Communication method and related apparatus

Abstract

The present application is applied to the technical field of communications. Provided are a communication method and a related apparatus. In the embodiments of the present application, random access resources corresponding to different coverage areas can be configured with different periods. For example, for a sub-satellite area / low-access-demand area, a random access resource having a relatively shorter period can be configured, whereas for an edge area / high-access-demand area, a random access resource having a relatively longer period can be configured. Thus, the periods of random access resources for different areas can be individually configured in a targeted manner, thereby adapting to scenarios with uneven user distribution, improving the flexibility of resource allocation, and realizing the optimized utilization of resources.

Description

Communication methods and related devices

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411214661.4, filed on August 30, 2024, entitled "Communication Method and Related Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to communication methods and related devices. Background Technology

[0003] The rapid development of information technology has placed more urgent demands on the efficiency, mobility, and versatility of communications. In some important fields, such as space communications, aerospace communications, ground communications, and military communications, satellites play an irreplaceable role. Satellite communications have unique advantages over terrestrial communications, such as providing wider coverage; satellite base stations are less susceptible to damage from natural disasters or external forces. Introducing satellite communications can provide communication services to areas such as oceans and forests that are not covered by terrestrial communication networks; enhance communication reliability, for example, ensuring that users on airplanes, trains, and other transportation have access to higher-quality communication services; and provide more resources for data transmission, increasing network speeds. Therefore, simultaneously supporting communications with both terrestrial and satellite networks offers significant benefits in terms of wide coverage, reliability, multiple connections, and high throughput.

[0004] Satellite communication has already been introduced into the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standard as a communication scenario for 5th generation (5G) communication, known as a non-terrestrial network (NTN). Generally, NTN has a larger coverage area, and the number of terminals within that area is also relatively large. If a lot of repetitive methods are used to increase the coverage of a single terminal, it will result in only a small number of terminals being able to access the network within the system.

[0005] In some solutions, the access resource period for a single cell is the same. In a single-satellite, multi-cell scenario, different access resources can be configured for each cell to match the uneven distribution of users. However, if a single satellite constitutes a cell, or if a cell has a very large coverage area with multiple SSB beam directions, the satellite coverage area is large. If different areas within a single cell use the same period for random access resources, it may not be able to adapt to the uneven distribution of users, hindering optimal resource utilization.

[0006] Therefore, how to adapt to scenarios with uneven user distribution and achieve optimal resource utilization is a hot topic that is being studied by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This application provides a communication method and related apparatus that can adapt to scenarios with uneven user distribution, improve the flexibility of resource allocation, and achieve optimized resource utilization.

[0008] In a first aspect, this application provides a communication method applicable to a first communication device, which may be, for example, a terminal or a communication module within a terminal, or a circuit or chip (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip or system-in-package (SIP) chip containing a modem core) responsible for communication functions within the terminal. The method includes: receiving first indication information, wherein the first indication information indicates random access resources for a first period, the random access resources for the first period belonging to one of multiple candidate period random access resources, the multiple candidate period random access resources further including random access resources for a second period, the random access resources for the first period corresponding to a first coverage area, the random access resources for the second period corresponding to a second coverage area, the first coverage area corresponding to a first SSB index group, the second coverage area corresponding to a second SSB index group, and the first coverage area and the second coverage area belonging to the same cell. Random access is performed on the random access resources of the first period.

[0009] In this application, taking a cell comprising multiple coverage areas as an example, different coverage areas correspond to random access resources with different periods. The first communication device can receive corresponding indication information based on different coverage areas, and the received indication information is used to indicate the random access resources for the corresponding period. The random access resources in different coverage areas do not need to be configured with a uniform period; different period configurations can be used for the random access resources corresponding to different coverage areas. For example, for sub-satellite areas / low access demand areas, relatively shorter period random access resources can be configured, while for edge areas / high access demand areas, relatively longer period random access resources can be configured. In this way, the period of random access resources in different areas can be configured separately and specifically, thereby adapting to scenarios with uneven user distribution, improving the flexibility of resource allocation, and achieving optimized resource utilization.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the first indication information includes a first random access resource index, and the random access resources of the second period are indicated by second indication information, which includes a second random access resource index. The first random access resource index is associated with the random access resources of the first period and corresponds to the first SSB index group. The second random access resource index is associated with the random access resources of the second period and corresponds to the second SSB index group.

[0011] In the above implementation, the entire cell can support the periodic configuration of multiple random access resources. Different areas have different periods of random access resources, and the random access resources of different periods correspond to different SSB index groups. This solution uses the first random access resource index included in the first indication information and the second random access resource index included in the second indication information to intuitively indicate the random access resources of the corresponding period, thereby achieving optimized allocation of random access resources and improving the utilization rate of random access resources.

[0012] In another possible implementation, the first indication information further includes a first sparsity factor, and the random access resources of the second period are indicated by the second indication information, which also includes a second sparsity factor. The first sparsity factor is used to indicate a multiple of the period size of the random access resources of the first period, and the second sparsity factor is used to indicate a multiple of the period size of the random access resources of the second period.

[0013] In the above implementation, the optimal allocation of random access resources can be achieved by indicating a multiple of the period size of the random access resources, thereby improving the utilization rate of random access resources.

[0014] In another possible implementation, the first indication information further includes half-frame indication information, which is used to indicate the period of transmitting the random access resources of the first period.

[0015] In the above implementation, the period of the random access resource corresponding to the current SSB index group can be indicated by the half-frame indication information, thereby achieving optimized allocation of random access resources and improving the utilization rate of random access resources.

[0016] In another possible implementation, the first indication information further includes a bitmap of random access resources. Specifically, the first indication information is used to indicate the random access resources of the first period through the bitmap, wherein the value of each bit in the bitmap is used to indicate whether the corresponding random access resources are active or inactive.

[0017] In the above embodiments, the random access resources can be optimally allocated and the utilization rate of random access resources can be improved by indicating the random access resources of the corresponding period through the bit pattern of the random access resources.

[0018] In another possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving third indication information, wherein the third indication information is used to indicate random access resources for a third period, the random access resources for the third period belonging to one of the random access resources for the plurality of candidate periods, the random access resources for the third period corresponding to a third coverage area, the third coverage area corresponding to a third SSB index group, and the first coverage area and the third coverage area belonging to the same cell.

[0019] In the above embodiment, when the first communication device (e.g., terminal 1) moves from one area to another, terminal 1 can receive third indication information in the current coverage area (third coverage area). The received third indication information is used to indicate random access resources for the third cycle. In this way, even if the terminal moves to other coverage areas, the allocation of random access resources can be optimized, and the utilization rate of random access resources can be improved.

[0020] In another possible implementation, the random access resources of the second cycle and / or the random access resources of the first cycle or the random access resources of the third cycle are predefined; or, the random access resources of the second cycle and / or the random access resources of the first cycle or the random access resources of the third cycle are determined by the second communication device.

[0021] In the above embodiments, this solution provides multiple methods for determining random access resources for corresponding periods, making the determination of random access resources for corresponding periods more diversified.

[0022] In another possible implementation, the uniform period of the same cell is obtained based on the time-frequency RO resources.

[0023] In the above embodiments, for example, if the random access resources of a cell are densely accessed, the second communication device can configure a uniform period for the random access resources of the cell. In this way, since the access to the random access resources of the entire cell is dense, configuring a uniform period for the random access resources of the cell can also adapt to the scenario of uneven user distribution and achieve optimized utilization of resources.

