Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and a communication apparatus, which relate to the technical field of communications. The method is applied to a terminal device, and comprises: detecting a second beam, wherein the second beam is used for determining whether a first beam is about to experience a beam failure, and the first beam serves the terminal device; and on the basis of a detection result of the second beam, determining whether to trigger a beam failure recovery process. The method in the embodiments of the present application can prevent the interruption of a communication link in satellite communication.

Description

Communication method and communication apparatus

[0001] The present application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202410742084.X, filed on June 7, 2024, and entitled "Communication method and communication 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, in particular to a communication method and a communication apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0003] With the development of communication technology, non terrestrial networks (NTN) systems are introduced in some communication systems, and satellite communication systems, as an important part of NTN systems, have also received more and more attention due to their characteristics such as long communication distance, large coverage area, and flexible networking.

[0004] However, the application scenario of satellite communication is mainly a line of sight (LOS) scenario, and when the service satellite is blocked, it will affect the communication link, and even cause the communication link to be interrupted. How to avoid the interruption of the communication link of satellite communication has become a technical problem to be solved. SUMMARY

[0005] The present application provides a communication method and a communication apparatus, which can avoid the interruption of the communication link of satellite communication.

[0006] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which is applied to a terminal device or a component (such as a processor, a chip, a chip system, a circuit, or a functional module, etc.) in a terminal device, and the method comprises: detecting a second beam, the second beam being used to determine whether a first beam is about to fail, the first beam serving the terminal device; and determining whether to trigger a beam failure recovery process according to a detection result of the second beam.

[0007] In the embodiments of the present application, the second beam is used to determine whether the first beam is about to fail, and the first beam can be predicted to be about to fail in advance according to the second beam. In this way, the beam failure recovery process can be triggered in advance in the case that the first beam has a failure risk, so that the interruption of the communication link of satellite communication can be avoided.

[0008] In some possible implementation manners, the method further comprises: receiving first information from a network device, the first information being used to indicate the second beam.

[0009] In the embodiments of the present application, the first information is received from the network device, so that the second beam can be determined according to the indication of the network device, thereby facilitating the network device to perform unified configuration.

[0010] In some possible implementation manners, the first information is used to indicate configuration information of the second beam, and the configuration information of the second beam includes at least one of the following: a resource of the second beam, a beam identifier of the second beam, a satellite identifier of a satellite where the second beam is located, or ephemeris information of the satellite where the second beam is located.

[0011] In the embodiments of the present application, the first information is used to indicate configuration information of the second beam, so that the terminal device can directly determine the second beam according to the configuration information of the second beam, without the need for the terminal device to select the second beam by itself, thereby reducing the implementation complexity on the terminal device side.

[0012] In some possible implementation manners, the first information is used to indicate a candidate beam set of the second beam and selection criteria of the second beam.

[0013] In the embodiments of the present application, the first information is used to indicate a candidate beam set of the second beam and selection criteria of the second beam, so that the terminal device can autonomously determine the second beam in the candidate beam set according to the selection criteria, thereby helping the terminal device to select a more suitable second beam.

[0014] Meanwhile, since the first information indicates the candidate beam set of the second beam, when the second beam needs to be updated, the terminal device can directly determine the second beam according to the candidate beam set and the selection criteria, without the need for the network device to frequently send configuration information, thereby saving signaling overhead.

[0015] In some possible implementation manners, the first information is used to indicate configuration information of each candidate beam in the candidate beam set, and the configuration information of the candidate beam includes at least one of the following: a resource of the candidate beam, a beam identifier of the candidate beam, a satellite identifier of a satellite where the candidate beam is located, or ephemeris information of the satellite where the candidate beam is located.

[0016] In the embodiments of the present application, the first information is used to indicate configuration information of each candidate beam in the candidate beam set, so as to facilitate the terminal device to determine the second beam according to the configuration information.

[0017] In some possible implementation manners, the method further includes: determining the second beam in the candidate beam set of the second beam according to the selection criteria of the second beam.

[0018] In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device can autonomously determine the second beam in the candidate beam set according to the selection criterion, thereby helping the terminal device to select a more suitable second beam, and helping to more accurately predict whether the first beam will fail.

[0019] In some possible implementation ways, the first beam is a beam of a first satellite, a position of a second satellite and a position of the first satellite satisfy a first condition, and the selection criterion comprises: selecting a beam of the second satellite as the second beam.

[0020] In the embodiments of the present application, the position of the second satellite and the position of the first satellite satisfy the first condition, thereby helping the terminal device to select a more suitable second beam, and helping to more accurately predict whether the first beam will fail.

[0021] In some possible implementation ways, the first condition comprises: the second satellite is a same-orbit previous satellite of the first satellite, or the second satellite is a same-trajectory previous satellite of the first satellite.

[0022] In the embodiments of the present application, when the second satellite is a same-orbit previous satellite of the first satellite, the scenario that the boundary of the occluded area is more perpendicular to the orbit of the first satellite is applicable, and when the second satellite is a same-trajectory previous satellite of the first satellite, the scenario that the boundary of the occluded area is more perpendicular to the trajectory of the first satellite is applicable, and the first condition can be flexibly adapted to different occluded scenarios.

[0023] In some possible implementation ways, the first beam is a beam of a first satellite, an angle between a third satellite and the first satellite satisfies a second condition, and the selection criterion comprises: selecting a beam of the third satellite as the second beam.

[0024] In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device selects a beam of a third satellite that satisfies a second condition with the first satellite as the second beam, thereby being able to select a more suitable second beam, and being able to more accurately predict whether the first beam will fail. When the angle between the third satellite and the first satellite satisfies the second condition, the scenario that the boundary of the occluded area is more parallel to the motion direction (or the orbit / trajectory) of the first satellite is applicable, and thus the second condition can be flexibly adapted to different occluded scenarios.

[0025] In some possible implementation ways, the second condition comprises: an azimuth angle between the third satellite and the first satellite does not exceed a first threshold value, and / or a zenith angle between the third satellite and the first satellite does not exceed a second threshold value.

[0026] In the embodiments of the present application, the second condition comprises that an azimuth angle between the third satellite and the first satellite is not more than a first threshold value, and / or a zenith angle between the third satellite and the first satellite is not more than a second threshold value. The second condition can be flexibly adapted to different blocking scenarios.

[0027] In some possible implementation manners, the detecting the second beam comprises: detecting the second beam according to a judgment criterion, the judgment criterion being used to judge whether beam failure occurs.

[0028] In the embodiments of the present application, the judgment criterion is used to judge whether beam failure occurs. Thus, the second beam can be conveniently detected according to the judgment criterion.

[0029] In some possible implementation manners, the method further comprises: receiving second information from the network device, the second information being used to indicate the judgment criterion.

[0030] In the embodiments of the present application, the second information is received from the network device. Thus, the second beam can be determined based on the judgment criterion according to the indication of the network device, thereby facilitating unified configuration of the network device.

[0031] In some possible implementation manners, the judgment criterion comprises that a time during which a signal strength of the second beam is lower than a third threshold value is greater than or equal to x seconds, and / or a number of beam failure instances reported by a physical layer of the terminal device is greater than or equal to a fourth threshold value, x being a positive integer.

[0032] In the embodiments of the present application, the judgment criterion comprises that a time during which a signal strength of the second beam is lower than a third threshold value is greater than or equal to x seconds, and / or a number of beam failure instances reported by a physical layer of the terminal device is greater than or equal to a fourth threshold value. Thus, the second beam can be conveniently detected according to the judgment criterion.

[0033] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The method is applied to a network device or a component (for example, a processor, a chip, a chip system, a circuit, or a functional module) in the network device. The method comprises: determining first information, the first information being used to indicate a second beam, the second beam being used to determine whether a first beam is about to fail, the first beam serving a terminal device; and sending the first information to the terminal device.

[0034] In the embodiments of the present application, the second beam is used to determine whether the first beam is about to fail. The first information used to indicate the second beam is sent to the terminal device. This helps the terminal device to determine in advance whether the first beam is about to fail according to the second beam. Thus, this helps the terminal device to trigger a beam failure recovery procedure in advance in the case that the first beam has a failure risk, thereby helping to avoid interruption of a communication link of satellite communication.

