Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus, so that a terminal device can accurately obtain a measured interference result. The method may include: receiving a first reference signal and a second reference signal; and determining a receiving time difference between the first reference signal and the second reference signal on the basis of a first delay of the first reference signal, a second delay of the second reference signal, and a first time offset, wherein the receiving time difference is less than a first time threshold, and the first time offset is a non-integer multiple of a signal sending time unit. Based on the method, because the first time offset is a non-integer multiple of a signal sending time unit, the first time offset can be more accurate, and thus a receiving time difference of each reference signal at the terminal device can be less than a first time threshold by means of the more accurate time offset, so that the terminal device can accurately measure the reference signal so as to obtain an accurate interference result, thereby accurately performing beam management and reducing interference.

Description

A communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202410793104.6, filed on June 19, 2024, entitled "A Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

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

[0004] In non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) with multiple satellites, interference can occur between them. To reduce this interference, satellite beam coordination is necessary. Achieving satellite beam coordination requires measuring the interference levels of the satellite beams.

[0005] Currently, by measuring reference signals transmitted by multiple satellites using terminal equipment, the interference of other satellites' reference signals on the service satellite's reference signal can be obtained, which can also be understood as obtaining interference from other beams. However, the time delays of reference signals from different satellites arriving at the same terminal equipment are different, meaning that multiple reference signals cannot be aligned in the time domain at the terminal equipment. This leads to inaccurate interference results measured by the terminal equipment based on the reference signals, thus making it impossible to accurately measure the interference level of the satellite beam. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method and apparatus so that a terminal device can accurately obtain the measured interference results.

[0007] In a first aspect, this application provides a communication method that can be applied to a communication device, which can be a terminal device or a component within the terminal device (e.g., a processor, chip, chip system, circuit, or functional module). The method may include: receiving a first reference signal and a second reference signal; determining a reception time difference between the first reference signal and the second reference signal based on a first delay of the first reference signal, a second delay of the second reference signal, and a first time offset; wherein the reception time difference is less than a first time threshold; and wherein the first time offset is a non-integer multiple of a signal transmission time unit.

[0008] Based on the above communication method, since the first time offset is a non-integer multiple of a signal transmission time unit, it reduces inter-carrier interference caused by the time difference of the signal arriving at the terminal device exceeding the first time threshold. At the same time, it can make the first time offset more accurate. In turn, the more accurate time offset can make the reception time difference of each reference signal at the terminal device less than the first time threshold. This allows the terminal device to accurately measure the reference signal and obtain accurate interference results, thereby enabling the satellite to accurately perform beam management and reduce inter-satellite interference.

[0009] In one possible design, the first reference signal and the second reference signal can be received by receiving the first reference signal on a first frequency domain resource and receiving the second reference signal on a second frequency domain resource; wherein the first frequency domain resource includes a first sub-frequency domain resource, a second sub-frequency domain resource, and a third sub-frequency domain resource, the first sub-frequency domain resource being used to carry the first reference signal, the second sub-frequency domain resource and the third sub-frequency domain resource being idle resources, and the second sub-frequency domain resource and the third sub-frequency domain resource being adjacent to the first sub-frequency domain resource; the second frequency domain resource includes a fourth sub-frequency domain resource, a fifth sub-frequency domain resource, and a sixth sub-frequency domain resource, the fourth sub-frequency domain resource being used to carry the second reference signal, the fifth sub-frequency domain resource and the sixth sub-frequency domain resource being idle resources, and the fifth sub-frequency domain resource and the sixth sub-frequency domain resource being adjacent to the fourth sub-frequency domain resource.

[0010] Based on the above method, by performing zero-power transmission on adjacent frequency domain resources of the reference signal, inter-carrier interference can be reduced or avoided.

[0011] In one possible design, the first time offset is the absolute value of the difference between the first delay and the second delay. The first time offset is calculated based on this method, and the reception time difference between the first reference signal and the second reference signal determined based on this first time offset is less than a first time threshold. This ensures that the second reference signal and the first reference signal arrive at the terminal device within the same signal transmission time unit and do not exceed the CP range.

[0012] In one possible design, the first reference signal occupies N time-domain units, and the second reference signal occupies M time-domain units, where the N time-domain units are a subset of the M time-domain units, M is greater than or equal to N, and both M and N are positive numbers. This allows the M time-domain units occupied by the second reference signal to cover the N time-domain units occupied by the first reference signal, meaning the second reference signal can cover the first reference signal. This makes the first and second reference signals time-domain equivalent and aligned, enabling the terminal device to accurately measure interference information.

[0013] In one possible design, the reception time difference between the first reference signal and the second reference signal is determined based on a first delay of the first reference signal, a second delay of the second reference signal, and a first time offset. This can be achieved by: determining the reception time of the first reference signal based on its first delay; determining the reception time of the second reference signal based on its second delay and the first time offset; and determining the reception time difference based on both the reception times of the first and second reference signals. This method accurately yields the reception time difference between the first and second reference signals.

[0014] In one possible design, the first time threshold is the length of the cyclic prefix (CP). This ensures that the reception time difference between the first and second reference signals is within the CP, allowing for time-domain alignment of the first and second reference signals at the terminal device.

[0015] In one possible design, the first reference signal comes from a first satellite, and the second reference signal comes from a second satellite; the first satellite is a service satellite, and the second satellite is a satellite that interferes with the service satellite.

[0016] Secondly, this application provides a communication method that can be applied to a communication device, which can be a satellite or a component within a satellite (e.g., a processor, chip, chip system, circuit, or functional module). The method may include: transmitting a second reference signal according to a first time offset, wherein the first time offset is a non-integer multiple of a signal transmission time unit.

[0017] Based on the above communication method, since the first time offset is a non-integer multiple of a signal transmission time unit, it reduces inter-carrier interference caused by the time difference of the signal arriving at the terminal device exceeding the first time threshold. At the same time, it can make the first time offset more accurate. In turn, the more accurate time offset can make the reception time difference of each reference signal at the terminal device less than the first time threshold. This allows the terminal device to accurately measure the reference signal and obtain accurate interference results, thereby enabling the satellite to accurately perform beam management and reduce inter-satellite interference.

