Wireless communication method, and communication system and communication apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of communications. Provided are a wireless communication method, and a communication system and a communication apparatus. The method comprises: receiving first information, wherein the first information is used for determining the positions of a plurality of non-terrestrial network devices, and the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices are used for collaboratively transmitting first data to a terminal device. In the embodiments of the present application, on the basis of information, e.g., first information, associated with the positions of a plurality of non-terrestrial network devices, facilitating the receiving of collaboratively transmitted data (e.g., first data) by a terminal device on the basis of position information of the non-terrestrial network devices. Further, on the basis of the position information of the non-terrestrial network devices that collaboratively transmit the data to the terminal device, the terminal device can determine a direction of arrival of a carrier bearing downlink data, thereby facilitating an improvement in the data receiving performance, and thus also facilitating an improvement in the system performance.

Description

Wireless communication methods, communication systems and communication devices

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202410696842.9, filed on May 30, 2024, entitled "Wireless Communication Method, Communication System and Communication Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

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

[0003] In non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), direct communication between terminal devices and network devices faces significant challenges. For example, the downlink budget is often poor during direct communication. To address this issue, NTN systems plan to introduce cooperative transmission mechanisms, such as multiple NTN devices collaboratively transmitting data to terminal devices. Therefore, how to implement cooperative transmission in NTNs is a crucial problem that needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a wireless communication method, communication system, and communication device, which can configure or instruct the location association information (such as first information) of non-terrestrial network devices that cooperate in transmitting data to a terminal device, thereby helping the terminal device to receive the cooperatively transmitted data (such as first data) based on the location information of the non-terrestrial network devices.

[0005] In a first aspect, a wireless communication method is provided, the method comprising: receiving first information, the first information being used to determine the locations of a plurality of non-terrestrial network devices, the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices being used to collaboratively transmit first data to a terminal device; and determining the locations of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices based on the first information.

[0006] For example, the wireless communication method can be implemented by a terminal device or by components inside the terminal device, such as a processor, circuit, chip, or chip system.

[0007] For example, multiple non-terrestrial network devices are used to cooperate in transmitting first data to a terminal device, which can be replaced by multiple non-terrestrial network devices jointly transmitting the first data to a terminal device.

[0008] This application embodiment transmits location-associated information, such as first information, with multiple non-terrestrial network devices. This facilitates cooperative transmission by the terminal device based on the location information of these devices, such as receiving cooperatively transmitted data based on this location information. Specifically, the direction of arrival of the carrier carrying the cooperatively transmitted data can be determined based on this location information. Furthermore, the terminal device can adjust its receiving attitude according to the direction of arrival of the carrier carrying downlink data, thereby improving data reception performance.

[0009] In some embodiments, the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices are deployed in a uniform or non-uniform manner.

[0010] For example, the deployment method can be replaced by the arrangement method, the layout method, the distribution method, etc.

[0011] In some embodiments, the non-uniform deployment method includes at least one of the following: Fermat deployment method; Fibonacci deployment method; or enhanced Fermat deployment method.

[0012] A uniform deployment of multiple non-terrestrial network devices helps improve beam gain and is easy to implement. A non-uniform deployment of multiple non-terrestrial network devices, while improving beam gain, helps suppress grating lobes, reduce interference from non-target beams, and improve the signal-to-noise ratio.

[0013] Compared to transmitting the absolute location information of multiple non-terrestrial devices, indicating the location of multiple non-terrestrial network devices based on the deployment method requires transmitting fewer parameters to determine the location information of multiple non-terrestrial network devices, which helps to save command overhead.

[0014] For example, a method for indicating the location of multiple non-terrestrial network devices based on the characteristics of different deployment methods can be determined. For instance, the first information may include the deployment method and parameters associated with that method. Examples of the first information under different deployment methods are given below.

[0015] In some embodiments, the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices are uniformly deployed, and the first information is used to indicate the following: the deployment method of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; the spacing between the non-terrestrial network devices; the number of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; and the location of the reference point.

[0016] In some embodiments, the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices employ the Fermat deployment method, and the first information is used to indicate the following: the deployment method of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; the distance parameters of the Fermat deployment method; the number of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; and the location of the reference point.

[0017] In some embodiments, the reference point is the origin of a polar coordinate system, and the distance between the nth non-terrestrial network device and the reference point satisfies the following formula:

[0018] as well as

[0019] The phase of the nth non-terrestrial network device in the polar coordinate system satisfies the following formula:

[0020] Where, ρ n Let n be the distance between the nth non-terrestrial network device among the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices and the reference point. The phase information of the nth non-terrestrial network device in the polar coordinate system is given by d, where d is the distance parameter of the Fermat deployment method, n is the sequence number of the non-terrestrial network device, n = 1...N, and N is the number of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices.

[0021] In some embodiments, the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices adopt the Fibonacci deployment method, and the first information is used to indicate the following: the deployment method of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; the number of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; and the location of the reference point.

[0022] In some embodiments, the reference point is the origin of a polar coordinate system, and the distance between the nth non-terrestrial network device and the reference point satisfies the following formula:

[0023] as well as

[0024] The phase of the nth non-terrestrial network device in the polar coordinate system satisfies the following formula:

[0025] Where, ρ n Let n be the distance between the nth non-terrestrial network device among the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices and the reference point. The phase information of the nth non-terrestrial network device in the polar coordinate system is given by n, where n is the serial number of the non-terrestrial network device, n = 1...N, and N is the number of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices.

[0026] In some embodiments, the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices employ the enhanced Fermat deployment method, and the first information is used to indicate the following: the deployment method of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; the distance parameter of the enhanced Fermat deployment method; the distribution factor of the enhanced Fermat deployment method; the number of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; and the location of the reference point.

[0027] In some embodiments, the reference point is the origin of a polar coordinate system, and the distance between the nth non-terrestrial network device and the reference point satisfies the following formula:

[0028] as well as

[0029] The phase of the nth non-terrestrial network device in the polar coordinate system satisfies the following formula:

[0030] Where, ρ n Let n be the distance between the nth non-terrestrial network device among the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices and the reference point. Let d be the phase information of the nth non-terrestrial network device in the polar coordinate system, d be the distance parameter of the enhanced Fermat deployment method, ε be the distribution factor of the enhanced Fermat deployment method, n be the serial number of the non-terrestrial network device, n = 1...N, and N be the number of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices.

[0031] The embodiments of this application, through the above method and formula, can determine the location information of multiple non-terrestrial network devices based on the first information. On the one hand, this enables the terminal device and the network device to reach a consistent understanding of the location of multiple non-terrestrial network devices. On the other hand, it can assist the terminal device in determining the subsequent communication process, such as determining the direction of arrival of the wave carrying downlink data.

[0032] In some embodiments, the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices are deployed on a plurality of satellites, the plurality of satellites including a reference satellite, and the first information includes the absolute position information of the reference point, or the first information includes the serial number of the reference satellite and the absolute position information of the reference satellite; wherein the serial number of the reference satellite and the absolute position information of the reference satellite are used to determine the position of the reference point.

[0033] The location of the reference point is crucial for determining the location of non-terrestrial network equipment. Using the absolute location information of the reference point as the primary information helps reduce processing complexity. The reference satellite's serial number and absolute location information can be used to determine the reference point's location, as well as the positional relationship between multiple cooperating satellites and the reference point. Therefore, indicating the reference point's location using the reference satellite's serial number and absolute location information allows for parameter reuse, thereby reducing indication overhead.

[0034] For example, the reference satellite may be the service satellite of the terminal device.

[0035] Since the terminal device can obtain the ephemeris information of the serving satellite, that is, the absolute position information of the serving satellite is known, the terminal device's serving satellite can be used as a reference satellite, eliminating the need to indicate the absolute position information of the reference satellite, which helps to reduce indication overhead.

[0036] In some embodiments, the locations of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices are used to determine the direction of the carrier carrying the first data.

[0037] For example, the terminal device can receive the first data based on the direction of arrival of the carrier carrying the first data. For instance, the terminal device can adjust its orientation, such as the azimuth and tilt angles, to point towards the direction of arrival of the carrier carrying the first data, which helps to improve reception performance and thus helps to improve communication performance.

[0038] In a second aspect, a wireless communication method is provided, the method comprising: determining first information; sending the first information to a terminal device, the first information being used to determine the locations of a plurality of non-terrestrial network devices, the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices being used to cooperate in transmitting first data to the terminal device.

[0039] For example, the method can be implemented by a first non-terrestrial network device, or by components within the first non-terrestrial network device, such as a processor, circuitry, chip, or chip system. The first non-terrestrial network device can be a serving network device for the terminal device. Optionally, the aforementioned plurality of non-terrestrial network devices may include the first non-terrestrial network device.

[0040] This application embodiment transmits location-associated information, such as first information, with multiple non-terrestrial network devices. This information helps the terminal device achieve cooperative transmission based on the location information, such as receiving cooperatively transmitted data. Specifically, the location information can determine the direction of arrival of the carrier carrying the cooperatively transmitted data. Furthermore, the terminal device can adjust its receiving attitude according to the direction of arrival of the carrier carrying downlink data, thereby improving data reception performance.

[0041] In some embodiments, the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices are deployed in a uniform or non-uniform manner.

[0042] A uniform deployment of multiple non-terrestrial network devices helps improve beam gain and is easy to implement. A non-uniform deployment of multiple non-terrestrial network devices, while improving beam gain, helps suppress grating lobes, reduce interference from non-target beams, and improve the signal-to-noise ratio.

[0043] In some embodiments, the non-uniform deployment method includes at least one of the following: Fermat deployment method; Fibonacci deployment method; or enhanced Fermat deployment method.

[0044] Compared to transmitting the absolute location information of multiple non-terrestrial devices, indicating the location of multiple non-terrestrial network devices based on the deployment method requires transmitting fewer parameters to determine the location information of multiple non-terrestrial network devices, which helps to save command overhead.

[0045] For example, a method for indicating the location of multiple non-terrestrial network devices based on the characteristics of different deployment methods can be determined. For instance, the first information may include the deployment method and parameters associated with that method. Examples of the first information under different deployment methods are given below.

[0046] In some embodiments, the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices are uniformly deployed, and the first information is used to indicate the following: the deployment method of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; the spacing between the non-terrestrial network devices; the number of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; and the location of the reference point.

[0047] In some embodiments, the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices employ the Fermat deployment method, and the first information is used to indicate the following: the deployment method of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; the distance parameters of the Fermat deployment method; the number of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; and the location of the reference point.

[0048] In some embodiments, the reference point is the origin of a polar coordinate system, and the distance between the nth non-terrestrial network device and the reference point satisfies the following formula:

[0049] as well as

[0050] The phase of the nth non-terrestrial network device in the polar coordinate system satisfies the following formula:

[0051] Where, ρ n Let n be the distance between the nth non-terrestrial network device among the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices and the reference point. The phase information of the nth non-terrestrial network device in the polar coordinate system is given by d, where d is the distance parameter of the Fermat deployment method, n is the sequence number of the non-terrestrial network device, n = 1...N, and N is the number of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices.

[0052] In some embodiments, the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices adopt the Fibonacci deployment method, and the first information is used to indicate the following: the deployment method of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; the number of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; and the location of the reference point.

[0053] In some embodiments, the reference point is the origin of a polar coordinate system, and the distance between the nth non-terrestrial network device and the reference point satisfies the following formula:

[0054] as well as

[0055] The phase of the nth non-terrestrial network device in the polar coordinate system satisfies the following formula:

[0056] Where, ρ n Let n be the distance between the nth non-terrestrial network device among the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices and the reference point. The phase information of the nth non-terrestrial network device in the polar coordinate system is given by n, where n is the serial number of the non-terrestrial network device, n = 1...N, and N is the number of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices.

[0057] In some embodiments, the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices employ the enhanced Fermat deployment method, and the first information is used to indicate the following: the deployment method of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; the distance parameter of the enhanced Fermat deployment method; the distribution factor of the enhanced Fermat deployment method; the number of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; and the location of the reference point.

[0058] In some embodiments, the reference point is the origin of a polar coordinate system, and the distance between the nth non-terrestrial network device and the reference point satisfies the following formula:

[0059] as well as

[0060] The phase of the nth non-terrestrial network device in the polar coordinate system satisfies the following formula:

[0061] Where, ρ n Let n be the distance between the nth non-terrestrial network device among the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices and the reference point. Let d be the phase information of the nth non-terrestrial network device in the polar coordinate system, d be the distance parameter of the enhanced Fermat deployment method, ε be the distribution factor of the enhanced Fermat deployment method, n be the serial number of the non-terrestrial network device, n = 1...N, and N be the number of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices.

[0062] The embodiments of this application, through the above method and formula, can determine the location information of multiple non-terrestrial network devices based on the first information. On the one hand, this enables the terminal device and the network device to reach a consensus on the location of multiple non-terrestrial network devices. On the other hand, it can assist the terminal device in determining the subsequent communication process, such as determining the direction of arrival of the wave carrying downlink data.

