Communication method and related apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a communication method and a related apparatus, which are applied to the technical field of communications. In the embodiments of the present application, area partitioning can be performed to determine a distribution mode of first system messages, and then different first system messages are configured on the basis of the area partitioning, such that a terminal will also receive corresponding first system messages on the basis of different areas. Configurations for areas with different access requirements do not need to be centrally carried within the first system messages, such that areas with different access requirements can have different configurations, for example, sub-satellite areas / areas with low access requirements can be configured with fewer access time-frequency resources or with fewer paging repetitions, while edge areas / areas with high access requirements can be configured with more access time-frequency resources or with more paging repetitions. In this way, system messages for different areas can be independently configured, thereby improving the flexibility of allocating resources.

Description

Communication method and related apparatus

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese Patent Application No. 202410864691.3, filed on June 28, 2024, and entitled "Communication method and related apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0003] Under the wide area coverage of a satellite, the requirements of different areas are usually different. However, in some existing schemes, a system information block 1 (SIB1) is a cell-level system message, and the configurations of areas with different access requirements are all carried in the SIB1, resulting in large signaling overhead. Moreover, the budget of a link is limited, and the number of transmittable bits is limited, thereby affecting the reception of the SIB1.

[0004] In some other schemes, other system information (OSI) is a cell-level system message, and SSB measurement timing configuration (SMTC) related to measurement needs to cover all cases, such as needing to configure a long window to ensure that all are measured, which results in large measurement overhead of the terminal, is not energy-saving, and the configuration of the network device is not flexible.

[0005] Therefore, how to effectively improve the flexibility of resource allocation is a problem to be solved by those skilled in the art. SUMMARY

[0006] The present application provides a communication method and related apparatus, which can effectively improve the flexibility of resource allocation.

[0007] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a terminal side, such as a terminal or a communication module in the terminal, or a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions in the terminal (such as a Modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a System on Chip (SoC) chip or a System in Package (SIP) chip containing a modem core), taking the case where the method is applied to a terminal as an example, the method comprising: receiving a first system message from a satellite, wherein the first system message is related to a first area, the first area is a part of an area in a cell corresponding to the satellite, and the first area is an area where the first system message is sent.

[0008] In the present application, first, the region is divided to determine the delivery mode of the first system message. For example, a coverage area includes 256 wave positions, which is divided into 32 wave position groups. The satellite and the terminal need to know how the 32 wave position groups are divided (which can be configured by the satellite to send to the terminal, predefined, or determined by the terminal according to its geographical location information, such as the terminal is located in Shanghai, Shanghai is a high access demand area, and the terminal is located in Xinjiang, Xinjiang is a low access demand area). The satellite can configure different first system messages for different wave position groups according to the division of the wave position groups, and the terminal will also receive the corresponding first system message according to different wave positions or wave position groups. The configuration of different access demand areas does not need to be concentrated in the first system message. Different configurations can be made for areas with different access demands, such as for the ground area / low access demand area, relatively less access time-frequency resources or less paging repetition times can be configured, and for the edge area / high access demand area, relatively more access time-frequency resources or more paging repetition times can be configured. In this way, the system message of different areas can be configured separately, thereby improving the flexibility of resource allocation.

[0009] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the method further includes receiving first information, wherein the first information is used to indicate the first region and / or the delivery granularity of the first system message.

[0010] In the above implementation, the terminal knows the delivery granularity to determine whether the terminal is out of the set range of the first region. If it is out of the set range of the first region, it needs to receive a new system message in time. For example, if the delivery granularity is wave position delivery, after the SSB changes, the terminal re-searches the SSB and receives a new system message, or the satellite directly indicates that the SSB index of the first region is SSB0 or SSB1, and the terminal only needs to determine whether the index of the current optimal SSB is the same as the received indication information (i.e., the satellite directly indicates that the SSB index of the first region is SSB0 or SSB1), and if not, the system message is re-received according to the current optimal SSB. This scheme can effectively improve the flexibility of resource allocation and ensure the stability of communication.

[0011] In another possible implementation of the first aspect, the delivery granularity is obtained according to historical access data, or the delivery granularity is obtained according to the ground city distribution position, or the delivery granularity is obtained according to the motion trajectory or ephemeris information of the satellite.

[0012] In the above embodiments, the present solution provides multiple ways of obtaining the distribution granularity, and the satellite can select the distribution granularity according to the current environment, so that the selection of the distribution granularity is more diversified.

[0013] In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, second information is received, wherein the second information is used to indicate that the distribution granularity is distributed in units of a region, or the second information is used to indicate that the distribution granularity is distributed in units of a wave position group covering multiple wave positions, or the second information is used to indicate that the distribution granularity is distributed in units of a wave position.

[0014] In the above embodiments, different configurations can be provided for regions with different access requirements, and the system messages corresponding to different distribution granularities are different, so that the flexibility of resource allocation is effectively improved.

[0015] In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the first region is an edge point region or a first wave position or a first wave position group, the first system message includes a third message, and the third information is used to instruct the terminal to monitor the third system message in a first window in a first time period; and the method further includes:

[0016] receiving the third system message from the satellite, wherein the third system message includes window configuration information associated with the edge point region or the first wave position or the first wave position group, and the edge point region or the first wave position or the first wave position group is related to the distribution granularity.

[0017] Optionally, the satellite can first divide the regions, and then determine the distribution granularity according to the divided regions. The satellite can also determine the division of the regions and the distribution granularity at the same time.

[0018] In the above embodiments, different configurations can be provided for regions with different access requirements, and the system messages corresponding to different distribution granularities are different, so that the flexibility of resource allocation is effectively improved.

[0019] In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the receiving the first system message from the satellite comprises receiving the first system message from the satellite according to a SSB index corresponding to a first SSB on the first area.

[0020] In the above implementation form, since the satellite transmits different system messages according to different SSB indexes, after searching all SSBs, a terminal only selects an optimal SSB, and each SSB has a corresponding SSB index. Exemplarily, the terminal determines a signal coverage area to which the terminal belongs according to the SSB index corresponding to the optimal SSB, and then knows which system messages in SIB2-SIBn (where n is a positive integer greater than 2) need to be received according to the configuration in SIB1, so that the different SSB indexes correspond to the system messages. Compared with the prior art in which the configurations of areas with different access requirements are all carried in the SIB1 message, the terminal in the present application receives the first system message from the satellite according to the SSB index corresponding to the first SSB on the first area, which is more targeted and effectively improves the flexibility of resource allocation.

[0021] In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the receiving the first system message from the satellite comprises receiving the first system message from the satellite according to a SSB index corresponding to a first SSB on the first area.

[0022] In the present application, first, the area is divided to determine the first system message issuing mode, for example, a certain coverage area includes 256 wave positions, which is divided into 32 wave position groups, the satellite and the terminal need to know how the 32 wave position groups are divided (which can be configured by the satellite to send to the terminal, can be predefined, or can be determined by the terminal according to its own geographical location information, such as the terminal is located in Shanghai, Shanghai is a high access demand area, and the terminal is located in Xinjiang, Xinjiang is a low access demand area), the satellite can configure different first system messages for different wave position groups according to the division of the wave position groups, and the terminal will also receive the corresponding first system message according to different wave positions or wave position groups. The configuration of different access demand areas does not need to be concentrated in the first system message, and different configurations can be made for areas with different access demands, for example, for the ground area / low access demand area, relatively less access time-frequency resources or less paging repetition times can be configured, and for the edge area / high access demand area, relatively more access time-frequency resources or more paging repetition times can be configured. In this way, the system messages of different areas can be configured separately, thereby improving the flexibility of resource allocation.

[0023] In a possible implementation form of the second aspect, the first area and the at least one second area are predefined; or the first area and the at least one second area are determined.

[0024] In another possible implementation form of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending first information, wherein the first information is used to indicate the first area and / or the issuing granularity of the first system message.

[0025] In another possible implementation form of the second aspect, the issuing granularity is obtained according to historical terminal access data, or the issuing granularity is obtained according to the ground city distribution position, or the issuing granularity is obtained according to the motion trail or ephemeris information of the satellite.

[0026] In another possible implementation form of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending second information, wherein the second information is used to indicate that the issuing granularity is issued in units of an area, or the second information is used to indicate that the issuing granularity is issued in units of a wave position group covering multiple wave positions, or the second information is used to indicate that the issuing granularity is issued in units of a wave position.