[0018] In one possible design, the second reference signal can be transmitted on a second frequency domain resource. This second frequency domain resource includes a fourth sub-frequency domain resource, a fifth sub-frequency domain resource, and a sixth sub-frequency domain resource. The fourth sub-frequency domain resource is used to carry the second reference signal, while the fifth and sixth sub-frequency domain resources are idle resources and are adjacent to the fourth sub-frequency domain resource. This zero-power transmission on adjacent frequency domain resources of the second reference signal can reduce or avoid inter-carrier interference.

[0019] In one possible design, the first time offset is the absolute value of the difference between a first delay and a second delay, where the first delay corresponds to a first reference signal, the second delay corresponds to a second reference signal, and the first reference signal corresponds to a first satellite, which is a serving satellite. Calculating the first time offset using this method ensures that the second reference signal and the first reference signal arrive at the terminal device within the same signal transmission time unit and do not exceed the CP range.

[0020] In one possible design, the second reference signal occupies M time-domain units, and N time-domain units are a subset of the M time-domain units. The N time-domain units are the time-domain units occupied by the first reference signal, where M is greater than or equal to N, and both M and N are positive numbers. This allows the M time-domain units occupied by the second reference signal to cover the N time-domain units occupied by the first reference signal, meaning the second reference signal can cover the first reference signal. This makes the first and second reference signals time-domain equivalent and aligned, enabling the terminal device to accurately measure interference information.

[0021] Thirdly, this application provides a communication method that can be applied to a communication device, which can be a satellite or a component within a satellite (e.g., a processor, chip, chip system, circuit, or functional module). The method may include: transmitting a second reference signal, the second reference signal occupying M time-domain units, N time-domain units being a subset of the M time-domain units, where M is greater than or equal to N, M and N are positive numbers, and the N time-domain units are the time-domain units occupied by the first reference signal.

[0022] Based on the above method, the M time domain units occupied by the second reference signal can cover the N time domain units occupied by the first reference signal, that is, the second reference signal can cover the first reference signal. This makes the first reference signal and the second reference signal equivalent to being aligned in the time domain, thereby enabling the terminal device to accurately measure interference information.

[0023] In one possible design, the second reference signal can be transmitted on a second frequency domain resource. This second frequency domain resource includes a fourth sub-frequency domain resource, a fifth sub-frequency domain resource, and a sixth sub-frequency domain resource. The fourth sub-frequency domain resource is used to carry the second reference signal, while the fifth and sixth sub-frequency domain resources are idle resources and are adjacent to the fourth sub-frequency domain resource. This zero-power transmission on adjacent frequency domain resources of the second reference signal can reduce or avoid inter-carrier interference.

[0024] Fourthly, this application provides a communication method that can be applied to a communication device, which can be a terminal device or a component within the terminal device (e.g., a processor, chip, chip system, circuit, or functional module). The method may include: receiving a second reference signal; determining a first channel quality indicator (CQI) based on the second reference signal; and transmitting a second CQI, the second CQI being correlated with a second delay of the first CQI and the second reference signal.

[0025] Based on the above communication method, the terminal device can further process the measured CQI to obtain a more accurate CQI, and thus obtain accurate interference results.

[0026] In one possible design, a second delay of the second reference signal is obtained. This allows the terminal device to determine a second CQI based on the second delay of the second reference signal.

[0027] In one possible design, the second CQI is determined based on the first CQI and a normalized value of the second time delay of the second reference signal. In this way, the terminal device can further process the measured CQI to obtain a more accurate CQI, and thus obtain accurate interference results.

[0028] In one possible design, the second reference signal originates from a second satellite; the second satellite is a satellite that interferes with the serving satellite.

[0029] Fifthly, this application provides a communication method that can be applied to a communication device, which can be a satellite or a component within a satellite (e.g., a processor, chip, chip system, circuit, or functional module). The method may include: receiving a second CQI, the second CQI being related to a second time delay of a first CQI and a second reference signal, the first CQI being determined based on the second reference signal.

[0030] Based on the above communication method, the terminal device can further process the measured CQI to obtain a more accurate CQI, and thus obtain accurate interference results.

[0031] In one possible design, the satellite that causes the most interference to the serving satellite is determined based on the second CQI. This allows the serving satellite to identify the most interfering satellite and perform beam adjustment.

[0032] In one possible design, the second CQI is determined based on the first CQI and a normalized value of the second time delay of the second reference signal. This allows for further processing of the measured CQI to obtain a more accurate CQI, thereby leading to more accurate interference results.

[0033] In one possible design, a third CQI is determined based on the second CQI, the third CQI being used to characterize the channel quality of all satellites interfering with the serving satellite; the third CQI is then transmitted. This allows the terminal device to accurately measure the channel quality of the interfering satellites.

[0034] Sixthly, this application also provides a communication device, which may be a terminal device or a component within a terminal device (e.g., a processor, chip, chip system, circuit, or functional module). This communication device has the functionality to implement the methods described in the first aspect or various possible design examples of the first aspect, or the methods described in the fourth aspect or various possible design examples of the fourth aspect. The functionality can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the described functionality.

[0035] In one possible design, the communication device may include a processing unit, and optionally a transceiver unit. These units may perform the functions of the methods described in the first aspect or various possible design examples of the first aspect, or the fourth aspect or various possible design examples of the fourth aspect, which will not be elaborated here.

[0036] In one possible design, the communication device includes one or more processors, and optionally also includes a memory and / or a transceiver. The transceiver is used to send and receive data, messages, or information, and to communicate and interact with other devices in the system. The processor is configured to support the communication device in performing the corresponding functions of the first aspect or various possible design examples of the first aspect, or the fourth aspect or various possible design examples of the fourth aspect. The memory is coupled to the processor and stores the necessary program instructions and data of the communication device.

[0037] Seventhly, this application also provides a communication device, which may be a satellite or a component within a satellite (e.g., a processor, chip, chip system, circuit, or functional module). This communication device has the functionality to implement the methods described in the second aspect or various possible design examples of the second aspect, or the third aspect or various possible design examples of the third aspect. The functionality can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the described functionality.

