Satellite communication method and related apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the embodiments of the present application are a satellite communication method and a related apparatus. The satellite communication method comprises: a terminal receiving a first message, wherein the first message is used for indicating the coverage range of a first beam; and the terminal sending a second message to a network device, wherein the second message is used for indicating the relative position of the terminal to the coverage range of the first beam. Beams, the activation of which is supported by the network device, include first-type beams and second-type beams, wherein the coverage range of the first-type beams is greater than the coverage range of the second-type beams, or the coverage range of the first-type beams is greater than a threshold, and the coverage range of the second-type beams is less than the threshold, the first-type beams comprising the first beam, and the second-type beams comprising a second beam. Beams, the activation of which is supported by a network device, include two types of beams with different coverage ranges. Since the network device supports the activation of beams with a wide coverage range, an increased coverage range of such types of beams can enhance the coverage range of the network device.

Description

Satellite communication method and related apparatus

[0001] The present application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202411394346.4, filed on September 30, 2024, and entitled "Satellite communication method and related apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0003] Satellite communication is one of non-terrestrial network (NTN) communications. Satellite communication has the characteristics of wide coverage and not being easily damaged by natural disasters or external forces compared to terrestrial network communication, and can be used to provide communication services for areas that cannot be covered by terrestrial networks.

[0004] An important component in satellite communication is that satellites work in space, and the power supply system is a solar panel, which results in that the satellite can only use limited energy storage to achieve network coverage during communication. In general, in a satellite communication system, a satellite covers the ground using a high-gain beam, and one beam covers an area on the ground. A satellite can provide thousands of beams to cover the ground area, but due to the limitation of the finiteness of energy storage, the satellite cannot activate all beams for communication at the same time, which results in that it is impossible to achieve coverage of a large area of the satellite coverage area, and it is also impossible to achieve full coverage. Therefore, how to achieve enhancement of the satellite coverage area is a problem to be solved. SUMMARY

[0005] The present application provides a satellite communication method and related apparatus, which aims to achieve enhancement of the satellite coverage area.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present application provides the following technical solutions:

[0007] In a first aspect, the present application provides a satellite communication method, which can be executed by a terminal, or can also be executed by a component (such as a circuit, a chip or a chip system, etc.) configured in the terminal, and can also be executed by a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the terminal functions. The present application does not make any limitation in this regard. The following is described taking the terminal as an example.

[0008] The satellite communication method comprises: receiving, by a terminal, a first message, the first message being used to indicate a coverage range of a first beam; and sending, by the terminal, a second message to a network device, the second message being used to indicate a relative position of the terminal and the coverage range of the first beam; wherein the network device supports an activated beam comprising a first type of beam and a second type of beam, the coverage range of the first type of beam is greater than the coverage range of the second type of beam, or the coverage range of the first type of beam is greater than a threshold value, the coverage range of the second type of beam is less than the threshold value, the first type of beam comprises the first beam, and the second type of beam comprises a second beam.

[0009] In the above technical solution, the network device supports an activated beam comprising two types of beams with different coverage ranges, and since the network device supports an activated beam with a wide coverage range, the increased coverage range of this type of beam can enhance the coverage area of the network device.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the sending, by the terminal, of the second message to the network device comprises: sending, by the terminal, the second message to the network device based on a transmission opportunity of a preamble and / or a physical random access channel (PRACH). In this way, the terminal can send the second message to the network device based on the transmission opportunity of the preamble and the PRACH, thereby achieving a fine indication of the relative position of the terminal and the coverage range of the first beam.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the sending, by the terminal, of the second message to the network device comprises: sending, by the terminal, the second message to the network device based on a random access small data transmission (RA-SDT) capability or a configured grant small data transmission (CG-SDT) capability. In this way, the terminal can send the second message to the network device based on the RA-SDT or CG-SDT small data transmission capability, thereby achieving the advantage of supporting transmission of a larger amount of data using the RA-SDT or CG-SDT small data transmission capability, and widening the data amount of the second message.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the sending, by the terminal, of the second message to the network device based on the RA-SDT comprises: sending, by the terminal, a small data packet to the network device through Msg3 in a 4-step random access or through Msg A in a 2-step random access, the small data packet comprising the second message.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the method further comprises: sending, by the terminal, service request information to the network device, so that the network device can determine the second beam to be activated based on the service request information.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the small data packet sent by the terminal to the network device through Msg3 in the 4-step random access comprises the service request information, or the small data packet sent by the terminal to the network device through Msg A in the 2-step random access comprises the service request information. In this way, the terminal can report the service request to the network device using the random access procedure, thereby reducing power consumption, improving efficiency, and also avoiding a limitation on the data amount of the service request information.

[0015] In a possible implementation, before the terminal sends the second message to the network device based on the transmission opportunity of the preamble and / or the physical random access channel (PRACH), the method further includes: determining, by the terminal, that the reference signal received power (RSRP) is less than a threshold value.

[0016] In a possible implementation, before the terminal sends the second message to the network device based on the transmission opportunity of the preamble and / or the physical random access channel (PRACH), the method further includes: determining, by the terminal, that the reference signal received power (RSRP) is greater than or equal to a threshold value.

[0017] In a possible implementation, before the terminal sends the second message to the network device based on the RA-SDT or the CG-SDT, the method further includes: determining, by the terminal, that the reference signal received power (RSRP) is greater than or equal to a threshold value, to ensure the correctness of data transmitted by the terminal and the network device and to avoid decoding errors.

[0018] In a second aspect, a satellite communication method is provided. The method can be executed by a network device, or can be executed by a component (such as a circuit, a chip, or a chip system) configured in the network device, or can be executed by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the network device. The present application does not make any limitation in this regard. Hereinafter, the network device is taken as an example for description.

[0019] The network device supports an activated beam, which includes a first type of beam and a second type of beam. The coverage range of the first type of beam is greater than that of the second type of beam, or the coverage range of the first type of beam is greater than a threshold value, and the coverage range of the second type of beam is less than the threshold value. The first type of beam includes a first beam, and the second type of beam includes a second beam. The satellite communication method includes: sending, by the network device, a first message, the first message being used to indicate the coverage range of the first beam; receiving, by the network device, a second message, the second message being used to indicate the relative position of the terminal and the coverage range of the first beam; and switching, by the network device, the first beam to the second beam, the coverage range of the second beam including the position of the terminal, the position of the terminal being determined based on the relative position of the terminal and the coverage range of the first beam.

[0020] In the technical solution, the network device supports two types of beams with different coverage ranges, and since the network device supports the active beam with a wide coverage range, the increased coverage range of the beam can enhance the coverage area of the network device. Further, the network device sends a first message to the terminal to indicate the coverage range of the first beam, and the terminal sends a second message to the network device to indicate the relative position of the terminal and the coverage range of the first beam. Therefore, the network device can determine the position of the terminal through the second message, and the network device switches the first beam and the second beam to ensure that the terminal is served by the beam covering the position of the terminal. Since the second beam belongs to the beam with a narrow coverage range, the network device and the terminal can correctly decode the data transmitted based on the channel.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the network device sends the first message, including: the network device sends the first message based on the first beam, which can ensure that the terminal receives the first message in a sufficient coverage range.

[0022] In one possible implementation, the first message is a radio resource control (RRC) signaling and / or a system information block (SIB). The RRC signaling can ensure that the terminal in an RRC connected state can obtain the coverage range of the first beam through the first message. The SIB can ensure that the terminal in any state of an RRC idle state, an RRC inactive state, and an RRC connected state can obtain the coverage range of the first beam through the first message, thereby widening the number of terminals that can receive the first message.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the first message indicates the position information of the center point of the coverage range of the first beam, the coverage diameter, and the position information of the reference point in the coverage range of the first beam, and the reference point is different from the center point. In some embodiments, the first message can also indicate the position information of the center point of the coverage range of the first beam, the coverage radius, and the position information of the reference point in the coverage range of the first beam.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the position information of the center point of the coverage range of the first beam and the position information of the reference point in the coverage range of the first beam are indicated in the form of longitude and latitude.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the second beam is used to support the network device to send control information and service data of the terminal, and is also used to support the terminal to send control information and service data of the terminal, which can ensure that the service data and the control information transmitted by the terminal and the network device can be correctly decoded.

[0026] In a possible implementation, the network device receives the second message, including: the network device receives a plurality of second messages, the plurality of second messages are from a plurality of terminals, and each of the plurality of second messages is used to indicate a relative position of a sending terminal of the second message to a coverage range of the first beam.

[0027] In a possible implementation, the second beam includes a plurality of beams, and coverage ranges of the plurality of beams included in the second beam include positions of the plurality of terminals, and each of the positions of the terminals is determined based on a relative position of the terminal to the coverage range of the first beam. This implementation can enable the network device to provide services for the plurality of terminals by activating the plurality of second beams at the same time, and ensure efficiency of data transmission between the terminals and the network device.

[0028] In a possible implementation, the second beam includes a plurality of beams, and coverage ranges of the plurality of beams included in the second beam include positions of a first part of the plurality of terminals, and each of the positions of the terminals is determined based on a relative position of the terminal to the coverage range of the first beam.

[0029] In a possible implementation, the network device switches the first beam to the second beam, including: the network device switches the first beam to a third beam and a second beam, the third beam is the same as or different from the first beam, the third beam is the first type of beam, and the second beam includes a plurality of beams, and coverage ranges of the plurality of beams included in the second beam include positions of a third part of the plurality of terminals, and the coverage range of the third beam includes positions of a fourth part of the plurality of terminals, and each of the positions of the terminals is determined based on a relative position of the terminal to the coverage range of the first beam. This implementation can enable the beam activated by the network device to meet the demand of all the terminals in the plurality of terminals to perform services.

