Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus. A terminal-side apparatus sends first information to a network-side apparatus, the first information being used for indicating a first satellite set, and a satellite comprised in the first satellite set being a candidate cooperative satellite determined by the terminal-side apparatus. The terminal-side apparatus receives second information, the second information being used for indicating a second satellite set, and the second satellite set being determined on the basis of the first satellite set. The terminal-side apparatus sends measurement results of N satellites to the network-side apparatus. The terminal-side apparatus receives third information, the third information being used for indicating that a cooperative satellite of the terminal-side apparatus is a first satellite, and the first satellite belonging to the N satellites. In embodiments of the present application, a cooperative satellite is configured for a terminal-side apparatus on the basis of related information of the terminal-side apparatus, thereby reducing measurement overhead and configuration overhead.

Description

A communication method and apparatus

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202410487008.9, filed on April 22, 2024, entitled "A Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0004] Future satellite systems will primarily feature two characteristics: large-scale constellations and high-gain antennas. These technologies provide the prerequisites for multi-satellite joint transmission. Multi-satellite joint transmission can not only improve spectral efficiency but also increase throughput, showing promising application prospects.

[0005] In multi-satellite joint transmission technology, serving satellites and cooperating satellites need to be configured for user equipment (UE) to achieve multi-satellite joint transmission. However, there is currently no method for configuring cooperating satellites for UE, therefore multi-satellite joint transmission cannot be achieved. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method and apparatus for configuring cooperative satellites for terminal devices to achieve multi-satellite joint transmission.

[0007] Firstly, a first communication method is provided, which can be applied to a terminal-side device, also referred to as a terminal device. This terminal device is, for example, a terminal equipment, or other equipment including terminal equipment functions, or a circuit, or a system-on-a-chip (or a chip, such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, or a system-in-package (SIP) chip) or other functional module, which is capable of implementing the functions of the terminal equipment, and which is, for example, disposed within the terminal equipment. The method includes: sending first information to a network-side device, the first information indicating a first satellite set, the first satellite set including information on M satellites, the M satellites being candidate cooperating satellites determined by a terminal-side device, where M is a positive integer; receiving second information, the second information indicating a second satellite set, the second satellite set including information on N satellites, the second satellite set being determined based on the first satellite set; sending measurement results of the N satellites to the network-side device; and receiving third information, the third information indicating that the cooperating satellite of the terminal-side device is a first satellite, and the first satellite belongs to the N satellites.

[0008] In this embodiment, the terminal device can first determine a first satellite set, and the network device, in conjunction with the first satellite set, determines a second satellite set. By measuring the second satellite set, the terminal device can configure cooperating satellites. Thus, this embodiment provides a method for configuring cooperating satellites for a terminal device, enabling a multi-satellite joint transmission mechanism. Furthermore, this embodiment can configure cooperating satellites for the terminal device based on the first satellite set, which is determined by the terminal device, and the satellites included in the first satellite set have a high probability of serving as cooperating satellites for the terminal device. The second satellite set is also determined based on the first satellite set. This means the terminal device can measure satellites with a high probability of serving as cooperating satellites, without having to measure too many satellites, thus reducing the measurement overhead of the terminal device. In addition, the network-side device determines the second satellite set based on the first satellite set. The satellites included in the second satellite set are more likely to be used as cooperative satellites of the terminal-side device. That is, the satellites determined by the network-side device are more targeted. Compared with the method where the network-side device does not determine the satellites based on the information of the terminal-side device, the number of satellites determined by the network-side device in this embodiment can be reduced. Therefore, the network-side device configures fewer satellites to be measured for the terminal-side device, which can save the configuration cost of the network-side device.

[0009] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: determining the first satellite set based on one or more of the following: attitude information of the terminal device; antenna gain corresponding to the elevation angle and / or azimuth angle of the antenna of the terminal device; position information of the terminal device; position information of at least one satellite, wherein the at least one satellite includes the M satellites; or, at least one gain threshold corresponding to at least one satellite, wherein the at least one satellite includes the M satellites. The terminal device may determine the first satellite set based on one or more of the above information, or it may determine the first satellite set based on other information, without limitation.

[0010] In one optional implementation, the first satellite set includes a second satellite, wherein, in the first attitude of the terminal device, the second satellite is located in the direction corresponding to the first elevation angle and / or the first azimuth angle of the antenna of the terminal device, and the antenna gain corresponding to the first elevation angle and / or the first azimuth angle of the antenna of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the gain threshold corresponding to the second satellite. This provides a method for the terminal device to determine the first satellite set (or, determine the satellites in the first satellite set), wherein the satellites in the first satellite set can cover the terminal device together with the serving satellites of the terminal device, enabling these satellites to function as cooperating satellites; furthermore, when the satellites in the first satellite set serve the terminal device, the antenna gain corresponding to the terminal device is relatively large, which helps to improve the communication quality of the terminal device.

[0011] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: receiving a gain threshold corresponding to a third satellite, wherein the gain threshold corresponding to the third satellite belongs to the at least one gain threshold, and the third satellite belongs to the first satellite set; and / or, receiving a signal quality threshold, and determining a gain threshold corresponding to a fourth satellite based on the signal quality threshold, wherein the gain threshold corresponding to the fourth satellite belongs to the at least one gain threshold, and the fourth satellite belongs to the first satellite set. The gain threshold used by the terminal-side device to determine the first satellite set can be entirely calculated by the terminal-side device itself, entirely received from other devices, or partially calculated by the terminal-side device itself and partially received from other devices, offering considerable flexibility.

[0012] In one optional implementation, determining the gain threshold corresponding to the fourth satellite based on the signal quality threshold includes: determining the gain threshold corresponding to the fourth satellite based on the signal quality threshold and the EIRP density corresponding to the fourth satellite. This provides one method for the terminal-side device to calculate the gain threshold; in addition, the terminal-side device can also calculate the gain threshold based on other methods (e.g., other parameters).

[0013] In one optional implementation, determining the gain threshold corresponding to the fourth satellite based on the signal quality threshold includes: determining multiple gain thresholds for the fourth satellite within a first time period based on the signal quality threshold; and determining the minimum value among the multiple gain thresholds as the gain threshold corresponding to the fourth satellite. Some or all of the parameters used to calculate the gain threshold may change over time; therefore, the terminal device can calculate one or more thresholds for a satellite within the first time period, and then determine the gain threshold for that satellite based on these one or more thresholds, thereby improving the accuracy of the determined gain threshold.

[0014] In one optional implementation, the first information is used to indicate a first satellite set, including: the first information indicating the association between K satellite sets and K indices, wherein each of the K satellite sets corresponds to an attitude of the terminal device, and the first satellite set is included in the K satellite sets, where K is a positive integer. For example, different attitudes of the UE may correspond to different satellites (or satellite sets), so optionally, the first information may indicate the association between the K satellite sets and K indices. Each of the K satellite sets may correspond to an attitude of the UE, and different satellite sets may correspond to different attitudes.

[0015] In one optional implementation, the second information includes an index corresponding to the second satellite set; or, the second information includes information about the N satellites. The second information may include information about the N satellites, making the indication more explicit; alternatively, the second information may also include an index of the second satellite set, without necessarily including information about the N satellites, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0016] In an optional implementation, before sending the first information to the network-side device, the method further includes: determining to update the cooperating satellites of the terminal-side device based on the signal quality of the serving satellite and / or the fifth satellite being less than or equal to a first threshold; and / or determining to update the cooperating satellites of the terminal-side device based on the ephemeris information of the fifth satellite; wherein the fifth satellite is the original cooperating satellite of the terminal-side device. For example, if the terminal-side device determines that the signal quality of the serving satellite and / or the original cooperating satellite is poor, and / or determines that the original cooperating satellite does not meet the conditions for providing services, then the terminal-side device can determine to update the cooperating satellites. It can be understood that the solution provided in this application embodiment can be triggered when the terminal-side device has a need, making the solution in this application embodiment more targeted.

[0017] In one optional implementation, determining the cooperating satellite for updating the terminal device based on the ephemeris information of the fifth satellite includes: determining one or more of the following based on the ephemeris information of the fifth satellite: the elevation angle of the fifth satellite is less than or equal to a second threshold; the distance between the fifth satellite and the terminal device is greater than or equal to a third threshold; or the remaining service time of the fifth satellite is less than or equal to a fourth threshold; and determining the cooperating satellite for updating the terminal device based on the one or more of these criteria. If the elevation angle of the fifth satellite is less than or equal to the second threshold, it indicates that the communication quality between the terminal device and the fifth satellite may be poor, or that the fifth satellite may be unable to continue serving the terminal device. If the distance between the fifth satellite and the terminal device is greater than or equal to the third threshold, it indicates that the distance between the fifth satellite and the terminal device is far, and the communication quality between the terminal device and the fifth satellite may be poor, or that the fifth satellite may be unable to continue serving the terminal device. If the remaining service time of the fifth satellite is less than or equal to the fourth threshold, it indicates that the fifth satellite is about to cease serving the terminal device. Therefore, in these situations, the terminal device can determine to update its cooperating satellites to improve the communication quality of the terminal device or ensure that the terminal device can continue to be covered by the network.

[0018] Secondly, a second communication method is provided, which can be applied to a network-side device, also referred to as a network device. This network device is, for example, a network equipment, or other equipment including network equipment functions, or a circuit, or a system-on-a-chip (or chip), or other functional module capable of implementing the functions of the network equipment, and is, for example, disposed within the network equipment. The network equipment includes, for example, core network equipment and / or access network equipment. The network equipment is, for example, a satellite, or located on a satellite. The network equipment is, for example, a serving network equipment for a terminal device. The method includes: receiving first information, the first information indicating a first satellite set, the first satellite set including information on M satellites, the M satellites being candidate cooperating satellites determined by the terminal-side device, where M is a positive integer; sending second information, the second information indicating a second satellite set, the second satellite set including information on N satellites, the second satellite set being determined based on the first satellite set; receiving measurement results from the N satellites; and sending third information to the terminal-side device, the third information indicating that the cooperating satellite of the terminal-side device is a first satellite, the first satellite belonging to the N satellites.

[0019] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: sending information about the first satellite set to a central processing node; and receiving information about the second satellite set from the central processing node. The central processing node can manage individual satellites; for example, it can obtain information about each satellite, thus the second satellite set determined by the central processing node is more accurate.

[0020] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: sending a request message to each of the M satellites, the request message requesting each satellite to act as a cooperating satellite of the terminal device; receiving a response message from each satellite, the response message indicating whether each satellite is permitted to act as a cooperating satellite of the terminal device; and determining a second satellite set based on the response message. In this implementation, without the need for a central processing node, the network-side device can determine the second satellite set through interaction with each satellite. Therefore, this implementation does not rely on a centralized architecture (e.g., an architecture including a central processing node), has lower requirements for application scenarios, and is more widely applicable.

[0021] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: sending a gain threshold corresponding to the serving satellite of the terminal device to the terminal device; or sending a signal quality threshold to the terminal device, the signal quality threshold being used to determine a gain threshold corresponding to at least one satellite, the at least one satellite including the M satellites.

[0022] In one optional implementation, the first information is used to indicate a first satellite set, including: the first information is used to indicate the association between K satellite sets and K indices, wherein each of the K satellite sets corresponds to an attitude of the terminal-side device, and the first satellite set is included in the K satellite sets, where K is a positive integer.

[0023] In one optional implementation, the second information is used to indicate a second satellite set, including: the second information includes an index corresponding to the second satellite set; or, the second information includes information about the N satellites.

[0024] For the technical effects of the second aspect or various alternative implementation methods, please refer to the introduction of the technical effects of the first aspect or corresponding implementation methods.

[0025] Thirdly, a third communication method is provided, which can be applied to a central processing node-side device, also known as a central processing node. This central processing node is, for example, a network-side device or a terminal-side device, or other equipment including the functions of a network-side device or a terminal-side device, or a circuit, or a chip system (or chip), or other functional module capable of implementing the functions of the network-side device or the terminal-side device, and is, for example, located within the network-side device or the terminal-side device. The network-side device includes, for example, core network equipment and / or access network equipment. The network-side device is, for example, a satellite, or located on a satellite, or may be located on the ground. The method includes: receiving information about a first satellite set, the first satellite set including information about M satellites, the M satellites being candidate cooperating satellites determined by the terminal-side device, where M is a positive integer; and sending information about a second satellite set to the network-side device, the second satellite set being determined based on the first satellite set, the second satellite set including information about N satellites, where N is a positive integer.

[0026] In one alternative implementation, the second satellite set is determined based on one or more of the following information: the payload information of the M satellites; the resource usage information of the M satellites; or, the interference information of the M satellites.

[0027] Regarding the technical effects of the third aspect or various alternative implementations, refer to the description of the technical effects of the first aspect or corresponding implementations, and / or refer to the description of the technical effects of the second aspect or corresponding implementations.

