Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of communications, and provides a communication method and a communication apparatus. The method comprises: receiving a first signal and receiving at least one of second signals; on the basis of the first signal, obtaining a first measurement result; and, on the basis of the at least one of the second signals, obtaining a second measurement result, wherein the first measurement result and the second measurement result are used for determining position information of a terminal device. By introducing a navigation / positioning signal (consisting of two signals), the embodiments of the present application can obtain two types of measurement results by means of one network device, so as to determine position information of terminal devices. Compared with the related art, the method provided in the embodiments of the present application can obtain more types of measurement results, such as time measurement quantities and Doppler frequency-shift measurement quantities, thereby helping to reduce the minimum number of network devices required for determining position information of terminal devices.

Description

Communication methods and communication devices

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411013436.4, filed on July 25, 2024, entitled "Communication Method and Communication Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

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

[0003] Commonly used positioning methods include time of arrival (TOA) based positioning, time difference of arrival (TDOA) based positioning, round trip time (RTT) based positioning, Doppler shift based positioning, pseudorange based positioning, and carrier phase based positioning. Regardless of the method used, multiple network devices are required for positioning. For example, in non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), the location of a terminal device is typically determined when there are four or more visible satellites. However, in some scenarios, many terminal devices only have one to three visible satellites. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and communication device that, by introducing a navigation / positioning signal, can obtain a sufficient number of measurement results, thereby helping to achieve positioning when the number of visible satellites is small.

[0005] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, the method comprising: receiving a first signal and receiving at least one of a second signal; obtaining a first measurement result based on the first signal; and obtaining a second measurement result based on at least one of the second signals; wherein the first measurement result and the second measurement result are used to determine the location information of a terminal device.

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

[0007] For example, this communication method can be applied to an NTN system.

[0008] For example, the second signal may include multiple signals. Receiving at least one of the second signals means receiving one or more of the second signals. Optionally, the larger the bandwidth occupied by the one or more signals, the more accurate the positioning result based on the one or more signals. In one possible implementation scenario, the more signals included in the one or more signals, the higher the accuracy of the positioning result obtained based on the received signals. This is because the more signals included in the one or more signals, the larger the equivalent bandwidth of their combined result may be, thereby helping to improve the accuracy of the positioning result.

[0009] For example, the first signal and the second signal can be applied to different positioning methods, or in other words, the first signal is associated with the first positioning method, and the second signal is associated with the second positioning method. Taking an NTN system as an example, the positioning method can include the Doppler-based positioning, pseudorange-based positioning, and carrier phase-based positioning methods mentioned above. For instance, the first positioning method can be a Doppler-based positioning method, and the second positioning method can be a pseudorange-based positioning method. Or, the first positioning method can be a Doppler-based positioning method, and the second positioning method can be a carrier phase-based positioning method. It should be understood that the positioning method can also include other methods, such as those not listed herein or those added in the future; this application does not limit these methods.

[0010] The first and second measurement results described above can be used to determine the location information of the terminal device, or in other words, to locate the terminal device. For example, the first and second measurement results can be used to determine the distance between the terminal device and the first network device, and then, based on this distance and other positioning auxiliary information (such as the location information of the first network device), determine the location information of the terminal device. It should be understood that the network devices involved in the positioning of the terminal device may also include other network devices besides the first network device.

[0011] In this embodiment, by introducing a navigation / positioning signal (composed of two signals), two types of measurement results can be obtained through a single network device to determine the location information of the terminal device. In related technologies, a single network device typically obtains only one type of measurement result, such as a time measurement. Compared to related technologies, the method provided in this embodiment can obtain more types of measurement results, such as time measurements and Doppler shift measurements, thereby helping to reduce the minimum number of network devices required to determine the location information of the terminal device. Taking the NTN scenario as an example, based on the aforementioned navigation / positioning signal, such as two different configurations of positioning reference signals, two types of measurement results can be obtained through a single satellite, helping to reduce the minimum number of visible satellites required to determine the location of the terminal device, thus facilitating positioning even with a small number of visible satellites.

[0012] During the location tracking of a terminal device, it is typically necessary to determine the synchronization information between the terminal device and the network devices involved in the tracking. As one implementation method, the second signal can reuse the synchronization information associated with the first signal, thereby reducing the overhead of repeatedly acquiring synchronization information and lowering processing complexity. The synchronization information associated with the first signal can refer to the synchronization information between the terminal device and the first network device obtained based on the first signal. The reuse of the synchronization information associated with the first signal by the second signal can refer to receiving and / or measuring the second signal based on the synchronization information associated with the first signal. Over time, the synchronization information between the terminal device and the first network device may change; therefore, the smaller the time interval between the time domain positions of the first and second signals, the smaller the error caused by reusing the synchronization information.

[0013] In some embodiments, the time interval between the time domain position of the first signal and the time domain position of the second signal is less than or equal to a first threshold, or the time domain position of the first signal is adjacent to the time domain position of the second signal.

[0014] The first threshold can be one or more symbols or one or more time slots, or it can be a few microseconds / milliseconds or tens of microseconds / milliseconds. In other words, the first threshold can be at the symbol level, time slot level, microsecond level, or millisecond level. Optionally, the first threshold can be predefined or determined by the network device. Setting the first threshold helps to reduce positioning errors, reduce positioning latency, and improve the flexibility of resource allocation and utilization.

[0015] The time domain position of the first signal is adjacent to that of the second signal, which helps to further reduce the error caused by the multiplexing of the synchronization information associated with the first signal.

[0016] As mentioned earlier, the second signal can reuse the synchronization information associated with the first signal. Similarly, the first signal can reuse the synchronization information associated with the second signal. This application does not limit this.

[0017] In this embodiment, only one acquisition of synchronization information is needed, which can be used for receiving the first and second signals, or for acquiring the first and second measurement results. This helps reduce the number of times synchronization information needs to be acquired, thereby reducing the overhead of acquiring synchronization information. Furthermore, the method of configuring the time domain positions of the first and second signals described above helps reduce the errors caused by multiplexing synchronization information and reduce positioning delay.

[0018] In some embodiments, the first signal may include a first reference signal and other information, such as navigation assistance information. The first reference signal (e.g., a pilot signal) can be used to acquire a first measurement result. Navigation assistance information can also be called positioning assistance information, meaning it can be used to assist in locating the terminal device.

[0019] Taking the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) as an example, positioning assistance information can include satellite orbital parameters, clock parameters, GNSS reference time, GNSS reference position, GNSS ionospheric model, GNSS Earth azimuth parameters, GNSS-real-time kinematic (RTK) reference station information, GNSS-RTK general observation information, GNSS-RTK auxiliary station data, GNSS spatial state correction points, GNSS integrity service parameters, GNSS integrity service alerts, time model list, GNSS differential correction information, GNSS navigation model, GNSS real-time integrity information, GNSS data bit assistance information, GNSS receiver assistance, GNSS almanac, GNSS-coordinated universal time (UTC) model, GNSS assistance information, BeiDou system differential correction, BeiDou navigation satellite system (BDS) grid model parameters, GNSS reference station observations, and GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) data. GNSS-RTK bias information, GNSS-RTK master-auxiliary station error correction method (MAC) correction difference, GNSS-RTK residual, GNSS-RTK area correction parameter gradient, GNSS-state space representation (SSR) orbit correction, GNSS-SSR clock correction, GNSS-SSR code bias, GNSS-SSR user range accuracy, GNSS-SSR phase bias, GNSS-SSR oblique ionospheric total electron content correction, GNSS-SSR grid correction, Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS, also known as NavIC) differential correction, NavIC grid correction, tropospheric error information, etc.

[0020] For example, the first signal includes a first reference signal and first information, namely, navigation assistance information is the first information. The first reference signal is used to acquire the first measurement result, and the first information includes one or more of the following: ephemeris information associated with a first network device; error calibration information associated with the first network device; ephemeris information associated with a second network device; error calibration information associated with the second network device; or synchronization information between the first network device and the second network device; wherein the first network device is the serving network device of the terminal device, and the second network device is a network device adjacent to the first network device.

[0021] Optionally, when the first network device is deployed on the first satellite, the ephemeris information associated with the first network device is the ephemeris information of the first satellite. Similarly, when the second network device is deployed on the second satellite, the ephemeris information associated with the second network device is the ephemeris information of the second satellite.

[0022] Taking the NTN system as an example, during the positioning of terminal devices, the positioning results are affected by various errors due to multiple reasons, such as multipath effects, integer ambiguity, errors caused by satellite clocks, errors caused by the terminal device's clock, and signal transmission through the ionosphere and troposphere. Therefore, the first information can include error calibration information. Based on the error calibration information, and the first and / or second measurement results, the location information of the terminal device is determined, which helps to calibrate the positioning results and thus improve positioning accuracy.

[0023] Optionally, the error calibration information associated with the first network device refers to the error calibration information associated with the first satellite deployed by the first network device; the error calibration information associated with the second network device refers to the error calibration information associated with the second satellite deployed by the second network device. The error calibration information mentioned here may be one or more of the following: ionospheric error (also known as ionospheric delay), tropospheric error (also known as tropospheric delay), error caused by the satellite clock, error caused by the terminal device clock, or integer ambiguity.

[0024] It should be understood that errors affecting positioning results may also include other types of errors, that is, the above error calibration information may also include other types of error calibration information, which this application does not limit.

[0025] The terminal device can determine the synchronization information between the terminal device and the second network device based on the first information and the synchronization information between the terminal device and the first network device, which helps to avoid the synchronization measurement overhead between the terminal device and the second network device. The synchronization information can be one or more of time synchronization information, frequency synchronization information, or phase synchronization information. For example, the synchronization information can be used by the terminal device to receive at least one of the first signal from the second network device and / or the second signal from the second network device.

[0026] The second network device can be a network device adjacent to the first network device. That is, the cell associated with the second network device is an adjacent cell to the cell associated with the first network device. For example, the serving cell of the terminal device is the first cell, the network device associated with the first cell is the first network device, the neighboring cell of the first cell is the second cell, and the network device associated with the second cell is the second network device.

[0027] For example, the first signal includes configuration information of a first reference signal and a second signal, i.e., the navigation assistance information is the configuration information of the second signal. The first reference signal is used to acquire the first measurement result.

[0028] For example, the configuration information of the second signal may include resource configuration information of the second signal, such as one or more of time-domain resource configuration information, frequency-domain resource configuration information, or code-domain resource configuration information. Specifically, the time-domain resource configuration information can be used to indicate the time-domain position of the second signal and / or the time-domain positions of multiple signals within the second signal; the frequency-domain resource configuration information can be used to indicate the frequency-domain position of the second signal and / or the frequency-domain positions of multiple signals within the second signal; and the code-domain resource configuration information can be used to indicate the coding resources of the second signal.

[0029] For example, when the second signal is transmitted using frequency hopping, the configuration information may include one or more of the following: frequency hopping pattern; the time-domain start position and / or frequency-domain start position of the frequency hopping pattern; the frequency hopping interval of the frequency hopping pattern; the frequency hopping duration; the number of frequency hopping cycles; the number of signals included in the second signal; or the frequency hopping bandwidth. The frequency hopping pattern, also known as the frequency hopping scheme, is used for the transmission of the second signal.

[0030] By carrying configuration information of the second signal in the first signal, the terminal device can be assisted in performing the measurement of the second signal. For example, the configuration information of the second signal can help determine a fine-grained measurement window (for measuring the second signal), avoid blind detection of the second signal, help reduce the measurement power consumption and search complexity of the terminal device, and help reduce positioning latency.

[0031] For example, the navigation assistance information may include one or more of the following: first information, configuration information of the second signal, or positioning assistance information. For instance, the first signal may include a first reference signal, the first information, and configuration information of the second signal.

[0032] In some embodiments, the first signal and the second information do not overlap in the frequency domain, or the first signal and the second information do not overlap in the time domain; wherein the second information is one or more of the following: data, control information, or a second reference signal.

[0033] This application embodiment helps reduce the impact of signal transmission for positioning on communication by transmitting the first signal and other information (such as second information) in a frequency division multiplexing manner. Exemplarily, the first signal and other information can also be transmitted in a time division multiplexing or code division multiplexing manner.

[0034] When there is no overlap between the first signal and the second information in the time domain, one possible implementation is that if the first signal does not occupy the entire communication bandwidth or only occupies a portion of the bandwidth, no other information is transmitted at the time domain position corresponding to the first signal. Specifically, no other information is transmitted outside the frequency domain range occupied by the first signal at the time domain position corresponding to the first signal. In this case, the first signal can obtain power boosting, thereby helping to improve the signal reception performance. It should be noted that in this case, the serving network device of the terminal device does not transmit other information outside the frequency domain range occupied by the first signal. Optionally, other network devices may transmit other information outside the frequency domain range occupied by the first signal.

[0035] In some embodiments, the first resource is used to transmit the first signal, the bandwidth of the first resource is less than the first communication bandwidth, and the first communication bandwidth is used for information transmission between the terminal device and the first network device.

[0036] If the bandwidth of the first resource is less than the bandwidth of the first communication, then communication data can be transmitted at the time domain location corresponding to the first resource, outside the frequency domain range occupied by the first signal, thereby helping to reduce the impact of the transmission of the first signal on communication. It can be seen that the smaller the bandwidth of the first resource, the smaller the impact on communication. Optionally, the bandwidth of the first resource can be one resource block (RB).

[0037] In some embodiments, the second signal and the third information do not overlap in the time domain, and the third information is information transmitted between the terminal device and the first network device; wherein, the third information is one or more of the following: data, control information, or a third reference signal.

[0038] If the second signal and the third information do not overlap in the time domain, and if the second signal does not occupy the entire communication bandwidth or only occupies a portion of the communication bandwidth, and no other information is transmitted outside the frequency range occupied by the second signal at the time domain position corresponding to the second signal, then the second signal can obtain a power enhancement gain, thereby helping to improve the signal reception performance.

[0039] In some embodiments, the second signal comprises multiple signals transmitted using a frequency-hopping method, which helps improve the transmission quality of the second signal and enhance positioning performance. For example, each signal in the second signal occupies a bandwidth smaller than the communication bandwidth, thus achieving power enhancement. Furthermore, by merging the measurement results of the multiple signals in the second signal and then positioning the terminal device based on the merged result, higher positioning accuracy can be achieved. This is because the merged result is equivalent to the measurement result of the signal occupying the second bandwidth (i.e., the total bandwidth occupied by the multiple signals in the second signal). The larger the bandwidth occupied by a signal, the higher the positioning accuracy can be obtained based on the measurement result of that signal.

