Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and a communication apparatus. The method comprises: receiving indication information, the indication information being used for a spatial filter update indication; receiving or re-receiving at least one reference signal; and on the basis of the at least one reference signal, determining or re-determining a spatial filter corresponding to an uplink physical channel, a downlink physical channel and / or a reference signal. The technical solution provided in the present application can improve the accuracy of beam pointing in a communication system.

Description

Communication method and communication apparatus

[0001] The present application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202411081083.1, filed on August 7, 2024, entitled "Communication method and communication apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0003] Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), such as satellite communication, has the advantages of wide coverage, long communication distance, high reliability, great flexibility, high throughput, and is not affected by geographical environment, climate conditions and natural disasters, and has been widely used in aviation communication, maritime communication, military communication and other fields. Introducing satellites into the 5 th Generation (5G) New Radio (NR) technology can provide communication services for areas that are difficult to cover by ground networks, such as oceans, forests, etc., can enhance the reliability of 5G communication, such as providing more stable and high-quality communication services for trains, airplanes and users on these vehicles, and can also provide more data transmission resources to support a larger number of connections.

[0004] In a wideband high-dynamic scenario, such as NTN low earth orbit (LEO) and medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite communication scenarios, the rapid movement of satellites can cause the spatial angle between the satellite and the terminal device to change rapidly. If the terminal device applies the spatial domain filter coefficients (corresponding to the beam direction of downlink reception or uplink transmission) estimated according to the reference signal (RS) at time t1 to time t2, if the value of (t2-t1) is large, the spatial position of the satellite has changed significantly at this time, which can cause the problem that the downlink reception beam and the uplink transmission beam of the terminal device cannot accurately "aim" at the satellite. Therefore, how to improve the beam pointing in the NTN communication system is a problem to be solved. SUMMARY

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and a communication apparatus, which can improve the accuracy of beam pointing in a wireless communication system, especially in an NTN communication system.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a terminal device, a device (for example, a chip or a chip system or a circuit) in the terminal device, or a device that can be used in combination with the terminal device. Hereinafter, the method applied to the terminal device is described as an example. The method can include: receiving, by the terminal device, indication information, the indication information being used for spatial filter update indication; and receiving or re-receiving at least one reference signal, and determining or re-determining a spatial filter corresponding to an uplink physical channel, a downlink physical channel and / or a reference signal based on the at least one reference signal.

[0007] In an embodiment of the present application, the terminal device can receive indication information for spatial filter update indication issued by the network side, and continue to receive or re-receive at least one reference signal, so that the terminal device can determine or re-determine a spatial filter corresponding to an uplink physical channel, a downlink physical channel and / or a reference signal based on the at least one reference signal. The uplink physical channel, the downlink physical channel and / or the reference signal can include: an uplink physical channel, an uplink reference signal corresponding to the uplink physical channel, a downlink physical channel and an uplink reference signal corresponding to the downlink physical channel. The terminal device updates the spatial filter in a timely manner according to the reference signal from the network device, so as to solve the problem that in a communication scenario, especially in an NTN communication system, for example, in a wideband high-dynamic scenario (such as LEO or MEO), the high-speed movement of a satellite can cause the terminal device downlink receiving beam and the terminal device uplink transmitting beam to fail to accurately “align” the satellite, thereby improving the accuracy of beam pointing in the NTN communication system. The “alignment” of the satellite refers to using a beam direction with better transmission quality, including but not limited to spatially aligning the satellite.

[0008] In a possible implementation, the indication information includes one or more of the following information: information of a quasi co-located (QCL) validity duration, information of a timer duration, information of a reference location and / or a distance threshold.

[0009] In a possible implementation, the indication information includes information of a QCL validity duration, and the receiving or re-receiving at least one reference signal includes: receiving or re-receiving the at least one reference signal within the QCL validity duration.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the information of the QCL validity duration is carried by high-layer signaling, and the high-layer signaling includes system information block (SIB) signaling, radio resource control (RRC) signaling, or medium access control control element (MAC CE) signaling.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the high-layer signaling includes RRC signaling, and the information of the QCL validity duration is carried in a QCL-Info IE in a TCI-State IE of the RRC signaling.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the information of the QCL validity duration of the at least one reference signal is indicated separately or uniformly by the QCL-Info IE.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the indication information includes time length information of a timer, and the communication method further includes: receiving or re-receiving the at least one reference signal, starting / restarting the timer, and the time length of the timer corresponds to the time length of the timer included in the indication information.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the communication method further includes: determining that the spatial domain filter determined based on the at least one reference signal is in an effective state before the timer expires, or determining that the spatial domain filter determined based on the at least one reference signal is in an invalid state after the timer expires.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the terminal device is in an RRC connected state, and the communication method further includes: maintaining the spatial domain filter determined based on the at least one reference signal in an effective state.

[0016] In a possible implementation, the indication information includes information of a reference position and / or a distance threshold, and the receiving or re-receiving the at least one reference signal includes: receiving or re-receiving the at least one reference signal if a distance variation between a self position of the terminal device and the reference position is greater than or equal to the distance threshold.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the reference position is a reference point, or spatial coordinate information of the reference point, or latitude and longitude information of the reference point; and the reference point is a moving point, where the reference point is associated with time.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the receiving or re-receiving the at least one reference signal comprises: receiving the indication information, and receiving or re-receiving the at least one reference signal in a first time, the first time being determined according to a network configuration, a predefinition, or a capability of the terminal device.

[0019] In a possible implementation, the communication method further comprises: in response to not receiving the reference signal satisfying the time interval, sending request information and / or suggestion information, the request information being used to request the network device to send the reference signal, and the suggestion information being used to suggest a time interval of the reference signal sending.

[0020] In a possible implementation, the spatial domain filter comprises a downlink receiving spatial domain filter and an uplink sending spatial domain filter.

[0021] In a possible implementation, the uplink physical channel, the downlink physical channel, and / or the reference signal comprises: a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) and a demodulation reference signal (DMRS), a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) and a DMRS, a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) and a DMRS, a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) and a DMRS, or a sounding reference signal (SRS).

[0022] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a network device, can be applied to an apparatus (for example, a chip, or a chip system, or a circuit) in the network device, or is an apparatus capable of being matched with the network device, and is described below by taking the application to the network device as an example. The method can comprise: the network device sending indication information, the indication information being used for spatial domain filter update indication; and sending or re-sending at least one reference signal, the at least one reference signal being used for the terminal device to determine or re-determine a spatial domain filter corresponding to an uplink physical channel, a downlink physical channel, and / or a reference signal.

[0023] In the embodiments of the present application, the network side can issue indication information for spatial filter update indication to the terminal device, and continue to issue or reissue at least one reference signal, so that the terminal device can determine or redetermine the spatial filter corresponding to the uplink physical channel, the downlink physical channel and / or the reference signal based on the at least one reference signal. The terminal device updates the spatial filter in time according to the reference signal from the network device, thereby solving the problem that in a communication scenario, especially in an NTN communication system, for example, in a wideband high dynamic scenario (such as LEO, MEO), due to the high-speed movement of the satellite, the terminal device downlink receiving beam and the uplink transmitting beam between the satellite and the terminal device cannot be accurately "aligned" with the satellite, thereby improving the accuracy of beam pointing in the NTN communication system. The "alignment" with the satellite refers to using a beam direction with better transmission quality, including but not limited to spatially aligning with the satellite.

[0024] It should be understood that the execution subject of the second aspect can be a network device, the specific content of the second aspect corresponds to the content of the first aspect, and the corresponding features and beneficial effects of the second aspect can refer to the description of the first aspect. To avoid repetition, the detailed description is appropriately omitted here.

[0025] In a possible implementation, the indication information includes one or more of the following information: information of a QCL validity duration, information of a timer duration, information of a reference position and / or a distance threshold.

[0026] In a possible implementation, the indication information includes information of a QCL validity duration, and the sending or re-sending of the at least one reference signal includes: sending or re-sending the at least one reference signal within the QCL validity duration.

[0027] In a possible implementation, the information of the QCL validity duration is carried by high-layer signaling, and the high-layer signaling includes SIB signaling, RRC signaling or MAC CE signaling.

[0028] In a possible implementation, the high-layer signaling includes RRC signaling, and the information of the QCL validity duration is carried by a QCL-Info IE in an RRC signaling transmission configuration indication state TCI-State IE.

[0029] In a possible implementation, the information of the QCL validity duration of the at least one reference signal is indicated by the QCL-Info IE respectively or uniformly.

[0030] In a possible implementation, the reference position is a reference point, or spatial coordinate information of the reference point, or latitude and longitude information of the reference point; the reference point is a moving point, and the reference point is associated with time.

[0031] In a possible implementation, the communication method further can include: receiving request information and / or suggestion information, the request information being used for requesting the network device to send the reference signal, and the suggestion information being used for suggesting a time interval of the reference signal sending; and sending the reference signal according to the request information and / or the suggestion information.

[0032] In a possible implementation, the spatial domain filter includes a downlink reception spatial domain filter and an uplink sending spatial domain filter.

[0033] In a possible implementation, the uplink physical channel, the downlink physical channel, and / or the reference signal include: a PUCCH and a DMRS, a PUSCH and a DMRS, a PDCCH and a DMRS, a PDSCH and a DMRS, or an SRS.

[0034] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, which can be a terminal device or a device (for example, a chip, a chip system, or a circuit) in the terminal device.

[0035] The beneficial effects can refer to the description of the first aspect, which will not be repeated here. The apparatus has the function of implementing the behaviors in the method embodiments of the first aspect. The function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0036] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus can include:

[0037] The transceiver is configured to receive indication information, the indication information being used for spatial domain filter update indication.

[0038] The transceiver is further configured to receive or re-receive at least one reference signal.

[0039] The processing unit is configured to determine or re-determine a spatial domain filter corresponding to an uplink physical channel, a downlink physical channel, and / or a reference signal based on the at least one reference signal.

[0040] In a possible implementation, the indication information includes one or more of the following information: information of a QCL validity duration, information of a timer duration, information of a reference location, and / or information of a distance threshold.

[0041] In a possible implementation, the indication information includes information of a QCL validity duration, and the transceiver receives or re-receives at least one reference signal, specifically for: receiving or re-receiving the at least one reference signal within the QCL validity duration.

[0042] In a possible implementation, the information of the QCL validity duration is carried by high-layer signaling, and the high-layer signaling includes SIB signaling, RRC signaling, or MAC CE signaling.

[0043] In a possible implementation, the high-layer signaling comprises RRC signaling, and information of the QCL validity duration is carried in a QCL-Info IE in a TCI-State IE by RRC signaling.