[0028] Fourthly, a fourth communication method is provided, which can be applied to a terminal-side device, also known as a terminal device. This terminal device is, for example, a terminal equipment, or other equipment including terminal equipment functions, or a circuit, or a chip system (or chip, such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core) or other functional module, which can implement the functions of the terminal equipment, and is, for example, disposed within the terminal equipment. The method includes: receiving first information, the first information indicating a first satellite set, the first satellite set including information on M satellites, where M is a positive integer; determining that N satellites among the M satellites are available satellites, where N is an integer less than or equal to M and greater than 0; sending measurement results of the N satellites to a network-side device; and receiving second information, the second information indicating a first satellite among the N satellites, the first satellite being a cooperating satellite of the terminal-side device.

[0029] This application provides a method for configuring cooperative satellites for a terminal device, enabling a multi-satellite joint transmission mechanism. Furthermore, the terminal device in this application can filter the satellites to be measured configured by the network device, ensuring that the satellites measured by the terminal device are those with a high probability of serving the terminal device, thus improving the success rate of cooperative satellite configuration. Moreover, the terminal device can measure only satellites with a high probability of serving as cooperative satellites, without needing to measure an excessive number of satellites, thereby reducing the measurement overhead of the terminal device.

[0030] In one optional implementation, determining N satellites out of the M satellites as usable satellites includes: determining the N satellites as usable satellites based on one or more of the following information: attitude information of the terminal device; antenna gain corresponding to the elevation angle and / or azimuth angle of the antenna of the terminal device; position information of the terminal device; position information of the M satellites; or, M gain thresholds. The terminal device can determine usable satellites based on one or more of the above information, or it can also determine usable satellites based on other information, without limitation.

[0031] In one optional implementation, sending the measurement results of the N satellites to the network-side device includes: sending M measurement results corresponding to the M satellites to the network-side device, wherein the N measurement results are the measurement results of the N satellites, and the MN measurement results are virtual values; or, sending the M measurement results corresponding to the M satellites to the network-side device, wherein the MN measurement results correspond to first indication information, and the N measurement results correspond to second indication information or do not correspond to the first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the corresponding measurement result is unavailable, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the corresponding measurement result is available. For example, the terminal-side device may not perform measurements on the MN satellites, but only needs to report the virtual measurement results (e.g., virtual values) of the MN satellites to the network-side device. The network-side device can determine that the MN satellites are unavailable based on the virtual values, which also saves the measurement and reporting overhead of the terminal-side device. Alternatively, the terminal-side device may also perform measurements on the MN satellites. For example, the terminal-side device may send M measurement results to the network-side device, but the MN measurement results may correspond to the first indication information, so that the network-side device clearly knows that the MN satellites are unavailable.

[0032] Fifthly, a fifth communication method is provided, which can be applied to a network-side device, also known as a network device. This network device is, for example, a network equipment, or other equipment including network equipment functions, or a circuit, or a chip system (or chip) or other functional module capable of implementing the functions of the network equipment, and is, for example, disposed within the network equipment. The network equipment includes, for example, core network equipment and / or access network equipment. The network equipment is, for example, a satellite, or located on a satellite. The network equipment is, for example, a serving network equipment for a terminal device. The method includes: sending first information, the first information indicating a first satellite set, the first satellite set including information of M satellites, where M is a positive integer; receiving measurement results from N satellites among the M satellites; and sending second information, the second information indicating a first satellite among the N satellites, the first satellite being a cooperating satellite of the terminal-side device.

[0033] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: sending information about a second set of satellites to a central processing node; and receiving information about a first set of satellites from the central processing node. The central processing node can manage individual satellites; for example, it can obtain information about each satellite, thus the first set of satellites determined by the central processing node is more accurate.

[0034] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: sending a request message to each of the at least one satellite, the request message requesting each satellite to act as a cooperating satellite of the terminal-side device; receiving a response message from each satellite, the response message indicating whether each satellite is permitted to act as a cooperating satellite of the terminal-side device; and determining a first satellite set based on the response message, wherein the M satellites belong to the at least one satellite. In this implementation, without the need for a central processing node, the network-side device can determine the first satellite set through interaction with each satellite. Therefore, this implementation does not rely on a centralized architecture (e.g., an architecture including a central processing node), has lower requirements for application scenarios, and is more widely applicable.

[0035] In one optional implementation, receiving measurement results from N satellites out of the M satellites includes: receiving M measurement results corresponding to the M satellites, wherein the N measurement results are the measurement results of the N satellites, and the MN measurement results are virtual values; or, receiving M measurement results corresponding to the M satellites, wherein the MN measurement results correspond to first indication information, and the N measurement results correspond to second indication information or do not correspond to the first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the corresponding measurement result is unavailable, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the corresponding measurement result is available.

[0036] For the technical effects of the optional implementation methods in the fifth aspect, please refer to the description of the technical effects in the fourth aspect or the corresponding implementation methods.

[0037] Sixthly, a communication device is provided. The communication device can be a terminal-side device as described in any of the first to third aspects above. The communication device possesses the functions of the aforementioned terminal-side device. For example, the communication device has the functions described in any of the first to third aspects above; for example, the communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the operations described in any of the first to third aspects above. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. The communication device is, for example, a terminal device, or other device including terminal device functions, or a chip system (or chip or circuit) or other functional module capable of implementing the functions of a terminal device, and is, for example, disposed in a terminal device. In one optional implementation, the communication device includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device. In another optional implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also called a processing module) and a transceiver unit (sometimes also called a transceiver module). A transceiver unit can perform both sending and receiving functions. When the transceiver unit performs the sending function, it can be called a sending unit (sometimes also called a sending module), and when it performs the receiving function, it can be called a receiving unit (sometimes also called a receiving module). The sending unit and the receiving unit can be the same functional module, which is called the transceiver unit and can perform both sending and receiving functions; or, the sending unit and the receiving unit can be different functional modules, and the transceiver unit is a collective term for these functional modules.

[0038] In one optional implementation, the transceiver unit (or the sending unit) is configured to send first information to the network-side device, the first information indicating a first satellite set, the first satellite set including information on M satellites, the M satellites being candidate cooperating satellites determined by the terminal-side device, where M is a positive integer; the transceiver unit (or the receiving unit) is configured to receive second information, the second information indicating a second satellite set, the second satellite set including information on N satellites, the second satellite set being determined based on the first satellite set; the transceiver unit (or the sending unit) is further configured to send measurement results of the N satellites to the network-side device; the transceiver unit (or the receiving unit) is further configured to receive third information, the third information indicating that the cooperating satellite of the terminal-side device is a first satellite, and the first satellite belongs to the N satellites.

[0039] In one alternative implementation, the first satellite set is determined based on one or more of the following: attitude information of the terminal device; antenna gain corresponding to the elevation angle and / or azimuth angle of the antenna of the terminal device; position information of the terminal device; position information of at least one satellite, the at least one satellite including the M satellites; or, at least one gain threshold corresponding to at least one satellite, the at least one satellite including the M satellites.

[0040] In one optional implementation, the first satellite set includes a second satellite, wherein, in the first attitude of the terminal device, the second satellite is located in the direction corresponding to the first elevation angle and / or the first azimuth angle of the antenna of the terminal device, and the antenna gain corresponding to the first elevation angle and / or the first azimuth angle of the antenna of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the gain threshold corresponding to the second satellite.

[0041] In one optional implementation, the transceiver unit (or the receiving unit) is further configured to receive a gain threshold corresponding to a third satellite, the gain threshold corresponding to the third satellite belonging to the at least one gain threshold, and the third satellite belonging to the first satellite set; and / or, the transceiver unit (or the receiving unit) is further configured to receive a signal quality threshold, and the processing unit is configured to determine a gain threshold corresponding to a fourth satellite based on the signal quality threshold, the gain threshold corresponding to the fourth satellite belonging to the at least one gain threshold, and the fourth satellite belonging to the first satellite set.

[0042] In one optional implementation, the processing unit is configured to determine the gain threshold corresponding to the fourth satellite based on the signal quality threshold in the following manner: determining the gain threshold corresponding to the fourth satellite based on the signal quality threshold and the EIRP density corresponding to the fourth satellite.

[0043] In one optional implementation, the processing unit is configured to determine the gain threshold corresponding to the fourth satellite based on the signal quality threshold by: determining multiple gain thresholds of the fourth satellite within a first time period based on the signal quality threshold; and determining the minimum value among the multiple gain thresholds as the gain threshold corresponding to the fourth satellite.

[0044] In one optional implementation, the first information is used to indicate a first satellite set, including: the first information is used to indicate the association between K satellite sets and K indices, wherein each of the K satellite sets corresponds to an attitude of the terminal-side device, and the first satellite set is included in the K satellite sets, where K is a positive integer.

[0045] In one optional implementation, the second information includes an index corresponding to the second satellite set; or, the second information includes information about the N satellites.

[0046] In one optional implementation, the processing unit is configured to, before the transceiver unit sends the first information to the network-side device, determine and update the cooperating satellites of the terminal-side device based on the signal quality of the serving satellite and / or the fifth satellite being less than or equal to a first threshold; and / or, the processing unit is configured to, before the transceiver unit sends the first information to the network-side device, determine and update the cooperating satellites of the terminal-side device based on the ephemeris information of the fifth satellite; wherein the fifth satellite is the original cooperating satellite of the terminal-side device.

[0047] In one optional implementation, the processing unit is configured to determine, based on the ephemeris information of the fifth satellite, the cooperating satellite for updating the terminal device by: determining, based on the ephemeris information of the fifth satellite, that the elevation angle of the fifth satellite is less than or equal to a second threshold, the distance between the fifth satellite and the terminal device is greater than or equal to a third threshold, or the remaining service time of the fifth satellite is less than or equal to a fourth threshold; and determining, based on the one or more of the above, the cooperating satellite for updating the terminal device.

[0048] In an alternative embodiment, the communication device further includes a storage unit (sometimes also called a storage module), and the processing unit is configured to couple with the storage unit and execute programs or instructions in the storage unit to enable the communication device to perform the functions of the terminal-side device described in any of the first to third aspects above.

[0049] A seventh aspect provides a communication device. The communication device can be a network-side device as described in any of the first to third aspects above. The communication device possesses the functions of the aforementioned network-side device. For example, the communication device is capable of implementing the functions described in any of the first to third aspects above. For instance, the communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the operations described in any of the first to third aspects above. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. The communication device is, for example, a network device, or other device including network device functions, or a chip system (or chip or circuit) or other functional module capable of implementing the functions of a network device. This chip system or functional module is, for example, disposed within a network device. The network device includes, for example, core network equipment and / or access network equipment. The network device is, for example, a satellite, or located on a satellite. The network device is, for example, a serving network device for a terminal device. In an optional implementation, the communication device includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device. In another alternative implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also called a processing module) and a transceiver unit (sometimes also called a transceiver module). For details on the implementation of the transceiver unit, please refer to the relevant description in Section VI.

[0050] In one optional implementation, the transceiver unit (or the receiving unit) is configured to receive first information, the first information indicating a first satellite set, the first satellite set including information on M satellites, the M satellites being candidate cooperating satellites determined by the terminal device, where M is a positive integer; the transceiver unit (or the sending unit) is configured to send second information, the second information indicating a second satellite set, the second satellite set including information on N satellites, the second satellite set being determined based on the first satellite set; the transceiver unit (or the receiving unit) is further configured to receive measurement results from the N satellites; the transceiver unit (or the sending unit) is further configured to send third information to the terminal device, the third information indicating that the cooperating satellite of the terminal device is a first satellite, and the first satellite belongs to the N satellites.

[0051] In one optional implementation, the transceiver unit (or the sending unit) is further configured to send information about the first satellite set to the central processing node; the transceiver unit (or the receiving unit) is further configured to receive information about the second satellite set from the central processing node.

[0052] In an optional implementation, the transceiver unit (or the sending unit) is further configured to send request information to each of the M satellites, the request information being used to request each satellite to act as a cooperating satellite of the terminal device; the transceiver unit (or the receiving unit) is further configured to receive response information from each satellite, the response information being used to indicate whether each satellite is allowed to act as a cooperating satellite of the terminal device; and the processing unit is configured to determine the second satellite set based on the response information.

[0053] In one optional implementation, the transceiver unit (or the sending unit) is further configured to send a gain threshold corresponding to the serving satellite of the terminal device to the terminal device; or, the transceiver unit (or the sending unit) is further configured to send a signal quality threshold to the terminal device, the signal quality threshold being used to determine a gain threshold corresponding to at least one satellite, the at least one satellite including the M satellites.

[0054] In one optional implementation, the first information is used to indicate a first satellite set, including: the first information is used to indicate the association between K satellite sets and K indices, wherein each of the K satellite sets corresponds to an attitude of the terminal-side device, and the first satellite set is included in the K satellite sets, where K is a positive integer.

[0055] In one optional implementation, the second information is used to indicate a second satellite set, including: the second information includes an index corresponding to the second satellite set; or, the second information includes information about the N satellites.

[0056] In an alternative embodiment, the communication device further includes a storage unit (sometimes also called a storage module), and the processing unit is configured to couple with the storage unit and execute programs or instructions in the storage unit to enable the communication device to perform the functions of the terminal-side device described in any of the first to third aspects above.

