Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and apparatus. The method comprises: a terminal device acquiring the ephemeris information of a first satellite base station corresponding to a source cell accessed by the terminal device, and the ephemeris information of a second satellite base station corresponding to a target cell; and on the basis of the ephemeris information of the first satellite base station and the ephemeris information of the second satellite base station, autonomously adjusting the normal direction of an antenna panel. The present application can improve the quality of communication between the terminal device and a satellite base station corresponding to the source cell.

Description

Communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese Patent Application No. 202411296386.5, filed on September 14, 2024, and entitled "A Communication Method and Apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular, to a communication method and apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0004] In a non-terrestrial network (NTN), a terminal device can connect to a satellite for real-time communication. As the satellite moves, the coverage area provided by the satellite also moves, and the satellite serving the terminal device changes, for example, switching from satellite 1 to adjacent satellite 2. In addition, as the satellite moves, the scanning angle of the beam emitted by the satellite on the terminal device also changes. As shown in FIG. 1, satellite 1 and satellite 2 are on the same orbit, and the scanning angle of the beam emitted by satellite 1 on the terminal device changes from y1oz to y2oz; that is, the scanning angle of the beam emitted by satellite 2 to be switched on the terminal device changes from x1oz to x2oz. Since the larger the scanning angle, the greater the beam gain attenuation, the worse the communication quality between the terminal and the satellite.

[0005] Before the satellite switches, the scanning angle between satellite 1 and the terminal device becomes larger and larger, and the communication quality becomes worse and worse, and the link may be disconnected. Based on this, considering the satellite switching, how to improve the communication quality between the terminal device and the satellite before switching (the current satellite serving the terminal device) is a problem to be considered. SUMMARY

[0006] Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus for improving the communication quality between a terminal device and a satellite before switching.

[0007] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be applied to a terminal side, such as a terminal device, a communication module in the terminal device, a processor, a circuit, or a chip (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system on chip (SoC) chip or a system in package (SIP chip) containing a modem core) responsible for communication functions in the terminal device, and can also be a logical node, a logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the terminal functions. Taking the method applied to a terminal device as an example, the method comprises: obtaining first ephemeris information of a first satellite base station and second ephemeris information of a second satellite base station, wherein the first satellite base station is a satellite base station corresponding to a source cell accessed by the terminal device, and the second satellite base station is a satellite base station corresponding to a target cell; and adjusting, by the terminal device, a position pointed to by a normal direction of an antenna panel in the terminal device from a first position to a second position based on the first ephemeris information and the second ephemeris information.

[0008] In this design, the terminal device autonomously adjusts the normal direction of the antenna panel according to the ephemeris information of the first satellite base station currently serving the terminal device and the second satellite base station about to serve the terminal device, thereby improving the communication quality between the terminal device and the satellite before switching (i.e., the first satellite base station currently serving the terminal device).

[0009] In a possible implementation, the second position is closer to a first central position than the first position, and the first central position belongs to a position range of central points of the first satellite base station and the second satellite base station, wherein the first satellite base station and the second satellite base station are located on the same orbit or different orbits; or the first satellite base station and the second satellite base station are both located on a first orbit, and the second position is closer to a first point on the first orbit than the first position, and the first point is closer to the terminal device than a first threshold. For example, the first point is the closest point on the first orbit to the terminal device.

[0010] In this implementation, when the scanning angle of the beam emitted by the satellite on the terminal is 0 (i.e., when the normal direction of the antenna panel overlaps / parallels the direction of the beam emitted by the satellite), the beam gain is the largest. Adjusting the normal direction of the antenna panel to be closer to the central position of the first satellite base station and the second satellite base station or to a closer point (e.g., the closest point) on the orbit of the terminal device can make the scanning angle of the beam emitted by the first satellite base station on the antenna panel of the terminal device smaller, thereby improving the beam gain between the satellite and the terminal device and improving the communication quality between the terminal device and the first satellite base station.

[0011] In addition, the scanning angle of the second satellite base station is close to the scanning angle of the first satellite base station, and the communication quality of the second satellite base station will not be poor. The scheme can improve the communication quality between the first satellite base station currently serving the terminal device and the terminal device, and can avoid the communication quality between the second satellite base station about to serve the terminal device and the terminal device being too poor.

[0012] Since it takes a certain time to adjust the antenna panel, the greater the angle, the longer the adjustment time. If the normal direction of the antenna panel is always aligned with the first satellite base station currently serving the terminal device, when satellite switching occurs, the normal direction of the antenna panel needs to be adjusted to align with the second satellite base station. If the adjustment angle is too large, the adjustment time is too long, and the terminal device and the satellite may be disconnected. In the scheme, the terminal device adjusts the normal direction of the antenna panel to be close to the center position of the first satellite base station and the second satellite base station or the close point (for example, the closest point) on the orbit to the terminal device. The scanning angle of the first satellite base station and the scanning angle of the second satellite base station can be balanced, and the disconnection of the link caused by the too large adjustment angle can be avoided.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the adjusting the position pointed to by the normal direction of the antenna panel in the terminal device from the first position to the second position based on the first ephemeris information and the second ephemeris information comprises: determining that the first satellite base station and the second satellite base station are located on a first orbit based on the orbit information of the first satellite base station and the orbit information of the second satellite base station; the orbit information of the first satellite base station is included in the first ephemeris information, and the orbit information of the first satellite base station is included in the second ephemeris information; determining a first angle corresponding to a first point on the first orbit; the first angle is a scanning angle of a beam emitted by any satellite base station at the first point to the antenna panel, and the distance between the first point and the closest point is less than a first distance threshold; the closest point is the closest point on the first orbit to the terminal device; and adjusting the position pointed to by the normal direction of the antenna panel from the first position to the second position based on the first angle. For example, the normal direction of the antenna panel is adjusted to rotate by the first angle, or the difference between the angle of rotation and the first angle is less than a set threshold.

[0014] In this implementation, the position of the close point (for example, the closest point) on the orbit to the terminal device will not change substantially in a short time or will change slightly. If satellite switching occurs between the same orbits, the normal direction of the antenna panel does not need to be adjusted frequently, and the workload of the terminal device is simplified.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the adjusting, based on the first ephemeris information and the second ephemeris information, of the position to which the normal direction of the antenna panel in the terminal device points from the first position to the second position includes: determining, based on the first ephemeris information and the second ephemeris information, a third position of the first satellite base station and a fourth position of the second satellite base station; determining a second angle corresponding to a first center position, where the second angle is a scanning angle of a beam emitted by any one satellite base station at the first center position to the antenna panel, and the first center position is at a distance less than a second distance threshold from a center point that is a center of the third position and the fourth position; and adjusting, based on the second angle, the position to which the normal direction of the antenna panel points from the first position to the second position. For example, the normal direction of the antenna panel is adjusted to rotate by the second angle, or the difference between the angle of rotation and the second angle is less than a set threshold.

[0016] In this implementation, the normal direction of the antenna panel is adjusted to be close to or aligned with the center position of the first satellite base station and the second satellite base station, regardless of whether the first satellite base station and the second satellite base station are on the same orbit or different orbits.

[0017] In a possible implementation, before the determining, based on the first ephemeris information and the second ephemeris information, of the third position of the first satellite base station and the fourth position of the second satellite base station, the method further includes: determining, based on the first ephemeris information and the second ephemeris information, that the first satellite base station and the second satellite base station are on different orbits.

