Satellite communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A satellite communication method and an apparatus. The method can be applied to the field of satellite communications. The method comprises: receiving extension configuration information; receiving first duration indication information; and extending a first effective duration and / or extending a second effective duration on the basis of the extension configuration information and the first duration indication information. According to the method, an effective duration of position information for uplink synchronization or mobility management can be separately determined, thereby improving the communication efficiency.

Description

Satellite communication method and device

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on November 15, 2023, with application number 202311527688.4 and application name “Satellite Communication Method and Device”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a satellite communication method and device. Background Art

[0004] Satellite communications offer unique advantages over terrestrial communications, such as wider coverage and reduced vulnerability to natural disasters and external forces. The introduction of satellite communications in the future could provide services in areas beyond the reach of terrestrial networks, such as oceans and forests. It could also enhance communication reliability, ensuring better service for users on airplanes, trains, and other transportation systems. It could also provide more data transmission resources and increase network speeds. Therefore, supporting both terrestrial and satellite communications is an inevitable trend in future communications, offering significant benefits in terms of wide coverage, reliability, multiple connections, and high throughput.

[0005] Satellite communications have been introduced in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standards as a communication scenario for 5th generation (5G) communications, known as non-terrestrial networks (NTNs). NTNs support not only various 5G terminals but also terminals for the Internet of Things (IoT). Satellite communications are distinguished by high mobility and high communication latency. Therefore, compared to terrestrial communications, terminals require synchronization based on location information (such as Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) or ephemeris) in addition to uplink synchronization. Furthermore, mobility management based on location information is also required. Because location information changes over time, it has a certain validity period, ensuring that uplink synchronization or mobility management can be performed within this validity period. However, setting this validity period too conservatively can result in location information remaining valid but exceeding the validity period, making uplink synchronization or mobility management impossible, resulting in reduced communication efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The embodiments of the present application provide a satellite communication method and apparatus, which can respectively determine the effective duration of location information used for uplink synchronization or mobility management, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0007] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a satellite communication method, which is applied to a first communication device, which may be a terminal device or a chip in the terminal device or a functional module in the terminal device, and the method includes: receiving extended configuration information; receiving first duration indication information; extending the first effective duration and / or extending the second effective duration according to the extended configuration information and the first duration indication information.

[0008] In this embodiment, the validity period of the location information of uplink synchronization or mobility management can be determined respectively.

[0009] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a satellite communication method, which is applied to a second communication device, which is a network device or a chip in a network device or a functional module in a network device, and the method includes: sending extended configuration information; sending first duration indication information.

[0010] In conjunction with the first aspect or the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the extended configuration information includes first extended configuration information and / or second extended configuration information. The first extended configuration information is used to extend a first validity period, and the second extended configuration information is used to extend a second validity period. The first validity period is the validity period of location information used for uplink synchronization, and the second validity period is the validity period of location information used for mobility management.

[0011] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first duration indication information is used to indicate the first duration.

[0012] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a first communication device configured to execute the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect. The first communication device includes a unit configured to execute the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect.

[0013] Exemplarily, the first communication device may be a terminal device or a chip, and the chip may be applied to a terminal device, etc.

[0014] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a second communication device configured to execute the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. The second communication device includes a unit configured to execute the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0015] Exemplarily, the second communication device may be a network device or a chip, and the chip may be applied to a network device, etc.

[0016] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a first communication device, comprising a processor configured to execute the method described in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect. Alternatively, the processor is configured to execute a program stored in a memory, and when the program is executed, the method described in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect is executed.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the memory is located outside the first communication device.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the memory is located within the first communication device.

[0019] In the embodiment of the present application, the processor and the memory may also be integrated into one device, that is, the processor and the memory may also be integrated together. For example, the first communication device may be a chip.

[0020] In one possible implementation, the first communication device further includes a transceiver configured to receive or transmit signals. Exemplarily, the transceiver may be configured to receive extended configuration information and first duration indication information. Exemplarily, the first communication device may be a terminal device.

[0021] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a second communication device, comprising a processor configured to execute the method described in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. Alternatively, the processor is configured to execute a program stored in a memory, and when the program is executed, the method described in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect is executed.

[0022] In a possible implementation, the memory is located outside the second communication device.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the memory is located within the second communication device.

[0024] In the embodiment of the present application, the processor and the memory may also be integrated into one device, that is, the processor and the memory may also be integrated together. Exemplarily, the second communication device may be a chip.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the second communication device further includes a transceiver configured to receive or transmit signals. Exemplarily, the transceiver may be configured to transmit extended configuration information or first duration indication information. Exemplarily, the second communication device may be a network device.

[0026] In the seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a first communication device, which includes a logic circuit and an interface, and the logic circuit and the interface are coupled; the interface is used to input and / or output information, and the logic circuit is used to execute the method described in the first aspect or any possible implementation method.

