Communication method and related apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a communication method and a related apparatus. The method can be applied to a non-terrestrial network (NTN) system. The method comprises: a terminal device receiving M first reference signals, M being an integer greater than or equal to 1; receiving and measuring the M first reference signals, so as to obtain a measurement result of the first reference signals; sending first information, wherein the first information indicates the measurement result of the terminal device with respect to the first reference signals; receiving second information, wherein the second information instructs the terminal device to measure first time-domain positions of N second reference signals, N being an integer greater than or equal to 1; and on the basis of the second information, receiving the N second reference signals. By means of performing hierarchical measurement on first reference signals and second reference signals, the measurement power consumption and the search complexity of a terminal device with respect to the reference signals are effectively reduced.

Description

A communication method and related apparatus

[0001] This application claims priority from the Chinese Patent Application No. 202410708600.7 filed on May 31, 2024, and entitled "A communication method and related apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and related apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0003] A non-terrestrial network (NTN) is a kind of communication network realized by means of non-terrestrial network equipment. The NTN system can include satellite systems, high altitude platform (HAPS) communication systems and other aerial network equipment. The NTN has the advantages of wide coverage, long communication distance, high reliability, great flexibility and high throughput, and is not affected by geographical environment, climate conditions and natural disasters, and has been widely applied in various fields. Introducing NTN communication into mobile network communication, such as 5th-Generation (5G) communication, can improve user experience. Taking a satellite network as an example, according to the orbital height, the satellite can be divided into low earth orbit (LEO) satellite, middle earth orbit (MEO) satellite and geostationary orbit (GEO) satellite.

[0004] Taking a downlink positioning measurement scenario of network equipment to terminal equipment as an example, a measurement gap (MG) mechanism can be used at present. The measurement gap can also be referred to as a time domain position, a measurement window, a measurement window or a positioning measurement window. The MG mechanism is specifically as follows: the terminal equipment measures the positioning reference signal (PRS) sent by the network equipment in the time domain position, and then determines the position information of the terminal equipment according to the measurement result.

[0005] In an NTN system, multiple network devices (e.g., the multiple network devices are satellites) can be spaced apart by a large distance, and the time at which multiple PRS transmitted by the multiple network devices arrive at a terminal device can be distributed over a large time range. Therefore, on the one hand, when a terminal device performs downlink positioning measurement in an NTN system, the terminal device can need to continuously perform measurement in a large time domain position, thereby causing the search complexity of the terminal device to increase and the power consumption of the terminal device to increase. On the other hand, the terminal device cannot transmit or receive data or other reference signals in the large time domain position, which affects the communication efficiency of the terminal device. SUMMARY

[0006] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, which effectively reduces the measurement power consumption and search complexity of a terminal device for reference signals and improves network resource utilization by hierarchical measurement of first reference signals and second reference signals.

[0007] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, which is applied to a terminal device. The terminal device can be a communication apparatus (e.g., a terminal device), or the terminal device can be part of a communication apparatus (e.g., a processor, a circuit, a chip, or a chip system), or the terminal device can also be a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the communication apparatus.

[0008] The method includes: receiving, by the terminal device, M first reference signals, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1. Measuring, by the terminal device, the M first reference signals to obtain measurement results of the first reference signals. Transmitting, by the terminal device, first information, where the first information indicates the measurement results of the first reference signals. Receiving, by the terminal device, second information, where the second information indicates first time domain positions for measuring N second reference signals, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. Receiving, by the terminal device, the N second reference signals according to the second information.

[0009] In an example, the terminal device receives or obtains the second information in response to the first information. In other words, the purpose of the terminal device transmitting the first information (the measurement results of the first reference signals) is to obtain the second information (indicating the first time domain positions for the terminal device to measure the second reference signals).

[0010] In another example, the first information is used to determine the second information. In other words, the purpose of the first information is to determine the second information. Illustratively, the terminal device transmits the first information so that the network device determines the second information according to the first information, and the terminal device obtains the second information from the network device.

[0011] In another example, the first reference signal and the second reference signal have an association relationship. The first reference signal and the second reference signal have an association relationship, which can mean that the measurement result of the first reference signal is used to determine the time domain position of measuring the second reference signal, for the convenience of description, the time domain position is referred to as the first time domain position; can also mean that the terminal device needs to report the measurement result of the first reference signal, so that the network device configures the first time domain position; can also mean that the terminal device needs to report the measurement result of the first reference signal in order to obtain the first time domain position; can also mean that the measurement of the first reference signal by the terminal device and the measurement of the second reference signal have an association relationship. For example, the terminal device first performs measurement of the first reference signal, sends the measurement result of the first reference signal, and then performs measurement of the second reference signal.

[0012] It should be noted that the first time domain position can also be referred to as a first measurement interval, a first measurement window, a first measurement time, or a first measurement time range, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0013] In the above technical solution, through hierarchical measurement of the first reference signal and the second reference signal, the measurement accuracy is ensured, and the measurement power consumption and search complexity of the terminal device for the reference signal are effectively reduced. In addition, by indicating a finer granularity of the first time domain position, the impact of measuring the reference signal on communication can be reduced. For example, the network device can communicate with the terminal device at a time domain position other than the first time domain position, thereby improving network resource utilization.

[0014] In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the method further includes: the terminal device receives first configuration information, and the first configuration information is used to indicate that the first reference signal and the second reference signal have an association relationship.

[0015] In a possible implementation manner, the network device sends configuration information of the first reference signal to the terminal device, the configuration information of the first reference signal includes the first configuration information, and the configuration information of the first reference signal is used to configure time domain resources, frequency domain resources, and / or code domain resources of the first reference signal.

[0016] In another possible implementation manner, the network device sends configuration information of the second reference signal to the terminal device, the configuration information of the second reference signal includes the first configuration information, and the configuration information of the second reference signal is used to configure time domain resources, frequency domain resources, and / or code domain resources of the second reference signal.

[0017] In the technical solution, the terminal device can determine, according to the first configuration information, that the measurement result of the first reference signal needs to be reported, so that the network device determines the second information according to the measurement result of the first reference signal. Alternatively, according to the first configuration information, the terminal device can determine that the measurement result of the first reference signal needs to be reported in order to obtain the first time domain position. Alternatively, according to the first configuration information, the terminal device can determine that the measurement of the first reference signal and the measurement of the second reference signal are associated. For example, the terminal device needs to first perform the measurement of the first reference signal, then the terminal device sends the measurement result of the first reference signal, and then performs the measurement of the second reference signal.

[0018] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the method further includes: obtaining a measurement result of the second reference signal, and the measurement result of the second reference signal is used for positioning or communication.

[0019] For example, the terminal device can calculate the position information of the terminal device according to the measurement result of the second reference signal and the positioning assistance information. For another example, the terminal device reports the measurement result of the second reference signal, and the access network device or the core network device determines the position information of the terminal device according to the measurement result of the second reference signal.

[0020] For another example, the measurement result of the second reference signal can be used to determine a communication parameter, and the communication parameter is used for communication of the terminal device. For example, the measurement result of the second reference signal can be used to determine the channel information of the terminal device, which is used for communication such as power control.

[0021] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the bandwidth of the first reference signal is smaller than the bandwidth of the second reference signal. For example, for convenience of description, the first reference signal can also be referred to as a narrow-band reference signal, and the second reference signal can also be referred to as a wide-band reference signal.

[0022] In the technical solution, the first time domain position of the second reference signal with a wider bandwidth can be obtained by measuring the first reference signal with a narrower bandwidth, so that the terminal device measures the second reference signal according to the first time domain position. The measurement power consumption of the terminal device can be effectively reduced.

[0023] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the second information includes one or more of the following information: a start time of the first time domain position, an end time of the first time domain position, or a duration of the first time domain position.

[0024] In an example, the second information includes the start time of the first time domain position and the duration of the first time domain position.

[0025] In another example, the second information includes the end time of the first time domain position and the duration of the first time domain position.

[0026] Further, the start time of the first time domain position comprises a first reference time point and an offset of the start time of the first time domain position from the first reference time point. For example, the end time of the first time domain position comprises the first reference time point and an offset of the end time of the first time domain position from the first reference time point.

[0027] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the second information comprises one or more of the following: a start time of the set of time domain positions, an end time of the set of time domain positions, a duration of the set of time domain positions, or the first indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate the first time domain position, and the set of time domain positions comprises one or more time domain positions, and the first time domain position belongs to the one or more time domain positions comprised in the set of time domain positions.

[0028] In an example, the second information comprises the start time of the set of time domain positions, the duration of the set of time domain positions, and the first indication information.

[0029] In another example, the second information comprises the end time of the set of time domain positions, the duration of the set of time domain positions, and the first indication information.

[0030] For example, the first indication information is bitmap information. This can effectively reduce signaling overhead and improve utilization of communication resources.

[0031] In the above technical solution, the second information comprises a plurality of possible implementation manners, which improves the implementation flexibility of the solution.

[0032] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the first information comprises one or more of the following: position information of the terminal device, arrival time information of the first reference signal, arrival angle information of the first reference signal, arrival time difference information of at least two first reference signals, or information of the second time domain position. The second time domain position is associated with the second reference signal.

[0033] For example, the second time domain position can be used by the network device to determine the first time domain position. For another example, the second time domain position is used to determine the first time domain position. For another example, the second time domain position is a time domain position determined by the terminal device for measuring the second reference signal.

[0034] It should be noted that the second time domain position can also be referred to as a second measurement interval, a second measurement window, a second measurement time, or a second measurement time range, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this. Since the second time domain position is determined by the terminal device and the first time domain position is determined by the network device, the second time domain position can be different from the first time domain position. Alternatively, the network device directly determines the first time domain position according to the second time domain position, that is, the first time domain position is the same as the second time domain position.

[0035] In the above technical solution, the terminal device can report the first information to the network device to assist the network device in determining the second information, thereby improving the accuracy of the second information.

[0036] In an example, the information of the second time domain position includes one or more of the following: a start time of the second time domain position, an end time of the second time domain position, or a duration of the second time domain position.

[0037] In an example, the first information includes: the start time of the second time domain position and the duration of the second time domain position.

[0038] In another example, the first information includes: the end time of the second time domain position and the duration of the second time domain position. Further, the start time of the second time domain position includes: a second reference time point, and an offset of the start time of the second time domain position from the second reference time point. For example, the end time of the second time domain position includes: a second reference time point, and an offset of the end time of the second time domain position from the second reference time point.

[0039] In another example, the information of the second time domain position includes one or more of the following: a start time of the time domain position set, an end time of the time domain position set, a duration of the time domain position set, or second indication information, wherein the second indication information is used to indicate the second time domain position, the time domain position set includes one or more time domain positions, and the second time domain position belongs to the one or more time domain positions included in the time domain position set.

[0040] In an example, the first information includes: the start time of the time domain position set, the duration of the time domain position set, and the second indication information.

[0041] In another example, the first information includes: the end time of the time domain position set, the duration of the time domain position set, and the second indication information. For example, the second indication information is bitmap information. This can reduce signaling overhead and improve the utilization of communication resources.

[0042] It should be noted that the time domain position set indicated by the first information and the time domain position set indicated by the second information can be the same time domain position set or different time domain position sets, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0043] In the technical solution, the information of the second time domain position includes a plurality of possible implementation manners, and the implementation flexibility of the solution is improved.

[0044] In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the second information is carried in a system information block (SIB) message, a radio resource control (RRC) message, or a long term evolution positioning protocol (LPP) message. For example, when the network device is an access network device, the second information can be carried in the SIB message or the RRC message; when the network device is a core network device, the second information can be carried in the LPP message.

[0045] In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the first reference signal is any one of the following reference signals: a positioning reference signal (PRS), a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), a synchronization signal / broadcast channel block (SSB), or a tracking reference signal (TRS).

[0046] In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the second reference signal is any one of the following reference signals: a positioning reference signal (PRS), a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), or a tracking reference signal (TRS).

[0047] The first reference signal and the second reference signal can be the same type of reference signal, for example, the first reference signal is a PRS, and the second reference signal can also be a PRS. The first reference signal and the second reference signal can also be different types of reference signals, for example, the first reference signal is a CSI-RS, and the second reference signal can be a PRS. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0048] In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, N is an integer greater than or equal to M. When the number of transmitted first reference signals M is less than the number of transmitted second reference signals N, the resource overhead of the network can be effectively reduced, and the resource utilization rate is improved.

[0049] In a second aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, which is applied to a network device. The network device can be a communication apparatus (such as a network device), or the network device can be part of a communication apparatus (for example, a processor, a circuit, a chip, or a chip system), or the network device can also be a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the communication apparatus. For example, the network device is an access network device. The method comprises the following steps:

[0050] The network device transmits M first reference signals, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The network device receives first information from the terminal device, where the first information indicates a measurement result of the first reference signal. The network device transmits second information to the terminal device, where the second information indicates a first time domain position for measuring N second reference signals. The network device transmits the N second reference signals to the terminal device, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The second reference signals have an association relationship with the first reference signals.

[0051] It should be noted that the first time domain position can also be referred to as a first measurement interval, a first measurement window, a first measurement time, or a first measurement time range, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0052] In an example, the network device transmits the M first reference signals in a broadcast manner. The network device transmits the N second reference signals in a broadcast manner.

[0053] It should be noted that the network device can first transmit the second information and then transmit the N second reference signals, or the network device can first transmit the N second reference signals and then transmit the second information, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit the order.

[0054] In the above technical solution, by indicating the first time domain position (which has a finer granularity than the time domain position currently configured for the second reference signal), the measurement power consumption and search complexity of the terminal device are reduced under the condition of ensuring measurement accuracy. In addition, the network device can communicate with the terminal device at a time domain position other than the first time domain position, thereby improving network resource utilization.

[0055] In a third aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, which is applied to a network device. The network device can be a communication apparatus (such as a network device), or the network device can be part of a communication apparatus (for example, a processor, a circuit, a chip, or a chip system), or the network device can also be a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the communication apparatus. For example, the network device is a core network device.

[0056] The method includes: the network device receives first information from the terminal device, where the first information indicates a measurement result of a first reference signal. The network device transmits second information to the terminal device, where the second information indicates a first time domain position for the terminal device to measure N second reference signals, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0057] It should be noted that the first time domain position can also be referred to as a first measurement interval, a first measurement window, a first measurement time, or a first measurement time range, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0058] In the technical solution, the network device sends the second information to configure the first time domain position for the terminal device, thereby effectively reducing the measurement power consumption and search complexity of the terminal device for the reference signal while ensuring the measurement accuracy. Optionally, the network device (core network device) can instruct the access network device to communicate with the terminal device at a time domain position other than the first time domain position, thereby improving the network resource utilization.

