Communication method and apparatus, storage medium, and program product

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus, a storage medium, and a program product. The method comprises: a terminal sends first information to a network device at a first moment, the first information comprising a preamble or a message A; the network device sends second information to the terminal in a first time period and a second time period after the first moment, the second information comprising an RAR or a message B; and the network device sends third information before the second time period ends, the third information comprising an SIB-R. By using the solution of the present application, the terminal receives the third information before receiving the RAR, so that an initial access procedure can be smoothly performed, thereby improving access performance in an NTN network.

Description

Communication methods, devices, storage media and software products

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411216371.3, filed on August 30, 2024, entitled "Communication Method, Apparatus, Storage Medium and Program Product", 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 a communication method, apparatus, storage medium, and program product. Background Technology

[0003] In non-terrestrial networks (NTN) systems, a terminal needs to complete an initial access process before accessing the network. During this initial access process, the terminal sends a physical random access channel (PRACH) and initiates a window detection of the network-side random access response (RAR). Timely detection of the RAR by the terminal is crucial for improving subsequent network access performance.

[0004] During the initial access process of existing new radio (NR), the terminal sends a PRACH and then opens a 10ms RAR window to detect the RAR. If no RAR is detected within the window, the terminal continues to send a PRACH and continues to open the RAR window to detect the RAR; or if the maximum number of preamble transmissions (preambleTransMax) is reached and no RAR is received, the access is considered to have failed and the network is switched.

[0005] In addition, the system information block-remaining (SIB-R) sent by the network device carries configuration information of the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) and scheduling information of other system information (OSI) messages.

[0006] The terminal needs to send message 3 (Msg3) based on the scheduling information in the RAR and the PUSCH configuration information in the SIB-R. Therefore, if the terminal only receives the RAR and not the SIB-R within the RAR window, or only receives the SIB-R and not the RAR, or receives neither the SIB-R nor the RAR within the RAR window, all of these situations will affect the initial access process and lead to access failure.

[0007] Therefore, improving access performance in NTN networks is an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This application provides a communication method, apparatus, storage medium, and program product to improve access performance in NTN networks.

[0009] Firstly, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to the terminal side, such as a terminal or a communication module in a terminal, or a circuit or chip in a terminal responsible for communication functions (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). Taking the application of this method to a terminal as an example, in this method, a first message is sent at a first moment, the first message including a preamble or including message A; a second message is received during a second time period after the first moment and after a first time period, the second message including RAR or including message B; and a third message is received before the end of the second time period, the third message including SIB-R.

[0010] By using this method, the terminal receives third information before receiving the RAR, which enables the initial access process to proceed smoothly and improves access performance in the NTN network.

[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible design, the first time period equals K. offset The sum of K and X, where K offset The first time period is greater than or equal to the bidirectional transmission delay between the network device and the terminal device, wherein X is greater than or equal to the time occupied by the third information; or the first time period is greater than or equal to the sum of the bidirectional transmission delay and the time occupied by the third information.

[0012] Using this design, the terminal delays K after sending PRACH. offset +X restarts the RAR receive window, allowing the third message to be received before receiving the RAR after sending the PRACH, thus improving the access performance of the NTN network.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in another possible design, the first time period equals K. offset , where K offset The second time period is greater than or equal to the bidirectional transmission delay between the network device and the terminal device, and the second time period does not include the time occupied by receiving the third information.

[0014] Using this design, the terminal delays K after initiating PRACH. offset The RAR window is activated, and the RAR window timing avoids the time slots occupied by all third-party information, which can guarantee the effective duration of the RAR window and increase the probability that the terminal can receive the RAR within the limited window length, thereby improving the access performance of the NTN network.

[0015] In conjunction with the first aspect, in another possible design, the first information includes a preamble, the second information includes a RAR, and after receiving the RAR and the third information, the method further includes: sending message 3 at a second moment.

[0016] By adopting this design and specifying that Msg3 should only take effect after a third message is received, access performance in NTN networks can be improved.

[0017] In conjunction with the first aspect, in another possible design, the second time point is associated with the third time point; wherein the third time point is associated with the maximum value between the time when the third information is received and the time when the RAR is received; or the third time point is y time units after the time when the third information is received, where y is a non-negative number.

[0018] Secondly, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to a network device, such as a network device or a module (e.g., circuit, processor, chip, or chip system) within the network device. Taking the application of this method to a network device as an example, in this method, a first message is received at a first moment, the first message including a preamble or including message A; a second message is sent during a first time period and a second time period after the first moment, the second message including RAR or including message B; and a third message is sent before the end of the second time period, the third message including SIB-R.

[0019] By using this method, the network device sends uplink transmission configuration information before sending the RAR, so that the terminal can receive the third information before receiving the RAR, which enables the initial access process to proceed smoothly and improves the access performance in the NTN network.

[0020] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible design, the first time period equals K. offset The sum of K and X, where K offsetThe first time period is greater than or equal to the bidirectional transmission delay between the network device and the terminal device, wherein X is greater than or equal to the time occupied by the third information; or the first time period is greater than or equal to the sum of the bidirectional transmission delay and the time occupied by the third information.

[0021] In conjunction with the second aspect, in another possible design, the first time period equals K. offset , where K offset The second time period is greater than or equal to the bidirectional transmission delay between the network device and the terminal device, and the second time period does not include the time occupied by receiving the third information.

[0022] In conjunction with the second aspect, in another possible design, the first information includes a preamble, the third information includes a RAR, and after sending the RAR and the third information, the method further includes receiving message 3 at a second moment.

[0023] In conjunction with the second aspect, in another possible design, the second time point is associated with the third time point; wherein the third time point is associated with the maximum value between the time when the third information ends and the time when the RAR ends; or the third time point is y time units after the time when the third information ends, where y is a non-negative number.

[0024] Thirdly, a communication device is provided, which has the functions of the first aspect. For example, the communication device includes modules, units or means that perform the operations involved in the first aspect. The modules, units or means can be implemented by software, hardware or a combination of software and hardware.

[0025] Fourthly, a communication device is provided, which has the functions of the second aspect above. For example, the communication device includes modules, units or means for performing the operations involved in the first aspect above. The modules, units or means can be implemented by software, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the communication device in the third to fourth aspects described above includes modules or units for performing the methods in any of the first and second aspects or any of the embodiments described above. For example, the communication device may include a transmitting unit, a receiving unit, and a processing unit. The transmitting unit and the receiving unit may be independent or combined (which may be referred to as a "transmit-receive unit").

[0027] Wherein, when the above-mentioned communication device is used to implement the method of the first aspect or any embodiment of the first aspect, the processing unit is used to generate first information, the first information including a preamble or including message A; the transceiver unit is used to send the first information at a first moment; the transceiver unit is further used to receive second information during a second time period after the first moment and after a first time period, the second information including RAR or including message B; and the transceiver unit is further used to receive third information before the end of the second time period, the third information including SIB-R.

[0028] Optionally, the first time period is equal to K. offset The sum of K and X, where K offset The first time period is greater than or equal to the bidirectional transmission delay between the network device and the terminal device, wherein X is greater than or equal to the time occupied by the third information; or the first time period is greater than or equal to the sum of the bidirectional transmission delay and the time occupied by the third information.

[0029] Optionally, the first time period is equal to K. offset , where K offset The second time period is greater than or equal to the bidirectional transmission delay between the network device and the terminal device, and the second time period does not include the time occupied by receiving the third information.

[0030] Optionally, the first information includes a preamble, the second information includes a RAR, and the transceiver unit is further configured to send message 3 at a second time after receiving the RAR and the third information.

[0031] Optionally, the second time point is associated with the third time point; wherein the third time point is associated with the maximum value between the time when the third information is received and the time when the RAR is received; or the third time point is y time units after the time when the third information is received, where y is a non-negative number.

[0032] Wherein, when the above-mentioned communication device is used to implement the method of the second aspect or any embodiment of the second aspect, the transceiver unit is used to receive first information at a first moment, the first information including a preamble or including message A; the processing unit is used to generate second information, the second information including RAR or including message B; the transceiver unit is further used to send the second information during a first time period and a second time period after the first moment; the processing unit is further used to generate third information, the third information including SIB-R; and the transceiver unit is further used to send the third information before the end of the second time period.

[0033] Optionally, the first time period is equal to K. offsetThe sum of K and X, where K offset The first time period is greater than or equal to the bidirectional transmission delay between the network device and the terminal device, wherein X is greater than or equal to the time occupied by the third information; or the first time period is greater than or equal to the sum of the bidirectional transmission delay and the time occupied by the third information.

