Network synchronization method and apparatus, information transmission method and apparatus, and terminal and network device

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a network synchronization method and apparatus, an information transmission method and apparatus, and a terminal and a network device. The network synchronization method is executed by the terminal and comprises: acquiring configuration information from a second network; and on the basis of the configuration information, synchronizing with a first network, wherein one of the first network and the second network is a terrestrial network, and the other is a non-terrestrial network.

Description

Network synchronization, information transmission method, device, terminal and network equipment

[0001] This disclosure claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on April 1, 2024, with application number 202410385045.9 and application name “Network synchronization, information transmission method, device, terminal and network equipment”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a network synchronization, information transmission method, apparatus, terminal, and network equipment. Background Art

[0003] Current mobile communication networks can be divided into terrestrial networks (TN) and non-terrestrial networks (NTN). In scenarios where NTN and TN have separate uplink and downlink, terminals need to receive downlinks on one network and send uplinks on another. Even if a terminal only sends uplinks (or only receives downlinks) on a network, it still needs to maintain downlink frame synchronization (or uplink frame synchronization) on that network. Maintaining terminal synchronization across the network is an urgent problem that needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a network synchronization and information transmission method, apparatus, terminal, and network equipment to achieve the purpose of maintaining terminal synchronization in the network.

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a network synchronization method, which is executed by a terminal, comprising:

[0006] Obtain configuration information from the second network;

[0007] Synchronize with the first network according to the configuration information;

[0008] One of the first network and the second network is a terrestrial network, and the other is a non-terrestrial network.

[0009] In some embodiments, the configuration information includes interval configuration information, where the interval configuration information is used to indicate a start time of the interval and / or a length of the interval;

[0010] The synchronizing with the first network according to the configuration information includes:

[0011] Determining a start time of an interval and / or a length of an interval according to the interval configuration information;

[0012] Synchronization is performed with the first network within the determined start time of the interval and / or the length of the interval.

[0013] In some embodiments, the configuration information is a media access control layer control element, and the media access control layer control element is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network.

[0014] In some embodiments, the configuration information is discontinuous reception configuration information;

[0015] The synchronizing with the first network according to the configuration information includes:

[0016] Determining an inactive period for discontinuous reception according to the discontinuous reception configuration information;

[0017] During the determined inactive period of the discontinuous reception, synchronization is performed with the first network.

[0018] In some embodiments, the method further comprises at least one of the following:

[0019] receiving first indication information sent by the second network, where the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network during an inactive period of discontinuous reception;

[0020] Sending second indication information to the second network, where the second indication information is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network during the inactive period of discontinuous reception, or the second indication information is used to request the terminal to synchronize with the first network during the inactive period of discontinuous reception.

[0021] In some embodiments, the configuration information includes a synchronization validity period;

[0022] The synchronizing with the first network according to the configuration information includes:

[0023] If the synchronization validity period times out, synchronization is performed with the first network.

[0024] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0025] Receive third indication information sent by the second network, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the terminal can synchronize with the first network when the synchronization valid time period times out.

[0026] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0027] Sending the synchronization validity period of the first network or the remaining time of the synchronization validity period of the first network to the second network; and / or,

[0028] Sending fourth indication information to the second network, where the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the terminal has achieved synchronization with the first network.

[0029] The present disclosure also provides an information transmission method, which is executed by a network device and includes:

[0030] The second network device sends configuration information to the terminal;

[0031] The configuration information is used to assist the terminal in synchronizing with the first network device;

[0032] One of the first network device and the second network device is deployed in a terrestrial network, and the other is deployed in a non-terrestrial network.

[0033] In some embodiments, the configuration information satisfies at least one of the following:

[0034] The configuration information includes interval configuration information, where the interval configuration information is used to indicate the start time of the interval and / or the length of the interval;

[0035] The configuration information is a media access control layer control element, and the media access control layer control element is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network device;

[0036] The configuration information is discontinuous reception configuration information;

[0037] The configuration information includes synchronization validity period.

[0038] In some embodiments, the configuration information is discontinuous reception configuration information, and the method further includes at least one of the following:

[0039] Sending first indication information to the terminal, where the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network device during an inactive period of discontinuous reception;

[0040] The second indication information sent by the receiving terminal is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network device during the inactive period of discontinuous reception, or the second indication information is used to request the terminal to synchronize with the first network device during the inactive period of discontinuous reception.

[0041] In some embodiments, the configuration information includes a synchronization validity period, and the method further includes:

[0042] Sending third indication information to the terminal, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the terminal can synchronize with the first network device when the synchronization valid time period times out.

[0043] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0044] The valid synchronization duration of the first network device or the remaining time of the valid synchronization duration of the first network device sent by the receiving terminal; and / or,

[0045] Fourth indication information sent by the receiving terminal is used to indicate that the terminal has achieved synchronization with the first network device.

[0046] The present disclosure also provides a terminal, including a memory, a transceiver, and a processor.

[0047] A memory for storing a computer program; a transceiver for transmitting and receiving data under the control of the processor; and a processor for reading the computer program in the memory and performing the following operations:

[0048] Obtain configuration information from the second network;

[0049] Synchronize with the first network according to the configuration information;

[0050] One of the first network and the second network is a terrestrial network, and the other is a non-terrestrial network.

[0051] In some embodiments, the configuration information includes interval configuration information, where the interval configuration information is used to indicate a start time of the interval and / or a length of the interval;

[0052] The processor is configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations:

[0053] Determining a start time of an interval and / or a length of an interval according to the interval configuration information;

[0054] Synchronization is performed with the first network within the determined start time of the interval and / or the length of the interval.

[0055] In some embodiments, the configuration information is a media access control layer control element, and the media access control layer control element is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network.

[0056] In some embodiments, the configuration information is discontinuous reception configuration information;

[0057] The processor is configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations:

[0058] Determining an inactive period for discontinuous reception according to the discontinuous reception configuration information;

[0059] During the determined inactive period of the discontinuous reception, synchronization is performed with the first network.

[0060] In some embodiments, the processor, configured to read the computer program in the memory, further performs at least one of the following operations:

[0061] receiving first indication information sent by the second network, where the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network during an inactive period of discontinuous reception;

[0062] Sending second indication information to the second network, where the second indication information is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network during the inactive period of discontinuous reception, or the second indication information is used to request the terminal to synchronize with the first network during the inactive period of discontinuous reception.

[0063] In some embodiments, the configuration information includes a synchronization validity period;

[0064] The processor is configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations:

[0065] If the synchronization validity period times out, synchronization is performed with the first network.

[0066] In some embodiments, the processor, configured to read the computer program in the memory, further performs the following operations:

[0067] Receive third indication information sent by the second network, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the terminal can synchronize with the first network when the synchronization valid time period times out.

[0068] In some embodiments, the processor, configured to read the computer program in the memory, further performs the following operations:

[0069] Sending the synchronization validity period of the first network or the remaining time of the synchronization validity period of the first network to the second network; and / or,

[0070] Sending fourth indication information to the second network, where the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the terminal has achieved synchronization with the first network.

[0071] The embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a network device, which is a second network device and includes a memory, a transceiver, and a processor:

[0072] A memory for storing a computer program; a transceiver for transmitting and receiving data under the control of the processor; and a processor for reading the computer program in the memory and performing the following operations:

[0073] Sending configuration information to the terminal via the receiver;

[0074] The configuration information is used to assist the terminal in synchronizing with the first network device;

[0075] One of the first network device and the second network device is deployed in a terrestrial network, and the other is deployed in a non-terrestrial network.

[0076] In some embodiments, the configuration information satisfies at least one of the following:

[0077] The configuration information includes interval configuration information, where the interval configuration information is used to indicate the start time of the interval and / or the length of the interval;

[0078] The configuration information is a media access control layer control element, and the media access control layer control element is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network device;

[0079] The configuration information is discontinuous reception configuration information;

[0080] The configuration information includes synchronization validity period.