[0059] In a possible implementation of the third aspect, the method further includes: instructing the access network device to send M first reference signals, M being an integer greater than or equal to 1; and instructing the access network device to send N second reference signals, N being an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0060] In a possible implementation of the second aspect or the third aspect, the second information is sent according to the first information. Specifically, the network device determines the second information according to the received first information. The network device sends the second information because the network device receives the first information.

[0061] In a possible implementation of the second aspect or the third aspect, the first information is used to determine the second information. Specifically, the network device determines the corresponding second information according to the first information. The network device determines the content of the second information based on the first information.

[0062] In a possible implementation of the second aspect or the third aspect, the first reference signal and the second reference signal have an association relationship. The association relationship between the first reference signal and the second reference signal can mean that the measurement result of the first reference signal is used to determine the time domain position for measuring the second reference signal, which is referred to as the first time domain position for ease of description; can mean that the terminal device needs to report the measurement result of the first reference signal so that the network device configures the first time domain position; can mean that the terminal device needs to report the measurement result of the first reference signal in order to obtain the first time domain position; and can mean that the measurement of the first reference signal and the measurement of the second reference signal have an association relationship. For example, the terminal device first performs the measurement of the first reference signal, sends the measurement result of the first reference signal, and then performs the measurement of the second reference signal.

[0063] In a possible implementation of the second aspect or the third aspect, the method further includes: sending first configuration information, the first configuration information being used to indicate that the first reference signal and the second reference signal have an association relationship.

[0064] In a possible implementation, the network device sends first reference signal configuration information to the terminal device, the first reference signal configuration information including the first configuration information, and the first reference signal configuration information being used to configure the time domain resource, the frequency domain resource, and / or the code domain resource of the first reference signal.

[0065] In a possible implementation of the second aspect or the third aspect, the network device sends, to the terminal device, configuration information of a second reference signal, the configuration information of the second reference signal comprising the first configuration information, the configuration information of the second reference signal being used to configure time domain resources, frequency domain resources, and / or code domain resources, and / or the like of the second reference signal.

[0066] In the above technical solution, the terminal device can determine, according to the first configuration information, that the measurement result of the first reference signal needs to be reported, so that the network device determines the second information according to the measurement result of the first reference signal. Alternatively, the terminal device can determine, according to the first configuration information, that the measurement result of the first reference signal needs to be reported in order to obtain the first time domain position. Alternatively, the terminal device can determine, according to the first configuration information, that the measurement of the first reference signal and the measurement of the second reference signal are associated. For example, the terminal device needs to first perform the measurement of the first reference signal, then the terminal device sends the measurement result of the first reference signal, and then the terminal device performs the measurement of the second reference signal.

[0067] In a possible implementation of the second aspect or the third aspect, a bandwidth of the first reference signal is smaller than a bandwidth of the second reference signal. For example, for convenience of description, the first reference signal can also be referred to as a narrow-band reference signal, and the second reference signal can also be referred to as a wide-band reference signal.

[0068] In the above technical solution, the first time domain position of the second reference signal with a wider bandwidth can be obtained by measuring the first reference signal with a narrower bandwidth, so that the terminal device measures the second reference signal according to the first time domain position. The measurement power consumption of the terminal device can be effectively reduced.

[0069] In a possible implementation of the second aspect or the third aspect, the second information comprises one or more of the following information: a start time of the first time domain position, an end time of the first time domain position, or a duration of the first time domain position.

[0070] In an example, the second information comprises the start time of the first time domain position and the duration of the first time domain position.

[0071] In another example, the second information comprises the end time of the first time domain position and the duration of the first time domain position.

[0072] Further, the start time of the first time domain position comprises a first reference time point and an offset of the start time of the first time domain position from the first reference time point. For example, the end time of the first time domain position comprises a first reference time point and an offset of the end time of the first time domain position from the first reference time point.

[0073] In a possible implementation of the second aspect or the third aspect, the second information includes one or more of the following: a start time of the set of time domain positions, an end time of the set of time domain positions, a time duration of the set of time domain positions, or the first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the first time domain position, and the set of time domain positions includes one or more time domain positions, and the first time domain position belongs to the one or more time domain positions included in the set of time domain positions.

[0074] In an example, the second information includes the start time of the set of time domain positions, the time duration of the set of time domain positions, and the first indication information.

[0075] In another example, the second information includes the end time of the set of time domain positions, the time duration of the set of time domain positions, and the first indication information.

[0076] For example, the first indication information is bitmap information. In this way, signaling overhead can be reduced, and utilization of communication resources can be improved.

[0077] In the above technical solution, the second information includes various possible implementation manners, and implementation flexibility of the solution is improved.

[0078] In a possible implementation of the second aspect or the third aspect, the first information includes any one or more of the following: position information of the terminal device, arrival time information of the first reference signal, arrival angle information of the first reference signal, arrival time difference information of at least two first reference signals, or information of a second time domain position, wherein the second time domain position is associated with the second reference signal.

[0079] For example, the second time domain position can be determined by the network device based on the first time domain position. For another example, the second time domain position is used to determine the first time domain position. For another example, the second time domain position is a time domain position at which the terminal device determines to measure the second reference signal.

[0080] It should be noted that the second time domain position can also be referred to as a second measurement interval, a second measurement window, a second measurement time, or a second measurement time range, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this. Since the second time domain position is determined by the terminal device, and the first time domain position is determined by the network device, the second time domain position can be different from the first time domain position. Alternatively, the network device directly determines the first time domain position based on the second time domain position, that is, the first time domain position is the same as the second time domain position.

[0081] In the above technical solution, the terminal device can report the first information to the network device, so as to assist the network device in determining the second information, and the accuracy of the second information is improved.

[0082] In an example, the information of the second time domain position comprises one or more of the following: a start time of the second time domain position, an end time of the second time domain position, or a duration of the second time domain position.

[0083] In an example, the first information comprises: a start time of the second time domain position and a duration of the second time domain position.

[0084] In another example, the first information comprises: an end time of the second time domain position and a duration of the second time domain position. Further, the start time of the second time domain position comprises: a second reference time point and an offset of the start time of the second time domain position from the second reference time point. For example, the end time of the second time domain position comprises: the second reference time point and an offset of the end time of the second time domain position from the second reference time point.

[0085] In another example, the information of the second time domain position comprises one or more of the following: a start time of the set of time domain positions, an end time of the set of time domain positions, a duration of the set of time domain positions, or second indication information, wherein the second indication information is used to indicate the second time domain position, the set of time domain positions comprises one or more time domain positions, and the second time domain position belongs to the one or more time domain positions comprised in the set of time domain positions.

[0086] In an example, the first information comprises: a start time of the set of time domain positions, a duration of the set of time domain positions, and the second indication information.

[0087] In another example, the first information comprises: an end time of the set of time domain positions, a duration of the set of time domain positions, and the second indication information.

[0088] For example, the second indication information is bitmap information. The signaling overhead can be reduced and the utilization of communication resources can be improved.

[0089] It should be noted that the set of time domain positions indicated by the first information and the set of time domain positions indicated by the second information can be the same set of time domain positions or different sets of time domain positions, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this. In the above technical solutions, the information of the second time domain position comprises multiple possible implementation manners, thereby improving the implementation flexibility of the solutions.

[0090] In a possible implementation manner of the second aspect or the third aspect, the second information is carried in a system information block (SIB) message, a radio resource control (RRC) message, or a long term evolution positioning protocol (LPP) message. For example, when the network device is an access network device, the second information can be carried in the SIB message or the RRC message; when the network device is a core network device, the second information can be carried in the LPP message.

[0091] In a possible implementation form of the second aspect or the third aspect, the first reference signal is any one of a positioning reference signal PRS, a channel state information reference signal CSI-RS, a synchronization signal / broadcast channel block SSB, or a tracking reference signal TRS.

[0092] In a possible implementation form of the second aspect or the third aspect, the second reference signal is any one of a positioning reference signal PRS, a channel state information reference signal CSI-RS, or a tracking reference signal TRS.

[0093] The first reference signal and the second reference signal can be of the same type, for example, the first reference signal is a PRS, and the second reference signal can also be a PRS. The first reference signal and the second reference signal can also be of different types, for example, the first reference signal is a CSI-RS, and the second reference signal can be a PRS. The embodiments of the present application do not make any limitation in this regard.

[0094] In a possible implementation form of the second aspect or the third aspect, N is an integer greater than or equal to M. When the number M of the first reference signals transmitted is less than the number N of the second reference signals transmitted, the resource overhead of the network can be effectively reduced, and the resource utilization can be improved.

[0095] The fourth aspect of the present application provides a communication apparatus, which comprises units for performing the methods in the various possible implementation forms of the first aspect, for example, comprising a processing unit and a transceiver unit.

[0096] In the fourth aspect of the present application, the possible implementation forms and the corresponding technical effects can be specifically referred to the first aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0097] The fifth aspect of the present application provides a communication apparatus, which comprises units for performing the methods in the various possible implementation forms of the second aspect, for example, comprising a transceiver unit and a processing unit.

[0098] In the fifth aspect of the present application, the possible implementation forms and the corresponding technical effects can be specifically referred to the second aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0099] The sixth aspect of the present application provides a communication apparatus, which comprises units for performing the methods in the various possible implementation forms of the third aspect, for example, comprising a transceiver unit and a processing unit.

[0100] In the sixth aspect of the present application, the possible implementation forms and the corresponding technical effects can be specifically referred to the third aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0101] The seventh aspect of the present application provides a communication apparatus, comprising at least one processor, which is configured to execute the method described in any one of the possible implementation manners of any one of the first aspect to the third aspect.

[0102] The eighth aspect of the present application provides a communication apparatus, comprising at least one logic circuit and an input / output interface, wherein the logic circuit is configured to execute the method described in any one of the possible implementation manners of any one of the first aspect to the third aspect.

[0103] The ninth aspect of the present application provides a communication system, which comprises the terminal device and the network device.

[0104] In an example, the network device is a satellite.

[0105] In another example, the network device is a ground base station.

[0106] The tenth aspect of the present application provides a computer readable storage medium, which is configured to store one or more computer executable instructions, when the computer executable instructions are executed, the method described in any one of the possible implementation manners of any one of the first aspect to the third aspect is implemented.

[0107] The eleventh aspect of the present application provides a computer program product (or computer program), when the computer program in the computer program product is executed, the method described in any one of the possible implementation manners of any one of the first aspect to the third aspect is implemented.

[0108] The twelfth aspect of the present application provides a chip or chip system, which comprises at least one processor, and is configured to support the communication apparatus to implement the method described in any one of the possible implementation manners of any one of the first aspect to the third aspect. For example, the chip can be a baseband chip, a modem chip, a system on chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, a system in package (SIP) chip, or a communication module, etc.

[0109] In a possible design, the chip or the chip system can further include a memory for storing program instructions and data necessary for the communication apparatus. The chip system can be composed of a chip or include a chip and other discrete devices. Optionally, the chip system further includes an interface circuit for providing program instructions and / or data for the at least one processor.

[0110] The technical effects brought by any one of the designs in the fourth aspect to the twelfth aspect can be referred to the technical effects brought by the different designs in the first aspect to the third aspect, which will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0111] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in the present application;

[0112] FIGS. 2a to 2d are schematic diagrams of satellite communication processes provided in the present application;

[0113] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication process in a 5G system provided in the present application;

[0114] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a communication scenario related to an embodiment of the present application;

[0115] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a measurement interval according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0116] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of another communication system related to an embodiment of the present application;

[0117] FIG. 7a is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0118] FIG. 7b is a schematic diagram of a measurement scenario according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0119] FIG. 8a is a schematic diagram of a reference signal according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0120] FIGS. 8b to 8c are schematic diagrams of a communication scenario according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0121] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a second time domain position according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0122] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a second time domain position according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0123] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a first time domain position according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0124] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a first time domain position according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0125] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a scenario according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0126] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of another scenario in the embodiments of the present application;

[0127] FIGS. 15-18 are schematic diagrams of some communication devices provided by the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0128] First, some terms in the embodiments of the present application are explained to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0129] (1) Terminal device: can be a wireless terminal device capable of receiving network device scheduling and indication information, the wireless terminal device can be a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user, or a handheld device with wireless connection function, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem.

[0130] The terminal device can be various communication kits (a kit can include, for example, an antenna, a power supply template, a cable, and a Wi-Fi module, etc.) with wireless communication functions, and can also be a communication module with satellite communication functions, a satellite phone or its components, a very small aperture terminal (VSAT). The terminal device can be a mobile terminal device, such as a mobile phone (or called "cellular" phone, mobile phone), a computer and a data card, for example, it can be a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, built-in computer or vehicle-mounted mobile device that exchanges voice and / or data with a wireless access network. For example, personal communication service (PCS) phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablets (Pads), computers with wireless transceiver functions, etc. The wireless terminal device can also be referred to as a system, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a mobile station (MS), a remote station, an access point (AP), a remote terminal, an access terminal, a user terminal, a user agent, a subscriber station (SS), customer premises equipment (CPE), a terminal, user equipment (UE), a mobile terminal (MT), a drone, etc. The terminal device can also be a wearable device and a next-generation communication system, for example, a terminal device in a 6G communication system or a terminal device in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), etc. Of course, the terminal device in this application can also refer to a chip, a modem, a system on a chip (SoC) mainly responsible for relevant communication functions in the device, or a communication platform that can include a radio frequency (RF) part, etc.

[0131] (2) Network equipment: This can be equipment within a wireless network. For example, network equipment can be a radio access network (RAN) node (or radio access network equipment, or access network equipment) that connects terminal devices to the wireless network, and can also be called a base station. Currently, some examples of RAN equipment include: base station, evolved NodeB (eNodeB), gNB (gNodeB) in 5G communication systems, transmission reception point (TRP), evolved Node B (eNB), radio network controller (RNC), Node B (NB), home base station (e.g., home evolved Node B, or home Node B, HNB), base band unit (BBU), or wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) access point (AP), etc. In addition, in a network structure, network equipment can include centralized unit (CU) nodes, distributed unit (DU) nodes, or RAN equipment including CU nodes and DU nodes.

[0132] Optionally, RAN nodes can also be macro base stations, micro base stations, indoor stations, relay nodes, donor nodes, or radio controllers in cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenarios. RAN nodes can also be servers, wearable devices, vehicles, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, the access network equipment in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a roadside unit (RSU).

[0133] 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).

[0134] 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 access network (open RAN, O-RAN, or 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.

[0135] Communication between access network devices and terminal devices follows a specific protocol layer structure. This protocol layer may include a control plane protocol layer and a user plane protocol layer. The control plane protocol layer may include at least one of the following: radio resource control (RRC) layer, packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, radio link control (RLC) layer, media access control (MAC) layer, or physical (PHY) layer, etc. The user plane protocol layer may include at least one of the following: service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, PDCP layer, RLC layer, MAC layer, or physical layer, etc.

[0136] The correspondence between network elements and their achievable protocol layer functions in the ORAN system can be found in Table 1 below.