[0027] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a second communication device, which includes a logic circuit and an interface, and the logic circuit and the interface are coupled; the interface is used to input and / or output information, and the logic circuit is used to execute the method described in the second aspect or any possible implementation method.

[0028] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the method shown in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect to be executed.

[0029] In the tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the method shown in the above-mentioned second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect to be executed.

[0030] In the eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program or computer code, and when the computer program product is run on a computer, the method shown in the above-mentioned first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect is executed.

[0031] In the twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program or computer code, and when the computer program product runs on a computer, the method shown in the above-mentioned second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect is executed.

[0032] In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program. When the computer program runs on a computer, the method shown in the above-mentioned first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect is executed.

[0033] In a fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program. When the computer program runs on a computer, the method shown in the above-mentioned second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect is executed.

[0034] In the fifteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which includes a first communication device and a second communication device, the first communication device is used to execute the method shown in the above-mentioned first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, and the second communication device is used to execute the method shown in the above-mentioned second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0036] FIG2a is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication system in a transparent transmission scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0037] FIG2 b is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication system in a regeneration scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0038] FIG2c is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication system in a regeneration scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a flow chart of a satellite communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] FIG4 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0041] FIG5 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0042] FIG6 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] To facilitate understanding of the technical solution of the present application, the present application will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0044] The terms "first" and "second" in the specification, claims, and drawings of this application are used only to distinguish different objects and are not used to describe a specific order. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units that are not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units that are inherent to the process, method, product, or device.

[0045] References to "embodiments" herein mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments may be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearance of this phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor does it refer to independent or alternative embodiments that are mutually exclusive of other embodiments. It will be understood, both explicitly and implicitly, by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

[0046] In this application, "at least one (item)" means one or more, "more than one" means two or more, "at least two (items)" means two or three and more than three, and "and / or" is used to describe the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: only A exists, only B exists, and A and B exist at the same time, where A and B can be singular or plural. "Or" means that two relationships can exist, such as only A exists, only B exists; when A and B are not mutually exclusive, it can also mean that three relationships exist, such as only A exists, only B exists, and A and B exist at the same time. The character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items. For example, at least one of a, b or c can mean: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c".

[0047] The method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to a non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication system. As shown in FIG1 , the communication system may include a terminal device, a satellite, and a ground station (also referred to as a gateway station or a signal gateway station). It is understandable that FIG1 only shows one satellite and one ground station. In actual use, a multi-satellite and / or multi-ground station architecture may be adopted as needed. Each satellite can provide services to one or more terminal devices, each satellite can correspond to one or more ground stations, each ground station can correspond to one or more satellites, and so on. The embodiments of the present application are not specifically limited.

[0048] A terminal device is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities. The terminal device can communicate with an access network device (or access device) in a radio access network (RAN). The terminal device can also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, terminal, subscriber unit, user station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, user agent, or user device. In one possible implementation, the terminal device can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; it can also be deployed on the water (such as a ship, etc.). In one possible implementation, the terminal device can be a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a sensor, a terminal in the Internet of Things, a terminal in the Internet of Vehicles, a drone, a fifth generation (5G) network, and any form of terminal device in future networks, etc., which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. For example, terminal devices can also communicate with each other through device-to-device (D2D) and machine-to-machine (M2M). The terminal device shown in the embodiment of the present application may also be a device in the Internet of Things (IoT). The IoT network may include, for example, the Internet of Vehicles. The communication methods in the Internet of Vehicles system are collectively referred to as vehicle to other devices (vehicle to X, V2X, where X can represent anything). For example, the V2X may include: vehicle to vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicle to infrastructure (V2I) communication, vehicle to pedestrian (V2P) communication, or vehicle to network (V2N) communication.

[0049] Ground stations can be used to connect satellites to base stations, or satellites to the core network. These satellites can provide wireless access services to terminal devices, dispatch wireless resources to connected terminal devices, and offer reliable wireless transmission protocols and data encryption protocols. For example, satellites can be base stations that use artificial satellites and high-altitude aircraft as wireless communication platforms, such as evolved NodeBs (eNBs) and next-generation NodeBs (gNBs). Alternatively, satellites can act as relays for these base stations, transparently transmitting their signals to terminal devices.