[0018] In this implementation, when the first satellite base station and the second satellite base station are on different orbits, the normal direction of the antenna panel is adjusted to be close to or aligned with the center position of the first satellite base station and the second satellite base station. When the first satellite base station and the second satellite base station are on the same orbit, the normal direction of the antenna panel can be adjusted to be close to or aligned with the closest point (for example, the nearest point) on the orbit to the terminal device.

[0019] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: after a first time length, adjusting, based on the first ephemeris information and the second ephemeris information, the position to which the normal direction of the antenna panel points from the second position to a third position.

[0020] In this implementation, the normal direction of the antenna panel is adjusted in real time, and the communication quality of the first satellite base station and the second satellite base station with the terminal device is improved.

[0021] In a possible implementation, the acquiring the first ephemeris information of the first satellite base station and the second ephemeris information of the second satellite base station includes: receiving a broadcast message, and the broadcast message includes the first ephemeris information of the first satellite base station and the second ephemeris information of the second satellite base station.

[0022] In a second aspect, a communication apparatus is provided. The communication apparatus can be the terminal device in the first aspect. The communication apparatus has the functions of the terminal device. The communication apparatus is, for example, a functional module in the terminal device, such as a baseband device or a chip system.

[0023] In an optional implementation, the communication apparatus includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device. In another optional implementation, the communication apparatus includes a processing unit (also referred to as a processing module) and a transceiver unit (also referred to as a transceiver module). The transceiver unit can implement a sending function and a receiving function. When the transceiver unit implements the sending function, it can be referred to as a sending unit (also referred to as a sending module). When the transceiver unit implements the receiving function, it can be referred to as a receiving unit (also referred to as a receiving module). The sending unit and the receiving unit can be the same functional module, which is referred to as a transceiver unit and can implement the sending function and the receiving function. Alternatively, the sending unit and the receiving unit can be different functional modules, and the transceiver unit is a general term for these functional modules.

[0024] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus further includes a storage unit (also referred to as a storage module), and the processing unit is coupled to the storage unit and executes programs or instructions in the storage unit to enable the communication apparatus to implement the functions of the terminal device in the first aspect.

[0025] The communication apparatus includes a transceiver unit and a processing unit.

[0026] The transceiver unit is configured to acquire first ephemeris information of a first satellite base station and second ephemeris information of a second satellite base station, where the first satellite base station is a satellite base station corresponding to a source cell accessed by the terminal device, and the second satellite base station is a satellite base station corresponding to a target cell.

[0027] The processing unit is configured to adjust a position pointed to by a normal direction of an antenna panel in the terminal device from a first position to a second position based on the first ephemeris information and the second ephemeris information.

[0028] In a possible implementation, the second position is closer to a first central position than the first position, the first central position belonging to a position range of central points of the first satellite base station and the second satellite base station; or, the first satellite base station and the second satellite base station are located on a first orbit, the second position is closer to a first point on the first orbit than the first position, and a distance between the first point and a nearest point is less than a first distance threshold; the nearest point is a nearest point on the first orbit to the terminal device.

[0029] In a possible implementation, the processing unit is specifically configured to determine, based on the first ephemeris information and the second ephemeris information, that the first satellite base station and the second satellite base station are located on a first orbit; determine a first angle corresponding to a first point on the first orbit; the first angle is a scanning angle of a beam emitted by any one satellite base station at the first point to the antenna panel; a distance between the first point and the terminal device is less than a first threshold; and adjust, based on the first angle, a position pointed to by a normal direction of the antenna panel from the first position to the second position.

[0030] In a possible implementation, the processing unit is specifically configured to determine, based on the first ephemeris information and the second ephemeris information, a third position of the first satellite base station and a fourth position of the second satellite base station; determine a second angle corresponding to a first central position, wherein the second angle is a scanning angle of a beam emitted by any one satellite base station at the first central position to the antenna panel, and a distance between the first central position and a central point is less than a second distance threshold, and the central point is a central point of the third position and the fourth position; and adjust, based on the second angle, a position pointed to by a normal direction of the antenna panel from the first position to the second position.

[0031] In a possible implementation, before being configured to determine, based on the ephemeris information of the first satellite base station and the ephemeris information of the second satellite base station, the third position of the first satellite base station and the fourth position of the second satellite base station, the processing unit is further configured to determine, based on the ephemeris information of the first satellite base station and the ephemeris information of the second satellite base station, that the first satellite base station and the second satellite base station are located on different orbits.

[0032] In a possible implementation, the processing unit is further configured to, after a first time length, adjust, based on the first ephemeris information and the second ephemeris information, the position pointed to by the normal direction of the antenna panel from the second position to a third position.

[0033] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is specifically configured to receive a broadcast message, and the broadcast message includes the first ephemeris information of the first satellite base station and the second ephemeris information of the second satellite base station.

[0034] In a third aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which includes an interface circuit and a processor, and optionally, a memory. The memory is configured to store a computer program, and the processor is coupled to the memory and the interface circuit. When the processor reads the computer program or instructions, the communication apparatus performs the method executed by the terminal device in the first aspect. The interface circuit is configured to receive a signal from another communication apparatus outside the communication apparatus and transmit the signal to the processor, or send a signal from the processor to another communication apparatus outside the communication apparatus. The processor is configured to implement the method executed by the terminal device in the first aspect through a logic circuit or an execution code instruction.

[0035] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus is a chip or a chip system. The chip system can be composed of a chip or include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0036] In a fourth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which includes a processor and optionally, a memory. The processor and the memory are coupled. The memory is configured to store a computer program or instructions. The processor is configured to execute part or all of the computer program or instructions in the memory, so as to implement the functions of the terminal device in the first aspect when the part or all of the computer program or instructions are executed.

[0037] In a possible implementation, the apparatus can further include a transceiver. The transceiver is configured to transmit a signal processed by the processor or receive a signal input to the processor. The transceiver can perform the transmitting action or the receiving action performed by the terminal device in the first aspect.

[0038] In a possible implementation, the processing unit in the second aspect can be implemented by the processor, the storage unit in the second aspect can be implemented by the memory, and the transceiver unit in the second aspect can be implemented by the transceiver.

[0039] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus is a chip or a chip system. The chip system can be composed of a chip or include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0040] In a fifth aspect, a computer readable storage medium is provided, which is configured to store a computer program or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are executed, the method in the first aspect is implemented.

[0041] In a sixth aspect, a chip is provided, which includes a processor, and the processor is configured to implement the method in any possible implementation of the first aspect to the fourth aspect. Optionally, the chip further includes a memory, and the chip can be configured by the chip or can include the chip and other discrete components. The memory is configured to store the computer program or the instructions.

[0042] In a seventh aspect, a circuit is provided, which is configured to implement the method in any possible implementation of the first aspect, and the circuit can include a chip circuit. Optionally, the circuit can be coupled with a memory.

[0043] In an eighth aspect, a computer program product is provided, which includes instructions, and when the instructions are executed on a computer, the method in the first aspect is implemented.

[0044] In a ninth aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes the terminal device in the first aspect, a first satellite base station corresponding to a source cell to which the terminal device accesses, and a second satellite base station corresponding to a target cell. For example, the terminal device can be implemented by the communication apparatus in the second aspect, or the third aspect, or the fourth aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0045] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a satellite scanning angle according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0046] FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of an NTN communication system architecture according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] FIG. 2C is a schematic diagram of an NTN communication system architecture according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] FIG. 2D is a schematic diagram of an NTN communication system architecture according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] FIG. 2E is a schematic diagram of a phased array terminal according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0053] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of adjusting the normal direction of an antenna panel according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0054] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of adjusting a normal direction of an antenna panel according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of adjusting a normal direction of an antenna panel according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0057] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of adjusting a normal direction of an antenna panel according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0058] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of adjusting a normal direction of an antenna panel according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0059] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0060] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0061] The communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application can be applied to a non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication scenario. In the NTN communication scenario, non-terrestrial access network devices such as unmanned aerial vehicles, high altitude platform stations (HAPS), satellites, etc. can provide data transmission, voice communication and other services for terminal devices. In addition, the NTN communication scenario can also include other non-terrestrial access network devices, which are not limited by the present application. The NTN communication scenario can also support various mobile communication systems, such as new radio (NR) systems, long term evolution (LTE) systems, or other future communication systems, which are not limited herein.