[0030] In a possible implementation, before the network device switches the first beam to the second beam, the method further includes: the network device receives service request information; and the network device determines, based on the service request information, the plurality of beams included in the second beam corresponding to the first part of the terminals. This implementation can enable the second beam activated by the network device to preferentially meet the demand of the terminal with a high service priority in the plurality of terminals to perform services.

[0031] In a possible implementation, before the network device switches the first beam to the third beam and the second beam, the method further includes: the network device receives service request information; and the network device determines, based on the service request information, the plurality of beams included in the second beam corresponding to the third part of the terminals. This implementation can enable the second beam activated by the network device to preferentially meet the demand of the terminal with a high service priority in the plurality of terminals to perform services.

[0032] In a possible implementation, the service request information indicates one or more of a service priority, a service type, or a service index requirement.

[0033] In a third aspect, the present application provides a satellite communication method, which can be executed by a terminal, or can also be executed by a component (such as a circuit, a chip or a chip system, etc.) configured in the terminal, and can also be implemented by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal functions. The present application does not make any limitation in this regard. The following is described by taking the terminal as an example.

[0034] The satellite communication method comprises: a terminal sending a first message to a network device, wherein the first message is used to indicate a physical position of the terminal.

[0035] In one possible implementation, the terminal sending the first message to the network device comprises: the terminal sending the first message to the network device based on a random access small data transmission (RA-SDT) or a configured grant small data transmission (CG-SDT) capability.

[0036] In one possible implementation, the terminal sending the first message to the network device based on the RA-SDT capability comprises: the terminal sending a small data packet to the network device through Msg3 in a 4-step random access, or sending the small data packet to the network device through Msg A in a 2-step random access, wherein the small data packet comprises the first message.

[0037] In one possible implementation, the method further comprises: the terminal sending service request information to the network device.

[0038] In one possible implementation, the small data packet sent by the terminal to the network device through Msg3 in the 4-step random access comprises the service request information, or the small data packet sent by the terminal to the network device through Msg A in the 2-step random access comprises the service request information.

[0039] In one possible implementation, before the terminal sending the first message to the network device based on the RA-SDT capability or the CG-SDT capability, the method further comprises: the terminal determining that a reference signal received power (RSRP) is greater than a threshold value.

[0040] In one possible implementation, the first message comprises ambiguous position information of the terminal, and the ambiguous position information of the terminal is used to determine the physical position of the terminal.

[0041] In one possible implementation, the ambiguous position information comprises: physical position information of the terminal at a low bit position 0, or part of bit positions of the physical position information of the terminal.

[0042] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a satellite communication method, which can be executed by a network device, or can also be executed by a component (such as a circuit, a chip or a chip system, etc.) configured in the network device, and can also be implemented by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the network device. The present application does not make any limitation in this regard. The following is described by taking the network device as an example.

[0043] The network device supports activated beams, including first type beams and second type beams, the coverage range of the first type beams is greater than that of the second type beams, or the coverage range of the first type beams is greater than a threshold, and the coverage range of the second type beams is less than the threshold, the first type beams include first beams, and the second type beams include second beams; the satellite communication method comprises: the network device receives a first message, the first message being used to indicate a physical position of a terminal; the network device switches the first beams to the second beams, and the coverage range of the second beams includes the physical position of the terminal.

[0044] In the above technical solution, the network device supports activated beams including two types of beams with different coverage ranges. Since the network device supports activated beams with wide coverage range, the increased coverage range of such beams can enhance the coverage area of the network device. Further, the network device receives a first message to indicate the physical position of the terminal, so the network device can explicitly know the location of the terminal through the first message. The network device switches the first beams to the second beams, which can ensure that the terminal is provided with services by using beams capable of covering the location of the terminal. In addition, since the second beams belong to beams with narrow coverage range, the network device and the terminal can correctly decode the data transmitted based on the channel.

[0045] In one possible implementation, the second beams are used to support the network device to send control information and service data of the terminal, and are also used to support the terminal to send control information and service data of the terminal, which can ensure that the service data and control information transmitted by the terminal and the network device can be correctly decoded.

[0046] In one possible implementation, the network device receives the first message, comprising: the network device receives fuzzy position information of the terminal, the fuzzy position information of the terminal being used to determine the physical position of the terminal, which can ensure the data security of the terminal position.

[0047] In one possible implementation, the fuzzy position information comprises: the physical position information of the terminal at a low bit position 0, or part of the bit positions of the physical position information of the terminal.

[0048] In one possible implementation, the network device receives the first message, comprising: the network device receives a plurality of first messages, the plurality of first messages being from a plurality of terminals, and each first message being used to indicate the physical position of the terminal sending the first message.

[0049] In a possible implementation, the second beam includes a plurality of beams, and coverage ranges of the plurality of beams included in the second beam include physical locations of the plurality of terminals. This can enable the network device to provide services for the plurality of terminals simultaneously by activating the plurality of second-type beams, and ensure the efficiency of data transmission between the terminals and the network device.

[0050] In a possible implementation, the second beam includes a plurality of beams, and coverage ranges of the plurality of beams included in the second beam include physical locations of the first part of the plurality of terminals.

[0051] In a possible implementation, the switching, by the network device, of the first beam to the second beam includes: switching, by the network device, of the first beam to a third beam and the second beam; the third beam is the same as or different from the first beam, and the third beam is a first-type beam; the second beam includes a plurality of beams, and coverage ranges of the plurality of beams included in the second beam include locations of a third part of the plurality of terminals; and the coverage range of the third beam includes locations of a fourth part of the plurality of terminals. This implementation can enable the beams activated by the network device to meet the needs of all the terminals in the plurality of terminals to perform services.

[0052] In a possible implementation, before the switching, by the network device, of the first beam to the second beam, the method further includes: receiving, by the network device, service request information; and determining, by the network device based on the service request information, the plurality of beams included in the second beam corresponding to the first part of the terminals. This implementation can enable the second beam activated by the network device to meet the needs of the terminals with high service priorities in the plurality of terminals to perform services in priority.

[0053] In a possible implementation, before the switching, by the network device, of the first beam to the third beam and the second beam, the method further includes: receiving, by the network device, service request information; and determining, by the network device based on the service request information, the plurality of beams included in the second beam corresponding to the third part of the terminals. This implementation can enable the second beam activated by the network device to meet the needs of the terminals with high service priorities in the plurality of terminals to perform services in priority.

[0054] In a possible implementation, the service request information indicates one or more of a service priority, a service type, or a service index requirement.

[0055] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, comprising a transceiver configured to receive a first message, the first message being used to indicate a coverage of a first beam; and transmit a second message to a network device, the second message being used to indicate a relative position of a terminal to the coverage of the first beam; wherein the network device supports active beams including first beams and second beams, a coverage of the first beam is larger than a coverage of the second beam, or a coverage of the first beam is larger than a threshold value and a coverage of the second beam is smaller than the threshold value, the first beams include the first beam, and the second beams include the second beam.

[0056] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus further comprises a processing module configured to determine whether a reference signal received power (RSRP) is less than a threshold value.

[0057] It should be understood that the communication apparatus of the fifth aspect can be configured to perform any or all of the possible implementation of the first aspect.

[0058] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, comprising a processing module and a transceiver, the transceiver being configured to transmit a first message, the first message being used to indicate a coverage of a first beam, and receive a second message, the second message being used to indicate a relative position of a terminal to the coverage of the first beam; the processing module being configured to switch the first beam to a second beam, a coverage of the second beam including a position of the terminal, the position of the terminal being determined based on the relative position of the terminal to the coverage of the first beam; wherein the communication apparatus supports active beams including first beams and second beams, a coverage of the first beam is larger than a coverage of the second beam, or a coverage of the first beam is larger than a threshold value and a coverage of the second beam is smaller than the threshold value; the first beams include the first beam, and the second beams include the second beam.

[0059] It should be understood that the communication apparatus of the sixth aspect can be configured to perform any or all of the possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0060] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, comprising a transceiver configured to transmit a first message by a network device, the first message being used to indicate a physical position of a terminal.

[0061] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus further comprises a processing module configured to determine whether a reference signal received power (RSRP) is less than a threshold value.

[0062] It should be understood that the communication apparatus of the seventh aspect can be configured to perform any or all of the possible implementation of the third aspect.

[0063] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, comprising a processing module and a transceiver module, the transceiver module being configured to receive a first message, the first message being used to indicate a physical location of a terminal; the processing module being configured to switch a first beam to a second beam, a coverage range of the second beam including the physical location of the terminal; wherein the communication apparatus supports an active beam including a first type of beam and a second type of beam, a coverage range of the first type of beam being larger than a coverage range of the second type of beam, or a coverage range of the first type of beam being larger than a threshold value, and a coverage range of the second type of beam being smaller than the threshold value; the first type of beam including the first beam, and the second type of beam including the second beam.

[0064] It should be understood that the communication apparatus of the eighth aspect can be configured to perform any possible implementation or all of the implementation of the fourth aspect.

[0065] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, comprising a processor coupled with a memory, and configured to execute instructions or data in the memory to implement the method in any possible implementation of the first aspect or the third aspect.

[0066] In one possible implementation, the communication apparatus further comprises the memory.

[0067] In one possible implementation, the communication apparatus further comprises a communication interface, and the processor is coupled with the communication interface. In one implementation, the communication interface can be a transceiver, or an input / output interface.

[0068] In another implementation, the communication apparatus is a chip configured in a terminal. When the communication apparatus is a chip configured in a terminal, the communication interface can be an input / output interface.

[0069] In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, comprising a processor coupled with a memory, and configured to execute instructions or data in the memory to implement the method in any possible implementation of the second aspect or the fourth aspect.

[0070] In one possible implementation, the communication apparatus further comprises the memory.

[0071] In one possible implementation, the communication apparatus further comprises a communication interface, and the processor is coupled with the communication interface. In one implementation, the communication interface can be a transceiver, or an input / output interface.