[0050] Therefore, in some implementations of the present application, such as in the transparent transmission scenario of the satellite, the network device may be the base station shown in Figure 1 (also referred to as a ground base station). Figure 2a is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication system in a transparent transmission scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application. Exemplarily, the terminal device can access the network through an air interface (the air interface can be various types of air interfaces, such as a 5G air interface, etc.), and the network device can be deployed on a ground base station. The satellite is connected to the ground station via a wireless link. The ground station and the ground base station are connected to the core network via a wired or wireless connection. There may be a wireless link between satellites, and in the system shown in Figure 2a, the satellite may have a transparent transmission forwarding function. In other implementations of the present application, such as in the regeneration scenario of the satellite, the network device may be the satellite shown in Figure 1. Figure 2b is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication system in a regeneration scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application. Exemplarily, the terminal device can access the network through the air interface (the air interface can be various types of air interfaces, such as a 5G air interface, etc.), and the network equipment can be deployed on the satellite (such as the satellite's regeneration mode), such as the base station or part of the base station function is deployed on the satellite, and the satellites can complete the signaling interaction and user data transmission between the base stations, as shown in Figure 2c.

[0051] For example, the network elements and their interfaces in FIG. 2a to FIG. 2c may be as follows:

[0052] Terminal devices can access the satellite network through the air interface and initiate calls, access the Internet, and other services. Base stations can be used to provide wireless access services, schedule wireless resources to accessed terminal devices, and provide reliable wireless transmission protocols and data encryption protocols. Ground stations can be responsible for forwarding signaling and service data between the satellite and the core network. The core network can be used for user access control, mobility management, session management, user security authentication or billing, etc. The core network can be composed of multiple functional units, such as functional entities including the control plane and the data plane. For example, the core network shown in Figures 2a to 2c may include an access and mobility management function (AMF), a session management function (SMF), and a user plane function (UPF). For example, AMF can be responsible for user access management, security authentication, and mobility management. UPF can be responsible for managing the transmission of user plane data, traffic statistics, etc. The air interface shown in Figures 2a to 2c can be understood as the wireless link between a terminal and a base station, or the wireless link between a satellite and a ground station. The Xn interface can be understood as the interface between base stations, primarily used for signaling exchanges such as handover. The NG interface can be used as the interface between a base station and the core network, used for signaling exchanges such as the core network's non-access stratum (NAS), as well as user service data. In systems with different wireless access technologies, the names of devices with base station functions may vary, and are not shown one by one in this embodiment.

[0053] The satellite may be a geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellite, a medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellite or a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite of a non-geostationary Earth orbit (NGEO), or a high altitude platform station (HAPS). The specific type of satellite is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0054] In some deployments of network devices, the network device may include a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). In other deployments of network devices, the CU may also be divided into a CU-control plane (CP) and a CU-user plane (UP). In still other deployments of network devices, the network device may also be an open radio access network (ORAN) architecture, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific deployment method of the network device. For example, when the network device is an ORAN architecture, the network device shown in the embodiments of the present application may be an access network device in the ORAN, or a module in the access network device, etc. In the ORAN system, the CU may also be referred to as an open (O)-CU, the DU may also be referred to as an O-DU, the CU-CP may also be referred to as an O-CU-CP, the CU-UP may also be referred to as an O-CU-UP, and the RU may also be referred to as an O-RU. The deployment methods of the network devices listed here are only examples. With the evolution of standard technologies, network devices may have other deployment forms.

[0055] The network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application. Ordinary technicians in this field will know that with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions and network architecture provided in the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0056] Currently, there is a short-term connection communication method, in which the terminal device initiates random access and exits the connection state after sending uplink data. During this process, the location information (such as Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) information) obtained by the terminal device before random access is always valid. In other words, the GNSS information is valid until the terminal device exits the RRC connection state. Even if the terminal device moves, the GNSS deviation caused by the movement can meet the synchronization requirements. For IoT-type terminal devices, since IoT services have the characteristics of short packet periodic transmission, the above-mentioned short-term connection communication method can be effectively applied to terminal devices with short packet periodic transmission characteristics.

[0057] However, the location information obtained by the terminal device in the above method has a certain validity duration. When the location information expires, the terminal device can no longer maintain the connection and needs to exit the connected state and enter the idle state. The terminal device performs random access multiple times to enter the connected state and exit the connected state, which will result in excessive signaling overhead. Alternatively, when the terminal device is in the connected state for a long time, the location information will expire, and the terminal device will need to re-acquire the location information. However, when the terminal device re-acquires the location information, there may be a situation where communication and GNSS measurement cannot be performed at the same time. For example, the terminal device may not be able to communicate when performing GNSS measurement.

[0058] Exemplarily, the above-mentioned effective duration can be a duration determined by the terminal device based on its movement speed or based on its relative position relationship with the satellite (for example, whether it is in the central area covered by the satellite or the edge area) or based on information such as its relative speed with the satellite, and then reported by the terminal device to the network device. However, when the terminal device determines the above-mentioned effective duration, it generally determines the effective duration in a more conservative manner, resulting in a short effective duration, which is insufficient to support long-term continuous communication of the terminal device. Alternatively, when the terminal device determines the effective duration based on information such as movement speed, it does not take into account the communication duration it requires, which will also cause the effective duration to be less than the communication duration, which is insufficient to support long-term continuous communication of the terminal device.

