Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus which are capable of improving the accuracy of reference signal measurement results in a non-terrestrial communication system. The method may comprise: sending period indication information, the period indication information being used for indicating a first period and a second period of a target reference signal, and the target reference signal being used for cell handover or cell reselection; and in each first time period among a plurality of first time periods, on the basis of the second period, sending the target reference signal to a terminal device in a target area served in the each first time period, wherein the target area is an area to be switched / reselected from the coverage of a first network device to the coverage of a second network device, the plurality of first time periods are determined on the basis of the first period, and different first time periods among the plurality of first time periods correspond to different target areas.

Description

Communication method and apparatus

[0001] The present application claims priority from the Chinese Patent Application No. 202411237224.4 filed on September 3, 2024 and titled "Communication method and apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and more particularly, to a communication method and apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0003] Non-terrestrial networks (NTN) include satellite communication networks, high-altitude platforms, and unmanned aerial vehicles, etc. nodes, with global coverage, long-distance transmission, flexible networking, easy deployment, and no geographical conditions restrictions, etc. significant advantages, has been widely used in marine communication, positioning navigation, disaster relief, scientific experiments, video broadcasting and earth observation, etc. multiple fields. The ground 5th generation (5G) communication network and non-terrestrial communication network complement each other, take the advantages of each other, and together form a global seamless coverage of sea, land, air, sky, and earth integrated communication network. To meet the needs of users everywhere for a variety of services.

[0004] In the NTN system, such as the satellite communication system, the motion of the satellite node will cause the group switching or group reselection problem of the users in a certain area. The user can measure the quality of the reference signal corresponding to the current serving cell and the candidate cell to decide whether to perform cell switching or cell reselection.

[0005] In the prior art, taking the NR communication network as an example, the flow of reference signal measurement can include: the network device issues a measurement configuration corresponding to a plurality of cells (including a serving cell and a neighbor cell) to a user equipment (UE), and the UE measures the quality of the measurement-related reference signal corresponding to the cell according to the measurement configuration, wherein the measurement-related reference signal is usually a synchronization signal block (SSB) signal, and the transmission period of the SSB can be 5ms, 10ms, 20ms, 40ms, 80ms or 160ms.

[0006] Since the transmission period of the reference signal in the prior art is short (e.g., a millisecond level period), and the period of change of the satellite node and the area covered by the satellite node in the satellite communication system is long (e.g., a second level period), the short period of the reference signal in the prior art does not match the long period of change of the satellite node and the area covered by the satellite node in the satellite communication system. The measurement method of the reference signal in the prior art introduces strong interference between the reference signals, affects the accuracy of the signal measurement result, causes the failure of cell switching or cell reselection, and increases the time-frequency resource overhead occupied by the reference signal. SUMMARY

[0007] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and device, which can improve the accuracy of the measurement result of the reference signal in the non-ground communication system, thereby improving the success rate of cell switching or cell reselection, and reducing the time-frequency resource overhead occupied by the reference signal.

[0008] In a first aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, which can include: transmitting period indication information, the period indication information being used to indicate a first period and a second period of a target reference signal, the target reference signal being used for cell switching or cell reselection; in each of a plurality of first time periods, transmitting the target reference signal to a terminal device in a target area served in the each of the plurality of first time periods based on the second period, the target area being an area to be switched / reselected from a coverage range of a first network device to a coverage range of a second network device, the plurality of first time periods being determined based on the first period, and different first time periods in the plurality of first time periods corresponding to different target areas.

[0009] Optionally, the method can be performed by the second network device.

[0010] The communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application can flexibly schedule the target reference signal for cell switching or cell reselection to the terminal device in the target area for cell measurement through the first period and the second period indicated by the period indication information, can improve the accuracy of the measurement result, and thereby improve the success rate of cell switching or cell reselection.

[0011] Optionally, the embodiments of the present application do not limit the source of the target reference signal.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the target reference signal can be a newly added reference signal for cell switching.

[0013] In another possible implementation, the target reference signal can be another reference signal, such as a reference signal in a quasi-co-located relationship with the HO-SSB.

[0014] Optionally, the target reference signal can be deployed in one of time domain, space domain, frequency domain or polarization domain multiplexing manner with the SSB signal in the existing communication system.

[0015] It should be noted that the first period in the embodiments of the present application is used to represent the change period of the change of the area covered by the beam of the second network device in the gaze communication system.

[0016] It should be further noted that the area in the embodiments of the present application can be understood as a geographical location area, which can also be referred to as a wave position.

[0017] Optionally, the plurality of first time periods can be determined based on the first period and pattern information of the target reference signal, the pattern information being used to indicate the time domain position of the target reference signal.

[0018] It should be further noted that the second period in the embodiments of the present application is used to represent the transmission interval of the target reference signal transmitted by the second network device to the terminal device in the target area served within the first time period.

[0019] Optionally, the time domain position of the target reference signal can be in units of frames, subframes, symbols, time slots, etc.

[0020] In a possible implementation, the plurality of first time periods includes a first target time period, the target area corresponding to the first target time period includes a plurality of sub-target areas, and the target reference signal is transmitted to the terminal device in each sub-target area in the plurality of sub-target areas in each of the plurality of first time periods based on the second period within the first time period, including: the target reference signal is transmitted to the terminal device in each of the plurality of sub-target areas in each of the plurality of second time periods included in the first target time period, the plurality of second time periods being determined based on the second period and the first target time period.

[0021] By using the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the target reference signal dedicated to cell switching or cell reselection can be flexibly scheduled to the terminal device in different sub-target areas in the target area for cell measurement, which can improve the accuracy of the measurement result and thus improve the success rate of cell switching or cell reselection.

[0022] In a possible implementation, before the transmission period indication information, the method further includes: receiving the period indication information from the first network device.

[0023] According to the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application, since the second network device serves the target area in place of the first network device, the second network device receives the periodic indication information from the first network device before serving the target area in place of the first network device, and schedules the target reference signal based on the periodic indication information, so that the efficiency of the cooperative work of the first network device and the second network device can be improved.

[0024] In a possible implementation, the plurality of first time periods includes a second target time period, the second target time period being determined based on the first period and time delay information, the time delay information being used to indicate a time delay between the second target time period and a third time period, the third time period being used for the first network device to send a first reference signal to a terminal device in a target area corresponding to the second target time period, the first reference signal being used for cell access.

[0025] According to the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application, since the propagation time delays of the first reference signal sent by the first network device and the target reference signal sent by the second network device are different, the time and signal quality of the terminal device receiving the two kinds of reference signals are affected, so that the sending time of the target reference signal can be compensated, that is, the target reference signal is sent in advance or delayed compared with the agreed sending time. Wherein, sending the target reference signal in advance can increase the interval of the sending time of the two kinds of signals, so as to reduce the influence of the first reference signal on the target reference signal; delaying the sending of the target reference signal can shorten the receiving window on the terminal device side, so as to reduce the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0026] In a possible implementation, before the target reference signal is sent to the terminal device in the target area served in each of the plurality of first time periods based on the second period, the method further includes: sending the time delay information to the terminal device in the target area served in the second target time period.

[0027] According to the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the second network device sends the time delay information to the terminal device in the target area served in the second target time period, so that the terminal device can adjust the time of receiving the target reference signal based on the time delay information.

[0028] In a possible implementation, the time delay information is determined based on ephemeris information and area information of the first network device, the ephemeris information being used to indicate at least one of the moving speed or the position of the first network device, and the area information being used to indicate the area served by the first network device.

[0029] In a possible implementation, the first period is 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 40 seconds, 80 seconds, 160 seconds, or 320 seconds; or the second period is 160 milliseconds, 320 milliseconds, 640 milliseconds, or 1 second.

[0030] By using the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the minimum values of the first period and the second period of the target reference signal can be greater than the transmission period of the existing first reference signal, and the target reference signal is a reference signal dedicated to cell switching or reselection, which can reduce the interference of the first reference signal on the target reference signal, and can reduce the time-frequency resource overhead occupied by the reference signal.

[0031] Optionally, the first network device can perform puncturing on the time-frequency resource of the first reference signal based on the pattern information of the target reference signal, that is, perform muting on the time domain, frequency domain, polarization domain (i.e., polarization mode, such as linear polarization, circular polarization, and elliptical polarization) resource corresponding to the target reference signal, and not use it for data and control signaling transmission, so as to reduce the interference on the target reference signal.

[0032] In a second aspect, the embodiments of the present application also provide a communication method, which is used for a terminal device located in a target area, the target area being an area to be switched / reselected from the coverage range of a first network device to the coverage range of a second network device, and the method comprises the following steps: receiving period indication information from the second network device, the period indication information being used to indicate a first period and a second period of a target reference signal, the target reference signal being used for cell switching or cell reselection; and receiving the target reference signal from the second network device based on the second period within a first time period, the first time period being determined based on the first period.

[0033] By using the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the first period and the second period indicated by the period indication information can flexibly schedule the target reference signal dedicated to cell switching or cell reselection to the terminal device in the target area for cell measurement, which can improve the accuracy of the measurement result, thereby improving the success rate of cell switching or cell reselection.

[0034] In a possible implementation, the target area comprises a plurality of sub-target areas, the terminal device is located in a first sub-target area in the plurality of sub-target areas, and the receiving of the target reference signal from the second network device based on the second period within the first time period comprises: receiving the target reference signal from the second network device within each second time period in a plurality of second time periods included in the first time period, the plurality of second time periods being determined based on the second period, the first time period, and the order of the plurality of sub-target areas.

[0035] In a possible implementation, the first time period is determined based on the first period and time delay information, and the time delay information is used to indicate a time delay between the first time period and a third time period, and the third time period is used for the first network device to send the first reference signal to the terminal device in the target area, and the first reference signal is used for cell access.

[0036] In a possible implementation, before the first time period, the method further includes: receiving the time delay information from the second network device based on the second period.

[0037] In a possible implementation, the first period is 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 40 seconds, 80 seconds, 160 seconds or 320 seconds, or the second period is 160 milliseconds, 320 milliseconds, 640 milliseconds or 1 second.

[0038] Optionally, the method can further include: measuring the target reference signal to obtain a measurement result.