[0072] In another implementation, the communication apparatus is a chip configured in a satellite. When the communication apparatus is a chip configured in a satellite, the communication interface can be an input / output interface.

[0073] In a eleventh aspect, the present application provides a processor, comprising: an input circuit, an output circuit and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive a signal through the input circuit and transmit the signal through the output circuit, so that the processor performs the method in any possible implementation manner of any aspect.

[0074] In a implementation process, the processor can be one or more chips, the input circuit can be an input pin, the output circuit can be an output pin, and the processing circuit can be a transistor, a gate circuit, a flip-flop, various logic circuits and the like. The input signal received by the input circuit can be received and input by, for example but not limited to, a receiver, the signal output by the output circuit can be output to and transmitted by, for example but not limited to, a transmitter, and the input circuit and the output circuit can be the same circuit which is used as the input circuit and the output circuit at different times. The present application does not limit the specific implementation of the processor and various circuits.

[0075] In a twelfth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, comprising: a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions), which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the method in any possible implementation manner of any aspect.

[0076] In a thirteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions), which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method in any possible implementation manner of any aspect.

[0077] In a fourteenth aspect, the present application provides a chip system, comprising one or more processors for calling and executing instructions stored in a memory, so that the method in each aspect or any possible implementation manner of each aspect is performed. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices. The chip system can include an input circuit or interface for transmitting information or data, and an output circuit or interface for receiving information or data.

[0078] In a fifteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising the terminal and the network device as described above.

[0079] In one possible implementation manner, the communication system can further include other devices in communication with the terminal and / or the network device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0080] FIG. 1 is an example diagram of a scenario in which a network device communicates with a terminal;

[0081] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a satellite communication method disclosed by an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a first beam, a second beam, and a terminal position according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0083] FIG. 4 is another diagram illustrating a first beam, a second beam, and a terminal position according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0084] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of another satellite communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0085] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of another satellite communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0086] FIG. 7 is a structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0087] FIG. 8 is a structural diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0088] FIG. 9 is a structural diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0089] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. The terms used in the following embodiments are only for the purpose of describing the specific embodiments and are not intended to be limiting to the present application. As used in the specification and the appended claims of the present application, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “one or more” as used in the embodiments of the present application means one, two, or more than two; “and / or” describes the associated objects in the association relationship, which means that there can be three kinds of relationships; for example, A and / or B can mean that A exists alone, A and B exist together, B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character “ / ” generally represents an “or” relationship between the associated objects.

[0090] Reference within this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" or "a specific embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearance of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" or "in some embodiments" or "in other embodiments" or "in still other embodiments" or similar phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments necessarily mutually exclusive of other embodiments. The terms "including," "comprising," "having" and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to," unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0091] The plurality referred to in the embodiments of the present application means greater than or equal to two. It should be noted that in the description of the embodiments of the present application, the terms "first", "second", and the like are used only for the purpose of distinguishing the described embodiments, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance, nor indicating or implying an order.

[0092] The technical solutions of the present application can be applied to satellite communication systems, high altitude platform station (HAPS) communication, air-to-ground (A2G) communication, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and other non-terrestrial network (NTN) systems. For example, integrated communication and navigation (ICaN) systems, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), etc.

[0093] The satellite communication system can be integrated with the traditional mobile communication system. For example: the mobile communication system can be a 4th generation (4G) communication system (e.g., a long term evolution (LTE) system), a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, a 5th generation (5G) communication system (e.g., a new radio (NR) system), and a future mobile communication system, etc.

[0094] The communication system provided in the present application can include a first device and a second device. The first device can be a network-side device for providing network communication functions, can be a network-side device carried on a satellite, that is, a satellite and a base station with all or part of the functions of a base station, which can refer to an evolutional Node B (eNB or eNodeB) in LTE, or a base station in a 5G network or a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), a broadband network gateway (BNG), a convergence switch, or a non-3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) access device, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations on this.

[0095] The base station can also include various forms, such as a macro base station, a micro base station (also known as a small station), a relay station, an access point, a next-generation base station (gNodeB, gNB), a baseband unit (BBU), a transmitting and receiving point (TRP), a transmitting point (TP), a mobile switching center, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations on this.

[0096] The second device can be a device accessing a network, which can generally be a terminal. The terminal can be various forms, such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer (Pad), a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a vehicle-mounted terminal device, a wireless terminal in self driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical treatment, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in smart city, a wireless terminal in smart home, a wearable terminal device, etc. The terminal can also be referred to as a terminal device, a user equipment (UE), an access terminal device, a vehicle-mounted terminal, an industrial control terminal, a UE unit, a UE station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal device, a mobile device, a UE terminal device, a wireless communication device, a UE agent, or a UE apparatus, etc. The terminal can also be a fixed terminal or a mobile terminal.

[0097] In some embodiments, the communication system can further include other devices in communication with the first device and / or the second device, which are not limited in the application.

[0098] For the convenience of understanding, the concepts involved in the present application are first described below.

[0099] 1、Satellite communication

[0100] Satellite communication currently mainly includes two mainstream communication modes: a relay mode and a regenerative mode. In the relay mode, the satellite is responsible for forwarding the uplink data of the terminal to the base station, or forwarding the downlink data sent by the base station to the terminal, and does not contain related operations such as coding and decoding; in the regenerative mode, part of the functions of the base station are on the satellite, that is, the satellite undertakes part of the functions of the base station, such as coding and decoding functions, and the satellite receives the uplink data sent by the terminal and performs coding and decoding operations. Hereinafter, the satellite and the base station with all or part of the functions of the base station can be collectively referred to as network equipment.

[0101] 2、Beamforming

[0102] The network equipment can interact with the terminal through beamforming technology. The network equipment can usually form multiple downlink (DL) transmission beams, and in one or more DL transmission beams, downlink signals can be sent to terminals within the coverage range of the beam, and terminals within the coverage range of the beam can receive downlink signals through the beam.

[0103] 3、Synchronization signal block (SS / PBCH block, SSB), SSB opportunity, slot, half frame, SSB period

[0104] In the NR system, one SSB includes a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), which are used to realize cell initial access, time-frequency synchronization, and measurement functions. Transmitting one SSB occupies a certain time domain symbol, so the resource for transmitting one SSB is called a candidate SSB opportunity, simply referred to as SSB opportunity.

[0105] A slot can include multiple groups of time domain symbols, and each group of time domain symbols can include multiple time domain symbols. A slot can support carrying at most two SSBs, and the two SSBs are located on different groups of time domain symbols in the slot. That is, a slot includes at most 2 SSB opportunities.

[0106] One half frame or called SSB time window, includes at most L SSB opportunities, i.e. one SSB time window supports at most L SSBs, L is a positive integer. On different SSB opportunities, SSBs can be transmitted using different beams, and multiple terminals can receive SSBs.

[0107] The network device can periodically transmit SSBs, i.e. SSB time windows can occur periodically. The network device periodically transmits SSBs with a configured time length as a period, and only transmits SSBs in SSB time windows within the SSB transmission period. The configured time length can be referred to as the SSB transmission period length, from the start of one period to the start of the next period, simply referred to as the SSB period.

[0108] Among them, the related introduction of beamforming, SSB, SSB opportunity, slot, half frame, SSB period, etc. for satellite communication is only for the convenience of understanding the technical solutions of the present application, and does not constitute any limitation on the present application.

[0109] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a satellite communication system according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 1, the network device provides network coverage for multiple terminals on the ground. Terminals in the coverage area of the network device can receive downlink data transmitted by the network device, and can also transmit uplink data to the network device.

[0111] Due to the very serious path loss in high frequency communication, beamforming technology is usually used to concentrate signals in one direction for transmission, thereby compensating for serious path loss. Taking FIG. 1 as an example, the network device transmits beams B1, B2 and B3 for different directions, and different direction beams cover different ground areas. The area covered by any beam can include one or more cells. In FIG. 1, each cell is represented by a hexagon.

[0112] In practice, in order to meet the demand of covering a larger area, each satellite provides thousands of beams. Unlike ground base stations, satellites mainly use solar power for power supply, and this power supply mode determines that the available energy of the satellite is limited, and it is not possible to activate too many beams at the same time (such as in the same time period). For example: the total number of beams in the coverage area of the satellite is 1058, in some cases, the total number of beams activated by the satellite at the same time is limited to 106, and in other cases, the number of beams activated by the satellite at the same time is limited to 16.

[0113] In addition, based on the requirement of compatibility, the SSB period of 20 ms and the SSB structure are generally required to remain unchanged, but the SSB period of 20 ms cannot meet the coverage requirement of the total number of beams supported by the satellite to be activated. Taking the total number of beams supported by the satellite to be activated as 1058 and the total number of beams activated by the satellite at a time as 106 as an example, the SSB period of 20 ms only supports 4 SSB opportunities, that is, the number of beams that can be activated within 20 ms is 424, which can only meet 40% (424 / 1058≈40%) of the coverage requirement, and cannot achieve coverage of a larger area, let alone full coverage. Therefore, how to achieve enhanced coverage of the satellite coverage area is a problem to be solved.

[0114] In order to complete network coverage enhancement in the satellite coverage area on the limited SSB opportunity, one implementation manner is to switch the narrow beam coverage of the satellite to wide beam coverage. That is, the network device supports activating a beam with a wide coverage range, for example, the coverage diameter of the beam is increased from 50 km to 79 km, that is, the coverage range of a single beam is increased by 2.5 times.

[0115] However, the increase of the coverage diameter from 50 km to 79 km will cause a decrease of 4 dB in the effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP), and the wide beam will cause part of the channels to not meet the requirement of the required SNR, which will cause the data transmitted by the channel to be unable to be correctly decoded.

[0116] Therefore, the embodiment of the present application provides a communication method of a satellite, which can achieve enhanced coverage of the satellite coverage area, and can also avoid the data transmitted by the channel from being unable to be correctly decoded on the premise of ensuring the enhanced coverage of the satellite coverage area.