[0040] In some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving fourth information, the fourth information being used to indicate a frequency hopping pattern corresponding to the second signal, that is, indicating the frequency hopping pattern used when transmitting the second signal. Alternatively, the fourth information is used to indicate a frequency hopping pattern used for transmitting the second signal.

[0041] The fourth information allows for flexible switching of the frequency hopping pattern for transmitting the second signal according to usage requirements, in order to avoid resource conflicts and other issues when transmitting the second signal.

[0042] In some embodiments, the fourth information is carried in downlink control information (DCI). In other embodiments, the fourth information may also be carried in media access control control element (MAC CE), radio resource control (RRC) messages, or other messages.

[0043] In some embodiments, the first signal is transmitted with a first period and the second signal is transmitted with a second period, wherein the first period and the second period are the same, or the first period is less than the second period, which helps to improve the flexibility of period configuration.

[0044] For example, the first period being shorter than the second period helps to increase the update frequency of the first measurement result. Considering that each first period includes one of the second signals, this signal can reuse the synchronization information associated with the first signal within the same period, thus reducing the error caused by reusing synchronization information.

[0045] For example, when the first period and the second period are the same, within each period, multiple signals included in the second signal can reuse the synchronization information associated with the first signal within the same period. In this case, the time interval between the time-domain positions of the multiple signals included in the second signal is small, such as less than the third threshold, to reduce the error caused by the reuse of synchronization information. Optionally, the time interval between the time-domain positions of the multiple signals included in the second signal can be 70µs, 140µs, or 210µs. Optionally, the third threshold can be one or more symbols or one or more time slots. In other words, the third threshold can be at the symbol level or at the time slot level.

[0046] In some embodiments, the first measurement result includes one or more of the following: Doppler measurement result, frequency measurement result, time delay measurement result, distance measurement result, or phase measurement result; the second measurement result includes one or more of the following: Doppler measurement result, frequency measurement result, time delay measurement result, distance measurement result, or phase measurement result.

[0047] In some embodiments, the terminal device may transmit the number of network devices within its line of sight. For example, the terminal device may transmit the number of network devices within its line of sight to a network device, such as a first network device, to assist the network device in determining first configuration information. The first configuration information may include first signal configuration information and / or second signal configuration information.

[0048] In some embodiments, the terminal device may send capability information. For example, the terminal device may send the capability information to a network device, such as a first network device, to assist the network device in determining first configuration information. The capability information may indicate the positioning methods supported by the terminal device.

[0049] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, the method comprising: determining a first signal and a second signal, wherein the first signal is used by a terminal device to acquire a first measurement result, and the second signal is used by the terminal device to acquire a second measurement result; sending the first signal; and sending at least one of the second signals; wherein the first measurement result and the second measurement result are used to determine the location information of the terminal device.

[0050] For example, the communication method can be implemented by a first network device or by components within the first network device, such as a processor, circuit, chip, or chip system.

[0051] For example, this communication method can be applied to an NTN system. In other words, the first network device can be a non-terrestrial network device. Part or all of the first network device can be deployed on satellites, flight platforms, hot air balloons, aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems, meaning that satellites, flight platforms, hot air balloons, aircraft, and UAV systems can implement some or all of the functions of the network device.

[0052] Optionally, the first network device can be the service network device of the terminal device.

[0053] For example, the first signal and the second signal can be applied to different positioning methods, or in other words, the first signal is associated with the first positioning method, and the second signal is associated with the second positioning method. Taking an NTN network as an example, the positioning method can include the Doppler-based positioning, pseudorange-based positioning, and carrier phase-based positioning mentioned above. For example, the first positioning method can be Doppler-based positioning, and the second positioning method can be pseudorange-based positioning. Or, the first positioning method can be Doppler-based positioning, and the second positioning method can be carrier phase-based positioning. It should be understood that the positioning method can also include other methods, such as positioning methods not listed herein or future additions, which this application does not limit.

[0054] In this embodiment, by introducing a navigation / positioning signal (composed of two signals), two types of measurement results can be obtained through a single network device to determine the location information of the terminal device. In related technologies, a single network device typically obtains only one type of measurement result, such as a time measurement. Compared to related technologies, the method provided in this embodiment can obtain more types of measurement results, such as time measurements and Doppler shift measurements, thereby helping to reduce the minimum number of network devices required to determine the location information of the terminal device. Taking the NTN scenario as an example, based on the aforementioned navigation / positioning signal, such as two different configurations of positioning reference signals, two types of measurement results can be obtained through a single satellite, helping to reduce the minimum number of visible satellites required to determine the location of the terminal device, thus facilitating positioning even with a small number of visible satellites.

[0055] During the location of a terminal device, it is typically necessary to determine the synchronization information between the terminal device and the network devices involved in the location process. As one implementation, the second signal can reuse the synchronization information associated with the first signal, thereby reducing the overhead of acquiring synchronization information multiple times and lowering processing complexity. The synchronization information associated with the first signal can refer to the synchronization information between the terminal device and the first network device obtained based on the first signal. The reuse of the synchronization information associated with the first signal by the second signal can refer to receiving and / or measuring the second signal based on the synchronization information associated with the first signal. The synchronization information between the terminal device and the first network device may change over time; therefore, the smaller the time interval between the time domain positions of the first and second signals, the smaller the error caused by reusing the synchronization information. The synchronization information can be one or more of time synchronization information, frequency synchronization information, or phase synchronization information.

[0056] In some embodiments, the time interval between the time domain position of the first signal and the time domain position of the second signal is less than or equal to a first threshold, or the time domain position of the first signal is adjacent to the time domain position of the second signal.

[0057] The first threshold can be, for example, one or more symbols or one or more time slots. In other words, the first threshold can be at the symbol level, time slot level, microsecond level, or millisecond level. Optionally, the first threshold can be predefined or determined by the network device. Setting the first threshold helps to reduce positioning errors, lower positioning latency, and improve the flexibility of resource allocation and utilization.

[0058] The time domain position of the first signal is adjacent to that of the second signal, which helps to further reduce the error caused by the multiplexing of the synchronization information associated with the first signal.

[0059] In some embodiments, the first signal may include a first reference signal and other information, such as navigation assistance information. The first reference signal (e.g., a pilot signal) can be used to acquire a first measurement result. Navigation assistance information can also be called positioning assistance information, meaning it can be used to assist in locating the terminal device. Some examples of navigation assistance information are given below.

[0060] Taking GNSS as an example, positioning assistance information can include satellite orbital parameters, clock parameters, GNSS reference time, GNSS reference position, GNSS ionospheric model, GNSS Earth azimuth parameters, GNSS-RTK reference station information, GNSS-RTK general observation information, GNSS-RTK auxiliary station data, GNSS spatial state correction points, GNSS integrity service parameters, GNSS integrity service alerts, time model list, GNSS differential correction information, GNSS navigation model, GNSS real-time integrity information, GNSS data bit assistance information, GNSS reception assistance, GNSS almanac, and GNSS-UTC model. GNSS auxiliary information, BeiDou system differential correction, BDS grid model parameters, GNSS reference station observations, GLO-RTK bias information, GNSS-RTK-MAC correction difference, GNSS-RTK residual, GNSS-RTK-area correction parameter gradient, GNSS-SSR orbit correction, GNSS-SSR clock correction, GNSS-SSR code bias, GNSS-SSR user range accuracy, GNSS-SSR phase bias, GNSS-SSR oblique ionospheric total electron content correction, GNSS-SSR grid correction, NavIC differential correction, NavIC grid correction, tropospheric error information, etc.

[0061] For example, the first signal includes a first reference signal and first information, namely, navigation assistance information is the first information. The first reference signal is used to acquire the first measurement result, and the first information includes one or more of the following: ephemeris information associated with a first network device; error calibration information associated with the first network device; ephemeris information associated with a second network device; error calibration information associated with the second network device; or synchronization information between the first network device and the second network device; wherein the first network device is the serving network device of the terminal device, and the second network device is a network device adjacent to the first network device.

[0062] Optionally, when the first network device is deployed on the first satellite, the ephemeris information associated with the first network device is the ephemeris information of the first satellite. Similarly, when the second network device is deployed on the second satellite, the ephemeris information associated with the second network device is the ephemeris information of the second satellite.

[0063] Taking the NTN system as an example, during the positioning of terminal devices, the positioning results are affected by various errors due to multiple reasons, such as multipath effects, integer ambiguity, errors caused by satellite clocks, errors caused by the terminal device's clock, and signal transmission through the ionosphere and troposphere. Therefore, the first information can include error calibration information. Based on the error calibration information, and the first and / or second measurement results, the location information of the terminal device is determined, which helps to calibrate the positioning results and thus improve positioning accuracy.

[0064] Optionally, the error calibration information associated with the first network device refers to the error calibration information associated with the first satellite deployed by the first network device; the error calibration information associated with the second network device refers to the error calibration information associated with the second satellite deployed by the second network device. The error calibration information mentioned here may be one or more of the following: ionospheric error (also known as ionospheric delay), tropospheric error (also known as tropospheric delay), error caused by the satellite clock, error caused by the terminal device clock, or integer ambiguity.

[0065] It should be understood that errors affecting positioning results may also include other types of errors, that is, the above error calibration information may also include other types of error calibration information, which this application does not limit.

[0066] The terminal device can determine the synchronization information between the terminal device and the second network device based on the first information and the synchronization information between the terminal device and the first network device, which helps to avoid the synchronization measurement overhead between the terminal device and the second network device. The synchronization information can be one or more of time synchronization information, frequency synchronization information, or phase synchronization information. For example, the synchronization information is used for the terminal device to receive the first signal from the second network device, and / or to receive at least one of the second signals from the second network device.

[0067] The second network device can be a network device adjacent to the first network device. That is, the cell associated with the second network device is an adjacent cell to the cell associated with the first network device. For example, the serving cell of the terminal device is the first cell, the network device associated with the first cell is the first network device, the neighboring cell of the first cell is the second cell, and the network device associated with the second cell is the second network device.

[0068] For example, the first signal includes configuration information of a first reference signal and a second signal, i.e., the navigation assistance information is the configuration information of the second signal. The first reference signal is used to acquire the first measurement result.

[0069] For example, the configuration information of the second signal may include resource configuration information of the second signal, such as one or more of time-domain resource configuration information, frequency-domain resource configuration information, or code-domain resource configuration information. Specifically, the time-domain resource configuration information can be used to indicate the time-domain position of the second signal and / or the time-domain positions of multiple signals within the second signal; the frequency-domain resource configuration information can be used to indicate the frequency-domain position of the second signal and / or the frequency-domain positions of multiple signals within the second signal; and the code-domain resource configuration information can be used to indicate the coding resources of the second signal.

[0070] For example, when the second signal is transmitted using frequency hopping, the configuration information may include one or more of the following: frequency hopping pattern; the time-domain start position and / or frequency-domain start position of the frequency hopping pattern; the frequency hopping interval of the frequency hopping pattern; the frequency hopping duration; the number of frequency hopping cycles; the number of signals included in the second signal; or the frequency hopping bandwidth. The frequency hopping pattern, also known as the frequency hopping scheme, is used for the transmission of the second signal.

[0071] By carrying configuration information of the second signal in the first signal, the terminal device can be assisted in performing the measurement of the second signal. For example, the configuration information of the second signal can help determine a fine-grained measurement window (for measuring the second signal), avoid blind detection of the second signal, help reduce the measurement power consumption and search complexity of the terminal device, and help improve the timeliness of measurement and positioning and reduce positioning latency.

[0072] For example, the navigation assistance information may include one or more of the following: first information, configuration information of the second signal, or positioning assistance information. For instance, the first signal may include a first reference signal, the first information, and configuration information of the second signal.

[0073] In some embodiments, the first signal and the second information do not overlap in the frequency domain, or the first signal and the second information do not overlap in the time domain; wherein the second information is one or more of the following: data, control information, or a second reference signal.

[0074] This application embodiment helps reduce the impact of signal transmission for positioning on communication by transmitting the first signal and other information (such as second information) in a frequency division multiplexing manner. Exemplarily, the first signal and other information can also be transmitted in a time division multiplexing or code division multiplexing manner.

[0075] If the first signal and the second information do not overlap in the time domain, and if the first signal does not occupy the entire communication bandwidth or only occupies a portion of the bandwidth, and no other information is transmitted at the time domain position corresponding to the first signal—specifically, no other information is transmitted outside the frequency domain range occupied by the first signal at the time domain position corresponding to the first signal—then the first signal can obtain power enhancement gain, thereby helping to improve signal reception performance. It should be noted that in this case, the serving network device of the terminal device does not transmit other information outside the frequency domain range occupied by the first signal. Optionally, other network devices may transmit other information outside the frequency domain range occupied by the first signal.

[0076] In some embodiments, the first resource is used to transmit the first signal, the bandwidth of the first resource is less than the first communication bandwidth, and the first communication bandwidth is used for information transmission between the terminal device and the first network device.

[0077] If the bandwidth of the first resource is less than the bandwidth of the first communication, then communication data can be transmitted at the time domain location corresponding to the first resource, outside the frequency domain range occupied by the first signal, thereby helping to reduce the impact of the transmission of the first signal on communication. It can be seen that the smaller the bandwidth of the first resource, the smaller the impact on communication. Optionally, the bandwidth of the first resource can be 1 RB.

[0078] In some embodiments, the second signal and the third information do not overlap in the time domain, and the third information is information transmitted between the terminal device and the first network device; wherein, the third information is one or more of the following: data, control information, or a third reference signal.

[0079] If the second signal and the third information do not overlap in the time domain, and if the second signal does not occupy the entire communication bandwidth or only occupies a portion of the communication bandwidth, and no other information is transmitted outside the frequency range occupied by the second signal at the time domain position corresponding to the second signal, then the second signal can obtain a power enhancement gain, thereby helping to improve the signal reception performance.

[0080] In some embodiments, the second signal comprises multiple signals transmitted using a frequency-hopping method. This helps improve the transmission quality of the second signal and enhances positioning performance.

[0081] In some embodiments, the method further includes: sending fourth information, the fourth information being used to indicate a frequency hopping pattern corresponding to the second signal, that is, indicating the frequency hopping pattern used when transmitting the second signal. Alternatively, the fourth information is used to indicate a frequency hopping pattern used for transmitting the second signal.

