Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and apparatus, relating to the technical field of communication. The method comprises: a terminal device receiving a region parameter, the region parameter being used to indicate a number of regions N, N being any positive integer. The terminal device, on the basis of the region parameter and a first mapping relationship, determines a reference position of a first region. The first mapping relationship is used to indicate a conversion relationship between the reference position of the first region and the region parameter, the first region being one region among the N regions.

Description

Communication method and device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on September 28, 2023, with application number 202311287423.1 and application name “A Communication Method and Device”, the entire 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 communication method and device. Background Art

[0003] In satellite communication systems, satellite beam coverage is based on area. For example, a satellite beam covers one or more areas over a period of time. If a terminal device is within the area covered by the satellite beam, it can be served by the satellite beam and communication can proceed. Conversely, if the terminal device is outside the coverage area, communication cannot proceed.

[0004] However, the current technology does not provide a process for determining the area, which affects the effectiveness of communication.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present application provides a communication method and apparatus, which enable terminal equipment to determine the area covered by satellite beams, thereby helping to improve communication effectiveness.

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

[0008] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a terminal device. The terminal device can refer to the terminal device itself, or a processor, module, chip, or chip system in the terminal device that implements the method. The method includes: receiving an area parameter, where the area parameter is used to indicate the number of areas N, where N is an arbitrary positive integer. Determining a reference position of a first area based on the area parameter and a first mapping relationship. The first mapping relationship is used to indicate a conversion relationship between the reference position of the first area and the area parameter, where the first area is one of the N areas.

[0009] In this way, since the first mapping relationship can indicate the conversion relationship between the reference position of the first area and the area parameter, when the terminal device receives the area parameter, the terminal device can determine the reference position of the first area based on the received area parameter and the first mapping relationship, laying the foundation for the terminal device to communicate based on the reference position of the first area. For example, if the first area is the activation area of ​​the network device, if the terminal device is in the first area, the terminal device can communicate with the network device, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0010] In a possible design, the area parameter includes an area radius or the number of areas.

[0011] For example, the area parameter includes the area radius, and the area radius and the number of areas satisfy the following formula:

[0012] Among them, N spot represents the number of regions, R spot represents the radius of the area, R e Indicates N spot The parameters of the sphere on which the region lies.

[0013] In one possible design, the method further includes: obtaining a location of the terminal device. Determining a reference location of a first area based on the area parameter and a first mapping relationship includes: determining the reference location of the first area based on the location of the terminal device, the area parameter, and the first mapping relationship. The first area is the area where the terminal device is located.

[0014] In this way, the terminal device can determine the reference position of its own area based on its own position, combined with the area parameters and the first mapping relationship, laying the foundation for the terminal device to communicate based on its own area.

[0015] In one possible design, the method further includes: obtaining a region identifier. Determining a reference position of a first region based on the region parameters and a first mapping relationship includes: determining a reference position of the first region based on the region identifier, the region parameters, and the first mapping relationship. The first region is the region corresponding to the region identifier.

[0016] In this way, the terminal device can determine the reference position of the area corresponding to the area identifier based on the area identifier, combined with the area parameters and the first mapping relationship, laying the foundation for the terminal device to communicate based on the area corresponding to the area identifier.

[0017] In one possible design, the area includes at least one of the following types: a broadcast area, a service area, or an area corresponding to a tracking area. The broadcast area belongs to a geographical area covered by a broadcast beam. The service area belongs to a geographical area covered by a service beam.

[0018] In one possible design, the first mapping relationship satisfies:

[0019] Wherein, RL(i) represents the three-dimensional coordinate corresponding to the reference position of the first region, i represents the region identifier of the first region, and i is less than N spot A non-negative integer, R e N represents the parameter of the sphere where the first region is located. spot represents the number of regions, Indicates the decimal part operator.

[0020] In this application, the region identifier may include a region number. The region number may also be referred to as a region ID. i may be the region number of the first region, used to identify the first region.

[0021] In one possible design, the first mapping relationship satisfies:

[0022] Wherein, RL(i) represents the three-dimensional coordinate corresponding to the reference position of the first region, i represents the region identifier of the first region, and i is less than N spot A non-negative integer, R e N represents the parameter of the sphere where the first region is located. spot Indicates the number of regions.

[0023] In one possible design, the first mapping relationship satisfies: RL(i)=(lon(i),lat(i)) N spot =2N+1

[0024] Wherein, RL(i) represents the reference position of the first region, lon(i) represents the longitude corresponding to the reference position of the first region, lat(i) represents the latitude corresponding to the reference position of the first region, i represents the region identifier of the first region, and i is less than N spot A non-negative integer, N spot Indicates the number of regions.

[0025] In one possible design, the area is the broadcast area, and the first area is the area where the terminal device is located. The method further includes: receiving access information. The access information includes an access configuration corresponding to the first area. Initiating random access according to the access configuration corresponding to the first area.

[0026] In this way, the network device indicates the area-level access configuration (such as the access configuration of the first area) to the terminal device. If the area where the terminal device is located is the first area, the terminal device initiates random access according to the access configuration of its own area, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0027] In one possible design, the area is the service area, and the first area is the area where the terminal device is located. The method further includes: receiving service resource information. The service resource information is used to indicate a communication resource configuration corresponding to the first area. Service transmission is performed according to the communication resource configuration corresponding to the first area.

[0028] In this way, the network device indicates the regional-level communication resource configuration (such as the communication resource configuration of the first area) to the terminal device. If the area where the terminal device is located is the first area, the terminal device transmits services according to the communication resource configuration of the area where it is located, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0029] In one possible design, the first area is an area where the terminal device is located, and the method further includes: receiving first information, wherein the first information indicates that the first area belongs to an activation area, and initiating communication based on the first information.

[0030] In this way, the network device indicates the activation area to the terminal device (such as the first area belongs to the activation area), and the terminal device determines whether to initiate communication based on whether the area where it is located belongs to the activation area, and the signaling overhead is small.

[0031] In one possible design, before receiving the first information, the method further includes: receiving second information. The second information indicates a first elevation angle. If the elevation angle at a reference position of the first area is greater than or equal to the first elevation angle, determining that the first area belongs to the service area of ​​the network device. The activated area is one or more areas within the service area of ​​the network device.

[0032] In this way, when the network device indicates the first elevation angle to the terminal device, if the area where the terminal device is located is the first area, the terminal device determines whether the area where the terminal device is located belongs to the service area of ​​the network device based on the elevation angle at the reference position of the area where the terminal device is located and the first elevation angle. If the area where the terminal device is located belongs to the service area of ​​the network device, the terminal device has the possibility of initiating communication.

[0033] In one possible design, the first information is carried in one of the following: radio resource control RRC signaling, or downlink control information DCI, or media access control-control element MAC-CE.

[0034] In a possible design, the first information also indicates a time period in which the first area belongs to an activation area, so that the terminal device initiates communication within a valid time period of the first area.

[0035] In one possible design, the time period during which the first area belongs to the activation area is preconfigured to save signaling overhead.

[0036] In one possible design, the method further includes: receiving third information. The third information indicates a second elevation angle. Triggering a neighboring cell measurement based on the elevation angle at a reference position of the first area and the second elevation angle. The neighboring cell measurement result is used for cell handover or cell reselection.

[0037] In this way, the network device indicates the second elevation angle to the terminal device. If the reference position of the first area is a reference point (that is, the network device indicates that the reference position of the first area is a reference point or indicates that the first area is a reference area through the area identifier, that is, the area corresponding to the reference point, or the first area is the area where the terminal device is located), then the terminal device determines whether to trigger neighboring area measurement based on the elevation angle at the reference position of the first area and the second elevation angle, and the signaling overhead is small.

[0038] In one possible design, the method further includes: triggering neighboring cell measurement based on a reference position of the first area and a position of the terminal device. The neighboring cell measurement result is used for cell switching or cell reselection.

[0039] In this way, if the reference position of the first area is a reference point (that is, the network device indicates that the reference position of the first area is a reference point or indicates that the first area is a reference area through the area identifier, that is, the area corresponding to the reference point), the terminal device determines whether to trigger neighboring area measurement based on the reference position of the first area and its own position, and the signaling overhead is small.

[0040] In one possible design, the area is an area corresponding to a tracking area, and the first area is an area where the terminal device is located. The method further includes: receiving fourth information. The fourth information indicates at least one area among the N areas. If the at least one area does not include the first area, initiating a tracking area update.

[0041] In this way, the network device broadcasts the fourth information. Since the fourth information can indicate the area covered by the beam of the network device, the terminal device determines whether to initiate a tracking area update based on whether its own area belongs to the area indicated by the fourth information, which helps to save signaling overhead.

[0042] In one possible design, the fourth information includes an identifier of each area in the at least one area, and the signaling overhead is small.

[0043] In one possible design, the fourth information includes an identifier of a second area and a first parameter, the second area is one of the at least one area, the first parameter indicates the number of areas of the at least one area, and the signaling overhead is small.

[0044] In one possible design, the regional parameter is associated with fifth information, where the fifth information indicates the time or geographical area in which the regional parameter is effective, and the geographical area includes the N areas.

[0045] For example, taking the fifth information indicating the time when the area parameter takes effect as an example:

[0046] If the fifth information indicates a first time period, the area parameter is associated with the first time period, specifically, in the first time period, the area radius of each of the N areas is an area radius of 1.

[0047] If the fifth information indicates a second time period, the area parameter is associated with the second time period, specifically, in the second time period, the area radius of each of the N areas is an area radius of 2.

[0048] In this way, setting the area radius based on the traffic load in different time periods helps save signaling overhead. For example, during periods of heavy traffic load, setting the area radius smaller helps save paging signaling overhead. Conversely, during periods of light traffic load, setting the area radius larger helps save signaling overhead by eliminating the need for the terminal device to frequently initiate tracking area updates.

[0049] For another example, taking the geographical area where the fifth information indicates the effective area of ​​the area parameter as an example:

[0050] If the fifth information indicates a first geographical area, the area parameter is associated with the first geographical area, specifically, in the first geographical area, the area radius of each of the N areas is an area radius of 3.

[0051] If the fifth information indicates a second geographical area, the area parameter is associated with the second geographical area, specifically, in the second geographical area, the area radius of each of the N areas is an area radius of 4.

[0052] In this way, setting the area radius based on the traffic load of different geographical areas helps reduce signaling overhead. For example, in geographical areas with heavy traffic loads, setting the area radius smaller helps reduce paging signaling overhead. Conversely, in geographical areas with light traffic loads, setting the area radius larger helps reduce the need for the terminal device to frequently initiate tracking area updates, which helps reduce signaling overhead.

[0053] In one possible design, the method further includes: obtaining a first threshold value. Initiating a tracking area update when a distance between the location of the terminal device and a reference location of the first area is greater than or equal to the first threshold value.

[0054] In this way, the terminal device obtains the first threshold value. If the reference position of the first area is a reference point (that is, the network device indicates that the reference position of the first area is a reference point or indicates that the first area is a reference area through the area identifier, that is, the area corresponding to the reference point), the terminal device determines whether to initiate a tracking area update based on the reference position of the first area and its own position, as well as the first threshold value. The network device does not need to broadcast the tracking area code TAC list, which helps to save broadcast signaling overhead.

[0055] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be performed by a network device. The network device can refer to the network device itself, or a processor, module, chip, or chip system within the network device that implements the method. The method includes determining a region parameter. The region parameter indicates the number of regions, N, where N is an arbitrary positive integer. Sending the region parameter. The region parameter is used to determine a reference position of a first region, where the first region is one of the N regions.

[0056] In a possible design, the area parameter includes an area radius or the number of areas.

[0057] In one possible design, the area includes at least one of the following types: a broadcast area, a service area, or an area corresponding to a tracking area. The broadcast area belongs to a geographical area covered by a broadcast beam. The service area belongs to a geographical area covered by a service beam.

[0058] In one possible design, the method further includes: sending an area identifier, wherein the area identifier is an identifier of the first area, and the area identifier is used to determine a reference position of the first area.

[0059] In one possible design, the method further includes: sending access information, wherein the access information includes an access configuration corresponding to the first area, and the access configuration corresponding to the first area is used to initiate random access.

[0060] In one possible design, the method further includes: sending service resource information, wherein the service resource information is used to indicate a communication resource configuration corresponding to the first area, and the communication resource configuration corresponding to the first area is used for service transmission.

[0061] In one possible design, the method further includes: sending first information, where the first information indicates that the first area belongs to an activation area.

[0062] In one possible design, the first information is carried in one of the following: radio resource control RRC signaling, or downlink control information DCI, or media access control-control element MAC-CE.

[0063] In a possible design, the first information further indicates a time period in which the first area belongs to an activation area.

[0064] In a possible design, the time period during which the first area belongs to the activation area is preconfigured.

[0065] In one possible design, before sending the first information, the method further includes: sending second information, wherein the second information indicates a first elevation angle, the first elevation angle being used to determine whether the first area belongs to a service area of ​​the network device, and the activation area is one or more areas in the service area of ​​the network device.

[0066] In one possible design, the first information further indicates a time period during which the first area belongs to the activation area. Alternatively, the time period during which the first area belongs to the activation area is preconfigured.

[0067] In one possible design, the method further includes: sending third information, wherein the third information indicates a second elevation angle, the second elevation angle is used to determine whether to trigger neighboring cell measurement, and the neighboring cell measurement result is used for cell switching or cell reselection.

[0068] In one possible design, the method further includes: sending fourth information, wherein the fourth information indicates at least one area among the N areas, and the fourth information is used to determine whether to initiate a tracking area update.

[0069] In one possible design, the fourth information includes an identifier of each area in the at least one area.

[0070] In a possible design, the fourth information includes an identifier of a second area and a first parameter, where the second area is one of the at least one area, and the first parameter indicates the area number of the at least one area.

[0071] In one possible design, the regional parameter is associated with fifth information, where the fifth information indicates the time or geographical area in which the regional parameter is effective, and the geographical area includes the N areas.

[0072] In one possible design, the method further includes sending indication information of a first threshold, where the first threshold is used to determine whether to initiate a tracking area update.

[0073] In a third aspect, a communication device is provided for implementing various methods. The communication device may be the terminal device described in the first aspect, or a device included in the terminal device, such as a chip or a chip system. Alternatively, the communication device may be the network device described in the second aspect, or a device included in the network device, such as a chip or a chip system.

[0074] The communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the implementation method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or hardware executing corresponding software implementation. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the functions.

