Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of communications, and discloses a communication method and apparatus. The method comprises: a first device receives first information sent by a second device by means of a satellite network device, wherein the first information is related to satellite beam coverage information of the second device; the first device determines, on the basis of the first information, a transmission resource for sending data to the second device. The present application enables SL communication to be more stably performed between different terminal devices in satellite coverage scenarios, thereby improving transmission quality.

Description

Communication method and apparatus

[0001] The present application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202411057731.X, filed on August 01, 2024, and entitled "Communication method and apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0003] Device-to-device (D2D) communication technology is a technology for direct communication between two user equipment (UE) or multiple UEs, which can directly communicate with or without network infrastructure, can reduce the burden of cellular network, reduce the battery power consumption of user equipment, improve data rate, and can well meet the demand of proximity service. For example, common D2D devices can include Bluetooth, wifi-direct, etc. In D2D communication, PC5 interface or Uu interface can be used for communication. The link between UE and UE for direct communication through PC5 interface can be defined as sidelink (SL), and the communication of PC5 interface is also called SL communication.

[0004] Currently, the direct communication distance of SL communication is relatively short. With the assistance of satellite, the application range of SL communication can be expanded, and UE direct communication with low protocol overhead can be realized.

[0005] However, in the scenario of satellite-assisted SL communication, the beam coverage of the satellite base station to the UE can be discontinuous coverage, and the current SL communication method cannot be directly applied to this scenario. SUMMARY

[0006] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus, which can consider the spatial resource of terminal equipment for the scenario of satellite-assisted direct SL communication, and support the communication between terminal equipments in the scenario of satellite-assisted SL communication.

[0007] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a first device, and the method comprises: receiving first information sent by a second device through a satellite network device, the first information being related to satellite beam coverage information of the second device; and determining a transmission resource for sending data to the second device according to the first information.

[0008] Exemplarily, the method can be executed by a communication apparatus, which can be the first device or an apparatus (for example, a chip) built in the first device.

[0009] The communication method can enable different terminal devices in a satellite coverage scenario to more stably perform SL communication and improve transmission quality.

[0010] In an implementation manner, the method further includes: sending, by the satellite network device, a first request message to the second device, the first request message being used to request to establish a connection between the first device and the second device.

[0011] The receiving of the first information sent by the satellite network device by the second device includes: receiving a first response message sent by the second device through the satellite network device, the first response message including the first information, and the first response message being used to indicate that the second device accepts to establish a connection between the first device and the second device.

[0012] In the implementation manner, the first device can send a first request message to the second device through the satellite network device to request to establish a connection between the first device and the second device. The second device can return a first response message to the first device through the satellite network device, and the first response message can carry the first information, that is, the first information can be sent to the first device through the first response message.

[0013] Optionally, the first request message includes second information, and the second information is related to satellite beam coverage information of the first device.

[0014] Exemplarily, when sending a request to establish a connection to the second device, the first device can also send second information related to satellite beam coverage information of the first device to the second device, which is used for the second device to subsequently determine transmission resources such as time for sending data to the first device according to the second information. The principle is similar to that of the first device sending data to the second device, and is not described herein again.

[0015] Optionally, a length of a timer used to determine whether the first request message fails to request is not less than a first time length, and the first time length is a time length of all wave positions in a beam scanning coverage area of the satellite network device.

[0016] Optionally, the first information includes position-related information of the second device and / or satellite beam coverage information of the second device, and the position-related information of the second device is used to determine the satellite beam coverage information of the second device.

[0017] For example, the location association information of the second device includes: the wave position information and / or coordinate information of the first device.

[0018] Optionally, the satellite beam coverage information of the second device includes identification information of the satellites that provide beam coverage for the second device.

[0019] For example, the satellites covering the first device and the second device may be the same or different. By carrying the identification information of the satellite providing beam coverage for the second device in the satellite beam coverage information of the second device, direct communication between terminal devices supporting cross-satellite connections can be achieved.

[0020] In another implementation, receiving the first information sent by the second device through the satellite network device includes: receiving a second request message sent by the second device through the satellite network device, the second request message including the first information, and the second request message being used to request the establishment of a connection with the first device.

[0021] The method further includes: sending a second response message to the second device through the satellite network device, the second response message being used to instruct the first device to accept the establishment of a connection with the second device.

[0022] In this implementation, the second device can also send a request message to the first device to request the establishment of a connection with the first device. The first device can then return a response message to the second device. The second device can send the aforementioned first information to the first device through this request message; that is, the request message can carry the first information.

[0023] Secondly, this application provides a communication device that has the function of implementing the method described in the first aspect. The function can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The device includes one or more units or modules for implementing the function of the method described in the first aspect, such as a transceiver unit, a processing unit, etc.

[0024] For example, in one possible design, the apparatus described in the second aspect can be applied to a first device, which can refer to the apparatus described in the first aspect.

[0025] The transceiver unit is used to receive first information sent by the second device through the satellite network device, wherein the first information is related to the satellite beam coverage information of the second device.

[0026] The processing unit is configured to determine the transmission resources for sending data to the second device based on the first information.

[0027] In one implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to send a first request message to the second device via the satellite network device, the first request message being used to request the establishment of a connection with the second device.

[0028] The transceiver unit is specifically used to receive a first response message sent by the second device through the satellite network device. The first response message includes the first information and is used to instruct the second device to accept the establishment of a connection with the first device.

[0029] Optionally, the first request message includes second information; the second information is related to the satellite beam coverage information of the first device.

[0030] Optionally, the timer used to determine whether the first request message has failed has a length not less than a first duration, where the first duration is the duration of all beams within the coverage area of ​​the satellite network device's beam scan.

[0031] Optionally, the first information includes: the location association information of the second device, and / or the satellite beam coverage information of the second device; the location association information of the second device is used to determine the satellite beam coverage information of the second device.

[0032] Optionally, the satellite beam coverage information of the second device includes identification information of the satellites that provide beam coverage for the second device.

[0033] In another implementation, the transceiver unit is specifically used to receive a second request message sent by the second device through the satellite network device. The second request message includes the first information and is used to request the establishment of a connection with the first device.

[0034] The transceiver unit is also configured to send a second response message to the second device via the satellite network device, the second response message being used to instruct the first device to accept the establishment of a connection with the second device.

[0035] Thirdly, this application also provides a communication device, comprising: a processor for executing computer instructions, wherein when the computer instructions are executed, the device performs the method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect. Optionally, the communication device further comprises a memory storing the computer instructions.

[0036] Fourthly, this application also provides a communication device, comprising: a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the processor is configured to communicate with other devices via the interface circuit and to execute the methods described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect.

[0037] For example, in the third and fourth aspects, the processor is configured to perform the method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect.

[0038] The communication device described in any of the second to fourth aspects above may be a first device or a device (e.g., a chip) built into the first device.

[0039] Fifthly, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, comprising: computer software instructions; which, when executed, cause the method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect to be implemented. For example, when the computer software instructions are executed in a first device or a means (e.g., a chip) embedded in the first device, they cause the first device to implement the method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect.

[0040] Understandably, the beneficial effects that any of the second to fifth aspects provided above can achieve can be referenced to the beneficial effects of the first aspect and any of its possible designs, which will not be repeated here.

[0041] In a sixth aspect, this application provides a communication method applied to a second device, the method comprising: sending first information to a first device via a satellite network device, the first information being related to satellite beam coverage information of the second device, the first information being used by the first device to determine transmission resources for sending data to the second device.

[0042] For example, the method can be performed by a communication device, which can be a second device or a device built into the second device (e.g., a chip).

[0043] The specific implementation and effects of the communication method provided in the sixth aspect can be referred to the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0044] In a seventh aspect, this application provides a communication device that has the function of implementing the method described in the sixth aspect above. The function can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The device includes one or more units or modules for implementing the function of the method described in the sixth aspect above, such as a transceiver unit, a processing unit, etc.

[0045] For example, in one possible design, the apparatus described in the seventh aspect can be applied to a second device, which can refer to the one described in the sixth aspect.

[0046] The transceiver unit is used to send first information to the first device via a satellite network device. The first information is related to the satellite beam coverage information of the second device. The first information is used by the first device to determine the transmission resources for sending data to the second device.

[0047] The processing unit is used to process data.

[0048] Eighthly, this application also provides a communication device, comprising: a processor for executing computer instructions, which, when executed, cause the device to perform the method described in the sixth aspect or any possible design of the sixth aspect. Optionally, the communication device further comprises a memory storing the computer instructions.

[0049] Ninthly, this application also provides a communication device, comprising: a processor and an interface circuit, the processor being configured to communicate with other devices via the interface circuit and to perform the methods described in the sixth aspect or any possible design of the sixth aspect.

[0050] For example, in the eighth and ninth aspects, the processor is configured to perform the method described in the sixth aspect or any possible design of the sixth aspect.

[0051] The communication device described in any of the seventh to ninth aspects above may be a second device or a device (e.g., a chip) built into a second device.

[0052] In a tenth aspect, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, comprising: computer software instructions; which, when executed, cause the method described in the sixth aspect or any possible design of the sixth aspect to be implemented. For example, when the computer software instructions are executed in a second device or a means (e.g., a chip) embedded in the second device, they cause the second device to implement the method described in the sixth aspect or any possible design of the sixth aspect.

[0053] Understandably, the beneficial effects that can be achieved by any of the seventh to tenth aspects provided above can be referred to the beneficial effects of the sixth aspect and any of its possible designs, which will not be repeated here.

[0054] Eleventhly, this application provides a communication method applied to a first device, the method comprising: sending third information to a satellite network device, the third information being used to indicate location association information of a second device; receiving fourth information sent by the satellite network device based on the third information, the fourth information being related to satellite beam coverage information of the second device; and determining transmission resources for sending data to the second device based on the fourth information.

[0055] For example, the method can be performed by a communication device, which can be a first device or a device (e.g., a chip) built into the first device.

[0056] In this communication method, the fourth piece of information is related to the satellite beam coverage information of the second device. The first device can determine the transmission resources for sending data to the second device based on the fourth piece of information and the satellite beam coverage information of the second device. This allows the first and second devices to conduct SL communication more stably in satellite coverage scenarios, improving transmission quality. In other words, this communication method enables more stable SL communication between different terminal devices in satellite coverage scenarios, improving transmission quality.

[0057] Optionally, the fourth information is used to indicate the time offset of the first transmission resource, and / or to indicate the satellite beam coverage information of the second device, wherein the time offset is determined by the satellite network device based on the satellite beam coverage information of the second device, and the first transmission resource is used to send data to be transmitted to the second device.

[0058] In one possible implementation, sending the third information to the satellite network device includes: sending a cache status report to the satellite network device, the cache status report including the third information, and the cache status report indicating the amount of data to be transmitted.

[0059] For example, the first device may send a BSR to the satellite base station to indicate the amount of data to be transmitted; the BSR also further indicates the target area associated with the data to be transmitted, i.e., the location association information of the second device.

[0060] In another possible implementation, sending the third information to the satellite network device includes sending a radio resource control message to the satellite network device, the radio resource control message including the third information.

[0061] For example, the first device can send an RRC message to the satellite base station, which carries the aforementioned third information. For example, the RRC message could be "SidelinkUEInformationNR".