[0059] In addition, location information can also be used for mobility management. For mobility management, location information also has a certain validity period. However, the validity period of location information required for uplink synchronization and mobility management can be different.

[0060] In view of this, embodiments of the present application provide a satellite communication method and apparatus, which respectively set the valid duration of location information for uplink synchronization and mobility management to improve communication efficiency.

[0061] In the satellite communication method shown below (as shown in Figure 3), the first communication device can be a terminal device or a chip provided in the terminal device or a functional module in the terminal device, and the second communication device can be a network device or a chip provided in the network device or a functional module in the network device. As shown above, the network device may include an access network device or module under the O-RAN architecture, etc. For a specific description of the terminal device and the network device, please refer to Figure 1 and Figures 2a to 2c, which will not be described in detail here. For ease of description, the following may use terminal devices and network devices as examples when referring to specific examples, but this should not be understood as a limitation on the embodiments of the present application.

[0062] FIG3 is a flow chart of a satellite communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG3 , the method includes:

[0063] S301: The second communication device sends extended configuration information. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the extended configuration information.

[0064] The extended configuration information includes first extended configuration information and / or second extended configuration information.

[0065] The first extended configuration information is used to extend the first valid duration, and the second extended configuration information is used to extend the second valid duration.

[0066] The first valid duration is the valid duration of the location information used for uplink synchronization, and the second valid duration is the valid duration of the location information used for mobility management.

[0067] S302: The second communication device sends first duration indication information. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the first duration indication information.

[0068] The first duration indication information is used to indicate the first duration.

[0069] S303: The first communication device extends the first effective duration and / or extends the second effective duration according to the extended configuration information and the first duration indication information.

[0070] S302 and S303 can be repeated multiple times. That is, the first communication device can receive the first duration indication information multiple times, and extend the effective duration once each time it receives the first duration indication information. The extension can be performed multiple times. It should be noted that the first communication device receives the first duration indication information and extends the effective duration within the first effective duration or the second effective duration.

[0071] Optionally, before S301, the method further includes:

[0072] S304: The second communication device determines extended configuration information.

[0073] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0074] S305: The first communication device determines a first effective duration and / or a second effective duration.

[0075] Optionally, the first communication device sends the first valid duration and / or the second valid duration to the second communication device.

[0076] This step is before S302 , and the order of this step with S301 is not limited.

[0077] The effective duration of this step refers to the initial effective duration. In subsequent steps, the initial effective duration is extended to obtain an updated effective duration.

[0078] Extending the validity period can be understood as adding an additional period to the end of the original validity period to obtain a newer validity period. Alternatively, the end of the original validity period is postponed to another time to obtain a newer validity period. Alternatively, operations permitted during the original validity period, such as uplink synchronization or mobility management, can be performed for a period of time after the original validity period expires.

[0079] The following is a detailed description of the method:

[0080] The first extended configuration information may include at least one of the following:

[0081] 1. First extended indication information

[0082] The first extension indication information is used to indicate whether to allow extension of the valid duration.

[0083] Exemplarily, the first extension indication information is "1" indicating that the valid time period is allowed to be extended, and the first extension indication information is "0" indicating that the valid time period is not allowed to be extended.

[0084] 2. First allowed extension time

[0085] The first allowed extension duration is used to indicate the maximum duration allowed to extend the effective duration.

[0086] The first allowed extension duration may be indicated by a start time and an end time, or by a start time and duration, or by other means, which is not limited in this embodiment.

[0087] Optionally, the start time can be agreed upon as the end time of the original validity period without displaying an indication.

[0088] 3. The first allowed extension times

[0089] The first allowed extension times is used to indicate the maximum number of times the valid duration is allowed to be extended.

[0090] Similarly, the second extended configuration information may include at least one of the following: second extended indication information, second allowed extension duration, and second allowed extension times. The implementation method may refer to the first extended configuration information and will not be described in detail.

[0091] In the above S302, the first duration is used to determine the extended duration.

[0092] Optionally, the extended duration is the first duration.

[0093] Optionally, when the first duration is infinite (infinity), the extended duration is a first value. The first value may be a value agreed upon in a protocol, or a value sent by the second communication device to the first communication device, which is not limited in this embodiment.