[0035] Meanwhile, the first information is transmitted to the terminal device, which helps the terminal device to determine the second beam according to the indication of the network device, thereby facilitating unified configuration of the network device.

[0036] In some possible implementation manners, the first information is used to indicate configuration information of the second beam, and the configuration information of the second beam includes at least one of the following: a resource of the second beam, a beam identifier of the second beam, a satellite identifier of a satellite where the second beam is located, or ephemeris information of the satellite where the second beam is located.

[0037] In the embodiment of the application, the first information is used to indicate the configuration information of the second beam, so that the terminal device can directly determine the second beam according to the configuration information of the second beam, without the need for the terminal device to select the second beam by itself, thereby helping to reduce the implementation complexity on the terminal device side.

[0038] In some possible implementation manners, the first information is used to indicate a candidate beam set of the second beam and a selection criterion of the second beam.

[0039] In the embodiment of the application, the first information is used to indicate the candidate beam set of the second beam and the selection criterion of the second beam, so that the terminal device can autonomously determine the second beam in the candidate beam set according to the selection criterion, thereby helping the terminal device to select a more suitable second beam.

[0040] Meanwhile, since the first information indicates the candidate beam set of the second beam, when the second beam needs to be updated, the terminal device can directly determine the second beam according to the candidate beam set and the selection criterion, without the need for the network device to frequently transmit configuration information, thereby saving signaling overhead.

[0041] In some possible implementation manners, the first information is used to indicate configuration information of each candidate beam in the candidate beam set, and the configuration information of the candidate beam includes at least one of the following: a resource of the candidate beam, a beam identifier of the candidate beam, a satellite identifier of a satellite where the candidate beam is located, or ephemeris information of the satellite where the candidate beam is located.

[0042] In the embodiment of the application, the first information is used to indicate the configuration information of each candidate beam in the candidate beam set, so that the terminal device can determine the second beam according to the configuration information.

[0043] In some possible implementation manners, the first beam is a beam of a first satellite, a position of a second satellite and a position of the first satellite satisfy a first condition, and the selection criterion includes: selecting a beam of the second satellite as the second beam.

[0044] In the embodiments of the present application, the position of the second satellite and the position of the first satellite satisfy the first condition, so that the terminal device can select a more suitable second beam, thereby helping to more accurately predict whether the first beam will fail.

[0045] In some possible implementation ways, the first condition comprises that the second satellite is a same-orbit predecessor satellite of the first satellite, or the second satellite is a same-trajectory predecessor satellite of the first satellite.

[0046] In the embodiments of the present application, when the second satellite is a same-orbit predecessor satellite of the first satellite, the scenario that the boundary of the occluded area is more perpendicular to the orbit of the first satellite is suitable, and when the second satellite is a same-trajectory predecessor satellite of the first satellite, the scenario that the boundary of the occluded area is more perpendicular to the trajectory of the first satellite is suitable, and the first condition can be flexibly adapted to different occluded scenarios.

[0047] In some possible implementation ways, the first beam is a beam of the first satellite, an angle between the third satellite and the first satellite satisfies a second condition, and the selection criterion comprises: selecting a beam of the third satellite as the second beam.

[0048] In the embodiments of the present application, the beam of the third satellite that satisfies the second condition with the first satellite is selected as the second beam, so that the terminal device can select a more suitable second beam, thereby helping to more accurately predict whether the first beam will fail. When the angle between the third satellite and the first satellite satisfies the second condition, the scenario that the boundary of the occluded area is more parallel to the motion direction (or the orbit / trajectory) of the first satellite is suitable, so that the second condition can be flexibly adapted to different occluded scenarios.

[0049] In some possible implementation ways, the second condition comprises that an azimuth angle between the third satellite and the first satellite does not exceed a first threshold value, and / or a zenith angle between the third satellite and the first satellite does not exceed a second threshold value.

[0050] In the embodiments of the present application, the second condition comprises that an azimuth angle between the third satellite and the first satellite does not exceed a first threshold value, and / or a zenith angle between the third satellite and the first satellite does not exceed a second threshold value, and the second condition can be flexibly adapted to different occluded scenarios.

[0051] In some possible implementation ways, the method further comprises: sending second information to the terminal device, the second information being used to indicate a judgment criterion for judging whether a beam fails.

[0052] In the embodiments of the present application, the second information is sent to the terminal device, so that the terminal device determines the second beam based on the indication of the network device and the judgment criterion, thereby facilitating the network device to perform unified configuration.

[0053] In some possible implementation manners, the judgment criterion comprises: a time that the signal strength of the second beam is lower than a third threshold is greater than or equal to x seconds, and / or a number of beam failure instances reported by a physical layer of the terminal device is greater than or equal to a fourth threshold, x being a positive integer.

[0054] In the embodiments of the present application, the judgment criterion comprises: a time that the signal strength of the second beam is lower than a third threshold is greater than or equal to x seconds, and / or a number of beam failure instances reported by a physical layer of the terminal device is greater than or equal to a fourth threshold, so as to facilitate the terminal device to conveniently detect the second beam according to the judgment criterion.

[0055] In a third aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which can be used in the terminal device of the first aspect, and can be the terminal device, a device (for example, a chip, or a chip system, or a circuit, or a processor) in the terminal device, or a device capable of being used in combination with the terminal device, and can also be a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the terminal device.

[0056] The communication apparatus comprises a module corresponding to each of the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the first aspect or any possible implementation manner of the first aspect, which can be a hardware circuit, a software, or a combination of hardware circuit and software.

[0057] In a fourth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which can be used in the network device of the second aspect, and can be the network device, a device (for example, a chip, or a chip system, or a circuit, or a processor) in the network device, or a device capable of being used in combination with the network device, and can also be a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the network device.

[0058] The communication apparatus comprises a module corresponding to each of the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the second aspect or any possible implementation manner of the second aspect, which can be a hardware circuit, a software, or a combination of hardware circuit and software.

[0059] In a fifth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the memory is used to store a computer program (which can also be referred to as code or instruction), and the computer program is executed by the processor to enable the communication apparatus to perform the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation manner of the first aspect.

[0060] In some possible implementation manners, the communication apparatus further includes a memory coupled with the processor.

[0061] In some possible implementation manners, the processor is one or more, and / or the memory is one or more.

[0062] In some possible implementation manners, the memory can be integrated with the processor, or the memory is arranged separately from the processor.

[0063] In some possible implementation manners, the communication apparatus further includes a communication interface for inputting and / or outputting signals.

[0064] In some possible implementation manners, the communication apparatus is a chip. The computer program is executed by the processor, so that a device installed with the chip implements the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation manner in the first aspect.

[0065] In a sixth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, including: a processor coupled with a memory, the memory being configured to store a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions), the computer program being executed by the processor, so that the communication apparatus executes the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation manner in the second aspect.

[0066] In some possible implementation manners, the communication apparatus further includes a memory coupled with the processor.

[0067] In some possible implementation manners, the processor is one or more, and / or the memory is one or more.

[0068] In some possible implementation manners, the memory can be integrated with the processor, or the memory is arranged separately from the processor.

[0069] In some possible implementation manners, the communication apparatus further includes a communication interface for inputting and / or outputting signals.

[0070] In some possible implementation manners, the communication apparatus is a chip. The computer program is executed by the processor, so that a device installed with the chip implements the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation manner in the second aspect.

[0071] In a seventh aspect, a computer readable storage medium is provided, the computer readable storage medium storing a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions), when the computer program runs on a computer, the computer program causes the computer to execute the method in any one of the aspects or any possible implementation manner in any one of the aspects.

[0072] In an eighth aspect, a computer program product is provided, which includes a computer program (which can also be referred to as code or instructions) that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method in any one of the aspects or any possible implementation of any one of the aspects.

[0073] In a ninth aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes a communication device (such as a terminal device) for performing the method in the first aspect and / or a communication device (such as a network device) for performing the method in the second aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0074] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a wireless communication system suitable for use with the present application.

[0075] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a satellite network architecture in an embodiment of the present application.

[0076] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of another satellite network architecture in an embodiment of the present application.

[0077] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture in which NTN devices and ground networks are integrated in an embodiment of the present application.

[0078] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of another network architecture in which NTN devices and ground networks are integrated in an embodiment of the present application.

[0079] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a satellite orbit in an embodiment of the present application.