[0038] In one possible design, the communication device may include a processing unit, and optionally a transceiver unit. These units may perform the functions of the methods described in the second aspect or various possible design examples of the second aspect, or the third aspect or various possible design examples of the third aspect, which will not be elaborated here.

[0039] In one possible design, the communication device includes one or more processors, and optionally also includes a memory and / or a transceiver. The transceiver is used to send and receive data, messages, or information, and to communicate and interact with other devices in the system. The processor is configured to support the communication device in performing the functions described in the second aspect or various possible design examples of the second aspect, or the third aspect or various possible design examples of the third aspect. The memory is coupled to the processor and stores the necessary program instructions and data for the communication device.

[0040] Eighthly, this application also provides a communication device, which can be a satellite or a component within a satellite (e.g., a processor, chip, chip system, circuit, or functional module). This communication device has the functionality to implement the methods described in the fifth aspect or various possible design examples of the fifth aspect. The functionality can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the described functions.

[0041] In one possible design, the communication device may include a processing unit, and optionally a transceiver unit, which may perform the functions of the methods described in the fifth aspect or various possible design examples of the fifth aspect, which will not be elaborated here.

[0042] In one possible design, the communication device includes one or more processors, and optionally also includes a memory and / or a transceiver. The transceiver is used to send and receive data, messages, or information, and to communicate with other devices in the system. The processor is configured to support the communication device in performing the corresponding functions in the fifth aspect or various possible design examples of the fifth aspect described above. The memory is coupled to the processor and stores the necessary program instructions and data for the communication device.

[0043] In a ninth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication system that may include a communication device for implementing the methods in the first aspect or various possible design examples of the first aspect, and a communication device for implementing the methods in the second aspect or various possible design examples of the second aspect.

[0044] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication system that may include a communication device for implementing the methods in the first aspect or various possible design examples of the first aspect, and a communication device for implementing the methods in the third aspect or various possible design examples of the third aspect.

[0045] In one aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication system that may include a communication device for implementing the methods in the fourth aspect or various possible design examples of the fourth aspect, and a communication device for implementing the methods in the fifth aspect or various possible design examples of the fifth aspect.

[0046] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing program instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the methods described in the first aspect and any possible design of the embodiments of this application, or in the second aspect and any possible design of the second aspect, or in the third aspect and any possible design of the third aspect, or in the fifth aspect and any possible design of the fifth aspect. Exemplarily, the computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a computer. For example, but not limited to, a computer-readable medium can include a non-transient computer-readable medium, random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage media, or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible to a computer.

[0047] In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product, including a computer program or instructions, which, when executed on a computer, cause the methods described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or in the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect, or in the third aspect or any possible design of the third aspect, or in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect, or in the fifth aspect or any possible design of the fifth aspect to be performed.

[0048] In a fourteenth aspect, this application also provides a chip or chip system, including one or more processors, said processors being coupled to at least one memory for reading and executing program instructions stored in said memory to enable the chip or chip system to implement the methods described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or in the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect, or in the third aspect or any possible design of the third aspect, or in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect, or in the fifth aspect or any possible design of the fifth aspect.

[0049] For the various aspects of the above-mentioned sixth to fourteenth aspects and the technical effects that may be achieved by each aspect, please refer to the above description of the technical effects that may be achieved by the various possible solutions of the first aspect or the first aspect, or the various possible solutions of the second aspect or the second aspect, or the various possible solutions of the third aspect or the third aspect, or the various possible solutions of the fourth aspect or the fourth aspect, or the various possible solutions of the fifth aspect or the fifth aspect. It will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0050] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in this application;

[0051] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in this application;

[0052] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the transmission of a first reference signal and a second reference signal provided in this application;

[0053] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of another type of transmission of the first reference signal and the second reference signal provided in this application;

[0054] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of another type of first reference signal and second reference signal transmission provided in this application;

[0055] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of another type of first reference signal and second reference signal transmission provided in this application;

[0056] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in this application;

[0057] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of another type of first reference signal and second reference signal transmission provided in this application;

[0058] Figure 9 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication device provided in this application;

[0059] Figure 10 is a structural diagram of a communication device provided in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0060] This application provides a communication method and apparatus to enable terminal devices to accurately obtain measured interference results. The method and apparatus described in this application are based on the same technical concept. Since the principles by which the method and apparatus solve problems are similar, their implementations can be mutually referenced, and repeated details will not be elaborated further.

[0061] In the description of this application, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used only for the purpose of distinguishing descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or order.

[0062] In the description of this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0063] In the description of this application, "and / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. " / " means "or", for example, a / b means a or b.

[0064] To more clearly describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the communication methods and devices provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0065] The technical solutions in this application embodiment can be applied to various communication systems, such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) system, 4th generation (4G) mobile communication system (such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) system), 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system (such as New Radio (NR) system), and future communication networks, etc.

[0066] For example, Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the architecture of a possible communication system to which an embodiment of this application applies. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system may include a terminal device and at least two satellites (Satellite 1 and Satellite 2 are shown as examples in Figure 1).

[0067] Terminal equipment, also known as user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), or mobile terminal (MT), is a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to users. For example, terminal equipment can include handheld devices with wireless connectivity, in-vehicle devices, etc. Currently, terminal equipment can include: mobile phones, tablets, laptops, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, extended reality (XR) devices, mixed reality (MR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, or wireless terminals in smart homes, etc. Terminal devices can also be device-to-device (D2D) communication terminal devices, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication terminal devices, intelligent vehicles, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems (telematics boxes, TBOX), machine-to-machine / machine-type (M2M / MTC) communication terminal devices, and Internet of Things (IoT) terminal devices. For example, terminal devices can be vehicles, ships, or aircraft, or terminal-type roadside units, or communication modules or chips built into vehicles or roadside units. For instance, a terminal device can be an in-vehicle module. Terminal devices can also be roadside units (RSUs).

[0068] In this application, the terminal device can also be a functional module, chip, or chip system. Optionally, the functional module, chip, or chip system can be located within the terminal device.