[0117] In the communication method of the satellite provided by the embodiment of the present application, the network device supports activating two types of beams, the coverage range of the first type of beam is greater than the coverage range of the second type of beam, and in the case of using the coverage diameter of the beam to indicate the coverage range, the coverage diameter of the beam 1 can be 86 km (kilometers), and the coverage diameter of the beam 2 can be 50 km. The beam 1 belongs to the first type of beam, and the beam 2 belongs to the second type of beam. Alternatively, the coverage range of the first type of beam is greater than a threshold, and the coverage range of the second type of beam is less than the threshold. In the case of using the coverage diameter of the beam to indicate the coverage range, the threshold can be exemplarily 80 km of coverage diameter. For example, the coverage diameter of the beam A is 90 km, which is greater than the threshold, and the beam A belongs to the first type of beam. The coverage diameter of the beam B is 60 km, which is less than the threshold, and the beam A belongs to the second type of beam.

[0118] It should be understood that the coverage of the first type of beam described above can also be greater than or equal to the threshold. Alternatively, the coverage of the second type of beam is less than or equal to the threshold.

[0119] The threshold can be obtained by adding a variation to the basic coverage diameter of the satellite-activated beam, where the basic coverage diameter of the satellite-activated beam is a predetermined value, for example, 50 km, and the variation can be determined based on the difference between the link budget CNR (carrier-to-noise ratio) and the required SNR. The greater the difference, the greater the variation.

[0120] It should also be understood that the aforementioned numerical values are only examples and do not limit the coverage of the first type of beam and the second type of beam. The diameter described above is only an example of a parameter representing coverage and is not limited. For example, coverage radius, coverage area, self-defined reference system, and other parameters or methods can be used to represent beam coverage, which should be within the scope of the present application.

[0121] Based on the different coverage of the two types of beams, the beam with a larger coverage can be understood as a wide beam, and the beam with a smaller coverage can be understood as a narrow beam. In one possible implementation, the wide beam can ensure sufficient coverage area, and the narrow beam can support service transmission.

[0122] In some embodiments, the first type of beam and the second type of beam can each include multiple beams, and the directions of different beams can be different. For ease of introduction, the first type of beam is described below as including a first beam, and the second type of beam is described as including a second beam.

[0123] Before introducing the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application, the purposes of the first type of beam (also referred to as a wide beam) and the second type of beam (also referred to as a narrow beam) supported by the network device are introduced.

[0124] In some embodiments, the network device transmits public information through the wide beam, which can ensure the transmission of the public information in the coverage area of the network device, and ensure that all terminals in the coverage area can receive the public information, thereby implementing cell camping, channel measurement, and time-frequency domain synchronization operations. That is, the first type of beam is used to support the network device to transmit public information. Taking the wide beam as the first beam as an example, the network device transmits public information based on the first beam, and the terminals in the coverage of the first beam can receive the public information.

[0125] In some embodiments, the common information can include: radio resource control (RRC) signaling, a synchronization signal / physical broadcast block (SSB), a system information block (SIB), common control information carried by a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), and the like.

[0126] In some embodiments, the network device can activate multiple first-type beams at the same time, i.e., there are multiple first beams, the coverage ranges of the multiple first beams can be completely different or partially the same, the network device transmits the common information based on the multiple first beams, and terminals in the coverage ranges of the multiple first beams can all receive the common information. In some embodiments, the number of first-type beams activated by the network device at the same time can also be limited.

[0127] In some embodiments, the second-type beams, i.e., narrow beams, are used to support service transmission. The network device and the terminal can both transmit relevant data of service transmission, such as control information and service data of the terminal, through the narrow beams. It can be understood that the service data of the terminal is the uplink and downlink service data, and the control information is the uplink and downlink control information. That is, the second-type beams are used to support transmission of control information and service data of the terminal. The uplink and downlink service data is, for example, data of services such as voice calls and data transmission, and the uplink and downlink control information is, for example, control information of synchronization signals, random access procedures, scheduling information, and the like.

[0128] Taking the narrow beams as the second beams as an example, the network device transmits service data of a terminal based on a second beam, the terminal is in the coverage range of the second beam, based on which the terminal can receive the service data. And since the coverage range of the second beam is small, after receiving the service data of the terminal transmitted by the network device, the terminal can correctly decode the service data, thereby ensuring normal operation of the service.

[0129] In some embodiments, the network device can activate multiple second-type beams at the same time, i.e., there are multiple second beams, the coverage ranges of the multiple second beams can be completely different or partially the same. In some embodiments, the number of second-type beams activated by the network device at the same time can also be limited.

[0130] FIG. 2 shows a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application, the network device implements switching of two types of beams with different coverage ranges, and can also implement a scenario of switching from a wide beam to a narrow beam, explicitly determining the location of the required beam, i.e., the location of the terminal, and ensuring that the terminal is provided with services by using a beam that can cover the location of the terminal.

[0131] As shown in FIG. 2, the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application comprises:

[0132] S201, the network device sends a first message to the terminal, and correspondingly, the terminal receives the first message, and the first message is used to indicate the coverage range of the first beam.

[0133] In some embodiments, the first message is public information.

[0134] In some embodiments, the first message can be a system information block (SIB). That is, the network device sends the SIB to the terminal, and the SIB is used to indicate the coverage range of the first beam. The SIB indicating the coverage range of the first beam can be understood as that the SIB carries the coverage range information of the first beam. The SIB generally refers to a SIB related to a non-terrestrial network (NTN). The SIB related to the NTN can be understood as a SIB used to implement NTN communication. For example, SIB19 belongs to a SIB related to the NTN.

[0135] The network device sends the coverage range of the first beam to the terminal through the SIB, so that the terminal in the RRC connected (CONNECTED) state, the RRC inactive (INACTIVE) state or the RRC idle (IDLE) state can all receive the coverage range information of the first beam.

[0136] In other embodiments, the first message can also be a radio resource control (RRC) signaling. That is, the network device sends the RRC signaling to the terminal, and the RRC signaling is used to indicate the coverage range of the first beam. The RRC signaling indicating the coverage range of the first beam can be understood as that the RRC signaling carries the coverage range of the first beam.

[0137] The network device sends the coverage range of the first beam to the terminal based on the RRC signaling, so that the terminal in the RRC connected state can receive the RRC signaling to obtain the coverage range of the first beam.

[0138] In other embodiments, the first message can include the SIB and the RRC signaling, that is, the network device sends the SIB to the terminal, and the SIB is used to indicate the coverage range of the first beam, and the network device sends the RRC signaling to the terminal, and the RRC signaling is used to indicate the coverage range of the first beam, so that the terminal in the RRC connected state can determine the coverage range of the first beam through the SIB or the RRC signaling, and the terminal in the RRC inactive state or the RRC idle state can determine the coverage range of the first beam through the SIB.

[0139] In some embodiments, the first message can be used to indicate the location information of a center point of the coverage range of the first beam, a coverage diameter, and the location information of a reference point within the coverage range of the first beam. One implementation can be understood as follows: the first message includes the location information of the center point of the coverage range of the first beam, the coverage diameter, and the location information of the reference point within the coverage range of the first beam.

[0140] The location information of the center point and the coverage diameter can be used to indicate the coverage range of the first beam; the location information of the reference point and the location information of the center point can be used to construct a coordinate system on the coverage range of the first beam, so as to divide the coverage range of the first beam into different areas based on the coordinate system.

[0141] For example, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a circle formed with the center point as the center and the coverage diameter d as the diameter of the circle can be used as the coverage range of the first beam. The reference point is different from the center point, and the reference point and the center point can be used to construct a coordinate system. Based on the center point and the reference point, one coordinate axis of the coordinate system can be constructed, such as the X axis. The perpendicular line of the X axis is another coordinate axis of the coordinate system, such as the Y axis. The X axis and the Y axis can intersect at the center point, i.e., the center point is the origin of the coordinate system.

[0142] In some embodiments, the location information of the center point can be a coordinate value in the above-mentioned coordinate system, and the location information of the reference point can also be a coordinate value in the above-mentioned coordinate system. For example, in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the location information of the center point is (0, 0), and the location information of the reference point is (0, d / 2). In other embodiments, the location information of the center point can be the latitude and longitude value of the center point, and the location information of the reference point can also be the latitude and longitude value of the reference point.

[0143] In other embodiments, the first message can also be used to indicate the location information of a center point of the coverage range of the first beam, a coverage radius, and the location information of a reference point within the coverage range of the first beam. One implementation can be understood as follows: the first message can include the location information of the center point of the coverage range of the first beam, the coverage radius, and the location information of the reference point within the coverage range of the first beam.

[0144] The location information of the center point and the location information of the reference point in the present embodiment can refer to the description of the above-mentioned embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0145] In some embodiments, the network device can send a first message to the terminal based on a first type of beam. The first type of beam can include one or more beams, such as the first beam. The network device sends common information to the terminal based on the first beam. The terminal within the coverage range of the first beam can receive the common message, and the terminal further determines the coverage range of the first beam.

[0146] In some embodiments, the network device can send the first message to the terminal based on the second type of beam, and the first message is also used to indicate the coverage of the first beam. For example, in one application scenario, the network device sends the first message to the terminal based on the second beam, and the terminal is within the coverage of the second beam and can receive the first message. The terminal reports the second message to the network device to indicate the relative position of the terminal and the coverage of the first beam through the following step S202. After receiving the second message, the network device can determine the current position of the terminal based on the second message, and then determine whether the terminal is still within the coverage of the second beam. If the network device determines that the terminal is still within the coverage of the second beam, the following step S203 is performed. It can be understood that before the network device performs the following step S203, the network device needs to switch from the second beam to the first beam, for example, the network device can switch from the second beam to the first beam after sending the first message to the terminal based on the second beam. Of course, the network device can further determine that the terminal currently has no service to perform or the service has been performed, and then switch from the second beam to the first beam.