[0080] FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0081] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the relationship between a service satellite and a warning satellite in an embodiment of the present application.

[0082] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the relationship between a service satellite and a warning satellite in another embodiment of the present application.

[0083] FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0084] FIG. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by another embodiment of the present application.

[0085] FIG. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of a device provided by an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0086] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0087] In the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified, " / " represents that the objects before and after the correlation are in an "or" relationship, for example, A / B can represent A or B; "and / or" in the present application is only a description of the correlation of the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone, wherein A and B can be singular or plural. And, in the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" means two or more than two. "At least one of the following" or the like means any combination of the items, including any combination of single item or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, or a-b-c, wherein a, b, and c can be single or multiple. In addition, in order to clearly describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, "first", "second", and the like are used to distinguish the same items or similar items with basically the same function and role. The skilled in the art can understand that "first", "second", and the like do not limit the quantity and execution order, and "first", "second", and the like do not necessarily mean different. It should be understood that the present application, "in the case of", "if", "when", "if", and the like can be replaced.

[0088] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, for example: 5th generation (5G) system or new radio (NR), long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD), satellite and other non-terrestrial communication systems, communication systems combining terrestrial communication and non-terrestrial communication, etc. The technical solutions provided in the present application can also be applied to future communication systems.

[0089] In order to facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, first, the communication system suitable for the embodiments of the present application is described in conjunction with FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system includes a radio access network 100. The radio access network 100 can include at least one network device (such as 110a, 110b, and 110c in FIG. 1), and can also include at least one terminal (such as 120a to 120g in FIG. 1).

[0090] The terminal device in the embodiments of the present application can refer to a user equipment (user equipment, UE), a station, an access terminal, a user unit, a user station, a mobile station, a mobile station (mobile station, MS), a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile terminal (mobile terminal, MT), a user terminal, a terminal (or terminal device), a wireless communication device, a user agent or a user device, etc., or a device for providing voice or data connectivity to a user, which can also be an Internet of Things device, for example, the terminal device includes a handheld device with wireless connection function, a vehicle-mounted device, etc., which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. The terminal device in the embodiments of the present application can be a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (session initiation protocol, SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (wireless local loop, WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (personal digital assistant, PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication function, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a large screen, a vehicle-mounted device (for example, a car, a bicycle, an electric vehicle, an airplane, a ship, a train, a high-speed rail, etc.), a wearable device (for example, a smart watch, a smart bracelet, a pedometer, smart glasses, etc.), a machine type communication (machine type communication, MTC) terminal device, a terminal device in a 5G network or a terminal device in a future evolved public land mobile network (public land mobile network, PLMN), etc., which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.The terminal device in the embodiments of the present application can also be a tablet computer (Pad), a notebook computer, a palm computer, a mobile internet device (MID), a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, a smart point of sale (POS) machine, a customer-premises equipment (CPE), a light UE, a reduced capability UE (RedCap UE), a wireless terminal in industrial control, a smart home device (for example, a refrigerator, a television, an air conditioner, an electricity meter, etc.), a smart robot, a mechanical arm, a plant device, a wireless terminal in self driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, a flight device (for example, a smart robot, a hot air balloon, a drone, an airplane), etc. The terminal device can also be a vehicle device, for example, a whole vehicle device, a vehicle-mounted module, a vehicle-mounted chip, an on board unit (OBU) or a telematics box (T-BOX), etc. The terminal device can also be other devices with terminal functions, for example, the terminal device can also be a device in device to device (D2D) communication.

[0091] In some embodiments, the terminal device can be used to act as a base station. Optionally, the terminal device can act as a scheduling entity to provide a sidelink signal between terminal devices in vehicle to everything (V2X) or device to device (D2D) communication, etc. For example, a cellular phone and a car can communicate using the sidelink signal, or a cellular phone and a smart home device can also communicate using the sidelink signal without relaying the communication signal through the base station.

[0092] The network device (or communication apparatus) in the embodiments of the present application can refer to a radio access network (RAN) node (or device) that accesses a terminal device to a wireless network, which can also be referred to as a base station (BS). For example, the network device can be a Node B, an evolved Node B (eNodeB), a next generation Node B (gNB) in a 5G mobile communication system, a transmission reception point (TRP), an access point (AP), a network device in a non-terrestrial network (NTN) system (such as a satellite), a base station in a future mobile communication system, an access node (AP) in a WiFi system, a wireless controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario, a relay station, an access point, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a network device in other communication systems in future evolution, and the like.

[0093] In some embodiments, a terminal device can be assisted by multiple RAN nodes to implement wireless access, and different RAN nodes can respectively implement part of functions of a base station. For example, a RAN node (i.e., a network device in the present application) can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and the DU can be separately arranged, or can be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna processing unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH). In different systems, the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU can also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in an open radio access network (ORAN) system, the CU can also be referred to as an open CU (O-CU), the DU can also be referred to as an open DU (O-DU), the CU-CP can also be referred to as an O-CU-CP, the CU-UP can also be referred to as an O-CU-UP, and the RU can also be referred to as an O-RU. Any one of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in the present application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module. It should be understood that the present application does not limit the specific technology and specific device form of the network device.

[0094] In some embodiments, the network device can be fixed or mobile, and the present application does not limit this. For example, a helicopter or a drone can be configured as a mobile network device, and one or more cells can move according to the position of the mobile network device. In other examples, a helicopter or a drone can be configured to serve as a device that communicates with another network device.

[0095] In some embodiments, the network device can be deployed on land or in the air, and the present application does not limit this. For example, the network device can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; can be deployed on the water surface; and can be deployed on an aircraft, a balloon, and a satellite in the air.

[0096] In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device or the network device can include a hardware layer, an operating system layer running above the hardware layer, and an application layer running on the operating system layer. The hardware layer includes hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU), a memory management unit (MMU), and a memory (also referred to as a main memory). The operating system can be any one or more computer operating systems that implement business processing through a process. The application layer includes applications such as a browser, an address book, word processing software, instant messaging software, and the like. Moreover, the specific structure of the execution subject of the method provided in the embodiments of the present application is not particularly limited in the embodiments of the present application, as long as the execution subject can communicate according to the method provided in the embodiments of the present application by running a program in which the code of the method provided in the embodiments of the present application is recorded.

[0097] In addition, various aspects or features of the disclosure can be realized as methods, apparatus, or articles of manufacture using standard programming and / or engineering techniques. The term "article of manufacture" as used herein is intended to encompass a computer program accessible from any computer-readable device, carrier, or media. For example, computer-readable media can include but are not limited to magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic strips, etc.), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD), etc.), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g., EPROM, card, stick, or key drive, etc.). Additionally, various storage media described herein can represent one or more devices and / or other machine-readable media for storing information. The term "machine-readable medium" can include, without being limited to, wireless channels and various other media capable of storing, containing, and / or carrying instruction and / or data.

[0098] With the development of communication technology, non-terrestrial network (NTN) systems are increasingly widely used. Compared with terrestrial communication systems, NTN systems have characteristics such as large coverage area and flexible networking.

[0099] The network device (which can also be referred to simply as an NTN device) in the NTN system can be a satellite, a high altitude platform station (HAPS), a drone, and other non-ground devices / equipment. The high altitude platform is usually 8-50 km above the ground. The NTN system networked by satellites (such as network devices) can be referred to as a satellite communication system. For ease of understanding, the satellite communication system is taken as an example for description in the subsequent embodiments.

[0100] In the satellite communication system, according to the orbital height, the satellites can be divided into three types: geostationary earth orbit (GEO), medium earth orbit (MEO), and low earth orbit (LEO).

[0101] The orbital height of the GEO satellite is 35786 km. The main advantage is that it can remain relatively stationary with the ground and can provide a large coverage area. However, the GEO satellite also has obvious disadvantages: 1) The GEO satellite is far away from the earth, and the free space propagation loss is large, which causes the communication link budget to be tight. In order to increase the transmission / reception gain, a large-diameter antenna needs to be provided for the GEO satellite; 2) The communication transmission delay is large, and the round-trip delay can reach about 500 ms, which cannot meet the demand of real-time services; 3) The orbital resources of the GEO satellite are relatively tight, the launch cost is high, and the GEO satellite cannot provide coverage for the two polar regions of the earth.