[0081] In some embodiments, the configuration information is discontinuous reception configuration information, and the processor, configured to read the computer program in the memory, further performs at least one of the following operations:

[0082] Sending first indication information to the terminal, where the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network device during an inactive period of discontinuous reception;

[0083] The second indication information sent by the receiving terminal is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network device during the inactive period of discontinuous reception, or the second indication information is used to request the terminal to synchronize with the first network device during the inactive period of discontinuous reception.

[0084] In some embodiments, the configuration information includes a synchronization validity period, and the processor, configured to read the computer program in the memory, further performs the following operations:

[0085] Sending third indication information to the terminal, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the terminal can synchronize with the first network device when the synchronization valid time period times out.

[0086] In some embodiments, the processor, configured to read the computer program in the memory, further performs the following operations:

[0087] The synchronization validity period of the first network device or the remaining time of the synchronization validity period of the first network device sent by the receiving terminal; and / or

[0088] Fourth indication information sent by the receiving terminal is used to indicate that the terminal has achieved synchronization with the first network device.

[0089] The present disclosure also provides a network synchronization device, which is applied to a terminal and includes:

[0090] A first acquiring unit, configured to acquire configuration information from a second network;

[0091] a second acquiring unit, configured to synchronize with the first network according to the configuration information;

[0092] One of the first network and the second network is a terrestrial network, and the other is a non-terrestrial network.

[0093] The present disclosure also provides an information transmission apparatus, applied to a second network device, including:

[0094] A first sending unit, configured to send configuration information to a terminal;

[0095] The configuration information is used to assist the terminal in synchronizing with the first network device;

[0096] One of the first network device and the second network device is deployed in a terrestrial network, and the other is deployed in a non-terrestrial network.

[0097] An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a processor-readable storage medium, wherein the processor-readable storage medium stores a computer program, and the computer program is used to enable the processor to execute the above method.

[0098] The embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a computer program product, comprising computer instructions, which implement the steps of the above method when executed by a processor.

[0099] The beneficial effects of the present disclosure are:

[0100] The above solution can maintain the synchronization of the terminal in the network and ensure the reliability of data transmission by obtaining synchronization with the terrestrial network or the non-terrestrial network based on the configuration information. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0101] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure or related technologies, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or related technical descriptions. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in the present disclosure. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative labor.

[0102] FIG1 is a structural diagram of a network system applicable to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0103] FIG2 is a schematic diagram showing a flow chart of a network synchronization method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0104] FIG3 is a schematic diagram showing a flow chart of an information transmission method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0105] FIG4 is a schematic diagram showing a unit of a network synchronization device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0106] FIG5 shows a structural diagram of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0107] FIG6 is a schematic diagram showing a unit of an information transmission device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0108] FIG7 shows a structural diagram of a network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0109] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the embodiments of the present disclosure without making any creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0110] The terms "first," "second," and the like in the specification and claims of the present disclosure are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a particular order or sequential sequence. It should be understood that the terms used in this manner are interchangeable where appropriate so that the embodiments of the present disclosure described herein may be implemented in a sequence other than those illustrated or described herein. In addition, the terms "including" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, e.g., a process, method, system, product, or apparatus comprising a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not explicitly listed or that are inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0111] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the term "and / or" describes the relationship between associated objects, indicating that three possible relationships exist. For example, A and / or B can represent three situations: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. The character " / " generally indicates that the associated objects are in an "or" relationship. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the term "plurality" refers to two or more, and other quantifiers are similar.

[0112] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of the present disclosure should not be construed as being preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a concrete manner.

[0113] The following is a brief description of the concepts related to the satellite communication system mentioned in this disclosure.

[0114] In satellite communications, there are two operating modes:

[0115] One is the transparent forwarding mode, where the satellite simply forwards the signal transparently without any processing, and the terminal and the gateway communicate. That is, the satellite only performs frequency conversion, wireless signal amplification and other operations on the uplink / downlink signals, and its function is similar to that of a radio frequency relay.

[0116] In satellite communications, the connection between the end user and the satellite is called a user link, and the connection between the satellite and the gateway is a feeder link or feeder link.

[0117] One is regenerative communication mode, in which the satellite detects, processes, and forwards received signals, fulfilling the functions of a base station, connecting terminals and gateways. Specifically, the satellite performs frequency conversion, wireless signal amplification, encoding / modulation, and demodulation / decoding for uplink and downlink signals. This means that the satellite can have all or some of the functions of a base station (e.g., an eNB or gNB), enabling signal regeneration.

[0118] Earth-Fixed cell: refers to a cell whose ground coverage area does not change with the movement of the satellite. In other words, it uses a staring mode. The satellite is moving, but it always stares at a certain area on the ground. Quasi-Earth Fixed cell refers to an approximate (similar) Earth-Fixed cell, which means that within a certain period of time, the ground coverage area of ​​the satellite's service cell does not change with the movement of the satellite. For example, when the satellite moves from time T1 to time T2, the satellite's coverage area on the ground is always area A. In this scenario, as the satellite moves, the angle between the satellite antenna and the ground changes, thereby ensuring that the area covered by the satellite antenna remains unchanged.

[0119] Earth-moving cell: A satellite's service area's ground coverage changes as the satellite moves. The satellite's coverage area at time T1 is A, and at time T2 is B. In this scenario, the angle between the satellite antenna and the ground remains virtually unchanged as the satellite moves.

[0120] Whether using the aforementioned transparent forwarding mode or the regeneration mode, whether using a quasi-Earth-Fixed cell or an Earth-moving cell, in non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), signals and data must propagate through at least one bend, namely, UE-satellite-UE. Some may also need to propagate through a bend, such as UE-satellite-ground station-satellite-UE. The delay in this bend can range from tens of milliseconds to tens of milliseconds, or even hundreds of milliseconds, depending on the satellite's orbital altitude. This is far greater than the propagation delay in terrestrial networks (TNs). The longer propagation delay in NTNs severely limits the applications that can be used in NTNs, as they may not meet the end-to-end propagation delay requirements.

[0121] Therefore, how to solve the propagation delay caused by using NTN is currently a key issue of concern.

[0122] The uplink and downlink separation scheme, namely, downlink signaling, signals, channels, etc. (such as the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), and demodulation reference signal (DMRS)) are transmitted through the NTN network, and uplink signaling, signals, channels, etc. (such as the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), sounding reference signal (SRS), DMRS) are transmitted through the TN network. Alternatively, downlink signaling, signals, channels, etc. (such as PDCCH, PDSCH, DMRS) are transmitted through the TN network, and uplink signaling, signals, channels, etc. (such as PUSCH, PUCCH, SRS, DMRS) are transmitted through the NTN network. Both of these can reduce the propagation delay of the NTN network because the propagation delay of part of the transmission is reduced by nearly half.

[0123] However, when a terminal transmits uplinks within a network, it must maintain downlink frame synchronization with the network. For example, even if a terminal receives downlinks on an NTN, if it transmits uplinks on a TN, the terminal must maintain downlink frame synchronization with both the NTN and the TN. Therefore, a terminal receiving downlinks on the NTN must maintain downlink frame synchronization within the TN, in addition to maintaining downlink frame synchronization with the NTN. This presents a challenge that needs to be addressed. The disclosed embodiments address this issue.

[0124] The following describes embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The network synchronization and information transmission methods, apparatuses, terminals, and network devices provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to wireless communication systems. The wireless communication system can be a system that uses fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication technology (hereinafter referred to as a 5G system). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the 5G NR system is merely an example and not a limitation.