[0027] In a further possible implementation form of the second aspect, the first region is an edge point region or a first beam or a first group of beams, the first system message comprises a third message, and the third information is used to instruct the terminal to monitor the third system message in a first window in a first time period; the at least one second region is a zenith point region or a second beam or a second group of beams, the at least one second system message comprises at least one fourth message, and the at least one fourth information is used to instruct the terminal to monitor the at least one fourth system message in a second window in a second time period, the first beam is different from the second beam, and the first group of beams is different from the second group of beams; the method further comprises: transmitting the fourth system message on the first region, wherein the third system message comprises window configuration information associated with the edge point region or the first beam or the first group of beams; and transmitting the at least one fourth system message on the at least one second region, wherein the fourth system message comprises window configuration information associated with the zenith point region or the second beam or the second group of beams, and the edge point region and the zenith point region, or the first beam and the second beam, or the first group of beams and the second group of beams are related to the granularity of the transmission.

[0028] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, which can be a terminal, a device (for example, a chip, or a chip system, or a circuit) in the terminal, or a device capable of being used in matching with the terminal, and can also be a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the functions of the terminal.

[0029] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus can include a module or unit corresponding to each of the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the first aspect, which can be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of hardware circuit and software.

[0030] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, which can be a satellite, a device (for example, a chip, or a chip system, or a circuit) in the satellite, or a device capable of being used in matching with the satellite, and can also be a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the functions of the satellite.

[0031] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus can include a module or unit corresponding to each of the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the second aspect, which can be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of hardware circuit and software.

[0032] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, which can be a standalone device, such as a terminal, or a component included in a standalone device, such as a chip, a software module, or an integrated circuit. The communication apparatus can include at least one processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is configured to input and / or output information, and the at least one processor is configured to invoke a computer program stored in at least one memory to implement the method described in any of the foregoing embodiments of the first aspect.

[0033] In a possible implementation of the fifth aspect, the communication apparatus further includes the at least one memory described above. Optionally, the memory and the processor are integrated together.

[0034] Optionally, the at least one processor in the communication apparatus is configured to execute the invoked computer instructions to perform the following operation: receiving a first system message from a satellite, wherein the first system message is related to a first area, the first area is a partial area in a cell corresponding to the satellite, and the first area is the area in which the first system message is sent.

[0035] Optionally, the processor is further configured to receive first information, wherein the first information is used to indicate the first area and / or a sending granularity of the first system message.

[0036] Optionally, the sending granularity is obtained according to historical terminal access data, or the sending granularity is obtained according to a ground city distribution position, or the sending granularity is obtained according to a motion track or ephemeris information of the satellite.

[0037] Optionally, the processor is further configured to receive second information, wherein the second information is used to indicate that the sending granularity is sent in units of an area, or the second information is used to indicate that the sending granularity is sent in units of a wave position group covering multiple wave positions, or the second information is used to indicate that the sending granularity is sent in units of a wave position.

[0038] Optionally, the first area is an edge point area or a first wave position or a first wave position group, the first system message includes a third message, and the third information is used to instruct a terminal to monitor a third system message in a first window in a first time period. The processor is further configured to receive the third system message from the satellite, wherein the third system message includes window configuration information associated with the edge point area or the first wave position or the first wave position group, and the edge point area or the first wave position or the first wave position group is related to the sending granularity.

[0039] Optionally, the processor is specifically configured to receive the first system message from the satellite according to an SSB index corresponding to a first SSB on the first area.

[0040] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, which can be a standalone device, such as a satellite, or a component included in a standalone device, such as a chip, a software module, or an integrated circuit. The communication apparatus can include at least one processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is configured to input and / or output information, and the at least one processor is configured to invoke a computer program stored in at least one memory to implement the method described in any of the embodiments of the second aspect.

[0041] In a possible implementation of the sixth aspect, the communication apparatus further includes the at least one memory. Optionally, the memory and the processor are integrated together.

[0042] Optionally, the at least one processor in the communication apparatus is configured to execute the invoked computer instructions to perform the following operation: configuring a first system message according to a first area, and configuring at least one second system message according to at least one second area, wherein the first area and the at least one second area belong to a same cell, and the first area is different from the at least one second area. The first system message is transmitted on the first area, and the at least one second system message is transmitted on the at least one second area.

[0043] Optionally, the first area and the at least one second area are predefined, or the first area and the at least one second area are determined.

[0044] Optionally, the processor is further configured to transmit first information, wherein the first information is used to indicate the first area and / or a granularity of the first system message.

[0045] Optionally, the granularity is obtained according to historical terminal access data, or the granularity is obtained according to a ground city distribution position, or the granularity is obtained according to a satellite motion track or ephemeris information.

[0046] Optionally, the processor is further configured to transmit second information, wherein the second information is used to indicate that the granularity is delivered in units of an area, or the second information is used to indicate that the granularity is delivered in units of a wave position group covering multiple wave positions, or the second information is used to indicate that the granularity is delivered in units of a wave position.

[0047] Optionally, the first region is an edge point region or a first beam or a first beam group, the first system message comprises a third message, and the third information is used to instruct the terminal to monitor the third system message in a first window in a first time period; the at least one second region is a zenith point region or a second beam or a second beam group, the at least one second system message comprises at least one fourth message, and the at least one fourth information is used to instruct the terminal to monitor the at least one fourth system message in a second window in a second time period, the first beam is different from the second beam, and the first beam group is different from the second beam group. The processor is further configured to: send the fourth system message on the first region, wherein the third message comprises window configuration information associated with the edge point region or the first beam or the first beam group; and send the at least one fourth system message on the at least one second region, wherein the fourth message comprises window configuration information associated with the zenith point region or the second beam or the second beam group, and the edge point region and the zenith point region, or the first beam and the second beam, or the first beam group and the second beam group are related to the sending granularity.

[0048] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, which comprises a logic circuit and an interface, and the logic circuit and the interface are coupled; the interface is configured to input and / or output information, and the logic circuit is configured to implement the method described in any of the embodiments of the first aspect to the second aspect.

[0049] In a possible implementation form of the seventh aspect, the communication apparatus is a chip or a chip system.

[0050] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which comprises a satellite and at least one terminal, and the satellite and the at least one terminal are communicatively connected. The at least one terminal is configured to implement the method of any of the embodiments of the first aspect, and the satellite is configured to implement the method of any of the embodiments of the second aspect.

[0051] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which comprises the apparatuses described in the third aspect to the fourth aspect.

[0052] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which comprises the apparatuses described in the fifth aspect to the sixth aspect.

[0053] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer readable storage medium, which is configured to store instructions or a computer program; when the instructions or the computer program are executed, the method of any of the embodiments of the first aspect to the second aspect is implemented.

[0054] In a twelfth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, which comprises computer instructions, when the instructions are run on at least one processor, can implement the method in any of the foregoing first aspect to the second aspect or any possible implementation manner. Exemplarily, the computer program product can be a software installation package, when the foregoing method needs to be used, the computer program product can be downloaded and executed on a computing device.

[0055] The technical solutions provided by the second aspect to the twelfth aspect of the present application can refer to the beneficial effects of the technical solutions of the first aspect, which will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0056] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0057] FIG. 2a is a schematic diagram of a communication system in a transparent transmission scenario according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0058] FIG. 2b and FIG. 2c are schematic diagrams of a communication system in a regeneration scenario according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0059] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0060] FIG. 4a is a flow diagram of configuring different system messages for different areas according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0061] FIG. 4b is another flow diagram of configuring different system messages for different areas according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0062] FIG. 5 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication apparatus 50 according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0063] FIG. 6 is a structural schematic diagram of another communication apparatus 60 according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0064] FIG. 7 is a structural schematic diagram of another communication apparatus 70 according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0065] In the present application, the terms "first", "second", and the like are used to distinguish between the same or similar items or elements having substantially the same function and role. Those skilled in the art can understand that the terms "first", "second", and the like do not limit the quantity and execution order, and the terms "first", "second", and the like do not necessarily mean different. The term "and / or" describes the association between the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B can represent the following three cases: A exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone. The character " / " generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after it.

[0066] It should be understood that in the present application, "at least one" means one or more; "multiple" means two or more. In addition, "equal to" in the present application can be used with "greater than" or "less than". In the case of "equal to" and "greater than", the technical solution of "greater than" is adopted; in the case of "equal to" and "less than", the technical solution of "less than" is adopted.

