Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

A communication method (400) and a communication apparatus (800), relating to the field of communications, which are conducive to reducing the data volume of auxiliary data received by a terminal device, reducing the complexity and power consumption of the terminal device, and saving signaling overhead. The communication method (400) comprises: a network device determines first auxiliary data, the first auxiliary data indicating information of at least one satellite corresponding to a first area, and the first area belonging to a cell of the network device (S401); the network device sends the first auxiliary data, and correspondingly, a first terminal device receives the first auxiliary data (S402); and on the basis of the first auxiliary data, the first terminal device receives a signal from one or more satellites among the at least one satellite (S403).

Description

Communication methods and communication devices

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202311693028.3, filed on December 8, 2023, entitled "Communication Method and Communication Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly to a communication method and a communication device. Background Technology

[0003] A Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is a space-based radio navigation and positioning system that provides users with all-weather, three-dimensional coordinates, velocity, and time information from any location on the Earth's surface or in near-Earth space. GNSS satellites have a wide coverage area, enabling terminal devices to achieve satellite communication globally. When establishing or during communication between a terminal device and a GNSS satellite, the terminal device typically needs to acquire auxiliary data related to the target GNSS satellite to achieve precise positioning or data communication. However, GNSS satellites are usually far from the user, and the transmission of auxiliary data to the terminal device via navigation messages often takes a considerable amount of time, severely impacting the user experience.

[0004] In existing technologies, terminal devices obtain relevant auxiliary data from network devices. Since the distance between the network device and the terminal device is closer than that between the GNSS satellite and the terminal device, the latency for data acquisition by the terminal device is reduced to some extent. However, the auxiliary data sent by the network device usually needs to meet the needs of a large number of terminal devices in the network device's serving cell, especially in satellite communication scenarios (e.g., where some or all network device functions are located on the satellite). Excessive data volume in the auxiliary data can lead to significant complexity and power consumption for the terminal device, and also create a substantial signaling burden.

[0005] It is evident that there is an urgent need for a method to reduce the signaling overhead of terminal devices. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method and a communication device, which helps to reduce the amount of auxiliary data received by the terminal device and save the signaling overhead of the terminal device.

[0007] In a first aspect, this application provides a communication method applied to a first terminal device or a device within the first terminal device. The device in the first terminal device can be a component of the terminal device (such as a chip or chip system), or a component that implements some functions of the terminal device, without limitation. The method includes: receiving first auxiliary data, the first auxiliary data indicating information about at least one satellite corresponding to a first area, the first area belonging to a cell of a network device; and based on the first auxiliary data, receiving signals from one or more of the at least one satellite.

[0008] In one possible implementation, the serving cell of the network device may include multiple areas, with a first area being a subset of these areas. The first auxiliary data sent by the network device to the first area is information about at least one satellite covering or serving the first area. Optionally, a second area may exist among these multiple areas, different from the first area. The auxiliary data sent by the network device to the second area is information about at least one satellite covering or serving the second area. That is, the auxiliary data received by a terminal device located in the first area and a terminal device located in the second area may be different.

[0009] Optionally, the aforementioned "multiple areas" may be areas corresponding to one or more beams, or areas corresponding to one or more wavelengths, or an administrative region or a custom geographical region, or other regions. This application does not specifically limit the definition of multiple areas in the service cell of the network device.

[0010] It should also be understood that the at least one satellite described herein refers to a satellite that can provide users with services such as communication, navigation, remote sensing, and meteorology. This satellite can be a GNSS satellite or a satellite with other functions. For example, depending on the orbital altitude, the aforementioned at least one satellite can be a low-Earth orbit satellite, a medium-Earth orbit satellite, or a high-Earth orbit satellite, etc., and this application does not limit this.

[0011] The method provided in this application embodiment reduces the size of auxiliary data compared to the auxiliary data (which may include satellite information applicable to most terminal devices in the entire serving cell) sent by network devices to multiple areas in the prior art. This reduces the complexity and power consumption of terminal devices (e.g., the complexity and power consumption when searching for GNSS satellites and receiving auxiliary data) and also saves signaling overhead.

[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first auxiliary data includes the orbital parameters of at least one satellite corresponding to the first region, and / or the clock parameters of at least one satellite corresponding to the first region.

[0013] In this embodiment, the first auxiliary data is only the orbital parameters and / or clock parameters of at least one satellite corresponding to the first region. In this way, the amount of data received by the first terminal device located in the first region can be further reduced, the complexity and power consumption of the terminal device can be further reduced, and the signaling overhead can be reduced.

[0014] In one possible scenario, the first terminal device is in a cold start situation, such as the initial access scenario. In this scenario, the first terminal device has not stored satellite information, or it has lost connection with the network for a period of time, clearing all historical information and needing to re-attempt positioning and satellite lock. One possible implementation is that the first terminal device needs to lock the corresponding satellite signal based on the received auxiliary data. In the prior art, the auxiliary data received by the first terminal device is at the cell level. On the one hand, the large amount of data may require the network device to distribute it in several segments, resulting in excessive latency; on the other hand, the content of the auxiliary data is excessive, causing the first terminal device to take a long time to lock the "suitable" (e.g., a satellite that enables positioning) satellite, resulting in high search complexity, high power consumption, and long search time. Based on the method provided in this application, the amount of data received by the first terminal device in this scenario can be reduced, the power consumption and latency during the cold start process can be reduced, the cold start efficiency can be improved, and the user experience can be enhanced.

[0015] It is worth noting that "locking" can be understood as the process by which a terminal device determines the target satellite to be accessed or determines at least one satellite participating in positioning or communication services based on the acquired auxiliary data, but this application does not limit it in this way.

[0016] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first auxiliary data includes the identifier of the first region.

[0017] In one possible implementation, in addition to the orbital parameters of at least one satellite corresponding to the first region, and / or the clock parameters of at least one satellite corresponding to the first region, the first auxiliary data may also include the identifier of the first region.

[0018] It should be understood that the satellites covering different areas within the service cell of a network device may differ, and therefore the auxiliary data corresponding to different areas may also differ. By carrying area identifiers in the auxiliary data, if the area identifier contained in the auxiliary data received by the first terminal device at the current moment differs from the area identifier contained in the auxiliary data received at the previous moment, the auxiliary data can be updated to the latest received auxiliary data. This allows the device to receive or search for satellite signals using the new auxiliary data, for example, to determine the satellite signal corresponding to the signal with the best reception performance, thus improving the user experience.

[0019] In another possible implementation, the first auxiliary data may consist only of the identifier of the first region.

[0020] For example, the first terminal device has stored auxiliary data (which may include auxiliary data associated with all or part of the network device's area). The network device can use the first auxiliary data to indicate the identifier of the first area, so as to instruct the first terminal device to receive or search for satellite signals using the first auxiliary data corresponding to the identifier of the first area.

[0021] Optionally, the auxiliary data stored in the first terminal device may be pre-stored at the terminal factory or received from the network side after the first terminal device is powered on for the first time. This application does not make specific limitations on this.

[0022] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving second auxiliary data, the second auxiliary data indicating information about at least one satellite corresponding to a cell of the network device, wherein the transmission period of the first auxiliary data is different from the transmission period of the second auxiliary data.

[0023] It should be understood that the auxiliary data, such as the first auxiliary data and the second auxiliary data, involved in the embodiments of this application can be used to assist the first terminal device in realizing functions such as positioning and data communication. The following description uses the first auxiliary data and the second auxiliary data for positioning as an example. The first terminal device can achieve positioning by receiving signals from one or more satellites among at least one satellite corresponding to the first area based on the first auxiliary data. Optionally, the first terminal device can also receive second auxiliary data from a network device to achieve finer-grained positioning based on the second auxiliary data. The first auxiliary data may only include the satellite's orbital parameters and clock parameters, while the second auxiliary data may include existing positioning auxiliary data.

[0024] Taking GNSS satellites as an example, existing positioning assistance data can include the following satellite information: GNSS reference time, GNSS reference location, GNSS ionospheric model, GNSS earth orientation parameters, GNSS-RTK reference station information, GNSS-RTK common observation information, GNSS-RTK auxiliary station data, GNSS-SSR correction points, GNSS integrity service parameters, GNSS integrity service alert, GNSS time model list, GNSS differential corrections, GNSS navigation model, GNSS real-time integrity information, GNSS data bit assistance, GNSS acquisition assistance, and GNSS almanac. almanac), GNSS-UTC model, GNSS auxiliary information, BDS differential corrections, BDS grid model parameter, GNSS RTK observations, GLO-RTK bias information, GNSS-RTK-MAC correction differences, GNSS-RTK residuals.The data includes residuals, GNSS-RTK-FKP gradients, GNSS-SSR orbit corrections, GNSS-SSR clock corrections, GNSS-SSR code bias, GNSS-SSR user range accuracy (URA), GNSS-SSR phase bias, GNSS-SSR STEC correction, GNSS-SSR gridded correction, NavIC differential corrections, NavIC grid model parameter, and tropospheric error information.

[0025] GLO stands for Russia's GLONASS satellite navigation system, a type of GNSS, also abbreviated as GLONASS. Its full Russian name is GLObal'naya NAvigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema, and its full English name is Global Navigation Satellite System. NavIC stands for India's navigation satellite system, also a type of GNSS, and its full English name is NAVigation with Indian Constellation.

[0026] For example, the transmission period of the first auxiliary data can be shorter than the transmission period of the second auxiliary data. In this way, the first terminal device does not need to update the second auxiliary data frequently, which can effectively reduce the receiving power consumption and storage space of the first terminal device.

[0027] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first terminal device or the device in the first terminal device is in a non-connected state.

[0028] In this embodiment, the first terminal device or its apparatus can receive the first auxiliary data and / or the second auxiliary data in the RRC non-connected state (e.g., the initial access scenario mentioned above) without entering the RRC connected state. This helps to reduce the complexity and power consumption of the first terminal device, reduce latency, and improve user experience.