[0034] Optionally, the first time period is equal to K. offset , where K offset The second time period is greater than or equal to the bidirectional transmission delay between the network device and the terminal device, and the second time period does not include the time occupied by receiving the third information.

[0035] Optionally, the first information includes a preamble, the third information includes a RAR, and the transceiver unit is further configured to receive message 3 at a second time after sending the RAR and the third information.

[0036] Optionally, the second time point is associated with the third time point; wherein the third time point is associated with the maximum value between the time when the third information is sent and the time when the RAR is sent; or the third time point is y time units after the time when the third information is sent, where y is a non-negative number.

[0037] In another possible implementation, the communication device in the third to fourth aspects mentioned above includes one or more processors. The one or more processors can execute the computer program or instructions, which, when executed, cause the communication device to implement the methods in any possible design or implementation of the first or second aspect. The memory is used to store part or all of the necessary computer program or instructions for implementing the functions involved in the first or second aspect.

[0038] In one possible design, the communication device may further include an interface circuit, wherein the processor is used to communicate with other devices or components through the interface circuit.

[0039] In one possible design, the communication device may further include the memory; or the memory may be located outside the communication device.

[0040] When the aforementioned communication device is used to implement the function of the first aspect, the aforementioned communication device may be a terminal, or a communication module in the terminal, or a chip in the terminal responsible for communication functions such as a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip) or a SoC or SIP chip containing a modem module.

[0041] When the aforementioned communication device is used to achieve the function of the second aspect, the aforementioned communication device may be a network device or a component in a network.

[0042] Fifthly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, wherein a computer program or instructions are stored therein, and when the computer program or instructions are executed by a computer, the methods described above are implemented.

[0043] Sixthly, a computer program product is provided, which, when read and executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods described in the above aspects. Attached Figure Description

[0044] Figure 1 is a simplified schematic diagram of a wireless communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0045] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of satellite-terminal communication;

[0046] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the initial access process in NR;

[0047] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the location-based initial access process;

[0048] Figures 5a-5c are schematic diagrams of application scenarios for satellite-ground integrated networks;

[0049] Figure 6a is a schematic diagram of a transparent forwarding scenario in satellite communication;

[0050] Figure 6b is a schematic diagram of the regeneration mode scenario for satellite communication;

[0051] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0052] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of an initial access based on location information, as exemplified by an embodiment of this application.

[0053] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method based on the first design;

[0054] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method based on the first design;

[0055] Figure 11 is a flowchart of a communication method based on the second design;

[0056] Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method based on the second design;

[0057] Figure 13 is a flowchart of a communication method based on the third design;

[0058] Figures 14 and 15 are schematic diagrams of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0059] The embodiments of this application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0060] The technology provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems; for example, the communication system can be a fourth-generation (4G) communication system. th Generation 4G) communication systems (such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems), 5G (5G) th Generation 6 (5G) communication systems, worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), wireless local area network (WLAN) systems, satellite communication systems, integrated systems of multiple systems, or future communication systems, such as 6G (5G) communication systems, global ... th 5G communication systems, including 6G and 6G, can also be referred to as new radio (NR) systems.

[0061] This application will present various aspects, embodiments, or features relating to systems that may include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and appreciated that individual systems may include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or may not include all the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, combinations of these approaches are also possible.

[0062] Furthermore, in the embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplarily" and "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design scheme described as an "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 term "example" is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner. In the embodiments of this application, "of," "corresponding, relevant," and "corresponding" may sometimes be used interchangeably, and it should be noted that their intended meanings are consistent unless their distinction is emphasized.

[0063] The communication systems and service 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 service scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0064] In a communication system, a network element can send signals to or receive signals from another network element. These signals can include information, signaling, or data. The term "network element" can also be replaced by an entity, network entity, device, terminal, communication module, node, communication node, etc. This application uses a network element as an example for description. For instance, a communication system may include at least one terminal and at least one access network device. The access network device can send downlink signals to the terminal, and / or the terminal can send uplink signals to the access network device. Furthermore, it is understood that if the communication system includes multiple terminals, these terminals can also exchange signals; that is, both the signal-sending network element and the signal-receiving network element can be a terminal.

[0065] Referring to Figure 1, which is a simplified schematic diagram of a wireless communication system provided in an embodiment of this application, the wireless communication system includes a radio access network (RAN) 100. The RAN 100 can be a next-generation (e.g., 6G or higher) RAN or a traditional (e.g., 5G, 4G) RAN. One or more terminals (120a-120g, collectively referred to as 120) can be interconnected or connected to one or more network devices (110a-110c, collectively referred to as 110) within the RAN 100, and the connection method can be wired or wireless. Optionally, Figure 1 is only a schematic diagram; the wireless communication system may also include other devices, such as core network devices, wireless relay devices, and / or wireless backhaul devices, which are not shown in Figure 1.

[0066] Optionally, in practical applications, the wireless communication system may include multiple network devices (also called access network devices) and multiple terminals simultaneously. One network device can serve one or more terminals simultaneously. A terminal can also access one or more network devices simultaneously. This application embodiment does not limit the number of terminals and network devices included in the wireless communication system.

[0067] In this context, a network device can be an entity on the network side used to transmit or receive signals. A network device can also be an access device that allows a terminal to wirelessly connect to the wireless communication system; for example, a network device can be a base station. Base stations can broadly encompass various names listed below, or be interchangeable with them, such as: RAN node, NodeB, evolved NodeB (eNB), next-generation NodeB (gNB), satellite base station, access network equipment in an open radio access network (O-RAN), relay station, access point, transmitting and receiving point (TRP), transmitting point (TP), master eNB (MeNB), secondary eNB (SeNB), multi-standard radio (MSR) node, home base station, network controller, access node, wireless node, access point (AP), transmission node, transceiver node, building baseband unit (BBU), remote radio unit (RRU), active antenna unit (AAU), remote radio head (RRH), centralized unit (CU), and distributed unit (CU). Network devices include units (DU), radio units (RU), centralized unit control plane (CU-CP) nodes, centralized unit user plane (CU-UP) nodes, and positioning nodes. Base stations can be macro base stations, micro base stations, relay nodes, donor nodes, or similar entities, or combinations thereof. Network equipment can also refer to communication modules, modems, or chips installed within the aforementioned devices or apparatuses. Network equipment can also be mobile switching centers and devices that perform base station functions in device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications, network-side equipment in 6G networks, and devices that perform base station functions in future communication systems. Network equipment can support networks with the same or different access technologies. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technologies or device forms used in the network equipment.

[0068] Network equipment can be fixed or mobile. For example, base stations 110b and 110c are stationary and are responsible for wireless transmission and reception in one or more cells from terminal 120. The helicopter or drone 120c shown in Figure 1 can be configured to act as a mobile base station, and one or more cells can move depending on the location of the mobile base station 120c. In other examples, the helicopter or drone (120c) can be configured as a terminal communicating with satellite base station 110a.

[0069] A terminal can be a user-side entity used to receive or transmit signals, such as a mobile phone. Terminals can be used to connect people, objects, and machines. Terminals can communicate with one or more core networks via network devices. Terminals include handheld devices with wireless connectivity, other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, or vehicle-mounted devices. Terminals can be portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-embedded, or vehicle-mounted mobile devices. Terminal 120 can be widely used in various scenarios, such as cellular communication, D2D, V2X, point-to-point (P2P), machine-to-machine (M2M), machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, drones, robots, remote sensing, passive sensing, positioning, navigation and following, autonomous delivery and mobility, etc.Some examples of terminals 120 include: 3GPP standard user equipment (UE), fixed equipment, mobile equipment, handheld devices, wearable devices, cellular phones, smartphones, session initiated protocol (SIP) phones, laptops, personal computers, smart books, vehicles, satellites, global positioning system (GPS) devices, target-following devices, drones, helicopters, aircraft, ships, remote control devices, smart home devices, industrial equipment, personal communication service (PCS) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), wireless network cameras, tablets, handheld computers, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices such as smartwatches, VR devices, AR devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, terminals in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems, wireless terminals in self-driving systems, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, and smart city applications. Wireless terminals in various scenarios include smart gas pumps, terminals on high-speed trains, and wireless terminals in smart homes, such as smart speakers, smart coffee machines, and smart printers. Terminal 120 can be a wireless device in these scenarios or a device for installing on a wireless device, such as a communication module, modem, or chip. A terminal can also be called a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), or mobile terminal (MT). A terminal can also be a terminal in a future wireless communication system. Terminals can be used in dedicated network equipment or general-purpose equipment. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the terminal.