[0062] In another possible implementation, the third information is a scheduling request message, used to associate the time-frequency resources carrying the scheduling request message with the first beam region; the third information indicates the location association information of the second device, including: indicating the location association information of the second device as the first beam region through the time-frequency resources carrying the scheduling request message.

[0063] This implementation method can easily support SL communication between different devices in satellite scenarios.

[0064] In another possible implementation, the third information is a random access request message, and the transmission opportunity corresponding to the random access request message is associated with the first beam region; the third information indicates the location association information of the second device, including: indicating the location association information of the second device as the first beam region through the transmission opportunity corresponding to the random access request message.

[0065] This implementation can also easily support SL communication between different devices in satellite scenarios.

[0066] Optionally, receiving the fourth information sent by the satellite network device based on the third information includes: receiving downlink control information sent by the satellite network device, wherein the downlink control information includes the fourth information.

[0067] In a twelfth aspect, this application provides a communication device that has the function of implementing the method described in the eleventh aspect above. The function can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The device includes one or more units or modules for implementing the function of the method described in the eleventh aspect above, such as a transceiver unit, a processing unit, etc.

[0068] For example, in one possible design, the apparatus described in the twelfth aspect can be applied to a first device, which can refer to the apparatus described in the eleventh aspect.

[0069] The transceiver unit is configured to send third information to the satellite network device, the third information being used to indicate the location association information of the second device; and to receive fourth information sent by the satellite network device based on the third information, the fourth information being related to the satellite beam coverage information of the second device.

[0070] The processing unit is configured to determine the transmission resources for sending data to the second device based on the fourth information.

[0071] Optionally, the fourth information is used to indicate the time offset of the first transmission resource, and / or to indicate the satellite beam coverage information of the second device, wherein the time offset is determined by the satellite network device based on the satellite beam coverage information of the second device, and the first transmission resource is used to send data to be transmitted to the second device.

[0072] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is specifically used to send a cache status report to the satellite network equipment. The cache status report includes the third information and is used to indicate the amount of data to be transmitted.

[0073] In another possible implementation, the transceiver unit is specifically used to send a radio resource control message to a satellite network device, the radio resource control message including the third information.

[0074] In another possible implementation, the third information is a scheduling request message, used to associate the time-frequency resources carrying the scheduling request message with the first beam region; the third information indicates the location association information of the second device, including: indicating the location association information of the second device as the first beam region through the time-frequency resources carrying the scheduling request message.

[0075] In another possible implementation, the third information is a random access request message, and the transmission opportunity corresponding to the random access request message is associated with the first beam region; the third information indicates the location association information of the second device, including: indicating the location association information of the second device as the first beam region through the transmission opportunity corresponding to the random access request message.

[0076] Optionally, the transceiver unit is specifically used to receive downlink control information sent by the satellite network device, the downlink control information including the fourth information.

[0077] In a thirteenth aspect, this application also provides a communication device, comprising: a processor configured to execute computer instructions, which, when executed, cause the device to perform the method described in the eleventh aspect or any possible design of the eleventh aspect. Optionally, the communication device further comprises a memory storing the computer instructions.

[0078] In a fourteenth aspect, this application also provides a communication device, comprising: a processor and an interface circuit, the processor being configured to communicate with other devices via the interface circuit and to execute the method described in the eleventh aspect or any possible design of the eleventh aspect.

[0079] For example, in the thirteenth and fourteenth aspects, the processor is configured to perform the method described in the eleventh aspect or any possible design of the eleventh aspect.

[0080] The communication device described in any one of the twelfth to fourteenth aspects above may be a first device or a device (e.g., a chip) built into the first device.

[0081] In a fifteenth aspect, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, comprising: computer software instructions; which, when executed, cause the method described in the eleventh aspect or any possible design of the eleventh aspect to be implemented. For example, when the computer software instructions are executed in a first device or a means (e.g., a chip) embedded in the first device, they cause the first device to implement the method described in the eleventh aspect or any possible design of the eleventh aspect.

[0082] Understandably, the beneficial effects that can be achieved by any of the twelfth to fifteenth aspects provided above can be referred to the beneficial effects of the eleventh aspect and any of its possible designs, which will not be repeated here.

[0083] In a sixteenth aspect, this application provides a communication method applied to a satellite network device, the method comprising: receiving third information from a first device, the third information being used to indicate location association information of a second device; and sending fourth information to the first device based on the third information, the fourth information being related to satellite beam coverage information of the second device, the fourth information being used by the first device to determine transmission resources for sending data to the second device.

[0084] For example, the method can be performed by a communication device, which may be a satellite network device or a device (e.g., a chip) built into the satellite network device.

[0085] The specific implementation and effects of the communication method provided in the sixteenth aspect can be found in the eleventh aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0086] In a seventeenth aspect, this application provides a communication device that has the function of implementing the method described in the sixteenth aspect. The function can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The device includes one or more units or modules for implementing the function of the method described in the sixteenth aspect, such as a transceiver unit, a processing unit, etc.

[0087] For example, in one possible design, the apparatus described in the seventeenth aspect can be applied to a satellite network device, which may refer to the one described in the sixteenth aspect.

[0088] The transceiver unit is configured to receive third information from a first device, the third information being used to indicate the location association information of a second device; and to send fourth information to the first device based on the third information, the fourth information being related to the satellite beam coverage information of the second device, the fourth information being used by the first device to determine the transmission resources for sending data to the second device.

[0089] The processing unit is used to process data.

[0090] In an eighteenth aspect, this application also provides a communication device, comprising: a processor configured to execute computer instructions, which, when executed, cause the device to perform the method described in the sixteenth aspect or any possible design of the sixteenth aspect. Optionally, the communication device further comprises a memory storing the computer instructions.

[0091] In a nineteenth aspect, this application also provides a communication device, comprising: a processor and an interface circuit, the processor being configured to communicate with other devices via the interface circuit and to perform the method described in the sixteenth aspect or any possible design of the sixteenth aspect.

[0092] For example, in the eighteenth and nineteenth aspects, the processor is configured to perform the method described in the sixteenth aspect or any possible design of the sixteenth aspect.

[0093] The communication device described in any one of the seventeenth to nineteenth aspects above may be a satellite network device or a device (e.g., a chip) built into a satellite network device.

[0094] In a twentieth aspect, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, comprising: computer software instructions; when the computer software instructions are executed, causing the method described in the sixteenth aspect or any possible design of the sixteenth aspect to be implemented. For example, when the computer software instructions are executed in a satellite network device or a means (e.g., a chip) embedded in the satellite network device, causing the satellite network device to implement the method described in the sixteenth aspect or any possible design of the sixteenth aspect.

[0095] Understandably, the beneficial effects that can be achieved by any of the seventeenth to twentieth aspects provided above can be referred to the beneficial effects of the sixteenth aspect and any of its possible designs, which will not be repeated here.

[0096] In a twentieth aspect, this application provides a communication method applied to a satellite network device. The method includes: receiving first side-link scheduling information from a first device, wherein first-level side-link scheduling information of the first side-link scheduling information indicates or carries location association information of a second device, and the first side-link scheduling information is used to schedule the second device to receive data; generating first-level side-link scheduling information of a second side-link scheduling information based on the location association information of the second device, wherein the location association information of the second device is used to determine satellite beam coverage information of the second device, and the first-level side-link scheduling information of the second side-link scheduling information is used to instruct the second device to receive data on a first time-frequency resource; generating the second side-link scheduling information based on the first-level side-link scheduling information of the second side-link scheduling information and the second-level side-link scheduling information of the first side-link scheduling information; and sending the second side-link scheduling information to the second device.

[0097] For example, the method can be performed by a communication device, which may be a satellite network device or a device (e.g., a chip) built into the satellite network device.

[0098] In this communication method, the first device can receive side-going signals transmitted by satellite network equipment, and the fifth information can be side-going scheduling information of other devices included in the side-going signals. Based on the side-going scheduling information of other devices, the first device can determine the reservable time-frequency resources within the beam area where the second device is located, and thus determine the transmission resources for sending data to the second device. This enables the first and second devices to conduct SL communication more stably in satellite coverage scenarios, improving transmission quality. In other words, this communication method enables more stable SL communication between different terminal devices in satellite coverage scenarios, improving transmission quality.

[0099] In a twentieth aspect, this application provides a communication device that has the function of implementing the method described in aspect twenty-one. The function can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The device includes one or more units or modules for implementing the function of the method described in aspect twenty-one, such as a transceiver unit, a processing unit, etc.

[0100] For example, in one possible design, the apparatus described in aspect 22 can be applied to a satellite network device, which may refer to the one described in aspect 21.

[0101] The transceiver unit is used to receive first side-line scheduling information from the first device. The first level side-line scheduling information of the first side-line scheduling information indicates or carries the location association information of the second device. The first side-line scheduling information is used to schedule the second device to receive data.

[0102] The processing unit is configured to generate first-level side-row scheduling information of the second side-row scheduling information based on the location association information of the second device, wherein the location association information of the second device is used to determine the satellite beam coverage information of the second device, and the first-level side-row scheduling information of the second side-row scheduling information is used to instruct the second device to receive data on the first time-frequency resource; and generate the second side-row scheduling information based on the first-level side-row scheduling information of the second side-row scheduling information and the second-level side-row scheduling information of the first side-row scheduling information.

[0103] The transceiver unit is also used to send the second side-line scheduling information to the second device.

[0104] In a twentieth aspect, this application also provides a communication device, comprising: a processor configured to execute computer instructions, wherein when the computer instructions are executed, the device performs the method described in the twentieth aspect or any possible design of the twentieth aspect. Optionally, the communication device further comprises a memory storing the computer instructions.

[0105] In a twentieth aspect, this application also provides a communication device, comprising: a processor and an interface circuit, the processor being configured to communicate with other devices via the interface circuit and to perform the methods described in the twentieth aspect or any possible design of the twentieth aspect.

[0106] For example, in the twenty-third and twenty-fourth aspects, the processor is configured to perform the method described in the twenty-first aspect or any possible design of the twenty-first aspect.

[0107] The communication device described in any one of the twenty-second to twenty-fourth aspects above may be a satellite network device or a device (e.g., a chip) built into a satellite network device.

[0108] In a twenty-fifth aspect, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, comprising: computer software instructions; when the computer software instructions are executed, causing the method described in aspect twenty-one or any possible design of aspect twenty-one to be implemented. For example, when the computer software instructions are executed in a satellite network device or a means (e.g., a chip) embedded in the satellite network device, causing the satellite network device to implement the method described in aspect twenty-one or any possible design of aspect twenty-one.

[0109] Understandably, the beneficial effects that can be achieved by any of the twenty-second to twenty-fifth aspects provided above can be referenced to the beneficial effects of the twenty-first aspect and any of its possible designs, which will not be repeated here.

[0110] In a twentieth aspect, this application provides a communication method applied to a first device, the method comprising: sending first sideline scheduling information to a satellite network device, wherein first-level sideline scheduling information of the first sideline scheduling information indicates or carries location association information of a second device, and the first sideline scheduling information is used to schedule the second device to receive data.

[0111] For example, the method can be performed by a communication device, which can be a first device or a device (e.g., a chip) built into the first device.