[0147] S202. The terminal sends a second message to the network device, and the network device receives the second message. The second message is used to indicate the relative position of the terminal and the coverage of the first beam.

[0148] In some embodiments, the terminal can determine the coverage of the first beam based on the first message after receiving the first message. In view of the need to perform services provided by the second type of beam, the terminal can send the second message to the network device to inform the network device of the relative position of the terminal and the coverage of the first beam, so that the network device can determine the position of the terminal based on the relative position.

[0149] In one possible implementation, the terminal sends the second message to the network device based on the preamble and the transmission occasion of the physical random access channel (PRACH). The following embodiments will be described in detail.

[0150] In some embodiments, the terminal sends the second message to the network device based on the preamble, that is, the second message is the preamble.

[0151] The terminal can use limited resources of preambles, and the terminal can send the second message to the network device based on an idle preamble. For example, the terminal reserves four preambles, and each preamble can be used to indicate a relative position of the terminal and the coverage of the first beam. The preambles indicate different relative positions of the terminal and the coverage of the first beam, or at least partially different relative positions of the terminal and the coverage of the first beam. Referring to FIG. 3, the coverage of the first beam can be divided into four quadrants, which are indicated as (1), (2), (3), and (4) in the figure. The terminal indicates a region of the coverage of the first beam based on the four preambles, for example, preamble 1 indicates the first quadrant, preamble 2 indicates the second quadrant, preamble 3 indicates the third quadrant, and preamble 4 indicates the fourth quadrant.

[0152] In an application scenario, the terminal (indicated by an asterisk in the figure) is located in the second quadrant, and the terminal sends preamble 2 to the network device to indicate that the terminal is located in the second quadrant of the circle corresponding to the coverage of the first beam.

[0153] It can be understood that the coverage of the first beam is divided into four quadrants only as an example, and does not constitute a limitation on the division of different regions of the coverage of the first beam. In some embodiments, the circle corresponding to the coverage of the first beam can be divided into regions indicated by different angles. In addition, the coverage of the first beam can also be divided into regions in a non-uniform manner.

[0154] The terminal and the network device can generally configure a correspondence between the preambles and the regions in the coverage of the first beam, and the terminal sends the preambles to the network device based on the correspondence. After receiving the preambles, the network device can also determine the position of the terminal in the coverage of the first beam based on the correspondence.

[0155] In other embodiments, the terminal sends the second message to the network device based on a transmission opportunity of PRACH. It can be understood that the terminal sends the second message to the network device based on different PRACH opportunity resources, and the second message is a message transmitted by the PRACH opportunity resource. The PRACH opportunity resource can refer to an opportunity resource corresponding to the preamble.

[0156] For example, the terminal reserves four PRACH opportunity resources, each of which can be used to indicate a relative position of the terminal to the coverage of the first beam. The PRACH opportunity resources indicate different relative positions of the terminal to the coverage of the first beam or at least partially different relative positions of the terminal to the coverage of the first beam. Referring to FIG. 3, the coverage of the first beam can be divided into four quadrants, which are indicated by (1), (2), (3), and (4) in the figure. The terminal indicates a region of the coverage of the first beam based on the four PRACH opportunity resources, for example, the PRACH opportunity resource 1 transmits a message indicating the first quadrant, the PRACH opportunity resource 2 transmits a message indicating the second quadrant, the PRACH opportunity resource 3 transmits a message indicating the third quadrant, and the PRACH opportunity resource 4 transmits a message indicating the fourth quadrant.

[0157] In one application scenario, the terminal (indicated by an asterisk in the figure) is located in the second quadrant, and the terminal transmits a message to the network device based on the PRACH opportunity resource 2 to indicate that the terminal is located in the second quadrant of the circle corresponding to the coverage of the first beam.

[0158] Also, the coverage of the first beam is divided into four quadrants is only an example and does not constitute a limitation on the division of different regions of the coverage of the first beam. The coverage of the first beam can also be divided into regions in a non-uniform manner.

[0159] In addition, the terminal and the network device can generally configure a correspondence between the PRACH opportunity resources and the regions in the coverage of the first beam, and the terminal sends a message to the network device based on the PRACH opportunity resources based on the correspondence; after receiving the message, the network device can also determine the position of the terminal in the coverage of the first beam based on the correspondence.

[0160] In other embodiments, the terminal sends a second message to the network device based on the transmission opportunity of the preamble and the physical random access channel PRACH.

[0161] To achieve fine indication of the relative position of the terminal to the coverage of the first beam, the terminal can send a second message to the network device based on the transmission opportunity of the preamble and the physical random access channel PRACH, and the second message includes a plurality of preambles transmitted through different PRACH opportunity resources. The PRACH opportunity resource can refer to a resource corresponding to an opportunity of sending a preamble. Each PRACH opportunity resource transmits a preamble, which is used to indicate a relative position of the terminal to the coverage of the first beam. Of course, the different preambles transmitted through different PRACH opportunity resources indicate different relative positions of the terminal to the coverage of the first beam or at least partially different relative positions of the terminal to the coverage of the first beam.

[0162] For example, the terminal reserves 4 preambles and 2 PRACH opportunity resources. Referring to FIG. 4, the coverage of the first beam can be divided into 4 quadrants, and each quadrant is divided into 2 areas; the 8 areas are indicated as (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7) and (8) in the figure. The terminal indicates one area of the coverage of the first beam based on 4 preambles transmitted by 2 PRACH opportunity resources respectively, for example, 4 preambles transmitted by PRACH opportunity resource 1 indicate 4 areas of the first and second quadrants, and 4 preambles transmitted by PRACH opportunity resource 2 indicate 4 areas of the third and fourth quadrants.

[0163] In one application scenario, the terminal (indicated by an asterisk in the figure) is located in the first area of the second quadrant, and the terminal sends preamble 3 to the network device through PRACH opportunity resource 1 to indicate that the terminal is located in the first area of the second quadrant of the circle corresponding to the coverage of the first beam.

[0164] In addition, the terminal and the network device can generally configure the correspondence between the preambles transmitted by the PRACH opportunity resources and the areas in the coverage of the first beam, and the terminal sends preambles to the network device based on the PRACH opportunity resources based on the correspondence; after receiving the message, the network device can also determine the location of the terminal in the coverage of the first beam based on the correspondence.

[0165] In another possible implementation, the terminal sends a second message to the network device based on small data transmission capability, and the small data transmission capability includes RA-SDT (random access based small data transmissions) or CG-SDT (configured grant based small data transmissions). RA-SDT refers to small data transmission capability based on a random access procedure; CG-SDT refers to small data transmission capability based on a configured grant; and RA-SDT and CG-SDT can refer to the definition in the relevant protocol specification.

[0166] In this possible implementation, if the terminal supports a non-terrestrial network (NTN), the terminal requires to support at least one of the RA-SDT and CG-SDT capabilities, that is, the terminal in an inactive state can send RA-SDT or CG-SDT to the network device. Alternatively, if the network device supports wide-narrow beam switching, the terminal also requires to support at least one of the RA-SDT and CG-SDT capabilities. Therefore, it can be seen that the terminal supporting at least one of the RA-SDT and CG-SDT capabilities can implement the present implementation.

[0167] In some embodiments, an implementation of the terminal sending the second message to the network device based on the RA-SDT comprises: the terminal sending a small data packet to the network device through Msg3 in the 4-step random access or through Msg A in the 2-step random access, the small data packet comprising the second message.

[0168] The small data packet can be understood as small data, i.e., the terminal sends small data to the network device through Msg3 in the 4-step random access or through Msg A in the 2-step random access, the small data comprising the second message. Moreover, the small data packet sent by the terminal based on Msg3 in the 4-step random access or through Msg A in the 2-step random access can be referred to as a small data packet corresponding to the RA-SDT.

[0169] It should be understood that the terminal based on the RA-SDT in the present application can be understood as the terminal based on the RA-SDT capability, and the terminal based on the CG-SDT can be understood as the terminal based on the CG-SDT capability.

[0170] The 4-step random access refers to that the terminal and the network device complete the random access procedure through four steps of MSG1, MSG2, MSG3 and MSG4. The 2-step random access refers to that the terminal and the network device complete the random access procedure through two steps of Msg A and Msg B. Wherein, Msg3 and Msg A can refer to the definition in the relevant protocol specification, which is not expanded here.

[0171] In some other embodiments, an implementation of the terminal sending the second message to the network device based on the CG-SDT comprises: the terminal sending a small data packet to the network device based on pre-configured resources, the small data packet comprising the second message. Wherein, the terminal and the network device can agree on the resources for sending the small data packet. The small data packet can also be understood as small data, which can be referred to as a small data packet corresponding to the CG-SDT.

[0172] In the possible implementation, the small data packet can include more information, and the terminal sending the second message to the network device based on the small data packet can ensure that the second message is large and can also be transmitted to the network device.

[0173] The terminal sending the second message to the network device based on the small data packet can be understood as: the terminal sending a small data packet to the network device, the small data packet comprising the second message, the second message being used to indicate the relative position of the terminal and the coverage range of the first beam.

[0174] The coverage range of the first beam can be divided into different areas in the manner proposed in the foregoing possible implementation manners, and the small data packet includes different second messages to indicate different relative positions of the terminal and the coverage range of the first beam, i.e., different areas of the coverage range of the first beam. For details, refer to the foregoing possible implementation manners, which will not be described here.

[0175] In S203, the network device switches the first beam to a second beam, and the coverage range of the second beam includes the position of the terminal, which is determined based on the relative position of the terminal and the coverage range of the first beam.