[0024] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a second communication device. The second communication device may be, for example, a network device or a communication module within a network device, or a circuit or chip (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip or system-in-package (SIP) chip containing a modem core) responsible for communication functions within the network device. The method includes: determining first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate random access resources in a first cycle, the random access resources in the first cycle belonging to one of a plurality of candidate cycle random access resources, the plurality of candidate cycle random access resources further including random access resources in a second cycle, the random access resources in the first cycle corresponding to a first coverage area, the random access resources in the second cycle corresponding to a second coverage area, the first coverage area corresponding to a first SSB index group, the second coverage area corresponding to a second SSB index group, and the first coverage area and the second coverage area belonging to the same cell. The first indication information is then sent to a first communication device.

[0025] In this application, taking a cell comprising multiple coverage areas as an example, different coverage areas correspond to random access resources with different periods. The second communication device can send corresponding indication information based on different coverage areas. The sent indication information is used to indicate the random access resources for the corresponding period. Random access resources in different coverage areas do not need to be configured with a uniform period. Different period configurations can be used for random access resources in different coverage areas. For example, for sub-satellite areas / areas with low access demand, relatively shorter period random access resources can be configured, while for edge areas / areas with high access demand, relatively longer period random access resources can be configured. In this way, the period of random access resources in different areas can be configured separately, thereby adapting to scenarios with uneven user distribution, improving the flexibility of resource allocation, and achieving optimized resource utilization.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the first indication information includes a first random access resource index, and the random access resources of the second period are indicated by second indication information, which includes a second random access resource index. The first random access resource index is associated with the random access resources of the first period and corresponds to the first SSB index group. The second random access resource index is associated with the random access resources of the second period and corresponds to the second SSB index group.

[0027] In another possible implementation, the first indication information further includes a first sparsity factor, and the random access resources of the second period are indicated by the second indication information, which also includes a second sparsity factor. The first sparsity factor is used to indicate a multiple of the period size of the random access resources of the first period, and the second sparsity factor is used to indicate a multiple of the period size of the random access resources of the second period.

[0028] In another possible implementation, the first indication information further includes half-frame indication information, which is used to indicate the period of transmitting the random access resources of the first period.

[0029] In another possible implementation, the first indication information further includes a bitmap of random access resources. Specifically, the first indication information is used to indicate the random access resources of the first period through the bitmap, wherein the value of each bit in the bitmap is used to indicate whether the corresponding random access resources are active or inactive.

[0030] In another possible implementation, the method further includes: determining third indication information, wherein the third indication information is used to indicate random access resources for a third period, the random access resources for the third period belonging to one of the random access resources for the plurality of candidate periods, the random access resources for the third period corresponding to a third coverage area, the third coverage area corresponding to a third SSB index group, and the first coverage area and the third coverage area belonging to the same cell. The third indication information is then sent to the first communication device.

[0031] In another possible implementation, the random access resources of the second cycle and / or the random access resources of the first cycle or the random access resources of the third cycle are predefined; or, the random access resources of the second cycle and / or the random access resources of the first cycle or the random access resources of the third cycle are determined.

[0032] In yet another possible implementation, the method further includes: determining a uniform period for the same cell based on time-frequency RO resources.

[0033] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device that can be used in the first communication device of the first aspect. The communication device can be a terminal, a device in the terminal (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit), or a device that can be matched with the terminal. It can also be a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the terminal functions.

[0034] In one possible implementation, the communication device may include modules or units that perform the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the first aspect. These modules or units may be hardware circuits, software, or a combination of hardware circuits and software.

[0035] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device that can be used in the second communication device of the second aspect. The communication device can be a network device, a device in a network device (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit), or a device that can be matched with a network device, or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of a network device.

[0036] In one possible implementation, the communication device may include modules or units that perform the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the second aspect one by one. These modules or units may be hardware circuits, software, or a combination of hardware circuits and software.

[0037] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which includes at least one processor and a communication interface; the communication interface is used for inputting and / or outputting information, and the at least one processor is used to call a computer program stored in at least one memory to implement the method described in any of the embodiments of the first or second aspect.

[0038] In one possible implementation, the communication device further includes at least one of the aforementioned memories. Optionally, the memory and processor are integrated together.

[0039] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which includes a logic circuit and an interface, the logic circuit and the interface being coupled; the interface is used to input and / or output information, and the logic circuit is used to implement the method described in any of the embodiments of the first to second aspects.

[0040] In one possible implementation of the sixth aspect, the communication device is a chip or chip system.

[0041] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication system, which includes a first communication device and a second communication device, and the first communication device and the second communication device are communicatively connected. The first communication device is used to implement the method of any embodiment of the first aspect, and the second communication device is used to implement the method of any embodiment of the second aspect.

[0042] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium for storing instructions or computer programs; when the instructions or computer programs are executed, they implement the method of any one of the embodiments of the first to second aspects.

[0043] Ninthly, this application provides a computer program product including computer instructions that, when executed on at least one processor, can implement the methods described in any of the first to second aspects or any possible implementations thereof. Exemplarily, the computer program product can be a software installation package, which can be downloaded and executed on a computing device when the aforementioned methods are required.

[0044] The beneficial effects of the technical solutions provided in the second to ninth aspects of this application can be referred to the beneficial effects of the technical solutions in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0045] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0046] Figure 2a is a schematic diagram of a communication system in a transparent transmission scenario provided by an embodiment of this application;

[0047] Figures 2b and 2c are schematic diagrams of a communication system in a regeneration scenario provided by an embodiment of this application;

[0048] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a scanning coverage area provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0049] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0050] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a sparsity factor provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0051] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a bit pattern provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0052] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 70 provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0053] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of another communication device 80 provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0054] Figure 9 is a structural schematic diagram of another communication device 90 provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0055] The relevant names or terms involved in this application will be explained below to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0056] 1. Beam

[0057] In the NR protocol, beaming can be represented as a spatial domain filter, spatial filter, spatial domain parameter, spatial parameter, spatial domain setting, spatial setting, quasi-colocation (QCL) information, QCL assumption, QCL indication, etc. Beaming can be indicated by transmission configuration indication state (TCI-state) parameters or by spatial relation parameters. Therefore, in this application, beaming can be replaced by spatial domain filter, spatial filter, spatial parameter, spatial parameter, spatial setting, spatial setting, QCL information, QCL assumption, QCL indication, TCI-state (DL TCI-state, UL TCI-state), spatial relation, etc. These terms are also equivalent to each other. Beaming can also be replaced by other beaming terms, which are not limited in this application.

[0058] The beam used to transmit signals can be called the transmission beam (Tx beam), or it can be referred to as a spatial domain transmission filter, spatial transmission filter, spatial domain transmission parameter, spatial transmission setting, or spatial transmission setting. The downlink transmission beam can be indicated by TCI-state.

[0059] The beam used to receive signals can be called a reception beam (Rx beam), a spatial domain reception filter, a spatial reception filter, a spatial domain reception parameter, a spatial reception setting, or a spatial reception setting. The uplink transmit beam can be indicated by a spatial relation, an uplink TCI-state, or an SRS resource (indicating the transmit beam using that SRS). Therefore, the uplink beam can also be replaced by an SRS resource.

[0060] The transmitting beam can refer to the distribution of signal strength in different directions in space after a signal is transmitted through an antenna, while the receiving beam can refer to the distribution of signal strength in different directions in space of a wireless signal received from an antenna.

[0061] Furthermore, the beam can be a wide beam, a narrow beam, or other types of beam. The beamforming technology can be beamforming technology or other technologies. Specifically, beamforming technology can be digital beamforming technology, analog beamforming technology, or hybrid digital / analog beamforming technology, etc.