[0112] The specific implementation and effects of the communication method provided in aspect 26 can be found in aspect 21, and will not be repeated here.

[0113] In a twentieth aspect, this application provides a communication device that performs the functions described in the twenty-sixth aspect above. The functions can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The device includes one or more units or modules for performing the functions of the method described in the twenty-sixth aspect above, such as a transceiver unit, a processing unit, etc.

[0114] For example, in one possible design, the apparatus described in the seventeenth aspect can be applied to a first device, which can refer to the apparatus described in the twenty-sixth aspect.

[0115] The transceiver unit is used to send first sideline scheduling information to the satellite network equipment. The first level sideline scheduling information of the first sideline scheduling information indicates or carries the location association information of the second device. The first sideline scheduling information is used to schedule the second device to receive data.

[0116] The processing unit is used to process data.

[0117] In a twenty-eighth aspect, this application also provides a communication device, comprising: a processor configured to execute computer instructions, wherein when the computer instructions are executed, the device performs the method described in the twenty-sixth aspect or any possible design of the twenty-sixth aspect. Optionally, the communication device further comprises a memory storing the computer instructions.

[0118] In a twentieth aspect, this application also provides a communication device, comprising: a processor and an interface circuit, the processor being configured to communicate with other devices via the interface circuit and to perform the method described in the twentieth aspect or any possible design of the twentieth aspect.

[0119] For example, in the twenty-eighth and twenty-ninth aspects, the processor is configured to perform the method described in the twenty-sixth aspect or any possible design of the twenty-sixth aspect.

[0120] The communication device described in any one of the twenty-seventh to twenty-ninth aspects above may be a first device or a device (e.g., a chip) built into the first device.

[0121] In a thirtieth aspect, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, comprising: computer software instructions; which, when executed, cause the method described in aspect twenty-six or any possible design of aspect twenty-six to be implemented. For example, when the computer software instructions are executed in a first device or a means (e.g., a chip) embedded in the first device, they cause the first device to implement the method described in aspect twenty-six or any possible design of aspect twenty-six.

[0122] Understandably, the beneficial effects that can be achieved by any of the twenty-seventh to thirtieth aspects provided above can be referred to the beneficial effects of the twenty-sixth aspect and any of its possible designs, which will not be repeated here.

[0123] In a thirty-first aspect, this application provides a communication method applied to a first device, the method comprising: receiving fifth information sent by a satellite network device, the fifth information indicating reservable time and frequency resources within a beam area where a second device is located, the reservable time and frequency resources within the beam area where the second device is located being related to satellite beam coverage information of the second device; and determining transmission resources for sending data to the second device based on the fifth information.

[0124] For example, the method can be performed by a communication device, which can be a first device or a device (e.g., a chip) built into the first device.

[0125] In this communication method, the satellite network device can receive side-going signals sent by other devices (including all terminal devices, including the first device and the second device). Taking devices 1 to N as an example, where N is an integer greater than 0, any device among devices 1 to N can send a side-going signal to a target device. The side-going signal can carry side-going scheduling information and side-going data. The satellite network device can receive these side-going signals. The satellite network device can transmit these side-going signals to at least one beam area, including the beam area where the first device is located. The first device can receive the side-going signals transmitted by the satellite network device. The fifth piece of information can be the side-going scheduling information of other devices included in the side-going signals. Based on the side-going scheduling information of other devices, the first device can determine the reservable time-frequency resources in the beam area where the second device is located, and then determine the transmission resources for sending data to the second device. This allows the first device and the second device to conduct SL communication more stably in satellite coverage scenarios, improving transmission quality. In other words, this communication method enables different terminal devices in satellite coverage scenarios to conduct SL communication more stably, improving transmission quality.

[0126] In one possible implementation, receiving the fifth information sent by the satellite network device includes: receiving a broadcast signal sent by the satellite network device to at least one beam area.

[0127] The at least one beam region includes the beam region where the first device is located, the broadcast signal includes the side-by-side scheduling information of other devices transmitted by the satellite network device, the fifth information is the side-by-side scheduling information of the other devices, the first level of the side-by-side scheduling information indicates or carries the location association information of the target device corresponding to the side-by-side scheduling information, the target device includes the second device, and the side-by-side scheduling information of the other devices is used to indicate the reservable time and frequency resources in the beam region where the second device is located.

[0128] In this implementation, the first device can obtain a direct link and conduct direct communication based on satellite-assisted sensing of available resources. It can be understood that in this implementation, the fifth piece of information indirectly indicates the satellite beam coverage information of the second device (or indirectly indicates the reservable time-frequency resources within the beam area where the second device is located). The first device can obtain the satellite beam coverage information of the second device, or in other words, obtain the reservable time-frequency resources, by analyzing the fifth piece of information.

[0129] In another possible implementation, the fifth information received by the satellite network device includes: receiving a broadcast signal sent by the satellite network device to at least one beam area.

[0130] The broadcast signal includes the fifth information, which is determined by the satellite network device based on the sideline scheduling information of other devices. The first-level sideline scheduling information of the sideline scheduling information indicates or carries the location association information of the target device corresponding to the sideline scheduling information, and the target device includes the second device.

[0131] In this implementation, the satellite network device can sense available resources, and the first device can obtain a direct link and conduct direct communication based on satellite-aided access to available resources broadcast by the satellite.

[0132] In a thirty-second aspect, this application provides a communication device that has the function of implementing the method described in aspect thirty-one. The function can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The device includes one or more units or modules for implementing the function of the method described in aspect thirty-one, such as a transceiver unit, a processing unit, etc.

[0133] For example, in one possible design, the apparatus described in aspect thirty-two can be applied to a first device, which can refer to the apparatus described in aspect thirty-one.

[0134] The transceiver unit is used to receive fifth information sent by the satellite network equipment. The fifth information is used to indicate the reservable time and frequency resources within the beam area where the second device is located. The reservable time and frequency resources within the beam area where the second device is located are related to the satellite beam coverage information of the second device.

[0135] The processing unit is configured to determine the transmission resources for sending data to the second device based on the fifth information.

[0136] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is specifically used to receive broadcast signals sent by the satellite network equipment to at least one beam area.

[0137] The at least one beam region includes the beam region where the first device is located, the broadcast signal includes the side-by-side scheduling information of other devices transmitted by the satellite network device, the fifth information is the side-by-side scheduling information of the other devices, the first level of the side-by-side scheduling information indicates or carries the location association information of the target device corresponding to the side-by-side scheduling information, the target device includes the second device, and the side-by-side scheduling information of the other devices is used to indicate the reservable time and frequency resources in the beam region where the second device is located.

[0138] In another possible implementation, the transceiver unit is specifically used to receive broadcast signals sent by the satellite network equipment to at least one beam area.

[0139] The broadcast signal includes the fifth information, which is determined by the satellite network device based on the sideline scheduling information of other devices. The first-level sideline scheduling information of the sideline scheduling information indicates or carries the location association information of the target device corresponding to the sideline scheduling information, and the target device includes the second device.

[0140] In a thirty-third aspect, this application also provides a communication device, comprising: a processor configured to execute computer instructions, wherein when the computer instructions are executed, the device performs the method described in aspect thirty-one or any possible design of aspect thirty-one. Optionally, the communication device further comprises a memory storing the computer instructions.

[0141] In a thirty-fourth aspect, this application also provides a communication device, comprising: a processor and an interface circuit, the processor being configured to communicate with other devices via the interface circuit and to perform the methods described in aspect thirty-one or any possible design of aspect thirty-one.

[0142] For example, in aspects 33 and 34, the processor is configured to perform the method described in aspect 31 or any possible design of aspect 31.

[0143] The communication device described in any one of the thirty-second to thirty-fourth aspects above may be a first device or a device (e.g., a chip) built into the first device.

[0144] In a thirty-fifth aspect, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, comprising: computer software instructions; which, when executed, cause the method described in aspect thirty-one or any possible design of aspect thirty-one to be implemented. For example, when the computer software instructions are executed in a first device or a means (e.g., a chip) embedded in the first device, they cause the first device to implement the method described in aspect thirty-one or any possible design of aspect thirty-one.

[0145] Understandably, the beneficial effects that can be achieved by any of the 32nd to 35th aspects provided above can be referred to the beneficial effects of the 31st aspect and any of its possible designs, which will not be repeated here.

[0146] In a thirty-sixth aspect, this application provides a communication method applied to a satellite network device, the method comprising: sending fifth information, the fifth information being used to indicate reservable time and frequency resources within a beam area where a second device is located, the reservable time and frequency resources within the beam area where the second device is located being related to satellite beam coverage information of the second device; the fifth information being used by a first device to determine transmission resources for sending data to the second device.

[0147] For example, the method can be performed by a communication device, which may be a satellite network device or a device (e.g., a chip) built into the satellite network device.

[0148] The specific implementation and effects of the communication method provided in aspect thirty-six can be found in aspect thirty-one, and will not be repeated here.

[0149] In a thirty-seventh aspect, this application provides a communication device that has the function of implementing the method described in the thirty-sixth aspect above. The function can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The device includes one or more units or modules for implementing the function of the method described in the sixteenth aspect above, such as a transceiver unit, a processing unit, etc.

[0150] For example, in one possible design, the apparatus described in aspect thirty-seven can be applied to a satellite network device, which may refer to the one described in aspect thirty-six.

[0151] The transceiver unit is used to send fifth information, which indicates the available time and frequency resources within the beam area where the second device is located. The available time and frequency resources within the beam area where the second device is located are related to the satellite beam coverage information of the second device. The fifth information is used by the first device to determine the transmission resources for sending data to the second device.

[0152] The processing unit is used to process data.

[0153] In a thirty-eighth aspect, this application also provides a communication device, comprising: a processor for executing computer instructions, wherein when the computer instructions are executed, the device performs the method described in aspect thirty-six or any possible design of aspect thirty-six. Optionally, the communication device further comprises a memory storing the computer instructions.

[0154] In a thirty-ninth aspect, this application also provides a communication device, comprising: a processor and an interface circuit, the processor being configured to communicate with other devices via the interface circuit and to perform the method described in the thirty-sixth aspect or any possible design of the thirty-sixth aspect.

[0155] For example, in the thirty-eighth and thirty-ninth aspects, the processor is configured to perform the method described in the thirty-sixth aspect or any possible design of the thirty-sixth aspect.

[0156] The communication device described in any one of the 37th to 39th aspects above may be a satellite network device or a device (e.g., a chip) built into a satellite network device.

[0157] In a fortieth aspect, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, comprising: computer software instructions; when the computer software instructions are executed, causing the method described in aspect thirty-six or any possible design of aspect thirty-six to be implemented. For example, when the computer software instructions are executed in a satellite network device or a means (e.g., a chip) embedded in the satellite network device, causing the satellite network device to implement the method described in aspect thirty-six or any possible design of aspect thirty-six.

[0158] Understandably, the beneficial effects that can be achieved by any of the above-mentioned aspects 37 to 40 can be referred to the beneficial effects of aspect 36 and any of its possible designs, which will not be repeated here.