[0044] In a possible implementation, information of the QCL validity duration of the at least one reference signal is indicated separately or uniformly by the QCL-Info IE.

[0045] In a possible implementation, the indication information comprises time length information of a timer, and the processing unit is further configured to start / restart the timer when the transceiver receives or re-receives the at least one reference signal, and the time length of the timer corresponds to the time length of the timer included in the indication information.

[0046] In a possible implementation, the processing unit is further configured to determine that the spatial domain filter determined based on the at least one reference signal is in the valid state before the timer expires, or determine that the spatial domain filter determined based on the at least one reference signal is in the invalid state after the timer expires.

[0047] In a possible implementation, the terminal device is in an RRC connected state, and the processing unit is further configured to maintain the spatial domain filter determined based on the at least one reference signal in the valid state.

[0048] In a possible implementation, the indication information comprises information of a reference position and / or a distance threshold, and the transceiver receives or re-receives the at least one reference signal, specifically for: if a distance variation between the self-position of the terminal device and the reference position is greater than or equal to the distance threshold, receiving or re-receiving the at least one reference signal.

[0049] In a possible implementation, the reference position is a reference point, or spatial coordinate information of the reference point, or latitude and longitude information of the reference point; the reference point is a moving point, and the reference point is associated with time.

[0050] In a possible implementation, the transceiver receives or re-receives the at least one reference signal, specifically for: receiving the indication information, and receiving or re-receiving the at least one reference signal within a first time, where the first time is determined according to network configuration, predefinition, or a capability of the terminal device.

[0051] In a possible implementation, in response to not receiving the reference signal satisfying the time interval, the transceiver is further configured to send request information and / or suggestion information, where the request information is used to request the network device to send the reference signal, and the suggestion information is used to suggest a time interval of the reference signal transmission.

[0052] In a possible implementation, the spatial domain filter includes a downlink reception spatial domain filter and an uplink transmission spatial domain filter.

[0053] In a possible implementation, the uplink physical channel, the downlink physical channel, and / or the reference signal include: a PUCCH and a DMRS, a PUSCH and a DMRS, a PDCCH and a DMRS, a PDSCH and a DMRS, or an SRS.

[0054] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, which can be a network device or a device (for example, a chip, a chip system, or a circuit) in the network device.

[0055] The beneficial effects can be referred to the description of the second aspect, which will not be repeated here. The apparatus has functions of implementing the behaviors in the method examples of the second aspect. The functions can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions.

[0056] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus can include:

[0057] The transceiver is configured to send indication information, where the indication information is used for spatial domain filter update indication.

[0058] The transceiver is further configured to send or resend at least one reference signal, where the at least one reference signal is used for the terminal device to update a spatial domain filter corresponding to an uplink physical channel, a downlink physical channel, and / or a reference signal.

[0059] In a possible implementation, the indication information includes one or more of the following information: information of a QCL validity duration, information of a timer duration, information of a reference location, and / or information of a distance threshold.

[0060] In a possible implementation, the indication information includes information of a QCL validity duration, and the sending or resending of the at least one reference signal includes: sending or resending the at least one reference signal within the QCL validity duration.

[0061] In a possible implementation, the information of the QCL validity duration is carried by high-layer signaling, where the high-layer signaling includes SIB signaling, RRC signaling, or MAC CE signaling.

[0062] In a possible implementation, the high-layer signaling includes RRC signaling, and the information of the QCL validity duration is carried by a QCL-Info IE in a Transmission Configuration Indication State TCI-State IE transmitted by the RRC signaling.

[0063] In a possible implementation, the information of the QCL validity duration of the at least one reference signal is indicated by the QCL-Info IE respectively or uniformly.

[0064] In a possible implementation, the reference position is a reference point, or spatial coordinate information of the reference point, or latitude and longitude information of the reference point; the reference point is a moving point, and the reference point is associated with time.

[0065] In a possible implementation, the transceiver is further configured to receive request information and / or suggestion information, the request information being used for requesting the network device to send the reference signal, and the suggestion information being used for suggesting a time interval of reference signal sending.

[0066] The transceiver is further configured to send the reference signal according to the request information and / or the suggestion information.

[0067] In a possible implementation, the spatial domain filter includes a downlink receiving spatial domain filter and an uplink sending spatial domain filter.

[0068] In a possible implementation, the uplink physical channel, the downlink physical channel and / or the reference signal include: a PUCCH and a DMRS, a PUSCH and a DMRS, a PDCCH and a DMRS, a PDSCH and a DMRS, or an SRS.

[0069] In a fifth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided. The apparatus can be a terminal device or a device (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit) in a terminal device. The apparatus can include a processor, a memory, an input interface, and an output interface. The input interface is configured to receive information from other communication apparatuses outside the apparatus. The output interface is configured to output information to other communication apparatuses outside the apparatus. The processor is configured to invoke a computer program stored in the memory to execute the communication method in the first aspect or any of the implementations of the first aspect.

[0070] In a sixth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided. The apparatus can be a network device or a device (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit) in a network device. The apparatus can include a processor, a memory, an input interface, and an output interface. The input interface is configured to receive information from other communication apparatuses outside the apparatus. The output interface is configured to output information to other communication apparatuses outside the apparatus. The processor is configured to invoke a computer program stored in the memory to execute the communication method in the second aspect or any of the implementations of the second aspect.

[0071] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication system, comprising at least one terminal device and at least one network device, when the at least one terminal device and the at least one network device operate in the system, the method of any one of the first aspect and the second aspect is executed.

[0072] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer readable storage medium, wherein computer instructions are stored on the computer readable storage medium, when the computer program or the computer instructions are executed, the method of the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof and the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof is executed.

[0073] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising executable instructions, when the computer program product is executed on a communication device, the method of the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof and the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof is executed.

[0074] In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, comprising a processor, and can further comprise a memory, for implementing the method of the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof and the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The device can be a chip system, which can be composed of a chip or can contain a chip and other discrete devices. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0075] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings needed in the embodiment description will be briefly introduced.

[0076] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a non-terrestrial communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0077] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a 5G satellite communication system architecture according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0078] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of quasi-earth-fixed beam coverage according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0079] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of earth-moving beam coverage according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0080] FIGS. 5-9 are schematic diagrams of interactions of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] FIGS. 10 and 11 are schematic diagrams of structures of possible communication devices according to embodiments of the present application;

[0082] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0083] The specific embodiments of the present application will be further described in conjunction with the drawings.

[0084] The terms "first" and "second" and the like in the description, claims and drawings of the present application are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. Furthermore, the terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", "including", "has", "having" and the like are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion such that a process, method, article, system or apparatus that comprises, includes or has a list of elements does not include only those elements but can include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, system or apparatus. Additionally, the term "about" in the context of the present application means that a value is within 10% of the value.

[0085] Reference herein to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the application. The appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are they necessarily mutually exclusive of one another. It is expressly understood that any of the embodiments described herein can be incorporated in to another embodiment.

[0086] In the present application, "at least one" means one or more, "multiple" means two or more, "at least two" means two or three or more, and "and / or" is used to describe the relationship between associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, "A and / or B" can mean that only A exists, only B exists, and A and B exist at the same time, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects. "At least one" or similar expressions mean any combination of these items, including any combination of single or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b or c can mean a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c", where a, b, and c can be singular or plural.

[0087] In the present application, "sending information" can be understood as a device sending information to another device, or it can also be understood as a logical module in a device sending information to another logical module. For example, "the access network device sending information" can be understood as the access network device sending information to another device (such as a terminal), or it can be understood as logical module 1 in the access network device sending information to logical module 2 in the access network device.

[0088] In the present application, "receiving information" can be understood as a device receiving information from another device, or can also be understood as a logical module in a device receiving information from another logical module. For example, "the access network device receiving information" can be understood as the access network device receiving information from another device (such as a terminal), or can be understood as logical module 1 in the access network device receiving information from logical module 2 in the access network device.

[0089] In the present application, "sending information to (for example, a terminal)" can be understood as that the destination of the information is the terminal. It can include directly or indirectly sending information to the terminal. "Receiving information from (for example, a terminal)" or "receiving information from (for example, a terminal)" can be understood as that the source of the information is the terminal, and it can include directly or indirectly receiving information from the terminal. The information can be processed as necessary between the source and the destination of the information transmission, such as format change, etc., but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in the present application can be similarly understood, and will not be repeated here.

[0090] In order to better understand the embodiments of the present application, first, the system architecture related to the embodiments of the present application will be introduced as follows:

[0091] The embodiments of the present application can be applied to a communication system such as satellite communication, including satellite base stations, ground stations and terminal device type network elements. The satellite base station provides communication services for the terminal device, and the satellite base station transmits downlink data to the terminal device, wherein the data is encoded by channel coding, and the channel coded data is transmitted to the terminal device after constellation modulation; the terminal device transmits uplink data to the satellite base station, and the uplink data can also be encoded by channel coding, and the encoded data is transmitted to the satellite base station after constellation modulation. The wireless communication system can include one or more network devices and one or more terminal devices.

[0092] The communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application can be applied to an NTN communication system, which will be exemplarily explained below with reference to the system architecture shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the NTN communication system includes a network device 101 and a terminal device 102.

[0093] The terminal device 102 can also be referred to as a user equipment (UE), a mobile station (MS), a mobile terminal (MT), or the like, or a device for providing voice or data connectivity to a user, and can also be an Internet of Things (IoT) device. For example, the terminal device includes a handheld device having wireless connection functionality, a vehicle-mounted device, and the like. Currently, the terminal device can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a palm computer, a mobile Internet device (MID), a wearable device (for example, a smart watch, a smart bracelet, a pedometer, and the like), a vehicle-mounted device (for example, a car, a bicycle, an electric vehicle, an airplane, a ship, a train, a high-speed rail, and the like), a satellite terminal, a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, a smart point of sale (POS) machine, a customer-premises equipment (CPE), a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a smart home device (for example, a refrigerator, a television, an air conditioner, an electricity meter, and the like), a smart robot, a mechanical arm, a workshop device, a wireless terminal device in unmanned driving, a wireless terminal device in telemedicine, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, or a wireless terminal device in a smart home, a flight device (for example, a smart robot, a hot air balloon, a drone, an airplane), and the like. The terminal device can also be other devices having terminal device functions, for example, the terminal device can also be a device assuming terminal device functions in D2D communication.