[0039] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication method, which can include: sending a target wake-up signal, the target wake-up signal being used to wake up a target reference signal, and the target reference signal being used for cell switching or cell reselection; and in a first time period, sending the target reference signal to a terminal device in a target area served in the first time period based on a first period, the target area being an area to be switched from a coverage range of a first network device to a coverage range of a second network device, the first time period being determined based on time offset information and time length information, the time offset information being used to indicate an offset amount of a sending time of the target wake-up signal relative to a sending time of the target reference signal, and the time length information being used to indicate a sending time length of the target reference signal.

[0040] By using the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the target reference signal dedicated for cell switching or cell reselection is scheduled to the terminal device in the target area based on the target wake-up signal, and the flexibility of reference signal scheduling can be improved.

[0041] In a possible implementation, the target area includes a plurality of sub-target areas, and in the first time period, the target reference signal is sent to the terminal device in the target area served in the first time period based on the first period, including: in each second time period included in the first time period, the target reference signal is sent to the terminal device in each sub-target area of the plurality of sub-target areas, and the plurality of second time periods are determined based on the first time period, the first period and the order of the plurality of sub-target areas.

[0042] The communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application can schedule the target reference signal dedicated to cell switching or cell reselection to the terminal device in different sub-regions in the target region based on the target wake-up signal, can improve the flexibility of reference signal scheduling, and can reduce the time-frequency resource overhead occupied by the reference signal.

[0043] In a possible implementation, before the target reference signal is sent to the terminal device in the target region served in the first time period based on the first period in the first time period, the method further includes: sending indication information, the indication information being used to indicate at least one of the target wake-up signal, the time offset information, the time length information, or the first period.

[0044] In a possible implementation, the target wake-up signal is a reference signal (RS) based wake-up signal, or the target wake-up signal is a downlink control information (DCI) based wake-up signal.

[0045] In a possible implementation, the first period is 160 milliseconds, 320 milliseconds, 640 milliseconds, or 1 second.

[0046] In a fourth aspect, the embodiments of the present application further provide a communication method, which is used for a terminal device, the terminal device being located in a target region, the target region being a region to be switched / reselected from the coverage of a first network device to the coverage of a second network device, and the method comprising: detecting a target wake-up signal, the target wake-up signal being used to wake up a target reference signal, the target reference signal being used for cell switching; if the target wake-up signal is detected, receiving the target reference signal from the second network device based on a first period in a first time period, the first time period being determined based on time offset information and time length information, the time offset information being used to indicate an offset amount of the sending time of the target wake-up signal relative to the sending time of the target reference signal, and the time length information being used to indicate the sending time length of the target reference signal.

[0047] Optionally, if the terminal device does not detect the target wake-up signal, the first terminal device does not need to receive the target reference signal before the next detection occasion of the target wake-up signal arrives.

[0048] The communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application can schedule the target reference signal dedicated to cell switching or cell reselection to the terminal device in the target region based on the target wake-up signal, can improve the flexibility of reference signal scheduling, and can reduce the time-frequency resource overhead occupied by the reference signal.

[0049] In a possible implementation, the target area includes a plurality of sub-target areas, and the receiving, in the first time period, the target reference signal from the second network device based on the first period includes: receiving, in each of a plurality of second time periods included in the first time period, the target reference signal from the second network device, the plurality of second time periods being determined based on the first time period, the first period, and an order of the plurality of sub-target areas.

[0050] In a possible implementation, before the receiving, in the first time period, the target reference signal from the second network device based on the first period, if the target wake-up signal is detected, the method further includes: receiving indication information from the second network device, the indication information being used to indicate at least one of the target wake-up signal, the time offset information, the time length information, or the first period.

[0051] In a possible implementation, the target wake-up signal is a reference signal (RS)-based wake-up signal, or the target wake-up signal is a downlink control information (DCI)-based wake-up signal.

[0052] In a possible implementation, the first period is 160 ms, 320 ms, 640 ms, or 1 s.

[0053] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, which can include a processor and a communication interface, the processor and the communication interface being coupled, the processor being configured to send, through the communication interface, period indication information, the period indication information being used to indicate a first period and a second period of a target reference signal, the target reference signal being used for cell switching or cell reselection; and send, through the communication interface, in each of a plurality of first time periods, the target reference signal to terminal devices in a target area served in the each first time period based on the second period, the target area being an area to be switched / reselected from a coverage range of a first network device to a coverage range of a second network device, the plurality of first time periods being determined based on the first period, and different first time periods in the plurality of first time periods corresponding to different target areas.

[0054] In a possible implementation, the plurality of first time periods includes a first target time period, and a target area corresponding to the first target time period includes a plurality of sub-target areas, and the processor is specifically configured to send, through the communication interface, in each of a plurality of second time periods included in the first target time period, the target reference signal to terminal devices in each of the plurality of sub-target areas, the plurality of second time periods being determined based on the second period and the first target time period.

[0055] In a possible implementation, the processor is further configured to receive, through the communication interface, the periodic indication information from the first network device before sending the periodic indication information.

[0056] In a possible implementation, the plurality of first time periods comprises a second target time period, the second target time period being determined based on the first period and time delay information, the time delay information being used to indicate a time delay between the second target time period and a third time period, the third time period being used for the first network device to send a first reference signal to a terminal device within a target area corresponding to the second target time period, the first reference signal being used for cell access.

[0057] In a possible implementation, the processor is further configured to, before sending, through the communication interface, the target reference signal to a terminal device within a target area served in each of the plurality of first time periods based on the second period, send, through the communication interface, the time delay information to the terminal device within the target area served in the second target time period.

[0058] In a possible implementation, the time delay information is determined based on ephemeris information and area information of the first network device, the ephemeris information being used to indicate at least one of a moving speed or a position of the first network device, and the area information being used to indicate an area served by the first network device.

[0059] In a possible implementation, the first period is 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 40 seconds, 80 seconds, 160 seconds or 320 seconds; or the second period is 160 milliseconds, 320 milliseconds, 640 milliseconds or 1 second.

[0060] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication apparatus, which is used for a terminal device, the terminal device being located in a target area, the target area being an area to be handed over / reselected from a coverage range of a first network device to a coverage range of a second network device, the apparatus comprising a processor and a communication interface, the processor and the communication interface being coupled, the processor being configured to: receive, through the communication interface, periodic indication information from the second network device, the periodic indication information being used to indicate a first period and a second period of a target reference signal, the target reference signal being used for cell handover or cell reselection; and receive, through the communication interface, the target reference signal from the second network device based on the second period in a first time period, the first time period being determined based on the first period.

[0061] In a possible implementation, the target area includes a plurality of sub-target areas, the terminal device is located in a first sub-target area of the plurality of sub-target areas, and the processor is specifically configured to: in each of a plurality of second time periods included in the first time period, receive, through the communication interface, the target reference signal from the second network device, the plurality of second time periods being determined based on the second period, the first time period, and an order of the plurality of sub-target areas.

[0062] In a possible implementation, the first time period is determined based on the first period and time delay information, the time delay information being used to indicate a time delay between the first time period and a third time period, the third time period being used for the first network device to send a first reference signal to terminal devices in the target area, the first reference signal being used for cell access.

[0063] In a possible implementation, the processor is further configured to: before receiving, through the communication interface, the target reference signal from the second network device based on the second period in the first time period, receive, through the communication interface, the time delay information from the second network device.

[0064] In a possible implementation, the first period is 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 40 seconds, 80 seconds, 160 seconds, or 320 seconds; or the second period is 160 milliseconds, 320 milliseconds, 640 milliseconds, or 1 second.

[0065] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication apparatus, which can include: a processor and a communication interface, the processor and the communication interface being coupled, the processor being configured to: send, through the communication interface, a target wake-up signal, the target wake-up signal being used to wake up a target reference signal, the target reference signal being used for cell switching or cell reselection; in a first time period, send, through the communication interface, the target reference signal to terminal devices in a target area served in the first time period based on a first period, the target area being an area to be switched from a coverage range of a first network device to a coverage range of a second network device, the first time period being determined based on time offset information and time length information, the time offset information being used to indicate an offset amount of a sending time of the target wake-up signal relative to a sending time of the target reference signal, and the time length information being used to indicate a sending time length of the target reference signal.

[0066] In a possible implementation, the target area includes a plurality of sub-target areas, and the processor is specifically configured to: in each of a plurality of second time periods included in the first time period, send, through the communication interface, the target reference signal to terminal devices in each of the plurality of sub-target areas, the plurality of second time periods being determined based on the first time period, the first period, and an order of the plurality of sub-target areas.

[0067] In a possible implementation, the processor is further configured to: before the target reference signal is transmitted to the terminal device in the target area served in the first time period based on the first period, the indication information is transmitted through the communication interface, the indication information is used to indicate at least one of the target wake-up signal, the time offset information, the time length information or the first period.

[0068] In a possible implementation, the target wake-up signal is a reference signal (RS) based wake-up signal; or the target wake-up signal is a downlink control information (DCI) based wake-up signal.

[0069] In a possible implementation, the first period is 160 milliseconds, 320 milliseconds, 640 milliseconds or 1 second.

[0070] In an eighth aspect, the embodiments of the present application further provide a communication device, which is used for a terminal device, the terminal device is located in a target area, the target area is an area to be switched / reselected from a coverage range of a first network device to a coverage range of a second network device, and the device can include a processor and a communication interface, the processor and the communication interface are coupled, and the processor is specifically configured to: detect a target wake-up signal, the target wake-up signal is used to wake up a target reference signal, and the target reference signal is used for cell switching; if the target wake-up signal is detected, the target reference signal from the second network device is received based on a first period in a first time period, the first time period is determined based on time offset information and time length information, the time offset information is used to indicate an offset amount of a transmission time of the target wake-up signal relative to a transmission time of the target reference signal, and the time length information is used to indicate a transmission time length of the target reference signal.

[0071] In a possible implementation, the target area includes a plurality of sub-target areas, and the processor is specifically configured to: in each of a plurality of second time periods included in the first time period, the target reference signal from the second network device is received through the communication interface, and the plurality of second time periods are determined based on the first time period, the first period and an order of the plurality of sub-target areas.

[0072] In a possible implementation, the processor is further configured to: before the target reference signal is received from the second network device based on the first period in the first time period if the target wake-up signal is detected, indication information from the second network device is received through the communication interface, and the indication information is used to indicate at least one of the target wake-up signal, the time offset information, the time length information or the first period.

