement information is used to trigger the first communication device to perform GNSS measurement; or, if no GNSS measurement information is received within the second remaining valid time of the GNSS, the timer is started and GNSS measurement is performed, and if the GNSS measurement is completed within the timing duration of the timer, communication with the second communication device is continued, and the start time of the timer is the end time of the second remaining valid time of the GNSS.

[0019] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0020] In a case where GNSS measurement information is received within the second remaining effective duration of the GNSS, GNSS measurement is performed, where the GNSS measurement information is used to trigger the first communication device to perform the GNSS measurement.

[0021] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a satellite communication method, which is applied to a second communication device. The second communication device can refer to the network device itself or a processor, module, chip, or chip system that implements the method in the network device. The method includes:

[0022] Receive first duration information, where the first duration information is used to indicate a first remaining valid duration of a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) of a first communication device, where the first remaining valid duration of the GNSS is determined based on the GNSS valid duration of the first communication device; and receive second duration information when the GNSS valid duration changes, where the second duration information is used to indicate a second remaining valid duration of the GNSS of the first communication device, where the second remaining valid duration of the GNSS is determined based on the changed GNSS valid duration.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0024] Within the second remaining effective duration of the GNSS indicated by the second duration information, GNSS measurement information is sent, where the GNSS measurement information is used to trigger the first communication device to perform GNSS measurement.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the second duration information includes the value of the second remaining valid duration of the GNSS, or the index of the value of the second remaining valid duration of the GNSS; or, the second duration information includes the difference between the end time of the first remaining valid duration of the GNSS and the end time of the second remaining valid duration of the GNSS, or the index of the difference; or, the second duration information includes one-bit indication information, and the indication information is used to indicate shortening of the first remaining valid duration of the GNSS, or the indication information is used to indicate extending the first remaining valid duration of the GNSS, and the second remaining valid duration of the GNSS is D, where D is a real number greater than 0.

[0026] In a possible implementation, the first remaining GNSS validity period is determined based on the GNSS validity period and a first reference time.

[0027] In a possible implementation, the second remaining GNSS validity period is determined based on the GNSS validity period and a second reference time.

[0028] In a possible implementation, the second reference time is determined based on the time of reporting the second duration information; or, the second reference time is the end time of the first remaining valid duration of the GNSS.

[0029] In a possible implementation, the change in the GNSS valid duration includes at least one of the following situations: a situation where the change value of the GNSS valid duration is greater than a threshold value; a situation where the GNSS valid duration becomes shorter.

[0030] In a possible implementation manner, the second duration information is further used by the first communication device to request to perform GNSS measurement.

[0031] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a first communication device configured to execute the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect. The first communication device includes a unit configured to execute the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect.

[0032] Exemplarily, the first communication device may be a terminal device, a chip, or a functional module, and the chip or functional module may be applied to a terminal device, etc.

[0033] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a second communication device configured to execute the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. The second communication device includes a unit configured to execute the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0034] Exemplarily, the second communication device may be a network device, a chip, or a functional module, and the chip or functional module may be applied to a network device, etc.

[0035] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a first communication device, comprising a processor configured to execute the method described in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect. Alternatively, the processor is configured to execute a program stored in a memory, and when the program is executed, the method described in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect is executed.

[0036] In a possible implementation, the memory is located outside the first communication device.

[0037] In a possible implementation, the memory is located within the first communication device.

[0038] In the embodiment of the present application, the processor and the memory may also be integrated into one device, that is, the processor and the memory may also be integrated together. For example, the first communication device may be a chip.

[0039] In one possible implementation, the first communication device further includes a transceiver configured to receive or transmit signals. Exemplarily, the transceiver may also be configured to transmit first duration information. Exemplarily, the transceiver may also be configured to transmit second duration information, etc. Exemplarily, the transceiver may also be configured to receive GNSS measurement information. Exemplarily, the first communication device may be a terminal device.

[0040] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a second communication device, comprising a processor configured to execute the method described in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. Alternatively, the processor is configured to execute a program stored in a memory, and when the program is executed, the method described in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect is executed.

[0041] In a possible implementation, the memory is located outside the second communication device.

[0042] In a possible implementation, the memory is located within the second communication device.

[0043] In the embodiment of the present application, the processor and the memory may also be integrated into one device, that is, the processor and the memory may also be integrated together. Exemplarily, the second communication device may be a chip.

[0044] In one possible implementation, the second communication device further includes a transceiver configured to receive or transmit signals. Exemplarily, the transceiver may be configured to receive first duration information. Exemplarily, the transceiver may also be configured to receive second duration information. Exemplarily, the transceiver may also be configured to transmit GNSS measurement information, etc. Exemplarily, the second communication device may be a network device.

[0045] In the seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a first communication device, which includes a logic circuit and an interface, and the logic circuit and the interface are coupled; the interface is used to input and / or output information, and the logic circuit is used to execute the method described in the first aspect or any possible implementation method.

[0046] Exemplarily, the interface for inputting information may include: the interface for inputting GNSS measurement information. The interface for outputting information may include: the interface for outputting first duration information, second duration information, etc. Exemplarily, the logic circuit is used to determine a first remaining GNSS valid duration, a second remaining GNSS valid duration, etc.

[0047] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a second communication device, which includes a logic circuit and an interface, and the logic circuit and the interface are coupled; the interface is used to input and / or output information, and the logic circuit is used to execute the method described in the second aspect or any possible implementation method.

[0048] Exemplarily, the interface being used to input information includes: the interface being used to input first duration information, second duration information, etc. The interface being used to output information includes: the interface being used to output GNSS measurement information. Exemplarily, the logic circuit is used to determine a first remaining GNSS validity duration, a second remaining GNSS validity duration, etc.

[0049] In the ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which is used to store a computer program. When the computer program is run on a computer, the method shown in the first aspect or the second aspect or any possible implementation is executed.

[0050] In the tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program or computer code, and when it runs on a computer, it enables the method shown in the above-mentioned first aspect or second aspect or any possible implementation to be executed.

[0051] In the eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program. When the computer program runs on a computer, the method shown in the first aspect or the second aspect or any possible implementation is executed.

[0052] In the twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which includes a first communication device and a second communication device, the first communication device is used to execute the method shown in the above-mentioned first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, and the second communication device is used to execute the method shown in the above-mentioned second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0054] FIG2a is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication system in a transparent transmission scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] FIG2b and FIG2c are schematic diagrams of a satellite communication system in a regeneration scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a flow chart of a satellite communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0057] FIG4a is a schematic diagram of reporting a first remaining valid time of a GNSS according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0058] FIG4 b is a schematic diagram of another method for reporting the first remaining effective duration of a GNSS according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0059] FIG4c is a schematic diagram of another method for reporting the first remaining effective duration of a GNSS according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0060] FIG5 is a schematic diagram showing how speed changes affect GNSS effective duration according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0061] FIG6 a is a schematic diagram of reporting a second remaining effective duration of a GNSS according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0062] FIG6 b is a schematic diagram of another method for reporting the second remaining effective duration of the GNSS according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0063] FIG6c is a schematic diagram of another method for reporting the second remaining effective duration of the GNSS according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0064] FIG6 d is a schematic diagram of another method for reporting the second remaining effective duration of the GNSS according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0065] FIG7a is a schematic diagram of reporting one bit of indication information provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0066] FIG7b is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the present application providing indication information for reporting the first bit;

[0067] FIG8a is a schematic diagram of a scenario of a satellite communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0068] FIG8b is a schematic diagram of a scenario of a satellite communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0069] FIG9a is a schematic diagram of a scenario of a satellite communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0070] FIG9 b is a schematic diagram of a scenario of a satellite communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0071] FIG10 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0072] FIG11 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0073] FIG12 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0074] To facilitate understanding of the technical solution of the present application, the present application will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0075] The terms "first" and "second" in the specification, claims, and drawings of this application are used only to distinguish different objects and are not used to describe a specific order. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units that are not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units that are inherent to the process, method, product, or device.

[0076] References to "embodiments" herein mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments may be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearance of this phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor does it refer to independent or alternative embodiments that are mutually exclusive of other embodiments. It will be understood, both explicitly and implicitly, by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

[0077] In this application, "at least one (item)" means one or more, "more than one" means two or more, "at least two (items)" means two or three and more than three, and "and / or" is used to describe the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: only A exists, only B exists, and A and B exist at the same time, where A and B can be singular or plural. "Or" means that two relationships can exist, such as only A exists, only B exists; when A and B are not mutually exclusive, it can also mean that three relationships exist, such as only A exists, only B exists, and A and B exist at the same time. The character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items. For example, at least one of a, b or c can mean: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c".

[0078] The method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to a non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication system. As shown in FIG1 , the communication system may include a terminal device, a satellite, and a ground station (also referred to as a gateway station or a signal gateway station). It is understandable that FIG1 only shows one satellite and one ground station. In actual use, a multi-satellite and / or multi-ground station architecture may be adopted as needed. Each satellite can provide services to one or more terminal devices, each satellite can correspond to one or more ground stations, each ground station can correspond to one or more satellites, and so on. The embodiments of the present application are not specifically limited. The method provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to the Internet of Things (IoT) system, the Internet of Vehicles (V2X), and the narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) system; for example, it can be applied to the LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, the LTE time division duplex (TDD) system, the long term evolution (LTE) system, the fifth generation (5G) communication system, the sixth generation (6G) communication system or the future communication system, etc., and the embodiments of the present application are not specifically limited.