[0069] The terminal device is located within the coverage area of ​​at least two satellites. Each of the at least two satellites communicates with the terminal device; for example, each of the at least two satellites can send reference signals to the terminal device.

[0070] The communication system described in this application is intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of this application and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0071] In multi-satellite scenarios, interference exists between different satellites. Because the reference signals from different satellites arrive at the same terminal device at different times, the resulting delay difference is greater than the length of the cyclic prefix (CP). This causes the satellite reference signals to be misaligned in the time domain at the terminal device, leading to inaccurate interference measurements based on the reference signals. Consequently, the interference level of the satellite beam cannot be accurately measured. Therefore, this application proposes a communication method to enable the terminal device to accurately measure the interference level.

[0072] In the following embodiments, a certain device is used as an example to describe the communication method provided in this application in detail. It should be understood that the operation performed by the device can also be implemented by the processor in the device, or a chip or chip system, or a functional module, etc. This application does not limit it in this way.

[0073] Based on the above description, an embodiment of this application provides a communication method, as shown in Figure 2. The process of this method may include:

[0074] Step 201: The terminal device receives the first reference signal and the second reference signal.

[0075] Optionally, the second reference signal may interfere with the first reference signal.

[0076] In one alternative implementation, the first reference signal may originate from a first satellite, and the second reference signal may originate from a second satellite. Alternatively, it can be understood that the first satellite transmits the first reference signal, and the second satellite transmits the second reference signal, as illustrated in step 201.

[0077] In some embodiments, the first satellite may be a service satellite of the terminal device, and the second satellite may be a satellite that interferes with the service satellite.

[0078] Some satellites and service satellites will cover the terminal equipment. When the terminal equipment receives signals from the service satellite (such as reference signals), it will also receive signals from other satellites (such as reference signals). The signals from other satellites will interfere with the signals from the service satellite, which can be understood as other satellites interfering with the service satellite. The satellites that interfere with the service satellite are the other satellites described above.

[0079] In some possible ways, the terminal device can receive at least one second reference signal, that is, at least one second satellite sends a second reference signal to the terminal device. In the description of this application, only one second reference signal is used as an example. Other second reference signals are similar and can be referred to each other.

[0080] In some embodiments, the terminal device receives a first reference signal and a second reference signal in the following manner: the terminal device receives the first reference signal on a first frequency domain resource and receives the second reference signal on a second frequency domain resource; wherein, the first frequency domain resource includes a first sub-frequency domain resource, a second sub-frequency domain resource, and a third sub-frequency domain resource, the first sub-frequency domain resource is used to carry the first reference signal, the second sub-frequency domain resource and the third sub-frequency domain resource are idle resources, and the second sub-frequency domain resource and the third sub-frequency domain resource are adjacent to the first sub-frequency domain resource; the second frequency domain resource includes a fourth sub-frequency domain resource, a fifth sub-frequency domain resource, and a sixth sub-frequency domain resource, the fourth sub-frequency domain resource is used to carry the second reference signal, the fifth sub-frequency domain resource and the sixth sub-frequency domain resource are idle resources, and the fifth sub-frequency domain resource and the sixth sub-frequency domain resource are adjacent to the fourth sub-frequency domain resource.

[0081] Specifically, in the second sub-frequency domain resource, the frequency of any subcarrier is lower than the frequency of any subcarrier in the first sub-frequency domain resource, and the frequency of any subcarrier in the third sub-frequency domain resource is higher than the frequency of any subcarrier in the first sub-frequency domain resource. In the fifth sub-frequency domain resource, the frequency of any subcarrier is lower than the frequency of any subcarrier in the fourth sub-frequency domain resource, and the frequency of any subcarrier in the sixth sub-frequency domain resource is higher than the frequency of any subcarrier in the fourth sub-frequency domain resource.

[0082] Optionally, any one of the first, second, and third sub-frequency domain resources, as well as the fourth, fifth, and sixth sub-frequency domain resources, includes at least one subcarrier.

[0083] Accordingly, the first satellite transmits a first reference signal on the first frequency domain resource, and the second satellite transmits a second reference signal on the second frequency domain resource.

[0084] This can be understood as the first and second satellites transmitting at zero power on subcarriers adjacent to the subcarriers from which the reference signal is transmitted. This avoids or reduces inter-carrier interference.

[0085] In one example, the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource are different. That is, the first satellite and the second satellite transmit reference signals on different frequency domain resources.

[0086] In another example, the first and second frequency domain resources can be the same. That is, the first satellite and the second satellite can transmit reference signals on the same frequency domain resources. In this case, the aforementioned first and fourth sub-frequency domain resources are the same, the second and fifth sub-frequency domain resources are the same, and the third and sixth sub-frequency domain resources are the same.

[0087] For example, consider the first and second frequency domain resources, each comprising three subcarriers. Figure 3 illustrates the transmission of the first and second reference signals. In Figure 3, subcarrier 8 (i.e., the first sub-frequency domain resource) carries the first reference signal, while subcarrier 7 (i.e., the second sub-frequency domain resource) and subcarrier 9 (i.e., the third sub-frequency domain resource) are idle resources. Subcarrier 4 (i.e., the third sub-frequency domain resource) carries the second reference signal, while subcarrier 3 (i.e., the fourth sub-frequency domain resource) and subcarrier 5 (i.e., the fifth sub-frequency domain resource) are idle resources.

[0088] In one alternative implementation, the first reference signal may occupy N time-domain units, and the second reference signal may occupy M time-domain units, wherein the N time-domain units are a subset of the M time-domain units, M is greater than or equal to N, and M and N are positive numbers.

[0089] A time-domain unit can be a slot, a second, etc. A time-domain unit can also be called a time unit, time domain unit, or time unit.

[0090] When M is greater than N, the M time domain units occupied by the second reference signal can cover the N time domain units occupied by the first reference signal. In other words, the second reference signal can cover the first reference signal, which makes the first reference signal and the second reference signal equivalent to being aligned in the time domain, thereby enabling the terminal device to accurately measure interference information.

[0091] When M or N is a non-integer, it indicates that the time domain units occupied by the first reference signal or the second reference signal are not integer multiples of the time domain units.