[0137] Table 1

[0138] Network devices can be other devices that provide wireless communication functions for terminal devices. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or form of the network device. For ease of description, the embodiments of this application are not limited.

[0139] Network equipment may also include core network equipment, such as the Mobility Management Entity (MME), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Serving Gateway (S-GW), Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), and Public Data Network Gateway (PDN Gateway, P-GW) in 4th generation (4G) networks; and access and mobility management function (AMF), user plane function (UPF), session management function (SMF), or location management function (LMF) in 5G networks. Furthermore, this core network equipment may also include other core network equipment in 5G networks and next-generation networks of 5G networks.

[0140] In this embodiment of the application, the network device can also be a network node with artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, which can provide AI services to terminals or other network devices. For example, it can be an AI node, computing power node, RAN node with AI capabilities, core network element with AI capabilities, etc. on the network side (access network or core network).

[0141] In this application embodiment, the device for implementing the function of the network device can be the network device itself, or it can be a device capable of supporting the network device in implementing that function, such as a chip system, which can be installed in the network device. In the technical solutions provided in this application embodiment, the example of a network device being used to implement the function of the network device is used to describe the technical solutions provided in this application embodiment.

[0142] (3) Configuration and Pre-configuration: In this application, both configuration and pre-configuration are used. Configuration refers to the network device sending configuration information or parameter values ​​of some parameters to the terminal device through messages or signaling, so that the terminal device can determine the communication parameters or resources during transmission based on these values ​​or information. Pre-configuration is similar to configuration; it can be parameter information or parameter values ​​that the network device and the terminal device have negotiated in advance, or it can be parameter information or parameter values ​​that the network device or the terminal device uses as specified by the standard protocol, or it can be parameter information or parameter values ​​that are pre-stored in the network device or the terminal device. This application does not limit this.

[0143] Furthermore, these values ​​and parameters can be changed or updated.

[0144] (4) The terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of this application can be used interchangeably. "At least one" means one or more, and "more" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, "at least one of A, B and C" includes A, B, C, AB, AC, BC or ABC. And, unless otherwise specified, the ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the order, sequence, priority or importance of multiple objects.

[0145] (5) In the embodiments of this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information being XX, which may include sending directly through the air interface or sending indirectly through the air interface by other units or modules. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY, which may include receiving directly from YY through the air interface or receiving indirectly from YY through the air interface by other units or modules. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface.

[0146] In other words, sending and receiving can occur between devices, such as between network devices and terminal devices, or within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within the device via buses, wiring, or interfaces.

[0147] It is understandable that information may undergo necessary processing, such as encoding and modulation, between the source and destination, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar statements in this application can be interpreted in a similar way and will not be elaborated further.

[0148] (6) Geographical region. In the embodiments of this application, a geographic region may be replaced with a region. Herein, a region is fixed relative to the Earth, or it can be understood as a geographic area that is fixed relative to the Earth.

[0149] For example, a region may have at least one of the following attributes: shape, outline, size, radius, area, geographic location, etc. Furthermore, a "region" may also have an altitude attribute, meaning a region can be understood as a geographic area at a given altitude or within a given altitude range. For instance, a region may refer to a geographic area on the ground with an elevation of 0 km or within a range of 0 km ± 2 km, or a geographic area at a certain average altitude, or a geographic area at a specific altitude, such as an elevation of 10 km or within a range of 10 km ± 3 km.

[0150] Alternatively, the aforementioned region fixed relative to the Earth can also be referred to as a "wave position," "geographic region," etc. Of course, other names are also possible, and this application does not specifically limit the name of the region fixed relative to the Earth.

[0151] In one possible implementation, the shapes, outlines, sizes, radii, and areas of different regions may be the same or different. The geographical locations of the different regions may differ. The different regions may or may not overlap.

[0152] In one possible implementation, the region being fixed relative to the Earth can be understood as follows: the region's outline, size, or geographical location remains unchanged; for example, the region's outline, size, or geographical location does not change over time. Alternatively, the region being fixed relative to the Earth can be understood as follows: the region's outline and the points within it can be described using a fixed Earth coordinate system, or the coordinates of each point on the region's outline in the fixed Earth coordinate system remain constant.

[0153] In one possible implementation, the shape of the region can be a regular hexagon, or other shapes such as a regular pentagon, a circle, an ellipse, etc. Alternatively, the shape of the region can also be irregular, without restriction.

[0154] For example, the shape of a region can be defined by a protocol or by a network device. Regions defined by different network devices can have the same or different shapes. The same network device can also define multiple region shapes. Similarly, the size, radius, and area of ​​a region can also be defined by a protocol or by a network device. Regions defined by different network devices can have the same or different sizes, radii, or areas. The same network device can also define multiple region sizes, multiple region radii, or multiple region areas.

[0155] In one possible implementation, the Earth's surface can be divided into multiple regions, and these regions can be indexed (e.g., numbered). Terminal devices and network devices can agree on the numbering method for these regions (e.g., starting from 1 or 0) and the correspondence between regions and indexes. Alternatively, the protocol can define the numbering method for these regions and the correspondence between regions and indexes. Based on the region indexes, information such as the region's geographical location can be determined.

[0156] Optionally, the multiple regions can completely cover the Earth's surface, such that any location on the Earth's surface belongs to a certain region; or, the multiple regions can also cover part of the geographical location on Earth, for example, the multiple regions may not cover the Earth's South Pole and / or North Pole, that is, the South Pole and / or North Pole may not exist in the region.

[0157] Optionally, the method of dividing the network into multiple zones can be defined by a protocol or by the network device. Different network devices can define the same or different division methods. The same network device can also define multiple division methods.

[0158] As a first possible method of partitioning, the Earth's surface can be divided using a latitude and longitude grid with a granularity, for example, a latitude and longitude grid with a granularity of 1 degree. If only this discretization method is used, the globe can be divided into 360×360=129600 regions. Terminal devices and network devices can define the indexes of these 129600 regions as 0,1,…,129599, or they can also define them as 1,2,…,129600.

[0159] Optionally, when introducing the altitude attribute of a geographic region, multiple grids can be defined to divide the Earth's surface. For example, a grid at an altitude of 0 km or within a range of 0 km ± 2 km can be divided into 1-degree latitude and longitude grids, generating 129,600 regions. At an altitude of 10 km or within a range of 10 km ± 3 km, another 1-degree latitude and longitude grid can be used, generating yet another 129,600 regions. When indexing these grids, the index range of a single-layer grid needs to be expanded. For example, the total index could be 0, 1, ..., 129599, 129600, 129601, ..., 259199, where the first 129,600 indices represent the grid index at an altitude of 0 km, and the last 129,600 indices represent the grid index at an altitude of 10 km.

[0160] For example, the granularity of the latitude and longitude grid can be determined based on the type of network device. For instance, a relatively small granularity can be used for discretization when the network device is a LEO satellite, and a relatively large granularity can be used when the network device is a GEO satellite.

[0161] As a second possible method of division, the Earth's surface can be divided using latitude and longitude grids of various granularities. For example, a portion of the Earth's surface or a portion of its administrative region can be divided using a latitude and longitude grid with a granularity of 1 degree, while another portion of the surface or administrative region can be divided using a latitude and longitude grid with a granularity of 2 degrees.

[0162] Alternatively, by introducing the altitude attribute of a geographic region, the Earth's surface can be divided using a latitude and longitude grid with a granularity of 1 degree at an altitude of 0 km, and the Earth's surface can be divided using a latitude and longitude grid with a granularity of 2 degrees at an altitude of 10 km.

[0163] As a third possible method of division, the Earth's surface can be divided by administrative regions. For example, a township-level administrative region could be considered as a region.

[0164] As a fourth possible division method, for GEO satellites, the projection of one of the GEO satellite's beams onto the ground can be considered as a region. Since GEO satellites are stationary relative to the Earth, the projection of the GEO satellite's beams onto the ground can be considered fixed relative to the Earth.

[0165] In practical applications, the Earth's surface can be divided using a combination of different methods. For example, a portion of the Earth's surface or a part of its administrative region can be divided using a latitude and longitude grid with a granularity of 1, while another portion of the surface or administrative region can be divided according to its administrative region.

[0166] In one possible implementation, when the Earth's surface is divided into multiple regions, different levels of region division can be applied to the same surface area. For example, for a given surface area, a first level of region division can be performed using a 10-degree granularity latitude and longitude grid, a second level using a 6-degree granularity grid, and a third level using a 1-degree granularity grid. In this case, within the surface area, the number of regions at the first level is greater than the number at the second level, and the number of regions at the second level is greater than the number at the third level. Furthermore, in this scenario, each level of region can be individually numbered.

[0167] (7) In the embodiments of this application, "instruction" may include direct instruction and indirect instruction, as well as explicit instruction and implicit instruction. The information indicated by a certain piece of information (as described below, the instruction information) is called the information to be instructed. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to indicate the information to be instructed, such as, but not limited to, directly indicating the information to be instructed, such as the information to be instructed itself or its index. It can also indirectly indicate the information to be instructed by indicating other information, where there is an association between the other information and the information to be instructed; or it can only indicate a part of the information to be instructed, while the other parts of the information to be instructed are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the instruction can be implemented by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol predefined) arrangement order of various information, thereby reducing the instruction overhead to a certain extent. This application does not limit the specific method of instruction. It is understood that for the sender of the instruction information, the instruction information can be used to indicate the information to be instructed; for the receiver of the instruction information, the instruction information can be used to determine the information to be instructed.

[0168] (8) Positioning method.

[0169] Based on the different locations used for position calculation, the positioning methods for terminal devices can be categorized as follows:

[0170] I. Terminal Device-Based Positioning Method (also known as UE-based positioning method): The terminal device performs measurements and calculates its location locally based on the measurement results and positioning auxiliary information (also known as auxiliary data). This positioning auxiliary information can include network device ephemeris information, satellite orbital parameters, clock parameters, reference time, reference position, ionospheric model, space state correction point, integrity service parameters, integrity service alarms, time model list, differential correction information, navigation model, real-time integrity information, or tropospheric error information, etc. Optionally, the terminal device can also provide the measurement results to other communication devices.

[0171] II. UE-assisted positioning method / Location management function (LMF) based positioning method (also known as LMF-based positioning method): The terminal device performs measurements to obtain measurement results and sends the measurement results to the LMF. The LMF calculates the location of the terminal device based on the measurement results and auxiliary data.

[0172] III. Standalone positioning method: The terminal device performs measurement and position calculation without auxiliary data.

[0173] In 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 the various methods / designs / implementations within each embodiment, unless otherwise specified or logically conflicting, the terminology and / or descriptions between different embodiments and between the various methods / designs / implementations within each embodiment are consistent and can be mutually referenced. The technical features in different embodiments and the various methods / designs / implementations within each embodiment can be combined to form new embodiments, methods, or implementations based on their inherent logical relationships. The following descriptions of the embodiments of this application do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

[0174] This application can be applied to long-term evolution (LTE) systems, new radio (NR) systems, or new radio vehicle-to-everything (NR V2X) systems; it can also be applied to systems with hybrid LTE and 5G networks; or device-to-device (D2D) communication systems, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, or drone communication systems; or communication systems supporting multiple wireless technologies, such as LTE and NR technologies; or non-terrestrial communication systems, such as satellite communication systems and high-altitude communication platforms. Optionally, this communication system can also be applied to narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) systems or other communication systems, wherein the communication system includes network devices and terminal devices, with the network devices acting as configuration information sending entities and the terminal devices acting as configuration information receiving entities. Specifically, in this communication system, one entity sends configuration information to another entity and sends data to or receives data from another entity; the other entity receives the configuration information and, based on the configuration information, sends data to or receives data from the entity that sent the configuration information. This application can be applied to terminal devices in a connected or active state, as well as to terminal devices in an inactive or idle state.

[0175] Please refer to Figure 1, which is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system 1000 used in the embodiments of this application. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network 200. Optionally, the communication system 1000 may also include an Internet 300. The RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (110a and 110b in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 110), and may also include at least one terminal (120a-120j in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 120). The RAN 100 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in Figure 1). The terminal 120 is wirelessly connected to the RAN node 110, and the RAN node 110 is wirelessly or wiredly connected to the core network 200. The core network equipment in the core network 200 and the RAN node 110 in the RAN 100 can be independent and different physical devices, or they can be the same physical device integrating the logical functions of the core network equipment and the logical functions of the RAN node. Terminals can be connected to each other, as can RAN nodes, via wired or wireless means.

[0176] It should be noted that the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application are applicable to terrestrial communication systems. Alternatively, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application are applicable to communication systems that integrate terrestrial and satellite communication, which can also be called non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication systems. For example, RAN100 in Figure 1 may include a terrestrial base station, wherein the terrestrial base station may include a TN cell (i.e., the signal of the TN cell can be transmitted and received through the terrestrial base station); and RAN100 in Figure 1 may also include a non-terrestrial base station, taking a satellite as an example, the satellite may include an NTN cell (i.e., the signal of the NTN cell can be transmitted and received through the satellite). The terrestrial communication system may be, for example, a long term evolution (LTE) system, a universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), a 5G communication system, or a new radio (NR) system, or a communication system that is the next step in the development of the 5G communication system, etc., and is not limited here.

[0177] Compared to traditional mobile communication systems, satellite communication offers advantages such as wider coverage, communication costs independent of transmission distance, and the ability to overcome natural geographical barriers like oceans, deserts, and mountains. To overcome the shortcomings of traditional communication networks, satellite communication can serve as an effective supplement. Generally, non-terrestrial network communication is considered to have different channel characteristics compared to terrestrial network communication, such as large transmission delays and Doppler frequency offset. For example, the round-trip time (RTT) of GEO satellite communication is 238–270 milliseconds (ms), while that of LEO satellite communication is 8 ms–20 ms. Based on orbital altitude, satellite communication systems can be classified into three types: geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellite communication systems (also known as geostationary orbit satellite systems); medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellite communication systems; and low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication systems.

[0178] GEO satellites, also known as geostationary orbit satellites, orbit at an altitude of 35,786 kilometers. Their main advantages are relative stationary position and large coverage area. However, GEO satellites also have significant drawbacks: their large distance from Earth necessitates larger antennas; their transmission latency is relatively high, around 0.5 seconds, failing to meet the demands of real-time services; and their orbital resources are relatively scarce, resulting in high launch costs and an inability to provide coverage to polar regions. MEO satellites, orbiting at altitudes between 2,000 and 35,786 km, can achieve global coverage with a relatively small number of satellites, but their transmission latency is higher than that of LEO satellites, and they are primarily used for positioning and navigation. Furthermore, satellites orbiting at altitudes between 300 and 2,000 km are called Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. LEO satellites are lower in altitude than MEO and GEO satellites, resulting in lower data propagation latency, lower power loss, and relatively lower launch costs. Therefore, LEO satellite communication networks have made significant progress and attracted considerable attention in recent years.