[0094] Optionally, the first duration indication information in S302 is a time advance command (TAC). The first duration indicated by the first duration indication information is the effective duration of the TAC. Exemplarily, the effective duration of the TAC can be configured by the second communication device through RRC signaling, or configured by the second communication device through media access control-control element (MAC-CE) signaling. For example, before S302, the second communication device sends RRC signaling carrying the effective duration of the TAC or MAC-CE signaling carrying the effective duration of the TAC, and correspondingly, the first communication device receives the RRC signaling or MAC-CE signaling. Exemplarily, the effective duration of the TAC may be a value between 500ms and 1024ms, such as 500ms, 750ms, 1200ms, 1920ms, 2560ms, 5120ms, 10240ms, etc., which are not listed here one by one. Of course, the effective durations of the TAC listed here are only examples and should not be understood as limitations on the embodiments of the present application.

[0095] Generally, the second communication device can detect the uplink timing offset error of the first communication device based on the uplink signal sent by the first communication device, and instruct the first communication device to adjust the timing advance through a closed-loop timing offset. The first communication device can ensure uplink synchronization by adjusting the uplink timing advance. The uplink timing advance adjustment can be calculated based on the location of the first communication device and the location of the second communication device. The first communication device can also make fine adjustments based on the closed-loop timing offset indicated by the second communication device.

[0096] Exemplarily, if the uplink timing offset error detected by the second communication device is less than or equal to a certain threshold, the second communication device may send a TAC to the first communication device, so that the first communication device may extend the effective duration based on the TAC.

[0097] S303 can also be understood as the first communication device determining whether to extend the effective duration based on the extended configuration information and the first duration indication information; if so, determining the extended duration and extending it; if not, not extending it. Alternatively, it can be understood as the first communication device determining the first effective duration and / or the second effective duration based on the extended configuration information and the first duration indication information. The effective duration here refers to the updated effective duration.

[0098] Depending on the content of the extended configuration information, S303 may include the following three implementations:

[0099] Implementation method 1: The extended configuration information includes first extended configuration information and second extended configuration information.

[0100] The first communication device may extend the first valid duration according to the first extended configuration information and the first duration indication information, and extend the second valid duration according to the second extended configuration information and the first duration indication information.

[0101] The first extended configuration information can be different from the second extended configuration information. In this case, the first validity period can be different from the second validity period. That is, the validity period of the location information used for uplink synchronization can be different from the validity period of the location information used for mobility management. Setting different validity periods for different uses of location information allows for more flexible communication and improves communication efficiency.

[0102] Implementation method 2: The extended configuration information includes first extended configuration information.

[0103] The first communication device may extend the first valid duration according to the first extended configuration information and the first duration indication information.

[0104] Optionally, the first communication device may further extend the second effective duration based on the first extended configuration information and the first duration indication information. The second effective duration is extended in the same manner as the first effective duration; alternatively, it can be understood that the first effective duration and the second effective duration are the same effective duration, and both have the same duration, and can be represented by a single effective duration. In other words, regardless of the purpose of the location information, a unified effective duration is set. This embodiment can reduce information transmission overhead and simplify the communication process.

[0105] Implementation method 3: The extended configuration information includes second extended configuration information.

[0106] The first communication device may extend the second effective duration according to the second extended configuration information and the first duration indication information.

[0107] Optionally, the first communication device may further determine to extend the first effective duration according to the second extended configuration information and the first duration indication information. This embodiment is similar to embodiment 2 and will not be described in detail.

[0108] Depending on the content of the first extended configuration information, "extending the first valid duration according to the first extended configuration information and the first duration indication information" may include the following three implementations:

[0109] Implementation method 1: The first extended configuration information includes first extended indication information.

[0110] If the first extension indication information indicates that the valid duration cannot be extended, the first communication device does not extend the first valid duration, or interprets the extended duration as 0. The extended first valid duration remains the original first valid duration. In this case, the determination does not need to be based on the first duration indication information, and S302 is not a required step.

[0111] When the first extension indication information indicates that the effective duration is allowed to be extended, the first communication device can extend the first effective duration. At this time, the extended duration is determined based on the first duration indication information. Exemplarily, the extended duration is the first duration indicated by the first duration indication information.

[0112] Implementation method 2: The first extended configuration information includes a first allowed extension duration.

[0113] The first communication device determines an extended duration for extending the first effective duration according to the first allowed extended duration and the first duration.

[0114] When the first extended duration determined based on the first duration is less than the first allowed extended duration, the extended duration is the first extended duration. When the first extended duration is greater than the first allowed extended duration, the extended duration is the first allowed extended duration. In other words, the extended duration is determined based on the first duration and does not exceed the first allowed extended duration.

[0115] The method for determining the first extended duration may be combined with the description of S302 in the above embodiment. For example, the first extended duration may be the first duration or the first value, and details will not be repeated here.

[0116] Optionally, the first allowed extension duration is an allowed extension duration relative to the initial effective duration. That is, when the updated effective duration is extended again, the current extension duration needs to be added to the previous extension duration for calculation, or it can be understood that the first allowed extension duration needs to be subtracted from the previous extension duration, or it can be understood that the updated effective duration does not exceed the initial effective duration plus the first allowed extension duration.