[0063] In some embodiments, the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices are deployed on a plurality of satellites, the plurality of satellites including a reference satellite, and the first information includes the absolute position information of the reference point, or the first information includes the serial number of the reference satellite and the absolute position information of the reference satellite; wherein the serial number of the reference satellite and the absolute position information of the reference satellite are used to determine the position of the reference point.

[0064] The location of the reference point is crucial for determining the location of non-terrestrial network equipment. Using the absolute location information of the reference point as the primary information helps reduce processing complexity. The reference satellite's serial number and absolute location information can be used to determine the reference point's location, as well as the positional relationship between multiple cooperating satellites and the reference point. Therefore, indicating the reference point's location using the reference satellite's serial number and absolute location information allows for parameter reuse, thereby reducing indication overhead.

[0065] For example, the reference satellite may be the service satellite of the terminal device.

[0066] Since the terminal device can obtain the ephemeris information of the serving satellite, that is, the absolute position information of the serving satellite is known, the terminal device's serving satellite can be used as a reference satellite, eliminating the need to indicate the absolute position information of the reference satellite, which helps to reduce indication overhead.

[0067] In some embodiments, the locations of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices are used to determine the direction of the carrier carrying the first data.

[0068] For example, the terminal device can receive the first data based on the direction of arrival of the carrier carrying the first data. For instance, the terminal device can adjust its orientation, such as the azimuth and tilt angles, to point towards the direction of arrival of the carrier carrying the first data, which helps to improve reception performance and thus helps to improve communication performance.

[0069] Thirdly, a communication system is provided, comprising: multiple non-terrestrial network devices for collaboratively transmitting first data to a terminal device; wherein the multiple non-terrestrial network devices are deployed in a uniform deployment mode or a non-uniform deployment mode.

[0070] This application provides various deployment methods for multiple non-terrestrial network devices to support cooperative transmission with high flexibility. A uniform deployment of multiple non-terrestrial network devices helps improve beam gain and is easy to implement. A non-uniform deployment of multiple non-terrestrial network devices, while improving beam gain, helps suppress grating lobes, reduce interference from non-target beams, and improve the signal-to-noise ratio.

[0071] In some embodiments, the non-uniform deployment method includes at least one of the following: Fermat deployment method; Fibonacci deployment method; or enhanced Fermat deployment method.

[0072] In some embodiments, the communication system further includes the terminal device, which is configured to: receive first information, the first information being used to determine the location of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices.

[0073] This application embodiment configures the location of multiple non-terrestrial network devices through first information. On the one hand, it enables the terminal device and the network device to reach a consensus on the deployment of multiple non-terrestrial network devices. On the other hand, it helps the terminal device determine the location of multiple non-terrestrial network devices, thereby determining the subsequent communication process.

[0074] In some embodiments, the direction of the carrier carrying the first data is determined based on the location of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices.

[0075] In this embodiment, the terminal device can adjust its posture according to the direction of arrival of the carrier carrying the first data, which helps to improve data reception performance and thus improve system performance.

[0076] In some embodiments, the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices are deployed on multiple satellites.

[0077] Fourthly, a communication device is provided, comprising: a unit for performing each step of the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or a unit for performing each step of the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0078] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, the communication device including at least one processor coupled to a memory for storing programs or instructions, wherein when the programs or instructions are executed by the processor, they perform the methods of the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect above, or perform the methods of the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect above.

[0079] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, the communication device including at least one processor and a memory coupled together, the processor and the memory storing program instructions, wherein when the program instructions stored in the memory are executed by the processor, the method of the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof is executed, or the method of the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof is executed.

[0080] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, the communication device including at least one processor and an interface circuit for transmitting and / or receiving signals, causing the processor to perform: the method of the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect above, or the method of the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect above.

[0081] Eighthly, a computer program product is provided, comprising a computer program that, when executed by a processor, performs a method in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or performs a method in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0082] Ninthly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program that, when executed, performs the method of the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof, or performs the method of the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0083] In a tenth aspect, a chip is provided, the chip comprising: a processor for calling and running a computer program from a memory, causing a communication device on which the chip is installed to perform the method of the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or to perform the method of the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. Attached Figure Description

[0084] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of an NTN architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0085] Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of an NTN architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0086] Figure 1C is a schematic diagram of an NTN architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0087] Figure 1D is a schematic diagram of an NTN architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0088] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the application architecture of a satellite communication network provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0089] Figure 3 is a simulation diagram of the number of visible satellites on the terminal device side provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0090] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a centralized and distributed spectral effect comparison provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0091] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram comparing the throughput of centralized and distributed systems according to an embodiment of this application;

[0092] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a wireless communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0093] Figure 7A is an example diagram of a uniform deployment method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0094] Figure 7B is another example diagram of a uniform deployment method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0095] Figure 8A is a schematic diagram of an antenna array for a non-terrestrial network device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0096] Figure 8B is a deployment example of a non-terrestrial network device using the antenna array shown in Figure 8A;

[0097] Figure 8C is a radiation pattern of a single non-terrestrial network device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0098] Figure 8D shows the antenna pattern synthesized by multiple non-terrestrial network devices under the deployment method shown in Figure 8B;

[0099] Figure 9A is an example diagram of the Fermat deployment method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0100] Figure 9B is an example diagram of the Fibonacci deployment method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0101] Figure 10A shows the antenna pattern synthesized by multiple non-terrestrial network devices under the deployment method shown in Figure 9A;

[0102] Figure 10B shows the antenna pattern synthesized by multiple non-terrestrial network devices under the deployment method shown in Figure 9B;

[0103] Figure 11 is a schematic block diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0104] Figure 12 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0105] Figure 13 is a schematic block diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0106] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0107] In the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise stated, " / " indicates that the objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B can represent A or B. "And / or" in the embodiments of this application is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, and B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. Furthermore, in the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" refers to two or more. "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 can represent: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple. Additionally, to facilitate a clear description of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used in the embodiments of this application to distinguish identical or similar items with essentially the same function and effect. Those skilled in the art will understand that the words "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or the order of execution, and that the words "first" and "second" do not necessarily imply that they are different.

[0108] In the various method embodiments of this application, the order of the sequence numbers does not imply the order of execution. The execution order should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0109] It is understood that in the embodiments of this application, descriptions such as "under the circumstances," "if," "when," and "if..." can be used interchangeably. Furthermore, these descriptions all refer to the corresponding processing that will be carried out under certain objective circumstances, and are not limited to a specific time, nor do they require any judgment action during implementation, nor do they imply any other limitations.

[0110] It is understood that some optional features in the embodiments of this application can be implemented independently in certain scenarios without relying on other features, such as the current solution on which they are based, to solve the corresponding technical problems and achieve the corresponding effects. Alternatively, they can be combined with other features as needed in certain scenarios. Correspondingly, the apparatus given in the embodiments of this application can also implement these features or functions, which will not be elaborated here.

[0111] In the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified, the same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other. In the various embodiments of this application, and in the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within each embodiment, unless otherwise specified or logically conflicting, the terminology and / or descriptions between different embodiments and between the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within each embodiment are consistent and can be mutually referenced. The technical features in different embodiments and the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within each embodiment can be combined according to their inherent logical relationships to form new embodiments, implementation methods, methods, or implementation approaches. The embodiments of this application described below do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

[0112] The network device in this application embodiment can be a radio access network (RAN) node (or device) that connects the terminal device to the wireless network.

[0113] In one possible scenario, the RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system. The RAN node can be a macro base station, a micro base station, an indoor station, a relay node, a donor node, or a radio controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. Optionally, the RAN node can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle, or an in-vehicle device. For example, the access network device in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a roadside unit (RSU). All or part of the functions of the RAN node in this application can also be implemented through software functions running on hardware, or through virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). The RAN node can also be equipped with communication modules, circuits, or chips that perform corresponding communication functions. The RAN node can also be configured with program instructions for performing corresponding communication functions and corresponding program instructions. The RAN node in this application can also be a logical node, logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the RAN node.

[0114] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, with each RAN node performing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, RAN nodes can be central units (CUs), distributed units (DUs), CU-control plane (CPs), CU-user plane (UPs), or radio units (RUs), etc. 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 frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs).

[0115] 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 Radio Access Network (ORAN) system, CU can also be called O-CU (Open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. For ease of description, this application uses 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 this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software modules and hardware modules.

[0116] It should be understood that the RAN node can be referred to in different ways in different communication systems or technologies. For example, in a WLAN system, the RAN node can be called an access point (AP). Unless otherwise specified in this application, the term "network device" will be used.

[0117] The terminal equipment involved in the embodiments of this application can be a device used to implement communication functions. Terminal equipment can also be referred to as user equipment (UE), terminal device, access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station (MS), remote station, remote terminal, mobile terminal (MT), user terminal, wireless communication equipment, user agent, or user device, etc. For example, a terminal can be a wireless or wired terminal in the Internet of Things (IoT), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), device-to-device (D2D), machine-to-machine (M2M), 5G mobile communication network, or a future public land mobile network (PLMN). A wireless terminal can refer to a device with wireless transceiver capabilities, which can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; it can also be deployed on water (such as on ships); and it can also be deployed in the air (such as on airplanes, balloons, and satellites).

[0118] For example, terminal devices can be IoT devices (e.g., sensors, electricity meters, water meters, etc.), V2X devices, stations (STs) in wireless local area networks (WLANs), cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistant (PDA) devices, handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices (also known as wearable smart devices), tablets or computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality (VR) terminals, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving vehicles, wireless terminals in remote medical care, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, and wireless terminals in smart homes. Wireless terminals (such as those in the home), vehicle-mounted terminals, vehicles with vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication capabilities, intelligent connected vehicles, and drones with drone-to-drone (U2U) communication capabilities are all examples of such terminals. Terminals can be mobile or fixed; this application does not specifically limit their location.

[0119] Network devices can be fixed or mobile. For example, a helicopter or drone can be configured to act as a mobile network device, and one or more cells can move according to the location of the mobile network device. In other examples, a helicopter or drone can be configured to be used as a device to communicate with another network device.

[0120] Network devices and terminal devices can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can also be deployed in the air on airplanes, balloons, and satellites. This application does not limit the scenario in which the network devices and terminal devices are located.

[0121] It should be understood that all or part of the functions of the communication device in this application can also be implemented by software functions running on hardware, or by virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

[0122] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application will be briefly introduced first.

[0123] NTN

[0124] Non-terrestrial networks, such as satellite communication networks, have the characteristics of wide communication range, high reliability, and multiple access connections. Generally speaking, the higher the satellite's orbit, the larger its coverage area, but the longer the communication delay. According to the satellite's altitude, that is, the satellite's orbital altitude, satellites can be divided into: (1) Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites: stationary relative to the Earth, with a constant orbital altitude of 35,786 km; (2) Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites: orbital altitude of 300-1,500 km; (3) Other satellites: including medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites and high Earth Orbit (HEO) satellites. MEO orbital altitude is 7,000-25,000 km, 2,000-35,786 km; HEO orbital altitude is 400-50,000 km. In addition to satellites, NTN also includes some aircraft: such as high altitude platforms (HAPs), unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), etc.

[0125] The NTN involved in the embodiments of this application can be implemented using any of the above-mentioned satellite, altitude platform, or unmanned aerial vehicle systems. Furthermore, the NTN in the embodiments of this application can be a 4G-based NTN, a New Radio (NR)-based NTN, an Internet of Things (IoT)-based NTN, a Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT)-based NTN, or an NTN based on other current technologies or other technologies that may emerge in the future.

[0126] Compared to traditional terrestrial networks, NTN typically utilizes in-flight platforms for network deployment. For example, access network equipment or some access network equipment functions can be deployed on an in-flight platform to provide coverage for terminal devices, or the in-flight platform can be used as a relay to forward signals from terrestrial access network equipment to provide coverage for terminal devices. For instance, Figures 1A to 1D illustrate several NTN architectures provided in embodiments of this application. It should be understood that Figures 1A to 1D are merely illustrative of NTN and should not be construed as limiting the embodiments of this application in any way.

[0127] Figure 1A illustrates a schematic diagram of an NTN architecture provided in an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 1A, the NTN 100A serves as a transparent mode for signal forwarding between terminal devices and access network devices. The NTN 100A includes a terminal device 101, a flight platform 102A (which may be a satellite, altitude platform, or UAV system, etc.), a gateway 103, an access network device 104, a core network device 105, and a data network 106. The access network device 104 is deployed on the ground as part of the terrestrial network and communicates with the data network 106 through the core network device 105. The flight platform 102A acts as a relay; that is, the flight platform 102A does not have the functions of an access network device, and communication between the terminal device 101 and the data network 106 needs to be relayed through the flight platform 102A.