[0092] Taking N time-domain units as one time slot and M time-domain units as two time slots as an example, as shown in Figure 4, the first reference signal transmitted by the first satellite occupies one time slot, and the second reference signal transmitted by the second satellite occupies two time slots. As can be seen from Figure 4, at the terminal device, the time slot occupied by the first reference signal is within the time slot occupied by the second reference signal.

[0093] Taking the example of the first reference signal transmitted by the first satellite occupying one time slot and the second reference signal transmitted by the second satellite occupying two time slots, and combining the example of the first and second reference signals transmitted in the frequency domain shown in Figure 3 above, Figure 5 shows an example of the first and second reference signals transmitted in both the time and frequency domains. As shown in Figure 5, the first reference signal occupies one time slot in the time domain; in the frequency domain, subcarrier 8 (i.e., the first sub-frequency domain resource) is used to carry the first reference signal, while subcarrier 7 (i.e., the second sub-frequency domain resource) and subcarrier 9 (i.e., the third sub-frequency domain resource) are idle resources. The second reference signal occupies two time slots in the time domain; in the frequency domain, subcarrier 4 (i.e., the third sub-frequency domain resource) is used to carry the second reference signal, while subcarrier 3 (i.e., the fourth sub-frequency domain resource) and subcarrier 5 (i.e., the fifth sub-frequency domain resource) are idle resources.

[0094] Step 202: The terminal device determines the reception time difference between the first reference signal and the second reference signal based on the first delay of the first reference signal, the second delay of the second reference signal, and the first time offset; the reception time difference is less than the first time threshold; wherein, the first time offset is a non-integer multiple of a signal transmission time unit.

[0095] In some embodiments, the terminal device can calculate the time delay of a signal from a satellite to the terminal device based on ephemeris information and the terminal device's location information. For example, the terminal device can calculate a first time delay of a first reference signal from a first satellite to the terminal device based on ephemeris information and the terminal device's location, and can calculate a second time delay of a second reference signal from a second satellite to the terminal device based on ephemeris information and the terminal device's location.

[0096] Optionally, ephemeris information can be obtained by the terminal device when it accesses the satellite.

[0097] For example, as shown in Figure 6, taking the first satellite as satellite 1 and the second satellite as satellite 2 or satellite 3 as an example, the first time delay of the first reference signal sent by satellite 1 is time delay 1, the second time delay of the second reference signal sent by the second satellite as satellite 2 is time delay 2, and the second time delay of the second reference signal sent by the second satellite as satellite 3 is time delay 3.

[0098] In some examples, a unit of time for signal transmission can be a slot, a second, etc.

[0099] Taking one time slot as one unit of signal transmission time as an example, Figure 6 shows that when the second satellite is satellite 2, the first time offset is 1.5 time slots, and when the second satellite is satellite 3, the first time offset is 0.5 time slots.

[0100] Optionally, the first time offset can be the absolute value of the difference between the first time delay and the second time delay. For example, the absolute value of the difference between the first time delay and the second time delay (i.e., the first offset) can be a non-integer time slot such as 1.5 time slots or 0.5 time slots.

[0101] It should be understood that the example shown in the illustration is only illustrative of the case where the first delay is greater than the second delay. In practice, the first delay may also be less than the second delay, and this application does not limit this.

[0102] In one alternative implementation, the first time offset may be obtained by the terminal device from the second satellite, or it may be determined by the terminal device.

[0103] Optionally, when transmitting the second reference signal, the second satellite may transmit the second reference signal based on the first time offset.

[0104] In some embodiments, the terminal device determines the reception time difference between the first reference signal and the second reference signal based on the first delay of the first reference signal and the second delay and the first time offset of the second reference signal. This can be achieved by the following method: the terminal device determines the reception time of the first reference signal based on the first delay of the first reference signal; the terminal device determines the reception time of the second reference signal based on the second delay and the first time offset of the second reference signal; and then, the terminal device determines the reception time difference based on the reception time of the first reference signal and the reception time of the second reference signal.

[0105] In other words, the reception time difference is the difference between the reception time of the first reference signal and the reception time of the second reference signal. It can also be understood as the difference between the time it takes for the first reference signal to reach the terminal device and the time it takes for the second reference signal to reach the terminal device. Optionally, the reception time difference can also be referred to as the arrival time difference, etc., and this application does not limit it to that.

[0106] Optionally, the first time threshold is the length of the CP. This can also be understood as the reception time difference between the first reference signal and the second reference signal being within the CP, or as the first reference signal and the second reference signal being time-domain aligned at the terminal device.

[0107] Based on the above communication method, since the first time offset can be a non-integer multiple of a signal transmission time unit, it reduces inter-carrier interference caused by the time difference of the signal arriving at the terminal device exceeding the first time threshold. At the same time, it can make the first time offset more accurate. In turn, the more accurate time offset makes the reception time difference of each reference signal at the terminal device less than the first time threshold. This allows the terminal device to accurately measure the reference signal, obtain accurate interference results, and report accurate interference results to the first satellite. This enables the first satellite to accurately perform beam management and reduce inter-satellite interference.

[0108] For example, taking the low Earth orbit (LEO) scenario in the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) as an example, when the terminal device measures the reference signal and the satellite performs beam management, using the above communication method, as shown in Table 1 below, the throughput of the terminal device can increase by more than 30%, and the satellite transmission power (transmission power is linearly related to resource utilization) can be reduced by more than 40%. In Table 1 below, the second row shows the results without using the communication method of this application, and the third row shows the results with the communication method of this application.

[0109] Table 1

[0110] This application also provides another communication method, as shown in Figure 7. The process of this method may include:

[0111] Step 701: The terminal device receives the second reference signal. Accordingly, the second satellite transmits the second reference signal.

[0112] The terminal device can receive at least one second reference signal; this application uses only one second reference signal as an example.

[0113] Optionally, as shown in Figure 8, the reference signals transmitted to the terminal device by different satellites may be time-domain misaligned at the terminal device; this application does not limit this. In Figure 8, satellite 0 can be the serving satellite of the terminal device (denoted as the first satellite), and satellites 2 and 3 are the second satellites. The second reference signal of the second satellite may interfere with the first reference signal of the first satellite.