[0057] Eighthly, a communication device is provided. The communication device may be a central processing node as described in any of the first to third aspects above. The communication device possesses the functions of the central processing node. For example, the communication device may implement the functions described in any of the first to third aspects above. For instance, the communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the operations described in any of the first to third aspects above. These modules, units, or means may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. The communication device may be, for example, a network device, or other device including network device functions, or a chip system (or chip or circuit) or other functional module capable of implementing the functions of a network device, and such chip system or functional module may be disposed, for example, within a network device. The network device may be, for example, a satellite, located on a satellite, or located on the ground. Alternatively, the communication device may be, for example, a terminal device, or other device including terminal device functions, or a chip system (or chip or circuit) or other functional module capable of implementing the functions of a terminal device, and such chip system or functional module may be disposed, for example, within a terminal device. In one optional implementation, the communication device includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device. In another optional implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also called a processing module) and a transceiver unit (sometimes also called a transceiver module). For details on the implementation of the transceiver unit, please refer to the relevant description in Section VI.

[0058] In one optional implementation, the transceiver unit (or the receiving unit) is configured to receive information about a first satellite set, which includes information about M satellites, wherein the M satellites are candidate cooperating satellites determined by the terminal-side device, and M is a positive integer; the transceiver unit (or the sending unit) is configured to send information about a second satellite set to the network-side device, which is determined based on the first satellite set, and the second satellite set includes information about N satellites, where N is a positive integer.

[0059] In one alternative implementation, the second satellite set is determined based on one or more of the following information: the payload information of the M satellites; the resource usage information of the M satellites; or, the interference information of the M satellites.

[0060] In an alternative embodiment, the communication device further includes a storage unit (sometimes also called a storage module), the processing unit being coupled to the storage unit and executing programs or instructions in the storage unit to enable the communication device to perform the functions of the central processing node described in any of the first to third aspects above.

[0061] Ninthly, a communication device is provided. The communication device can be a terminal-side device as described in any of the fourth to fifth aspects above. The communication device possesses the functions of the aforementioned terminal-side device. For example, the communication device has the functions described in any of the fourth to fifth aspects above; for example, the communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the operations described in any of the fourth to fifth aspects above. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. The communication device is, for example, a terminal device, or other device including terminal device functions, or a chip system (or chip or circuit) or other functional module capable of implementing the functions of a terminal device, and is, for example, disposed in a terminal device. In one optional implementation, the communication device includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device. In another optional implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also called a processing module) and a transceiver unit (sometimes also called a transceiver module). For details on the implementation of the transceiver unit, please refer to the relevant description in the sixth aspect.

[0062] In one optional implementation, the transceiver unit (or the receiving unit) is configured to receive first information, the first information indicating a first satellite set, the first satellite set including information of M satellites, where M is a positive integer; the processing unit is configured to determine that N satellites among the M satellites are available satellites, where N is an integer less than or equal to M and greater than 0; the transceiver unit (or the sending unit) is configured to send the measurement results of the N satellites to the network-side device; the transceiver unit (or the receiving unit) is further configured to receive second information, the second information indicating a first satellite among the N satellites, the first satellite being a cooperating satellite of the terminal-side device.

[0063] In one optional implementation, the processing unit is configured to determine N out of the M satellites as available satellites by: determining the N out of the M satellites as available satellites based on one or more of the following information: attitude information of the terminal device; antenna gain corresponding to the elevation angle and / or azimuth angle of the antenna of the terminal device; position information of the terminal device; position information of the M satellites; or, M gain thresholds.

[0064] In one optional implementation, the transceiver unit (or the receiving unit) is configured to send the measurement results of the N satellites to the network-side device in the following manner: sending M measurement results corresponding to the M satellites to the network-side device, wherein the N measurement results are the measurement results of the N satellites, and the MN measurement results are virtual values; or, the transceiver unit (or the receiving unit) is configured to send the measurement results of the N satellites to the network-side device in the following manner: sending M measurement results corresponding to the M satellites to the network-side device, wherein the MN measurement results correspond to first indication information, and the N measurement results correspond to second indication information or do not correspond to the first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the corresponding measurement result is unavailable, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the corresponding measurement result is available.

[0065] In an alternative embodiment, the communication device further includes a storage unit (sometimes also called a storage module), and the processing unit is configured to couple with the storage unit and execute programs or instructions in the storage unit to enable the communication device to perform the functions of the terminal-side device described in any of the fourth to fifth aspects above.

[0066] In a tenth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device can be a network-side device as described in any of the fourth to fifth aspects above. The communication device possesses the functions of the aforementioned network-side device. For example, the communication device has the functions described in any of the fourth to fifth aspects above; for example, the communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the operations described in any of the fourth to fifth aspects above. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. The communication device is, for example, a network device, or other device including network device functions, or a chip system (or chip or circuit) or other functional module capable of implementing the functions of a network device, and is, for example, disposed within a network device. The network device includes, for example, core network equipment and / or access network equipment. The network device is, for example, a satellite, or located on a satellite. The network device is, for example, a serving network device for a terminal device. In an optional implementation, the communication device includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device. In another alternative implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also called a processing module) and a transceiver unit (sometimes also called a transceiver module). For details on the implementation of the transceiver unit, please refer to the relevant description in Section VI.

[0067] In one optional implementation, the transceiver unit (or the sending unit) is configured to send first information, the first information being used to indicate a first satellite set, the first satellite set including information of M satellites, where M is a positive integer; the transceiver unit (or the receiving unit) is configured to receive measurement results from N satellites among the M satellites; the transceiver unit (or the sending unit) is further configured to send second information, the second information being used to indicate a first satellite among the N satellites, the first satellite being a cooperating satellite of the terminal-side device.

[0068] In one optional implementation, the transceiver unit (or the sending unit) is further configured to send information about the second satellite set to the central processing node; the transceiver unit (or the receiving unit) is further configured to receive information about the first satellite set from the central processing node.

[0069] In an optional implementation, the transceiver unit (or the sending unit) is further configured to send request information to each of the at least one satellite, the request information being used to request each satellite to act as a cooperating satellite of the terminal device; the transceiver unit (or the receiving unit) is further configured to receive response information from each satellite, the response information being used to indicate whether each satellite is allowed to act as a cooperating satellite of the terminal device; the processing unit is configured to determine the first satellite set based on the response information, wherein the M satellites belong to the at least one satellite.

[0070] In one optional implementation, the transceiver unit (or the receiving unit) is configured to receive measurement results from N satellites out of the M satellites in the following manner: receiving M measurement results corresponding to the M satellites, wherein the N measurement results are the measurement results of the N satellites, and the MN measurement results are virtual values; or, the transceiver unit (or the receiving unit) is configured to receive measurement results from N satellites out of the M satellites in the following manner: receiving M measurement results corresponding to the M satellites, wherein the MN measurement results correspond to first indication information, and the N measurement results correspond to second indication information or do not correspond to the first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the corresponding measurement result is unavailable, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the corresponding measurement result is available.

[0071] In an alternative embodiment, the communication device further includes a storage unit (sometimes also called a storage module), and the processing unit is configured to couple with the storage unit and execute programs or instructions in the storage unit to enable the communication device to perform the functions of the network-side device described in any of the fourth to fifth aspects above.

[0072] Eleventhly, a communication device is provided, the communication device comprising a memory and one or more processors. The memory is used to store part or all of a computer program or instructions necessary for implementing the functions involved in the first or fourth aspect described above. The one or more processors are capable of executing the computer program or instructions, such that when the computer program or instructions are executed, the communication device implements the methods in any possible design or implementation of the first or fourth aspect described above.

[0073] In one possible design, the communication device may further include an interface circuit, wherein the processor is used to communicate with other devices or components through the interface circuit.

[0074] In one possible design, the communication device may also include the memory.

[0075] The aforementioned communication device may be a terminal, a communication module in a terminal, or a chip in a terminal that is responsible for communication functions, such as a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip) or a SoC or SIP chip containing a modem module.

[0076] In a twelfth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a memory and one or more processors. The memory stores part or all of a computer program or instructions necessary for implementing the functions described in the second or fifth aspect above. The one or more processors are executable to carry out the computer program or instructions, which, when executed, cause the communication device to implement the methods in any possible design or implementation of the second or fifth aspect above.

[0077] In one possible design, the communication device may further include an interface circuit, wherein the processor is used to communicate with other devices or components through the interface circuit.

[0078] In one possible design, the communication device may also include the memory.

[0079] The aforementioned communication device may be a network device, a communication module in a network device, or a chip in a network device that is responsible for communication functions, such as a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip) or a SoC or SIP chip that contains a modem module.

[0080] In a thirteenth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a memory and one or more processors. The memory stores part or all of a computer program or instructions necessary for implementing the functions described in the third aspect above. The one or more processors are executable to carry out the computer program or instructions, such that when executed, the communication device implements the methods in any possible design or implementation of the third aspect above.

[0081] In one possible design, the communication device may further include an interface circuit, through which the processor communicates with other devices or components.

[0082] In one possible design, the communication device may also include the memory.

[0083] The aforementioned communication device may be a terminal, or a communication module within a terminal, or a chip within a terminal responsible for communication functions, such as a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip), or a SoC or SIP chip containing a modem module. Alternatively, the aforementioned communication device may be a network device, or a communication module within a network device, or a chip within a network device responsible for communication functions, such as a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip), or a SoC or SIP chip containing a modem module.

[0084] In a fourteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, including a network-side device, wherein the network-side device is configured to perform the method described in any one of the first to third aspects. For example, the network-side device may be implemented using the communication device described in the seventh or twelfth aspect.

[0085] Optionally, the communication system further includes a central processing node, which is used to execute the methods described in any one of the first to third aspects. For example, the central processing node can be implemented using the communication apparatus described in the eighth or thirteenth aspect.

[0086] Optionally, the communication system further includes a terminal-side device, wherein the terminal-side device is used to perform the method described in any one of the first to third aspects. For example, the terminal-side device can be implemented using the communication device described in the sixth or eleventh aspect.

[0087] In a fifteenth aspect, another communication system is provided, including a network-side device, wherein the network-side device is used to perform the method described in any one of the fourth to fifth aspects above. For example, the network-side device can be implemented using the communication device described in the tenth or twelfth aspect.

[0088] Optionally, the communication system further includes a terminal-side device, wherein the terminal-side device is used to perform the method executed by the terminal device as described in any of the fourth to fifth aspects above. For example, the terminal-side device can be implemented using the communication device described in the ninth or eleventh aspect.

[0089] In a sixteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided for storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed, cause the methods performed by a terminal-side device, a network-side device, or a central processing node in the above aspects to be implemented.

[0090] In a seventeenth aspect, a computer program product containing instructions is provided, which, when the computer program or instructions are run on a computer, causes the methods described in the above aspects to be implemented.

[0091] Eighteenthly, a chip system is provided, including a processor and an interface, the processor being configured to call and execute instructions from the interface to enable the chip system to implement the methods of the above aspects. Attached Figure Description

[0092] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario according to an embodiment of this application;

[0093] Figures 2 and 3 are flowcharts of two communication methods provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0094] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0095] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of another device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0096] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the embodiments of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0097] In this application embodiment, the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, refers to "singular nouns or plural nouns," that is, "one or more." "At least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B means: A or B. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c means: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0098] The ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish multiple objects, and are not used to limit the size, content, order, timing, priority, or importance of the multiple objects. Furthermore, the numbering of steps in the various embodiments described in this application is only to distinguish different steps and is not used to limit the order in which the steps are performed.

[0099] The following explanations of some terms or concepts used in the embodiments of this application are provided to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0100] In this embodiment, the terminal device is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities, which can be a fixed device, a mobile device, a handheld device (e.g., a mobile phone), a wearable device, an in-vehicle device, or a wireless device (e.g., a communication module, a modem, or a chip system, etc.) built into the aforementioned devices. The terminal device is used to connect people, objects, machines, etc., and can be widely used in various scenarios, including but not limited to the following: sensing scenarios, cellular communication, device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-to-machine / machine-type communications (M2M / MTC) communication, Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), industrial control, self-driving, remote medical care, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart city, drones, robots, and indoor commercial scenarios (such as mobile phone screen mirroring, file sharing, and mobile phone to VR glasses video transmission). When the terminal equipment is applied to V2X, it can also be called a V2X device, such as a smart car, digital car, unmanned car, driverless car, pilotless car, or automobile, self-driving car, or autonomous car, pure electric vehicle (EV), hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), range-extended electric vehicle (REEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), new energy vehicle, or roadside unit (RSU). The terminal equipment can also be a device used in D2D communication, such as an electricity meter or water meter.

[0101] Furthermore, in this embodiment of the application, the terminal device can also be a terminal device in an Internet of Things (IoT) system. IoT is an important component of the future development of information technology. Its main technical feature is to connect objects to the network through communication technology, thereby realizing an intelligent network of human-machine interconnection and object-to-object interconnection.