[0073] In a possible implementation, the target wake-up signal is a reference signal (RS) based wake-up signal; or the target wake-up signal is a downlink control information (DCI) based wake-up signal.

[0074] In a possible implementation, the first period is 160 ms, 320 ms, 640 ms or 1 s.

[0075] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, which comprises units for performing the method provided in the above aspects or various possible implementation manners thereof.

[0076] In a tenth aspect, the present application further provides a computer readable storage medium, which stores instructions, when running on a computer, causing the computer to perform the method provided in the above aspects or any possible implementation manner thereof.

[0077] In an eleventh aspect, the present application further provides a computer program product containing instructions, when running on a computer, causing the computer to perform the method provided in the above aspects or any possible implementation manner thereof.

[0078] It can be understood that any communication apparatus, computer storage medium or computer program product provided by the above provides is used to execute the corresponding method provided by the above, and therefore, the beneficial effects achieved by the communication apparatus, computer storage medium or computer program product can refer to the beneficial effects of the corresponding method provided by the above, which will not be described here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0079] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a communication system 100 provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0080] FIG. 2 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method 200 provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] FIG. 3 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method 300 provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0083] FIG. 5 is another flow chart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0084] FIG. 6 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method 400 provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0085] FIG. 7 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method 500 provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0086] FIG. 8 is a flow chart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0087] FIG. 9 is another flow diagram of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0088] FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus 600 according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0089] FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus 700 according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0090] FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus 800 according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0091] FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus 900 according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0092] FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0093] FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus 1100 according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0094] FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus 1200 according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0095] FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus 1300 according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0096] The technical solutions in the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0097] In order to clearly describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, some terms and technologies involved in the embodiments of the present application will be briefly introduced as follows:

[0098] The technical solutions of the present application can be applied to NTN systems such as satellite communication systems, high altitude platform (HAPS) communication, unmanned aerial vehicles, etc., for example, integrated communication and navigation (IcaN) systems, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), and ultra-dense low-orbit satellite communication systems, etc.

[0099] Optionally, the satellite communication system can be integrated with a conventional mobile communication system. For example, the mobile communication system can be a 4th generation (4G) communication system (e.g., a long term evolution (LTE) system), a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, a 5G communication system (e.g., a new radio (NR) system), or a future mobile communication system.

[0100] Exemplarily, an NTN system can include at least one network device and at least one terminal device. The network device can provide communication, navigation, positioning, and the like services to the terminal device within its coverage range through multiple beams.

[0101] Optionally, the terminal device mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can include various handheld devices, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, computing devices, or other processing devices connected to wireless modems with wireless communication functions. The terminal device can be a user equipment (UE), an access terminal, a user unit, a user station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a terminal, a wireless communication device, a user agent, or a user device. The terminal device can also be a satellite phone, a cellular phone, a smartphone, a wireless data card, a wireless modem, a machine type communication device, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication functions, a computing device, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device, or a wearable device, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in smart city, a wireless terminal in smart home, a terminal device in a 5G network or a future communication network, and the like.

[0102] Optionally, the network device mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be a satellite or a ground station device. The satellite can be a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite, a non-geostationary earth orbit (NGEO) satellite, etc. The ground station device can also be referred to as a core network device, for example, a device in the core network (CN) of an existing mobile communication architecture (such as the 3GPP access architecture of the 5G network) or a device in the core network of a future mobile communication architecture. The core network provides an interface to the data network as a bearer network, provides communication connection, authentication, management, policy control, and completes bearer for data services for user equipment (UE). Among them, the CN can further include: an access and mobility management network element (Access and Mobility Management Function, AMF), a session management network element (Session Management Function, SMF), an authentication server network element (Authentication Server Function, AUSF), a policy control node (Policy control Function, PCF), a user plane function network element (User Plane Function, UPF), and the like. Among them, the AMF network element is used to manage the access and mobility of the UE, and is mainly responsible for the functions of UE authentication, UE mobility management, UE paging, etc.

[0103] Optionally, the network device can further include, but is not limited to: an evolved node B (eNB), a baseband unit (BBU), an access point (AP) in a wireless fidelity (WIFI) system, a wireless relay node, a wireless backhaul node, a transmission point (TP), a transmission reception point (TRP), or an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node or a wireless access and backhaul (WAB) node, etc. The network device can also be a gNB or a TRP or a TP in a 5G system, or one or a group (including multiple antenna panels) of antenna panels of a base station in a 5G system. In addition, the network device can also be a network node constituting a gNB or a TP, such as a BBU, a distributed unit (DU), etc. Alternatively, the network device can also be a device assuming a network side function in a device-to-device (D2D) communication system, a machine to machine (M2M) communication system, an Internet of Things (IoT), a vehicle-to-vehicle communication system, or other communication systems.

[0104] Optionally, according to the working mode of the load (such as a beam), the communication system can generally be divided into an earth-fixed or quasi-earth-fixed communication system and an earth-moving communication system.

[0105] In the earth-moving communication system, the coverage range of the beam of the network device moves together with the network device over time; in the earth-fixed communication system, the network device dynamically adjusts the pointing direction of the beam so that the beam approximately covers the same region on the ground over time.

[0106] Exemplarily, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application will be introduced below taking the earth-fixed communication system as an example.

[0107] FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a communication system 100 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 1, the system 100 can include a network device 111 and a terminal device 121. The network device 111 moves in the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 1. In a time period T1, the network device 111 covers a region 1, and the terminal device 121 is located in the region 1. The terminal device 121 can access the network device 111 through an existing reference signal (e.g., an SSB signal), that is, the network device 111 can communicate with or provide a related service (e.g., a communication service, a navigation service, or a positioning service) for the terminal device 121.

[0108] However, as the network device 111 moves, the region 1 will move out of the coverage of the network device 111, that is, the network device 111 will no longer provide a service for the terminal device 121. Therefore, the terminal device 121 needs to perform a cell measurement on a neighboring cell, and based on the measurement result, select a target cell for handover.

[0109] Optionally, the system 100 can further include a network device 112, and the network device 112 moves in the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 1. In the time period T1, the network device 112 covers a region 2, and the network device 112 can communicate with the network device 111 through an inter-satellite link. The cell of the network device 112 is adjacent to the cell of the network device 111. Therefore, the terminal device 121 can perform a measurement on the cell of the network device 112, and based on the measurement result, determine whether to handover from the cell of the network device 111 (i.e., a source cell) to the cell of the network device 112 (i.e., a target cell).

[0110] For example, the system 100 can be a satellite communication system, and each network device in the system 100 can be a satellite, and each terminal device can be a mobile station. For example, the terminal device 121 can be a mobile station, the network device 111 can be a satellite 1, and the network device 112 can be a satellite 2.

[0111] It should be noted that the system 100 only schematically shows that the network device 111 covers one region (i.e., the region 1), but the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto. Optionally, the network device 111 can cover multiple (i.e., two or more) regions, or the region 1 can include multiple sub-regions.

[0112] It should be further noted that the system 100 only schematically shows that the region 1 includes one terminal device (i.e., the terminal device 121), but the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto. Optionally, the region 1 can further include multiple (i.e., two or more) terminal devices.

[0113] It should be further noted that only the coverage area 2 of the network device 112 is shown in the system 100, and no terminal device is shown in the coverage area 2, but the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto. Alternatively, at least one terminal device can be included in the coverage area 2.

[0114] Alternatively, only two network devices (i.e., the network device 111 and the network device 112) are shown in the system 100, but the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto. Alternatively, the system 100 can also include other numbers of network devices.

[0115] In the prior art, for example, in NR communication, the process in which the terminal device 121 measures the cell of the network device 112 can include: the network device 112 sends the measurement configuration of the cell to the terminal device 121, and the terminal device 121 measures the quality of the measurement-related reference signal (such as one or more of the reference signal received power (RSRP), the reference signal received quality (RSRQ), or the signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR)) corresponding to the cell according to the measurement configuration, wherein the measurement-related reference signal is usually an SSB signal, and the transmission period of the SSB signal can be 5 ms, 10 ms, 20 ms, 40 ms, 80 ms, or 160 ms.

[0116] Since the transmission period of the reference signal in the prior art is short (such as a millisecond-level or minute-level period), and in the satellite communication system, the period of change of the satellite and the area covered by the satellite is long (such as a second-level period), therefore, the short period of the reference signal in the prior art does not match the long period of change of the satellite and the area covered by the satellite in the satellite communication system, and the reference signal measurement method in the prior art will introduce strong interference between the reference signals, affect the accuracy of the signal measurement result, and thus cause the failure of cell switching or cell reselection, and waste of time-frequency resources.

[0117] The embodiment of the present application provides a communication method and device, the method can comprise: sending period indication information, the period indication information is used for indicating a first period and a second period of a target reference signal, the target reference signal is used for cell switching or cell reselection; in each of a plurality of first time periods, the target reference signal is sent to terminal devices in a target area served in each of the first time periods based on the second period, the target area is an area to be switched or reselected from a coverage range of a first network device to a coverage range of a second network device, the plurality of first time periods are determined based on the first period, and different first time periods in the plurality of first time periods correspond to different target areas. The target reference signal for cell switching or cell reselection is flexibly scheduled by the first period and the second period to perform cell measurement, which can improve the accuracy of the measurement result, thereby improving the success rate of cell switching or cell reselection.

[0118] The communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application will be further described in detail below. Among them, the embodiment of the present application provides two kinds of communication methods, first, the first communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application will be introduced. It is worth noting that the subsequent cell switching is taken as an example for description, and the same method can also be applied to other mobility management processes such as cell reselection.

[0119] FIG. 2 shows a schematic flow chart of the communication method 200 provided by the embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 2, the method 200 can comprise S201 and S202. The steps of the method 200 will be described in detail below.

[0120] S201. Send period indication information, the period indication information is used for indicating a first period and a second period of a target reference signal, the target reference signal is used for cell switching.

[0121] Optionally, the method 200 can be executed by the second network device.

[0122] Exemplarily, the method 200 can be applied to the system 100 described above, and the second network device can be the network device 112 in the system 100. For example, the second network device can be satellite 2.

[0123] Optionally, the second network device can send the period indication information in various ways, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0124] In one possible implementation, the second network device can broadcast or multicast the period indication information.

[0125] In another possible implementation, the second network device can send the period indication information to at least one terminal device in a currently served area.