[0159] In the forty-first aspect, this application also provides a computer program product that, when executed, can implement the method described in the first aspect and any possible design thereof, or the method described in the sixth aspect and any possible design thereof, or the method described in the eleventh aspect and any possible design thereof, or the method described in the sixteenth aspect and any possible design thereof, or the method described in the twenty-first aspect and any possible design thereof, or the method described in the twenty-sixth aspect and any possible design thereof, or the method described in the thirty-first aspect and any possible design thereof, or the method described in the thirty-sixth aspect and any possible design thereof.

[0160] In a forty-second aspect, this application also provides a chip system, the chip system including one or more interface circuits and one or more processors; the interface circuits and processors are interconnected via lines; the processor receives and executes computer instructions from the memory of an electronic device through the interface circuits to implement the method described in the first aspect and any possible design thereof, or the method described in the sixth aspect and any possible design thereof, or the method described in the eleventh aspect and any possible design thereof, or the method described in the sixteenth aspect and any possible design thereof, or the method described in the twenty-first aspect and any possible design thereof, or the method described in the twenty-sixth aspect and any possible design thereof, or the method described in the thirty-first aspect and any possible design thereof, or the method described in the thirty-sixth aspect and any possible design thereof.

[0161] In a forty-third aspect, this application also provides a system comprising: a satellite network device, a first device, and a second device; the first device performing side-by-side transmission with the second device via the satellite network device; to implement the methods described in the other aspects above. Attached Figure Description

[0162] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the composition of the communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0163] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the composition of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0164] Figure 3 shows a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0165] Figure 4 shows another flowchart of the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0166] Figure 5 shows another flowchart of the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0167] Figure 6 shows another schematic flowchart of the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0168] Figure 7 shows another schematic flowchart of the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0169] Figure 8 shows another schematic flowchart of the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0170] Figure 9 shows another schematic flowchart of the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0171] Figure 10 shows another composition / structure diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0172] Device-to-device (D2D) communication technology is a technology that enables direct communication between two or more user equipment (UEs). It allows for direct communication with or without network infrastructure, reducing the burden on cellular networks, decreasing battery power consumption of user equipment, increasing data rates, and effectively meeting the needs of proximity services. Common D2D devices include Bluetooth and Wi-Fi direct dialing.

[0173] In D2D communication, either the PC5 interface or the Uu interface can be used. The PC5 interface is a direct communication interface or air interface between UEs, enabling communication between the physical layer and data link layer without the need for relaying through base stations or network equipment. The Uu interface is a device-to-network interface that utilizes the core network and base station equipment of the communication system, enabling communication between the device and the network, and facilitating data transmission and management through the network.

[0174] From a link perspective, the links for communication between a UE and a base station can be defined as uplink and downlink. A UE can send data to the base station on the uplink, or receive data from the base station on the downlink. Links for direct communication between UEs via the PC5 interface can be defined as sidelinks (SL), and communication via the PC5 interface is also called SL communication.

[0175] For example, the Uu interface can be used for communication between the UE and the network to achieve functions such as network management and security authentication for the UE. SL communication can be used to realize application scenarios such as resource sharing and collaborative communication between neighboring devices. For example, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) and communication between smart terminals can use SL communication. V2X refers to communication between cars and other vehicles or devices that may affect cars, including vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) communication, and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication. Communication between smart terminals can include communication between mobile phones and wearable devices, communication between AR / VR headsets or glasses and smart screens, and communication between sensors.

[0176] In SL communication, a UE can use beamforming technology to send information to other UEs using the transmit beam, or receive information from other UEs using the receive beam. The information transmitted in SL communication can be called sideline information.

[0177] Currently, the direct communication distance of SL communication is relatively short. Utilizing satellites can expand the applicability of SL communication, enabling direct UE communication with low protocol overhead. For example, in satellite scenarios, the coverage area of ​​nodes is significantly expanded compared to terrestrial base stations, especially in areas where base stations cannot be deployed, such as oceans, deserts, and the air. Compared to traditional terrestrial networks, satellite communication offers advantages such as long communication distance, large coverage area, and flexible networking, providing services to both fixed terminals and various mobile terminals. Stronger coverage for UEs can be provided by deploying base stations or parts of their functions on high-altitude platforms or satellites. Furthermore, high-altitude platforms or satellites are less affected by natural disasters, improving the reliability of the communication system.

[0178] However, in satellite-assisted SL communication scenarios, the beam coverage of the satellite base station to the UE may be discontinuous, and the current SL communication method cannot be directly applied to this scenario.

[0179] Against this background, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that, for satellite-assisted direct-connection (SL) communication scenarios, considers the airspace resources of terminal devices and supports communication between terminal devices in satellite-assisted SL communication scenarios. Airspace resources can refer to beam resources covering the terminal devices. The method may include: a first device receiving first information, the first information being related to the satellite beam coverage information of a second device; the first device determining transmission resources for sending data to the second device based on the first information.

[0180] Among them, the first information is related to the satellite beam coverage information of the second device, taking into account the satellite beam coverage of the second device, that is, taking into account the airspace resources of the second device.

[0181] For example, FIG1 shows a schematic diagram of the composition of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication method can be applied to the communication system shown in FIG1. ​​As shown in FIG1, the communication system may include a terminal device 110 (hereinafter referred to as a terminal) and a satellite network device 120.

[0182] The terminal device 110 can also be referred to as user equipment (UE). Terminal device 110 can be a wireless terminal in industrial control, a smart home device (e.g., refrigerator, television, air conditioner, electricity meter, etc.), a smart robot, workshop equipment, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, or a wireless terminal in a smart home, a flying device (e.g., a smart robot, hot air balloon, drone, airplane), and other devices used for communication over wireless systems, such as other terminals in the Internet of Things (IoT) (e.g., water meters), etc.

[0183] Alternatively, terminal device 110 can also be a mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), or device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user, such as a mobile phone (“cellular” phone), mobile phone, computer, cordless phone, session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, wireless local loop (WLL) station, personal digital assistant (PDA), laptop computer, handheld communication device, handheld computing device, satellite wireless device, wireless modem card, set-top box (STB), customer premises equipment (CPE), wearable device (e.g., smartwatch, smart bracelet, pedometer, etc.), in-vehicle equipment (e.g., car, bicycle, electric vehicle, airplane, ship, train, high-speed rail, etc.), virtual reality (VR) device, augmented reality (AR) device, terminal in a 5G mobile communication system, or terminal in a future evolved network, etc.

[0184] This application does not impose any restrictions on the specific form or product shape of the terminal device 110.

[0185] Satellite network equipment 120 can be a satellite base station, such as a satellite with base station or partial base station functions. Taking a 5G communication system as an example, satellite network equipment 120 can be a 5G base station. Ground terminal equipment 110 can access the network through the 5G New Radio interface. The 5G base station is deployed on the satellite and connected to the ground core network through a wireless link, such as through a ground station 130. Simultaneously, wireless links exist between satellites to complete signaling interaction and user data transmission between base stations.

[0186] For example, satellite network equipment 120 can provide wireless access services, schedule wireless resources to access terminals, and provide reliable wireless transmission protocols and data encryption protocols, etc.

[0187] Referring to Figure 1, the 5G core network can include services such as user access control, mobility management, session management, user security authentication, and billing. It consists of multiple functional units, which can be divided into control plane and data plane functional entities. For example, the access and mobility management unit (AMF) is responsible for user access management, security authentication, and mobility management. The user plane unit (UPF) is responsible for managing user plane data transmission, traffic statistics, and other functions. The UPF can connect to the data network.

[0188] Ground station 130 can be responsible for forwarding signaling and service data between satellite base stations and the 5G core network.

[0189] 5G New Radio (NR) is the wireless link between the terminal and the base station. The Xn interface is the interface between 5G base stations, mainly used for signaling interactions such as handover. The NG interface is the interface between the 5G base station and the 5G core network, mainly used for exchanging core network signaling such as NAS and user service data.

[0190] Optionally, in this embodiment, the satellite base station or satellite network equipment is merely an example. The satellite network equipment can also be replaced with other possible access network equipment based on non-terrestrial networks (NTN). NTN is a general term for networks involving flying objects, including satellite communication networks, high altitude platform stations (HAPS), and air-to-ground networks. Key value scenarios mainly include areas with poor land coverage, maritime communication, public safety needs, inter-aircraft communication, and railways, aiming to provide users with mobile broadband services.

[0191] In this example, HAPS is carried by airborne platforms, primarily aircraft, balloons, and airships, using the high-altitude platform station as a mobile communication base station to provide mobile services using the same frequency band as the terrestrial mobile network. The access network equipment in this example may include the high-altitude platform station.

[0192] Satellite communication networks rely on onboard platforms, which mainly include low Earth orbit (LEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO), and geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellites.

[0193] In one possible design, the access network equipment, based on NTN-based NG-RAN architectures, can be a transparent satellite architecture. In this architecture, the satellite is only responsible for signal forwarding and has no data processing capabilities. The base station (gNB) is located on the ground, and the satellite connects to the base station via a ground-based gateway. The satellite and gateway can form a remote radio unit. The signal between the terminal device 110 and the base station is transmitted via satellite, while data processing remains at the base station. The terminal device 110 connects to the satellite via the NR UU interface. The link between the satellite and the terminal device 110 is called the service link, and the link between the satellite and the base station is called the feeder link. The base station connects to the core network via the NG interface, and the core network connects to the data network via the N6 interface. For example, the satellite's functions include radio frequency filtering, frequency conversion, and amplification. That is, the satellite mainly acts as a Layer 1 relay to regenerate physical layer signals and does not have other higher protocol layers.

[0194] In another possible design, the access network equipment based on NTN-based NG-RAN architectures can be a regenerative satellite architecture without inter-satellite links. In this architecture, the satellite can act as a base station. The feeder link between the NTN gateway and the satellite is a satellite radio interface (SRI). The satellite has the processing functions of a base station. Terminal equipment 110 connects to the satellite via the NR UU interface. The satellite connects to the core network via the NG interface, and the core network connects to the data network via the N6 interface.

[0195] In another possible design, the access network equipment based on NTN-based NG-RAN architectures can be a regenerative satellite architecture with inter-satellite links (ISL).

[0196] In another possible design, in NTN-based NG-RAN architectures, the satellite can be a regenerated satellite with DU processing capabilities at the base station. That is, in this architecture, the satellite acts as a DU. Optionally, the base station can perform the functions of a CU (Currency Unit).

[0197] This application does not impose any restrictions on the specific implementation of the RAN architecture based on NTN.

[0198] Optionally, the communication system described in the embodiments of this application may be a wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) system, a long term evolution (LTE) system, an advanced long term evolution (LTE-A) system, an LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, a universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), a 5G NR system, etc., or a future sixth-generation mobile communication technology (6G) network communication system, or other future communication systems. This application does not limit the specific type of the communication system.

[0199] For example, when the communication system is a 5G NR system, it may also include core network equipment, and the core network equipment and access network equipment can communicate through a next-generation (NG) interface.

[0200] It is understood that the aforementioned communication system is merely for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. For example, the communication system may also include other devices, such as network control devices. The network control device may be an operation administration and maintenance (OAM) system, also known as a network management system. The network control device can manage the aforementioned network devices.