[0070] Optionally, the terminal can be used to act as a base station. For example, the UE can act as a scheduling entity, providing sidelink signaling between UEs in V2X, D2D, or P2P, etc. As shown in Figure 1, cellular phone 120a and car 120b communicate with each other using sidelink signaling. Cellular phone 120a communicates with smart home device 120e without relaying communication signals through base station 110b.

[0071] In this application, the communication device used to implement terminal functions can be a terminal, a terminal having some of the functions described above, or a device capable of supporting the implementation of the functions described above, such as a chip system. This device can be installed in the terminal or used in conjunction with the terminal. In this application, the chip system can be composed of chips or can include chips and other discrete components. The technical solution provided in this application is described using a terminal as an example of a communication device.

[0072] Optionally, wireless communication systems typically consist of cells. Base stations manage the cells and provide communication services to multiple mobile stations (MS) within them. A base station includes a baseband unit (BBU) and a remote radio unit (RRU). The BBU and RRU can be located in different places; for example, the RRU can be deployed remotely to a high-traffic area, while the BBU is located in a central equipment room. Alternatively, the BBU and RRU can be located in the same equipment room. The BBU and RRU can also be different components within the same rack. Optionally, a cell can correspond to one carrier or a member carrier.

[0073] In some deployments, the network devices mentioned in the embodiments of this application may be devices including CU, DU, or devices including both CU and DU, or devices including CU-CP, CU-UP, and DU nodes. For example, the network devices may include gNB-CU-CP, gNB-CU-UP, and gNB-DU.

[0074] In some deployments, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist terminals in achieving wireless access, with different RAN nodes each implementing some of the base station's functions. For example, RAN nodes can be CUs, DUs, CU-CPs, CU-UPs, or RUs. CUs and DUs can be configured separately or included in the same network element, such as a BBU. RUs can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as RRUs, AAUs, or RRHs.

[0075] RAN nodes can support one or more types of fronthaul interfaces, each corresponding to a DU and RU with different functions. If the fronthaul interface between the DU and RU is a common public radio interface (CPRI), the DU is configured to implement one or more baseband functions, and the RU is configured to implement one or more radio frequency functions. If the fronthaul interface between the DU and RU is another type of interface, relative to CPRI, some downlink and / or uplink baseband functions, such as, for downlink, precoding, digital beamforming (BF), or one or more of inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) / adding a cyclic prefix (CP), are moved from the DU to the RU; and for uplink, one or more of digital beamforming (BF), or fast Fourier transform (FFT) / removing CP, are moved from the DU to the RU. In one possible implementation, the interface can be an enhanced common public radio interface (eCPRI). Under the eCPRI architecture, the segmentation between DU and RU differs, corresponding to different categories (Cat) of eCPRI, such as eCPRI Cat A, B, C, D, E, F.

[0076] Taking eCPRI Cat A as an example, for downlink transmission, the DU is configured to implement one or more functions before and after layer mapping (i.e., coding, rate matching, scrambling, modulation, and layer mapping), while other functions after layer mapping (e.g., RE mapping, digital beamforming (BF), or one or more functions of inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) / adding cyclic prefix (CP)) are moved to the RU. For uplink transmission, the DU is configured to implement one or more functions before and after de-RE mapping (i.e., decoding, de-rate matching, descrambling, demodulation, inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT), channel equalization, and de-RE mapping), while other functions after de-RE mapping (e.g., digital BF or FFT / removing CP) are moved to the RU. It is understandable that the functional descriptions of the DU and RU corresponding to various types of eCPRI can be found in the eCPRI protocol, and will not be elaborated here.

[0077] In one possible design, the processing unit in the BBU used to implement baseband functions is called the baseband high (BBH) unit, and the processing unit in the RRU / AAU / RRH used to implement baseband functions is called the baseband low (BBL) unit.

[0078] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called O-CU (open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software modules and hardware modules.

[0079] In this embodiment, the apparatus for implementing the functions of a network device can be a network device itself; it can also be an apparatus capable of supporting the network device in implementing those functions, such as a chip system, hardware circuit, software module, or a hardware circuit plus a software module. This apparatus can be installed in the network device or used in conjunction with the network device. In this embodiment, the example of a network device being used to implement the functions of a network device is provided only and does not constitute a limitation on the solutions described in this embodiment.

[0080] It is understood that this application can be used between network devices and terminals.

[0081] Communication between network devices and terminals follows a specific protocol layer structure. This protocol layer structure can include a control plane protocol layer structure and a user plane protocol layer structure. For example, the control plane protocol layer structure can include the functions of protocol layers such as the radio resource control (RRC) layer, the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, the radio link control (RLC) layer, the medium access control (MAC) layer, and the physical layer. Similarly, the user plane protocol layer structure can include the functions of protocol layers such as the PDCP layer, the RLC layer, the MAC layer, and the physical layer. In one possible implementation, a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer can be included above the PDCP layer.

[0082] Optionally, the protocol layer structure between network devices and terminals may also include an artificial intelligence (AI) layer for transmitting AI-related data.

[0083] Taking data transmission between network devices and terminals as an example, data transmission needs to pass through user plane protocol layers, such as the SDAP layer, PDCP layer, RLC layer, MAC layer, and physical layer. The SDAP layer, PDCP layer, RLC layer, MAC layer, and physical layer can also be collectively referred to as the access layer. Based on the direction of data transmission, it is divided into sending and receiving; each of these layers is further divided into a sending part and a receiving part. Taking downlink data transmission as an example, after the PDCP layer obtains data from the upper layer, it transmits the data to the RLC layer and MAC layer. The MAC layer then generates a transport block, and finally, it is wirelessly transmitted through the physical layer. Data is encapsulated in corresponding ways at each layer. For example, data received by a layer from the upper layer is considered a Service Data Unit (SDU) of that layer. After encapsulation by that layer, it becomes a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) and is then passed to the next layer.

[0084] For example, the terminal may also have an application layer and a non-access layer. The application layer can be used to provide services to applications installed on the terminal. For instance, downlink data received by the terminal can be sequentially transmitted from the physical layer to the application layer, and then provided to the application by the application layer; or, the application layer can acquire data generated by the application and sequentially transmit the data to the physical layer for transmission to other communication devices. The non-access layer can be used to forward user data, such as forwarding uplink data received from the application layer to the SDAP layer, or forwarding downlink data received from the SDAP layer to the application layer.

[0085] It should be understood that the number and type of each device in the communication system shown in Figure 1 are for illustrative purposes only, and this application is not limited thereto. In actual applications, the communication system may include more terminals, more access network devices, and other network elements, such as core network devices and / or network elements used to implement artificial intelligence functions.

[0086] It is understandable that all or part of the functions implemented by one or more of the terminals, access network equipment, core network equipment, or network elements used to implement artificial intelligence functions can be virtualized, that is, implemented through one or more of dedicated or general-purpose processors and corresponding software modules. Among these, the transmit and receive functions of the terminals and access network equipment, which involve air interface transmission, can be implemented in hardware. Core network equipment, such as operation administration and maintenance (OAM) network elements, can also be virtualized. Optionally, one or more of the functions of the virtualized terminals, access network equipment, core network equipment, or network elements used to implement artificial intelligence functions can be implemented by cloud devices, such as cloud devices in over-the-top (OTT) systems.

[0087] Satellite communication has been introduced as a communication scenario for 5G, known as NTN. NTN refers to a network that uses radio frequency resources on platforms such as satellites (including low Earth orbit (LEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO), and geostationary Earth orbit (GEO), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or high altitude platform stations (HAPS) to provide communication services. Compared to terrestrial cellular networks (such as 5G NR), NTN networks have advantages such as wider coverage, higher path loss, greater latency, faster speed, and lower cost. As a supplement and extension to terrestrial networks, NTN can achieve wide-area seamless coverage that wired telephone networks and terrestrial mobile communication networks cannot, effectively solving the internet access problem in areas with scarce communication infrastructure. For example, by deploying a large number of satellites in low Earth orbit, seamless ground coverage can be achieved through reasonable constellation construction, and the round-trip transmission latency between satellites and ground terminals can be significantly reduced compared to geostationary orbit satellites, reaching the tens of milliseconds level. With the use of technologies such as high-frequency bands, multi-beamforming, and frequency reuse, satellite communication capabilities have been significantly improved while reducing unit broadband costs, thus meeting the demands of high-data-rate services. Compared to terrestrial 5G networks and submarine fiber optic cables, NTN also has a significant cost advantage. Modern small satellites have low R&D and manufacturing costs, and software-defined technologies can further extend the lifespan of satellites in orbit. In addition to global coverage (such as in remote areas and on ocean-going vessels), NTN can also be used in emergency relief (such as disaster monitoring and emergency communications), the Internet of Things, and high-speed mobility (such as high-speed rail and airplanes).