[0102] The orbital height of the MEO satellite ranges from 2000 km to 35786 km. The advantage is that global coverage can be achieved with relatively fewer MEO satellites. However, the orbital height of the MEO satellite is much higher than that of the LEO satellite, and therefore, the transmission delay of the MEO satellite is much larger than that of the LEO satellite. In view of the advantages and disadvantages of the MEO satellite, the MEO satellite is mainly applied to positioning and navigation.

[0103] The orbital height of the LEO satellite ranges from 300 km to 2000 km. The orbital height of the LEO satellite is lower than that of the MEO satellite and the GEO satellite, and has the advantages of small data propagation delay, small transmission loss, and relatively low launch cost. Therefore, the NTN communication based on the LEO satellite has obtained wide attention in recent years.

[0104] In addition, due to the limitation of manufacturing and launching costs, the on-board data processing capability and the transmission power are limited, and the satellite communication network cannot currently provide the terminal device with a comparable communication rate compared with the ground network (which can also be referred to as a terrestrial communication network, a land communication network, etc.). In order to break through this limitation and improve the overall data processing capability and communication throughput of the satellite communication network, satellite operators are preparing to launch a mega low-orbit constellation, that is, to compensate for the insufficient communication capability of a single satellite by increasing the number of satellites. Therefore, in the future, in the NTN system, after the terminal device accesses the NTN system, it can be "visible" to multiple communicable satellites for a period of time, that is, multiple satellites can simultaneously provide communication services for the terminal device, which provides a basic condition for multi-satellite cooperative transmission.

[0105] The network architecture of the satellite communication system (which can be referred to as a satellite network architecture) can include the following network elements: a gateway, a service link, a feeder link, a base station, a satellite, and an inter-satellite link, etc. Among them, the base station is usually located on the ground and can also be referred to as a satellite base station (which can be understood as a base station in a satellite network); the gateway can be used to connect the satellite and the ground public network, and the number of gateways can be one or more, which are usually located on the ground; the feeder link can be a link for communication between the gateway and the satellite; the service link can be a link for communication between the terminal device and the satellite; the inter-satellite link can be a link for communication between satellites; the interface between base stations can be an Xn interface, the interface between the base station and the core network can be a next generation (NG) interface, and the interface between the core network and the data network can be an N6 interface.

[0106] The satellite in the satellite communication system can work in different modes, such as a transparent mode and a regenerative mode. When the satellite works in the different modes mentioned above, the satellite communication system can also implement different network architectures.

[0107] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a satellite network architecture. In this network, the satellite works in a transparent mode and can implement the function of relay forwarding, and the gateway can implement all or part of the functions of a base station (gNB), at this time, the satellite and the gateway can be regarded as a remote radio unit (RRU) in a wireless access network. The gNB and the gateway can be located on the ground, and the gNB can be deployed together with (or close to) the gateway, or the gNB can be deployed separately from (or far away from) the gateway. The feeder link in FIG. 2 can be implemented through an air interface (such as a new radio air interface (NR Uu)), and the delay of the feeder link can include the delay from the satellite to the gateway and the delay from the gateway to the gNB.

[0108] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of another satellite network architecture. In this network, the satellite works in a regenerative mode, has data processing capability, and can implement all or part of the functions of a base station (gNB), at which point the satellite can be regarded as a base station (gNB). The feeder link in FIG. 3 can be implemented through an NG interface, at which point the interface between the UE and the satellite can be an air interface.

[0109] It should be noted that the satellites in FIGS. 2 and 3 above can be GEO satellites, MEO satellites, LEO satellites, etc., or other non-ground devices such as HAPS, drones, etc.

[0110] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture in which an NTN device and a ground network are integrated. The NTN device in FIG. 4 can work in a transmissive mode, and the NTN device can include a GEO satellite 411, a LEO satellite 412, a LEO satellite 413, a LEO satellite 414, a drone 415, and can provide communication services for a terminal device 421, a terminal device 422, a terminal device 423, a terminal device 424, and a terminal device 425, respectively, wherein the LEO satellite 412, the LEO satellite 413, the LEO satellite 414, and the drone 415 can be connected to a core network through a gateway station 432 and a satellite base station 433, and the GEO satellite 411 can be connected to the core network through a gateway station 434 and a satellite base station 435; a ground base station 431 is a network device in a ground network and can provide communication services for a terminal device 426.

[0111] The gateway station 432 and the gateway station 434 in FIG. 4 can implement all or part of the functions of a base station. The gateway station 432, the satellite base station 433, the gateway station 434, and the satellite base station 435 can be deployed on the ground.

[0112] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of another network architecture in which an NTN device and a ground network are integrated. The NTN device in FIG. 5 can work in a regenerative mode, and the NTN device can include a GEO satellite 511, a LEO satellite 512, a LEO satellite 513, a LEO satellite 514, a drone 515, and can provide communication services for a terminal device 521, a terminal device 522, a terminal device 523, a terminal device 524, and a terminal device 525, respectively, wherein the LEO satellite 512, the LEO satellite 513, the LEO satellite 514, and the drone 515 can be connected to a core network through a gateway station 532, and the GEO satellite 511 can be connected to the core network through a gateway station 533; a ground base station 531 is a network device in a ground network and can provide communication services for a terminal device 526.

[0113] The NTN device in FIG. 5 can implement all or part of the functions of a base station. The gateway station 532 and the gateway station 533 can be deployed on the ground.

[0114] In FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 described above, the NTN device and the ground base station can be assisted and interconnected through a common core network, or can be assisted and interconnected through an interface between base stations (such as an interface between a satellite base station and a ground base station).

[0115] Currently, the application scenarios of satellite communication are mainly line of sight (LOS) scenarios. Obstructions such as terrain and buildings can affect the communication link. The obstruction of satellite communication can include the following:

[0116] No obstruction: can be used for communication;

[0117] Complete obstruction: unable to communicate;

[0118] Partial obstruction: depends on the link loss caused by obstruction, slight obstruction can still be used for communication;

[0119] Non line of sight (NLOS): the satellite is obstructed, and the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the communication link is very low, which cannot support most communication scenarios; but as a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signal in positioning scenarios, it will be detected and will reduce the positioning accuracy, which should be identified and excluded.

[0120] When the serving satellite is obstructed, it will affect the communication link (such as reducing the SNR of the communication link), and in severe cases, it will cause the beam (such as the serving beam of the terminal device) to fail, and even cause the communication link to be interrupted. It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, the obstruction of the satellite can be understood as the transmission path of the signal transmitted between the satellite and the terminal device being obstructed.

[0121] The terminal device can perform beam detection to determine whether the beam fails, and when the beam fails, trigger a beam failure recovery process. For example, the process can be implemented through the following steps:

[0122] Step one, beam failure recovery (BFR) cell configuration

[0123] The base station configures the BFR cell for the UE based on the capability reported by the UE, and delivers it to the UE. The BFR cell can include information such as a beam detection set, a beam recovery candidate set, a PRACH resource associated with the beam in the beam recovery candidate set, etc.

[0124] It should be noted that the beam recovery candidate set herein is different from the candidate beam set in subsequent embodiments. The beam recovery candidate set can be used by the UE to perform beam failure recovery after beam failure; while the candidate beam set can be used to determine the second beam (i.e., the early warning beam), and the candidate beam in the candidate beam set can refer to the candidate beam of the second beam. The candidate beam in the subsequent method 700 corresponds to the candidate beam in the candidate beam set in the embodiment.

[0125] Step two, beam failure detection

[0126] The UE can perform beam failure detection on the beams in the beam detection set. If the number of beam failure instances reported by the physical layer is greater than or equal to a preset number (such as beamFailureInstanceMaxCount) within a preset time (such as beamFailureDetectionTimer), the UE can determine that the beam (such as the service beam of the UE) has failed.

[0127] Step three, beam failure recovery request

[0128] The UE can select a beam with a reference signal receiving power (RSRP) higher than a preset value in the beam recovery candidate set, and include the information of the beam in the random access (RA) preamble of the random access, to initiate the random access (i.e., the beam failure recovery request).

[0129] Step four, beam failure recovery response

[0130] After the base station receives the dedicated random access preamble of the beam failure recovery request, it can select a new service beam for the UE and send a beam failure recovery response to the UE to complete the beam failure recovery.