[0075] In some possible designs, the communication device may include a processing module and a transceiver module. The processing module may be configured to implement the processing functionality of any of the above aspects and any possible implementations thereof. The transceiver module may include a receiving module and a transmitting module, respectively configured to implement the receiving functionality and the transmitting functionality of any of the above aspects and any possible implementations thereof.

[0076] In some possible designs, the transceiver module may be composed of a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver or a communication interface.

[0077] In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor and a memory; the memory is configured to store computer instructions, and when the processor executes the instructions, the communication device performs the method described in any aspect. The communication device may be the terminal device described in the first aspect, or a device included in the terminal device, such as a chip or a chip system. Alternatively, the communication device may be the network device described in the second aspect, or a device included in the network device, such as a chip or a chip system.

[0078] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor and a communication interface; the communication interface is configured to communicate with a module external to the communication device; and the processor is configured to execute a computer program or instruction to cause the communication device to perform the method described in any aspect. The communication device may be the terminal device described in the first aspect, or a device included in the terminal device, such as a chip or chip system. Alternatively, the communication device may be the network device described in the second aspect, or a device included in the network device, such as a chip or chip system.

[0079] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: at least one processor; the processor is configured to execute a computer program or instruction stored in a memory, so that the communication device performs the method described in any one of the aspects. The memory may be coupled to the processor or may be independent of the processor. The communication device may be the terminal device described in the first aspect. Alternatively, the communication device may be the network device described in the second aspect.

[0080] In the seventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program or instruction, and when the computer program or instruction is run on a communication device, the communication device can execute the method described in the first aspect and any possible design thereof.

[0081] In an eighth aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, which, when run on a communication device, enables the communication device to execute the method described in the first aspect and any possible design thereof.

[0082] In the ninth aspect, a communication device is provided (for example, the communication device can be a chip or a chip system), which includes a processor for implementing the functions involved in the first aspect and any possible design thereof, or for implementing the functions involved in the second aspect and any possible design thereof.

[0083] In some possible designs, the communication device includes a memory for storing necessary program instructions and data.

[0084] In some possible designs, when the device is a chip system, it can be composed of a chip or include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0085] In the tenth aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes a terminal device and a network device, wherein the terminal device is used to execute the method in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, and the network device is used to execute the method in the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect.

[0086] It can be understood that when the communication device provided in any one of the third to tenth aspects is a chip, the sending action / function of the communication device can be understood as output information, and the receiving action / function of the communication device can be understood as input information.

[0087] Among them, the technical effects brought about by any design method in the second to tenth aspects can refer to the technical effects brought about by different design methods in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0088] FIG1 is a satellite network architecture diagram in a transparent transmission mode provided by this application.

[0089] FIG2 is a satellite network architecture diagram in a regeneration mode provided by this application.

[0090] FIG3 is a diagram of a satellite network architecture in another regeneration mode provided by this application.

[0091] FIG4 is a diagram of a satellite network architecture in another regeneration mode provided by this application.

[0092] FIG5 is a network architecture diagram of the NTN and terrestrial network integration provided by the present application.

[0093] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of beam coverage in a non-staring mode and a staring mode in an NTN provided by the present application.

[0094] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of the mapping relationship between beams and areas of a network device provided in this application.

[0095] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of a projection of a beam on the ground provided in this application.

[0096] FIG9 is a regional description method based on the H3 geographic grid provided by this application.

[0097] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of a group switching scenario provided by this application.

[0098] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of a cell switching process provided in this application.

[0099] FIG12 is a flow chart of a beam management process provided in this application.

[0100] FIG13 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in this application.

[0101] FIG14 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in this application.

[0102] FIG15 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in this application.

[0103] FIG16 is a schematic diagram of a tracking area update scenario provided by this application.

[0104] FIG17 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in this application.

[0105] FIG18 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in this application.

[0106] FIG19 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in this application.

[0107] FIG20 is a schematic diagram of an elevation angle provided in this application.

[0108] FIG21 is a schematic diagram of another elevation angle provided in this application.

[0109] FIG22 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in this application.

[0110] FIG23 is a schematic diagram of a time delay provided in this application.

[0111] FIG24 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in this application.

[0112] FIG25 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in this application.

[0113] FIG26 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in this application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0114] The technical solution in this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0115] In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, " / " indicates that the objects associated before and after are in an "or" relationship, for example, A / B can represent A or B; "and / or" in this application is merely a description of the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist, for example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural.

[0116] In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more than two. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc.

[0117] In addition, to facilitate the clear description of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, the words "first" and "second" are used to distinguish between identical or similar items with substantially the same functions and effects. Those skilled in the art will understand that the words "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or execution order, and the words "first" and "second" do not necessarily mean different.

[0118] In the embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of this application should not be construed as being preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a concrete manner to facilitate understanding.

[0119] It will be understood that the “embodiment” mentioned throughout the specification means that the specific features, structures or characteristics related to the embodiment are included in at least one embodiment of the present application. Therefore, the various embodiments throughout the specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, these specific features, structures or characteristics can be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner. It will be understood that in the various embodiments of the present application, the size of the sequence number of each process does not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiment of the present application.

[0120] It can be understood that in this application, "when" and "if" both mean that corresponding processing will be taken under certain objective circumstances, and do not limit the time, nor do they require any judgment action when implementing, nor do they mean that there are other limitations.

[0121] It is understood that some optional features in the embodiments of the present application may, in certain scenarios, be implemented independently of other features, such as the solution on which they are currently based, to solve corresponding technical problems and achieve corresponding effects. They may also be combined with other features in certain scenarios as needed. Accordingly, the devices provided in the embodiments of the present application may also implement these features or functions accordingly, which will not be described in detail here.

[0122] In this application, unless otherwise specified, the same or similar parts between the various embodiments can refer to each other. In the various embodiments in this application, and the various implementation methods / implementation methods / implementation methods in each embodiment, if there is no special explanation and logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments and the various implementation methods / implementation methods / implementation methods in each embodiment are consistent and can be referenced to each other. The technical features in different embodiments and the various implementation methods / implementation methods / implementation methods in each embodiment can be combined to form new embodiments, implementation methods, implementation methods, or implementation methods according to their inherent logical relationships. The implementation methods of this application described below do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

[0123] 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 provided in the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0124] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be used in non-terrestrial networks (NTN) systems such as satellite communication systems, high altitude platform station (HAPS) communications, and drones. For example, integrated communication and navigation (IcaN) systems, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), etc. These NTN systems can be independently networked or integrated with traditional terrestrial mobile communication systems, such as: fourth-generation (4G) communication systems (e.g., long-term evolution (LTE) systems), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication systems, fifth-generation (5G) communication systems (e.g., new radio (NR) systems), device-to-device (D2D) communication systems, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication systems, Internet of Things (IoT) communication systems, Internet of Vehicles (IoV) communication systems, and future mobile communication systems.

[0125] Among them, the above-mentioned communication system applicable to this application is only an example, and the communication system and communication scenarios applicable to this application are not limited to this. The communication system and communication scenarios provided in this application do not impose any limitations on the solution of this application. They are uniformly explained here and will not be repeated below.

[0126] As a possible implementation, a communication system applicable to the solution of the present application may include at least one terminal device and at least one network device. For example, terminal devices may communicate with each other, with each other, and with each other via wired or wireless means.

[0127] Optionally, the terminal device may be a user-side device with wireless transceiver functions, or may be a chip or chip system provided in the device. The terminal device may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), terminal, access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station (MS), remote station, remote terminal, mobile terminal (MT), user terminal, wireless communication device, user agent or user device, etc. The terminal device may be, for example, a terminal device in the Internet of Things (IoT), vehicle to everything (V2X), D2D, M2M, 5G network, or a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN). The terminal device may be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; it may also be deployed on water (such as ships); it may also be deployed in the air (such as airplanes, balloons and satellites, etc.).

[0128] Exemplarily, the terminal device may be a drone, an IoT device (e.g., a sensor, an electricity meter, a water meter, etc.), a V2X device, a station (ST) in a wireless local area network (WLAN), a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA) device, a handheld device with wireless communication function, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device (also referred to as a wearable smart device), a tablet computer or a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical care, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a smart home, or a similar device. The terminal device can be a mobile or fixed device, which is not specifically limited in this application.

[0129] Optionally, the network device may be a network-side device with wireless transceiver functions, or may be a chip or chip system or module provided in the device. The network device is located in the radio access network (RAN) of the mobile communication system and is used to provide access services for terminal devices.

[0130] As a possible implementation, the network device can be a wireless relay node or a wireless backhaul node. For example, the network device can function as a layer 1 relay device to regenerate physical layer signals (i.e., wireless frequency filtering, frequency conversion, and amplification) without any higher protocol layers.

[0131] As another possible implementation, the network device may implement some or all of the functions of a base station. For example, the network device may be an evolutionary Node B (eNB or eNodeB) in an LTE or evolved LTE system (LTE-Advanced, LTE-A), such as a traditional macro eNB and a micro eNB in ​​a heterogeneous network scenario; or a next-generation node B (gNodeB or gNB) in a 5G system; or a transmission reception point (TRP); or a base station in a future evolved PLMN; or a device that implements base station functions in IoT, V2X, D2D, or M2M.

[0132] Alternatively, the network device may be a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU and a DU, a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU). The CU and DU may be configured separately or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU may be included in a radio frequency device or radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0133] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, the network device may be a network device or a module of a network device in an open radio access network (open RAN, ORAN) system. In the ORAN system, CU may also be referred to as open (open, O)-CU, DU may also be referred to as O-DU, CU-CP may also be referred to as O-CU-CP, CU-UP may also be referred to as O-CU-UP, and RU may also be referred to as O-RU. Any of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in this application may be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0134] Exemplarily, the base stations in the embodiments of the present application may include various forms of base stations, such as: macro base stations, micro base stations (also called small stations), relay stations, access points, etc., and the embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this.

[0135] Optionally, the network devices in the embodiments of the present application can be deployed on non-ground platforms, such as low-altitude platforms (such as drones), high-altitude platforms (such as airplanes), or satellites. Therefore, the network devices in the embodiments of the present application can also be referred to as non-ground network devices.

[0136] For example, in the case where the network device is deployed on a satellite, or the network device is a satellite, the communication system may further include an NTN gateway (also known as a gateway station). Typically, the NTN gateway is deployed on the ground. The NTN gateway can communicate with the satellite, and the link between the satellite and the NTN gateway can be called a feeder link.

[0137] As shown in Figure 1, when a satellite serves as a wireless relay node, or in other words, a satellite has relay and forwarding capabilities, the NTN gateway has base station functions or partial base station functions. In this case, the NTN gateway can function as a base station. Alternatively, the NTN gateway can be deployed separately from the base station. In other words, in addition to the NTN gateway, the communication system also includes a satellite base station deployed on the ground. Figure 1 illustrates the example of separate deployment of the NTN gateway and base station.

[0138] As shown in Figure 2, when a satellite can perform some or all of the functions of a base station, the satellite has data processing capabilities and can be used as a base station. In this case, the NTN gateway and the satellite can transmit user-plane data of the terminal device through the satellite radio interface (SRI).

[0139] In addition, satellites can perform some or all of the functions of a base station. As shown in Figure 3, inter-satellite links (ISLs) exist between different satellites, allowing satellites to communicate via ISLs. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 4, a satellite can have the DU processing capabilities of a base station, or in other words, the satellite can act as a DU. In this scenario, the base station's CU processing capabilities can be deployed on the ground, and the CU and DU communicate using the F1 interface through the NTN gateway.

[0140] In the architectures shown in Figures 1 to 4, NG refers to the interface between the base station and the core network. Uu refers to the interface between the base station and the terminal device. Xn refers to the interface between base stations. It is understood that as communication systems evolve, the names of the interfaces between the base station and the core network, between the base station and the terminal device, and between base stations may also change, and this application does not specifically limit this.

[0141] Optionally, when a satellite functions as a wireless relay node and has relay forwarding capabilities, it can be considered to be operating in transparent mode. When a satellite has data processing capabilities and can perform some or all of the functions of a base station, it can be considered to be operating in regenerative mode. A satellite may support only transparent mode, only regenerative mode, or both, and be able to switch between these two modes.

[0142] In some implementation scenarios, the NTN and terrestrial networks can be integrated. For example, Figure 5 illustrates a converged network architecture for the NTN and terrestrial networks, as provided in an embodiment of the present application. In the architecture shown in Figure 5, satellites 1 and 2 operate in regenerative mode. The satellites can serve as NTN base stations, or NTN base stations can be deployed on the satellites. Satellite 3 operates in transparent transmission mode, requiring the deployment of an additional NTN base station. The term "NTN base station" refers to a base station in the NTN.

[0143] In addition, the architecture may also include ground base stations, which refer to base stations in the ground network. NTN base stations and ground base stations can be interconnected through a common core network. As a bearer network, the core network provides an interface to the data network, providing terminal equipment with communication connection, authentication, management, policy control, and data service carrying. Exemplarily, the core network may include access and mobility management function (AMF) network elements, session management function (SMF) network elements, authentication server function (AUSF) network elements, policy control function (PCF) network elements, user plane function (UPF) network elements, and other network elements.

[0144] Alternatively, NTN base stations and terrestrial base stations can also achieve more timely assistance and interconnection through interfaces defined between base stations. For example, the interface between base stations can be an Xn interface, and the interface between a base station and the core network can be an NG interface. Of course, other implementations of the interface between base stations and the interface between a base station and the core network are also possible, and this application does not specifically limit this.

[0145] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the satellite can provide services to the terminal device through a beam. For example, different beams can provide services to the terminal device through one or more of time division, frequency division, and space division. On the one hand, the satellite can operate in a regeneration mode or a transparent transmission mode. On the other hand, the satellite can operate in a non-staring (earth-moving) mode or a staring (earth-fixed or quasi-earth fixed) mode. The satellite can be a low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite, a medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite, a geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite, etc., without limitation.

[0146] It is understandable that the satellites in the architectures described in Figures 1 to 5 can be replaced by non-ground payloads on other flying platforms such as drones and airplanes.

[0147] It should be pointed out that in the following embodiments of the present application, the message names, parameter names, or information names between devices are only examples. In other embodiments, they may also be other names, and the method provided in this application does not make specific limitations on this.

[0148] It is understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the execution subject may perform some or all of the steps in the embodiments of the present application. These steps or operations are merely examples, and the embodiments of the present application may also perform other operations or variations of various operations. In addition, the various steps may be performed in a different order than those presented in the embodiments of the present application, and it is possible that not all operations in the embodiments of the present application need to be performed.

[0149] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly describes the terms used in the embodiments of the present application. It should be understood that these descriptions are only for facilitating understanding of the embodiments of the present application and should not constitute any limitation on the present application.