[0079] A terminal device is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities. The terminal device can communicate with an access network device (or access device) in a radio access network (RAN). The terminal device can also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, terminal, subscriber unit, user station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, user agent, or user device. In one possible implementation, the terminal device can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; it can also be deployed on the water (such as a ship, etc.). In one possible implementation, the terminal device can be a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a sensor, a terminal in the Internet of Things, a terminal in the Internet of Vehicles, a drone, a fifth generation (5G) network, and any form of terminal device in future networks, etc., which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. For example, terminal devices can also communicate with each other through device-to-device (D2D) and machine-to-machine (M2M). The terminal device shown in the embodiment of the present application may also be a device in the Internet of Things (IoT). The IoT network may include, for example, the Internet of Vehicles. The communication methods in the Internet of Vehicles system are collectively referred to as vehicle to other devices (vehicle to X, V2X, where X can represent anything). For example, the V2X may include: vehicle to vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicle to infrastructure (V2I) communication, vehicle to pedestrian (V2P) communication, or vehicle to network (V2N) communication.

[0080] Ground stations can be used to connect satellites to base stations, or satellites to the core network. Satellites can provide wireless access services to terminal devices, dispatch wireless resources to connected terminal devices, and offer reliable wireless transmission protocols and data encryption protocols. As an example, satellites can be base stations that use artificial satellites and high-altitude aircraft as wireless communication platforms, such as evolved NodeBs (eNBs) and next-generation NodeBs (gNBs). As another example, satellites can also serve as relays for these base stations, transparently transmitting their signals to terminal devices.

[0081] Therefore, in some implementations of the present application, such as in the transparent transmission scenario of the satellite, the network device may be the base station shown in Figure 1 (also referred to as a ground base station). Figure 2a is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication system in a transparent transmission scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application. Exemplarily, the terminal device can access the network through an air interface (the air interface can be various types of air interfaces, such as a 5G air interface, etc.), and the network device can be deployed on a ground base station. The satellite is connected to the ground station via a wireless link. The ground station and the ground base station are connected to the core network via a wired or wireless connection. There may be a wireless link between satellites, and in the system shown in Figure 2a, the satellite may have a transparent transmission forwarding function. In other implementations of the present application, such as in the regeneration scenario of the satellite, the network device may be the satellite shown in Figure 1. Figure 2b is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication system in a regeneration scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application. Exemplarily, the terminal device can access the network through the air interface (the air interface can be various types of air interfaces, such as a 5G air interface, etc.), and the network equipment can be deployed on the satellite (such as the satellite's regeneration mode), such as the base station or part of the base station function is deployed on the satellite, and the satellites can complete the signaling interaction and user data transmission between the base stations, as shown in Figure 2c.

[0082] For example, the network elements and their interfaces in FIG. 2a to FIG. 2c may be as follows:

[0083] Terminal devices can access the satellite network through the air interface and initiate calls, access the Internet, and other services. Base stations can be used to provide wireless access services, schedule wireless resources to accessed terminal devices, and provide reliable wireless transmission protocols and data encryption protocols. Ground stations can be responsible for forwarding signaling and service data between the satellite and the core network. The core network can be used for user access control, mobility management, session management, user security authentication or billing, etc. The core network can be composed of multiple functional units, such as functional entities including the control plane and the data plane. For example, the core network shown in Figures 2a to 2c may include an access and mobility management function (AMF), a session management function (SMF), and a user plane function (UPF). For example, AMF can be responsible for user access management, security authentication, and mobility management. UPF can be responsible for managing the transmission of user plane data, traffic statistics, etc. The air interface shown in Figures 2a to 2c can be understood as the wireless link between a terminal and a base station, or the wireless link between a satellite and a ground station. The Xn interface can be understood as the interface between base stations, primarily used for signaling exchanges such as handover. The NG interface can be used as the interface between a base station and the core network, used for signaling exchanges such as the core network's non-access stratum (NAS), as well as user service data. In systems with different wireless access technologies, the names of devices with base station functions may vary, and are not shown one by one in this embodiment.

[0084] The satellite may be a geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellite, a medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellite or a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite of a non-geostationary Earth orbit (NGEO), or a high altitude platform station (HAPS). The specific type of satellite is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0085] In some deployments of network devices, the network device may include a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). In other deployments of network devices, the CU may also be divided into a CU-control plane (CP) and a CU-user plane (UP). In still other deployments of network devices, the network device may also be an open radio access network (ORAN) architecture, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific deployment method of the network device. For example, when the network device is an ORAN architecture, the network device shown in the embodiments of the present application may be an access network device in the ORAN, or a functional module, etc. In the ORAN system, the CU may also be referred to as an open (O)-CU, the DU may also be referred to as an O-DU, the CU-CP may also be referred to as an O-CU-CP, and the CU-UP may also be referred to as an O-CU-UP, etc. The deployment methods of the network devices listed here are only examples. With the evolution of standard technologies, network devices may have other deployment forms.

[0086] The network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application. Ordinary technicians in this field will know that with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions and network architecture provided in the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0087] Currently, there is a short-term connection communication method, in which the terminal device initiates random access and exits the connection state after sending uplink data. During this process, the GNSS information obtained by the terminal device before random access has a certain validity period. The GNSS information can remain valid before the terminal device exits the RRC connection state because even if the terminal device moves, the GNSS deviation caused by the movement can still meet the synchronization requirements. For IoT-type terminal devices, since IoT services have the characteristics of short packet periodic transmission, the above-mentioned short-term connection communication method can be effectively applied to terminal devices with short packet periodic transmission characteristics.

[0088] However, the GNSS information obtained by the terminal device in the above method has a certain validity duration. When the GNSS information expires, the terminal device can no longer maintain the connection and needs to exit the connected state and enter the idle state. Then, it needs to re-acquire the GNSS information and initiate random access. The terminal device performs random access multiple times to enter the connected state and exit the connected state, which will result in excessive signaling overhead. Alternatively, when the terminal device is in the connected state for a long time, the GNSS information will expire, and the terminal device will need to re-acquire the GNSS information. However, when the terminal device re-acquires the GNSS information, there may be a situation where communication and GNSS measurement cannot be performed at the same time. For example, if the terminal device performs GNSS measurement, it will be unable to communicate (such as unable to send uplink data, or unable to receive downlink data). Especially for IoT services, the data packet period of IoT services is relatively short. The inability to communicate during the execution of GNSS measurement will greatly affect the normal communication of IoT services. Exemplarily, the above-mentioned effective duration can be a duration determined by the terminal device based on its movement speed or based on its relative position relationship with the satellite (for example, whether it is in the central area or the edge area covered by the satellite) or based on information such as its relative speed with the satellite, and then reported by the terminal device to the network device.

[0089] In view of this, an embodiment of the present application provides a satellite communication method and device, which can increase the communication time of the terminal device (or increase the time the terminal device is in a connected state) on the basis of achieving uplink synchronization of the terminal device, so that the terminal device can achieve long-term communication, and can also avoid the signaling overhead generated by the terminal device constantly entering and exiting the connected state, thereby reducing the signaling overhead.

[0090] In the satellite communication method shown below (as shown in Figure 3), the first communication device can be a terminal device or a chip provided in the terminal device or a functional module in the terminal device, and the second communication device can be a network device or a chip provided in the network device or a functional module in the network device. As shown above, the network device may include an access network device or a functional module under the O-RAN architecture, etc. For a specific description of the terminal device and the network device, please refer to Figure 1 and Figures 2a to 2c, which will not be described in detail here. For ease of description, the embodiments of the present application may use terminal devices and network devices as examples when referring to specific examples, but this should not be understood as a limitation on the embodiments of the present application.

[0091] FIG3 is a flow chart of a satellite communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG3 , the method includes:

[0092] 301. A first communication device reports first duration information, and a second communication device receives the first duration information. The first duration information is used to indicate a first remaining GNSS valid duration of the first communication device, where the first remaining GNSS valid duration is determined based on the GNSS valid duration of the first communication device.

[0093] The following describes the GNSS validity period shown in the embodiments of the present application.

[0094] GNSS measurement is the process of obtaining geographic location information through positioning based on signals from navigation satellites. For example, the obtained geographic location information may be GNSS information, which may represent information related to the terminal device's geographic location, such as X, Y, and Z coordinates or longitude, latitude, and altitude. When obtaining GNSS information, the first communication device may determine the validity period of the GNSS information, i.e., the GNSS validity period, based on its positional relationship or velocity relationship with the satellite. The positional relationship between the first communication device and the satellite may include whether the first communication device is located in the center or edge of the satellite's coverage area, or the satellite's orbital altitude or elevation angle. The velocity relationship between the first communication device and the satellite may include the relative velocity relationship between the first communication device and the satellite, or the first communication device's movement speed. For example, the greater the terminal device's movement speed, the shorter the GNSS validity period may be. Thus, after the first communication device completes the GNSS measurement within the GNSS measurement interval, it can determine the GNSS validity period. During this GNSS validity period, the first communication device can maintain uplink synchronization and communicate with the second communication device.