[0062] Beams are generally associated with resources. For example, during beam measurement, network devices measure different beams using different resources. The terminal provides feedback on the measured resource quality, allowing the network device to determine the quality of the corresponding beam. During data transmission, beam information is also indicated through its corresponding resources. For instance, network devices use the TCI field in DCI to indicate the terminal's PDSCH beam information.

[0063] Optionally, multiple beams with the same or similar communication characteristics can be considered as a single beam. A beam may include one or more antenna ports for transmitting data channels, control channels, and detection signals, etc. One or more antenna ports forming a beam can also be considered as a set of antenna ports.

[0064] In the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified, a beam refers to the transmit beam of a network device. In beam measurement, each beam of a network device corresponds to a resource, and therefore the beam corresponding to that resource can be uniquely identified by the resource index.

[0065] 2. Coverage Area

[0066] Coverage area can be used to indicate the projection range of a beam on the ground or the range where a signal can reach. By adjusting the antenna weights, a base station can direct its transmitted beam in different directions, resulting in different coverage areas. In this embodiment, the coverage area refers to the beam's coverage area on the ground. The coverage area changes as the satellite moves and the weights are adjusted.

[0067] To facilitate understanding of the technical solution of this application, the application will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0068] The method provided in this application can be applied to non-terrestrial networks (NTN) communication systems, as shown in Figure 1. This communication system may include a first communication device, a second communication device, and a ground station (also referred to as a gateway station or signaling station). Exemplarily, the first communication device can be a terminal, and the second communication device can be a satellite. It is understood that Figure 1 only shows one satellite and one ground station; in actual use, a multi-satellite and / or multi-ground-station architecture can be adopted as needed. Each satellite can provide services to one or more terminals, each satellite can correspond to one or more ground stations, and each ground station can correspond to one or more satellites, etc. This application does not specifically limit the scope of the method. The methods provided in this application can be applied to Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle to X (V2X) systems, and narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) systems; they can also be applied to LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, long term evolution (LTE) systems, 5th-generation (5G) communication systems, 6th-generation (6G) communication systems, or future communication systems, etc., and are not specifically limited in this application.

[0069] A terminal is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities. It can communicate with access network equipment (or access devices) in a radio access network (RAN). A terminal can also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, subscriber unit, user station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user agent, or user device, etc. In one possible implementation, the terminal can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; it can also be deployed on water (such as on a ship). In another possible implementation, the terminal can be a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a sensor, a terminal in the Internet of Things (IoT), a terminal in the Internet of Vehicles (IoV), a drone, a 5G network, or any form of terminal in future networks, etc., and this application embodiment does not limit this. Exemplarily, terminals can also communicate with each other via device-to-device (D2D) and machine-to-machine (M2M) communication. The terminal shown in this application embodiment can also be a device in the Internet of Things (IoT). This IoT network may include, for example, a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) network. The communication methods in the V2X system are collectively referred to as vehicle-to-other-device (V2X), where X can represent anything. For example, V2X may include: vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) communication, or vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication, etc.

[0070] Ground stations can be used to connect satellites to base stations or satellites to the core network. Satellites can provide wireless access services to terminals, allocate wireless resources to accessing terminals, and provide reliable wireless transmission protocols and data encryption protocols. As an example, satellites can serve as base stations for wireless communication, such as evolved NodeBs (eNBs) and next-generation node Bs (gNBs). As another example, satellites can also act as relays for these base stations, transmitting their signals to terminals.

[0071] Therefore, in some implementations of this application, such as in a satellite transparent transmission scenario, the network device can be the base station shown in Figure 1 (also called a ground base station). Figure 2a is a schematic diagram of a communication system in a transparent transmission scenario provided by an embodiment of this application. Exemplarily, the terminal can access the network through an air interface (which can be various types of air interfaces, such as 5G air interfaces, etc.), and the network device can be deployed on a ground base station. The satellite is connected to the ground station through a wireless link. The ground station and the ground base station are connected to the core network through wired or wireless means. There can be wireless links between satellites, and in the system shown in Figure 2a, the satellite can have a transparent transmission forwarding function. In other implementations of this application, such as in a satellite regeneration scenario, the network device can be the satellite shown in Figure 1. Figure 2b is a schematic diagram of a communication system in a regeneration scenario provided by an embodiment of this application. For example, the terminal can access the network through an air interface (which can be of various types, such as a 5G air interface), and the network equipment can be deployed on satellites (such as satellite regeneration mode). For example, base stations or some base station functions can be deployed on satellites, and satellites can complete signaling interaction and user data transmission between base stations, as shown in Figure 2c.

[0072] For example, the network elements in Figures 2a to 2c and their interfaces can be as follows:

[0073] Terminals can access the satellite network via the air interface and initiate calls, access the internet, and perform other services. Base stations can provide wireless access services, allocate wireless resources to accessing terminals, and provide reliable wireless transmission protocols and data encryption protocols. Ground stations can be responsible for forwarding signaling and service data between the satellite and the core network. The core network can be used for user access control, mobility management, session management, user security authentication, and billing. The core network can consist of multiple functional units, such as functional entities including control plane and data plane. For example, the core network shown in Figures 2a to 2c may include an access and mobility management function (AMF), a session management function (SMF), and a user plane function (UPF). For instance, the AMF can be used to manage user access, security authentication, and mobility management. The UPF can be used to manage user plane data transmission and traffic statistics. The air interface shown in Figures 2a to 2c can be understood as the wireless link between the terminal and the base station, or the wireless link between the satellite and the ground station; the Xn interface can be understood as the interface between base stations, mainly used for signaling interaction such as handover; the NG interface can be used as the interface between the base station and the core network, used for exchanging non-access stratum (NAS) signaling of the core network, as well as user service data. In systems with different wireless access technologies, the names of devices with base station functions may vary, and they will not be shown one by one in the embodiments of this application.

[0074] The satellite can be a geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellite, a non-geostationary Earth orbit (NGEO) medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellite, or a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite, or a high altitude platform station (HAPS), etc. This application does not limit the specific type of satellite.

[0075] In some network device deployments, the network device may include a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). In other network device deployments, the CU may be divided into a CU-control plane (CP) and a CU-user plane (UP). In still other network device deployments, the network device may be an open radio access network (ORAN) architecture, etc. This application embodiment does not limit the specific deployment method of the network device. For example, when the network device is an ORAN architecture, the network device shown in this application embodiment may be an access network device in ORAN, or a functional module, etc. In the ORAN system, the CU may also be called an open (O)-CU, the DU may also be called an O-DU, the CU-CP may also be called an O-CU-CP, and the CU-UP may also be called an O-CU-UP, etc. The network device deployment methods listed here are only examples; as standard technologies evolve, network devices may have other deployment forms.

[0076] The network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions and network architectures provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0077] Currently, when a terminal accesses a cell, it receives a downlink synchronization signal to achieve downlink synchronization. Downlink synchronization signals in different coverage directions have different SSB indices. In multi-cell scenarios, SSBs can be grouped to scan the entire coverage area of ​​the cell. Please refer to Figure 3, which is a schematic diagram of a coverage area scanning method provided in this application embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, SSBs in four directions (e.g., SSB0-3 or SSB4-7) are scanned every 20ms, and the remaining time can be used for access and communication. In some schemes, the period of random access resources in a cell is the same (e.g., the period of random access resources corresponding to SSB0-3, shown in black in the figure). In a single-satellite multi-cell scenario, different random access resources can be configured for each cell to match the uneven distribution of users by allocating access resources (e.g., the period of random access resources corresponding to SSB4-7, shown in alternating black and white in the figure). However, if a satellite is a cell, or if the coverage area of ​​a cell is very large and there are multiple SSB beam directions, the satellite coverage area is large. If different areas in a cell use the same period of random access resources, there may be a problem of not being able to adapt to the uneven distribution of users, which is not conducive to the optimal utilization of resources.