[0029] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: sending first information, the first information being one or more of the following: identification information of a first serving satellite of the first terminal device; angle information between the first serving satellite and the first terminal device; beam information between the first serving satellite and the first terminal device; or, location information of the first terminal device.

[0030] In this embodiment of the application, the first terminal device reports its own location by reporting first information, which provides reference information for network devices or core network devices. This is beneficial for network devices or core network devices to determine or update the first auxiliary data and helps to improve the accuracy of the first auxiliary data received by the terminal device located in the first area.

[0031] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first region is associated with one or more beams of the network device.

[0032] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first auxiliary data is transmitted via broadcast.

[0033] In this embodiment, the first auxiliary data is transmitted via broadcast, enabling the first terminal device to receive the first auxiliary data in a timely manner regardless of whether it is in an RRC connected state or a disconnected state, which helps improve the efficiency of the terminal device accessing the satellite. Furthermore, broadcasting can also reduce the signaling overhead of network devices.

[0034] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first auxiliary data is positioning auxiliary data.

[0035] The method provided in this application embodiment helps to reduce the positioning latency of the first-end device, improve positioning performance, and enhance user experience.

[0036] Secondly, this application provides a communication method applied to a network device or a device within a network device. The device within the network device can be a component of the network device (such as a chip or chip system), or a component that implements some functions of the network device (such as a central unit (CU), distributed unit (DU), or radio unit (RU), etc.), without limitation. The method includes: determining first auxiliary data, the first auxiliary data indicating information about at least one satellite corresponding to a first area, the first area belonging to a cell of the network device; and transmitting the first auxiliary data.

[0037] In one possible implementation, the network device obtains the first auxiliary data from a core network device or other interface. For example, the core network device determines the first auxiliary data based on stored or acquired satellite operating parameter information and / or based on second information from a second terminal device. Optionally, the first auxiliary data may be transparent or invisible to the network device, meaning the network device cannot decode the specific content of the second information.

[0038] Optionally, the core network equipment can be an LMF network element, but this application does not limit this.

[0039] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first auxiliary data includes the orbital parameters of at least one satellite corresponding to the first region, and / or the clock parameters of at least one satellite corresponding to the first region.

[0040] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first auxiliary data includes the identifier of the first region.

[0041] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: transmitting second auxiliary data, the second auxiliary data indicating information about at least one satellite corresponding to a cell of the network device, wherein the transmission period of the first auxiliary data is different from the transmission period of the second auxiliary data.

[0042] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first terminal device or the device in the first terminal device is in a non-connected state.

[0043] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: receiving second information, wherein determining the first auxiliary data includes: determining the first auxiliary data based on the second information; the second information is one or more of the following: identification information of a second serving satellite of the second terminal device; angle information between the second serving satellite and the second terminal device; beam information between the second serving satellite and the second terminal device; or, location information of the second terminal device.

[0044] Optionally, the network device may obtain the first auxiliary data from the LMF network element, or it may determine the first auxiliary data based on the second information; this application does not limit this.

[0045] In this embodiment, the network device can reduce the signaling overhead between the network device and the core network device and reduce the power consumption of the network device and the core network device by determining the first auxiliary data through the information reported by the terminal device.

[0046] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the second terminal device belongs to the first region.

[0047] In one possible implementation, the second terminal device is in an RRC connected state or has established a connection with the network device. The network device can determine the area where the second terminal device is located and use the information reported by the second terminal device in the first area to determine the first auxiliary data. Since the first auxiliary data is associated with the first area, determining the first auxiliary data based on the information reported by the second terminal device helps improve the accuracy of the first auxiliary data and reduces the complexity of the first terminal device.

[0048] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first region is associated with one or more beams of the network device.

[0049] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first auxiliary data is transmitted via broadcast.

[0050] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first auxiliary data is positioning auxiliary data.

[0051] Thirdly, this application also provides a communication method applied to a terminal device or a device within a terminal device. The device in the terminal device can be a component (such as a chip or chip system) or a component that implements some functions of the terminal device, without limitation. The method includes: receiving third auxiliary data, the third auxiliary data indicating information from at least one satellite, the information of the at least one satellite being determined by a network device based on signals from the at least one satellite and / or information reported by the terminal device; and receiving signals from one or more of the at least one satellite based on the third auxiliary data.

[0052] For example, "the signal of at least one satellite" can be a signal from a GNSS satellite that the network device can receive in real time. This signal can be a carrier signal, pseudo-random noise code, ranging code, or data code, etc. The network device can determine the satellite corresponding to the signal by decoding the received signal. This process can also be understood as the network device searching for visible satellites in real time. Optionally, the network device can search for information corresponding to the satellite in local storage, or it can obtain the satellite information through interaction with the satellite. This application does not limit this.

[0053] It should be understood that "terminal device" here refers to any terminal device that can report information to network devices, and the number of such devices can be one or more, which is not limited in this application.

[0054] It should also be understood that the information reported by the terminal device can be used to indicate which satellite the terminal device has accessed or has previously accessed, whether the terminal device is currently connected to the satellite (e.g., it has accessed the satellite network or is being served by the satellite), or whether it has previously established a connection with the satellite. In this way, network devices using the information reported by the terminal device to determine third-party auxiliary data helps improve the accuracy of the auxiliary data received by the terminal device and increases the efficiency of the terminal device accessing the target serving satellite.

[0055] In this embodiment, the network device sends the information of the satellite corresponding to the satellite signal it can receive as third auxiliary data. This is equivalent to the network device performing part of the satellite search work on behalf of the terminal device. Compared with the prior art (such as the way the network device obtains the third auxiliary data related information from the LMF), the method provided in this application is beneficial to reducing the proportion of satellites that the terminal device cannot see in the auxiliary data sent by the network device, reducing the amount of auxiliary data received by the terminal device, and improving the efficiency of the terminal device in locking onto the target service satellite.

[0056] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the information reported by the terminal device is one or more of the following: the identification information of the serving satellite of the terminal device; the angle information between the serving satellite and the terminal device; the beam information between the serving satellite and the terminal device; or, the location information of the terminal device.

[0057] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the information of at least one satellite is determined by the network device based on the signal of at least one satellite and a third region, and / or by the azimuth information reported by the terminal device and the third region, wherein the third region belongs to the cell of the network device.

[0058] In this embodiment, the serving cell of the network device may include multiple regions, and the third region is a portion of these regions. The auxiliary data sent by the network device to the third region is determined based on signals from at least one satellite covering or serving the third region, and / or information reported by terminal devices located in the third region. This further reduces the amount of auxiliary data received by terminal devices in the third region, which helps to reduce signaling overhead and power consumption of the terminal devices.

[0059] In one possible implementation, the third auxiliary data may include complete ephemeris information of at least one satellite associated with the third region, including: orbital parameters, clock parameters, GNSS reference time, GNSS reference position, GNSS ionospheric model, GNSS Earth azimuth parameters, GNSS-RTK reference station information, GNSS-RTK general observation information, GNSS-RTK auxiliary station data, GNSS spatial state correction points, GNSS integrity service parameters, GNSS integrity service alerts, time model list, GNSS differential correction information, GNSS navigation model, GNSS real-time integrity information, GNSS data bit auxiliary information, and GNSS receiver auxiliary information. GNSS aids, GNSS almanac, GNSS-UTC model, GNSS auxiliary information, BeiDou system differential correction, BDS grid model parameters, GNSS reference station observations, GLO-RTK bias information, GNSS-RTK-MAC correction difference, GNSS-RTK residual, GNSS-RTK-area correction parameter gradient, GNSS-SSR orbit correction, GNSS-SSR clock correction, GNSS-SSR code bias, GNSS-SSR user range accuracy, GNSS-SSR phase bias, GNSS-SSR oblique ionospheric total electron content correction, GNSS-SSR grid correction, NavIC differential correction, NavIC grid correction, tropospheric error information, etc.

[0060] In another possible implementation, the third auxiliary data includes only the orbital parameters of at least one satellite corresponding to the third region, and / or the clock parameters of at least one satellite corresponding to the third region.

[0061] Fourthly, this application also provides a communication method applied to a network device or a device within a network device. The device within the network device can be a component of the network device (such as a chip or chip system), or a component that implements part of the functions of the network device (such as a central unit (CU), distributed unit (DU), or radio unit (RU), etc.), without limitation. The method includes: determining third auxiliary data, the third auxiliary data indicating information about at least one satellite, the information about the at least one satellite being determined by the network device based on signals from the at least one satellite and / or information reported by a terminal device; and transmitting the third auxiliary data.

[0062] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the method further includes: receiving signals from the at least one satellite.

[0063] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the information reported by the terminal device is one or more of the following: the identification information of the serving satellite of the terminal device; the angle information between the serving satellite and the terminal device; the beam information between the serving satellite and the terminal device; or, the location information of the terminal device.

[0064] Fifthly, this application provides a communication device including a module for implementing the method in any of the possible implementations of the first, second, third, or fourth aspects described above.

[0065] A sixth aspect provides another communication device, including a processor that can execute instructions to implement the methods in any of the possible implementations of the first, second, third, or fourth aspects described above. Optionally, the device further includes a memory, to which the processor is coupled. Optionally, the device further includes a communication interface, to which the processor is coupled.

[0066] In a seventh aspect, a processor is provided, comprising: an input circuit, an output circuit, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive signals through the input circuit and transmit signals through the output circuit, causing the processor to execute the methods in any of the possible implementations of the first, second, third, or fourth aspects described above.

[0067] In specific implementation, the processor can be a chip, the input circuit can be an input pin, the output circuit can be an output pin, and the processing circuit can be a transistor, gate circuit, flip-flop, and various logic circuits. The input signal received by the input circuit can be received and input by, for example, but not limited to, a receiver, and the signal output by the output circuit can be output to, for example, but not limited to, a transmitter and transmitted by the transmitter. Furthermore, the input circuit and the output circuit can be the same circuit, which is used as the input circuit and the output circuit at different times. This application does not limit the specific implementation of the processor and various circuits.