[0150] 1. NTN:

[0151] 5G NR has now entered the commercial deployment phase, moving from standardization. The NR standard is primarily designed to address the unique characteristics of terrestrial communications, which provide high-speed, high-reliability, and low-latency communications for user terminals.

[0152] Compared to terrestrial communications, NTN communications offer significant advantages, including global coverage, long-distance transmission, flexible networking, easy deployment, and freedom from geographical constraints. They have been widely used in a variety of fields, including maritime communications, positioning and navigation, disaster relief, scientific experiments, video broadcasting, and Earth observation. NTN networks can be integrated with terrestrial networks, leveraging their strengths and complementing their weaknesses to form a seamless, integrated global communications network covering land, sea, air, space, and ground, meeting the diverse service needs of users everywhere.

[0153] According to the altitude of the flight platform above the ground, the NTN may include a low altitude platform (LAP) subnetwork, a high altitude platform (HAP) subnetwork, and a satellite communication subnetwork (SATCOM subnetwork).

[0154] For example, in the LAP subnetwork, base stations or base station functions are deployed on low-altitude flying platforms (such as drones) at an altitude of 0.1 km to 1 km from the ground to provide coverage for terminals; in the HAP subnetwork, base stations or base station functions are deployed on high-altitude flying platforms (such as airplanes) at an altitude of 8 km to 50 km from the ground to provide coverage for terminals; in the SATCOM subnetwork, base stations or base station functions are deployed on satellites at an altitude of more than 50 km from the ground to provide coverage for terminals.

[0155] Furthermore, according to the orbital altitude of the satellite, the satellite communication system can be divided into GEO satellite communication system, MEO satellite communication system and LEO satellite communication system.

[0156] The GEO satellite communication system is also known as the geostationary orbit satellite system. GEO satellites orbit at an altitude of 35,786 km and move at the same speed as the Earth's rotation, meaning that GEO satellites can remain stationary relative to the Earth. GEO satellite communication systems can provide large cell coverage, typically with a cell diameter of 500 km. However, GEO satellite communication also has significant disadvantages: 1) GEO satellite orbits are far from the Earth, resulting in high free-space propagation losses, which leads to tight communication link budgets. To increase transmit / receive gain, satellites must be equipped with larger antennas; 2) Communication transmission latency is high, such as a round-trip delay of around 500 milliseconds, which cannot meet the needs of real-time services; 3) GEO orbital resources are relatively scarce, launch costs are high, and coverage of the Earth's polar regions is inadequate.

[0157] MEO satellites orbit at altitudes between 2,000 and 35,786 km, enabling global coverage with a relatively small number of satellites. However, MEO satellites orbit at higher altitudes than LEO satellites, resulting in higher transmission latency compared to LEO satellite communications. Therefore, considering the advantages and disadvantages of MEO satellite communications, MEO satellites are primarily used for positioning and navigation.

[0158] The orbital altitude of LEO satellites is between 300 and 2000 km, which is lower than that of MEO satellites. They have the advantages of low transmission delay, low transmission loss, and relatively low launch cost.

[0159] The next generation of satellite communication systems is generally showing a trend towards ultra-dense and heterogeneous systems. First, the scale of satellites has grown from 66 in the Iridium constellation to 720 in the OneWeb constellation, and ultimately to the Starlink ultra-dense LEO satellite constellation of over 12,000. Second, satellite networks are becoming heterogeneous, evolving from traditional single-layer communication networks to multi-layer ones. The functionality of communication satellite networks is also becoming increasingly complex and diverse, gradually becoming compatible with and supporting functions such as navigation augmentation, Earth observation, and multi-dimensional information processing on-orbit.

[0160] 2. Non-gazing mode (earth-moving) and gazing (earth-fixed or quasi-earth fixed) mode:

[0161] In satellite communication systems, beam operating modes can be generally divided into non-staring mode and staring mode. As shown in Figure 6 (a), in non-staring mode, the coverage area of ​​the satellite beam moves with the satellite over a period of time (e.g., between time t0 and time t2). As shown in Figure 6 (b), in staring mode, the satellite dynamically adjusts the beam pointing direction over a period of time (e.g., between time t0 and time t2) so that the beam covers approximately the same area on the ground.

[0162] Exemplarily, the embodiment of the beam in the protocol can be a spatial domain filter, or a spatial filter, or a spatial domain parameter, a spatial parameter, a spatial domain setting, a spatial setting, or Quasi-colocation (QCL) information, a QCL assumption, a QCL indication, etc. The beam can be indicated by a transmission configuration indication (TCI) state (TCI-state) parameter, or by a spatial relation parameter. Therefore, in this application, the beam can be replaced by a spatial domain filter, a spatial filter, a spatial parameter, a spatial parameter, a spatial setting, a spatial setting, QCL information, a QCL assumption, a QCL indication, TCI-state, a spatial relationship, etc. The above terms are also equivalent to each other. The beam in this application can also be replaced by other terms representing the beam, and this application is not limited thereto.

[0163] 3-1. Region:

[0164] Unless otherwise specified, the term "region" in the following embodiments of this application refers to a geographic region. A region is fixed relative to the Earth, or it can be understood as referring to a fixed geographic area relative to the Earth. For example, a region can have at least one of the following attributes: shape, outline, size, radius, area, geographic location, etc.

[0165] In a possible implementation, the above-mentioned region fixed relative to the earth may also be referred to as a "wave position", "geographical region", etc. Of course, other names are also possible, and this application does not specifically limit the name of the region fixed relative to the earth.

[0166] The shapes, outlines, sizes, radii, and areas of different regions may or may not be the same. Different regions may have different geographical locations. Different regions may or may not overlap.

[0167] In one possible implementation, a region is fixed relative to the Earth, which can be understood as: the region's outline, size, or geographic location remains unchanged. For example, the region's outline, size, or geographic location does not change over time. Alternatively, a region is fixed relative to the Earth, which can be understood as: the region's outline and points within the region can be described using an Earth-fixed coordinate system, or the coordinates of each point on the region's outline in the Earth-fixed coordinate system are fixed and unchanging.

[0168] In a possible embodiment, the shape of the region may be a regular hexagon, or other shapes such as a regular pentagon, a circle, an ellipse, etc. Alternatively, the shape of the region may be an irregular shape, which is not limited.

[0169] For example, the shape of a region can be defined by a protocol or by a network device. The region shapes defined by different network devices can be the same or different. The same network device can also define multiple region shapes. Similarly, the size, radius, and area of ​​a region can be defined by a protocol or by a network device. The size, radius, and area of ​​a region defined by different network devices can be the same or different. The same network device can also define multiple region sizes, multiple region radii, or multiple region areas.

[0170] In a possible implementation, the earth's surface may be divided into multiple regions, and the multiple regions may be indexed (eg, numbered).

[0171] As one possible division method, the geographic location of a region is determined by the region's identifier. That is, the geographic location of a region can be obtained based on the region's identifier, or in other words, there is a correlation between the region's identifier and the region's geographic location. For example, multiple regions can be discretized on the earth, each corresponding to an identifier, and the geographic location of the region can be obtained based on the region's identifier.

[0172] 3-2. Coverage area of ​​network equipment:

[0173] The coverage area of ​​a network device may refer to the maximum area that the network device can cover, or in other words, the coverage area of ​​the network device indicates (or reflects) the maximum coverage capability of the network device.

[0174] The coverage area of ​​the network device changes with the movement of the network device, that is, the coverage area of ​​the network device may be different at different times. The coverage area of ​​the network device includes at least one of the above areas (ie, wave positions).

[0175] Since the coverage area of ​​a network device changes with the movement of the network device, and the area (wave position) is fixed relative to the earth, the wave positions included in the coverage area of ​​the network device may be different at different times.

[0176] For example, taking the area as a regular hexagon, as shown in Figure 7, the elliptical solid line can represent the coverage area of ​​the network device. The areas represented by all regular hexagons in the elliptical solid line are the areas included in the coverage area of ​​the network device.

[0177] 3-3. Service area of ​​network equipment:

[0178] The service area of ​​a network device may refer to the maximum area that a beam of the network device can serve (or cover), or in other words, the service area of ​​the network device indicates (or reflects) the maximum service capability of the network device.

[0179] The service area of ​​a network device is smaller than or equal to the coverage area of ​​the network device. For example, based on the example shown in FIG7 , the service area of ​​the network device can be the range indicated by the solid ellipse, in which case the service area of ​​the network device is equal to the coverage area of ​​the network device; alternatively, the service area of ​​the network device can be smaller than the range indicated by the solid ellipse.

[0180] The service area of ​​a network device changes with the movement of the network device, that is, the service area of ​​the network device may be different at different times. The service area of ​​the network device includes at least one of the above areas (ie, wave positions).

[0181] Since the service area of ​​a network device changes with the movement of the network device, and the area (wavelength) is fixed relative to the earth, the wavelengths included in the service area of ​​the network device may be different at different times.

[0182] 3-4. Activation area of ​​network equipment:

[0183] The area currently being served (or covered) by the beam of a network device can be referred to as an active area or an activated area. The area currently not being served (or covered) by the beam of a network device can be referred to as an inactive area or an inactive area. The active area of ​​a network device is one or more areas within the service area of ​​the network device.

[0184] At a certain moment, the beam of the network device serves (or covers) an activation area, that is, a part of the service area of ​​the network device. At different moments, the beam of the network device serves (or covers) different activation areas, that is, different areas in the service area of ​​the network device.

[0185] For example, as shown in (a) in Figure 7, at time T1, the activation area of ​​the beam service of the network device includes areas x1, x2 and x3; as shown in (b) in Figure 7, at time T2, the activation area of ​​the beam service of the network device includes areas y1, y2, y3 and y4.

[0186] 4. Description of NTN's service area:

[0187] As a first possible implementation, the antenna pattern, such as a given antenna model, can be used to calculate the corresponding contours of antenna gain or received power in different areas of the ground (which can be understood as the projection of the beam on the ground) to characterize the service area of ​​the satellite / cell. This contour can also be understood as the beam position.

[0188] For example, Figure 8(a) shows the antenna gain pattern for a single GEO satellite 72-beam reference system. The ellipse represents the projection of the beam on the ground, or the beam position. Figure 8(b) shows the profile of the LEO satellite's beam in the latitude and longitude plane in non-staring mode.

[0189] In the first possible implementation, since the projection of the beam on the ground is interpreted as the beam position, the beam position and beam can be considered statically bound. Therefore, this solution is commonly used in GEO satellite networks or satellite networks operating in non-staring mode. However, in staring mode, the inclination angle between the satellite and a certain area of ​​the ground changes dynamically, and the beam projection also changes accordingly. This static binding of beam position and beam may no longer be applicable.

[0190] As a second possible implementation, the Earth's surface can be divided into regular pentagonal or hexagonal grids based on the H3 geographic grid, and the grids can be used to represent the service areas of satellites / cells. For example, the service area of ​​a satellite / cell can include one or more grids, where each grid can be understood as a wave position.

[0191] This second possible implementation supports hierarchical addressing of wave positions. For example, as shown in Figure 9, there are three types of regular hexagons: small, medium, and large. The regular hexagon with the smallest area represents the wave position, and the regular hexagons with the remaining two areas can be used for hierarchical addressing of wave positions. For ease of description, the following embodiments refer to the regular hexagons with the largest and second largest areas as the first and second regular hexagons, respectively.

[0192] Based on the example shown in Figure 9, when performing hierarchical addressing of wave positions, the index of the first regular hexagon can be understood as the first-level index of the wave position, the index of the second regular hexagon can be understood as the second-level index of the wave position, and the index of the regular hexagon with the smallest area can be understood as the third-level index of the wave position. When indexing a wave position, the first regular hexagon to which the wave position belongs can be first determined based on the first-level index, then the second regular hexagon to which the wave position in the first regular hexagon belongs can be determined based on the second-level index, and finally the wave position in the second regular hexagon can be determined based on the third-level index.

[0193] The second possible implementation currently supports only 16 different precisions of the beam radius, which makes it difficult to adapt to different payload capabilities (such as beam radius). For example, if the precision of the beam radius is an integer but the beam radius is not an integer, it may not be possible to accurately use the beam to represent the service area of ​​the satellite / cell.

[0194] It is easy to understand that in this application, load capacity can include at least one of the following: antenna capacity (such as the number of antenna units), or transmit power, etc. Among them, antenna capacity and / or transmit power affect the beam radius. In this way, different load capacities mean different beam radii. Accordingly, only 16 different precision beam radii are currently supported, which makes it difficult to adapt to different load capacities. It can be understood that only 16 different precision beam radii are currently supported, which makes it difficult to adapt to different beam radii.

[0195] 5. Group switching and group reselection:

[0196] The movement of the satellite may cause group handover of connected terminal devices in a certain area, or group reselection of idle terminal devices in the area.

[0197] Taking group handover as an example, as shown in Figure 10, assume that a UE cluster (denoted as UE-G1, which includes multiple UEs) exists within sub-area 1 of area 2. At time T1, sub-area 1 is served by one or more beams of satellite 2. At time T2, the movement of satellite 2 causes it to no longer be able to serve sub-area 1. Instead, one or more beams of satellite 1 take over serving sub-area 1. During this process, because the satellite covering sub-area 1 changes, the multiple UEs in UE-G1 undergo group handover, switching from satellite 2 to satellite 1.

[0198] Since the satellite moves at a relatively high speed, for example, the speed of a LEO satellite is about 7.5 km / s, the frequency of group switching is relatively high, about once every few seconds to tens of seconds.

[0199] 6. Mobility Management

[0200] Mobility management mainly includes cell handover, cell reselection, registration update and tracking area update (TAU).

[0201] For example, taking cell handover as an example, as shown in Figure 11, the handover process of the ground network mainly includes the following steps:

[0202] Step 1: Cell handover measurement:

[0203] Typically, the network device sends measurement configurations corresponding to multiple cells (including serving cells and neighboring cells) to the terminal device. The terminal device measures the cell signal quality (such as reference signal receiving power (RSRP) and / or reference signal receiving quality (RSRQ)) according to the measurement configuration to obtain the measurement results. In step 1, the network device can be understood as the source network device, that is, the network device corresponding to the cell before the cell handover occurs.

[0204] Step 2: Report the measurement results:

[0205] The terminal device reports the measurement results to the network device (e.g., the source network device). The reporting method can be periodic reporting or event-triggered reporting. In event-triggered reporting, the reporting conditions are usually configured as serving cell signal quality less than threshold 1 and / or neighboring cell signal quality greater than threshold 2.