[0062] The communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application can be applied to, but not limited to, at least one of the following communication systems: a fourth generation (4th generation, 4G) communication system (for example, an LTE system), a fifth generation (5th generation, 5G) communication system (for example, an NR system), or various future communication networks. The communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to the fields of vehicle to everything (V2X) communication, Internet of Vehicles, automatic driving or assisted driving, etc.

[0063] Exemplarily, FIG. 2A is a possible communication system to which embodiments of the present application can be applied. As shown in FIG. 2A, the communication system can include at least one access network device (e.g., 110a, 110b, 110c in FIG. 2A) and at least one terminal device (e.g., 120a-120g in FIG. 2A). The terminal device can be mobile or fixed. Each access network device can provide communication coverage for a particular geographic area and can communicate with the terminal device located within the area. The access network devices can be connected to one another and / or to the terminal devices through wired or wireless connections. FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram, and the communication system can further include other devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices, etc.

[0064] Embodiments of the present application can be applied to a communication system in which a terrestrial communication system and a non-terrestrial communication system are fused, which can also be referred to as an NTN communication system.

[0065] The terrestrial communication system can be, for example, an LTE system, a 5G communication system, or various future communication systems, etc., which are not limited herein.

[0066] The NTN communication system has a wider coverage range than the conventional communication system, and can overcome natural geographical obstacles such as oceans, deserts, and mountains. In order to overcome the shortcomings of the conventional communication system, the NTN communication system can be an effective supplement to the conventional communication system. According to the orbital height, the satellite communication system can be divided into three types: a GEO satellite communication system, a MEO satellite communication system, and a LEO satellite communication system. The GEO satellite communication system can also be referred to as a synchronous orbit satellite system or a geostationary satellite communication system. Generally, compared with terrestrial communication, the NTN has different channel characteristics (e.g., large transmission delay, large Doppler frequency offset, etc.). Exemplarily, the round-trip delay of the GEO satellite communication system is 238-270 ms, and the round-trip delay of the LEO satellite communication system is 8-20 ms.

[0067] In NTN communication, the working mode of the NTN network device can include: a transparent mode and a regenerative mode. According to the working mode of the NTN network device, the architecture of the NTN communication can be divided into two categories: one is a transparent architecture, in which the NTN network device can be a relay or an amplifier, can perform radio frequency filtering, amplification, etc., regenerate the physical layer signal, the NTN network device can be responsible for layer 1 (L1) relay, used for physical layer forwarding, and the higher layer is invisible. The other is a regenerative architecture, in which the NTN network device has the processing function of the access network device, for example, in addition to the functions of radio frequency filtering, frequency conversion and amplification, the NTN network device also has the functions of modulation or coding, demodulation or decoding, switching or routing, etc. For example, a satellite in a regenerative working mode can be divided into a regenerative satellite without an inter-satellite link (ISL), i.e., there is no inter-satellite link between satellites; or a regenerative satellite with an inter-satellite link, i.e., there is an interface between satellites for direct data interaction, wherein the inter-satellite link is an Xn interface; or a regenerative satellite with the distributed unit (DU) processing function of the access network device, in which case the satellite acts as a DU.

[0068] The NTN communication system described in the present application can have various architectures, for example, the architecture of the NTN system can be any one of the architectures shown in FIGS. 2B to 2D.

[0069] FIG. 2B shows a schematic diagram of an NTN communication system architecture to which embodiments of the present application can be applicable. The NTN communication system architecture can be a transparent satellite communication architecture. In the architecture shown in FIG. 2B, a terminal device can communicate with a core network (CN) through an access network, and in turn can connect to a data network (DN) through the CN. A satellite and an NTN gateway can serve as a relay device between a terminal device and an access network device or as a radio unit (RU) of an access network device. The satellite functions as radio frequency filtering, frequency conversion and amplification, i.e., the satellite mainly functions as an L1 relay, regenerates the physical layer number, and does not have other higher protocol layers. In the transparent satellite communication architecture, a link between the satellite and the terminal device can be referred to as a service link, and a link between the satellite and the NTN gateway or base station can be referred to as a feeder link. In FIG. 2B, the satellite duplicates the NR Uu wireless interface signal from the feeder link (between the NTN gateway and the satellite) to the service link (between the satellite and the UE), and vice versa. The satellite wireless interface transmission on the feeder link is the NR-Uu interface signal, i.e., the satellite does not terminate the NR Uu interface signal, but duplicates the signal. The NTN gateway supports all necessary functions for forwarding the NR-Uu interface signal.

[0070] FIG. 2C shows a schematic diagram of another NTN communication system architecture to which embodiments of the present application can be applicable. The NTN communication system architecture can be a regenerative communication architecture. In the architecture shown in FIG. 2C, the satellite can serve as an access network device, and together with the NTN gateway, form an access network, and communicate with the core network through the NTN gateway. The satellite radio interface (SRI) interface is a feeder link between the NTN gateway and the satellite, and in FIG. 2C, the SRI interface can implement communication interaction between the satellite base station and the core network as part of the next generation (NG) interface. In addition, the satellite can also provide wireless access services for terminal devices, and the terminal devices and the satellite transmit NR Uu wireless interface signals. FIG. 2C exemplarily shows a regenerative satellite architecture without an inter-satellite link, with the processing function of a base station, in which the satellite functions as a base station.

[0071] FIG. 2D shows another NTN communication system architecture applicable to the embodiments of the present application, which has regenerative satellites with inter-satellite links, and has the processing function of the base station. In this scenario, the satellite acts as a base station, and there is an inter-satellite link ISL. Among them, in the regenerative architecture, the link between the satellite and the terminal device is called the service link, and the link between the satellite and the NTN gateway can be called the feeder link.

[0072] In addition, the embodiments of the present application can also be applicable to the scenario of a base station (gNB processed payload based on relay-like architectures) with integrated access and backhual (IAB) function, and the satellite is as an integrated access and backhual (IAB). The present application does not illustrate this through figures.

[0073] It should be noted that the number of satellites and NTN gateways shown in FIGS. 2B, 2C, and 2D is only an example and is not a limitation of the present application. In actual use, multiple satellites and / or multiple NTN gateways can be adopted according to the needs. Among them, each satellite can provide service to one or more terminal devices, each NTN gateway can correspond to one or more satellites, and each satellite can correspond to one or more NTN gateways, which are not specifically limited by the embodiments of the present application. In addition, FIGS. 2B, 2C, and 2D are only examples of NTN communication architecture, and the NTN communication architecture can also include other specific devices, which are not limited by the present application.

[0074] In the present application, the terminal device can also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, subscriber unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station (MS), remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal device, wireless communication device, user agent, or user equipment, etc.