[0125] Referring to FIG1 , FIG1 is a structural diagram of a network system applicable to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG1 , the network system includes a user terminal 11 and a base station 12. The user terminal 11 may be a user equipment (UE), such as a mobile phone, a tablet personal computer, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile internet device (MID), or a wearable device. It should be noted that the specific type of the user terminal 11 is not limited in the embodiment of the present disclosure. The base station 12 may be a base station of 5G or later versions (e.g., gNB, 5G NR NB), or a base station in other communication systems, or referred to as a node B. It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present disclosure, only a 5G base station is used as an example, but the specific type of the base station 12 is not limited.

[0126] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a network synchronization and information transmission method, apparatus, terminal, and network equipment to achieve the purpose of maintaining terminal synchronization in the network.

[0127] Among them, the method and the device are based on the same application concept. Since the principles of solving problems by the method and the device are similar, the implementation of the device and the method can refer to each other, and the repeated parts will not be repeated.

[0128] As shown in FIG2 , an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a network synchronization method, which is executed by a terminal and includes:

[0129] Step S201, obtaining configuration information from a second network;

[0130] Step S202: Synchronize with the first network according to the configuration information;

[0131] One of the first network and the second network is a terrestrial network, and the other is a non-terrestrial network.

[0132] It should be noted that the second network is one of a terrestrial network and a non-terrestrial network that is different from the first network. For example, the first network is TN and the second network is NTN; or, for example, the first network is NTN and the second network is TN.

[0133] It should be noted here that the first network includes a first network device, and the second network includes a second network device; for example, when the first network is NTN and the second network is TN, the first network device can be an NTN base station, for example, including a satellite, that is, a satellite that can realize the function of a base station, which can also be called a satellite base station, or, in the NTN transparent transmission mode, the satellite only transparently transmits the signaling or data between the terminal and the ground base station that supports satellite communication, then the first network device is a base station deployed on the ground that supports satellite communication (the necessary forwarding is performed by the satellite at the terminal and the ground base station that supports the satellite), and the second network device is a TN base station; for example, when the first network is TN and the second network is NTN, the first network device can be a TN base station, and the second network device is an NTN base station, for example, including a satellite base station, or in the transparent transmission mode, the second network device can be a base station deployed on the ground that supports satellite communication (the necessary forwarding is performed by the satellite at the terminal and the ground base station that supports the satellite).

[0134] In some embodiments, obtaining configuration information from the second network mentioned in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be understood as obtaining configuration information from the second network device corresponding to the second network, and the brief expression is: obtaining configuration information from the second network device; in some embodiments, sending to the second network mentioned in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be understood as sending to the second network device corresponding to the second network, and the brief expression is: sending to the second network device.

[0135] In some embodiments, synchronization with the first network can be understood as synchronization with the cell under the first network device. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the expression of synchronization with the first network can be replaced by the expression of synchronization with the first network device or synchronization with the cell under the first network device.

[0136] In some embodiments, synchronization with the first network may refer to downlink synchronization with the first network, that is, the terminal monitors the downlink of the first network and maintains downlink synchronization with the first network; in some embodiments, synchronization with the first network may also refer to uplink synchronization with the first network, that is, the terminal monitors the downlink of the first network and further maintains uplink synchronization with the first network.

[0137] The embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to the following application scenarios:

[0138] Scenario 1: The terminal receives downlinks on the TN and sends uplinks on the NTN. In this case, the terminal needs to maintain downlink synchronization and / or uplink synchronization with the NTN.

[0139] Scenario 2: The terminal receives downlinks on the NTN and sends uplinks on the TN. In this case, the terminal needs to maintain downlink synchronization and / or uplink synchronization with the TN.

[0140] Scenario 3: The terminal receives downlink data on the TN and sends uplink data on the NTN. In this case, the terminal needs to maintain uplink and / or downlink synchronization with the TN.

[0141] Scenario 4: The terminal receives downlink data on the NTN and sends uplink data on the TN. In this case, the terminal needs to maintain uplink synchronization and / or downlink synchronization with the NTN.

[0142] The following describes the different implementation methods in detail.

[0143] Method 1: Configuration information includes interval configuration information

[0144] In some embodiments, the interval configuration information is used to indicate a start time of the interval and / or a length of the interval.

[0145] In some embodiments, the length of the interval can be calculated by the start time of the interval and the end time of the interval.

[0146] In some embodiments, the interval configuration information includes at least one of the following: an indication of the start time of the interval, the length of the interval, the end time of the interval, and the period of the interval.

[0147] In some embodiments, in one implementation, the specific implementation of synchronizing with the first network according to the configuration information includes:

[0148] Determining a start time of an interval and / or a length of an interval according to the interval configuration information;

[0149] Synchronization is performed with the first network within the determined start time of the interval and / or the length of the interval.

[0150] It should be noted that in this implementation, it can be understood that the second network configures interval configuration information for the terminal, where the interval configuration information is used to indicate the time domain position of the interval corresponding to the terminal. During the corresponding interval, the terminal monitors and synchronizes with the first network. For example, taking downlink synchronization as an example, during the corresponding interval, the terminal monitors downlink and synchronizes with the first network. In some embodiments, if the interval configuration information includes interval period information, the terminal can periodically synchronize with the first network according to the period determined by the interval period information.

[0151] Method 2: Configuration information is Media Access Control Control Element (MAC CE)

[0152] In some embodiments, the MAC CE is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network.

[0153] For example, the MAC CE is used to indicate immediate synchronization with the first network. When the terminal receives the MAC CE, it immediately monitors the first network and synchronizes with the first network. For example, the MAC CE is used to indicate synchronization with the first network. When the terminal receives the MAC CE, it monitors the first network and synchronizes with the first network after a preset time.

[0154] Mode 3: The configuration information is discontinuous reception configuration information

[0155] In some embodiments, the discontinuous reception configuration information can be understood as the configuration information of the discontinuous reception (DRX) used by the terminal in the connected state, and can also be referred to as the discontinuous reception configuration information used in the connected state. It should be noted that the DRX used in the connected state can also be understood as the DRX corresponding to the connected state.

[0156] In some embodiments, in one implementation, the specific implementation of synchronizing with the first network according to the configuration information includes:

[0157] Determining an inactive period for discontinuous reception according to the discontinuous reception configuration information;

[0158] During the determined inactive period of the discontinuous reception, synchronization is performed with the first network.

[0159] It should be noted that only when the terminal is in a connected state does it need to determine whether to synchronize with the first network during the inactive period of discontinuous reception, that is, the terminal determines the inactive period of discontinuous reception (which can be understood as Connected-DRX) corresponding to the connected state according to the discontinuous reception configuration information used in the connected state, and synchronizes with the first network during the inactive period of the discontinuous reception corresponding to the determined connected state.

[0160] It should be noted that this situation refers to the terminal listening on the first network during the non-activated period of discontinuous reception corresponding to the connected state to achieve synchronization with the first network; for example, taking downlink synchronization as an example, the terminal listens on the first network during the non-activated period of discontinuous reception corresponding to the connected state to achieve downlink synchronization with the first network.

[0161] In some embodiments, in one implementation, the method further includes at least one of the following:

[0162] A11. Receive first indication information sent by the second network, where the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network during an inactive period of discontinuous reception;

[0163] It should be noted that in this case, it can be understood that whether the terminal can synchronize with the first network during the inactive period of discontinuous reception corresponding to the connected state is indicated by the second network. If the second network indicates that the terminal is allowed to synchronize with the first network during the inactive period of discontinuous reception corresponding to the connected state, the terminal monitors the first network during the inactive period of discontinuous reception corresponding to the connected state to achieve synchronization with the first network. If the second network indicates that the terminal is not allowed to synchronize with the first network during the inactive period of discontinuous reception corresponding to the connected state, the terminal cannot monitor the first network during the inactive period of discontinuous reception corresponding to the connected state. In some embodiments, the first indication information may only indicate that the terminal synchronizes with the first network during the inactive period of discontinuous reception, that is, when the terminal receives the first indication information, it is considered that the network allows or allows the terminal to synchronize with the first network during the inactive period of discontinuous reception. The first indication information may not indicate that the terminal is not allowed to synchronize with the first network during the inactive period of discontinuous reception. For example, if the network sends the first indication information, the terminal believes that the network allows or allows the terminal to synchronize with the first network during the inactive period of discontinuous reception; if the network does not send the first indication information, the terminal believes that the network does not allow or does not allow the terminal to synchronize with the first network during the inactive period of discontinuous reception.