[0067] The following first describes the related names or terms involved in the present application to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0068] 1. Beam

[0069] The embodiment of the beam in the NR protocol can be a spatial domain filter, or a spatial filter, or a spatial domain parameter, a spatial parameter, a spatial domain setting, a spatial setting, or quasi-colocation (QCL) information, QCL assumption, QCL indication, etc. The beam can be indicated by a transmission configuration indication state (TCI-state) parameter, or by a spatial relation parameter. Therefore, in the present application, the beam can be replaced by a spatial domain filter, a spatial filter, a spatial domain parameter, a spatial parameter, a spatial domain setting, a spatial setting, QCL information, QCL assumption, QCL indication, TCI-state (DL TCI-state, UL TCI-state), spatial relation, etc. The above terms are also equivalent to each other. The beam can also be replaced by other terms representing the beam, which is not limited in the present application.

[0070] A beam used for transmitting a signal can be referred to as a transmission beam (Tx beam), a spatial domain transmission filter, a spatial transmission filter, a spatial domain transmission parameter or a spatial transmission parameter, a spatial domain transmission setting or a spatial transmission setting. A downlink transmission beam can be indicated by a TCI-state.

[0071] A beam used for receiving a signal can be referred to as a reception beam (Rx beam), a spatial domain reception filter, a spatial reception filter, a spatial domain reception parameter or a spatial reception parameter, a spatial domain reception setting or a spatial reception setting. An uplink transmission beam can be indicated by a spatial relation, an uplink TCI-state, or an SRS resource (indicating a transmission beam using the SRS). Therefore, the uplink beam can also be replaced by the SRS resource.

[0072] A transmission beam can refer to a distribution of signal strength in different directions in space after a signal is transmitted by an antenna, and a reception beam can refer to a distribution of signal strength in different directions in space of a wireless signal received by an antenna.

[0073] In addition, a beam can be a wide beam, or a narrow beam, or other types of beams. The technology for forming a beam can be beamforming technology or other technology. The beamforming technology can be digital beamforming technology, analog beamforming technology, or hybrid digital / analog beamforming technology, etc.

[0074] A beam is generally corresponding to a resource. For example, when performing beam measurement, the network device measures different beams through different resources, and the terminal feeds back the measured resource quality, so that the network device knows the quality of the corresponding beam. In data transmission, beam information is also indicated through its corresponding resource. For example, the network device indicates the PDSCH beam information of the terminal through the TCI field in the DCI.

[0075] Optionally, multiple beams with the same or similar communication characteristics are regarded as one beam. One beam can include one or more antenna ports for transmitting data channels, control channels, and sounding signals, etc. One or more antenna ports forming a beam can also be regarded as an antenna port set.

[0076] In the embodiments of the present application, if not specified, the beam refers to the transmitting beam of the network device. In beam measurement, each beam of the network device corresponds to a resource, so the beam corresponding to the resource can be uniquely identified by the index of the resource.

[0077] 2. Coverage

[0078] The coverage can be used to indicate the projection range of the beam on the ground or the range where the signal can reach. The base station adjusts the weight of the antenna, so that the beam transmitted by the base station can be directed in different directions, and has different coverage. The beam coverage discussed in the embodiments of the present application refers to the coverage of the beam on the ground. The coverage changes with the movement of the satellite and the adjustment of the weight.

[0079] In order to facilitate the understanding of the technical solutions of the present application, the present application will be further described in combination with the drawings.

[0080] The method provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to a non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication system, as shown in FIG. 1, which can include terminals, satellites and ground stations (also referred to as gateway stations, signal gateway stations). It can be understood that FIG. 1 only shows one satellite and one ground station, and in actual use, a multi-satellite and / or multi-ground station architecture can be adopted as needed. Each satellite can provide service to one or more terminals, each satellite can correspond to one or more ground stations, each ground station can correspond to one or more satellites, and the like, which are not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application. The method provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to an internet of things (IoT) system, a vehicle to X (V2X) system, a narrow band internet of things (NB-IoT) system, and the like; or can be applied to an LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, an LTE time division duplex (TDD) system, a long term evolution (LTE) system, a 5th-generation (5G) communication system, a 6th-generation (6G) communication system or a future communication system, and the like, which are not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0081] A terminal is a device with wireless transceiver function. The terminal can communicate with an access network device (or also can be referred to as an access device) in a radio access network (RAN). The terminal (terminal) can also be referred to as user equipment (user equipment, UE), access terminal, subscriber unit, user station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, user agent or user device, etc. In a possible implementation, the terminal can be deployed on land, including indoor or outdoor, handheld or vehicle-mounted; can also be deployed on the water surface (such as ships, etc.). In a possible implementation, the terminal can be a handheld device, vehicle-mounted device, wearable device, sensor, terminal in Internet of Things, terminal in Internet of Vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicle, 5th generation (5th generation, 5G) network and any form of terminal in future network with wireless communication function, etc., and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this. Exemplarily, the terminal can also communicate with the terminal through device-to-device (device-to-device, D2D), machine-to-machine (machine to machine, M2M) and the like. The terminal shown in the embodiments of the present application can also be a device in Internet of Things (internet of things, IoT). The IoT network can include Internet of Vehicles, for example. Among them, the communication mode in the Internet of Vehicles system is collectively referred to as vehicle to other device (vehicle to X, V2X, X can represent any thing), for example, the V2X can include vehicle to vehicle (vehicle to vehicle, V2V) communication, vehicle and infrastructure (vehicle to infrastructure, V2I) communication, vehicle to pedestrian (vehicle to pedestrian, V2P) or vehicle to network (vehicle to network, V2N) communication, etc.

[0082] The ground station can be used to connect the satellite and the base station, or the satellite and the core network. The satellite can provide wireless access service for the terminal, schedule wireless resources for the accessed terminal, provide reliable wireless transmission protocol and data encryption protocol, etc. As an example, the satellite can be a wireless communication base station such as an evolved NodeB (eNB) and a next generation NodeB (gNB) using artificial satellites and high-altitude vehicles, etc. As another example, the satellite can also act as a relay for these base stations, and transparently transmit the signals of these base stations to the terminal.

[0083] Therefore, in some implementations of the present application, such as in the transparent transmission scenario of the satellite, the network device can be a base station (also referred to as a ground base station) shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2a is a schematic diagram of a communication system in a transparent transmission scenario according to an embodiment of the present application. Exemplarily, a terminal can access a network through an air interface (which can be various types of air interfaces, such as a 5G air interface, etc.), and the network device can be deployed on a ground base station. The satellite is connected to the ground station through a wireless link. The ground station and the ground base station are connected to the core network through a wired or wireless link. There can be a wireless link between the satellites, and in the system shown in FIG. 2a, the satellites can have a transparent forwarding function. In some other implementations of the present application, such as in the regenerative scenario of the satellite, the network device can be a satellite shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2b is a schematic diagram of a communication system in a regenerative scenario according to an embodiment of the present application. Exemplarily, a terminal can access a network through an air interface (which can be various types of air interfaces, such as a 5G air interface, etc.), and the network device can be deployed on a satellite (such as a regenerative mode of the satellite), such as a base station or part of the base station function deployed on the satellite, and the satellites can complete signaling interaction and user data transmission between base stations and base stations, as shown in FIG. 2c.

[0084] Exemplarily, each network element in FIGS. 2a-2c and their interfaces can be as follows:

[0085] The terminal can access the satellite network through the air interface and initiate a call, online service, etc. The base station can be used to provide wireless access services, schedule wireless resources to the accessed terminal device, provide reliable wireless transmission protocols and data encryption protocols, etc. The ground station can be used to be responsible for forwarding signaling and service data between the satellite and the core network. The core network can be used for user access control, mobility management, session management, user security authentication or billing, etc. The core network can be composed of multiple functional units, such as functional entities including control plane and data plane. For example, the core network shown in FIGS. 2a-2c can include an access and mobility management function (AMF), a session management function (SMF), a user plane function (UPF), etc. The AMF can be used to be responsible for user access management, security authentication, mobility management, etc. The UPF can be used to be responsible for managing the transmission of user plane data, traffic statistics, etc. The air interface shown in FIGS. 2a-2c can be understood as the wireless link between the terminal and the base station, or the wireless link between the satellite and the ground station; the Xn interface can be understood as the interface between the base stations, mainly used for signaling interaction such as handover; the NG interface can be used as the interface between the base station and the core network, used to interact with the non-access (NAS) signaling of the core network, and the service data of the user. In different wireless access technology systems, the name of the device with base station function may be different, and the embodiments of the present application will not be shown one by one.