[0075] The terminal device can be a device that provides a wireless communication function, for example, a handheld device, a vehicle-mounted device, and the like that has a wireless connection function. Currently, some examples of terminals are: a mobile phone, a satellite mobile terminal, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a palm computer, a mobile internet device (MID), a wearable device (for example, a smart watch, a smart bracelet, a pedometer, smart glasses, and the like), a vehicle-mounted device (for example, a car, a bicycle, an electric vehicle, an airplane, a ship, a train, a high-speed rail, and the like), a satellite terminal, a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, a smart point of sale (POS) machine, a customer-premises equipment (CPE), a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home (for example, a refrigerator, a television, an air conditioner, an electricity meter, and the like), a smart robot, a mechanical arm, a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with a wireless communication function, a computing device, or another processing device connected to a wireless modem, a flight device (for example, a smart robot, a hot air balloon, a drone, an airplane), a terminal in a 5G network, or a terminal in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), and the like. The embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto. For the convenience of introduction, the terminal device is taken as an example to introduce the scheme of the present application in the following, and in actual applications, the terminal device can be replaced by each of the above terminals or devices.

[0076] Embodiments of the present application do not limit the form of the terminal device, and the device for implementing the function of the terminal device can be a terminal device; or it can be a device, such as a module or a chip system, that can support the terminal device to implement the function. The device can be installed in the terminal device or used in conjunction with the terminal device. In embodiments of the present application, the chip system can be composed of a chip, or it can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0077] In the present application, the access network device can be an access network device in a communication system related to the 3rd generation partnership project (3rd generation partnership project, 3GPP), such as a 4G, 5G mobile communication system, or a future-oriented evolution system. The access network device can also be an access network device in an open access network (open RAN, O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (cloud radio access network, CRAN), or a WiFi system. The access network device can also be an access network device in a communication system that combines two or more of the above systems.

[0078] The access network device is a device that can provide wireless communication functions for the terminal device, and the terminal device can communicate with the core network device through the access network device. The access network device, as a node in the radio access network, can also be called a base station, a radio access network (radio access network, RAN) node (or device), an access point (access point, AP). The communication system can include one or more access network devices, which can be nodes of the same type or nodes of different types. In some scenarios, the roles of the access network device and the terminal device are relative, for example, the network element #A can be a helicopter or a drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station, accessed to the RAN through the network element #B. For terminal devices that access the RAN through the network element #A, the network element #A is a base station; but for the network element #B, the network element #A is a terminal device.

[0079] In a possible scenario, the access network device can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a base station in a future mobile communication system, an access node in a satellite, a high altitude platform, or a WiFi system, etc. The access network device can be a macro base station, a micro base station, or an indoor station, a relay node or a donor node, or a wireless controller in a CRAN scenario. Optionally, the access network device can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle or a vehicle-mounted device, etc. For example, the access network device in vehicle to everything (V2X) technology can be a road side unit (RSU). All or part of the functions of the access network device in this application can also be implemented by software functions running on hardware, or by virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (such as a cloud platform). The access network device in this application can also be a logical node, a logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the access network device.

[0080] In another possible scenario, multiple access network devices cooperate to assist a terminal device to implement wireless access, and different access network devices respectively implement part of the functions of a base station. For example, the access network device can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and the DU can be separately arranged, or can be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna processing unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0081] In different systems, the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU can also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in the ORAN system, the CU can also be referred to as an open CU (O-CU), the DU can also be referred to as an open DU (O-DU), the CU-CP can also be referred to as an open CU-CP (O-CU-CP), the CU-UP can also be referred to as an open CU-UP (O-CU-UP), and the RU can also be referred to as an open RU (O-RU). Any of the CUs (or CU-CPs, CU-UPs), DUs and RUs in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0082] In the embodiments of the present application, the form of the access network device is not limited, and the device for implementing the function of the access network device can be the access network device; or it can be a device capable of supporting the access network device to implement the function, such as a module or a chip system. The device can be installed in the access network device or used in combination with the access network device.

[0083] The communication system and service scenarios (or application scenarios) described in the embodiments of the present application are for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art can know that, with the evolution of network architecture and the appearance of new service scenarios (or new application scenarios), the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0084] Currently, the posture of the antenna panel in the terminal device is that the normal direction of the antenna panel is aligned with the center of the earth. The movement of the satellite will cause the scanning angle of the beam emitted by the satellite on the antenna panel to change. Generally, before the satellite switches, the scanning angle of the beam emitted by the satellite currently serving the terminal device on the antenna panel becomes larger and larger, and the communication quality becomes worse and worse, and the link may be disconnected.

[0085] Based on this, the present application proposes a communication method, in which: the terminal device adjusts the normal direction of the antenna panel of the terminal device according to the ephemeris information of a first satellite currently serving the terminal device and the ephemeris information of a second satellite serving the terminal device after the first satellite, to improve the communication quality between the terminal device and the satellite before switching (the first satellite currently serving the terminal device).

[0086] First, the related terms involved in the embodiments of the present application will be explained. It should be noted that these explanations are to make the embodiments of the present application easier to understand, and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope of protection required by the present application.

[0087] 1), the first satellite base station refers to: the satellite base station corresponding to the source cell accessed by the terminal device, or the satellite base station currently serving the terminal device;

[0088] The second satellite base station refers to: the satellite base station corresponding to the target cell to be accessed by the terminal device, or the satellite base station serving the terminal device after the first satellite base station.

[0089] The first satellite base station can be understood as a device on the first satellite that communicates with the terminal device, and the second satellite base station can be understood as a device on the second satellite that communicates with the terminal device. In the embodiments of the present application, for the convenience of description, the "first satellite base station" and the "first satellite" can be replaced with each other, and the "second satellite base station" and the "second satellite" can be replaced with each other.

[0090] For example, the first satellite and the second satellite are same-orbit satellites, and the orbit can be medium orbit or low orbit. For a certain point on the orbit, the first satellite and the second satellite appear in different order at the point.

[0091] For another example, the first satellite and the second satellite are different-orbit satellites, and the orbit heights of the first satellite and the second satellite can be the same or different, for example, the first satellite and the second satellite are both low-orbit satellites, or both medium-orbit satellites, or one is a medium-orbit satellite and the other is a low-orbit satellite.

[0092] 2), the scanning angle, the angle between the beam emitted by the satellite and the normal line of the antenna panel of the terminal device is called the scanning angle of the beam emitted by the satellite on the antenna panel.

[0093] 3), the terminal device of the present application can be a phased array terminal, as shown in FIG. 2E, a schematic diagram of a phased array terminal is introduced, which includes a baseband, an antenna panel control module (for example, including a motor), and a phased array head. The phased array head includes a physical antenna, and the antenna panel in the embodiments of the present application at least includes the phased array head (physical antenna), and optionally can further include a phase shifter, a power amplifier, etc.

[0094] 4), the position pointed to by the normal direction of the antenna panel: the intersection of the normal line of the antenna panel and the first plane, for example, the first plane is the plane of the orbit where the satellite is located, or the plane where the space connecting line of the two satellites is located. The first plane is horizontal or close to horizontal.

[0095] In order to better introduce the embodiments of the present application, the method provided by the embodiments of the present application is introduced below in combination with the drawings. In the following text, if no special description is made, the steps represented by the dashed lines in the drawings corresponding to the various embodiments of the present application are optional steps. It should be noted that the technical details of the plurality of embodiments provided by the present application can be mutually referenced, and each of the embodiments introduced below can exist independently, and in the absence of logical errors, the plurality of embodiments can also be combined as one embodiment.