[0131] Currently, in order to avoid triggering the beam failure recovery process after the service satellite is blocked and causes beam failure, the UE can determine whether the current service satellite is about to enter the blocked area through the skyline information, to trigger the beam failure recovery process in advance. The skyline information can indicate the blocking condition of the transmission path of the signal transmitted between the satellite and the UE, and the skyline information can also be referred to as satellite visibility information (or visibility information), satellite blocking information (or blocking information), NTN transmission environment information, link quality information, or NTN transmission path information, etc. For example, the skyline information can indicate one or more of the following:

[0132] The transmission path of the communication signal is a visible path;

[0133] The transmission path of the communication signal is an invisible path;

[0134] The transmission path of the communication signal is a LOS path; or,

[0135] The transmission path for the communication signal is an NLOS path.

[0136] Since the satellite orbits are known, if the skyline information is accurate, the UE can accurately predict the time when the serving satellite will be blocked, and thus can trigger the beam failure recovery process in advance.

[0137] However, the detection of skyline information suffers from accuracy issues. On one hand, the UE needs to remain stationary and perform long-term measurements on a large-scale constellation to obtain high-precision skyline information (skyline information obtained through short-term detection is not accurate), and such detection conditions may not exist in real-world communication scenarios. On the other hand, the accuracy of skyline information also depends on the fitting algorithm; different communication scenarios may require different fitting algorithms, and an inappropriate fitting algorithm can also affect the accuracy of the skyline information. Therefore, the detection of skyline information is highly complex, and, limited by the accuracy of skyline information, prediction of satellite obstruction based on skyline information also has considerable uncertainty.

[0138] In summary, satellite obstruction can lead to beam failure and even communication link interruption, but it is currently impossible to accurately predict satellite obstruction. Therefore, how to avoid communication link interruptions in satellite communications has become a pressing technical problem that needs to be solved.

[0139] In order to solve one or more of the above-mentioned technical problems, this application proposes a communication method and communication device that can trigger a beam failure recovery process in advance when there is a risk of failure of the serving beam (such as the first beam), thereby avoiding the interruption of the satellite communication link.

[0140] First, we will introduce the methods for describing orbits (i.e., satellite orbits) and the position of a satellite in an orbit.

[0141] The orbit and the satellite's position within the orbit can be described using the Keplerian six-root method. For example, one such six-root method can be shown in Table 1 below:

[0142] Table 1 describes a method using six roots.

[0143] When the orbit is circular, the eccentricity is 0; the ephemeris information can be two-line orbital elements (TLE) parameters; the ascending node can refer to the point where the satellite crosses the equator from the Southern Hemisphere to the Northern Hemisphere; as shown in Figure 6, perigee can be understood as the moment when the satellite crosses the X-axis in the orbital plane.

[0144] Alternatively, the orbit and the satellite's position within the orbit can also be described using other six-element methods. For example, the last parameter (perigee time) in Table 1 above can be replaced with the mean anomaly or the true anomaly, as shown in Table 2 below:

[0145] Table 2 describes another method using six roots.

[0146] The ascending node angle Ω and perigee angle ω in Tables 1 and 2 above can be seen in Figure 6. The coordinate system shown in Figure 6 is the earth-centered, earth-fixed (ECEF) coordinate system, which can also be simply called the geocentric coordinate system. The origin O of this coordinate system is the Earth's center (or the center of mass of the Earth). The Z-axis is parallel to the Earth's axis and points to the North Pole. The X-axis points to the intersection of the Prime Meridian and the Earth's equator. The Y-axis is perpendicular to the XOZ plane (i.e., the intersection of 90 degrees east longitude and the equator), forming a right-handed coordinate system.

[0147] It should be noted that the mean perihelion angle in Table 2 has the same function as the perihelion time in Table 1; both can be used to determine the instantaneous or initial position of a satellite in its orbit.

[0148] The communication method in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figure 7.

[0149] Figure 7 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The method 700 shown in Figure 7 may include steps S710 and S720, as follows:

[0150] S710, the terminal equipment detects the second beam.

[0151] The first beam can serve the terminal device; that is, the first beam can be the service beam for the terminal device.

[0152] Optionally, the first beam can be the beam of the first satellite, that is, the first satellite can be the service satellite of the terminal device.

[0153] The second beam can be used to determine whether the first beam will (or is about to) fail; or, the second beam can be used to predict in advance whether the first beam will (or is about to) fail; or, the second beam can be used to trigger the beam failure recovery process in advance when there is a risk of failure of the serving beam (such as the first beam).

[0154] For example, in the movement of the first satellite where the first beam is located and the satellite where the second beam is located, the second beam can fail before the first beam fails, so that when the second beam fails, it can be known in advance that the first beam will fail soon, so that the first beam will be predicted according to the second beam, and the beam failure recovery process can be triggered in advance in the case that the first beam has a failure risk, and thus the communication link of the satellite communication can be avoided from being interrupted.

[0155] Optionally, the second beam can also be referred to as a warning beam or a warning beam of the first beam. Optionally, the satellite where the second beam is located can also be referred to as a warning satellite or a warning satellite of the terminal device.

[0156] In some embodiments, the first beam and the second beam can be different beams. Optionally, the first beam and the second beam can be beams of different satellites, for example, the first beam can be a beam of a first satellite, and the second beam can be a beam of a second satellite or a third satellite.

[0157] In some embodiments, the second beam can be a service beam of the terminal device.

[0158] In some embodiments, the second beam can include one or more beams. That is, the first beam can be associated with one or more warning beams.

[0159] In some embodiments, the first beam can include one or more beams, and any beam of the one or more beams can be associated with one or more warning beams. That is, the terminal device can include one or more service beams, and any service beam of the one or more service beams can be associated with one or more warning beams.

[0160] For example, the terminal device can include a plurality of service beams, and each service beam of the plurality of service beams can be associated with one or more warning beams.

[0161] In some embodiments, the second beam can be pre-configured (such as user configuration) or pre-agreed (such as specified in a communication standard protocol).

[0162] In some embodiments, the second beam can also be configured by the network device. For example, before S710, the method 700 can further include steps S702, S704 and S706, as follows:

[0163] S702, the network device determines first information.

[0164] The first information can be used to indicate the second beam.

[0165] Optionally, the first information can also be used to indicate the first beam.

[0166] S704, the network device sends first information to the terminal device.

[0167] S706, the terminal device determines a second beam according to the first information.

[0168] In some embodiments, the first information can directly indicate the second beam.

[0169] At this time, the terminal device can directly determine the second beam according to the indication of the first information.

[0170] Optionally, the first information can be used to indicate configuration information of the second beam. The configuration information of the second beam can include at least one of the following: a resource of the second beam, a beam identifier of the second beam, a satellite identifier of a satellite where the second beam is located, or ephemeris information of the satellite where the second beam is located.

[0171] The resource of the second beam can include a synchronization signal block (SSB) and / or a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) associated with the second beam. The beam identifier of the second beam can include an SSB identifier and / or a CSI-RS identifier. The satellite identifier can be a space vehicle identifier (SVN).

[0172] For example, the first information can indicate the early warning beam (i.e., the second beam) in the form of indication in Table 3 below.

[0173] Table 3: One indication form of early warning beam

[0174] In the above Table 3, SSB#0 is the serving beam of the terminal device, and SSB#1 is the early warning beam. Through the above Table 3, the terminal device can directly know the early warning beam (i.e., the second beam).

[0175] In some embodiments, the first information can be used to indicate a candidate beam set of the second beam and a selection criterion of the second beam. The candidate beam set can include one or more candidate beams.

[0176] It should be noted that the candidate beam set can be used to determine the second beam (i.e., the early warning beam), and therefore, the candidate beams in the candidate beam set can be understood as candidate beams of the second beam (i.e., the early warning beam).

[0177] At this time, the terminal device can determine the second beam from the candidate beam set of the second beam according to the selection criterion of the second beam.

[0178] Optionally, the first information can be used to indicate configuration information of each candidate beam in the candidate beam set. The configuration information of the candidate beam can include at least one of the following: a resource of the candidate beam, a beam identifier of the candidate beam, a satellite identifier of a satellite where the candidate beam is located, or ephemeris information of the satellite where the candidate beam is located.

[0179] The resource of the candidate beam can include an SSB and / or a CSI-RS associated with the candidate beam.