[0128] Figure 1B illustrates a schematic diagram of an NTN architecture provided in an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 1B, the NTN 100B serves as a regenerative mode for access network equipment. The NTN 100B includes a terminal device 101, a flight platform 102B (which may be a satellite, altitude platform, or unmanned aerial vehicle system, etc.), a gateway 103, core network equipment 105, and a data network 106. Unlike the flight platform 102A in Figure 1A, the flight platform 102B deploys access network equipment to realize the function of a ground station; in other words, the flight platform 102B has the function of an access network device (e.g., access network device 104 in Figure 1A).

[0129] Figure 1C illustrates a schematic diagram of an NTN architecture provided in an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 1C, the NTN 100C serves as a regenerative mode for access network equipment and includes an inter-satellite link (ISL). The NTN 100C includes a terminal device 101, a flight platform 102B (which may be a satellite, altitude platform, or UAV system, etc.), a gateway 103, a core network device 105, a data network 106, a terminal device 107, a flight platform 108 (which may be a satellite, altitude platform, or UAV system, etc.), a gateway 109, a core network device 110, and a data network 111. Similar to the flight platform 102B, the flight platform 108 deploys access network equipment to implement the functions of a ground station; in other words, the flight platform 108 has the functions of an access network device (e.g., access network device 104 in Figure 1A). The flight platform 102B and the flight platform 108 can communicate through the existence of an ISL.

[0130] Figure 1D illustrates a schematic diagram of an NTN architecture provided in an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 1D, the NTN 100D includes a terminal device 101, a flight platform 102D (which may be a satellite, altitude platform, or unmanned aerial vehicle system, etc.), a gateway 103, a core network unit (CU) 112, a core network device 105, and a data network 106. A data access unit (DU) can be deployed on the flight platform 102D to implement some of the functions of a ground station; in other words, the flight platform 102D has the functions of a DU. The CU 112 is deployed on the ground. The CU and the data access unit together are used to implement the functions of the access network device.

[0131] For example, Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an application architecture of a satellite communication network provided in an embodiment of this application. The architecture shown in Figure 2 is a typical architecture of a satellite communication system, which integrates satellite communication technology and 5G communication technology. The architecture shown in Figure 2 may include: terminal device 201, network device 202, ground station 203, core network (including 204a and 204b), and data network 205. The terminal device can access the network through the 5G New Radio interface; the network device is deployed on the satellite and connected to the ground core network through a wireless link. Simultaneously, a wireless link exists between the satellites, which is used for signaling interaction and user data transmission between network devices. The various units and their interfaces in Figure 2 are described below.

[0132] Terminal device 201: A mobile device that supports 5G New Radio. For example, terminal device 201 can be a mobile device such as a smartphone, smartwatch, or tablet, or any of the terminal devices mentioned above. Terminal device 201 can access the satellite network via the air interface and initiate services such as making calls and accessing the internet.

[0133] Network device 202: Primarily provides wireless access services, such as allocating wireless resources to access terminals and providing reliable wireless transmission protocols and data encryption protocols. The network device 202 shown in Figure 2 can be a network device in a fifth-generation communication system.

[0134] Core network: Provides services such as user access control, mobility management, session management, user security authentication, and accounting. The core network may include multiple functional units. In some embodiments, the core network can be divided into control plane functional entities 204a and data plane functional entities (also referred to as user plane functional entities) 204b. It should be noted that functional entities can be understood as network elements, network functions, etc., and this application does not limit them in this regard.

[0135] User plane function (UPF) network elements are used to manage user plane data transmission, traffic statistics, etc. Control plane function entities may include at least access and mobility management (AMF) network elements and session management (SMF) network elements. AMF network elements can be used for user access management, security authentication, and mobility management, such as terminal location updates, network registration, access control, terminal mobility management, and terminal attachment and detachment. SMF network elements can be used to select user plane network elements for terminal devices, redirect user plane network elements for terminals, assign Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to terminals, establish bearers (also known as sessions) between terminals and UPF network elements, modify and release sessions, and control quality of service (QoS).

[0136] Ground station 203: Also known as a gateway, it is responsible for forwarding signaling and service data between the satellite and the 5G core network.

[0137] 5G New Radio: A wireless link between terminal devices and network devices.

[0138] Xn interface: The interface between 5G network devices, mainly used for signaling interactions such as handover.

[0139] NG interface: The interface between 5G network equipment and 5G core network, mainly used for exchanging non-access stratum (NAS) signaling of the core network and user service data.

[0140] Based on the architecture in Figure 2, a possible communication process includes: 5G network device 202 transmitting downlink data to terminal device 201, wherein the downlink data is transmitted to terminal device 201 after being sequentially channel-coded and constellation-modulated; and terminal device 201 transmitting uplink data to 5G network device 202, wherein, similar to the downlink data, the uplink data is transmitted to 5G network device 202 after being sequentially channel-coded and constellation-modulated.

[0141] In NTN, terminal devices can directly connect to and communicate with network devices. The following example, using a mobile phone as the terminal device and satellite-based non-terrestrial network equipment as an example, introduces the technical approach for direct communication between the terminal device and the network equipment.

[0142] One possible approach is to achieve direct communication between the phone and the satellite without altering the satellite design, through customized phone hardware. This typically utilizes dedicated Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) spectrum. Alternatively, it leverages existing satellite mobile communication systems and technologies, employing techniques such as chip miniaturization and RF antenna optimization to add traditional satellite communication terminal functionality to the phone, making it a dual-mode terminal for both terrestrial and satellite mobile communication. For example, a customized phone from one company could achieve direct communication with LEO satellites. Similarly, phone A could directly communicate with BeiDou (LEO) satellites, phone B with Tiantong (GEO) satellites, and a product from another company could directly communicate with Iridium (LEO) satellites. This technological approach allows for faster commercialization, but the ecosystem is relatively closed.

[0143] As another possible approach, without modifying existing mobile phones, direct communication between the phone and the satellite can be achieved through satellite design adaptation. This typically utilizes international mobile telecommunications (IMT) spectrum, reusing existing mobile service frequencies, such as 4G / 5G frequencies. For example, some companies' LEO satellites can achieve direct communication with existing mobile phones. If the satellite design is good enough, this technology can also be commercially viable. However, terrestrial IMT spectrum is expensive and has limited capacity.

[0144] As another possible implementation, direct communication between mobile phones and satellites can be achieved through full industry chain cooperation based on 3GPP NTN. For example, the protocol can be upgraded to 3GPP NR NTN or IoT NTN using the transparent forwarding channel of an existing satellite mobile communication system. For example, the end-to-end system design adopts a satellite-ground convergence technology route based on 5G NTN and its evolutionary technologies to support direct mobile phone connectivity. Due to the rapid progress of the narrowband IoT chip industry chain and the unification of relevant standards, this technology route is beneficial for future development, but the commercialization cycle is relatively long.

[0145] It should be noted that all three technical approaches described above employ a centralized architecture. Furthermore, the above examples merely illustrate some technical approaches for direct communication between a mobile phone and a single satellite, and this application does not limit such approaches.

[0146] However, regardless of the technical approach adopted, achieving direct communication between non-terrestrial network devices and terminal devices faces significant challenges, or rather, presents several problems. For example, in direct communication between non-terrestrial network devices and terminal devices, such as satellites and mobile phones, the downlink budget is poor, and spectrum efficiency and throughput need to be improved.

[0147] Link budget is the primary method for evaluating the coverage capability of a communication system. One possible method for obtaining the downlink budget is to examine various influencing factors in the downlink signal propagation path of the system, estimate the system's coverage capability, and obtain the maximum allowable propagation loss of the link while maintaining a certain communication quality. Generally, there are several methods to improve the link budget. One method is to reduce the frequency, such as switching from K-band or higher (K-above band, Ka-band) to long band (L-band) or short band (S-band). Another method is to increase the payload capacity, such as increasing the size of the satellite-side antenna array and improving beam gain. Yet another method is to use multiple satellites for coherent transmission, increasing the equivalent aperture. Using multiple satellites for coherent transmission can also be understood as multi-satellite joint transmission or multi-satellite cooperative transmission.

[0148] Future NTN systems, such as future satellite systems, are characterized by large-scale constellations and high-gain antennas. For example, as of November 2023, a certain company had over 5,000 satellites in orbit and planned to launch 30,000 more in the future. This means ground terminal equipment can simultaneously see multiple satellites, or be covered by multiple satellites simultaneously. A simulation was conducted using a company's Layer 0 satellites, with an orbital altitude of 550 degrees, an inclination of 53 degrees, and a constellation configuration of 72*22. The simulation results are shown in Figure 3. Referring to Figure 3, in mid-to-high latitude regions (regions 1 and 2 in Figure 3), terminal equipment can simultaneously receive coverage from nearly 20 satellites. Furthermore, a company's satellite payload can accommodate antenna arrays up to 64 square meters, and the downlink peak carrier-to-noise ratio (CNR) of this satellite is as high as 20 dB (see Response to IB.7.6.2). It can be seen that high antenna gain on the satellite side can provide a high CNR.

[0149] The characteristics of future satellite systems provide the prerequisites for the multi-satellite cooperative transmission mentioned earlier. Direct communication between a terminal device and a single non-terrestrial network device, such as a mobile phone communicating directly with a single satellite, can be understood as centralized communication; cooperative transmission between multiple non-terrestrial network devices, such as multi-satellite cooperative transmission, can be understood as distributed communication. Compared to centralized communication, distributed communication can significantly improve throughput and achieve higher spectral efficiency, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. Therefore, distributed communication has high commercial potential.

[0150] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram comparing the spectral efficiency of centralized and distributed antennas according to an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 4, under the same transmit power and the same number of antennas, distributed antennas can achieve higher spectral efficiency in the high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) range. For example, in the range of SNR greater than 12 and less than 20 shown in Figure 4, the spectral efficiency of distributed antennas is greater than that of centralized antennas.

[0151] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram comparing centralized and distributed throughput according to an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 5, taking non-terrestrial network equipment deployed on satellites as an example, without considering interference, the throughput can increase linearly with the increase in the number of satellites; even with interference considered, the throughput still increases linearly with the increase in the number of satellites. However, when the throughput increases to a certain value, due to interference limitations, a decrease in throughput will occur. The number of satellites mentioned here refers to the number of satellites used to perform cooperative transmission.

[0152] Considering the evolutionary characteristics of future satellite systems, the NTN system plans to introduce a cooperative transmission mechanism to address the previously mentioned issue of poor downlink budget. This cooperative transmission mechanism can be understood as a mechanism for transmitting data to terminal devices through the collaboration of multiple non-terrestrial network devices. Therefore, how to implement cooperative transmission in NTN is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed.

[0153] To address the aforementioned issues, embodiments of this application provide a wireless communication method that, by transmitting location-associated information (such as first information) with a non-terrestrial network device, helps a terminal device receive cooperatively transmitted data (such as first data) based on this location information. Specifically, the direction of arrival of the carrier carrying the first data can be determined based on the location information. Furthermore, the terminal device can adjust its receiving posture according to the direction of arrival of the carrier carrying the first data, thereby improving data reception performance.

[0154] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a wireless communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The method 600 shown in Figure 6 may, for example, involve the interaction between a terminal device and a non-terrestrial network device. The terminal device can be any of the terminal devices mentioned above, or it can be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the implementation of this method on the terminal device. The non-terrestrial network device can be any of the non-terrestrial network devices mentioned above, such as those deployed on satellites, flight platforms, hot air balloons, and aircraft, or it can be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the implementation of this method on the network device, or it can be a logical node, logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the network device.

[0155] The method provided in the embodiments of this application will now be described from the perspective of the interaction between terminal devices and non-terrestrial network devices.

[0156] The method shown in Figure 6 may include steps S610 and S620.

[0157] S610, Receive first information. For example, the terminal device receives the first information, or in other words, the first non-terrestrial network device sends the first information to the terminal device.

[0158] The aforementioned first non-terrestrial network device is a service network device for the terminal device. Taking the deployment of non-terrestrial network devices on satellites as an example, the satellite deploying the first non-terrestrial network device, or the satellite deploying the service network device for the terminal device, can be called the service satellite for the terminal device.

[0159] The aforementioned first information can be used to determine the location of multiple non-terrestrial network devices. These devices collaborate to transmit first data to a terminal device. Alternatively, they jointly transmit the first data to the terminal device. For example, all devices may transmit the same data, such as the first data, to the terminal device. Exemplarily, the devices control the timing of their first data transmission to ensure the terminal device receives the data at the same time. Optionally, the first data transmitted by the multiple devices may employ different encoding and / or modulation methods to improve reliability. In this way, the terminal device can obtain multiple decoding results from the signals from the multiple devices and determine the first data based on these results, thereby improving downlink budget.

[0160] It should be noted that the aforementioned multiple non-terrestrial network devices include the first non-terrestrial network device, meaning that the multiple non-terrestrial network devices include the service network devices of the terminal devices. Unless otherwise specified, the "multiple non-terrestrial network devices" mentioned below can refer to non-terrestrial network devices used for collaboratively transmitting data to the terminal devices.