[0082] The fourth information allows for flexible switching of the frequency hopping pattern for transmitting the second signal according to usage requirements, in order to avoid resource conflicts and other issues when transmitting the second signal.

[0083] In some embodiments, the fourth information is carried in downlink control information (DCI). In other embodiments, the fourth information may also be carried in MAC CE, RRC messages, or other messages.

[0084] In some embodiments, the first signal is transmitted with a first period and the second signal is transmitted with a second period, wherein the first period and the second period are the same, or the first period is less than the second period.

[0085] For example, the first period being shorter than the second period helps to increase the update frequency of the first measurement result. Considering that each first period includes one of the second signals, this signal can reuse the synchronization information associated with the first signal within the same period, thus reducing the error caused by reusing synchronization information.

[0086] For example, when the first period and the second period are the same, within each period, multiple signals included in the second signal can reuse the synchronization information associated with the first signal within the same period. In this case, the time interval between the time-domain positions of the multiple signals included in the second signal is small, such as less than the third threshold, to reduce the error caused by the reuse of synchronization information. Optionally, the time interval between the time-domain positions of the multiple signals included in the second signal can be 70µs, 140µs, or 210µs. Optionally, the third threshold can be one or more symbols or one or more time slots. In other words, the third threshold can be at the symbol level or at the time slot level.

[0087] In some embodiments, the first measurement result includes one or more of the following: Doppler measurement result, frequency measurement result, time delay measurement result, distance measurement result, or phase measurement result; the second measurement result includes one or more of the following: Doppler measurement result, frequency measurement result, time delay measurement result, distance measurement result, or phase measurement result.

[0088] In some embodiments, the first network device may receive the number of network devices within its line of sight from the terminal device. The first network device can determine location configuration information, such as first configuration information, to be sent to the terminal device based on the number of network devices within its line of sight reported by the terminal device. The first configuration information may include first signal configuration information and / or second signal configuration information.

[0089] In some embodiments, the first network device may receive capability information of the terminal device sent by the terminal device. The first network device may determine first configuration information based on the capability information reported by the terminal device.

[0090] In some embodiments, the first network device may determine the first configuration information based on the usage scenario of the terminal device, the capability information of the terminal device, etc., thereby helping to meet the user needs of all scenarios and improve flexibility.

[0091] For example, the use cases of the terminal device can include scenarios where the number of visible satellites is less than 4 and scenarios where the number of visible satellites is greater than or equal to 4. In the scenario where the number of visible satellites is greater than or equal to 4, the first configuration information may only include the configuration information of the first signal, or the first configuration information may only include the configuration information of the second signal. For example, in the scenario where the number of visible satellites is less than 4, the first configuration information issued by the first network device may include the configuration information of the first signal and the configuration information of the second signal.

[0092] It should be understood that in scenarios where the number of visible satellites is greater than or equal to four, the first configuration information may also include the configuration information of the first signal and the configuration information of the second signal in order to obtain more types of measurement results.

[0093] For example, the capability information of the terminal device may indicate the positioning methods supported by the terminal device. If the capability information of the terminal device indicates that the terminal device supports a positioning method based on Doppler frequency shift, then the first configuration information may only include the configuration information of the first signal. If the capability information of the terminal device indicates that the terminal device supports a positioning method based on pseudorange or carrier phase, then the first configuration information may only include the configuration information of the second signal. If the capability information of the terminal device indicates that the terminal device supports both a positioning method based on Doppler frequency shift and a positioning method based on pseudorange or carrier phase, then the first configuration information may include the configuration information of the first signal and the configuration information of the second signal.

[0094] For example, the configuration information of the second signal can also be carried in the first signal. The aforementioned first configuration information includes the configuration information of the first signal and the configuration information of the second signal, or it can be replaced by the first configuration information only including the configuration information of the first signal, and the first signal including the configuration information of the second signal.

[0095] For example, in all scenarios, the first configuration information includes configuration information for the first signal and configuration information for the second signal. This solution is simple to implement from the network side. In this case, the terminal device can determine whether to receive the first signal and / or the second signal. For example, the terminal device can determine whether to receive the first signal and / or the second signal based on the supported positioning method, the number of visible satellites, etc.

[0096] Thirdly, a communication device is provided, comprising: a unit for performing each step in a possible implementation of either the first or second aspect above.

[0097] Fourthly, a communication device is provided, the communication device including at least one processor coupled to a memory for storing programs or instructions, wherein when the program or instructions are executed by the processor, the method of the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect is performed, or the method of the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect is performed.

[0098] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, comprising at least one processor and a memory coupled together, the memory storing program instructions, wherein when the program instructions stored in the memory are executed by the processor, the method of the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof is executed, or the method of the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof is executed.

[0099] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, the communication device including at least one processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being configured to transmit and / or receive signals, causing the processor to perform the method of the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect above, or to perform the method of the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect above.

[0100] In a seventh aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising a computer program that, when executed by a processor, performs a method in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof, or performs a method in the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0101] Eighthly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program that, when executed, performs the method of the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof, or performs the method of the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0102] Ninthly, a chip is provided, comprising: a processor for calling and running a computer program from a memory, causing a communication device on which the chip is installed to perform the method of the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or to perform the method of the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. Attached Figure Description

[0103] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of an NTN architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0104] Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of an NTN architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0105] Figure 1C is a schematic diagram of an NTN architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0106] Figure 1D is a schematic diagram of an NTN architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0107] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a positioning architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0108] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the TDOA positioning principle;

[0109] Figure 4A is a schematic diagram of the reference signal transmission and reception process based on RTT positioning;

[0110] Figure 4B is a schematic diagram of the RTT positioning principle;

[0111] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of the Doppler positioning principle;

[0112] Figure 5B is an example diagram of a satellite time and location (STL) signal;

[0113] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of some satellite orbital parameters;

[0114] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0115] Figure 8A is an example diagram of a second signal provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0116] Figure 8B is another example diagram of the second signal provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0117] Figure 9 is an example diagram of the frequency hopping pattern provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0118] Figure 10A shows an example of a first signal and a second signal provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0119] Figure 10B shows another example of the first signal and the second signal provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0120] Figure 11A shows another example of the first signal and the second signal provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0121] Figure 11B shows another example of the first signal and the second signal provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0122] Figure 12 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0123] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the internal chip structure of a terminal device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0124] Figure 14 is a schematic block diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0125] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0126] In the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise stated, " / " indicates that the objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B can represent A or B. "And / or" in the embodiments of this application is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, and B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. Furthermore, in the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" refers to two or more. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple. Additionally, to facilitate a clear description of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used in the embodiments of this application to distinguish identical or similar items with essentially the same function and effect. Those skilled in the art will understand that the words "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or the order of execution, and that the words "first" and "second" do not necessarily imply that they are different.

[0127] In the various method embodiments of this application, the order of the sequence numbers does not imply the order of execution. The execution order should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0128] It is understood that in the embodiments of this application, descriptions such as "under the circumstances," "if," "when," and "if..." can be used interchangeably. Furthermore, these descriptions all refer to the corresponding processing that will be carried out under certain objective circumstances, and are not limited to a specific time, nor do they require any judgment action during implementation, nor do they imply any other limitations.

[0129] It is understood that some optional features in the embodiments of this application can be implemented independently in certain scenarios without relying on other features, such as the current solution on which they are based, to solve the corresponding technical problems and achieve the corresponding effects. Alternatively, they can be combined with other features as needed in certain scenarios. Correspondingly, the apparatus given in the embodiments of this application can also implement these features or functions, which will not be elaborated here.

[0130] In this application embodiment, "sending information to...(terminal)" can be understood as the destination of the information being the terminal, and may include sending information to the terminal directly or indirectly. "Receiving information from...(terminal)" can be understood as the source of the information being the terminal, and may include receiving information from the terminal directly or indirectly. Information may undergo necessary processing between the source and destination, such as format changes, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be understood in a similar way, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0131] In the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified, the same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other. In the various embodiments of this application, and in the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within each embodiment, unless otherwise specified or logically conflicting, the terminology and / or descriptions between different embodiments and between the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within each embodiment are consistent and can be mutually referenced. The technical features in different embodiments and the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within each embodiment can be combined according to their inherent logical relationships to form new embodiments, implementation methods, methods, or implementation approaches. The embodiments of this application described below do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

[0132] The network device in this application embodiment can be a radio access network (RAN) node (or device) that connects the terminal device to the wireless network.

[0133] In one possible scenario, the RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system. The RAN node can be a macro base station, a micro base station, an indoor station, a relay node, a donor node, or a radio controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. Optionally, the RAN node can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle, or an in-vehicle device. For example, the access network device in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a roadside unit (RSU). All or part of the functions of the RAN node in this application can also be implemented through software functions running on hardware, or through virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). The RAN node can also be equipped with communication modules, circuits, or chips that perform corresponding communication functions. The RAN node can also be configured with program instructions for performing corresponding communication functions and corresponding program instructions. The RAN node in this application can also be a logical node, logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the RAN node.

[0134] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, with each RAN node performing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, RAN nodes can be central units (CUs), distributed units (DUs), CU-control plane (CPs), CU-user plane (UPs), or radio units (RUs), etc. CUs and DUs can be separate entities or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs).

[0135] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an Open Radio Access Network (ORAN) system, CU can also be called O-CU (Open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software modules and hardware modules.

[0136] It should be understood that the RAN node can be referred to in different ways in different communication systems or technologies. For example, in a WLAN system, the RAN node can be called an access point (AP). Unless otherwise specified in this application, the term "network device" will be used.

[0137] The terminal equipment involved in the embodiments of this application can be a device used to implement communication functions. Terminal equipment can also be referred to as user equipment (UE), terminal device, access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station (MS), remote station, remote terminal, mobile terminal (MT), user terminal, wireless communication equipment, user agent, or user device, etc. For example, a terminal can be a wireless or wired terminal in the Internet of Things (IoT), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), device-to-device (D2D), machine-to-machine (M2M), 5G mobile communication network, or a future public land mobile network (PLMN). A wireless terminal can refer to a device with wireless transceiver capabilities, which can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; it can also be deployed on water (such as on ships); and it can also be deployed in the air (such as on airplanes, balloons, and satellites).

[0138] For example, terminal devices can be IoT devices (e.g., sensors, electricity meters, water meters, etc.), V2X devices, stations (STs) in wireless local area networks (WLANs), cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistant (PDA) devices, handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices (also known as wearable smart devices), tablets or computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality (VR) terminals, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical care, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, and wireless terminals in smart homes. Wireless terminals (such as those in the home), vehicle-mounted terminals, vehicles with vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication capabilities, intelligent connected vehicles, and drones with drone-to-drone (U2U) communication capabilities are all examples of such terminals. Terminals can be mobile or fixed; this application does not specifically limit their location.

[0139] Network devices can be fixed or mobile. For example, a helicopter or drone can be configured to act as a mobile network device, and one or more cells can move according to the location of the mobile network device. In other examples, a helicopter or drone can be configured to be used as a device to communicate with another network device.

[0140] It should be understood that all or part of the functions of the communication device in this application can also be implemented by software functions running on hardware, or by virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

[0141] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application will be briefly introduced first.

[0142] NTN

[0143] Non-terrestrial networks, such as satellite communication networks, have the characteristics of wide communication range, high reliability, and multiple access connections. Generally speaking, the higher the satellite's orbit, the larger its coverage area, but the longer the communication delay. According to the satellite's altitude, that is, the satellite's orbital altitude, satellites can be divided into: (1) Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites: stationary relative to the Earth, with a constant orbital altitude of 35,786 km; (2) Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites: orbital altitude of 300-1,500 km; (3) Other satellites: including medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites and high Earth Orbit (HEO) satellites. MEO orbital altitude is 7,000-25,000 km, 2,000-35,786 km; HEO orbital altitude is 400-50,000 km. Among them, LEO has the characteristics of low latency, low cost, and flexible networking, and is currently becoming the focus of satellite communication construction.

[0144] In addition to satellites, NTN also includes some aircraft, such as high altitude platforms (HAPs) and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).

[0145] The NTN involved in the embodiments of this application can be implemented using any of the aforementioned satellite, flight platform, hot air balloon, aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicle systems. Furthermore, the NTN in the embodiments of this application can be a 4G-based NTN, a New Radio (NR)-based NTN, an Internet of Things (IoT)-based NTN, a Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT)-based NTN, or an NTN based on other current technologies or other technologies that may emerge in the future.

[0146] Compared to traditional terrestrial networks, NTN typically uses satellites for network deployment. For example, it deploys access network equipment or some access network equipment functions on satellites to provide coverage for terminal devices, or it uses satellites as relays to forward signals from terrestrial access network equipment to provide coverage for terminal devices.

[0147] In one possible implementation, satellite equipment can be categorized into transparent mode and regenerative mode based on its operating mode.

[0148] The two modes will be illustrated below using the implementation methods shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D.

[0149] In the transparent transmission mode implementation shown in Figure 1A, satellite 102A and gateway station 103 act as relays, i.e., remote radio units (RRUs) as shown in Figure 1A. Communication between terminal device 101 and gNB 104 requires this relay process. In other words, in transparent transmission mode, the satellite has a relay forwarding function.

[0150] For example, in the transparent transmission mode implementation shown in Figure 1B, when satellite 102B (including GEO satellites, MEO satellites, LEO satellites, etc.) operates in transparent transmission mode, the satellite has relay forwarding functionality. Gateway station 103 (or signaling station) has base station functionality or some base station functionality; in this case, the gateway station can be considered as a base station. Alternatively, the base station can be deployed separately from the gateway station.

[0151] In the regeneration mode implementation shown in Figure 1C, satellite 102C and gateway station 103 (i.e., as gNB in ​​Figure 1C) can communicate with terminal device 101. In other words, in regeneration mode, the satellite has the function of a base station, and the satellite can be regarded as a base station.

[0152] For example, in the regeneration mode implementation shown in Figure 1D, when satellite 102D (including GEO satellites, MEO satellites, LEO satellites, etc.) operates in regeneration mode, compared to the implementation shown in Figure 1C, the satellite has some base station functions, such as the function of a DU (Distribution Unit). CU 112 can be deployed on the ground.

[0153] The systems shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D may also include core network equipment 105 and data network 106.

[0154] Alternatively, in Figures 1B and / or 1D, the satellite can be implemented in other ways, such as by a drone or a high-altitude platform as shown in the figures.