[0206] Step 3, switch judgment:

[0207] The network device (such as the source network device) selects a suitable neighboring cell based on the reported result, and exchanges user handover-related context information, admission control, reserved resources and other information.

[0208] Step 4: Switch execution:

[0209] The terminal device receives handover-related control information from the serving cell and completes the access process in the new cell.

[0210] For example, taking cell reselection as an example, network equipment usually sends parameters such as measurement configuration related to adjacent cells to terminal devices in the form of broadcasts. The terminal device compares its own measurement values ​​(such as RSRP and RSRQ) with the parameters sent by the network device (such as reselection threshold, etc.), and autonomously reselects to the target neighboring cell if the conditions are met.

[0211] It should be noted that due to the lack of significant near-far effect in NTN systems, cell handover / cell reselection triggered solely by signal quality is inefficient. Therefore, NR / NTN systems incorporate location-assisted handover / reselection enhancements, such as those based on time / timers, terminal device location information (e.g., the distance between the terminal device and the reference point of the source cell is greater than threshold 1, and the distance to the reference point of the target cell is less than threshold 2), and a combination of timer / location + signal quality to achieve mobility management in NTN networks.

[0212] However, in existing communication systems, cell switching is usually triggered by the movement of terminal devices. Similarly, cell reselection is usually triggered by the movement of terminal devices. In satellite communication systems, such as LEO scenarios, group switching or group reselection triggered by the movement of network (such as satellite) devices is more frequent. In group switching or group reselection mode, the network device configures the satellite coverage area for the terminal device through configuration information. If group switching or group reselection occurs frequently, the configuration information is frequently updated and the signaling overhead is large. In addition, a satellite may cover one or more areas. When the same satellite covers more areas, the signaling overhead is further increased.

[0213] 7. Beam management

[0214] As shown in Figure 12, the network equipment (such as the base station) uses a beam scanning method within the coverage area of ​​the cell to time-share the synchronization signal block (SSB) beams in different directions. If it is the initial access phase in the idle state, the terminal device feeds back the SSB index (SSB index) information of the optimal SSB beam to the network device by including it in the preamble of the random access (RA), and the network device confirms the SSB beam for sending the downlink signal. The network device can directly reuse the beam when receiving the uplink signal. If it is the data transmission phase in the connected state, the terminal device feeds back the SSB measurement results to the network device through the measurement report, and the network device confirms the SSB beam for sending the downlink signal. The network device can directly reuse the beam when receiving the uplink signal.

[0215] In addition, the network device scans again with a narrower CSI-RS for BM beam near the optimal SSB beam (the network device can map the channel state information-reference signal for beam management (CSI-RS for BM) beam used for beam management to the optimal SSB beam through the beam identity (ID). The terminal device feeds back the CSI-RS for BM measurement results to the network device through a measurement report, and the network device confirms the CSI-RS for BM beam that sends the downlink signal. The network device can directly reuse the beam when receiving uplink signals.

[0216] However, beam management in existing communication systems is typically based on signal quality and beam ID. In satellite communication systems, such as those in LEO scenarios, beam management (especially beam switching) triggered solely by signal quality is inefficient because the near-far effect is not significant.

[0217] Furthermore, satellite movement causes the beam ID received by the terminal device to change rapidly, requiring the terminal device to frequently adjust the receive beam and the corresponding transmit and receive time-frequency resources. Consequently, the network equipment must frequently send configuration information to the terminal device. This configuration information includes beam configuration parameters, which the terminal device uses to determine the receive beam and transmit and receive time-frequency resources. This results in high signaling overhead.

[0218] Based on FIG8 or FIG9 , it can be seen that for a satellite communication system in staring mode, how to determine the area covered by the satellite beam is a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently.

[0219] In view of this, the present application provides a communication method. The method can be applied to the systems shown in Figures 1-5. The method includes: a terminal device receives a region parameter, where the region parameter is used to indicate the number of regions N, where N is an arbitrary positive integer. The terminal device determines a reference position of a first region based on the region parameter and a first mapping relationship. The first mapping relationship is used to indicate a conversion relationship between the reference position of the first region and the region parameter, where the first region is one of the N regions, such as the first region is any one of the N regions.

[0220] In the present application, since the first mapping relationship can indicate the conversion relationship between the reference position of the first area and the area parameter, when the terminal device receives the area parameter, the terminal device can determine the reference position of the first area based on the received area parameter and the first mapping relationship, laying the foundation for the terminal device to communicate based on the reference position of the first area. For example, when the first area is the activation area of ​​the network device, if the terminal device is in the first area, the terminal device can communicate with the network device, thereby helping to improve communication effectiveness.

[0221] The communication method proposed in the embodiment of the present application is described in detail below with reference to Figures 13 to 23. The communication method 1300 proposed in the embodiment of the present application includes the following operations:

[0222] S1301: The network device sends a region parameter to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the region parameter from the network device.

[0223] The region parameter is used to indicate the number of regions N, where N is any positive integer.

[0224] For example, the region parameters include the number N of regions.

[0225] For example, the region parameter includes the region radius. In this application, the region radius and the number of regions satisfy the following formula (1):

[0226] Among them, N spot Indicates the number of regions, R spotIndicates the area radius, R e Indicates N spot The parameters of the sphere where the region lies.

[0227] It should be noted that, in this application, N spot Take the earth as an example, the sphere where the region is located, R e represents the radius of the Earth. Of course, R e It can also be a parameter smaller than the radius of the earth, or a parameter larger than the radius of the earth. e It can be a pre-configured parameter or a parameter configured by the network device, and this embodiment of the present application does not limit this.

[0228] It should be noted that in this application, the term "region" can be found in the glossary section and will not be elaborated on here.

[0229] In this application, the type of area can include one or more. For example, the area includes at least one of the following types: broadcast area, service area, or tracking area corresponding area. Among them, the broadcast area is the geographical area covered by the broadcast beam. The service area is the geographical area covered by the service beam. Among them, the tracking area corresponding area can be understood as a tracking area corresponding to an area (i.e., a wave position), or a tracking area corresponding to one area (i.e., a wave position), that is, there is a one-to-one correspondence between the two.

[0230] S1302. The terminal device determines a reference position of the first area according to the area parameter and the first mapping relationship.

[0231] The first mapping relationship is described as follows:

[0232] The first mapping relationship is used to indicate a conversion relationship between a reference position of the first region and a region parameter.

[0233] For example, the first mapping relationship satisfies the following formula (2):

[0234] Where RL(i) represents the three-dimensional coordinates corresponding to the reference position of the first region, i represents the region identifier of the first region, and R e Indicates the parameters of the sphere where the first region is located, N spot Indicates the number of regions, Indicates the decimal part operator.

[0235] It is easy to understand that in this application, when the area number or area code is used as the area identifier, based on the above formula (2), i can traverse {0,…,N spot -1}. Accordingly, the terminal device can obtain N based on the above formula (2).spot The reference position of each area in the region.

[0236] Furthermore, i represents the region identifier of the first region (eg, i is the region identifier of the first region, used to identify the first region), which can be understood as, N spot Each area in the N regions can be regarded as a first area. Accordingly, the terminal device can traverse N regions based on the above formula (2). spot Each first area in the areas, so that N spot The reference position of each first region in the regions may be determined based on the first mapping relationship.

[0237] It is easy to understand that, as a possible equivalent conversion form, the above formula (2) can be equivalently converted into longitude and latitude positions.

[0238] For example, the projection RL(x) of RL(i) on the unit square i ,y i ). The unit square specifically refers to a square in the Cartesian plane whose corners are located at the four points (0,0), (1,0), (0,1) and (1,1).

[0239] In other words, the first mapping relationship satisfies the following formula (3): RL(x i )=(1-cosθ i ) / 2

[0240] Among them, RL(x i ) represents the horizontal coordinate of the reference position of the first region on the projection of the unit square where the first region is located, RL(y i ) represents the vertical coordinate of the reference position of the first region on the projection of the unit square where the first region is located, i represents the region identifier of the first region, N spot Indicates the number of regions, Indicates the decimal part operator.

[0241] It is easy to understand that as another possible equivalent transformation form, the above formula (3) can be used to adopt the Cartesian coordinates RL (x i ,y i ). In other words, the first mapping relationship satisfies the following formula (4): RL(x i )=i / N spot

[0242] Among them, RL(x i) represents the horizontal coordinate of the reference position of the first wave in Cartesian coordinates, RL(y i ) represents the ordinate of the reference position of the first wave in Cartesian coordinates, i represents the region identifier of the first region, N spot Represents the number of wave positions, and frac() represents the decimal part operator.

[0243] For another example, the first mapping relationship satisfies the following formula (5):

[0244] Where RL(i) represents the three-dimensional coordinates corresponding to the reference position of the first region, i represents the region identifier of the first region, and R e Indicates the parameters of the sphere where the first region is located, N spot Indicates the number of regions.

[0245] For another example, the first mapping relationship satisfies the following formula (6): RL(i)=(lon(i),lat(i)) N spot =2N+1

[0246] Where RL(i) represents the reference position of the first region, lon(i) represents the longitude corresponding to the reference position of the first region, lat(i) represents the latitude corresponding to the reference position of the first region, i represents the region identifier of the first region, and N spot Indicates the number of regions.

[0247] It should be noted that the unit of the longitude lon(i) corresponding to the reference position of the first area may be radians. Similarly, the unit of the latitude lat(i) corresponding to the reference position of the first area may also be radians.

[0248] The first area is introduced as follows:

[0249] The first area is one of the N areas, see the introduction of the following three examples (Example 1 to Example 3 below).

[0250] Example 1: The first region is any one of the N regions.

[0251] In this case, since the parameter i in the above formula (2) to formula (6) is 1 to N spot Therefore, based on the above formula, the terminal device can obtain the reference position of any area in the N areas. In other words, the terminal device can obtain the topology of the N areas, or the coverage areas of the N areas, or the adjacency relationship between different areas in the N areas.

[0252] Example 2: The first area is an area among N areas, and is the area where the terminal device is located.

[0253] In Example 2, as shown in FIG14 , the method further includes S1303:

[0254] S1303: The terminal device obtains its own location.

[0255] For example, the terminal device may obtain its own GNSS position.

[0256] When the terminal device executes S1303, S1302 includes S1302a:

[0257] S1302a. The terminal device determines a reference position of the first area according to its own position, area parameters and the first mapping relationship.

[0258] The first area is the area where the terminal device is located.

[0259] Exemplarily, first, the terminal device determines the reference positions of M regions out of N regions based on the aforementioned region parameters and the first mapping relationship. M is a positive integer less than or equal to N. The terminal device then selects, from the reference positions of the M regions, the region whose reference position is closest to its own position as the first region. Accordingly, the terminal device is able to determine the reference position of the first region.

[0260] It should be noted that the description of M areas among N areas is as follows:

[0261] As an example, M may be equal to N. In this case, it can be understood that the terminal device determines the reference position of each of the N areas based on the above-mentioned area parameters and the first mapping relationship, and then selects the area closest to its own position from the reference position of each of the N areas as the first area.

[0262] As another example, M may be less than N. In this case, it can be understood that the terminal device determines the reference positions of some of the N regions based on the above-mentioned region parameters and the first mapping relationship, and then selects the region closest to its own position from the reference positions of each of the some regions as the first region. The some of the N regions may be determined based on the location of the terminal device, such as one or more regions in the N regions that are closer to the location of the terminal device.

[0263] In this way, the terminal device can determine the reference position of its own area.

[0264] Example 3: The first area is an area among N areas, and is an area indicated by the network device through an area identifier.

[0265] In Example 2, as shown in FIG14 , the method further includes S1304:

[0266] S1304: The terminal device obtains an area identifier.

[0267] The region identifier is used to identify a region. For example, the region identifier is used to identify one of the N regions.

[0268] Exemplarily, the network device sends the area identifier to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the area identifier from the network device.

[0269] When the terminal device executes S1304, S1302 includes S1302b:

[0270] S1302b. The terminal device determines a reference position of the first area according to the area identifier, the area parameters, and the first mapping relationship.

[0271] The first area is the area corresponding to the area identifier.

[0272] Exemplarily, the area identifier is the area number. For example, the area identifier of the first area among the N areas is 1, the area identifier of the second area among the N areas is 2, the area identifier of the third area among the N areas is 3, and so on. In this case, if the area identifier is k, the first area is the kth area among the N areas. The terminal device determines the reference position of the kth area among the N areas based on the area parameters and the first mapping relationship. Accordingly, the terminal device can also determine the reference position of the first area.

[0273] In this way, the terminal device can determine the reference position of the area identified by the area identifier.

[0274] The above describes the process of determining the reference position of the first area by the terminal device.

[0275] It should be noted that the reference position of the first area is used to assist the terminal device in communicating. It can be understood that the terminal device performs at least one of the following communication processes based on the reference position of the first area: tracking area update, initial access, beam management, and mobility association.

[0276] The following introduces the communication process performed by the terminal device based on the reference position of the first area.

[0277] Case 1: Tracking Area Update TAU

[0278] In case 1, the description is made by taking 'the above-mentioned N areas are areas corresponding to tracking areas' as an example.

[0279] As a first possible implementation method, taking the 'first area is the area where the terminal device is located' as an example, the tracking area update scenario is introduced:

[0280] As shown in FIG15 and FIG16 , the method further includes the following operations:

[0281] S1311: The network device sends information 1 to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives information 1 from the network device.

[0282] Information 1 is described as follows:

[0283] The information 1 indicates at least one region. For example, the information 1 indicates at least one region among the N regions.

[0284] For example, information 1 includes the identifier of each area in at least one area. This can be expressed as TAC_Net = {bw_x1, bw_x2, ..., bw_xN}. TAC_Net represents the set of area identifiers for the areas indicated by information 1, bw_x1 represents the area identifier x1, bw_x2 represents the area identifier x2, and bw_xN represents the area identifier xN.

[0285] Taking Figure 16 as an example, if the network device is Satellite 1, TAC_Net_1 = {bw_32, bw_40, bw_45, bw_53}. TAC_Net_1 represents the set of area identifiers for the area indicated by Information 1. bw_32 represents area identifier 32, indicating area numbered 32 among the 197 areas. bw_40 represents area identifier 40, indicating area numbered 40 among the 197 areas. bw_45 represents area identifier 45, indicating area numbered 45 among the 197 areas. bw_53 represents area identifier 53, indicating area numbered 53 among the 197 areas.