[0102] The various terminal devices described above, if located in a vehicle (e.g., placed inside or installed inside a vehicle), can all be considered in-vehicle terminal devices, also known as on-board units (OBUs). The terminal device of this application can also be an in-vehicle module, in-vehicle component, in-vehicle chip, or in-vehicle unit built into a vehicle as one or more components or units. The vehicle can implement the methods of this application through the built-in in-vehicle module, in-vehicle component, in-vehicle chip, or in-vehicle unit.

[0103] The terminal equipment may sometimes be referred to as UE, terminal, access station, UE station, remote station, wireless communication equipment, or user equipment, etc.

[0104] In this embodiment, the communication device used to implement the functions of the terminal device can be a terminal-side device, also referred to as a terminal device. This terminal device can be a terminal device itself, or it can be a device capable of supporting the terminal device in implementing the functions, such as a chip system, which can be installed in the terminal device. In the technical solutions provided in this embodiment, the terminal device is used as an example to describe the technical solutions provided in this embodiment. Furthermore, for ease of description, the terminal device in this embodiment is described using a UE as an example.

[0105] The network devices in this application embodiment include, for example, access network devices and / or core network devices. The access network devices are devices with wireless transceiver capabilities, used to communicate with the terminal devices. The access network devices include, but are not limited to, base stations (base transceiver stations (BTS), Node B, evolved Node B (eNodeB) / eNB, or the next generation Node B (gNodeB) / gNB), transmission reception points (TRPs), base stations evolved from the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP), access nodes in wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) systems, wireless relay nodes, wireless backhaul nodes, etc. The base stations can be: macro base stations, micro base stations, pico base stations, small cells, relay stations, etc. Multiple base stations can support networks using the same access technology or networks using different access technologies. A base station can contain one or more co-located or non-co-located transmission and reception points. The access network equipment can also be a radio controller, central unit (CU), and / or distributed unit (DU) in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. The access network equipment can also be a server, etc. For example, the network equipment in V2X technology can be a roadside unit (RSU). The following description uses a base station as an example to illustrate the access network equipment. A base station can communicate with a terminal device, or it can communicate with a terminal device through a relay station. A terminal device can communicate with multiple base stations in different access technologies. The core network equipment is used to implement functions such as mobility management, data processing, session management, policy and billing. The names of the equipment implementing core network functions may differ in systems using different access technologies; this application does not limit this. Taking the 5th generation (5G) mobile communication technology system as an example, the core network equipment includes, for example, access and mobility management function (AMF), session management function (SMF), policy control function (PCF), or user plane function (UPF), etc.

[0106] In the CU-DU architecture, access network equipment can include one or more logical network elements such as a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU). CUs and DUs can be separate entities or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs can be included in radio equipment or radio units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs).

[0107] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an open RAN (ORAN) system, CU can also be called open CU (open CU, O-CU), DU can also be called open DU (open DU, O-DU), CU-CP can also be called open CU-CP (open CU-CP, O-CU-CP), CU-UP can also be called open CU-UP (open CU-CP, O-CU-UP), and RU can also be called open RU (open RU, O-RU). For ease of description, the embodiments of this application use CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in the embodiments of this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0108] Optionally, in various embodiments of this application, if the network device is a distributed architecture, such as the network device including CU and DU, or including CU-CP, CU-UP and DU, then the network device sends information to the UE, specifically the DU included in the network device sends information to the UE; the network device receives information from the UE, specifically the DU included in the network device receives information from the UE.

[0109] In this application embodiment, the communication device used to implement the functions of the network device can be a network-side device, also referred to as a network device. This network device can be a network device itself, or it can be a device capable of supporting the network device in implementing this function, such as a chip system, which can be installed within the network device. In the technical solutions provided in this application embodiment, the technical solutions provided in this application embodiment are described using the example of a network device as the device used to implement the functions of the network device (for example, using an access network device as the device used to implement the functions of an access network device, or using a core network device as the device used to implement the functions of a core network device).

[0110] The technical features involved in the embodiments of this application are described below.

[0111] Future satellite systems will primarily feature two characteristics: large-scale constellations and high-gain antennas. Regarding the large-scale constellations, Starlink Gen 2 is projected to launch 30,000 satellites, and currently, there are approximately 5,000+ Starlink satellites in orbit. This means that ground-based users (UEs) can simultaneously see multiple satellites; for example, in mid-to-high latitude regions, a UE can be covered by nearly 20 satellites at the same time. As for high-gain antennas, some companies offer satellites with antenna arrays up to 64 square meters. Due to the high gain of the satellite-side antennas, a carrier-to-noise ratio (CNR) of up to 20 dB can be achieved.

[0112] Large-scale constellations and high-gain antennas provide the prerequisites for multi-satellite multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), which can include multi-satellite joint transmission. Multi-satellite joint transmission can significantly improve UE transmission rates in two ways. One is improved spectral efficiency; for example, with the same transmit power, the same number of antennas, and a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), multi-satellite joint transmission can achieve higher spectral efficiency compared to single-satellite transmission. The other is improved throughput; compared to single-satellite transmission, multi-satellite joint transmission of the same specifications can increase throughput.

[0113] In multi-satellite joint transmission technology, a UE can communicate not only with its serving satellite but also with other satellites (called cooperating satellites). The serving and cooperating satellites can perform joint transmissions to the UE. Therefore, it is necessary to configure serving and cooperating satellites for the UE. However, there is currently no method for configuring cooperating satellites for a UE, thus multi-satellite joint transmission cannot be achieved.

[0114] Therefore, in this embodiment, the UE can first determine a first satellite set, and the network device can determine a second satellite set based on the first satellite set. By measuring the second satellite set, the UE can be configured with cooperating satellites. Thus, this embodiment provides a method for configuring cooperating satellites for the UE, enabling the implementation of a multi-satellite joint transmission mechanism. Furthermore, this embodiment can configure cooperating satellites for the UE based on the first satellite set, which is determined by the UE, and the satellites included in the first satellite set have a high probability of serving as cooperating satellites for the UE. The second satellite set is also determined based on the first satellite set, meaning the UE can measure satellites with a high probability of serving as cooperating satellites, without having to measure too many satellites, thus reducing the UE's measurement overhead. Additionally, the network device determines the second satellite set based on the first satellite set, and the satellites included in the second satellite set have a high probability of serving as cooperating satellites for the UE. That is, the satellites determined by the network device are more targeted. Compared to methods where the network device does not determine satellites based on UE information, the number of satellites determined by the network device in this embodiment can be reduced. Therefore, the number of satellites to be measured configured by the network device for the UE is smaller, saving the network device's configuration overhead.

[0115] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to fourth-generation (4G) mobile communication systems, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, or to 5G systems, such as New Radio (NR) systems, or to next-generation mobile communication systems or other similar communication systems, such as sixth-generation (6G) mobile communication systems, or to existing satellite mobile communication systems; no specific limitations are imposed. The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), or to non-NTN networks, such as terrestrial cellular networks. For example, this application can be applied to scenarios where multiple network devices or multiple cells need to perform joint transmission. Furthermore, the technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to D2D scenarios, such as NR-D2D scenarios, or to V2X scenarios, such as NR-V2X scenarios. For example, this application can be used in fields such as factory manufacturing, smart homes, intelligent driving, assisted driving, intelligent connected vehicles, or indoor commercial scenarios.

[0116] Please refer to Figure 1, which is a schematic diagram of an application scenario of this application embodiment. Figure 1 shows an NTN scenario. In Figure 1, the embodiment of this application is applied to a 5G system as an example. The UE located on the ground accesses the network via 5G NR. The access network equipment (e.g., 5G base stations) can be deployed on satellites, or satellites can be considered as access network equipment. This access network equipment can communicate with the core network equipment on the ground (e.g., AMF, SMF, UPF, etc., in Figure 1) via wireless links. The UE can be served by multiple access network equipment. For example, access network equipment 1 and access network equipment 2 in Figure 1 can serve the UE. Access network equipment 1 and access network equipment 2 correspond to different satellites, and this scenario can be multi-satellite joint transmission. Furthermore, if multiple satellites exist, wireless links can exist between the satellites, enabling signaling interaction and / or user data transmission between them. The features of the network elements involved in Figure 1 are described below.

[0117] The core network implements functions such as user access control, mobility management, session management, user security authentication, and billing. The core network may include multiple functional units, such as multiple core network devices, which can include control plane devices and data plane devices. For example, one type of core network device is the AMF (Access Controller), responsible for user access management, security authentication, and mobility management. Another example is the UPF (User Plane Controller), responsible for managing user plane data transmission and traffic statistics. Yet another example is the SMF (Service Controller), responsible for UE (User Equipment) session management, which can allocate and release resources for UE sessions.

[0118] Ground stations are responsible for relaying signaling and service data between satellite base stations and core networks, such as 5G core networks.

[0119] The 5G NR in Figure 1 can serve as a wireless link between the UE and the access network equipment. In some embodiments, the 5G NR in Figure 1 can also be replaced by other wireless communication links, such as a 6G communication link.

[0120] The Xn interface, serving as an interface between access network devices, can be used for signaling interaction between access network devices.

[0121] The next-generation (NG) interface is the interface between access network equipment and core network equipment. It can be used to exchange signaling from the non-access stratum (NAS) of the core network and user service data.

[0122] The method provided in the embodiments of this application is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings corresponding to the various embodiments of this application, all steps indicated by dashed lines are optional steps. In the various embodiments of this application, the concepts of "association relationship" and "correspondence relationship" can be used interchangeably. The various embodiments of this document can be applied to the network architecture shown in FIG1. ​​For example, the UE described in the various embodiments of this document can be the UE shown in FIG1, and the network device described in the various embodiments of this document can be the serving network device of the UE. For example, the network device can be the serving satellite of the UE, or located on the serving satellite of the UE, or located on other devices that are communicatively connected to the serving satellite of the UE. The network device is, for example, access network device 1 or access network device 2 shown in FIG1. ​​Wherein, if the network device is access network device 1 shown in FIG1, then access network device 2 shown in FIG1 can be a cooperating network device of the UE; or, if the network device is access network device 2 shown in FIG1, then access network device 1 shown in FIG1 can be a cooperating network device of the UE. Wherein, the cooperating network device can be a cooperating satellite of the UE, or can be located on the cooperating satellite of the UE, and the cooperating satellite is, for example, a cooperating satellite configured by the method of the embodiments of this application.

[0123] This application provides a communication method, please refer to Figure 2, which is a flowchart of the method.

[0124] S201, the UE sends the first information to the network device. Correspondingly, the network device receives the first information.

[0125] The first information may be included, for example, in radio resource control (RRC) signaling, or in media access control (MAC) layer signaling, or in physical layer signaling, or it may also be included in signaling of other protocol layers.

[0126] The first information may indicate information about M satellites. For example, if the first information includes information about M satellites, and this information belongs to a first satellite set, then the first information can also be considered to indicate the first satellite set. Alternatively, the first information may include an index of the first satellite set, indicating that the first information indicates the first satellite set. M is a positive integer. The M satellites may be candidate cooperating satellites determined by the UE. When determining and configuring cooperating satellites for the UE, the network device can determine and configure cooperating satellites based on the M candidate cooperating satellites reported by the UE, so that the determined and configured cooperating satellites can provide services to the UE. Optionally, the information of a satellite may include, for example, the satellite's identifier, such as the satellite's identity number (ID), and / or other information that can characterize the satellite. This other information that can characterize the satellite may include, for example, one or more of the following: the satellite's index, the satellite's ephemeris information, the physical cell identifier (PCI) of the cell provided by the satellite, or information indicating the satellite's resources. Optionally, information indicating the resources of a satellite may be provided, such as the CORESETPoolIndex corresponding to the satellite, which may characterize the frequency domain resources of the satellite, such as indicating the resource block (RB) of the satellite.

[0127] Optionally, the UE may determine the first satellite set based on one or more of the following: the UE's attitude information, the antenna gain corresponding to the UE's antenna elevation angle and / or azimuth angle, the UE's position information, the position information of at least one satellite, or at least one gain threshold. The at least one satellite may include M satellites. The at least one gain threshold may correspond to at least one satellite, for example, the at least one gain threshold may correspond one-to-one with the at least one satellite.

[0128] For example, the UE can determine its radiation pattern, also known as a non-ideal radiation pattern (the name is not limited). This radiation pattern can indicate the antenna gain corresponding to the UE's antenna attitude; for example, the radiation pattern includes the correspondence between the UE's antenna attitude and antenna gain. Optionally, the antenna attitude can be represented by parameters such as the antenna's elevation angle and / or azimuth angle. For example, the radiation pattern includes the correspondence between the UE's antenna's elevation angle and / or azimuth angle and antenna gain, or the radiation pattern can indicate the antenna gain corresponding to the UE's antenna's elevation angle and / or azimuth angle. See Table 1 for an example of such a radiation pattern.