[0179] In one possible implementation, satellite equipment can be categorized into transparent mode and regenerative mode based on its operating mode.

[0180] The two modes will be illustrated below using the implementation methods shown in Figures 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d.

[0181] In the transparent transmission mode implementation shown in Figure 2a, the satellite and the gateway station (i.e., the NTN Gateway in Figure 2a) act as relays, specifically the Remote Radio Unit (RTU) shown in Figure 2a. Communication between the terminal equipment and the gNB requires this relay process. In other words, in transparent transmission mode, the satellite has a relay forwarding function.

[0182] For example, in the transparent transmission mode implementation shown in Figure 2b, when the satellite (including GEO satellites, MEO satellites, LEO satellites, etc.) operates in transparent transmission mode, the satellite has a relay forwarding function. The gateway station (or signaling station) has the function of a base station or part of the function of a base station; in this case, the gateway station can be regarded as a base station. Alternatively, the base station can be deployed separately from the gateway station, in which case the delay of the feeder link includes two parts: the delay from the satellite to the gateway station and the delay from the gateway station to the gNB.

[0183] Optionally, the transparent transmission mode can be used as an example where the gateway station and gNB are together or in close proximity. For cases where the gateway station and gNB are far apart, the feeder link delay can be calculated by adding the delay from the satellite to the gateway station and the delay from the gateway station to the gNB.

[0184] As shown in Figure 2c, in the regeneration mode implementation, the satellite and the gateway station (i.e., the NTN Gateway in Figure 2c) act as gNBs and can communicate with the terminal devices. In other words, in regeneration mode, the satellite has the functions of a base station or some of the functions of a base station, and in this case, the satellite can be regarded as a base station.

[0185] For example, in the regeneration mode implementation shown in Figure 2d, when the satellite (including GEO satellites, MEO satellites, LEO satellites, etc.) is working in regeneration mode, compared with the implementation shown in Figure 2b, the satellite has the function of a base station or part of the function of a base station. In this case, the satellite can be regarded as a base station (i.e., an airborne base station).

[0186] Alternatively, in Figures 2b and / or 2d, the satellite can be implemented in other ways, such as by a drone or a high-altitude platform as shown in the figures.

[0187] It should be noted that NTN and terrestrial network base stations can be interconnected through a shared core network. They can also achieve more timely assistance and interconnection through interfaces defined between base stations. In NR, the interface between base stations is called the Xn interface, and the interface between the base station and the core network is called the NG interface. In a converged network, both NTN nodes and terrestrial nodes can achieve interoperability and collaboration through these interfaces.

[0188] Furthermore, satellites acting as network devices can transmit ephemeris information so that the recipient of this ephemeris information (e.g., a terminal device, its base station, or other satellites) can determine relevant information about the satellite's orbit based on the ephemeris information. As one implementation example, the ephemeris information may include one or more of the information in Table 2 below. Alternatively, the terminal device may obtain one or more of the information in Table 2 through pre-configuration.

[0189] Table 2

[0190] It should be noted that, in practical applications, the last parameter in Table 2, the time of near-Earth (t), can be used instead. p Replacing it with the true anterior angle representation has the same effect, as shown in Table 3.

[0191] Table 3

[0192] It should be noted that this application can be applied to long term evolution (LTE) systems, new radio (NR) systems, or communication systems that evolve after 5G (such as 6G, 7G, etc.).

[0193] Taking 5G as an example, a 5G satellite communication system architecture is shown in Figure 3. Ground terminal equipment accesses the network through the 5G New Radio interface, while 5G base stations are deployed on satellites and connected to the ground core network via wireless links. Simultaneously, wireless links exist between satellites to facilitate signaling interaction and user data transmission between base stations. The devices and interfaces in Figure 3 are described below:

[0194] The 5G core network (5G CN) encompasses user access control, mobility management, session management, location services (LCS), user security authentication, and billing services. It comprises multiple functional units, categorized into control plane and data plane functional entities. The Access and Mobility Management Unit (AMF) is responsible for user access management, security authentication, and mobility management. The User Plane Function (UPF) manages user plane data transmission and traffic statistics. The Location Management Function (LMF) is a device or component deployed in the core network that provides positioning functionality for terminal devices. It supports various types of location services for terminal devices, including locating the terminal device and transmitting auxiliary data. For example, the LMF interacts with access network devices via NR Positioning Protocol Annex (NRPPa) messages to obtain positioning reference signals (PRS), sounding reference signals (SRS) configuration information, cell timing, and cell location information. For example, the LMF (Local Management Function) communicates with terminal devices via LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) messages to exchange UE (User Equipment) capability information, auxiliary information, or measurement information. The Session Management Function (SMF) is primarily used for session management in mobile networks, such as session establishment, modification, and release.

[0195] Ground station: Responsible for forwarding signaling and service data between satellite base stations and the 5G core network.

[0196] 5G New Radio: The wireless link between a terminal and a base station.

[0197] Xn interface: The interface between 5G base stations, mainly used for signaling interactions such as handover.

[0198] NG interface: The interface between 5G base stations and 5G core networks, mainly used for exchanging non-access stratum (NAS) signaling of the core network and user service data.

[0199] Furthermore, network devices in terrestrial network communication systems and satellites in NTN communication systems can be uniformly considered as network devices. The apparatus used to implement the functions of a network device can be a network device itself; it can also be an apparatus capable of supporting the network device in implementing that function, such as a chip system, which can be installed within the network device. In the following description of the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this application, a satellite is used as an example to illustrate the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this application. It is understood that when the methods provided by the embodiments of this application are applied to terrestrial network communication systems, the actions performed by the satellite can be applied to the base station or network device for execution.

[0200] In this application embodiment, the device for implementing the functions of the terminal device can be the terminal device itself; it can also be a device capable of supporting the terminal device in implementing the functions, such as a chip system, which can be installed in the terminal device. In this application embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete devices. In the technical solutions provided in this application embodiment, the device for implementing the functions of the terminal device is a terminal or UE as an example to describe the technical solutions provided in this application embodiment.

[0201] In addition, the aforementioned satellites can be geostationary satellites, non-geostationary satellites, artificial satellites, low-Earth orbit satellites, medium-Earth orbit satellites, and high-Earth orbit satellites, etc., which are not specifically limited here.

[0202] The foregoing content describes various wireless communication scenarios involved in this application. It should be understood that the above content is merely an illustrative description of the scenarios in which this application can be applied, and this application can also be applied to other application scenarios, which are not limited here. The wireless communication process involved in this application will be described below.

[0203] In the communication systems shown in Figures 1 / 2a / 2b / 2c / 2d / 3, the signals that network devices can send (e.g., signals carrying configuration information / configuration signaling) can configure communication resources. These communication resources can include the communication resources of the network device itself, as well as the communication resources of any adjacent network devices, so that the receiver of the signal can determine the appropriate communication resources based on the signal. For example, if the receiver of the signal is a terminal device, the terminal device can obtain network services based on these communication resources.

[0204] With the development of communication technology, network equipment may not be fixed in a certain place on the ground. For example, the network equipment may be a high-speed mobile device belonging to a non-terrestrial network (NTN) cell, including but not limited to satellite equipment such as low-Earth orbit satellites, medium-Earth orbit satellites, and high-Earth orbit satellites.

[0205] Taking a downlink positioning measurement scenario from a network device to a terminal device as an example, the measurement gap (MG) mechanism can currently be used. The measurement gap can also be called the time-domain position, measurement window, or positioning measurement window. Specifically, the MG mechanism involves the terminal device measuring the positioning reference signal (PRS) or other reference signals sent by the network device within the time-domain position. This measurement result is used to determine the location information of the terminal device.

[0206] Taking a PRS (Presentation Reference Signal) sent by a network device as an example (it can be understood that sending other reference signals by a network device is similar to sending a PRS), in an NTN system, multiple network devices (e.g., multiple network devices are satellites) may be spaced far apart, and the arrival times of multiple PRSs sent by these multiple network devices at the terminal device may be distributed over a large time range. Taking the communication system illustrated in Figure 4 as an example, Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a scenario involved in an embodiment of this application. In Figure 4, the area where the terminal device is located can establish a communication connection with network devices #1 to #4. Therefore, the terminal device can receive the PRSs sent by network devices #1 to #4. If network devices #1 to #4 are all positioning reference stations, then network devices #1 to #4 need to send PRS1 to PRS4 respectively. In order to obtain the measurement information of the multiple PRSs (PRS1 to PRS4) sent by the above-mentioned multiple network devices, the terminal device needs to measure the multiple PRSs (PRS1 to PRS4) within one or more measurement intervals. As shown in Figure 5, Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a measurement interval according to an embodiment of this application. The terminal device needs to measure PRS1 to PRS4 in MG0. Within MG0, the terminal device cannot send or receive data or other reference signals. As a result, the terminal device needs to continuously perform measurements over a large measurement interval, which increases the search complexity of the terminal device, increases the power consumption of the terminal device, and affects the communication efficiency of the terminal device.

[0207] To address the aforementioned problems, this application provides a communication method and related apparatus, which will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0208] It should be noted that, in addition to NTN systems (such as the communication system shown in Figure 4), the embodiments of this application can also be applied to terrestrial communication network systems, and the embodiments of this application do not impose any limitations on this. For example, as shown in Figure 6, Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of another communication system involved in the embodiments of this application. The network devices #1 to #4 shown in Figure 6 can be access network devices (or core network devices) deployed on the ground.

[0209] It should be noted that, in the following description, network devices and terminal devices are used as examples to illustrate the method, but this application does not limit the subjects that can be used to illustrate the interaction. For example, a terminal device can be a communication device, or a chip, baseband chip, modem chip, system-on-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, system-in-package (SIP) chip, communication module, chip system, processor, logic module, or software within the communication device. A network device can be a communication device, or a chip, baseband chip, modem chip, system-on-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, system-in-package (SIP) chip, communication module, chip system, processor, logic module, or software within the communication device.

[0210] Furthermore, the network device can be an access network device or a core network device. The interaction between the core network device and the terminal device is achieved through the access network device connected to it. For example, the access network device provides communication services to the terminal device, and the access network device transparently transmits the interactive data between the core network device and the terminal device.

[0211] Taking an access network device as an example, please refer to Figure 7a, which is a schematic flowchart of an embodiment of the communication method in this application. The communication method proposed in this application includes:

[0212] S0. The network device sends first configuration information to the terminal device, the first configuration information indicating that the first reference signal and the second reference signal are associated.

[0213] Step S0 is an optional step.

[0214] In step S0, the network device sends first configuration information to the terminal device. This first configuration information indicates that the first reference signal and the second reference signal are correlated. The correlation between the first and second reference signals can mean: the measurement result of the first reference signal is used to determine the time-domain location of the second reference signal; for ease of description, this time-domain location is referred to as the first time-domain location. It can also mean that the terminal device needs to report the measurement result of the first reference signal so that the network device can configure the first time-domain location. Alternatively, it can mean that the terminal device needs to report the measurement result of the first reference signal to obtain the first time-domain location. It can also mean that the terminal device's measurement of the first reference signal and its measurement of the second reference signal are correlated. For example, the terminal device first performs the measurement of the first reference signal, sends the measurement result, and then performs the measurement of the second reference signal.

[0215] Optionally, the first configuration information can also be used to indicate that the configuration information of the first reference signal is associated with the configuration information of the second reference signal, or the first configuration information can also be used to indicate that the configuration information of M first reference signals is associated with the configuration information of N second reference signals. Wherein, M is an integer greater than or equal to 1, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0216] The following section, in conjunction with Table 4, describes the specific contents of the configuration information for the reference signals (e.g., the configuration information for the first reference signal and / or the configuration information for the second reference signal). An example is shown in Table 4, which illustrates an example of the configuration information for a reference signal.

[0217] Table 4

[0218] In some possible implementations, the configuration information of the first reference signal includes at least one of the following: first reference signal resource information, first reference signal resource set information, information of the network device (transmitting the first reference signal) corresponding to the first reference signal, frequency information of the first reference signal, cell identifier corresponding to the network device corresponding to the first reference signal, or, first reference signal index.

[0219] The first reference signal resource information includes at least one of the following: a first reference signal resource identifier, beam information of the first reference signal, or angle information of the first reference signal.

[0220] For example, when the first reference signal resource information includes a first reference signal resource identifier, the first reference signal resource identifier is, for example, a PRS resource identifier, i.e., a PRS resource ID. Optionally, one PRS resource ID corresponds to one beam ID. When the first reference signal is a downlink reference signal, the first PRS resource identifier is, for example, the DL-PRS resource ID shown in Table 4. When the first reference signal resource information is the beam information of the first reference signal, the beam information of the first reference signal is, for example, the beam ID of the PRS. When the first reference signal resource information is the angle information of the first reference signal, the angle information of the first reference signal is, for example, at least one of the PRS's angle of departure (AOD) and angle of arrival (AOA).

[0221] The first reference signal resource set information is the PRS resource set identifier, i.e., the PRS resource set ID mentioned above. Optionally, one PRS resource set ID corresponds to at least one PRS resource ID. When the first reference signal is a downlink reference signal, the first PRS resource set identifier is, for example, the DL-PRS resource set ID shown in Table 4.

[0222] The information of the network device corresponding to the first reference signal is the identifier of the first base station or the identifier of the first TRP identifier. Optionally, one TRP ID corresponds to at least one DL-PRS resource set ID. When the first reference signal is a downlink reference signal, the information of the first network device is, for example, the DL-PRS ID shown in Table 1.

[0223] The frequency information of the first reference signal is the PFL identifier / frequency point identifier, i.e., PFL ID. Optionally, one PFL ID corresponds to at least one TRP ID.

[0224] The cell identifier corresponding to the network device for the first reference signal is the Cell ID. Optionally, one Cell ID corresponds to at least one SSB index.

[0225] The first reference signal index is the identification information of the first reference signal, for example, index.

[0226] Similar to the configuration information of the first reference signal, the configuration information of the second reference signal includes at least one of the following: second reference signal resource information; second reference signal resource set information; information of the network device (transmitting the first reference signal) corresponding to the second reference signal; frequency information of the second reference signal; cell identifier corresponding to the network device (transmitting the first reference signal); and second reference signal index. For a detailed explanation of the second configuration information, please refer to the above description of the configuration information of the first reference signal.

[0227] In one possible implementation, the first configuration information is used to indicate that the configuration information of the first reference signal and the configuration information of the second reference signal are associated. Specifically, the first configuration information can be used to indicate that the resource identifier of the first reference signal is associated with the resource identifier of the second reference signal.