[0094] Embodiments of the present application do not limit the device form of the terminal device, and the device for implementing the functions of the terminal device can be a terminal device, or can be a device capable of supporting the terminal device to implement the functions, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the terminal device or used in matching with the terminal device. In embodiments of the present application, the chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0095] The network device 101 can also be referred to as a satellite, a high-altitude platform, a high-altitude aircraft, or a satellite base station. The network device 101 provides a communication service to the terminal device 102, and the network device 101 can also be connected to a core network device. The network device is used to help the terminal device to implement wireless access.

[0096] In a possible scenario, the network device can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmitting and receiving point (TRP), a transmitting point (TP), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a next generation base station in a 6th generation (6G) mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, a satellite, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, a network device in a non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication system, i.e., can be deployed on a high-altitude platform or a satellite, etc. The network device can be a macro base station, a micro base station, or an indoor station, a relay node or a donor node, or a wireless controller in a CRAN scenario. The network device can also be a device assuming a base station function in device to device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, unmanned aircraft communication, and machine communication. Alternatively, the network device can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle or a vehicle-mounted device, etc. For example, the network device in the V2X technology can be a road side unit (RSU).

[0097] All or part of the functions of the network device in this application can also be implemented by software functions running on hardware or by virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (such as a cloud platform). The network device in this application can also be a logical node, a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the network device.

[0098] In another possible scenario, a terminal device accesses a network device to perform wireless access. The network device can be a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and the DU can be separately configured, or can be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH). It can be understood that the network device can be a CU node, or a DU node, or a device including a CU node and a DU node. In addition, the CU can be divided into a network device in a radio access network (RAN), or the CU can be divided into a network device in a core network (CN), which is not limited herein.

[0099] In different systems, the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU can also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in an ORAN system, the CU can also be referred to as an O-CU (open CU), the DU can also be referred to as an O-DU, the CU-CP can also be referred to as an O-CU-CP, the CU-UP can also be referred to as an O-CU-UP, and the RU can also be referred to as an O-RU. For the convenience of description, the CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU are taken as examples for description in this application. Any one of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0100] Taking 5G as an example, a 5G satellite communication system architecture is shown in FIG. 2. A ground terminal device accesses a 5G new air interface network, and a 5G base station is deployed on a satellite and connected to a ground core network through a wireless link. At the same time, there is a wireless link between satellites to complete signaling interaction and user data transmission between base stations. The devices and interfaces in FIG. 2 are described as follows:

[0101] 5G core network: user access control, mobility management, session management, user security authentication, billing and other services. It is composed of multiple functional units and can be divided into control plane and data plane functional entities. Access and mobility management unit (AMF) is responsible for user access management, security authentication, and mobility management. User plane unit (UPF) is responsible for managing user plane data transmission, traffic statistics and other functions. Session management function (SMF) is mainly used for session management in mobile networks, such as session establishment, modification, and release.

[0102] Ground station: responsible for forwarding signaling and service data between satellite base station and 5G core network.

[0103] 5G new radio: wireless link between terminal device and base station.

[0104] Xn interface: interface between 5G base stations, mainly used for signaling interaction such as handover.

[0105] NG interface: interface between 5G base station and 5G core network, mainly interacting with core network non-access layer (NAS) signaling and user service data.

[0106] In the embodiments of the present application, the form of the network device is not limited, and the device for implementing the function of the network device can be a network device; or it can be a device capable of supporting the network device to implement the function, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the network device or used with the network device.

[0107] The following describes the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application, taking the device for implementing the function of the network device as an example, that is, a satellite, to describe the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application. It can be understood that when the scheme provided by the embodiments of the present application is applied to a terrestrial communication system, the actions performed by the satellite can be applied to the base station or the network device to perform. In addition, the satellite described above can be a stationary satellite, a non-stationary satellite, an artificial satellite, a low-orbit satellite, a medium-orbit satellite, and a high-orbit satellite, etc., and the embodiments of the present application are not limited specifically.

[0108] In order to facilitate understanding of the content of the present scheme, the following will explain some terms involved in the embodiments of the present application, so as to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art, and this part is only for the convenience of understanding, and cannot be regarded as a specific limitation of the present application.

[0109] 1. Satellite communication

[0110] Since the traditional ground network cannot provide seamless coverage, especially in places such as the sea, desert, air, etc. where base stations cannot be deployed, non-terrestrial satellite communication networks are considered an important aspect of the future development of wireless communication technology. Satellite communication refers to the communication between radio communication devices on the ground using satellites as relays. The satellite communication system is composed of a satellite part and a ground part. The characteristics of satellite communication are: large communication range; communication can be established between any two points as long as they are within the coverage of the satellite's electromagnetic waves; and it is not easily affected by land disasters (high reliability). As a supplement to the current ground cellular communication system, satellite communication can have the following benefits:

[0111] Extended coverage: areas that cannot be covered by the current cellular communication system or have high coverage costs, such as the ocean, desert, remote mountainous areas, etc., can use satellite communication to solve communication problems.

[0112] Emergency communication: in the event of a disaster such as an earthquake, which can cause the infrastructure of the cellular communication system to be unavailable, satellite communication can quickly establish a communication connection.

[0113] Provide industry applications: for example, for long-distance transmission of time-sensitive services, satellite communication can be used to reduce the transmission delay of services.

[0114] Generally speaking, the higher the orbit of the satellite, the larger the coverage area, but the longer the communication delay. Currently, satellite mobile communication systems can be divided into four categories according to the orbit (elliptical orbit, circular orbit) and altitude (high, medium, low) of the satellite:

[0115] 1) Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite system: orbit altitude 500km-2000km;

[0116] 2) Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellite system: orbit altitude 2000km-20000km;

[0117] 3) Highly Eccentric Orbit (HEO) satellite system: an elliptical orbit satellite system with a low perigee and a very high apogee, with an orbit altitude greater than 20000km;

[0118] 4) Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellite system: orbit altitude 35800km, the relative position of the satellite running on this orbit to the earth is not affected by the earth's rotation.

[0119] Among them, the satellite in LEO is close to the ground, has short communication delay and high data transmission rate, and is suitable for mass market popularization, becoming the focus of current industry development.

[0120] According to the on-board processing capability, satellite communication systems can be classified into transparent satellite systems and regenerative satellite systems. The transparent satellite system only performs transparent transmission and spectrum shift on the signal, without involving the processing of the information itself; the regenerative satellite system has on-board signal processing capability, and the satellite can extract the original baseband signal and use the information for routing exchange and system configuration. At present, transparent satellite systems and regenerative satellite systems coexist and develop.

[0121] According to whether the satellite beam moves with the satellite, satellite communication systems can be classified into non-gazing satellite systems and gazing satellite systems. The satellite beam of the non-gazing satellite system moves with the satellite, and the angle of each beam of the satellite does not change over time, and the ground fixed point will experience frequent beam switching during the satellite overhead period; the satellite beam angle of the gazing satellite system is adjusted in a certain way, and the beam angle switching of such a satellite can realize continuous observation of the ground fixed point.

[0122] In addition to geosynchronous satellite systems, the satellites in other types of satellite systems have a certain moving speed relative to the ground, and the lower the orbit height, the greater the relative speed. Due to the relatively large moving speed of the satellite and the terminal, a large Doppler shift will be generated, such as LEO, and the Doppler range can reach -83.8KHz~83.8KHz at an orbit of 700km. Due to the influence of air resistance and other factors, the satellite running orbit is selected in the space above 120Km. Under the user elevation angle range of 10~170 degrees, the maximum Doppler is 1.348MHz (5.61 normalized Doppler under 240KHz subcarrier spacing (SCS), 11.23 normalized Doppler under 120KHz SCS) in the FR2 frequency band, and the maximum Doppler is 153.8KHz (5.12 normalized Doppler under 30KHz SCS, 10.25 normalized Doppler under 15KHz SCS) in the FR1 frequency band. Compared with the ground network, NTN needs to have higher requirements for frequency offset resistance.

[0123] NTN can be deployed to provide coverage for earth-moving cells, quasi-earth-fixed cells, and earth-fixed cells, which are supported by the following three types of service links, respectively:

[0124] - Fixed Earth: provided by beams that always cover the same geographical area (e.g., the case of geosynchronous orbit satellites);

[0125] - Quasi-Earth fixed: provided by beams covering one geographical area in a limited time and a different geographical area in another time period (e.g., the case of non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellites producing steerable beams), as illustrated in FIG. 3, a cell covers one geographical area in a time period and a different geographical area in another time period (e.g., satellites can implement this scenario by producing steerable beams);

[0126] - Earth moving: provided by beams covering areas that slide on the Earth's surface (e.g., the case of NGSO satellites producing fixed or non-steerable beams), as illustrated in FIG. 4, less than (ground coverage area) moves over time.

[0127] 2. Quasi Co-Location (QCL)

[0128] Generally, the QCL information is used to indicate the spatial domain related parameters of the downlink signal, which can also be referred to as the spatial domain related characteristics, such as PDCCH / PDSCH / Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS) / DMRS / Tracking Reference Signal (TRS).

[0129] Quasi Co-Location (QCL) can also be referred to as quasi co-site, co-location, etc. The QCL information can also be referred to as QCL assumption information, which is used to assist in describing the beamforming information and the receiving process of the terminal device.

[0130] The QCL information can be used to indicate the QCL relationship between two reference signals, where the target reference signal can generally be DMRS, CSI-RS, etc., and the referenced reference signal or source reference signal can generally be CSI-RS, Synchronous Signal / PBCH Block (SSB), Sounding Reference Signal (SRS), etc. It can be understood that TRS is also a kind of CSI-RS. It can be understood that the target reference signal can generally be a downlink signal.

[0131] The signals corresponding to the antenna port pair with the QCL relationship can have the same or similar spatial domain characteristic parameters (or parameters), or the spatial domain characteristic parameters of one antenna port can be used to determine the spatial domain characteristic parameters of another antenna port having a QCL relationship with the antenna port, or the two antenna ports have the same or similar spatial domain characteristic parameters, or the difference between the spatial domain characteristic parameters of the two antenna ports is less than a certain threshold. That is, the large-scale properties of the channel experienced by the symbol on a certain antenna port can be inferred from the signal experienced by the symbol on another antenna port. That is, quasi co-location means that the large-scale properties of the two antenna ports are the same. It can be understood that the spatial domain characteristic parameters of the two reference signals or channels satisfying the QCL relationship are the same (or similar or similar), so that the spatial domain characteristic parameters of the target reference signal can be inferred based on the source reference signal resource index.