[0095] Exemplarily, the GNSS valid duration may be at the second level, or at the hundredth level, or at the minute level, or at the hour level, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this. For example, the GNSS valid duration may be any of the following {10s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 5min, 10min, 15min, 20min, 25min, 30min, 60min, 90min, 120min, infinity}. Wherein, min refers to minutes and s refers to seconds. Exemplarily, for a terminal device that does not move, or for a terminal device with a low moving speed, such as a terminal device with a moving speed less than a certain threshold, its GNSS information may be always valid, so the GNSS valid duration may be infinite. The GNSS valid durations listed above are only examples and should not be understood as limitations on the embodiments of the present application.

[0096] The GNSS validity duration may also be referred to as the GNSS validity period or the GNSS validity duration, etc. The specific name of the GNSS validity duration is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0097] The following describes the first remaining valid time of the GNSS shown in the embodiment of the present application.

[0098] Generally speaking, the terminal device can perform GNSS measurement within the GNSS measurement interval and then report the GNSS valid duration. However, there will be a certain time difference between the time when the terminal device completes the GNSS measurement and obtains the GNSS valid duration and the end of the GNSS measurement interval, or there will be a certain time difference between the time when the terminal device completes the GNSS measurement and obtains the GNSS valid duration and the time when the terminal device reports it, or the terminal device may update the GNSS valid duration based on some update mechanisms, etc. Therefore, the terminal device can accurately indicate the remaining duration of the GNSS valid duration to the network device by reporting the first remaining valid duration of the GNSS. By reporting a more accurate remaining valid duration of the GNSS, the network device can schedule the terminal device to perform GNSS measurement before the GNSS expires, thereby extending the communication duration of the terminal device as much as possible. The reasons listed above for the terminal device to report the first remaining valid duration of the GNSS are only examples and should not be understood as limitations on the embodiments of the present application.

[0099] As an example, the terminal device may report the GNSS valid duration before reporting the first duration information. The GNSS valid duration may include the GNSS initial valid duration, which is the GNSS valid duration obtained by the first communication device by performing GNSS measurement. The first duration information reported by the terminal device may be the GNSS remaining valid duration reported after the terminal device reports the GNSS valid duration. For example, the first duration information may be the GNSS remaining valid duration reported for the first time after the terminal device reports the GNSS valid duration. As another example, the first duration information reported by the terminal device may also be the information reported for the first time after it completes the GNSS measurement.

[0100] Exemplarily, the first remaining GNSS validity period may be determined based on the GNSS validity period and a first reference time. The first reference time may be used to determine the start time or end time of the first remaining GNSS validity period. The first reference time may be defined by a protocol, broadcast by a network device to each terminal device, or determined by a network device and then issued to each terminal device.

[0101] As an example, the first reference time can be determined based on the time of reporting the first duration information. For example, the first reference time can be the time of reporting the first duration information. Figure 4a is a schematic diagram of reporting the first remaining valid duration of GNSS provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 4a, the terminal device can use the time when it reports the first duration information as the starting time to determine the first remaining valid duration of GNSS. For another example, the first reference time can be the time after the time of reporting the first duration information determined by taking into account the transmission delay between the terminal device and the network device. Figure 4b is another schematic diagram of reporting the first remaining valid duration of GNSS provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 4b, since the network device needs a certain transmission delay to receive the first duration information, the terminal device can consider the transmission delay between the terminal device and the network device when determining the first remaining valid duration of GNSS, such as taking a certain time after reporting the first duration information as the first reference time.

[0102] As another example, the first reference time may be the end time of the GNSS measurement interval. Figure 4c is a schematic diagram of another method for reporting the first remaining GNSS valid duration provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 4c, the terminal device may determine the first remaining GNSS valid duration using the end time of the GNSS measurement interval as the starting time.

[0103] The first remaining effective duration of GNSS shown in Figures 4a to 4c is less than the effective duration of GNSS, and the end time of the first remaining effective duration of GNSS is the same as the end time of the effective duration of GNSS. In a specific implementation, the terminal device may also extend the effective duration of GNSS based on the time advance command (TAC) it receives, and then report the first duration information after extending the effective duration of GNSS. At this time, the end time of the first remaining effective duration of GNSS may be later than the end time of the initial effective duration of GNSS. Therefore, the first reference time and the first remaining effective duration of GNSS shown in Figures 4a to 4c should not be understood as limitations on the embodiments of the present application.

[0104] The following introduces the specific content of the first duration information shown in the embodiment of the present application.

[0105] As a possible implementation method 1, the first duration information may include the value of the GNSS first remaining valid duration. That is, the first duration information may directly carry the value of the GNSS first remaining valid duration. As another possible implementation method 2, the first duration information may include the index of the value of the GNSS first remaining valid duration. For example, the GNSS first remaining valid duration may be any of the following {10s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 100s, 5min, 10min, 15min, 20min, 25min, 30min, 60min, 90min, 120min, infinity}. For relevant explanations on "infinity", please refer to the description of the GNSS valid duration above, which will not be detailed here. The GNSS first remaining valid duration listed here is only an example. In a specific implementation, the GNSS first remaining valid duration may also have other values, which will not be listed here one by one. For example, the first duration information may include an index of 20s, or the first duration information may also carry 20s.

[0106] For implementation methods 1 and 2, the second communication device can directly obtain the first remaining valid duration of the GNSS by parsing the first duration information, so that it can prepare to send GNSS measurement information to the terminal device before the GNSS expires and schedule the terminal device to perform GNSS measurement.

[0107] As another possible implementation manner 3, the first duration information includes the difference between the end time of the first remaining GNSS valid duration and the end time of the initial GNSS valid duration. As another possible implementation manner 4, the first duration information includes an index of the difference between the end time of the first remaining GNSS valid duration and the end time of the initial GNSS valid duration. For implementation manners 3 and 4, the first duration information may further include the following information: information indicating that the end time of the first remaining GNSS valid duration is earlier than the end time of the initial GNSS valid duration, or information indicating that the end time of the first remaining GNSS valid duration is later than the end time of the initial GNSS valid duration. For example, the difference may include any one of the following: {0s, 1s, 2s, 3s, 4s, 6s, 8s, 10s, 15s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 1min, 2min, 3min, 5min, 10min, 20min, 40min}. 0 may indicate that the end time of the first remaining GNSS valid duration is the same as the end time of the initial GNSS valid duration.

[0108] For the above-mentioned implementation methods 3 to 4, the second communication device can obtain the above-mentioned difference by parsing the first duration information, and then obtain the end time of the first remaining valid duration of the GNSS indicated by the first duration information of the terminal device based on the end time of the initial valid duration of the GNSS, so that it can prepare to send GNSS measurement information to the terminal device before the GNSS expires and schedule the terminal device to perform GNSS measurement.

[0109] As another possible implementation method 5, the first duration information may include the difference between the first remaining valid duration of the GNSS and the reference GNSS valid duration. As another possible implementation method 6, the first duration information may include the index of the difference between the first remaining valid duration of the GNSS and the reference GNSS valid duration. The reference GNSS valid duration may be the initial valid duration of the GNSS, or the valid duration of the GNSS broadcast or unicast by the network device, etc. For implementation methods 5 and 6, the first duration information may also include a one-bit sign bit, which may be used to indicate the size of the first remaining valid duration of the GNSS and the reference GNSS valid duration. For example, the sign bit may be used to indicate that the first remaining valid duration of the GNSS is greater than the reference GNSS valid duration, or that the first remaining valid duration of the GNSS is less than the reference GNSS valid duration.

[0110] For the above-mentioned implementation methods 5 to 6, the second communication device can obtain the above-mentioned difference by parsing the first duration information, and then based on the GNSS reference effective duration, it can obtain the first remaining effective duration of the GNSS indicated by the first duration information of the terminal device, so that it can prepare to send GNSS measurement information to the terminal device before the GNSS expires and schedule the terminal device to perform GNSS measurement.

[0111] In an embodiment of the present application, the first duration information may also indicate that the terminal device has completed the GNSS measurement, or indicate that the terminal device requests to perform the GNSS measurement.

[0112] Exemplarily, the first duration information may be included in a medium access control control element (MAC CE) or in data at the physical layer. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific signaling used to carry the first duration information. Exemplarily, the terminal device may carry the first duration information via a physical random access channel (PRACH), a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) or a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH). The resources used to report the first duration information may be dynamically scheduled resources or semi-static resources or PRACH resources, etc. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the channel or resource used to report the duration information. The relevant description here of the first duration information also applies to the second duration information and the third duration information shown below, which will not be repeated below.

[0113] 302. When the GNSS valid duration changes, the first communication device reports second duration information, and the second communication device receives the second duration information. The second duration information is used to indicate a second remaining GNSS valid duration of the first communication device, where the second remaining GNSS valid duration is determined based on the changed GNSS valid duration.

[0114] The following describes how the GNSS effective duration changes as shown in the embodiments of the present application.