[0126] Optionally, the embodiments of the present application do not limit the source of the target reference signal.

[0127] In a possible implementation, the target reference signal can be a newly added reference signal dedicated to cell switching.

[0128] For example, the target reference signal can be a handover synchronization information block (HO-SSB), a non-cell-defining SSB (NCD-SSB), or an on-demand SSB.

[0129] In another possible implementation, the target reference signal can be another reference signal, such as a reference signal having a quasi co-located (QCL) relationship with the HO-SSB.

[0130] For example, the target reference signal can be a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), a tracking reference signal (TRS), a phase-tracking reference signal (PTRS), or a de-modulation reference signal (DMRS).

[0131] Optionally, the target reference signal can be deployed in one of the time domain, spatial domain, frequency domain, or polarization domain multiplexing manner with the SSB signal in the existing communication system (such as the NR communication system).

[0132] S202. In each of a plurality of first time periods, a target reference signal is transmitted to a terminal device in a target area served in each of the first time periods based on a second period, the target area being an area to be switched from a coverage range of a first network device to a coverage range of a second network device, the plurality of first time periods being determined based on the first period, and different first time periods in the plurality of first time periods corresponding to different target areas.

[0133] For example, the first network device can be the network device 111 in the system 100. For example, the first network device can be the satellite 1.

[0134] For example, when the plurality of first time periods includes the time period T1 in the system 100, the target area served in the first time period can be the area 1 in the system 100.

[0135] It should be noted that the first period in the embodiments of the present application is used to represent the change period of the change of the coverage area of the beam of the second network device in the gaze communication system.

[0136] For example, if the coverage area of the beam of the second network device changes every 10s, or the area served by the second network device changes every 10s, the first period is 10s.

[0137] It should be further noted that the area in the embodiments of the present application can be understood as a geographical location area, which can also be referred to as a wave position.

[0138] Optionally, the shape of the wave position or the area is not limited in the embodiments of the present application, such as a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a rectangular shape, a polygonal shape (such as a regular pentagon, a regular hexagon, etc.).

[0139] For example, the first period can include but is not limited to the following values: 10s, 20s, 40s, 80s, 160s, or 320s, etc.

[0140] Optionally, the plurality of first time periods can be determined based on the first period and the pattern information of the target reference signal, and the pattern information is used to indicate the time domain position of the target reference signal.

[0141] Optionally, the time domain position of the target reference signal can be in units of frames, subframes, symbols, slots, etc. For example, in the NR communication system, the length of a frame is 10ms.

[0142] For example, if the pattern information of the target reference signal indicates that the time domain position of the target reference signal is frame 1~frame 20000, and the first period is 10s, the plurality of first time periods can include: frame 1~frame 10000, frame 10001~frame 20000.

[0143] It should be noted that the second period in the embodiments of the present application is used to represent the transmission interval of the target reference signal transmitted by the second network device to the terminal device in the target area served within the first time period.

[0144] For example, if the second network device transmits the target reference signal to the terminal device in the target area corresponding to the first time period once every 20ms, the second period is 20ms.

[0145] For example, the second period can include but is not limited to the following values: 160ms, 320ms, 640ms, or 1s, etc.

[0146] Optionally, the plurality of first time periods can comprise a first target time period, and a target area corresponding to the first target time period comprises a plurality of sub-target areas. S202 can comprise: the second network device sending the target reference signal to a terminal device in each of the plurality of sub-target areas in each of a plurality of second time periods included in the first target time period, the plurality of second time periods being determined based on the second period and the first target time period.

[0147] Optionally, before S201, the second network device can obtain the period indication information in various manners, which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0148] In a possible implementation, the second network device can pre-configure or pre-set the period indication information.

[0149] In another possible implementation, since the second network device takes over the service of the target area from the first network device, the second network device can receive the period indication information from the first network device.

[0150] Optionally, the plurality of first time periods comprises a second target time period, and the second target time period is determined based on the first period and time delay information, the time delay information being used to indicate a time delay between the second target time period and a third time period, the third time period being used for the first network device to send a first reference signal to a terminal device in a target area corresponding to the second target time period, the first reference signal being used for cell access.

[0151] Since the propagation time delays of the first reference signal sent by the first network device and the target reference signal sent by the second network device are different, the time and signal quality of the terminal device receiving the two kinds of reference signals are affected, and therefore, the sending time of the target reference signal can be compensated, i.e., the target reference signal is sent in advance or delayed compared with the agreed sending time. Wherein, sending the target reference signal in advance can increase the interval of the sending time of the two kinds of signals, thereby reducing the influence of the first reference signal on the target reference signal; delaying the sending of the target reference signal can shorten the receiving window on the terminal device side, thereby reducing the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0152] Optionally, the time delay information is determined based on ephemeris information and area information of the first network device, the ephemeris information being used to indicate at least one of the moving speed or position of the first network device, and the area information being used to indicate the area served by the first network device.

[0153] Exemplarily, the time delay t can be determined based on the position (Sx, Sy, Sz) of the satellite and the area reference position (Rx, Ry, Rz), for example:

[0154] t = sqrt[(Sx - Rx)2+ (Sy - Ry)2+ (Sz - Rz)2] / c, where c corresponds to the speed of light.

[0155] Optionally, the second network device can obtain the time delay information in various manners, which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0156] In a possible implementation, the second network device can receive the time delay information from the first network device.

[0157] In another possible implementation, the second network device can receive the ephemeris information and the area information from the first network device, and determine the time delay information based on the ephemeris information and the area information.

[0158] Optionally, the method 200 can further include that the second network device sends the time delay information to a terminal device in a target area served in the second target time period. In this way, the terminal device can adjust the time of receiving the target reference signal based on the time delay information.

[0159] Optionally, the first network device can perform puncturing on the time-frequency resources of the first reference signal based on the pattern information of the target reference signal, i.e., performing muting on the time domain, frequency domain, polarization domain (i.e., polarization mode, such as linear polarization, circular polarization, elliptical polarization, etc.) resources corresponding to the target reference signal, and not using the resources for data and control signaling transmission, so as to reduce the interference on the target reference signal.

[0160] Optionally, the method 200 can further include sending reporting indication information to the terminal device in the target area, the reporting indication information being used to indicate a reporting manner of the measurement result of the target reference signal, the reporting manner including periodic reporting, aperiodic reporting or event-triggered reporting.

[0161] Optionally, the method 200 can further include receiving the measurement result of the target reference signal sent by the terminal device in the target area.

[0162] Optionally, the event-triggered reporting can be time-triggered reporting (if the clock of the terminal device in the target area is located in a given time period, the measurement result is triggered to be reported), location-triggered reporting (if the terminal device is located in a given geographical location area, the measurement result is triggered to be reported) or signal quality-triggered reporting (if the signal quality of the target reference signal measured by the terminal device is greater than a given threshold, the measurement result is triggered to be reported).

[0163] Optionally, the measurement result of the target reference signal can be the measurement result of event L1 or event L3.

[0164] Exemplarily, the event L1 can be that the quality of the target reference signal is greater than or equal to a threshold value.

[0165] Exemplarily, the event L3 can be that the quality of the target reference signal is greater than the quality of the first reference signal.

[0166] FIG. 3 shows a schematic block diagram of a communication method 300 provided by the embodiments of the present application. As shown in FIG. 3, the method 300 can include S301 and S302. The following will explain the steps of the method 300 in detail.

[0167] S301. Receiving periodic indication information from the second network device, the periodic indication information being used to indicate a first period and a second period of a target reference signal, the target reference signal being used for cell switching.

[0168] Optionally, the method 300 can be executed by a terminal device, the terminal device being located in a target area, the target area being an area to be switched from a coverage range of a first network device to a coverage range of a second network device.

[0169] Exemplarily, the method 300 can be applied to the system 100 described above, the terminal device can be the terminal device 121 in the system 100 described above, the first network device can be the network device 111 in the system 100 described above, and the second network device can be the network device 112 in the system 100 described above. For example, the second network device can be satellite 2, the first network device can be satellite 1, and the terminal device can be a mobile station.

[0170] S302. Receiving the target reference signal from the second network device based on the second period within a first time period, the first time period being determined based on the first period.

[0171] Optionally, the first time period can be determined based on the first period and pattern information of the target reference signal.

[0172] Optionally, the target area includes a plurality of sub-target areas, the terminal device is located in a first sub-target area of the plurality of sub-target areas, and S302 can include: receiving the target reference signal from the second network device within each second time period of a plurality of second time periods included in the first time period, the plurality of second time periods being determined based on the second period, the first time period, and an order of the plurality of sub-target areas.

[0173] Optionally, the first time period is determined based on the first period and latency information, the latency information being used to indicate a latency between the first time period and a third time period, the third time period being used for the first network device to send a first reference signal to the terminal device in the target area, the first reference signal being used for cell access.

[0174] Optionally, before S302, the method 300 can further include: receiving the time delay information from the second network device.

[0175] Optionally, the method 300 can further include: measuring the target reference signal to obtain a measurement result.

[0176] Optionally, the method 300 can further include: receiving reporting indication information from the second network device, the reporting indication information being used to indicate a reporting manner of the measurement result of the target reference signal, the reporting manner including periodic reporting, aperiodic reporting or event-triggered reporting; based on the reporting indication information, reporting the measurement result of the target reference signal to the second network device.

[0177] Optionally, the event-triggered reporting can be time-triggered reporting (if the clock of the terminal device in the target area is within a given time period, the measurement result is triggered to be reported), location-triggered reporting (if the terminal device is located in a given geographical location area, the measurement result is triggered to be reported) or signal quality-triggered reporting (if the signal quality of the target reference signal measured by the terminal device is greater than a given threshold, the measurement result is triggered to be reported).

[0178] Optionally, the measurement result of the target reference signal can be the quality of the target reference signal (such as RSRP and / or RSRQ and / or SINR, etc.), the measurement result of event L1 or event L3.

[0179] Exemplarily, event L1 can be that the quality of the target reference signal is greater than or equal to a threshold value.

[0180] Exemplarily, event L3 can be that the quality of the target reference signal is greater than the quality of the first reference signal.

[0181] It should be noted that the contents not described in detail in the method 300 can refer to the description of the corresponding contents in the method 200.