[0114] Step 702: The terminal device determines the first channel quality indicator (CQI) based on the second reference signal.

[0115] In one optional implementation, the terminal device determines the first CQI based on the second reference signal, which can be achieved by the following method: the terminal device can determine the first CQI based on the signal strength of the second reference signal and the signal strength of the first reference signal. The first reference signal is transmitted to the terminal device by the first satellite.

[0116] For example, the first CQI can conform to the following formula:

[0117] First Where S1 is the signal strength of the first reference signal and I1 is the signal strength of the second reference signal.

[0118] Step 703: The terminal device transmits a second CQI, which is correlated with a second time delay of the first CQI and the second reference signal. Accordingly, the first satellite receives the second CQI.

[0119] The second CQI is determined based on the first CQI and the normalized value of the second delay of the second reference signal. In other words, before sending the second CQI, the terminal device can determine the second CQI based on the first CQI and the normalized value of the second delay of the second reference signal.

[0120] For example, the second CQI = the first CQI * the normalized value of the second time delay of the second reference signal.

[0121] Optionally, the normalized value of the second delay of the second reference signal can be the reciprocal of the overlap delay. That is, the normalized value of the second delay of the second reference signal = 1 / overlap delay.

[0122] For example, the overlap delay is the time domain portion where the time domain position occupied by the second reference signal overlaps with the time domain position occupied by the first reference signal. For instance, as shown in Figure 8, when the second satellite is satellite 2, the overlap delay is overlap delay 1, and when the second satellite is satellite 3, the overlap delay is overlap delay 2.

[0123] In some implementations, the overlap delay can be obtained from the second delay of the second reference signal.

[0124] For example, the terminal device can determine the reception time of the second reference signal based on the second delay of the second reference signal, determine the position of the second reference signal in the occupied time domain by combining the time domain length occupied by the second reference signal, and then determine the overlap delay based on the time domain position occupied by the first reference signal and the time domain position occupied by the second reference signal.

[0125] Using the method described above, when there are multiple second satellites, the terminal device can obtain the second CQI corresponding to each of the multiple second satellites and send these multiple second CQIs to the first satellite. It should be understood that the second CQI corresponding to each second satellite is obtained using the aforementioned method, and will not be explained in detail here.

[0126] In one alternative implementation, the terminal device may acquire a second delay of the second reference signal before determining the second CQI.

[0127] Optionally, the terminal device can determine the second time delay based on ephemeris information and the terminal device's location information. Alternatively, the terminal device can obtain the second time delay from a second satellite.

[0128] In some embodiments, after acquiring the second CQI, the first satellite can determine the satellite that causes the most interference to the serving satellite (i.e., the first satellite) based on the second CQI.

[0129] Optionally, the first satellite may determine a third CQI based on the second CQI, the third CQI being used to characterize the channel quality of all satellites interfering with the serving satellite (i.e., at least one second satellite); then the first satellite may transmit the third CQI to all satellites interfering with the serving satellite.

[0130] Based on the above communication method, the terminal device can further process the measured CQI to obtain a more accurate CQI, and thus obtain accurate interference results.

[0131] It should be understood that the foregoing embodiments are merely illustrative of satellite communication scenarios and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. In some embodiments, in non-satellite communication scenarios, at least two base stations communicate with the terminal device, one of which is the serving base station of the terminal device. Even if the signals from other base stations interfere with the signal of the serving base station, the communication method provided in this application can still be used.

[0132] Based on the above embodiments, this application also provides a communication device. Referring to FIG9, the communication device 900 may include a transceiver unit 901 and a processing unit 902. The transceiver unit 901 is used for communication by the communication device 900, such as receiving or sending information (signals or data). The processing unit 902 is used for controlling and managing the operation of the communication device 900. The processing unit 902 can also control the steps performed by the transceiver unit 901.

[0133] For example, the communication device 900 may specifically be the terminal device, the processor of the terminal device, a chip, a chip system, or a functional module as described in the above embodiments. Alternatively, the communication device 900 may specifically be the first satellite, the processor of the first satellite, a chip, a chip system, or a functional module as described in the above embodiments. Alternatively, the communication device 900 may specifically be the second satellite, the processor of the second satellite, a chip, a chip system, or a functional module as described in the above embodiments.

[0134] In one embodiment, when the communication device 900 is used to implement the functions of the terminal device in the embodiment shown in FIG2 above, the transceiver unit 901 can be used to receive a first reference signal and a second reference signal; the processing unit 902 can be used to determine the reception time difference between the first reference signal and the second reference signal based on a first delay of the first reference signal, a second delay of the second reference signal, and a first time offset; the reception time difference is less than a first time threshold; wherein, the first time offset is a non-integer multiple of a signal transmission time unit.

[0135] In one optional implementation, when receiving the first reference signal and the second reference signal, the transceiver unit 901 can be used to: receive the first reference signal on a first frequency domain resource and receive the second reference signal on a second frequency domain resource.

[0136] The first frequency domain resource includes a first sub-frequency domain resource, a second sub-frequency domain resource, and a third sub-frequency domain resource. The first sub-frequency domain resource is used to carry the first reference signal. The second sub-frequency domain resource and the third sub-frequency domain resource are idle resources. The second sub-frequency domain resource and the third sub-frequency domain resource are adjacent to the first sub-frequency domain resource.

[0137] The second frequency domain resource includes a fourth sub-frequency domain resource, a fifth sub-frequency domain resource, and a sixth sub-frequency domain resource. The fourth sub-frequency domain resource is used to carry the second reference signal. The fifth and sixth sub-frequency domain resources are idle resources and are adjacent to the fourth sub-frequency domain resource.

[0138] In one example, the first time offset is the absolute value of the difference between the first delay and the second delay.

[0139] In some embodiments, the first reference signal occupies N time-domain units, the second reference signal occupies M time-domain units, the N time-domain units are a subset of the M time-domain units, M is greater than or equal to N, and M and N are positive numbers.