[0180] For example, the first information can indicate the candidate beam set of the early warning beam (i.e., the second beam) in the form of Table 4 below.

[0181] Table 4: One indication form of the candidate beam set of the early warning beam

[0182] In the above Table 4, SSB#0 is the serving beam of the terminal device, SSB#1, SSB#2, etc. are the candidate beams of the early warning beam, wherein the ephemeris information of the satellite where SSB#0 is located is ephemeris#0, the ephemeris information of the satellite where SSB#1 is located is ephemeris#1, and the ephemeris information of the satellite where SSB#2 is located is ephemeris#2. Through the ephemeris information of the satellite where each candidate beam is located in the above Table 4, the terminal device can obtain the position of the satellite where each candidate beam is located, so as to determine which beams of which satellites to be used as the early warning beam according to the selection criteria.

[0183] For another example, the first information can indicate the candidate beam set of the early warning beam (i.e., the second beam) in the form of Table 5 below.

[0184] Table 5: Another indication form of the candidate beam set of the early warning beam

[0185] In the above Table 5, SVN#1 is the satellite identifier of the satellite where the serving beam of the terminal device is located, SVN#2, SVN#3, etc. are the satellite identifiers of the satellites where the candidate beams of the early warning beam are located, wherein the ephemeris information of the satellite SVN#1 is ephemeris#0, the ephemeris information of the satellite SVN#2 is ephemeris#1, and the ephemeris information of the satellite SVN#3 is ephemeris#2. Through the ephemeris information of the satellite where each candidate beam is located in the above Table 5, the terminal device can obtain the position of the satellite where each candidate beam is located, so as to determine which beams of which satellites to be used as the early warning beam according to the selection criteria.

[0186] Optionally, the selection criteria can indicate that the beam of the satellite that meets a certain positional relationship with the satellite where the first beam is located (such as the first satellite) is selected as the second beam.

[0187] For example, the selection criterion can comprise: selecting a beam of the second satellite as the second beam, a position of the second satellite can satisfy the first condition with a position of the first satellite.

[0188] Optionally, the first condition can comprise: the second satellite is a same-orbit preceding satellite of the first satellite, or the second satellite is a same-trajectory preceding satellite of the first satellite.

[0189] Two satellites being same-orbit can refer to: right ascension of the ascending node (RAAN) values of the two satellites being same in a shell, and the two satellites being same-shell can refer to: orbit altitudes and orbit inclinations of the two satellites being same.

[0190] Therefore, the second satellite being a same-orbit preceding satellite of the first satellite can be understood as: the second satellite is same-orbit with the first satellite, and the second satellite is located in front of the first satellite in a movement direction of the orbit. That is, preceding can refer to being located in front in the movement direction in the orbit.

[0191] Two satellites being same-trajectory can refer to: △AoP / △RAAN=ws / we of the two satellites in a shell, where △RAAN can represent a difference between RAANs of the two satellites, △AoP can represent a difference between AoPs of the two satellites, ws represents an angular velocity of the two satellites, and we represents an angular velocity of the earth.

[0192] Therefore, the second satellite being a same-trajectory preceding satellite of the first satellite can be understood as: the second satellite is same-trajectory with the first satellite, and the second satellite is located in front of the first satellite in a movement direction of the trajectory. That is, preceding can refer to being located in front in the movement direction in the orbit.

[0193] For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a dark region is an occluded region, and a light region is an unoccluded region, the occluded region includes a plurality of occluded satellites, the unoccluded region includes an unoccluded satellite 810 and a satellite 820, an arrow direction is a movement direction of the satellite 810 and the satellite 820, the satellite 810 is a serving satellite (such as the first satellite) of a terminal device. The satellite 820 is same-orbit (or same-trajectory) with the satellite 810, and the satellite 820 is located in front of the satellite 810 in a movement direction of the orbit (or the trajectory), then the satellite 820 is a same-orbit preceding satellite (or a same-trajectory preceding satellite) of the satellite 810, that is, the satellite 820 is a warning satellite of the terminal device.

[0194] As can be seen from FIG. 8, the orbit (or trajectory) of the satellite 810 is relatively perpendicular to the boundary of the blocking area, at this time, the satellite 820 in the same orbit (or trajectory) as the satellite 810 can be selected to ensure that the beam (i.e., the early warning beam) of the satellite 820 fails before the beam (i.e., the first beam) of the satellite 810 fails in the movement process of the satellite 810. In this way, when the beam of the satellite 820 fails, it can be known in advance that the beam of the satellite 810 will fail immediately, so that the beam of the satellite 810 will be predicted according to the beam of the satellite 820, and the beam failure recovery process can be triggered in advance in the case that the beam of the satellite 810 has a failure risk.

[0195] It should be noted that the boundary of the blocking area can be understood as the boundary of the part of the blocking area that will block the satellite 810 in the movement process of the satellite 810. The orbit (or trajectory) being relatively perpendicular to the boundary of the blocking area can be understood as the included angle between the orbit (or trajectory) and the boundary of the blocking area being greater than (or equal to) 45 degrees.

[0196] In summary, when the satellite 820 is a same-orbit predecessor satellite or a same-trajectory predecessor satellite of the satellite 810, the first condition is applicable to the scenario in which the boundary of the blocking area is relatively perpendicular to the orbit or the trajectory. In this way, the first condition can be flexibly adapted to different blocking scenarios.

[0197] Optionally, the selection criterion can indicate that the beam of the satellite that meets a certain angular relationship with the satellite (such as the first satellite) where the first beam is located is selected as the second beam.

[0198] For example, the selection criterion can include selecting the beam of the third satellite as the second beam, and the angle between the third satellite and the first satellite can satisfy the second condition.

[0199] Optionally, the second condition can include that the azimuth angle between the third satellite and the first satellite is not more than a first threshold, and / or the zenith angle between the third satellite and the first satellite is not more than a second threshold. For example, the azimuth angle between the third satellite and the first satellite is within ±a degrees, and the zenith angle between the third satellite and the first satellite is within ±b degrees, where a and b are integers.

[0200] For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the dark color area is an occluded area, the light color area is an unoccluded area, the occluded area includes a plurality of occluded satellites, the unoccluded area includes an unoccluded satellite 910 and a satellite 920, the direction indicated by the arrow is the movement direction of the satellite 910 and the satellite 920, and the satellite 910 is a service satellite of the terminal device. If the azimuth angle between the satellite 920 and the satellite 910 does not exceed a first threshold value, and the zenith angle between the satellite 920 and the satellite 910 does not exceed a second threshold value, it can be considered that the angle between the satellite 920 and the satellite 910 can satisfy the second condition (that is, the satellite 920 is a warning satellite of the terminal device).

[0201] As can be seen from FIG. 9, the orbit (or trajectory) of the satellite 910 is relatively parallel to the boundary of the occluded area. Since the boundary of the occluded area can be an irregular line, at this time, in the movement process of the satellite 910, the satellite on the same orbit (or trajectory) as the satellite 910 can not be able to guarantee to fail before the beam (that is, the first beam) of the satellite 910 fails.

[0202] Therefore, the satellite 920 that satisfies the second condition with the satellite 910 can be selected to ensure that the beam (that is, the warning beam) of the satellite 920 can fail before the beam (that is, the first beam) of the satellite 910 fails. In this way, when the beam of the satellite 920 fails, it can be known in advance that the beam of the satellite 910 will fail immediately, so that the beam of the satellite 910 can be predicted according to the beam of the satellite 920, and the beam failure recovery process can be triggered in advance in the case that the beam of the satellite 910 has a failure risk.

[0203] It should be noted that the boundary of the occluded area described above can be understood as the boundary of the part of the occluded area that will occlude the satellite 910 in the movement process of the satellite 910. The orbit (or trajectory) described above can be understood as the angle between the orbit (or trajectory) and the boundary of the occluded area being less than (or equal to) 45 degrees.

[0204] In summary, the angle between the satellite 910 and the satellite 920 satisfies the second condition, which is suitable for the scenario that the boundary of the occluded area is relatively parallel to the movement direction (or the orbit / trajectory) of the service satellite. In this way, the second condition can be flexibly adapted to different occluded scenarios.

[0205] In some embodiments, in S710, the terminal device can detect the second beam according to the judgment criterion. The judgment criterion can be used to judge whether the beam fails.