[0228] For example, the first configuration information indicates that at least one PRS resource of a first network device is associated with at least one PRS resource of a second network device. The first network device refers to the network device transmitting a first reference signal, and the second network device refers to the network device transmitting a second reference signal. The first network device includes one or more network devices, and the second network device includes one or more network devices. Optionally, the PRS resource of the second network device can be indicated by one or more of the following: PFL ID, TRP ID, PRS resource set ID, and PRS resource ID. For example, the PRS resource of the second network device can be indicated by PFL ID, TRP ID, PRS resource set ID, and PRS resource ID, that is, a portion of the TRPID corresponding to the PFL ID, a portion of the PRS resource set ID corresponding to the TRP ID, a portion of the PRS resource ID corresponding to the PRS resource set ID, and the directly indicated PRS resource ID are associated with the PRS resource ID of the first network device. The first configuration information includes at least one PRS resource ID of the first network device and at least one PFL ID, at least one TRP ID, at least one PRS resource set ID, and at least one PRS resource ID of the second network device. Alternatively, the PRS resource of the second network device can be indicated by TRPID, PRS resource set ID, and PRS resource ID. That is, the part of the PRS resource set ID corresponding to the TRP ID of the second network device, the part of the PRS resource ID corresponding to the PRS resource set ID, and the directly indicated PRS resource ID are associated with the PRS resource ID of the first network device. The first configuration information includes at least one PRS resource ID of the first network device and at least one TRP ID, at least one PRS resource set ID, and at least one PRS resource ID of the second network device.Alternatively, the PRS resource of the second network device can be indicated by the PRS resource set ID and the PRS resource ID. That is, the PRS resource ID corresponding to the PRS resource set ID of the second network device and the directly indicated PRS resource ID are associated with the PRS resource ID of the first network device. The first configuration information includes at least one PRS resource ID of the first network device and at least one PRS resource set ID and at least one PRS resource ID of the second network device. In this way, the terminal device receives a reference signal from the first network device based on at least one PRS resource ID of the first network device, and receives a reference signal from the second network device based on the indication information associated with at least one PRS resource ID of the first network device and at least one PRS resource ID of the second network device, thereby reducing the receiving power consumption and measurement power consumption of the terminal device.

[0229] In another possible implementation, the first configuration information is used to indicate that the configuration information of the first reference signal and the configuration information of the second reference signal are associated. Specifically, the first configuration information can be used to indicate that the first reference signal resource identifier of the first network device is associated with the second reference signal resource set information of the second network device.

[0230] For example, the first configuration information indicates that at least one PRS resource of the first network device is associated with at least one PRS resource set of the second network device. Optionally, the PRS resource of the second network device can be indicated by one or more of PFL ID, TRP ID, and PRS resource set ID. For example, the PRS resource set of the second network device can be indicated by PFL ID, TRP ID, and PRS resource set ID, that is, a portion of the TRP ID corresponding to the PFL ID, a portion of the PRS resource set ID corresponding to the TRP ID, and the directly indicated PRS resource set ID are associated with the PRS resource ID of the first network device. The first configuration information includes at least one PRS resource ID of the first network device and at least one PFL ID, at least one TRP ID, and at least one PRS resource set ID of the second network device. Alternatively, the PRS resource set of the second network device can be indicated by TRP ID and PRS resource set ID, that is, a portion of the PRS resource set ID corresponding to the TRP ID and the directly indicated PRS resource set ID are associated with the PRS resource ID of the first network device. The first configuration information includes at least one PRS resource ID of the first network device and at least one TRP ID and at least one PRS resource set ID of the second network device. Alternatively, the PRS resource set of the second network device can be indicated by the PRS resource set ID. That is, the PRS resource set ID directly indicated by the first configuration information is associated with the PRS resource ID of the first network device. The first configuration information includes at least one PRS resource ID of the first network device and at least one PRS resource set ID of the second network device. In this way, the terminal device receives a reference signal from the first network device based on at least one PRS resource ID of the first network device, and receives a reference signal from the second network device based on the indication information associated with at least one PRS resource ID of the first network device and at least one PRS resource set ID of the second network device, thereby reducing the receiving power consumption and measurement power consumption of the terminal device.

[0231] In another possible implementation, the first configuration information is used to indicate that the configuration information of the first reference signal and the configuration information of the second reference signal are associated. Specifically, the first configuration information indicates that the first reference signal resource identifier of the first network device is associated with the information of the second network device.

[0232] For example, the first configuration information indicates that at least one PRS resource of the first network device is associated with at least one TRP of the second network device. Optionally, the information of the second network device can be indicated by one or more of the PFL ID and TRP ID. For example, the TRP of the second network device can be indicated by the PFL ID and TRP ID, that is, the PFL ID includes a portion of the TRP ID and the directly indicated TRP ID is associated with the PRS resource ID of the first network device. The first configuration information includes the TRP ID corresponding to the TRP ID, the PRS resource set ID corresponding to the TRP ID, the PRS resource ID corresponding to each PRS resource set ID, and the directly indicated TRP ID, all associated with the PRS resource ID of the first network device. The first configuration information includes at least one PRS resource ID of the first network device and at least one PFL ID and at least one TRP ID of the second network device. Alternatively, the TRP of the second network device can be directly indicated by the TRP ID, that is, the first configuration information includes at least one PRS resource ID of the first network device and at least one TRP ID of the second network device. In this way, the terminal device receives a reference signal from the first network device based on at least one PRS resource ID of the first network device, and receives a reference signal from the second network device based on at least one TRP ID of the second network device, according to the indication information associated with at least one PRS resource ID of the first network device and at least one TRP ID of the second network device, thereby reducing the receiving power consumption and measurement power consumption of the terminal device.

[0233] In another possible implementation, the first configuration information is used to indicate that the configuration information of the first reference signal and the configuration information of the second reference signal are associated. Specifically, the first configuration information indicates that the first reference signal resource identifier of the first network device is associated with the frequency information of the second reference signal.

[0234] For example, the first configuration information indicates that at least one PRS resource of the first network device is associated with at least one PFL of the second reference signal. Optionally, the frequency information of the second reference signal is indicated by the PFL ID. This means that the TRP ID corresponding to the PFL ID, the PRS resource set ID corresponding to the TRP ID, and the PRS resource ID corresponding to the PRS resource set ID are associated with the PRS resource ID of the first network device. The first configuration information includes at least one PRS resource ID of the first network device and at least one PFL ID of the second reference signal. In this way, the terminal device receives the reference signal from the first network device according to at least one PRS resource ID of the first network device, and receives the reference signal from the second network device according to at least one PFL ID of the second network device based on the indication information that at least one PRS resource ID of the first network device is associated with at least one PFL ID of the second network device, thereby reducing the receiving power consumption and measurement power consumption of the terminal device.

[0235] Of course, the first configuration information can also be implemented as the example of the second configuration information above.

[0236] In one example, the first configuration information indicates that the first reference signal resource set identifier of the first network device is associated with the first reference signal resource identifier of the second network device. This can be understood as the first configuration information indicating that the PRS resource set of the first network device is associated with the PRS resource of the second network device. For example, the PRS resource set of the first network device can be indicated by PFLID, TRP ID, and PRS resource set ID, or by TRP ID and PRS resource set ID, or directly by PRS resource set ID. Similarly, the PRS resource of the second network device can be indicated by PFL ID, TRP ID, PRS resource set ID, and PRS resource ID, or by TRP ID, PRS resource set ID, and PRS resource ID, or directly by PRS resource ID. In this way, the terminal device receives a reference signal from the first network device based on at least one PRS resource set ID of the first network device, and receives a reference signal from the second network device based on the indication information associated with at least one PRS resource set ID of the first network device and at least one PRS resource ID of the second network device, thereby reducing the receiving power consumption and measurement power consumption of the terminal device.

[0237] In another example, the first configuration information indicates that the first reference signal resource identifier of the first network device is associated with the cell identifier of the second network device. This can be understood as the first configuration information indicating that at least one PRS resource of the first network device is associated with at least one cell of the second network device. The cell of the second network device can be indicated by its cell ID. This means that the SSB index included in the cell ID is associated with the PRS resource ID of the first network device. For example, the first reference signal resource identifier of the first network device can be indicated by PFL ID, TRP ID, PRS resource set ID, and PRS resource ID; or by TRP ID, PRS resource set ID, and PRS resource ID; or by PRS resource set ID and PRS resource ID; or directly by the PRS resource ID. The cell identifier of the second network device can be indicated by its cell ID. In this way, the terminal device receives reference signals from the first network device based on at least one PRS resource ID of the first network device, and receives reference signals from the second network device based on the indication information that at least one PRS resource ID of the first network device is associated with at least one cell ID of the second network device, thereby reducing the receiving power consumption and measurement power consumption of the terminal device.

[0238] In another example, the first configuration information indicates that the first reference signal resource identifier of the first network device is associated with the second reference signal index. This can be understood as the first configuration information indicating that at least one PRS resource of the first network device is associated with at least one SSB of the second reference signal. For example, the first reference signal resource identifier of the first network device can be indicated by PFL ID, TRPID, PRS resource set ID, and PRS resource ID; or by TRP ID, PRS resource set ID, and PRS resource ID; or by PRS resource set ID and PRS resource ID; or directly by PRS resource ID. The SSB of the second reference signal can be indicated by Cell ID and SSB index; or directly by SSB index. When the SSB of the second reference signal is indicated by Cell ID and SSB index, the portion of the SSB index included in the Cell ID and the directly indicated SSB index are associated with the PRS resource ID of the first network device. In this way, the terminal device receives a reference signal from the first network device based on at least one PRS resource ID of the first network device, and receives a second reference signal based on at least one SSB index of the second reference signal according to the indication information associated with at least one PRS resource ID of the first network device and at least one SSB index of the second reference signal, thereby reducing the receiving power consumption and measurement power consumption of the terminal device.

[0239] In another possible implementation, the first configuration information can also take the form of an information set to indicate the association between the configuration information of the first reference signal and the configuration information of the second reference signal. In other words, an information set (first configuration information) is used to indicate the association between the configuration information of the first reference signal and the configuration information of the second reference signal.

[0240] In one example, the information set (first configuration information) includes at least one PRS resource ID of a first network device and at least one PRS resource ID of a second network device. The PRS resource IDs of the first and second network devices can be indicated by PFL ID, TRP ID, PRS resource set ID and PRS resource ID, or by TRP ID, PRS resource set ID and PRS resource ID, or by PRS resource set ID and PRS resource ID, or by PRS resource ID.

[0241] In another example, the information set (first configuration information) includes at least one PRS resource ID of the first network device and at least one PRS resource set ID of the second network device. The at least one PRS resource set ID of the second network device can be indicated by PFL ID, TRP ID and PRS resource set ID, or by TRP ID and PRS resource set ID, or by PRS resource set ID.

[0242] In another example, the information set (first configuration information) includes at least one PRS resource set ID of the first network device and at least one PRS resource ID of the second network device. The at least one PRS resource set ID of the first network device can be indicated by PFL ID, TRP ID and PRS resource set ID, or by TRP ID and PRS resource set ID, or by PRS resource set ID.

[0243] In another example, the information set (first configuration information) includes at least one PRS resource set ID of the first network device and at least one PRS resource set ID of the second network device. The at least one PRS resource set ID of the first network device and the second network device can be indicated by PFL ID, TRP ID and PRS resource set ID, or by TRP ID and PRS resource set ID, or by PRS resource set ID.

[0244] In another example, the information set (first configuration information) includes at least one of the PRS resource ID and PRS resource set ID of the first network device associated with at least one of the Cell ID of the second network device and the SSB index of the second reference signal.

[0245] It should be noted that the first configuration information in the embodiments of this application can also be referred to as positioning assistance information.

[0246] In one possible implementation, the network device sends configuration information of a first reference signal to the terminal device. The configuration information of the first reference signal includes first configuration information, which is used to configure the time domain resources, frequency domain resources, and / or code domain resources of the first reference signal.

[0247] In another possible implementation, the network device sends configuration information of the second reference signal to the terminal device. The configuration information of the second reference signal includes the first configuration information. The configuration information of the second reference signal is used to configure the time domain resources, frequency domain resources and / or code domain resources of the second reference signal.

[0248] In another possible implementation, the network device may send the first configuration information separately. That is, the first configuration information is not included in the configuration information of the first reference signal or the configuration information of the second reference signal.

[0249] It should be noted that the first configuration information can be carried in various possible messages or signaling, including but not limited to: system information block (SIB), LPP message or radio resource control (RRC) message. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0250] In this application embodiment, the first reference signal includes various possible implementations. The first reference signal includes, but is not limited to: a positioning reference signal (PRS), a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), a synchronization signal and PBCH block (SSB), or a tracking reference signal (TRS). It is understood that the first reference signal can also be other reference signals, which will not be elaborated here.

[0251] In the embodiments of this application, the second reference signal includes various possible implementations. The second reference signal includes, but is not limited to, PRS, CSI-RS, or TRS. It is understood that the second reference signal can also be other reference signals, which will not be elaborated here.

[0252] It should be noted that the first reference signal and the second reference signal can be of the same type or different types, and this application embodiment does not impose any restrictions on this. The bandwidth of the first reference signal can be less than the bandwidth of the second reference signal, the bandwidth of the first reference signal can be equal to the bandwidth of the second reference signal, or the bandwidth of the first reference signal can be greater than the bandwidth of the second reference signal, and this application embodiment does not impose any restrictions on this. Table 5 provides examples of the bandwidth information of the first reference signal and the second reference signal.

[0253] Table 5

[0254] Taking Table 5 as an example, when the subcarrier spacing SCS = 30 kHz, 51RB corresponds to 20 MHz.

[0255] Table 5 illustrates the possible relationships between the first and second reference signals. In one example, PRS#1 is associated with PRS#2, PRS#3, PRS#4, PRS#5, and PRS#6. In another example, PRS#2 is associated with PRS#3, PRS#4, PRS#5, and PRS#6.

[0256] For example, as shown in Figure 8a, when the bandwidth of the first reference signal is less than the bandwidth of the second reference signal, the first reference signal can be called a narrowband reference signal (or narrow reference signal), and the second reference signal can be called a wideband reference signal (or wide reference signal).

[0257] S1. The network device sends M first reference signals to the terminal device.

[0258] The network device sends M first reference signals, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0259] When M equals 1, the terminal device receives one first reference signal sent by a network device; when M is greater than 1, the terminal device can receive M first reference signals sent by a network device, or the terminal device can receive M first reference signals sent by multiple network devices. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0260] For example, taking the communication scenario illustrated in Figure 4 as an example, the area where the terminal device is located can receive the first reference signal sent by network devices #1 to #4.

[0261] In one example, as shown in Figure 8b, the four network devices can negotiate to determine that network device #2 (or multiple network devices) will send M first reference signals. The four network devices can also negotiate to determine that network device #2 will send N second reference signals. Alternatively, the four network devices can negotiate to determine that network device #2 will send M first reference signals, and other network devices (e.g., network device #1, network device #3, and / or network device #4) will send N second reference signals (not shown in the figure). It is worth noting that the above transmission scheme can also be determined by the core network device or other entities, and this invention does not limit this.