[0164] A12. Send second indication information to the second network, where the second indication information is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network during the inactive period of discontinuous reception, or the second indication information is used to request the terminal to synchronize with the first network during the inactive period of discontinuous reception.

[0165] It should be noted that in this case, whether the terminal synchronizes with the first network during the DRX inactivity period corresponding to the connected state is determined by the terminal. For example, the determination of whether to synchronize with the first network during the DRX inactivity period corresponding to the connected state may be based on the terminal's capabilities or configuration. In some embodiments, the terminal may also notify the second network of the result of whether to synchronize with the first network during the DRX inactivity period corresponding to the connected state, to assist the second network in data transmission. For example, if the terminal decides to synchronize with the first network during the DRX inactivity period corresponding to the connected state, the terminal may notify the network of this decision; alternatively, the terminal may request the network to determine whether to allow the terminal to synchronize with the first network during the DRX inactivity period corresponding to the connected state. The terminal may send this request to the network. In some embodiments, if the terminal sends a request to the network, the terminal may need to wait for feedback from the network; alternatively, the terminal may assume that if no feedback from the network is received, the terminal considers that the network allows the terminal to synchronize with the first network during the non-activation period of discontinuous reception corresponding to the connected state; alternatively, the terminal assumes that feedback from the network must be received before the terminal considers that the network allows the terminal to synchronize with the first network during the non-activation period of discontinuous reception corresponding to the connected state; alternatively, the terminal assumes that unless negative feedback from the network (such as rejection) is received, the terminal considers that the network allows the terminal to synchronize with the first network during the non-activation period of discontinuous reception corresponding to the connected state; alternatively, the terminal assumes that positive feedback from the network (such as approval) must be received before the terminal considers that the network allows the terminal to synchronize with the first network during the non-activation period of discontinuous reception corresponding to the connected state.

[0166] Method 4: The configuration information includes synchronization validity period

[0167] In some embodiments, in one implementation, the specific implementation of synchronizing with the first network according to the configuration information includes:

[0168] If the synchronization validity period times out, synchronization is performed with the first network.

[0169] It should be noted that, in this case, the synchronization validity period is configured by the second network for the terminal, or is obtained through a predefined method (for example, protocol agreement). When the valid period expires, the terminal needs to monitor on the first network to achieve synchronization with the first network; for example, taking downlink synchronization as an example, when the valid period expires, the terminal monitors downlink on the first network to achieve downlink synchronization with the first network.

[0170] In some embodiments, in one implementation, the method further includes:

[0171] Receive third indication information sent by the second network, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the terminal can synchronize with the first network when the synchronization valid time period times out.

[0172] It should be noted that this situation can be understood as the expiration of the effective synchronization period between the terminal and the first network. Synchronization with the first network is instructed by the second network. If the terminal receives third indication information sent by the second network, then when the effective synchronization period expires, the terminal needs to monitor the first network to achieve synchronization with the first network; if the terminal does not receive the third indication information sent by the second network, then when the effective synchronization period expires, the terminal cannot or does not need to obtain or synchronize with the first network again. Or, conversely, that is: if the terminal receives the third indication information sent by the second network, then when the effective synchronization period expires, the terminal does not need to monitor the first network to achieve synchronization with the first network; if the terminal does not receive the third indication information sent by the second network, then when the effective synchronization period expires, the terminal needs to obtain or synchronize with the first network again.

[0173] It should be noted that, in summary, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide four ways of synchronizing with the first network. The second network can be configured with at least one of the above ways 1 to 4, and the terminal synchronizes with the first network at an appropriate time.

[0174] In some embodiments, if the second network is configured with only one of the above-mentioned methods 1 to 4, the terminal synchronizes with the first network if the execution condition corresponding to one of the methods 1 to 4 is met.

[0175] In some embodiments, if the second network is configured with at least two of the above-mentioned methods 1 to 4, the terminal may determine how to achieve synchronization with the first network based on the configuration or pre-definition (eg, protocol agreement).

[0176] For example, if the configuration information sent by the second network includes interval configuration information and the configuration information sent by the second network is a MAC CE, since the MAC CE instructs the terminal to synchronize with the first network immediately, the terminal immediately synchronizes with the first network upon receiving the configuration information; in some embodiments, when the start time indicated by the interval configuration information is reached, in some embodiments, the terminal can perform any of the following implementation methods: in the first case, if the synchronization validity period of the first network has not timed out, the terminal does not synchronize with the first network within the start time and / or the length of the interval; in the second case, if the synchronization validity period of the first network has timed out, the terminal synchronizes with the first network within the start time and / or the length of the interval; in the third case, regardless of whether the synchronization validity period of the first network has timed out, the terminal does not synchronize with the first network within the start time and / or the length of the interval; in the fourth case, regardless of whether the synchronization validity period of the first network has timed out, the terminal synchronizes with the first network within the start time and / or the length of the interval.

[0177] For example, if the configuration information sent by the second network includes the connection state discontinuous reception configuration information and the synchronization validity period with the first network, then after the terminal receives the configuration information, in some embodiments, in the first case, if the non-activation period of the discontinuous reception corresponding to the connection state is reached first, the terminal synchronizes with the first network during the non-activation period of the discontinuous reception corresponding to the connection state; in the second case, if the synchronization validity period of the first network times out, the terminal synchronizes with the first network; in the third case, if the synchronization validity period of the first network has not timed out when the non-activation period of the discontinuous reception corresponding to the connection state is reached, the terminal may not synchronize with the first network during the non-activation period of the discontinuous reception corresponding to the connection state; in the fourth case, if the synchronization validity period of the first network has not timed out when the non-activation period of the discontinuous reception corresponding to the connection state is reached, the terminal may also synchronize with the first network during the non-activation period of the discontinuous reception corresponding to the connection state.

[0178] For example, if the configuration information sent by the second network includes connected state discontinuous reception configuration information and the configuration information sent by the second network is a MAC CE, since the MAC CE instructs the terminal to immediately synchronize with the first network, the terminal immediately synchronizes with the first network upon receiving the configuration information. In some embodiments, when the inactive period of discontinuous reception corresponding to the connected state is reached, the terminal may perform any of the following implementations: in the first case, if the synchronization validity period of the first network has not expired, the terminal may not synchronize with the first network during the inactive period of discontinuous reception corresponding to the connected state. In the second case, if the synchronization validity period of the first network has expired, the terminal may synchronize with the first network during the inactive period of discontinuous reception corresponding to the connected state. In the third case, regardless of whether the synchronization validity period of the first network has expired, the terminal does not synchronize with the first network during the inactive period of discontinuous reception corresponding to the connected state. In the fourth case, regardless of whether the synchronization validity period of the first network has expired, the terminal synchronizes with the first network during the inactive period of discontinuous reception corresponding to the connected state.

[0179] For example, if the configuration information sent by the second network includes the effective duration of synchronization with the first network and the configuration information sent by the second network is a MAC CE, since the MAC CE instructs the terminal to synchronize with the first network immediately, the terminal immediately synchronizes with the first network upon receiving the configuration information; in some embodiments, as long as the effective duration of synchronization with the first network expires, the terminal synchronizes with the first network.