[0086] The satellite can be a geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite, or a non-geostationary earth orbit (NGEO) medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite or low earth orbit (LEO) satellite, or a high altitude platform station (HAPS), etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific type of satellite.

[0087] In some deployments of the network device, the network device can include a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). In some other deployments of the network device, the CU can be further divided into a CU-control plane (CP) and a CU-user plane (UP). In some other deployments of the network device, the network device can also be an open radio access network (ORAN) architecture, and the like, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific deployment of the network device. For example, when the network device is an ORAN architecture, the network device shown in the embodiments of the present application can be an access network device in the ORAN, or a functional module, and the like. In the ORAN system, the CU can also be referred to as an open (O)-CU, the DU can also be referred to as an 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 like. The deployment of the network device listed here is only an example, and as the standard technology evolves, there can be other deployment forms of the network device.

[0088] The network architecture and service scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are used to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application. It can be known by those skilled in the art that, as the network architecture evolves and new service scenarios appear, the technical solutions and network architecture provided by the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0089] Under the wide-area coverage of the satellite, the requirements of different areas are usually different. However, in some existing schemes, the SIB1 message is a cell-level system message, and the configurations of areas with different access requirements are all carried in the SIB1 message, resulting in large signaling overhead. In addition, the link budget is limited, and the number of transmittable bits is limited, thereby affecting the reception of the SIB1 message.

[0090] In some other schemes, the OSI message is a cell-level system message, and the SMTC configuration related to measurement needs to cover all cases, such as the need to configure a long window to ensure that all are measured. In this case, it will result in large measurement overhead of the terminal, not energy-saving, and the configuration of the network device is also not flexible.

[0091] Therefore, the embodiment of the present application provides a communication method and related device, the satellite divides the area, determines the delivery mode of the first system message, the satellite configures different first system messages according to the division of the area, and the terminal also receives the corresponding first system message according to the area with different access requirements. The configuration of the area with different access requirements does not need to be carried in the first system message, and different configurations can be made for the area with different access requirements, for example, for the area under the satellite / low access requirement area, relatively less access time-frequency resources or less paging repetition times can be configured, and for the edge area / high access requirement area, relatively more access time-frequency resources or more paging repetition times can be configured. In this way, the system message of different areas can be configured separately, thereby improving the flexibility of resource allocation.

[0092] In the communication method shown below (such as FIG. 3), the specific description of the terminal and the satellite can refer to FIG. 1, FIG. 2a to FIG. 2c, which will not be described in detail here. For the convenience of description, the terminal and the satellite may be taken as examples for illustration in the embodiment of the present application, but it should not be understood as a limitation of the embodiment of the present application.

[0093] The embodiment of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0094] Please refer to FIG. 3, which is a flowchart of a communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application. The flowchart is described from the perspective of the terminal and the satellite as the main body of interaction, wherein the terminal mentioned above can be a terminal as an independent device or a communication module in the terminal, or a circuit or chip responsible for the communication function in the terminal (such as a Modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a System on Chip (SoC) chip or a System in Package (SIP) chip containing a modem core), and the satellite mentioned above can be a satellite as an independent device, or a component in an independent device, such as a processor, a chip or a chip system of the satellite, or a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the satellite function. Optionally, the method can be applied to a communication system, for example, applied to the communication system shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2a to FIG. 2c.

[0095] The method shown in FIG. 3 can include multiple steps in steps S301-S302. It should be understood that, for the convenience of description, the steps S301-S302 are described in this order, and it is not intended to limit the execution in the above order. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the execution order, execution time, execution times, etc. of the one or more steps. Steps S301-S302 are as follows:

[0096] Step S301: The satellite configures a first system message according to a first area, and configures at least one second system message according to at least one second area.

[0097] The first system message is related to the first area, the first area is a part of an area in a cell corresponding to the satellite, the first area and the at least one second area belong to the same cell, and the first area and the at least one second area are different. The first area is an area in which the first system message is sent.

[0098] The first area and the at least one second area are exemplary names made for distinguishing a certain area. For example, when there is only one second area, the first area is area 1, and the second area is area 2, and the area 1 and the area 2 belong to the same cell 1 under the coverage of the satellite. For another example, when there are multiple second areas, the first area is area 1, and the multiple second areas are area 2, area 3, and area 4, and the area 1, the area 2, the area 3, and the area 4 belong to the same cell 1 under the coverage of the satellite.

[0099] Optionally, the first area and the at least one second area are predefined, or determined by the satellite.

[0100] The first system message and the second system message are exemplary names made for distinguishing a certain system message. Optionally, because the first area and the at least one second area are different, the first system message configured by the satellite according to the first area is different from the configuration in the at least one second system message configured by the satellite according to the at least one second area. For example, the first system message is SIB1#1, and one second system message is SIB1#2, and the configurations in the SIB1#1 and the SIB1#2 are different.

[0101] In addition, optionally, when there are multiple second areas, each second area can be configured with a corresponding second system message. For example, the multiple second areas are area 2, area 3, and area 4, and the second system message configured by the area 2 is SIB1#2, the second system message configured by the area 3 is SIB1#3, and the second system message configured by the area 4 is SIB1#4.

[0102] As a possible implementation, the satellite sends first information.

[0103] Correspondingly, the first terminal receives the first information.

[0104] The first information is an exemplary name made for distinguishing a certain information, and the first information is used to indicate the first area and / or the sending granularity of the first system message.

[0105] Optionally, the first terminal learns the granularity of the system message to determine whether the first terminal is out of the setting range of the first region, and if the first terminal is out of the setting range of the first region, the first terminal needs to receive the new system message in time. For example, if the granularity of the system message is beam granularity, after the SSB changes, the first terminal re-searches the SSB and receives the new system message, or the satellite directly indicates that the SSB index of the first region is SSB0 or SSB1, and the first terminal only needs to determine whether the index of the current optimal SSB is the same as the received indication information (i.e., the satellite directly indicates that the SSB index of the first region is SSB0 or SSB1), and if not, the first terminal re-searches the system message according to the current optimal SSB. This scheme can effectively improve the flexibility of resource allocation and ensure the stability of communication.

[0106] Optionally, the granularity of the system message includes region-level granularity and beam-level granularity.

[0107] For example, the region-level granularity includes one or more beams, and the region level can be a region, such as a nadir point region or an edge point region, and each region can include one or more beams and the coverage of one or more SSBs. Optionally, when the region has only one beam, it can also be referred to as beam level.

[0108] For example, a beam is a region on the ground, which can be a region drawn on the ground when planning satellite coverage. A region or (grid) is referred to as a beam, and then the satellite can cover it through a beam. For example, a circle with a radius of 853 km is the coverage of the satellite. The coverage is divided into 1058 regular hexagons, and each hexagon represents a ground beam. Each beam can be covered by a satellite through a beam, such as an SSB beam covering a beam.

[0109] Optionally, the beam-level region can be defined by a protocol, and the satellite can also indicate the granularity of the region division in the system message.

[0110] For example, it can be defined as SSB specific or beam specific or beam footprint specific by a protocol. Among them, because the contents carried by the beam-level system message are different, the beam-level system message cannot be combined. The contents carried by the cell-level system message are the same, so the cell-level system message can be combined.

[0111] For example, the satellite can add an indication in the SIB1 system message that the SIB1 system message or the OSI system message is beam specific or cell specific.

[0112] In order to increase the flexibility of configuration, further optionally, in the embodiments of the present application, the first field can be used to indicate the granularity of the system message.

[0113] In a possible implementation, the satellite transmits the second information.

[0114] Correspondingly, the first terminal receives the second information.

[0115] Optionally, the second information is indicated by the first field.

[0116] The second information is used to indicate that the granularity of the system message is in units of a cell, or the second information is used to indicate that the granularity of the system message is in units of a beam, or the second information is used to indicate that the granularity of the system message is in units of a beam.

[0117] Further optionally, the first field can be one bit. When the first field is 1 or the first field is configured as “true”, it indicates that the system message is a beam specific system message. When the first field is 0 or the first field is configured as “false”, it indicates that the system message is a cell specific system message. The above examples can also be reversed. It should be understood that the above is only a possible case shown for the convenience of description, and is not a specific value limitation of the first field in the embodiments of the present application.