[0096] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. In FIG. 3, the terminal device and the network device are taken as an example to illustrate the execution subject of the interaction, but the present application does not limit the execution subject of the interaction. For example, the method executed by the terminal device in FIG. 3 can also be executed by a communication module in the terminal device, or a circuit or chip responsible for the communication function in the terminal device; the method executed by the network device in FIG. 3 can also be executed by a module (such as a chip, a chip system, or a processor) applied to the network device, or a logic node, a logic module, or software that implements all or part of the function of the network device.

[0097] Step 301: The network device sends the ephemeris information of the first satellite and the ephemeris information of the second satellite to the terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device receives the ephemeris information of the first satellite and the ephemeris information of the second satellite.

[0098] For example, the network device sends a broadcast message to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the broadcast message, wherein the broadcast message includes the ephemeris information of the first satellite and the ephemeris information of the second satellite; for another example, the broadcast message includes the ephemeris information of the first satellite serving the first wave position and the ephemeris information of the second satellite serving the first wave position after the first satellite, and the terminal device is located in the coverage range of the first wave position. The broadcast message can also be replaced by a unicast message. Optionally, the broadcast message can also include the ephemeris information of other satellites.

[0099] The following introduces an example of determining the satellite (i.e., the second satellite) that will serve the terminal device:

[0100] In one example, the network device broadcasts the ephemeris information of the current satellite and the ephemeris information of a plurality of neighboring satellites (there are a plurality of neighboring satellites), the terminal device measures the plurality of neighboring satellites, and the terminal device informs the network device of the measurement result meeting the requirement or the satellite corresponding to the measurement result. The measurement events include but are not limited to: the terminal measures the level strength of the neighboring satellite and / or calculates the distance from the neighboring satellite. The network device decides the neighboring satellite that will serve the terminal device and instructs the terminal device.

[0101] In another example, the area covered by the beam of the satellite base station is pre-planned and predictable, i.e. for a fixed area on the ground (a beam position), when it is covered by which satellite, the operations and maintenance center (OMC) can know in advance. The OMC informs the network device of this information (which area is covered by which satellite at which time), and the network device can broadcast the ephemeris information of different neighboring satellites for different beam positions. For the beam position in different directions (the minimum granularity of the satellite system message coverage), only the ephemeris information of the satellite that will cover the beam position later can be broadcast.

[0102] Step 302: The terminal device adjusts the position pointed to by the normal direction of the antenna panel in the terminal device from a first position to a second position based on the ephemeris information of the first satellite and the ephemeris information of the second satellite.

[0103] In this embodiment, the terminal device can autonomously adjust the normal direction of the antenna panel according to the ephemeris information of the first satellite currently serving the terminal device and the ephemeris information of the second satellite that will serve the terminal device, thereby improving the communication quality between the terminal device and the first satellite (the current serving satellite of the terminal device) before switching.

[0104] The following describes multiple ways of adjusting the normal direction of the entire antenna panel:

[0105] Way 1: The first satellite and the second satellite are both located on a first orbit, and the second position (the adjusted position) is closer to a first point on the first orbit than the first position (the position before adjustment).

[0106] For example, the distance between the first point and the nearest point is less than a first distance threshold, and the nearest point is the nearest point on the first orbit to the terminal device. That is, the first point can be the nearest point on the first orbit to the terminal device, or the first point is very close to the nearest point on the first orbit to the terminal device.

[0107] A possible scenario applicable to this way is that for a certain point on the first orbit, the first satellite and the second satellite move to the point in sequence, and then the first satellite and the second satellite move to the nearest point on the orbit to the terminal device in sequence. For example, the first satellite has passed the nearest point and moves in a direction away from the nearest point, and the second satellite has not yet moved to the nearest point and moves in a direction close to the nearest point. The closer the satellite is to the nearest point, the better the communication quality between the satellite and the terminal device, and thus adjusting the normal direction of the antenna panel to align with the nearest point can improve the communication quality between the terminal device and the first satellite. In addition, the second satellite passes the nearest point after the first satellite, which can also avoid too poor communication quality between the second satellite and the terminal device.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 4, a communication method flowchart suitable for Mode 1 is introduced, and the following steps can be understood as a possible implementation of step 302.

[0109] Step 3021a: Based on the orbit information of the first satellite and the orbit information of the second satellite, it is determined that the first satellite and the second satellite are located on the first orbit.

[0110] The ephemeris information of the first satellite includes the orbit information of the first satellite, and the ephemeris information of the second satellite includes the orbit information of the first satellite. Based on the orbit information, it can be determined whether the first satellite and the second satellite are located on the same orbit. This example takes the first satellite and the second satellite located on the same orbit as an example for introduction.

[0111] Step 3022a: Determine the first point on the first orbit.

[0112] Step 3023a: Determine the first angle corresponding to the first point, which is the scanning angle of the beam emitted by any satellite at the first point to the antenna panel.

[0113] Step 3024a: Based on the first angle, adjust the position pointed by the normal direction of the antenna panel from the first position to the second position.

[0114] For example, the normal direction of the antenna panel is adjusted to rotate the first angle, or the angle by which the normal direction of the antenna panel is adjusted is less than the first angle threshold value.

[0115] In a specific example, the first point is the nearest point on the first orbit to the terminal device, and the terminal device adjusts the normal direction of the antenna panel to rotate the first angle. After adjusting the normal line, the normal direction of the antenna panel is aligned with the nearest point on the orbit to the terminal device.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 5, the first satellite and the second satellite are on the same orbit, and the nearest point on the orbit to the terminal device is M1. Before adjusting the normal line, the normal line OZ of the antenna panel connects the center of the earth, the scanning angle corresponding to the first satellite is y1OZ, and the scanning angle corresponding to the second satellite is x1OZ. After adjusting the normal line, the normal line OZ of the antenna panel is aligned with the nearest point K1 on the orbit to the terminal device, the scanning angle corresponding to the first satellite is y1OK1, and the scanning angle corresponding to the second satellite is x1OK1.

[0117] In the mode 1, the position of the first point (e.g. the nearest point) on the orbit does not change substantially or changes a little in a short time, and the normal direction of the antenna panel is aligned with the first point on the orbit, so that the normal direction of the antenna panel does not need to be adjusted frequently, and the workload of the terminal is simplified as long as the satellite switching occurs between the same orbits.

[0118] Mode 2: the first satellite and the second satellite are located on the same orbit or different orbits, and the second position (the adjusted position) is closer to the first center position than the first position (the unadjusted position).

[0119] For example, the first center position is a center point (a center point of the first satellite and the second satellite) with a distance less than a second distance threshold. That is, the first center position can be a center point of the first satellite and the second satellite, or the first center position is very close to the center point of the two satellites.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 6, a communication method flowchart suitable for the mode 2 is introduced, and the following steps can be considered as a possible implementation of the above-mentioned step 302.

[0121] Step 3021b: determining a third position of the first satellite and a fourth position of the second satellite based on the ephemeris information of the first satellite and the ephemeris information of the second satellite.

[0122] The position of the first satellite at this moment is referred to as the third position, and the position of the second satellite at this moment is referred to as the fourth position.

[0123] Step 3022b: determining a first center position based on the third position and the fourth position.

[0124] For example, the first center position belongs to a position range of a center point of the third position and the fourth position. For example, the first center position is a center point of the third position and the fourth position. For another example, the first center position is a center point (a center point of the third position and the fourth position) with a distance less than a third distance threshold, that is, the first center position is very close to the center point of the two satellites.

[0125] Step 3023b: determining a second angle corresponding to the first center position, the second angle being a scanning angle of a beam emitted by any one of the satellites at the first center position to the antenna panel.