[0161] Multiple non-terrestrial network devices used for collaborative data transmission can also be referred to as collaborative non-terrestrial network devices. Non-terrestrial network devices used for collaboratively transmitting first data to a terminal device include the terminal device's serving network device. Therefore, non-terrestrial network devices used for collaboratively transmitting first data to a terminal device can also be referred to as collaborative non-terrestrial network devices associated with the serving network device. Taking the deployment of non-terrestrial network devices on satellites as an example, multiple satellites used for collaboratively transmitting data to a terminal device can also be referred to as collaborative satellites associated with the terminal device's serving satellite.

[0162] In some embodiments, the first information may include location information of multiple non-terrestrial network devices, such as the location coordinates of the non-terrestrial network devices and the coordinate system information corresponding to the location coordinates. The coordinate system information corresponding to the location coordinates can be understood as the coordinate information in that coordinate system.

[0163] There are several ways to indicate a coordinate system. For example, a coordinate system can be indicated using an origin and a reference point. The coordinate system can be determined based on the coordinates of the reference point and the position of the origin. For example, different values ​​of the first field can be used to indicate the coordinate system. In this case, the correspondence between the values ​​of the first field and the coordinate system can be pre-configured, or the correspondence can be dynamically indicated. In some cases, the first information may only include the position coordinates of multiple non-terrestrial network devices to save on indication overhead. In this case, it can be understood that the coordinate system corresponding to the coordinates in the first information uses the default coordinate system, i.e., the first information implicitly indicates that the coordinate system is the default coordinate system. Taking the deployment of non-terrestrial network devices on a satellite as an example, the first information may only include the satellite's position coordinate information. In this case, the coordinate system corresponding to the satellite's position coordinates is the default coordinate system, such as the geocentric inertial coordinate system.

[0164] In some embodiments, the first information may include information associated with the deployment methods of multiple non-terrestrial network devices, such as the deployment methods of the non-terrestrial network devices and parameter information associated with those deployment methods. The deployment methods of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices may, for example, indicate the relative positional relationships between the multiple non-terrestrial network devices, or indicate a pattern that the positions of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices follow. It should be understood that the deployment methods mentioned here can be replaced by arrangement, layout, distribution, etc. The parameters associated with the deployment methods can be understood as parameters used to determine the deployment locations under that deployment method. Generally, the deployment locations of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices can be uniquely determined based on their deployment methods and associated parameter information. Indicating the locations of multiple non-terrestrial network devices based on their deployment methods requires fewer parameters to determine their location information, which helps to save on the indication overhead of the first information.

[0165] In some embodiments, before receiving the first information, the terminal device may access the first non-terrestrial network device (serving network device) and synchronize with the serving network device.

[0166] In some embodiments, the first non-terrestrial network device may determine, or generate, the first information. For example, the non-terrestrial network device determines the first information before sending it to the terminal device.

[0167] S620 determines the location of multiple non-terrestrial network devices based on the first information.

[0168] If the first information includes location information for multiple non-terrestrial network devices, the terminal device can determine the locations of these devices based on that information. For example, the locations of multiple non-terrestrial network devices can be determined based on the location coordinates and coordinate system in the first information. If the first information includes information related to the deployment methods of multiple non-terrestrial network devices, then the terminal device can determine the locations of these devices based on their deployment methods and associated parameter information. The methods for determining the locations of multiple non-terrestrial network devices will be described later in conjunction with specific deployment methods; for brevity, they will not be elaborated upon here.

[0169] In some embodiments, the locations of multiple non-terrestrial network devices can be used to determine the direction of the carrier carrying the first data. Optionally, the terminal device can receive the first data based on the direction of arrival of the carrier carrying the first data. For example, the terminal device can adjust its attitude, such as its azimuth and tilt angles, towards the direction of arrival of the carrier carrying the first data in order to better receive the first data.

[0170] This application embodiment, by transmitting location-associated information (such as first information) with non-terrestrial network devices, helps the terminal device receive cooperatively transmitted data (such as first data) based on this location information. Specifically, the direction of arrival of the carrier carrying the first data can be determined based on the location information. Furthermore, the terminal device can adjust its receiving posture according to the direction of arrival of the carrier carrying the first data, thereby helping to improve data reception performance.

[0171] In some embodiments, the deployment of multiple non-terrestrial network devices is a uniform deployment, meaning that the spacing between the multiple non-terrestrial network devices in the same direction is the same.

[0172] For example, when multiple non-terrestrial network devices are arranged in a straight line, the distance m between the non-terrestrial network devices can be the same in the arrangement direction, as shown in Figure 7A. Figure 7A shows multiple non-terrestrial network devices in different arrangement directions: a first group of non-terrestrial network devices arranged in direction 1, a second group of non-terrestrial network devices arranged in direction 2, and a third group of non-terrestrial network devices arranged in direction 3.

[0173] For example, when multiple non-terrestrial network devices are not arranged in a straight line, the spacing between the multiple non-terrestrial network devices in the arrangement direction can be the same. For example, the multiple non-terrestrial network devices are arranged in an array, that is, the array of multiple non-terrestrial network devices includes multiple rows of non-terrestrial network devices and multiple columns of non-terrestrial network devices. The row spacing and column spacing between the multiple non-terrestrial network devices are the same. Optionally, both the row spacing and column spacing between the multiple non-terrestrial network devices are the same. For example, as shown in Figure 7B, multiple non-terrestrial network devices (shown as triangles numbered 1 to 9 in the figure) are arranged in a 3x3 array. The distance between non-terrestrial network device 1 and non-terrestrial network device 2 is a first distance, and the distance between non-terrestrial network device 1 and non-terrestrial network device 4 is a second distance. The first distance and the second distance can be equal or unequal.

[0174] It should be noted that the above uniform deployment method is only given as an example, and other schemes may also be included in the uniform deployment method, which are not limited in this application.

[0175] The following section uses a case of 9 non-terrestrial network devices as an example to illustrate the uniform deployment method, in conjunction with Figures 8A to 8D.

[0176] Figure 8A is an example of an antenna array for a non-terrestrial network device. Figure 8A shows a 256-element antenna array (arranged in 16 rows and 16 columns), and each black dot in Figure 8A represents an element in the antenna array.

[0177] Taking the antenna array in Figure 8A as an example, the radiation pattern of a single non-terrestrial network device is shown in Figure 8C, and the radiation pattern of multiple non-terrestrial network devices combined is shown in Figure 8D. The multiple non-terrestrial network devices are deployed uniformly as shown in Figure 8B.

[0178] The main lobe is the lobe with the highest radiation intensity in the antenna pattern, or one of the lobes with the highest radiation intensity. Side lobes are the other lobes in the antenna pattern besides the main lobe. The main lobe is the core component of the antenna's radiated energy, and the gain corresponding to the main lobe can, to some extent, reflect the maximum beam gain during communication.

[0179] Figure 8C shows a main lobe (other lobes are not shown) in the radiation pattern of a single non-terrestrial network device. The maximum gain corresponding to the main lobe is 28.8 dBi, which means that the maximum beam gain of a single non-terrestrial network device is 28.8 dBi.

[0180] Figure 8D shows a main lobe and two side lobes (other lobes are not shown) in the radiation pattern of a single non-terrestrial network device. The maximum gain corresponding to the main lobe is 38.4 dBi, which means that the maximum beam gain of multiple non-terrestrial network devices is 38.4 dBi.

[0181] It can be seen that the maximum gain of transmission through collaboration between multiple non-terrestrial network devices is improved compared to transmission through a single non-terrestrial network device.

[0182] In some embodiments, the deployment of multiple non-terrestrial network devices is non-uniform. For example, the spacing between the multiple non-terrestrial network devices differs in at least one arrangement direction. Taking the multiple non-terrestrial network devices arranged in an array as an example, the row spacing, column spacing, or both row spacing and column spacing of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices may differ. Alternatively, the multiple non-terrestrial network devices may be arranged randomly.

[0183] For example, non-uniform deployment methods include at least one of the following: Fermat deployment method; Fibonacci deployment method; or enhanced Fermat deployment method.

[0184] Fermat deployment can be exemplified by deploying according to a Fermat spiral curve. In other words, this involves deploying multiple non-terrestrial network devices in a Fermat configuration, where the locations or deployment positions of these devices conform to a Fermat spiral curve. The spiral size of the Fermat spiral is determined by a proportionality constant.

[0185] As an example, the deployment of multiple non-terrestrial network devices follows the Fermat deployment method, where the radius of each non-terrestrial device relative to a reference point increases with the square root of the spiral angle. In other words, the difference between the radius of each non-terrestrial network device relative to the reference point and the radius of its adjacent non-terrestrial network device relative to the reference point (e.g., the origin of the coordinate system) is a certain square root value. This square root value can be related to the proportionality constant that determines the size of the Fermat spiral, as mentioned earlier.

[0186] A Fibonacci deployment method means that the deployment location satisfies the Fibonacci sequence, or one or more parameters associated with the deployment location satisfy the Fibonacci sequence. For example, the coordinates of the deployment location (such as at least one of the x, y, or z coordinates) satisfy the Fibonacci sequence, or the distance of the deployment location from a reference point, such as the origin of the coordinate system, satisfies the Fibonacci sequence. Another example is that the phase information of the deployment location in the coordinate system satisfies the Fibonacci sequence. In other words, the parameters associated with the deployment location may include, for example, one or more of the following: the coordinates of the deployment location (such as at least one of the x, y, or z coordinates), the distance of the deployment location from a reference point, or the phase information of the deployment location in the coordinate system.

[0187] In the Fibonacci sequence, as the number of terms increases, the ratio of two adjacent terms approaches the golden ratio, i.e. As an example, the Fibonacci deployment method is where the ratio of the phase information of the deployment location to the phase information of adjacent deployment locations is...

[0188] Enhanced Fermat deployment can be understood as deployment according to a modified Fermat spiral curve, such as by introducing a distribution factor to adjust the expansion rate of the Fermat spiral. For example, the spiral size in enhanced Fermat deployment is determined by both a scaling constant and a distribution factor. Alternatively, the spiral size can be determined by the scaling constant, the distribution factor, and the deployment location number. As an example, with the scaling constant and distribution factor fixed, the spiral expansion rate in the Fermat spiral is positively correlated with the deployment location number.

[0189] In some embodiments, multiple deployment locations can be arranged in a certain order to satisfy a non-uniform deployment method, such as any of the non-uniform deployment methods described above or a uniform deployment method with a linear arrangement. The multiple deployment locations can be numbered according to this order to obtain the deployment location sequence number. For array deployment methods within a uniform deployment method, the numbering method for the deployment locations can be predefined, such as numbering in a zigzag pattern. In practical use, the deployment locations are usually determined sequentially according to their sequence numbers.

[0190] The following section uses a scenario with nine non-terrestrial network devices, employing the antenna array shown in Figure 8A, to illustrate the non-uniform deployment method in conjunction with Figures 9A to 10B.

[0191] Figure 9A shows an example of the Fermat deployment method. The beam pattern synthesized by multiple non-terrestrial network devices using the deployment method in Figure 9A is shown in Figure 10A. Figure 10A shows one main lobe and two side lobes (other lobes are not shown). The maximum gain corresponding to the main lobe is 38.4 dBi, meaning the maximum beam gain of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices is 38.4 dBi. Compared to the beam pattern of a single non-terrestrial network device shown in Figure 8C, the maximum beam gain of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices shown in Figure 10A is improved. Furthermore, compared to the beam pattern of multiple non-terrestrial network devices shown in Figure 8D, the main lobe energy in Figure 10A is more concentrated, and the side lobe energy is reduced. In other words, the deployment method in Figure 9A helps suppress grating lobes (i.e., side lobes with higher energy).

[0192] Figure 9B shows an example of a Fibonacci deployment. The beam pattern synthesized from multiple non-terrestrial network devices using the deployment method in Figure 9B is shown in Figure 10B. Figure 10B shows one main lobe and two side lobes (other lobes are not shown). The maximum gain corresponding to the main lobe is 38.38 dBi, meaning the maximum beam gain of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices is 38.38 dBi. Compared to the beam pattern of a single non-terrestrial network device shown in Figure 8C, the maximum beam gain of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices shown in Figure 10B is improved. Furthermore, compared to the beam pattern of multiple non-terrestrial network devices shown in Figure 8D, the main lobe energy in Figure 10B is more concentrated, and the side lobe energy is reduced. This means that using the deployment method in Figure 9B helps suppress grating lobes (i.e., side lobes with higher energy), thus helping to avoid interference in non-target beam directions and improving the signal-to-noise ratio.

[0193] It should be noted that the radiation patterns shown in the embodiments of this application all have a pitch angle θ of 30° and an azimuth angle of 30°. This is the antenna radiation pattern at 90°.

[0194] In communication, the target beam typically corresponds to the main lobe, or in other words, the direction of the main lobe is the direction of the target beam. Side lobes can interfere with the main lobe, and severe grating lobes can reduce the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Therefore, using a non-uniform grating lobe configuration helps suppress grating lobes, thus avoiding interference from directions other than the target beam and improving the SNR.