[0206] For example, the judgment criterion can include: a time when the signal strength of the second beam is lower than a third threshold is greater than or equal to x seconds, and / or a number of beam failure instances reported by a physical layer of the terminal device is greater than or equal to a fourth threshold, x being a positive integer.

[0207] The signal strength can include a reference signal receiving power (RSRP).

[0208] The value of x (seconds) can be related to a distance (such as an arc length) between satellites where the two beams are located.

[0209] For example, the first beam is a beam of a first satellite, and the second beam is a beam of a second satellite, the second satellite being a same-orbit preceding satellite of the first satellite. If the first satellite needs 20 seconds to pass (or cross) the arc length between the first satellite and the second satellite, x can be set to 18 seconds.

[0210] Optionally, the judgment criterion can be pre-configured (such as configured by a user) or pre-agreed (such as specified in a communication standard protocol).

[0211] Optionally, the judgment criterion can also be configured by the network device. For example, before S710, the method 700 can further include S708, specifically as follows:

[0212] S708, the network device sends second information to the terminal device.

[0213] The second information can be used to indicate the judgment criterion.

[0214] Optionally, the first information and the second information can be sent simultaneously. Optionally, the network device can send the first information and the second information to the terminal device simultaneously.

[0215] S720, the terminal device determines whether to trigger a beam failure recovery procedure according to the detection result of the second beam.

[0216] For example, in a case where it is determined according to the detection result of the second beam that the first beam is at risk of failure, the terminal device can initiate a beam failure recovery request.

[0217] In the embodiments of the present application, the second beam is used to determine whether the first beam will fail, and the first beam can be determined to be at risk of failure in advance according to the second beam. Thus, in a case where the first beam is at risk of failure, the beam failure recovery procedure can be triggered in advance, so that the communication link of satellite communication can be prevented from being interrupted.

[0218] The method embodiments of the present application are described in detail above in combination with FIG. 1 to FIG. 9, and the device embodiments of the present application are described in detail below in combination with FIG. 10 to FIG. 12. It should be understood that the description of the method embodiments corresponds to the description of the device embodiments, and therefore, the parts not described in detail can be referred to the foregoing method embodiments.

[0219] FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1000 shown in FIG. 10 can be used in the terminal device in the foregoing embodiments. The communication device 1000 can be a terminal device, a device (for example, a chip or a chip system or a circuit) in a terminal device, or a device capable of being used in combination with a terminal device, or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of a terminal device.

[0220] As shown in FIG. 10, the communication device 1000 includes a detection unit 1010 and a first determination unit 1020, specifically as follows.

[0221] The detection unit 1010 is configured to detect a second beam, the second beam being used to determine whether a first beam is about to fail, the first beam serving the terminal device.

[0222] The first determination unit 1020 is configured to determine whether to trigger a beam failure recovery procedure according to a detection result of the second beam.

[0223] Optionally, the communication device 1000 further includes a receiving unit 1030 configured to receive first information from a network device, the first information being used to indicate the second beam.

[0224] Optionally, the first information is used to indicate configuration information of the second beam, the configuration information of the second beam including at least one of the following: a resource of the second beam, a beam identifier of the second beam, a satellite identifier of a satellite where the second beam is located, or ephemeris information of the satellite where the second beam is located.

[0225] Optionally, the first information is used to indicate a candidate beam set of the second beam and selection criteria of the second beam.

[0226] Optionally, the first information is used to indicate configuration information of each candidate beam in the candidate beam set, the configuration information of the candidate beam including at least one of the following: a resource of the candidate beam, a beam identifier of the candidate beam, a satellite identifier of a satellite where the candidate beam is located, or ephemeris information of the satellite where the candidate beam is located.

[0227] Optionally, the communication apparatus 1000 further includes a second determining unit 1040, configured to determine the second beam from a candidate beam set of the second beam according to a selection criterion of the second beam.

[0228] Optionally, the first beam is a beam of a first satellite, a position of a second satellite satisfies a first condition with a position of the first satellite, and the selection criterion includes: selecting a beam of the second satellite as the second beam.

[0229] The first condition includes: the second satellite is a same-orbit previous satellite of the first satellite, or the second satellite is a same-trajectory previous satellite of the first satellite.

[0230] Optionally, the first beam is a beam of a first satellite, an angle between a third satellite and the first satellite satisfies a second condition, and the selection criterion includes: selecting a beam of the third satellite as the second beam.

[0231] Optionally, the second condition includes: an azimuth angle between the third satellite and the first satellite is less than a first threshold, and / or a zenith angle between the third satellite and the first satellite is less than a second threshold.

[0232] Optionally, the detecting unit 1010 is specifically configured to detect the second beam according to a judgment criterion, the judgment criterion being used to judge whether beam failure occurs.

[0233] Optionally, the communication apparatus 1000 further includes a receiving unit 1030, configured to receive second information from a network device, the second information being used to indicate the judgment criterion.

[0234] Optionally, the judgment criterion includes: a time when a signal strength of the second beam is less than a third threshold is greater than or equal to x seconds, and / or a number of beam failure instances reported by a physical layer of the terminal device is greater than or equal to a fourth threshold, x being a positive integer.

[0235] FIG. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication apparatus 1100 shown in FIG. 11 can be used in the network device in the foregoing embodiments. The communication apparatus 1100 can be the network device, or a device (for example, a chip, or a chip system, or a circuit) in the network device, or a device capable of matching the network device, or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the network device.

[0236] As shown in FIG. 11, the communication apparatus 1100 includes a determining unit 1110 and a sending unit 1120, which are specifically configured as follows.

[0237] The determining unit 1110 is configured to determine first information, the first information being used to indicate a second beam, the second beam being used to determine whether a first beam is to fail, the first beam serving a terminal device.

[0238] The sending unit 1120 is configured to send the first information to the terminal device.

[0239] Optionally, the first information is used to indicate configuration information of the second beam, the configuration information of the second beam including at least one of the following: a resource of the second beam, a beam identifier of the second beam, a satellite identifier of a satellite where the second beam is located, or ephemeris information of the satellite where the second beam is located.

[0240] Optionally, the first information is used to indicate a candidate beam set of the second beam and a selection criterion of the second beam.

[0241] Optionally, the first information is used to indicate configuration information of each candidate beam in the candidate beam set, the configuration information of the candidate beam including at least one of the following: a resource of the candidate beam, a beam identifier of the candidate beam, a satellite identifier of a satellite where the candidate beam is located, or ephemeris information of the satellite where the candidate beam is located.

[0242] Optionally, the first beam is a beam of a first satellite, a second satellite satisfies a first condition with the first satellite in position, and the selection criterion includes: selecting a beam of the second satellite as the second beam.

[0243] Optionally, the first condition includes: the second satellite is a same-orbit previous satellite of the first satellite, or the second satellite is a same-trajectory previous satellite of the first satellite.

[0244] Optionally, the first beam is a beam of a first satellite, a third satellite satisfies a second condition with the first satellite in position, and the selection criterion includes: selecting a beam of the third satellite as the second beam.

[0245] Optionally, the second condition includes: an azimuth angle between the third satellite and the first satellite does not exceed a first threshold value, and / or a zenith angle between the third satellite and the first satellite does not exceed a second threshold value.

[0246] Optionally, the sending unit 1120 is further configured to send second information to the terminal device, the second information being used to indicate a judgment criterion for judging whether to fail.

[0247] Optionally, the judgment criterion comprises: a time when the signal strength of the second beam is lower than a third threshold is greater than or equal to x seconds, and / or a number of beam failure instances reported by a physical layer of the terminal device is greater than or equal to a fourth threshold, x is a positive integer.

[0248] FIG. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of an apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application. The dashed line in FIG. 12 indicates that the unit or module is optional. The apparatus 1200 can be used to implement the method described in the above method embodiments. The apparatus 1200 can be a chip or a communication apparatus.

[0249] The apparatus 1200 can include one or more processors 1210. The processor 1210 can support the apparatus 1200 to implement the method described in the foregoing method embodiments. The processor 1210 can be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor. For example, the processor can be a central processing unit (CPU). Alternatively, the processor can also be other general-purpose processors, microprocessor units (MPUs), microcontroller units (MCUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), artificial intelligence processors (AI processors) or neural processing units (NPUs), digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gates or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or the processor can also be any conventional processor.