[0078] In view of this, embodiments of this application provide a communication method and related apparatus. A first communication apparatus can receive corresponding indication information based on different coverage areas. The received indication information is used to indicate random access resources for a corresponding period. Random access resources in different coverage areas do not need to be configured with a uniform period. Different period configurations can be used for random access resources in different coverage areas. For example, for sub-satellite areas / areas with low access demand, relatively shorter period random access resources can be configured, while for edge areas / areas with high access demand, relatively longer period random access resources can be configured. In this way, the period of random access resources in different areas can be configured specifically and individually, thereby adapting to scenarios with uneven user distribution, improving the flexibility of resource allocation, and achieving optimized resource utilization.

[0079] In the communication method shown below (as shown in Figure 4), the specific description of the first communication device and the second communication device can be found in Figures 1, 2a to 2c, and will not be detailed here. For ease of description, specific examples in the embodiments of this application may be described using terminals and network devices, but this should not be construed as a limitation on the embodiments of this application.

[0080] The embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0081] Please refer to Figure 4, which is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This flowchart describes the interaction between a first communication device and a second communication device as executing entities. The first communication device can be a terminal as an independent device, a communication module within a terminal, or a circuit or chip within a terminal responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, or a system-in-package (SIP) chip). The second communication device can be a satellite as an independent device, or a component within an independent device, such as a satellite processor, chip, or chip system, or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the satellite's functions. Optionally, this method can be applied to a communication system, for example, to the communication systems shown in Figures 1, 2a, and 2c.

[0082] The method shown in Figure 4 may include multiple steps in steps S401-S403. It should be understood that this application describes the steps in the order of S401-S403 for ease of description, and is not intended to limit the execution to this specific order. This application's embodiments do not limit the order of execution, the execution time, or the number of executions of one or more of the above steps. Steps S401-S403 are as follows:

[0083] Step S401: The second communication device determines the first instruction information.

[0084] The first indication information is used to indicate the random access resources of the first period. The random access resources of the first period belong to one of the random access resources of multiple candidate periods. The random access resources of the first period correspond to the first coverage area, and the first coverage area corresponds to the first SSB index group. For example, the random access resources of multiple candidate periods include "random access resource 1 with a period of 5ms", "random access resource 1 with a period of 10ms", "random access resource 2 with a period of 15ms", "random access resource 2 with a period of 20ms", "random access resource 3 with a period of 25ms", etc. The random access resources of the first period are "random access resource 1 with a period of 5ms". "Random access resource 1 with a period of 5ms" corresponds to coverage area 1, and coverage area 1 corresponds to SSB index group 1.

[0085] Optionally, the random access resources for multiple candidate periods may also include random access resources for a second period, which correspond to a second coverage area and a second SSB index group. For example, the random access resource for the second period is "random access resource 2 with a period of 15ms," which corresponds to coverage area 2, and coverage area 2 corresponds to SSB index group 2.

[0086] In this context, the first coverage area and the second coverage area belong to the same cell, and both the first and second coverage areas are partial areas within a cell corresponding to the second communication device. The first and second coverage areas are exemplary names used to distinguish a particular coverage area. For example, when there is only one second coverage area, the first coverage area is coverage area 1, and the second coverage area is coverage area 2; coverage area 1 and coverage area 2 both belong to cell 1 under satellite coverage. Similarly, when there are multiple second coverage areas, the first coverage area is area 1, and the multiple second coverage areas are coverage area 2, coverage area 3, and coverage area 4; coverage area 1, coverage area 2, coverage area 3, and coverage area 4 all belong to cell 1 under satellite coverage.

[0087] Optionally, the second communication device can divide the coverage area in several ways. Three examples of how the second communication device can divide the coverage area are described below, using a satellite as an example:

[0088] Method 1: The coverage area division is based on historical terminal access data.

[0089] For example, historical terminal access data shows that there is more user demand in coverage area 1 and less user demand in coverage area 2. Therefore, the satellite can divide the main coverage area into coverage area 1 and coverage area 2.

[0090] Method 2: The coverage area is divided based on the location of cities on the ground.

[0091] For example, taking the Shanghai and Tibet regions as examples, based on population statistics, the Shanghai region has a relatively dense population distribution and a large demand for terminal access and users, while the Tibet region has a relatively sparse population distribution and a small demand for terminal access and users. Under these circumstances, the satellite can divide the Shanghai region into coverage area 1 and the Tibet region into coverage area 2.

[0092] Method 3: The coverage area division is based on the satellite's direction of motion.

[0093] Optionally, the satellite's motion direction information can be obtained from its configuration parameters. Alternatively, the satellite's motion direction information can be uploaded manually. This information can be, but is not limited to, the satellite's motion direction configuration information or its ephemeris information.

[0094] Optionally, the satellite's motion direction information can be retrieved from the satellite's configuration parameters at preset intervals to ensure that the updated motion direction information is obtained promptly when the satellite's motion direction configuration information in the configuration parameters is updated. The preset interval can be set as needed, and this application does not limit it.

[0095] Optionally, the satellite's ephemeris information can be derived from high-precision initial orbit parameters fitted using orbit fitting methods. Based on this, an orbit for a preset time period can be extrapolated (e.g., the satellite's orbital root at the epoch time can be injected by the ground control center, and the satellite uses a traditional analytical method to extrapolate 7 days of orbital data; alternatively, the satellite's orbital root at the epoch time can be injected by the ground, and the satellite uses a numerical method to extrapolate the orbital data for a preset time period using an integrator; the granularity of the preset time period can be seconds, minutes, hours, or days). An algorithmic model can determine the satellite's trajectory within a preset time period based on the initial orbit parameters. For example, the algorithmic model can determine the satellite's position at time t1 based on the orbital parameters. However, due to the large error in satellite orbit extrapolation, if the ephemeris at time t0 has a limited lifespan (e.g., 15–40 seconds), the ephemeris needs to be searched again to update the satellite's trajectory after the lifespan expires.

[0096] Alternatively, the coverage area division can be determined by the satellite or ground satellite orbit control center based on the satellite's direction of motion.

[0097] Optionally, the coverage area division is obtained based on the satellite's motion trajectory or ephemeris information. For example, if the satellite's motion trajectory is from a sparsely populated area to a densely populated area, the satellite can divide the area into coverage area 1 and coverage area 2 based on the motion trajectory.

[0098] The first indication information is an exemplary name used to distinguish a particular indication information. Optionally, since the first coverage area and the second coverage area are different, the configuration within the first indication information configured by the second communication device according to the first coverage area and the configuration within the second indication information configured by the second communication device according to the second coverage area are also different. For example, the first indication information is SIB1#1, the second indication information is SIB1#2, and the configurations within SIB1#1 and SIB1#2 are different.

[0099] Alternatively, when there are multiple second coverage areas, each second coverage area can be configured with corresponding second indication information. For example, the multiple second coverage areas are coverage area 2, coverage area 3, and coverage area 4. In this case, the second indication information configured for coverage area 2 is SIB1#2, the second indication information configured for coverage area 3 is SIB1#3, and the second indication information configured for coverage area 4 is SIB1#4.