[0068] Eighthly, a processing apparatus is provided, including a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to read instructions stored in the memory and to receive signals via a receiver and transmit signals via a transmitter to execute the methods in any of the possible implementations of the first, second, third, or fourth aspects described above.

[0069] Optionally, there may be one or more processors and one or more memories.

[0070] Alternatively, the memory can be integrated with the processor, or the memory can be set up separately from the processor.

[0071] In specific implementation, the memory can be a non-transitory memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), which can be integrated with the processor on the same chip or set on different chips. The embodiments of this application do not limit the type of memory or the way the memory and processor are set.

[0072] It should be understood that the relevant data interaction process, such as sending indication information, can be the process of outputting indication information from the processor, and receiving capability information can be the process of the processor receiving input capability information. Specifically, the processed output data can be output to the transmitter, and the input data received by the processor can come from the receiver. Here, the transmitter and receiver can be collectively referred to as a transceiver.

[0073] The processing device in the eighth aspect above can be a chip. The processor can be implemented in hardware or software. When implemented in hardware, the processor can be a logic circuit, integrated circuit, etc. When implemented in software, the processor can be a general-purpose processor that reads software code stored in memory. The memory can be integrated into the processor or located outside the processor and exist independently.

[0074] Ninthly, a computer program product is provided, comprising: a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions) that, when executed, causes a computer to perform the methods in any of the possible implementations of the first, second, third, or fourth aspects described above.

[0075] In a tenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions) that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods in any of the possible implementations of the first, second, third, or fourth aspects described above.

[0076] Eleventhly, a communication system is provided, including a first communication device and / or a second communication device, wherein the first communication device is used to perform the method in any possible implementation of the first aspect, the second communication device is used to perform the method in any possible implementation of the third aspect, or the first communication device is used to perform the method in any possible implementation of the second aspect, and the second communication device is used to perform the method in any possible implementation of the fourth aspect.

[0077] The beneficial effects and possible implementation methods of aspects five through eleven can be referred to the descriptions of aspects one through four, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0078] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0079] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of another communication architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0080] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of another communication architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0081] Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0082] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the relationship between a region and a beam provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0083] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0084] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the terminal device perspective and the low-orbit satellite perspective provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0085] Figure 8 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0086] Figure 9 is a schematic block diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0087] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0088] The technical solutions of this application embodiment can be applied to various communication systems, such as: long term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), 5th generation (5G) systems or new radio (NR) systems, non-terrestrial networks (NTN) systems, future-oriented evolution systems (such as 6G mobile communication systems) or other evolved communication systems, as well as open RAN (ORAN or ORAN), cloud radio access network (CRAN), or virtualized RAN (VRAN), or communication systems that integrate two or more of the above systems.

[0089] The terminal equipment in this application embodiment can also be referred to as: user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication equipment, user agent, or user device, etc.

[0090] Terminal devices can be devices that provide voice / data connectivity to users, such as handheld devices with wireless connectivity, in-vehicle devices, etc. Currently, examples of terminals include: mobile phones, tablets, laptops, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving vehicles, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to wireless modems, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices, terminal devices in 5G networks, or future public land mobile communication networks. Terminal devices in a network (PLMN), etc., are not limited to this in the embodiments of this application.

[0091] By way of example and not limitation, in this embodiment, the terminal device can also be a wearable device. Wearable devices, also known as wearable smart devices, are a general term for devices that utilize wearable technology to intelligently design and develop everyday wearables, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. Wearable devices are portable devices that are worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothing or accessories. Wearable devices are not merely hardware devices, but also achieve powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Broadly speaking, wearable smart devices include those that are feature-rich, large in size, and can achieve complete or partial functions without relying on a smartphone, such as smartwatches or smart glasses, as well as those that focus on a specific type of application function and require the use of other devices such as smartphones, such as various smart bracelets and smart jewelry for vital sign monitoring.

[0092] Furthermore, in this application embodiment, the terminal device can also be a terminal device in an Internet of Things (IoT) system. IoT is an important component of future information technology development, and its main technical feature is connecting objects to networks through communication technology, thereby realizing an intelligent network of human-machine interconnection and object-to-object interconnection. The terminal device in this application can also be an on-board unit, on-board module, on-board component, on-board chip, or on-board unit built into a vehicle as one or more components or units. The vehicle can implement the methods of this application through the built-in on-board unit, on-board module, on-board component, on-board chip, or on-board unit. Therefore, the embodiments of this application can be applied to vehicle networking, such as vehicle-to-everything (V2X), long-term evolution-vehicle (LTE-V) communication technology, and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication.

[0093] Furthermore, the network device in this application embodiment can be an access network device in a radio access network (RAN), also known as a wireless access network device. It can be a transmission reception point (TRP), an evolved NodeB (eNB or eNodeB) in an LTE system, a home base station (e.g., home evolved NodeB or home Node B, HNB), a base band unit (BBU), or a radio controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. Alternatively, the access network device can be a relay station, access point, vehicle-mounted device, wearable device, or access network device in a 5G network or an access network device in a future evolved PLMN network. It can be an access point (AP) in a WLAN, a gNB in ​​a new radio (NR) system, or a satellite base station in a satellite communication system. This application embodiment is not limited to these categories.

[0094] The access network equipment in this embodiment can also be a module or unit that performs some of the functions of a base station. For example, it can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU). Here, the CU performs the functions of the base station's radio resource control protocol and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), and can also perform the functions of the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP). The DU performs the functions of the base station's radio link control layer and medium access control (MAC) layer, and can also perform some or all of the physical layer functions. For specific descriptions of the above-mentioned protocol layers, please refer to the relevant technical specifications of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The CU and DU can be set up separately, or they can be included in the same network element, such as in the baseband unit (BBU). An RU can be included in a radio frequency (RF) device or RF unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH). In different systems, CU, DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called O-CU (open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, and RU can also be called O-RU. Any of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU units in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0095] In this application embodiment, the core network equipment refers to the equipment in the core network (CN) that provides service support for terminal equipment. Currently, the aforementioned core network equipment can be: access and mobility management function (AMF) entities, session management function (SMF) entities, user plane function (UPF) entities, etc., which are not listed here. Among them, the aforementioned AMF entity can be responsible for the access management and mobility management of terminal equipment; the aforementioned SMF entity can be responsible for session management, such as user session establishment; the aforementioned UPF entity can be a user plane functional entity, mainly responsible for connecting to external networks. It should be noted that in this application, entities can also be referred to as network elements or functional entities. For example, an AMF entity can also be referred to as an AMF network element or an AMF functional entity, and an SMF entity can also be referred to as an SMF network element or an SMF functional entity, etc., and this application does not limit this.

[0096] Communication systems can provide a wide range of horizontal and vertical services in different environments (such as rural areas, cities, and indoors). For example, a communication system can provide different location services according to the needs of users, operators, and third parties. For instance, Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a system architecture 100 for providing location services to users in a mobile communication system.

[0097] As shown in Figure 1, the UE connects to the next-generation radio access network (NG-RAN) equipment via the LTE-Uu interface through a next-generation evolved NodeB (ng-eNB) or via the NR-Uu interface through a next-generation node B (gNB). The NG-RAN connects to the core network via the NG-C interface through access and mobility management function (AMF) network elements. The core network (CN) includes AMF network elements and location management function (LMF) network elements. AMF and LMF network elements are connected via the NL1 interface. It should be understood that the NG-RAN may include one or more ng-eNBs (Figure 1 illustrates one ng-eNB as an example), and / or one or more gNBs (Figure 1 illustrates one gNB as an example). Here, the ng-eNB is an LTE base station accessing the 5G core network, and the gNB is a 5G base station accessing the 5G core network.

[0098] The AMF (Active Location Function) element is used to implement functions such as access management. The AMF element can receive location service requests related to the UE from the 5G core network (5GC) location service (LCS) entity, or initiate location service requests on behalf of a specific UE, forwarding the location service requests to the LMF (Active Location Function), and forwarding them to the 5GC LCS entity after receiving the location information returned by the UE. The LMF element is responsible for supporting different types of location services related to the UE, including UE orientation and the delivery of auxiliary data to the UE. Its control plane and user plane are the evolved serving mobile location center (E-SMLC) and the service location protocol (SLP), respectively.

[0099] As shown in Figure 1, the LMF network element can interact with the ng-eNB / gNB through the NR positioning protocol annex (NRPPa) messages between the LMF and the base station to obtain positioning reference signal (PRS), sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration information, cell timing, cell location information, etc. It can also transmit capability information, auxiliary data, and measurement information to the UE through the LTE positioning protocol (LPP) messages between the LMF and the UE. Through the interaction between the LMF, ng-eNB / gNB, and UE, positioning technologies such as uplink / downlink time difference of arrival (UL / DL-TDOA), downlink angle of departure (DL-AOD), uplink angle of arrival (UL-AOA), multiple round trip time (Multi-RTT), and carrier phase positioning (CPP) are used to locate the UE.

[0100] With the development of satellite communication technology, satellites and ng-eNB / gNB can provide communication services to users in combination or independently. For example, there are two satellite network architectures as shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3.

[0101] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a system architecture 200 provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 2, during communication between the UE and the base station (gNB), the satellite communicates with the non-terrestrial network (NTN) gateway through the NR Uu interface, the gNB communicates with the 5G core network (5G CN) through the next-generation (NG) interface, and the 5G CN communicates with the data network through the N6 interface. The network communication segment between the UE and the gNB (or ng-eNB, not shown in the figure) is called a remote radio unit (RRU). The NG-RAN node is used to ensure normal communication between the UE and the 5G CN. Satellite 1 can act as an L1 relay for radio frequency filtering, frequency conversion, and amplification, regenerating the physical layer signal so that the physical layer signal is invisible to the protocol layer above the physical layer. This architecture can be called a "transparent transmission architecture". In the transparent transmission architecture, the satellite is equivalent to an analog radio frequency repeater. It only performs analog domain radio frequency filtering, frequency conversion and amplification forwarding on signals from the UE or gNB without changing the signal waveform.