[0126] Step 3024b: adjusting the position pointed to by the normal direction of the antenna panel from the first position to the second position based on the second angle.

[0127] For example, the normal direction of the antenna panel is adjusted to rotate by the second angle, or the angle by which the normal direction of the antenna panel is adjusted to rotate is less than the second angle threshold value.

[0128] In a specific example, the first center position is a center point of the first satellite and the second satellite, and the terminal device adjusts the normal direction of the antenna panel to rotate by the second angle, so that, after the normal direction is adjusted, the normal direction of the antenna panel is aligned with the center point of the first satellite and the second satellite.

[0129] As shown in FIG. 7, the first satellite and the second satellite are non-geosynchronous satellites, and the center point of the first satellite and the second satellite is point S1. Before adjustment, the normal direction OZ of the antenna panel connects to the center of the earth, the scanning angle corresponding to the first satellite is y1OZ, and the scanning angle corresponding to the second satellite is x1OZ. After adjustment of the normal direction, the normal direction OZ of the antenna panel is aligned with the center point S1 of the first satellite and the second satellite, the scanning angle corresponding to the first satellite is y1OS1, and the scanning angle corresponding to the second satellite is x1OS1.

[0130] In this manner 2, the normal direction of the antenna panel is adjusted to be close to or aligned with the center position of the first satellite and the second satellite, regardless of whether the first satellite and the second satellite are located on the same orbit or different orbits.

[0131] In a possible implementation, before step 3021b, the method further includes: determining, based on the orbit information of the first satellite and the orbit information of the second satellite, whether the first satellite and the second satellite are located on different orbits, and if so, step 3021b is performed, that is, the normal direction of the antenna panel is adjusted in the manner of manner 2. Optionally, if the first satellite and the second satellite are located on the same orbit, step 3022a is performed, that is, the normal direction of the antenna panel is adjusted in the manner of manner 1.

[0132] When the scanning angle of the beam emitted by the satellite on the terminal is 0 (that is, when the normal direction of the antenna panel overlaps / parallels the direction of the beam emitted by the satellite), the beam gain is the largest. In the above-described manner 1 and manner 2, the terminal device adjusts the normal direction of the antenna panel to be close to the center position of the first satellite and the second satellite or the closest point (for example, the nearest point) on the orbit to the terminal device, which can make the scanning angle of the beam emitted by the first satellite on the antenna panel of the terminal device smaller, improve the beam gain between the satellite and the terminal device, and improve the communication quality between the terminal device and the first satellite.

[0133] In addition, the scanning angle of the second satellite is close to the scanning angle of the first satellite, and the communication quality of the second satellite will not be poor, so the present scheme can improve the communication quality between the first satellite currently serving the terminal device and the terminal device, and can also avoid that the communication quality between the second satellite about to serve the terminal device and the terminal device is too poor.

[0134] Since it takes time to adjust the antenna panel, the larger the angle, the longer the adjustment time. If the normal direction of the antenna panel is always aligned with the first satellite currently serving the terminal device, when satellite switching is performed, the normal direction of the antenna panel is adjusted to be aligned with the second satellite, the adjustment angle is too large, and the adjustment time is relatively long, which may cause the terminal device to be disconnected from the satellite. In the present scheme, the terminal device adjusts the normal direction of the antenna panel to be close to the center position of the first satellite and the second satellite or the close point (for example, the closest point) on the orbit of the terminal device, which can balance the scanning angle of the first satellite and the scanning angle of the second satellite, and avoid the situation of link disconnection caused by too large adjustment angle.

[0135] Option 3: The first satellite and the second satellite are located on the same orbit or different orbits, and the second position (adjusted position) is closer to or aligned with the first satellite than the first position (position before adjustment).

[0136] Over time, the satellite will rotate, and the earth will also rotate, which will cause the positions of the first satellite and the second satellite to change, and the closest point on the satellite to the terminal device will also change. Before satellite switching, the terminal device can adjust the normal direction of the antenna panel by itself. For example, after a first time period, based on the ephemeris information of the first satellite and the ephemeris information of the second satellite, the position pointed to by the normal direction of the antenna panel is adjusted from the second position to a third position.

[0137] Taking option 1 as an example, an example of adjusting the normal direction of the antenna panel again is introduced.

[0138] As shown in FIG. 4, step 3025a: after a first time period, a second point on the first orbit is determined.

[0139] The principle of the second point and the first point is similar, for example, the distance between the second point and the closest point is less than a first distance threshold; the closest point is the closest point on the first orbit to the terminal device. That is, the second point can be the closest point on the first orbit to the terminal device, or the second point is very close to the closest point on the first orbit to the terminal device.

[0140] For example, the first time period is in seconds, for example, 7 seconds, 8 seconds, 9 seconds, 10 seconds, 11 seconds, etc. The earth rotation is generally a few hundred meters per second. When it reaches a few kilometers, the closest point on the orbit can be perceived to be offset.

[0141] Step 3026a: determining a third angle corresponding to the second point; the third angle is the scanning angle of any one satellite beam emitted at the second point to the antenna panel.

[0142] Step 3027a: based on the third angle, adjusting the position to which the normal direction of the antenna panel points from the second position to a third position.

[0143] For example, the normal direction of the antenna panel is adjusted to rotate by the third angle, or the difference between the angle by which the normal direction of the antenna panel is adjusted and the third angle is less than the first angle threshold.

[0144] As shown in FIG. 8, before adjusting the normal line, the normal line of the antenna panel is aligned with the closest point K1 on the orbit to the terminal device, and after the first time duration, the earth rotation causes the closest point on the orbit to the terminal device to become K2, and the normal line of the antenna panel is adjusted to align with the closest point K2 again.

[0145] Due to the earth rotation, a certain point on the ground (for example, the point where the UE is located) will deviate from the previously determined closest point on the orbit, and real-time adjustment of the normal direction of the antenna panel can further balance the communication quality between the terminal device and the two satellites.

[0146] Taking mode 2 as an example, an example of adjusting the normal direction of the antenna panel again is introduced.

[0147] As shown in FIG. 6, step 3025b: after the first time duration, based on the ephemeris information of the first satellite and the ephemeris information of the second satellite, a fifth position of the first satellite and a sixth position of the second satellite are determined.

[0148] For example, the first time duration is in seconds, for example, the first time duration is 1 second, or 2 seconds, etc.

[0149] The position of the first satellite at this moment is referred to as the fifth position, and the position of the second satellite at this moment is referred to as the sixth position. The fifth position of the first satellite moves compared to the third position before the first time duration. The sixth position of the first satellite moves compared to the fourth position before the first time duration.

[0150] Step 3026b: based on the fifth position and the sixth position, a second center position is determined.

[0151] The second center position is similar to the first center position. For example, the distance between the first center position and the center point (the center point of the first satellite and the second satellite) is less than the second distance threshold. That is, the first center position can be the center point of the first satellite and the second satellite, or the first center position is very close to the center point of the two satellites.

[0152] Step 3027b: a fourth angle corresponding to the second center position is determined, and the fourth angle is the scanning angle of the beam emitted by any one satellite at the second center position on the antenna panel.

[0153] Step 3028b: based on the fourth angle, adjusting the position to which the normal direction of the antenna panel points from the second position to a third position.

[0154] For example, the normal direction of the antenna panel is adjusted to rotate by the fourth angle, or the angle by which the normal direction of the antenna panel is adjusted is less than the second angle threshold from the fourth angle.