[0129] Table 1

[0130] In Table 1, a through e represent different antenna gains. The horizontal numbers represent the azimuth angle of the UE's antenna, and the vertical numbers represent the elevation angle of the UE's antenna. For example, the antenna gain corresponding to an azimuth angle of 0° and an elevation angle of 30° for the UE's antenna is 'a', and so on for the other items. Table 1 is only one example of a radiation pattern. The radiation pattern determined by the UE may include one or more items from Table 1, or it may include other items not given in Table 1.

[0131] Optionally, the radiation pattern may also include the UE's attitude information. For example, in this radiation pattern, the UE's attitude information, the UE's antenna attitude, and the UE's antenna gain are related. Alternatively, the UE's attitude information may not be included in the radiation pattern, but the UE's attitude information, the UE's antenna attitude, and the UE's antenna gain can still be related. Taking the UE's antenna attitude as represented by the UE's antenna pitch angle and / or azimuth angle as an example, the UE's attitude information, the UE's antenna pitch angle and / or azimuth angle, and the UE's antenna gain are related. For example, different UE attitudes but the same pitch angle and / or azimuth angle may result in the same or different antenna gains; conversely, different pitch angles and / or azimuth angles but the same UE attitude may result in the same or different antenna gains. Optionally, the UE can determine its attitude information through sensors (e.g., one or more of an attitude sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, or magnetometer), or it can determine its attitude information through other means, without limitation. Optionally, the UE's attitude can be represented by corresponding parameters (or the UE's attitude information can include corresponding parameters), such as one or more of the following: heading parameter, pitch parameter, or roll parameter. The heading parameter represents the angle of rotation around the Z-axis, the pitch parameter represents the angle of rotation around the Y-axis, and the roll parameter represents the angle of rotation around the X-axis. Alternatively, the heading parameter represents the angle of rotation around the Z-axis, the pitch parameter represents the angle of rotation around the X-axis, and the roll parameter represents the angle of rotation around the Y-axis.

[0132] Here's an example of how a UE determines the first set of satellites. For instance, the UE's radiation pattern represents the correspondence between the UE's attitude information, the UE's antenna elevation and / or azimuth angles, and the UE's antenna gain. The UE, combined with the position information of at least one satellite, can determine the presence of satellites in a given attitude and the direction corresponding to a specific elevation and / or azimuth angle, or whether the UE is covered by satellites in a given attitude and the direction corresponding to a specific elevation and / or azimuth angle. For example, if the UE determines it is covered by satellites in a certain direction, and these satellites only include the UE's serving satellites and not other satellites, it indicates that there are no selectable cooperating satellites in that direction, and the UE can proceed to determine the next direction. Alternatively, if the UE determines it is covered by satellites in a certain direction, but these satellites do not include the UE's serving satellites, it indicates that the satellites in that direction cannot serve as cooperating satellites, and the UE can proceed to determine the next direction. Or, if the UE determines it is covered by satellites in a certain direction, and these satellites include the UE's serving satellites and other satellites, it indicates that the satellites in that direction have the potential to serve as cooperating satellites.

[0133] If a satellite in a certain direction has the potential to be a cooperating satellite, the UE can determine that the satellite is a candidate cooperating satellite, or determine that the satellite belongs to M satellites. For example, the UE can add the satellite's information to a first satellite set, which is a relatively simple method. Alternatively, the UE can further determine whether the satellite is a candidate cooperating satellite by combining at least one gain threshold. For example, if a satellite in a certain direction has the potential to be a cooperating satellite, the UE can determine whether the antenna gain corresponding to the satellite in the radiation pattern is greater than or equal to the corresponding gain threshold, where the corresponding gain threshold belongs to at least one gain threshold. If the antenna gain corresponding to the satellite in the radiation pattern is greater than or equal to the corresponding gain threshold, the UE can determine that the satellite is a candidate cooperating satellite, or determine that the satellite belongs to M satellites. For example, the UE can add the satellite's information to a first satellite set. Or, if the antenna gain corresponding to the satellite in the radiation pattern is less than the corresponding gain threshold, the UE can determine that the satellite is not a candidate cooperating satellite, or determine that the satellite does not belong to M satellites. For example, the UE does not add the satellite's information to the first satellite set. Satellites selected based on gain thresholds have better antenna gains, and using these satellites as cooperating satellites for the UE can improve the UE's communication quality.

[0134] Through the above process, the UE determines M satellites, or determines the first set of satellites.

[0135] Gain threshold, also known as gain limit, is expressed as GNT, for example. UE,threshThe UE can obtain at least one gain threshold in multiple ways. For example, the UE can receive at least one gain threshold; or, the UE can calculate at least one gain threshold; or, the UE can receive a portion of the gain thresholds from at least one gain threshold, and can also calculate the remaining gain thresholds. For example, the UE can receive the gain threshold corresponding to the third satellite, and the UE can also calculate the gain threshold corresponding to the fourth satellite. The gain thresholds corresponding to the third and fourth satellites both belong to at least one gain threshold.

[0136] If the UE receives gain thresholds, the gain threshold corresponding to a specific satellite can be sent to the UE by that satellite, and the UE can receive the corresponding gain threshold from that satellite. For example, if the satellite has previously served the UE, it can send its corresponding gain threshold while serving the UE, for example, via unicast or broadcast. Alternatively, the gain threshold corresponding to a specific satellite can also be sent to the UE by the UE's serving satellite. For example, satellites can interact via inter-satellite links (ISL), with at least one gain threshold corresponding to at least one satellite. Some or all of these at least one satellite can send the corresponding gain threshold to the UE's serving satellite, which can then send the gain thresholds of these satellites, for example, via unicast or broadcast.

[0137] Alternatively, if the UE calculates a gain threshold, it can do so based on a signal quality threshold, which can be applied to at least one satellite. For example, the UE can determine the gain threshold for each of some or all of the at least one satellite based on this signal quality threshold. This signal quality threshold can be, for example, an SNR threshold, or it can be a threshold for other parameters characterizing signal quality. Taking an SNR threshold as an example, the signal quality threshold can be expressed as SNR... broadcast The signal quality threshold may be predefined by the protocol, or it may come from a network device (e.g., the UE's serving satellite). For example, the network device may transmit the signal quality threshold via unicast or broadcast.

[0138] Taking the calculation of the gain threshold corresponding to the fourth satellite by the UE as an example, the fourth satellite may be any one of at least one satellites corresponding to at least one gain threshold, or it may represent any one of at least one satellites for which the UE calculates the gain threshold. Optionally, the UE determines the gain threshold corresponding to the fourth satellite based on the signal quality threshold, which may include: the UE determining the gain threshold corresponding to the fourth satellite based on the signal quality threshold and the effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) density corresponding to the fourth satellite. The EIRP density corresponding to a satellite can be sent to the UE by that satellite. For example, if the satellite has previously served the UE, it may send the EIRP density corresponding to the satellite during its service to the UE, for example, via unicast or broadcast. Alternatively, satellites can interact via ISL, in which case a satellite may send the EIRP density corresponding to its satellite to the UE's serving satellite, which will then send it, for example, via unicast or broadcast. That is, the EIRP density corresponding to the fourth satellite may come from the fourth satellite or from the UE's serving satellite.

[0139] As an optional implementation method for the UE to determine the gain threshold corresponding to the fourth satellite based on the signal quality threshold and the EIRP density corresponding to the fourth satellite, the UE can determine the gain threshold corresponding to the fourth satellite based on the signal quality threshold, the EIRP density corresponding to the fourth satellite, and loss information. Optionally, the loss information may include the path loss between the fourth satellite and the UE (e.g., free space path loss (FSPL)), and / or other losses besides path loss. For example, the gain threshold corresponding to the fourth satellite can satisfy the following relationship: GNT UE,thresh =SNR broadcast -EIRP density +k+FSPL+Loss all (Formula 1)

[0140] Among them, GNT UE,thresh This indicates the gain threshold corresponding to the fourth satellite; SNR broadcast EIRP represents the signal quality threshold. density The EIRP density corresponding to the fourth satellite is represented by k; k represents the Boltzmann constant, for example, k = -228.6 dBW / K / Hz; FSPL is related to one or more of the following: the carrier frequency corresponding to the fourth satellite, the location of the UE, or the location of the fourth satellite; Loss all This represents related losses, such as losses other than path losses, like Loss. all This includes polarization loss and / or rain attenuation, etc.

[0141] If the gain threshold corresponding to the fourth satellite is related to the FSPL (Free Surface Proportion), and the FSPL of a satellite may change over time due to satellite movement, then the gain threshold corresponding to the fourth satellite can also be considered to change over time. Therefore, optionally, when determining the gain threshold corresponding to the fourth satellite, the UE can determine the gain threshold of the fourth satellite within a first time period. For example, it can determine one or more gain thresholds, and the UE can determine the gain threshold corresponding to the fourth satellite based on these one or more gain thresholds. For example, the UE can determine that the minimum value among these one or more gain thresholds is the gain threshold corresponding to the fourth satellite; or, the UE can determine that the maximum value among these one or more gain thresholds is the gain threshold corresponding to the fourth satellite; or, the UE can determine that any one of these one or more gain thresholds is the gain threshold corresponding to the fourth satellite; or, the UE can determine that the average value among these one or more gain thresholds is the gain threshold corresponding to the fourth satellite, such as an arithmetic mean or a weighted average.

[0142] As mentioned earlier, the UE can determine the first satellite set based on its attitude. For example, even if the UE antenna has the same elevation and / or azimuth angles, different UE attitudes may result in the same or different antenna gains. Therefore, different UE attitudes can correspond to specific satellites; for example, different UE attitudes may correspond to the same or different satellites. The UE can add the satellite information corresponding to all its various attitudes to the first satellite set, meaning the aforementioned first satellite set can include the satellite information corresponding to all of the UE's various attitudes. Alternatively, the UE can add the satellite information corresponding to different attitudes to different satellite sets, meaning the aforementioned first satellite set can include the satellite information corresponding to one of the UE's attitudes.

[0143] Table 2 provides an example of the relationship between the UE's attitude and satellite information (or, the satellite set).

[0144] Table 2

[0145] In Table 2, each row is considered an item, and each item corresponds to one of the UE's attitudes. For example, Satellite 1, Satellite 2, and Satellite 5 in the second row correspond to one UE attitude, while Satellite 1 and Satellite 2 in the third row correspond to another UE attitude. The indexes in Table 2 represent the indexes of the satellite sets to which the corresponding satellite information belongs, or the indexes of the UE's attitude. In the embodiments of this application, the association between the UE attitude determined by the UE and the satellite information may include one or more items in Table 2, or it may include other items besides those in Table 2, or it may exclude Table 2 and include other items. In Table 2, each row is considered an item.

[0146] If the UE has determined the satellites corresponding to its different attitudes, or if the UE has added the satellite information corresponding to its different attitudes to different satellite sets, then optionally, the first information can indicate the association between the K satellite sets and the K indices. Each of the K satellite sets corresponds to one attitude of the UE, and different satellite sets may correspond to different attitudes. The first satellite set may be included in the K satellite sets, for example, it may be one of the K satellite sets, in which case the first satellite set corresponds to one attitude of the UE. K is a positive integer.

[0147] Optionally, the UE may execute S201 under appropriate conditions. For example, if the UE determines to add a cooperating satellite or update a cooperating satellite (e.g., the UE was originally configured with cooperating satellites and can now update them), then S201 can be executed. Optionally, if the signal quality of the UE's serving satellite and / or the fifth satellite is less than or equal to a first threshold, the UE may determine to add or update its cooperating satellites or execute S201; and / or, based on the ephemeris information of the fifth satellite, the UE may determine to update its cooperating satellites or execute S201. Here, the fifth satellite is, for example, the UE's original cooperating satellite, and the number of fifth satellites can be one or more.

[0148] For example, if the signal quality of the UE's serving satellite and / or fifth satellite is less than or equal to a first threshold, it indicates that the signal quality of the UE's serving satellite and / or fifth satellite is poor, and the UE may not be able to obtain better service. In this case, the UE can add or update cooperating satellites to obtain better communication quality.

[0149] For example, based on the ephemeris information of the fifth satellite, the UE can determine one or more of the following: the elevation angle of the fifth satellite, the distance between the fifth satellite and the UE, or the remaining service time of the fifth satellite. The remaining service time of the fifth satellite refers to the remaining service time of the fifth satellite for the UE. If one or more of the following conditions are met, the UE can determine to update its cooperating satellite: the elevation angle of the fifth satellite is less than or equal to a second threshold; the distance between the fifth satellite and the UE is greater than or equal to a third threshold; or the remaining service time of the fifth satellite is less than or equal to a fourth threshold. If the elevation angle of the fifth satellite is less than or equal to the second threshold, it indicates that the communication quality between the UE and the fifth satellite may be poor, or that the fifth satellite may be unable to continue serving the UE. If the distance between the fifth satellite and the UE is greater than or equal to the third threshold, it indicates that the distance between the fifth satellite and the UE is far, and the communication quality between the UE and the fifth satellite may be poor, or that the fifth satellite may be unable to continue serving the UE. If the remaining service time of the fifth satellite is less than or equal to the fourth threshold, it indicates that the fifth satellite is about to cease serving the UE. Therefore, in these situations, the UE can determine to update its cooperating satellites to improve the UE's communication quality or ensure that the UE can continue to be covered by the network.