[0115] After successfully measuring the GNSS, the terminal device can feedback the first remaining effective duration of the GNSS. However, if the speed of the terminal device changes significantly after feedback of the GNSS effective duration, the remaining effective duration will be affected, especially when the GNSS effective duration becomes shorter. If the remaining effective duration of the GNSS is not updated in time, the network device will not be able to schedule the resources for the GNSS measurement in advance. Therefore, in an embodiment of the present application, when the GNSS effective duration changes, the first communication device can report a duration information (i.e., the second duration information) again. Generally speaking, after the terminal device performs the GNSS measurement, the starting time of the GNSS effective duration is fixed (such as the starting time of the GNSS effective duration is the starting time of the initial GNSS effective duration). Therefore, a change in the GNSS effective duration can implicitly indicate that the end time of the GNSS effective duration has changed.

[0116] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a speed change that affects the effective duration of GNSS provided by an embodiment of the present application. The horizontal axis in Figure 5 represents time, and the vertical axis represents the error in timing advance, and the unit of the error is normalized to the sampling point. At 0s, the terminal device performs GNSS measurement, so the error is equal to 0. As time goes by, the error becomes larger. If the speed is relatively large, it will gradually exceed the dotted line on the horizontal axis, and the dotted line on the horizontal axis represents the error requirement. The intersection between the dotted line on the horizontal axis and the curve represents the effective duration of GNSS. When the intersection is exceeded, it means that the GNSS information of the terminal device will expire and does not meet the error requirement. The relative distance between the terminal device and the satellite shown in Figure 5 (i.e., the change in the curve) is only an example and should not be understood as a limitation on the embodiments of the present application.

[0117] As shown in Figure 5, when the speed of the terminal device is 120km / h, the GNSS effective duration will be exceeded after 15s (the intersection of the dotted line on the horizontal axis in Figure 5 and the curve corresponding to 120km / h), and when the speed of the terminal device is 60km / h, the GNSS effective duration will be exceeded after about 30s (the intersection of the dotted line on the horizontal axis in Figure 5 and the curve corresponding to 60km / h). If the speed of the terminal device changes from 60km / h to 120km / h, the GNSS effective duration will be shortened. Therefore, when the moving speed of the terminal device changes significantly, resulting in a change in the effective duration of the GNSS information, the terminal device can promptly notify the network device of the need to update the GNSS effective duration by reporting the second duration information, so that the network device can promptly know that the network device needs to schedule GNSS measurement resources in advance, so that the network device can promptly schedule the terminal device to perform GNSS measurement.

[0118] The change in GNSS validity period may include at least one of the following:

[0119] 1) The change in GNSS effective duration is greater than the threshold value.

[0120] The change in the GNSS valid time being greater than the threshold value includes: the GNSS valid time being decreased, and the change in the GNSS valid time being greater than the threshold value; or the GNSS valid time being increased, and the change in the GNSS valid time being greater than the threshold value.

[0121] Generally speaking, when a terminal device reports the GNSS valid duration / the first remaining GNSS valid duration, it tends to report it conservatively, resulting in a smaller GNSS valid duration / the first remaining GNSS valid duration. Therefore, when the change in GNSS valid duration is less than the threshold value, even if the remaining GNSS valid duration is not reported, synchronization between the terminal device and the network device may still be maintained. The network device can still schedule GNSS measurements for the terminal device within the time expected by the terminal device. Therefore, by setting the threshold value, signaling overhead and reporting resources can be effectively saved.

[0122] 2) The GNSS effective duration becomes shorter.

[0123] The GNSS valid time becomes shorter, which means that the GNSS valid time / GNSS remaining valid time reported by the terminal device last time needs to be updated, and the terminal device needs to report a shortened GNSS valid time (or a shortened GNSS remaining valid time) again.

[0124] If the GNSS effective time becomes longer, it means that the terminal device can still maintain uplink synchronization with the network device within a period of time. Therefore, reporting the second time information when the GNSS effective time becomes shorter can enable the network device to know in real time that the GNSS effective time of the terminal device has been shortened, so that the network device can timely and accurately schedule the terminal device to perform GNSS measurement.

[0125] 3) The GNSS effective duration increases.

[0126] If the GNSS validity period increases, it means that the GNSS validity period / GNSS remaining validity period reported by the terminal device last time needs to be updated, and the terminal device needs to report an extended GNSS validity period (or a shortened GNSS remaining validity period) again. As a result, the network device can schedule the terminal device to perform GNSS measurements before the end time of the original GNSS validity period instead of before the end time of the new GNSS validity period.

[0127] The above 1) to 3) can also be combined with each other. For example, the changes in the GNSS effective duration can include: the GNSS effective duration decreases, or the GNSS effective duration increases and the change value is greater than the threshold value; the GNSS effective duration decreases and the change value is greater than the threshold value, or the GNSS effective duration increases; the GNSS effective duration increases, or the GNSS effective duration decreases. For relevant instructions on the combination, please refer to the above 1) to 3) and will not be detailed here.

[0128] The above-mentioned change in GNSS effective duration is illustrated by taking the change in GNSS effective duration as an example. In a specific implementation, the change in GNSS effective duration may also include the following situations:

[0129] 4) The terminal device detects a change in its own speed based on downlink signal detection, and the change value is greater than the speed threshold.

[0130] When the moving speed of the terminal device changes significantly, it can be considered that the GNSS effective duration of the terminal device will also change. Exemplarily, the terminal device can detect a Doppler frequency shift (such as the actual Doppler frequency shift) through the downlink signal (the Doppler frequency shift shown here can also be a Doppler frequency deviation or a Doppler time deviation, etc.), and calculate another Doppler frequency shift based on the ephemeris information and the last GNSS effective duration (such as a Doppler frequency shift pre-estimated based on the GNSS information and the ephemeris information) (the Doppler frequency shift shown here can also be a Doppler frequency deviation or a Doppler time deviation, etc.). When the difference between the two Doppler frequency shifts is large (such as exceeding a certain threshold), it is considered that the GNSS effective duration of the terminal device has changed.

[0131] 5) The terminal device detects based on the downlink signal that the relative speed (or relative position) between it and the satellite has changed, and the change value is greater than the relative speed threshold value.

[0132] The above-mentioned change in the GNSS effective duration may be a judgment criterion set by the terminal device based on a specific implementation, or may be defined by a protocol, or set by a network device, etc., and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0133] By setting the conditions for the terminal device to report the second duration information, the complexity of the terminal device's reporting can be reduced.

[0134] The following describes the GNSS second remaining valid time shown in the embodiment of the present application.

[0135] The second remaining effective duration of GNSS can be determined based on the changed effective duration of GNSS. For relevant instructions on the changed effective duration of GNSS, please refer to the above and will not be described in detail here. Exemplarily, the second remaining effective duration of GNSS can be determined based on the effective duration of GNSS and the second reference time. The second reference time can be used to determine the start time or end time of the second remaining effective duration of GNSS. The second reference time can be defined by a protocol, or broadcast by a network device to each terminal device, or determined by a network device and then sent to each terminal device. The determination method of the first reference time and the second reference time can be consistent, such as both can be defined by a protocol, or both can be broadcast by a network device, etc., and will not be listed here one by one.

[0136] As an example, the second reference time can be determined based on the time of reporting the second duration information. For example, the second reference time can be the time of reporting the second duration information. Figure 6a is a schematic diagram of reporting the second remaining effective duration of GNSS provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 6a, the terminal device can determine the second remaining effective duration of GNSS based on the time when it reports the second duration information as the starting time. For another example, the second reference time can be the time after the time of reporting the second duration information determined by taking into account the transmission delay between the terminal device and the network device. Figure 6b is another schematic diagram of reporting the second remaining effective duration of GNSS provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 6b, since the network device needs a certain transmission delay to receive the second duration information, the terminal device can consider the transmission delay between the terminal device and the network device when determining the second remaining effective duration of GNSS, such as taking a certain time after reporting the second duration information as the second reference time. In both Figure 6a and Figure 6b, the reference time is determined based on the time of reporting the duration information, that is, the second reference time is determined based on the time of reporting the second duration information, and the first reference time is determined based on the time of reporting the first duration information. However, in a specific implementation, the first reference time may not be consistent with the second reference time. For example, the first reference time may be the end time of the GNSS measurement interval, and the second reference time may be the time of reporting the second duration information, etc., which are not listed one by one here.

[0137] The second reference time shown in the above example can be applied to both a reduced GNSS validity period and a larger GNSS validity period. Figure 6c is a schematic diagram of another method for reporting the second remaining GNSS validity period provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 6c, the end time of the changed GNSS validity period can be later than the end time of the initial GNSS validity period.

[0138] As another example, the second reference time is the end time of the first remaining GNSS validity period. Figure 6d is a schematic diagram of another method for reporting the second remaining GNSS validity period provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 6d, the end time of the changed GNSS validity period may be later than the end time of the initial GNSS validity period. At the same time, the second remaining GNSS validity period is calculated starting from the end time of the first remaining GNSS validity period.

[0139] As another example, the second parameter time may be the end time of the initial valid duration of the GNSS.

[0140] As another example, the second reference time may be the end time of the last reported GNSS remaining effective time.