[0088] Because satellites are less susceptible to natural disasters or external damage, research is currently underway to use them as access network equipment (such as base stations) in mobile communication systems to provide communication services to areas such as oceans and forests. Unlike terrestrial base stations, satellites move at higher speeds relative to the ground and travel much farther, resulting in greater signal path loss when used as base stations. Current communication mechanisms designed for terminals and terrestrial base stations cannot be directly applied to communication between terminals and satellite base stations.

[0089] Compared to terrestrial communication systems, a single satellite offers wider coverage and longer transmission distances. Providing services to terminals through extensive coverage is a significant characteristic of satellite communication systems. Satellite communication is characterized by large latency and significant frequency offset. Figure 2 illustrates satellite-terminal communication; the large satellite coverage area necessitates a large number of scanning beams.

[0090] In satellite communication systems, terminals need to complete an initial access process before they can access the network.

[0091] NR's initial access process:

[0092] Figure 3 illustrates the initial access process in NR. During the initial access phase, network devices use a wide beam to transmit the synchronization signal block (SSB) synchronization channel, and other channels are associated with the synchronization signal beam. Specifically:

[0093] The first step is for the terminal to determine the random access channel occasion (RO) resource based on the received or selected SSB, and then send PRACH on the RO resource associated with the SSB.

[0094] The second step involves the network device receiving the PRACH and sending a random access response (RAR). The scheduling terminal then sends message 3 (Msg3) (i.e., Radio Resource Control Setup Request) to initiate an RRC setup request.

[0095] The third step is to start a 10ms window to detect RAR after the terminal sends PRACH.

[0096] If no RAR message is detected within the window, PRACH will continue to be sent until a RAR is received or the maximum number of preamble transmissions (preambleTransMax) is reached without a RAR being received. PreambleTransMax is the maximum number of random access preamble transmissions, a parameter configured by the network device. If no RAR is received within the window, the access fails, and a different network needs to be used.

[0097] Fourth step, the terminal sends message 3 (message3, Msg3) to the network device.

[0098] In the fifth step, the network device sends message 4 (Msg4) (i.e., Radio Resource Control Setup (RRCSetup)) to establish RRC, and the terminal sends message 5 (Msg5) to complete the initial access process.

[0099] Another location-based initial access procedure is shown in Figure 4, which includes:

[0100] The first step involves network equipment using a wide beam to transmit the cell-level extended master information block (MIB-E) and a region-level narrow beam to transmit region-level system information (SIB-R / RAR / message 4, Msg4), etc., to improve coverage performance. Compared to wide beams, narrow beams have more concentrated power, higher link budget, higher signal-plus-noise ratio (SNR), and better transmission performance. Therefore, using a region-level narrow beam to transmit system messages can improve coverage performance.

[0101] Define the MIB-E bearer to provide the necessary system information for terminal access (including random access channel (RACH) configuration, ephemeris information, etc.), and use wide beamwidth transmission to ensure coverage. Define the SIB-R bearer to provide additional system information besides the necessary access information, such as physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) configuration information, OSI message scheduling information, etc.

[0102] The second step involves the terminal determining the RO resource based on the received MIB-E and RACH configuration information within the MIB-E, and then transmitting the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) on that resource. The network device then uses multiple regional-level narrow beams to simultaneously receive signals, locate the terminal's coarse position, and determine one of the multiple regional-level narrow beams.

[0103] Third, the terminal determines the regional narrow beam search space based on SSB or MIB-E and receives SIB-R. After initiating PRACH, the terminal delays K. offset Launch the RAR window to receive the RAR file. offset Configured by network equipment, its purpose is to address the large bidirectional transmission latency between satellite and terminal by introducing K... offset To avoid wasting RAR windows. For example, consider a 10ms window. For ground terminals, the distance between the ground base station and the terminal is short, so a 10ms window is sufficient. However, for NTN, the bidirectional transmission latency between the satellite and the terminal at an orbital altitude of 600km can reach 6ms. Considering processing latency and network-side scheduling, a 10ms window is insufficient. Therefore, K is introduced. offset Delay K after the terminal initiates PRACH offset Launch the RAR window.

[0104] Fourth, the terminal sends Msg3 according to the schedule in RAR, reporting the terminal's identifier (UE-id) to proceed with the subsequent access process. When sending Msg3, the terminal needs to use the PUSCH configuration information according to the schedule in RAR to send the Msg3 message carrying the UE-id on the PUSCH.

[0105] The initial access in this application embodiment can be based on location information.

[0106] The terminal needs to send Msg3 based on the scheduling information in the RAR and the PUSCH configuration information in the SIB-R. Therefore, if the terminal only receives the RAR within the RAR window and not the SIB-R, or only receives the SIB-R within the RAR window and not the RAR, or receives neither the SIB-R nor the RAR within the RAR window, all of these situations will affect the initial access process and lead to access failure. Specific situations are as follows:

[0107] Scenario 1: K is delayed after the terminal initiates PRACH. offset A 10ms RAR window is initiated to receive RAR. If the terminal receives the RAR within the window but has not yet received the SIB-R, it will affect the scheduling of Msg3. Msg3 uses PUSCH for transmission, and some configuration information about PUSCH is carried in the SIB-R.

[0108] Scenario 2: If the terminal receives SIB-R but does not receive RAR within the window, it will re-initiate PRACH, increasing access latency.

[0109] Therefore, it is very important to design a RAR method for NTN networks for satellite communication systems, enabling the terminal side to detect RAR in a timely manner, thereby improving the performance of subsequent access networks.

[0110] This application is not limited to satellite scenarios and will remain applicable in the future evolution of 6G.

[0111] Figures 5a and 5c illustrate application scenarios of the space-ground converged network. Ground terminals can access the network via an air interface (which can be of various types, such as a 5G air interface). In Figure 5a, the base station can be deployed on the ground and connected to a ground station communicating with the satellite; in Figure 5b, the base station can be deployed on the satellite. The satellite connects to the ground station via a wireless link. The ground station and the ground base station are connected to the core network via wired or wireless connections. Wireless links can exist between satellites. If a satellite only has transparent forwarding functionality (i.e., the corresponding base station is deployed on the ground), then only transparent forwarding is implemented between satellites; if the base station or some base station functions are deployed on the satellite, then signaling interaction and user data transmission between base stations can be completed between satellites, as shown in Figure 5c.

[0112] Typical scenarios for NTN network terminal access include transparent payload and regenerative payload. Figure 6a illustrates a transparent forwarding scenario in satellite communication. Transparent forwarding means the satellite only acts as a frequency converter, essentially functioning as an analog radio frequency repeater. Therefore, the satellite replicates the NR Uu radio interface signal from the feed link (between the NTN gateway and the satellite) to the service link (between the satellite and the terminal), and vice versa. The satellite radio interface on the feed link transmits the NR-Uu interface signal; the satellite does not terminate the NR Uu interface signal but replicates it. The NTN gateway supports all necessary functions for forwarding the NR-Uu interface signal. Different transmitting satellites can connect to the same ground base station. Figure 6b illustrates a regenerative mode scenario in satellite communication. Regenerative mode refers to a satellite containing network equipment or a digital unit (DU). In this architecture, the satellite acts as a base station, regenerating the signal received from the ground. Specifically, the NR-Uu radio interface signal is transmitted on the service link between the terminal and the satellite, and the satellite radio interface signal is transmitted on the feed link between the NTN gateway and the satellite. The SRI interface is a transmission link between the NTN gateway and the satellite. NG interface signals are transmitted to the NTN gateway via the SRI interface, and then forwarded by the NTN gateway to the ground core network equipment.

[0113] The communication method provided in this application is described below based on the aforementioned communication system:

[0114] The following embodiments illustrate the method using network devices and terminals as the execution subjects of the interaction, but this application does not limit the execution subjects of the interaction. For example, the method executed by the network device in the embodiments can also be executed by a module applied to the network device (e.g., circuit, processor, chip, or chip system); the method executed by the terminal in the embodiments can also be executed by the communication module in the terminal, or the circuit or chip in the terminal responsible for communication functions (e.g., modem chip (also known as baseband chip), or system-on-a-chip or system-in-package chip containing modem core).