[0155] As shown in FIG. 9, the first satellite and the second satellite are on the same orbit. Before adjusting the normal line, the normal line of the antenna panel is aligned with the center point H1 of the first satellite (at y1) and the second satellite (at x1). After the first time period, the first satellite moves from y1 to y2, and the second satellite moves from x1 to x2. The normal line of the antenna panel is adjusted again to align with the center point H2 of y2 and x2.

[0156] As shown in FIG. 10, the first satellite and the second satellite are on different orbits. Before adjusting the normal line, the normal line of the antenna panel is aligned with the center point S1 of the first satellite (at y1) and the second satellite (at x1). After the first time period, the first satellite moves from y1 to y2, and the second satellite moves from x1 to x2. The normal line of the antenna panel is adjusted again to align with the center point S2 of y2 and x2.

[0157] In a possible implementation, the terminal device is a phased array terminal device, which includes a baseband, a phased array head, and an antenna panel control module. The baseband can calculate angles (such as the first angle, the second angle, the third angle, the fourth angle, and the like), and the baseband sends the calculated angles to the antenna panel control module, and the antenna panel control module controls the phased array head to rotate by the corresponding angle.

[0158] The following describes a process of determining the closest point on the position / orbit of a satellite to a terminal device, and the center points of the first satellite and the second satellite:

[0159] Based on the ephemeris information of the satellite, the terminal device can obtain the orbit parameters (usually referred to as the six elements of the orbit) of the satellite, which are: semi-major axis a, eccentricity e, orbit inclination i, perihelion argument ω, ascending node longitude Ω, and reference time mean anomaly M.

[0160] The terminal device can determine whether the first satellite and the second satellite are on the same orbit based on the following parameters corresponding to the first satellite and the second satellite respectively: semi-major axis a, eccentricity e, orbit inclination i, perihelion argument ω, ascending node longitude Ω; and can also obtain the current position and speed of the first satellite / second satellite through the mean anomaly M corresponding to the first satellite / second satellite.

[0161] If the first satellite and the second satellite are located on the same orbit, the terminal device can determine information of the orbit in which the first satellite and the second satellite are located based on the following parameters corresponding to the first satellite and the second satellite respectively: semi-major axis a, eccentricity e, orbit inclination i, pericenter argument w, ascending node longitude Q, and determine the nearest point on the line (the line refers to the orbit in which the first satellite and the second satellite are located) to a certain point on the earth (i.e. the position of the terminal device) based on the information of the orbit, coordinate system conversion, global navigation satellite system (GNSS) information of the terminal device.

[0162] If the first satellite and the second satellite are located on different orbits, the terminal device can calculate the center point of the first satellite and the second satellite based on the following parameters corresponding to the first satellite and the second satellite respectively: semi-major axis a, eccentricity e, orbit inclination i, pericenter argument w, ascending node longitude Q and mean anomaly M; and then obtain the midpoint direction angle of the terminal device to the two satellites based on the GNSS information of the terminal device and the coordinate system conversion.

[0163] It can be understood that, in order to realize the functions in the above embodiments, the terminal device includes the corresponding hardware structure and / or software module for executing each function. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, in combination with the units and method steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed in the present application, the present application can be realized in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is realized in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0164] FIGS. 11 and 12 are structural schematic diagrams of possible communication apparatuses provided by the embodiments of the present application. These communication apparatuses can be used to realize the functions of the terminal device in the above method embodiments, and thus can also realize the beneficial effects possessed by the above method embodiments.

[0165] As shown in FIG. 11, the communication apparatus 1100 includes a processing unit 1110 and a transceiver unit 1120.

[0166] For example, the communication apparatus 1100 is used to realize the functions of the terminal device in the above method embodiments shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6. The transceiver unit 1120 can perform the receiving actions and the sending actions performed by the terminal device in the above method embodiments. The processing unit 1110 can perform other actions in addition to the sending actions and the receiving actions performed by the terminal device in the above method embodiments.

[0167] For example, when the communication apparatus 1100 is used to implement the function of the terminal device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the transceiver 1120 is configured to receive the ephemeris information of the first satellite base station and the ephemeris information of the second satellite base station. The processing unit 1110 is configured to adjust the position pointed by the normal direction of the antenna panel in the terminal device from the first position to the second position based on the ephemeris information of the first satellite base station and the ephemeris information of the second satellite base station.

[0168] The above processing unit 1110 and transceiver 1120 can be directly described in more detail with reference to the related description in the method embodiments shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, and thus will not be described here. The processing unit 1110 can be implemented by a processor, and the transceiver 1120 can be implemented by a transceiver.

[0169] It should be understood that the division of the units in the above apparatus is only a logical functional division, and all or part of them can be integrated into one physical entity, or can be physically separated. The units in the apparatus can all be implemented in the form of software invoked by the processing element; or all be implemented in the form of hardware; or part of the units are implemented in the form of software invoked by the processing element, and part of the units are implemented in the form of hardware. For example, each unit can be a separately established processing element, or can be integrated into a chip of the apparatus, in addition, the unit can also be stored in the form of program in the memory, and the function of the unit is invoked and executed by the processing element of the apparatus. In addition, all or part of the units can be integrated together, or can be independently implemented. The processing unit herein can be a processor, which can be an integrated circuit with signal processing capability. In the implementation process, each operation of the above method or each unit can be implemented by the integrated logic circuit of the hardware in the processing element, or in the form of software invoked by the processing element.

[0170] In one example, the units in any of the above apparatuses can be one or more integrated circuits, configured to implement one or more of the above methods, e.g., one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or, one or more digital singnal processors (DSPs), or, one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms. In another example, when the units in the apparatuses can be implemented in the form of a processing element scheduler, the processing element can be a processor, such as a general purpose central processing unit (CPU), or other processor capable of invoking a program. In yet another example, the units can be integrated together, implemented in the form of a system-on-a-chip (SOC).

[0171] The above unit for receiving is an interface circuit of the apparatus for receiving signals from other apparatuses. For example, when the apparatus is implemented in the form of a chip, the unit is an interface circuit of the chip for receiving signals from other chips or apparatuses. The above unit for transmitting is an interface circuit of the apparatus for transmitting signals to other apparatuses. For example, when the apparatus is implemented in the form of a chip, the unit is an interface circuit of the chip for transmitting signals to other chips or apparatuses.

[0172] As shown in FIG. 12, the communication apparatus 1200 includes a processor 1210 and an interface circuit 1220. The processor 1210 and the interface circuit 1220 are coupled to each other. It can be understood that the interface circuit 1220 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication apparatus 1200 can further include a memory 1230 for storing instructions executed by the processor 1210, or storing input data required by the processor 1210 to run instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 1210 runs instructions. Sometimes, the interface circuit 1220 can also be understood as a part of the processor 1210, and at this time the communication apparatus 1200 includes the processor 1210.

[0173] When the communication apparatus 1200 is used to implement the methods shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, the processor 1210 is configured to implement the functions of the processing unit 1110, and the interface circuit 1220 is configured to implement the functions of the transceiving unit 1120.

[0174] When the communication apparatus is a chip applied to a terminal device, the terminal device chip implements the functions of the terminal device in the method embodiments. The terminal device chip receives information from a network device, which can be understood as the information being received by other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the terminal device first, and then being sent to the terminal device chip by the modules. The terminal device chip sends information to the network device, which can be understood as the information being sent to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the terminal device first, and then being sent to the network device by the modules.