[0150] S202, The network device sends the second information. Correspondingly, the UE receives the second information. For example, the network device can send the second information via unicast.

[0151] The second information may be included in RRC signaling, MAC layer signaling, physical layer signaling, or signaling in other protocol layers.

[0152] The second information may indicate information about N satellites. For example, if the second information includes information about N satellites, and this information belongs to a second set of satellites, then the second information can also be considered to indicate the second set of satellites. Alternatively, the second information may include an index of the second set of satellites, which means that the second information indicates the second set of satellites.

[0153] The N satellites can be determined based on M satellites, or the second set of satellites can be determined based on the first set of satellites. For example, the network device receives first information, and based on the first information, it can determine M satellites, and then the network device can determine the N satellites based on the M satellites. The N satellites are the satellites to be measured by the UE.

[0154] There are multiple ways for network devices to identify N satellites.

[0155] As an optional implementation method for a network device to determine N satellites, the network device can use a central processing node to determine the N satellites. This determination method can also be called a centralized architecture determination method. The central processing node can be a node for managing satellites or a node for coordinating between satellites. The central processing node can be a satellite, located on a satellite, or belong to a terrestrial network, such as a terrestrial service station, or a terrestrial access network device or core network device. The satellite serving as the central processing node may be, for example, the UE's serving satellite or other satellites. If the central processing node is the UE's serving satellite, or the central processing node is located on the UE's serving satellite, and in this embodiment, the network device is either the UE's serving satellite or located on the UE's serving satellite, then in this case, the network device determining the N satellites using the central processing node is essentially the network device determining the N satellites, without needing to perform the interaction process between the network device and the central processing node described below.

[0156] For example, a network device sends information about M satellites to a central processing node, such as information about a first set of satellites. After receiving the information about the M satellites (or the information about the first set of satellites), the central processing node can determine N satellites, or determine a second set of satellites, and then send information about the N satellites, or the information about the second set of satellites, back to the network device. The N satellites can be a subset of the M satellites. Optionally, the central processing node can determine the N satellites based on one or more of the following: load information of the M satellites, resource usage information of the M satellites, or interference information of the M satellites.

[0157] A satellite's load information indicates its load status, including, for example, the UEs served by that satellite. For instance, if one of the M satellites has a heavy load, the central processing node can determine that the satellite should not be considered as a candidate cooperating satellite, such as not adding it to the N satellites or not adding it to the second satellite set.

[0158] Resource usage information for a satellite may include, for example, beam usage information, as well as usage information for other satellite resources, such as hardware and / or software resources. A satellite may provide one or more beams, and the beam usage information may include the usage information of some or all of those beams. For example, if a satellite can provide a total of 8 beams, and the beam usage information indicates that all 8 beams are occupied, then the satellite has no beams available to cover the UE. In this case, the central processing node can determine that the satellite should not be considered as a candidate cooperating satellite, for example, by not adding the satellite to the N satellites or not adding the satellite to the second satellite set.

[0159] Interference information for a satellite can indicate the level of interference it is experiencing. For example, if the interference information for a satellite indicates that it is experiencing significant interference, or that the signals it transmits and / or receives are subject to substantial interference, then the satellite may be unable to provide a good quality of service to the UE. In this case, the central processing node can determine that the satellite should not be considered as a candidate cooperating satellite, for example, by not adding it to the N satellites or to the second satellite set.

[0160] For example, if a satellite meets one or more of the following conditions, the central processing node can determine that satellite as a candidate cooperative satellite, such as adding the satellite to N satellites or adding the satellite to a second set of satellites: the satellite has a light load (e.g., the load number is less than or equal to a certain threshold), the satellite has available resources, or the satellite is less affected by interference (e.g., less than or equal to a certain threshold).

[0161] As previously described, the first piece of information indicates the association between K satellite sets and K indices, where the first satellite set belongs to the K satellite sets. In this case, the network device can send information about the K satellite sets to the central processing node. The central processing node can then determine H satellite sets, where H can be less than or equal to K (e.g., H = K). The H satellite sets and K satellite sets can correspond one-to-one. The second satellite set can belong to the H satellite sets, for example, it can be one of the H satellite sets. For example, for each satellite set A1 in the K satellite sets, the central processing node can determine whether each satellite within it can serve as a candidate cooperating satellite. Based on this determination method, for example, for any satellite set A1 in the K satellite sets, the central processing node can determine the corresponding satellite set A2, where satellite set A2 includes a subset of the satellites included in satellite set A1. For example, if satellite set A1 is the first satellite set, then satellite set A2 is the second satellite set. Thus, for each satellite set in the K satellite sets, the central processing node can determine the corresponding satellite set; that is, the central processing node can determine H satellite sets. The central processing node can send information about H satellite sets to the network device, and the network device can then receive information about those H satellite sets.

[0162] As an alternative implementation method for network devices to determine N satellites, the network device can determine the N satellites itself; this method can also be called a distributed architecture determination method. For example, if the network device determines M satellites based on first information, it can send a request message to each of the M satellites, requesting that each satellite serve as a cooperating satellite for the UE. For instance, the request message sent by the network device to a particular satellite requests that satellite to serve as a cooperating satellite for the UE. A satellite receiving the request message can determine whether it is capable of serving as a cooperating satellite for the UE and send a response message to the network device. This response message can indicate that the satellite allows (or is able to; or agrees to) serve as a cooperating satellite for the UE, or indicate that the satellite does not allow (or is unable to; or disagrees to) serve as a cooperating satellite for the UE. By receiving the response messages from the M satellites, the network device can determine the N satellites. For example, if a response from a satellite indicates that the satellite is allowed to be a cooperating satellite for the UE, the network device can determine that the satellite is a candidate cooperating satellite, such as adding the satellite to the N satellites or adding the satellite to the second satellite set; as another example, if a response from a satellite indicates that the satellite is not allowed to be a cooperating satellite for the UE, the network device can determine that the satellite is not a candidate cooperating satellite, such as not adding the satellite to the N satellites or not adding the satellite to the second satellite set.

[0163] Optionally, a satellite may be allowed to serve as a cooperating satellite for the UE based on one or more of the following: the satellite's payload information, the satellite's resource usage information, or the satellite's interference information. The method for determining the satellite can be similar to the method for determining the central processing node mentioned above, and will not be elaborated further.

[0164] As previously described, the first piece of information indicates the association between K satellite sets and K indices, where the first satellite set belongs to the K satellite sets. In this case, for each of the K satellite sets, the network device can determine whether each satellite within it can serve as a candidate cooperating satellite. Thus, the network device can determine H satellite sets, where H can be less than or equal to K (e.g., H = K). The H satellite sets correspond one-to-one with the K satellite sets. The second satellite set can belong to the H satellite sets, for example, it can be one of the H satellite sets. For instance, for any satellite set A1 among the K satellite sets, the network device can determine whether each satellite within it can serve as a candidate cooperating satellite. According to the above determination method, for any satellite set A1, the network device can determine the corresponding satellite set A2, where satellite set A2 includes a subset of the satellites included in satellite set A1. For example, if satellite set A1 is the first satellite set, then satellite set A2 is the second satellite set. Therefore, for each of the K satellite sets, the network device can determine the corresponding satellite set, that is, the network device can determine H satellite sets.

[0165] If the network device determines H satellite sets (either determined by the network device itself or indicated by the central processing node), the second information can optionally include H indices corresponding to the H satellite sets. In this way, the network device does not need to send satellite set information, saving signaling overhead. Alternatively, the second information can include information about the satellites included in each of the H satellite sets, making the indication more explicit. Alternatively, the second information can include indices of some of the H satellite sets, as well as information about the satellites included in the remaining H satellite sets.

[0166] For example, if some satellite sets in H satellite sets remain unchanged compared to the satellite sets indicated by the first information, the second information can include the indices of these satellite sets. For instance, if the first information indicates a satellite set C1 including information about satellite 1 and satellite 2, and the network device determines a satellite set C2 corresponding to satellite set C1 that also includes information about satellite 1 and satellite 2, then the second information can indicate the index of satellite set C2 (which is actually also the index of satellite set C1). As another example, if some satellite sets in H satellite sets have changed compared to the satellite sets indicated by the first information, the second information can include the information of the satellites included in these changed satellite sets. For instance, if the first information indicates a satellite set D1 including information about satellite 1 and satellite 2, and the network device determines a satellite set D2 corresponding to satellite set D1 that includes information about satellite 1 and satellite 3, but excludes information about satellite 2, then the second information can indicate the information about satellite 1 and satellite 3.

[0167] S203, The UE sends the measurement results of N satellites to the network device.

[0168] Upon receiving the second information, the UE can perform measurements on the satellites indicated by the second information, obtain the measurement results, and then send these results to the network device. For example, if the second information indicates a second set of satellites, the UE can measure N satellites and send the measurement results for all N satellites to the network device. Or, for another example, if the second information indicates a set of H satellites, the UE can measure the satellites included in the H satellite sets and send the measurement results to the network device. The measurement result for a single satellite may include, for example, the reference signal receiving power (RSRP) and / or reference signal receiving quality (RSRQ) corresponding to that satellite.

[0169] S204. The network device sends third information. Correspondingly, the UE receives the third information.

[0170] The third information may indicate the cooperating satellites of the UE. For example, the cooperating satellite indicated by the third information may be the first satellite, or the third information may include information about the first satellite. The first satellite may belong to N satellites, or, if the second information indicates a set of H satellites, then the first satellite may belong to the satellites included in the H satellite sets. The number of cooperating satellites indicated by the third information may be one or more, that is, the number of satellites included in the first satellite may be one or more.

[0171] Optionally, the third information may indicate information about the first satellite, or it may indicate an index of a third satellite set, which includes the first satellite. The third satellite set may include one or more satellite sets, for example, these one or more satellite sets may belong to K satellite sets, or they may belong to H satellite sets. For example, if the first satellite is all the satellites included in part or all of the satellite sets indicated by the first information, or all the satellites included in part or all of the satellite sets indicated by the second information, then the third information may include the index of this part or all of the satellite sets, without necessarily including the specific information about the first satellite. For example, if satellite set E in H satellite sets includes satellite 1 and satellite 2, and the first satellite also includes satellite 1 and satellite 2, then the third information may indicate the index of satellite set E, without necessarily indicating the information about satellite 1 and satellite 2. As another example, if satellite set F in H satellite sets includes satellite 1, satellite set G in H satellite sets includes satellite 2 and satellite 3, and the first satellite includes satellite 1, satellite 2, and satellite 3, then the third information may indicate the indices of satellite sets F and G, without necessarily indicating the information about satellite 1, satellite 2, and satellite 3. This instruction method can reduce signaling overhead.

[0172] For example, if a network device receives measurement results, it can determine the cooperating satellite for the UE. The network device can choose the satellite with the best measurement result as the cooperating satellite, or it can choose the satellite corresponding to a measurement result greater than or equal to a fifth threshold, or it can combine other factors to determine the cooperating satellite. There are no restrictions on the method by which the network device determines the cooperating satellite. Once the network device has determined the cooperating satellite, it can instruct the UE to accept the services provided by that cooperating satellite. Optionally, the network device can also send information to the cooperating satellite (e.g., a first satellite) instructing it to act as the cooperating satellite for the UE, so that the first satellite can begin providing services to the UE. For example, the first satellite can perform joint transmissions with the UE's serving satellite.

[0173] In this embodiment, the UE can first determine a first satellite set, and the network device, in conjunction with the first satellite set, determines a second satellite set. By measuring the second satellite set, the UE can configure cooperating satellites. Therefore, this embodiment provides a method for configuring cooperating satellites for the UE, enabling a multi-satellite joint transmission mechanism. Furthermore, this embodiment can configure cooperating satellites for the UE based on the first satellite set, which is determined by the UE, and the satellites included in the first satellite set have a high probability of serving as cooperating satellites for the UE. The second satellite set is also determined based on the first satellite set. This means the UE can measure satellites that are highly likely to serve as cooperating satellites, without having to measure too many satellites, thus reducing the UE's measurement overhead. Additionally, the network device does not need to configure too many satellites for the UE to measure, saving network device configuration overhead.

[0174] The following describes another communication method provided by an embodiment of this application. Please refer to Figure 3, which is a flowchart of the method.

[0175] S301, The network device sends the first information. Correspondingly, the UE receives the first information.

[0176] The first information may indicate information about M satellites. For example, if the first information includes information about M satellites, and this information belongs to a first satellite set, then the first information can also be considered to indicate the first satellite set. Alternatively, the first information may include an index of the first satellite set, which indicates that the first information indicates the first satellite set. M is a positive integer. The content of the satellite information can be seen in the embodiment shown in Figure 2.