[0180] For example, if the configuration information sent by the second network includes interval configuration information and the synchronization validity period with the first network, then after the terminal receives the configuration information, in some embodiments, in a first case, if the start time indicated by the interval configuration information is reached first, regardless of whether the synchronization validity period of the first network has timed out, the terminal synchronizes with the first network within the start time and / or the length of the interval; in a second case, if the start time indicated by the interval configuration information is reached first, if the synchronization validity period of the first network has not timed out, the terminal does not synchronize with the first network within the start time and / or the length of the interval; in a third case, if the start time indicated by the interval configuration information is reached first, if the synchronization validity period of the first network has timed out, the terminal synchronizes with the first network within the start time and / or the length of the interval; in a fourth case, if the synchronization validity period of the first network has timed out, the terminal immediately synchronizes with the first network; in a fifth case, if the synchronization validity period of the first network has timed out, the terminal does not synchronize with the first network first, and only synchronizes with the first network within the start time and / or the length of the interval indicated by the interval configuration information.

[0181] For example, if the configuration information sent by the second network includes interval configuration information and connected state discontinuous reception configuration information, after the terminal receives the configuration information, in some embodiments, in the first case, if the non-activation period of discontinuous reception corresponding to the connected state is reached first, the terminal synchronizes with the first network during the non-activation period of discontinuous reception corresponding to the connected state; in the second case, if the start time indicated by the interval configuration information is reached first, the terminal synchronizes with the first network within the start time of the interval and / or the length of the interval.

[0182] It should be noted that other combinations are similar to the above examples. Please refer to the above examples and will not be repeated here.

[0183] It should be noted that after the terminal synchronizes with the first network, the terminal may determine the effective duration of synchronization with the first network based on its own capabilities, etc. In some embodiments, the terminal may send the effective duration of synchronization with the first network or the remaining time of the effective duration of synchronization with the first network to the second network to assist the network in data transmission.

[0184] In some embodiments, in one implementation, the terminal may send the synchronization validity period of the first network or the remaining time of the synchronization validity period of the first network to the second network through a random access procedure (Random Access Channel, RACH) corresponding to the random access procedure (for example, using a dedicated random access resource).

[0185] In some embodiments, in one implementation, after synchronizing with the first network, the terminal may further send fourth indication information to the second network, where the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the terminal has achieved synchronization with the first network.

[0186] In some embodiments, the terminal may send the fourth indication information to the second network via RACH (such as a dedicated random access resource) or SRS.

[0187] In some embodiments, if a terminal has the capability of two or more receive links, while the terminal is synchronizing with the first network, the terminal's transceiver capabilities on the second network may be reduced. For example, the number of Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) layers may need to be reduced. The second network may need to reduce the data transmission rate when performing data scheduling.

[0188] It should be noted that at least one embodiment of the present disclosure can ensure the synchronization of terminals in the network and ensure the reliability of data transmission.

[0189] For example, taking the case where the terminal sends uplink at TN and receives downlink at NTN, the terminal needs to maintain downlink synchronization with TN. The terminal then receives the configuration information sent by NTN, and based on the instructions of the configuration information, it monitors the downlink at TN at an appropriate time to maintain downlink synchronization with TN. After the terminal obtains downlink synchronization with TN, the terminal can send the effective duration of downlink synchronization with TN to NTN through a random access process.

[0190] That is to say, when TN and NTN dual connections are not supported, in the scenario where TN and NTN are separated in uplink and downlink, the embodiment of the present disclosure can obtain downlink synchronization in NTN (or TN) when the terminal works in downlink in TN (or NTN), thereby successfully completing the downlink and uplink transmission in the network respectively, and ensuring data transmission reliability.

[0191] The technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure can be applicable to a variety of systems, especially 5G systems. For example, the applicable system can be a global system of mobile communication (GSM) system, a code division multiple access (CDMA) system, a wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) general packet radio service (GPRS) system, a long term evolution (LTE) system, a LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, a LTE time division duplex (TDD) system, an advanced long term evolution (LTE-A) system, a universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), a world-wide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) system, a 5G new air interface (NR) system, etc. These various systems include terminals (also referred to as terminal equipment) and network equipment. The system may also include a core network part, such as an evolved packet system (EPS), a 5G system (5G System, 5GS), etc.

[0192] The terminal involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may also be referred to as a terminal device, which may be a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user, a handheld device with wireless connection function, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem. In different systems, the name of the terminal device may also be different. For example, in a 5G system, the terminal device may be referred to as a user equipment (UE). A wireless terminal device can communicate with one or more core networks (CN) via a radio access network (RAN). The wireless terminal device may be a mobile terminal device, such as a mobile phone (or "cellular" phone) and a computer with a mobile terminal device. For example, it may be a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-built-in or vehicle-mounted mobile device that exchanges voice and / or data with a radio access network. For example, a personal communication service (PCS) phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and other devices. The wireless terminal device may also be referred to as a system, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, an access point, a remote terminal device, an access terminal device, a user terminal device, a user agent, or a user device, but is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0193] The network device involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be a base station, which may include multiple cells providing services to terminals. Depending on the specific application scenario, the base station may also be called an access point, or may be a device in an access network that communicates with a wireless terminal device through one or more sectors on an air interface, or may be called another name. The network device may be used to interchange received air frames with Internet Protocol (IP) packets, acting as a router between the wireless terminal device and the rest of the access network, wherein the rest of the access network may include an Internet Protocol (IP) communication network. The network device may also coordinate the attribute management of the air interface. For example, the network device involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be a base transceiver station (BTS) in the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) or code division multiple access (CDMA), a network device (NodeB) in wide-band code division multiple access (WCDMA), an evolutionary Node B (eNB or e-NodeB) in the long term evolution (LTE) system, a 5G base station (gNB) in the 5G network architecture (next generation system), a home evolved Node B (HeNB), a relay node, a femto, a pico, etc., and is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure. In some network structures, the network device may include a centralized unit (CU) node and a distributed unit (DU) node, and the centralized unit and the distributed unit may also be geographically separated.

[0194] Network devices and terminal devices can each use one or more antennas for Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) transmission. MIMO transmission can be single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO) or multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO). Depending on the configuration and number of antenna combinations, MIMO transmission can be 2D-MIMO, 3D-MIMO, FD-MIMO, or massive-MIMO. It can also use diversity transmission, precoding, or beamforming.

[0195] As shown in FIG3 , an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an information transmission method, which is executed by a network device and includes:

[0196] Step S301: The second network device sends configuration information to the terminal;

[0197] The configuration information is used to assist the terminal in synchronizing with the first network device;

[0198] One of the first network device and the second network device is deployed in a terrestrial network, and the other is deployed in a non-terrestrial network.

[0199] It should be noted here that the configuration information is used to assist the terminal in synchronizing with the first network device, which can be understood as the configuration information is used to assist the terminal in synchronizing with the first network or cell where the first network device is located, or it can be simply understood as the configuration information is used to assist the terminal in synchronizing with the first network.

[0200] In some embodiments, the configuration information satisfies at least one of the following:

[0201] The configuration information includes interval configuration information, where the interval configuration information is used to indicate the start time of the interval and / or the length of the interval;

[0202] The configuration information is a media access control layer control element, and the media access control layer control element is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network device;

[0203] The configuration information is discontinuous reception configuration information;

[0204] The configuration information includes synchronization validity period.

[0205] In some embodiments, the configuration information is discontinuous reception configuration information, and the method further includes at least one of the following:

[0206] Sending first indication information to the terminal, where the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network device during an inactive period of discontinuous reception;

[0207] The second indication information sent by the receiving terminal is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network device during the inactive period of discontinuous reception, or the second indication information is used to request the terminal to synchronize with the first network device during the inactive period of discontinuous reception.

[0208] In some embodiments, the configuration information includes a synchronization validity period, and the method further includes:

[0209] Sending third indication information to the terminal, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the terminal can synchronize with the first network device when the synchronization valid time period times out.

[0210] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0211] The synchronization validity period of the first network device or the remaining time of the synchronization validity period of the first network device sent by the receiving terminal; and / or

[0212] Fourth indication information sent by the receiving terminal is used to indicate that the terminal has achieved synchronization with the first network device.