[0102] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of another system architecture 300 provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 3, satellites 2 and 3 can act as base stations. For example, satellite 2 communicates with the UE via the NR Uu interface and with another satellite 3, which also acts as a base station, via the Xn interface. The Xn interface can be deployed on an inter-satellite link (ISL). Simultaneously, satellites 2 and 3 communicate with the 5G CN via the NG interface, and the 5G CN communicates with the data network via the N6 interface. During the communication between satellites 2 and 3 and the 5G CN, the NTN gateway connects network segments using different protocols to ensure normal communication. In the satellite-NTN gateway network segment, the NG interface is deployed in the satellite radio interface (SRI), and the NG-RAN node ensures normal communication between the UE and the 5G CN. This architecture can be called a "regenerative architecture." In a regenerative architecture, a satellite has all or part of the functions of a base station and can be regarded as a base station, directly processing signals from the UE or directly sending signals to the UE. Specifically, satellites in the regenerative architecture support radio frequency filtering, frequency conversion and amplification, as well as demodulation / decoding, encoding / modulation, error detection, correction and recovery of signals, thereby improving signal quality.

[0103] It should be understood that satellites can be classified into three categories based on their orbital altitude: 1) Low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, also known as "low-Earth orbit satellites," have an orbital altitude of approximately 300–1500 km. The vast majority of Earth observation satellites, geodetic satellites, space stations, and some new communication satellite systems use LEO satellites; 2) Medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellites, also known as "medium-Earth orbit satellites," have an orbital altitude of 7000–25000 km and are commonly used for television relay and navigation; 3) Geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) satellites, also known as "high-Earth orbit satellites," have an orbital altitude of approximately 35786 km and are commonly used for remote sensing and satellite telephony. LEO satellites, with their low latency, low cost, and flexible networking capabilities, are the focus of satellite communication infrastructure development. The satellites shown in Figures 2 and 3 above can be LEO satellites, but this application does not limit their use.

[0104] Optionally, the NG-RAN in Figure 1 can be replaced with the NG-RAN in Figure 2 or Figure 3 to use the satellite as a relay between the UE and the ng-eNB / gNB or to use the satellite as a base station to provide services to the terminal equipment, but this application does not limit this.

[0105] With the increasing maturity of satellite communication technology, the advantages of satellite signals, such as high coverage and high signal quality, are being increasingly studied and utilized. A Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is a space-based radio navigation and positioning system that provides users with all-weather three-dimensional coordinates, velocity, and time information from any location on the Earth's surface or in near-Earth space. GNSS systems include China's BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), the United States' Global Positioning System (GPS), Russia's GLONASS, and the European Union's Galileo. GNSS satellites have wide coverage, enabling terminal devices to achieve satellite communication globally. In some possible implementations, GNSS satellites are MEO or GEO. During the process of establishing communication between a terminal device and a GNSS satellite, or during satellite communication, the terminal device needs to acquire auxiliary data related to the satellite to determine the target satellite that can be used for positioning or communication.

[0106] In some implementations, GNSS satellites send auxiliary data to the UE via navigation messages. Taking GPS satellites as an example, the satellite transmits navigation messages at a rate of 50 bits per second. One frame of the navigation message contains 1500 bits and takes 30 seconds to broadcast. A complete navigation message consists of 25 frames (or 25 pages), and broadcasting the complete navigation message takes several minutes or even more than ten minutes. During this period, the user's terminal device cannot achieve positioning or access the communication network, severely impacting the user experience.

[0107] Therefore, in some implementations, the auxiliary data of the GNSS satellite is sent to the terminal device via network devices such as ng-eNB / gNB or core network devices such as LMF network elements. For example, the LMF network element receives the navigation message from the GNSS satellite, determines the specific content of the auxiliary data, and then sends it to the ng-eNB / gNB, which in turn sends it to the terminal device. This transmission can be done via a Positioning System Information Block (posSIB) broadcast. Since the distance between the ng-eNB / gNB and the terminal device is closer than the distance between the GNSS satellite and the terminal device, the latency for the terminal device to acquire data is reduced to some extent. However, in existing designs, the auxiliary data broadcast by network devices usually needs to meet the needs of all terminal devices in the cell served by the network device. Especially in the application scenario shown in Figure 3, when the satellite is used as a network device, the radius of its corresponding NTN cell can reach hundreds of kilometers. The auxiliary data set sent by the network device is huge. On the one hand, the huge auxiliary data set may contain auxiliary data corresponding to satellites that are not within its line of sight, which increases the complexity and power consumption of the terminal device's subsequent work. On the other hand, the huge amount of data also brings a large signaling burden to the terminal.

[0108] In view of this, this application provides a communication method and a communication device, wherein a network device transmits information of at least one satellite corresponding to a first area within a first area, wherein the first area is a portion of the network device's serving cell. This reduces the amount of auxiliary data received by a terminal device located in the first area, thereby reducing the complexity and power consumption of the terminal device and saving signaling overhead.

[0109] Furthermore, the amount of auxiliary data received by the terminal device is reduced, and the number of satellites that the terminal device needs to detect when receiving satellite signals based on the auxiliary data is reduced. This is beneficial to improving the satellite search efficiency of the terminal device and also reduces the latency of the terminal device to perform positioning, communication or other measurement tasks based on satellites to a certain extent.

[0110] Optionally, the complexity of the terminal device can be the complexity of the process by which the terminal device searches, calculates, and determines the target satellite based on auxiliary data, or the complexity of a series of other operations performed by the terminal device based on auxiliary data. Please do not limit this in itself.

[0111] In one possible implementation, the network device involved in the description of the embodiments of this application may be any one or more of the following: 4G or 5G base stations such as ng-eNB and gNB, future evolved 6G base stations, and satellites with some or all base station functions. The source of the auxiliary data required by the terminal device is a satellite that provides satellite positioning or other services to the user, such as a GNSS satellite, but this application does not specifically limit it.

[0112] To make the objectives and technical solutions of this application clearer and more intuitive, the communication methods and communication devices provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of this application and are not intended to limit this application.

[0113] Below, we will first explain the technical terms used in this application.

[0114] 1. Radio Resource Control (RRC) Status

[0115] The RRC states of user equipment (UE) (or terminal equipment) include connected state (RRC_CONNECTED), idle state (RRC_IDLE), and deactivated state (RRC_INACTIVE, or the third state).

[0116] When the UE is in the RRC_CONNECTED state, the UE has established links with the network equipment and the core network. When data arrives at the network, it can be directly transmitted to the UE.

[0117] When the UE is in the RRC_IDLE state, there is no link between the UE and the network device and the network. When data needs to be transmitted, a link needs to be established between the UE and the network device and the core network.

[0118] When the UE is in the RRC_INACTIVE state, it indicates that the UE previously established a link with the network device and the core network, but the link between the UE and the network device has been released. However, the network device stores the UE's context, and can quickly restore this link when data needs to be transmitted. The deactivated state is between the connected state and the idle state. In the deactivated state, there is no RRC connection between the terminal and the access network device, but the connection between the access network device and the core network device remains. The terminal stores all or part of the information necessary to establish / restore the connection. Therefore, in the deactivated state, when a connection needs to be established, the terminal can quickly establish / restore an RRC connection with the access network device based on the stored relevant information.

[0119] In the description of this application, the idle state (RRC_IDLE) and the deactivated state (RRC_INACTIVE) are collectively referred to as the RRC disconnected state. The method provided in the embodiments of this application does not specifically limit the RRC state in which the terminal device is located.

[0120] 2. Satellite positioning method

[0121] Existing satellite positioning methods mainly fall into the following two categories:

[0122] The first category is single-satellite-based positioning methods. This involves using a single satellite as a positioning reference station, employing methods such as multi-round-trip time (Multi-RTT), time difference of arrival (TDOA) of multiple moments from a single satellite, Doppler, and carrier phase positioning. The advantage of this type of positioning method is its low requirement for satellite density (theoretically, a single satellite is sufficient). However, because it relies on a single satellite for positioning, it also faces problems of lower accuracy and higher latency.

[0123] The second category is multi-satellite-based positioning methods. These methods use multiple satellites (at least four) as positioning reference stations. Specific methods include Multi-RTT, TDOA (single time of multiple satellites), and carrier phase positioning. Due to the larger number of positioning reference stations, this type of positioning method offers higher positioning accuracy. However, it requires the presence of multiple satellites (at least four) within the line of sight of the terminal device. This type of method has high requirements for satellite density and also places demands on inter-satellite interaction and coordination.

[0124] In one possible implementation, the first auxiliary data and / or the second auxiliary data involved in the embodiments of this application may be positioning auxiliary data. The embodiments of this application do not specifically limit which satellite positioning method is used by the terminal device. However, it should be understood that the method provided by the embodiments of this application, whether based on single satellite positioning or multi-satellite positioning, is beneficial to reducing the latency of the terminal device to realize the positioning function and improving the user experience.

[0125] Before introducing the methods and apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application, the following points should be made first.

[0126] First, in the embodiments shown below, the terms and English abbreviations, such as baseline data or differential data, are merely exemplary examples given for ease of description and should not constitute any limitation on this application. This application does not preclude the possibility of defining other terms that can achieve the same or similar functions in existing or future agreements.

[0127] Second, in the embodiments shown below, the first, second, and various numerical designations are merely distinctions for ease of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application.

[0128] Third, "at least one" means one or more, while "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, and c can mean: a, or b, or c, or a and b, or a and c, or b and c, or a, b, and c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0129] The communication method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 4 to 7.