[0176] After the network device receives the second message sent by the terminal, the first beam can be switched to the second beam, and the coverage range of the second beam includes the position of the terminal, which is determined based on the relative position of the terminal and the coverage range of the first beam. That is, the network device receives the second message, determines the position of the terminal based on the second message, further determines the second beam as the second type of beam covering the position of the terminal. Then, the network device can switch the first beam to the second beam. The switching of the first beam to the second beam by the network device can be understood as that the network device closes the first beam and activates the second beam.

[0177] The network device switches the first beam to the second beam after receiving the second message, but the specific timing of the switching action is not specifically limited in this embodiment.

[0178] For example, referring to FIG. 3, the second message sent by the terminal to the network device indicates that the terminal is in the second quadrant of the circle corresponding to the coverage range of the first beam. After the network device receives the second message, it is determined that the terminal is in the second quadrant of the circle corresponding to the coverage range of the first beam, and it is further determined that the coverage range of the second beam includes the second quadrant. The network device switches the first beam to the second beam.

[0179] Referring to FIG. 4, the second message sent by the terminal to the network device indicates that the terminal is in the first area of the second quadrant of the circle corresponding to the coverage range of the first beam. After the network device receives the second message, it is determined that the terminal is in the first area of the second quadrant of the circle corresponding to the coverage range of the first beam, and it is further determined that the coverage range of the second beam includes the area. The network device switches the first beam to the second beam.

[0180] In this embodiment, the network device supports activated beams include two types of beams with different coverage ranges. Since the network device supports activated beams with wide coverage range, the increased coverage range of such beams can achieve enhanced coverage of the coverage area of the network device. Further, the network device sends a first message to the terminal to indicate the coverage range of the first beam, and the terminal sends a second message to the network device to indicate the relative position of the terminal to the coverage range of the first beam. Therefore, the network device can explicitly learn the position of the terminal through the second message. The network device switches the first beam and the second beam, which can ensure that the terminal is provided with services by using beams that can cover the position of the terminal. In addition, since the second beam belongs to beams with narrow coverage range, the network device and the terminal can also correctly decode the data transmitted based on the channel.

[0181] In some embodiments, the terminal can also send service request information to the network device.

[0182] As can be seen from the foregoing, the terminal sends a message to the network device based on small data transmission capability, which can ensure that more information is carried in small data packets for transmission to the network device. Based on this, one implementation of the terminal sending service request information to the network device is that the terminal sends service request information to the network device based on small data transmission capability, that is, the terminal sends a small data packet to the network device, and the small data packet includes service request information. Of course, the small data packet can also be referred to as small data. In some embodiments, the small data transmission capability includes RA-SDT capability and / or CG-SDT capability, that is, the small data packet sent by the terminal to the network device includes a small data packet corresponding to RA-SDT or CG-SDT.

[0183] The terminal can send a small data packet corresponding to RA-SDT or CG-SDT to the network device, and the small data packet corresponding to RA-SDT or CG-SDT includes the second message and the service request information, that is, the terminal transmits the second message and the service request information to the network device through one small data packet. Of course, the terminal can also transmit the second message and the service request information to the network device based on different small data packets. In this regard, the present application does not make specific limitations.

[0184] The way in which the terminal sends service request information through RA-SDT or CG-SDT can refer to the content of the terminal sending the second message through RA-SDT or CG-SDT, which will not be described here.

[0185] The service request information is used to request the network device to perform the service of the terminal, and can include attribute information of the service requested to be performed by the network device. In some embodiments, the service request information can indicate one or more of service priority, service type, or service index requirement. That is, the service request information includes one or more of service priority, service type, or service index requirement.

[0186] The service priority is used to indicate the order of different services, and the network device executes the services according to the order indicated by the service priority, that is, the service with high priority is executed first. The service type refers to the category of the service. The priority of different services may be different, that is, the service type can also indicate the order of different services. The service index requirement refers to the requirement to be met when the service is executed, which can include a delay index requirement, a reliability index requirement, and the like. The priority of different services with different service index requirements can be different, that is, the service index requirement can also indicate the order of different services. For example, the service with a low delay requirement has a higher priority than the service with a high delay requirement, and the network device executes the service first. The network device executes the service with a high reliability requirement first using the second type of beam.

[0187] The network device receives the service request information, and can switch the first beam to the second beam (or said to switch the first beam to the second beam, or adjust the standby beam to the second beam, or said to use the second beam as the standby beam, or said to use the second beam as the beam for executing the service of the terminal, and the like) before executing the service of the terminal based on the service request information.

[0188] In some embodiments, the network device receives the second message sent by the terminal, and the second message is used to indicate the relative position between the terminal sending the second message and the coverage range of the first beam. In some embodiments, the terminal is located in the coverage range of the first type of beam.

[0189] In some possible implementation manners, the network device needs to ensure that each terminal can be located in the coverage range of the activated beam, that is, the principle of switching the first type of beam to the second type of beam by the network device is to ensure that the switched beam can cover the positions of the multiple terminals.

[0190] In an application scenario, the network device switches the first beam to the second beam based on the principle, and can switch the first beam to multiple second beams. The coverage ranges of the multiple second beams include the positions of the multiple terminals, that is, the multiple beams included in the second beam switched from the first beam include the coverage ranges of the multiple terminals. Of course, the position of each terminal is determined based on the relative position between the terminal and the coverage range of the first beam. That is, the number of the second type of beams activated by the network device at a time is sufficient to meet the beam coverage requirement of the positions of the multiple terminals.

[0191] The coverage range of the second beam including a plurality of beams includes the positions of the plurality of terminals, which can be understood as: the total coverage range of the plurality of beams includes the positions of the plurality of terminals, the coverage range of one beam can include the positions of part of the plurality of terminals, and the part of the plurality of terminals is at least one.

[0192] In another application scenario, the number of the second type of beams activated by the network device at one time is insufficient to meet the beam coverage requirement of the positions of the plurality of terminals. The network device switches the first beam to a third beam and a plurality of second beams based on the principle; the third beam is the same as or different from the first beam, and the third beam is the first type of beam; the coverage range of the plurality of second beams includes the positions of a third part of the plurality of terminals; the coverage range of the third beam includes the positions of a fourth part of the plurality of terminals; and the position of each terminal is determined based on the relative position of the terminal and the coverage range of the first beam.

[0193] The second beam includes a plurality of beams, and therefore, the plurality of second beams can also be understood as the plurality of beams included in the second beam. The coverage range of the plurality of second beams includes the positions of a third part of the plurality of terminals, that is, the coverage range of the plurality of beams included in the second beam includes the positions of the third part of the terminals, which can be understood as: the total coverage range of the plurality of beams includes the positions of the third part of the terminals, and the coverage range of one beam can include the positions of part of the third part of the terminals, and the part of the third part of the terminals is at least one.

[0194] The plurality of terminals can be divided into the third part of the terminals and the fourth part of the terminals, that is, the third part of the terminals and the fourth part of the terminals include all of the plurality of terminals. The third part of the terminals and the fourth part of the terminals do not include the same terminals; or the third part of the terminals and the fourth part of the terminals include the same terminals.

[0195] For example, the network device contains 100 beams in the beam coverage area, and is limited by the energy of the satellite, and only 10 beams can be activated each time. After the network device sends the first message, the network device receives the second message and the service request information sent by 20 terminals. As shown in Table 1, Table 1 is a correspondence table of the first type of beam and the second type of beam and the terminal, the first row includes the index number of a group of first type of beams, the second row is the index number of a group of second type of beams, and the third row is the index number of the terminal. The index numbers of the 20 terminals are 0-19, the coverage area numbers of the group of first type of beams are 0-9, and the coverage area numbers of the group of second type of beams are 0-11. Among them, the terminals 0, 1, 2 and 3 are located in the same first type of beam 0, and can be covered by the same second type of beam 0; the terminals 4, 5 and 6 are located in the coverage range of the same first type of beam 1, and can be covered by the same second type of beam 1; the terminals 7, 8 and 9 are located in the coverage range of the same first type of beam 2, the terminal 7 and the terminal 8 can be covered by the same second type of beam 2, and the terminal 9 is covered by the second type of beam 3; the relationship between the other terminals and the first type of beam and the second type of beam is referred to Table 1 below, which is not described one by one here.

[0196] In addition, based on the service request information reported by the terminal, it is determined that the service priority of the terminal corresponding to the first type of beam 2 and the first type of beam 5 is lower than the service priority of the other terminals, and the first type of beam 2 and the first type of beam 5 still provide services through the first type of beam, and the other first type of beams are switched to the second type of beam to provide services to the terminal, as shown in Table 1.

[0197] Table 1: Correspondence between first type of beam, second type of beam and terminal

[0198] It should be understood that Table 1 is only an example and is not limited. In a specific implementation, part of the content of Table 1 can be used as an embodiment, and all the content of Table 1 can also be used as an embodiment. The content in Table 1 can also be presented in other forms, such as a set, a combination, and the like. Other implementations that can include or express the content in Table 1 should be within the scope of the present application.

[0199] In some other possible implementations, based on the service demand of the terminal, the network device only provides services to the terminal with the second type of beam to ensure that the terminal can normally perform the service and avoid incorrect decoding, that is, the principle of the network device switching the first type of beam to the second type of beam is to provide services to the terminal with the second type of beam to perform the service.

[0200] In one application scenario, the network device switches the first beam to the second beam based on the principle, and the first beam can be switched to multiple second beams, the coverage range of the multiple second beams includes the positions of the multiple terminals, and of course the position of each terminal is determined based on the relative position of the terminal and the coverage range of the first beam. That is, the number of the second type of beams activated by the network device at one time is sufficient to meet the beam coverage requirement of the positions of the multiple terminals.

[0201] In another application scenario, the number of the second type of beams activated by the network device at one time is not sufficient to meet the beam coverage requirement of the positions of the multiple terminals. The network device switches the first beam to multiple second beams based on the principle; the coverage range of the multiple second beams includes the positions of a first part of the terminals in the multiple terminals; and the position of each terminal is determined based on the relative position of the terminal and the coverage range of the first beam. Among them, the first part of the terminals is a part of the multiple terminals, and is usually a terminal with a high service priority.