[0132] The spatial domain characteristic parameters can include one or more of the following parameters: angle of arrival (AoA), dominant angle of arrival AoA, average angle of arrival, power angular spectrum (PAS) of angle of arrival, angle of departure (AoD), dominant angle of departure, average angle of departure, power angular spectrum of angle of departure, terminal device transmission beamforming, terminal device reception beamforming, spatial channel correlation, network device transmission beamforming, network device reception beamforming, average channel gain, average channel delay, delay spread, doppler spread, doppler shift, spatial Rx parameters, etc.

[0133] 3. Beam management

[0134] The core of beam management is to manage the scanning, reporting and maintenance of static beams, select appropriate static beams for each channel, and thus improve cell coverage and save system overhead.

[0135] For the NR system, beam management can include:

[0136] (1) Beam scanning: the beam transmitting the reference signal is spatially scanned at a predefined time interval;

[0137] (2) Beam measurement / decision: the terminal device measures the reference signal and selects the best beam;

[0138] (3) Beam reporting: for the terminal device, report the results of beam measurement;

[0139] (4) Beam indication: network device indicates terminal device to select specified beam;

[0140] (5) Beam failure recovery: including beam failure detection, finding new beam, beam recovery procedure.

[0141] 4、Beam indication and transmission configuration indication (TCI)

[0142] Downlink beamforming can be done transparently to the device, that is, the device does not need to know what beam the transmitter uses. However, NR also supports beam indication. In fact, this means informing the device that a certain PDSCH and / or PDCCH transmission uses the same transmission beam as the configured reference signal (CSI-RS or SS block). More formally, it means informing the device that a certain PDSCH and / or PDCCH is transmitted using the same spatial filter as the configured reference signal.

[0143] Specifically, beam indication is based on the configuration of transmission configuration indication (TCI) state and downlink signaling. TCI is used to indicate the QCL information of PDCCH / control resource set (CORESET) or PDSCH. TCI information refers to the reference signal included in the TCI and the DMRS of PDCCH / PDSCH satisfying the QCL relationship, mainly used to indicate that when receiving PDCCH / PDSCH, the spatial domain reception parameters and other information thereof are the same, similar or close to the spatial domain reception parameters and other information of the reference signal included in the TCI.

[0144] A TCI state can contain one or two referenced reference signals and associated QCL types. QCL types can be divided into four categories: A / B / C / D, which are different combinations or selections of {Doppler shift, Doppler spread, average delay, delay spread, spatial Rx parameter}. The TCI state includes QCL information, or the TCI state is used to indicate the QCL information.

[0145] Each TCI state includes information about a reference signal (CSI-RS or SS block) etc. By associating a certain downlink transmission (PDCCH or PDSCH) with a certain TCI, the network informs the device that it can assume that the downlink transmission is done using the same spatial filter as the reference signal associated with the TCI. A device can be configured with up to 64 candidate TCI states. For beam indication of PDCCH, a subset of M configured candidate states is assigned to each configured CORESET by RRC signaling. By MAC signaling, the network can more dynamically indicate that a specific TCI state in the configured subset of each CORESET is valid. When monitoring PDCCH in a certain CORESET, the device can assume that the PDCCH transmission uses the same spatial filter as the reference signal associated with the MAC-indicated TCI. In other words, if the device has determined the appropriate receiver-side beam direction for receiving the reference signal earlier, the device can assume that the same beam direction is suitable for receiving the PDCCH. For beam indication of PDSCH, there are two options depending on the scheduling offset, i.e. depending on the transmission timing of the PDSCH relative to the PDCCH carrying the scheduling information for the PDSCH. If this scheduling offset is larger than N symbols, the DCI scheduling the allocation can explicitly indicate the TCI state for the PDSCH transmission. To achieve this, the device is first configured with a set of up to eight TCI states (from the originally configured states) - a set of candidate TCI states. A three-bit indicator in the DCI then indicates the exact TCI state that is valid for the scheduled PDSCH transmission. If the scheduling offset is smaller than or equal to N symbols, the device should instead assume that the PDSCH transmission is QCL'ed with the corresponding PDCCH transmission. In other words, the TCI state for the PDCCH state indicated by the MAC signaling should be assumed to be valid also for the corresponding scheduled PDSCH transmission. The reason for restricting the fully dynamic TCI selection based on DCI signaling to the case where the scheduling offset is larger than a certain value is simply that for shorter scheduling offsets, the device would not have enough time to decode the TCI information DCI within the scheduling offset and adjust the receiver beam accordingly before receiving the PDSCH.

[0146] Currently, for NR system, beam indication can be indicated based on TCI. Specifically, there are two sets of QCL configurations for high frequency and low frequency respectively, whose source reference signals are SSB or CSI-RS, and target reference signals / channels are CSI-RS, DMRS of PDCCH, and DMRS of PDSCH. The types of QCL are divided into four types, typeA, typeB, typeC, and typeD, and the specific channel characteristics are shown in the following table 1.

[0147] Table 1 QCL relationship in NR system

[0148] When the network device performs beam indication, the network device can indicate the QCL relationship with the reference signal by configuring a TCI state (TCI state) and indicate the spatial filter by typeD. The terminal device receives the beam pointing, trains the receive (Rx) beam based on the measurement of the reference signal and for the reference signal. In this way, the terminal device can adjust the direction of the receive beam according to the QCL relationship with the reference signal when receiving the data of the target reference signal / channel.

[0149] First, in order to facilitate the understanding of the embodiments of the present application, the technical problems to be solved by the present application are further analyzed and proposed.

[0150] In NTN communication networks, such as satellite communication, there are advantages such as wide coverage, long communication distance, high reliability, great flexibility, high throughput, etc. It is not affected by geographical environment, climate condition and natural disaster, and has been widely used in aviation communication, maritime communication, military communication and other fields. Introducing satellites into 5G NR technology can provide communication services for areas that are difficult to cover by ground networks, such as oceans, forests, etc. It can enhance the reliability of 5G communication, such as providing more stable and high-quality communication services for trains, airplanes and users on these vehicles. It can also provide more data transmission resources and support more number of connections.

[0151] In a wideband high dynamic scenario, such as NTN LEO, MEO satellite communication scenario, due to the high-speed movement of the satellite, the spatial angle between the satellite and the terminal device may change rapidly. If the terminal device applies the spatial filter coefficient (corresponding to the beam direction of downlink reception or uplink transmission) estimated according to the RS at t1 to t2, if the value of (t2-t1) is large, the spatial position of the satellite has changed significantly at this time, which may cause the problem that the downlink reception beam and the uplink transmission beam of the terminal device cannot accurately "align" with the satellite. The "alignment" of the satellite refers to using the beam direction with better transmission quality, including but not limited to spatially aligning the satellite.

[0152] Therefore, how to improve the beam pointing in the NTN communication system is a problem to be solved.

[0153] The technical problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present application is how to improve the accuracy of beam pointing in a communication system, especially in an NTT communication system. Based on the above, the present application provides a communication method, which will be described below through each embodiment. It should be understood that in each embodiment of the present application, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments have consistency and can be mutually referred to if there is no special description and logical conflict, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship. These methods can be used in combination. The technical solutions provided by the present application are not limited to the processes described below. Further, the description of the scene in the embodiments of the present application is only for example, and does not limit the solutions of the embodiments of the present application to only be used in the described scene. It is also applicable to scenes with similar problems.

[0154] In combination with the network architecture described above, a communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application is described below. It can be understood that the network device and the terminal device are taken as an example to illustrate the execution subject of the interaction in the present application, but the present application does not limit the execution subject of the interaction. For example, the terminal device in the embodiments of the present application (as described in the corresponding embodiments below) can be the terminal device in the network architecture shown in FIG. 1. The method performed by the terminal device in the present application can also be performed by a module (such as a chip, a chip system, or a processor) applied to the terminal device, and can also be implemented by a logic node, a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the terminal device. The access network device in the present embodiment can be the network device in the network architecture shown in FIG. 1. The method performed by the network device in the present application can also be performed by a module (such as a chip, a chip system, or a processor) applied to the network device, and can also be implemented by a logic node, a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the network device. The network device can be a satellite, which can be a stationary satellite, a non-stationary satellite, an artificial satellite, a low-orbit satellite, a medium-orbit satellite, and a high-orbit satellite, etc., which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0155] It should be noted that a cell is described from the perspective of resource management or mobility management or a service unit by a higher layer. The coverage of each network device can be divided into one or more cells, and the cell can be regarded as being composed of certain frequency domain resources. The cell can be an area in the coverage of the wireless network of the network device. In the embodiments of the present application, different cells can correspond to different network devices or the same network device. In the embodiments of the present application, a cell can be replaced by the network device corresponding to the cell. For example, in the embodiments of the present application, the “neighboring cell” can be replaced by the “neighboring base station” or the “neighboring network device”. For another example, in the embodiments of the present application, the “first cell sends” or “the second cell sends” can be replaced by “the network device of the first cell sends” or “the network device of the second cell sends”. The terminal device communicates with a certain cell, which can be understood as that the terminal device communicates with the access network device to which the cell belongs or that the terminal device communicates using the communication resources of the cell. For example, the terminal device sends a message to the first cell, which can be understood as that the terminal device sends a message to the access network device corresponding to the first cell or that the terminal device sends a message using the communication resources of the first cell.

[0156] Please refer to FIG. 5, which is an interaction diagram of a communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application. As shown in FIG. 5, the communication method can include at least the following steps.

[0157] S501, the network device sends indication information to the terminal device, and the indication information is used for spatial filter update indication. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the indication information from the network device.

[0158] The indication information can include one or more of the following information: information of a QCL validity duration, information of a timer duration, information of a reference location and / or a distance threshold.

[0159] The QCL validity duration can be the duration of the QCL relationship between multiple reference signals (for example, two reference signals), wherein the target reference signal can be a DMRS, a CSI-RS, etc., and the referenced reference signal or the source reference signal can be a CSI-RS, an SSB, an SRS, etc. The signals corresponding to the antenna ports with the QCL relationship can have the same or similar spatial domain characteristic parameters (or parameters), or the spatial domain characteristic parameters of one antenna port can be used to determine the spatial domain characteristic parameters of another antenna port having the QCL relationship with the one antenna port, or the two antenna ports have the same or similar spatial domain characteristic parameters, or the difference between the spatial domain characteristic parameters of the two antenna ports is less than a certain threshold.