[0100] In one possible implementation, the first indication information includes a first random access resource index, and the random access resources of the second period are indicated by the second indication information, which includes a second random access resource index. The first random access resource index is associated with the random access resources of the first period and corresponds to a first SSB index group. The second random access resource index is associated with the random access resources of the second period and corresponds to a second SSB index group.

[0101] For example, as shown in Table 1, the identifier of the first random access resource index is "Random Access Configuration Index A", the random access resource for the first period is "Random Access Resource 1 with a period of 5ms", and the name of the SSB index group corresponding to "Random Access Configuration Index A" is "SSB Index Group 1". Similarly, the identifier of the second random access resource index is "Random Access Configuration Index B", the random access resource for the second period is "Random Access Resource 2 with a period of 15ms", and the name of the SSB index group corresponding to "Random Access Configuration Index B" is "SSB Index Group 2".

[0102] In this application, the entire cell can support the periodic configuration of multiple random access resources. Different areas have different periods of random access resources, and the random access resources of different periods correspond to different SSB index groups. This solution intuitively indicates the random access resources of the corresponding period through the first random access resource index included in the first indication information and the second random access resource index included in the second indication information, thereby realizing the optimized allocation of random access resources and improving the utilization rate of random access resources.

[0103] Table 1

[0104] Optionally, before the second communication device operates, it can pre-determine the uniform period for the same cell based on the time-frequency RO resources. For example, if cell 1 is a relatively densely populated area with high terminal access and user demand, the second communication device can configure or agree on relatively more time-frequency RO resources for cell 1, and then determine the uniform period for cell 1 based on the RO resources. The uniform period for cell 1 could be 40ms. Conversely, if cell 1 is a relatively sparsely populated area with low terminal access and user demand, the second communication device can configure or agree on relatively fewer time-frequency RO resources for cell 1, and then determine the uniform period for cell 1 as 20ms based on the RO resources.

[0105] Alternatively, after configuring a uniform period for the same cell, the second communication device can also indicate the sparsity factor corresponding to each SSB index group separately.

[0106] In one possible design, the first indication information further includes a first sparsity factor, and the random access resources of the second period are indicated by the second indication information, which also includes a second sparsity factor. The first sparsity factor is used to indicate a multiple of the period size of the random access resources of the first period, and the second sparsity factor is used to indicate a multiple of the period size of the random access resources of the second period.

[0107] For example, please refer to Figure 5. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a sparsity factor provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 5, (a) in Figure 5 indicates the uniform period of the same cell (e.g., the uniform period of the same cell is 40ms). (b) in Figure 5 indicates the first sparsity factor (e.g., represented as sparsity factor 2), which is a multiple of the period size of the random access resource in the first period (e.g., 1 / 2 of the period of the random access resource corresponding to the current SSB index group 1 is 20ms). (c) in Figure 5 indicates the second sparsity factor (e.g., represented as sparsity factor 4), which is a multiple of the period size of the random access resource in the second period (e.g., 1 / 4 of the period of the random access resource corresponding to the current SSB index group 2 is 10ms).

[0108] Alternatively, the second communication device may not be configured with a uniform period for the same cell, but may instead directly indicate the sparsity factor corresponding to each SSB index group.

[0109] As one possible implementation, the first indication information further includes half-frame indication information, which is used to indicate the period of the random access resources for transmitting the first period.

[0110] Specifically, since the minimum SSB period supported in the existing standard is 5ms, there may be situations where SSB index groups appear simultaneously in the first half of the frame and / or the second half. Therefore, it is necessary to use the master information block (MIB) to indicate whether the current SSB index group is in the first half of the frame or the second half. In the context of supercells, the SSB index group can be placed in the first half of the frame by configuration or protocol agreement. This half-frame indication information can then be used to indicate the characteristics of random access resources. In other words, the half-frame indication information indicates which period of random access resources the current SSB index group corresponds to.

[0111] For example, referring to Figure 5, when the index of the half-frame indication information is 0, it indicates that the period of the random access resource corresponding to the current SSB index group is the same period of the same cell (i.e., the period of the random access resource shown in Figure 5(a)); when the index of the half-frame indication information is 1, it indicates that the period of the random access resource corresponding to the current SSB index group is 1 / 2 of the same period of the same cell (i.e., the period of the random access resource shown in Figure 5(b)). It should be noted that the specific index value of the half-frame indication information and the period of the random access resource indicated by the index value are only examples, and this application does not limit them.

[0112] Because NTN satellite beams are relatively large, the above embodiment illustrates how different periods can be allocated to random access resources corresponding to different SSB index groups. Different periods can also be allocated to random access resources corresponding to different SSB indices within the same SSB index group. In other words, resource allocation optimization between regions can be achieved first through differences in random access resources between different SSB index groups. For resource optimization within certain regions, further configuration can be achieved through higher-layer signaling. For example, the second communication device indicates the unevenly distributed SSB indices within SSB index group 1. For the SSB indices within SSB index group 1, the resource allocation within the group can be indicated, for example, using a bit pattern.

[0113] As one possible implementation, the first indication information also includes a bit pattern of random access resources. Specifically, the first indication information is used to indicate the random access resources of the first period through the bit pattern, and the value of each bit in the bit pattern is used to indicate whether the corresponding random access resources are active or inactive.

[0114] Specifically, each X random access resources can be divided into a group (where X represents the number of random access resources corresponding to an SSB index), and a group of random access resources corresponds to an SSB index. A bit pattern is used to indicate whether all or some of the random access resources in the random access group are active.

[0115] For example, please refer to Figure 6. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a bit pattern provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 6, the bit pattern includes SSB index group 1 and SSB index group 2. SSB index group 1 includes four SSB indices: SSB0, SSB1, SSB2 and SSB3. SSB index group 2 includes four SSB indices: SSB4, SSB5, SSB6 and SSB7. Taking SSB index group 1 as an example, SSB0 corresponds to random access resource group 1, which includes random access resource A and random access resource B. SSB1 corresponds to random access resource group 2, which includes random access resource C and random access resource D. SSB2 corresponds to random access resource group 3, which includes random access resource E and random access resource F. SSB3 corresponds to random access resource group 4, which includes random access resource G and random access resource H. In the bit pattern shown in Figure 6, SFN0 includes 4 bits. The value of each of the 4 bits is used to indicate whether the corresponding random access resource is active or inactive. For example, if the first bit is 1, it means that all random access resources in random access resource group 1 are active; if the second bit is 0, it means that some random access resources in random access resource group 2 are active; if the third bit is 0, it means that some random access resources in random access resource group 3 are active; and if the fourth bit is 0, it means that some random access resources in random access resource group 4 are active.

[0116] Taking SSB index group 2 as an example, SSB4 corresponds to random access resource group 1, which includes random access resource A and random access resource B; SSB5 corresponds to random access resource group 2, which includes random access resource C and random access resource D; SSB6 corresponds to random access resource group 3, which includes random access resource E and random access resource F; and SSB7 corresponds to random access resource group 4, which includes random access resource G and random access resource H. The bit pattern shown in Figure 6 includes SFN2, which consists of 4 bits. The value of each of these 4 bits indicates whether the corresponding random access resource is active or inactive. For example, a 0th bit indicates that some random access resources in random access resource group 1 are active; a 1st bit indicates that all random access resources in random access resource group 2 are active; a 1st bit indicates that all random access resources in random access resource group 3 are active; and a 0th bit indicates that some random access resources in random access resource group 4 are active.

[0117] Step S402: The second communication device sends a first instruction message to the first communication device.

[0118] Accordingly, the first communication device receives the first instruction information.

[0119] In some schemes, the second communication device can also determine a third instruction and send the third instruction to the first communication device.