[0182] Exemplarily, taking the first period as T1 and the second period as T2 as an example, FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of a communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application, as shown in FIG. 4, the second network device can send the target reference signal to the terminal devices in the target area 1 served by the second network device at the multiple time domain positions shown in the hatched shadow part in the first time period t1-t2; the second network device can send the target reference signal to the terminal devices in the target area 2 served by the second network device at the multiple time domain positions shown in the hatched shadow part in the first time period t3-t4, and so on, wherein the length of each first time period is T1, and the time interval of the time domain positions shown in the hatched shadow part in the same first time period is T2.

[0183] Correspondingly, the terminal device in the target region 1 can receive the target reference signal from the second network device at the multiple time domain positions shown by the diagonal shaded part in the first time period t1-t2; the terminal device in the target region 2 can receive the target reference signal from the second network device at the multiple time domain positions shown by the diagonal shaded part in the first time period t3-t4.

[0184] Exemplarily, taking the first period as T1, the second period as T2, and each target region including 2 sub-target regions as an example, FIG. 5 shows another schematic diagram of the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application. As shown in FIG. 5, the second network device can send the target reference signal to the terminal device in the sub-target region 1 in the target region 1 served by the second network device at the multiple time domain positions shown by the diagonal shaded part in the first time period t1-t2; the second network device can send the target reference signal to the terminal device in the sub-target region 2 in the target region 1 served by the second network device at the multiple time domain positions shown by the black shaded part in the first time period t1-t2; the second network device can send the target reference signal to the terminal device in the sub-target region 1 in the target region 2 served by the second network device at the multiple time domain positions shown by the diagonal shaded part in the first time period t3-t4; the second network device can send the target reference signal to the terminal device in the sub-target region 2 in the target region 2 served by the second network device at the multiple time domain positions shown by the black shaded part in the first time period t3-t4; and so on. Wherein, the length of each first time period is T1, and the time interval of the multiple time domain positions shown by each kind of shaded part in the same first time period is T2.

[0185] Correspondingly, the terminal device in the sub-target region 1 in the target region 1 can receive the target reference signal from the second network device at the multiple time domain positions shown by the diagonal shaded part in the first time period t1-t2; the terminal device in the sub-target region 2 in the target region 1 can receive the target reference signal from the second network device at the multiple time domain positions shown by the black shaded part in the first time period t1-t2; the terminal device in the sub-target region 1 in the target region 2 can receive the target reference signal from the second network device at the multiple time domain positions shown by the diagonal shaded part in the first time period t3-t4; the terminal device in the sub-target region 2 in the target region 2 can receive the target reference signal from the second network device at the multiple time domain positions shown by the black shaded part in the first time period t3-t4; and so on.

[0186] FIG. 6 shows a schematic flow chart of the communication method 400 provided by the embodiments of the present application. As shown in FIG. 6, the method 400 can include S401-S402. The following will explain each step of the method 400 in detail.

[0187] S401. Transmit a target wake-up signal, the target wake-up signal being used to wake up a target reference signal, the target reference signal being used for cell switching.

[0188] Optionally, the method 400 can be performed by a second network device.

[0189] Exemplarily, the method 400 can be applied to the system 100 described above, and the second network device can be the network device 112 in the system 100. For example, the second network device can be the satellite 2.

[0190] Optionally, S401 can include that the second network device transmits the target wake-up signal based on configuration information, the configuration information being used to indicate at least one of a period or a detection event of the target wake-up signal.

[0191] Optionally, the source of the target reference signal is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0192] In a possible implementation, the target reference signal can be a newly added reference signal dedicated for cell switching.

[0193] Exemplarily, the target reference signal can be an HO-SSB, an NCD-SSB, or an on-demand SSB.

[0194] In another possible implementation, the target reference signal can be another reference signal, such as a reference signal having a QCL relationship with the HO-SSB.

[0195] Exemplarily, the target reference signal can be a CSI-RS, a TRS, a PTRS, a DMRS, or the like.

[0196] Optionally, the target reference signal can be deployed in one of the time domain, the spatial domain, the frequency domain, or the polarization domain multiplexing manner with the SSB signal in the existing NR communication system.

[0197] S402. In a first time period, transmit the target reference signal to a terminal device in a target area served in the first time period based on a first period, the target area being an area to be switched from a coverage range of a first network device to a coverage range of a second network device, the first time period being determined based on time offset information and time length information, the time offset information being used to indicate an offset amount of a transmission time of the target wake-up signal relative to a transmission time of the target reference signal, and the time length information being used to indicate a transmission time length of the target reference signal.

[0198] Exemplarily, the first network device can be the network device 111 in the system 100 described above. For example, the first network device can be the satellite 1.

[0199] It should be noted that the first period described in the method 400 corresponds to the second period in the method 300.

[0200] Exemplarily, the first period can be 160 milliseconds, 320 milliseconds, 640 milliseconds or 1 second.

[0201] Optionally, before S402, the method 400 can further include: sending indication information, the indication information being used to indicate at least one of the target wake-up signal, time offset information, time length information, the first period or the configuration information, the time offset information being used to indicate an offset amount of a sending time of the target wake-up signal relative to a sending time of the target reference signal, the time length information being used to indicate a sending time length of the target reference signal.

[0202] Optionally, the second network device can send the indication information in various manners, which are not limited by embodiments of the present application.

[0203] In a possible implementation manner, the second network device can broadcast or multicast the indication information.

[0204] In another possible implementation manner, the second network device can send the indication information to terminal devices currently served in the target area.

[0205] Optionally, the target wake-up signal can be a reference signal (RS) based wake-up signal; or the target wake-up signal can be a downlink control information (DCI) based wake-up signal.

[0206] In a possible implementation manner, if the target wake-up signal is a DCI based wake-up signal, the indication information can be carried in a payload of the DCI.

[0207] Optionally, if the target wake-up signal is a DCI based wake-up signal, the indication information is further used to indicate a time domain position, a frequency domain position, a polarization manner, a pattern, an associated bitmap and the like of the target reference signal, for determining a specific time-frequency position and structure of the target reference signal, so as to reduce a measurement overhead.

[0208] It should be noted that contents not described in detail in the method 400 can refer to the description of the corresponding contents in the method 200.

[0209] FIG. 7 shows a schematic flow chart of a communication method 500 provided by embodiments of the present application, as shown in FIG. 7, the method 500 can include S501-S502. The following describes each step of the method 500 in detail.

[0210] S501. detecting a target wake-up signal, the target wake-up signal being used for waking up a target reference signal, the target reference signal being used for cell handover.

[0211] Optionally, the method 500 can be performed by a terminal device, the terminal device being located in a target area, the target area being an area to be handed over from a coverage of a first network device to a coverage of a second network device.

[0212] Exemplarily, the method 500 can be applied to the system 100 described above, the terminal device can be the terminal device 121 in the system 100 described above, the first network device can be the network device 111 in the system 100 described above, and the second network device can be the network device 112 in the system 100 described above. For example, the second network device can be satellite 2, the first network device can be satellite 1, and the terminal device can be a mobile station.

[0213] Optionally, S501 can include: receiving, by the terminal device, the target wake-up signal based on configuration information, the configuration information being used for indicating at least one of a period of the target wake-up signal or a detection event.

[0214] S502. If the target wake-up signal is detected, receiving, in a first time period, the target reference signal from the second network device based on a first period, the first time period being determined based on time offset information and time length information, the time offset information being used for indicating an offset amount of a sending time of the target wake-up signal relative to a sending time of the target reference signal, and the time length information being used for indicating a sending time length of the target reference signal.

[0215] Optionally, if the terminal device does not detect the target wake-up signal, the first terminal device does not need to receive the target reference signal before a next detection occasion of the target wake-up signal arrives.

[0216] Optionally, the target area can include a plurality of sub-target areas, and S502 can include: receiving, in each of a plurality of second time periods included in the first time period, the target reference signal from the second network device, the plurality of second time periods being determined based on the first time period, the first period, and an order of the plurality of sub-target areas.

[0217] Optionally, before S502, the method can further include: receiving indication information from the second network device, the indication information being used for indicating at least one of the target wake-up signal, the time offset information, the time length information, or the first period.

[0218] Optionally, the target wake-up signal is a RS-based wake-up signal; or the target wake-up signal is a DCI-based wake-up signal.

[0219] Exemplarily, the first period is 160 milliseconds, 320 milliseconds, 640 milliseconds or 1 second.

[0220] It should be noted that the contents not described in detail in the method 500 can refer to the description of the corresponding contents in the method 200.

[0221] Exemplarily, taking the first period as T1, FIG. 8 shows a flow diagram of another communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application. As shown in FIG. 9, the time period t1-t3 is the first period of the target wake-up signal, and the second network device sends the target wake-up signal to the terminal device in the target area at the time domain position shown by the dashed line part in the time period t1-t2; and sends the target reference signal to the terminal device in the target area at the plurality of time domain positions shown by the oblique hatched part in the first time period, wherein the first time period is determined based on the sending time of the target wake-up signal, the time offset information and the time length information, and the time interval of the plurality of time domain positions shown by the oblique hatched part in the first time period is T1.

[0222] Correspondingly, taking the target wake-up signal as the RS-based wake-up signal, the terminal device in the target area can blindly detect the target wake-up signal on the preconfigured time-frequency resource shown by the oblique hatched part in the time period t1-t2; if the target wake-up signal is detected, the terminal device receives the target reference signal from the second network device at the plurality of time domain positions shown by the oblique hatched part in the first time period; if the target wake-up signal is not detected, the terminal device does not need to receive the target reference signal before the detection period (or detection occasion) of the next target wake-up signal arrives.

[0223] Exemplarily, taking the first period as T1 and the target area including two sub-target areas as an example, FIG. 9 shows another flow diagram of another communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application. As shown in FIG. 9, the time period t1-t3 is the first period of the target wake-up signal, and the second network device sends the target wake-up signal to the terminal device in the target area at the time domain position shown by the dashed line part in the time period t1-t2; sends the target reference signal to the terminal device in the sub-target area 1 at the plurality of time domain positions shown by the oblique hatched part in the first time period; and sends the target reference signal to the terminal device in the sub-target area 2 at the plurality of time domain positions shown by the black hatched part in the second time period; wherein the first time period is determined based on the sending time of the target wake-up signal, the time offset information and the time length information, and the time interval of the plurality of time domain positions shown by each oblique hatched part in the first time period is T1.