[0262] In another example, as shown in Figure 8c, network devices #1 to #4 send a total of M first reference signals and N second reference signals, and correspondingly, the terminal devices receive M first reference signals and N second reference signals.

[0263] Optionally, the network device may send configuration information of the first reference signal (or configuration information of M first reference signals) to the terminal device.

[0264] Optionally, the network device can configure the frequency domain position of the first reference signal within the active bandwidth part (BWP) of the terminal device. This eliminates the need to configure a measurement window for the first reference signal, reducing complexity and overhead.

[0265] Optionally, if the terminal device does not have an active BWP, or the frequency domain position of the first reference signal is not configured within the active BWP of the terminal device, the network device may determine to configure a receiving window for the first reference signal for the terminal device (or instruct the terminal device to receive the time domain position of the first reference signal).

[0266] S2. The terminal device sends first information to the network device, the first information indicating the measurement result of the first reference signal by the terminal device.

[0267] The terminal device obtains the measurement result of the first reference signal. The terminal device sends first information to the network device, the first information indicating the measurement result of the first reference signal by the terminal device. Optionally, the first information may also indicate the synchronization result obtained by the terminal device based on the measurement result of the first reference signal.

[0268] The first information includes any one or more of the following: the location information of the terminal device, the arrival time information of the first reference signal, the angle of arrival information of the first reference signal, the time difference of arrival information of at least two first reference signals, or, the information of the second time-domain location. The second time-domain location is associated with the second reference signal. These will be described in detail below.

[0269] For example, the location information of the terminal device is calculated based on the measurement results of M first reference signals. The location information of the terminal device can be determined in various ways, including but not limited to: positioning based on time of arrival (TOA), positioning based on time difference of arrival (TDOA), positioning based on round trip time (RTT), or positioning based on Doppler frequency shift.

[0270] For example, the terminal device performs a measurement of the first reference signal to obtain the TOA (Transmission of Arrival) and the AOA (Angle of Arrival) of the first reference signal. Then, based on the TOA and AOA of the first reference signal, the terminal device's location information is determined. It is worth noting that this location information can be coordinate information, distance or angle information to a network device or reference point, etc.

[0271] For example, the time of arrival information of the first reference signal includes: the TOA of the first reference signal, or the time of flight (TOF) of the first reference signal.

[0272] For example, the angle of arrival information of the first reference signal includes: the AOA of the first reference signal, or the angle of departure (AOD) of the first reference signal.

[0273] For example, a terminal device receives and measures multiple first reference signals to obtain the TOA (Time of Arrival) of the multiple first reference signals. Based on the TOA of the multiple first reference signals, the TDOA (Time of Target Ability) of at least two first reference signals is determined. For example, in the communication system illustrated in Figure 4, the terminal device receives and measures a first reference signal #1 sent by network device #1 to determine the TOA #1 of the first reference signal #1, and the terminal device receives and measures a first reference signal #2 sent by network device #2 to determine the TOA #2 of the first reference signal #2. The terminal device determines the TDOA of the first reference signal #1 and the first reference signal #2 based on TOA #1 and TOA #2.

[0274] For example, the terminal device can also determine the time-domain position for measuring the second reference signal based on the measurement result of the first reference signal. In this embodiment, for ease of distinction, this time-domain position is referred to as the second time-domain position, while the time-domain position determined by the network device to instruct the terminal device to measure the second reference signal is referred to as the first time-domain position. The second time-domain position can also be referred to as the second measurement gap, the second measurement window, the second measurement time, or the second measurement time range; the first time-domain position can also be referred to as the first measurement interval, the first measurement window, the first measurement time, or the first measurement time range, and this embodiment does not limit this.

[0275] It should be noted that the second time-domain position determined by the terminal device in this embodiment can be the time-domain position where the terminal device measures the second reference signal, or it can be the time-domain position where other terminal devices measure the second reference signal. These other terminal devices include those capable of receiving the second reference signal. For example, the second time-domain position indicates the time-domain position where all terminal devices located within the beam coverage area of ​​the second reference signal measure the second reference signal.

[0276] The following describes some possible implementation methods for terminal devices to determine the second time-domain location:

[0277] In one possible implementation, the terminal device receives and measures a first reference signal to determine the second time-domain position corresponding to the second reference signal sent by the network device that sent the first reference signal. Alternatively, the terminal device can determine the second time-domain position of the second reference signal sent by the same network device (which sent the first reference signal) based on the measurement result of the first reference signal. Specifically, the terminal device obtains the configuration information of the second reference signal, which indicates the time-domain position of the second reference signal sent by the network device. For example, taking the communication system illustrated in Figure 4, the configuration information of the second reference signal indicates that network device #1 starts sending the second reference signal #1 at t1, and the duration of the second reference signal #1 is k symbols, where k is a positive integer. Based on the TOA obtained from the measurement information of the first reference signal sent by network device #1 and the configuration information of the second reference signal, the terminal device determines the second time-domain position of the second reference signal #1 sent by network device #1. For example, the second time-domain position is (t1+TOA, t1+TOA+k), which indicates that the measurement of the second reference signal #1 sent by network device #1 can begin at time t1+TOA and end at time t1+TOA+k.

[0278] In another possible implementation, if the network devices sending the second reference signal include network device #1 and network device #2 (or more network devices), the terminal device can also determine the second time-domain position of network device #2 (or the second time-domain position of other network devices) based on the measurement result of the first reference signal sent by network device #1. For ease of understanding, please refer to Figure 7b, which is a schematic diagram of a measurement scenario in an embodiment of this application. The specific method is as follows: The terminal device receives and measures the first reference signal sent by network device #1, and determines the TOA of the first reference signal. The distance d1 between the terminal device and network device #1 is determined based on the TOA of the first reference signal. The terminal device determines the distance Δ between network device #1 and network device #2 based on the location information of network device #1 and network device #2. If network device #1 and network device #2 are satellites, the terminal device can determine the location information of network device #1 and network device #2 through ephemeris information; if network device #1 and network device #2 are ground base stations, the terminal device can determine the location information of network device #1 and network device #2 through positioning auxiliary data. The terminal device determines the distance d2 between network device #2 and the terminal device based on d1 and Δ. For example, the value range of d2 is (d1-Δ, d1+Δ). Then, the terminal device determines the second time-domain position of the second reference signal sent by network device #2 based on d2 and the configuration information of the second reference signal associated with network device #2 (this configuration information indicates the time-domain position at which network device #2 sends the second reference signal). This second time-domain position is the time-domain position determined by the terminal device that indicates the position of the second reference signal sent by network device #2.

[0279] Next, we will introduce the information about the second time domain location.

[0280] In one possible implementation, the information of the second time-domain location includes one or more of the following: the start time of the second time-domain location, the end time of the second time-domain location, or the duration of the second time-domain location. For example, the information of the second time-domain location includes: the start time of the second time-domain location and the duration of the second time-domain location. As another example, the information of the second time-domain location includes: the end time of the second time-domain location and the duration of the second time-domain location.

[0281] Optionally, the information about the second time-domain position may also include: the period of the second time-domain position. The period of the second time-domain position refers to the repetition period of the second time-domain position in the time domain.

[0282] For ease of understanding, please refer to Figure 9, which is a schematic diagram of a second time-domain position in an embodiment of this application. The start time of the second time-domain position includes: a second reference time point, and the offset between the start time of the second time-domain position and the second reference time point; the end time of the second time-domain position includes: the second reference time point, and the offset between the end time of the second time-domain position and the second reference time point. In this embodiment, "start time" can also be replaced with "start position," referring to the initial position of the time-domain position (or measurement gap) in the time domain; "end time" in this embodiment can also be replaced with "end position," referring to the final position of the time-domain position (or measurement gap) in the time domain. The offset can also be replaced with a bias value.

[0283] In another possible implementation, the information of the second time-domain location includes one or more of the following: the start time of the time-domain location set, the duration of the time-domain location set, or second indication information. The second indication information indicates the second time-domain location, where the time-domain location set includes one or more time-domain locations, and the second time-domain location belongs to one or more time-domain locations included in the time-domain location set. For example, the second indication information is bitmap information, where the bits in the bitmap information indicate whether the corresponding time-domain location is the second time-domain location.

[0284] Optionally, the relevant information of the time-domain location set (including: the start time of the time-domain location set, the duration of the time-domain location set, or the end time of the time-domain location set, such as the relevant information of MG0) can be configured separately for the terminal device, and the information of the second time-domain location can include only the second indication information.

[0285] Optionally, the second reference time point can be configured separately for the terminal device, and the information of the second time domain position can include any one or more of the following: the offset between the start time of the second time domain position and the second reference time point, the offset between the end time of the second time domain position and the second reference time point, or the duration of the second time domain position.

[0286] For example, please refer to Figure 10, which is a schematic diagram of a second time-domain location in an embodiment of this application, taking the second reference signal as an example. The time-domain location set, including one or more time-domain locations, is indicated by the start time and duration of the time-domain location set. As shown in Figure 10, this time-domain location set includes 11 time-domain locations, each of which is an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol. Therefore, this time-domain location set can also be called an OFDM symbol set, which includes 11 OFDM symbols (OFDM symbols are simply referred to as symbols). Alternatively, this time-domain location set can also be called a large measurement window, which includes one or more small measurement windows, each including one or more OFDM symbols. In conjunction with the communication scenario illustrated in Figure 4, the second indication information indicates which OFDM symbols in the time-domain location set are the second time-domain locations, i.e., the terminal device estimates on which OFDM symbols it can receive and measure the second reference signal. The first and second symbols in this time-domain position set represent the second time-domain position (denoted as MG1') of the second reference signal (PRS1) sent by measurement network device #1, as determined by the terminal device. The fourth and fifth symbols in this time-domain position set represent the second time-domain position (denoted as MG2') of the second reference signal (PRS2) sent by measurement network device #2, as determined by the terminal device. The seventh and eighth symbols in this time-domain position set represent the second time-domain position (denoted as MG3') of the second reference signal (PRS3) sent by measurement network device #3, as determined by the terminal device. The tenth and eleventh symbols in this time-domain position set represent the second time-domain position (denoted as MG4') of the second reference signal (PRS4) sent by measurement network device #4, as determined by the terminal device.

[0287] Referring to the example shown in Figure 10, the first information can indicate multiple second time-domain locations, such as indicating MG1' to MG4'. In this case, the second indication information included in the first information is "11011011011", where "1" indicates that the OFDM symbol corresponding to the bit is a second time-domain location, and "0" indicates that the OFDM symbol corresponding to the bit is not a second time-domain location.

[0288] Referring to the example shown in Figure 10, in one example, the first information includes: the start time of the time-domain location set (indicating the starting position of the time-domain location set in the time domain), the duration of the time-domain location set (indicating the number of time-domain locations or OFDM symbols included in the time-domain location set), and second indication information (indicating which time-domain locations in the time-domain location set are second time-domain locations). For example, the first information includes: the start time of the time-domain location set is the "01st symbol" relative to a certain reference time, the duration of the time-domain location set is "3 symbols", and the second indication information "101", wherein the second indication information includes 3 bits, each bit corresponding to a symbol in the time-domain location set. When the value of the bit is "1", it indicates that the corresponding symbol in the time-domain location set is a second time-domain location; when the value of the bit is "0", it indicates that the corresponding symbol in the time-domain location set is not a second time-domain location. The second indication information "101" indicates that the 1st and 3rd symbols in the time-domain location set are second time-domain locations.

[0289] Referring to the example shown in Figure 10, in another example, the first information includes: a second reference time point, the offset of the start time of the second time domain position from the second reference time point (e.g., the offset of the start time of MG1' to MG4' from the second reference time), and the offset of the end time of the second time domain position from the second reference time point (e.g., the offset of the end time of MG1' to MG4' from the second reference time). For example, the first information includes: the second reference time point "01 milliseconds (ms)", indicating that the second reference time point is located at 01 milliseconds in the time domain; the offset of the start time of the second time domain position from the second reference time point "5 milliseconds", indicating that the start time of the second time domain position is located at 06 milliseconds in the time domain; and the offset of the end time of the second time domain position from the second reference time point "7 milliseconds", indicating that the start time of the second time domain position is located at 08 milliseconds in the time domain. This first information indicates that the time domain position from 06 milliseconds to 08 milliseconds in the time domain is the second time domain position.

[0290] The first information can be carried in various messages or signaling. For example, when the network device is an access network device, the first information can be carried in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message, such as a "Location measurement indication" message.

[0291] When the network device is a core network device (such as LMF), the first information can be carried in a Long Term Evolution Location Protocol (LPP) message, such as the "LPP ProvideLocationInformation" message.

[0292] S3. The network device sends second information to the terminal device, which instructs the terminal device to measure the first time domain position of N second reference signals.

[0293] Optionally, the network device determines the second information based on the first information reported by the terminal device (the measurement result of the first reference signal).

[0294] In one possible implementation, the network device determines the first time-domain position of the terminal device in measuring N second reference signals based on the location information of the terminal device indicated by the first information.

[0295] In another possible implementation, the network device determines the first time domain position of the terminal device measuring N second reference signals based on the second time domain position indicated by the first information.

[0296] The second information can instruct the terminal device to measure the first time domain position of N second reference signals in various ways, which will be described below.

[0297] In one possible implementation, the second information includes one or more of the following: the start time of the first time domain location, the end time of the first time domain location, or the duration of the first time domain location. For example, the information of the first time domain location includes: the start time of the first time domain location and the duration of the first time domain location. As another example, the information of the first time domain location includes: the end time of the first time domain location and the duration of the first time domain location.

[0298] Optionally, the first information may also include: the period of the first time-domain position. The period of the first time-domain position refers to the repetition period of the first time-domain position in the time domain.

[0299] Optionally, the relevant information of the time-domain location set (including: the start time of the time-domain location set, the duration of the time-domain location set, or the end time of the time-domain location set, such as the relevant information of MG0) can be configured separately for the terminal device, then the second information may only include the first indication information.

[0300] Optionally, the first reference time point can be configured separately for the terminal device, and the second information may include any one or more of the following: the offset between the start time of the first time domain position and the first reference time point, the offset between the end time of the first time domain position and the first reference time point, or the duration of the first time domain position.

[0301] For ease of understanding, please refer to Figure 11, which is a schematic diagram of a first time-domain position in an embodiment of this application. In a first possible implementation, the start time of the first time-domain position includes: a first reference time point, and the offset between the start time of the first time-domain position and the first reference time point; the end time of the first time-domain position includes: the first reference time point, and the offset between the end time of the first time-domain position and the first reference time point.