[0120] Accordingly, the first communication device receives the third instruction information.

[0121] The third indication information is used to indicate the random access resources of the third cycle. The random access resources of the third cycle belong to one of the random access resources of multiple candidate cycles. The random access resources of the third cycle correspond to the third coverage area. The third coverage area corresponds to the third SSB index group. The first coverage area and the third coverage area belong to the same cell.

[0122] For example, the random access resource of the third period is "random access resource 3 with a period of 25ms", "random access resource 3 with a period of 25ms" corresponds to coverage area 3, and coverage area 3 corresponds to SSB index group 3. Referring to Figure 5, (d) in Figure 5 represents the third sparsity factor (e.g., represented as sparsity factor 8), which indicates that it is a multiple of the period size of the random access resource of the third period (e.g., represented as 1 / 8 of the period of the random access resource corresponding to the current SSB index group 3 is 5ms).

[0123] Alternatively, if the triggering condition is met, the second communication device sends a third instruction message to the first communication device.

[0124] For example, the triggering conditions include at least one of the following:

[0125] (1) Meets the preset distribution period. Optionally, the distribution period can be a distribution frequency. Further optionally, the preset distribution period can be the same as or different from the third period. For example, the distribution period can be the distribution period of random access resources or other periods. For example, the preset distribution period can be a random access resource distribution once every 10ms, or a random access resource distribution twice every 10ms.

[0126] (2) The fluctuation of the reference signal received power or reference signal received quality is greater than the first preset range. In some cases, if the fluctuation of the reference signal received power or reference signal received quality of the first communication device relative to the second communication device is greater than the first preset range, the first communication device may have exceeded the first coverage area of ​​the second communication device, for example, moved to the third coverage area. For example, suppose that initially the reference signal received power of the first communication device relative to the second communication device is -95dBm, and after a period of time the reference signal received power of the first communication device relative to the second communication device is -100dBm. As can be seen from the above, the fluctuation of the reference signal received power is 5dBm, and the first preset range is 1dBm to 3dBm. It can be seen that after a period of time, the fluctuation of the reference signal received power of the first communication device relative to the second communication device exceeds the first preset range compared to the initial reference signal received power of the first communication device relative to the second communication device. Therefore, it can be determined that the position of the first communication device has exceeded the first coverage area of ​​the second communication device, for example, moved to the third coverage area. In this case, since different coverage areas correspond to random access resources of different periods, the second communication device needs to send new indication information to the first communication device. In this way, even if the terminal moves to other coverage areas, the allocation of random access resources can be optimized, thereby improving the utilization rate of random access resources.

[0127] (3) The difference between the current time of the random access resource to be sent and the time of the most recent random access resource transmission is greater than or equal to a first time value. For example, suppose the initial time of the second communication device's most recent transmission of random access resources was 5ms, and the current time of the random access resource to be sent is 7ms, the difference is 2ms, and the first time value is 2ms. It can be seen that the difference between the current time of the random access resource to be sent and the time of the most recent transmission is equal to the first time value of 2ms, thus triggering the second communication device to send a third indication message to the first communication device. As another example, suppose the initial time of the second communication device's most recent transmission of random access resources was 5ms, and the current time of the random access resource to be sent is 7.5ms, the difference is 2.5ms, and the first time value is 2ms. It can be seen that the difference between the current time of the random access resource to be sent and the time of the most recent transmission is greater than the first time value of 2ms, thus also triggering the second communication device to send a third indication message to the first communication device.

[0128] Optionally, the random access resources of the second cycle and / or the random access resources of the first cycle or the random access resources of the third cycle are predefined; or, the random access resources of the second cycle and / or the random access resources of the first cycle or the random access resources of the third cycle are determined by the second communication device.

[0129] Step S403: The first communication device performs random access on the random access resources of the first cycle.

[0130] In this application, taking a cell comprising multiple coverage areas as an example, different coverage areas correspond to random access resources with different periods. The first communication device can receive corresponding indication information based on different coverage areas, and the received indication information is used to indicate the random access resources for the corresponding period. The random access resources in different coverage areas do not need to be configured with a uniform period; different period configurations can be used for the random access resources corresponding to different coverage areas. For example, for sub-satellite areas / low access demand areas, relatively shorter period random access resources can be configured, while for edge areas / high access demand areas, relatively longer period random access resources can be configured. In this way, the period of random access resources in different areas can be configured separately and specifically, thereby adapting to scenarios with uneven user distribution, improving the flexibility of resource allocation, and achieving optimized resource utilization.

[0131] The methods of the embodiments of this application have been described in detail above. The apparatus of the embodiments of this application is provided below.

[0132] It should be understood that the division of units in the apparatus provided in this application embodiment is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be physically separated. Furthermore, the units in the apparatus can be implemented by a processor calling software. For example, the apparatus includes a processor connected to a memory, which stores instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or to implement the functions of each unit of the apparatus. The processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is either internal or external to the apparatus.

[0133] Alternatively, the units in the device can be implemented as hardware circuits. The functionality of some or all of the units can be achieved through the design of these hardware circuits, which can be understood as one or more processors. For example, in one implementation, the hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The functionality of some or all of the above units is achieved through the design of the logical relationships between the components within the circuit. In another implementation, the hardware circuit can be implemented using a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gates. The connection relationships between the logic gates are configured through a configuration file, thereby achieving the functionality of some or all of the above units.

[0134] In the embodiments of this application, each unit in the device may be one or more processors (or processing circuits) configured to implement the above methods, such as: CPU, graphics processing unit (GPU), neural network processing unit (NPU), tensor processing unit (TPU), deep learning processing unit (DPU), microprocessor unit (MPU), digital signal processor (DSP), ASIC, FPGA, or a combination of at least two of these processor forms.

[0135] Furthermore, the units in the above devices can be integrated in whole or in part, or they can be implemented independently. In one implementation, these units are integrated together as a system-on-a-chip (SOC). The SOC may include at least one processor for implementing any of the above methods or for implementing the functions of the units in the device. The at least one processor can be of different types, such as including a CPU and an FPGA, or including a CPU and an AI processor, or including a CPU and a GPU, etc. Several possible devices are listed below.

[0136] Please refer to Figure 7, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 70 provided in an embodiment of this application. Optionally, the communication device 70 can be a first communication device, an independent device, or a component within an independent device, such as a chip or integrated circuit. The communication device 70 is used to implement the aforementioned communication method, such as the communication method shown in Figure 3.

[0137] In one possible design, the communication device 70 includes a communication unit 701 and a processing unit 702. The communication device 70 is used to implement the aforementioned communication method, such as the communication method shown in FIG4. Exemplarily, the communication device is used, for example, to execute the method executed by the first communication device.

[0138] In one possible implementation, the communication unit 701 is configured to receive first indication information, wherein the first indication information indicates random access resources for a first period, the first period's random access resources belonging to one of a plurality of candidate period's random access resources, the plurality of candidate period's random access resources further including second period's random access resources, the first period's random access resources corresponding to a first coverage area, the second period's random access resources corresponding to a second coverage area, the first coverage area corresponding to a first SSB index group, the second coverage area corresponding to a second SSB index group, and the first coverage area and the second coverage area belonging to the same cell. The processing unit 702 is configured to perform random access on the first period's random access resources.

[0139] In another possible implementation, the first indication information includes a first random access resource index, the random access resources of the second period are indicated by second indication information, the second indication information includes a second random access resource index, the first random access resource index is associated with the random access resources of the first period, the first random access resource index corresponds to the first SSB index group, the second random access resource index is associated with the random access resources of the second period, and the second random access resource index corresponds to the second SSB index group.