[0286] Taking Figure 16 as an example, if the network device is Satellite 2, TAC_Net_2 = {bw_28, bw_33, bw_41}. TAC_Net_2 represents the set of area identifiers for the area indicated by information 1. bw_28 represents the area identified by area identifier 28, which indicates area numbered 28 among the 197 areas. bw_33 represents area identifier 33, which indicates area numbered 33 among the 197 areas. bw_41 represents area identifier 41, which indicates area numbered 41 among the 197 areas.

[0287] For another example, information 1 includes a second region and a first parameter.

[0288] The second area is one of the at least one area, and the first parameter indicates the area number of the at least one area.

[0289] As an example, information 1 may be recorded as TAC_Net={bw_x0, k0}, where TAC_Net represents a set of region identifiers of the region indicated by information 1, bw_x0 represents a region identifier of the second region, and k0 represents the k0 regions closest to the second region.

[0290] Taking Figure 16 as an example, when the network device is satellite 1, TAC_Net_1 = {bw_32, 3}, where TAC_Net_1 represents the set of area identifiers of the area indicated by information 1, bw_32 represents the area identifier of the second area, and '3' represents the three areas closest to bw_32, such as bw_40, bw_45, and bw_53.

[0291] Taking Figure 16 as an example, when the network device is satellite 2, TAC_Net_2 = {bw_28, 2}, where TAC_Net_2 represents the set of area identifiers of the area indicated by information 1, bw_28 represents the area identifier of the second area, and '2' represents the two areas closest to bw_28, such as bw_33 and bw_41.

[0292] It is easy to understand that in this application, information 1 is represented as TAC_Net={bw_x0, k0}. In this case, k0 represents the k0 regions closest to the second region (such as the region identified by bw_x0). Among them, the k0 regions closest to the second region can be understood as:

[0293] In case 1, the shape of the region (ie, wave position) can be a regular shape, such as a regular hexagon, a regular pentagon, etc.

[0294] In this case, for a certain area, the distance between the area and the different adjacent areas is equal. For example, taking the center position of each area as the reference position of the area, for a regular hexagonal area, the distance between the area and the six adjacent areas is equal. In this case, if k0 is less than or equal to 6, the k0 areas closest to the second area can be understood as the k0 areas closest to the area identification of the second area among the 6 areas closest to the second area (for example, the k0 areas closest to the area number of the second area), or the k0 areas closest to the second area can be selected in other ways, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this.

[0295] In case 2, the shape of the region (ie, wave position) may also be irregular.

[0296] In this case, for a certain area, the distances between the area and different adjacent areas may be equal or unequal.

[0297] In the case where the distances between the region and its adjacent regions are equal, the k0 regions closest to the second region can be understood as the k0 regions closest to the region identifier of the second region among the x regions closest to the second region. Where x is a positive integer greater than or equal to k0, please refer to the description of Case 1 and will not be repeated here.

[0298] In the case where the distances between the region and different adjacent regions are not equal, the k0 regions closest to the second region may be determined based on the distances between the region and different adjacent regions.

[0299] For example, the second region is the region identified by bw_x0, and the regions adjacent to bw_x0 include: the region identified by bw_x1, the region identified by bw_x2, and the region identified by bw_x3. The distance between the region identified by bw_x0 and its adjacent regions may include:

[0300] The distance between the reference position of the area identified by bw_x0 and the reference position of the area identified by bw_x1 is recorded as distance 1.

[0301] The distance between the reference position of the area identified by bw_x0 and the reference position of the area identified by bw_x2 is recorded as distance 2.

[0302] The distance between the reference position of the area identified by bw_x0 and the reference position of the area identified by bw_x3 is recorded as distance 3.

[0303] In the case that distance 1 is smaller than distance 2, and distance 2 is smaller than distance 3, if k0=2, then the k0 regions closest to the second region include: the region identified by bw_x1 and the region identified by bw_x2.

[0304] As another example, information 1 may be recorded as TAC_Net={bw_x0, k0+1}, where TAC_Net represents a set of region identifiers of the region indicated by information 1, bw_x0 represents the region identifier of the second region, and k0 represents the k0 regions closest to the second region.

[0305] Taking Figure 16 as an example, when the network device is satellite 1, TAC_Net_1 = {bw_32, 4}, where TAC_Net_1 represents the set of area identifiers for the area indicated by information 1, bw_32 represents the area identifier of the second area, and '4' represents bw_32 and the three areas closest to bw_32, namely bw_32, bw_40, bw_45, and bw_53.

[0306] Taking Figure 16 as an example, when the network device is satellite 2, TAC_Net_2 = {bw_28, 3}, where TAC_Net_2 represents the set of area identifiers for the area indicated by information 1, bw_28 represents the area identifier of the second area, and '3' represents bw_28 and the two areas closest to bw_28, namely bw_28, bw_33, and bw_41.

[0307] It is easy to understand that, in the at least one area indicated by the information 1, each area is an area corresponding to a tracking area, and each area belongs to one of the N areas mentioned above.

[0308] It is easy to understand that information 1 can be carried in a broadcast message.

[0309] S1312: When the at least one area indicated by information 1 does not include the first area, the terminal device initiates a tracking area update.

[0310] Taking FIG16 as an example, the area where the terminal device is located can be recorded as TAC_UE_config={bw_25, bw_30, bw_33, bw_38, bw_46}, where the area identifier of the first area can be bw_25, bw_30, bw_33, bw_38, or bw_46.

[0311] Taking Figure 16 as an example, when the network device is Satellite 1, Information 1 indicates at least one area: TAC_Net_1 = {bw_32, bw_40, bw_45, bw_53}. Since TAC_Net_1 does not include the area in TAC_UE_config, the terminal device initiates a tracking area update. The tracking area update process can be found in the relevant art and will not be described here. In addition, the terminal device can also obtain a new TAC list, namely TAC_UE_config_new, from the network device to use when determining whether to perform a tracking area update next time.

[0312] It is easy to understand that, when the at least one area indicated by the information 1 includes the first area, the terminal device does not initiate a tracking area update.

[0313] Taking Figure 16 as an example, when the network device is satellite 2, the at least one area indicated by information 1 is: TAC_Net_2 = {bw_28, bw_33, bw_41}. Since TAC_Net_2 includes area bw_33 in TAC_UE_config, the terminal device does not initiate a tracking area update.

[0314] It is easy to understand that in case 1, the area identifier of the area where the terminal device is located can be configured by the network device. For example, the TAC list configured on the network side can be recorded as TAC_UE_config = {bw_y1, bw_y2,…, bw_yM}. Among them, bw_y1 represents the area identifier y1, bw_y2 represents the area identifier y2, and bw_yM represents the area identifier yM. For the terminal device, the terminal device can determine the reference position of the first area based on the area identifier in TAC_UE_config, as well as the area parameters and the first mapping relationship. For details, see the introduction of S1302b and will not be repeated here.

[0315] It should be noted that in FIG16 , an area radius R_TA = 1000 km (or described as the number of areas N_TA = 197) is used as an example for description. Of course, the area radius may also have other values, which are not limited in this embodiment of the present application. In the case of an area radius R_TA = 1000 km, the tracking area code (TAC) can be represented by 8 bits, i.e., TrackingAreaCode = BIT_String(Size(8)).

[0316] In this way, the network device only needs to broadcast information 1, which helps to save signaling overhead.

[0317] It should be noted that in case 1, the signaling overhead can be saved by:

[0318] On the one hand, the area identifier in this application occupies fewer bits. For example, the area identifier can be represented by 8 bits. When the network device broadcasts the area identifier, it can occupy fewer communication resources and the broadcast signaling overhead is small.

[0319] On the other hand, when there are multiple area identifiers, the present application can be described in the form of 'one area identifier + number of areas', such as {bw_x0, k0} or {bw_x0, k0+1}, without sending the area identifier of each area in the broadcast signaling, thereby further saving broadcast signaling overhead.

[0320] In scenario 1, as a possible example, the area radius varies for different time periods. It can be understood that there is an association between the area radius and the time period. This association between the area radius and the time period can be pre-configured in the terminal device or indicated to the terminal device by the network device, and this embodiment of the application is not limited thereto.

[0321] Specifically, during the first time period, the radius of each of the N regions is R_TA_1, such as R_TA_1 = 1000 km. Alternatively, the number of regions in the N regions during the first time period is N_TA_1, such as N_TA_1 = 197. It can be understood that region radius 1 is associated with the first time period, specifically, during the first time period, the radius of each of the N regions is region radius 1.

[0322] In this case, the area radius is larger, which is suitable for scenarios with lighter traffic loads. Accordingly, the terminal device does not need to frequently initiate tracking area updates, which helps save signaling overhead.

[0323] During the second time period, the radius of each of the N areas is R_TA_2, e.g., R_TA_2 = 200 km. Alternatively, the number of areas in the N areas during the second time period is N_TA_2, e.g., N_TA_2 = 4919. It can be understood that radius 2 is associated with the second time period, specifically, during the second time period, the radius of each of the N areas is radius 2.

[0324] In this case, the area radius is small, which is suitable for scenarios with heavy business loads. Accordingly, due to the small area radius, the paging signaling overhead of the network equipment is small, thereby saving paging signaling overhead.

[0325] Based on this, when the regional parameters in S1301 include R_TA_1 and R_TA_2, the terminal device can obtain the regional radius corresponding to the current moment in the regional parameters based on the current moment (if the current moment belongs to the first time period, the regional radius is R_TA_1; if the current moment belongs to the second time period, the regional radius is R_TA_2). The terminal device determines the reference position of the first area based on its own position, the regional radius corresponding to the current moment in the regional parameters, and the first mapping relationship.

[0326] In this way, the communication system can configure a 'correlation between the area radius and the time period' for terminal devices based on traffic load conditions, flexibly adjusting the area radius based on traffic load conditions to achieve the optimal compromise between tracking area update frequency and tracking area update range. For example, during periods of light traffic load, the communication system sets a larger area radius, i.e., a larger area range, and the terminal device initiates tracking area updates less frequently, thereby saving signaling overhead. For another example, during periods of heavy traffic load, the communication system sets a smaller area radius, i.e., a smaller area range, and reduces the paging signaling overhead of network devices, thereby saving paging signaling overhead.

[0327] In scenario 1, as another possible example, different geographic regions include different area radii. It can be understood that there is an association between the area radius and the geographic region. This association between the area radius and the geographic region can be pre-configured in the terminal device or indicated to the terminal device by the network device, and this embodiment of the application is not limited thereto.

[0328] Specifically, in a first geographic region, such as the Southern Hemisphere, the region radius of each of the N regions is R_TA_1, e.g., R_TA_1 = 1000 km. Alternatively, in the first geographic region, the number of regions in the N regions is N_TA_1, e.g., N_TA_1 = 197. It can be understood that region radius 1 is associated with the first geographic region. Specifically, if the N regions are located in the first geographic region, the region radius of each of the N regions is region radius 1.

[0329] In this case, the area radius is larger, which is suitable for scenarios with lighter traffic loads. Accordingly, the terminal device does not need to frequently initiate tracking area updates, which helps save signaling overhead.

[0330] In a second geographic region, such as the Northern Hemisphere, each of the N regions has a region radius of R_TA_2, e.g., R_TA_2 = 200 km. Alternatively, in the second geographic region, the number of regions in the N regions is N_TA_2, e.g., N_TA_2 = 4919. It can be understood that region radius 2 is associated with the second geographic region. Specifically, if the N regions are located in the second geographic region, the region radius of each of the N regions is region radius 2.

[0331] In this case, the area radius is small, which is suitable for scenarios with heavy business loads. Accordingly, due to the small area radius, the paging signaling overhead of the network equipment is small, thereby saving paging signaling overhead.

[0332] Based on this, in S1301, the network device issues different regional parameters for different geographical areas. For example, for the first geographical area, the regional parameter issued by the network device is regional parameter 1, which is used to indicate the number of areas N_TA_1, that is, N = N_TA_1. For another example, for the second geographical area, the regional parameter issued by the network device is regional parameter 2, which is used to indicate the number of areas N_TA_2, that is, N = N_TA_2.

[0333] Accordingly, for a terminal device, the terminal device can obtain the area radius corresponding to its own location (i.e., the location of the terminal device) based on its current location. For example, if the terminal device is located in a certain area (i.e., wave position) of the first geographical area, the area radius (i.e., wave position radius) is R_TA_1; if the terminal device is located in a certain area (i.e., wave position) of the second geographical area, the area radius (i.e., wave position radius) is R_TA_2. Then, the terminal device determines the reference location of the first area based on the area radius corresponding to its own location and the first mapping relationship.

[0334] In this way, the communication system can configure a 'correlation between the area radius and the geographic area' for terminal devices based on traffic load conditions. This allows for flexible configuration of the area radius based on traffic load conditions, thereby achieving an optimal compromise between tracking area update frequency and tracking area update range. For example, in geographic areas with light traffic load, the communication system sets a larger area radius, i.e., a larger area, resulting in a lower frequency of tracking area updates initiated by terminal devices, which helps save signaling overhead. Alternatively, in geographic areas with heavy traffic load, the communication system sets a smaller area radius, resulting in less paging signaling overhead for network devices, thereby saving paging signaling overhead.

[0335] As a second possible implementation method, the tracking area update scenario is introduced using the reference position of the first area as the reference point as an example:

[0336] As shown in FIG17 , the method further includes the following operations:

[0337] S1321: The network device sends a first threshold to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first threshold from the network device.

[0338] Exemplarily, the first threshold may be recorded as TAU_dis to indicate that the first threshold is a threshold for determining whether to initiate a tracking area update.

[0339] For example, the information broadcast by the network device can be recorded as TAC_UE_config = {N_TA / R_TA, bw_25, 40 km}. N_TA / R_TA represents the broadcast area parameter, which can be the area radius R_TA or the number of areas N_TA. bw_25 represents the area identifier of the first area. 40 km represents the first threshold.

[0340] S1322: When the distance between the location of the terminal device and the reference location of the first area is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the terminal device initiates a tracking area update.

[0341] Exemplarily, the location of the terminal device may be the GNSS location of the terminal device. When the distance between the GNSS location of the terminal device and the reference location of the first area is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the terminal device initiates a tracking area update. For the tracking area update process, please refer to the relevant technology and will not be described here. In addition, the terminal device can also obtain a new reference point, namely TAC_UE_config_new, from the network device side. Among them, TAU_UE_config_new = {bw_x0_new, TAU_dis_new}, to be used to determine whether to perform a tracking area update next time. bw_x0_new represents the area identifier as the new reference point, and TAU_dis_new represents the threshold used to determine whether to initiate a tracking area update next time.