[0117] This implementation method limits the maximum extension duration to avoid unlimited extension, which results in failure to ensure the validity of the location information.

[0118] Implementation method 3: The first extended configuration information includes a first allowed extension count.

[0119] The first communication device determines an extended duration for extending the first effective duration according to the first allowed extension times and the first duration.

[0120] When the number of times the initial first effective duration has been extended is less than the first allowed extension number, the first effective duration can be further extended this time, and the extended duration is a first extended duration determined based on the first duration. Determining the first extended duration based on the first duration is similar to the above embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0121] When the number of times the initial first effective duration has been extended is greater than or equal to the first allowed extension number, the first effective duration is no longer extended, or the extended duration is understood to be 0, and the extended first effective duration remains the original first effective duration. In this case, the determination can be made without relying on the first duration indication information.

[0122] This implementation method limits the maximum number of extensions to avoid unlimited extensions, which may result in failure to ensure the validity of the location information.

[0123] The above three implementations can be combined with each other. For example, if the first extended configuration information includes a first allowed extension duration and a first allowed extension count, then the extension is performed only if the conditions for both the first allowed extension duration and the first allowed extension count are met. Furthermore, some of the content included in the first extended configuration information can also be implicitly indicated, or a default value can be pre-agreed. For example, if the first extended configuration information includes the first allowed extension duration and / or the first allowed extension count, then the first extended indication information can be implicitly indicated as the allowed extension validity duration.

[0124] In another embodiment, the first communication device may extend the first effective duration according to the value of the first duration. Different values ​​of the first duration correspond to different ways of determining the extended duration.

[0125] For example, when the first duration is infinite, the extension duration is a first value; when the first duration is finite, no extension is performed or the number of allowed extensions is K, where K is a positive integer, such as 1.

[0126] The first communication device extends the second effective duration according to the second extended configuration information and the first duration indication information, which is similar to the implementation of the first communication device extending the first effective duration according to the first extended configuration information and the first duration indication information in the above embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0127] It can be understood that the effective duration in the above description includes the first effective duration or the second effective duration, that is, the description of the effective duration is applicable to the first effective duration or the second effective duration.

[0128] It can be understood that the location information described above may be Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) information.

[0129] The following describes a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0130] The present application divides the functional modules of the communication device according to the above-mentioned method embodiment. For example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above-mentioned integrated modules can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules. It should be noted that the division of modules in this application is schematic and is only a logical functional division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation. The communication device of the embodiment of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 4 to 6.

[0131] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG4 , the communication device includes a processing unit 901 and a transceiver unit 902. The transceiver unit 902 can implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing unit 901 is used to process data. The transceiver unit 902 can also be referred to as an interface, a communication interface, or a communication unit.

[0132] In some embodiments of the present application, the communication device can be used to perform the actions performed by the first communication device in the above method embodiment. In this case, the communication device can be a terminal device or a component that can be configured in the terminal device (such as a chip or system, etc.). The transceiver unit 902 is used to perform the transceiver-related operations of the first communication device in the above method embodiment, and the processing unit 901 is used to perform the processing-related operations of the first communication device in the above method embodiment. The communication device can be used to execute the steps or functions performed by the first communication device in the above method embodiment.

[0133] Exemplarily, the transceiver unit 902 is configured to receive extended configuration information; receive first duration indication information;

[0134] The processing unit 901 is configured to extend the first valid duration and / or the second valid duration according to the extended configuration information and the first duration indication information.

[0135] The specific descriptions of the transceiver unit and the processing unit shown in the embodiments of the present application are only examples. For the specific functions or execution steps of the transceiver unit and the processing unit, please refer to the above-mentioned method embodiments and will not be described in detail here.

[0136] Optionally, the communication device may further include a storage unit, which may be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing unit 901 may read the instructions and / or data in the storage unit so that the communication device implements the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0137] Using Figure 4, in some other embodiments of the present application, the communication device can be used to perform the actions performed by the second communication device in the above method embodiment. In this case, the communication device can be a network device or a component configurable in the network device. The transceiver unit 902 is used to perform the transceiver-related operations of the second communication device in the above method embodiment, and the processing unit 901 is used to perform the processing-related operations of the second communication device in the above method embodiment. The communication device can be used to perform the steps or functions performed by the second communication device in the above method embodiment.

[0138] Exemplarily, the processing unit 901 is configured to determine extended configuration information;

[0139] The transceiver unit 902 is configured to send extended configuration information and first duration indication information.

[0140] It can be understood that the specific description of the transceiver unit and the processing unit shown in the embodiment of the present application is only an example. For the specific functions or execution steps of the transceiver unit and the processing unit, please refer to the above-mentioned method embodiment and will not be described in detail here.