[0224] Correspondingly, taking the target wake-up signal as an example of the RS-based wake-up signal, the terminal device in the target area can blindly detect the target wake-up signal on the preconfigured time-frequency resource shown in the dashed line part of the time period t1-t2; if the terminal device in the target area detects the target wake-up signal, the terminal device in the sub-target area 1 receives the target reference signal from the second network device at the multiple time-domain positions shown in the slant hatched part of the first time period, and the terminal device in the sub-target area 2 receives the target reference signal from the second network device at the multiple time-domain positions shown in the black hatched part of the first time period; if the target wake-up signal is not detected, the terminal device in the target area does not need to receive the target reference signal before the detection period (or detection occasion) of the next target wake-up signal arrives.

[0225] It should be noted that the above describes the first communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application through the method 200 and the method 300, and describes the second communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application through the method 400 and the method 500, but the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0226] Exemplarily, the second network device can adopt different communication methods for terminal devices in different target areas, adopt the first communication method for terminal devices in the target area 1 corresponding to the first time period, and adopt the second communication method for terminal devices in the target area 2 corresponding to the second time period.

[0227] The above describes the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application in combination with FIGS. 2 to 9, and the communication apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present application will be further described below.

[0228] FIG. 10 shows a schematic block diagram of the communication apparatus 600 provided by the embodiments of the present application. As shown in FIG. 10, the apparatus 600 can include a sending unit 601.

[0229] Optionally, the apparatus 600 can be used in the communication system 100 described above, and further, the apparatus 600 can be used in the network device 112 in the communication system 100 described above, such as a virtual apparatus formed by software executed by a processor or a controller on the network device 112.

[0230] The sending unit 601 is configured to send period indication information, the period indication information being used to indicate a first period and a second period of a target reference signal, the target reference signal being used for cell switching or cell reselection; in each of a plurality of first time periods, the target reference signal is sent to terminal devices in a target area served in each of the first time periods based on the second period, the target area being an area to be switched / reselected from a coverage range of a first network device to a coverage range of a second network device, the plurality of first time periods being determined based on the first period, and different first time periods in the plurality of first time periods correspond to different target areas.

[0231] In a possible implementation, the plurality of first time periods includes a first target time period, and the target area corresponding to the first target time period includes a plurality of sub-target areas. The sending unit is specifically configured to: in each of a plurality of second time periods included in the first target time period, send the target reference signal to terminal devices in each of the plurality of sub-target areas, the plurality of second time periods being determined based on the second period and the first target time period.

[0232] Optionally, the apparatus 600 further includes a receiving unit 602.

[0233] In a possible implementation, the receiving unit 602 is configured to receive the period indication information from the first network device before the sending unit 601 sends the period indication information.

[0234] In a possible implementation, the plurality of first time periods includes a second target time period, and the second target time period is determined based on the first period and time delay information, the time delay information being used to indicate a time delay between the second target time period and a third time period, the third time period being used for the first network device to send a first reference signal to terminal devices in a target area corresponding to the second target time period, the first reference signal being used for cell access.

[0235] In a possible implementation, the sending unit 601 is further configured to, before sending the target reference signal to terminal devices in a target area served in each of the plurality of first time periods based on the second period in each of the plurality of first time periods, send the time delay information to the terminal devices in the target area served in the second target time period.

[0236] In a possible implementation, the time delay information is determined based on ephemeris information and area information of the first network device, the ephemeris information being used to indicate at least one of a moving speed or a position of the first network device, and the area information being used to indicate an area served by the first network device.

[0237] In a possible implementation, the first period is 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 40 seconds, 80 seconds, 160 seconds, or 320 seconds; or the second period is 160 milliseconds, 320 milliseconds, 640 milliseconds, or 1 second.

[0238] It should be noted that the information interaction and execution process between the above devices are based on the same concept as the method 200 embodiments, and the specific functions and technical effects brought by the method 200 embodiments are specifically referable to the method embodiments, which will not be repeated here. In an optional example, the device 600 can specifically be the second network device in the method 200 embodiments, and the device 600 can be used to execute the processes and / or steps corresponding to the second network device in the method 200 embodiments. To avoid repetition, details are not repeated here.

[0239] One or more of the modules in the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or a combination thereof. The software or firmware includes, but is not limited to, computer program instructions or codes, and can be executed by a hardware processor. The hardware includes, but is not limited to, various integrated circuits such as a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0240] FIG. 11 shows a schematic block diagram of a communication device 700 according to an embodiment of the present application. The device 700 can include a processor 701 and a communication interface 702, which are coupled.

[0241] In an optional example, those skilled in the art can understand that the device 700 can specifically be the second network device in the method 200 embodiments, and the device 700 can be the entity hardware structure of the second network device. The device 700 can be used to execute the processes and / or steps corresponding to the second network device in the method 200 embodiments. To avoid repetition, details are not repeated here.

[0242] The processor 701 in the embodiment of the present application can include one or more processing units. Optionally, the processing unit includes, but is not limited to, a CPU, a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component, etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or any conventional processor, etc.

[0243] For example, the processor 701 is configured to send, through the communication interface, cycle indication information, the cycle indication information being used to indicate a first cycle and a second cycle of a target reference signal, the target reference signal being used for cell switching or cell reselection; and send, through the communication interface, the target reference signal to terminal devices in a target area served in each of a plurality of first time periods based on the second cycle, the target area being an area to be switched / reselected from a coverage range of a first network device to a coverage range of a second network device, the plurality of first time periods being determined based on the first cycle, and different first time periods in the plurality of first time periods corresponding to different target areas.

[0244] Optionally, the apparatus 700 further includes a memory 703.

[0245] The memory 703 can be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable PROM (EPROM), an electrically EPROM (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory can be a random access memory (RAM) used as an external cache. By way of example, and not limitation, many forms of RAM can be used, such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), double-data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0246] In particular, the memory 703 is configured to store program codes and instructions of the apparatus 700. Optionally, the memory 703 is further configured to store data obtained in the execution of the method 200 by the processor 701, such as the cycle indication information.

[0247] Optionally, the memory 703 can be a separate device or integrated in the processor 701.

[0248] It is noted that FIG. 11 only shows a simplified design of the apparatus 700. In practice, the apparatus 700 can further include necessary other elements, including but not limited to any number of communication interfaces, processors, selectors, memories, etc., and all the apparatuses 700 that can implement the present application are within the scope of the present application.

[0249] In a possible design, the apparatus 700 can be a chip. Optionally, the chip can further include one or more memories for storing computer-executable instructions, and the processor can execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory to cause the chip to perform the steps performed by the second network device in the method 200.

[0250] Optionally, the chip apparatus can be a field programmable gate array, an application specific integrated chip, a system on chip, a central processing unit, a network processing unit, a digital signal processing circuit, a micro controller, and can also be a programmable controller or other integrated chip.

[0251] FIG. 12 shows a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus 800 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 12, the apparatus 800 can include a receiving unit 801. The apparatus 800 is located in a target area, and the target area is an area to be handed over / reselected from a coverage of a first network device to a coverage of a second network device.

[0252] Optionally, the apparatus 800 can be used in the communication system 100, and further, the apparatus 800 can be used in the terminal device 121 in the communication system 100, such as a virtual apparatus formed by software executed by a processor or a controller in the terminal device 121.

[0253] The receiving unit 801 is configured to receive, from the second network device, periodic indication information used for indicating a first period and a second period of a target reference signal, and the target reference signal is used for cell switching or cell reselection; and receive, from the second network device, the target reference signal based on the second period within a first time period, and the first time period is determined based on the first period.

[0254] In a possible implementation, the target area includes a plurality of sub-target areas, and the terminal device is located in a first sub-target area of the plurality of sub-target areas, and the receiving unit 801 is specifically configured to receive, from the second network device, the target reference signal within each second time period of a plurality of second time periods included in the first time period, and the plurality of second time periods are determined based on the second period, the first time period, and an order of the plurality of sub-target areas.

[0255] In a possible implementation, the first time period is determined based on the first period and time delay information, and the time delay information is used to indicate a time delay between the first time period and a third time period, and the third time period is used for the first network device to send a first reference signal to the terminal device in the target area, and the first reference signal is used for cell access.

[0256] In a possible implementation, the receiving unit 801 is further configured to receive the time delay information from the second network device before receiving the target reference signal from the second network device based on the second period within the first time period.

[0257] In a possible implementation, the first period is 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 40 seconds, 80 seconds, 160 seconds, or 320 seconds, or the second period is 160 milliseconds, 320 milliseconds, 640 milliseconds, or 1 second.

[0258] It should be noted that the information interaction and execution process between the above apparatuses are based on the same concept as the method 300 embodiments, and the specific functions and technical effects brought by the method 300 embodiments are described in the method embodiments, which will not be repeated here. In an optional example, the apparatus 800 can be specifically the terminal device in the method 300 embodiments, and the apparatus 800 can be used to execute the processes and / or steps corresponding to the terminal device in the method 300 embodiments. To avoid repetition, details are not repeated here.

[0259] One or more of the modules in the embodiment shown in FIG. 12 can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or a combination thereof. The software or firmware includes, but is not limited to, computer program instructions or codes, and can be executed by a hardware processor. The hardware includes, but is not limited to, various integrated circuits, such as CPUs, DSPs, FPGAs, or ASICs.

[0260] FIG. 13 shows a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus 900 according to an embodiment of the present application. The apparatus 900 can include a processor 901 and a communication interface 902, which are coupled.

[0261] In an optional example, those skilled in the art can understand that the apparatus 900 can be specifically the terminal device in the method 300 embodiments, and the apparatus 900 can be the entity hardware structure of the terminal device. The apparatus 900 can be used to execute the processes and / or steps corresponding to the terminal device in the method 300 embodiments. To avoid repetition, details are not repeated here.

[0262] The processor 901 in the embodiments of the present application can include one or more processing units. Optionally, the processing unit includes, but is not limited to, a CPU, a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA, a discrete gate or transistor logic, or a discrete hardware component, etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or any conventional processor, etc.

[0263] For example, the processor 901 is configured to receive, through the communication interface 902, periodic indication information from the second network device, the periodic indication information being used to indicate a first period and a second period of a target reference signal, the target reference signal being used for cell switching or cell reselection; and receive, through the communication interface 902, the target reference signal from the second network device based on the second period within a first time period, the first time period being determined based on the first period.

[0264] Optionally, the apparatus 900 further includes a memory 903.