[0141] In this embodiment of the present application, after the terminal device reports the first duration information and before reporting the second duration information, the terminal device may also report third duration information. This third duration information is used to indicate the third remaining GNSS validity period. This third remaining GNSS validity period is determined based on the changed GNSS validity period. That is, the terminal device can report the remaining GNSS validity period multiple times. For the specific content of the third duration information, please refer to the description of the second duration information below and will not be detailed here.

[0142] The second reference time shown above is only an example. In a specific implementation, the second reference time can also be other times, which are not listed one by one in the embodiments of the present application.

[0143] The following introduces the specific content of the second duration information shown in the embodiment of the present application.

[0144] As a possible implementation method 1, the second duration information may include the value of the GNSS second remaining valid duration. That is, the second duration information may directly carry the value of the GNSS second remaining valid duration. As another possible implementation method 2, the second duration information may include the index of the value of the GNSS second remaining valid duration. For example, the GNSS second remaining valid duration may be any of the following {10s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 100s, 5min, 10min, 15min, 20min, 25min, 30min, 60min, 90min, 120min, infinity}. For relevant explanations on "infinity", please refer to the description of the GNSS valid duration above, which will not be detailed here. Here, the possible values ​​of the GNSS second remaining valid duration are the same as the possible values ​​of the GNSS first remaining valid duration shown above. In a specific implementation, the possible values ​​of the GNSS first remaining valid duration may also be different from the possible values ​​of the GNSS second remaining valid duration, which will not be listed here one by one.

[0145] For implementation methods 1 and 2, the second communication device can directly obtain the second remaining valid duration of the GNSS by parsing the second duration information, so that it can send GNSS measurement information to the terminal device before the GNSS expires and schedule the terminal device to perform GNSS measurement.

[0146] As another possible implementation manner 3, the second duration information includes the difference between the end time of the first remaining GNSS validity period and the end time of the second remaining GNSS validity period. As another possible implementation manner 4, the second duration information includes an index of the difference between the end time of the first remaining GNSS validity period and the end time of the second remaining GNSS validity period. For implementation manners 3 and 4, the second duration information may also include the following information: information indicating that the end time of the second remaining GNSS validity period is earlier than the end time of the initial GNSS validity period, or information indicating that the end time of the second remaining GNSS validity period is later than the end time of the initial GNSS validity period.

[0147] For the above-mentioned implementation methods 3 to 4, the second communication device can obtain the above-mentioned difference by parsing the second duration information, and then obtain the end time of the second remaining valid duration of the GNSS indicated by the second duration information of the terminal device based on the end time of the initial valid duration of the GNSS, so that it can prepare to send GNSS measurement information to the terminal device before the GNSS expires and schedule the terminal device to perform GNSS measurement.

[0148] As another possible implementation manner 5, the second duration information may include the difference between the second remaining valid duration of the GNSS and the reference GNSS valid duration. As another possible implementation manner 6, the second duration information may include the index of the difference between the second remaining valid duration of the GNSS and the reference GNSS valid duration. The reference GNSS valid duration may be the initial valid duration of the GNSS, or the valid duration of the GNSS broadcast or unicast by the network device, or the remaining valid duration of the GNSS reported last time, or the initial valid duration of the GNSS obtained when the terminal device last performed a GNSS measurement, or the GNSS valid duration / GNSS remaining valid duration reported for the first time after the terminal device last performed a GNSS measurement, etc. For implementation manners 5 and 6, the second duration information may also include a one-bit sign bit, which may be used to indicate the size of the second remaining valid duration of the GNSS and the reference GNSS valid duration. For example, the sign bit may be used to indicate that the second remaining valid duration of the GNSS is greater than the reference GNSS valid duration, or that the second remaining valid duration of the GNSS is less than the reference GNSS valid duration.

[0149] For the above-mentioned implementation methods 5 to 6, the second communication device can obtain the above-mentioned difference by parsing the second duration information, and then based on the GNSS reference effective duration, it can obtain the second remaining effective duration of the GNSS indicated by the second duration information of the terminal device, so that GNSS measurement information can be sent to the terminal device before the GNSS expires, and the terminal device can be scheduled to perform GNSS measurement.

[0150] For details on implementations 3 through 6 of the second duration information, refer to the descriptions of implementations 3 through 6 of the first duration information above and are not detailed here. Indicating the second remaining GNSS valid duration by reporting a difference or an index of the difference, as shown in implementations 3 through 6 above, can further reduce signaling overhead.

[0151] As another possible implementation manner 7, the second duration information includes one bit of indication information, which is used to indicate the shortening of the first remaining valid duration of the GNSS (or the last reported remaining valid duration of the GNSS), or the indication information is used to indicate the extension of the first remaining valid duration of the GNSS (or the last reported remaining valid duration of the GNSS), and the second remaining valid duration of the GNSS is D, where D is a real number greater than 0. When the indication information is used to indicate the shortening of the first remaining valid duration of the GNSS, the starting time of the second remaining valid duration of the GNSS may be the second reference time as shown in Figures 6a to 6c, or the starting time of the second remaining valid duration of the GNSS may be the end time of the first remaining valid duration of the GNSS (as shown in Figure 6d), or the end time of the last reported remaining valid duration of the GNSS, or the end time of the GNSS valid duration determined based on the first remaining valid duration of the GNSS. For example, the indication information indicating 0 indicates shortening the first remaining valid duration of the GNSS. As shown in Figure 7a, when the second communication device receives the indication information (as shown in the GNSS extension in Figure 7a), it can be known that when it receives the indication information (such as the first communication device takes into account the transmission delay when sending the indication information), the second remaining effective duration of GNSS is D (the duration D shown in Figure 7a). For example, the indication information indicates that 1 represents the extension of the first remaining effective duration of GNSS. As shown in Figure 7b, when the second communication device receives the indication information, it can be known that the GNSS effective duration is extended by D on the basis of the first remaining effective duration of GNSS (the duration D is extended as shown in Figure 7b). The remaining GNSS effective duration report in Figures 7a and 7b can be a report of the first remaining effective duration of GNSS, and the GNSS extension can be a report of the second remaining effective duration of GNSS. The relevant description here on the starting time of the second remaining effective duration of GNSS also applies to the following implementation methods 8 and 9, and will not be repeated below.

[0152] As another possible implementation method 8, the second duration information includes one bit of indication information, which is used to indicate that the initial valid duration of the GNSS is shortened, or the indication information is used to indicate that the initial valid duration of the GNSS is extended, and the second remaining valid duration of the GNSS is D, where D is a real number greater than 0.

[0153] In another possible implementation 9, the second duration information includes a one-bit indication information, which is used to indicate whether to shorten the GNSS effective duration determined based on the last reported GNSS remaining effective duration, or to indicate whether to extend the GNSS effective duration determined based on the last reported GNSS remaining effective duration, where the second GNSS remaining effective duration is D, where D is a real number greater than 0. Generally speaking, the end time of the GNSS effective duration determined based on the GNSS remaining effective duration is the same as the end time of the GNSS remaining effective duration. Therefore, the above implementations 7 and 9 can be considered to be described from different aspects.

[0154] For implementations 7 to 9, the second duration information includes a one-bit indication. In this case, the second remaining GNSS valid duration can be a predetermined duration (i.e., D described above). The value of D can be defined by a protocol or broadcast by a network. This embodiment of the application does not limit the configuration of D.

[0155] In this embodiment of the present application, the second duration information can also be used by the first communication device to request the execution of GNSS measurement. That is, the second duration information can not only indicate the second remaining valid duration of the GNSS, but also instruct the second communication device to trigger the terminal device to perform GNSS measurement before the GNSS expires.

[0156] As a possible implementation, the method shown in FIG3 may further include:

[0157] 303. The second communication device sends GNSS measurement information, and the first communication device receives the GNSS measurement information in response. The GNSS measurement information is used to trigger the first communication device to perform GNSS measurement.

[0158] The second communication device can send GNSS measurement information within the latest GNSS valid duration reported by the terminal device. That is, the second communication device can send the GNSS measurement information before the GNSS information expires. Exemplarily, the above-mentioned GNSS measurement information can schedule the terminal device to perform GNSS measurement. For example, the GNSS measurement information can carry the resources used by the terminal device to perform GNSS measurement. The resources may include the duration for performing GNSS measurement or the GNSS measurement interval, etc. The terminal device performs GNSS measurement on the resources used to perform GNSS measurement, and continues to communicate with the network device after completing the GNSS measurement. For example, the terminal device can report the remaining valid duration of GNSS according to the method shown in steps 301 and 302 shown in Figure 3 above.

[0159] Figure 8a is a schematic diagram of a scenario of a satellite communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 8a, the terminal device can report the remaining GNSS validity period multiple times, including the remaining GNSS validity period reporting and the remaining GNSS validity period update as shown in Figure 8a. Within the latest GNSS validity period (before the current GNSS validity period expires as shown in Figure 8a), the network device can trigger the terminal device to perform GNSS measurements.

[0160] As another possible implementation, the method shown in FIG3 may further include:

[0161] 304. If no GNSS measurement information is received within the second remaining valid duration of the GNSS, the first communication device starts the timer and performs GNSS measurement. If the GNSS measurement is completed within the timing duration of the timer, communication with the second communication device continues. The start time of the timer is the end time of the second remaining valid duration of the GNSS.