[0155] It should be noted that NTN and terrestrial network base stations can be interconnected through a shared core network. They can also achieve more timely assistance and interconnection through interfaces defined between base stations. In NR, the interface between base stations is called the Xn interface, and the interface between the base station and the core network is called the NG interface. In a converged network, both NTN nodes and terrestrial nodes can achieve interoperability and collaboration through these interfaces.

[0156] Positioning Architecture

[0157] Communication systems (including the NTN system described above) can provide location services (LCS) for terminal devices. For ease of understanding, the positioning architecture in the communication system is described below with reference to Figure 2.

[0158] Figure 2 illustrates the architecture for terminal device positioning in a 5G system applicable to NR or evolved universal terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) access. Furthermore, the positioning architecture shown in Figure 2 also supports the NR PC5 interface. Specifically, sidelink positioning is supported when the terminal device is within NG-RAN coverage (as shown in Figure 2 for UE A and UE B) or outside NG-RAN coverage (as shown in Figure 2 for UE C and UE D).

[0159] Referring to Figure 2, the location management function (LMF) is responsible for supporting different types of location services for target terminal devices, including locating the terminal device and transmitting auxiliary data to it. Its control plane and user plane are the evolved serving mobile location center (E-SMLC) and the secure user plane location (SUPL) location platform (SLP), respectively. Depending on the type of location service, the information that the LMF may exchange with the next-generation eNodeB (ng-eNB) / gNB and the terminal device may differ. A brief introduction to the interactions that may occur during the provision of location services is provided below.

[0160] Optionally, the LMF and ng-eNB / gNB can exchange information via NR positioning protocol a (NRPPa) messages, such as obtaining positioning reference signal (PRS), sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration information, cell timing, cell location information, etc.

[0161] Optionally, the LMF and the terminal device communicate via Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) messages to exchange terminal device capability information, auxiliary information, measurement information, etc.

[0162] Optionally, for LMF-based positioning, the LMF can return the positioning service results (such as the location estimation results of the terminal device) to the access and mobility management function (AMF).

[0163] Optionally, the AMF can receive location service requests related to the target terminal device from the 5GC LCS entity, or the AMF itself can initiate some location services on behalf of a specific target terminal device and forward the location service requests to the LMF. After receiving the location information returned by the terminal device, the AMF returns the relevant location information to the 5GC LCS entity.

[0164] Optionally, the terminal device can measure downlink signals from NG-RAN and other sources to support positioning.

[0165] Optionally, the gNB / ng-eNB can provide measurement information to the target terminal device and transmit this information to the LMF.

[0166] Positioning method

[0167] Currently, there are several common positioning methods. These methods are described below according to different classification methods.

[0168] Depending on the location calculation point, positioning methods can be divided into: UE-based positioning methods; UE-assisted positioning methods (also known as LMF-based positioning methods); and standalone positioning methods.

[0169] UE-based positioning method: The terminal device is responsible for calculating the location (when auxiliary data is available) and can also provide measurement results.

[0170] UE-assisted / LMF-based positioning method: The terminal device only provides measurement and does not perform location calculation. The LMF or other network devices are responsible for location calculation (when auxiliary data is available).

[0171] standalone positioning method: The terminal device performs measurement and location calculation without network-aided data.

[0172] Based on the measured physical quantities, positioning methods can be categorized into: TOA-based positioning, TDOA-based positioning, RTT-based positioning, Doppler frequency shift-based positioning, pseudorange-based positioning, and carrier phase-based positioning. These positioning methods will be described in detail below.

[0173] (1) TDOA-based positioning method

[0174] In the TDOA positioning method for the downlink, multiple network devices can send downlink PRS positioning reference signals. The terminal device receives and measures the arrival time (TOA) of the PRS signals. The difference between the arrival time of different network devices and the arrival time of the reference network device is called the downlink TDOA observation.

[0175] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the TDOA positioning principle. Referring to Figure 3, assume gNB1 is used as the reference network device. The positioning principle is achieved by measuring the time difference Δt between gNB1 and gNB2. 12 The hyperbola l can be determined 12 ;Measure the difference Δt between the arrival times of gNB1 and gNB3. 13 The hyperbola l can be determined 13 The intersection of the two hyperbolas is the location of the terminal device to be estimated.

[0176] (2) RTT-based positioning method

[0177] In the RTT (Real-Time To-Time) positioning method, the terminal device and network device need to exchange positioning reference signals. The distance between the terminal device and the network device can be calculated based on the transmission and reception times of the reference signals. When multiple network devices are involved in the positioning, the distances from the terminal device to each of the network devices can be obtained.

[0178] Figure 4A is a schematic diagram of the reference signal transmission and reception process based on RTT positioning. Referring to Figure 4A, in order to measure the distance d1 between the terminal device and gNB1, the terminal device sends an uplink SRS positioning reference signal at time t1, gNB1 receives the SRS reference signal at time t2, and sends a downlink PRS positioning reference signal at time t3. The terminal device receives this positioning reference signal at time t4. Therefore, the distance d1 between the terminal device and gNB1 satisfies the following formula.

[0179] Where c represents the speed of light.

[0180] Similarly, the distance measurement method using RTT can be used to obtain the distance from the terminal device to other network devices, such as the distances d2 and d3 from the terminal device to gNB2 and gNB3.

[0181] Figure 4B is a schematic diagram of the RTT positioning principle. Referring to Figure 4B, we can define a circle with the network devices (gNB1, gNB2, gNB3) as the center and the distances (d1, d2, d3) as the radius. The intersection of these three circles is the location of the terminal device to be estimated.

[0182] (3) Positioning method based on Doppler frequency shift

[0183] Considering the relatively high speed of satellite motion, the relative motion between the satellite and the receiving end (such as terminal equipment) will cause a Doppler frequency shift (which can be simply referred to as Doppler frequency offset or Doppler frequency shift). Since the satellite's position and speed are known, the terminal equipment can be located based on the Doppler frequency shift.

[0184] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of the Doppler positioning principle. Referring to Figure 5A, multiple network devices (such as base stations 1 to 3) can transmit downlink PRS signals, and the terminal device can receive and measure the Doppler frequency shift of the PRS signal. Based on the Doppler frequency shift, the candidate position of the terminal device can be determined as a conical surface, called the "Doppler equal-frequency conical surface". The vertex of this conical surface is the network device position S, and the cone angle is θ, where θ is the angle between the line connecting the network device and the terminal device and the velocity direction of the network device (or, if the network device is located on a satellite, the orbital direction).

[0185] Based on this, a "Doppler equal-frequency cone" can be obtained by measuring the Doppler frequency offset between the terminal device and a reference network device. Similarly, multiple cones can be obtained by measuring the Doppler frequency offset between the terminal device and multiple network devices, and the intersection point A of these multiple cones with the Earth's surface is the position of the terminal device.

[0186] For example, the Doppler frequency offset can satisfy the following formula.

[0187] Where v is the relative velocity between the satellite and the terminal device, c is the speed of light, and R... e where is the Earth's radius, h is the satellite's orbital altitude, E is the elevation angle, and f is the Earth's radius. c It is the operating frequency band.

[0188] A typical system employing Doppler positioning is the Iridium satellite system. This system supports Doppler-based positioning by transmitting STL signals. The STL signal can be a single-frequency burst signal, which may include continuous wave markers (CW), pseudo-random number / sequence (PRN) sequences, and data channels, as shown in Figure 5B.

[0189] Referring to Figure 5B, CW is a short code used for signal monitoring and coarse measurement, similar to coarse synchronization. PRN is a long code, which can reduce the effective information transmission rate while performing precise measurements through correlation operations with locally generated sequences. Furthermore, due to the use of spread spectrum sequences, STL signals have a stronger ability to penetrate buildings and other obstructions. The data channel is primarily responsible for transmitting Iridium satellite and STL-related data.

[0190] For example, to support Doppler measurements, STL signals can be continuously broadcast in the time domain. In related technologies, considering that satellites are typically used only for navigation and positioning, STL signals usually occupy the entire communication bandwidth.

[0191] It should be noted that the Iridium system typically uses CDMA, which is incompatible with the future evolution trend of communication systems. This is because most current communication systems use OFDM.

[0192] (4) Pseudorange-based positioning method and carrier phase-based positioning method

[0193] The following section uses GNSS as an example to introduce the pseudorange-based positioning method and the carrier phase-based positioning method.

[0194] GNSS, also known as Global Navigation Satellite System, is a space-based radio navigation and positioning system that provides users with all-weather, three-dimensional coordinates, velocity, and time information at any location on the Earth's surface or in near-Earth space. GNSS can include BDS, Global Positioning System (GPS), GLONASS, and Galileo navigation satellite system (GALILEO), among others.

[0195] The basic principle of GNSS positioning is based on ranging, that is, calculating the user's own position based on the measured distance between the satellite and the user.

[0196] In pseudorange-based positioning methods, the terminal device receives signals transmitted by the satellite (such as C / A codes, i.e., Gold codes) and simultaneously records the current user's time. Since the satellite transmission time is known, the signal's propagation time in space can be obtained. Considering the speed of light, the distance between the satellite and the terminal device can be calculated based on the signal's propagation time. Because of the inherent error, the measured distance is not the true distance, hence the name pseudorange. However, when using pseudorange positioning methods with low-Earth orbit satellites, it is susceptible to multipath propagation and non-ideal factors, resulting in poor positioning performance.

[0197] Positioning methods based on carrier phase do not rely on signal propagation time in space for measurement; instead, they utilize the periodicity of electromagnetic wave phase. Optionally, the terminal device can receive signals transmitted by a satellite and measure the carrier phase. Since GNSS signals are electromagnetic waves with periodic phase, the actual phase should consist of N integer cycles plus one non-integer phase. The non-integer portion can be accurately obtained using methods such as phase-locked loops, while the integer portion N is uncertain and requires auxiliary information to determine. Based on the phase difference between the received carrier phase and the carrier phase transmitted by the satellite, along with auxiliary information and the satellite's position and velocity at various times, the terminal device's position information can be determined.

[0198] Satellite ephemeris

[0199] As discussed above, satellite-based positioning typically requires information such as the satellite's position and velocity. Generally, this information can be obtained through the satellite's ephemeris data.

[0200] The relevant protocol (TS 38.331) supports network broadcasting ephemeris information (including ephemeris of serving satellites and neighboring satellites) to terminal devices. Based on the network broadcast ephemeris information, the terminal devices can calculate satellite positions and / or velocities. The most commonly used ephemeris is Kepler coordinates (orbital six-root system). The following section introduces some satellite orbital parameters associated with this coordinate system, with reference to Figure 6.

[0201] Semi-major axis a: half of the major axis of the ellipse; the larger the semi-major axis, the larger the ellipse.

[0202] Eccentricity e: The ratio of the distance between the focal points to the major axis; the smaller the eccentricity, the more round the track.

[0203] Orbital inclination i0: The angle between the orbital plane and the Earth's equatorial plane, which determines the inclination of the ellipse relative to the Earth.

[0204] Right ascension of the ascending node Ω0: The angle between the vernal equinox and the ascending node in the equatorial plane, which determines the orientation of the ellipse in space.

[0205] The vernal equinox is the point on Earth where the ecliptic plane and the equatorial plane intersect. The direction of the vernal equinox is the direction of the sun relative to the earth on the day of the Beginning of Spring.

[0206] Ascending node: refers to the point where a satellite crosses the equatorial plane from south to north.

[0207] Perigee angle / angle The angle between the ascending node and the perigee determines the spatial orientation of the major axis of the ellipse.

[0208] Perigee: The point on the elliptical orbit of a satellite around the Earth that is closest to the Earth's center.

[0209] True perigee angle M0: In the orbital plane, the angle swept by the satellite as it moves along the orbit from its perigee is the angle between the orbital perigee and the satellite's position vector at a certain moment.

[0210] In single-moment positioning scenarios, considering the clock errors between satellites and terminal devices, four or more satellites are typically required for positioning (i.e., four or more visible satellites) to obtain the terminal device's location. However, in some scenarios, many terminal devices only have one to three visible satellites.

[0211] To address the aforementioned issues, this application provides a communication method that introduces a navigation / positioning signal (composed of two signals) to obtain two types of measurement results through a single network device, thereby determining the location information of a terminal device. In related technologies, a single network device typically obtains only one type of measurement result, such as a time measurement. Compared to related technologies, the method provided in this application can obtain more types of measurement results, such as time measurements and Doppler shift measurements, thus helping to reduce the minimum number of network devices required to determine the location information of the terminal device. Taking an NTN scenario as an example, based on the aforementioned navigation / positioning signal, such as two different configurations of positioning reference signals, two types of measurement results can be obtained through a single satellite, helping to reduce the minimum number of visible satellites required to determine the location of the terminal device, thereby facilitating positioning even with a limited number of visible satellites.

[0212] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The method shown in Figure 7 may involve interaction between a terminal device and a first network device. The terminal device may be the terminal device mentioned above, or it may be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the implementation of the method on the terminal device. The first network device may be the network device mentioned above, or it may be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the implementation of the method on the first network device.

[0213] In some embodiments, the method shown in FIG7 can be applied to an NTN system, that is, the first network device can be a network device deployed on a satellite, flight platform, hot air balloon, aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicle system, or some functions of the first network device can be deployed on a satellite, flight platform, hot air balloon, aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicle system.

[0214] The method provided in the embodiments of this application will now be described from the perspective of the interaction between the terminal device and the first network device.

[0215] The method shown in Figure 7 may include steps S710 to S730.

[0216] S710, the first network device sends a first signal; the first network device sends a second signal or at least one signal, or in other words, the first network device sends a second signal.

[0217] Accordingly, the terminal device receives the first signal; the terminal device receives at least one of the second signals.

[0218] It should be noted that at least one of the second signals and / or the first signal may also be sent by other network devices involved in the positioning process, such as the second network device. In some embodiments, the terminal device may receive the first signal sent by multiple network devices, and receive one or more of the second signals sent by multiple network devices.

[0219] In this configuration, the first network device can be the serving network device of the terminal device, and the second network device can be a network device adjacent to the first network device. That is, the cell associated with the second network device is an adjacent cell to the cell associated with the first network device. For example, the serving cell of the terminal device is the first cell, the network device associated with the first cell is the first network device, the neighboring cell of the first cell is the second cell, and the network device associated with the second cell is the second network device.

[0220] In some embodiments, the first signal may consist of one or more of PRN, PRS, or other sequences.