[0195] As mentioned earlier, the first piece of information may include information related to the deployment methods of multiple non-terrestrial network devices, such as the deployment method of the non-terrestrial network devices and the parameter information associated with that deployment method. The content of the first piece of information will be described below.

[0196] In some embodiments, the first information may be used to indicate the deployment method of multiple non-terrestrial network devices.

[0197] For example, the deployment method of multiple non-terrestrial network devices can be indicated through the second field, i.e., display indication.

[0198] In one implementation, the second field may include a first bit and a second bit. The first bit indicates whether the multiple non-terrestrial network devices are deployed uniformly or non-uniformly. The second bit indicates the specific deployment method under non-uniform deployment, such as Fermat deployment, Fibonacci deployment, or enhanced Fermat deployment. For example, a first bit value of "0" indicates a uniform deployment, and a first bit value of "1" indicates a non-uniform deployment. Similarly, a second bit value of "00" indicates a Fermat deployment, a second bit value of "01" indicates a Fibonacci deployment, and a second bit value of "10" indicates an enhanced Fermat deployment. The value of the second bit is valid when the first bit indicates a non-uniform deployment of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices.

[0199] As one implementation approach, each value of the second field uniquely corresponds to a deployment method, or in other words, all deployment methods are globally encoded. For example, a value of "00" in the second field indicates that the deployment method is the standard deployment method, a value of "01" indicates that the deployment method is the Fermat deployment method, a value of "10" indicates that the deployment method is the Fibonacci deployment method, and a value of "11" indicates that the deployment method is the enhanced Fermat deployment method.

[0200] It should be noted that the above correspondence between values ​​and meanings is only provided as an example and is not limited in this application. For example, the first bit being "1" can also indicate that the deployment method is uniform deployment.

[0201] For example, the deployment method of multiple non-terrestrial network devices can be indicated by specific parameters of that deployment method, i.e., implicit indication, to save on indication overhead. In other words, if a parameter specific to a certain deployment method, or multiple parameters associated with a certain deployment method, is configured, the deployment method corresponding to that parameter is implicitly indicated. For instance, if a Fermat deployment scaling constant (or a distance parameter for the Fermat deployment method) is configured, but an enhanced Fermat deployment distribution factor is not configured, then multiple non-terrestrial network devices are indicated to use the Fermat deployment method. Similarly, if the spacing between multiple non-terrestrial network devices is configured, then multiple non-terrestrial network devices are indicated to use a uniform deployment method. Furthermore, if a Fermat deployment distribution factor is configured, then multiple non-terrestrial network devices are indicated to use an enhanced Fermat deployment method. Finally, if none of the spacing between multiple non-terrestrial network devices, the distance parameter for the Fermat deployment method, or the enhanced Fermat deployment distribution factor is configured, then multiple non-terrestrial network devices are indicated to use a Fibonacci deployment method.

[0202] The content of the first message may differ depending on the deployment method. Below are some examples of the first message under different deployment methods.

[0203] Uniform deployment method

[0204] In some embodiments, if multiple non-terrestrial network devices are deployed in a uniform manner, then the first information is used to indicate the following: the deployment method of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices; the spacing between the non-terrestrial network devices; the number of multiple non-terrestrial network devices; and the location of the reference point.

[0205] The method for indicating the deployment mode of multiple non-terrestrial network devices using the first information can be referred to the previous introduction, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0206] For example, the spacing between non-terrestrial network devices may include one or more spacings.

[0207] If multiple non-terrestrial network devices are arranged in a straight line, the spacing between them can include only the spacing along the arrangement direction or the spacing along the coordinate axes in the coordinate system. Referring again to Figure 7A, if multiple non-terrestrial network devices are arranged in direction 3, the spacing between them can include the spacing *m* along the arrangement direction, or the spacing Δx along the x-axis and Δy along the y-axis. It should be noted that if the spacing between non-terrestrial network devices is the spacing along the arrangement direction, then the arrangement direction of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices also needs to be indicated. To simplify the process, the arrangement direction can be consistent with the direction of the coordinate axes.

[0208] If multiple non-terrestrial network devices are deployed in an array, the spacing between them can include row spacing and column spacing. If the row and column spacing are the same, only one spacing value needs to be indicated. Similarly, the spacing between non-terrestrial network devices can include spacing along the row and column directions, or it can be indicated by spacing along coordinate axes. To simplify processing, the arrangement direction can be consistent with the coordinate axis direction; for example, the row arrangement direction can be consistent with the x-axis direction, and the column arrangement direction can be consistent with the y-axis direction.

[0209] Based on the above parameters, such as the deployment method of multiple non-terrestrial network devices, the spacing between non-terrestrial network devices, and the number of multiple non-terrestrial network devices, the relative positional relationship of multiple non-terrestrial network devices can be determined.

[0210] In some embodiments, the first information may be used to indicate the location of a reference point. The reference point may be, for example, the origin of the coordinate system.

[0211] For example, the first information may include the absolute position information of a reference point, such as the coordinates of the reference point in a geocentric inertial coordinate system. In this case, the first information may also include, for example, the absolute position information of any one of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices and the serial number of that network device. The absolute position information of any one network device is used to indicate the relationship between the deployment locations of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices and the coordinate system with the reference point as the origin; the serial number of the network device can be used to determine the deployment status of that network device among the multiple non-terrestrial network devices.

[0212] For example, the first information may include the absolute location information of the reference network device and the coordinates of the reference network device in a coordinate system with the reference point as the origin. The reference network device may be, for example, any one of a plurality of non-terrestrial network devices. In this case, the first information may also include, for example, the serial number of the reference network device, used to determine the deployment status of the network device among the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices.

[0213] Since the location of the serving network device is usually known or accessible to the terminal device, the reference network device can be the serving network device of the terminal device to save on indication overhead and reduce processing complexity. Taking multiple non-terrestrial network devices deployed on a satellite as an example, the serving satellite of the terminal device can be used as the reference network device.

[0214] The following examples, using the deployment methods of non-terrestrial network devices shown in Figure 7A (arrangement direction is direction 1) and Figure 7B, illustrate how to determine the location of multiple non-terrestrial network devices based on the deployment method and the parameters associated with the deployment method.

[0215] Referring to Figure 7A, the first information indicates the following: the deployment method of multiple non-terrestrial network devices is uniform; the arrangement direction is direction 1 (i.e., the x-axis direction); the spacing between non-terrestrial network devices is 1; the number of multiple non-terrestrial network devices is 3; the serial number of the reference network device is 2, and the coordinates of the reference network device are (4, 1). First, the position of the reference point is determined based on the position of the reference network device, as shown by the position of the origin in Figure 7A. Second, based on the serial number of the reference network device, it can be determined that there is non-terrestrial network device 3 in the x-axis direction of the reference network device and non-terrestrial network device 1 in the -x-axis direction of the reference network device. Finally, based on the spacing between the non-terrestrial network devices, the position of non-terrestrial network device 1 is determined to be (3, 1), and the position of non-terrestrial network device 3 is determined to be (5, 1). Since the absolute position information of the origin of the coordinate system is known or obtainable, the absolute position information of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices can be determined based on their coordinates.

[0216] Referring to Figure 7B, the first information indicates the following: the deployment method of multiple non-terrestrial network devices is uniform; the row arrangement direction is the x-axis direction, and the column arrangement direction is the y-axis direction; the row spacing and column spacing between non-terrestrial network devices are both 1; the number of multiple non-terrestrial network devices is 9; the serial number of the reference network device is 1, and the coordinates of the reference network device are (2, 4). First, the position of the reference point is determined based on the absolute position information and coordinates of the reference network device, as shown by the position of the origin in Figure 7B. Second, based on the serial number of the reference network device and the spacing between the non-terrestrial network devices, the coordinates of non-terrestrial network devices 2 to 9 can be determined as (3, 4), (4, 4), (2, 3), (3, 3), (4, 3), (2, 2), (3, 2), and (4, 2), respectively. Finally, based on the above coordinates and the absolute position information of the origin, the positions of multiple non-terrestrial network devices can be determined.

[0217] Fermat deployment method

[0218] In some embodiments, if multiple non-terrestrial network devices are deployed using the Fermat deployment method, the first information is used to indicate the following: the deployment method of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices; the distance parameter of the Fermat deployment method; the number of multiple non-terrestrial network devices; and the location of the reference point. The distance parameter of the Fermat deployment method is the proportional parameter mentioned above for determining the size of the Fermat spiral.

[0219] The method for indicating the deployment mode of multiple non-terrestrial network devices using the first information can be referred to the previous introduction, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0220] The aforementioned reference point can be, for example, the origin or pole of a polar coordinate system.

[0221] In some embodiments, the first information may include the absolute position information of the reference point.

[0222] In some embodiments, the first information may include the absolute position information of the reference network device, as well as the reference network device's position in a coordinate system with the reference point as the pole (i.e., the distance of the reference network device from the pole) and polar angle (i.e., the phase information of the reference network device in this polar coordinate system). The position of the reference point can be derived from the polar radius, polar angle, and absolute position information of the reference network device.

[0223] In some embodiments, the first information may include the absolute position information of a reference network device and the serial number of the reference network device. The absolute position information and the serial number of the reference network device can be used to determine the position of a reference point. Based on the serial number of the reference network device, the polar radius (i.e., the distance of the reference network device from the pole) and polar angle (i.e., the phase information of the reference network device in the polar coordinate system) of the reference network device can be determined, where the pole is the reference point. The position of the reference point, i.e., the pole, can be derived from the polar radius, polar angle, and absolute position information of the reference network device.

[0224] For example, the reference network device can be any one of multiple non-terrestrial network devices. Since the location of the serving network device is usually known or can be known by the terminal device, the reference network device can be the serving network device of the terminal device to save on indication overhead and reduce processing complexity. Taking multiple non-terrestrial network devices deployed on a satellite as an example, the serving satellite of the terminal device can be used as the reference network device, i.e., the reference satellite.

[0225] In some embodiments, the distance (i.e., polar radius) between the nth non-terrestrial network device and the reference point among a plurality of non-terrestrial network devices satisfies the following formula:

[0226] The phase (polar angle) of the nth non-terrestrial network device in this polar coordinate system satisfies the following formula:

[0227] Where, ρ n Let n be the distance between the nth non-terrestrial network device and the reference point among multiple non-terrestrial network devices. Let d be the phase information of the nth non-terrestrial network device in polar coordinates, d be the distance parameter of the Fermat deployment method, n be the sequence number of the non-terrestrial network device, n = 1...N, and N be the number of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices.

[0228] The following describes a method for determining the location of multiple non-terrestrial network devices.

[0229] With the first piece of information including the absolute position information of the reference point, substituting the serial numbers of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices and the distance parameters of the Fermat deployment method into Formulas 1 and 2 above, respectively, yields the distance between each of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices and the reference point, as well as its phase information in that coordinate system. Based on the position of the reference point, the distance between each non-terrestrial network device and the reference point, and the phase information, the positions of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices can be determined sequentially.

[0230] Given that the first information includes the absolute location information and serial number of the reference network device, substituting the serial number of the reference network device and the distance parameters of the Fermat deployment method into Formulas 1 and 2 above yields the polar radius and polar angle of the reference network device in the polar coordinate system. The location of the reference point can be derived from the absolute location information and the polar radius and polar angle of the reference network device in the polar coordinate system. Substituting the serial numbers of multiple non-terrestrial network devices and the distance parameters of the Fermat deployment method into Formulas 1 and 2 above, respectively, yields the distance between each of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices and the reference point, as well as the phase information in that coordinate system. Based on the location of the reference point, the distance between each non-terrestrial network device and the reference point, and the phase information, the locations of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices can be determined sequentially. Since the location of the reference network device is known, the serial numbers of the other network devices besides the reference network device can be substituted into Formulas 1 and 2 above for subsequent calculations.

[0231] Taking the deployment of non-terrestrial network equipment on a satellite as an example, this application provides a communication method based on the Fermat deployment method, which may include the following steps 1 to 4.

[0232] Step 1: The terminal device connects to the service satellite and synchronizes with it.

[0233] Step 2: The serving satellite sends first information to the terminal device to configure the distribution of cooperating satellites associated with the serving satellite. The first information may include the following:

[0234] 1) "Fermat" layout;

[0235] 2) Distance d;

[0236] 3) Total number of cooperative satellites, N;

[0237] 4) Service satellite serial number k.

[0238] Step 3: The terminal device determines the location information of the cooperating satellites based on the received first information. Specifically, the terminal device can calculate the location of the cooperating satellites based on Formula 1 and Formula 2 above.

[0239] Step 4: The terminal device adjusts its attitude (heading angle, tilt angle) to point towards the multiple satellites cooperating in the transmission. Specifically, the terminal device can obtain the positions of the cooperating satellites based on its stored radiation pattern information, local coordinate system information (determined based on gyroscope and magnetometer outputs), and the distribution of cooperating satellites indicated by the network device (i.e., the first information). Then, the terminal device can calculate the direction of arrival information for coherent transmission based on the positions of the cooperating satellites, i.e., the direction of arrival information of the beam carrying the first data. Thus, the terminal device can adjust its attitude according to the direction of arrival information.