[0213] It should also be noted that the synchronization with the first network device described in the method claim on the second network device side can be understood as synchronization with the first network; the effective duration of synchronization with the first network device can be understood as the effective duration of synchronization with the first network.

[0214] It should be noted that all implementation methods in the above embodiments are applicable to the embodiment of the information transmission method applied to the second network device side, and can achieve the same technical effect, so they will not be repeated here.

[0215] As shown in FIG4 , an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a network synchronization device 400 , which is applied to a terminal and includes:

[0216] A first acquiring unit 401 is configured to acquire configuration information from a second network;

[0217] A second acquiring unit 402 is configured to synchronize with the first network according to the configuration information;

[0218] One of the first network and the second network is a terrestrial network, and the other is a non-terrestrial network.

[0219] In some embodiments, the configuration information includes interval configuration information, where the interval configuration information is used to indicate a start time of the interval and / or a length of the interval;

[0220] The second acquiring unit 402 is configured to:

[0221] Determining a start time of an interval and / or a length of an interval according to the interval configuration information;

[0222] Synchronization is performed with the first network within the determined start time of the interval and / or the length of the interval.

[0223] In some embodiments, the configuration information is a media access control layer control element, and the media access control layer control element is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network.

[0224] In some embodiments, the configuration information is discontinuous reception configuration information;

[0225] The second acquiring unit 402 is configured to:

[0226] Determining an inactive period for discontinuous reception according to the discontinuous reception configuration information;

[0227] During the determined inactive period of the discontinuous reception, synchronization is performed with the first network.

[0228] In some embodiments, the device further comprises at least one of the following:

[0229] A first receiving unit is configured to receive first indication information sent by the second network, where the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network during an inactive period of discontinuous reception;

[0230] The second sending unit is used to send second indication information to the second network, where the second indication information is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network during the inactive period of discontinuous reception, or the second indication information is used to request the terminal to synchronize with the first network during the inactive period of discontinuous reception.

[0231] In some embodiments, the configuration information includes a synchronization validity period;

[0232] The second acquiring unit 402 is configured to:

[0233] If the synchronization validity period times out, synchronization is performed with the first network.

[0234] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises:

[0235] The second receiving unit is configured to receive third indication information sent by the second network, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the terminal can synchronize with the first network when the synchronization valid period times out.

[0236] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises:

[0237] A third sending unit is configured to send the synchronization validity period of the first network or the remaining time of the synchronization validity period of the first network to the second network; and / or,

[0238] Sending fourth indication information to the second network, where the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the terminal has achieved synchronization with the first network.

[0239] It should be noted that the device embodiment is a device that corresponds one-to-one to the above-mentioned method embodiment. All implementation methods in the above-mentioned method embodiment are applicable to the device embodiment and can achieve the same technical effects.

[0240] It should be noted that the division of units in the embodiments of the present disclosure is schematic and is merely a logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods may be used. Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of the present disclosure may be integrated into a single processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into a single unit. The aforementioned integrated units may be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional units.

[0241] If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a processor-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present disclosure is essentially or the part that contributes to the relevant technology or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, and the computer software product is stored in a storage medium, including a number of instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) or a processor to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present disclosure. The aforementioned storage medium includes: various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

[0242] As shown in FIG5 , an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a terminal, including a processor 500, a transceiver 510, a memory 520, and a program stored in the memory 520 and executable on the processor 500. The transceiver 510 is connected to the processor 500 and the memory 520 via a bus interface. The processor 500 is configured to read the program in the memory and execute the following process:

[0243] Obtain configuration information from the second network;

[0244] Synchronize with the first network according to the configuration information;

[0245] One of the first network and the second network is a terrestrial network, and the other is a non-terrestrial network.

[0246] The transceiver 510 is configured to receive and send data under the control of the processor 500 .

[0247] In FIG5 , the bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, specifically various circuits connected together by one or more processors represented by processor 500 and memory represented by memory 520. The bus architecture may also connect various other circuits such as peripheral devices, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art and are therefore not further described herein. The bus interface provides an interface. The transceiver 510 may be a plurality of components, including a transmitter and a receiver, providing a unit for communicating with various other devices on a transmission medium, such as a wireless channel, a wired channel, an optical cable, and the like. For different user devices, the user interface 530 may also be an interface capable of connecting external or internal devices as required, and the connected devices include but are not limited to a keypad, a display, a speaker, a microphone, a joystick, and the like.

[0248] The processor 500 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 520 can store data used by the processor 500 when performing operations.

[0249] In some embodiments, the processor 500 may be a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or a complex programmable logic device (CPLD). The processor may also adopt a multi-core architecture.

[0250] The processor calls the computer program stored in the memory to execute any of the methods provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure according to the obtained executable instructions. The processor and the memory can also be arranged physically separately.

[0251] In some embodiments, the configuration information includes interval configuration information, where the interval configuration information is used to indicate a start time of the interval and / or a length of the interval;

[0252] The processor is configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations:

[0253] Determining a start time of an interval and / or a length of an interval according to the interval configuration information;

[0254] Synchronization is performed with the first network within the determined start time of the interval and / or the length of the interval.

[0255] In some embodiments, the configuration information is a media access control layer control element, and the media access control layer control element is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network.

[0256] In some embodiments, the configuration information is discontinuous reception configuration information;

[0257] The processor is configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations:

[0258] Determining an inactive period for discontinuous reception according to the discontinuous reception configuration information;

[0259] During the determined inactive period of the discontinuous reception, synchronization is performed with the first network.

[0260] In some embodiments, the processor, configured to read the computer program in the memory, further performs at least one of the following operations:

[0261] receiving first indication information sent by the second network, where the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network during an inactive period of discontinuous reception;

[0262] Sending second indication information to the second network, where the second indication information is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network during the inactive period of discontinuous reception, or the second indication information is used to request the terminal to synchronize with the first network during the inactive period of discontinuous reception.

[0263] In some embodiments, the configuration information includes a synchronization validity period;

[0264] The processor is configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations:

[0265] If the synchronization validity period times out, synchronization is performed with the first network.

[0266] In some embodiments, the processor, configured to read the computer program in the memory, further performs the following operations:

[0267] Receive third indication information sent by the second network, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the terminal can synchronize with the first network when the synchronization valid time period times out.

[0268] In some embodiments, the processor, configured to read the computer program in the memory, further performs the following operations:

[0269] Sending the synchronization validity period of the first network or the remaining time of the synchronization validity period of the first network to the second network; and / or,

[0270] Sending fourth indication information to the second network, where the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the terminal has achieved synchronization with the first network.

[0271] It should be noted here that the above-mentioned terminal provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure can implement all the method steps implemented in the above-mentioned method embodiment and can achieve the same technical effects. The parts and beneficial effects of this embodiment that are the same as those in the method embodiment will not be described in detail here.

[0272] The present disclosure also provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, wherein when the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the network synchronization method applied to the terminal are implemented. The processor-readable storage medium can be any available medium or data storage device that the processor can access, including but not limited to magnetic storage (such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, a magneto-optical disk (MO), etc.), optical storage (such as a compact disk (CD), a digital video disc (DVD), a Blu-ray disc (BD), a high-definition versatile disc (HVD), etc.), and semiconductor memory (read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), non-volatile memory (NAND FLASH), solid-state drive (SSD), etc.).

[0273] As shown in FIG6 , an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an information transmission apparatus 600 , which is applied to a second network device and includes:

[0274] The first sending unit 601 is configured to send configuration information to a terminal;

[0275] The configuration information is used to assist the terminal in synchronizing with the first network device;

[0276] One of the first network device and the second network device is deployed in a terrestrial network, and the other is deployed in a non-terrestrial network.