[0221] Optionally, the first signal can be spread using the aforementioned sequence, which helps improve multipath resistance, enhances the first signal's ability to penetrate buildings and other obstructions, and also helps improve the accuracy of the positioning results obtained based on the first signal. This is because the symbol width of pseudo-random sequences, etc., is much narrower than the symbol width of information (or data), thus allowing the signal to be spread using pseudo-random sequences.

[0222] In some embodiments, the second signal may consist of one or more of PRN, PRS, or other sequences. Optionally, the second signal may be a single-frequency signal. Optionally, the second signal may be spread spectrum using the above sequences, which helps to improve multipath resistance and improve the accuracy of positioning results obtained based on the second signal.

[0223] In some embodiments, the multiple signals in the second signal can be transmitted in a frequency-hopping manner, which helps to improve the transmission quality of the second signal and enhance positioning performance. That is, the frequency domain positions of the multiple signals in the second signal are different, i.e., the frequency domain positions are abrupt. For example, each of the multiple signals mentioned herein has no overlap in the frequency domain. Or, the frequency domain positions of each of the multiple signals are not entirely identical.

[0224] The frequency hopping method described above will be introduced below, taking the second signal, which includes signals 1 to 4, as an example.

[0225] Figure 8A is an example diagram of a second signal provided in an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 8A, signals 1 to 4 do not overlap in the frequency domain. The absence of overlap between two signals in the frequency domain can mean that the two signals are adjacent in their frequency domain positions, such as signals 2 and 3, or that there is a gap between the frequency domain positions of the two signals, or that they are not adjacent, such as signals 1 and 2.

[0226] Figure 8B is another example diagram of the second signal provided in the embodiments of this application. Referring to Figure 8B, signals 1 and 2, 2 and 3, and 3 and 4 all have overlapping portions in the frequency domain.

[0227] It should be understood that frequency hopping can support both intra-slot frequency hopping and cross-slot frequency hopping, and this application does not limit this.

[0228] The above refers to receiving at least one of the second signals, that is, receiving one or more of the second signals.

[0229] In some embodiments, the greater the bandwidth occupied by the one or more signals, the more accurate the positioning result based on the one or more signals.

[0230] In some embodiments, the more signals included in the one or more signals, the higher the accuracy of the positioning result obtained based on the received signals. This is because the more signals included in the one or more signals, the larger the equivalent bandwidth of their combined result may be.

[0231] For example, all signals in the second signal can be received, such as all signals in the second signal within one cycle, which helps to improve the accuracy of the positioning results.

[0232] In some embodiments, the second signal may include multiple signals, wherein the frequency domain positions of the multiple signals cover part or all of the communication bandwidth between the terminal device and the first network device. Optionally, having the frequency domain positions of the multiple signals cover the entire communication bandwidth helps improve the accuracy of the positioning results based on the second signal.

[0233] In some embodiments, the first signal can be used for positioning. In some embodiments, the first signal can be used to obtain synchronization information, such as synchronization information between the terminal device and the first network device.

[0234] In some embodiments, one or more of the second signals can be used for positioning.

[0235] For example, the first signal and the second signal can be applied to different positioning methods, or the first signal can be associated with the first positioning method and the second signal can be associated with the second positioning method.

[0236] Taking NTN networks as an example, the localization methods can include the Doppler-based localization, pseudorange-based localization, and carrier phase-based localization mentioned above. For example, the first localization method can be Doppler-based localization, and the second localization method can be pseudorange-based localization. Alternatively, the first localization method can be Doppler-based localization, and the second localization method can be carrier phase-based localization. It should be understood that the localization method can also include other methods, such as those not listed herein or those added in the future; this application does not limit these methods.

[0237] S720 obtains a first measurement result based on a first signal.

[0238] The first measurement result can be obtained by measuring a first signal. In some embodiments, measuring the first signal can be used to obtain different types of physical quantities; in other words, the first measurement result can include measurement results of different types of physical quantities. For example, the first measurement result can include one or more of the following: Doppler measurement result, frequency measurement result, time delay measurement result, distance measurement result, or phase measurement result.

[0239] The physical quantity (or first measurement result) obtained by measuring the first signal corresponds to the first positioning method mentioned above. The correspondence between the first positioning method and the first measurement result is illustrated below.

[0240] If the first positioning method is Doppler-based positioning, then the first measurement result may include one or more of the following: Doppler measurement result, frequency measurement result, or distance measurement result. The distance measurement result mentioned here may be determined based on Doppler frequency shift.

[0241] If the first positioning method is pseudorange-based positioning, then the first measurement result may include a time delay measurement result and / or a distance measurement result. The distance measurement result mentioned here may be determined based on the time delay measurement result.

[0242] If the first positioning method is carrier phase-based positioning, then the first measurement result may include phase measurement result and / or distance measurement result. The distance measurement result mentioned here may be determined based on the phase measurement result.

[0243] S730, a second measurement result is obtained based on at least one of the second signals.

[0244] The second measurement result can be obtained by measuring at least one of the second signals. In some embodiments, measuring at least one of the second signals can be used to obtain different physical quantities; in other words, the second measurement result can include measurement results of different types of physical quantities. For example, the second measurement result can include one or more of the following: Doppler measurement result, frequency measurement result, time delay measurement result, distance measurement result, or phase measurement result.

[0245] The physical quantity (or second measurement result) obtained by measuring at least one of the second signals corresponds to the second positioning method mentioned above. The correspondence between the second positioning method and the second measurement result is illustrated below.

[0246] If the second positioning method is Doppler-based positioning, then the second measurement result may include one or more of the following: Doppler measurement result, frequency measurement result, or distance measurement result. The distance measurement result mentioned here may be determined based on Doppler frequency shift.

[0247] If the second positioning method is pseudorange-based positioning, then the second measurement result may include time delay measurement result and / or distance measurement result. The distance measurement result mentioned here may be determined based on the time delay measurement.

[0248] If the second positioning method is carrier phase-based positioning, then the second measurement result may include phase measurement result and / or distance measurement result. The distance measurement result mentioned here may be determined based on the phase measurement result.

[0249] The first and second measurement results described above can be used to determine the location information of the terminal device, or in other words, to locate the terminal device. Optionally, the location information may include one or more of the following: coordinate information, latitude and longitude information, distance information (to a reference point), angle information (to a reference point), or reference point information. If the location information includes coordinate information, then the location information may also include coordinate system information, reference point information of the coordinate system, etc. It should be understood that the coordinate system information and the reference point information of the coordinate system may also be default or pre-configured.

[0250] For example, the first and second measurement results can be used to determine the distance between the terminal device and the first network device, thereby determining the location information of the terminal device based on this distance and other positioning assistance information (such as the location information of the first network device). It should be understood that the network devices involved in the positioning of the terminal device may also include other network devices besides the first network device.

[0251] In this embodiment, by introducing a navigation / positioning signal (composed of two signals), two types of measurement results can be obtained through a single network device to determine the location information of the terminal device. In related technologies, a single network device typically obtains only one type of measurement result, such as a time measurement. Compared to related technologies, the method provided in this embodiment can obtain more types of measurement results, such as time measurements and Doppler frequency shift measurements, thereby helping to reduce the minimum number of network devices required to determine the location information of the terminal device.

[0252] Taking the NTN scenario as an example, based on the above navigation / positioning signals, such as two different configurations of positioning reference signals, two types of measurement results can be obtained through a single satellite. This helps to reduce the minimum number of visible satellites required to determine the location of the terminal device, thereby helping to achieve positioning when the number of visible satellites is small.

[0253] In related technologies, due to the high-speed movement of satellites (while network devices are deployed on satellites), the location of terminal devices can be achieved by measuring reference signals transmitted by a single satellite at multiple moments, even when the number of visible satellites is small. Compared to this technology, the method provided in this application embodiment can obtain the location information of the terminal device by measuring a first signal and at least one of a second signal at a single moment, even when the number of visible satellites is small, thus improving the timeliness and accuracy of positioning.

[0254] During the location tracking of a terminal device, it is typically necessary to determine the synchronization information between the terminal device and the network devices involved in the tracking. As one implementation method, the second signal can reuse the synchronization information associated with the first signal, thereby reducing the overhead of acquiring synchronization information multiple times and lowering processing complexity. The synchronization information associated with the first signal can refer to the synchronization information between the terminal device and the first network device obtained based on the first signal. The reuse of the synchronization information associated with the first signal by the second signal can refer to receiving and / or measuring the second signal based on the synchronization information associated with the first signal. The synchronization information can be one or more of time synchronization information, frequency synchronization information, or phase synchronization information.

[0255] As time goes by, the synchronization information between the terminal device and the first network device may change. Therefore, the smaller the time interval between the time domain position of the first signal and the time domain position of the second signal, the smaller the error caused by multiplexing the synchronization information.

[0256] For example, the time-domain position of the first signal is adjacent to the time-domain position of the second signal. In other words, the time-domain termination position of the first signal is adjacent to the time-domain start position of the second signal, which helps to further reduce the error caused by multiplexing the synchronization information associated with the first signal. For example, the time-domain termination position of the first signal is the second symbol of the first time slot, and the time-domain start position of the second signal is the third symbol of the first time slot.

[0257] For example, the time interval between the time domain positions of the first signal and the second signal is less than or equal to a first threshold. The first threshold can be, for example, one or more symbols or one or more time slots, or it can be a few microseconds / milliseconds or tens of microseconds / milliseconds, etc. In other words, the first threshold can be at the symbol level, time slot level, microsecond level, or millisecond level. Optionally, the first threshold can be predefined or determined by the network device. Setting the first threshold helps to reduce positioning errors, lower positioning latency, and improve the flexibility of resource allocation and utilization.

[0258] As mentioned earlier, the second signal can reuse the synchronization information associated with the first signal. Similarly, the first signal can reuse the synchronization information associated with the second signal. This application does not limit this.

[0259] In this embodiment, only one acquisition of synchronization information is needed, which can be used for receiving the first and second signals, or for acquiring the first and second measurement results. This helps reduce the number of times synchronization information needs to be acquired, thereby reducing the overhead of acquiring synchronization information. Furthermore, the method of configuring the time domain positions of the first and second signals described above helps reduce the errors caused by multiplexing synchronization information and reduce positioning delay.

[0260] In some embodiments, the first signal may include a first reference signal. The first reference signal (e.g., a pilot signal) can be used to acquire a first measurement result. Exemplarily, the first reference signal may consist of one or more of PRN, PRS, or other sequences.

[0261] In some embodiments, the first signal may include a first reference signal and other information, such as navigation assistance information. Navigation assistance information can also be called positioning assistance information, meaning it can be used to assist in locating the terminal device. Some examples of navigation assistance information are given below.

[0262] Taking GNSS as an example, positioning assistance information can include satellite orbital parameters, clock parameters, GNSS reference time, GNSS reference position, GNSS ionospheric model, GNSS Earth azimuth parameters, GNSS-RTK reference station information, GNSS-RTK general observation information, GNSS-RTK auxiliary station data, GNSS spatial state correction points, GNSS integrity service parameters, GNSS integrity service alerts, time model list, GNSS differential correction information, GNSS navigation model, GNSS real-time integrity information, GNSS data bit assistance information, GNSS reception assistance, GNSS almanac, and GNSS-UTC model. GNSS auxiliary information, BeiDou system differential correction, BDS grid model parameters, GNSS reference station observations, GLO-RTK bias information, GNSS-RTK-MAC correction difference, GNSS-RTK residual, GNSS-RTK-area correction parameter gradient, GNSS-SSR orbit correction, GNSS-SSR clock correction, GNSS-SSR code bias, GNSS-SSR user range accuracy, GNSS-SSR phase bias, GNSS-SSR oblique ionospheric total electron content correction, GNSS-SSR grid correction, NavIC differential correction, NavIC grid correction, tropospheric error information, etc.

[0263] In some embodiments, the first signal may include a first reference signal and first information, i.e., navigation assistance information is the first information. Exemplarily, the first information may include one or more of the following: ephemeris information associated with a first network device; error calibration information associated with a first network device; ephemeris information associated with a second network device; error calibration information associated with a second network device; or synchronization information between the first network device and the second network device.

[0264] When the first network device is deployed on the first satellite, the ephemeris information associated with the first network device is the ephemeris information of the first satellite. Similarly, when the second network device is deployed on the second satellite, the ephemeris information associated with the second network device is the ephemeris information of the second satellite.

[0265] Taking the NTN system as an example, during the positioning of terminal devices, the positioning results are affected by various errors due to multiple reasons, such as multipath effects, integer ambiguity, errors caused by satellite clocks, errors caused by the terminal device's clock, and signal transmission through the ionosphere and troposphere. Therefore, the first information can include error calibration information. Based on the error calibration information, and the first and / or second measurement results, the location information of the terminal device is determined, which helps to calibrate the positioning results and thus improve positioning accuracy.

[0266] For example, the error calibration information associated with the first network device is the error calibration information associated with the first satellite deployed by the first network device; the error calibration information associated with the second network device is the error calibration information associated with the second satellite deployed by the second network device. The error calibration information mentioned here may be one or more of the following: ionospheric error (also known as ionospheric delay), tropospheric error (also known as tropospheric delay), error caused by the satellite clock, error caused by the clock of the terminal device, or integer ambiguity.

[0267] It should be understood that errors affecting positioning results may also include other types of errors, that is, the above error calibration information may also include other types of error calibration information, which this application does not limit.

[0268] For example, the first information may include synchronization information between the first network device and the second network device. In this case, the terminal device can determine the synchronization information between the terminal device and the second network device based on the first information and the synchronization information between the terminal device and the first network device, which helps to avoid the synchronization measurement overhead between the terminal device and the second network device.

[0269] The synchronization information can be one or more of time synchronization information, frequency synchronization information, or phase synchronization information.

[0270] As mentioned earlier, the network devices involved in the location of the terminal device may include multiple devices. The aforementioned first network device and second network device can be, for example, network devices involved in the location of the terminal device. Exemplarily, the terminal device can receive at least one of a first signal from the second network device and / or a second signal from the second network device based on the synchronization information between the first network device and the second network device, which helps to avoid the synchronization measurement overhead between the terminal device and the second network device.

[0271] In some embodiments, the first signal may include configuration information of a first reference signal and a second signal, that is, the navigation assistance information is the configuration information of the second signal.

[0272] In some implementations, where the first signal includes configuration information for the second signal, the first and second signals can originate from the same network device or from different network devices. In other words, the first and second signals can be sent by the same network device or by different network devices.