[0162] If no GNSS measurement information is received within the changed GNSS valid duration, the first communication device may start a timer and perform GNSS measurement based on the timer. Alternatively, if no GNSS measurement information is received within the latest GNSS valid duration indicated by the second remaining GNSS valid duration, the first communication device may start a timer and perform GNSS measurement based on the timer. The specific description of step 304 is not limited in this embodiment of the present application. The start time in step 304 may also be referred to as the start moment, and the end time may also be referred to as the end moment.

[0163] The timing duration of the timer can be defined by the protocol, or configured by the network device to the terminal device through RRC signaling or MAC-CE signaling. The start condition of the timer is that the terminal device does not receive GNSS measurement information until the GNSS expires. The timer can be started at the end of the second remaining valid time of the GNSS. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the timing duration or stop condition of the timer. For example, the terminal device can also determine the stop condition of the timer by itself.

[0164] For example, the terminal device can communicate with the network device when it completes the GNSS measurement. Since the network device may not be able to clearly know the time when the terminal device completes the GNSS measurement, the network device can continuously attempt to perform uplink scheduling on the terminal device before the timer expires (such as when the network device receives the uplink signal sent by the terminal device, it can be said that the terminal device has successfully completed the GNSS measurement), or the terminal device can initiate an uplink scheduling request after it completes the GNSS measurement. This approach allows the terminal device to resume communication with the network device as soon as possible.

[0165] For example, if the terminal device completes the GNSS measurement within the timer duration, after the timer ends, the terminal device can report the new GNSS validity duration or the remaining GNSS validity duration. For example, if the terminal device does not complete the GNSS measurement within the timer duration, it enters the idle state.

[0166] Figure 8b is a schematic diagram of another scenario of a satellite communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 8b, at the end of the latest GNSS validity period, the terminal device still has not received GNSS measurement information, so the terminal device can perform GNSS measurements independently. For other explanations of Figure 8b, please refer to Figure 8a and will not be detailed here.

[0167] In an embodiment of the present application, when the second remaining effective time of GNSS ends and GNSS measurement information is still not received, the terminal device can start the timer on its own to perform GNSS measurement, which can further reduce the number of times the terminal device is disconnected and further increase the communication time between the terminal device and the network device.

[0168] As another possible implementation, the method shown in FIG3 may further include:

[0169] 305. If no GNSS measurement information is received within the second remaining GNSS valid time, the first communication device enters an idle state.

[0170] Exemplarily, after the terminal device enters the idle state, it can perform GNSS measurement in the idle state and then re-initiate random access.

[0171] The above steps 303, 304, and 305 can be parallel schemes. In specific implementations, in some scenarios, the terminal device and the network device can execute the method shown in the above step 303, in other scenarios, the terminal device can execute the method shown in the above step 304, and in still other scenarios, the terminal device can execute the method shown in the above step 305. The satellite communication method shown in the embodiment of the present application may include the above steps 301 to 303; or, include steps 301, 302, and 304; or, include steps 301, 302, and 305; or, include the above steps 301 to 304; or, include steps 301 to 303, and step 305, etc., which are not listed one by one here. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the number of executions of the above step 302. In specific implementations, after the terminal device completes a GNSS measurement, it can update the remaining GNSS valid duration multiple times based on the changed GNSS valid duration.

[0172] In an embodiment of the present application, on the basis of achieving uplink synchronization of the terminal device, the communication duration of the terminal device can be increased (or the duration that the terminal device is in a connected state can be increased), so that the terminal device can achieve long-term communication. It can also avoid the signaling overhead generated by the terminal device constantly entering and exiting the connected state, thereby reducing the signaling overhead.

[0173] The method shown in FIG. 3 above can be combined in various ways. For example, any implementation of the first duration information can be combined with any implementation of the second duration information. Another example is that any example of the first reference time can be combined with any example of the second reference time. Another example is that any example of the first remaining GNSS duration can be combined with any example of the second remaining GNSS duration. The following will exemplify two combined embodiments, but the two embodiments shown below should not be understood as limiting the embodiments of the present application.

[0174] Example 1

[0175] 11) Each time the terminal device completes a GNSS measurement, it may report the remaining GNSS effective time. The reported remaining GNSS effective time implicitly indicates that the terminal device has completed the GNSS measurement.

[0176] For the relevant description of the GNSS remaining valid time shown in 11), please refer to the above description of the first time information or the GNSS first remaining valid time, which will not be repeated here.

[0177] 12) When the terminal device finds that its speed has changed significantly based on the detection of the downlink signal, the terminal device is allowed to report the remaining GNSS valid time again after reporting the remaining GNSS valid time once.

[0178] If the terminal device detects a significant change in its speed based on the detection of the downlink signal, it means that the GNSS effective duration of the terminal device has changed. For relevant explanations of the change, please refer to the description of the change in the GNSS effective duration above, and will not be repeated here. The speed change shown here is only an example and should not be understood as a limitation on the embodiments of this application.

[0179] For the relevant instructions on the remaining effective time of GNSS reported again by the terminal device, please refer to the above description of the second time information or the second remaining effective time of GNSS, which will not be repeated here.

[0180] 13) The network device saves the remaining GNSS validity time reported by the terminal device for scheduling the next GNSS measurement. When the network device receives the new remaining GNSS validity time reported by the terminal device, it can schedule the terminal device to perform the next GNSS measurement based on the new remaining GNSS validity time reported by the terminal device.

[0181] For example, the network device knows that the current remaining effective time is 20s based on the remaining GNSS effective time reported by the terminal device last time, and the terminal device re-reports the remaining effective time of GNSS as 10s. This means that the terminal device, based on its own judgment, expects the network device to schedule a GNSS measurement for the terminal device within 10s.

[0182] For example, after performing GNSS measurement, the terminal device reports that the GNSS valid duration is 10s. Subsequently, the GNSS valid duration changes. For example, the changed GNSS valid duration is 8s. In this case, the terminal device can report an offset of 2s (refer to the above implementation methods 3 to 6).

[0183] After receiving the new remaining GNSS validity time reported by the terminal device, the network device may also refresh the remaining GNSS validity time, or save the new remaining GNSS validity time and delete the remaining GNSS validity time reported last by the terminal device.

[0184] For the relevant explanation of 13), please refer to the description of step 303 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0185] 14) If the terminal device does not receive the GNSS measurement information from the network device within the expected time (such as before the end of the GNSS valid time), the terminal device can directly enter the idle state; or, the terminal device can start the timer for autonomous GNSS measurement and perform GNSS measurement within the timer.

[0186] For the relevant description of 14), please refer to the above steps 304 and 305, which will not be repeated here.

[0187] In the embodiments of the present application, when the terminal device's motion state changes, by reporting the remaining GNSS validity time, the network device can obtain a more accurate remaining GNSS validity time. This not only promptly and accurately indicates to the network device the time when the terminal device expects to perform GNSS measurements, but also allows the terminal device to refresh the GNSS validity time by performing GNSS measurements, thereby ensuring synchronization between the terminal device and the network device, and ensuring that the terminal device can continue to communicate with the network device, thereby increasing the terminal device's communication time.

[0188] Example 2

[0189] 21) Each time the terminal device completes a GNSS measurement, it may report the remaining GNSS effective time. The reported remaining GNSS effective time implicitly indicates that the terminal device has completed the GNSS measurement.

[0190] For the relevant description of the GNSS remaining valid time shown in 21), please refer to the above description of the first time information or the GNSS first remaining valid time, which will not be repeated here.

[0191] 22) If the terminal device needs to refresh the remaining GNSS validity time, for example, if the terminal device finds that the motion state may have changed significantly and needs to perform GNSS measurement in advance, then the terminal device can initiate a GNSS request within the time D before the desired GNSS measurement is performed.

[0192] For the relevant description of 22), please refer to the description of implementation methods 7 to 9 above. As shown in Figures 9a and 9b, the terminal device can send a GNSS request when the remaining GNSS valid duration is D, requesting the network device to trigger the terminal device to perform GNSS measurement. For the relevant description of Figures 9a and 9b, please refer to Figures 8a and 8b above, which will not be described in detail here. The GNSS request can be the remaining GNSS valid duration update shown in Figures 8a and 8b above, or the second duration information above.

[0193] In order to minimize the signaling overhead of the terminal device reporting the extension or shortening of the remaining GNSS validity period, the GNSS request may include a one-bit indication information. For the relevant description of the one-bit indication information, please refer to the above implementation methods 7 to 9, which will not be repeated here.

[0194] 23) When the network device receives the GNSS request from the terminal device, it can schedule the terminal device to perform the next GNSS measurement within a time period D after the GNSS request.

[0195] For the relevant description of 23), please refer to step 303 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0196] 24) If the terminal device fails to receive GNSS measurement information from the network device within the D time period, the terminal device may behave as follows:

[0197] 1) The terminal device can directly enter the idle state, as shown in Figure 9a.

[0198] 2) The terminal device starts the autonomous GNSS measurement timer after D time has passed since the GNSS request was initiated, as shown in FIG9b .

[0199] For the relevant description of 24), please refer to the above steps 304 and 305, which will not be repeated here.