[0140] In another possible implementation, the first indication information further includes a first sparsity factor, and the random access resources of the second period are indicated by the second indication information, which also includes a second sparsity factor. The first sparsity factor is used to indicate a multiple of the period size of the random access resources of the first period, and the second sparsity factor is used to indicate a multiple of the period size of the random access resources of the second period.

[0141] In another possible implementation, the first indication information further includes half-frame indication information, which is used to indicate the period of transmitting the random access resources of the first period.

[0142] In another possible implementation, the first indication information further includes a bit pattern of random access resources. Specifically, the first indication information is used to indicate the random access resources of the first period through the bit pattern, wherein the value of each bit in the bit pattern is used to indicate whether the corresponding random access resources are active or inactive.

[0143] In another possible implementation, the communication unit 701 is further configured to receive third indication information, wherein the third indication information is used to indicate random access resources for a third period, the random access resources for the third period belonging to one of the random access resources for the plurality of candidate periods, the random access resources for the third period corresponding to a third coverage area, the third coverage area corresponding to a third SSB index group, and the first coverage area and the third coverage area belonging to the same cell.

[0144] In another possible implementation, the random access resources of the second cycle and / or the random access resources of the first cycle or the random access resources of the third cycle are predefined; or, the random access resources of the second cycle and / or the random access resources of the first cycle or the random access resources of the third cycle are determined by the second communication device.

[0145] In another possible implementation, the uniform period of the same cell is obtained based on the time-frequency RO resources.

[0146] The embodiments of this application and the method embodiments shown above are based on the same concept and have the same technical effects. For the specific principles, please refer to the description of the embodiments shown above, which will not be repeated here.

[0147] Please refer to Figure 8, which is a schematic diagram of another communication device 80 provided in an embodiment of this application. Optionally, the communication device 80 can be a second communication device, an independent device, or a component within an independent device, such as a chip or integrated circuit. The communication device 80 is used to implement the aforementioned communication method, such as the communication method shown in Figure 4.

[0148] In one possible design, the communication device 80 includes a processing unit 801 and a communication unit 802. The communication device 80 is used to implement the aforementioned communication method, such as the communication method shown in FIG4. Exemplarily, the communication device may be used to execute a method performed by a second communication device.

[0149] In one possible implementation, the processing unit 801 is configured to determine first indication information, wherein the first indication information indicates random access resources for a first period, the first period's random access resources belonging to one of a plurality of candidate period's random access resources, the plurality of candidate period's random access resources further including second period's random access resources, the first period's random access resources corresponding to a first coverage area, the second period's random access resources corresponding to a second coverage area, the first coverage area corresponding to a first SSB index group, the second coverage area corresponding to a second SSB index group, and the first coverage area and the second coverage area belonging to the same cell. The communication unit 802 is configured to send the first indication information to a first communication device.

[0150] In another possible implementation, the first indication information includes a first random access resource index, the random access resources of the second period are indicated by second indication information, the second indication information includes a second random access resource index, the first random access resource index is associated with the random access resources of the first period, the first random access resource index corresponds to the first SSB index group, the second random access resource index is associated with the random access resources of the second period, and the second random access resource index corresponds to the second SSB index group.

[0151] In another possible implementation, the first indication information further includes a first sparsity factor, and the random access resources of the second period are indicated by the second indication information, which also includes a second sparsity factor. The first sparsity factor is used to indicate a multiple of the period size of the random access resources of the first period, and the second sparsity factor is used to indicate a multiple of the period size of the random access resources of the second period.

[0152] In another possible implementation, the first indication information further includes half-frame indication information, which is used to indicate the period of transmitting the random access resources of the first period.

[0153] In another possible implementation, the first indication information further includes a bitmap of random access resources. Specifically, the first indication information is used to indicate the random access resources of the first period through the bitmap, wherein the value of each bit in the bitmap is used to indicate whether the corresponding random access resources are active or inactive.

[0154] In another possible implementation, the processing unit 801 is further configured to determine third indication information, wherein the third indication information indicates random access resources for a third period, the random access resources for the third period belonging to one of the random access resources for the plurality of candidate periods, the random access resources for the third period corresponding to a third coverage area, the third coverage area corresponding to a third SSB index group, and the first coverage area and the third coverage area belonging to the same cell. The communication unit 802 is further configured to send the third indication information to the first communication device.

[0155] In another possible implementation, the random access resources of the second cycle and / or the random access resources of the first cycle or the random access resources of the third cycle are predefined; or, the processing unit 801 is further configured to determine the random access resources of the second cycle and / or the random access resources of the first cycle or the random access resources of the third cycle.

[0156] In another possible implementation, the processing unit 801 is further configured to determine a uniform period for the same cell based on time-frequency RO resources.

[0157] The embodiments of this application and the method embodiments shown above are based on the same concept and have the same technical effects. For the specific principles, please refer to the description of the embodiments shown above, which will not be repeated here.

[0158] Please refer to Figure 9, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device 90 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 90 can be a standalone device, such as a first communication device or a second communication device, or it can be a component included in a standalone device, such as a chip, software module, or integrated circuit. The communication device 90 may include at least one processor 901 and a communication interface 902. Optionally, it may also include at least one memory 903. Further optionally, it may also include a connection line 904, wherein the processor 901, the communication interface 902, and / or the memory 903 are connected through the connection line 904, and / or communicate with each other through the connection line 904 to transmit control signals and / or data signals.

[0159] Wherein: Processor 901 is a module that performs arithmetic and / or logical operations, and may specifically include one or more of the following modules: filter, modem, power amplifier, low noise amplifier (LNA), baseband processor, radio frequency processor, radio frequency circuit, CPU, AP, microcontroller unit (MCU), electronic control unit (ECU), GPU, MPU, ASIC, image signal processor (ISP), DSP, FPGA, complex programmable logic device (CPLD), or coprocessor, etc.

[0160] The communication interface 902 can be used to provide information input or output to at least one processor, or to receive signals sent externally and / or send signals to externally.

[0161] For example, the communication interface 902 may include interface circuitry, such as input / output interfaces, chip pins, etc.

[0162] For example, the communication interface 902 may include a wired link interface such as an Ethernet cable, or a wireless link interface (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, general wireless transmission, vehicle short-range communication technology and other short-range wireless communication technologies, etc.).

[0163] Optionally, the communication interface 902 may also include a radio frequency transmitter, an antenna, etc. When the communication interface 902 includes an antenna, the number of antennas can be one or more.

[0164] As one possible design, if the communication device 90 is a standalone device, the communication interface 902 may include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver and transmitter may be the same component or different components. When the receiver and transmitter are the same component, this component can be referred to as a transceiver.

[0165] As another possible design, if the communication device 90 is a chip or circuit, the communication interface 902 may include an input interface and an output interface. The input interface and the output interface may be the same interface or they may be different interfaces.

[0166] Alternatively, the functions of the communication interface 902 can be implemented by a transceiver circuit or a dedicated transceiver chip.

[0167] Memory 903 provides storage space, in which data such as the operating system and computer programs can be stored. Memory 903 can be one or a combination of several of the following: cache, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), hard disk drive (HDD), solid-state drive (SSD), etc. 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 this application can also be a circuit or any other device capable of implementing storage functions, used to store computer programs or instructions, and / or data.

[0168] The functions and actions of each module or unit in the communication device 90 listed above are merely illustrative examples.

[0169] Each functional unit in the communication device 90 can be used to implement the aforementioned communication method, such as the communication method shown in FIG4, for example, to execute the method executed by the first communication device, or to execute the method executed by the second communication device.