[0130] Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 400 provided in an embodiment of this application. The method 400 is described in detail from the perspective of the interaction between a network device and a terminal device. The method 400 can be applied to any of the system architectures shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3 above. The method includes:

[0131] S401. The network device determines first auxiliary data, which indicates information about at least one satellite corresponding to a first area, and the first area belongs to the cell of the network device.

[0132] S402, The network device sends first auxiliary data. Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the first auxiliary data.

[0133] S403. The first terminal device receives signals from one or more satellites from at least one satellite based on the first auxiliary data.

[0134] Optionally, the first auxiliary data may be data used for auxiliary positioning, or auxiliary data used for power control, beam management, or other communication purposes; this application does not limit this.

[0135] In one possible implementation, the serving cell of the network device may include multiple areas, with a first area being a subset of these areas. The first auxiliary data sent by the network device to the first area is information about at least one satellite covering or serving the first area. Optionally, a second area may exist among these multiple areas, different from the first area. The auxiliary data sent by the network device to the second area is information about at least one satellite covering or serving the second area. The auxiliary data received by terminal devices located in the first area and terminal devices located in the second area are not entirely the same.

[0136] Optionally, the aforementioned "multiple areas" may be areas corresponding to one or more beams, or areas corresponding to one or more wavelengths, or an administrative region or a custom geographical region, or based on any other region. This application does not specifically limit the definition of multiple areas in the service cell of the network device.

[0137] It should also be understood that the satellite can be a GNSS satellite or a satellite with other functions (including but not limited to communication satellites, navigation satellites, remote sensing satellites, and meteorological satellites). Depending on the orbital altitude, the satellite can be a low-Earth orbit satellite, a medium-Earth orbit satellite, a high-Earth orbit satellite, etc., and this application does not limit this. The first terminal device can receive signals from one or more of the at least one satellite, or transmit signals to one or more of the at least one satellite, based on information from at least one satellite indicated by the first auxiliary data.

[0138] Optionally, the signal may refer to a reference signal or a data signal. The reference signal may be a positioning reference signal, such as a detection reference signal (SRS) for uplink positioning, a positioning reference signal (PRS) for downlink positioning, or a sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS). The reference signal may also be other reference signals for non-positioning purposes, such as a synchronization signal block (SSB), etc. This application does not specifically limit the reference signal to these purposes.

[0139] Compared to existing technologies where network devices send auxiliary data to multiple areas, which is information about satellites covering the entire service cell of the network device, the method provided in this application reduces the amount of data received by the terminal device. This is beneficial for reducing the complexity and power consumption of subsequent satellite search or calculation work performed by the terminal device, and for saving the signaling overhead of both the terminal device and the network device.

[0140] As an alternative embodiment, the network device may send auxiliary data in the following two possible ways.

[0141] Method 1: Network devices distribute auxiliary data according to region.

[0142] It should be understood that the "regional distribution of auxiliary data" mentioned here can refer to network devices distributing auxiliary data at the regional granularity. For example, when the region is a "beam" (which can be understood as different beams corresponding to different regions), the auxiliary data distributed by the network device using different beams can be different. If the "partial region" is the first region, the network device sends the first auxiliary data to the first region. Optionally, the first auxiliary data is only applicable to users in the first region. If the "partial region" includes both the first and second regions, the first auxiliary data is sent to the first region, and information about at least one satellite covering the second region is sent to the second region, and so on. Optionally, the first auxiliary data is only applicable to users in the first region and not to users in the second region.

[0143] Method 2: Network devices distribute auxiliary data according to their serving cells. This can mean that network devices distribute auxiliary data at the cell level. This auxiliary data can include auxiliary data for one or more areas, where each piece of auxiliary data for one or more areas is associated with one or more areas within the network device's serving cell.

[0144] It should be understood that when a network device distributes auxiliary data according to its serving cell, it can mean that a single distribution of auxiliary data by the network device covers the entire cell, and the distributed auxiliary data is associated with multiple areas within the network device. In existing technologies, the auxiliary data sent by a network device to all areas within its serving cell is indiscriminate. The difference between this second method and existing technologies is that the auxiliary data sent by the network device to multiple areas within its serving cell can be different for each area. That is, the auxiliary data sent by the network device to multiple areas is only related to the satellites covered by each area, and the data received by the terminal device in different areas can be different. Optionally, the first auxiliary data associated with the first area is only applicable to users in the first area and not to users in other areas (different from the first area).

[0145] In one possible implementation, a first region is associated with one or more beams of the network device. The association of the first region with one or more beams of the network device can be understood as the transmission of first auxiliary data through one or more beams associated with the first region. For example, as shown in Figure 5, taking a cell served by the network device covering 32 GNSS satellites and the network device transmitting data through 24 beams as an example, the first region is associated with beams identified as 1-8, corresponding to information about satellites identified as 1-5; the second region is associated with beams identified as 9, 10, 15, and 16, corresponding to information about satellites identified as 5-9; the third region is associated with beams identified as 11, 12, 13, and 14, corresponding to information about satellites identified as 10-20; and the fourth region is associated with beams identified as 17-24, corresponding to information about satellites identified as 21-32.

[0146] Referring to Figure 5, one possible implementation of the above method one could be: the network device transmits first auxiliary data through a narrow beam (e.g., one or more beams identified as 1 to 8), or through a wide beam (e.g., a beam composed of multiple beams identified as 1 to 8), the first auxiliary data being applicable to users in the first area. Fourth auxiliary data (information about at least one satellite covering or serving the second area) is transmitted to the second area through a narrow beam (e.g., one or more beams identified as 9, 10, 15, and 16), or through a wide beam (e.g., a beam composed of multiple beams identified as 9, 10, 15, and 16), this fourth auxiliary data being applicable to users in the second area. Optionally, this auxiliary data cannot be used across areas. For example, the first auxiliary data is not applicable to users in the second area, and the fourth auxiliary data is not applicable to users in the first area. In one possible implementation, after the first terminal device undergoes a region update, it releases the previously stored auxiliary data and receives and stores the auxiliary data for the new region. For example, at the first moment, the first terminal device is located in the first region and receives and stores the auxiliary data associated with the first region; at the second moment after the first moment, the first terminal device undergoes a region update, i.e., it is located in the second region, and the first terminal device releases the first auxiliary data and receives and stores the fourth auxiliary data. In this way, the storage overhead on the terminal side can be reduced.

[0147] One possible implementation of Method Two is that the network device transmits the fifth auxiliary data through a narrow beam (e.g., one or more beams identified as 24 beams), or through a wide beam. This fifth auxiliary data includes auxiliary data associated with the first, second, third, and fourth regions. Optionally, this auxiliary data cannot be used across regions. For example, the first auxiliary data is not applicable to users in other regions (the second, third, or fourth region). This application does not limit the specific implementation of Method One and Method Two.

[0148] Optionally, the network device may send the first auxiliary data via broadcast or unicast messages. For example, the first auxiliary data may be broadcast via a positioning system information block (posSIB) or other SIBs, or, if the first terminal device is already in RRC connected state, the first auxiliary data may be sent to the first terminal device via unicast messages such as RRC messages or MAC CE messages.

[0149] As an optional embodiment, the first auxiliary data may further include an identifier of the first region.

[0150] One possible implementation is that the satellites covering different areas are not entirely the same, meaning the ancillary data corresponding to different areas are also not entirely the same. Therefore, by carrying area identifiers in the ancillary data, if the area identifier contained in the ancillary data received by the first terminal device at the current moment differs from the area identifier contained in the ancillary data received at the previous moment, the ancillary data can be updated to the latest received ancillary data to lock onto the serving satellite. In this way, on the one hand, the terminal can search for satellites based on the latest (most accurate) ancillary data, reducing search and computational complexity; on the other hand, the terminal can store smaller amounts of ancillary data (e.g., always storing the latest ancillary data), reducing storage overhead.

[0151] As a possible scenario, the first terminal device performs a cold start process, and the first terminal device or the device in the first terminal device is in a radio resource control (RRC) disconnected state.

[0152] Optionally, the cold start involved in this application can refer to the first time the GNSS function is turned on or after a period of time is restarted. For example, the GNSS function cold start can occur when the first terminal device is used for the first time without storing satellite ephemeris information, when the first terminal device is indoors or in an obstructed environment for a period of time (e.g., more than 2 hours) causing the GNSS ephemeris to become invalid, or when the battery of the first terminal device is depleted, causing the GNSS ephemeris information to be lost, etc., and this application does not limit it in this way.

[0153] In this scenario, the first terminal device may not have stored satellite information (e.g., during initial access), or the first terminal device may have lost network connection for a period of time, clearing all historical information, requiring a re-attempt to locate and lock onto a satellite. In one possible implementation, the first terminal device needs to search for or lock onto the corresponding satellite signal based on the received auxiliary data (e.g., using polling). In existing technologies, the auxiliary data received by the first terminal device is at the cell level. On the one hand, the large amount of data may require the network device to distribute it in segments, resulting in excessive latency; on the other hand, the received auxiliary data may be excessive, requiring the first terminal device to spend a considerable amount of time locking onto a "suitable" satellite (e.g., one that can assist in the terminal device's positioning function). This introduces high complexity and power consumption to the first terminal device, making the entire cold start process time-consuming and inefficient.

[0154] It is worth noting that the terminal device “locking onto” a satellite can be understood as the process by which the terminal device determines the target satellite to be accessed or determines at least one satellite participating in positioning or communication services based on the acquired auxiliary data, but this application does not limit this.

[0155] The method provided in this application embodiment receives first auxiliary data in a first area that includes information about at least one satellite covering the first area. On the one hand, this reduces the amount of auxiliary data received by the first terminal device and reduces the time for the first terminal device to receive auxiliary data. On the other hand, the number of satellites included in the first auxiliary data received by the first terminal device may be less than the number of satellites included in the auxiliary data issued based on the entire cell level in the prior art. The first terminal device needs to poll fewer satellites subsequently, and the efficiency of locking the target satellite is higher, which can further reduce the cold start time of the first terminal device.