[0200] In an embodiment of the present application, the terminal device can indicate the second remaining effective duration of the GNSS by reporting a one-bit indication information, thereby not only further reducing the signaling overhead reported by the terminal device, but also ensuring the synchronization of the terminal device and the network device, and ensuring that the terminal device can continue to communicate with the network device, thereby increasing the communication time of the terminal device.

[0201] The first duration information and the second duration information shown above are illustrated by taking the example of the terminal device reporting the remaining effective duration of GNSS. In a specific implementation, the terminal device can report the effective duration of GNSS. For example, the first duration information can be used to indicate the first effective duration of GNSS, and the second duration information can be used to indicate the second effective duration of GNSS. The first effective duration of GNSS can be the initial effective duration of GNSS or the changed effective duration of GNSS after the initial effective duration of GNSS changes. The second effective duration of GNSS can be the changed effective duration of GNSS. At this time, the relevant instructions on indicating the first effective duration of GNSS can refer to the relevant description of indicating the first remaining effective duration of GNSS above, the relevant instructions on indicating the second effective duration of GNSS can refer to the relevant description of indicating the second remaining effective duration of GNSS above, or the relevant instructions on indicating the first effective duration of GNSS or the second effective duration of GNSS can refer to the relevant description of the effective duration of GNSS above, etc., and will not be described in detail here.

[0202] In a specific implementation, the network device can also schedule the terminal device to report the remaining effective duration of GNSS or the effective duration of GNSS. For example, the network device can send a trigger message to the terminal device, and the trigger message can be used to trigger the terminal device to report the remaining effective duration of GNSS / GNSS effective duration. The terminal device receives the trigger message and then reports the remaining effective duration of GNSS / GNSS effective duration. Regarding the specific method for the terminal device to report the remaining effective duration of GNSS / GNSS effective duration, please refer to the description of the first duration information and the second duration information above, or refer to the description of the first remaining effective duration of GNSS and the second remaining effective duration of GNSS above, which will not be described in detail here.

[0203] The following describes a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0204] The present application divides the functional modules of the communication device according to the above-mentioned method embodiment. For example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above-mentioned integrated modules can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules. It should be noted that the division of modules in this application is schematic and is only a logical functional division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation. The communication device of the embodiment of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 10 to 12.

[0205] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 10, the communication device includes a processing module 1001 and a transceiver module 1002. The transceiver module 1002 can implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing module 1001 is used to process data. For example, the transceiver module 1002 can also be referred to as an interface, a communication interface, or a communication unit.

[0206] In some embodiments of the present application, the communication device can be used to execute the actions performed by the terminal device in the above method embodiments. In this case, the communication device can be a terminal device or a component that can be configured in the terminal device (such as a chip or system or functional module, etc.), and the transceiver module 1002 is used to execute the transceiver-related operations of the terminal device in the above method embodiments, and the processing module 1001 is used to execute the processing-related operations of the terminal device in the above method embodiments.

[0207] Illustratively, the transceiver module 1002 is configured to report or output first duration information; and report or output second duration information.

[0208] Exemplarily, the processing module 1001 is further configured to determine a first remaining valid duration of the GNSS signal and a second remaining valid duration of the GNSS signal.

[0209] Illustratively, the transceiver module 1002 is further configured to input or receive GNSS measurement information.

[0210] Exemplarily, the processing module 1001 is further configured to start a timer.

[0211] Reusing Figure 10, in other embodiments of the present application, the communication device can be used to execute the actions performed by the network device in the above method embodiment. In this case, the communication device can be a network device or a component that can be configured in the network device (such as a chip or system or functional module), and the transceiver module 1002 is used to execute the transceiver-related operations of the network device in the above method embodiment, and the processing module 1001 is used to execute the network device processing-related operations in the above method embodiment.

[0212] Illustratively, the transceiver module 1002 is configured to input or receive first duration information, and input or receive second duration information.

[0213] The processing module 1001 is configured to determine a second remaining effective duration of the GNSS based on the second duration information.

[0214] The transceiver module 1002 is further configured to output or send GNSS measurement information.

[0215] Optionally, in each of the above embodiments, the communication device may further include a storage unit, which may be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing module 1001 may read the instructions and / or data in the storage unit to enable the communication device to implement the above method embodiments. Exemplarily, the storage unit may be used to store the remaining GNSS validity period or the changed GNSS validity period, difference, index, etc.

[0216] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of the GNSS first remaining valid time, the GNSS second remaining valid time, the GNSS initial valid time, the first reference time, the second reference time, the GNSS measurement interval, the GNSS third valid time, etc. can be referred to the introduction in the above method embodiments, and will not be described in detail here.

[0217] It can be understood that the specific descriptions of the transceiver unit and the processing unit shown in the above embodiments are only examples. For the specific functions or execution steps of the transceiver unit and the processing unit, please refer to the above method embodiments and will not be described in detail here.

[0218] The above describes the communication device according to the embodiment of the present application. The following describes possible product forms of the communication device. It should be understood that any product having the functions of the communication device described in FIG. 10 falls within the scope of protection of the embodiment of the present application. It should also be understood that the following description is merely illustrative and does not limit the product forms of the communication device according to the embodiment of the present application to these examples.

[0219] In one possible implementation, in the communication device shown in Figure 10, the processing module 1001 can be one or more processors, the transceiver module 1002 can be a transceiver, or the transceiver module 1002 can also be a sending unit and a receiving unit, the sending unit can be a transmitter, and the receiving unit can be a receiver, and the sending unit and the receiving unit are integrated into a single device, such as a transceiver. In the embodiment of the present application, the processor and the transceiver can be coupled, etc., and the embodiment of the present application does not limit the connection method between the processor and the transceiver. During the execution of the above method, the process of sending information in the above method can be understood as the process of the processor outputting the above information. When outputting the above information, the processor outputs the above information to the transceiver so that it can be transmitted by the transceiver. After being output by the processor, the above information may also need to undergo other processing before reaching the transceiver. Similarly, the process of receiving information in the above method can be understood as the process of the processor receiving the input information. When the processor receives the input information, the transceiver receives the above information and inputs it into the processor. Furthermore, after the transceiver receives the above information, the above information may need to be processed further before being input into the processor.

[0220] As shown in FIG. 11 , the communication device 110 includes one or more processors 1120 and a transceiver 1110 .

[0221] Illustratively, the transceiver 1110 is configured to execute the functions or steps implemented by the transceiver module 1002 shown in FIG10 , and the processor 1120 is configured to execute the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 1001 shown in FIG10 . For a detailed description of the processor 1120 and the transceiver 1110 , reference may be made to FIG10 or the method embodiment shown above and will not be described in detail here.

[0222] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of the GNSS first remaining valid time, the GNSS second remaining valid time, the GNSS initial valid time, the first reference time, the second reference time, the GNSS measurement interval, the GNSS third valid time, etc. can be referred to the introduction in the above method embodiments, and will not be described in detail here.

[0223] In various implementations of the communication device shown in FIG11 , the transceiver may include a receiver and a transmitter, wherein the receiver is configured to perform a receiving function (or operation) and the transmitter is configured to perform a transmitting function (or operation). The transceiver is configured to communicate with other devices / devices via a transmission medium.

[0224] Optionally, the communication device 110 may further include one or more memories 1130 for storing program instructions and / or data. The memory 1130 is coupled to the processor 1120. The coupling in the embodiment of the present application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units or modules, which may be electrical, mechanical or other forms, and is used for information exchange between devices, units or modules. The processor 1120 may operate in conjunction with the memory 1130. The processor 1120 may execute program instructions stored in the memory 1130. Optionally, at least one of the one or more memories may be included in the processor. In the embodiment of the present application, the memory 1130 may store GNSS valid duration, difference, index, etc. For example, the memory shown in FIG11 only shows the GNSS valid duration.

[0225] The specific connection medium between the transceiver 1110, processor 1120, and memory 1130 is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. In Figure 11, the memory 1130, processor 1120, and transceiver 1110 are connected via a bus 1140. The bus is represented by a bold line in Figure 11. The connection methods between other components are merely schematic and are not limiting. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, Figure 11 only uses a single bold line, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0226] In the embodiments of the present application, the processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, etc., and may implement or execute the various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of the present application may be directly implemented as being executed by a hardware processor, or may be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor, etc.

[0227] In the embodiment of the present application, memory may include but is not limited to non-volatile memories such as hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD), random access memory (RAM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), read-only memory (ROM) or portable read-only memory (CD-ROM), etc. Memory is any storage medium that can be used to carry or store program code in the form of instructions or data structures, and can be read and / or written by a computer (such as the communication device shown in the present application), but is not limited thereto. The memory in the embodiment of the present application can also be a circuit or other arbitrarily capable of realizing a storage function, for storing program instructions and / or data.

[0228] The processor 1120 is primarily used to process communication protocols and communication data, control the entire communication device, execute software programs, and process software program data. The memory 1130 is primarily used to store software programs and data. The transceiver 1110 may include a control circuit and an antenna. The control circuit is primarily used to convert baseband signals into radio frequency signals and process radio frequency signals. The antenna is primarily used to transmit and receive radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input / output devices, such as a touch screen, display, and keyboard, are primarily used to receive user input and output data to the user.