[0302] It should be noted that the first reference time point and the second reference time point can be the same reference time point or different reference time points, and the embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0303] In another possible implementation, the second information includes one or more of the following: the start time of the time-domain location set, the duration of the time-domain location set, or first indication information. The first indication information indicates the first time-domain location, the time-domain location set includes one or more time-domain locations, and the first time-domain location belongs to one or more time-domain locations included in the time-domain location set. For example, the first indication information is bitmap information, where the bits in the bitmap information indicate whether the corresponding time-domain location is the first time-domain location.

[0304] For example, please refer to Figure 12, which is a schematic diagram of a first time-domain location in an embodiment of this application, taking the second reference signal as PRS as an example. The start time and duration of the time-domain location set indicate a time-domain location set including one or more time-domain locations. It should be noted that the time-domain location set indicated by the second information and the time-domain location set indicated by the first information can be the same time-domain location set or different time-domain location sets; this embodiment of the application does not impose such limitations. Similar to Figure 10 above, the time-domain location set shown in Figure 12 includes 11 time-domain locations (e.g., 11 OFDM symbols). Referring to the communication scenario illustrated in Figure 4, the first indication information indicates which OFDM symbols in this time-domain location set are the first time-domain locations, that is, on which OFDM symbols the network device determines the terminal device can receive and measure the second reference signal. The first and second symbols in this time-domain location set are the second time-domain locations (denoted as MG1) for the terminal device to measure the second reference signal (PRS1) sent by network device #1. The 4th and 5th symbols in this time-domain position set represent the second time-domain position (denoted as MG2) of the second reference signal (PRS2) transmitted by network device #2, as determined by the network device for the terminal device. The 7th and 8th symbols in this time-domain position set represent the second time-domain position (denoted as MG3) of the second reference signal (PRS3) transmitted by network device #3, as determined by the network device for the terminal device. The 10th and 11th symbols in this time-domain position set represent the second time-domain position (denoted as MG4) of the second reference signal (PRS4) transmitted by network device #4, as determined by the network device for the terminal device.

[0305] Referring to the example shown in Figure 12, the second information can indicate multiple first time-domain locations, such as MG1 to MG4. In this case, the second information includes the first indication information "11011011011", where "1" indicates that the OFDM symbol corresponding to this bit is a first time-domain location, and "0" indicates that the OFDM symbol corresponding to this bit is not a first time-domain location. Optionally, the terminal device can transmit and receive data or other reference signals at other time-domain locations besides the first time-domain locations to improve network resource utilization.

[0306] Optionally, the network device can determine the first time domain location based on the second time domain location indicated by the first information, for example, by combining the location information of the terminal device and the location information of the network device to determine a more accurate first time domain location.

[0307] Optionally, the network device can determine at least one first time-domain location. For example, when the network device is a terrestrial base station or a satellite, it can determine the first time-domain location corresponding to a second reference signal transmitted by the network device, or it can determine the first time-domain location corresponding to a second reference signal transmitted by other network devices. For example, when the network device is an LMF (Light Filtering Unit), it can determine the first time-domain locations corresponding to multiple second reference signals. This application does not impose limitations on this.

[0308] It should be noted that when the network device is a terrestrial base station or a satellite, the second information sent by the network device can indicate the first time domain position of the second reference signal it sends. Optionally, it can also indicate the first time domain position of the second reference signal sent by other network devices. In other words, multiple network devices can send second information related to themselves, or a single network device in the area can send second information related to multiple network devices. Taking the communication scenario illustrated in Figure 4 as an example: for example, the second information sent by network device #1 indicates MG1, the second information sent by network device #2 indicates MG2, the second information sent by network device #3 indicates MG3, and the second information sent by network device #4 indicates MG4. Another example is that the second information sent by network device #1 indicates MG1, MG2, MG3, and MG4. The network device sending the second information can be determined through negotiation among multiple network devices or by the core network device; this embodiment does not limit this. Another example is that when the network device is a core network device (e.g., LMF), the second information sent by that network device (core network device) indicates MG1, MG2, MG3, and MG4.

[0309] The second information can be carried in various messages or signaling. For example, when the network device is an access network device, the second information can be carried in a System Information Block (SIB) message (which may be an SIB19 message or a posSIB message, etc.), or in other messages such as a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message.

[0310] When the network device is a core network device (such as LMF), the second information can be carried in a Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol (LPP) message, such as the "LPP ProvideAssistanceData" message.

[0311] S4. The network device sends N second reference signals.

[0312] The network device sends N second reference signals, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0313] When N equals 1, the terminal device receives one second reference signal sent by one network device; when N is greater than 1, the terminal device can receive N second reference signals sent by one network device, or the terminal device can receive N second reference signals sent by multiple network devices. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0314] Optionally, the bandwidth of the second reference signal is greater than the bandwidth of the first reference signal.

[0315] Optionally, the bandwidth of the second reference signal is less than or equal to the bandwidth of the first reference signal.

[0316] For example, taking the communication scenario illustrated in Figure 4, the area where the terminal device is located can receive the second reference signals sent by network devices #1 to #4. Then, the four network devices can negotiate to determine that network device #2 (or multiple network devices) will send N second reference signals; or, the core network device can determine that network device #2 (or multiple network devices) will send N second reference signals; or, network devices #1 to #4 will send a total of N second reference signals, and correspondingly, the terminal device will receive N second reference signals.

[0317] Optionally, the network device may send configuration information of the second reference signal (or configuration information of N second reference signals) to the terminal device.

[0318] One possible scenario is shown in Figure 13, which is a schematic diagram of one scenario in an embodiment of this application. Network device #2 sends a first reference signal (PRS2a). Network device #1 sends a second reference signal (PRS1), network device #2 sends a second reference signal (PRS2), network device #3 sends a second reference signal (PRS3), and network device #4 sends a second reference signal (PRS4). In other words, M=1, N=4. Accordingly, the terminal device can receive one first reference signal (PRS2a) and four second reference signals (PRS1~PRS4). In this scenario, since there are fewer network devices sending the first reference signal than the number of network devices sending the second reference signal, i.e., not all network devices need to send the first reference signal, the network resource overhead can be effectively reduced.

[0319] Another possible scenario is shown in Figure 14, which is a schematic diagram of yet another scenario in the embodiments of this application. Network device #1 sends a first reference signal (PRS1a), network device #2 sends a first reference signal (PRS2a), network device #3 sends a first reference signal (PRS3a), and network device #4 sends a first reference signal (PRS4a). Network device #1 sends a second reference signal (PRS1b), network device #2 sends a second reference signal (PRS2b), network device #3 sends a second reference signal (PRS3b), and network device #4 sends a second reference signal (PRS4b). In other words, M=4, N=4. Accordingly, the terminal device can receive 4 first reference signals (PRS1a~PRS4a) and 4 second reference signals (PRS1b~PRS4b). In this scenario, each network device sends both the first and second reference signals, thus ensuring that more terminal devices can receive the first reference signal, improving robustness.

[0320] Based on the first time-domain location indicated by the first information, the terminal device can receive and measure N second reference signals at the first time-domain location to obtain the measurement results of the second reference signals. The measurement results of the second reference signals can be used for the positioning or communication of the terminal device, and this application embodiment does not limit this. For example, the terminal device can calculate its location information based on the measurement results of the second reference signals and positioning assistance information. As another example, the measurement results of the second reference signals obtained by the terminal device include Doppler measurement results, which are reported to the core network device (e.g., LMF) to assist the core network device in determining the location information of the terminal device. As yet another example, the measurement results of the second reference signals can be used to determine communication parameters used by the terminal device for communication. Exemplarily, the measurement results of the second reference signals can be used to determine the channel information of the terminal device for communication purposes such as power control.

[0321] It should be noted that the execution order of steps S0 to S4 is not restricted.

[0322] In this embodiment, by performing hierarchical measurements of the first and second reference signals, the measurement power consumption and search complexity of the terminal device are effectively reduced while ensuring measurement accuracy. Furthermore, by indicating a first time-domain position (which has finer granularity compared to the time-domain position currently configured for the second reference signal), the measurement power consumption and search complexity of the terminal device are reduced while maintaining measurement accuracy. The network device can communicate with the terminal device at a time-domain position other than the first time-domain position, improving network resource utilization.

[0323] Please refer to Figure 15. This application embodiment provides a communication device 1500, which can realize the functions of the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments. In this application embodiment, the communication device 1500 can be a network device (or terminal device), or it can be an integrated circuit or component inside the network device (or terminal device), such as a chip.

[0324] It should be noted that the transceiver unit 1502 may include a transmitting unit and a receiving unit, which are used to perform transmitting and receiving respectively.

[0325] In one example, the communication device 1500 is applied to a terminal device. The communication device 1500 includes a processing unit 1501 and a transceiver unit 1502. The communication device 1500 includes:

[0326] The transceiver unit 1502 is used to receive M first reference signals, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1;

[0327] The transceiver unit 1502 is also used to transmit first information, the first information indicating the measurement result of the terminal device on the first reference signal;

[0328] The transceiver unit 1502 is also used to receive second information, the second information instructing the terminal device to measure the first time domain position of N second reference signals, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1;

[0329] The transceiver unit 1502 is also configured to receive the N second reference signals based on the second information.

[0330] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1502 is further configured to receive the second information in response to sending the first information;

[0331] Alternatively, the first information can be used to determine the second information;

[0332] Alternatively, the first reference signal and the second reference signal may be correlated.

[0333] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1502 is further configured to receive first configuration information, which indicates that the first reference signal and the second reference signal are associated.

[0334] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1502 is further configured to acquire the measurement result of the second reference signal, the measurement result of the second reference signal being used for positioning or communication.

[0335] In one possible implementation, the bandwidth of the first reference signal is less than the bandwidth of the second reference signal.

[0336] In one possible implementation, the second information includes one or more of the following:

[0337] The start time of the first time domain location, the end time of the first time domain location, or the duration of the first time domain location.

[0338] In one possible implementation, the start time of the first time-domain location includes:

[0339] The first reference time point, and the offset between the start time of the first time domain position and the first reference time point;

[0340] The end time of the first time-domain location includes:

[0341] The first reference time point, and the offset between the end time of the first time domain position and the first reference time point.

[0342] In one possible implementation, the second information includes one or more of the following:

[0343] The start time of the time-domain location set, the duration of the time-domain location set, or, first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the first time-domain location, the time-domain location set includes one or more time-domain locations, and the first time-domain location belongs to one or more time-domain locations included in the time-domain location set.

[0344] In one possible implementation, the first indication information is bitmap information.

[0345] In one possible implementation, the first information includes any one or more of the following:

[0346] The terminal device's location information, the arrival time information of the first reference signal, the angle of arrival information of the first reference signal, the arrival time difference information of at least two first reference signals, or the information of the second time domain location, wherein the second time domain location is associated with the second reference signal.

[0347] In one possible implementation, the information of the second time-domain location includes one or more of the following:

[0348] The start time of the second time domain position, the end time of the second time domain position, or the duration of the second time domain position.

[0349] In one possible implementation, the start time of the second time-domain location includes:

[0350] The second reference time point, and the offset between the start time of the second time domain position and the second reference time point;

[0351] The end time of the second time-domain location includes:

[0352] The second reference time point, and the offset between the end time of the second time domain position and the second reference time point.

[0353] In one possible implementation, the information of the second time-domain location includes one or more of the following:

[0354] The start time of the time-domain location set, the duration of the time-domain location set, or, second indication information, wherein the second indication information is used to indicate the second time-domain location, the time-domain location set includes one or more time-domain locations, and the second time-domain location belongs to one or more time-domain locations included in the time-domain location set.

[0355] In one possible implementation, the second indication information is bitmap information.

[0356] In one possible implementation, the second information is carried in a System Information Block (SIB) message, a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message, or a Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) message.

[0357] In one possible implementation, the first reference signal is any one of the following:

[0358] Positioning Reference Signal (PRS), Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS), Synchronization Signal / Broadcast Channel Block (SSB), or Tracking Reference Signal (TRS).

[0359] In one possible implementation, the second reference signal is any of the following:

[0360] Positioning reference signal (PRS), channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), or tracking reference signal (TRS).

[0361] In one possible implementation, N is an integer greater than or equal to M.

[0362] In another example, the communication device 1500 is applied to a network device, and the communication device 1500 includes a processing unit 1501 and a transceiver unit 1502. The communication device 1500 includes:

[0363] The transceiver unit 1502 is also used to transmit M first reference signals, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1;

[0364] The transceiver unit 1502 is also used to receive first information, the first information indicating the measurement result of the terminal device on the first reference signal;

[0365] The transceiver unit 1502 is also used to send second information, the second information instructing the terminal device to measure the first time domain position of N second reference signals;

[0366] The transceiver unit 1502 is also used to transmit the N second reference signals, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1, and the second reference signals are associated with the first reference signals.

[0367] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1502 is further configured to send the second information based on the first information;

[0368] Alternatively, the first information can be used to determine the second information;

[0369] Alternatively, the first reference signal and the second reference signal may be correlated.

[0370] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1502 is further configured to send first configuration information, which indicates that the first reference signal and the second reference signal have a correlation relationship.

[0371] In one possible implementation, the bandwidth of the first reference signal is less than the bandwidth of the second reference signal.

[0372] In one possible implementation, the bandwidth of the first reference signal is less than the bandwidth of the second reference signal.

[0373] In one possible implementation, the second information includes one or more of the following:

[0374] The start time of the first time domain location, the end time of the first time domain location, or the duration of the first time domain location.

[0375] In one possible implementation, the start time of the first time-domain location includes:

[0376] The first reference time point, and the offset of the start time of the first time domain position from the first reference time point.

[0377] In one possible implementation, the end time of the first time-domain location includes:

[0378] The first reference time point, and the offset between the end time of the first time domain position and the first reference time point.

[0379] In one possible implementation, the second information includes one or more of the following:

[0380] The start time of the time-domain location set, the duration of the time-domain location set, or, first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the first time-domain location, the time-domain location set includes one or more time-domain locations, and the first time-domain location belongs to one or more time-domain locations included in the time-domain location set.

[0381] In one possible implementation, the first indication information is bitmap information.

[0382] In one possible implementation, the first information includes any one or more of the following:

[0383] The terminal device's location information, the arrival time information of the first reference signal, the angle of arrival information of the first reference signal, the arrival time difference information of at least two first reference signals, or the information of the second time domain location, wherein the second time domain location is associated with the second reference signal.

[0384] In one possible implementation, the information of the second time-domain location includes one or more of the following:

[0385] The start time of the second time domain position, the end time of the second time domain position, or the duration of the second time domain position.

[0386] In one possible implementation, the start time of the second time-domain location includes:

[0387] The second reference time point, and the offset of the start time of the second time domain position from the second reference time point.

[0388] In one possible implementation, the end time of the second time-domain location includes:

[0389] The second reference time point, and the offset between the end time of the second time domain position and the second reference time point.