[0115] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. Exemplarily, the method may include the following steps:

[0116] S701. The terminal sends the first information to the network device at the first moment.

[0117] Accordingly, the network device receives the aforementioned first information at the first moment.

[0118] The terminal initially accesses the network device. The terminal sends its first message to the network device at the first moment. In the case of a four-step random access mechanism, this first message includes a preamble (also known as Msg1, preamble sequence, etc.); in the case of a two-step random access mechanism, this first message includes message A (message A, Msg A). Two-step random access combines Msg1 (PRACH) and Msg3 from the four-step random access mechanism into a single uplink MsgA message, and combines Msg2 (RAR) and Msg4 from the four-step random access mechanism into a single message B (message B, Msg B).

[0119] S702. The network device sends the second information to the terminal during the first time period and the second time period after the first moment.

[0120] Accordingly, the terminal receives the aforementioned second information in a second time period after the first time period, which is delayed from the first time period.

[0121] After receiving the first information, the network device sends the second information to the terminal. In the case of a four-step random access mechanism, after receiving the preamble, the network device sends the second information to the terminal, which includes the RAR. In the case of a two-step random access mechanism, after receiving MsgA, the network device sends the second information to the terminal, which includes MsgB.

[0122] The second time period is the receiving window for the second information, or the RAR receiving window.

[0123] In this embodiment, the network device sends the second information to the terminal during a first time period and a second time period after the first moment, and the terminal receives the second information during a second time period after the first time period is delayed.

[0124] The first time period setting is related to the number and reception status of SIB-Rs. Before sending the first message (PRACH or MsgA) for random access, the terminal needs to acquire SSB / MIB-E and SIB-Rs, with each SSB corresponding to one SIB-R. The SIB-R includes PUSCH configuration information, used to send Msg3 or proceed with subsequent procedures. If the terminal receives RAR or MsgB but has not yet received all SIB-Rs, it cannot send Msg3 or proceed with subsequent procedures. Therefore, the terminal needs to receive all SIB-Rs before receiving RAR.

[0125] S703. The network device sends the third message before the end of the second time period.

[0126] Accordingly, the terminal receives the aforementioned third information before the end of the second time period.

[0127] The third piece of information mentioned above includes SIB-R. The content transmitted in SIB-R is not transmitted in MIB-E, and may include uplink transmission configuration information, etc.

[0128] It's understandable that SIB-R is just an example; it could be called by other names. Essentially, it contains the cell system messages needed during the initial access process, but it doesn't include ephemeris information or RACH configuration information necessary for initiating PRACH. The system messages necessary for initiating RACH are carried in MIB-E or SSB.

[0129] For example, network devices need to send all SIB-Rs before sending RAR or MsgB, and terminals need to receive all SIB-Rs before receiving RAR or MsgB, so that terminals can send Msg3 or proceed with subsequent processes based on the PUSCH configuration information included in the SIB-Rs.

[0130] According to a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application, a network device transmits RAR during a first time period and a second time period after receiving first information, and completes the transmission of third information before the end of the RAR transmission. This allows the terminal to receive the third information before receiving the RAR, enabling the initial access process to proceed smoothly and improving the access performance in the NTN network.

[0131] The start time of the aforementioned second time period is after the first time period, delayed from the first time period; in fact, it relates to determining the start time of the RAR receiving window. Regarding the design of the RAR receiving window in this application, the following three designs are illustrated:

[0132] Among them, the first and second designs below are relative to the above-mentioned delay of K after the terminal initiates PRACH. offset Optimize the RAR window reception. By updating the RAR windowing design after initiating PRACH, the system receives SIB-R first and then RAR after initiating PRACH, ensuring access performance.

[0133] In the first design, the first time period mentioned above is equal to K. offset The sum of K and X, where K offset X is greater than or equal to the bidirectional transmission delay between the network device and the terminal device, and X is greater than or equal to the time occupied by the third information; or the first time period mentioned above is greater than or equal to the sum of the bidirectional transmission delay and the time occupied by the third information.

[0134] Figure 8 shows an example of an initial access based on location information in an embodiment of this application. After the terminal initiates PRACH at the first moment, it delays K. offset +X restarts the RAR receiving window, meaning the first time period mentioned above equals K.offset The sum of X and X. The window length of the RAR receive window is the second time period. The terminal receives SIB-R before the end of the RAR receive window length.

[0135] Figure 9 shows a flowchart of a communication method based on the first design. This method is based on a four-step random access process. For example, the method may include the following steps:

[0136] S901. Network devices send SSB and MIB-E.

[0137] The SSB is used for cell synchronization. The SSB includes the primary synchronization signal (PSS), the secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and the physical broadcast channel (PBCH).

[0138] MIB-E is used to obtain cell information. MIB-E carries the system information (including RACH configuration, ephemeris information, etc.) necessary for a terminal to initiate access.

[0139] The above describes SSB and MIB-E as being transmitted as independent signals.

[0140] Alternatively, MIB-E can also be carried in SSB, collectively referred to as SSB, which includes PSS / SSS, PBCH(MIB) and MIB-E.

[0141] Alternatively, PSS / SSS and MIB-E can also be combined to form a new SSB message.

[0142] S902. The terminal receives SSB for downlink timed synchronization and receives MIB-E to obtain cell information, ephemeris information, and RACH configuration information.

[0143] S903. The terminal calculates the time advance (TA) value based on its own location and sends the PRACH in advance.

[0144] Network equipment uses multiple regional narrow beams to receive signals, locate the coarse position of the terminal, and determine the regional narrow beam.

[0145] S904. The terminal determines the search space of the regional narrow beam based on the SSB and receives the SIB-R, and starts the RAR window to receive the RAR.

[0146] After the terminal sends PRACH, it delays K. offset +X restarts the RAR receiver window. Where K... offsetX is greater than or equal to the bidirectional transmission delay between the network device and the terminal device, and X is greater than or equal to the time occupied by the third information; or the first time period mentioned above is greater than or equal to the sum of the bidirectional transmission delay and the time occupied by the third information. The third information includes at least one SIB-R, for example, it can be the SIB-R corresponding to all SSBs / MIB-Es. The value of X can be configured by the network device or determined based on the number of SSBs sent by the network device. Because each terminal needs to obtain SSB / MIB-E, SIB-R, and RAR before sending PRACH for random access, considering that the terminal first receives SIB-R to obtain the cell-level OSI and then receives RAR, then K... offset X is greater than or equal to the bidirectional transmission delay between the network device and the terminal device, and X is greater than or equal to the time occupied by the third information; or the first time period mentioned above is greater than or equal to the sum of the bidirectional transmission delay and the time occupied by the third information.

[0147] For example, assuming a bidirectional transmission delay of 6ms (corresponding to 12 sub-carrier spaces (SCS) = 30kHz time slots), and the network device transmits a total of 8 SSBs, each SSB corresponding to one SIB-R, then 8 SIB-Rs need to be transmitted (assuming one SIB-R occupies 1 time slot), then K offset +X≥12+8=20 time slots. Through K offset The +X configuration enables the effective use of a 10ms window length, which improves the performance of the terminal in receiving RAR within the RAR window.

[0148] For example, each SSB / MIB-E is sent sequentially, and each SSB is associated with a SIB-R. Therefore, the SIB-Rs are also sent sequentially. Thus, each SSB / MIB-E corresponds to a SIB-R, and the search space for the SIB-R can be determined based on the SSB / MIB-E.

[0149] S905. Network devices estimate TA values ​​based on PRACH.

[0150] S906. Network devices send RARs to terminals.

[0151] RAR includes the tracking area code (TAC) value that needs to be adjusted.

[0152] S907. After receiving the RAR, the terminal interprets the uplink grant (UL grant) information.

[0153] S908. The terminal adjusts the TA according to the scheduling in the RAR, and sends Msg3 at the corresponding time and frequency position to send a Radio Resource Control Establishment Request (RRCSetupRequest), and carries the UE-id in Msg3.

[0154] S909. The network device sends Msg4 to the terminal.

[0155] According to a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application, after the terminal sends PRACH, it delays K... offset +X restarts the RAR receive window, allowing the third message to be received before receiving the RAR after sending the PRACH, thus improving the access performance of the NTN network.