[0141] The above describes the communication device according to the embodiment of the present application. The following describes possible product forms of the communication device. It should be understood that any product having the functions of the communication device described in FIG. 4 falls within the scope of protection of the embodiment of the present application. It should also be understood that the following description is merely illustrative and does not limit the product forms of the communication device according to the embodiment of the present application to these examples.

[0142] In one possible implementation, in the communication device shown in FIG4 , the processing unit 901 may be one or more processors, the transceiver unit 902 may be a transceiver, or the transceiver unit 902 may be a transmitting unit and a receiving unit, the transmitting unit may be a transmitter, the receiving unit may be a receiver, and the transmitting unit and the receiving unit are integrated into one device, such as a transceiver. In the embodiment of the present application, the processor and the transceiver may be coupled, etc., and the embodiment of the present application does not limit the connection method between the processor and the transceiver. In the process of executing the above method, the process of sending information in the above method can be understood as the process of the processor outputting the above information. When outputting the above information, the processor outputs the above information to the transceiver so that it can be transmitted by the transceiver. After being output by the processor, the above information may also need to undergo other processing before reaching the transceiver. Similarly, the process of receiving information in the above method can be understood as the process of the processor receiving the input information. When the processor receives the input information, the transceiver receives the above information and inputs it into the processor. Furthermore, after the transceiver receives the above information, the above information may need to be processed further before being input into the processor.

[0143] As shown in FIG. 5 , the communication device 100 includes one or more processors 1020 and a transceiver 1010 .

[0144] Exemplarily, when the communication device is used to perform the steps, methods, or functions performed by the first communication device, the transceiver 1010 is configured to receive extended configuration information; receive first duration indication information;

[0145] The processor 1020 is configured to extend the first valid duration and / or extend the second valid duration according to the extended configuration information and the first duration indication information.

[0146] It is understandable that for the specific description of the processor and the transceiver, reference can be made to the introduction of the processing unit and the transceiver unit shown in FIG4 , which will not be repeated here.

[0147] In various implementations of the communication device shown in FIG5 , the transceiver may include a receiver and a transmitter, wherein the receiver is configured to perform a receiving function (or operation) and the transmitter is configured to perform a transmitting function (or operation). The transceiver is configured to communicate with other devices / apparatuses via a transmission medium.

[0148] Optionally, the communication device 100 may further include one or more memories 1030 for storing program instructions and / or data. The memory 1030 is coupled to the processor 1020. The coupling in the embodiment of the present application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms, and is used for information exchange between devices, units or modules. The processor 1020 may operate in conjunction with the memory 1030. The processor 1020 may execute program instructions stored in the memory 1030. Optionally, at least one of the one or more memories may be included in the processor.

[0149] The specific connection medium between the transceiver 1010, processor 1020, and memory 1030 is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. In Figure 5, the memory 1030, processor 1020, and transceiver 1010 are connected via bus 1040. The bus is represented by a bold line in Figure 5. The connection methods between other components are merely schematic and are not limiting. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, Figure 5 only uses a single bold line, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0150] In the embodiments of the present application, the processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, etc., and may implement or execute the various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of the present application may be directly implemented as being executed by a hardware processor, or may be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor, etc.

[0151] In the embodiment of the present application, memory may include but is not limited to non-volatile memories such as hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD), random access memory (RAM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), read-only memory (ROM) or portable read-only memory (CD-ROM), etc. Memory is any storage medium that can be used to carry or store program code in the form of instructions or data structures, and can be read and / or written by a computer (such as the communication device shown in the present application), but is not limited thereto. The memory in the embodiment of the present application can also be a circuit or other arbitrarily capable of realizing a storage function, for storing program instructions and / or data.

[0152] The processor 1020 is primarily used to process communication protocols and communication data, control the entire communication device, execute software programs, and process software program data. The memory 1030 is primarily used to store software programs and data. The transceiver 1010 may include a control circuit and an antenna. The control circuit is primarily used to convert baseband signals into radio frequency signals and process radio frequency signals. The antenna is primarily used to transmit and receive radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input / output devices, such as a touch screen, display, and keyboard, are primarily used to receive user input and output data to the user.

[0153] When the communication device is powered on, the processor 1020 can read the software program in the memory 1030, 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 1020 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 1020. The processor 1020 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0154] 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.

[0155] It is understood that the communication device shown in the embodiment of the present application may also have more components than those in FIG5 , and the embodiment of the present application is not limited to this. The method performed by the processor and transceiver shown above is only an example. For the specific steps performed by the processor and transceiver, please refer to the method described above.

[0156] For example, an embodiment of the present application further provides a network device that may include an active antenna unit (AAU) and a building base band unit (BBU). The BBU may be a component of a distributed base station and primarily performs baseband signal processing (such as channel coding, channel demodulation, modulation and demodulation, etc.), provides transmission management and interfaces, manages wireless resources, and provides clock signals.