[0201] For example, Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the composition of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. This communication device may be the aforementioned terminal device, or a terminal device applied to a terminal device (such as a component of a terminal device). Alternatively, the communication device may be the aforementioned satellite network device or a device within a satellite network device, such as a satellite base station.

[0202] As shown in Figure 2, the communication device may include at least one processor 21. Optionally, the communication device may also include one or more of the following devices: a memory 22, a communication interface 23, or a bus 24.

[0203] Processor 21 is the control center of the communication device. It can be a single processor or a collective term for multiple processing elements. For example, processor 21 can be a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the embodiments of this application, such as one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), or one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc.

[0204] The processor 21 can perform various functions of the communication device by running or executing software programs stored in the memory 22 and by calling data stored in the memory 22. For example, it can perform the steps executed by the communication device (such as the first device, satellite network device, etc.) in the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0205] In a specific implementation, as one example, processor 21 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 shown in FIG2.

[0206] In a specific implementation, as one embodiment, the communication device may include multiple processors, such as processor 21 and processor 25 shown in FIG. 2. Each of these processors may be a single-core processor (single-CPU) or a multi-core processor (multi-CPU). Here, a processor may refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores for processing data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0207] The memory 22 may store software programs containing method steps executed by the terminal device, and its execution may be controlled by the processor 21. The memory 22 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device capable of storing static information and instructions, random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device capable of storing information and instructions, or electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures that can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto.

[0208] The memory 22 can exist independently and be connected to the processor 21 via the bus 24. Alternatively, the memory 22 can be integrated with the processor 21; there is no limitation on this.

[0209] Communication interface 23, using any transceiver-like device, is used for communicating with other devices or communication networks. Communication interface 23 can be an Ethernet interface, a radio access network (RAN) interface, a wireless local area network (WLAN) interface, etc. Communication interface 23 may include a receiving unit to implement receiving functions and a transmitting unit to implement transmitting functions.

[0210] Bus 24 can be an industry standard architecture (ISA) bus, a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus, or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. This bus can be divided into address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For ease of representation, only one thick line is used in Figure 2, but this does not indicate that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0211] Although bus 24 is used in Figure 2, it is understandable that the bus can be replaced with other forms of connection, and is not limited to the bus itself.

[0212] Optionally, in the embodiments of this application, other devices mentioned may also refer to the one shown in FIG2, or include more or fewer components than those shown in FIG2, without limitation.

[0213] In the embodiments of this application, the communication device described above can be used to implement the corresponding functions in the following method embodiments. For example, when the communication device is a terminal device or a device within a terminal device, it can perform the functions executed by the terminal device in the following method embodiments. The terminal device can be the first device, the second device, etc., and the processor shown in FIG2 can be configured to execute the steps performed by the terminal device. As another example, when the communication device is a satellite network device or a device within a satellite network device, it can perform the functions executed by the satellite network device in the following method embodiments. The processor shown in FIG2 can be configured to execute the steps performed by the satellite network device.

[0214] The communication method provided in the embodiments of this application is described below as an example. The process described below, which is performed by a single execution entity, can also be divided into processes performed by multiple execution entities, which can be logically and / or physically separated. It should also be understood that, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are equally applicable to similar technical problems.

[0215] For example, in the following description, the steps performed by the satellite network device may specifically be performed by the satellite network device or a device (e.g., a chip) built into the satellite network device. The steps performed by the terminal device (such as a UE) may specifically be performed by the terminal device or a device (e.g., a terminal device or a chip) built into the terminal device.

[0216] It should be noted that in the description of the embodiments of this application, the words "first" and "second" are only for distinguishing descriptions and are not used to specifically limit a certain feature. That is, "first" or "second" can include more content, rather than being limited to a specific concept. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, and B alone. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. At least one refers to one or more; multiple refers to two or more. The embodiments of this application may perform fewer steps than all steps, or perform more steps, without limitation. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions are used to represent any combination of the listed items; for example, at least one of A, B and / or C can represent the following situations: A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B simultaneously, B and C simultaneously, A and C simultaneously, and A, B and C simultaneously, where A, B, and C can be single or multiple.

[0217] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used in this application's specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application.

[0218] In the communication method provided in this application embodiment, the first device and the second device can forward data through satellite network equipment (such as a satellite base station) to achieve SL communication, specifically by modifying the SL protocol. The first device and the second device can each be the terminal device described above; they can be the same or different. The first device can receive first information, which is related to the satellite beam coverage information of the second device. The first device can determine the transmission resources for sending data to the second device based on the first information. Optionally, the second device can send side-channel data to the second device using the aforementioned determined transmission resources.

[0219] In one possible design, the first information received by the first device may come from the second device. That is, the second device may send the first information to the first device, so that the first device can determine the satellite beam coverage information of the second device based on the first information, and then determine the transmission resources for sending data to the second device based on the satellite beam coverage information of the second device.

[0220] For example, FIG3 shows a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in FIG3, the communication method may include S301-S302.

[0221] S301. The second device sends first information to the first device through a satellite network device. The first information is related to the satellite beam coverage information of the second device.

[0222] Accordingly, the first device receives first information sent by the second device via a satellite network device. The first information is used to determine the transmission resources for sending data to the second device.

[0223] S302. The first device determines the transmission resources for sending data to the second device based on the first information. For example, the transmission resources may include time-domain resources, such as time.

[0224] In other words, the first information is used by the first device to determine the transmission resources for sending data to the second device.

[0225] For example, the data sent by the first device to the second device, or the data to be transmitted, may include SL control information, user data, etc. For instance, based on the first information, UE A (the first device) can determine the time window in which UE B (the second device) is covered. According to the time window in which UE B is covered and the signaling delay relationship, the time for sending SL control information and user data can be determined so that UE B can receive the data normally. Optionally, the signaling delay relationship may include the transmission delay from the UE to the satellite, the signaling processing delay, the satellite forwarding signaling delay, etc., and is not limited.

[0226] In this communication method, the first information is related to the satellite beam coverage information of the second device. Based on the first information and the satellite beam coverage information of the second device, the first device can determine the transmission resources for sending data to the second device. This allows the first and second devices to conduct SL communication more stably in satellite coverage scenarios, improving transmission quality. In other words, this communication method enables more stable SL communication between different terminal devices in satellite coverage scenarios, improving transmission quality.

[0227] Optionally, the first information may include: location association information of the second device, and / or satellite beam coverage information of the second device; wherein the location association information of the second device is used to determine the satellite beam coverage information of the second device.

[0228] For example, taking UE B as the second device, the satellite beam coverage information of UE B refers to the coverage of UE B by the beam emitted by the satellite base station. For example, the satellite base station's beam can cover UE B in area 1 at a certain time period or point in time.

[0229] Optionally, the satellite base station can broadcast the satellite beam coverage information of each terminal device to the terminal device. Alternatively, the terminal device can query the satellite beam coverage information of its current location based on its location association information. For the terminal device, the received satellite beam coverage may be static or dynamic.

[0230] For example, the first device can query the network or satellite base station to obtain the satellite beam coverage information of the second device based on the location association information of the second device included in the first information. Alternatively, the first device can directly obtain the satellite beam coverage information of the second device from the first information.

[0231] Optionally, the location association information of the second device may include: the wave position information and / or coordinate information of the second device.

[0232] Among these, the wave position information can be a wave position identifier, used to identify a region on the ground; for example, different regions can be divided into different wave positions. The coordinate information can be the coordinates of the second device in any possible coordinate system, such as latitude and longitude coordinates. It can be understood that wave position information is also equivalent to a special type of coordinate system that can identify the location of the second device.

[0233] Optionally, the satellite beam coverage information of the second device includes identification information of the satellites that provide beam coverage for the second device.

[0234] For example, the satellites covering the first device and the second device may be the same or different. By carrying the identification information of the satellite providing beam coverage for the second device in the satellite beam coverage information of the second device, direct communication between terminal devices supporting cross-satellite connections can be achieved.

[0235] In one implementation of this design, the first device can send a first request message to the second device via a satellite network device to request the establishment of a connection with the second device. The second device can then return a first response message to the first device via the satellite network device. This first response message may carry first information, meaning the first information can be sent to the first device via the first response message.

[0236] For example, FIG4 shows another schematic flowchart of the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in FIG4, the communication method may include S401-S403.

[0237] S401. The first device sends a first request message to the second device through a satellite network device. The first request message is used to request the establishment of a connection between the first device and the second device.

[0238] Accordingly, the second device receives the first request message.

[0239] For example, the first request message may include a link establishment request message, also known as a direct communication request (DCR) message. The first request message may be sent to a satellite base station, which will then forward it to the second device.

[0240] Optionally, the first device sends a first request message, and security protection is established between the first device and the second device. The first device may also send IP address-related information, quality of service (QoS)-related information, etc., to the second device.

[0241] S402. The second device sends a first response message to the first device via a satellite network device. The first response message includes first information and is used to instruct the second device to accept the establishment of a connection with the first device.

[0242] Accordingly, the first device receives a first response message sent by the second device through the satellite network device.

[0243] In other words, the first device receiving the first information as described above may include: receiving a first response message, wherein the first response message includes the first information.

[0244] For example, the first response message may include a connection acceptance / response message, also known as a direct communication accept (DCA) message. The first response message may be sent to a satellite base station, which will then forward it to the first device.

[0245] Optionally, the first response message may include or carry: application layer identifier, IP information, and QoS information.

[0246] S403. The first device determines the transmission resources for sending data to the second device based on the first information.

[0247] S403 can be referred to in S302 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0248] Optionally, the first request message may further include at least one of the following: user information of the first device, user information of the second device, service information, and security information.

[0249] For example, the user information of the first device can be the application layer ID of the first device, and the user information of the second device can be the application layer ID of the second device. The first device, as the device sending data, can be referred to as the source device; the second device, as the device receiving data, can be referred to as the destination device.

[0250] Optionally, in the process shown in Figure 4 above, when the first device sends a connection establishment request to the second device, it may also send second information related to its own satellite beam coverage information to the second device. This second information is used by the second device to subsequently determine the transmission resources, such as time, for sending data to the first device. The principle is similar to that of the first device sending data to the second device, and will not be described in detail here.

[0251] For example, the first request message mentioned above includes second information; the second information is related to the satellite beam coverage information of the first device.

[0252] In other words, the first and second devices can exchange information related to their respective satellite beam coverage during the establishment of a direct link.

[0253] Optionally, the implementation of the second information can refer to the first information. For example, the second information may include: the location association information of the first device, and / or the satellite beam coverage information of the first device. The location association information of the first device includes: the beam position information and / or coordinate information of the first device.

[0254] In another implementation of this design, the second device can send a request message to the first device to request the establishment of a connection. The first device can then return a response message to the second device. The second device can send the aforementioned first information to the first device through this request message; that is, the request message can carry the first information. To distinguish it from the aforementioned implementation, the request message sent by the second device to the first device for establishing a connection can be called the second request message, and the corresponding response message from the first device can be called the second response message. In other words, the first information can be sent to the first device through the second request message.

[0255] For example, FIG5 shows another schematic flowchart of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. As shown in FIG5, the communication method may include S501-S503.

[0256] S501. The second device sends a second request message to the first device via a satellite network device. The second request message includes the first information and is used to request the establishment of a connection with the first device.