[0170] Optionally, processor 901 may be a processor specifically designed to perform the aforementioned methods (for ease of distinction, referred to as a dedicated processor), or a processor that performs the aforementioned methods by calling a computer program (for ease of distinction, referred to as a dedicated processor). Optionally, at least one processor may include both dedicated processors and general-purpose processors.

[0171] Optionally, if the communication device 90 includes at least one memory 903, and the processor 901 implements the aforementioned communication method by calling a computer program, the computer program can be stored in the memory 903.

[0172] This application also provides a chip, which includes logic circuitry and a communication interface. The communication interface is used to receive or transmit signals; the logic circuitry is used to receive or transmit signals through the communication interface. The chip is used to implement the aforementioned communication method, such as the communication method shown in FIG4, for example, to execute a method executed by a first communication device, or to execute a method executed by a second communication device.

[0173] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on at least one processor (or communication device), implement the aforementioned communication method, such as the communication method shown in FIG4, for example, a method executed by a first communication device, or a method executed by a second communication device.

[0174] This application also provides a computer program product, which includes computer instructions for implementing the aforementioned communication method, such as the communication method shown in FIG4, for example, for executing a method executed by a first communication device, or for executing a method executed by a second communication device.

[0175] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of this application, the words "exemplarily" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or explanations. Any embodiment or design scheme described as "exemplarily" or "for example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. Specifically, the use of the words "exemplarily" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0176] In the embodiments of this application, "at least one" refers to one or more items, and "more than one" refers to two or more items. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of a single item or a plurality of items.

[0177] For example, at least one of a, b, or c can be represented as: a, b, c, (a and b), (a and c), (b and c), or (a and b and c), where a, b, and c can be single or multiple. "AND / OR" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "OR" relationship.

[0178] Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, the use of ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of this application is for distinguishing multiple objects and is not for limiting the order, sequence, priority, or importance of multiple objects. Similarly, terms like "first node" and "second node" are merely for convenience in describing new parameters in different implementations and do not indicate differences in their execution operations, importance, structure, etc.

[0179] In the above embodiments, the term "when..." can be interpreted, depending on the context, as meaning "if...", "before...", "determined...", or "detected...". The above descriptions are merely optional embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the concept and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

[0180] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the steps of the above embodiments can be implemented by hardware or by a program instructing related hardware. The program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, such as a read-only memory, a disk, or an optical disk.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate random access resources for a first period, the random access resources for the first period belong to one of a plurality of candidate period random access resources, the plurality of candidate period random access resources further include random access resources for a second period, the random access resources for the first period correspond to a first coverage area, the random access resources for the second period correspond to a second coverage area, the first coverage area corresponds to a first SSB index group, the second coverage area corresponds to a second SSB index group, and the first coverage area and the second coverage area belong to the same cell; Random access is performed on the random access resources in the first period.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first indication information includes a first random access resource index. The random access resources of the second period are indicated by the second indication information, which includes a second random access resource index. The first random access resource index is associated with the random access resources of the first period and corresponds to the first SSB index group. The second random access resource index is associated with the random access resources of the second period and corresponds to the second SSB index group.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first indication information further includes a first sparsity factor. The random access resources of the second period are indicated by the second indication information, which also includes a second sparsity factor. The first sparsity factor is used to indicate a multiple of the period size of the random access resources of the first period, and the second sparsity factor is used to indicate a multiple of the period size of the random access resources of the second period.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first indication information also includes half-frame indication information, which is used to indicate the period of transmitting the random access resources of the first period.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first indication information also includes a bit pattern of random access resources. Specifically, the first indication information is used to indicate the random access resources of the first period through the bit pattern. The value of each bit in the bit pattern is used to indicate whether the corresponding random access resources are active or inactive.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive third indication information, wherein the third indication information is used to indicate random access resources for a third period, the random access resources for the third period belong to one of the random access resources for the plurality of candidate periods, the random access resources for the third period correspond to a third coverage area, the third coverage area corresponds to a third SSB index group, and the first coverage area and the third coverage area belong to the same cell.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The random access resources of the second period and / or the random access resources of the first period or the random access resources of the third period are predefined; or, The random access resources of the second cycle and / or the random access resources of the first cycle or the random access resources of the third cycle are determined by the second communication device.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The uniform cycle for the same cell is obtained based on the time-frequency RO resources.

9. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: First indication information is determined, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate random access resources in a first period, the random access resources in the first period belong to one of a plurality of candidate period random access resources, the plurality of candidate period random access resources further include random access resources in a second period, the random access resources in the first period correspond to a first coverage area, the random access resources in the second period correspond to a second coverage area, the first coverage area corresponds to a first SSB index group, the second coverage area corresponds to a second SSB index group, and the first coverage area and the second coverage area belong to the same cell; Send the first instruction information to the first communication device.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first indication information includes a first random access resource index. The random access resources of the second period are indicated by the second indication information, which includes a second random access resource index. The first random access resource index is associated with the random access resources of the first period and corresponds to the first SSB index group. The second random access resource index is associated with the random access resources of the second period and corresponds to the second SSB index group.

11. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first indication information further includes a first sparsity factor. The random access resources of the second period are indicated by the second indication information, which also includes a second sparsity factor. The first sparsity factor is used to indicate a multiple of the period size of the random access resources of the first period, and the second sparsity factor is used to indicate a multiple of the period size of the random access resources of the second period.

12. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first indication information also includes half-frame indication information, which is used to indicate the period of transmitting the random access resources of the first period.

13. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first indication information also includes a bit pattern of random access resources. Specifically, the first indication information is used to indicate the random access resources of the first period through the bit pattern. The value of each bit in the bit pattern is used to indicate whether the corresponding random access resources are active or inactive.

14. The method according to any one of claims 9-13, characterized in that, The method further includes: A third indication information is determined, wherein the third indication information is used to indicate the random access resources of the third period, the random access resources of the third period belong to one of the random access resources of the plurality of candidate periods, the random access resources of the third period correspond to a third coverage area, the third coverage area corresponds to a third SSB index group, and the first coverage area and the third coverage area belong to the same cell. The third instruction information is sent to the first communication device.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The random access resources of the second period and / or the random access resources of the first period or the random access resources of the third period are predefined; or, Determine the random access resources for the second period and / or the random access resources for the first period or the random access resources for the third period.

16. The method according to any one of claims 9-15, characterized in that, The method further includes: The uniform cycle for the same cell is determined based on time-frequency RO resources.

17. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a communication unit and a processing unit, the communication unit and the processing unit being used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-8.

18. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a communication unit and a processing unit, the communication unit and the processing unit being used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 9-16.

19. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a processor; When the processor invokes a computer program or instruction in memory, it implements the method as described in any one of claims 1-8.

20. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a processor; When the processor invokes a computer program or instruction in memory, it implements the method as described in any one of claims 9-16.

21. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes logic circuits and interfaces, wherein the logic circuits and the interfaces are coupled; The interface is used for inputting and / or outputting information, and the logic circuit is used for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-16.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that, The communication device is a chip or chip system.

23. A communication system, characterized in that, The communication system includes the communication device as described in claim 17 and the communication device as described in claim 18; or The communication system includes the communication device as described in claim 19 and the communication device as described in claim 20.

24. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium is used to store instructions or computer programs; When the instructions or the computer program are executed, the method described in any one of claims 1-16 is implemented.

25. A computer program product, characterized in that, include: Instructions or computer programs; When the instructions or the computer program are executed, the method described in any one of claims 1-16 is implemented.

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