[0273] For example, the first signal can be sent by a first network device, and the second signal can be sent by a second network device. That is, in scenarios where multiple network devices participate in positioning, the first signal sent by the first network device can carry configuration information of the second signal sent by the first network device, or it can carry configuration information of the second signal sent by other network devices. This helps reduce the signaling overhead of the terminal device. Optionally, the network device carrying the configuration information of the second signal can be determined based on the network device's bandwidth, available resources, and capability information, offering high flexibility.

[0274] For example, the configuration information of the second signal may include resource configuration information of the second signal, such as one or more of time-domain resource configuration information, frequency-domain resource configuration information, or code-domain resource configuration information.

[0275] The time-domain resource configuration information can be used to indicate the time-domain position of the second signal and / or the time-domain positions of multiple signals in the second signal.

[0276] For example, time-domain resource configuration information can indicate that the time-domain resources corresponding to the second signal are symbol 1 of time slot A to symbol 3 of time slot B. Based on the time-domain resources corresponding to the second signal, the time-domain location of the second signal can be determined.

[0277] For example, time-domain resource configuration information can indicate that the time-domain resource corresponding to signal M in the second signal is symbol 1 in time slot C, and the time-domain resource corresponding to signal N in the second signal is symbol 2 in time slot D. Based on the time-domain resource corresponding to signal M, the time-domain position of signal M can be determined, and based on the time-domain resource corresponding to signal N, the time-domain position of signal N can be determined.

[0278] Frequency domain resource configuration information can be used to indicate the frequency domain location of the second signal and / or the frequency domain location of multiple signals in the second signal.

[0279] For example, frequency domain resource configuration information can indicate that the frequency domain resources corresponding to the second signal are subcarriers A to B. Based on the frequency domain resources corresponding to the second signal, the frequency domain location of the second signal can be determined.

[0280] For example, frequency domain resource configuration information can indicate that the frequency domain resource corresponding to signal M in the second signal is subcarrier C, and the frequency domain resource corresponding to signal N in the second signal is subcarrier D. Based on the frequency domain resource corresponding to signal M, the frequency domain position of signal M can be determined, and based on the frequency domain resource corresponding to signal N, the frequency domain position of signal N can be determined.

[0281] Code domain resource configuration information can be used to indicate the coding resources of the second signal. For example, in the case of using code division multiple access technology, it refers to the code domain resources, such as sequences, used when transmitting the second signal.

[0282] For example, the configuration information of the second signal can also be used to indicate information about the resource block corresponding to the second signal.

[0283] When the second signal is transmitted using frequency hopping, the configuration information of the second signal may include one or more of the following: frequency hopping pattern; the time-domain start position and / or frequency-domain start position of the frequency hopping pattern; the frequency hopping interval of the frequency hopping pattern; the frequency hopping duration; the number of frequency hopping cycles; the number of signals included in the second signal; or the frequency hopping bandwidth. The frequency hopping pattern, also known as the frequency hopping scheme, is used for the transmission of the second signal.

[0284] For example, the frequency hopping interval of the frequency hopping pattern can refer to the interval between the frequency domain positions of any two signals among the plurality of signals included in the second signal. Alternatively, the frequency hopping interval can refer to the interval between the start positions and end positions in the frequency domain of any two signals among the plurality of signals included in the second signal. Optionally, the interval between the frequency domain positions of any two signals among the plurality of signals included in the second signal is the same, that is, the frequency hopping intervals in the frequency hopping pattern are all the same.

[0285] For example, the frequency hopping duration may include the duration of a single frequency hop and / or the total duration occupied by the time domain position of the frequency hopping pattern.

[0286] The duration of a single frequency hop can refer to the interval between the time-domain positions of any two signals among the multiple signals included in the second signal. Alternatively, the duration of a single frequency hop can refer to the interval between the start time-domain positions and the interval between the end time-domain positions of any two signals among the multiple signals included in the second signal. Optionally, the duration of a single frequency hop can be the same.

[0287] The total duration of the time-domain position of the frequency hopping pattern can refer to the total duration of the time-domain positions of the multiple signals included in the second signal. When the duration of a single frequency hopping is the same, the duration of a single frequency hopping can be determined by the total duration of the time-domain position of the frequency hopping pattern and the number of frequency hoppings.

[0288] For example, frequency hopping bandwidth may include the bandwidth of a single frequency hop and / or the total bandwidth occupied by the frequency hopping pattern.

[0289] The bandwidth of a single frequency hopping can refer to the interval between the frequency domain positions of any two signals among the multiple signals included in the second signal. Alternatively, the bandwidth of a single frequency hopping can refer to the interval between the start positions of the frequency domain and the interval between the end positions of the frequency domain of any two signals among the multiple signals included in the second signal. Optionally, the bandwidth of a single frequency hopping can be the same.

[0290] The total bandwidth occupied by the frequency hopping pattern can refer to the total bandwidth occupied by the frequency domain positions of the multiple signals included in the second signal. When the bandwidth of a single frequency hopping is the same, the bandwidth of a single frequency hopping can be determined by the total bandwidth occupied by the frequency hopping pattern and the number of frequency hopping cycles.

[0291] For example, the number of frequency hopping cycles can refer to the number of frequency hopping cycles that occur in the frequency hopping pattern. Alternatively, the number of frequency hopping cycles can be the number of signals included in the second signal.

[0292] In some embodiments, the location of the second signal, such as its time-domain location and / or frequency-domain location, can be determined based on the configuration information of the second signal. Optionally, the terminal device mentioned above receiving at least one of the second signals may include: determining the location of the second signal, or the location of at least one of the second signals, based on the configuration information of the second signal; and receiving at least one of the second signals based on the location.

[0293] By carrying configuration information of the second signal in the first signal, the terminal device can be assisted in performing the measurement of the second signal. For example, the configuration information of the second signal can help determine a fine-grained measurement window (for measuring the second signal), avoid blind detection of the second signal, help reduce the measurement power consumption and search complexity of the terminal device, and help improve the timeliness of measurement and positioning.

[0294] In some embodiments, the first signal may include a first reference signal and one or more of the other information described above. For example, the first signal may include a configuration information of a first reference signal, first information, and a second signal. Alternatively, the first signal may include a first reference signal, first information, and positioning assistance information. Or, the first signal may include a configuration information of a first reference signal, a second signal, and positioning assistance information. Or, the first signal may include a configuration information of a first reference signal, first information, a second signal, and positioning assistance information. It should be understood that the first signal may also include other navigation assistance information not shown in this application, and this application does not limit this information.

[0295] As mentioned earlier, the relevant technology obtains Doppler measurement results by continuously broadcasting a positioning reference signal in the time domain. This positioning reference signal occupies the entire communication bandwidth. Consequently, during the period when the positioning reference signal is being broadcast, network devices may be unable to communicate with terminal devices.

[0296] To address this issue, embodiments of this application transmit the first signal and other information in a frequency-division multiplexing manner, which helps reduce the impact of signal transmission for positioning on communication. If the first signal and other information are transmitted in a frequency-division multiplexing manner, the terminal device and network device can communicate during the transmission period of the first signal, helping to avoid communication interruptions caused by the transmission of the first signal. In some embodiments, the first signal and other information can also be transmitted in a time-division multiplexing or code-division multiplexing manner.

[0297] In some embodiments, the first signal and the second information do not overlap in the frequency domain, or in other words, the first signal and the second information are transmitted in a frequency division multiplexing manner, thereby helping to reduce the impact of the transmission of the first signal on communication. For example, the second information can be data (or communication data), control information, or a second reference signal.

[0298] It should be noted that the control information mentioned here can be uplink control information (UCI), DCI, etc.; the second reference signal mentioned here can refer to other reference signals besides the first and second signals, such as demodulation reference signal (DMRS), phase-tracking reference signal (PT-RS), channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS), etc. Optionally, the second information can be sent by the serving network device of the terminal device, or it can be sent by other network devices besides the serving network device.

[0299] In some embodiments, the first signal and the second information do not overlap in the time domain, or in other words, the first signal and the second information are transmitted in a time-division multiplexing manner, which is simple to implement. In this case, the first signal may not occupy communication bandwidth. In addition, the time-division multiplexing method has lower requirements for hardware resources. Optionally, the second information may be sent by the serving network device of the terminal device. Alternatively, data, control information, or reference signals sent by other network devices besides the serving network device may overlap with the first signal in the time domain.

[0300] In some embodiments, the first resource is used to transmit a first signal, the bandwidth of the first resource is less than the first communication bandwidth, and the first communication bandwidth is used for information transmission between the terminal device and the first network device.

[0301] If the first signal and the second information do not overlap in the frequency domain, and the bandwidth of the first resource is less than the first communication bandwidth, then communication data can be transmitted at the time domain location corresponding to the first resource, thereby helping to avoid the impact of the transmission of the first signal on communication. It can be seen that the smaller the bandwidth of the first resource, the smaller the impact on communication. Optionally, the bandwidth of the first resource can be 1 RB.

[0302] If the first signal and the second information do not overlap in the time domain, and if the first signal does not occupy the entire communication bandwidth or only occupies a portion of the bandwidth, and no other information is transmitted at the time domain position corresponding to the first signal, then the first signal can obtain a power enhancement gain, thereby helping to improve the signal reception performance. Here, "no other information is transmitted at the time domain position corresponding to the first signal" can mean that no other information is transmitted outside the frequency domain range occupied by the first signal at the time domain position corresponding to the first signal. It should be noted that in this case, the serving network device of the terminal device does not transmit other information outside the frequency domain range occupied by the first signal at the time domain position corresponding to the first signal. Optionally, other network devices besides the serving network device may transmit other information outside the frequency domain range occupied by the first signal at the time domain position corresponding to the first signal.

[0303] It can be seen that the smaller the bandwidth of the first resource, the greater the power enhancement gain. Optionally, the bandwidth of the first resource can be 1 RB.

[0304] It should be noted that the first signal can occupy more time-domain resources, such as the number of symbols or time slots occupied by the first signal being greater than or equal to the second threshold, which helps to support Doppler measurement and improve the accuracy of Doppler measurement.

[0305] In some embodiments, the second signal and the third information do not overlap in the time domain, and the third information is information transmitted between the terminal device and the first network device. The third information can be one or more of the following: data, control information, or a third reference signal. The third reference signal mentioned here can be a reference signal transmitted between the terminal device and the first network device, other than the first and second signals, such as DMRS, PT-RS, CSI-RS, etc.

[0306] If the second signal and the third information do not overlap in the time domain, and if the second signal does not occupy the entire communication bandwidth or only occupies a portion of the communication bandwidth, and no other information is transmitted outside the frequency range occupied by the second signal at the time domain position corresponding to the second signal, then the second signal can obtain a power enhancement gain, thereby helping to improve the signal reception performance.

[0307] As mentioned earlier, the second signal can be transmitted using frequency hopping. There are various ways to configure the frequency hopping pattern used for transmitting the second signal, such as pre-configuration or dynamic configuration. For example, one frequency hopping pattern for transmitting the second signal can be pre-configured. Alternatively, multiple frequency hopping patterns can be pre-configured. In this case, the network device can dynamically indicate the frequency hopping pattern used when transmitting the second signal, thereby improving configuration flexibility. Optionally, the frequency hopping pattern used when transmitting the second signal can be indicated by an identifier or index of the frequency hopping pattern.

[0308] For example, the first network device can send fourth information to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device can receive the fourth information sent by the first network device. The fourth information can be used to indicate the frequency hopping pattern corresponding to the second signal, that is, to indicate the frequency hopping pattern used when transmitting the second signal. Alternatively, the fourth information is used to indicate the frequency hopping pattern used to transmit the second signal. For example, the fourth information can be carried in a DCI, or in a MAC CE, RRC message, or other message. Furthermore, during the transmission of the second signal, the frequency hopping pattern for transmitting the second signal can be flexibly switched according to usage requirements to avoid resource conflicts and other problems during the transmission of the second signal.

[0309] Figure 9 is an example diagram of a frequency hopping pattern provided in an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 9, the frequency hopping pattern can be one or more of patterns 1 to 4. Optionally, patterns 1 to 4 can be predefined, or the network device can send patterns 1 to 4 to the terminal device. Further, the network device can indicate the frequency hopping pattern used for transmitting the second signal through a DCI, or indicate the frequency hopping pattern for switching the transmission of the second signal through a DCI. The DCI can, for example, indicate patterns 1 to 4 through identifiers 1 to 4.

[0310] In some embodiments, the first signal is transmitted over a first period, and the second signal is transmitted over a second period. The first period and the second period may be the same, or the first period may be shorter than the second period, which helps to improve the flexibility of the period configuration.

[0311] For example, the first period being shorter than the second period helps to increase the update frequency of the first measurement result. Considering that each first period includes one of the second signals, this signal can reuse the synchronization information associated with the first signal within the same period, thus reducing the error caused by reusing synchronization information.

[0312] For example, when the first period and the second period are the same, in each period, the multiple signals included in the second signal can reuse the synchronization information associated with the first signal in the same period.

[0313] Referring to Figures 10A and 10B, two examples of the first and second periods are described, assuming that the first signal and the second information do not overlap in the frequency domain. It should be noted that the first signal shown in Figures 10A and 10B both includes navigation assistance information. In other embodiments, the first signal may not include navigation assistance information, but only a first reference signal.

[0314] Figure 10A illustrates an example of a first signal and a second signal provided in an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 10A, the first period is shorter than the second period. Each first period includes one signal from the second signal, which can reuse synchronization information associated with the first signal within the same period. Because the time interval between the first signal and the second signal within the same period is small, such as less than a preset threshold, the error caused by reusing the synchronization information is small.

[0315] Figure 10B shows another example of the first and second signals provided in the embodiments of this application. Referring to Figure 10B, the first period and the second period are the same. Within each period, the multiple signals included in the second signal can reuse the synchronization information associated with the first signal within the same period. In this case, the time interval between the time-domain positions of the multiple signals included in the second signal is small, such as less than a third threshold, to reduce the error caused by the reuse of synchronization information. Optionally, the time interval between the time-domain positions of the multiple signals included in the second signal can be 70µs, 140µs, or 210µs.

[0316] Optionally, the third threshold can be one or more symbols or one or more time slots. In other words, the third threshold can be at the symbol level or at the time slot level. In this case, positioning latency can be further reduced.

[0317] In some embodiments, the first signal and / or the second signal may be transmitted periodically, semi-continuously, or aperiodically.

[0318] In some embodiments, the first signal and the second signal can be carried in a broadcast message, so that terminal devices in idle, inactive, and connected states can all receive the first signal and the second signal.