[0177] The M satellites can be satellites to be measured, determined by the network device. Optionally, the network device can determine the M satellites itself. For example, the network device can send a request message to each of the at least one satellite, requesting each satellite to act as a cooperating satellite of the UE. For example, the request message sent by the network device to a certain satellite can request that satellite to act as a cooperating satellite of the UE. The satellite receiving the request message can determine whether it can act as a cooperating satellite of the UE and send a response message to the network device. The response message can indicate that the satellite allows (or is able to; or agrees) to act as a cooperating satellite of the UE, or indicate that the satellite does not allow (or is unable to; or disagrees) to act as a cooperating satellite of the UE. By receiving the response message from at least one satellite, the network device can determine the M satellites. For example, if a response from a satellite indicates that the satellite is allowed to serve as a cooperating satellite for the UE, the network device can determine that satellite as a candidate cooperating satellite, for example, by adding the satellite to the M satellites or adding the satellite to the first satellite set; conversely, if a response from a satellite indicates that the satellite is not allowed to serve as a cooperating satellite for the UE, the network device can determine that the satellite is not a candidate cooperating satellite, for example, by not adding the satellite to the M satellites or not adding the satellite to the first satellite set. For an explanation of how a satellite is determined to be allowed to serve as a cooperating satellite for the UE, please refer to the embodiment shown in Figure 2.

[0178] Alternatively, another way for the network device to determine the M satellites on its own is that the network device can determine the M satellites based on the location of the UE and the location of at least one satellite, without having to perform signaling interaction with the M satellites. This method is simpler.

[0179] Alternatively, the network device can use a central processing node to determine the M satellites. A description of this central processing node can be found in the embodiment shown in Figure 2. For example, the network device sends information about at least one satellite to the central processing node. After receiving the information about at least one satellite, the central processing node can determine the M satellites, or determine a first set of satellites, and then send information about the M satellites back to the network device, or send information about the first set of satellites. The M satellites can be a subset of at least one satellite. The method by which the central processing node determines the M satellites can be found in the embodiment shown in Figure 2.

[0180] S302. The UE determines N out of M satellites as available satellites. N is an integer less than or equal to M and greater than or equal to 0.

[0181] Optionally, the UE may determine N satellites out of M satellites as available satellites based on one or more of the following, or determine available satellites out of M satellites based on one or more of the following: the attitude information of the UE, the antenna gain corresponding to the pitch angle and / or azimuth angle of the UE's antenna, the position information of the UE, the position information of M satellites, or, M gain thresholds.

[0182] For example, the UE can determine its radiation pattern, also known as a non-ideal radiation pattern (the name is not limited). This radiation pattern can indicate the antenna gain corresponding to the UE's antenna attitude. For instance, the radiation pattern includes the correspondence between the UE's antenna attitude and antenna gain. Optionally, the antenna attitude can be represented by parameters such as the antenna's elevation angle and / or azimuth angle. For example, the radiation pattern includes the correspondence between the UE's antenna elevation angle and / or azimuth angle and antenna gain. Optionally, the radiation pattern can also include the UE's attitude information. For example, in this radiation pattern, the UE's attitude information, the UE's antenna attitude, and the UE's antenna gain are related. Taking the UE's antenna attitude represented by the UE's antenna elevation angle and / or azimuth angle as an example, then the UE's attitude information, the UE's antenna elevation angle and / or azimuth angle, and the UE's antenna gain are related. Alternatively, the UE's attitude information may not be included in this radiation pattern, but the UE's attitude information, the UE's antenna attitude, and the UE's antenna gain can still be related. For a more detailed description of this orientation pattern, please refer to the embodiment shown in Figure 2.

[0183] Here's an example of how a UE determines available satellites. For instance, the UE's radiation pattern represents the correspondence between the UE's attitude information, the UE's antenna elevation and / or azimuth angles, and the UE's antenna gain. By combining this with the position information of M satellites, the UE can determine whether some of the M satellites exist in a certain attitude and in the direction corresponding to a certain elevation and / or azimuth angle, or whether the UE is covered by some of the M satellites in a certain attitude and in the direction corresponding to a certain elevation and / or azimuth angle. For example, if a UE determines that it is covered by a satellite in a certain direction, and that satellite does not belong to the M satellites, it indicates that there are no available satellites in that direction, and the UE can continue to determine the next direction; or, if a UE determines that it is covered by a satellite in a certain direction, and that satellite includes satellite 'a' from the M satellites, but the UE is not covered by its serving satellite in that direction, it indicates that satellite 'a' cannot serve as a cooperating satellite, or that satellite 'a' is unavailable, and the UE can continue to determine the next direction; or, if a UE determines that it is covered by a satellite in a certain direction, and that satellite includes satellite 'b' from the M satellites, and the UE is also covered by its serving satellite in that direction, it indicates that satellite 'b' has the potential to serve as a cooperating satellite, or that satellite 'b' is an available satellite.

[0184] The UE can determine available satellites using the method described above; alternatively, the UE can also refer to the corresponding gain threshold when determining available satellites. For example, for satellite b in the example above, the UE can further determine whether the antenna gain corresponding to satellite b in the radiation pattern is greater than or equal to the corresponding gain threshold of satellite b, where the gain threshold of satellite b belongs to at least one gain threshold. If the antenna gain corresponding to satellite b in the radiation pattern is greater than or equal to the corresponding gain threshold of satellite b, the UE can determine that satellite b is an available satellite, or determine that satellite b is the satellite to be measured; or, if the antenna gain corresponding to satellite b in the radiation pattern is less than the corresponding gain threshold of satellite b, the UE can determine that the satellite is unavailable, or determine that the satellite does not need to be measured. Satellites selected based on gain thresholds have better antenna gains, and using these satellites as cooperative satellites for the UE can improve the UE's communication quality.

[0185] S303, The UE sends the measurement results of N satellites to the network device.

[0186] If the UE determines that N out of M satellites are available, it means that MN out of the M satellites are unavailable. Optionally, the UE may choose not to measure these MN satellites to reduce its power consumption; alternatively, the UE may perform measurements on these MN satellites.

[0187] If the UE measures N satellites and obtains N measurement results, then S302 may include the UE sending the N measurement results to the network device, which can be done in different ways.

[0188] As an optional implementation method for the UE to send N measurement results to the network device, the UE can send M measurement results to the network device. These M measurement results correspond to M satellites, for example, the M measurement results correspond one-to-one with the M satellites. Among these M measurement results, N measurement results are the measurement results of the N satellites. For example, any one of the N measurement results can be the RSRP and / or RSRQ of the corresponding satellite. In addition, MN measurement results among the M measurement results can be invalid values, such as default values ​​or virtual values. For example, any one of the MN measurement results can be obtained from the N measurement results. For example, if the N measurement results include measurement result 'a' from satellite 2, any one of the MN measurement results can be the sum of measurement result 'a' and an offset. The offset can be a negative number, making the value of the measurement result small (or even negative), indicating that the measurement result is invalid. For example, given M satellites (satellites 1 through 5) and N satellites (satellites 2 and 4), the UE can send five measurement results to the network device. These five results include the measurements from satellites 2 and 4, as well as those from satellites 1, 3, and 5. For instance, the measurement results for satellites 1, 3, and 5 can be the sum of the measurement result from satellite 2 and its offset. Alternatively, any one of these M / N measurement results can be a default value, which can be small or even negative, indicating that the measurement result is invalid. If the UE sends N measurement results to the network device in this way, it can avoid measuring all M / N satellites, thus saving measurement power consumption.

[0189] Alternatively, as another optional implementation for sending N measurement results to the network device, the UE can send M measurement results to the network device, each corresponding to one of the M satellites. For example, the M measurement results may correspond one-to-one with the M satellites. Among these M measurement results, MN measurement results correspond to the MN satellites. Optionally, each of the MN measurement results may correspond to first indication information. The first indication information may indicate that the measurement result corresponding to it is invalid or unavailable. Therefore, the MN measurement results corresponding to the first indication information indicate that the MN measurement results are invalid or unavailable. Among the MN measurement results, N measurement results are from the N satellites. These N measurement results are available; for example, any one of the N measurement results may be the RSRP and / or RSRQ of the corresponding satellite. Optionally, these N measurement results may not correspond to the first indication information, or each of these N measurement results may correspond to the second indication information. The second indication information indicates that the measurement result corresponding to the second indication information is valid or available. Therefore, N measurement results corresponding to the second indication information indicate that the N measurement results are valid or available. Optionally, the second indication information may be, for example, a flag (FLAG) - enable, and the first indication information may be, for example, a flag (FLAG) - disabled. For example, if M satellites include satellites 1 to 5, and N satellites include satellites 2 and 4, the UE may send 5 measurement results to the network device. These 5 measurement results are the measurement results of satellites 1 to 5, where the measurement results of satellites 1, 3, and 5 correspond to the first indication information, and the measurement results of satellites 2 and 4 do not correspond to the first indication information or correspond to the second indication information. If the UE sends N measurement results to the network device in this way, the UE can also perform measurements for MN satellites; or, the UE may not perform measurements for MN satellites, and each of the MN measurement results may be a virtual value or a default value. By not measuring MN satellites, the UE's measurement power consumption can be saved.

[0190] S304. The network device sends the second information. Correspondingly, the UE receives the second information.

[0191] The second information may indicate the cooperating satellites of the UE. For example, the cooperating satellite indicated by the second information may be the first satellite, or the second information may include information about the first satellite. The first satellite may belong to N satellites. The number of cooperating satellites indicated by the second information may be one or more, that is, the number of satellites included by the first satellite may be one or more.

[0192] For example, if a network device receives measurement results, it can determine the cooperating satellite for the UE. For instance, the network device can determine the cooperating satellite based on N measurement results. For example, the network device can choose the satellite corresponding to the best measurement result among the N results as the cooperating satellite for the UE, or it can choose the satellite corresponding to the measurement result greater than or equal to a fifth threshold among the N results as the cooperating satellite for the UE. Alternatively, the network device can combine other factors to determine the cooperating satellite; there are no restrictions on the method used by the network device to determine the cooperating satellite. Once the network device has determined the cooperating satellite, it can instruct the UE to accept the services provided by that cooperating satellite. Optionally, the network device can also send information to the cooperating satellite (e.g., a first satellite) instructing the first satellite to act as the cooperating satellite for the UE, so that the first satellite can begin providing services to the UE. For example, the first satellite can perform joint transmissions with the UE's serving satellite.

[0193] This application provides a method for configuring cooperative satellites for a UE, enabling a multi-satellite joint transmission mechanism. Furthermore, the UE in this application can filter the satellites to be measured configured by the network device, ensuring that the satellites measured by the UE are those with a high probability of serving the UE, thus improving the success rate of cooperative satellite configuration. Moreover, the UE can measure only satellites with a high probability of serving as cooperative satellites, without having to measure an excessive number of satellites, thereby reducing the UE's measurement overhead.

[0194] Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 400 may be a UE or its circuit system as described in the embodiment shown in Figure 2 or Figure 3, used to implement the method corresponding to the UE in the above method embodiments. Alternatively, the communication device 400 may be a network device or its circuit system as described in the embodiment shown in Figure 2 or Figure 3, used to implement the method corresponding to the network device in the above method embodiments. Alternatively, the communication device 400 may be a central processing node or its circuit system as described in the embodiment shown in Figure 2 or Figure 3, used to implement the method corresponding to the central processing node in the above method embodiments. For example, one type of circuit system is a chip system.

[0195] The communication device 400 includes at least one processor 401. The processor 401 can be used for internal processing within the device to implement certain control processing functions. Optionally, the processor 401 includes instructions. Optionally, the processor 401 can store data. Optionally, different processors can be independent devices, located in different physical locations, or located on different integrated circuits. Optionally, different processors can be integrated into one or more processors, for example, integrated on one or more integrated circuits.

[0196] Optionally, the communication device 400 includes one or more memories 403 for storing instructions. Optionally, the memories 403 may also store data. The processor and the memories may be separate or integrated together.

[0197] Optionally, the communication device 400 includes a communication line 402 and at least one communication interface 404. Since the memory 403, communication line 402, and communication interface 404 are all optional, they are all represented by dashed lines in Figure 4.

[0198] Optionally, the communication device 400 may further include a transceiver and / or an antenna. The transceiver can be used to send information to or receive information from other devices. The transceiver may be referred to as a transceiver unit, transceiver circuit, input / output interface, etc., and is used to realize the transmission and reception functions of the communication device 400 via the antenna. Optionally, the transceiver includes a transmitter and a receiver. For example, the transmitter can be used to generate a radio frequency (RF) signal from a baseband signal, and the receiver can be used to convert the RF signal back into a baseband signal.

[0199] Processor 401 may include a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of programs according to the present application.

[0200] Communication line 402 may include a path for transmitting information between the aforementioned components.

[0201] Communication interface 404 uses any transceiver-like device for communicating with other devices or communication networks, such as Ethernet, radio access network (RAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), wired access network, etc.

[0202] Memory 403 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device capable of storing static information and instructions, random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device capable of storing information and instructions, or electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible by a computer, but not limited thereto. Memory 403 may exist independently and be connected to processor 401 via communication line 402. Alternatively, memory 403 may be integrated with processor 401.