[0118] Further optionally, the first field can be multiple bits in bitmap manner, each bit corresponding to a different delivery granularity. For example, the field is N bits corresponding to N delivery granularities, each bit corresponding to one of the N delivery granularities. For example, N is 3, the first field is configured as "SIBscope ENUMERATED {BeamScope, CellScope, AreaScope} OPTIONAL, -- Need R", if the first field indicates 1000, the first bit value is 1, indicating that the system message is a beam level system message. If the first field indicates 0100, the second bit value is 1, indicating that the system message is a cell level system message. If the first field indicates 0010, the third bit value is 1, indicating that the system message is an area level system message. For another example, if the first field indicates 00, it indicates that the system message is a beam level system message. If the first field indicates 01, it indicates that the system message is a cell level system message. If the first field indicates 10, it indicates that the system message is an area level system message.

[0119] For example, N is 2, the first field is configured as "SIBscope ENUMERATED {BeamScope, CellScope} OPTIONAL, -- Need R", if the first field indicates 1000, the first bit value is 1, indicating that the system message is a beam level system message. If the first field indicates 0100, the second bit value is 1, indicating that the system message is a cell level system message. For another example, if the first field indicates 0, it indicates that the system message is a beam level system message. If the first field indicates 1, it indicates that the system message is a cell level system message.

[0120] For example, N is 2, the first field is configured as "SIBscope ENUMERATED {BeamScope, CellScope} OPTIONAL, -- Need R", if the first field indicates 1000, the first bit value is 1, indicating that the system message is a beam level system message. If the first field indicates 0100, the second bit value is 1, indicating that the system message is a cell level system message. For another example, if the first field indicates 0, it indicates that the system message is a beam level system message. If the first field indicates 1, it indicates that the system message is a cell level system message.

[0121] Optionally, the coverage area of the satellite can be divided in advance before the satellite is running. There are many possible ways to divide the coverage area of the satellite. The following exemplary introduces three ways to obtain the delivery granularity, as follows:

[0122] In the first way, the delivery granularity is obtained according to historical terminal access data.

[0123] For example, the historical terminal access data shows that the user demand of region 1 is high and the user demand of region 2 is low, so the main coverage area can be divided into region 1 and region 2, and the granularity of the delivery is region delivery. For another example, the historical terminal access data shows that the main coverage is region 1, and region 1 includes 256 wave positions, which can be divided into 32 wave position groups, wherein the user demand of the first wave position group is high, the user demand of the second wave position group is low, the user demand of the third wave position group is moderate, and so on, and the user demand of the mth wave position group is high. In this case, the granularity of the delivery can be wave position group delivery. For another example, the historical terminal access data shows that there is no obvious demand difference through wave position group division, but the user demand of the first wave position in the first wave position group is high, the user demand of the second wave position is low, the user demand of the third wave position is moderate, and so on, and the user demand of the nth wave position is high. In this case, the granularity of the delivery can be wave position delivery.

[0124] The second way is that the granularity of the delivery is obtained according to the ground city distribution position.

[0125] For example, taking the Shanghai region and the Tibet region as examples, according to the statistical information of the population, the population distribution of the Shanghai region is relatively dense, and the terminal access demand and the user demand are high, while the population distribution of the Tibet region is relatively sparse, and the terminal access demand and the user demand are low. In this case, the granularity of the delivery can be region delivery.

[0126] The third way is that the granularity of the delivery is obtained according to the motion direction of the satellite.

[0127] Optionally, the motion direction information of the satellite can be obtained from the configuration parameters of the satellite. Of course, the motion direction information of the satellite can also be manually uploaded. The motion direction information of the satellite can be, but is not limited to, satellite motion direction configuration information or satellite ephemeris information.

[0128] Optionally, the motion direction information of the satellite can be obtained from the configuration parameters of the satellite every preset time, so as to ensure that the updated motion direction information of the satellite can be obtained in time when the satellite motion direction configuration information in the configuration parameters is updated. The preset time can be set according to the needs, and the present application does not limit it.

[0129] Optionally, the ephemeris information of the satellite can be high-precision initial orbit parameters fitted by an orbit fitting method, and a preset time orbit can be extrapolated based on the initial orbit parameters (for example, the satellite orbit root number at the epoch time can be injected by the ground control center, the satellite can use a traditional analytic method to extrapolate the orbit data for 7 days, or the satellite orbit root number at the epoch time can be injected by the ground, and the satellite can use a numerical method to extrapolate the orbit data for a preset time by using an integrator, and the granularity of the preset time can be seconds, minutes, hours, or days). The satellite motion trajectory in the preset time period can be determined by an algorithm model according to the initial orbit parameters, for example, the position information of the satellite at t1 can be determined by an algorithm model according to the orbit parameters. However, due to the large orbit extrapolation error of the satellite, if the ephemeris at t0 has a usage time limit (for example, the usage time limit is 15-40s), the ephemeris needs to be searched again to update the satellite motion trajectory when the usage time limit is exceeded.

[0130] Further optionally, the subsatellite point region and the edge region can be determined according to the motion direction of the satellite by the satellite or the ground satellite orbit control center.

[0131] Optionally, the granularity is obtained according to the motion trajectory or ephemeris information of the satellite. For example, the motion trajectory of the satellite is from a sparsely populated area to a densely populated area, and the satellite can divide the region into a subsatellite point region and an edge region according to the motion trajectory.

[0132] Step S302: The satellite transmits the first system message on the first region, and transmits the at least one second system message on the at least one second region.

[0133] Correspondingly, the first terminal receives the first system message on the first region, and the at least one second terminal receives the at least one second system message on the at least one second region.

[0134] The first terminal and the second terminal are exemplary names used to distinguish a certain terminal. For example, the first terminal is terminal 1, and the second terminal is terminal 2. It should be understood that the first terminal and the second terminal can both be referred to as a terminal in the embodiments of the present application. For example, when there is only one first terminal and one second terminal, terminal 1 receives SIB1#1 in region 1, and terminal 2 receives SIB1#2 in region 2. When there is a first terminal and multiple second terminals, for example, three second terminals, terminal 1 receives SIB1#1 in region 1, terminal 2 receives SIB1#2 in region 2, terminal 3 receives SIB1#3 in region 3, and terminal 4 receives SIB1#4 in region 4.

[0135] Further optionally, the first terminal receives the first system message according to the SSB index corresponding to the first SSB on the first region.

[0136] Exemplarily, since the satellite transmits different system messages according to different SSB indexes, the terminal will perform SSB search after starting up, and finally select an optimal SSB, each SSB will have a corresponding SSB index. Exemplarily, the terminal determines the signal coverage area to which the terminal belongs according to the SSB index corresponding to the optimal SSB, and then knows which system messages in SIB2-SIBn (wherein n is a positive integer greater than 2) need to be received according to the configuration in SIB1, so there is a mapping relationship between different SSB indexes and system messages. Compared with the prior art in which the configuration of regions with different access requirements is concentrated in the SIB1 message, the terminal in the present scheme receives the first system message from the satellite according to the SSB index corresponding to the first SSB in the first region, which is more targeted and effectively improves the flexibility of resource allocation.

[0137] Exemplarily, the satellite configures SIB1, SIB2 and SIB3 as system messages for SSB1, the terminal searches for the optimal SSB as SSB1, and the SSB index corresponding to SSB1 is 1. Since the time-frequency resources for searching SIB1 are determined, the monitoring information of SIB2 and SIB3 is carried in SIB1.

[0138] The following exemplarily provides two possible cases of configuring different system messages for regions with different access requirements, as follows:

[0139] Case one, for example, the first region is a region with relatively dense population distribution, and the first terminal has more access requirements and user demand, so the satellite can configure relatively more time-frequency resources for the first region. For another example, the second region is a region with relatively sparse population distribution, and the second terminal has less access requirements and user demand, so the satellite can configure relatively less time-frequency resources for the second region.

[0140] Case two, for example, the first region is a sub-satellite point region, and the link budget performance is good, so no additional repetition number is needed for coverage enhancement, and the satellite can configure low-repetition paging resources for the first region. For another example, the second region is an edge point region, and the link budget performance is poor, so multiple repetitions are needed for coverage enhancement to improve transmission performance, and the satellite can indicate multiple-repetition paging resources in the configured system messages for the second region.