[0319] In some embodiments, the first signal and / or the second signal can be used for coarse positioning based on angles (such as angle of arrival, angle of departure). Furthermore, the results of the coarse positioning, the first measurement result, and the second measurement result can be used for more precise positioning of the terminal device.

[0320] As mentioned earlier, depending on the location calculation point, positioning methods can be divided into terminal device-based positioning methods, terminal device-assisted positioning methods (i.e., LMF-based positioning methods), and independent positioning methods. Correspondingly, the terminal device processes the first and second measurement results differently depending on the positioning method used.

[0321] For example, if a terminal device-based positioning method is used, the terminal device can determine its location information based on the first measurement result, the second measurement result, and positioning assistance information. Alternatively, if a terminal device-assisted positioning method is used, the terminal device can send the first and second measurement results to the LMF (Local Positioning Filter) or network device, which will then determine the terminal device's location information. Furthermore, the network device can send the location determination result back to the terminal device.

[0322] In some embodiments, the first signal may include only the first reference signal, which helps reduce the signaling overhead of the network device in transmitting the navigation assistance information mentioned above, and also helps reduce the receiving power consumption and receiving complexity of the terminal device.

[0323] In this scenario, the terminal device can obtain navigation assistance information through other means. For example, the terminal device can obtain navigation assistance information via broadcast messages, such as System Information Block (SIB) 1, SIB 19, or posSIB. Alternatively, the terminal device can obtain navigation assistance information via unicast messages, such as LPP messages or RRC messages. In this way, the network device can send navigation assistance information to the terminal device only when positioning is required, thus helping to avoid the overhead of continuously sending navigation assistance information. Optionally, the terminal device can request navigation assistance information from the network device when positioning is required.

[0324] Similarly, when the first signal may consist only of the first reference signal, the first signal is transmitted with a first period, and the second signal is transmitted with a second period. The first period and the second period may be the same, or the first period may be shorter than the second period.

[0325] The shorter first cycle compared to the second cycle helps to increase the update frequency of the first measurement result. Considering that each first cycle includes one signal from the second signal, this signal can reuse the synchronization information associated with the first signal within the same cycle, thus reducing the error caused by reusing synchronization information.

[0326] For example, when the first period and the second period are the same, in each period, the multiple signals included in the second signal can reuse the synchronization information associated with the first signal in the same period.

[0327] The following section uses the portion where the first signal and communication data do not overlap in the time domain as an example, and introduces two examples of the first and second cycles in conjunction with Figures 11A and 11B. It should be noted that the first signal shown in Figures 11A and 11B does not include navigation assistance information.

[0328] Figure 11A shows another example of the first and second signals provided in the embodiments of this application. Referring to Figure 11A, the first period is shorter than the second period. Each first period includes one signal from the second signal, which can reuse the synchronization information associated with the first signal within the same period. The error caused by reusing the synchronization information is relatively small.

[0329] Figure 11B shows another example of the first and second signals provided in the embodiments of this application. Referring to Figure 11B, the first period and the second period are the same. Within each period, the multiple signals included in the second signal can reuse the synchronization information associated with the first signal within the same period. In this case, the time interval between the time-domain positions of the multiple signals included in the second signal is small, such as less than a third threshold, to reduce the error caused by the reuse of synchronization information. Optionally, the time interval between the time-domain positions of the multiple signals included in the second signal can be 70µs, 140µs, or 210µs. Optionally, the third threshold can be one or more symbols or one or more time slots. In other words, the third threshold can be at the symbol level or at the time slot level.

[0330] In some embodiments, before the network device sends at least one of the first signal and the second signal to the terminal device, or in other words, before the network device sends the first signal and the second signal, the network device may determine the first signal and the second signal, such as configuration information of the first signal (e.g., pseudo-random sequence, C / A code, etc.) or configuration information of the second signal (e.g., pseudo-random sequence, C / A code, etc.).

[0331] In some embodiments, the network device may determine positioning configuration information (which may be referred to as first configuration information) based on the usage scenario and capability information of the terminal device, thereby helping to meet user needs across all scenarios and improve flexibility. The first configuration information may include first signal configuration information and / or second signal configuration information.

[0332] If the first configuration information includes only the configuration information for the first signal, then the terminal device can only receive the first signal. If the first configuration information includes only the configuration information for the second signal, then the terminal device can only receive the second signal. If the first configuration information includes both the configuration information for the first signal and the configuration information for the second signal, then the terminal device can receive both the first signal and / or the second signal.

[0333] The method for determining the first configuration information is described in detail below.

[0334] In some embodiments, the use cases of the terminal device may include scenarios where the number of visible satellites is less than 4 and scenarios where the number of visible satellites is greater than or equal to 4. In scenarios where the number of visible satellites is greater than or equal to 4, the first configuration information may only include the configuration information of the first signal, or the first configuration information may only include the configuration information of the second signal.

[0335] It should be understood that in scenarios where the number of visible satellites is greater than or equal to four, the first configuration information may also include the configuration information of the first signal and the configuration information of the second signal in order to obtain more types of measurement results.

[0336] In scenarios where the number of visible satellites is less than four, at least some of the network devices participating in the positioning process send first configuration information that includes configuration information for both the first and second signals. That is, the first configuration information sent by all participating network devices includes both the first and second signal configuration information; alternatively, the first configuration information sent by some participating network devices may include both the first and second signal configuration information, or it may only include the first signal configuration information or only the second signal configuration information.

[0337] In this scenario, whether the first configuration information sent by each of the multiple network devices participating in the positioning includes the configuration information of the first signal and the configuration information of the second signal can be determined by any of the multiple network devices participating in the positioning or by other network entities (such as LMF). Optionally, for ease of implementation, this information can be determined by the serving network device of the terminal device. Furthermore, the serving network device can notify the other network devices participating in the positioning of the above information, such as through inter-satellite links.

[0338] For example, a terminal device may report the number of network devices within its line of sight. For instance, the terminal device reports the number of network devices within its line of sight to the network device to assist the network in determining first configuration information.

[0339] In some embodiments, the terminal device may report capability information, which may indicate the positioning methods supported by the terminal device. For example, the terminal device may send its capability information to a network device to assist the network in determining first configuration information. If the terminal device's capability information indicates that the terminal device supports a Doppler shift-based positioning method, then the first configuration information may only include configuration information for a first signal. If the terminal device's capability information indicates that the terminal device supports a pseudorange or carrier phase-based positioning method, then the first configuration information may only include configuration information for a second signal. If the terminal device's capability information indicates that the terminal device supports both a Doppler shift-based positioning method and a pseudorange or carrier phase-based positioning method, then the first configuration information may include configuration information for both the first and second signals.

[0340] In some embodiments, the configuration information of the second signal may also be carried in the first signal. The aforementioned first configuration information includes the configuration information of the first signal and the configuration information of the second signal, or it may be replaced by the first configuration information only including the configuration information of the first signal, and the first signal including the configuration information of the second signal.

[0341] The above describes a first signal and / or a second signal associated with the first configuration information, which are issued by the same network device as the first configuration information. For example, the first configuration information issued by the first network device is associated with the first signal and the second signal sent by the first network device.

[0342] In some cases, the first signal and / or second signal associated with the first configuration information are sent by different network devices than the first configuration information. For example, the first configuration information sent by the first network device includes configuration information for the second signal sent by the second network device.

[0343] For example, the configuration information of the second signal can be associated with a first identifier, which indicates the transmitting device of the second signal associated with the configuration information, thereby helping the terminal device to distinguish the configuration information of different second signals. Optionally, the first configuration information may include the first identifier.

[0344] When the first configuration information includes configuration information for multiple second signals, the first configuration information may include multiple first identifiers, and the multiple first identifiers are associated with the configuration information for multiple second signals.

[0345] In one possible implementation, the first configuration information sent by the first network device includes the configuration information of the second signal sent by the second network device. The terminal device can receive the second signal sent by the second network device based on the synchronization information between the first network device and the second network device, as well as the configuration information of the second signal. This helps to simplify the processing and improve the timeliness of positioning.

[0346] In some embodiments, across all scenarios, the first configuration information includes configuration information for both the first and second signals. This approach is simple to implement on the network side. In this case, the terminal device can determine whether to receive the first and / or second signals. For example, the terminal device can determine whether to receive the first and / or second signals based on supported positioning methods, the number of visible satellites, etc.

[0347] For example, when there are many visible satellites, the terminal device may receive only the first signal, only the second signal, or both the first and second signals. Conversely, when there are few visible satellites, the terminal device may receive both the first and second signals, or it may receive both the first and second signals sent by at least one network device.

[0348] It should be noted that the first signal, the second signal, and communication data can be transmitted using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), which helps to match the evolutionary trend of satellite communication and navigation integration.

[0349] As can be seen, the communication method provided in this application embodiment can meet the user positioning needs of all scenarios through two-level signals, namely the first signal and the second signal, and at the same time help to match the development trend of integrated communication and navigation (such as low-orbit satellite communication and navigation integration) and improve the positioning performance of satellites.

[0350] It should be understood that the terms "location information" and "location" mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be used interchangeably.

[0351] It should be noted that the method provided in this application embodiment can also be applied to ground cellular positioning scenarios (such as high-speed moving scenarios), and this application does not limit it.

[0352] It should be noted that the order of appearance of the steps in the embodiments described above in this application does not represent the order in which the steps are executed. The steps in the embodiments described above in this application can also be executed in other orders, all of which are within the protection scope of this application.

[0353] It is understood that some optional features in the embodiments of this application may not depend on other features in certain scenarios, or may be combined with other features in certain scenarios, without limitation.

[0354] The method embodiments provided in this application have been described above. The apparatus embodiments provided in this application will be described below. It should be understood that the description of the apparatus embodiments corresponds to the description of the method embodiments. Therefore, any content not described in detail can be referred to the method embodiments above. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0355] Figure 12 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 12, the communication device 1200 may include a communication unit 1210 and a processing unit 1220. The communication unit 1210 can implement corresponding communication functions, which can be internal communication within the communication device 1200 or communication between the communication device 1200 and other devices; the processing unit 1220 can implement corresponding processing functions. The communication unit 1210 may also be referred to as a communication interface or a transceiver unit. Optionally, the communication device 1200 may further include a storage unit, which can be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing unit 1220 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage unit to enable the device to implement the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0356] It should be understood that the communication device 1200 may be a terminal device, or a module or chip that performs the functions of a terminal device.

[0357] The communication unit 1210 can be used to receive at least one of the first signal and the second signal.

[0358] The processing unit 1220 can be used to obtain a first measurement result based on the first signal; and to obtain a second measurement result based on at least one of the second signals; wherein the first measurement result and the second measurement result are used to determine the location information of the terminal device.

[0359] In some embodiments, the time interval between the time domain position of the first signal and the time domain position of the second signal is less than or equal to a first threshold, or the time domain position of the first signal is adjacent to the time domain position of the second signal.

[0360] In some embodiments, the first signal includes a first reference signal and first information. The first reference signal is used to acquire the first measurement result. The first information includes one or more of the following: ephemeris information associated with a first network device; error calibration information associated with the first network device; ephemeris information associated with a second network device; error calibration information associated with the second network device; or synchronization information between the first network device and the second network device. Wherein, the first network device is a serving network device of the terminal device, and the second network device is a network device adjacent to the first network device.

[0361] In some embodiments, the synchronization information is used for the terminal device to receive the first signal from the second network device, and / or to receive at least one of the second signals from the second network device.

[0362] In some embodiments, the first signal includes configuration information of a first reference signal and a second signal, wherein the first reference signal is used to acquire the first measurement result.

[0363] In some embodiments, the first signal and the second information do not overlap in the frequency domain, or the first signal and the second information do not overlap in the time domain; wherein the second information is one or more of the following: data, control information, or a second reference signal.

[0364] In some embodiments, the first resource is used to transmit the first signal, the bandwidth of the first resource is less than the first communication bandwidth, and the first communication bandwidth is used for information transmission between the terminal device and the first network device.

[0365] In some embodiments, the second signal and the third information do not overlap in the time domain, and the third information is information transmitted between the terminal device and the first network device; wherein, the third information is one or more of the following: data, control information, or a third reference signal.

[0366] In some embodiments, the second signal includes a plurality of signals, which are transmitted using a frequency hopping method.

[0367] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1210 is further configured to: receive fourth information, the fourth information being used to indicate the frequency hopping pattern corresponding to the second signal.

[0368] In some embodiments, the fourth information is carried in downlink control information (DCI).

[0369] In some embodiments, the first signal is transmitted with a first period and the second signal is transmitted with a second period, wherein the first period and the second period are the same, or the first period is less than the second period.

[0370] In some embodiments, the first measurement result includes one or more of the following: Doppler measurement result, frequency measurement result, time delay measurement result, distance measurement result, or phase measurement result; the second measurement result includes one or more of the following: Doppler measurement result, frequency measurement result, time delay measurement result, distance measurement result, or phase measurement result.

[0371] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1210 is further configured to: send the number of network devices within the line of sight to the first network device. The first network device can determine the location configuration information, such as first configuration information, to be sent to the terminal device based on the number of network devices within the line of sight reported by the terminal device. The first configuration information may include first signal configuration information and / or second signal configuration information.

[0372] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1210 is further configured to: send capability information of the terminal device to the first network device. The first network device can determine first configuration information based on the capability information reported by the terminal device.

[0373] It should be understood that the communication device 1200 can be a first network device, or a module or chip performing the functions of the first network device. The first network device mentioned here can, for example, be a service network device for a terminal device. Optionally, the first network device can be a non-terrestrial network device.

[0374] The processing unit 1220 can be used to determine a first signal and a second signal. The first signal is used by the terminal device to acquire a first measurement result, and the second signal is used by the terminal device to acquire a second measurement result; the first signal is sent; at least one of the second signals is sent; wherein the first measurement result and the second measurement result are used to determine the location information of the terminal device.

[0375] The communication unit 1210 can be used to send at least one of the first signal and the second signal to the terminal device; wherein the first measurement result and the second measurement result are used to determine the location of the terminal device.

[0376] In some embodiments, the time interval between the time domain position of the first signal and the time domain position of the second signal is less than or equal to a first threshold, or the time domain position of the first signal is adjacent to the time domain position of the second signal.