[0342] It should be noted that the process by which the terminal device learns that the reference location of the first region is the reference point is as follows: the network device sends a region identifier to the terminal device, and the terminal device receives the region identifier from the network device in response. For details, see S1304 and are not further described here. In this case, the region identifier sent by the network device indicates the region serving as the reference point.

[0343] It is easy to understand that when the distance between the location of the terminal device and the reference location of the first area is less than the first threshold, the terminal device does not initiate a tracking area update.

[0344] In this way, the network device only needs to send the first threshold without broadcasting the TAC list, such as information 1 in S1311, thereby further reducing the broadcast signaling overhead while ensuring that the terminal device initiates the tracking area update normally.

[0345] Case 2: Access Process

[0346] As a first possible implementation, the access scenario is described below, taking the case where the N areas are broadcast areas and the first area is the area where the terminal device is located as an example:

[0347] As shown in FIG18 , the method further includes the following operations:

[0348] S1331a: The network device sends information 2a to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives information 2a from the network device.

[0349] Information 2a is described as follows:

[0350] Information 2a indicates the access configuration corresponding to the first area. It can be understood that information 2a belongs to access information and belongs to area-level access configuration.

[0351] Exemplarily, the access configuration includes one or more of the following: random access channel occasion (RO) resource configuration, preamble configuration, timing advance (TA), accessible time period, etc.

[0352] As a possible example, information 2a only indicates the access configuration corresponding to the first area and does not indicate the access configuration corresponding to other areas. It can be understood that in N areas, the network device issues the access configuration of each area for each area. For example, the N areas mentioned above are four areas, respectively recorded as area 1, area 2, area 3, and area 4. The network device indicates the access configuration of area 1 through information X1, the network device indicates the access configuration of area 2 through information X2, the network device indicates the access configuration of area 3 through information X3, and the network device indicates the access configuration of area 4 through information X4.

[0353] As another possible example, information 2a indicates the access configuration of at least two of the N areas. It can be understood that the network device indicates the access configuration of at least two areas using the same information. For example, the N areas are four areas, designated as Area 1, Area 2, Area 3, and Area 4. Areas 1 and 2 belong to the same cell, and the network device indicates the access configuration of Areas 1 and 2 using information Y1. Areas 3 and 4 belong to the same cell, and the network device indicates the access configuration of Areas 3 and 4 using information Y2.

[0354] S1332a. The terminal device initiates random access according to the access configuration corresponding to the first area.

[0355] Exemplarily, the terminal device determines the reference position of the first area based on its own location, area parameters, and the first mapping relationship. Please refer to the introduction of S1302a and will not be repeated here. Accordingly, the terminal device can also obtain the area identifier of the first area. Then, the terminal device determines the access configuration of the first area from information 2a based on the area identifier of the first area, and initiates random access based on the access configuration corresponding to the first area.

[0356] In this way, when the network device indicates the area-level access configuration (such as the access configuration of the first area) to the terminal device, the terminal device initiates random access according to the access configuration of the area where it is located, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0357] It should be noted that in the random access initiation scenario, signaling overhead savings can be reflected in:

[0358] On the one hand, the area identifier in this application occupies fewer bits. For example, the area identifier can be represented by 8 bits. When the area identifier is transmitted between the terminal device and the network device, less communication resources can be occupied and the signaling overhead is small.

[0359] On the other hand, when there are multiple area identifiers, the present application can be described in the form of 'one area identifier + number of areas', such as {bw_x0, k0} or {bw_x0, k0+1}, without sending the area identifier of each area in the signaling, thereby further saving signaling overhead.

[0360] It should be pointed out that in the random access initiation scenario, the present application can provide regional-level (i.e., wave-level) access configuration, so that the terminal device can initiate random access based on the regional (i.e., wave-level) access configuration. Compared with the cell-based random access in the related art, the present application enables the terminal device to initiate random access more flexibly.

[0361] As a second possible implementation method, the access scenario is described below, taking the case where the N areas are service areas and the first area is the area where the terminal device is located as an example:

[0362] As shown in FIG18 , the method further includes the following operations:

[0363] S1331b: The network device sends information 2b to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives information 2b from the network device.

[0364] Information 2b is described as follows:

[0365] Information 2b indicates the communication resource configuration corresponding to the first area. It can be understood that information 2b belongs to business resource information and belongs to regional-level communication resource configuration.

[0366] Exemplarily, the communication resource configuration includes one or more of the following: frequency resources (such as a bandwidth part (BWP)), polarization, available time period, etc.

[0367] As a possible example, information 2b only indicates the communication resource configuration corresponding to the first area, and does not indicate the communication resource configuration corresponding to other areas. It can be understood that in N areas, the network device sends the communication resource configuration of each area to each area.

[0368] As another possible example, the information 2b indicates the communication resource configuration of at least two areas among the N areas. It can be understood that the network device indicates the communication resource configuration of at least two areas through the same information.

[0369] S1332b. The terminal device performs service transmission according to the communication resource configuration corresponding to the first area.

[0370] Exemplarily, the terminal device determines the reference location of the first area based on its own location, area parameters, and the first mapping relationship. For details, see S1302b. Accordingly, the terminal device can also obtain the area identifier of the first area. Then, based on the area identifier of the first area, the terminal device determines the communication resource configuration of the first area from information 2b and performs service transmission based on the communication resource configuration corresponding to the first area.

[0371] In this way, when the network device indicates the regional-level communication resource configuration (such as the communication resource configuration of the first area) to the terminal device, the terminal device performs service transmission according to the communication resource configuration of its own area, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0372] It should be noted that in service transmission scenarios, saving signaling overhead can be reflected in:

[0373] On the one hand, the area identifier in this application occupies fewer bits. For example, the area identifier can be represented by 8 bits. When the area identifier is transmitted between the terminal device and the network device, less communication resources can be occupied and the signaling overhead is small.

[0374] On the other hand, when there are multiple area identifiers, the present application can be described in the form of 'one area identifier + number of areas', such as {bw_x0, k0} or {bw_x0, k0+1}, without sending the area identifier of each area in the signaling, thereby further saving signaling overhead.

[0375] On the other hand, in some embodiments, when the area where the terminal device is located is the first area, after the terminal device obtains the area identifier of the first area, the terminal device also sends the area identifier of the first area to the network device to replace its own precise location information, to assist the location verification and service resource allocation on the network device side, thereby further saving signaling overhead.

[0376] It should be pointed out that in the service transmission scenario, the present application can provide regional-level (i.e., wave-level) communication resource configuration, so that the terminal device can perform service transmission based on the regional (i.e., wave-level) communication resource configuration. Compared with the cell-based service transmission in related technologies, the present application can enable the terminal device to perform service transmission more flexibly.

[0377] Case 3: Beam Management

[0378] Taking the first area as the area where the terminal device is located as an example, the following describes the beam management scenario:

[0379] As shown in FIG19 , the method further includes the following operations:

[0380] S1341: The network device sends information 3a to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives information 3a from the network device.

[0381] Information 3a is described as follows:

[0382] Information 3a indicates the first elevation angle. For example, the first elevation angle can be understood as the service elevation angle, as shown in FIG20 .

[0383] In the present application, the first elevation angle indicated by the information 3a can be understood as a threshold value, which is a threshold value used to determine whether a certain area belongs to the service area of ​​the network device.

[0384] It should be noted that, in this application, the elevation angle is described as follows: for a certain position on the earth, when the line of sight is above the horizontal line, the angle between the line of sight and the horizontal line in the vertical plane where the line of sight is located can be understood as the elevation angle.

[0385] The elevation angle at position X can be understood as the angle between the line connecting position K and the position of the network device and the horizon at position K. The elevation angle at position K can be used to describe the position of the network device passing above position K. For example, an elevation angle of 90° at position K indicates that the network device is directly above position K.

[0386] As shown in (a) of FIG. 21 , the elevation angle at position P is shown; as shown in (b) of FIG. 21 , the elevation angle at position Q is shown.

[0387] It should be noted that, in this application, taking FIG. 20 as an example, the entry service elevation angle can be understood as the elevation angle at the reference position of area 72. The exit service elevation angle can be understood as the elevation angle at the reference position of area 74.

[0388] S1342: When the elevation angle at the reference position of the first area is greater than or equal to the first elevation angle, the terminal device determines that the first area belongs to the service area of ​​the network device.

[0389] Taking Figure 20 as an example, when the first elevation angle is the elevation angle at the reference position of bw_72, if the first area is bw_64, since the elevation angle at the reference position of bw_64 is greater than the elevation angle at the reference position of bw_72, the terminal device determines that bw_64 belongs to the service area of ​​the network device.

[0390] It is easy to understand that if the first elevation angle is understood as leaving the service elevation angle, then when the elevation angle at the reference position of the first area is less than or equal to the first elevation angle, the terminal device determines that the first area belongs to the service area of ​​the network device.

[0391] Taking Figure 20 as an example, when the first elevation angle is the elevation angle at the reference position of bw_74, if the first area is bw_64, since the elevation angle at the reference position of bw_64 is smaller than the elevation angle at the reference position of bw_74, the terminal device determines that bw_64 belongs to the service area of ​​the network device.

[0392] Taking FIG. 20 as an example, the service area of ​​the network device includes the area with area identifier 69 and 11 areas near the area, as shown by solid ovals.

[0393] S1343: The network device sends information 3b to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives information 3b from the network device.

[0394] Information 3b is described as follows:

[0395] Information 3b indicates that the first area belongs to an active area, wherein the active area can be understood as the active area of ​​the network device, as described in the glossary section, which will not be repeated here.

[0396] Optionally, information 3b is carried in one of the following: radio resource control (RRC) signaling, or downlink control information (DCI) DCI, or medium access control control element (MAC-CE).

[0397] Optionally, information 3b also indicates the time period during which the first area belongs to the activated area. For example, taking three areas as an example, in the time period from 'moment 1 to moment 2', area 1 belongs to the activated area, in the time period from 'moment 2 to moment 3', area 2 belongs to the activated area, and in the time period from 'moment 3 to moment 4', area 3 belongs to the activated area. If the first area is the above-mentioned area 1, information 3b also indicates the time period from 'moment 1 to moment 2'. If the first area is the above-mentioned area 2, information 3b also indicates the time period from 'moment 2 to moment 3'. If the first area is the above-mentioned area 3, information 3b also indicates the time period from 'moment 3 to moment 4'.

[0398] Optionally, the time period during which the first area belongs to the activation area is preconfigured. For example, taking three areas as an example, in the time period from 'moment 1 to moment 2', area 1 belongs to the activation area, in the time period from 'moment 2 to moment 3', area 2 belongs to the activation area, and in the time period from 'moment 3 to moment 4', area 3 belongs to the activation area. If the first area is the above-mentioned area 1, information 3b is issued at moment 1. In other words, S1343 is executed at moment 1. If the first area is the above-mentioned area 2, information 3b is issued at moment 2. In other words, S1343 is executed at moment 2. If the first area is the above-mentioned area 3, information 3b is issued at moment 3. In other words, S1343 is executed at moment 3.

[0399] It should be understood that in this application, information 3b is described using the first area as an example. Of course, information 3b can also indicate whether other areas belong to the active area. For example, information 3b indicates the following content in the form of a bitmap: which area(s) of the multiple areas belong to the active area, and which area(s) of the multiple areas do not belong to the active area.

[0400] For example, taking RRC signaling bearer information 3b as an example, in the case of Figure 20, information 3b can be recorded as {bw_69,11}, where {bw_69,11} indicates that the area with area identifier 69 and the 11 areas near it are all active areas.

[0401] For example, taking DCI or MAC-CE bearer information 3b as an example, in the case of Figure 20, information 3b can be in the form of a bitmap, such as the 12-bit bitmap '100010010111'. Here, '100010010111' can be understood as indicating that, of the 12 areas, areas 1, 5, 8, 10, 11, and 12 are active areas. It is easy to understand that if information 3b also indicates a time period, such as 'time 1 to time 2', this means that areas 1, 5, 8, 10, 11, and 12 are active areas during this time period.

[0402] It should be noted that in this application, the region radius R = 1000 km (or described as the number of regions N = 197) is used as an example for introduction. Accordingly, the region identifier of each region can be represented by 8 bits, that is, bw_index = BIT_String (Size (8)).

[0403] It should be noted that in this application, when a terminal device executes S1341, S1342, and S1343, it can be understood that the activation area indicated by information 3b belongs to the area determined by S1342. In other words, information 3b indicates which area(s) within the area determined by S1342 belong to the activation area. That is, the terminal device determines the service area of ​​the network device through S1341 and S1342, and then determines the activation area of ​​the network device through S1343. The activation area of ​​the network device is one or more areas within the service area of ​​the network device.

[0404] It should be noted that in this application, the terminal device may not execute S1341 and S1342, but execute S1343. In this case, it can be understood that information 3b indicates which area(s) belong to the activation area. That is, the terminal device determines the activation area of ​​the network device through S1343.

[0405] It should be noted that in this application, the terminal device may also execute S1341 and S1342, but not S1343. In this case, it can be understood that the terminal device determines the service area of ​​the network device through S1341 and S1342. The service area of ​​the network device is the activation area of ​​the network device. In other words, each area in the service area of ​​the network device is an activation area.

[0406] S1344: When the first area belongs to an activated area, the terminal device initiates communication.

[0407] For example, when the first area belongs to the activation area, the terminal device performs cell measurement according to the synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block measurement timing configuration (SMTC). In this case, it can be understood that the area involved in the beam management in Case 3 is the broadcast area.

[0408] For another example, when the first area is an active area, the terminal device performs data transmission. In this case, it can be understood that the area involved in the beam management of Case 3 is a service area.

[0409] In this way, when the network device indicates an activation area to the terminal device, the terminal device determines whether to initiate communication based on whether the area where the terminal device is located belongs to the activation area, and the signaling overhead is small.

[0410] It should be noted that in beam management scenarios, signaling overhead savings can be reflected in:

[0411] On the one hand, the area identifier in this application occupies fewer bits. For example, the area identifier can be represented by 8 bits. When the area identifier is transmitted between the terminal device and the network device, less communication resources can be occupied and the signaling overhead is small.

[0412] On the other hand, when there are multiple area identifiers, the present application can be described in the form of 'one area identifier + number of areas', such as {bw_x0, k0} or {bw_x0, k0+1}, without sending the area identifier of each area in the signaling, thereby further saving signaling overhead.

[0413] It should be pointed out that in the beam management scenario, the network device indicates the activation area to the terminal device (see the introduction of information 3b for details), or the network device provides the terminal device with information for determining the activation area (see the introduction of information 3a for details), so that the terminal device can communicate based on the activation area (i.e., the activated wave position). Compared with the communication based on dynamic beam indication information in the related art, the present application enables the terminal device to reduce frequent measurement feedback in beam management and reduce communication delay.