[0175] When the communication apparatus is a chip applied to a network device, the network device chip implements the functions of the network device in the method embodiments. The network device chip receives information from a terminal device, which can be understood as the information being received by other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the network device first, and then being sent to the network device chip by the modules. The network device chip sends information to the terminal device, which can be understood as the information being sent to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the network device first, and then being sent to the terminal device by the modules. The network device module here can be a baseband chip of the network device, or a DU or other module, and the DU here can be a DU under the O-RAN architecture.

[0176] In this application, entity A sending information to entity B can be A sending directly to B, or A sending indirectly to B through other entities. Similarly, entity B receiving information from entity A can be entity B receiving the information sent by entity A directly, or entity B receiving the information sent by entity A indirectly through other entities. The entities A and B here can be network devices or terminal devices, or modules inside a network device or modules inside a terminal device. The sending and receiving of information can be the information interaction between a network device and a terminal device, or the information interaction between two network devices, such as the information interaction between a CU and a DU; or the sending and receiving of information can be the information interaction between different modules in one apparatus, such as the information interaction between a terminal device chip and other modules in the terminal device, or the information interaction between a network device chip and other modules in the network device.

[0177] It can be understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application can be a central processing unit (CPU), and can also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0178] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer readable storage medium, which stores a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer can be used to execute the communication method. In other words, the computer program includes instructions for implementing the communication method.

[0179] The embodiments of the present application further provide a chip, which includes a processor. When the processor executes a computer program or instructions, the processor is used to implement the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application. Alternatively, the chip can further include a memory. The chip can be composed of the chip, or can include the chip and other discrete devices. The memory is used to store the computer program or instructions.

[0180] The embodiments of the present application further provide a circuit, which is used to execute the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application. The circuit can include a chip circuit. Alternatively, the circuit can be coupled with a memory.

[0181] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product, which includes computer program code. When the computer program code runs on a computer, the computer can execute the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0182] The embodiments of the present application further provide a communication system, which includes a terminal device and a network device. The terminal device and the network device execute the communication method.

[0183] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by hardware or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, an erasable programmable read-only memory, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, a register, a hard disk, a mobile hard disk, a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) (also known as a read-only optical disc), or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor, so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC can be located in a base station or a terminal. Of course, the processor and the storage medium can also exist as discrete components in the base station or the terminal.

[0184] In the above embodiments, the implementation can be entirely or partially by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented by software, the implementation can be entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When loaded and executed on a computer, the computer programs or instructions perform the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application entirely or partially. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a first control plane network element, user equipment, or other programmable devices. The computer programs or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another, for example, the computer programs or instructions can be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another by wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center, etc. that integrates one or more available media. The available media can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape; an optical medium, such as a digital video disc; or a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state disk. The computer-readable storage medium can be a volatile or non-volatile storage medium, or can include both volatile and non-volatile storage media.

[0185] In various embodiments of the present application, the terms and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be mutually referred to if there is no special description and no logical conflict. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0186] In the embodiments of the present application, the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, represents "a singular noun or a plural noun", that is, "one or more". "At least one" refers to one or more, and "multiple" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of the associated objects, which means that there can be three kinds of relationships, for example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone, wherein A or B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally represents that the associated objects before and after it are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B represents: A or B. "At least one of the following" or "one or more of the following" and the like means any combination of these items, including any combination of single item or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b and (or) c, or one or more of a, b and (or) c, represents: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c. Each of a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0187] The ordinal numbers "first", "second", and the like mentioned in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish a plurality of objects, and are not used to limit the size, content, order, time sequence, priority, or importance of the plurality of objects. Moreover, such names do not represent the difference in the content, sending / receiving end, sending order, size, application scenario, priority, or importance of the two pieces of information. In addition, the numbering of the steps in each embodiment introduced in the present application is only for distinguishing different steps, and is not used to limit the order of the steps.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: obtaining first ephemeris information of a first satellite base station and second ephemeris information of a second satellite base station, wherein the first satellite base station is a satellite base station corresponding to a source cell accessed by a terminal device, and the second satellite base station is a satellite base station corresponding to a target cell; based on the first ephemeris information and the second ephemeris information, adjusting a position pointed to by a normal direction of an antenna panel in the terminal device from a first position to a second position.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein: the second position is closer to a first center position than the first position, and the first center position belongs to a position range of a center point of the first satellite base station and the second satellite base station; or the first satellite base station and the second satellite base station are located on a first orbit, and the second position is closer to a first point on the first orbit than the first position, and a distance between the first point and the terminal device is less than a first threshold.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The method further comprises: based on the first ephemeris information and the second ephemeris information, determining that the first satellite base station and the second satellite base station are located on a first orbit; determining a first angle corresponding to a first point on the first orbit, wherein the first angle is a scanning angle of a beam emitted by any one of the satellite base stations at the first point to the antenna panel, and a distance between the first point and a nearest point on the first orbit is less than a first distance threshold; based on the first angle, adjusting the position pointed to by the normal direction of the antenna panel from the first position to the second position.

4. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The method further comprises: based on the first ephemeris information and the second ephemeris information, determining a third position of the first satellite base station and a fourth position of the second satellite base station; determining a second angle corresponding to a first center position, wherein the second angle is a scanning angle of a beam emitted by any one of the satellite base stations at the first center position to the antenna panel, and a distance between the first center position and a center point is less than a second distance threshold; based on the second angle, adjusting the position pointed to by the normal direction of the antenna panel from the first position to the second position.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, The method further comprises: before determining the third position of the first satellite base station and the fourth position of the second satellite base station based on the first ephemeris information and the second ephemeris information, determining that the first satellite base station and the second satellite base station are located on different orbits.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The method further comprises: after a first time period, adjusting the position pointed to by the normal direction of the antenna panel from the second position to a third position based on the first ephemeris information and the second ephemeris information.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein The first ephemeris information of the first satellite base station and the second ephemeris information of the second satellite base station are acquired, including: Receiving a broadcast message, wherein the broadcast message comprises the first ephemeris information of the first satellite base station and the second ephemeris information of the second satellite base station.

8. A communication device, characterized by The method comprises the following steps of: receiving a broadcast message, wherein the broadcast message comprises the first ephemeris information of the first satellite base station and the second ephemeris information of the second satellite base station.

9. A communications device, characterized by The method comprises the following steps of: receiving a broadcast message, wherein the broadcast message comprises the first ephemeris information of the first satellite base station and the second ephemeris information of the second satellite base station. The method comprises the following steps of: receiving a broadcast message, wherein the broadcast message comprises the first ephemeris information of the first satellite base station and the second ephemeris information of the second satellite base station. The method comprises the following steps of: receiving a broadcast message, wherein the broadcast message comprises the first ephemeris information of the first satellite base station and the second ephemeris information of the second satellite base station.

10. A chip system, characterized by The method comprises the following steps of: receiving a broadcast message, wherein the broadcast message comprises the first ephemeris information of the first satellite base station and the second ephemeris information of the second satellite base station. The method comprises the following steps of: receiving a broadcast message, wherein the broadcast message comprises the first ephemeris information of the first satellite base station and the second ephemeris information of the second satellite base station. The method comprises the following steps of: receiving a broadcast message, wherein the broadcast message comprises the first ephemeris information of the first satellite base station and the second ephemeris information of the second satellite base station.

11. A computer readable storage medium, characterized in that, The method comprises the following steps of: receiving a broadcast message, wherein the broadcast message comprises the first ephemeris information of the first satellite base station and the second ephemeris information of the second satellite base station.

12. A computer program product, characterised in that, The method comprises the following steps of: receiving a broadcast message, wherein the broadcast message comprises the first ephemeris information of the first satellite base station and the second ephemeris information of the second satellite base station.

13. A communication system, characterized by ​

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