[0265] The memory 903 can be a volatile memory or a nonvolatile memory, or can include both volatile and nonvolatile memory. The nonvolatile memory can be a ROM, a PROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, or a flash memory. The volatile memory can be a RAM used as external cache memory. By way of example, and not limitation, many forms of RAM can be used, such as SRAM, DRAM, SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, ESDRAM, SLDRAM, and DR RAM.

[0266] In particular, the memory 903 is configured to store program codes and instructions of the apparatus 900. Optionally, the memory 903 is further configured to store data obtained in the execution of the above-mentioned method 300 by the processor 901, such as the periodic indication information.

[0267] Optionally, the memory 903 can be a separate device or integrated in the processor 901.

[0268] It should be noted that FIG. 13 only shows a simplified design of the apparatus 900. In actual applications, the apparatus 900 can further include other necessary elements, including but not limited to any number of communication interfaces, processors, selectors, memories, etc., and all apparatuses 900 that can implement the present application are within the scope of the present application.

[0269] In a possible design, the apparatus 900 can be a chip. Optionally, the chip can further include one or more memories for storing computer-executable instructions, and when the chip apparatus is running, the processor can execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory, so that the chip performs the steps performed by the terminal device in the above-mentioned method 300.

[0270] Optionally, the chip device can be a field programmable gate array, an application specific integrated chip, a system chip, a central processing unit, a network processing unit, a digital signal processing circuit, a micro controller, and can also be a programmable controller or other integrated chip.

[0271] FIG. 14 shows a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 14, the device 1000 can include a sending unit 1001.

[0272] Optionally, the device 1000 can be used in the communication system 100 described above, and further, the device 1000 can be used in the second network device 121 in the communication system 100 described above, such as a virtual device formed by software executed by a processor or controller on the second network device 121.

[0273] The sending unit 1001 is configured to send a target wake-up signal, the target wake-up signal being used to wake up a target reference signal, the target reference signal being used for cell switching or cell reselection; in a first time period, the sending unit 1001 is configured to send, to terminal devices in a target area served in the first time period, the target reference signal based on a first period, the target area being an area to be switched from a coverage range of a first network device to a coverage range of a second network device, the first time period being determined based on time offset information and time length information, the time offset information being used to indicate an offset amount of a sending time of the target wake-up signal relative to a sending time of the target reference signal, and the time length information being used to indicate a sending time length of the target reference signal.

[0274] In a possible implementation, the target area includes a plurality of sub-target areas, and the sending unit 1001 is specifically configured to: in each of a plurality of second time periods included in the first time period, send, to terminal devices in each of the plurality of sub-target areas, the target reference signal, the plurality of second time periods being determined based on the first time period, the first period, and an order of the plurality of sub-target areas.

[0275] In a possible implementation, the sending unit 1001 is further configured to, before sending, to terminal devices in the target area served in the first time period, the target reference signal based on the first period in the first time period, send indication information, the indication information being used to indicate at least one of the target wake-up signal, the time offset information, the time length information, or the first period.

[0276] In a possible implementation, the target wake-up signal is a wake-up signal based on a reference signal RS; or the target wake-up signal is a wake-up signal based on downlink control information DCI.

[0277] In a possible implementation, the first period is 160 milliseconds, 320 milliseconds, 640 milliseconds, or 1 second.

[0278] It should be noted that the information interaction between the above apparatuses, the execution process, and the like, are based on the same concept as the method 400 embodiments, and the specific functions and the technical effects brought by the method 400 embodiments can be referred to the method embodiments part. In an optional example, the apparatus 1000 can be specifically the second network device in the method 400 embodiments, and the apparatus 1000 can be used to execute the processes and / or steps corresponding to the second network device in the method 400 embodiments. To avoid repetition, details are not described herein.

[0279] One or more of the modules in the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or a combination thereof. The software or firmware includes, but is not limited to, computer program instructions or codes, and can be executed by a hardware processor. The hardware includes, but is not limited to, various integrated circuits, such as a CPU, a DSP, an FPGA, or an ASIC.

[0280] FIG. 15 shows a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus 1100 according to an embodiment of the present application. The apparatus 1100 can include a processor 1101 and a communication interface 1102, which are coupled.

[0281] In an optional example, those skilled in the art can understand that the apparatus 1100 can be specifically the second network device in the method 400 embodiments, and the apparatus 1100 can be the entity hardware structure of the second network device. The apparatus 1100 can be used to execute the processes and / or steps corresponding to the second network device in the method 400 embodiments. To avoid repetition, details are not described herein.

[0282] The processor 1101 in the embodiment of the present application can include one or more processing units. Optionally, the processing unit includes, but is not limited to, a CPU, a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA, a discrete gate or transistor logic, or a discrete hardware component, etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or any conventional processor, etc.

[0283] For example, the processor 1101 is configured to send, through the communication interface 1102, a target wake-up signal, the target wake-up signal being used to wake up a target reference signal, the target reference signal being used for cell switching or cell reselection; and send, through the communication interface 1002, the target reference signal to terminal devices in a target area served in a first time period based on a first period, the target area being an area to be switched from a coverage of a first network device to a coverage of a second network device, the first time period being determined based on time offset information and time length information, the time offset information being used to indicate an offset amount of a sending time of the target wake-up signal relative to a sending time of the target reference signal, and the time length information being used to indicate a sending time length of the target reference signal.

[0284] Optionally, the apparatus 1100 further includes a memory 1103.

[0285] The memory 1103 can be a volatile memory or a nonvolatile memory, or can include both volatile and nonvolatile memory. The nonvolatile memory can be ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, or flash memory. The volatile memory can be RAM, which is used as external cache memory. By way of example, and not limitation, many forms of RAM can be used, such as SRAM, DRAM, SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, ESDRAM, SLDRAM, and DR RAM.

[0286] In particular, the memory 1103 is configured to store program codes and instructions of the apparatus 1100. Optionally, the memory 1103 is further configured to store data obtained in the execution of the above-mentioned method 400 by the processor 1101, such as the time offset information and the time length information.

[0287] Optionally, the memory 1103 can be a separate device or integrated in the processor 1101.

[0288] It should be noted that FIG. 15 only shows a simplified design of the apparatus 1100. In actual applications, the apparatus 1100 can also include other necessary elements, including but not limited to any number of communication interfaces, processors, selectors, memories, etc., and all apparatuses 1100 that can implement the present application are within the scope of the present application.

[0289] In one possible design, the apparatus 1100 can be a chip. Optionally, the chip can further include one or more memories for storing computer-executable instructions, and when the chip apparatus is running, the processor can execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory, so that the chip performs the steps performed by the second network device in the above-mentioned method 400.

[0290] Optionally, the chip device can be a field programmable gate array, an application specific integrated chip, a system chip, a central processing unit, a network processing unit, a digital signal processing circuit, a micro controller, and can also be a programmable controller or other integrated chip.

[0291] FIG. 16 shows a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus 1200 provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 16, the apparatus 1200 can include a detection unit 1201 and a receiving unit 1202. The apparatus 1200 is located in a target area, and the target area is an area to be handed over / reselected from a coverage of a first network device to a coverage of a second network device.

[0292] Optionally, the apparatus 1200 can be used in the communication system 100, and further, the apparatus 1200 can be used in a terminal device 121 in the communication system 100, such as a virtual apparatus formed by software executed by a processor or a controller on the terminal device 121.

[0293] The detection unit 1201 is configured to detect a target wake-up signal, the target wake-up signal being used to wake up a target reference signal, the target reference signal being used for cell switching.

[0294] The receiving unit 1202 is configured to, if the target wake-up signal is detected, receive the target reference signal from the second network device based on a first period within a first time period, the first time period being determined based on time offset information and time length information, the time offset information being used to indicate an offset amount of a sending time of the target wake-up signal relative to a sending time of the target reference signal, and the time length information being used to indicate a sending time length of the target reference signal.

[0295] In a possible implementation, the target area includes a plurality of sub-target areas, and the receiving unit 1202 is specifically configured to receive the target reference signal from the second network device within each of a plurality of second time periods included in the first time period, the plurality of second time periods being determined based on the first time period, the first period and an order of the plurality of sub-target areas.

[0296] In a possible implementation, the receiving unit 1202 is further configured to, before the receiving the target reference signal from the second network device based on the first period within the first time period if the target wake-up signal is detected, receive indication information from the second network device, the indication information being used to indicate at least one of the target wake-up signal, the time offset information, the time length information or the first period.

[0297] In a possible implementation, the target wake-up signal is a wake-up signal based on a reference signal (RS); or the target wake-up signal is a wake-up signal based on a downlink control information (DCI).

[0298] In a possible implementation, the first period is 160 ms, 320 ms, 640 ms, or 1 s.

[0299] It should be noted that the information interaction between the above apparatuses, the execution process, and the like, are based on the same concept as the method 500 embodiments, and specific functions and technical effects brought by the same can be referred to the method embodiments part. In an optional example, the apparatus 1200 can be specifically a terminal device in the method 500 embodiments, and the apparatus 1200 can be used to execute each process and / or step corresponding to the terminal device in the method 500 embodiments. To avoid repetition, details are not described herein.

[0300] One or more of each module in the embodiment shown in FIG. 16 can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or a combination thereof. The software or firmware includes, but is not limited to, computer program instructions or codes, and can be executed by a hardware processor. The hardware includes, but is not limited to, various integrated circuits, such as a CPU, a DSP, an FPGA, or an ASIC.

[0301] FIG. 17 shows a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus 1300 according to an embodiment of the present application. The apparatus 1300 can include a processor 1301 and a communication interface 1302, which are coupled.

[0302] In an optional example, those skilled in the art can understand that the apparatus 1300 can be specifically a terminal device in the method 500 embodiments, and the apparatus 1300 can be an entity hardware structure of the terminal device. The apparatus 1300 can be used to execute each process and / or step corresponding to the terminal device in the method 500 embodiments. To avoid repetition, details are not described herein.

[0303] The processor 1301 in the embodiment of the present application can include one or more processing units. Optionally, the processing unit includes, but is not limited to, a CPU, a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA, a discrete gate or transistor logic, or a discrete hardware component, etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or any conventional processor, etc.