[0277] In some embodiments, the configuration information satisfies at least one of the following:

[0278] The configuration information includes interval configuration information, where the interval configuration information is used to indicate the start time of the interval and / or the length of the interval;

[0279] The configuration information is a media access control layer control element, and the media access control layer control element is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network device;

[0280] The configuration information is discontinuous reception configuration information;

[0281] The configuration information includes synchronization validity period.

[0282] In some embodiments, the configuration information is discontinuous reception configuration information, and the apparatus further includes at least one of the following:

[0283] A fourth sending unit, configured to send first indication information to the terminal, where the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network device during an inactive period of discontinuous reception;

[0284] The third receiving unit is used to receive second indication information sent by the terminal, where the second indication information is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network device during the non-activated period of discontinuous reception, or the second indication information is used to request the terminal to synchronize with the first network device during the non-activated period of discontinuous reception.

[0285] In some embodiments, the configuration information includes a synchronization validity period, and the apparatus further includes:

[0286] The fifth sending unit is used to send third indication information to the terminal, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the terminal can synchronize with the first network device when the synchronization valid time period times out.

[0287] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises:

[0288] A fourth receiving unit is configured to receive the synchronization validity period of the first network device or the remaining time of the synchronization validity period of the first network device sent by the terminal; and / or

[0289] Fourth indication information sent by the receiving terminal is used to indicate that the terminal has achieved synchronization with the first network device.

[0290] It should be noted that the device embodiment is a device that corresponds one-to-one to the above-mentioned method embodiment. All implementation methods in the above-mentioned method embodiment are applicable to the device embodiment and can achieve the same technical effects.

[0291] It should be noted that the division of units in the embodiments of the present disclosure is schematic and is merely a logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods may be used. Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of the present disclosure may be integrated into a single processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into a single unit. The aforementioned integrated units may be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional units.

[0292] If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a processor-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present disclosure is essentially or the part that contributes to the relevant technology or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, and the computer software product is stored in a storage medium, including a number of instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) or a processor to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present disclosure. The aforementioned storage medium includes: various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

[0293] As shown in FIG7 , an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a network device, which is a second network device and includes a processor 700, a transceiver 710, a memory 720, and a program stored in the memory 720 and executable on the processor 700; wherein the transceiver 710 is connected to the processor 700 and the memory 720 via a bus interface, wherein the processor 700 is configured to read the program in the memory and execute the following process: wherein the processor is configured to read the computer program in the memory and execute the following operations:

[0294] Sending configuration information to the terminal via the receiver;

[0295] The configuration information is used to assist the terminal in synchronizing with the first network device;

[0296] One of the first network device and the second network device is deployed in a terrestrial network, and the other is deployed in a non-terrestrial network.

[0297] The transceiver 710 is configured to receive and send data under the control of the processor 700 .

[0298] In FIG7 , the bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, specifically various circuits connected together by one or more processors represented by processor 700 and memory represented by memory 720. The bus architecture may also connect various other circuits such as peripheral devices, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art and are therefore not further described herein. The bus interface provides an interface. The transceiver 710 may be a plurality of components, i.e., a transmitter and a receiver, providing a unit for communicating with various other devices on a transmission medium, such as a wireless channel, a wired channel, an optical cable, and the like. For different user devices, the user interface 730 may also be an interface capable of connecting external or internal devices as required, and the connected devices include but are not limited to a keypad, a display, a speaker, a microphone, a joystick, and the like.

[0299] The processor 700 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 720 can store data used by the processor 700 when performing operations.

[0300] In some embodiments, the processor 700 may be a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or a complex programmable logic device (CPLD). The processor may also adopt a multi-core architecture.

[0301] The processor calls the computer program stored in the memory to execute any of the methods provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure according to the obtained executable instructions. The processor and the memory can also be arranged physically separately.

[0302] In some embodiments, the configuration information satisfies at least one of the following:

[0303] The configuration information includes interval configuration information, where the interval configuration information is used to indicate the start time of the interval and / or the length of the interval;

[0304] The configuration information is a media access control layer control element, and the media access control layer control element is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network device;

[0305] The configuration information is discontinuous reception configuration information;

[0306] The configuration information includes synchronization validity period.

[0307] In some embodiments, the configuration information is discontinuous reception configuration information, and the processor, configured to read the computer program in the memory, further performs at least one of the following operations:

[0308] Sending first indication information to the terminal, where the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network device during an inactive period of discontinuous reception;

[0309] The second indication information sent by the receiving terminal is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network device during the inactive period of discontinuous reception, or the second indication information is used to request the terminal to synchronize with the first network device during the inactive period of discontinuous reception.

[0310] In some embodiments, the configuration information includes a synchronization validity period, and the processor, configured to read the computer program in the memory, further performs the following operations:

[0311] Sending third indication information to the terminal, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the terminal can synchronize with the first network device when the synchronization valid time period times out.

[0312] In some embodiments, the processor, configured to read the computer program in the memory, further performs the following operations:

[0313] The synchronization validity period of the first network device or the remaining time of the synchronization validity period of the first network device sent by the receiving terminal; and / or

[0314] Fourth indication information sent by the receiving terminal is used to indicate that the terminal has achieved synchronization with the first network device.

[0315] It should be noted here that the above-mentioned network device provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure can implement all the method steps implemented in the above-mentioned method embodiment and can achieve the same technical effect. The parts and beneficial effects of this embodiment that are the same as those in the method embodiment will not be described in detail here.

[0316] The present disclosure also provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, wherein when the computer program is executed by a processor, the computer program implements the steps of the information transmission method applied to the second network device. The processor-readable storage medium can be any available medium or data storage device that the processor can access, including but not limited to magnetic storage (such as a floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, magneto-optical disk (MO), etc.), optical storage (such as CD, DVD, BD, HVD, etc.), and semiconductor storage (such as ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, non-volatile memory (NAND FLASH), solid-state drive (SSD)), etc.

[0317] The embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a computer program product, including computer instructions. When the computer instructions are executed by a processor, the various processes in the above method embodiment are implemented and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, they are not described here.

[0318] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of the present disclosure may be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, the present disclosure may take the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware. Furthermore, the present disclosure may take the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to magnetic disk storage and optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0319] The present disclosure is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be understood that each process and / or box in the flowchart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of the processes and / or boxes in the flowchart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer-executable instructions. These computer-executable instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device produce a device for implementing the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0320] These processor-executable instructions may also be stored in a processor-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the processor-readable memory produce a product including an instruction device that implements the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0321] These processor-executable instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device so that a series of operational steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, whereby the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0322] In addition, it should be noted that, in the apparatus and method of the present invention, it is obvious that each component or each step can be decomposed and / or recombined. These decompositions and / or recombinations should be regarded as equivalent schemes of the present invention. Moreover, the steps of performing the above-mentioned series of processing can naturally be performed in chronological order according to the order of description, but it is not necessary to perform them in chronological order, and some steps can be performed in parallel or independently of each other. For those of ordinary skill in the art, it will be understood that all or any steps or components of the method and apparatus of the present invention can be implemented in any computing device (including processors, storage media, etc.) or a network of computing devices in hardware, firmware, software or a combination thereof, which can be achieved by those of ordinary skill in the art using their basic programming skills after reading the description of the present invention.

[0323] It should be noted that it should be understood that the division of the above modules is merely a division of logical functions. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into one physical entity, or they can be physically separated. Moreover, these modules can all be implemented in the form of software called by a processing element; or they can all be implemented in the form of hardware; or some modules can be implemented in the form of software called by a processing element, and some modules can be implemented in the form of hardware. For example, a module can be a separately established processing element, or it can be integrated into a chip of the above-mentioned device. In addition, it can also be stored in the memory of the above-mentioned device in the form of program code, and called by a processing element of the above-mentioned device to perform the functions of the above-mentioned module. The implementation of other modules is similar. In addition, these modules can all or partly be integrated together, or they can be implemented independently. The processing element described here can be an integrated circuit with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, each step of the above method or each module above can be completed by an integrated logic circuit of hardware in the processor element or instructions in the form of software.