[0250] The apparatus 1200 can further include one or more memories 1220. The memories 1220 store programs, which can be executed by the processor 1210, so that the processor 1210 performs the methods described in the foregoing method embodiments. The memories 1220 can be independent of the processor 1210 or integrated in the processor 1210. In embodiments of the present application, the memories 1220 can include, but are not limited to, a cache, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), a hard disk drive (HDD), or a solid-state drive (SSD), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), or a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), and the like.

[0251] The apparatus 1200 can further include a transceiver 1230. The processor 1210 can communicate with other devices or chips through the transceiver 1230. For example, the processor 1210 can perform data transceiving with other devices or chips through the transceiver 1230.

[0252] It should be noted that the information interaction, execution process, and the like between the above apparatuses / units, since based on the same concept as the method embodiments of the present application, the specific functions and the technical effects brought by them can be referred to the method embodiments part, and will not be repeated here.

[0253] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, only the division of the above functional units and modules is exemplified, and in actual applications, the above functions can be completed by different functional units and modules according to needs, that is, the internal structure of the apparatus is divided into different functional units or modules to complete all or part of the functions described above. Each functional unit or module in the embodiments can be integrated in one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit. The above integrated unit can be realized in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional unit. In addition, the specific names of each functional unit or module are only for easy distinction, and do not limit the protection scope of the present application. The specific working process of the unit or module in the system can refer to the corresponding process in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0254] The embodiment of the present application further provides a computer readable storage medium, which stores a computer program. When the computer program is run on a computer, the computer is caused to implement the steps in the above various method embodiments.

[0255] The embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, which comprises a computer program. When the computer program is run on a computer, the computer is caused to implement the steps in the above various method embodiments.

[0256] The embodiment of the present application further provides a chip, which comprises a processor and a memory. The memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is used to call and run the computer program stored in the memory, so that a device or equipment (such as a communication device) installed with the chip executes the steps in the above various method embodiments.

[0257] The integrated unit, if realized in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the embodiment of the present application realizes all or part of the processes in the above method embodiments, which can be completed by a computer program instructing related hardware. The computer program can be stored in a computer readable storage medium, and the computer program can realize the steps in the above various method embodiments when executed by a processor. The computer program comprises computer program code, which can be in the form of source code, object code, executable file or some intermediate form. The computer readable storage medium at least includes any entity or device capable of carrying the computer program code to a device, recording medium, computer memory, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), electrical carrier signal, telecommunication signal and software distribution medium. For example, U disk, mobile hard disk, magnetic disk or optical disk, etc. In some jurisdictions, according to legislation and patent practice, the computer readable storage medium can not be an electrical carrier signal and a telecommunication signal.

[0258] In the above embodiments, the description of each embodiment has its own focus, and the parts not described or recorded in detail in a certain embodiment can be referred to the relevant description of other embodiments.

[0259] Those skilled in the art can understand that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein can be realized in electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether the functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present application.

[0260] In the embodiments provided by the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatuses / devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the embodiments of the apparatuses / devices described above are merely schematic, for example, the division of the modules or units is merely a logical function division, and there can be another division manner in actual implementation, for example, a plurality of units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the displayed or discussed mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection can be indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, and can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0261] The units described as separate components can or can not be physically separate, and the components shown as units can or can not be physical units, i.e. can be located in one place or distributed on a plurality of network units. Part or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of the embodiments according to actual needs.

[0262] The above-described embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than limit them; although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments can be modified, or some technical features can be replaced by equivalents; and these modifications or replacements do not make the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and should be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is applied to a terminal device, and the method comprises: detecting a second beam, the second beam being used to determine whether a first beam is about to fail, the first beam serving the terminal device; determining whether to trigger a beam failure recovery procedure according to a detection result of the second beam.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving first information from a network device, the first information being used to indicate the second beam.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, The first information is used to indicate configuration information of the second beam, the configuration information of the second beam comprising at least one of the following: resources of the second beam, a beam identifier of the second beam, a satellite identifier of a satellite where the second beam is located, or ephemeris information of the satellite where the second beam is located.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein, The first information is used to indicate a candidate beam set of the second beam and selection criteria of the second beam.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, The first information is used to indicate configuration information of each candidate beam in the candidate beam set, the configuration information of the candidate beam comprising at least one of the following: resources of the candidate beam, a beam identifier of the candidate beam, a satellite identifier of a satellite where the candidate beam is located, or ephemeris information of the satellite where the candidate beam is located.

6. The method of any one of claims 1, 2, 4, 5, wherein, The method further comprises: determining the second beam in the candidate beam set of the second beam according to the selection criteria of the second beam.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, The first beam is a beam of a first satellite, a second satellite satisfies a first condition with a position of the first satellite, and the selection criteria comprises: selecting a beam of the second satellite as the second beam.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein, The first condition comprises: The second satellite is a same-orbit preceding satellite of the first satellite, or the second satellite is a same-trajectory preceding satellite of the first satellite.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein, The first beam is a beam of a first satellite, a third satellite satisfies a second condition with the first satellite, and the selection criteria comprises: selecting a beam of the third satellite as the second beam.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, The second condition comprises: An azimuth angle between the third satellite and the first satellite is not more than a first threshold value, and / or a zenith angle between the third satellite and the first satellite is not more than a second threshold value.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The detection of the second beam comprises: detecting the second beam according to a judgment criterion, the judgment criterion being used to judge whether to fail.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving second information from a network device, the second information being used to indicate the judgment criterion.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The judgment criterion comprises: A time when a signal strength of the second beam is lower than a third threshold value is greater than or equal to x seconds, and / or a number of beam failure instances reported by a physical layer of the terminal device is greater than or equal to a fourth threshold value, x being a positive integer.

14. A communication method, comprising: The method is applied to a network device, and the method comprises: determining first information, the first information being used to indicate a second beam, the second beam being used to determine whether a first beam is about to fail, the first beam serving a terminal device; sending the first information to the terminal device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, The first information is used to indicate configuration information of the second beam, and the configuration information of the second beam includes at least one of the following: a resource of the second beam, a beam identifier of the second beam, a satellite identifier of a satellite where the second beam is located, or ephemeris information of the satellite where the second beam is located.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein, The first information is used to indicate a candidate beam set of the second beam and a selection criterion of the second beam.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein, The first information is used to indicate configuration information of each candidate beam in the candidate beam set, and the configuration information of the candidate beam includes at least one of the following: a resource of the candidate beam, a beam identifier of the candidate beam, a satellite identifier of a satellite where the candidate beam is located, or ephemeris information of the satellite where the candidate beam is located.

18. The method of claim 16 or 17, wherein, The first beam is a beam of a first satellite, a second satellite satisfies a first condition with a position of the first satellite, and the selection criterion includes: selecting a beam of the second satellite as the second beam.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein, The first condition includes: The second satellite is a same-orbit predecessor satellite of the first satellite, or the second satellite is a same-trajectory predecessor satellite of the first satellite.

20. The method of claim 16 or 17, wherein, The first beam is a beam of a first satellite, a third satellite satisfies a second condition with the first satellite, and the selection criterion includes: selecting a beam of the third satellite as the second beam.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein, The second condition includes: An azimuth angle between the third satellite and the first satellite is less than a first threshold value, and / or a zenith angle between the third satellite and the first satellite is less than a second threshold value.

22. The method of any one of claims 14 to 21, wherein, The method further includes: sending, to the terminal device, second information used to indicate a judgment criterion for judging whether a beam failure occurs.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein, The judgment criterion includes: A time when a signal strength of the second beam is less than a third threshold value is greater than or equal to x seconds, and / or a number of beam failure instances reported by a physical layer of the terminal device is greater than or equal to a fourth threshold value, x being a positive integer.

24. A communications device, characterized by comprise: a module or unit for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 23.

25. A communications device, characterized by comprise: a processor and a memory, the processor being coupled to the memory, and the memory being used to store a computer program, the computer program being executed by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 23.

26. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer readable storage medium has stored thereon a computer program, and the computer program, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 23.

27. A computer program product, characterised in that, comprise: a computer program, the computer program, when executed on a computer, causing the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 23.

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