[0304] For example, the processor 1301 is configured to detect a target wake-up signal, the target wake-up signal being used to wake up a target reference signal, the target reference signal being used for cell switching; if the target wake-up signal is detected, the target reference signal from the second network device is received based on a first period through the communication interface 1302 within a first time period, the first time period being determined based on time offset information and time length information, the time offset information being used to indicate an offset amount of a sending time of the target wake-up signal relative to a sending time of the target reference signal, and the time length information being used to indicate a sending time length of the target reference signal.

[0305] Optionally, the apparatus 1300 further includes a memory 1303.

[0306] The memory 1303 can be a volatile memory or a nonvolatile memory, or can include both volatile and nonvolatile memory. The nonvolatile memory can be a ROM, a PROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, or a flash memory. The volatile memory can be a RAM used as external cache memory. By way of example, and not limitation, many forms of RAM can be used, such as SRAM, DRAM, SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, ESDRAM, SLDRAM, and DR RAM.

[0307] In particular, the memory 1303 is configured to store program codes and instructions of the apparatus 1300. Optionally, the memory 1303 is further configured to store data obtained in the execution of the embodiments of the above method 500 by the processor 1301, such as the time offset information and the time length information.

[0308] Optionally, the memory 1303 can be a separate device or integrated in the processor 1301.

[0309] It should be noted that FIG. 17 only shows the simplified design of the apparatus 1300. In actual applications, the apparatus 1300 can also include other necessary elements, including but not limited to any number of communication interfaces, processors, selectors, memories, etc., and all apparatuses 1300 that can implement the present application are within the scope of the present application.

[0310] In a possible design, the apparatus 1300 can be a chip. Optionally, the chip can further include one or more memories for storing computer-executable instructions, and when the chip apparatus is running, the processor can execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory, so that the chip performs the steps performed by the terminal device in the above method 500.

[0311] Optionally, the chip device can be a field programmable gate array, an application specific integrated chip, a system chip, a central processing unit, a network processing unit, a digital signal processing circuit, a micro controller, and can also be a programmable controller or other integrated chip.

[0312] The embodiment of the present application further provides a computer readable storage medium, which stores computer instructions, and when the computer instructions run on a computer, the communication method described in the above method embodiment is realized.

[0313] The embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, and when the computer program product runs on a processor, the communication method described in the above method embodiment is realized.

[0314] The communication device, the computer readable storage medium, the computer program product or the chip provided by the embodiment of the present application are all used for executing the corresponding method provided above, and therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved are referable to the beneficial effects described in the corresponding method provided above, and here, no longer be described in detail.

[0315] It should be understood that, in various embodiments of the present application, the size of the sequence number of each process described above does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of each process should be determined according to its function and inherent logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiment of the present application.

[0316] Those skilled in the art can realize that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein can be realized by electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether the functions are realized in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional technicians can use different methods to realize the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present application.

[0317] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working process of the system, device and unit described above can refer to the corresponding process in the foregoing method embodiment, and here, no longer be described in detail.

[0318] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, device and method can be implemented in other manners. For example, the described device embodiments are merely schematic. The division of the units is merely logical function division. There can be another division manner for the actual implementation, for example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the displayed or discussed mutual couplings or direct couplings or communication connections can be indirect couplings or communication connections through some interfaces, devices or units, and can be in electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0319] The units described as separate components can or can not be physically separate, and the components shown as units can or can not be physical units, i.e., can be located in one place, or can be distributed on multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the embodiment.

[0320] In addition, each functional unit in the various embodiments of the present application can be integrated into a processing unit, or each unit can exist physically, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0321] If the functions are realized in the form of software function units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the present application or the essential part or part of the technical solutions that make contributions to the prior art can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media that can store program codes, such as U disk, mobile hard disk, ROM, RAM, magnetic disk or optical disk, etc.

[0322] The above is merely specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or replacements within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be covered within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: sending period indication information, the period indication information being used to indicate a first period and a second period of a target reference signal, the target reference signal being used for cell switching or cell reselection; in each of a plurality of first time periods, sending the target reference signal to terminal devices in a target area served in each of the first time periods based on the second period, the target area being an area to be switched / reselected from a coverage range of a first network device to a coverage range of a second network device, the plurality of first time periods being determined based on the first period, different first time periods of the plurality of first time periods corresponding to different target areas.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The plurality of first time periods comprises a first target time period, a target area corresponding to the first target time period comprising a plurality of sub-target areas, and the sending the target reference signal to terminal devices in a target area served in each of the plurality of first time periods based on the second period comprises: in each of a plurality of second time periods included in the first target time period, sending the target reference signal to terminal devices in each of the plurality of sub-target areas, the plurality of second time periods being determined based on the second period and the first target time period.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Before the sending the period indication information, the method further comprises: receiving the period indication information from the first network device.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The plurality of first time periods comprises a second target time period, the second target time period being determined based on the first period and latency information, the latency information being used to indicate a latency between the second target time period and a third time period, the third time period being used for the first network device to send a first reference signal to terminal devices in a target area corresponding to the second target time period, the first reference signal being used for cell access.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, Before the sending the target reference signal to terminal devices in a target area served in each of the plurality of first time periods based on the second period, the method further comprises: sending the latency information to terminal devices in a target area served in the second target time period.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The latency information is determined based on ephemeris information and area information of the first network device, the ephemeris information being used to indicate at least one of a moving speed or a position of the first network device, and the area information being used to indicate an area served by the first network device.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The first period is 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 40 seconds, 80 seconds, 160 seconds, or 320 seconds, or the second period is 160 milliseconds, 320 milliseconds, 640 milliseconds, or 1 second.

8. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is used for a terminal device located in a target area, the target area being an area to be switched / reselected from a coverage range of a first network device to a coverage range of a second network device, and the method comprises: receiving periodic indication information from the second network device, the periodic indication information being used to indicate a first period and a second period of a target reference signal, the target reference signal being used for cell switching or cell reselection; receiving, in a first time period, the target reference signal from the second network device based on the second period, the first time period being determined based on the first period.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, The target area includes a plurality of sub-target areas, the terminal device is located in a first sub-target area of the plurality of sub-target areas, and the receiving, in the first time period, the target reference signal from the second network device based on the second period includes: receiving, in each of a plurality of second time periods included in the first time period, the target reference signal from the second network device, the plurality of second time periods being determined based on the second period, the first time period, and an order of the plurality of sub-target areas.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The first time period is determined based on the first period and latency information, the latency information being used to indicate a time delay between the first time period and a third time period, the third time period being used for the first network device to send a first reference signal to terminal devices in the target area, the first reference signal being used for cell access.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8-10, characterized in that, Before the receiving, in the first time period, the target reference signal from the second network device based on the second period, the method further includes: receiving the latency information from the second network device.

12. The method according to any one of claims 8-11, characterized in that, The first period is 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 40 seconds, 80 seconds, 160 seconds, or 320 seconds; or the second period is 160 milliseconds, 320 milliseconds, 640 milliseconds, or 1 second.

13. A communication method characterized by comprising: includes: sending a target wake-up signal, the target wake-up signal being used to wake up a target reference signal, the target reference signal being used for cell switching or cell reselection; sending, in a first time period, the target reference signal to terminal devices in a target area served in the first time period based on a first period, the target area being an area to be switched from a coverage range of a first network device to a coverage range of a second network device, the first time period being determined based on time offset information and time length information, the time offset information being used to indicate an offset amount of a sending time of the target wake-up signal relative to a sending time of the target reference signal, and the time length information being used to indicate a sending time length of the target reference signal.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, The target area includes a plurality of sub-target areas, and the sending, in the first time period, the target reference signal to terminal devices in the target area served in the first time period based on the first period includes: sending, in each of a plurality of second time periods included in the first time period, the target reference signal to terminal devices in each of the plurality of sub-target areas, the plurality of second time periods being determined based on the first time period, the first period, and an order of the plurality of sub-target areas.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, Before the transmitting the target reference signal to the terminal device in the target area served in the first time period based on the first periodicity in the first time period, the method further comprises: transmitting indication information, the indication information being used for indicating at least one of the target wake-up signal, the time offset information, the time length information, or the first periodicity.

16. The method according to any one of claims 13-15, characterized by, The target wake-up signal is a reference signal (RS)-based wake-up signal, or the target wake-up signal is a downlink control information (DCI)-based wake-up signal.

17. The method according to any one of claims 13-16, characterized by, The first periodicity is 160 milliseconds, 320 milliseconds, 640 milliseconds, or 1 second.

18. A method of communication, comprising: The method is used for a terminal device located in a target area, the target area being an area to be handed over / reselected from a coverage range of a first network device to a coverage range of a second network device, and the method comprises: detecting a target wake-up signal, the target wake-up signal being used for waking up a target reference signal, the target reference signal being used for cell switching; if the target wake-up signal is detected, receiving the target reference signal from the second network device based on a first periodicity in a first time period, the first time period being determined based on time offset information and time length information, the time offset information being used for indicating an offset amount of a transmission time of the target wake-up signal relative to a transmission time of the target reference signal, and the time length information being used for indicating a transmission time length of the target reference signal.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein, The target area comprises a plurality of sub-target areas, and the receiving the target reference signal from the second network device based on the first periodicity in the first time period comprises: receiving the target reference signal from the second network device in each of a plurality of second time periods included in the first time period, the plurality of second time periods being determined based on the first time period, the first periodicity, and an order of the plurality of sub-target areas.

20. The method of claim 18 or 19, wherein, Before the receiving the target reference signal from the second network device based on the first periodicity in the first time period if the target wake-up signal is detected, the method further comprises: receiving indication information from the second network device, the indication information being used for indicating at least one of the target wake-up signal, the time offset information, the time length information, or the first periodicity.

21. The method of any one of claims 18-20, wherein, The target wake-up signal is a reference signal (RS)-based wake-up signal, or the target wake-up signal is a downlink control information (DCI)-based wake-up signal.

22. The method of any one of claims 18-21, wherein, The first periodicity is 160 milliseconds, 320 milliseconds, 640 milliseconds, or 1 second.

23. A communications device, characterized by The apparatus comprises a processor and a communication interface, the processor and the communication interface being coupled, and the processor is configured to execute the method in any one of claims 1-22.

24. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, A computer program for storing, when executed by a processor, implements the method in any one of claims 1-22.

25. A computer program product, characterised in that, When the computer program product is executed on the processor, the method in any one of claims 1-22 is implemented.

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