[0240] Fibonacci deployment method

[0241] In some embodiments, if multiple non-terrestrial network devices are deployed in a Fibonacci configuration, the first information is used to indicate the following: the deployment configuration of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices; the number of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices; and the location of the reference point.

[0242] The method for indicating the deployment mode of multiple non-terrestrial network devices using the first information can be referred to the previous introduction, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0243] The aforementioned reference point can be, for example, the origin or pole of a polar coordinate system. The method for indicating the location of the reference point using the first piece of information can be found in the relevant section on Fermat's deployment method; for the sake of brevity, it will not be elaborated upon here.

[0244] In some embodiments, the reference point is the origin of the polar coordinate system, and the distance between the nth non-terrestrial network device and the reference point among multiple non-terrestrial network devices satisfies the following formula:

[0245] The phase of the nth non-terrestrial network device in polar coordinates satisfies the following formula:

[0246] Where, ρ n Let n be the distance between the nth non-terrestrial network device and the reference point among multiple non-terrestrial network devices. This represents the phase information of the nth non-terrestrial network device in polar coordinates, where n is the sequence number of the non-terrestrial network device, n = 1…N, and N is the number of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices.

[0247] The following describes a method for determining the location of multiple non-terrestrial network devices.

[0248] With the first information including the absolute position information of the reference point, substituting the serial numbers of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices into Formulas 3 and 4 above, respectively, yields the distance between each non-terrestrial network device and the reference point, as well as its phase information in that coordinate system. Based on the position of the reference point, the distance between each non-terrestrial network device and the reference point, and the phase information, the positions of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices can be determined sequentially.

[0249] Given that the first information includes the absolute position information and serial number of the reference network device, substituting the serial number of the reference network device into Formulas 3 and 4 above yields the polar radius and polar angle of the reference network device in the polar coordinate system. Based on the absolute position information and the polar radius and polar angle of the reference network device in the polar coordinate system, the position of the reference point can be derived. Substituting the serial numbers of multiple non-terrestrial network devices into Formulas 3 and 4 above, respectively, yields the distance between each non-terrestrial network device and the reference point, as well as its phase information in that coordinate system. Based on the position of the reference point, the distance between each non-terrestrial network device and the reference point, and the phase information, the positions of multiple non-terrestrial network devices can be determined sequentially. Since the position of the reference network device is known, the serial numbers of the other network devices besides the reference network device can be substituted into Formulas 3 and 4 above for subsequent calculations.

[0250] Taking the deployment of non-terrestrial network equipment on a satellite as an example, this application provides a communication method based on the Fibonacci deployment method, which may include the following steps 1 to 4.

[0251] Step 1: The terminal device connects to the service satellite and synchronizes with it.

[0252] Step 2: The serving satellite sends first information to the terminal device to configure the distribution of cooperating satellites associated with the serving satellite. The first information may include the following:

[0253] 1) Fibonacci layout;

[0254] 2) Total number of cooperating satellites, N;

[0255] 3) Service satellite serial number k.

[0256] Step 3: The terminal device determines the location information of the cooperating satellites based on the received first information. Specifically, the terminal device can calculate the location of the cooperating satellites based on Formulas 3 and 4 above.

[0257] Step 4: The terminal device adjusts its attitude (heading angle, tilt angle) to point towards the multiple satellites cooperating in the transmission. Specifically, the terminal device can obtain the positions of the cooperating satellites based on its stored radiation pattern information, local coordinate system information (determined based on gyroscope and magnetometer outputs), and the distribution of cooperating satellites indicated by the network device (i.e., the first information). Then, the terminal device can calculate the direction of arrival information for coherent transmission based on the positions of the cooperating satellites, i.e., the direction of arrival information of the beam carrying the first data. Thus, the terminal device can adjust its attitude according to the direction of arrival information.

[0258] Enhance Fermat Deployment Method

[0259] In some embodiments, if multiple non-terrestrial network devices adopt an enhanced Fermat deployment method, the first information is used to indicate the following: the deployment method of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices; the distance parameter of the enhanced Fermat deployment method; the distribution factor of the enhanced Fermat deployment method; the number of multiple non-terrestrial network devices; and the location of the reference point.

[0260] The method for indicating the deployment mode of multiple non-terrestrial network devices using the first information can be referred to the previous introduction, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0261] The aforementioned reference point can be, for example, the origin or pole of a polar coordinate system. The method for indicating the location of the reference point using the first piece of information can be found in the relevant section on Fermat's deployment method; for the sake of brevity, it will not be elaborated upon here.

[0262] In some embodiments, the reference point is the origin of the polar coordinate system, and the distance between the nth non-terrestrial network device and the reference point among multiple non-terrestrial network devices satisfies the following formula:

[0263] The phase of the nth non-terrestrial network device in polar coordinates satisfies the following formula:

[0264] Where, ρ n Let n be the distance between the nth non-terrestrial network device and the reference point among multiple non-terrestrial network devices. Let d be the phase information of the nth non-terrestrial network device in polar coordinates, d be the distance parameter of the enhanced Fermat deployment method, ε be the distribution factor of the enhanced Fermat deployment method, n be the serial number of the non-terrestrial network device, n = 1...N, and N be the number of multiple non-terrestrial network devices.

[0265] The following describes a method for determining the location of multiple non-terrestrial network devices.

[0266] With the first information including the absolute position information of the reference point, substituting the serial numbers of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices, the distance parameters of the enhanced Fermat deployment method, the distribution factor of the enhanced Fermat deployment method, and the number of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices into Formulas 5 and 6 above, respectively, yields the distance between each of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices and the reference point, as well as its phase information in that coordinate system. Based on the position of the reference point, the distance between each non-terrestrial network device and the reference point, and the phase information, the positions of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices can be determined sequentially.

[0267] Given that the first information includes the absolute location information and serial number of the reference network device, substituting the serial number of the reference network device, the distance parameter of the enhanced Fermat deployment method, the distribution factor of the enhanced Fermat deployment method, and the number of multiple non-terrestrial network devices into Formulas 5 and 6 above yields the polar radius and polar angle of the reference network device in the polar coordinate system. The location of the reference point can be derived from the absolute location information and the polar radius and polar angle of the reference network device in the polar coordinate system. Substituting the serial numbers of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices, the distance parameter of the enhanced Fermat deployment method, the distribution factor of the enhanced Fermat deployment method, and the number of multiple non-terrestrial network devices into Formulas 5 and 6 above, respectively, yields the distance between each of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices and the reference point, as well as the phase information in that coordinate system. Based on the location of the reference point, the distance between each non-terrestrial network device and the reference point, and the phase information, the locations of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices can be determined sequentially. Since the location of the reference network device is known, the serial numbers of the other network devices besides the reference network device can be substituted into Formulas 5 and 6 above for subsequent calculations.

[0268] Taking the deployment of non-terrestrial network equipment on a satellite as an example, this application provides a communication method based on the enhanced Fermat deployment method, which may include the following steps 1 to 4.

[0269] Step 1: The terminal device connects to the service satellite and synchronizes with it.

[0270] Step 2: The serving satellite sends first information to the terminal device to configure the distribution of cooperating satellites associated with the serving satellite. The first information may include the following:

[0271] 1) Enhance Fermat arrangement;

[0272] 2) Distance d;

[0273] 3) Total number of cooperative satellites, N;

[0274] 4) Distribution factor ε;

[0275] 5) Service satellite serial number k.

[0276] Step 3: The terminal device determines the location information of the cooperating satellites based on the received first information. Specifically, the terminal device can calculate the location of the cooperating satellites based on Formulas 5 and 6 above.

[0277] Step 4: The terminal device adjusts its attitude (heading angle, tilt angle) to point towards the multiple satellites cooperating in the transmission. Specifically, the terminal device can obtain the positions of the cooperating satellites based on its stored radiation pattern information, local coordinate system information (determined based on gyroscope and magnetometer outputs), and the distribution of cooperating satellites indicated by the network device (i.e., the first information). Then, the terminal device can calculate the direction of arrival information for coherent transmission based on the positions of the cooperating satellites, i.e., the direction of arrival information of the beam carrying the first data. Thus, the terminal device can adjust its attitude according to the direction of arrival information.

[0278] In some embodiments, multiple non-terrestrial network devices are deployed on multiple satellites, including reference satellites. The first information includes the absolute position information of the reference point, or the first information includes the serial number or absolute position information of the reference satellite. The serial number and absolute position information of the reference satellite are used to determine the position of the reference point. Since the terminal device can obtain the ephemeris information of the serving satellite, when the serving satellite of the terminal device is used as the reference satellite, the first information may not indicate the absolute position information of the reference satellite.

[0279] It should be noted that the distance between satellites mentioned in the embodiments of this application may refer to the distance between the geometric center or the center of gravity of the satellites, and the distance between the satellite and the reference point may refer to the distance between the geometric center or the center of gravity of the satellite and the reference point.

[0280] In some embodiments, multiple non-terrestrial network devices can perform time-frequency synchronization, such as before transmitting first data. Exemplarily, the time-frequency synchronization of multiple non-terrestrial network devices can be used to determine the timing at which each non-terrestrial network device transmits the first data. For example, the multiple non-terrestrial network devices can determine a timing advance based on the time-frequency synchronization result, and then transmit the first data based on the timing advance, enabling the terminal device to receive the first data transmitted by multiple non-terrestrial network devices simultaneously, thus improving communication performance.

[0281] As mentioned earlier, using multiple non-terrestrial network devices to collaboratively transmit data to terminal devices helps improve downlink budget, spectral efficiency, and throughput. To achieve a scheme for collaborative transmission among multiple non-terrestrial network devices, this application provides a communication system architecture that supports collaborative transmission through various deployment methods of multiple non-terrestrial network devices, offering high flexibility. The communication system 1100 provided in this application embodiment will be described below with reference to Figure 11.

[0282] The communication system 1100 may include multiple non-terrestrial network devices 1110.

[0283] Multiple non-terrestrial network devices 1110 are used to collaboratively transmit first data to terminal devices.

[0284] Multiple non-terrestrial network devices 1110 may include the service network device of the terminal device, namely the first non-terrestrial network device mentioned above.

[0285] Transmitting first data to terminal devices through the collaboration of multiple non-terrestrial network devices helps improve downlink budget, spectral efficiency, and throughput.

[0286] In this scenario, the deployment method of multiple non-terrestrial network devices may affect communication performance; therefore, the deployment method of multiple non-terrestrial network devices is very important. In view of this, embodiments of this application provide two deployment methods for multiple non-terrestrial network devices: uniform deployment and non-uniform deployment. That is, the multiple non-terrestrial network devices 1110 are deployed either in a uniform deployment method or a non-uniform deployment method.

[0287] In this embodiment, the uniform deployment of multiple non-terrestrial network devices helps improve beam gain and is easy to implement. The non-uniform deployment of multiple non-terrestrial network devices, while improving beam gain, helps suppress grating lobes, reduce interference from non-target beams, and improve the signal-to-noise ratio.

[0288] The deployment of multiple non-terrestrial network devices can be uniform, meaning the spacing between the devices in the same direction is the same. For example, the devices can be arranged in a straight line, with the distance *m* between them being the same in the arrangement direction. Alternatively, the devices can be arranged in a non-straight line, but still with the same spacing in the arrangement direction. For instance, the devices can be arranged in an array, comprising multiple rows and columns of devices. In this array, the row spacing and column spacing are the same. Optionally, both the row and column spacing can be the same.

[0289] It should be noted that the above uniform deployment method is only given as an example, and other schemes may also be included in the uniform deployment method, which are not limited in this application.

[0290] During communication, the target beam typically corresponds to the main lobe, or in other words, the direction of the main lobe is the direction of the target beam. Side lobes can interfere with the main lobe; if severe side lobes (i.e., grating lobes) appear, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) will decrease. Referring again to Figure 8D, compared to the maximum beam gain of a single non-terrestrial network device, the maximum beam gain of multiple non-terrestrial network devices combined is 38.4 dBi, an improvement. However, the appearance of high-energy side lobes in the combined beam pattern of multiple non-terrestrial network devices interferes with the target beam, thus reducing the SNR.

[0291] The non-uniform deployment method provided in this application helps to suppress grating lobes and improve the signal-to-noise ratio. In some embodiments, the non-uniform deployment method includes at least one of the following: Fermat deployment method; Fibonacci deployment method; or enhanced Fermat deployment method. The meanings of Fermat deployment method, Fibonacci deployment method, and enhanced Fermat deployment method can be referred to the relevant descriptions above, and will not be repeated here.

[0292] Referring again to Figure 10A, the maximum beam gain synthesized from multiple non-terrestrial network devices is 38.4 dBi, indicating an improvement in maximum beam gain. Furthermore, compared to the radiation patterns of multiple non-terrestrial network devices shown in Figure 8D, the main lobe energy in Figure 10A is more concentrated, while the side lobe energy is reduced. This means that the Fermat deployment method helps suppress grating lobes, thus helping to avoid interference in non-target beam directions and improving the signal-to-noise ratio.