[0156] As an optional embodiment, the first auxiliary data may include only the identifier of the first region.

[0157] In one possible implementation, the first terminal device has stored auxiliary data, which may include auxiliary data corresponding to all or part of the network device's respective areas. The network device can indicate the identifier of the first area through the first auxiliary data, so as to instruct the first terminal device to receive satellite signals using the first auxiliary data corresponding to the identifier of the first area.

[0158] Optionally, the auxiliary data stored in the first terminal device may be pre-stored at the terminal factory or received from the network side or satellite after the first terminal device is powered on for the first time. This application does not make specific limitations on this.

[0159] In one possible implementation, the first auxiliary data may include complete ephemeris information of at least one satellite corresponding to the first region, including: orbital parameters, clock parameters, GNSS reference time, GNSS reference position, GNSS ionospheric model, GNSS Earth azimuth parameters, GNSS-RTK reference station information, GNSS-RTK general observation information, GNSS-RTK auxiliary station data, GNSS spatial state correction points, GNSS integrity service parameters, GNSS integrity service alerts, time model list, GNSS differential correction information, GNSS navigation model, GNSS real-time integrity information, GNSS data bit auxiliary information, and GNSS receiver auxiliary information. GNSS aids, GNSS almanac, GNSS-UTC model, GNSS auxiliary information, BeiDou system differential correction, BDS grid model parameters, GNSS reference station observations, GLO-RTK bias information, GNSS-RTK-MAC correction difference, GNSS-RTK residual, GNSS-RTK-area correction parameter gradient, GNSS-SSR orbit correction, GNSS-SSR clock correction, GNSS-SSR code bias, GNSS-SSR user range accuracy, GNSS-SSR phase bias, GNSS-SSR oblique ionospheric total electron content correction, GNSS-SSR grid correction, NavIC differential correction, NavIC grid correction, tropospheric error information, etc.

[0160] In another possible implementation, the first auxiliary data includes only the orbital parameters of at least one satellite corresponding to the first region, and / or the clock parameters of at least one satellite corresponding to the first region.

[0161] In one possible implementation, a first terminal device located in a first area receives basic ephemeris information, such as the orbital parameters and / or clock parameters of at least one satellite covering the first area. This allows it to receive signals from the corresponding satellite, achieve basic positioning, determine the serving satellite corresponding to its location, and then access that serving satellite. Optionally, the orbital parameters and clock parameters can be IE NavModel-BDS-KeplerianSet2 and BDS-ClockModel2, respectively; this application does not specifically limit their use.

[0162] In this embodiment, the first auxiliary data may only include auxiliary data supporting basic positioning functions, such as the orbital parameters and / or clock parameters of at least one satellite corresponding to the first area. This further reduces the amount of data received by the first terminal device located in the first area, thereby further reducing the signaling overhead and power consumption of the terminal device. Especially when the first terminal device is in a GNSS function cold start scenario, it can further reduce the GNSS function cold start latency, improve GNSS function cold start efficiency, and enhance the user experience.

[0163] As an optional embodiment, the first auxiliary data and / or the second auxiliary data are auxiliary data related to the positioning function.

[0164] In one possible implementation, after the first terminal device, based on first auxiliary data, receives signals from one or more satellites corresponding to at least one satellite in the first area to achieve positioning, establish communication with the target serving satellite, and enter RRC connection state, it can also receive second auxiliary data from a network device. The second auxiliary data indicates information about at least one satellite corresponding to the cell of that network device. The first terminal device can achieve finer-grained positioning based on the second auxiliary data. Thus, when the first terminal device has not established a connection with a satellite, the efficiency of accessing the serving satellite is improved by using fewer first auxiliary data sets with lower transmission latency. After the first terminal device establishes a connection with a satellite, the accurate positioning requirements of the first terminal device can be met through the second auxiliary data, which is beneficial to improving the user experience.

[0165] In one possible implementation, the first auxiliary data and / or the second auxiliary data can be sent via broadcast messages, with the transmission period of the first auxiliary data being different from that of the second auxiliary data. For example, the transmission period of the first auxiliary data can be shorter than that of the second auxiliary data. This way, the first terminal device does not need to frequently update the second auxiliary data, effectively reducing the receiving power consumption and storage space of the first terminal device.

[0166] The method provided in this application allows for several improvements. In some scenarios, if the first terminal device has low requirements for positioning performance (e.g., in the initial establishment of satellite communication, where only coarse positioning is needed to confirm the range of the terminal device to lock onto the serving satellite and establish communication), it can receive or update only the first auxiliary data to achieve coarse positioning without receiving or updating the second auxiliary data. This reduces the complexity and power consumption of the first terminal device and increases the speed at which it achieves positioning. In other scenarios, if the first terminal device has high requirements for positioning performance (e.g., in the scenario where a user uses map software for navigation), it can receive or update both the first and second auxiliary data to further improve positioning performance and accuracy, thereby enhancing the user experience.

[0167] Optionally, the first auxiliary data can be broadcast through a newly defined positioning system information block (posSIB), and the second auxiliary data can be broadcast through existing posSiB type1-x (e.g., one of type1-1 to type1-10) and / or posSiB type2-x (e.g., one of type2-1 to type2-25), but this application does not specifically limit this.

[0168] Optionally, if the first terminal device is already in RRC connected state, the network device can also send auxiliary data to the first terminal device via unicast message. For example, the unicast message can be an RRC message or a MAC CE message; this application does not specifically limit its usage.

[0169] The possible implementations of S401 of method 400 above, which describes the network device determining the first auxiliary data, may include the following two:

[0170] The first possible implementation is that the network device obtains the first auxiliary data from the core network device or other interfaces.

[0171] In one possible implementation, the core network device may determine the first auxiliary data based on stored or received satellite operating parameters, and / or based on second information from a second terminal device, and then transmit the first auxiliary data transparently to the first terminal device via the network device. Optionally, the first auxiliary data may be transparent or invisible to the network device, or in other words, the network device may not be able to decode the specific content of the second information.

[0172] Optionally, the second information may be sent directly from the second terminal device to the core network device, or it may be sent from the second terminal device to the network device and then sent from the network device to the core network device. This application does not limit this.

[0173] Optionally, the second information may include one or more of the following: identification information of the second serving satellite of the second terminal device; angle information between the second serving satellite and the second terminal device, such as elevation angle information and AOD information; beam information between the second serving satellite and the second terminal device, such as PRS resource identifier, PRS resource set identifier, SSB index, or channel state information (CSI-RS) identifier that can identify the beam direction; location information of the second terminal device; or, area identifier of the area where the second terminal device is located. For example, the second terminal device may report the second information along with the coarse location via IE MeasResults; this application does not limit this.

[0174] Optionally, the core network device can be an LMF network element. The terminal device and the LMF network element can interact through LPP messages, and the network device and the LMF network element can interact through NRPPa messages. This application does not limit this.

[0175] In one possible implementation, the LPP message can be an LPP request assistance data message or an LPP provide assistance data message; the NRPPa message can be a transmission-reception point information request (TRP information request) message, a transmission-reception point response (TRP information response) message, or an assistance information control message, but this application does not limit it in this way.

[0176] In one example, the terminal device can request location assistance data from the LMF network element via an LPP request assistance data message. In response to the terminal device's request, the LMF network element can send location assistance data to the terminal device via an LPP provide assistance data message. This location assistance data can be, for example, the first assistance data and / or the second assistance data mentioned above, but this application does not specifically limit it. As another example, the LMF network element can send location assistance data to the terminal device via an LPP provide assistance data message, i.e., regardless of whether the terminal device requests the location assistance data from the LMF network element.

[0177] In another example, the terminal device can report information to the LMF network element through the LPP request assistance data message. This information may be, for example, first information (or second information), but this application does not limit it.

[0178] In another example, the LMF network element can send auxiliary data (e.g., the first auxiliary data and / or the second auxiliary data mentioned above) and / or information reported by the terminal device (e.g., the first information and / or the second information) to the network device via the assistance information control message.

[0179] Network devices can send information reported by terminal devices (e.g., first information and / or second information) to LMF network elements via TRP information response messages, but this application does not limit this. Optionally, before sending a TRP information response message to an LMF network element, a network device can receive a TRP information request message from an LMF network element, but this application does not limit this.

[0180] In one possible implementation, the core network device can collect information reported by multiple terminal devices. Using this information, the core network device can determine the location of the terminal devices and use the information of the serving satellite of the terminal device located in the first area as first auxiliary data, which is then transmitted to the first area via network devices. This improves the accuracy of the first auxiliary data determined by the core network device for the first area and helps reduce the complexity and power consumption of the first terminal device locking onto the target serving satellite.

[0181] A second possible implementation: The network device determines the first auxiliary data based on the second information reported by the second terminal device. The first auxiliary data is then sent to the first terminal device located in the first area via a broadcast message or a unicast message.

[0182] Optionally, the method by which the network device determines the first auxiliary data based on the information reported by the terminal device can be the same as the method described above for the core network device to determine the first auxiliary data based on the information reported by the terminal device, and will not be repeated here. The network device determining the first auxiliary data itself using the information reported by the terminal device can reduce the signaling overhead between the network device and the core network device, which is beneficial for reducing the power consumption of both the network device and the core network device.

[0183] Optionally, for terminal devices that have already established a connection with the network device, the network device may also send the first auxiliary data to them via unicast (e.g., via RRC messages or MAC CE messages), and this application does not specifically limit this.

[0184] As an optional embodiment, the second terminal device belongs to the first area.

[0185] In one possible implementation, the network device is in RRC connected state, or has established a connection with the second terminal device. The network device can determine the area where the second terminal device is located, and use the information reported by the second terminal device in the first area to determine the first auxiliary data. Since the first auxiliary data is associated with the first area, determining the first auxiliary data based on the information reported by the second terminal device helps improve the accuracy of the first auxiliary data and reduces the complexity of the first terminal device.