[0414] Case 4: Mobility Management

[0415] In case 4, regarding the movement of a network device (such as a satellite), the mobility management scenario is introduced by taking the reference position of the first area as the reference point as an example:

[0416] As shown in FIG22 , the method further includes the following operations:

[0417] S1351a: The network device sends information 4 to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives information 4 from the network device.

[0418] Information 4 is described as follows:

[0419] Information 4 indicates a second elevation angle.

[0420] S1352a. The terminal device triggers neighboring cell measurement based on the elevation angle and the second elevation angle at the reference position of the first area.

[0421] For example, the terminal device determines the remaining service time based on the elevation angle and the second elevation angle at the reference position of the first area. If the remaining service time is less than (or equal to) the threshold value X, the neighboring cell measurement is triggered. Conversely, if the remaining service time is greater than (or equal to) the threshold value X, the neighboring cell measurement is not triggered for the time being.

[0422] The neighboring cell measurement result is used for cell handover or cell reselection, and reference may be made to related technologies, which will not be described in detail here.

[0423] It should be noted that in this application, as an example, the network device sends a region identifier to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the region identifier from the network device. For details, see S1302b, which will not be repeated here. Wherein, the region identifier is the region identifier of the first region, which can be understood as the network device indicating the reference position of the first region as the reference point.

[0424] In this application, as another example, the terminal device obtains its own position and determines the reference position of the first area based on its own position, area parameters and the first mapping relationship. For details, please refer to the introduction of S1302a and will not be repeated here. In this case, it can be understood that the network device does not indicate a reference point for the terminal device. The terminal device determines the area it is in based on its own position and uses the reference position of its area as the reference point.

[0425] In this way, when the network device indicates the second elevation angle to the terminal device, if the reference position of the first area is a reference point (that is, the network device indicates that the reference position of the first area is a reference point through an area identifier, or the first area is the area where the terminal device is located), the terminal device determines whether to trigger neighboring area measurement based on the elevation angle at the reference position of the first area and the second elevation angle, and the signaling overhead is small.

[0426] It should be noted that in mobility management scenarios, for network equipment (such as satellites), saving signaling overhead can be reflected in:

[0427] The terminal device can quickly calculate the reference position (such as the reference position of the first area) based on the area identifier configured by the network device (such as the area identifier represented by 8 bits). The network device only needs to send the area identifier to replace the traditional reference position information (generally speaking, the reference position includes three-dimensional coordinates, and the signaling overhead can reach 72 bits), with less signaling overhead.

[0428] It should be pointed out that in the mobility management scenario, the network device provides the terminal device with information (such as the second elevation angle) for determining whether to trigger neighboring cell measurement, so that the terminal device can determine whether to trigger neighboring cell measurement based on the area (i.e., wave position). Compared with the related art of triggering neighboring cell measurement based on cell-level reference position, the present application enables the terminal device to trigger neighboring cell measurement more flexibly.

[0429] In case 4, regarding the movement of the terminal device, the mobility management scenario is introduced by taking the reference position of the first area as the reference point as an example:

[0430] As shown in FIG22 , the method further includes the following operations:

[0431] S1351b. The terminal device triggers neighboring cell measurement based on the reference position of the first area and its own position.

[0432] Exemplarily, if the distance between the reference position of the first area and the own position is greater than (or equal to) the threshold Y, the neighboring cell measurement is triggered. Conversely, if the distance between the reference position of the first area and the own position is less than (or equal to) the threshold Y, the neighboring cell measurement is not triggered temporarily. In this application, taking cell reselection as an example, the threshold Y can be understood as the reselection distance threshold, such as the size of the threshold Y is: k*region radius.

[0433] The neighboring cell measurement result is used for cell handover or cell reselection, and reference may be made to related technologies, which will not be described in detail here.

[0434] It should be noted that in this application, as an example, the network device sends a region identifier to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the region identifier from the network device. For details, see S1302b, which will not be repeated here. Wherein, the region identifier is the region identifier of the first region, which can be understood as the network device indicating the reference position of the first region as the reference point.

[0435] In this way, if the reference position of the first area is a reference point (that is, the network device indicates that the reference position of the first area is a reference point through an area identifier), the terminal device determines whether to trigger neighboring cell measurement based on the reference position of the first area and its own position, and the signaling overhead is small.

[0436] It should be noted that in mobility management scenarios, saving signaling overhead for terminal device mobility can be reflected in the following aspects:

[0437] The terminal device can quickly calculate the reference position (such as the reference position of the first area) based on the area identifier configured by the network device (such as the area identifier represented by 8 bits). The network device only needs to send the area identifier to replace the traditional reference position information (generally speaking, the reference position includes three-dimensional coordinates, and the signaling overhead can reach 72 bits), with less signaling overhead.

[0438] It should be pointed out that in the mobility management scenario, the network device provides the terminal device with information (such as area identification) for determining whether to trigger neighboring cell measurement, so that the terminal device can determine whether to trigger neighboring cell measurement based on the area (i.e., wave position). Compared with the related art of triggering neighboring cell measurement based on cell-level reference position, the present application enables the terminal device to trigger neighboring cell measurement more flexibly.

[0439] It is easy to understand that in scenario 4, when cell handover is triggered based on neighboring cell measurement, the operations performed by the target network device (such as the target satellite) and the source network device (such as the source satellite) include:

[0440] The target network device (such as the target satellite) carries the area identifier (i.e., beam position ID) through the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). The terminal device determines its nearest area and obtains the PDCCH information based on the area identifier of the nearest area. If the acquisition is successful, access to the target network device (such as the target satellite) is initiated on the resources indicated by the PDCCH. The resources indicated by the PDCCH include one or more of the following: target beam ID, RO resources, dedicated preamble, etc. The target beam can be the beam corresponding to the handover dedicated broadcast signal (handover synchronization signal block, HO-SSB).

[0441] The source network device (e.g., source satellite) carries different region identifiers (i.e., beam IDs) via the MAC-CE header. The terminal device determines its own region and, based on the region identifier, determines whether to receive the MAC-CE. If received, it accesses the target network device (e.g., target satellite) on the resources indicated by the MAC-CE based on its own device identifier (e.g., UE-ID). The resources indicated by the MAC-CE may include one or more of the following: the identifier of the target network device (e.g., target satellite ID), target beam ID, RO resources, dedicated preamble, etc.

[0442] It is easy to understand that in scenario 4, the SMTC-offset measured in the neighboring cell can be determined based on the delay difference from the reference position of the area corresponding to the reference point (for example, the reference position of the first area) to different network devices (such as satellites). For example, the delay difference can be obtained by dividing the distance difference between different network devices (such as satellites) and the reference position of the area corresponding to the reference point by the speed of light.

[0443] Taking Figure 23 as an example, the reference area is the area where the terminal device is located, that is, the first area. Correspondingly, the reference point is the reference position of the first area. The distance between the reference position of the first area and network device 1 (i.e., satellite 1) is divided by the speed of light to obtain Delay 1. The distance between the reference position of the second area and network device 2 (i.e., satellite 2) is divided by the speed of light to obtain Delay 2. The delay difference between the terminal device and network devices 1 and 2 can be calculated based on Delay 1 and Delay 2. For example, the delay difference is the difference between Delay 1 and Delay 2.

[0444] It is understood that in each of the above embodiments, the methods and / or steps implemented by the terminal device may also be implemented by components (e.g., a processor, chip, chip system, circuit, logic module, or software) that can be used in the terminal device. The chip system may be composed of a chip, or the chip system may include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0445] It is understandable that, in order to realize the above functions, the communication device includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. It should be easily appreciated by those skilled in the art that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of this application.

[0446] The embodiment of the present application can divide the functional modules of the communication device according to the above 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 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 the embodiment of the present application is schematic and is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods.

[0447] Optionally, FIG24 shows a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 2400. The communication device 2400 includes a processing module 2401 and a transceiver module 2402.

[0448] For example, the communication device 2400 can be used to implement the functions of the above-mentioned terminal device.

[0449] In some embodiments, the communication device 2400 may further include a storage module (not shown in FIG. 24 ) for storing program instructions and data.

[0450] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2402, which may also be referred to as a transceiver unit, is configured to implement a transmitting and / or receiving function. The transceiver module 2402 may be composed of a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver, or a communication interface.

[0451] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2402 may include a receiving module and a sending module, which are respectively used to execute the receiving and sending steps performed by the terminal device in the above method embodiments, and / or used to support other processes of the technology described herein; the processing module 2401 may be used to execute the processing steps (such as determination, etc.) performed by the terminal device in the above method embodiments, and / or used to support other processes of the technology described herein.

[0452] Exemplarily, when the communication device 2400 is used to implement the functions of the above-mentioned terminal device:

[0453] The transceiver module 2402 is used to receive an area parameter, where the area parameter is used to indicate the number of areas N, where N is any positive integer.

[0454] The processing module 2401 is configured to determine a reference position of a first region according to the region parameter and a first mapping relationship. The first mapping relationship is used to indicate a conversion relationship between the reference position of the first region and the region parameter, where the first region is one of the N regions.

[0455] In some embodiments, the processing module 2401 is further used to obtain the location of the terminal device.

[0456] The processing module 2401 is configured to determine a reference position of a first area according to the area parameter and the first mapping relationship, including: determining the reference position of the first area according to the location of the terminal device, the area parameter and the first mapping relationship. The first area is the area where the terminal device is located.

[0457] In some embodiments, the processing module 2401 is further configured to obtain an area identifier.

[0458] The processing module 2401 is configured to determine a reference position of a first region according to the region parameter and the first mapping relationship, including: determining the reference position of the first region according to the region identifier, the region parameter and the first mapping relationship. The first region is the region corresponding to the region identifier.

[0459] In some embodiments, when the area is a broadcast area and the first area is the area where the terminal device is located,

[0460] The transceiver module 2402 is further configured to receive access information, including access configuration corresponding to the first area.

[0461] The processing module 2401 is further configured to initiate random access according to the access configuration corresponding to the first area.

[0462] In some embodiments, when the area is a service area and the first area is the area where the terminal device is located,

[0463] The transceiver module 2402 is further configured to receive service resource information. The service resource information is used to indicate the communication resource configuration corresponding to the first area.

[0464] The processing module 2401 is further configured to perform service transmission according to the communication resource configuration corresponding to the first area.

[0465] In some embodiments, when the first area is the area where the terminal device is located,

[0466] The transceiver module 2402 is further configured to receive first information indicating that the first area is an activated area.

[0467] The processing module 2401 is further configured to initiate communication according to the first information.

[0468] In some embodiments, before receiving the first information,

[0469] The transceiver module 2402 is further configured to receive second information indicating a first elevation angle.

[0470] The processing module 2401 is further configured to determine that the first area belongs to the service area of ​​the network device if the elevation angle at the reference position of the first area is greater than or equal to the first elevation angle. The activated area is one or more areas in the service area of ​​the network device.

[0471] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2402 is further configured to receive third information indicating the second elevation angle.

[0472] The processing module 2401 is further configured to trigger neighboring cell measurement based on the elevation angle and the second elevation angle at the reference position of the first area. The neighboring cell measurement result is used for cell handover or cell reselection.

[0473] In some embodiments, the processing module 2401 is further configured to trigger neighboring cell measurement based on the reference location of the first area and the location of the terminal device. The neighboring cell measurement result is used for cell handover or cell reselection.

[0474] In some embodiments, when the area is an area corresponding to a tracking area and the first area is an area where the terminal device is located,

[0475] The transceiver module 2402 is further configured to receive fourth information. The fourth information indicates at least one area among the N areas.

[0476] The processing module 2401 is further configured to initiate a tracking area update when the at least one area does not include the first area.

[0477] In some embodiments, the processing module 2401 is further configured to obtain a first threshold.

[0478] The processing module 2401 is further configured to initiate a tracking area update when the distance between the location of the terminal device and the reference location of the first area is greater than or equal to a first threshold.

[0479] Exemplarily, when the communication device 2400 is used to implement the functions of the above-mentioned network device:

[0480] The processing module 2401 is used to determine a region parameter, where the region parameter is used to indicate the number N of regions, where N is any positive integer.

[0481] The transceiver module 2402 is configured to send area parameters, where the area parameters are used to determine a reference position of a first area, where the first area is one of the N areas.

[0482] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2402 is further configured to send an area identifier, wherein the area identifier is an identifier of the first area, and the area identifier is used to determine a reference position of the first area.

[0483] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2402 is further configured to send access information, wherein the access information includes an access configuration corresponding to the first area, and the access configuration corresponding to the first area is used to initiate random access.

[0484] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2402 is further configured to send service resource information, wherein the service resource information is used to indicate the communication resource configuration corresponding to the first area, and the communication resource configuration corresponding to the first area is used for service transmission.

[0485] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2402 is further configured to send first information, where the first information indicates that the first area belongs to an activated area.

[0486] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2402 is further configured to send second information before sending the first information, wherein the second information indicates a first elevation angle, and the first elevation angle is used to determine whether the first area belongs to the service area of ​​the network device, and the activation area is one or more areas in the service area of ​​the network device.

[0487] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2402 is further configured to send third information, wherein the third information indicates a second elevation angle, which is used to determine whether to trigger neighboring cell measurement, and the neighboring cell measurement result is used for cell handover or cell reselection.

[0488] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2402 is further configured to send fourth information, wherein the fourth information indicates at least one area among the N areas, and the fourth information is used to determine whether to initiate a tracking area update.

[0489] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2402 is further configured to send indication information of a first threshold, where the first threshold is used to determine whether to initiate a tracking area update.

[0490] Among them, all relevant contents of each step involved in the above method embodiment can be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional module and will not be repeated here.

[0491] In the present application, the communication device 2400 may be presented in the form of functional modules divided in an integrated manner. The "module" here may refer to a specific application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a circuit, a processor and memory that executes one or more software or firmware programs, an integrated logic circuit, and / or other devices that can provide the above functions.

[0492] In some embodiments, when the communication device 2400 in Figure 24 is a chip or a chip system, the function / implementation process of the transceiver module 2402 can be implemented through the input and output interface (or communication interface) of the chip or chip system, and the function / implementation process of the processing module 2401 can be implemented through the processor (or processing circuit) of the chip or chip system.

[0493] Since the communication device 2400 provided in this embodiment can execute the above method, the technical effects that can be obtained can refer to the above method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0494] As a possible product form, the terminal device described in the embodiment of the present application can also be implemented using the following: one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), controllers, state machines, gate logic, discrete hardware components, any other suitable circuits, or any combination of circuits that can perform the various functions described throughout this application.