[0293] Referring again to Figure 10B, the maximum beam gain synthesized from multiple non-terrestrial network devices is 38.38 dBi, indicating an improvement in maximum beam gain. Furthermore, compared to the radiation patterns of multiple non-terrestrial network devices shown in Figure 8D, the main lobe energy in Figure 10B is more concentrated, while the side lobe energy is reduced. This means that the Fibonacci deployment method helps suppress grating lobes, thus helping to avoid interference in non-target beam directions and improving the signal-to-noise ratio.

[0294] In some embodiments, the communication system 1100 may further include a terminal device 1120, which may be used to: receive first information, the first information being used to determine the locations of multiple non-terrestrial network devices. The transmission of the first information helps the terminal device and the network devices reach a consensus on the deployment methods of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices, and also helps the terminal device determine subsequent communication procedures. For example, the locations of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices can be used to determine the direction of the carrier wave carrying the first data.

[0295] In some embodiments, multiple non-terrestrial network devices are deployed on multiple satellites, or the communication system includes terminal device 1120 and multiple satellites 1130. The multiple satellites 1130 can perform some or all of the functions of the access network devices, or they can be used as relays to forward signals from terrestrial access network devices to provide coverage for the terminal devices.

[0296] In some embodiments, the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices are uniformly deployed, and the first information is used to indicate the following: the deployment method of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; the spacing between the non-terrestrial network devices; the number of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; and the location of the reference point.

[0297] In some embodiments, the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices employ the Fermat deployment method, and the first information is used to indicate the following: the deployment method of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; the distance parameters of the Fermat deployment method; the number of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; and the location of the reference point.

[0298] In some embodiments, the reference point is the origin of a polar coordinate system, and the distance between the nth non-terrestrial network device and the reference point satisfies the following formula:

[0299] as well as

[0300] The phase of the nth non-terrestrial network device in the polar coordinate system satisfies the following formula:

[0301] Where, ρ n Let n be the distance between the nth non-terrestrial network device among the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices and the reference point. The phase information of the nth non-terrestrial network device in the polar coordinate system is given by d, where d is the distance parameter of the Fermat deployment method, n is the sequence number of the non-terrestrial network device, n = 1...N, and N is the number of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices.

[0302] In some embodiments, the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices adopt the Fibonacci deployment method, and the first information is used to indicate the following: the deployment method of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; the number of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; and the location of the reference point.

[0303] In some embodiments, the reference point is the origin of a polar coordinate system, and the distance between the nth non-terrestrial network device and the reference point satisfies the following formula:

[0304] as well as

[0305] The phase of the nth non-terrestrial network device in the polar coordinate system satisfies the following formula:

[0306] Where, ρ n Let n be the distance between the nth non-terrestrial network device among the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices and the reference point. The phase information of the nth non-terrestrial network device in the polar coordinate system is given by n, where n is the serial number of the non-terrestrial network device, n = 1...N, and N is the number of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices.

[0307] In some embodiments, the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices employ the enhanced Fermat deployment method, and the first information is used to indicate the following: the deployment method of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; the distance parameter of the enhanced Fermat deployment method; the distribution factor of the enhanced Fermat deployment method; the number of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; and the location of the reference point.

[0308] In some embodiments, the reference point is the origin of a polar coordinate system, and the distance between the nth non-terrestrial network device and the reference point satisfies the following formula:

[0309] as well as

[0310] The phase of the nth non-terrestrial network device in the polar coordinate system satisfies the following formula:

[0311] Where, ρ n Let n be the distance between the nth non-terrestrial network device among the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices and the reference point. Let d be the phase information of the nth non-terrestrial network device in the polar coordinate system, d be the distance parameter of the enhanced Fermat deployment method, ε be the distribution factor of the enhanced Fermat deployment method, n be the serial number of the non-terrestrial network device, n = 1...N, and N be the number of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices.

[0312] In some embodiments, the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices are deployed on a plurality of satellites, the plurality of satellites including a reference satellite, and the first information includes the absolute position information of the reference point, or the first information includes the serial number of the reference satellite and the absolute position information of the reference satellite; wherein the serial number of the reference satellite and the absolute position information of the reference satellite are used to determine the position of the reference point.

[0313] In some embodiments, terminal device 1120 may be used to perform some or all of the steps performed by terminal device in method 600, and multiple non-terrestrial network devices 1110 may be used to perform some or all of the steps performed by multiple non-terrestrial network devices in method 600.

[0314] It should be noted that any content not described in detail in this embodiment can be found in the method embodiments above.

[0315] Other apparatus embodiments provided by the embodiments of this application will be described below. It should be understood that the descriptions of the apparatus embodiments below correspond to the descriptions of the method embodiments. Therefore, for content not described in detail, please refer to the method embodiments above. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0316] Figure 12 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 12, the communication device 1200 may include a communication unit 1210 and a processing unit 1220. The communication unit 1210 can implement corresponding communication functions, which can be internal communication within the communication device 1200 or communication between the communication device 1200 and other devices; the processing unit 1220 can implement corresponding processing functions. The communication unit 1210 may also be referred to as a communication interface or a transceiver unit. Optionally, the communication device 1200 may further include a storage unit, which can be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing unit 1220 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage unit to enable the device to implement the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0317] It should be understood that the communication device 1200 may be a terminal device, or a module or chip that performs the functions of a terminal device.

[0318] The communication unit 1210 can be used to receive first information, which is used to determine the location of multiple non-terrestrial network devices, which are used to cooperate in transmitting first data to the terminal device.

[0319] The processing unit 1220 can be used to determine the location of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices based on the first information.

[0320] In some embodiments, the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices are deployed in a uniform or non-uniform manner.

[0321] In some embodiments, the non-uniform deployment method includes at least one of the following: Fermat deployment method; Fibonacci deployment method; or enhanced Fermat deployment method.

[0322] In some embodiments, the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices are uniformly deployed, and the first information is used to indicate the following: the deployment method of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; the spacing between the non-terrestrial network devices; the number of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; and the location of the reference point.

[0323] In some embodiments, the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices employ the Fermat deployment method, and the first information is used to indicate the following: the deployment method of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; the distance parameters of the Fermat deployment method; the number of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; and the location of the reference point.

[0324] In some embodiments, the reference point is the origin of a polar coordinate system, and the distance between the nth non-terrestrial network device and the reference point satisfies the following formula:

[0325] as well as

[0326] The phase of the nth non-terrestrial network device in the polar coordinate system satisfies the following formula:

[0327] Where, ρ n Let n be the distance between the nth non-terrestrial network device among the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices and the reference point. The phase information of the nth non-terrestrial network device in the polar coordinate system is given by d, where d is the distance parameter of the Fermat deployment method, n is the sequence number of the non-terrestrial network device, n = 1...N, and N is the number of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices.

[0328] In some embodiments, the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices adopt the Fibonacci deployment method, and the first information is used to indicate the following: the deployment method of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; the number of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; and the location of the reference point.

[0329] In some embodiments, the reference point is the origin of a polar coordinate system, and the distance between the nth non-terrestrial network device and the reference point satisfies the following formula:

[0330] as well as

[0331] The phase of the nth non-terrestrial network device in the polar coordinate system satisfies the following formula:

[0332] Where, ρ nLet n be the distance between the nth non-terrestrial network device among the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices and the reference point. The phase information of the nth non-terrestrial network device in the polar coordinate system is given by n, where n is the serial number of the non-terrestrial network device, n = 1...N, and N is the number of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices.

[0333] In some embodiments, the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices employ the enhanced Fermat deployment method, and the first information is used to indicate the following: the deployment method of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; the distance parameter of the enhanced Fermat deployment method; the distribution factor of the enhanced Fermat deployment method; the number of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; and the location of the reference point.

[0334] In some embodiments, the reference point is the origin of a polar coordinate system, and the distance between the nth non-terrestrial network device and the reference point satisfies the following formula:

[0335] as well as

[0336] The phase of the nth non-terrestrial network device in the polar coordinate system satisfies the following formula:

[0337] Where, ρ n Let n be the distance between the nth non-terrestrial network device among the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices and the reference point. Let d be the phase information of the nth non-terrestrial network device in the polar coordinate system, d be the distance parameter of the enhanced Fermat deployment method, ε be the distribution factor of the enhanced Fermat deployment method, n be the serial number of the non-terrestrial network device, n = 1...N, and N be the number of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices.

[0338] In some embodiments, the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices are deployed on a plurality of satellites, the plurality of satellites including a reference satellite, and the first information includes the absolute position information of the reference point, or the first information includes the serial number of the reference satellite and the absolute position information of the reference satellite; wherein the serial number of the reference satellite and the absolute position information of the reference satellite are used to determine the position of the reference point.

[0339] It should be understood that the communication device 1200 can be a non-terrestrial network device, or a module or chip that performs the functions of a non-terrestrial network device. The non-terrestrial network device mentioned here can be the service network device of the terminal device, i.e., the first non-terrestrial network device mentioned above.

[0340] The processing unit 1220 can be used to determine the first information.

[0341] The communication unit 1210 can be used to send first information to the terminal device, the first information being used to determine the location of multiple non-terrestrial network devices, the multiple non-terrestrial network devices being used to cooperate in transmitting first data to the terminal device.

[0342] In some embodiments, the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices are deployed in a uniform or non-uniform manner.

[0343] In some embodiments, the non-uniform deployment method includes at least one of the following: Fermat deployment method; Fibonacci deployment method; or enhanced Fermat deployment method.

[0344] In some embodiments, the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices are uniformly deployed, and the first information is used to indicate the following: the deployment method of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; the spacing between the non-terrestrial network devices; the number of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; and the location of the reference point.

[0345] In some embodiments, the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices employ the Fermat deployment method, and the first information is used to indicate the following: the deployment method of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; the distance parameters of the Fermat deployment method; the number of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; and the location of the reference point.

[0346] In some embodiments, the reference point is the origin of a polar coordinate system, and the distance between the nth non-terrestrial network device and the reference point satisfies the following formula:

[0347] as well as

[0348] The phase of the nth non-terrestrial network device in the polar coordinate system satisfies the following formula:

[0349] Where, ρ n Let n be the distance between the nth non-terrestrial network device among the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices and the reference point. The phase information of the nth non-terrestrial network device in the polar coordinate system is given by d, where d is the distance parameter of the Fermat deployment method, n is the sequence number of the non-terrestrial network device, n = 1...N, and N is the number of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices.

[0350] In some embodiments, the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices adopt the Fibonacci deployment method, and the first information is used to indicate the following: the deployment method of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; the number of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; and the location of the reference point.

[0351] In some embodiments, the reference point is the origin of a polar coordinate system, and the distance between the nth non-terrestrial network device and the reference point satisfies the following formula:

[0352] as well as

[0353] The phase of the nth non-terrestrial network device in the polar coordinate system satisfies the following formula:

[0354] Where, ρ n Let n be the distance between the nth non-terrestrial network device among the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices and the reference point. The phase information of the nth non-terrestrial network device in the polar coordinate system is given by n, where n is the serial number of the non-terrestrial network device, n = 1...N, and N is the number of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices.

[0355] In some embodiments, the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices employ the enhanced Fermat deployment method, and the first information is used to indicate the following: the deployment method of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; the distance parameter of the enhanced Fermat deployment method; the distribution factor of the enhanced Fermat deployment method; the number of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; and the location of the reference point.

[0356] In some embodiments, the reference point is the origin of a polar coordinate system, and the distance between the nth non-terrestrial network device and the reference point satisfies the following formula:

[0357] as well as

[0358] The phase of the nth non-terrestrial network device in the polar coordinate system satisfies the following formula:

[0359] Where, ρ n Let n be the distance between the nth non-terrestrial network device among the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices and the reference point. Let d be the phase information of the nth non-terrestrial network device in the polar coordinate system, d be the distance parameter of the enhanced Fermat deployment method, ε be the distribution factor of the enhanced Fermat deployment method, n be the serial number of the non-terrestrial network device, n = 1...N, and N be the number of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices.

[0360] In some embodiments, the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices are deployed on a plurality of satellites, the plurality of satellites including a reference satellite, and the first information includes the absolute position information of the reference point, or the first information includes the serial number of the reference satellite and the absolute position information of the reference satellite; wherein the serial number of the reference satellite and the absolute position information of the reference satellite are used to determine the position of the reference point.

[0361] For details regarding the steps or processes executed by each unit in the communication device 1200, please refer to the descriptions in the corresponding methods; they will not be elaborated here.

[0362] It should be understood that the "unit" in the communication device 1200 can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. For example, the "unit" can refer to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), electronic circuitry, a processor (e.g., a shared processor, a proprietary processor, or a group processor, etc.) and memory for executing one or more software or firmware programs, combined logic circuitry, and / or other suitable components supporting the described functions. Furthermore, the communication unit 1210 can be replaced by a transceiver circuit (e.g., it may include receiving and transmitting circuitry), and the processing unit 1220 can be replaced by a processor or processing circuitry.