[0186] As an optional embodiment, the method 400 above further includes: the first terminal device sending first information, the first information being one or more of the following: identification information of a first serving satellite of the first terminal device; angle information between the first serving satellite and the first terminal device; beam information between the first serving satellite and the first terminal device; or, location information of the first terminal device.

[0187] In one possible implementation, the first terminal device may be in an RRC connection state when sending the first information.

[0188] Optionally, the first terminal device may report the first information via RRC messages or MAC CE messages, and this application does not limit this.

[0189] In another possible implementation, the first terminal device may be in an RRC disconnected state when sending the first information. Exemplarily, the first terminal device may also send the first information via a message (msg) in a random access channel (RACH). Optionally, the first terminal device may report the first information via msg 1 or msg 3 in a 4-step RACH, or msg A in a 2-step RACH; this application does not specifically limit this.

[0190] In this embodiment of the application, the first terminal device reports its own location by reporting first information, which provides reference information for network devices or core network devices. This is beneficial for network devices or core network devices to determine or update the first auxiliary data and helps to improve the accuracy of the first auxiliary data received by the terminal device located in the first area.

[0191] In one possible implementation, the network device can periodically update and broadcast the first auxiliary data. The first terminal device and the second terminal device can be the same terminal device or different terminal devices, but this application does not limit this.

[0192] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 600 provided in an embodiment of this application. The method 600 is described from the perspective of interaction between a network device and a terminal device. The method 600 can be applied to any of the system architectures shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3 above. The method includes:

[0193] S601. The network device determines third auxiliary data, which indicates information about at least one satellite. The information about the at least one satellite is determined by the network device based on the signals of the at least one satellite and / or information reported by the terminal device.

[0194] S602, The network device sends third auxiliary data. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the third auxiliary data.

[0195] S603. The terminal device receives signals from one or more satellites, at least one of them, based on third auxiliary data.

[0196] It should be understood that the term "terminal device" in S601 above refers to any terminal device that can report information to the network device, and the number of such devices can be one or more, which is not limited in this application.

[0197] In one possible implementation, the "signal of at least one satellite" in S601 above can be a signal from a GNSS satellite that the network device can receive in real time. This signal can be a carrier signal, pseudo-random noise code, ranging code, or data code, etc. The network device can determine the satellite corresponding to the signal by decoding the received signal. This process can also be understood as the network device searching for visible satellites in real time. Optionally, the network device can search for information corresponding to the satellite in local storage, or it can obtain the satellite information through interaction with the satellite; this application does not limit this.

[0198] Figure 7 illustrates the perspective of a network device and its terminal devices within its serving cell relative to a GNSS satellite, using a low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite as an example and a high-Earth orbit (HEO) satellite as an example. As shown in Figure 7, the network device and the terminal devices can be considered to have the same perspective relative to the altitude of the GNSS satellite.

[0199] In this embodiment, the network device sends information about the satellites corresponding to the satellite signals it can receive as third auxiliary data. This is equivalent to the network device performing part of the search for visible satellites on behalf of the terminal device. Compared to the existing method of obtaining currently available satellite information from LMF network elements, the method provided in this application helps reduce the proportion of satellites not visible to the terminal device in the auxiliary data sent by the network device, reduces the amount of auxiliary data received by the terminal device, and improves the efficiency of the terminal device in locking onto target serving satellites.

[0200] It should also be understood that the information reported by the terminal device can be used to indicate which satellite the terminal device has accessed or has previously accessed, whether the terminal device is in a connected state (e.g., has accessed the satellite network or is being served by the satellite), or whether it has previously established a connection with the satellite.

[0201] Optionally, the information reported by the terminal device may include one or more of the following: the identification information of the serving satellite of the terminal device; the angle information between the serving satellite and the terminal device; the beam information between the serving satellite and the terminal device; or the location information of the terminal device.

[0202] As one embodiment, before the network device performs the above-described S601, method 600 further includes: the network device receiving signals from at least one satellite.

[0203] It is worth noting that network devices and satellites, as well as network devices and terminal devices, can communicate based on different protocols or different signal encoding and decoding methods.

[0204] In one possible implementation, the network device determines the third auxiliary data based on the satellite information corresponding to the satellite signals it can receive in real time. For example, the union of the satellite information can be used to determine the third auxiliary data.

[0205] In another possible implementation, the network device determines the third auxiliary data based on the information reported by the terminal device. For example, the union of the information can be used to determine the third auxiliary data.

[0206] In another possible implementation, the network device determines the third auxiliary data based on the satellite information reported by the terminal device and the satellite information corresponding to the satellite signals that the network device can receive in real time. For example, the union of the satellite information can be used to determine the third auxiliary data.

[0207] The method provided in this application allows network devices to determine third auxiliary information based on signals from at least one satellite received in real time and / or information reported by terminal devices, without requiring interaction with core network devices, thus saving signaling and power consumption for network devices. Furthermore, since network devices undertake part of the satellite search work, the third auxiliary data determined according to the method provided in this application helps reduce the complexity of terminal devices and improves the efficiency of terminal devices accessing target serving satellites.

[0208] Optionally, the terminal device that reports information to the network device in the above method 600 may include the terminal device that receives the third auxiliary data, or it may not include the terminal device that receives the third auxiliary data. This application does not limit this.

[0209] As an optional embodiment, another possible implementation of the above method S601 includes: the information of at least one satellite is determined by the network device based on the signal of at least one satellite and a third region, and / or the azimuth information reported by the terminal device and the third region, wherein the third region belongs to the cell of the network device.

[0210] In this embodiment, the serving cell of the network device may include multiple regions, and the third region is a part of the multiple regions. The auxiliary data sent by the network device to the third region is determined based on the signal of at least one satellite covering or serving the third region, and / or the information reported by the terminal device located in the third region. In this way, the amount of auxiliary data received by the terminal device in the third region can be further reduced, which is beneficial to reducing the signaling overhead and power consumption of the terminal device.

[0211] In one possible implementation, the third auxiliary data may include complete ephemeris information of at least one satellite associated with the third region, including: orbital parameters, clock parameters, GNSS reference time, GNSS reference position, GNSS ionospheric model, GNSS Earth azimuth parameters, GNSS-RTK reference station information, GNSS-RTK general observation information, GNSS-RTK auxiliary station data, GNSS spatial state correction points, GNSS integrity service parameters, GNSS integrity service alerts, time model list, GNSS differential correction information, GNSS navigation model, GNSS real-time integrity information, GNSS data bit auxiliary information, and GNSS receiver auxiliary information. GNSS aids, GNSS almanac, GNSS-UTC model, GNSS auxiliary information, BeiDou system differential correction, BDS grid model parameters, GNSS reference station observations, GLO-RTK bias information, GNSS-RTK-MAC correction difference, GNSS-RTK residual, GNSS-RTK-area correction parameter gradient, GNSS-SSR orbit correction, GNSS-SSR clock correction, GNSS-SSR code bias, GNSS-SSR user range accuracy, GNSS-SSR phase bias, GNSS-SSR oblique ionospheric total electron content correction, GNSS-SSR grid correction, NavIC differential correction, NavIC grid correction, tropospheric error information, etc.

[0212] In another possible implementation, the third auxiliary data includes only the orbital parameters of at least one satellite corresponding to the third region, and / or the clock parameters of at least one satellite corresponding to the third region, to further reduce the amount of data in the third auxiliary data.

[0213] It should be understood that the steps in the above embodiments can also be coupled to each other, and this application does not limit this. Furthermore, the sequence numbers of the above processes do not imply a specific 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 embodiments of this application.

[0214] It should be noted that the information (including but not limited to user device information, user personal information, etc.) and data (including but not limited to data used for analysis, data stored, data displayed, etc.) reported by the terminal devices involved in this application are all information and data authorized by the user or fully authorized by all parties. Furthermore, the collection, use and processing of the relevant data must comply with the relevant laws, regulations and standards of the relevant countries and regions, and corresponding operation entry points are provided for users to choose to authorize or refuse.

[0215] The communication method of the present application embodiment has been described in detail above with reference to Figures 4 to 7. The communication device of the present application embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 8 and 9.

[0216] Figure 8 illustrates a communication device 800 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 800 includes a processing module 801 and a transceiver module 802. The processing module 801 is used to execute processing-related steps in the method embodiment, and the transceiver module 802 is used to execute transmission-reception-related steps in the method embodiment.

[0217] In a first possible implementation, the communication device 800 is used to implement the steps and processes corresponding to the first terminal device in the method 400 described above.

[0218] The transceiver module 802 is used to receive first auxiliary data, which indicates information about at least one satellite corresponding to a first area, and the first area belongs to a cell of the network device; and, based on the first auxiliary data, to receive signals from one or more of the at least one satellite.

[0219] Optionally, the first auxiliary data includes the orbital parameters of at least one satellite corresponding to the first region, and / or the clock parameters of at least one satellite corresponding to the first region.

[0220] Optionally, the first auxiliary data includes the identifier of the first region.

[0221] Optionally, second auxiliary data is received, which indicates information about at least one satellite corresponding to the cell of the network device, and the transmission period of the first auxiliary data is different from that of the second auxiliary data.

[0222] Optionally, the first terminal device or the device in the first terminal device is in a disconnected state.

[0223] Optionally, the transceiver module 802 is used to: send first information, the first information being one or more of the following: identification information of the first serving satellite of the first terminal device; angle information between the first serving satellite and the first terminal device; beam information between the first serving satellite and the first terminal device; or, location information of the first terminal device.

[0224] Optionally, the first region is associated with one or more beams of the network device.

[0225] Optionally, the first auxiliary data is transmitted via broadcast.

[0226] Optionally, the first auxiliary data is positioning auxiliary data.

[0227] In a second possible implementation, the communication device 800 is used to implement the steps and processes corresponding to the network device in the method 400 described above.