[0257] Accordingly, the first device receives the second request message sent by the second device through the satellite network device.

[0258] For example, the second request message may include a link establishment request message, also known as a direct communication request (DCR) message. The second request message may be sent to a satellite base station, which will then forward it to the first device.

[0259] In other words, the first device receiving the first information described above may include: receiving a second request message sent by the second device through a satellite network device, the second request message including the first information, the second request message originating from the second device, and being used to request the establishment of a connection with the first device.

[0260] Optionally, the second device sends a second request message, and security protection is established between the second device and the first device. The second device can also send IP address-related information, quality of service (QoS)-related information, etc. to the first device.

[0261] S502. The first device sends a second response message to the second device through a satellite network device. The second response message is used to instruct the first device to accept the establishment of a connection with the second device.

[0262] Accordingly, the second device receives the second response message.

[0263] For example, the second response message may include a connection acceptance / response message, also known as a direct communication accept (DCA) message. The second response message may be sent to a satellite base station, which will then forward it to the second device.

[0264] Optionally, the second response message may include or carry: application layer identifier, IP information, and QoS information.

[0265] S503. The first device determines the transmission resources for sending data to the second device based on the first information.

[0266] S503 can be referred to in S302 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0267] Optionally, the second request message may further include at least one of the following: user information of the first device, user information of the second device, service information, and security information. The specific details of the aforementioned information can be found in the foregoing embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0268] Optionally, in the process shown in Figure 5 above, the first device may also send its own satellite beam coverage information related to the second device when sending the second response message to the second device. This information is used by the second device to subsequently determine the transmission resources, such as time, for sending data to the first device. The principle is similar to that of the first device sending data to the second device, and will not be described in detail here.

[0269] For example, the second response message mentioned above includes second information; the second information is related to the satellite beam coverage information of the first device.

[0270] In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, in other words, the first device and the second device can also exchange information related to their respective satellite beam coverage during the establishment of the direct link. The difference between this and the embodiment shown in Figure 4 is that in the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the link establishment request is initiated by the first device, while in the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the link establishment request is initiated by the second device.

[0271] It should be understood that the implementation of the aforementioned second information can refer to the implementation of the aforementioned first information. For example, the second information may include: the location association information of the first device, and / or the satellite beam coverage information of the first device; wherein, the location association information of the first device is used to determine the satellite beam coverage information of the first device. Optionally, the location association information of the first device may include: the beam position information and / or coordinate information of the first device. The satellite beam coverage information of the first device includes the identification information of the satellites providing beam coverage for the first device. Further details will not be elaborated upon.

[0272] Optionally, in the above embodiments, after the first device sends the first request message, it can further determine whether the connection establishment request has failed. The timer length used to determine whether the first request message has failed can be no less than a first duration, where the first duration is the duration of all positions within the satellite beam scanning coverage area. For example, after the first device sends the first request message, it starts a timer to determine whether the first request message has failed. The timer length can be no less than the first duration. When the timer expires and no first response message is received, the first request message is considered to have failed.

[0273] Similarly, the timer length used to determine whether the second request message failed can be no less than a second duration, which is the duration of all positions within the satellite beam scanning coverage area. Optionally, the second duration can be the same as or different from the first duration.

[0274] The above embodiments describe the scenario where the first information received by the first device originates from the second device. In another possible design, the first information received by the first device may also originate from a satellite network device (such as a satellite base station), or in this embodiment, it may be referred to as fourth information (hereinafter referred to as fourth information). That is, the satellite network device may send fourth information to the first device so that the first device can determine the transmission resources for sending data to the second device based on the fourth information.

[0275] For example, FIG6 shows another schematic flowchart of the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in FIG6, the communication method may include S601-S603.

[0276] S601. The first device sends third information to the satellite network device, the third information being used to indicate the location association information of the second device.

[0277] The location association information of the second device can be found in the foregoing embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0278] Accordingly, the satellite network equipment receives third information. The third information can trigger or instruct the satellite network equipment to return the first information to the first equipment.

[0279] S602. The satellite network device sends fourth information to the first device, which is related to the satellite beam coverage information of the second device.

[0280] Optionally, the satellite network device sends fourth information to the first device based on the third information.

[0281] Accordingly, the satellite network device receives fourth information based on the third information, the fourth information being related to the satellite beam coverage information of the second device. The fourth information is used to determine the transmission resources for sending data to the second device.

[0282] In this design, the fourth information is related to the satellite beam coverage information of the second device and may include: the fourth information indicating the time offset of the first transmission resource, and / or indicating the satellite beam coverage information of the second device, wherein the time offset is related to the satellite beam coverage information of the second device, and the first transmission resource is used to send data to be transmitted to the second device. For example, the time offset is determined by the satellite network device based on the satellite beam coverage information of the second device, and the first transmission resource is used to send data to be transmitted to the second device.

[0283] For example, the time offset could be relative to the current scan cycle, indicating how many times the target area (the location of the second device) has been scanned. Alternatively, when the first information indicates the satellite beam coverage information of the second device, it could indicate a beam scan pattern or form, or discontinuous coverage information of the target area (the location of the second device), enabling the first device to determine a suitable SL transmission timing.

[0284] S603. The first device determines the transmission resources for sending data to the second device based on the fourth information.

[0285] S603 can be referred to S302 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0286] In one possible implementation, the first device sends third information, including sending a buffer status report (BSR), which includes the third information and is used to indicate the amount of data to be transmitted.

[0287] For example, the first device can send a BSR to the satellite base station to indicate the amount of data to be transmitted; the BSR further indicates the target area associated with the data to be transmitted, i.e., the location association information of the second device. The satellite base station can receive the BSR and allocate transmission resources for the direct link based on the location association information of the second device carried therein. The satellite base station can send first information to the first device.

[0288] In another possible implementation, the first device sends third information, including sending a radio resource control (RRC) message, the radio resource control message including the third information.

[0289] For example, the first device can send an RRC message to the satellite base station, which carries the aforementioned third information. For example, the RRC message could be "SidelinkUEInformationNR".

[0290] In another possible implementation, the third information is a scheduling request message, which is used to associate the time-frequency resources carrying the scheduling request message with the first beam region; the third information indicates the location association information of the second device, including: through the time-frequency resources carrying the scheduling request message, indicating that the location association information of the second device is the first beam region.

[0291] For example, the network side can configure a Scheduling Request (SR) resource in each region (which can be at the granularity of at least one beam or band) for the terminal to initiate SL data transmission requests (i.e., scheduling request messages). In this case, the satellite base station can determine the target region for the terminal's SL communication by receiving the SR. The satellite network equipment can determine the first beam region as the target region for the data to be transmitted based on the time-frequency resources used to carry the scheduling request message. Taking the first device sending SL data to the second device as an example, the time-frequency resources used to carry the scheduling request message are the SR resources corresponding to the beam region where the second device is located.

[0292] This implementation method can easily support SL communication between different devices in satellite scenarios.

[0293] In another possible implementation, the third information is a random access request message, the transmission opportunity corresponding to the random access request message being associated with the first beam region; the third information indicates the location association information of the second device, including: indicating, through the transmission opportunity corresponding to the random access request message, that the location association information of the second device is the first beam region.

[0294] For example, if the function of SR is implemented through a random access channel (RACH), the random access opportunity (RO) can be associated with different areas. The satellite base station determines the target area of ​​the terminal SL communication by identifying that the BSR is triggered by the RO corresponding to the SR.

[0295] This implementation can also easily support SL communication between different devices in satellite scenarios.

[0296] Optionally, the aforementioned fourth information may be sent by the satellite network device via downlink control information (DCI). For example, S602 may include the satellite network device sending DCI, where the DCI includes the fourth information. Accordingly, the first device receiving the fourth information includes: receiving the DCI, where the DCI includes the fourth information.

[0297] DCI is used by satellite base stations to allocate transmission resources to the first device, which will not be elaborated further.

[0298] In another possible design, the first information received by the first device (which can also be referred to as the fifth information in this design) may also come from a satellite network device (such as a satellite base station), or be sent by the satellite network device. That is, the satellite network device can send the fifth information to the first device so that the first device can determine the transmission resources for sending data to the second device based on the fifth information. Unlike the previous design, in this design, the fifth information is related to the satellite beam coverage information of the second device and may include: the fifth information indicating the reservable time-frequency resources within the beam area where the second device is located, and the reservable time-frequency resources within the beam area where the second device is located are related to the satellite beam coverage information of the second device. The fifth information is used by the first device to determine the transmission resources for sending data to the second device.

[0299] It is understandable that the second device only has reservable time and frequency resources during the period covered by the satellite beam. Based on the satellite beam coverage information of the second device, the reservable time and frequency resources in the beam area where the second device is located can be determined.

[0300] In one possible implementation of this design, the satellite network device can receive side-going signals sent by other devices (including all terminal devices such as the first device and the second device). Taking devices 1 to N as an example, where N is an integer greater than 0, any one of devices 1 to N can send a side-going signal to a target device. The side-going signal can carry side-going scheduling information and side-going data. The satellite network device can receive these side-going signals. The satellite network device can transmit these side-going signals to at least one beam area, including the beam area where the first device is located. The first device can receive the side-going signals transmitted by the satellite network device. The fifth piece of information can be the side-going scheduling information of other devices included in the side-going signals. Based on the side-going scheduling information of other devices, the first device can determine the reservable time-frequency resources in the beam area where the second device is located, and thus determine the transmission resources for sending data to the second device.

[0301] For example, taking other devices including devices 1 to N as an example, the first device and the second device may also be included among devices 1 to N. Figure 7 shows another schematic flowchart of the communication method provided in the embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 7, the communication method may include S701-S703.

[0302] S701. Devices 1 to N send side-going signals to satellite network devices.

[0303] Accordingly, the satellite network equipment receives side-going signals from other equipment (equipment 1 to equipment N).

[0304] For example, within a beam (or service area divided in other ways), a UE transmits an uplink signal, and the satellite base station adjusts its timing based on the uplink signal response, enabling each UE to achieve uplink synchronization at the satellite base station. The UE then performs SL transmission with reference to the uplink synchronization relationship. Satellite network equipment can receive the SL signals transmitted by the UE.

[0305] S702. A satellite network device transmits a broadcast signal to at least one beam area, the broadcast signal being a transparent side-going signal of device 1 to device N, the at least one beam area including the beam area where the first device is located, and the first information being side-going scheduling information of other devices (device 1 to device N) included in the broadcast signal.

[0306] The first-level sidelink scheduling information indicates or carries the location association information of the target device corresponding to the sidelink scheduling information. The sidelink scheduling information is used to indicate the reservable time and frequency resources within the beam area where the corresponding target device is located. The target device includes the second device. The sidelink scheduling information can also be called sidelink control information (SCI).

[0307] It should be understood that Figure 7 illustrates S702 only as an example of transmitting a broadcast signal to the first device. It should also be understood that, in reality, the broadcast signal can be transmitted to at least one beam area, not just the beam area where the first device is located. The process described in S702 above is the process by which the satellite network device sends the fifth information to the first device.

[0308] For example, taking device 1 as an example, the side-tracking scheduling information of device 1 may include a first-level SCI and a second-level SCI. The first-level SCI indicates or carries the location association information of device 2, which is the target device. The aforementioned second device may also be the target device of the SCI of a certain device.