[0160] The reference position can be a reference point, or spatial coordinate information of the reference point, or latitude and longitude information of the reference point. Optionally, the reference point can be a movable point, in which case the reference point can be associated with time. For example, because the reference point is movable, different time points can correspond to different reference points, or it can also be understood that different time periods correspond to different reference points. For example, at T1, the reference point can be a geographical position corresponding to the spatial coordinates [x1, y1, z1], at T1+00:10, the reference point can be a geographical position corresponding to the spatial coordinates [x2, y2, z2], and at T1+00:20, the reference point can be a geographical position corresponding to the spatial coordinates [x3, y3, z3]. For another example, within the time interval [T1, T2], the reference point can be a geographical position corresponding to the spatial coordinates [x1, y1, z1], within the time interval (T2, T3], the reference point can be a geographical position corresponding to the spatial coordinates [x2, y2, z2], and within the time interval (T3, T4], the reference point can be a geographical position corresponding to the spatial coordinates [x3, y3, z3].

[0161] For example, the indication information including the information of the QCL validity duration can correspond to the method embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the indication information including the information of the timer duration can correspond to the method embodiment shown in FIG. 7, and the indication information including the information of the reference position and / or the distance threshold can correspond to the method embodiment shown in FIG. 9.

[0162] In addition, it can be understood that any one or more of the method embodiments shown in FIGS. 6-9 can be combined for implementation. For example, the indication information can include the information of the QCL validity duration and the information of the timer duration, and the specific implementation can be a combination of FIGS. 6 and 7. Similarly, the combination implementation of other multiple information included in the indication information will not be described again.

[0163] S502, the terminal device receives or re-receives at least one reference signal from the network device.

[0164] After the network device sends the indication information to the terminal device, the network device can send or re-send at least one reference signal to the terminal device. The reference signal can be a CSI-RS, a DMRS, an SRS, etc.

[0165] Optionally, after the network device sends the indication information to the terminal device, the network device can send or re-send at least one reference signal to the terminal device according to one or more of the information of the QCL validity duration, the information of the timer duration, the information of the reference position, and / or the information of the distance threshold included in the indication information.

[0166] S503, determine or re-determine the spatial domain filter corresponding to the uplink physical channel, the downlink physical channel and / or the reference signal based on the at least one reference signal.

[0167] The spatial domain filter can be a beam, or referred to as a spatial filter or a spatial parameter. The beam used for transmitting a signal can be referred to as a transmission beam (Tx beam), and can be referred to as a spatial domain transmission filter or a spatial transmission parameter; the beam used for receiving a signal can be referred to as a reception beam (Rx beam), and can be referred to as a spatial domain receive filter or a spatial RX parameter.

[0168] It can be understood that the spatial domain filter in the embodiments of the present application can include a downlink reception spatial domain filter and an uplink transmission spatial domain filter.

[0169] It can be understood that the uplink can include but is not limited to PUSCH, PUCCH, and the downlink can include but is not limited to PDSCH, PDCCH, and the reference signal can include but is not limited to DMRS, CSI-RS, SSB, SRS, etc.

[0170] For example, the uplink physical channel, the downlink physical channel and / or the reference signal can include one or more of the following: PDDCH and its DMRS, PDSCH and its DMRS, PUCCH and its DMRS, PUSCH and its DMRS, or SRS, etc.

[0171] Optionally, after performing S501, if the terminal device does not receive the reference signal satisfying the time interval, the terminal device can send request information and / or suggestion information to the network device in response to not receiving the reference signal satisfying the time interval. The request information is used to request the network device to send the reference signal, and the suggestion information is used to suggest the time interval of the reference signal transmission. In an embodiment, if the terminal device does not receive the reference signal satisfying the time interval, the terminal device can send the request information to the network device to request the network device to send the reference signal, and optionally, can further report the time interval of the reference signal transmission. It can be understood that if the terminal device sends the request information and the suggestion information to the network device, the request information and the suggestion information can be sent simultaneously, or the request information can be sent first and then the suggestion information, and similarly, the suggestion information can be sent first and then the request information, and the present application embodiment does not limit. In addition, the request information and the suggestion information can be carried by the same signaling / information, or can be carried by different signaling / information. The network device receives the request information and / or the suggestion information, and can send at least one reference signal to the terminal device according to the request information and / or the suggestion information, so that the terminal device determines or re-determines the spatial domain filter corresponding to the uplink physical channel, the downlink physical channel and / or the reference signal based on the at least one reference signal.

[0172] In the present application embodiment, the network side can issue indication information for spatial domain filter update indication to the terminal device, and continue to issue or re-issue at least one reference signal, so that the terminal device can update the spatial domain filter corresponding to the uplink physical channel, the downlink physical channel and / or the reference signal based on the at least one reference signal. The terminal device updates the spatial domain filter in time according to the reference signal from the network device, so as to solve the problem that in a communication scenario, especially in an NTN communication scenario, for example, in a wideband high dynamic scenario (such as LEO, MEO), the terminal device downlink receiving beam and uplink transmitting beam between the satellite and the terminal device cannot be accurately "aligned" with the satellite due to the high-speed movement of the satellite, and thus the accuracy of beam pointing in the NTN communication system can be improved. The "alignment" with the satellite refers to using the beam direction with better transmission quality, including but not limited to spatially aligning with the satellite.

[0173] For the method embodiment shown in FIG. 5, some specific implementation manners and advantages can refer to the description of FIG. 6-FIG. 9 below, that is, the embodiments shown in FIG. 6-FIG. 9 are specific implementations of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, and to avoid redundancy, the specific implementation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 will not be described here. Among them, the method embodiment of FIG. 6 can correspond to the implementation manner of the information that the indication information includes the QCL validity duration in the step S501; the method embodiment of FIG. 7 can correspond to the implementation manner of the information that the indication information includes the duration information of the timer in the step S501; the method embodiment of FIG. 8 can correspond to the implementation manner of the indication information indicating the spatial filter update in the step S501; the method embodiment of FIG. 9 can correspond to the implementation manner of the information that the indication information includes the reference position and / or distance threshold in the step S501.

[0174] Another communication method provided by the embodiment of the application will be described below. Please refer to FIG. 6, which is an interaction schematic diagram of another communication method provided by the embodiment of the application. As shown in FIG. 6, the communication method can include at least the following steps.

[0175] S601, the network device sends indication information to the terminal device, and the indication information includes information of a QCL validity duration. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the indication information from the network device.

[0176] Optionally, the information of the QCL validity duration can be carried by high-layer signaling, including SIB signaling (such as SIB19), RRC signaling or MAC CE signaling, etc. It can be understood that the indication information includes the information of the QCL validity duration, and the indication information can be carried by the above-mentioned high-layer signaling.

[0177] Further optionally, if the information of the QCL validity duration is carried by the RRC signaling, it can be carried by the QCL-Info IE in the RRC signaling TCI-State IE.

[0178] Further optionally, the information of the QCL validity duration of at least one reference signal can be indicated by the QCL-Info IE respectively or uniformly. For example, the information of the QCL validity duration of multiple reference signals can be indicated by multiple separate QCL-Info IEs respectively, or the information of the QCL validity duration of multiple reference signals can be the same and indicated by one QCL-Info IE uniformly, or the information of the QCL validity duration of multiple reference signals can be different and also indicated by one QCL-Info IE uniformly.

[0179] The specific QCL validity duration can refer to the description in the step S501.

[0180] S602, receiving or re-receiving the at least one reference signal from the network device within the QCL validity duration.

[0181] After the network device sends the indication information to the terminal device, the network device can send or re-send the at least one reference signal to the terminal device. Optionally, after the network device sends the indication information to the terminal device, the network device can send or re-send the at least one reference signal to the terminal device within the QCL validity duration according to the information of the QCL validity duration included in the indication information. The sending or re-sending can be understood as that the network device re-sends the reference signal (for example, QCL RS) at least once. The receiving or re-receiving can be understood as that the terminal device re-receives the reference signal at least once.

[0182] After the terminal device receives the indication information from the network device, the terminal device can receive or re-receive the at least one reference signal from the network device within the QCL validity duration.

[0183] S603, the terminal device determines or re-determines the spatial domain filter corresponding to the uplink physical channel, the downlink physical channel and / or the reference signal based on the at least one reference signal.

[0184] Within the QCL validity duration, the terminal device receives or re-receives the at least one reference signal from the network device, and can update the spatial domain filter corresponding to the uplink physical channel, the downlink physical channel and / or the reference signal based on the received reference signal.

[0185] The specific description can refer to the above step S503.

[0186] It can be understood that the QCL validity duration can be the maximum time interval for the terminal device to receive or re-receive the at least one reference signal, or can include the maximum time interval for receiving or re-receiving the at least one reference signal and determining or re-determining the spatial domain filter corresponding to the uplink physical channel, the downlink physical channel and / or the reference signal based on the at least one reference signal, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0187] Optionally, after performing S601, if the terminal device does not receive the reference signal satisfying the time interval, for example, does not receive the reference signal within the QCL validity duration, the terminal device can send request information and / or suggestion information to the network device in response to not receiving the reference signal satisfying the time interval. The network device receives the request information and / or the suggestion information, and can send the at least one reference signal to the terminal device according to the request information and / or the suggestion information, so that the terminal device determines or re-determines the spatial domain filter corresponding to the uplink physical channel, the downlink physical channel and / or the reference signal based on the at least one reference signal.

[0188] In the embodiments of the present application, the network side can issue indication information for spatial filter update indication to the terminal device, and the indication information includes information of the QCL validity duration, and continue to issue or reissue at least one reference signal, so that the terminal device can receive or re-receive the at least one reference signal within the QCL validity duration, and determine or re-determine the spatial filter corresponding to the uplink physical channel, the downlink physical channel and / or the reference signal based on the at least one reference signal. The terminal device updates the spatial filter in a timely manner according to the QCL validity duration, thereby solving the problem that in a communication scenario, especially in an NTN communication scenario, for example, in a wideband high dynamic scenario (such as LEO, MEO), the terminal device downlink receiving beam and the uplink transmitting beam between the satellite and the terminal device cannot be accurately "aligned" with the satellite due to the high-speed movement of the satellite, and thus the accuracy of beam pointing in the NTN communication system can be improved.

[0189] In addition, compared with the embodiment of FIG. 5, the terminal device receives or re-receives the reference signal according to the QCL validity duration, and can update the spatial filter in a more timely manner based on the reference signal, thereby further improving the accuracy of beam pointing in the NTN communication system.

[0190] Another communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application is described below. Please refer to FIG. 7, which is an interaction schematic diagram of another communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application. As shown in FIG. 7, the communication method can include at least the following steps.

[0191] S701, the network device sends indication information to the terminal device, and the indication information includes time duration information of a timer. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the indication information from the network device.

[0192] The network device can send indication information to the terminal device, and the indication information can be used for spatial filter update indication. The indication information can include the time duration of a timer.

[0193] S702, the network device sends or re-sends at least one reference signal to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives or re-receives the at least one reference signal from the network device.