[0228] The transceiver module 802 is used to: determine first auxiliary data, the first auxiliary data indicating information of at least one satellite corresponding to a first area, the first area belonging to a cell of a network device; the transmitting module 801 is used to: transmit the first auxiliary data.

[0229] Optionally, the first auxiliary data includes the orbital parameters of at least one satellite corresponding to the first region, and / or the clock parameters of at least one satellite corresponding to the first region.

[0230] Optionally, the first auxiliary data includes the identifier of the first region.

[0231] Optionally, the transceiver module 802 is further configured to: transmit second auxiliary data, the second auxiliary data indicating information of at least one satellite corresponding to the cell of the network device, wherein the transmission period of the first auxiliary data is different from the transmission period of the second auxiliary data.

[0232] Optionally, the first terminal device or the device in the first terminal device is in a disconnected state.

[0233] Optionally, the transceiver module 802 is further configured to: receive second information, the second information being one or more of the following: identification information of the second serving satellite of the second terminal device; angle information between the second serving satellite and the second terminal device; beam information between the second serving satellite and the second terminal device; or, location information of the second terminal device.

[0234] Optionally, the second terminal device belongs to the first area.

[0235] Optionally, the first region is associated with one or more beams of the network device.

[0236] Optionally, the first auxiliary data is transmitted via broadcast.

[0237] Optionally, the first auxiliary data is positioning auxiliary data.

[0238] In a third possible implementation, the communication device 800 is used to implement the steps and processes corresponding to the terminal device in the method 600 described above.

[0239] The transceiver module 802 is configured to: receive third auxiliary data, the third auxiliary data indicating information of at least one satellite, the information of at least one satellite being determined by the network device based on signals from at least one satellite, and / or information reported by the terminal device; and, based on the third auxiliary data, receive signals from one or more of the at least one satellite.

[0240] Optionally, the information reported by the terminal device may be one or more of the following: the identification information of the serving satellite of the terminal device; the angle information between the serving satellite and the terminal device; the beam information between the serving satellite and the terminal device; or the location information of the terminal device.

[0241] In a fourth possible implementation, the communication device 800 is used to implement the steps and processes corresponding to the network device in the method 600 described above.

[0242] The processing module 801 is used to: determine third auxiliary data, the third auxiliary data indicating information of at least one satellite, the information of at least one satellite being determined by the network device based on the signal of at least one satellite, and / or information reported by the terminal device; the transceiver module 802 is used to: send the third auxiliary data.

[0243] Optionally, the transceiver module 802 is also used to receive signals from at least one satellite.

[0244] Optionally, the information reported by the terminal device may be one or more of the following: the identification information of the serving satellite of the terminal device; the angle information between the serving satellite and the terminal device; the beam information between the serving satellite and the terminal device; or the location information of the terminal device.

[0245] It should be understood that the device 800 here is embodied in the form of a functional module. The term "module" here can refer to application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), electronic circuits, processors (e.g., shared processors, proprietary processors, or group processors, etc.) and memories for executing one or more software or firmware programs, integrated logic circuits, and / or other suitable components supporting the described functions. In an alternative example, those skilled in the art will understand that the device 800 may specifically be the terminal device or network device in the above embodiments, or the functions described in the above embodiments may be integrated into the device 800. The device 800 may be used to execute the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments; to avoid repetition, these will not be described again here.

[0246] The aforementioned device 800 has the function of implementing the corresponding steps performed by the terminal device or network device in the aforementioned method; the aforementioned function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the aforementioned function.

[0247] In embodiments of this application, the device 800 in FIG8 may also be a chip or a chip system, such as a system on chip (SoC).

[0248] Figure 9 shows a schematic block diagram of a communication device 900 provided in an embodiment of this application. The device 900 includes a processor 901, and optionally also includes a transceiver 902 and / or a memory 903. The processor 901, transceiver 902, and memory 903 communicate with each other via internal interconnection. The memory 903 stores instructions, and the processor 901 executes the instructions stored in the memory 903 to control the transceiver 902 to transmit and / or receive signals.

[0249] It should be understood that the device 900 may specifically be a terminal device or a network device as described in the above embodiments, and may be used to execute the various steps and / or processes corresponding to the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments. Optionally, the memory 903 may include a read-only memory and a random access memory, and provide instructions and data to the processor. A portion of the memory may also include non-volatile random access memory. For example, the memory may also store device type information. The processor 901 may be used to execute instructions stored in the memory, and when the processor 901 executes instructions stored in the memory, the processor 901 is used to execute the various steps and / or processes of the above method embodiments. The transceiver 902 may include a transmitter and a receiver, the transmitter may be used to implement the various steps and / or processes corresponding to the transceiver for performing a transmitting action, and the receiver may be used to implement the various steps and / or processes corresponding to the transceiver for performing a receiving action.

[0250] It should be understood that, in the embodiments of this application, the processor may be a central processing unit (CPU), or it may be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0251] In implementation, each step of the above method can be completed by integrated logic circuits in the processor's hardware or by instructions in software. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly manifested as execution by a hardware processor, or as a combination of hardware and software modules within the processor. The software modules can reside in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. This storage medium is located in memory, and the processor executes the instructions in the memory, combining them with its hardware to complete the steps of the above method. To avoid repetition, detailed descriptions are omitted here.

[0252] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program for implementing the methods shown in the above-described method embodiments.

[0253] This application also provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program (also referred to as computer program code or instructions), which, when run on a computer, enables the computer to perform the methods shown in the above-described method embodiments.

[0254] A communication system includes a first communication device and / or a second communication device, wherein the first communication device is used to perform the functions implemented by the terminal device in the above method embodiments, and the second communication device is used to perform the functions implemented by the network device in the above method embodiments.

[0255] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0256] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0257] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0258] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. 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 can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0259] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0260] If a function is implemented as 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 this application can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods of the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, An apparatus for use in a first terminal device or the first terminal device, comprising: Receive first auxiliary data, which indicates information about at least one satellite corresponding to a first area, where the first area belongs to a cell of a network device; Based on the first auxiliary data, signals are received from one or more of the at least one satellite.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first auxiliary data includes the orbital parameters of at least one satellite corresponding to the first region, and / or the clock parameters of at least one satellite corresponding to the first region.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first auxiliary data includes the identifier of the first region.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive second auxiliary data, which indicates information about at least one satellite corresponding to the cell of the network device, wherein the transmission period of the first auxiliary data is different from the transmission period of the second auxiliary data.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first terminal device or the device in the first terminal device is in a disconnected state.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a first message, which is one or more of the following: The identification information of the first serving satellite of the first terminal device; The angle information between the first service satellite and the first terminal device; Beam information between the first service satellite and the first terminal device; or Location information of the first terminal device.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The first region is associated with one or more beams of the network device.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The first auxiliary data was transmitted via broadcast.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The first auxiliary data is positioning auxiliary data.

10. A communication method, characterized in that, include: First auxiliary data is determined, which indicates information about at least one satellite corresponding to a first area, the first area belonging to a cell of a network device; Send the first auxiliary data.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The first auxiliary data includes the orbital parameters of at least one satellite corresponding to the first region, and / or the clock parameters of at least one satellite corresponding to the first region.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The first auxiliary data includes the identifier of the first region.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send second auxiliary data, which indicates information about at least one satellite corresponding to the cell of the network device, wherein the transmission period of the first auxiliary data is different from the transmission period of the second auxiliary data.

14. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that, The first terminal device or the device in the first terminal device is in a disconnected state.

15. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receiving the second information, the determination of the first auxiliary data includes: Based on the second information, the first auxiliary data is determined; The second information is one or more of the following: The identification information of the second serving satellite of the second terminal device; The angle information between the second service satellite and the second terminal device; Beam information between the second service satellite and the second terminal device; or, The location information of the second terminal device.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The second terminal device belongs to the first area.

17. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 16, characterized in that, The first region is associated with one or more beams of the network device.

18. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 17, characterized in that, The first auxiliary data was transmitted via broadcast.

19. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 18, characterized in that, The first auxiliary data is positioning auxiliary data.

20. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Receive third auxiliary data, the third auxiliary data indicating information of at least one satellite, the information of the at least one satellite being determined by the network device based on the signals of the at least one satellite, and / or information reported by the terminal device; Based on the third auxiliary data, signals are received from one or more of the at least one satellite.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The information reported by the terminal device includes one or more of the following: The terminal device's service satellite identification information; The angle information between the service satellite and the terminal device; Beam information between the service satellite and the terminal device; or, The location information of the terminal device.

22. A communication method, characterized in that, include: A third auxiliary data is determined, the third auxiliary data indicating information about at least one satellite, the information about the at least one satellite being determined by the network device based on the signals of the at least one satellite, and / or information reported by the terminal device; Send the third auxiliary data.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive signals from at least one of the satellites.

24. The method according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that, The information reported by the terminal device includes one or more of the following: The terminal device's service satellite identification information; The angle information between the service satellite and the terminal device; Beam information between the service satellite and the terminal device; or, The location information of the terminal device.

25. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A processor that executes computer instructions to cause the processor to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, or the method as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 19, or the method as claimed in claim 20 or 21, or the method as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 24.

26. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, For storing a computer program, the computer program including instructions for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, or instructions for performing the method as described in any one of claims 10 to 19, or instructions for performing the method as described in claim 20 or 21, or instructions for performing the method as described in any one of claims 22 to 24.

27. A computer program product, the computer program product comprising computer program code, characterized in that, When the computer program code is run on a computer, it causes the computer to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, or to perform the method as described in any one of claims 10 to 19, or to perform the method as described in claims 20 or 21, or to perform the method as described in any one of claims 22 to 24.

28. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, or includes a module for performing the method as described in claim 20 or 21.

29. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 10 to 19, or includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 22 to 24.

30. A communication system, characterized in that, It includes a first communication device and / or a second communication device, wherein the first communication device is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, and the second communication device is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 10 to 19; or, the first communication device is used to perform the method as described in claim 20 or 21, and the second communication device is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 22 to 24.

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