[0377] In some embodiments, the first signal includes a first reference signal and first information. The first reference signal is used to acquire the first measurement result. The first information includes one or more of the following: ephemeris information associated with a first network device; error calibration information associated with the first network device; ephemeris information associated with a second network device; error calibration information associated with the second network device; or synchronization information between the first network device and the second network device. Wherein, the first network device is a serving network device of the terminal device, and the second network device is a network device adjacent to the first network device.

[0378] In some embodiments, the synchronization information is used for the terminal device to receive the first signal from the second network device, and / or to receive at least one of the second signals from the second network device.

[0379] In some embodiments, the first signal includes configuration information of a first reference signal and a second signal, wherein the first reference signal is used to acquire the first measurement result.

[0380] In some embodiments, the first signal and the second information do not overlap in the frequency domain, or the first signal and the second information do not overlap in the time domain; wherein the second information is one or more of the following: data, control information, or a second reference signal.

[0381] In some embodiments, the first resource is used to transmit the first signal, the bandwidth of the first resource is less than the first communication bandwidth, and the first communication bandwidth is used for information transmission between the terminal device and the first network device.

[0382] In some embodiments, the second signal and the third information do not overlap in the time domain, and the third information is information transmitted between the terminal device and the first network device; wherein, the third information is one or more of the following: data, control information, or a third reference signal.

[0383] In some embodiments, the second signal includes a plurality of signals, which are transmitted using a frequency hopping method.

[0384] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1210 is further configured to: send fourth information, the fourth information being used to indicate the frequency hopping pattern corresponding to the second signal.

[0385] In some embodiments, the fourth information is carried in downlink control information (DCI).

[0386] In some embodiments, the first signal is transmitted with a first period and the second signal is transmitted with a second period, wherein the first period and the second period are the same, or the first period is less than the second period.

[0387] In some embodiments, the first measurement result includes one or more of the following: Doppler measurement result, frequency measurement result, time delay measurement result, distance measurement result, or phase measurement result; the second measurement result includes one or more of the following: Doppler measurement result, frequency measurement result, time delay measurement result, distance measurement result, or phase measurement result.

[0388] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1210 is further configured to: receive the number of network devices within the line of sight sent by the terminal device. The first network device can determine the location configuration information to be sent to the terminal device, such as first configuration information, based on the number of network devices within the line of sight reported by the terminal device. The first configuration information may include first signal configuration information and / or second signal configuration information.

[0389] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1210 is further configured to: receive capability information of the terminal device sent by the terminal device. The first network device can determine first configuration information based on the capability information reported by the terminal device.

[0390] In some embodiments, the processing unit 1220 is further configured to: determine first configuration information to be sent to the terminal device based on the usage scenario of the terminal device, the capability information of the terminal device, etc.

[0391] For details regarding the steps or processes executed by each unit in the communication device 1200, please refer to the descriptions in the corresponding methods; they will not be elaborated here.

[0392] It should be understood that the "unit" in the communication device 1200 can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. For example, the "unit" can refer to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), electronic circuitry, a processor (e.g., a shared processor, a proprietary processor, or a group processor, etc.) and memory for executing one or more software or firmware programs, combined logic circuitry, and / or other suitable components supporting the described functions. Furthermore, the communication unit 1210 can be replaced by a transceiver circuit (e.g., it may include receiving and transmitting circuitry), and the processing unit 1220 can be replaced by a processor or processing circuitry.

[0393] As mentioned earlier, the communication method provided in this application embodiment can be implemented by a chip inside the terminal device. Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip inside a terminal device provided in this application embodiment.

[0394] The chip shown in Figure 13 can be composed of a baseband subsystem 1310, a radio frequency subsystem 1320, a power management subsystem 1330, and peripherals (storage, external interface) 1340.

[0395] Among them, the baseband subsystem 1310 can be responsible for application layer processing, external interface and other functions, and layer 3 (L3) / layer 2 (L2) / layer 1 (L1) communication protocol processing.

[0396] The radio frequency subsystem 1320 can convert spatial electromagnetic waves into electrical signals and perform amplification, filtering and other functions through the radio frequency front end and antenna to achieve excellent coverage. In addition, the radio frequency subsystem 1320 can also be connected to the baseband to complete the frequency conversion and nonlinear distortion correction of analog signals.

[0397] The power management subsystem 1330 can provide power management functions for communication baseband chips.

[0398] In some embodiments, the chip shown in FIG13 may include a high-layer protocol processor, a physical layer protocol processor, and a baseband hardware processor.

[0399] The high-level protocol processor can be used to implement high-level protocol (L2 / L3) processing, support encoding and decoding functions, and support standard air interface encryption and decryption, integrity protection algorithms, etc.

[0400] The physical layer protocol processor can be used to implement physical layer processing, including downlink network search, time-frequency tracking, measurement, channel estimation, demodulation and decoding, and uplink coding, modulation and time-frequency offset adjustment.

[0401] The baseband hardware processor can be used to perform secure booting and startup of the baseband system, as well as protocol layer processing (L1 / L2 / L3), etc.

[0402] The communication method provided in this application includes functional modules such as a higher-layer protocol processor and a physical-layer protocol processor, comprising related hardware and software modules. Specific execution steps can be found in the preceding method embodiments; for brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0403] Figure 14 shows a schematic block diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. This communication device 1400 can be a terminal device / network device, or a chip, chip system, or processor, etc., in the terminal device / network device that implements the above-described methods. This device can be used to implement the methods described in the above-described method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above-described method embodiments.

[0404] The communication device 1400 may include one or more processors 1410, which may also be referred to as processing units, and can implement certain control functions. The processor 1410 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device, execute software programs, and process data from the software programs.

[0405] In an alternative design, the processor 1410 may also store instructions and / or data that can be executed by the processor 1410 to cause the communication device 1400 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments.

[0406] In another alternative design, the communication device 1400 may include a communication interface 1420 for implementing receiving and transmitting functions. For example, the communication interface 1420 may be a transceiver circuit, interface, interface circuit, or transceiver. The transceiver circuit, interface, interface circuit, or transceiver for implementing receiving and transmitting functions may be separate or integrated. The aforementioned transceiver circuit, interface, interface circuit, or transceiver may be used for reading and writing code / data, or it may be used for transmitting or relaying signals.

[0407] Optionally, the communication device 1400 may include one or more memories 1430, which may store instructions that can be executed on the processor 1410, causing the communication device 1400 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments. Optionally, the memories 1430 may also store data. Optionally, the processor 1410 may also store instructions and / or data. The processor 1410 and the memories 1430 may be provided separately or integrated together.

[0408] It should be understood that, in one possible design, the steps in the method embodiments provided in this application can be implemented by integrated logic circuits in the processor's hardware or by instructions in software form. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly implemented by a hardware processor, or implemented by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor. The software modules can reside in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. This storage medium is located in memory, and the processor reads information from the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above method. To avoid repetition, detailed descriptions are not provided here.

[0409] It should be noted that the processor in the embodiments of this application can be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, each step of the above method embodiments can be completed by the integrated logic circuitry in the processor's hardware or by instructions in software form. The processor can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. It can implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware decoding processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules can be located in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. This storage medium is located in memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above methods.

[0410] It is understood that the memory in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory used in the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0411] This application also provides a computer program product, which includes computer program code. When the computer program code is run on a computer, it causes the computer to execute the various steps or processes executed by the terminal device / network device in any of the above method embodiments.

[0412] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing program code that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to execute the various steps or processes performed by the terminal device / network device in any of the above method embodiments.

[0413] This application also provides a communication device, including a processor and an interface, the interface being used to send and / or receive signals, causing the processor to execute the various steps or processes executed by the terminal device / network device in any of the above method embodiments.

[0414] The above-described device and method embodiments are completely corresponding, with corresponding modules or units performing corresponding steps. For example, a communication unit or communication interface performs the receiving or sending steps in the method embodiment, while other steps besides sending and receiving can be performed by a processing unit or processor.

[0415] In the embodiments of this application, the terms and English abbreviations are exemplary examples given for ease of description and should not be construed as limiting the application in any way. The embodiments of this application do not preclude the possibility of defining other terms that can achieve the same or similar functions in existing or future agreements.

[0416] As used in this specification, the terms "component," "module," "system," etc., are used to refer to computer-related entities, hardware, firmware, combinations of hardware and software, software, or software in execution. For example, a component can be, but is not limited to, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable file, an execution thread, a program, and / or a computer. As illustrated, applications running on computing devices and computing devices can both be components. One or more components may reside in a process and / or an execution thread, and components may be located on a single computer and / or distributed among two or more computers. Furthermore, these components can be executed from various computer-readable storage media on which various data structures are stored. Components can communicate, for example, via local and / or remote processes based on signals having one or more data packets (e.g., data from two components interacting with another component between a local system, a distributed system, and / or a network, such as the Internet interacting with other systems via signals).

[0417] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementations should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0418] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be based on the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0419] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0420] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0421] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0422] In the above embodiments, the functions of each functional unit can be implemented entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions (programs). When the computer program instructions (programs) are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., DVDs), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks, SSDs), etc.

[0423] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, essentially or in other words, the parts that contribute to the prior art, or parts of the technical solutions, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0424] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: receiving at least one of a first signal and a second signal; obtaining a first measurement result based on the first signal; obtaining a second measurement result based on at least one of the second signal; wherein the first measurement result and the second measurement result are used to determine position information of a terminal device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, A time interval between a time domain position of the first signal and a time domain position of the second signal is less than or equal to a first threshold, or the time domain position of the first signal is adjacent to the time domain position of the second signal.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first signal comprises a first reference signal and first information, the first reference signal is used to obtain the first measurement result, and the first information comprises one or more of the following: ephemeris information associated with a first network device; error calibration information associated with the first network device; ephemeris information associated with a second network device; error calibration information associated with the second network device; or synchronization information between the first network device and the second network device; wherein the first network device is a serving network device of the terminal device, and the second network device is a network device adjacent to the first network device.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The synchronization information is used for the terminal device to receive at least one of the first signal from the second network device and the second signal from the second network device.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The first signal comprises a first reference signal and configuration information of the second signal, and the first reference signal is used to obtain the first measurement result.

6. The method of any one of claims 1-5, wherein: the first signal and second information do not overlap in the frequency domain, or the first signal and the second information do not overlap in the time domain; wherein the second information is one or more of the following: data, control information, or a second reference signal.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, A first resource is used to transmit the first signal, and a bandwidth of the first resource is less than a first communication bandwidth, and the first communication bandwidth is used for information transmission between the terminal device and a first network device.

8. The method of any one of claims 1-7, wherein: the second signal and third information do not overlap in the time domain, and the third information is information transmitted between the terminal device and the first network device; wherein the third information is one or more of the following: data, control information, or a third reference signal.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The second signal comprises a plurality of signals, and the plurality of signals are transmitted in a frequency hopping manner.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving fourth information, the fourth information being used to indicate a frequency hopping pattern corresponding to the second signal.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The fourth information is carried in downlink control information (DCI).

12. The method according to any one of claims 1-11, characterized in that, The first signal is transmitted at a first period, and the second signal is transmitted at a second period, wherein the first period and the second period are the same, or the first period is less than the second period.

13. The method of any one of claims 1-12, wherein: The first measurement result comprises one or more of the following: a Doppler measurement result, a frequency measurement result, a time delay measurement result, a distance measurement result, or a phase measurement result. The second measurement result comprises one or more of the following: a Doppler measurement result, a frequency measurement result, a time delay measurement result, a distance measurement result, or a phase measurement result.

14. A communication method, comprising: Comprise: determining a first signal and a second signal, the first signal being used by a terminal device to obtain a first measurement result, and the second signal being used by the terminal device to obtain a second measurement result; transmitting the first signal; transmitting at least one of the second signals; wherein the first measurement result and the second measurement result are used to determine position information of the terminal device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, A time interval between a time domain position of the first signal and a time domain position of the second signal is less than or equal to a first threshold, or the time domain position of the first signal is adjacent to the time domain position of the second signal.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that The first signal comprises a first reference signal and first information, the first reference signal being used to obtain the first measurement result, and the first information comprising one or more of the following: ephemeris information associated with the first network device; error calibration information associated with the first network device; ephemeris information associated with the second network device; error calibration information associated with the second network device; or synchronization information between the first network device and the second network device; wherein the first network device is a serving network device of the terminal device, and the second network device is a network device adjacent to the first network device.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein, The synchronization information is used by the terminal device to receive the first signal from the second network device, and / or to receive at least one of the second signals from the second network device.

18. The method according to any one of claims 14-17, characterized by, The first signal comprises a first reference signal and configuration information of the second signal, the first reference signal being used to obtain the first measurement result.

19. The method of any one of claims 14-18, wherein: the first signal and second information do not have an overlapping part in the frequency domain, or the first signal and the second information do not have an overlapping part in the time domain; wherein the second information is one or more of the following: data, control information, or a second reference signal.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein, A first resource is used to transmit the first signal, a bandwidth of the first resource being less than a first communication bandwidth, the first communication bandwidth being used for information transmission between the terminal device and a first network device.

21. The method of any one of claims 14-20, wherein: the second signal and third information do not have an overlapping part in the time domain, the third information being information transmitted between the terminal device and a first network device; wherein the first network device is a serving network device of the terminal device, and the third information is one or more of the following: data, control information, or a third reference signal.

22. The method of any one of claims 14-21, wherein, The second signal comprises a plurality of signals, the plurality of signals being transmitted in a frequency hopping manner.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein, The method further comprises: transmit fourth information, the fourth information being used for indicating a frequency hopping pattern corresponding to the second signal.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein, The fourth information is carried in a downlink control information (DCI).

25. The method of any one of claims 14-24, wherein, The first signal is transmitted with a first period, and the second signal is transmitted with a second period, wherein the first period is the same as the second period, or the first period is smaller than the second period.

26. The method of any one of claims 14-25, wherein, the first measurement result comprises one or more of a Doppler measurement result, a frequency measurement result, a time delay measurement result, a distance measurement result, or a phase measurement result; the second measurement result comprises one or more of a Doppler measurement result, a frequency measurement result, a time delay measurement result, a distance measurement result, or a phase measurement result.

27. A communications device, characterized by A computer program product including a computer readable medium bearing computer program code embodied therein for use with a computer.

28. A communications device, characterized by A processor coupled to a memory storing programming or instructions for execution by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform the method of any one of claims 1-26.

29. A readable storage medium, on which a computer program or instructions are stored, characterized in that, The computer program or instructions, when executed, cause the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1-26.

30. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program instructions cause the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1-26.

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