[0363] Figure 13 shows a schematic block diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. This communication device 1300 can be a terminal device / non-terrestrial network device, or a chip, chip system, or processor, etc., in which the terminal device / non-terrestrial network device implements the above-described method. This device can be used to implement the methods described in the above-described method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above-described method embodiments.

[0364] The communication device 1300 may include one or more processors 1310, which may also be referred to as processing units, and can implement certain control functions. The processor 1310 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device, execute software programs, and process data from the software programs.

[0365] In an alternative design, the processor 1310 may also store instructions and / or data that can be executed by the processor 1310 to cause the communication device 1300 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments.

[0366] In another alternative design, the communication device 1300 may include a communication interface 1320 for implementing receiving and transmitting functions. For example, the communication interface 1320 may be a transceiver circuit, interface, interface circuit, or transceiver. The transceiver circuit, interface, interface circuit, or transceiver for implementing receiving and transmitting functions may be separate or integrated. The aforementioned transceiver circuit, interface, interface circuit, or transceiver may be used for reading and writing code / data, or it may be used for transmitting or relaying signals.

[0367] Optionally, the communication device 1300 may include one or more memories 1330, which may store instructions that can be executed on the processor 1310, causing the communication device 1300 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments. Optionally, the memories 1330 may also store data. Optionally, the processor 1310 may also store instructions and / or data. The processor 1310 and the memories 1330 may be provided separately or integrated together.

[0368] It should be understood that, in one possible design, the steps in the method embodiments provided in this application can be implemented by integrated logic circuits in the processor's hardware or by instructions in software form. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly implemented by a hardware processor, or implemented by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor. The software modules can reside in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. This storage medium is located in memory, and the processor reads information from the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above method. To avoid repetition, detailed descriptions are not provided here.

[0369] It should be noted that the processor in the embodiments of this application can be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, each step of the above method embodiments can be completed by the integrated logic circuitry in the processor's hardware or by instructions in software form. The processor can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. It can implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware decoding processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules can be located in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. This storage medium is located in memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above methods.

[0370] It is understood that the memory in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory used in the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0371] This application also provides a computer program product, which includes computer program code. When the computer program code is run on a computer, it causes the computer to execute the various steps or processes performed by the terminal device / non-terrestrial network device in any of the above method embodiments.

[0372] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing program code that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to execute the various steps or processes performed by the terminal device / non-terrestrial network device in any of the above method embodiments.

[0373] This application also provides a communication device, including a processor and an interface for sending and / or receiving signals, such that the processor executes the various steps or processes performed by the terminal device / non-terrestrial network device in any of the above method embodiments.

[0374] The above-described device and method embodiments are completely corresponding, with corresponding modules or units performing corresponding steps. For example, a communication unit or communication interface performs the receiving or sending steps in the method embodiment, while other steps besides sending and receiving can be performed by a processing unit or processor.

[0375] In the embodiments of this application, the terms and English abbreviations are exemplary examples given for ease of description and should not be construed as limiting the application in any way. The embodiments of this application do not preclude the possibility of defining other terms that can achieve the same or similar functions in existing or future agreements.

[0376] As used in this specification, the terms "component," "module," "system," etc., are used to refer to computer-related entities, hardware, firmware, combinations of hardware and software, software, or software in execution. For example, a component can be, but is not limited to, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable file, an execution thread, a program, and / or a computer. As illustrated, applications running on computing devices and computing devices can both be components. One or more components may reside in a process and / or an execution thread, and components may be located on a single computer and / or distributed among two or more computers. Furthermore, these components can be executed from various computer-readable storage media on which various data structures are stored. Components can communicate, for example, via local and / or remote processes based on signals having one or more data packets (e.g., data from two components interacting with another component between a local system, a distributed system, and / or a network, such as the Internet interacting with other systems via signals).

[0377] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementations should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0378] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be based on the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0379] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0380] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0381] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0382] In the above embodiments, the functions of each functional unit can be implemented 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 (programs). When the computer program instructions (programs) 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 media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., DVDs), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks, SSDs), etc.

[0383] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, essentially or in other words, the parts that contribute to the prior art, or parts of the technical solutions, 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, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0384] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method of wireless communication, the method comprising: Comprising: receiving first information, the first information being used to determine positions of a plurality of non-terrestrial network devices, the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices being used to cooperatively transmit first data to a terminal device; determining the positions of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices according to the first information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The plurality of non-terrestrial network devices are deployed in a uniform deployment manner or a non-uniform deployment manner.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, The non-uniform deployment manner comprises at least one of: a Fermat deployment manner; a Fibonacci deployment manner; or an enhanced Fermat deployment manner.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The plurality of non-terrestrial network devices are deployed in the uniform deployment manner, and the first information is used to indicate the following information: a deployment manner of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; a spacing between non-terrestrial network devices; a number of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; and a position of a reference point.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein, The plurality of non-terrestrial network devices are deployed in the Fermat deployment manner, and the first information is used to indicate the following information: a deployment manner of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; a distance parameter of the Fermat deployment manner; a number of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; and a position of a reference point.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, The reference point is the origin of a polar coordinate system, and a distance between the n th non-ground network device in the plurality of non-ground network devices and the reference point satisfies the following formula: and A phase of an n-th non-terrestrial network device in the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices in the polar coordinate system satisfies the following formula: wherein p n is a distance of the n-th non-terrestrial network device from the reference point, The phase information of an n th non-terrestrial network device in the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices in the polar coordinate system is d n, d is a distance parameter of the Fermat deployment manner, n is a serial number of a non-terrestrial network device, n = 1 … N, and N is a number of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein, The plurality of non-terrestrial network devices are deployed in the Fibonacci deployment manner, and the first information is used to indicate the following information: a deployment manner of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; a number of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; and a position of a reference point.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein, The reference point is the origin of a polar coordinate system, and a distance between the n th non-ground network device in the plurality of non-ground network devices and the reference point satisfies the following formula: and A phase of an n-th non-terrestrial network device in the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices in the polar coordinate system satisfies the following formula: wherein p n is a distance of the n-th non-terrestrial network device from the reference point, The phase information of an n th non-terrestrial network device in the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices in the polar coordinate system is d n, n is a serial number of a non-terrestrial network device, n = 1 … N, and N is a number of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices.

9. The method of claim 3, wherein, The plurality of non-terrestrial network devices are deployed in the enhanced Fermat deployment manner, and the first information is used to indicate the following information: a deployment manner of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; a distance parameter of the enhanced Fermat deployment manner; a distribution factor of the enhanced Fermat deployment manner; a number of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; and a position of a reference point.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, The reference point is the origin of a polar coordinate system, and a distance between the n th non-ground network device in the plurality of non-ground network devices and the reference point satisfies the following formula: and A phase of an n-th non-terrestrial network device in the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices in the polar coordinate system satisfies the following formula: wherein p n is a distance of the n-th non-terrestrial network device from the reference point, The phase information of an n th non-terrestrial network device in the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices in the polar coordinate system is d n, d is a distance parameter of the enhanced Fermat deployment manner, ε is a distribution factor of the enhanced Fermat deployment manner, n is a serial number of a non-terrestrial network device, n = 1 … N, and N is a number of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices.

11. The method according to any one of claims 5-10, characterized in that, The plurality of non-terrestrial network devices are deployed on a plurality of satellites, the plurality of satellites comprising a reference satellite, The first information comprises absolute position information of the reference point, or the first information comprises a serial number of the reference satellite and absolute position information of the reference satellite; wherein the serial number of the reference satellite and the absolute position information of the reference satellite are used to determine the position of the reference point.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1-11, characterized in that, The positions of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices are used to determine a direction of a carrier carrying the first data.

13. A method of wireless communication, the method comprising: Comprising: determining first information; The terminal device is configured to receive first information from a network device, the first information being used to determine positions of a plurality of non-terrestrial network devices, the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices being configured to cooperatively transmit first data to the terminal device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, The plurality of non-terrestrial network devices are deployed in a uniform deployment manner or a non-uniform deployment manner.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, The non-uniform deployment manner comprises at least one of: a Fermat deployment manner; a Fibonacci deployment manner; or an enhanced Fermat deployment manner.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that, The plurality of non-terrestrial network devices are deployed in the uniform deployment manner, and the first information is used to indicate the following information: a deployment manner of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; a spacing between non-terrestrial network devices; a number of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; and a position of a reference point.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein, The plurality of non-terrestrial network devices are deployed in the Fermat deployment manner, and the first information is used to indicate the following information: a deployment manner of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; a distance parameter of the Fermat deployment manner; a number of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; and a position of a reference point.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, The reference point is the origin of a polar coordinate system, and a distance between the n th non-ground network device in the plurality of non-ground network devices and the reference point satisfies the following formula: and A phase of an n-th non-terrestrial network device in the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices in the polar coordinate system satisfies the following formula: wherein p n is a distance of the n-th non-terrestrial network device from the reference point, The phase information of an n th non-terrestrial network device in the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices in the polar coordinate system is d n, d is a distance parameter of the Fermat deployment manner, n is a serial number of the non-terrestrial network device, n = 1 … N, and N is a number of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein, The plurality of non-terrestrial network devices are deployed in the Fibonacci deployment manner, and the first information is used to indicate the following information: a deployment manner of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; a number of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; and a position of a reference point.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein, The reference point is the origin of a polar coordinate system, and a distance between the n th non-ground network device in the plurality of non-ground network devices and the reference point satisfies the following formula: and A phase of an n-th non-terrestrial network device in the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices in the polar coordinate system satisfies the following formula: wherein p n is a distance of the n-th non-terrestrial network device from the reference point, The phase information of an n th non-terrestrial network device in the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices in the polar coordinate system is d n, n is a serial number of the non-terrestrial network device, n = 1 … N, and N is a number of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein, The plurality of non-terrestrial network devices are deployed in the enhanced Fermat deployment manner, and the first information is used to indicate the following information: a deployment manner of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; a distance parameter of the enhanced Fermat deployment manner; a distribution factor of the enhanced Fermat deployment manner; a number of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices; and a position of a reference point.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein, The reference point is the origin of a polar coordinate system, and a distance between the n th non-ground network device in the plurality of non-ground network devices and the reference point satisfies the following formula: and A phase of an n-th non-terrestrial network device in the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices in the polar coordinate system satisfies the following formula: wherein p n is a distance of the n-th non-terrestrial network device from the reference point, The phase information of an n th non-terrestrial network device in the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices in the polar coordinate system is d n, d is a distance parameter of the enhanced Fermat deployment manner, ε is a distribution factor of the enhanced Fermat deployment manner, n is a serial number of the non-terrestrial network device, n = 1 … N, and N is a number of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices.

23. The method of any one of claims 17-22, wherein, The plurality of non-terrestrial network devices are deployed on a plurality of satellites, the plurality of satellites comprising a reference satellite, The first information comprises absolute position information of the reference point, or the first information comprises a serial number of the reference satellite and absolute position information of the reference satellite. The serial number of the reference satellite and the absolute position information of the reference satellite are used to determine the position of the reference point.

24. The method of any one of claims 13-23, wherein, The positions of the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices are used to determine a direction of a carrier carrying the first data.

25. A communication system, characterized by The terminal device is configured to receive first information from a network device, the first information being used to determine positions of a plurality of non-terrestrial network devices, the plurality of non-terrestrial network devices being configured to cooperatively transmit first data to the terminal device. ​ The multiple non-terrestrial network devices are deployed in a uniform deployment manner or a non-uniform deployment manner.

26. The communication system of claim 25, wherein, The non-uniform deployment manner comprises at least one of: a Fermat deployment manner; a Fibonacci deployment manner; or an enhanced Fermat deployment manner.

27. The communication system of claim 25 or 26, characterized by The communication system further comprises the terminal device, and the terminal device is configured to: receive first information, the first information being used to determine positions of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices.

28. The communication system of any of claims 25-27, wherein, A direction of a carrier carrying the first data is determined based on the positions of the multiple non-terrestrial network devices.

29. The communication system of any of claims 25-28, wherein, The multiple non-terrestrial network devices are deployed on multiple satellites.

30. A communications device, characterized by A unit for performing each step of the method according to any one of claims 1-12, or a unit for performing each step of the method according to any one of claims 13-24.

31. A communications device, characterized by An apparatus comprising at least one processor coupled with a memory for storing programs or instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-12 or 13-24.

32. A communications device, characterized by An apparatus comprising a processor and an interface for transmitting and / or receiving signals, such that the processor performs the method according to any one of claims 1-12 or 13-24.

33. A readable storage medium, on which a computer program or instructions are stored, characterized in that, The computer programs or instructions, when executed, cause the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-12 or 13-24.

34. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer programs or instructions, when executed, cause the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-12 or 13-24. The computer programs or instructions, when executed, cause the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-12 or 13-24.

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