[0141] In the prior art, a satellite transmits the same system message SIB1 for different wave positions (e.g., denoted as a first wave position and a second wave position) or different regions (e.g., denoted as a first region and a second region) or different wave position groups (e.g., denoted as a first wave position group and a second wave position group), wherein the system message SIB1 carries a monitoring search space of an OSI message (SIB2-SIBn system message) and a specific OSI configuration message, the monitoring search space being used to instruct a terminal to monitor one or more OSI messages in a specific window. The satellite transmits the same specific OSI configuration message for different wave positions or different wave positions, and the OSI configuration message configures the same SMTC measurement window for different wave positions or different regions. For example, in consideration of compatibility with all wave positions, a long window length can be configured in the OSI configuration message, and all terminals need to open a long window to measure SSB.

[0142] In the embodiments of the present application, taking different wave positions as an example, if no measurement configuration information needs to be transmitted for the first wave position, such as no SIB2, a window configuration information for SIB2 can be saved, and the measurement configuration information needs to be transmitted for the second wave position, a window configuration information for SIB2 is transmitted to the second wave position. For another example, the OSI transmitted for the first wave position has only two window configuration messages, and the OSI transmitted for the second wave position has three window configuration messages. Different SMTC measurement configuration windows can be configured for different wave positions to reduce the measurement overhead on the terminal side, save the power consumption of the terminal, and improve the flexibility of system message configuration.

[0143] In a possible design, the first region is an edge point region or a first wave position or a first wave position group, the first system message includes third information, the third information being used to instruct the terminal to monitor a third system message in a first window in a first time period, and the first terminal receives the third system message.

[0144] The third system message includes window configuration information associated with the edge point region or the first wave position or the first wave position group, and the edge point region or the first wave position or the first wave position group is related to a delivery granularity. Optionally, the satellite can first divide the regions, and then determine the delivery granularity according to the divided regions. The satellite can also determine the division of the regions and the delivery granularity at the same time.

[0145] For example, taking regions as an example, in a case where a first region (e.g., denoted as region 1, and the terminal corresponding to the region 1 is terminal 1) is an edge point region, the terminal 1 receives SIB1#1 in the region 1, the third information included in the SIB1#1 is used to instruct the terminal 1 to monitor SIB2-SIB22 in a window 1 at a time t1, and the terminal receives information of SIB2-SIB22 after monitoring SIB2-SIB22.

[0146] Optionally, if the first terminal is out of the setting range of the first area, the subsequent SSB measurement needs to be performed to receive the new system message in time. Further optionally, the first terminal can perform the subsequent SSB measurement according to the self position, satellite ephemeris and configuration information of the OSI.

[0147] In yet another possible design, the at least one second area is a sub-satellite point area or a second wave position or a second wave position group, the at least one second system message includes at least one fourth message, the at least one fourth message is used to indicate the terminal to monitor at least one fourth system message in a second window in a second time period, the at least one terminal receives the at least one fourth system message, the first wave position is different from the second wave position, and the first wave position group is different from the second wave position group.

[0148] In the fourth system message, the window configuration information associated with the sub-satellite point area or the second wave position or the second wave position group is included, and the sub-satellite point area or the second wave position or the second wave position group is related to the delivery granularity.

[0149] For example, when there is only one second area (for example, represented as area 2, and the terminal corresponding to the area 2 is terminal 2), the terminal 2 receives SIB1#2 in the area 2. In the case that the second area is a sub-satellite point area, the fourth message included in the SIB1#2 is used to indicate the terminal 2 to monitor SIB2-SIB14 in the window 2 at t2, and the terminal receives the related configuration information of SIB2-SIB14 after monitoring SIB2-SIB14.

[0150] For another example, when there are multiple second areas, for example, there are three second areas (for example, represented as area 2, area 3 and area 4, wherein the terminal corresponding to the area 2 is terminal 2, the terminal corresponding to the area 3 is terminal 3, and the terminal corresponding to the area 4 is terminal 4), the terminal 2 receives SIB1#2 in the area 2, the terminal 3 receives SIB1#3 in the area 3, and the terminal 4 receives SIB1#4 in the area 4. In the case that the above three second areas are sub-satellite point areas, for example, the fourth message included in the SIB1#2 is used to indicate the terminal 2 to monitor SIB2-SIB6 in the window 2 at t2, and the terminal receives the related configuration information of SIB2-SIB6 after monitoring SIB2-SIB6. The fourth message included in the SIB1#3 is used to indicate the terminal 3 to monitor SIB7-SIB15 in the window 3 at t2, and the terminal 3 receives the related configuration information of SIB7-SIB15 after monitoring SIB7-SIB15. The fourth message included in the SIB1#4 is used to indicate the terminal 4 to monitor SIB16-SIB22 in the window 4 at t2, and the terminal 4 receives the related configuration information of SIB16-SIB22 after monitoring SIB16-SIB22.

[0151] Optionally, if the at least one second terminal is out of the setting range of the at least one second area, subsequent SSB measurement needs to be performed to receive new system messages in time. Further optionally, the at least one second terminal can perform subsequent SSB measurement according to the self position, satellite ephemeris and configuration information of the OSI.

[0152] The above example can also be reversed (for example, the first area is a sub-satellite point area and the at least one second area is an edge point area). It should be understood that the above is only one possible case shown for the convenience of description, and does not limit the examples of the first area and the at least one second area in the embodiments of the present application.

[0153] In the present application, first, the area is divided to determine the delivery mode of the first system message. For example, one coverage area includes 256 wave positions, which are divided into 32 wave position groups. The satellite and the terminal need to know how the 32 wave position groups are divided (which can be configured by the satellite to be sent to the terminal, can be predefined, or can be determined by the terminal according to the geographical position information of the terminal, such as the terminal being located in Shanghai, Shanghai being a high access demand area, and the terminal being located in Xinjiang, Xinjiang being a low access demand area). The satellite can configure different first system messages for different wave position groups according to the division of the wave position groups, and the terminal will also receive the corresponding first system message according to different wave positions or wave position groups. The configuration of different access demand areas does not need to be concentrated in the first system message. Different configurations can be made for areas with different access demands, for example, for sub-satellite areas / low access demand areas, relatively less access time-frequency resources or less paging repetition times can be configured, and for edge areas / high access demand areas, relatively more access time-frequency resources or more paging repetition times can be configured. In this way, the system messages of different areas can be configured separately, thereby improving the flexibility of resource allocation.

[0154] The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 explains the interaction principle between the satellite and the terminal in detail. For the convenience of understanding, two specific cases of configuring different system messages for different areas are exemplified below in combination with FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b.

[0155] Please refer to FIG. 4a, which is a flowchart of configuring different system messages for different areas according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 4a, the specific steps of case one are as follows:

[0156] Step 11: The terminal acquires SSB.

[0157] The SSB is used for time-frequency synchronization of the terminal in the initial access stage.

[0158] Step 12: The satellite sends corresponding SIB1 system messages according to areas or wave positions with different access demands.

[0159] Correspondingly, the terminal receives the SSB and the corresponding SIB1 system message in the corresponding area or beam position.

[0160] Step 13: The terminal determines the RO resource for initiating the physical random access channel (PRACH) request access according to the SIB1 system message of the corresponding area or beam position.

[0161] Step 14: The terminal sends a preamble sequence on the RO resource.

[0162] Correspondingly, the satellite receives the preamble sequence.

[0163] Step 15: The satellite sends a paging message to the terminal according to the number of paging repetitions covered.

[0164] Step 16: The terminal determines the paging search space related configuration information according to the SIB1 system message of the corresponding area or beam position.

[0165] The paging search space related configuration information is used by the terminal to monitor the paging message in the corresponding monitoring occasion. For example, the terminal 1 receives SIB1#1 in area 1 or beam position 1, and the third message included in SIB1#1 is used to instruct the terminal 1 to monitor SIB15-SIB22 in window 1 in the time period of 9:00 a.m. to 9:05 a.m. After the terminal monitors SIB15-SIB22, the terminal receives the related configuration information of SIB15-SIB22.

[0166] Please refer to FIG. 4b, which is another flowchart provided by the embodiments of the present application for configuring different system messages for different areas, as shown in FIG. 4b, the specific steps of case two are as follows:

[0167] Step 21: The satellite sends the corresponding OSI system message according to the area or beam position with different access requirements.

[0168] Correspondingly, the terminal receives the corresponding OSI system message in the corresponding area or beam position.

[0169] Step 22: The terminal determines the SMTC measurement configuration information according to the OSI system message of the corresponding area or beam position.

[0170] Step 23: The terminal performs subsequent SSB measurement.