[0157] In another possible implementation, in the communication device shown in FIG4 , the processing unit 901 may be one or more logic circuits, and the transceiver unit 902 may be an input / output interface, or may be called a communication interface, or an interface circuit, or an interface, etc. Alternatively, the transceiver unit 902 may also be a sending unit and a receiving unit, the sending unit may be an output interface, the receiving unit may be an input interface, and the sending unit and the receiving unit are integrated into one unit, such as an input / output interface. As shown in FIG6 , the communication device shown in FIG6 includes a logic circuit 1101 and an interface 1102. That is, the above-mentioned processing unit 901 can be implemented with a logic circuit 1101, and the transceiver unit 902 can be implemented with an interface 1102. The logic circuit 1101 may be a chip, a processing circuit, an integrated circuit, or a system on chip (SoC) chip, etc., and the interface 1102 may be a communication interface, an input / output interface, a pin, etc. For example, FIG6 is illustrated using the above-mentioned communication device as a chip, and the chip includes a logic circuit 1101 and an interface 1102.

[0158] In the embodiment of the present application, the logic circuit and the interface may also be coupled to each other. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific connection method between the logic circuit and the interface.

[0159] Exemplarily, when the communication device is used to execute the method, function or steps executed by the above-mentioned first communication device, the interface 1102 is used to receive extended configuration information; receive first duration indication information; and the logic circuit 1101 is used to extend the first effective duration and / or extend the second effective duration according to the extended configuration information and the first duration indication information.

[0160] It can be understood that the communication device shown in the embodiment of the present application can implement the method provided in the embodiment of the present application in the form of hardware, or can implement the method provided in the embodiment of the present application in the form of software, etc., and the embodiment of the present application is not limited to this.

[0161] For the specific implementation of each embodiment shown in FIG6 , reference may also be made to the above embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0162] An embodiment of the present application further provides a wireless communication system, which includes a first communication device and a second communication device. The first communication device and the second communication device can be used to execute the method in any of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0163] In addition, the present application also provides a computer program, which is used to implement the operations and / or processing performed by the first communication device in the method provided by the present application.

[0164] The present application also provides a computer program, which is used to implement the operations and / or processing performed by the second communication device in the method provided by the present application.

[0165] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores computer code. When the computer code runs on a computer, it enables the computer to execute the operations and / or processing performed by the first communication device in the method provided by the present application.

[0166] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores computer code. When the computer code runs on a computer, it enables the computer to execute the operations and / or processing performed by the second communication device in the method provided by the present application.

[0167] The present application also provides a computer program product, which includes computer code or computer program. When the computer code or computer program runs on a computer, the operations and / or processing performed by the first communication device in the method provided by the present application are executed.

[0168] The present application also provides a computer program product, which includes computer code or computer program. When the computer code or computer program runs on a computer, the operations and / or processing performed by the second communication device in the method provided by the present application are executed.

[0169] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, or can be electrical, mechanical or other forms of connection.

[0170] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the technical effects of the solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application.

[0171] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of the present application may be integrated into a single processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into a single unit. The aforementioned integrated units may be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional units.

[0172] If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application is essentially or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, and the computer software product is stored in a readable storage medium, including a number of instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned readable storage medium includes: U disk, mobile hard disk, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk or optical disk, and other media that can store program code.

[0173] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A satellite communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: Receive extended configuration information; Receiving first duration indication information; The first valid duration is extended and / or the second valid duration is extended according to the extended configuration information and the first duration indication information.

2. A satellite communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: Send extended configuration information; Send first duration indication information.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first valid duration is a valid duration of location information used for uplink synchronization, and the second valid duration is a valid duration of location information used for mobility management.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The extended configuration information includes first extended configuration information and / or second extended configuration information; the first extended configuration information is used to extend the first effective duration, and the second extended configuration information is used to extend the second effective duration.

5. A communication device, characterized in that: The apparatus comprises a unit for executing the method according to any one of claims 1-4.

6. A communication device, characterized in that: The apparatus comprises a processor, and the processor is configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that The communication device also includes a memory.

8. A communication device, characterized in that: The device comprises a logic circuit and an interface, wherein the logic circuit is coupled to the interface, the interface is used to input and / or output information, and the logic circuit is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

9. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The storage medium is used to store a computer program, and when the computer program is run on a computer, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is executed.

10. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises a computer program or a computer code, and when the computer program or the computer code is run on a computer, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is executed.

11. A communication system, characterized in that: The communication system comprises a first communication device for implementing the method described in any one of claims 1, 3, and 4 and a second communication device for implementing the method described in any one of claims 2-4.

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