[0309] Optionally, satellite network equipment can transmit the received side-going signals back to at least one beam area using frequency division multiplexing (FDM) or time division multiplexing (TDM), enabling the first device to monitor the side-going transmission status of users (other devices) within at least one beam, including its own beam.

[0310] Accordingly, the first device receiving the fifth information sent by the satellite network device may include: receiving a broadcast signal from the satellite network device, wherein the broadcast signal is a side-going signal transmitted by the satellite network device to other devices in the beam area where the first device is located.

[0311] The at least one beam region mentioned above includes the beam region where the first device is located. The broadcast signal includes side-by-side scheduling information of other devices transmitted by the satellite network device. The fifth information is the side-by-side scheduling information of the other devices. The first-level side-by-side scheduling information of the side-by-side scheduling information indicates or carries the location association information of the target device corresponding to the side-by-side scheduling information. The target device includes the second device. The side-by-side scheduling information of the other devices is used to indicate the reservable time and frequency resources in the beam region where the second device is located.

[0312] For example, the first device can monitor the signals broadcast by the satellite network device on the agreed frequency domain and time domain resources, demodulate the SCI in it, determine the reservation status of the resources, and determine the resources to perform SL transmission, such as performing S703.

[0313] S703. Based on the fifth information, determine the transmission resources for sending data to the second device.

[0314] For example, the fifth piece of information is SCI. The SCI includes two levels. The first-level SCI carries the location information of the target device corresponding to the SCI. The first device can determine which time-frequency resources in the area where the second device is located can be reserved based on the SCI, and then determine the transmission resources to send data to the second device.

[0315] In this implementation, the first device can obtain a direct link and conduct direct communication based on satellite-assisted sensing of available resources. It can be understood that in this implementation, the fifth piece of information indirectly indicates the satellite beam coverage information of the second device (or indirectly indicates the reservable time-frequency resources within the beam area where the second device is located). The first device can obtain the satellite beam coverage information of the second device, or in other words, obtain the reservable time-frequency resources, by analyzing the fifth piece of information.

[0316] In another possible implementation of this design, the satellite network device can also receive side-going signals sent by other devices (including all terminal devices such as the first device and the second device). Taking devices 1 to N as an example, where N is an integer greater than 0, any device among devices 1 to N can send a side-going signal to a target device. The side-going signal can carry side-going scheduling information and side-going data. The satellite network device can receive these side-going signals. Unlike the previous implementation of this design, in this implementation, the satellite network device can determine the side-going scheduling information of the other devices based on their side-going signals, and parse this information to obtain the reservable time-frequency resources in each beam area. The satellite network device can broadcast the specific details of the reservable time-frequency resources in each beam area to at least one beam area, including the beam area where the first device is located. The first device can receive the broadcast signal from the satellite network device, which includes the fifth information. This fifth information can directly indicate the reservable time-frequency resources in the beam area where the second device is located.

[0317] For example, taking other devices including devices 1 to N as an example, the first device and the second device can also be included among devices 1 to N. Figure 8 shows another schematic flowchart of the communication method provided in the embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 8, the communication method may include S801-S804.

[0318] S801. Devices 1 to N send side-going signals to the satellite network equipment.

[0319] Accordingly, the satellite network equipment receives side-going signals from other equipment (equipment 1 to equipment N).

[0320] S801 is described in S701 and will not be repeated here.

[0321] S802. The satellite network equipment determines the sideline scheduling information of devices 1 to N based on the sideline signals from devices 1 to N.

[0322] For example, the process by which a satellite network device determines lateral scheduling information based on lateral signals can be found in the process described above for the first device to determine lateral scheduling information.

[0323] S803. Transmit a broadcast signal to at least one beam area, the at least one beam area including the beam area where the first device is located, the broadcast signal including fifth information.

[0324] For example, in the SCI, the first-level SCI carries the location information of the target device corresponding to the SCI. The satellite network device can determine which time and frequency resources in each beam area can be reserved based on the SCI, and thus obtain the fifth information.

[0325] The process described in S803 is the process by which the satellite network device sends the fifth piece of information. This fifth piece of information is determined by the satellite network device based on the sideline scheduling information of other devices. The first-level sideline scheduling information indicates or carries the location association information of the target device corresponding to the sideline scheduling information, and the target device includes the second device. For details, please refer to the embodiment shown in Figure 7, which will not be repeated here.

[0326] Accordingly, the first device can receive broadcast signals from satellite network devices. Figure 8 also shows an example of the transmission path of the broadcast signal to the first device, which can be understood to mean that the broadcast signal can be transmitted to at least one beam area.

[0327] S804. Based on the fifth information, determine the transmission resources for sending data to the second device.

[0328] For example, in this embodiment, the fifth information directly indicates which time-frequency resources in the area where the second device is located can be reserved, and the first device can determine the transmission resources to send data to the second device based on the fifth information.

[0329] In this implementation, the satellite network device can sense available resources, and the first device can obtain a direct link and conduct direct communication based on satellite-aided access to available resources broadcast by the satellite.

[0330] This application also provides a communication method in which a satellite network device can schedule and complete SL transmission. Taking the scenario of a first device transmitting SL to a second device as an example, Figure 9 shows another flowchart of the communication method provided in this application. As shown in Figure 9, this communication method may include steps S901-S904.

[0331] S901. The first device sends first sideline scheduling information to the satellite network device. The first level sideline scheduling information of the first sideline scheduling information indicates or carries the location association information of the second device. The first sideline scheduling information is used to schedule the second device to receive data.

[0332] Accordingly, the satellite network equipment receives the first sideline scheduling information.

[0333] The specific implementation of the side-tracking scheduling information can be found in the foregoing embodiments and will not be repeated here. In this embodiment, the first-level side-tracking scheduling information of the first side-tracking scheduling information indicates or carries the location association information of the second device.

[0334] S902. The satellite network equipment generates first-level sideline scheduling information of the second sideline scheduling information based on the location association information of the second equipment. The location association information of the second equipment is used to determine the satellite beam coverage information of the second equipment.

[0335] The location association information of the second device is used to determine the specific implementation of the satellite beam coverage information of the second device. Please refer to the foregoing embodiments for details, which will not be repeated here.

[0336] S903. The satellite network equipment generates second sideline scheduling information based on the first-level sideline scheduling information of the second sideline scheduling information and the second-level sideline scheduling information of the first sideline scheduling information.

[0337] For example, the first-level sideline scheduling information of the second sideline scheduling information is used to instruct the second device to receive data on the first time-frequency resource.

[0338] S904. The satellite network equipment sends second-sideline scheduling information to the second equipment.

[0339] Accordingly, the second device receives the second side-line scheduling information.

[0340] For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 9, the satellite can receive first sidelink scheduling information, decode the first-level SCI of the first sidelink scheduling information, obtain the location of the target UE (i.e., the second device), and determine how to forward the second-level SCI and related user data. The satellite can regenerate the first-level SCI as needed based on the first-level SCI from the first device. The first-level SCI indicates the scheduling of the physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH) for the second device within the beam containing the second device, as well as the second-level SCI carried on the PSSCH.

[0341] For example, the location association information of the second device includes: the wave position information and / or coordinate information of the second device.

[0342] Optionally, in the embodiments of this application, the bit in the first-level SCI that indicates the location of the target UE can reuse the "priority" bit (3 bits) in the existing format, or use reserved bits, or add several bits.

[0343] In the embodiment shown in Figure 9, the first device and the second device can obtain a direct link based on satellite scheduling and conduct direct communication.

[0344] It should be understood that in the above embodiments, each device, such as a terminal device and / or a first device, may execute some or all of the steps in each embodiment. These steps or operations are merely examples, and other operations or variations thereof may also be performed in the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, the steps may be executed in different orders as presented in the embodiments, and it is not necessary to execute all the operations in the embodiments of this application. Moreover, the sequence number of each step does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process 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.

[0345] This application also provides a communication device that can realize the functions performed by the various network elements involved in the above embodiments, such as a first device, a second device, a satellite network device, etc. The communication device may include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function.

[0346] For example, embodiments of this application provide a communication device for implementing the functions of the first device described above. This communication device may be the first device or a device built into the first device (e.g., a chip). Figure 10 shows another schematic diagram of the composition / structure of the communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 10, the communication device may include: a transceiver unit 1001 and a processing unit 1002.

[0347] For example, the transceiver unit 801 is configured to receive first information sent by the second device through a satellite network device, the first information being related to the satellite beam coverage information of the second device.

[0348] The processing unit 1002 is configured to determine the transmission resources for sending data to the second device based on the first information.

[0349] It should be understood that the communication device can realize some or all of the functions of the first device described in the foregoing method embodiments, as can be found in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0350] Similarly, embodiments of this application may provide communication devices for the functions of the aforementioned second device, satellite network device, etc., which will not be described in detail here.

[0351] It should be understood that the division of units in the above device is merely a logical functional division. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be physically separated. Furthermore, all units in the device can be implemented entirely in software through processing element calls; all units can be implemented entirely in hardware; or some units can be implemented in software through processing element calls, while others can be implemented in hardware.

[0352] For example, each unit can be a separate processing element, or it can be integrated into a chip within the device. Alternatively, it can be stored as a program in memory, invoked and executed by a processing element within the device. Furthermore, these units can be integrated in whole or in part, or implemented independently. The processing element described here can also be called a processor, which can be an integrated circuit with signal processing capabilities. In implementation, each step of the above method or each of the above units can be implemented through integrated logic circuits in the processor element or through software invoked by the processing element.

[0353] In one example, the unit in any of the above devices may be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above methods, such as: one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or one or more digital signal processing (DSP) circuits, or one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms.

[0354] For example, when the units in the device can be implemented through a processing element scheduler, the processing element can be a general-purpose processor, such as a CPU or other processor capable of calling programs. Alternatively, these units can be integrated together to form a system-on-a-chip (SOC).

[0355] The receiving unit described above is an interface circuit or input circuit of the device, used to receive signals from other devices. For example, when the device is implemented as a chip, the receiving unit is an interface circuit or input circuit of the chip for receiving signals from other chips or devices. When the communication device includes a transmitting unit, the transmitting unit is an interface circuit or output circuit of the device, used to transmit signals to other devices. For example, when the device is implemented as a chip, the transmitting unit is an interface circuit or output circuit of the chip for transmitting signals to other chips or devices.

[0356] For example, embodiments of this application may also provide a communication device, which may include a processor and an interface circuit. The processor may include one or more.

[0357] When the communication device is applied to the first device, the processor is used to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and to execute the various steps performed by the first device in the above method.

[0358] When the communication device is applied to the second device, the processor is used to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and to execute the various steps performed by the second device in the above method.

[0359] When this communication device is applied to satellite network equipment, the processor is used to communicate with other devices through interface circuits and execute the various steps performed by the satellite network equipment in the above method.

[0360] In one implementation, the units such as the first device, the second device, and the satellite network device that respectively implement the corresponding steps in the above methods can be implemented in the form of a processing element scheduler. For example, the apparatus for the first device may include a processing element and a storage element. The processing element calls the program stored in the storage element to execute the method corresponding to the first device in the above method embodiments. The storage element can be a storage element located on the same chip as the processing element, i.e., an on-chip storage element.