[0156] Figure 10 shows a flowchart of another communication method based on the first design. This method is based on two-step random access. For example, the method may include the following steps:

[0157] S1001. Network devices send SSB and MIB-E.

[0158] SSB includes PSS, SSS and PBCH.

[0159] The MIB-E bearer contains the system information (including RACH configuration, ephemeris information, etc.) necessary for a terminal to initiate access.

[0160] For a specific implementation, please refer to step S901 of the embodiment shown in Figure 9.

[0161] S1002. The terminal receives SSB for downlink timed synchronization and receives MIB-E to obtain cell information, ephemeris information, and RACH configuration information, etc.

[0162] S1003. The terminal calculates the TA value based on its own location and sends MsgA in advance at regular intervals.

[0163] MsgA includes the preamble (PRACH) and the aforementioned Msg3.

[0164] Network equipment uses multiple regional narrow beams to receive signals, locate the coarse position of the terminal, and determine the regional narrow beam.

[0165] S1004. The terminal determines the search space of the regional narrow beam based on the SSB and receives the SIB-R, and starts the RAR window to receive the MsgB.

[0166] Two-step random access combines Msg1 (PRACH) and Msg3 from four-step random access into a single uplink MsgA message, and combines Msg2 (RAR) and Msg4 into a single MsgB message. Therefore, in the two-step random access method, the terminal delays K after sending MsgA. offset +X restarts the RAR receiver window. Where K... offsetX is greater than or equal to the bidirectional transmission delay between the network device and the terminal device, and X is greater than or equal to the time occupied by the third information; or the first time period mentioned above is greater than or equal to the sum of the bidirectional transmission delay and the time occupied by the third information. The third information includes at least one SIB-R, for example, it can be the SIB-R corresponding to all SSBs / MIB-Es. The value of X can be configured by the network device or determined based on the number of SSBs sent by the network device. Because each terminal needs to obtain SSB / MIB-E, SIB-R, and RAR before sending PRACH for random access, considering that the terminal first receives SIB-R to obtain the cell-level OSI and then receives RAR, then K... offset X is greater than or equal to the bidirectional transmission delay between the network device and the terminal device, and X is greater than or equal to the time occupied by the third information; or the first time period mentioned above is greater than or equal to the sum of the bidirectional transmission delay and the time occupied by the third information.

[0167] For example, assuming a bidirectional transmission delay of 6ms (corresponding to 12 SCS = 30kHz time slots), and the network device transmits a total of 8 SSBs, each SSB corresponding to one SIB-R, then 8 SIB-Rs need to be transmitted (assuming one SIB-R occupies 1 time slot), then K offset +X≥12+8=20 time slots. Through K offset The +X configuration enables the effective use of a limited window length (for two-step random access, the window length can be configured to be greater than 10ms, with a maximum supported window length of 40ms), which improves the performance of the terminal receiving RAR within the RAR window.

[0168] For example, each SSB / MIB-E is sent sequentially, and each SSB is associated with a SIB-R. Therefore, the SIB-Rs are also sent sequentially. Thus, each SSB / MIB-E corresponds to a SIB-R, and the search space for the SIB-R can be determined based on the SSB / MIB-E.

[0169] S1005. Network devices estimate TA values ​​based on PRACH.

[0170] S1006. The network device sends MsgB to the terminal.

[0171] MsgB includes RAR and Msg4. RAR includes the TAC value that needs to be adjusted.

[0172] In the second design, the first time period mentioned above is equal to K. offset , where K offset The second time period is greater than or equal to the bidirectional transmission delay between the network device and the terminal device, excluding the time spent receiving the third information. In other words, the window length timing of the RAR window avoids the SIB-R search space.

[0173] According to a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application, after the terminal sends PRACH, it delays K... offset +X restarts the RAR receive window, allowing the third message to be received before receiving the RAR after sending the PRACH, thus improving the access performance of the NTN network.

[0174] Figure 11 shows a flowchart of a communication method based on the second design. This method is based on a four-step random access process. For example, the method may include the following steps:

[0175] S1101. Network devices send SSB and MIB-E.

[0176] SSB includes PSS, SSS and PBCH.

[0177] The MIB-E bearer contains the system information (including RACH configuration, ephemeris information, etc.) necessary for a terminal to initiate access.

[0178] For a specific implementation, please refer to step S901 of the embodiment shown in Figure 9.

[0179] S1102. The terminal receives SSB for downlink timed synchronization and receives MIB-E to obtain cell information, ephemeris information and RACH configuration information, etc.

[0180] S1103. The terminal calculates the TA value based on its own location and sends the PRACH in advance at regular intervals.

[0181] Network equipment uses multiple regional narrow beams to receive signals, locate the coarse position of the terminal, and determine the regional narrow beam.

[0182] S1104. The terminal determines the search space of the regional narrow beam based on the SSB and receives the SIB-R, and starts the RAR window to receive the RAR.

[0183] Delay K after terminal initiates PRACH offsetThe RAR window is initiated, and the RAR window timing avoids all time slots occupied by SIB-R. This means that, assuming the network device is configured with a 10ms window length, and there are 20 time slots for a 30kHz SCS, if 8 of these 20 time slots are occupied by SIB-R (slots used by the network device to transmit SIB-R), these time slots will be avoided during RAR window length counting. If the window length is less than 20 time slots after this avoidance, it can be extended by another 8 time slots. However, if the window length is calculated using existing technology, the window duration is counted from the starting time slot (assuming 10ms). Using this design, the total duration from the starting time slot to the ending time slot might be greater than 10ms. This method ensures that the actual effective duration equals the window length, increasing the probability that the terminal can receive the RAR within the limited window length.

[0184] For example, each SSB / MIB-E is sent sequentially, and each SSB is associated with a SIB-R. Therefore, the SIB-Rs are also sent sequentially. Thus, each SSB / MIB-E corresponds to a SIB-R, and the search space for the SIB-R can be determined based on the SSB / MIB-E.

[0185] S1105. Network devices estimate TA values ​​based on PRACH.

[0186] S1106. The network device sends a RAR to the terminal.

[0187] RAR includes the TAC value that needs to be adjusted.

[0188] S1107. After receiving the RAR, the terminal interprets the uplink authorization information.

[0189] S1108. The terminal adjusts the TA according to the schedule in the RAR, sends Msg3 at the corresponding time and frequency position to send the RRCSetupRequest, and carries the UE-id in the Msg3.

[0190] S1109. The network device sends Msg4 to the terminal.

[0191] According to a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application, after the terminal initiates a PRACH, it delays K... offset The RAR window is activated, and the RAR window timing avoids all time slots occupied by SIB-R, which can guarantee the effective duration of the RAR window and increase the probability that the terminal can receive the RAR within the limited window length, thereby improving the access performance of the NTN network.

[0192] Figure 12 shows a flowchart of another communication method based on the second design. This method is based on two-step random access. For example, the method may include the following steps:

[0193] S1201. Network devices send SSB and MIB-E.

[0194] SSB includes PSS, SSS and PBCH.

[0195] The MIB-E bearer contains the system information (including RACH configuration, ephemeris information, etc.) necessary for a terminal to initiate access.

[0196] For a specific implementation, please refer to step S901 of the embodiment shown in Figure 9.

[0197] S1202. The terminal receives SSB for downlink timed synchronization and receives MIB-E to obtain cell information, ephemeris information, and RACH configuration information, etc.

[0198] S1203. The terminal calculates the TA value based on its own location and sends MsgA in advance at regular intervals.

[0199] MsgA includes the preamble (PRACH) and the aforementioned Msg3.

[0200] Network equipment uses multiple regional narrow beams to receive signals, locate the coarse position of the terminal, and determine the regional narrow beam.

[0201] S1204. The terminal determines the search space of the regional narrow beam based on the SSB and receives the SIB-R, and starts the RAR window to receive the MsgB.

[0202] Two-step random access combines Msg1 (PRACH) and Msg3 from four-step random access into a single uplink MsgA message, and combines Msg2 (RAR) and Msg4 from four-step random access into a single MsgB message. Therefore, in this design, for the two-step random access method, K is delayed after the terminal sends MsgA. offsetInitiate the RAR window. The RAR window timing avoids time slots occupied by SIB-R. This means that, assuming the network device is configured with a 10ms window length, and there are 20 time slots for a 30kHz SCS, if 8 of these 20 time slots are occupied by SIB-R (time slots used by the network device to transmit SIB-R), then these time slots will be avoided during RAR window length counting. If the window length is less than 20 time slots after avoiding these slots, it can be extended by another 8 time slots. Using this design, the total duration from the start time slot to the end time slot may be greater than 10ms. This ensures that the actual effective duration equals the window length, increasing the probability that the terminal can receive the RAR within the limited window length. It should be noted that for the two-step random access method, the network device allows a configurable RAR window length greater than 10ms, with a maximum of 40ms. Therefore, if the network device is configured with a window length of 40ms, then using this design can guarantee an effective and usable RAR window length of 40ms.