[0202] Also referring to the above example, the network device determines based on the service request information reported by the terminal that the service priority of the terminal corresponding to the first type of beams 2 and 5 is lower than the service priority of other terminals, and then the second type of beams 2, 3 and 5 are not activated this time, and other second type of beams are activated. In this way, the network device does not perform services for terminals 7, 8, 9, 14 and 15 in this SSB period. Of course, the network device can activate the second type of beams 2, 3 and 5 in the next SSB period, and then perform services for terminals 7, 8, 9, 14 and 15.

[0203] FIG. 5 shows another communication method provided by an embodiment of the application, in which the network device implements switching of two types of beams with different coverage ranges, and can also implement the scenario of switching from a wide beam to a narrow beam, and the position of the required beam, i.e., the position of the terminal, is determined to ensure that the beam capable of covering the position of the terminal is used to provide services to the terminal.

[0204] As shown in FIG. 5, the communication method provided by an embodiment of the application includes:

[0205] S501, the terminal sends a first message to the network device, and the network device receives the first message, the first message being used to indicate the physical position of the terminal.

[0206] In some embodiments, the first message includes the physical position of the terminal, which can be the real physical position of the terminal, for example, the latitude and longitude value of the position of the terminal.

[0207] In some embodiments, the physical location of the terminal can also be the fuzzy location information of the terminal for the purpose of privacy protection, which is used to determine the physical location of the terminal. The fuzzy location information of the terminal can also be referred to as the coarse location of the terminal, which is a fuzzy value of the real location information of the terminal. The fuzzy location information of the terminal is a physical location, the distance of which from the real physical location of the terminal is within a certain distance range, which can be several kilometers, for example, 2 kilometers, 3 kilometers, 5 kilometers, etc., which is not limited in the present application.

[0208] In an implementation, the fuzzy location information of the terminal includes: the physical location information of the terminal in the low bit position 0, which can be the longitude and latitude values of the location where the terminal is located, and the low bit position can include one or more bit positions. For example, the physical location information of the terminal includes 24-bit longitude values and 24-bit latitude values, and the last 4 bit positions are low bit positions. The low bit position 0 of the physical location information of the terminal refers to the last 4 low bit positions 0 in the 24-bit longitude values and 24-bit latitude values.

[0209] In another implementation, the fuzzy location information of the terminal includes: part of the bit positions of the physical location information of the terminal, which can be the longitude and latitude values of the terminal, and the part of the bit positions usually includes multiple high bit positions. For example, the physical location information of the terminal includes 24-bit longitude values and 24-bit latitude values, and the fuzzy location information of the terminal includes: the first 20 bit positions of the physical location information of the 24-bit longitude values and the first 20 bit positions of the physical location information of the 24-bit latitude values.

[0210] In some embodiments, the terminal sends the second message to the network device based on the small data transmission capability, which includes: RA-SDT capability and / or CG-SDT capability.

[0211] The first message includes the physical location of the terminal, and the terminal sends the first message to the network device based on the small data transmission capability, which can realize the characteristic that the small data packet corresponding to the small data transmission can include more information, and ensure that the first message including more information can be transmitted to the network device.

[0212] In the present embodiment, if the terminal supports a non-terrestrial network (NTN), the terminal requires to support at least one of the RA-SDT and CG-SDT capabilities, i.e., the terminal is in an inactive state and can send the RA-SDT or CG-SDT to the network device. Alternatively, the network device supports wide / narrow beam switching, and also requires the terminal to support at least one of the RA-SDT and CG-SDT capabilities. Therefore, it can be seen that the terminal supporting at least one of the RA-SDT and CG-SDT capabilities can execute the implementation provided in the present embodiment.

[0213] In some embodiments, an implementation of the terminal sending the first message to the network device based on the RA-SDT comprises: the terminal sending a small data packet to the network device through Msg3 in the 4-step random access or through Msg A in the 2-step random access, the small data packet comprising the first message.

[0214] The 4-step random access refers to that the terminal and the network device complete the random access procedure through four steps of MSG1, MSG2, MSG3 and MSG4. The 2-step random access refers to that the terminal and the network device complete the random access procedure through two steps of Msg A and Msg B. Wherein, Msg3 and Msg A can refer to the definition in the relevant protocol specification, which is not described here.

[0215] In other embodiments, an implementation of the terminal sending the first message to the network device based on the CG-SDT comprises: the terminal sending a small data packet to the network device based on the pre-configured resource, the small data packet comprising the first message. Wherein, the terminal and the network device can agree on the resource for sending the small data packet.

[0216] The terminal sending the first message to the network device based on the small data packet can be understood as: the terminal sending a small data packet to the network device, the small data packet comprising the first message, the first message being used to indicate the physical location of the terminal.

[0217] In some embodiments, the terminal can send the first message to the network device at an agreed time or at an agreed period, or when the terminal enters the inactive state, or when the terminal determines that there is a service demand.

[0218] In some embodiments, the terminal can further send service request information to the network device.

[0219] In some embodiments, the terminal sends the service request information to the network device based on the small data transmission capability, that is, the terminal sends a small data packet to the network device, the small data packet comprising the service request information. Of course, the small data packet can also be referred to as small data. In some embodiments, the small data transmission capability comprises the RA-SDT capability and / or the CG-SDT capability, that is, the small data packet sent by the terminal to the network device comprises the small data packet corresponding to the RA-SDT or the CG-SDT.

[0220] The terminal can send the small data packet corresponding to the RA-SDT or the CG-SDT to the network device, the small data packet corresponding to the RA-SDT or the CG-SDT comprising the first message and the service request information, that is, the terminal transmits the first message and the service request information to the network device through one small data packet. Of course, the terminal can also transmit the first message and the service request information to the network device based on different small data packets. For this, the present application does not specifically limit.

[0221] The method by which the terminal sends service request information via RA-SDT or CG-SDT can be found in the content of the first message sent by the terminal via RA-SDT or CG-SDT, which will not be repeated here.

[0222] Service request information is used to request a network device to execute a service from a terminal, and may include attribute information of the service requested to be executed by the network device. In some embodiments, the service request information may indicate one or more of the following: service priority, service type, or service indicator requirements. That is, the service request information includes one or more of the following: service priority, service type, or service indicator requirements.

[0223] Among these, "Service Priority" describes the order in which different services are executed. Network devices execute services according to this priority order; higher-priority services are executed first. "Service Type" refers to the type of service. Different types of services may have different priorities, meaning the service type can also indicate the order of different services. "Service Performance Requirements" refers to the requirements that a service must meet during execution, including latency requirements, reliability requirements, etc. Services with different performance requirements may have different priorities; in other words, performance requirements can also indicate the order of different services. For example, services with low latency requirements have higher priority than services with high latency requirements and must be executed first. Services with high reliability requirements should be executed using Type II beamforming first.

[0224] S502, the network device switches the first beam to the second beam, and the coverage of the second beam includes the physical location of the terminal.

[0225] After receiving the first message, the network device can switch the first beam to the second beam, the coverage of which includes the physical location of the terminal. That is, the network device receives the first message, determines the physical location of the terminal based on the first message, and further determines the second type of beam covering the physical location of the terminal as the second beam. Then, the network device can switch the first beam to the second beam. Switching the first beam to the second beam can be understood as the network device turning off the first beam and activating the second beam.

[0226] In this embodiment, the network device switches the first beam to the second beam after receiving the first message, but the specific timing of this switching action is not specifically limited.

[0227] In this embodiment, the network device supports activated beams including two types of beams with different coverage ranges. Since the network device supports activated beams with wide coverage range, the increased coverage range of the beams can achieve enhanced coverage of the coverage area of the network device. Further, the terminal sends a first message to the network device to indicate the physical location of the terminal. Therefore, the network device can explicitly learn the physical location of the terminal through the first message. The network device switches the first beam and the second beam, which can ensure that the terminal is served by a beam capable of covering the physical location of the terminal. Since the second beam belongs to the beams with narrow coverage range, the network device and the terminal can correctly decode the data transmitted based on the channel.

[0228] In some embodiments, the terminal sends service request information to the network device. The network device receives the service request information and switches the first beam to the second beam before performing the service of the terminal based on the service request information.

[0229] In some embodiments, multiple terminals send the first message to the network device through step S201. Correspondingly, the network device receives the first messages sent by the multiple terminals, and each first message is used to indicate the physical location of the terminal sending the first message. The multiple terminals can be located in the coverage range of the same second type of beam or in the coverage range of different second type of beams.

[0230] In some possible implementations, the network device needs to ensure that each terminal can be located in the coverage range of the activated beam, that is, the principle of switching the first type of beam to the second type of beam by the network device is to ensure that the switched beam can cover the locations of the multiple terminals.

[0231] In an application scenario, the network device switches the first beam to the second beam based on the principle, and can switch the first beam to multiple second beams. The coverage ranges of the multiple second beams include the physical locations of the multiple terminals. That is, the number of the second type of beams activated by the network device at one time is sufficient to meet the beam coverage requirement of the physical locations of the multiple terminals.

[0232] The second beam includes multiple beams. Therefore, the multiple second beams can also be understood as the multiple beams included in the second beam. The coverage ranges of the multiple second beams include the locations of the multiple terminals, that is, the coverage ranges of the multiple beams included in the second beam include the locations of the multiple terminals, which can be understood as that the total coverage range of the multiple beams includes the locations of the multiple terminals. The coverage range of one beam can include the locations of part of the multiple terminals, and the part of the terminals is at least one.