[0229] When the communication device is powered on, the processor 1120 can read the software program in the memory 1130, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be sent wirelessly, the processor 1120 performs baseband processing on the data to be sent and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency circuit. The radio frequency circuit performs radio frequency processing on the baseband signal and then transmits the radio frequency signal to the outside in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the communication device, the radio frequency circuit receives the radio frequency signal through the antenna, converts the radio frequency signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 1120. The processor 1120 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0230] In another implementation, the RF circuit and antenna may be provided independently of the processor performing baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the RF circuit and antenna may be remotely arranged independent of the communication device.

[0231] It is understood that the communication device shown in the embodiment of the present application may also have more components than those in Figure 11, and the embodiment of the present application is not limited to this. The method performed by the processor and transceiver shown above is only an example. For the specific steps performed by the processor and transceiver, please refer to the method described above.

[0232] In another possible implementation, in the communication device shown in FIG10 , the processing module 1001 may be one or more logic circuits, and the transceiver module 1002 may be an input / output interface, or may be called a communication interface, or an interface circuit, or an interface, etc. Alternatively, the transceiver module 1002 may also be a sending unit and a receiving unit, the sending unit may be an output interface, the receiving unit may be an input interface, and the sending unit and the receiving unit are integrated into one unit, such as an input / output interface. As shown in FIG12 , the communication device shown in FIG12 includes a logic circuit 1201 and an interface 1202. That is, the processing module 1001 may be implemented using a logic circuit 1201, and the transceiver module 1002 may be implemented using an interface 1202. The logic circuit 1201 may be a chip, a processing circuit, an integrated circuit, or a system on chip (SoC) chip, etc., and the interface 1202 may be a communication interface, an input / output interface, a pin, etc. For example, FIG12 is illustrated using the communication device as a chip, and the chip includes a logic circuit 1201 and an interface 1202.

[0233] In the embodiment of the present application, the logic circuit and the interface may also be coupled to each other. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific connection method of the logic circuit and the interface. For example, the logic circuit 1201 can be used to perform the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 1001 shown in Figure 10, and the interface 1202 can be used to perform the functions or steps implemented by the transceiver module 1002 shown in Figure 10. For a specific description of the logic circuit 1201 and the interface 1202, please refer to Figure 10 or the method embodiment shown above, and will not be described in detail here.

[0234] Exemplarily, the chip shown in FIG12 may further include a memory, which may be used to store GNSS effective duration, difference, index, etc.

[0235] It can be understood that the communication device shown in the embodiment of the present application can implement the method provided in the embodiment of the present application in the form of hardware, or can implement the method provided in the embodiment of the present application in the form of software, etc., and the embodiment of the present application is not limited to this.

[0236] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of the GNSS first remaining valid time, the GNSS second remaining valid time, the GNSS initial valid time, the first reference time, the second reference time, the GNSS measurement interval, the GNSS third valid time, etc. can be referred to the introduction in the above method embodiments, and will not be described in detail here.

[0237] For the specific implementation of each embodiment shown in FIG12 , reference may also be made to the above embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0238] An embodiment of the present application further provides a wireless communication system, which includes a first communication device and a second communication device. The first communication device and the second communication device can be used to execute the method in any of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0239] In addition, the present application also provides a computer program, which is used to implement the operations and / or processing performed by the first communication device in the method provided by the present application.

[0240] The present application also provides a computer program, which is used to implement the operations and / or processing performed by the second communication device in the method provided by the present application.

[0241] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores computer code. When the computer code runs on a computer, it enables the computer to execute the operations and / or processing performed by the first communication device in the method provided by the present application.

[0242] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores computer code. When the computer code runs on a computer, it enables the computer to execute the operations and / or processing performed by the second communication device in the method provided by the present application.

[0243] The present application also provides a computer program product, which includes computer code or computer program. When the computer code or computer program runs on a computer, the operations and / or processing performed by the first communication device in the method provided by the present application are executed.

[0244] The present application also provides a computer program product, which includes computer code or computer program. When the computer code or computer program runs on a computer, the operations and / or processing performed by the second communication device in the method provided by the present application are executed.

[0245] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, or can be electrical, mechanical or other forms of connection.

[0246] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the technical effects of the solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application.

[0247] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of the present application may be integrated into a single processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into a single unit. The aforementioned integrated units may be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional units.

[0248] If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application is essentially or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, and the computer software product is stored in a readable storage medium, including a number of instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned readable storage medium includes: U disk, mobile hard disk, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk or optical disk, and other media that can store program code.

[0249] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A satellite communication method, characterized in that: The method is applied to a first communication device, and the method includes: Reporting first duration information, where the first duration information is used to indicate a first remaining valid duration of a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) of the first communication device, where the first remaining valid duration of the GNSS is determined based on the GNSS valid duration of the first communication device; When the GNSS effective duration changes, second duration information is reported, where the second duration information is used to indicate a second remaining effective duration of the GNSS of the first communication device, and the second remaining effective duration of the GNSS is determined based on the changed GNSS effective duration.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The change in the GNSS effective duration includes at least one of the following situations: a situation where the change value of the GNSS effective duration is greater than a threshold value; a situation where the GNSS effective duration becomes shorter.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The second duration information includes the value of the second remaining effective duration of the GNSS, or the index of the value of the second remaining effective duration of the GNSS; or, The second duration information includes a difference between an end time of the first remaining effective duration of the GNSS and an end time of the second remaining effective duration of the GNSS, or an index of the difference; or The second duration information includes one-bit indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate shortening of the first remaining valid duration of the GNSS, or the indication information is used to indicate extending the first remaining valid duration of the GNSS, where the second remaining valid duration of the GNSS is D, and D is a real number greater than 0.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The GNSS first remaining valid duration is determined based on the GNSS valid duration and a first reference time.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The GNSS second remaining valid duration is determined based on the GNSS valid duration and a second reference time.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The second reference time is determined based on the time of reporting the second duration information; or, the second reference time is the end time of the first remaining valid duration of the GNSS.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The second duration information is also used by the first communication device to request to perform GNSS measurement.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The method further comprises: If no GNSS measurement information is received within the second remaining effective duration of the GNSS, the idle state is entered, and the GNSS measurement information is used to trigger the first communication device to perform GNSS measurement; or, If no GNSS measurement information is received within the second remaining valid time of the GNSS, start the timer and perform GNSS measurement. If the GNSS measurement is completed within the timing time of the timer, continue to communicate with the second communication device, and the start time of the timer is the end time of the second remaining valid time of the GNSS.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The method further comprises: In a case where GNSS measurement information is received within the second remaining effective duration of the GNSS, GNSS measurement is performed, where the GNSS measurement information is used to trigger the first communication device to perform the GNSS measurement.

10. A satellite communication method, characterized in that: The method is applied to a second communication device, and the method includes: receiving first duration information, where the first duration information is used to indicate a first remaining valid duration of a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) of a first communication device, where the first remaining valid duration of the GNSS is determined based on the GNSS valid duration of the first communication device; Second duration information is received, where the second duration information is used to indicate a second remaining effective duration of the GNSS of the first communication device, where the second remaining effective duration of the GNSS is determined based on the changed GNSS effective duration.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The method further comprises: Within the second remaining effective duration of the GNSS indicated by the second duration information, GNSS measurement information is sent, where the GNSS measurement information is used to trigger the first communication device to perform GNSS measurement.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that: The second duration information includes the value of the second remaining effective duration of the GNSS, or the index of the value of the second remaining effective duration of the GNSS; or, The second duration information includes a difference between an end time of the first remaining effective duration of the GNSS and an end time of the second remaining effective duration of the GNSS, or an index of the difference; or The second duration information includes one bit of indication information, and the indication information is used to indicate to shorten the first remaining effective time of the GNSS Alternatively, the indication information is used to indicate extending the first remaining effective duration of the GNSS, and the second remaining effective duration of the GNSS is D, where D is a real number greater than 0.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that: The GNSS first remaining valid duration is determined based on the GNSS valid duration and a first reference time.

14. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that: The GNSS second remaining valid duration is determined based on the GNSS valid duration and a second reference time.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The second reference time is determined based on the time of reporting the second duration information; or, the second reference time is the end time of the first remaining valid duration of the GNSS.

16. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that: The change in the GNSS effective duration includes at least one of the following situations: a situation where the change value of the GNSS effective duration is greater than a threshold value; a situation where the GNSS effective duration becomes shorter.

17. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 16, characterized in that: The second duration information is also used by the first communication device to request to perform GNSS measurement.

18. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a module for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, or a module for executing the method according to any one of claims 10 to 17.

19. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a processor, wherein the processor is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, or the processor is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 10 to 17.

20. A communication device, characterized in that: It includes a logic circuit and an interface, the logic circuit and the interface are coupled; the interface is used to input and / or output information, the logic circuit is used to execute the method as described in any one of claims 1-9, or the logic circuit is used to execute the method as described in any one of claims 10-17.

21. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium is used to store a computer program. When the computer program is executed, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is executed, or the method according to any one of claims 10 to 17 is executed.

22. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises a computer program, and when the computer program is executed, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is executed, or the method according to any one of claims 10 to 17 is executed.

23. A communication system, characterized in that: The communication system comprises a first communication device and a second communication device, the first communication device being used to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, and the second communication device being used to execute the method according to any one of claims 10 to 17.

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