[0495] As another possible product form, the terminal device described in the embodiment of the present application can be implemented by a general bus architecture. For ease of explanation, refer to Figure 25, which is a structural diagram of a communication device 2500 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 2500 includes a processor 2501 and a transceiver 2502. The communication device 2500 can be a terminal device, or a chip or chip system therein. Figure 25 only shows the main components of the communication device 2500. In addition to the processor 2501 and the transceiver 2502, the communication device may further include a memory 2503, and an input and output device (not shown).

[0496] Optionally, processor 2501 is primarily used to process communication protocols and communication data, as well as control the entire communication device, execute software programs, and process software program data. Memory 2503 is primarily used to store software programs and data. Transceiver 2502 may include a radio frequency circuit and an antenna. The radio frequency 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 and output devices, such as a touch screen, display, and keyboard, are primarily used to receive user input and output data to the user.

[0497] Optionally, the processor 2501, the transceiver 2502, and the memory 2503 may be connected via a communication bus.

[0498] When the communication device is turned on, the processor 2501 can read the software program in the memory 2503, 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 2501 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 2501. The processor 2501 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0499] 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.

[0500] In some embodiments, in terms of hardware implementation, those skilled in the art may conceive that the above-mentioned communication device 2400 may take the form of the communication device 2500 shown in FIG. 25 .

[0501] As an example, the functions / implementation process of the processing module 2401 in FIG24 can be implemented by the processor 2501 in the communication device 2500 shown in FIG25 calling the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 2503. The functions / implementation process of the transceiver module 2402 in FIG24 can be implemented by the transceiver 2502 in the communication device 2500 shown in FIG25.

[0502] As another possible product form, the terminal device in this application may adopt the composition structure shown in Figure 26, or include the components shown in Figure 26. Figure 26 is a schematic diagram of the composition of a communication device 2600 provided in this application, and the communication device 2600 may be a terminal device or a module, chip, or system-on-chip in the terminal device.

[0503] As shown in FIG26 , the communication device 2600 includes at least one processor 2601 and at least one communication interface ( FIG26 is merely an example of one communication interface 2604 and one processor 2601). Optionally, the communication device 2600 may further include a communication bus 2602 and a memory 2603.

[0504] Processor 2601 can be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a general-purpose processor, a network processor (NP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a programmable logic device (PLD), or any combination thereof. Processor 2601 can also be other devices with processing capabilities, such as circuits, devices, or software modules, without limitation.

[0505] Communication bus 2602 is used to connect the various components in communication device 2600, enabling communication between the components. Communication bus 2602 may be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus or an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, for example. Such buses may be classified as address buses, data buses, control buses, and the like. For ease of illustration, FIG26 shows only one thick line, but this does not imply that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0506] Communication interface 2604 is used to communicate with other devices or communication networks. Exemplarily, communication interface 2604 can be a module, circuit, transceiver, or any other device capable of communication. Optionally, communication interface 2604 can also be an input / output interface within processor 2601, used to implement signal input and output to the processor.

[0507] The memory 2603 may be a device with a storage function, used to store instructions and / or data, wherein the instructions may be computer programs.

[0508] Exemplarily, the memory 2603 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and / or instructions, or a random access memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic storage devices that can store information and / or instructions, or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compact discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, etc., without limitation.

[0509] It should be noted that the memory 2603 can exist independently of the processor 2601 or can be integrated with the processor 2601. The memory 2603 can be located within the communication device 2600 or outside the communication device 2600, without limitation. The processor 2601 can be used to execute instructions stored in the memory 2603 to implement the methods provided in the following embodiments of the present application.

[0510] As an optional implementation, the communication device 2600 may further include an output device 2605 and an input device 2606. The output device 2605 communicates with the processor 2601 and can display information in a variety of ways. For example, the output device 2605 can be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display device, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display device, or a projector. The input device 2606 communicates with the processor 2601 and can receive user input in a variety of ways. For example, the input device 2606 can be a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen device, or a sensor device.

[0511] In some embodiments, in terms of hardware implementation, those skilled in the art may conceive that the communication device 2400 shown in FIG. 24 may take the form of the communication device 2600 shown in FIG. 26 .

[0512] As an example, the functions / implementation process of the processing module 2401 in FIG24 can be implemented by the processor 2601 in the communication device 2600 shown in FIG26 calling the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 2603. The functions / implementation process of the transceiver module 2402 in FIG24 can be implemented by the communication interface 2604 in the communication device 2600 shown in FIG26.

[0513] It should be noted that the structure shown in FIG26 does not constitute a specific limitation on the terminal device. For example, in other embodiments of the present application, the terminal device may include more or fewer components than shown, or may combine or separate certain components, or arrange the components differently. The components shown in the figure may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0514] In some embodiments, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device, which includes a processor for implementing the method in any of the above method embodiments.

[0515] As a possible implementation, the communication device further includes a memory. The memory is used to store necessary computer programs and data. The computer program may include instructions, and the processor may invoke the instructions in the computer program stored in the memory to instruct the communication device to perform any of the above-described method embodiments. Of course, the memory may not be located in the communication device.

[0516] As another possible implementation, the communication device also includes an interface circuit, which is a code / data read / write interface circuit, and the interface circuit is used to receive computer execution instructions (computer execution instructions are stored in a memory, may be read directly from the memory, or may pass through other devices) and transmit them to the processor.

[0517] As another possible implementation, the communication device further includes a communication interface, where the communication interface is used to communicate with a module outside the communication device.

[0518] It can be understood that the communication device can be a chip or a chip system. When the communication device is a chip system, it can be composed of chips or include chips and other discrete devices. The embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this.

[0519] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program or instruction stored thereon, which implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments when executed by a computer.

[0520] The present application also provides a computer program product, which implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments when executed by a computer.

[0521] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, for the sake of convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the above-described systems, devices, and units may refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0522] It is understood that the systems, devices, and methods described in this application may also be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For example, the division of the units is merely 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 coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interface, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, and may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0523] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, i.e., they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Components shown as units may or may not be physical units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the objectives of this embodiment as needed.

[0524] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0525] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using a software program, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are generated. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) method. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more media integrated therein. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state drive (SSD)). In the embodiment of the present application, the computer may include the aforementioned device.

[0526] Although the present application is described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, in the process of implementing the claimed application, those skilled in the art can understand and implement other changes to the disclosed embodiments by reviewing the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude multiple situations. A single processor or other unit can implement several functions listed in the claims. Certain measures are recorded in different dependent claims, but this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

[0527] Although the present application has been described with reference to specific features and embodiments thereof, it is apparent that various modifications and combinations may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present application. Accordingly, this specification and the drawings are merely illustrative of the present application as defined by the appended claims and are deemed to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations or equivalents within the scope of the present application. Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations to the present application without departing from the scope of the present application. Thus, the present application is intended to include such modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a terminal device, the method comprises: Receive a region parameter, where the region parameter is used to indicate the number of regions N, where N is any positive integer; A reference position of a first region is determined according to the region parameter and a first mapping relationship; the first mapping relationship is used to indicate a conversion relationship between the reference position of the first region and the region parameter, and the first region is one of the N regions.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The area parameters include the area radius or the number of areas.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Obtaining the location of the terminal device; Determining a reference position of the first area according to the area parameter and the first mapping relationship includes: A reference position of the first area is determined according to the position of the terminal device, the area parameter and the first mapping relationship; the first area is the area where the terminal device is located.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Get the region ID; Determining a reference position of the first area according to the area parameter and the first mapping relationship includes: A reference position of the first area is determined according to the area identifier, the area parameter and the first mapping relationship; the first area is the area corresponding to the area identifier.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The area includes at least one of the following types: Broadcast area; The broadcast area belongs to the geographical area covered by the broadcast beam; A service area; the service area belongs to a geographical area covered by a service beam; or, Tracking area corresponds to the area.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The first mapping relationship satisfies: Wherein, RL(i) represents the three-dimensional coordinates corresponding to the reference position of the first region, i represents the region identifier of the first region, and i is less than N. spot A non-negative integer, R e represents the parameter of the sphere where the first region is located, N spot represents the number of regions, Represents the decimal part operator.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The first mapping relationship satisfies: Wherein, RL(i) represents the three-dimensional coordinates corresponding to the reference position of the first region, i represents the region identifier of the first region, and i is less than N. spot A non-negative integer, R e represents the parameter of the sphere where the first region is located, N spot Indicates the number of regions; Alternatively, the first mapping relationship satisfies: RL(i)=(lon(i),lat(i)) <h2 style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr">N<h2 style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> spot <h2 style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> =2N+1<h2 style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> Wherein, RL(i) represents the reference position of the first region, lon(i) represents the longitude corresponding to the reference position of the first region, lat(i) represents the latitude corresponding to the reference position of the first region, i represents the region identifier of the first region, and i is less than N spot A non-negative integer, N spot Indicates the number of regions.

8. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The area is the broadcast area, and the first area is an area where the terminal device is located, and the method further includes: receiving access information; the access information including an access configuration corresponding to the first area; Initiate random access according to the access configuration corresponding to the first area.

9. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The area is the service area, and the first area is an area where the terminal device is located, and the method further includes: Receiving service resource information; the service resource information is used to indicate the communication resource configuration corresponding to the first area; Business transmission is performed according to the communication resource configuration corresponding to the first area.

10. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first area is an area where the terminal device is located, and the method further includes: receiving first information; the first information indicating that the first area belongs to an activated area; Initiate communication according to the first information.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that Before receiving the first information, the method further includes: receiving second information; the second information indicating a first elevation angle; When the elevation angle at the reference position of the first area is greater than or equal to the first elevation angle, it is determined that the first area belongs to the service area of ​​the network device; wherein the activation area is one or more areas in the service area of ​​the network device.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The first information is carried in one of the following: radio resource control RRC signaling, downlink control information DCI, or media access control-control element MAC-CE.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that: The first information further indicates a time period in which the first area belongs to an activation area; or, The time period during which the first area belongs to the activation area is preconfigured.

14. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: The method further comprises: receiving third information; the third information indicating a second elevation angle; Neighboring cell measurement is triggered according to the elevation angle at the reference position of the first area and the second elevation angle; the neighboring cell measurement result is used for cell switching or cell reselection.

15. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: Neighboring cell measurement is triggered based on the reference position of the first area and the position of the terminal device; the neighboring cell measurement result is used for cell switching or cell reselection.

16. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The area is an area corresponding to a tracking area, and the first area is an area where the terminal device is located, and the method further includes: receiving fourth information; the fourth information indicating at least one area among the N areas; In case the at least one area does not include the first area, a tracking area update is initiated.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The fourth information includes an identification of each of the at least one area; or, The fourth information includes an identifier of a second area and a first parameter, the second area is one of the at least one area, and the first parameter indicates the area number of the at least one area.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that The regional parameter is associated with fifth information, and the fifth information indicates a time or a geographical area in which the regional parameter is effective, and the geographical area includes the N areas.

19. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: Obtaining a first threshold value; In a case where the distance between the location of the terminal device and the reference location of the first area is greater than or equal to the first threshold, a tracking area update is initiated.

20. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a network device, the method comprises: Determine a region parameter, where the region parameter is used to indicate the number of regions N, where N is any positive integer; The area parameter is sent, where the area parameter is used to determine a reference position of a first area, where the first area is one of the N areas.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that The area parameters include the area radius or the number of areas.

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending area ID; The area identifier is an identifier of the first area, and the area identifier is used to determine a reference position of the first area.

23. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 22, characterized in that The area includes at least one of the following types: Broadcast area; The broadcast area belongs to the geographical area covered by the broadcast beam; A service area; the service area belongs to a geographical area covered by a service beam; or, Tracking area corresponds to the area.

24. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 23, characterized in that The method further comprises: Send access information; The access information includes an access configuration corresponding to the first area, and the access configuration corresponding to the first area is used to initiate random access.

25. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 23, characterized in that The method further comprises: Send business resource information; The service resource information is used to indicate the communication resource configuration corresponding to the first area, and the communication resource configuration corresponding to the first area is used for service transmission.

26. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 23, characterized in that The method further comprises: First information is sent, where the first information indicates that the first area belongs to an activated area.

27. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that The first information is carried in one of the following: radio resource control RRC signaling, or downlink control information DCI, or media access control-control element MAC-CE.

28. The method according to claim 26 or 27, characterized in that Before sending the first information, the method further includes: sending second information; The second information indicates a first elevation angle, and the first elevation angle is used to determine whether the first area belongs to a service area of ​​the network device, and the activation area is one or more areas in the service area of ​​the network device.

29. The method according to any one of claims 26 to 28, characterized in that The first information further indicates a time period in which the first area belongs to an activation area; or, The time period during which the first area belongs to the activation area is preconfigured.

30. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 23, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending a third message; The third information indicates a second elevation angle, the second elevation angle is used to determine whether to trigger neighboring cell measurement, and the neighboring cell measurement result is used for cell switching or cell reselection.

31. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 23, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending the fourth message; The fourth information indicates at least one area among the N areas, and the fourth information is used to determine whether to initiate a tracking area update.

32. The method according to claim 31, characterized in that The fourth information includes an identification of each of the at least one area; or, The fourth information includes an identifier of a second area and a first parameter, the second area is one of the at least one area, and the first parameter indicates the area number of the at least one area.

33. The method according to claim 31 or 32, characterized in that The regional parameter is associated with fifth information, and the fifth information indicates a time or a geographical area in which the regional parameter is effective, and the geographical area includes the N areas.

34. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that The method further comprises: Send indication information of a first threshold, where the first threshold is used to determine whether to initiate a tracking area update.

35. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device comprises a processor; the processor is used to run a computer program or instruction so that the communication device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 19, or so that the communication device executes the method according to any one of claims 20 to 34.

36. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions or programs, and when the computer instructions or programs are executed on a computer, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 19 is executed, or the method according to any one of claims 20 to 34 is executed.

37. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises computer instructions; when part or all of the computer instructions are run on a computer, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 19 is executed, or the method according to any one of claims 20 to 34 is executed.

38. A chip, characterized in that: include: a memory for storing computer program instructions; A processor is used to execute the computer program instructions so that a communication device including the chip performs the method according to any one of claims 1 to 19, or a communication device including the chip performs the method according to any one of claims 20 to 34.

39. A communication system, characterized in that: include: A terminal device and a network device, wherein the terminal device is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 19, and the network device is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 20 to 34.

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