[0203] For example, each SSB / MIB-E is sent sequentially, and each SSB is associated with a SIB-R. Therefore, the SIB-Rs are also sent sequentially. Thus, each SSB / MIB-E corresponds to a SIB-R, and the search space for the SIB-R can be determined based on the SSB / MIB-E.

[0204] S1205. Network devices estimate TA values ​​based on PRACH.

[0205] S1206. The network device sends MsgB to the terminal.

[0206] MsgB includes RAR and Msg4. RAR includes the TAC value that needs to be adjusted.

[0207] According to a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application, after the terminal initiates a PRACH, it delays K... offset The RAR window is activated, and the RAR window timing avoids all time slots occupied by SIB-R, which can guarantee the effective duration of the RAR window and increase the probability that the terminal can receive the RAR within the limited window length, thereby improving the access performance of the NTN network.

[0208] In the third design, the RAR windowing design after initiating PRACH is updated, and a long window is opened to receive RAR. The Msg3 configuration is then applied after the SIB-R is received, thus ensuring access performance.

[0209] Figure 13 shows a flowchart of a communication method based on the third design. This design is applicable to both two-step random access and four-step random access; the following description uses four-step random access as an example. Exemplarily, the method may include the following steps:

[0210] S1301. Network devices send SSB and MIB-E.

[0211] SSB includes PSS, SSS and PBCH.

[0212] The MIB-E bearer contains the system information (including RACH configuration, ephemeris information, etc.) necessary for a terminal to initiate access.

[0213] For a specific implementation, please refer to step S901 of the embodiment shown in Figure 9.

[0214] S1302. The terminal receives SSB for downlink timed synchronization and receives MIB-E to obtain cell information, ephemeris information, and RACH configuration information, etc.

[0215] S1303. The terminal calculates the TA value based on its own location and sends the PRACH in advance at regular intervals.

[0216] Network equipment uses multiple regional narrow beams to receive signals, locate the coarse position of the terminal, and determine the regional narrow beam.

[0217] S1304. The terminal determines the search space of the regional narrow beam based on the SSB and receives the SIB-R, and starts the RAR window to receive the RAR.

[0218] Delay K after terminal initiates PRACH offset Initiate a long RAR receive window (≥10ms for four-step random access; ≥40ms for two-step random access), and receive SIB-R based on the SIB-R search space. The scheduling configuration for Msg3 only takes effect after receiving the SIB-R. Specifically, the UL grant in the RAR includes scheduling information for the Msg3 PUSCH, and the uplink transmission time of Msg3 in the NR is n+k2+Δ+2. μ ·K cell,ogfset , n is the time slot where the RAR message ends, K cell,offset These are cell parameters: k2, μ, K cell,offset These are all parameters configured for network devices. If the terminal is at n+k2+Δ+2 μ ·K cell,offset Since the SIB-R has not been received, the transmission configuration information of PUSCH is unknown. Therefore, in this embodiment, the terminal is constrained to take effect the scheduling configuration only after receiving the SIB-R.

[0219] Specifically, the constraint terminal sends Msg3 at the second time. This second time is associated with the third time.

[0220] In one implementation, the third time slot is associated with the maximum value between the time slot at which the third message is received and the time slot at which the RAR message is received. For example, the meaning of n in the above-mentioned time slot for sending Msg3 can be modified to max{the time slot at which the RAR message ends and the time slot at which the SIB-R message ends}. That is, the terminal is required to use the largest time slot between receiving the RAR and the SIB-R message as n, and then calculate the uplink time slot for sending Msg3.

[0221] In another implementation, the third time point is defined as y time units after the end of receiving the third information, where y is a positive number. For example, if the terminal is at n+k2+Δ+2 μ ·K cell,offset If SIB-R has not yet been received, Msg3 will be sent in the next y time slot after SIB-R is received. y can be predefined by the protocol; for example, y=1 ensures the terminal sends Msg3 in the fastest time slot, improving access performance. Or, y=2 can account for terminal processing latency, with a y value greater than 1. If the terminal is in n+k2+Δ+2 μ ·K cell,offset SIB-R has been received, then in n+k2+Δ+2 μ ·K cell,offset Send Msg3 in the time slot.

[0222] For example, each SSB / MIB-E is sent sequentially, and each SSB is associated with a SIB-R. Therefore, the SIB-Rs are also sent sequentially. Thus, each SSB / MIB-E corresponds to a SIB-R, and the search space for the SIB-R can be determined based on the SSB / MIB-E.

[0223] S1305. Network devices estimate TA values ​​based on PRACH.

[0224] S1306. The network device sends a RAR to the terminal.

[0225] RAR includes the TAC value that needs to be adjusted.

[0226] S1307. After receiving the RAR, the terminal interprets the uplink authorization information.

[0227] S1308. The terminal adjusts the TA according to the schedule in the RAR, sends Msg3 at the corresponding time and frequency position to send the RRCSetupRequest, and carries the UE-id in the Msg3.

[0228] S1309. The network device sends Msg4 to the terminal.

[0229] According to an embodiment of this application, a communication method can improve access performance in an NTN network by specifying that the configuration of Msg3 should only take effect after receiving SIB-R.

[0230] The above mainly describes the solutions provided by the embodiments of this application from the perspective of interaction between terminals and network devices. Accordingly, the embodiments of this application also provide a communication device for implementing the various methods described above. This communication device can be the terminal in the above method embodiments, or a communication module in the terminal, or a circuit or chip in the terminal responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip), or a system-on-a-chip or system-in-package chip containing a modem core); or, the communication device can be the network device in the above method embodiments, or a module applied to the network device (e.g., a circuit, processor, chip, or chip system). It is understood that, in order to implement the above functions, the communication device includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, in conjunction with the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in the embodiments disclosed herein, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0231] This application embodiment can divide the communication device into functional modules according to the above method embodiment. For example, each function can be divided into its own functional modules, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing unit. The integrated modules can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules. It should be noted that the module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods.

[0232] Based on the same concept as the above communication method, this application also provides the following communication device:

[0233] Figure 14 shows a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 1400 includes a transceiver unit 1401 and a processing unit 1402; wherein:

[0234] When the communication device is used to implement the functions of the terminal in the above method embodiment, the transceiver unit 1401 is used to execute one or more actions performed by the terminal in steps S701-S703 of the embodiment shown in FIG7.

[0235] When the communication device is used to implement the functions of the network device in the above method embodiment, the transceiver unit 1401 is used to execute one or more actions performed by the network device in steps S701-S703 of the embodiment shown in FIG7.

[0236] For details on the specific implementation of the above-mentioned transceiver unit 1401 and processing unit 1402, please refer to the description in the above method embodiments.

[0237] Figure 15 shows a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 1500 includes one or more processors 1501 (one processor is illustrated in the figure). Optionally, the communication device 1500 may also include an interface circuit 1502 (shown as a dashed line in the figure), with the processor 1501 and the interface circuit 1502 coupled to each other. It is understood that the interface circuit 1502 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device 1500 may also include a memory 1503 (shown as a dashed line in the figure). The memory 1503 is used to store instructions executed by the processor 1501, or to store input data required by the processor 1501 to execute instructions, or to store data generated after the processor 1501 executes instructions.

[0238] When the communication device is used to implement the functions of the terminal in the above method embodiment, the interface circuit 1502 is used to execute one or more actions performed by the terminal in steps S701-S703 of the embodiment shown in FIG7.

[0239] When the communication device is used to implement the functions of the network device in the above method embodiment, the interface circuit 1502 is used to execute one or more actions performed by the network device in steps S701-S703 of the embodiment shown in FIG7.

[0240] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip applied to a terminal, the chip implements the functions of the terminal in the above method embodiments. The chip receives information from other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the terminal, which is sent to the terminal by the network device; or, the chip sends information to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the terminal, which is sent to the network device by the terminal.

[0241] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip applied to a network device, the chip implements the functions of the network device in the above method embodiments. The chip receives information from other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the network device, which is information sent by the terminal to the network device; or, the chip sends information to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the network device, which is information sent by the network device to the terminal.