[0140] Optionally, when determining the reception time difference between the first reference signal and the second reference signal based on the first delay of the first reference signal and the second delay and the first time offset of the second reference signal, the processing unit 902 may be configured to: determine the reception time of the first reference signal based on the first delay of the first reference signal; determine the reception time of the second reference signal based on the second delay and the first time offset of the second reference signal; and determine the reception time difference based on the reception time of the first reference signal and the reception time of the second reference signal.

[0141] In one example, the first time threshold is the length of the cyclic prefix CP.

[0142] In some embodiments, the first reference signal comes from a first satellite, and the second reference signal comes from a second satellite; the first satellite is a service satellite, and the second satellite is a satellite that interferes with the service satellite.

[0143] In one embodiment, when the communication device 900 is used to implement the function of the second satellite in the embodiment shown in FIG2, the transceiver unit 901 can be used to transmit a second reference signal according to a first time offset, wherein the first time offset is a non-integer multiple of a signal transmission time unit. The processing unit 902 can be used to control the operation of the transceiver unit 901.

[0144] Optionally, the transceiver unit 901 can also be used to transmit the second reference signal on the second frequency domain resource; wherein the second frequency domain resource includes a fourth sub-frequency domain resource, a fifth sub-frequency domain resource and a sixth sub-frequency domain resource, the fourth sub-frequency domain resource is used to carry the second reference signal, the fifth sub-frequency domain resource and the sixth sub-frequency domain resource are idle resources, and the fifth sub-frequency domain resource and the sixth sub-frequency domain resource are adjacent to the fourth sub-frequency domain resource.

[0145] In some implementations, the first time offset is the absolute value of the difference between a first delay and a second delay, the first delay corresponding to a first reference signal, the second delay corresponding to a second reference signal, the first reference signal corresponding to a first satellite, and the first satellite being a serving satellite.

[0146] In some embodiments, the second reference signal occupies M time-domain units, and N time-domain units are a subset of the M time-domain units. The N time-domain units are the time-domain units occupied by the first reference signal. M is greater than or equal to N, and M and N are positive numbers.

[0147] In one embodiment, when the communication device 900 is used to implement the function of the second satellite in the embodiment shown in FIG2, the transceiver unit 901 can be used to transmit a second reference signal. The second reference signal occupies M time-domain units, and N time-domain units are a subset of the M time-domain units. M is greater than or equal to N, and M and N are positive numbers. The N time-domain units are the time-domain units occupied by the first reference signal. The processing unit 902 can be used to control the operation of the transceiver unit 901.

[0148] In an optional implementation, the transceiver unit 901 can also be used to transmit the second reference signal on a second frequency domain resource;

[0149] The second frequency domain resource includes a fourth sub-frequency domain resource, a fifth sub-frequency domain resource, and a sixth sub-frequency domain resource. The fourth sub-frequency domain resource is used to carry the second reference signal. The fifth and sixth sub-frequency domain resources are idle resources and are adjacent to the fourth sub-frequency domain resource.

[0150] In one embodiment, when the communication device 900 is used to implement the functions of the terminal device in the embodiment shown in FIG7, the transceiver unit 901 can be used to receive a second reference signal; the processing unit 902 can be used to determine a first channel quality indicator (CQI) based on the second reference signal; the transceiver unit 901 can also be used to send a second CQI, the second CQI being related to a second delay of the first CQI and the second reference signal.

[0151] In an optional implementation, the processing unit 902 may also be used to obtain a second time delay of the second reference signal.

[0152] Optionally, the second CQI is determined based on the first CQI and the normalized value of the second time delay of the second reference signal.

[0153] In some examples, the second reference signal comes from a second satellite; the second satellite is a satellite that interferes with the serving satellite.

[0154] Example 3: Service Satellite Side

[0155] In one embodiment, when the communication device 900 is used to implement the function of the first satellite in the embodiment shown in FIG7, the transceiver unit 901 can be used to receive a second CQI, the second CQI being related to a second delay of the first CQI and the second reference signal, the first CQI being determined based on the second reference signal. The processing unit 902 can be used to control the operation of the transceiver unit 901.

[0156] Optionally, the processing unit 902 can also be used to determine the satellite that causes the most interference to the serving satellite based on the second CQI.

[0157] In some embodiments, the second CQI is determined based on the first CQI and a normalized value of the second delay of the second reference signal.

[0158] In an optional implementation, the processing unit 902 may further be used to determine a third CQI based on the second CQI, the third CQI being used to characterize the channel quality of all satellites interfering with the serving satellite; the transceiver unit 901 may further be used to transmit the third CQI.

[0159] It should be noted that the division of units in the embodiments of this application is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. The functional units in the embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated units described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional units.

[0160] If the integrated unit is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) or processor to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0161] Based on the above embodiments, this application also provides a communication device. Referring to FIG10, the communication device 1000 may include one or more processors 1002. Optionally, the communication device 1000 may further include a transceiver 1001. Optionally, the communication device 1000 may further include at least one memory 1003. The memory 1003 may be located inside the communication device 1000 or outside the communication device 1000. The processor 1002 can control the transceiver 1001 to receive and send signals, information, messages, or data.

[0162] Specifically, the processor 1002 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), or a combination of a CPU and an NP. The processor 1002 may further include a hardware chip. The hardware chip may be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a combination thereof. The PLD may be a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a generic array logic (GAL), or any combination thereof.

[0163] The transceiver 1001, processor 1002, and memory 1003 are interconnected. Optionally, the transceiver 1001, processor 1002, and memory 1003 are interconnected via bus 1004; bus 1004 can be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus or an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, etc. The bus can be divided into address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is used in Figure 10, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0164] In one optional embodiment, the memory 1003 is used to store programs, etc. Specifically, the program may include program code, which includes computer operation instructions. The memory 1003 may include RAM, and may also include non-volatile memory, such as one or more disk storage devices. The processor 1002 executes the application program stored in the memory 1003 to implement the above-mentioned functions, thereby realizing the functions of the communication device 1000.

[0165] For example, the communication device 1000 can specifically implement the functions of the terminal device in the above embodiments, or implement the functions of the satellite (first satellite or second satellite) in the above embodiments.