[0171] Optionally, if the terminal exceeds the setting range of the first area, subsequent SSB measurement needs to be performed to receive new system messages in time.

[0172] Further optionally, the terminal can perform subsequent SSB measurement according to its own position, satellite ephemeris, and OSI configuration information.

[0173] It should be noted that the detailed explanations of steps 11-16 and steps 21-23 above can refer to the embodiments described in FIG. 3, and will not be repeated here.

[0174] The above describes the method of the embodiments of the present application in detail, and the following provides the apparatus of the embodiments of the present application.

[0175] It should be understood that the apparatus provided in the embodiments of the present application is only a logical function division, and can be integrated into one physical entity or physically separated when actually implemented. In addition, the units in the apparatus can be implemented in the form of processor calling software. For example, the apparatus includes a processor, the processor is connected with a memory, the memory stores instructions, and the processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any one of the above methods or to implement the functions of the units of the apparatus, wherein the processor is, for example, a general processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is an internal memory of the apparatus or an external memory of the apparatus.

[0176] Alternatively, the units in the apparatus can be implemented in the form of hardware circuit, and the functions of part or all of the units can be implemented by designing the hardware circuit, which can be understood as one or more processors. For example, in one implementation, the hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the functions of part or all of the units are implemented by designing the logical relationship of elements in the circuit. For another example, in another implementation, the hardware circuit is a programmable logic device (PLD), and the functions of part or all of the units are implemented by configuring the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits through a configuration file, for example, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) which can include a large number of logic gate circuits.

[0177] In embodiments of the present application, each unit in the apparatus can be one or more processors (or processing circuitry) configured to implement the above methods, such as a CPU, a graphics processing unit (GPU), a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), a microprocessor unit (MPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an ASIC, a FPGA, or a combination of at least two of these processors.

[0178] In addition, each unit in the above apparatus can be integrated together in whole or in part, or can be independently implemented. In one implementation, these units are integrated together to be implemented in the form of a system on a chip (SOC, or system-level chip). The SOC can include at least one processor for implementing any of the above methods or functions of each unit of the apparatus, and the at least one processor can be of different types, such as including a CPU and an FPGA, or including a CPU and an artificial intelligence processor, or including a CPU and a GPU, etc. The following are several possible apparatuses.

[0179] Please refer to FIG. 5, which is a structural schematic diagram of a communication apparatus 50 according to an embodiment of the present application. Optionally, the communication apparatus 50 can be a standalone device, such as a terminal, etc. Alternatively, the communication apparatus 50 can also be a component in a standalone device (such as a terminal), such as a chip or an integrated circuit, etc. The communication apparatus 50 is configured to implement the above communication method, such as the communication method shown in FIG. 3.

[0180] In a possible design, the communication apparatus 50 includes a communication unit 501 and a processing unit 502, and the communication apparatus 50 is configured to implement the above communication method, such as the communication method shown in FIG. 3. For example, the communication apparatus is configured to perform the method performed by a terminal.

[0181] In a possible implementation, the communication unit 501 is configured to receive a first system message from a satellite, where the first system message is related to a first area, the first area is a part of a cell corresponding to the satellite, and the first area is an area where the first system message is sent. The processing unit 502 is configured to process the first system message.

[0182] In a further possible implementation, the communication unit 501 is further configured to receive first information, where the first information is used to indicate the first area and / or the first system message issuing granularity.

[0183] In a further possible implementation, the first system message issuing granularity is obtained according to historical terminal access data, or the first system message issuing granularity is obtained according to ground city distribution positions, or the first system message issuing granularity is obtained according to the satellite's movement track or ephemeris information.

[0184] In a further possible implementation, the communication unit 501 is further configured to receive second information, where the second information is used to indicate that the first system message issuing granularity is issued in units of an area, or the second information is used to indicate that the first system message issuing granularity is issued in units of a wave position group covering multiple wave positions, or the second information is used to indicate that the first system message issuing granularity is issued in units of a wave position.

[0185] In a further possible implementation, the first area is an edge point area or a first wave position or a first wave position group, the first system message includes a third message, and the third information is used to indicate that the terminal monitors the third system message in a first window in a first time period. The communication unit 501 is further configured to receive a third system message from the satellite, where the third system message includes window configuration information associated with the edge point area or the first wave position or the first wave position group, and the edge point area or the first wave position or the first wave position group is related to the first system message issuing granularity.

[0186] In a further possible implementation, in the receiving the first system message from the satellite, the communication unit 501 is specifically configured to receive the first system message from the satellite according to a first SSB index corresponding to a first SSB on the first area.

[0187] The embodiments of the application and the above-mentioned method embodiments are based on the same concept, and the technical effects brought by them are the same. For specific principles, refer to the description of the above-mentioned embodiments, and details are not repeated.

[0188] Please refer to FIG. 6, which is a structural schematic diagram of another communication apparatus 60 provided by an embodiment of the application. Optionally, the communication apparatus 60 can be a standalone device, such as a satellite. Alternatively, the communication apparatus 60 can also be a component in a standalone device (such as a satellite), for example, a chip or an integrated circuit. The communication apparatus 60 is configured to implement the above-mentioned communication method, for example, the communication method shown in FIG. 3.

[0189] In a possible design, the communication apparatus 60, configured to implement the foregoing communication method, for example, the communication method shown in FIG. 3, includes a processing unit 601 and a communication unit 602. For example, the communication apparatus is configured to perform the method performed by the satellite.

[0190] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 601 is configured to configure a first system message according to a first area, and configure at least one second system message according to at least one second area, where the first area and the at least one second area belong to a same cell, and the first area is different from the at least one second area. The communication unit 602 is configured to send the first system message on the first area, and send the at least one second system message on the at least one second area.

[0191] In another possible implementation, the first area and the at least one second area are predefined, or the first area and the at least one second area are determined.

[0192] In another possible implementation, the communication unit 602 is further configured to send first information, where the first information is used to indicate the first area and / or a delivery granularity of the first system message.

[0193] In another possible implementation, the delivery granularity is obtained according to historical terminal access data, or the delivery granularity is obtained according to a ground city distribution location, or the delivery granularity is obtained according to a motion track or ephemeris information of the satellite.

[0194] In another possible implementation, the communication unit 602 is further configured to send second information, where the second information is used to indicate that the delivery granularity is delivered in units of an area, or the second information is used to indicate that the delivery granularity is delivered in units of a wave position group covering multiple wave positions, or the second information is used to indicate that the delivery granularity is delivered in units of a wave position.

[0195] In yet another possible implementation, the first region is an edge point region or a first beam or a first beam group, the first system message comprises a third message, and the third information is used to instruct the terminal to monitor the third system message in a first window in a first time period; the at least one second region is a zenith point region or a second beam or a second beam group, the at least one second system message comprises at least one fourth message, and the at least one fourth information is used to instruct the terminal to monitor the at least one fourth system message in a second window in a second time period; the first beam is different from the second beam, and the first beam group is different from the second beam group. The communication unit 602 is further configured to send the fourth system message on the first region, where the third message comprises window configuration information associated with the edge point region or the first beam or the first beam group. And send the at least one fourth system message on the at least one second region, where the fourth system message comprises window configuration information associated with the zenith point region or the second beam or the second beam group. The edge point region and the zenith point region, or the first beam and the second beam, or the first beam group and the second beam group are related to the granularity of the sending.

[0196] The embodiments of the application and the above-mentioned method embodiments are based on the same concept, and bring the same technical effects. For specific principles, refer to the description of the above-mentioned embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0197] Referring to FIG. 7, FIG. 7 is a structural schematic diagram of another communication apparatus 70 provided by an embodiment of the application. The communication apparatus 70 can be a standalone device, such as a terminal or a satellite, or a component included in a standalone device, such as a chip, a software module, or an integrated circuit. The communication apparatus 70 can include at least one processor 701 and a communication interface 702. Optionally, it can also include at least one memory 703. Further optionally, it can also include a connection line 704, where the processor 701, the communication interface 702, and / or the memory 703 are connected through the connection line 704, and / or communicate with each other through the connection line 704 to transfer control signals and / or data signals.

[0198] The processor 701 is a module for performing arithmetic operations and / or logical operations, and can specifically include one or more of the following modules: a filter, a modem, a power amplifier, a low noise amplifier (LNA), a baseband processor, a radio frequency processor, a radio frequency circuit, a CPU, an AP, a microcontroller unit (MCU), an electronic control unit (ECU), a GPU, an MPU, an ASIC, an image signal processor (ISP), a DSP, an FPGA, a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), or a co-processor, etc.