[0203] The memory 403 stores computer execution instructions for implementing the scheme of this application, and the processor 401 controls the execution of these instructions. The processor 401 executes the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 403 to implement the steps performed by the UE, network device, or central processing node in the embodiments shown in FIG2 or FIG3.

[0204] Optionally, the computer execution instructions in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as application code, and the embodiments of this application do not specifically limit this.

[0205] In a specific implementation, as one example, processor 401 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in FIG4.

[0206] In a specific implementation, as one embodiment, the communication device 400 may include multiple processors, such as processors 401 and 405 in FIG. 4. Each of these processors may be a single-core (single-CPU) processor or a multi-core (multi-CPU) processor. Here, a processor may refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores for processing data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0207] When the device shown in Figure 4 is a chip, such as a UE chip, a network device chip, or a central processing node chip, the chip includes a processor 401 (and may also include a processor 405), a communication line 402, and a communication interface 404. Optionally, it may include a memory 403. Specifically, the communication interface 404 may be an input interface, pins, or circuits, etc. The memory 403 may be a register, cache, etc. The processor 401 and processor 405 may be a general-purpose CPU, microprocessor, ASIC, or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of a program that controls the communication method of any of the above embodiments.

[0208] This application embodiment can divide the device into functional modules according to the above method examples. For example, each function can be divided into its own functional modules, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated modules can be implemented in hardware or software. It should be noted that the module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, when dividing each functional module according to its own function, Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a device. The device 500 can be the UE, network device, or central processing node involved in the above method embodiments, or it can be a chip in the UE, a chip in the network device, or a chip in the central processing node. The device 500 includes a processing unit 502 and a transceiver unit 501.

[0209] It should be understood that the device 500 can be used to implement the steps performed by the UE, network device or central processing node in the communication method of the embodiments of this application. The relevant features can be referred to the embodiments shown in Figure 2 or Figure 3 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0210] Optionally, the functions / implementation processes of the transceiver unit 501 and processing unit 502 in Figure 5 can be implemented by the processor 401 in Figure 4 calling computer execution instructions stored in memory 403. Alternatively, the functions / implementation processes of the processing unit 502 in Figure 5 can be implemented by the processor 401 in Figure 4 calling computer execution instructions stored in memory 403, and the functions / implementation processes of the transceiver unit 501 in Figure 5 can be implemented by the communication interface 404 in Figure 4.

[0211] Optionally, when the device 500 is a chip or circuit, the function / implementation process of the transceiver unit 501 can also be implemented through pins or circuits. Optionally, the transceiver unit 501 may include a transmitting unit and / or a receiving unit, whereby the transmitting unit implements the transmitting function and the receiving unit implements the receiving function; or, the transceiver unit 501 may be an integral module capable of implementing both transmitting and / or receiving functions. Optionally, the transceiver unit 501 can be implemented using a transceiver.

[0212] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed, implement the methods performed by the UE, network device, or central processing node in the aforementioned method embodiments. Thus, the functions described in the above embodiments can be implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to it, or a part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0213] This application also provides a computer program product comprising: computer program code, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method executed by the UE, network device, or central processing node in any of the foregoing method embodiments.

[0214] This application also provides a processing apparatus, including a processor and an interface; the processor is used to execute the methods performed by the UE, network device, or central processing node involved in any of the above method embodiments.

[0215] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., solid-state disk (SSD)).

[0216] The various illustrative logic units and circuits described in the embodiments of this application can be implemented or operate the described functions using a general-purpose processor, digital signal processor (DSP), ASIC, field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor; alternatively, it can be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor can also be implemented using a combination of computing devices, such as a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors combined with a digital signal processor core, or any other similar configuration.

[0217] The steps of the methods or algorithms described in the embodiments of this application can be directly embedded in hardware, software units executed by a processor, or a combination of both. The software units can be stored in RAM, flash memory, ROM, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), EEPROM, registers, hard disks, removable disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium in the art. Exemplarily, the storage medium can be connected to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium can also be integrated into the processor. The processor and storage medium can be disposed in an ASIC, which can be disposed in the terminal device. Optionally, the processor and storage medium can also be disposed in different components of the terminal device.

[0218] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions, which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus, provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0219] The contents of the various embodiments of this application can be referenced to each other. Unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced to each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0220] It is understood that in the embodiments of this application, the UE and / or network device and / or central processing node may execute some or all of the steps in the embodiments of this application. These steps or operations are merely examples. In the embodiments of this application, other operations or variations of various operations may also be performed. Furthermore, the various steps may be performed in different orders as presented in the embodiments of this application, and it is not necessarily necessary to perform all the operations in the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a terminal-side device, and the method includes: Send first information to the network-side device. The first information is used to indicate a first satellite set. The first satellite set includes information on M satellites. The M satellites are candidate cooperative satellites determined by the terminal-side device, and M is a positive integer. Receive second information, the second information being used to indicate a second satellite set, the second satellite set including information on N satellites, the second satellite set being determined based on the first satellite set; Send the measurement results of the N satellites to the network-side device; Receive third information, which indicates that the cooperating satellite of the terminal device is the first satellite, and the first satellite belongs to the N satellites.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first set of satellites is determined based on one or more of the following: The attitude information of the terminal-side device; The antenna gain corresponding to the elevation angle and / or azimuth angle of the antenna of the terminal-side device; The location information of the terminal-side device; Location information of at least one satellite, wherein the at least one satellite includes the M satellites; or, At least one gain threshold corresponding to at least one satellite, wherein the at least one satellite includes the M satellites.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first satellite set includes a second satellite, wherein, in the first attitude of the terminal device, the second satellite is located in the direction corresponding to the first elevation angle and / or the first azimuth angle of the antenna of the terminal device, and the antenna gain corresponding to the first elevation angle and / or the first azimuth angle of the antenna of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the gain threshold corresponding to the second satellite.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive the gain threshold corresponding to the third satellite, wherein the gain threshold corresponding to the third satellite belongs to the at least one gain threshold, and the third satellite belongs to the first satellite set; and / or, A received signal quality threshold is used to determine a gain threshold for the fourth satellite. The gain threshold for the fourth satellite belongs to the at least one gain threshold, and the fourth satellite belongs to the first satellite set.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, Determining the gain threshold corresponding to the fourth satellite based on the signal quality threshold includes: The gain threshold corresponding to the fourth satellite is determined based on the signal quality threshold and the EIRP density corresponding to the fourth satellite.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, Determining the gain threshold corresponding to the fourth satellite based on the signal quality threshold includes: Based on the signal quality threshold, multiple gain thresholds for the fourth satellite within the first time period are determined; The minimum value among the plurality of gain thresholds is determined to be the gain threshold corresponding to the fourth satellite.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The first information is used to indicate the first satellite set, including: The first information is used to indicate the association between K satellite sets and K indices, wherein each of the K satellite sets corresponds to an attitude of the terminal device, and the first satellite set is included in the K satellite sets, where K is a positive integer.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second information includes the index corresponding to the second satellite set; or, The second information includes information about the N satellites.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, Before sending the first information to the network-side device, the method further includes: Based on the fact that the signal quality of the serving satellite and / or the fifth satellite of the terminal device is less than or equal to a first threshold, the cooperating satellites of the terminal device are determined to be updated; and / or... The cooperating satellites for updating the terminal device are determined based on the ephemeris information of the fifth satellite; The fifth satellite is the original cooperating satellite of the terminal device.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, Based on the ephemeris information of the fifth satellite, the cooperative satellites for updating the terminal device are determined, including: Based on the ephemeris information of the fifth satellite, it is determined that the elevation angle of the fifth satellite is less than or equal to a second threshold, the distance between the fifth satellite and the terminal device is greater than or equal to a third threshold, or the remaining service time of the fifth satellite is less than or equal to a fourth threshold, or one or more of these conditions are met. The cooperative satellites for updating the terminal-side device are determined based on one or more of the aforementioned criteria.

11. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a network-side device, and the method includes: Receive first information, the first information being used to indicate a first satellite set, the first satellite set including information on M satellites, the M satellites being candidate cooperative satellites determined by the terminal-side device, where M is a positive integer; Send a second message, which is used to indicate a second satellite set, the second satellite set including information on N satellites, the second satellite set being determined based on the first satellite set; Receive the measurement results from the N satellites; A third message is sent to the terminal device, the third message indicating that the cooperating satellite of the terminal device is the first satellite, and the first satellite belongs to the N satellites.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send information about the first set of satellites to the central processing node; Information about the second set of satellites is received from the central processing node.

13. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a request message to each of the M satellites, the request message being used to request each satellite to act as a cooperative satellite of the terminal device; Receive response information from each of the satellites, the response information being used to indicate whether each satellite is permitted to act as a cooperative satellite for the terminal device; The second satellite set is determined based on the response information.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send the gain threshold corresponding to the serving satellite of the terminal device to the terminal device; or, A signal quality threshold is sent to the terminal device, the signal quality threshold being used to determine a gain threshold corresponding to at least one satellite, the at least one satellite including the M satellites.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that, The first information is used to indicate the first satellite set, including: The first information is used to indicate the association between K satellite sets and K indices, wherein each of the K satellite sets corresponds to an attitude of the terminal device, and the first satellite set is included in the K satellite sets, where K is a positive integer.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The second information is used to indicate the second satellite set, including: The second information includes the index corresponding to the second satellite set; or, The second information includes information about the N satellites.

17. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a central processing node, and the method includes: Receive information about a first set of satellites, which includes information about M satellites, where the M satellites are candidate cooperative satellites determined by the terminal device, and M is a positive integer; The information of a second satellite set is sent to the network-side device. The second satellite set is determined based on the first satellite set. The second satellite set includes information of N satellites, where N is a positive integer.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The second set of satellites was determined based on one or more of the following information: The payload information of the M satellites; Resource usage information for the M satellites; or, Interference information for the M satellites.

19. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a terminal-side device, and the method includes: Receive first information, the first information being used to indicate a first satellite set, the first satellite set including information of M satellites, where M is a positive integer; N satellites out of the M satellites are determined to be usable satellites, where N is an integer less than or equal to M and greater than 0; Send the measurement results of the N satellites to the network-side device; Receive second information, which is used to indicate the first satellite among the N satellites, the first satellite being a cooperative satellite of the terminal device.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, Determining N out of the M satellites as usable satellites includes: The N satellites out of the M satellites are determined to be usable satellites based on one or more of the following information: The attitude information of the terminal-side device; The antenna gain corresponding to the elevation angle and / or azimuth angle of the antenna of the terminal-side device; The location information of the terminal-side device; The location information of the M satellites; or, M gain thresholds.

21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that, Sending the measurement results of the N satellites to the network-side device, including: Send M measurement results corresponding to the M satellites to the network-side device, where N measurement results are the measurement results of the N satellites, and MN measurement results are virtual values; or, The network-side device sends M measurement results corresponding to the M satellites, where M and N measurement results correspond to first indication information, and N measurement results correspond to second indication information or do not correspond to the first indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate that the corresponding measurement result is unavailable, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the corresponding measurement result is available.

22. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a network-side device, and the method includes: Send a first message, which is used to indicate a first satellite set, the first satellite set including information of M satellites, where M is a positive integer; Receive measurement results from N of the M satellites; Send a second message, which is used to indicate the first satellite among the N satellites, the first satellite being a cooperative satellite of the terminal device.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send information about the second set of satellites to the central processing node; Information about the first set of satellites is received from the central processing node.

24. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a request message to each of at least one satellite, the request message being used to request each satellite to act as a cooperative satellite of the terminal device; Receive response information from each of the satellites, the response information being used to indicate whether each satellite is permitted to act as a cooperative satellite for the terminal device; The first satellite set is determined based on the response information, wherein the M satellites belong to the at least one satellite.

25. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 24, characterized in that, Receive measurement results from N of the M satellites, including: Receive M measurement results corresponding to the M satellites, of which N measurement results are the measurement results of the N satellites, and MN measurement results are virtual values; or, Receive M measurement results corresponding to the M satellites, where M and M measurement results correspond to first indication information, and N measurement results correspond to second indication information or do not correspond to the first indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate that the corresponding measurement result is unavailable, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the corresponding measurement result is available.

26. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, or a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 11 to 16, or a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 17 to 18, or a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 19 to 21, or a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 22 to 25.

27. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a processor configured to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, or the method as described in any one of claims 11 to 16, or the method as described in any one of claims 17 to 18, or the method as described in any one of claims 19 to 21, or the method as described in any one of claims 22 to 25.

28. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium is used to store a computer program that, when the computer program is run on a computer, causes the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 10 to be performed, or causes the method as described in any one of claims 11 to 16 to be performed, or causes the method as described in any one of claims 17 to 18 to be performed, or causes the method as described in any one of claims 19 to 21 to be performed, or causes the method as described in any one of claims 22 to 25 to be performed.

29. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, or causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 11 to 16, or causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 17 to 18, or causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 19 to 21, or causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 22 to 25.

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