[0324] For example, each module, unit, sub-unit or sub-module can be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above method, such as one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), or one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). For another example, when a module is implemented by scheduling program code through a processing element, the processing element can be a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or other processor that can call program code. For another example, these modules can be integrated together and implemented in the form of a system-on-a-chip (SOC).

[0325] The terms "first," "second," and the like in the specification and claims of the present disclosure are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or precedence. It should be understood that the terms used in this manner are interchangeable where appropriate, so that the embodiments of the present disclosure described herein may be implemented in a sequence other than that illustrated or described herein. In addition, the terms "including" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units need not be limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not explicitly listed or that are inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices. In addition, the use of "and / or" in the specification and claims to indicate at least one of the connected objects, for example, A and / or B and / or C, means that seven situations are included: A alone, B alone, C alone, both A and B present, both B and C present, both A and C present, and all A, B, and C present. Similarly, the use of "at least one of A and B" in the specification and claims should be understood to mean "A alone, B alone, or both A and B present."

[0326] Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications to the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present disclosure fall within the scope of the claims of the present disclosure and their equivalents, the present disclosure is intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A network synchronization method, executed by a terminal, comprising: Obtain configuration information from the second network; Synchronize with the first network according to the configuration information; One of the first network and the second network is a terrestrial network, and the other is a non-terrestrial network.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The configuration information includes interval configuration information, where the interval configuration information is used to indicate the start time of the interval and / or the length of the interval; The synchronizing with the first network according to the configuration information includes: Determining a start time of an interval and / or a length of an interval according to the interval configuration information; Synchronization is performed with the first network within the determined start time of the interval and / or the length of the interval.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein The configuration information is a media access control layer control element, and the media access control layer control element is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein The configuration information is discontinuous reception configuration information; The synchronizing with the first network according to the configuration information includes: Determining an inactive period for discontinuous reception according to the discontinuous reception configuration information; During the determined inactive period of the discontinuous reception, synchronization is performed with the first network.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein The method further comprises at least one of the following: receiving first indication information sent by the second network, where the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network during an inactive period of discontinuous reception; Sending second indication information to the second network, where the second indication information is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network during the inactive period of discontinuous reception, or the second indication information is used to request the terminal to synchronize with the first network during the inactive period of discontinuous reception.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein The configuration information includes synchronization validity period; The synchronizing with the first network according to the configuration information includes: If the synchronization validity period times out, synchronization is performed with the first network.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein Also includes: Receive third indication information sent by the second network, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the terminal can synchronize with the first network when the synchronization valid time period times out.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: Also includes: Sending the synchronization validity period of the first network or the remaining time of the synchronization validity period of the first network to the second network; and / or, Sending fourth indication information to the second network, where the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the terminal has achieved synchronization with the first network.

9. An information transmission method, performed by a network device, comprising: The second network device sends configuration information to the terminal; The configuration information is used to assist the terminal in synchronizing with the first network device; One of the first network device and the second network device is deployed in a terrestrial network, and the other is deployed in a non-terrestrial network.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein: The configuration information satisfies at least one of the following: The configuration information includes interval configuration information, where the interval configuration information is used to indicate the start time of the interval and / or the length of the interval; The configuration information is a media access control layer control element, and the media access control layer control element is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network device; The configuration information is discontinuous reception configuration information; The configuration information includes synchronization validity period.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein: The configuration information is discontinuous reception configuration information, and the method further includes at least one of the following: Sending first indication information to the terminal, where the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network device during an inactive period of discontinuous reception; The second indication information sent by the receiving terminal is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network device during the inactive period of discontinuous reception, or the second indication information is used to request the terminal to synchronize with the first network device during the inactive period of discontinuous reception.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein: The configuration information includes a synchronization validity period, and the method further includes: Sending third indication information to the terminal, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the terminal can synchronize with the first network device when the synchronization valid time period times out.

13. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein: Also includes: The synchronization validity period of the first network device or the remaining time of the synchronization validity period of the first network device sent by the receiving terminal; and / or, Fourth indication information sent by the receiving terminal is used to indicate that the terminal has achieved synchronization with the first network device.

14. A terminal comprising a memory, a transceiver, and a processor: A memory for storing a computer program; a transceiver for transmitting and receiving data under the control of the processor; and a processor for reading the computer program in the memory and performing the following operations: Obtain configuration information from the second network; Synchronize with the first network according to the configuration information; in, One of the first network and the second network is a terrestrial network, and the other is a non-terrestrial network. The terminal according to claim 14 , wherein: The configuration information includes interval configuration information, where the interval configuration information is used to indicate the start time of the interval and / or the length of the interval; The processor is configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations: Determining a start time of an interval and / or a length of an interval according to the interval configuration information; Synchronization is performed with the first network within the determined start time of the interval and / or the length of the interval. The terminal according to claim 14 , wherein: The configuration information is a media access control layer control element, and the media access control layer control element is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network. The terminal according to claim 14 , wherein: The configuration information is discontinuous reception configuration information; The processor is configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations: Determining an inactive period for discontinuous reception according to the discontinuous reception configuration information; During the determined inactive period of the discontinuous reception, synchronization is performed with the first network. The terminal according to claim 17 , wherein: The processor is configured to read the computer program in the memory and further perform at least one of the following operations: receiving first indication information sent by the second network, where the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network during an inactive period of discontinuous reception; Sending second indication information to the second network, where the second indication information is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network during the inactive period of discontinuous reception, or the second indication information is used to request the terminal to synchronize with the first network during the inactive period of discontinuous reception. The terminal according to claim 14 , wherein: The configuration information includes synchronization validity period; The processor is configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations: If the synchronization validity period times out, synchronization is performed with the first network.

20. The terminal according to claim 19, wherein: The processor is configured to read the computer program in the memory and further perform the following operations: Receive third indication information sent by the second network, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the terminal can synchronize with the first network when the synchronization valid time period times out.

21. The terminal according to any one of claims 14 to 20, wherein: The processor is configured to read the computer program in the memory and further perform the following operations: Sending the synchronization validity period of the first network or the remaining time of the synchronization validity period of the first network to the second network; and / or, Sending fourth indication information to the second network, where the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the terminal has achieved synchronization with the first network.

22. A network device, the network device being a second network device, comprising a memory, a transceiver, and a processor: A memory for storing a computer program; a transceiver for transmitting and receiving data under the control of the processor; and a processor for reading the computer program in the memory and performing the following operations: Sending configuration information to the terminal via the receiver; in, The configuration information is used to assist the terminal in synchronizing with the first network device; One of the first network device and the second network device is deployed in a terrestrial network, and the other is deployed in a non-terrestrial network.

23. The network device according to claim 22, wherein: The configuration information satisfies at least one of the following: The configuration information includes interval configuration information, where the interval configuration information is used to indicate the start time of the interval and / or the length of the interval; The configuration information is a media access control layer control element, and the media access control layer control element is used to instruct the terminal to synchronize with the first network device; The configuration information is discontinuous reception configuration information; The configuration information includes synchronization validity period.

24. A network synchronization device, applied to a terminal, comprising: A first acquiring unit, configured to acquire configuration information from a second network; a second acquiring unit, configured to synchronize with the first network according to the configuration information; One of the first network and the second network is a terrestrial network, and the other is a non-terrestrial network.

25. An information transmission device, applied to a second network device, comprising: A first sending unit, configured to send configuration information to a terminal; The configuration information is used to assist the terminal in synchronizing with the first network device; One of the first network device and the second network device is deployed in a terrestrial network, and the other is deployed in a non-terrestrial network.

26. A processor-readable storage medium storing a computer program, wherein the computer program is configured to cause the processor to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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