[0194] The specific description can refer to the description in the above step S502.

[0195] S703, the terminal device determines or re-determines the spatial filter corresponding to the uplink physical channel, the downlink physical channel and / or the reference signal based on the at least one reference signal.

[0196] The specific description can refer to the description in the above step S503.

[0197] S704, the terminal device receives or re-receives at least one reference signal, and starts / re-starts the timer.

[0198] The duration of the timer corresponds to the timer duration included in the indication information.

[0199] In response to S702, the terminal device receives or re-receives at least one reference signal, and can start / re-start the timer.

[0200] Before the timer expires, the terminal device can determine that the spatial domain filter determined based on the at least one reference signal is in an effective state; or when or after the timer expires, the terminal device determines that the spatial domain filter determined based on the at least one reference signal is in an invalid state.

[0201] Further optionally, if the terminal device is in an RRC connected state, the terminal device can also maintain the spatial domain filter determined based on the at least one reference signal in an effective state.

[0202] It can be understood that the execution order of S703 and S704 is not limited, which can be to execute S703 first and then execute S704, or to execute S704 first and then execute S703, or to execute S703 and S704 simultaneously, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0203] Optionally, after executing S701, if the terminal device does not receive a reference signal that meets the time interval, the terminal device can send request information and / or suggestion information to the network device, wherein the request information is used to request the network device to send the reference signal, and the suggestion information is used to suggest the time interval of the reference signal transmission, so that the terminal device determines or re-determines the spatial domain filter corresponding to the uplink physical channel, the downlink physical channel and / or the reference signal based on at least one reference signal.

[0204] In the embodiments of the present application, the network side can issue indication information for spatial domain filter update indication to the terminal device, and the indication information includes the duration information of the timer, and at least one reference signal is continuously issued or re-issued, so that the terminal device can determine or re-determine the spatial domain filter corresponding to the uplink physical channel, the downlink physical channel and / or the reference signal based on at least one reference signal. In response to receiving at least one reference signal, the terminal device can start / re-start the timer according to the duration information of the timer in the indication information, and update the spatial domain filter in time within the effective duration of the timer, so as to solve the problem that in a communication scenario, especially in an NTN communication scenario, for example, in a wideband high dynamic scenario (such as LEO, MEO), the terminal device downlink receiving beam and uplink transmitting beam between the satellite and the terminal device cannot be accurately "aligned" with the satellite due to the high-speed movement of the satellite. Therefore, the accuracy of beam pointing in the NTN communication system can be improved.

[0205] In addition, compared with the embodiment of FIG. 5, the spatial domain filter can be updated more timely according to the valid duration of the timer, further improving the accuracy of beam pointing in the NTN communication system.

[0206] Another communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application is described below. Please refer to FIG. 8, which is an interaction schematic diagram of another communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application. As shown in FIG. 8, the communication method can include at least the following steps.

[0207] S801, the network device sends indication information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the indication information from the network device.

[0208] The specific description can refer to the description in step S501 described above.

[0209] S802, the terminal device receives the indication information and receives or re-receives at least one reference signal from the network device within a first time.

[0210] After the network device sends the indication information to the terminal device, the network device can send or re-send at least one reference signal to the terminal device. Optionally, after the network device sends the indication information to the terminal device, the network device can send or re-send at least one reference signal to the terminal device within a first time. The first time can be determined according to network configuration, predefinition or terminal device capability. The first time can be understood as a preset time. Specifically:

[0211] After the network device sends the indication information, it can be understood that the network device sends or re-sends at least one reference signal to the terminal device within a first time after sending the indication information. The first time can be the time from sending the indication information to sending or re-sending at least one reference signal. The time of sending the indication information is the time of the resource of sending the indication information. The resource can be a random access resource or an uplink grant resource or an uplink resource. The time or time can be the system frame number or subframe or time slot or symbol of the resource. The time can be the start time or end time of the resource, for example, the start time is the first symbol of the resource, and the end time is the last symbol of the resource. The first time can also be a pre-defined or pre-configured time period, for example, a timer is defined, and the timer is started when the indication information is sent, and at least one reference signal is sent or re-sent within the running time of the timer.

[0212] S803, the terminal device determines or re-determines the spatial domain filter corresponding to the uplink physical channel, the downlink physical channel and / or the reference signal based on at least one reference signal.

[0213] The specific description can refer to the description in step S503 described above.

[0214] It should be noted that the first time in the embodiments of the present application can be regarded as the completion time of the terminal device updating the spatial domain filter corresponding to the uplink physical channel, the downlink physical channel and / or the reference signal based on at least one reference signal after receiving the indication information, that is, the spatial domain filter is updated within the first time, and if the first time is exceeded, the terminal device updates the spatial domain filter based on at least one reference signal is invalid. It can be understood that the first time can include the transmission delay of the network device and the terminal device transmitting and receiving the indication information and at least one reference signal.

[0215] It can be understood that the first time can be the time interval of the terminal device receiving or re-receiving at least one reference signal, and can also include the time interval of receiving or re-receiving at least one reference signal and determining or re-determining the spatial domain filter corresponding to the uplink physical channel, the downlink physical channel and / or the reference signal based on at least one reference signal, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0216] Optionally, after performing S801, if the terminal device does not receive the reference signal satisfying the time interval, for example, does not receive the reference signal within the first time, the terminal device can send request information and / or suggestion information to the network device in response to not receiving the reference signal satisfying the time interval. The network device receives the request information and / or the suggestion information, and can send at least one reference signal to the terminal device according to the request information and / or the suggestion information, so that the terminal device determines or re-determines the spatial domain filter corresponding to the uplink physical channel, the downlink physical channel and / or the reference signal based on at least one reference signal.

[0217] In the embodiments of the present application, the network side can issue indication information for spatial domain filter update indication to the terminal device, and continue to issue or re-issue at least one reference signal, so that the terminal device can receive or re-receive at least one reference signal within the first time, and update the spatial domain filter corresponding to the uplink physical channel, the downlink physical channel and / or the reference signal based on at least one reference signal. The terminal device can update the spatial domain filter in time within the first time in response to receiving at least one reference signal, so as to solve the problem that in a communication scenario, especially in an NTN communication scenario, for example, in a wideband high dynamic scenario (such as LEO, MEO), the high-speed movement of the satellite may cause the terminal device downlink receiving beam and the uplink transmitting beam between the satellite and the terminal device cannot be accurately "aligned" with the satellite, so as to improve the accuracy of beam pointing in the NTN communication system.

[0218] In addition, compared with the embodiment of FIG. 5, the terminal device receives or re-receives the reference signal according to the first time, and can update the spatial domain filter based on the reference signal in a more timely manner, which can further improve the accuracy of beam pointing in the NTN communication system.

[0219] Another communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application is described below. Referring to FIG. 9, FIG. 9 is an interaction diagram of another communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application. As shown in FIG. 9, the communication method can include at least the following steps.

[0220] S901, the network device sends indication information to the terminal device, the indication information including information of the reference position and / or the distance threshold. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the indication information from the network device.

[0221] The reference position can be a reference point, or spatial coordinate information of the reference point, or latitude and longitude information of the reference point. The specific description of the reference position can refer to the description in step S501.

[0222] S902, if the distance variation between the self-position of the terminal device and the reference position is greater than or equal to the distance threshold, the terminal device receives or re-receives at least one reference signal from the network device.

[0223] The distance threshold can be indicated by the indication information together with the information of the reference position, or can be predefined, for example, predefined by a protocol, or can be indicated by the network device to the terminal device through other signaling / information, or can be pre-configured by the network device for the terminal device, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this. For example, the distance threshold can be a number of kilometers (km).

[0224] After the network device sends the indication information to the terminal device, the network device can send or re-send at least one reference signal to the terminal device. Optionally, after the network device sends the indication information to the terminal device, the network device can send or re-send at least one reference signal to the terminal device according to the information of the reference position and / or the distance threshold included in the indication information. For example, if the distance variation between the self-position of the terminal device and the reference position is greater than or equal to the distance threshold, the network device sends or re-sends at least one reference signal to the terminal device. Specifically, the network device can determine the distance threshold and can determine the position of the terminal device in real time. If it is determined that the distance variation between the self-position of the terminal device and the reference position is greater than or equal to (or greater than (exceeds)) the distance threshold, the network device can send or re-send at least one reference signal to the terminal device.

[0225] After the terminal device determines the distance threshold, the terminal device can calculate the distance change amount of the terminal device position relative to the reference position (at the current moment) and receive or re-receive the at least one reference signal from the network device if the distance change amount is greater than or equal to (or greater than (exceeds)) the distance threshold. Alternatively, the terminal device can receive or re-receive the at least one reference signal from the network device within a preset time if the distance change amount is greater than or equal to (or greater than (exceeds)) the distance threshold. The preset time can refer to the time between the moment when the distance change amount is greater than or equal to (or greater than (exceeds)) the distance threshold and the moment when the at least one reference signal from the network device is received or re-received.

[0226] S903, the terminal device determines or re-determines the spatial domain filter corresponding to the uplink physical channel, the downlink physical channel, and / or the reference signal based on the at least one reference signal.

[0227] The specific description can refer to the above step S503.

[0228] Alternatively, after performing S901, if the distance change amount is greater than or equal to (or greater than (exceeds)) the distance threshold and the terminal device does not receive the reference signal that meets the time interval, for example, does not receive the reference signal within the preset time, the terminal device can send request information and / or suggestion information to the network device in response to not receiving the reference signal that meets the time interval. The network device receives the request information and / or the suggestion information, and can send at least one reference signal to the terminal device according to the request information and / or the suggestion information, so that the terminal device determines or re-determines the spatial domain filter corresponding to the uplink physical channel, the downlink physical channel, and / or the reference signal based on the at least one reference signal.

[0229] In the embodiments of the present application, the network side can issue indication information for spatial domain filter update indication to the terminal device, and the indication information includes information of the reference position. The terminal device can receive or re-receive at least one reference signal according to the distance change amount of the terminal device position relative to the reference position, and determine or re-determine the spatial domain filter corresponding to the uplink physical channel, the downlink physical channel, and / or the reference signal based on the at least one reference signal. The terminal device updates the spatial domain filter in a timely manner according to the reference signal from the network device, thereby solving the problem that the terminal device downlink reception beam and uplink transmission beam cannot be accurately "aligned" with the satellite between the satellite and the terminal device due to the high-speed movement of the satellite in the communication scenario, especially in the NTN communication scenario, for example, in a wideband high-dynamic scenario (such as LEO, MEO), thereby improving the accuracy of beam pointing in the NTN communication system.