[0390] In one possible implementation, the information of the second time-domain location includes one or more of the following:

[0391] The start time of the time-domain location set, the duration of the time-domain location set, or, second indication information, wherein the second indication information is used to indicate the second time-domain location, the time-domain location set includes one or more time-domain locations, and the second time-domain location belongs to one or more time-domain locations included in the time-domain location set.

[0392] In one possible implementation, the second indication information is bitmap information.

[0393] In one possible implementation, the second information is carried in a System Information Block (SIB) message, a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message, or a Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) message.

[0394] In one possible implementation, the first reference signal is any one of the following:

[0395] Positioning Reference Signal (PRS), Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS), Synchronization Signal / Broadcast Channel Block (SSB), or Tracking Reference Signal (TRS).

[0396] In one possible implementation, N is an integer greater than or equal to M.

[0397] It should be noted that the information execution process of the unit of the above-mentioned communication device 1500 can be specifically described in the method embodiment shown above in this application, and will not be repeated here.

[0398] Please refer to Figure 16, which is another schematic structural diagram of the communication device 1600 provided in this application. The communication device 1600 includes logic circuit 1601, and optionally also includes input / output interface 1602. The communication device 1600 can be a chip or an integrated circuit.

[0399] In Figure 15, the transceiver unit 1502 can be a communication interface, which can be the input / output interface 1602 in Figure 16. The input / output interface 1602 can include an input interface and an output interface. Alternatively, the communication interface can also be a transceiver circuit, which can include an input interface circuit and an output interface circuit.

[0400] The logic circuit 1601 and the input / output interface 1602 can also perform other steps performed by the network device or terminal device in any embodiment and achieve corresponding beneficial effects, which will not be elaborated here.

[0401] In one possible implementation, the processing unit 1501 shown in FIG15 can be the logic circuit 1601 in FIG16.

[0402] Optionally, the logic circuit 1601 can be a processing device, the functions of which can be partially or entirely implemented in software.

[0403] Optionally, the processing apparatus may include a memory and a processor, wherein the memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor reads and executes the computer program stored in the memory to perform the corresponding processing and / or steps in any of the method embodiments.

[0404] Optionally, the processing device may consist of only a processor. A memory for storing computer programs is located outside the processing device, and the processor is connected to the memory via circuitry / wires to read and execute the computer programs stored in the memory. The memory and processor may be integrated together or physically independent of each other.

[0405] Optionally, the processing device may be one or more chips, or one or more integrated circuits. For example, the processing device may be one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), system-on-chips (SoCs), central processing units (CPUs), network processors (NPs), digital signal processors (DSPs), microcontroller units (MCUs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), or other integrated chips, or any combination of the above chips or processors.

[0406] Please refer to Figure 17, which shows the communication device 1700 involved in the above embodiments provided in the embodiments of this application. Specifically, the communication device 1700 can be the communication device as a terminal device in the above embodiments. The communication device shown in Figure 17 is implemented through a terminal device (or a component in the terminal device).

[0407] The present invention provides a possible logical structure diagram of the communication device 1700, which may include, but is not limited to, at least one processor 1701 and a communication port 1702.

[0408] In Figure 15, the transceiver unit 1502 can be a communication interface, which can be the communication port 1702 in Figure 17. The communication port 1702 can include an input interface and an output interface. Alternatively, the communication port 1702 can also be a transceiver circuit, which can include an input interface circuit and an output interface circuit.

[0409] Further optionally, the device may also include at least one of a memory 1703 and a bus 1704. In the embodiments of this application, the at least one processor 1701 is used to control the operation of the communication device 1700.

[0410] Furthermore, the processor 1701 can be a central processing unit, a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field-programmable gate array, or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. It can implement or execute the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of this application. The processor can also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, etc. 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 referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0411] It should be noted that the communication device 1700 shown in Figure 17 can be used to implement the steps implemented by the terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiments and to achieve the corresponding technical effects of the terminal device. The specific implementation of the communication device shown in Figure 17 can be referred to the description in the aforementioned method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0412] Please refer to Figure 18, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 1800 involved in the above embodiments provided in the embodiments of this application. The communication device 1800 can specifically be a communication device as a network device in the above embodiments. The communication device shown in Figure 18 is implemented through a network device (or a component in a network device). The structure of the communication device can refer to the structure shown in Figure 18.

[0413] The communication device 1800 includes at least one processor 1811 and at least one network interface (or interface) 1814. Optionally, the communication device further includes at least one memory 1812, at least one transceiver 1813, and one or more antennas 1815. The processor 1811, memory 1812, transceiver 1813, and network interface 1814 are connected, for example, via a bus. In this embodiment, the connection may include various interfaces, transmission lines, or buses, etc., and this embodiment is not limited thereto. The antenna 1815 is connected to the transceiver 1813. The network interface 1814 enables the communication device to communicate with other communication devices through a communication link. For example, the network interface 1814 may include a network interface between the communication device and core network equipment, such as an S1 interface; the network interface may also include a network interface between the communication device and other communication devices (e.g., other network devices or core network equipment), such as an X2 or Xn interface.

[0414] In Figure 15, the transceiver unit 1502 can be a communication interface, which can be the network interface 1814 in Figure 18. The network interface 1814 can include an input interface and an output interface. Alternatively, the network interface 1814 can also be a transceiver circuit, which can include an input interface circuit and an output interface circuit.

[0415] Processor 1811 is primarily used for processing communication protocols and communication data, controlling the entire communication device, executing software programs, and processing data from the software programs, for example, to support the actions described in the embodiments of the communication device. The communication device may include a baseband processor and a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor is primarily used for processing communication protocols and communication data, while the CPU is primarily used for controlling the entire terminal device, executing software programs, and processing data from the software programs. Processor 1811 in Figure 18 can integrate the functions of both a baseband processor and a CPU. Those skilled in the art will understand that the baseband processor and CPU can also be independent processors interconnected via technologies such as buses. Those skilled in the art will understand that a terminal device may include multiple baseband processors to adapt to different network standards, and multiple CPUs to enhance its processing capabilities. Various components of the terminal device can be connected via various buses. The baseband processor can also be described as a baseband processing circuit or a baseband processing chip. The CPU can also be described as a central processing circuit or a central processing chip. The function of processing communication protocols and communication data can be built into the processor or stored in memory as a software program, which is then executed by the processor to implement the baseband processing function.

[0416] The memory is primarily used to store software programs and data. The memory 1812 can exist independently or be connected to the processor 1811. Optionally, the memory 1812 can be integrated with the processor 1811, for example, integrated within a single chip. The memory 1812 can store program code that executes the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and its execution is controlled by the processor 1811. The various types of computer program code being executed can also be considered as drivers for the processor 1811.

[0417] Figure 18 shows only one memory and one processor. In actual terminal devices, there may be multiple processors and multiple memories. Memory can also be called storage medium or storage device, etc. Memory can be a storage element on the same chip as the processor, i.e., an on-chip storage element, or it can be a separate storage element; this application does not limit this.

[0418] Transceiver 1813 can be used to support the reception or transmission of radio frequency (RF) signals between a communication device and a terminal. Transceiver 1813 can be connected to antenna 1815. Transceiver 1813 includes a transmitter Tx and a receiver Rx. Specifically, one or more antennas 1815 can receive RF signals. The receiver Rx of transceiver 1813 is used to receive the RF signals from the antennas, convert the RF signals into digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency (IF) signals, and provide the digital baseband signals or IF signals to processor 1811 so that processor 1811 can perform further processing on the digital baseband signals or IF signals, such as demodulation and decoding. In addition, the transmitter Tx in transceiver 1813 is also used to receive modulated digital baseband signals or IF signals from processor 1811, convert the modulated digital baseband signals or IF signals into RF signals, and transmit the RF signals through one or more antennas 1815. Specifically, the receiver Rx can selectively perform one or more stages of downmixing and analog-to-digital conversion on the radio frequency signal to obtain a digital baseband signal or a digital intermediate frequency (IF) signal. The order of these downmixing and IF conversion processes is adjustable. The transmitter Tx can selectively perform one or more stages of upmixing and digital-to-analog conversion on the modulated digital baseband signal or digital IF signal to obtain a radio frequency signal. The order of these upmixing and IF conversion processes is also adjustable. The digital baseband signal and the digital IF signal can be collectively referred to as digital signals.

[0419] The transceiver 1813 can also be called a transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver device, etc. Optionally, the device in the transceiver unit that performs the receiving function can be regarded as the receiving unit, and the device in the transceiver unit that performs the transmitting function can be regarded as the transmitting unit. That is, the transceiver unit includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. The receiving unit can also be called a receiver, input port, receiving circuit, etc., and the transmitting unit can be called a transmitter, transmitter, or transmitting circuit, etc.

[0420] It should be noted that the communication device 1800 shown in Figure 18 can be used to implement the steps implemented by the network device in the aforementioned method embodiments and to achieve the corresponding technical effects of the network device. The specific implementation of the communication device 1800 shown in Figure 18 can be referred to the description in the aforementioned method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0421] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing one or more computer-executable instructions. When the computer-executable instructions are executed by a processor, the processor performs the method described in the possible implementations of the network device or terminal device in the foregoing embodiments.

[0422] This application also provides a computer program product (or computer program) that, when executed by a processor, executes the method described above for network devices or terminal devices.

[0423] This application also provides a chip system including at least one processor for supporting a communication device in implementing the functions involved in the possible implementations of the communication device described above. Optionally, the chip system further includes an interface circuit that provides program instructions and / or data to the at least one processor. In one possible design, the chip system may further include a memory for storing the program instructions and data necessary for the communication device. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices, wherein the communication device may specifically be a network device or a terminal device as described in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0424] This application also provides a communication system, the network system architecture of which includes the network devices and terminal devices in any of the above embodiments.

[0425] 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 an indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units through some interfaces, and may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0426] 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. Furthermore, 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. The integrated units can be implemented in hardware or as software functional units. If the integrated unit is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage media include: USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, optical disks, and other media that can store program code.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is applied to a terminal device, and the method comprises: receiving M first reference signals, M being an integer greater than or equal to 1; sending first information, the first information indicating a measurement result of the first reference signals; receiving second information, the second information indicating a first time domain position of measuring N second reference signals, N being an integer greater than or equal to 1; receiving the N second reference signals according to the second information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The receiving of the second information comprises: receiving the second information in response to the first information; or, the first information is used to determine the second information; or, the first reference signals and the second reference signals have an association relationship.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further comprises: receiving first configuration information, the first configuration information being used to indicate that the first reference signals and the second reference signals have an association relationship.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The method further comprises: obtaining a measurement result of the second reference signals, the measurement result of the second reference signals being used for positioning or communication.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The bandwidth of the first reference signals is smaller than the bandwidth of the second reference signals.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The second information comprises one or more of the following information: a start time of the first time domain position, an end time of the first time domain position, or a duration of the first time domain position.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, The start time of the first time domain position comprises: a first reference time point and an offset of the start time of the first time domain position from the first reference time point.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein, The end time of the first time domain position comprises: a first reference time point and an offset of the end time of the first time domain position from the first reference time point.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The second information comprises one or more of the following information: a start time of a time domain position set, a duration of the time domain position set, or first indication information; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the first time domain position, the time domain position set comprises one or more time domain positions, and the first time domain position belongs to the one or more time domain positions comprised in the time domain position set.

10. The method of any one of claims 1-5, wherein, The first information comprises one or more of the following information: position information of the terminal device, time of arrival information of the first reference signals, angle of arrival information of the first reference signals, time difference of arrival information of at least two first reference signals, or information of a second time domain position; wherein the second time domain position is associated with the second reference signals.

11. The method of any one of claims 1-10, wherein: the second information is carried in a system information block (SIB) message, a radio resource control (RRC) message, or a long term evolution positioning protocol (LPP) message.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1-11, characterized in that, The first reference signals are any of the following reference signals: positioning reference signals (PRSs), channel state information reference signals (CSI-RSs), synchronization signal / broadcast channel blocks (SSBs), or tracking reference signals (TRSs).

13. The method of any one of claims 1-12, wherein: the second reference signals are any of the following reference signals: positioning reference signals (PRSs), channel state information reference signals (CSI-RSs), or tracking reference signals (TRSs).

14. The method of any one of claims 1-13, wherein, N is an integer greater than or equal to M.

15. A method of communication, comprising: The method is applied to a network device, and the method comprises: transmitting M first reference signals, M being an integer greater than or equal to 1; receiving first information, the first information indicating a measurement result of the first reference signal; transmitting second information, the second information indicating a first time domain position of measuring N second reference signals; transmitting the N second reference signals, N being an integer greater than or equal to 1, the second reference signals having an association relationship with the first reference signals.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, The second information is transmitted, comprising: transmitting the second information according to the first information; or, the first information is used to determine the second information; or, the first reference signals and the second reference signals have an association relationship.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that The method further comprises: transmitting first configuration information, the first configuration information being used to indicate that the first reference signals and the second reference signals have an association relationship.

18. The method according to any one of claims 15-17, characterized by, The bandwidth of the first reference signal is smaller than the bandwidth of the second reference signal.

19. The method according to any one of claims 15-18, characterized by, The second information comprises one or more of the following information: a start time of the first time domain position, an end time of the first time domain position, or a duration of the first time domain position.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein, The start time of the first time domain position comprises: a first reference time point, and an offset of the start time of the first time domain position from the first reference time point.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein, The end time of the first time domain position comprises: a first reference time point, and an offset of the end time of the first time domain position from the first reference time point.

22. The method of any one of claims 15-21, wherein, The second information comprises one or more of the following information: a start time of a time domain position set, a duration of the time domain position set, or first indication information; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the first time domain position, the time domain position set comprises one or more time domain positions, and the first time domain position belongs to the one or more time domain positions comprised in the time domain position set.

23. The method of any one of claims 15-22, wherein, The first information comprises one or more of the following information: position information of the terminal device, time of arrival information of the first reference signal, angle of arrival information of the first reference signal, time difference of arrival information of at least two first reference signals, or information of a second time domain position; wherein the second time domain position is associated with the second reference signal.

24. The method of any one of claims 15-23, wherein The second information is carried in a system information block (SIB) message, a radio resource control (RRC) message, or a long term evolution positioning protocol (LPP) message.

25. The method of any one of claims 15-24, wherein, The first reference signal is any one of the following reference signals: a positioning reference signal (PRS), a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), a synchronization signal / broadcast channel block (SSB), or a tracking reference signal (TRS).

26. The method according to any one of claims 15-25, characterized in that, N is an integer greater than or equal to M.

27. A communications device, characterized by The device comprises at least one processor configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1-26.

28. A communications device, characterized by The device comprises a unit configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1-26.

29. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer readable storage medium stores therein a computer program or instructions which, when executed by a computer, implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 26.

30. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer readable storage medium stores therein a computer program or instructions which, when executed by a computer, implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 26.

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