[0242] Furthermore, it should be noted that the aforementioned transceiver unit and / or processing unit can be implemented through virtual modules. For example, the processing unit can be implemented through software functional units or virtual devices, and the transceiver unit can be implemented through software functions or virtual devices. Alternatively, the processing unit or transceiver unit can also be implemented through physical devices. For example, if the device is implemented using a chip / chip circuit, the transceiver unit can be an input / output circuit and / or a communication interface, performing input operations (corresponding to the aforementioned receiving operation) and output operations (corresponding to the aforementioned sending operation); the processing unit is an integrated processor, microprocessor, or integrated circuit.

[0243] The module division in this application is illustrative and represents only one logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods are possible. Furthermore, the functional modules in the various examples of this application can be integrated into a single processor, exist as separate physical entities, or be integrated into a single module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules.

[0244] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application can be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0245] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed, implement the methods described in the above embodiments.

[0246] This application also provides a computer program product containing instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the methods described in the above embodiments.

[0247] This application also provides a communication system, including the communication device described above.

[0248] This application also provides a circuit coupled to a memory, which is used to perform the methods shown in the above embodiments. This circuit may include a chip circuit.

[0249] When the aforementioned communication device is a module applied to a network device, the network device module implements the functions of the network device in the above method embodiments. The network device module receives information from other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) within the network device; this information is sent by the terminal to the network device. Alternatively, the network device module sends information to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) within the network device; this information is sent by the network device to the terminal. Here, the network device module can be the baseband chip of the network device, or a CU, DU, or other module, or a device under an O-RAN architecture, such as an open CU, open DU, etc.

[0250] It should be noted that one or more of the above units can be implemented by software, hardware, or a combination of both. When any of the above units is implemented by software, the software exists as computer program instructions and is stored in memory. The processor can be used to execute the program instructions and implement the above method flow.

[0251] In this application, the processor can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, or all or part of the circuitry in the aforementioned devices used to implement the processing functions, capable of implementing or executing the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in this application. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the methods disclosed in this application can be directly embodied in the execution of the hardware processor, or can be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules within the processor.

[0252] When the above units or components are implemented in hardware, the hardware can be any one or any combination of a CPU, microprocessor, digital signal processing (DSP) chip, microcontroller unit (MCU), artificial intelligence processor, ASIC, SoC, FPGA, PLD, application-specific digital circuit, hardware accelerator, or non-integrated discrete device, which can run the necessary software or perform the above method flow independently of software.

[0253] Optionally, embodiments of this application also provide a chip system, including: at least one processor and an interface, wherein the at least one processor is coupled to a memory via the interface, and when the at least one processor executes a computer program or instructions in the memory, the chip system performs the method in any of the above method embodiments. Optionally, the chip system may be composed of chips, or may include chips and other discrete devices; embodiments of this application do not specifically limit this.

[0254] The memory in this application can also be a circuit or any other device capable of performing storage functions, used to store program instructions and / or data. 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. For example, memory can be non-volatile memory, such as digital versatile disc (DVD), hard disk drive (HDD), or solid-state drive (SSD), or it can be volatile memory, such as random-access memory (RAM).

[0255] It is understood that in this application, "instruction" can include direct instruction, indirect instruction, explicit instruction, and implicit instruction. When describing a certain instruction information to indicate A, it can be understood that the instruction information carries A, directly indicates A, or indirectly indicates A. In this application, the information indicated by the instruction information is called the information to be instructed. In specific implementation, there are many ways to indicate the information to be instructed, such as, but not limited to, directly indicating the information to be instructed, such as the information to be instructed itself or its index, or indirectly indicating the information to be instructed by indicating other information, wherein there is an association between the other information and the information to be instructed. It is also possible to indicate only a part of the information to be instructed, while the other parts of the information to be instructed are known or agreed upon in advance. For example, the instruction of specific information can also be achieved by using the arrangement order of various information in advance (e.g., as specified by a protocol), thereby reducing the instruction overhead to a certain extent. The information to be instructed can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information to be sent separately, and the sending period and / or sending time of these sub-information can be the same or different. This application does not limit the specific sending method. The sending period and / or timing of these sub-information messages can be predefined, for example, according to a protocol, or configured by the transmitting device by sending configuration information to the receiving device.

[0256] The terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, as used in this application as described above, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include other steps or units not listed, or optionally include other steps or units inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus. It should be noted that in this application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate illustrative, explanatory, or descriptive purposes. Any method or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other methods or designs. Specifically, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a concrete manner.

[0257] It should be understood that in the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, " / " indicates that the objects before and after it are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B can represent A or B; where A and B can be singular or plural. Furthermore, in the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" refers to two or more. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple. Additionally, to facilitate a clear description of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used in the embodiments of this application to distinguish identical or similar items with substantially the same function and effect. Those skilled in the art will understand that the terms "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or execution order, and the terms "first" and "second" do not necessarily imply difference. In this application, the terms "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in this application should not be construed as being better or more advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of terms such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner to facilitate understanding.

[0258] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software programs, implementation can be, in whole or in part, in the form of a computer program product. This computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, network device, or data center to another website, computer, network device, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means.

[0259] Although this application has been described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, those skilled in the art, by reviewing the accompanying drawings, disclosure, and appended claims, will understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments in carrying out the claimed application. In the claims, a single processor or other unit may implement several functions listed in the claims. While different dependent claims may recite certain measures, this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

[0260] It is understood that the various numerical designations used in the embodiments of this application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the process numbers described above does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

[0261] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of each embodiment have different focuses. For parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions in other embodiments.

[0262] The components in the device described in this application embodiment can be combined, divided, or removed according to actual needs. Those skilled in the art can combine or integrate the different embodiments and features described in this specification.

[0263] In this application, examples may reference each other without logical contradiction. For example, methods and / or terms between method embodiments may reference each other, functions and / or terms between device embodiments may reference each other, and functions and / or terms between device examples and method examples may reference each other.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Send the first information at the first moment, the first information including a preamble, or including message A; The second information is received during a second time period after the first time point and after the first time period, and the second information includes a random access response (RAR) or message B. Before the end of the second time period, a third message is received, which includes the remaining system information block SIB-R.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first time period equals K offset The sum of K and X, where K offset X is greater than or equal to the bidirectional transmission delay between the network device and the terminal device, where X is greater than or equal to the time occupied by the third information; or The first time period is greater than or equal to the sum of the bidirectional transmission delay and the time occupied by the third information.

3. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first time period equals K offset , where K offset The second time period is greater than or equal to the bidirectional transmission delay between the network device and the terminal device, and the second time period does not include the time occupied by receiving the third information.

4. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first information includes a preamble, the second information includes a RAR, and after receiving the RAR and the third information, the method further includes: Send message 3 at the second moment.

5. The method as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The second time point is related to the third time point; Wherein, the third time is associated with the maximum value between the time when receiving the third information ends and the time when receiving the RAR ends; or The third time point is y time units after the end time of receiving the third information, where y is a non-negative number.

6. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive the first information at the first moment, the first information including a preamble, or including message A; The second information is sent after the first moment and during a first time period and a second time period. The second information includes a Random Access Response (RAR) or includes message B. Before the end of the second time period, a third message is sent, which includes the remaining system information block SIB-R.

7. The method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The first time period equals K offset The sum of K and X, where K offset X is greater than or equal to the bidirectional transmission delay between the network device and the terminal device, where X is greater than or equal to the time occupied by the third information; or The first time period is greater than or equal to the sum of the bidirectional transmission delay and the time occupied by the third information.

8. The method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The first time period equals K offset , where K offset The second time period is greater than or equal to the bidirectional transmission delay between the network device and the terminal device, and the second time period does not include the time occupied by receiving the third information.

9. The method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The first information includes a preamble, the second information includes a RAR, and after sending the RAR and the third information, the method further includes: Message 3 is received at the second moment.

10. The method as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The second time point is related to the third time point; Wherein, the third time is associated with the maximum value between the time when the third information ends and the time when the RAR ends; or The third time point is y time units after the end time of sending the third information, where y is a non-negative number.

11. A communication device, characterized in that, The apparatus includes a module or unit for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 1-5, or the apparatus includes a module or unit for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 6-10.

12. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A processor for executing a program stored in memory, which, when executed, causes the apparatus to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1-5, or causes the apparatus to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 6-10.

13. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed by a computer, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-10.

14. A computer program product, characterized in that, When the computer reads and executes the computer program product, it causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-10.

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