[0230] In addition, compared with the embodiment of FIG. 5, the spatial domain filter can be updated more timely based on the reference signal according to the distance variation of the terminal device itself position relative to the reference position, and the accuracy of beam pointing in the NTN communication system can be further improved from the mobility of the terminal device.

[0231] It can be understood that, in order to implement the functions in the above embodiments, the terminal device and the network device include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the functions. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, in combination with the units and method steps of the examples described in the embodiments disclosed in the present application, the present application can be realized in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is implemented in hardware or computer software driven hardware depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0232] FIGS. 10 and 11 are structural schematic diagrams of possible communication apparatuses provided by the embodiments of the present application. The communication apparatuses can be used to implement the functions of the terminal device or the network device in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects possessed by the above method embodiments. The communication apparatus can be a terminal device or a network device, or an apparatus (for example, a chip or a chip system or a circuit) in the terminal device or the network device. As shown in FIG. 10, the communication apparatus 1000 at least includes a transceiver unit 1001 and a processing unit 1002. The communication apparatus 1000 is used to implement the functions of the terminal device or the network device in the above method embodiments shown in FIGS. 5-9.

[0233] When the communication apparatus 1000 is used to implement the functions of the terminal device in the above method embodiments shown in FIGS. 5-9, the transceiver unit 1001 is configured to receive indication information, the indication information being used for spatial domain filter update indication.

[0234] The transceiver unit 1001 is configured to receive or re-receive at least one reference signal.

[0235] The transceiver unit 1001 is further configured to receive or re-receive at least one reference signal.

[0236] The processing unit 1002 is configured to determine or re-determine a spatial domain filter corresponding to an uplink physical channel, a downlink physical channel and / or a reference signal based on the at least one reference signal.

[0237] In a possible implementation, the indication information includes one or more of the following information: information of a QCL validity duration, information of a timer duration, information of a reference position and / or a distance threshold.

[0238] In a possible implementation, the indication information includes information of a QCL validity duration, and the transceiver unit 1001 receives or re-receives at least one reference signal, specifically for: receiving or re-receiving the at least one reference signal within the QCL validity duration.

[0239] In a possible implementation, the information of the QCL validity duration is carried by high-layer signaling, and the high-layer signaling includes SIB signaling, RRC signaling or MAC CE signaling.

[0240] In a possible implementation, the high-layer signaling includes RRC signaling, and the information of the QCL validity duration is carried by a QCL-Info IE in an RRC signaling transmission configuration indication state TCI-State IE.

[0241] In a possible implementation, the information of the QCL validity duration of the at least one reference signal is indicated respectively or uniformly by the QCL-Info IE.

[0242] In a possible implementation, the indication information includes time length information of a timer, and the processing unit 1002 is further configured to start / restart the timer when the transceiver unit 1001 receives or re-receives the at least one reference signal, and the time length of the timer corresponds to the time length of the timer included in the indication information.

[0243] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 1002 is further configured to determine that the spatial domain filter determined based on the at least one reference signal is in an effective state before the timer expires, or determine that the spatial domain filter determined based on the at least one reference signal is in an ineffective state after the timer expires.

[0244] In a possible implementation, the terminal device is in an RRC connected state, and the processing unit 1002 is further configured to maintain the spatial domain filter determined based on the at least one reference signal in the effective state.

[0245] In a possible implementation, in response to the fact that no reference signal satisfying the time interval is received, the transceiver unit 1001 is further configured to send request information and / or suggestion information, the request information being used to request the network device to send the reference signal, and the suggestion information being used to suggest a time interval of the reference signal transmission.

[0246] In a possible implementation, the reference position is a reference point, or spatial coordinate information of the reference point, or latitude and longitude information of the reference point; the reference point is a moving point, and the reference point is associated with time.

[0247] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1001 receives or re-receives the at least one reference signal, and specifically is configured to: receive the indication information, and receive or re-receive the at least one reference signal within a first time, the first time being determined according to network configuration, predefinition or a capability of the terminal device.

[0248] In a possible implementation, the indication information includes information of a reference position and / or a distance threshold, and the transceiver 1001 receives or re-receives at least one reference signal, specifically for: if a distance variation between the self-position of the terminal device and the reference position is greater than or equal to the distance threshold, receiving or re-receiving the at least one reference signal.

[0249] In a possible implementation, the spatial domain filter includes a downlink reception spatial domain filter and an uplink transmission spatial domain filter.

[0250] In a possible implementation, the uplink physical channel, the downlink physical channel, and / or the reference signal include: a PUCCH and a DMRS, a PUSCH and a DMRS, a PDCCH and a DMRS, a PDSCH and a DMRS, or an SRS.

[0251] When the communication apparatus 1000 is configured to implement the functions of the network device in the method embodiments shown in FIGS. 5-9:

[0252] The transceiver is configured to send indication information, the indication information being used for spatial domain filter update indication.

[0253] The transceiver is further configured to send or re-send at least one reference signal, the at least one reference signal being used for the terminal device to determine or re-determine a spatial domain filter corresponding to the uplink physical channel, the downlink physical channel, and / or the reference signal.

[0254] In a possible implementation, the indication information includes one or more of the following information: information of a QCL validity duration, information of a timer duration, information of a reference position and / or a distance threshold.

[0255] In a possible implementation, the indication information includes information of a QCL validity duration, and the sending or re-sending of the at least one reference signal includes: sending or re-sending the at least one reference signal within the QCL validity duration.

[0256] In a possible implementation, the information of the QCL validity duration is carried through high-layer signaling, and the high-layer signaling includes SIB signaling, RRC signaling, or MAC CE signaling.

[0257] In a possible implementation, the high-layer signaling includes RRC signaling, and the information of the QCL validity duration is carried through a QCL-Info IE in an RRC signaling transmission configuration indication state TCI-State IE.

[0258] In a possible implementation, the information of the QCL validity duration of the at least one reference signal is indicated by the QCL-Info IE respectively or uniformly.

[0259] In a possible implementation, the reference position is a reference point, or spatial coordinate information of the reference point, or latitude and longitude information of the reference point; the reference point is a moving point, and the reference point is associated with time.

[0260] In a possible implementation, the transceiver is further configured to receive request information and / or suggestion information, the request information being used to request the network device to send the reference signal, and the suggestion information being used to suggest a time interval of the reference signal sending.

[0261] The transceiver is further configured to send the reference signal according to the request information and / or the suggestion information.

[0262] In a possible implementation, the spatial domain filter includes a downlink receiving spatial domain filter and an uplink sending spatial domain filter.

[0263] In a possible implementation, the uplink physical channel, the downlink physical channel and / or the reference signal include: a PUCCH and a DMRS, a PUSCH and a DMRS, a PDCCH and a DMRS, a PDSCH and a DMRS, or an SRS.

[0264] For more details of the transceiver 1001 and the processing unit 1002, refer to the related descriptions in the method embodiments shown in FIGS. 5-9.

[0265] Please refer to FIG. 11, which is a structural schematic diagram of another communication apparatus provided by the embodiment. The apparatus 110 is configured to implement the function of the network element of the present application, for example, the network element can be an access network device, a terminal device, a DU or a CU. The apparatus 110 can be the network element, or a device capable of being installed in the network element, or a device capable of being used with the network element, which is not limited, for example, the device can be a chip or a chip system. As shown in FIG. 11, the apparatus 110 includes an interface 111 and a processor 112. Optionally, the processor 112 is configured to execute a program 114. The processor 112 can store the program 114, or obtain the program 114 from other devices or other devices (for example, from a memory 113 or from a third-party website, etc.). Optionally, the apparatus 110 includes the memory 113. The memory 113 is configured to store a program 115. The program 115 can be pre-stored or subsequently loaded. Optionally, the memory 113 can also be configured to store necessary data. These components work together to provide various functions described in the present application.

[0266] The processor 112 includes one or more processors, which are in combination a computing device. The processor 112 can include one or more of a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a digital signal processing device (DSPD), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic device (PLD), gate logic, transistor logic, discrete hardware circuits, processing circuitry, or other suitable hardware, firmware, and / or combinations thereof configured to perform the various functions described in the present application. The processor 112 can be a general purpose processor or a special purpose processor. For example, the processor 112 can be a baseband processor or a central processor. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data. The central processor can be used to execute software programs and process data in the software programs.

[0267] The interface 111 can include any suitable hardware or software for enabling communication with one or more computer devices, such as the network elements of the present application. For example, in some embodiments, the interface 111 can include terminals and / or pins for coupling wires for wired connections or wireless transceivers for wireless connections. In some embodiments, the interface 111 can include a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver, and / or an antenna. The interface can be configured to enable communication between computer devices, such as the network elements of the present application, using any available protocol, such as 3GPP standard protocols.

[0268] A program in the present application refers to software in a broad sense. The software can be program code, programs, subprograms, instruction sets, codes, code segments, software modules, application programs, software applications, etc. The program can be run in a processor and / or a computer to perform various functions and / or processes described in the present application.

[0269] The memory 113 can store necessary data required when the processor 112 executes software. The memory 113 can be implemented using any suitable storage technology. For example, the memory 113 can be any available storage media that can be accessed by a processor and / or computer. Non-limiting examples of storage media have RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM, removable media, optical storage, magnetic storage devices, flash memory, registers, state machines, remote storage devices, or any other storage devices that can be used to carry or store software, data, or information and that can be accessed by a processor / computer.

[0270] The memory 113 and the processor 112 can be separately arranged or integrated together. The processor 112 can read information from the memory 113, store and / or write information in the memory. The memory 113 can be integrated in the processor 112. The processor 112 and the memory 113 can be arranged in an integrated circuit, such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The integrated circuit can be arranged in a network element or other network node of the present disclosure.

[0271] Optionally, the apparatus 110 in the embodiments of the present application can be used to execute the methods described in the embodiments of the present application.

[0272] Please refer to FIG. 12, which is a structural schematic diagram of a terminal device provided in an embodiment of the present application. For the convenience of illustration, FIG. 12 only shows the main components of the terminal device. As shown in FIG. 12, the terminal device 1200 includes a processor, a memory, a control circuit, an antenna, and an input / output device. The processor is mainly used for processing communication protocols and communication data, controlling the whole terminal, executing software programs, and processing data of the software programs. The memory is mainly used for storing software programs and data. The radio frequency circuit is mainly used for conversion between baseband signals and radio frequency signals and processing of the radio frequency signals. The antenna is mainly used for receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. The input / output device, such as a touch screen, a display screen, a keyboard, etc., is mainly used for receiving data input by a user and outputting data to the user.