[0166] In one embodiment, when the communication device 1000 implements the functions of the terminal device in the method embodiment shown in FIG2, the transceiver 1001 can implement the send / receive operations performed by the terminal device in the method embodiment shown in FIG2; the processor 1002 can implement other operations performed by the terminal device in the method embodiment shown in FIG2 besides the send / receive operations. Specific details can be found in the descriptions in the above method embodiments, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0167] In another embodiment, when the communication device 1000 implements the function of the second satellite in the method embodiment shown in FIG2, the transceiver 1001 can implement the transmit / receive operations performed by the second satellite in the method embodiment shown in FIG2; the processor 1002 can implement other operations performed by the second satellite in the method embodiment shown in FIG2 besides the transmit / receive operations. Specific details can be found in the descriptions in the above method embodiments, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0168] In one embodiment, when the communication device 1000 implements the functions of the terminal device in the method embodiment shown in FIG7, the transceiver 1001 can implement the transmit / receive operations performed by the terminal device in the method embodiment shown in FIG7; the processor 1002 can implement other operations performed by the terminal device in the method embodiment shown in FIG7 besides the transmit / receive operations. Specific details can be found in the relevant descriptions in the above method embodiments, and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0169] In another embodiment, when the communication device 1000 implements the function of the first satellite in the method embodiment shown in FIG2, the transceiver 1001 can implement the transmit / receive operations performed by the first satellite in the method embodiment shown in FIG7; the processor 1002 can implement other operations performed by the first satellite in the method embodiment shown in FIG7 besides the transmit / receive operations. Specific details can be found in the descriptions in the above method embodiments, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0170] Based on the above embodiments, this application provides a communication system, which may include the terminal equipment, first satellite, and second satellite involved in the above embodiments.

[0171] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing computer programs or instructions. When the computer programs or instructions are executed by a computer, the computer can implement the communication methods provided in the above-described method embodiments.

[0172] This application also provides a computer program product for storing computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are executed by a computer, the computer can implement the communication method provided in the above-described method embodiments.

[0173] This application also provides a chip or chip system, including logic circuitry, which is used to execute the communication method provided in the above-described method embodiments.

[0174] This application also provides a chip or chip system, including one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are coupled to at least one memory, for calling a program in the memory to enable the chip or chip system to implement the communication method provided in the above method embodiments.

[0175] This application also provides a chip or chip system coupled to at least one memory, which is used to implement the communication method provided in the above method embodiments.

[0176] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this application can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this application can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0177] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to this application. It should be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in one or more blocks of the flowchart illustrations and / or one or more blocks of the block diagrams.

[0178] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0179] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions, which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus, provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0180] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the scope of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Receive the first reference signal and the second reference signal; The reception time difference between the first reference signal and the second reference signal is determined based on the first delay of the first reference signal, the second delay of the second reference signal, and the first time offset; the reception time difference is less than a first time threshold; wherein the first time offset is a non-integer multiple of a signal transmission time unit.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Receiving the first reference signal and the second reference signal includes: The first reference signal is received on a first frequency domain resource, and the second reference signal is received on a second frequency domain resource; The first frequency domain resource includes a first sub-frequency domain resource, a second sub-frequency domain resource, and a third sub-frequency domain resource. The first sub-frequency domain resource is used to carry the first reference signal. The second sub-frequency domain resource and the third sub-frequency domain resource are idle resources. The second sub-frequency domain resource and the third sub-frequency domain resource are adjacent to the first sub-frequency domain resource. The second frequency domain resource includes a fourth sub-frequency domain resource, a fifth sub-frequency domain resource, and a sixth sub-frequency domain resource. The fourth sub-frequency domain resource is used to carry the second reference signal. The fifth and sixth sub-frequency domain resources are idle resources and are adjacent to the fourth sub-frequency domain resource.

3. The method as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first time offset is the absolute value of the difference between the first delay and the second delay.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The first reference signal occupies N time-domain units, and the second reference signal occupies M time-domain units. The N time-domain units are a subset of the M time-domain units, where M is greater than or equal to N, and M and N are positive numbers.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, Determining the reception time difference between the first reference signal and the second reference signal based on the first delay of the first reference signal, the second delay of the second reference signal, and the first time offset, includes: The reception time of the first reference signal is determined based on the first delay of the first reference signal; The reception time of the second reference signal is determined based on the second delay of the second reference signal and the first time offset; The reception time difference is determined based on the reception time of the first reference signal and the reception time of the second reference signal.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The first time threshold is the length of the cyclic prefix CP.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The first reference signal comes from a first satellite, and the second reference signal comes from a second satellite; the first satellite is a service satellite, and the second satellite is a satellite that interferes with the service satellite.

8. A communication method, characterized in that, include: A second reference signal is transmitted based on a first time offset, wherein the first time offset is a non-integer multiple of a signal transmission time unit.

9. The method as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second reference signal is transmitted on the second frequency domain resource; The second frequency domain resource includes a fourth sub-frequency domain resource, a fifth sub-frequency domain resource, and a sixth sub-frequency domain resource. The fourth sub-frequency domain resource is used to carry the second reference signal. The fifth and sixth sub-frequency domain resources are idle resources and are adjacent to the fourth sub-frequency domain resource.

10. The method as described in claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The first time offset is the absolute value of the difference between the first time delay and the second time delay. The first time delay corresponds to the first reference signal, the second time delay corresponds to the second reference signal, the first reference signal corresponds to the first satellite, and the first satellite is a service satellite.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8-10, characterized in that, The second reference signal occupies M time-domain units, and N time-domain units are a subset of the M time-domain units. The N time-domain units are the time-domain units occupied by the first reference signal. M is greater than or equal to N, and M and N are positive numbers.

12. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes units or modules for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-7, or includes units or modules for performing the method as described in any one of claims 8-11.

13. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a processor for executing computer programs or instructions to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-7, or to implement the method as described in any one of claims 8-11.

14. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed by a communication device, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-7, or the method as described in any one of claims 8-11.

15. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes a computer program or instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1-7 or the method as described in any one of claims 8-11 to be implemented.

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