[0199] The communication interface 702 can be configured to provide information input or output for at least one processor, or to receive an externally transmitted signal and / or transmit a signal to the outside.

[0200] For example, the communication interface 702 can include interface circuits such as input / output interfaces, chip pins, etc.

[0201] For example, the communication interface 702 can include a wired link interface such as an Ethernet cable, and can also be a wireless link (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, universal wireless transmission, and other short-range wireless communication technologies, etc.) interface.

[0202] Optionally, the communication interface 702 can further include a radio frequency transmitter, an antenna, etc. In the case where the communication interface 702 includes an antenna, the number of antennas can be one or more.

[0203] As one possible design, if the communication device 70 is a standalone device, the communication interface 702 can include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver and the transmitter can be the same component, or different components. When the receiver and the transmitter are the same component, the component can be referred to as a transceiver.

[0204] As another possible design, if the communication device 70 is a chip or a circuit, the communication interface 702 can include an input interface and an output interface, which can be the same interface, or can be different interfaces.

[0205] Optionally, the functions of the communication interface 702 can be implemented by a transceiver circuit or a dedicated chip for transceiving.

[0206] The memory 703 is configured to provide a storage space, in which data such as an operating system and a computer program can be stored. The memory 703 can be one or a combination of a cache, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid-state drive (SSD), and the like. The memory is any computer-readable medium, but is not limited thereto. The memory in the embodiments of the present application can also be a circuit or any other device capable of storing computer programs or instructions, and / or data.

[0207] The functions and actions of the modules or units in the communication device 70 listed above are only exemplary.

[0208] The functional units in the communication device 70 can be used to implement the communication method described above, such as the communication method shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4a, and FIG. 4b, for example, to perform the method performed by the first communication device, or to perform the method performed by the second communication device.

[0209] Optionally, the processor 701 can be a processor specially configured to perform the above-mentioned method (conveniently referred to as a special-purpose processor), or a processor configured to perform the above-mentioned method by invoking a computer program (conveniently referred to as a special-purpose processor). Optionally, the at least one processor can include both a special-purpose processor and a general-purpose processor.

[0210] Optionally, in the case where the communication device 70 includes at least one memory 703, if the processor 701 implements the above-mentioned communication method by invoking a computer program, the computer program can be stored in the memory 703.

[0211] The chip includes a logic circuit and a communication interface. The communication interface is configured to receive or send a signal. The logic circuit is configured to receive or send the signal through the communication interface. The chip is configured to implement the communication method described above, such as the communication method shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4a, or FIG. 4b, such as the method performed by the terminal or the method performed by the satellite.

[0212] The computer readable storage medium stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on at least one processor (or communication device), the communication method described above, such as the communication method shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4a, or FIG. 4b, such as the method performed by the terminal or the method performed by the satellite, is implemented.

[0213] The computer program product includes computer instructions. The computer instructions are configured to implement the communication method described above, such as the communication method shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4a, or FIG. 4b, such as the method performed by the terminal or the method performed by the satellite.

[0214] It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, the words such as "exemplarily" or "for example" are used to represent as an example, illustration or description. Any embodiment or design scheme described as "exemplarily" or "for example" in the present application should not be interpreted as more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. Rather, the words such as "exemplarily" or "for example" are intended to present the relevant concept in a specific manner.

[0215] In the embodiments of the present application, "at least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. "At least one of the following" or the like means any combination of the items, including any combination of single item or multiple items.

[0216] For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent 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. "And / or" describes the association relationship of the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B can represent three cases of A alone, A and B together, and B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after it.

[0217] Also, unless otherwise stated, the use of "first", "second", etc. adjectives in the embodiments herein is used to distinguish multiple objects, and is not intended to denote order, time sequence, priority, or importance of the multiple objects. For example, a first node and a second node are merely used to facilitate the description of fresh parameters in different embodiments, and do not indicate that the operations, importance, structure, etc. of the nodes are different.

[0218] In the above embodiments, according to the context, the term "when" can be interpreted as meaning "if", "before", "determine", or "detect". The above or the above are only optional embodiments of the present application, and are not used to limit the present application. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. within the concept and principle of the present application should be included in the protection scope of the present application.

[0219] A person of ordinary skill in the art can understand that all or part of the steps of the above embodiments can be completed by hardware, or by a program instructing relevant hardware, and the program can be stored in a computer readable storage medium, such as a read-only memory, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive a first system message from a satellite, wherein the first system message is related to a first region, the first region being a portion of a cell corresponding to the satellite, and the first region being the region from which the first system message is sent.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive first information, wherein the first information is used to indicate the granularity of the first region and / or the first system message.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The distribution granularity is obtained based on historical terminal access data, or it is obtained based on the location of cities on the ground, or it is obtained based on the satellite's motion trajectory or ephemeris information.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive second information, wherein the second information is used to indicate that the distribution granularity is distributed in units of a region, or the second information is used to indicate that the distribution granularity is distributed in units of a group of wavelengths covering multiple wavelengths, or the second information is used to indicate that the distribution granularity is distributed in units of a single wavelength.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The first region is an edge point region, a first wave position, or a first wave position group; the first system message includes a third message, the third message being used to instruct the terminal to monitor the third system message in the first window within a first time period; the method further includes: Receive the third system message from the satellite, wherein the third system message includes window configuration information associated with the edge point region or the first wavelet or the first wavelet group, and the edge point region or the first wavelet or the first wavelet group is related to the sending granularity.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The receipt of the first system message from the satellite includes: The first system message from the satellite is received in the first region according to the SSB index corresponding to the first SSB.

7. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Configure a first system message according to a first region, and configure at least one second system message according to at least one second region, wherein the first region and the at least one second region belong to the same cell, and the first region and the at least one second region are different; The first system message is sent in the first region, and the at least one second system message is sent in the at least one second region.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first region and the at least one second region are predefined; or, Determine the first region and the at least one second region.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a first message, wherein the first message is used to indicate the granularity of the first region and / or the first system message.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The distribution granularity is obtained based on historical terminal access data, or it is obtained based on the location of cities on the ground, or it is obtained based on the satellite's motion trajectory or ephemeris information.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a second message, wherein the second message is used to indicate that the distribution granularity is distributed in units of a region, or the second message is used to indicate that the distribution granularity is distributed in units of a group of wavelengths covering multiple wavelengths, or the second message is used to indicate that the distribution granularity is distributed in units of a single wavelength.

12. The method according to any one of claims 7-11, characterized in that, The first region is an edge point region, a first wave position, or a first wave position group; the first system message includes a third message, the third information being used to instruct the terminal to monitor the third system message in a first window within a first time period; the at least one second region is a sub-satellite point region, a second wave position, or a second wave position group; the at least one second system message includes at least one fourth message, the at least one fourth information being used to instruct the terminal to monitor at least one fourth system message in a second window within a second time period; the first wave position and the second wave position are different wave positions; the first wave position group and the second wave position group are different wave position groups; the method further includes: The fourth system message is sent over the first region, wherein the third system message includes window configuration information associated with the edge point region or the first wavelet or the first wavelet group; The at least one fourth system message is sent over the at least one second region, wherein the fourth system message includes window configuration information associated with the sub-satellite point region or the second wavelet or the second wavelet group, and the edge point region and the sub-satellite point region, or the first wavelet and the second wavelet, or the first wavelet group and the second wavelet group are related to the sending granularity.

13. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a communication unit and a processing unit, the communication unit and the processing unit being used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-6.

14. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a communication unit and a processing unit, the communication unit and the processing unit being used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 7-12.

15. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a processor; When the processor invokes a computer program or instruction in memory, it implements the method as described in any one of claims 1-6.

16. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a processor; When the processor invokes a computer program or instruction in memory, it implements the method as described in any one of claims 7-12.

17. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes logic circuits and interfaces, wherein the logic circuits and the interfaces are coupled; The interface is used for inputting and / or outputting information, and the logic circuit is used for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-12.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that, The communication device is a chip or chip system.

19. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium is used to store instructions or computer programs; When the instructions or the computer program are executed, the method described in any one of claims 1-12 is implemented.

20. A computer program product, characterized in that, include: Instructions or computer programs; When the instructions or the computer program are executed, the method described in any one of claims 1-12 is implemented.

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