[0361] In another implementation, the program used to execute the methods performed by the first device, the second device, the satellite network device, etc., in the above methods can be located on a storage element on a different chip than the processing element, i.e., an off-chip storage element. In this case, the processing element calls or loads the program from the off-chip storage element onto the on-chip storage element to call and execute the methods executed by the corresponding first device, the second device, the satellite network device, etc., in the above method embodiments.

[0362] For example, embodiments of this application may also provide a communication device, which may include a processor for executing computer instructions. When the computer instructions are executed, the device causes the device to perform the methods executed by the first device, the second device, the satellite network device, etc. Optionally, the communication device may also include a memory that stores the computer instructions. For example, the memory may be located inside or outside the communication device. The processor may include one or more processors.

[0363] In another implementation, the units of the terminal device or the first device that implement the steps of the above methods can be configured as one or more processing elements. These processing elements can be correspondingly disposed on the terminal device or network device. Here, the processing elements can be integrated circuits, such as one or more ASICs, or one or more DSPs, or one or more FPGAs, or combinations of these types of integrated circuits. These integrated circuits can be integrated together to form a chip.

[0364] The units implementing each step of the above method, such as the first device, the second device, and the satellite network device, can be integrated together in the form of a System-on-Chip (SoC). This SoC chip is used to implement the corresponding method. The chip can integrate at least one processing element and a storage element, with the processing element calling a stored program from the storage element to implement the corresponding method; alternatively, the chip can integrate at least one integrated circuit to implement the corresponding method; or, a combination of the above implementation methods can be used, with some units' functions implemented by the processing element calling a program, and others' functions implemented by the integrated circuit.

[0365] The processing element here is as described above and can be a general-purpose processor, such as a CPU, or one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above methods, such as one or more ASICs, or one or more microprocessors (DSPs), or one or more FPGAs, or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms.

[0366] A storage element can be a single memory or a collective term for multiple storage elements.

[0367] For example, this application also provides a chip system that can be applied to the aforementioned first device, second device, satellite network device, etc. The chip system includes one or more interface circuits and one or more processors; the interface circuits and processors are interconnected via lines; the processor receives and executes computer instructions from the memory of the electronic device through the interface circuits to implement the methods executed in the above method embodiments corresponding to the first device, second device, satellite network device, etc. The electronic device can be a device within the first device, second device, satellite network device, etc., or it can be other devices that communicate with the first device, second device, satellite network device, etc.

[0368] Through the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, only the division of the above functional modules is used as an example. In actual applications, the above functions can be assigned to different functional modules as needed, that is, the internal structure of the device can be divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

[0369] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of modules or 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 device, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between devices or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0370] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. A component shown as a unit can be one or more physical units; that is, it can be located in one place or distributed in multiple different locations. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0371] Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional unit.

[0372] If the integrated unit is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, in essence, or the parts that contribute to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solutions, can be embodied in the form of a software product, such as a program. This software product is stored in a program product, such as a computer-readable storage medium, and includes several instructions to cause a device (which may be a microcontroller, chip, etc.) or processor to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0373] For example, embodiments of this application may also provide a computer-readable storage medium, including: computer software instructions; when the computer software instructions are executed, the steps performed by the first device, the second device, the satellite network device, etc., in the methods described in the foregoing embodiments are implemented.

[0374] For example, when computer software instructions are run in the first device or a means (e.g., a chip) built into the first device, the steps performed by the first device as described in the foregoing embodiments are implemented.

[0375] Alternatively, when computer software instructions are run in the second device or a device (e.g., a chip) built into the second device, the steps performed by the second device as described in the foregoing embodiments are implemented.

[0376] Alternatively, when computer software instructions are executed in the satellite network device or a device (e.g., a chip) built into the satellite network device, the steps performed by the satellite network device as described in the foregoing embodiments are implemented.

[0377] Optionally, embodiments of this application also provide a computer program product that, when executed, can implement the methods performed by the first device, the second device, the satellite network device, etc., as described above.

[0378] Based on the above embodiments, this application also provides a system, including: a satellite network device, a first device, and a second device; the first device performs side-by-side transmission with the second device through the satellite network device; to implement the method described in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0379] It should be understood that the descriptions of technical features, technical solutions, beneficial effects, or similar language in this application do not imply that all features and advantages can be achieved in any single embodiment. Rather, it is understood that the description of a feature or beneficial effect means that a specific technical feature, technical solution, or beneficial effect is included in at least one embodiment. Therefore, the descriptions of technical features, technical solutions, or beneficial effects in this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the technical features, technical solutions, and beneficial effects described in this embodiment can be combined in any suitable manner. Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments can be implemented without one or more specific technical features, technical solutions, or beneficial effects of a particular embodiment. In other embodiments, additional technical features and beneficial effects may be identified in specific embodiments that do not embody all embodiments.

[0380] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions within the technical scope 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 in that, The method is applied to a first device, and the method includes: Receive first information sent by the second device through a satellite network device, wherein the first information is related to the satellite beam coverage information of the second device; Based on the first information, the transmission resources for sending data to the second device are determined.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: The satellite network device sends a first request message to the second device, the first request message being used to request the establishment of a connection with the second device; The receipt of the first information sent by the second device through the satellite network device includes: The device receives a first response message sent by the second device through the satellite network device. The first response message includes the first information and is used to instruct the second device to accept the establishment of a connection with the first device.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first request message includes the second information; The second information is related to the satellite beam coverage information of the first device.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The timer used to determine whether the first request message has failed has a length not less than a first duration, where the first duration is the duration of all beams within the coverage area of ​​the satellite network device's beam scan.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The first information includes: the location association information of the second device, and / or the satellite beam coverage information of the second device; The location association information of the second device is used to determine the satellite beam coverage information of the second device.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The satellite beam coverage information of the second device includes identification information of the satellites that provide beam coverage for the second device.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The receipt of the first information sent by the second device through the satellite network device includes: Receive a second request message sent by the second device through a satellite network device, the second request message including the first information, the second request message being used to request the establishment of a connection with the first device; The method further includes: The satellite network device sends a second response message to the second device, the second response message being used to instruct the first device to accept the establishment of a connection with the second device.

8. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a second device, and the method includes: The satellite network device sends first information to the first device. The first information is related to the satellite beam coverage information of the second device. The first information is used by the first device to determine the transmission resources for sending data to the second device.

9. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a first device, and the method includes: Send a third message to the satellite network device, the third message being used to indicate the location association information of the second device; Receive fourth information sent by the satellite network device based on the third information, wherein the fourth information is related to the satellite beam coverage information of the second device; Based on the fourth information, the transmission resources for sending data to the second device are determined.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The fourth information is used to indicate the time offset of the first transmission resource and / or to indicate the satellite beam coverage information of the second device. The time offset is determined by the satellite network device based on the satellite beam coverage information of the second device. The first transmission resource is used to send data to be transmitted to the second device.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The sending of third information to satellite network equipment includes: A cache status report is sent to the satellite network equipment. The cache status report includes the third information and is used to indicate the amount of data to be transmitted.

12. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The sending of third information to satellite network equipment includes: Send a radio resource control message to the satellite network equipment, the radio resource control message including the third information.

13. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The third piece of information is a scheduling request message, which is used to associate the time-frequency resources carrying the scheduling request message with the first beam region; The third information indicates the location association information of the second device, including: indicating the location association information of the second device as the first beam region through the time-frequency resources carrying the scheduling request message.

14. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The third piece of information is a random access request message, and the transmission opportunity corresponding to the random access request message is associated with the first beam area; The third information indicates the location association information of the second device, including: indicating the location association information of the second device as the first beam region through the transmission opportunity corresponding to the random access request message.

15. The method according to any one of claims 9-14, characterized in that, The receiving of the fourth information sent by the satellite network device based on the third information includes: The system receives downlink control information sent by the satellite network device, the downlink control information including the fourth information.

16. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to satellite network equipment, and the method includes: Receive third information from the first device, the third information being used to indicate the location association information of the second device; Based on the third information, the first device sends a fourth information, which is related to the satellite beam coverage information of the second device, and the fourth information is used by the first device to determine the transmission resources for sending data to the second device.

17. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to satellite network equipment, and the method includes: Receive first sideline scheduling information from a first device, wherein the first level sideline scheduling information of the first sideline scheduling information indicates or carries the location association information of the second device, and the first sideline scheduling information is used to schedule the second device to receive data; Based on the location association information of the second device, first-level side-row scheduling information of the second side-row scheduling information is generated. The location association information of the second device is used to determine the satellite beam coverage information of the second device. The first-level side-row scheduling information of the second side-row scheduling information is used to instruct the second device to receive data on the first time-frequency resource. The second side-row scheduling information is generated based on the first-level side-row scheduling information of the second side-row scheduling information and the second-level side-row scheduling information of the first side-row scheduling information; Send the second side-line scheduling information to the second device.

18. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a first device, and the method includes: The device receives a fifth message sent by a satellite network device. The fifth message is used to indicate the available time and frequency resources within the beam area where the second device is located. The available time and frequency resources within the beam area where the second device is located are related to the satellite beam coverage information of the second device. Based on the fifth piece of information, the transmission resources for sending data to the second device are determined.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The fifth piece of information received from the satellite network device includes: Receive broadcast signals transmitted by the satellite network equipment to at least one beam area; The at least one beam region includes the beam region where the first device is located, the broadcast signal includes the side-by-side scheduling information of other devices transmitted by the satellite network device, the fifth information is the side-by-side scheduling information of the other devices, the first level of the side-by-side scheduling information indicates or carries the location association information of the target device corresponding to the side-by-side scheduling information, the target device includes the second device, and the side-by-side scheduling information of the other devices is used to indicate the reservable time and frequency resources in the beam region where the second device is located.

20. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The fifth information received from the satellite network device includes: receiving a broadcast signal sent by the satellite network device to at least one beam area; The broadcast signal includes the fifth information, which is determined by the satellite network device based on the sideline scheduling information of other devices. The first-level sideline scheduling information of the sideline scheduling information indicates or carries the location association information of the target device corresponding to the sideline scheduling information, and the target device includes the second device.

21. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to satellite network equipment, and the method includes: Send a fifth message, which is used to indicate the available time and frequency resources within the beam area where the second device is located. The available time and frequency resources within the beam area where the second device is located are related to the satellite beam coverage information of the second device. The fifth piece of information is used by the first device to determine the transmission resources for sending data to the second device.

22. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a module for performing the method according to any one of claims 1-21.

23. A communication device, characterized in that, The apparatus includes a processor configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-21.

24. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium includes instructions that, when executed, cause the method of any one of claims 1-21 to be implemented.

25. A computer program product, characterized in that, When the computer program product is executed, it causes the method described in any one of claims 1-21 to be implemented.

26. A chip system, characterized in that, The chip system includes one or more interface circuits and one or more processors; The interface circuit and the processor are interconnected via a line; The processor receives and executes computer instructions from the memory of the electronic device through the interface circuit to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-21.

27. A system, characterized in that, Includes satellite network equipment, first equipment, and second equipment; The first device performs side-by-side transmission with the second device through the satellite network device to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-21.

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