[0273] When the terminal is powered on, the processor can read the software program in the storage unit, parse and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be transmitted wirelessly, the processor performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted, and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency circuit. The radio frequency circuit processes the baseband signal to obtain a radio frequency signal and transmits the radio frequency signal in the form of an electromagnetic wave through the antenna. When data is transmitted to the terminal, the radio frequency circuit receives a radio frequency signal through the antenna. The radio frequency signal is further converted into a baseband signal, and the baseband signal is output to the processor. The processor converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0274] For ease of illustration, FIG. 12 only shows one memory and one processor. In an actual terminal, there can be multiple processors and memories. The memory can also be referred to as a storage medium or a storage device, and the like, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0275] As an optional implementation, the processor can include a baseband processor and a central processor. The baseband processor is mainly used for processing communication protocols and communication data. The central processor is mainly used for controlling the entire terminal, executing software programs, and processing data of the software programs. The processor in FIG. 12 integrates the functions of the baseband processor and the central processor. Those skilled in the art can understand that the baseband processor and the central processor can also be independent processors interconnected through a bus or the like. Those skilled in the art can understand that the terminal can include multiple baseband processors to adapt to different network standards, and the terminal can include multiple central processors to enhance its processing capability. Various components of the terminal can be connected through various buses. The baseband processor can also be referred to as a baseband processing circuit or a baseband processing chip. The central processor can also be referred to as a central processing circuit or a central processing chip. The function of processing communication protocols and communication data can be built into the processor, or can be stored in the storage unit in the form of a software program, and the processor executes the software program to realize the baseband processing function.

[0276] In one example, the antenna and control circuit with transceiving function can be regarded as a transceiving unit 1201 of the terminal device 1200, and the processor with processing function can be regarded as a processing unit 1202 of the terminal device 1200. As shown in FIG. 12, the terminal device 1200 includes the transceiving unit 1201 and the processing unit 1202. The transceiving unit can also be referred to as a transceiver, a transceiver unit, or the like. Optionally, the device for realizing the receiving function in the transceiving unit 1201 can be regarded as a receiving unit, and the device for realizing the sending function in the transceiving unit 1201 can be regarded as a sending unit, that is, the transceiving unit 1201 includes the receiving unit and the sending unit. Exemplarily, the receiving unit can also be referred to as a receiver, a receiving circuit, or the like, and the sending unit can be referred to as a transmitter, a transmitting circuit, or the like. Optionally, the above-mentioned receiving unit and sending unit can be integrated into one unit, or can be independent units. The above-mentioned receiving unit and sending unit can be in one geographical location, or can be dispersed in multiple geographical locations.

[0277] In one embodiment, the transceiving unit 1201 is configured to perform the operations performed by the transceiving unit 1001 in the above-mentioned embodiments, and the processing unit 1202 is configured to perform the operations performed by the processing unit 1002 in the above-mentioned embodiments. The terminal device 1200 can also be configured to perform various methods performed by the terminal device in the above-mentioned method embodiments, and details are not repeated here.

[0278] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer readable storage medium, which stores a computer program. The program, when executed by a processor, can implement the processes related to the terminal device and the network device in the communication method provided by the above-mentioned method embodiments.

[0279] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program product, which, when running on a computer or a processor, causes the computer or the processor to perform one or more steps in any one of the above-mentioned communication methods. The constituent modules of the devices involved in the above-mentioned embodiments, if realized in the form of software function units and sold or used as independent products, can be stored in the computer readable storage medium.

[0280] The embodiments of the present application also provide a chip system, which includes at least one processor and a communication interface. The communication interface and the at least one processor are connected through a circuit. The at least one processor is configured to run a computer program or instructions to perform part or all of the steps of any one of the above-mentioned corresponding method embodiments. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0281] The embodiments of the present application also provide a communication system, which includes a terminal device and a network device. The specific description can be referred to the above-mentioned method.

[0282] It should be appreciated that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory can be a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid-state drive (SSD), a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically EPROM (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory can be a random access memory (RAM) used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM can be used, such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM). The memory is any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory in the embodiments of the present application can also be a circuit or any other device capable of realizing a storage function, used for storing program instructions and / or data.

[0283] It should also be understood that the processor mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be a central processing unit (CPU), and can also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gates or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or the processor can also be any conventional processor.

[0284] It should be noted that when the processor is a general processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) is integrated in the processor.

[0285] It should be noted that the memory described herein is intended to include, but not limited to, these and any other suitable type of memory.

[0286] It should be understood that the size of the sequence number of the above-mentioned processes does not mean the order of execution in various embodiments of the present application, and the execution order of the processes should be determined according to its function and inherent logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0287] Those of ordinary skill in the art can realize that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in combination with the embodiments provided herein can be realized in electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether the functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present application.

[0288] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of the description, the specific working process of the above-described system, device and unit can refer to the corresponding process in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0289] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, device and method can be implemented in other ways. For example, the above-described device embodiments are only schematic, for example, the division of the units is only a logical function division, and actual implementation can have another division manner, for example, a plurality of units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection between the units shown or discussed can be indirect coupling or communication connection through some interface, device or unit, and can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0290] The units described as separate components can or can not be physically separated, and the components shown as units can or can not be physical units, that is, they can be located in one place, or can be distributed on a plurality of network units. Part or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the embodiment.

[0291] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application can be integrated in one processing unit, or each unit can be physically present separately, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit.

[0292] The functions, if realized in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solutions of the present application or the parts of the technical solutions that make essential contributions or the parts of the technical solutions can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes a plurality of instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and various program code storage media.

[0293] The steps in the method embodiments of the present application can be adjusted in sequence, combined, and reduced according to actual needs.

[0294] The modules / units in the device embodiments of the present application can be combined, divided, and reduced according to actual needs.

[0295] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, and not to limit them; although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: receiving indication information, the indication information being used for spatial domain filter update indication; receiving or re-receiving at least one reference signal, and determining or re-determining a spatial domain filter corresponding to an uplink physical channel, a downlink physical channel and / or a reference signal based on the at least one reference signal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The indication information comprises one or more of the following information: information of a quasi co-location (QCL) validity duration, information of a timer duration, information of a reference position and / or a distance threshold.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, The indication information comprises the information of the QCL validity duration, and the receiving or re-receiving at least one reference signal comprises: receiving or re-receiving the at least one reference signal within the QCL validity duration.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The information of the QCL validity duration is carried by high layer signaling, and the high layer signaling comprises system information block (SIB) signaling, radio resource control (RRC) signaling or medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) signaling.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, The high layer signaling comprises RRC signaling, and the information of the QCL validity duration is carried by a QCL-Info IE in a transmission configuration indication (TCI)-State IE through the RRC signaling.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, The information of the QCL validity duration of the at least one reference signal is indicated by the QCL-Info IE respectively or uniformly.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein, The indication information comprises the information of the timer duration, and the method further comprises: starting / restarting the timer upon receiving or re-receiving the at least one reference signal, and the duration of the timer corresponding to the timer duration comprised in the indication information.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein, The method further comprises: determining that the spatial domain filter determined based on the at least one reference signal is in a valid state before the timer expires, or determining that the spatial domain filter determined based on the at least one reference signal is in an invalid state after the timer expires.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The terminal device is in an RRC connected state, and the method further comprises: maintaining the spatial domain filter determined based on the at least one reference signal in the valid state.

10. The method of claim 2, wherein, The indication information comprises the information of the reference position and / or the distance threshold, The receiving or re-receiving at least one reference signal comprises: receiving or re-receiving the at least one reference signal if a distance variation between a position of the terminal device and the reference position is greater than or equal to the distance threshold.

11. The method of claim 2 or 10, wherein, The reference position is a reference point, or spatial coordinate information of the reference point, or latitude and longitude information of the reference point; and the reference point is a moving point, and the reference point is associated with time.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein, The receiving or re-receiving at least one reference signal comprises: receiving the indication information, and receiving or re-receiving the at least one reference signal within a first time, the first time being determined according to network configuration, predefinition or a capability of the terminal device.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, The method further comprises: in response to not receiving a reference signal satisfying a time interval, sending request information and / or suggestion information, the request information being used for requesting a network device to send a reference signal, and the suggestion information being used for suggesting a time interval of reference signal sending.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that, The spatial domain filter comprises a downlink reception spatial domain filter and / or an uplink transmission spatial domain filter.

15. A method of communication, comprising: The method comprises: transmit indication information, the indication information being used for spatial domain filter update indication; transmit or retransmit at least one reference signal, the at least one reference signal being used for the terminal device to determine or redetermine a spatial domain filter corresponding to an uplink physical channel, a downlink physical channel and / or a reference signal.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, The indication information comprises one or more of the following information: information of a quasi co-location (QCL) validity duration, information of a timer duration, information of a reference position and / or a distance threshold.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein, The information of the QCL validity duration is carried by high layer signaling, the high layer signaling comprising system information block (SIB) signaling, radio resource control (RRC) signaling or medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) signaling.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, The high layer signaling comprises RRC signaling, and the information of the QCL validity duration is carried by a QCL-Info IE in a transmission configuration indicator (TCI)-State IE in the RRC signaling.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein, The information of the QCL validity duration of the at least one reference signal is respectively or uniformly indicated by the QCL-Info IE.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein, The reference position is a reference point, or spatial coordinate information of the reference point, or latitude and longitude information of the reference point; the reference point is a moving point, and the reference point is associated with time.

21. The method according to any one of claims 15-20, characterized in that, The method further comprises: receiving request information and / or suggestion information, the request information being used for requesting the network device to transmit a reference signal, and the suggestion information being used for suggesting a time interval of reference signal transmission.

22. A communications device, characterized by The communication device comprises a processor and a storage medium, the storage medium storing instructions, the instructions being executed by the processor to implement the method of any one of claims 1-14 or the method of any one of claims 15-21.

23. A communications device, characterized by The computer readable storage medium comprises instructions, the instructions being executed by the processor to implement the method of any one of claims 1-14 or the method of any one of claims 15-21.

24. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The communication device comprises a processor and a storage medium, the storage medium storing instructions, the instructions being executed by the processor to implement the method of any one of claims 1-14 or the method of any one of claims 15-21.

25. A communication system, characterized by The computer readable storage medium comprises instructions, the instructions being executed by the processor to implement the method of any one of claims 1-14 or the method of any one of claims 15-21. The communication device comprises a processor and a storage medium, the storage medium storing instructions, the instructions being executed by the processor to implement the method of any one of claims 1-14 or the method of any one of claims 15-21.

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