[0233] In another application scenario, the number of the second type of beams activated by the network device at one time is insufficient to meet the beam coverage requirement of the physical locations of the multiple terminals. The network device switches the first beam to the third beam and the multiple second beams based on this principle; the third beam is the same as or different from the first beam, and the third beam is the first type of beam; the coverage range of the multiple second beams includes the physical locations of the third part of the terminals in the multiple terminals; the coverage range of the third beam includes the physical locations of the fourth part of the terminals in the multiple terminals.

[0234] The second beam includes multiple beams, and therefore, the multiple second beams can also be understood as the multiple beams included by the second beam. The coverage range of the multiple second beams includes the locations of the third part of the terminals in the multiple terminals, that is, the coverage range of the multiple beams included by the second beam includes the locations of the third part of the terminals, which can be understood as that the total coverage range of the multiple beams includes the locations of the third part of the terminals, and the coverage range of one beam can include the locations of part of the terminals in the third part of the terminals, and the part of the terminals is at least one.

[0235] The multiple terminals can be divided into the third part of the terminals and the fourth part of the terminals, that is, the third part of the terminals and the fourth part of the terminals include all of the multiple terminals. The third part of the terminals and the fourth part of the terminals do not include the same terminals; or, the third part of the terminals and the fourth part of the terminals include the same terminals.

[0236] Examples of this application scenario can be referred to the examples shown in Table 1 described above, which will not be described here again.

[0237] In some other possible implementation manners, based on the service demand of the terminal, the network device only provides service to the terminal by using the second type of beam to ensure that the terminal can normally perform the service and avoid incorrect decoding, that is, the principle of switching the first type of beam to the second type of beam by the network device is to only provide service to the terminal by using the second type of beam to perform the service.

[0238] In one application scenario, the network device switches the first beam to the second beam based on this principle, and can switch the first beam to the multiple second beams, and the coverage range of the multiple second beams includes the physical locations of the multiple terminals. That is, the number of the second type of beams activated by the network device at one time is sufficient to meet the beam coverage requirement of the physical locations of the multiple terminals.

[0239] In another application scenario, the number of the second type of beams activated by the network device at one time is insufficient to meet the beam coverage requirement of the physical locations of the multiple terminals. The network device switches the first beam to the multiple second beams based on this principle; the coverage range of the multiple second beams includes the physical locations of the first part of the terminals in the multiple terminals. The first part of the terminals is a part of the multiple terminals, and is usually a terminal with a high service priority.

[0240] The application scenario can refer to the example shown in Table 1.

[0241] FIG. 6 shows another communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application, the network device implements switching of two types of beams with different coverage ranges, and can also implement the scenario of switching from a wide beam to a narrow beam, and explicitly indicates the position of the required beam, i.e., the position of the terminal, to ensure that the terminal is served by a beam capable of covering the position of the terminal.

[0242] In the embodiment, the terminal can send a second message to the network device through a transmission opportunity based on a preamble and / or a physical random access channel (PRACH), and the second message is used to indicate the relative position of the terminal and the coverage range of the first beam; the terminal also has at least one of the capabilities of RA-SDT and CG-SDT, i.e., the terminal in an inactive state can send a third message or a fourth message to the network device through the RA-SDT capability and / or the CG-SDT capability, the third message is used to indicate the physical position of the terminal, and the fourth message is used to indicate the relative position of the terminal and the coverage range of the first beam.

[0243] As shown in FIG. 6, the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application includes:

[0244] S601, the network device sends a first message to the terminal, and correspondingly, the terminal receives the first message, and the first message is used to indicate the coverage range of the first beam.

[0245] The specific implementation of step S601 can refer to the content of step S201, which is not repeated here.

[0246] S602, the terminal determines whether the reference signal receiving power (RSRP) is greater than a threshold value.

[0247] In some embodiments, the terminal receives the first message and determines whether the reference signal receiving power (RSRP) of the downlink signal of the network device is greater than a threshold value. In other embodiments, the terminal receives the downlink signal of the network device, obtains the RSRP based on the downlink signal, and determines whether the RSRP is greater than a threshold value; after the terminal receives the first message through step S601, one of steps S603 to S605 can be executed based on the determination result of whether the RSRP is greater than the threshold value. The RSRP is used to reflect the wireless signal strength between the terminal and the network device.

[0248] In some embodiments, the network device can configure the threshold value for the terminal. The network device can send the threshold value to the terminal based on RRC signaling or SIB. In some embodiments, the network device can configure the threshold value for the terminal based on the first beam.

[0249] If the terminal judges that the RSRP is greater than the threshold value, the terminal can execute step S603 or S604. If the terminal judges that the RSRP is less than the threshold value, the terminal can execute step S605. If the terminal judges that the RSRP is equal to the threshold value, the terminal can execute one of steps S603 to S605, which are not limited in the embodiment. Alternatively, if the terminal judges that the RSRP is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the terminal can execute step S603 or S604, and if the terminal judges that the RSRP is less than the threshold value, the terminal can execute step S605. Alternatively, if the terminal judges that the RSRP is greater than the threshold value, the terminal can execute step S603 or S604, and if the terminal judges that the RSRP is less than or equal to the threshold value, the terminal can execute step S605.

[0250] If the terminal judges that the RSRP is greater than (or greater than or equal to) the threshold value, it indicates that the wireless signal strength between the terminal and the network device is good, and the terminal can send a message to the network device through step S603 or step S604. In particular, the terminal executes step S604 to send a third message to the network device through a small data packet. The wireless signal strength between the terminal and the network device needs to be good, otherwise the small data packet sent by the terminal can have decoding errors.

[0251] It should be understood that the expression of sending a message through a small data packet in the present application can also be understood as sending a message based on small data packet transmission capability, and other similar places can refer to the above description.

[0252] For example, the terminal measures the RSRP measurement report value to be 80 dBm based on the downlink signal in the radio resource control connection release (RRC Release) process, and the threshold value is 60 dBm. Thus, the terminal can judge that the RSRP is greater than the threshold value.

[0253] In step S603, the terminal sends a second message to the network device. Correspondingly, the network device receives the second message, and the second message is used to indicate the relative position of the terminal and the coverage range of the first beam.

[0254] The terminal can send the second message to the network device through a transmission opportunity based on a preamble and / or PRACH. Alternatively, the terminal can send the second message to the network device through a small data transmission capability. The small data transmission capability can include a RA-SDT capability and / or a CG-SDT capability.

[0255] The specific implementation of the present step can refer to the foregoing step S202, which will not be described here.

[0256] S604, the terminal sends a third message to the network device through a small data packet, and the network device receives the third message. The third message is used to indicate the physical position of the terminal.

[0257] The small data packet can include a small data packet corresponding to the RA-SDT and / or a small data packet corresponding to the CG-SDT. The specific implementation of this step can be referred to the foregoing step S501, and details are not described herein again.

[0258] In some embodiments, the step S601 can not be performed. If the terminal determines that the RSRP is greater than the threshold value based on the step S602, the step S604 is performed.

[0259] S605, the terminal sends a fourth message to the network device based on the preamble and / or the opportunity resource of the PRACH, and the network device receives the fourth message. The fourth message is used to indicate the relative position of the terminal and the coverage range of the first beam.

[0260] The specific implementation of this step can be referred to the foregoing step S202, and details are not described herein again.

[0261] S606, the network device switches the first beam to a second beam. The coverage range of the second beam includes the position of the terminal.

[0262] The network device receives the second message or the fourth message, determines the position of the terminal based on the relative position of the terminal and the coverage range of the first beam, and then switches the first beam to the second beam. The coverage range of the second beam includes the position of the terminal.

[0263] The network device receives the third message, determines the physical position of the terminal based on the third message, and then switches the first beam to the second beam. The coverage range of the second beam includes the physical position of the terminal.

[0264] The specific implementation of this step can be referred to the contents of the foregoing steps S203 and S502, and details are not described herein again.

[0265] In some embodiments, the terminal can send service request information to the network device. The network device receives the service request information, switches the first beam to the second beam before performing the service of the terminal based on the service request information. The terminal can send the service request information through the RA-SDT capability and / or the CG-SDT capability. The specific implementation can be referred to the foregoing contents, and details are not described herein again.

[0266] The service request information is used to request the network device to perform a service of the terminal, and can include attribute information of the service requested to be performed by the network device. In some embodiments, the service request information can indicate one or more of a service priority, a service type, or a service metric requirement. That is, the service request information includes one or more of the service priority, the service type, or the service metric requirement.

[0267] The definitions and descriptions of the service priority, the service type, and the service metric requirement can be found in the foregoing content, and will not be described here again.

[0268] In some embodiments, the plurality of terminals sends a message to the network device through one of steps S603 to S605. The network device receives the plurality of messages, determines the service priorities of the plurality of terminals, and switches the first beam to the second beam based on the service priorities. The specific implementation manner can also be found in the foregoing content, and will not be described here again.

[0269] FIG. 7 is an example of a composition of a communication apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication apparatus can be a terminal, including but not limited to a mobile phone, a smart wearable device (such as a smart watch), and the like. Taking a mobile phone as an example, the communication apparatus can include a processor 710, an internal memory 720, a display screen 730, an antenna 1, an antenna 2, a mobile communication module 740, a wireless communication module 750, and the like.

[0270] It can be understood that the structure illustrated in the embodiment does not constitute a specific limitation on the communication apparatus. In other embodiments, the communication apparatus can include more or fewer components than those illustrated, or combine certain components, or split certain components, or different arrangement of components. The illustrated components can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0271] The processor 710 can include one or more processing units. For example, the processor 710 can include an application processor (AP), a modem processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a baseband processor, and / or the like.

[0272] The internal memory 720 can be used to store computer-executable program code, which includes instructions. The processor 710 performs various functions of the electronic device by running the instructions stored in the internal memory 720.

[0273] The wireless communication function of the electronic device can be implemented through the antenna 1, the antenna 2, the mobile communication module 740, the wireless communication module 750, the modem processor, and the baseband processor, and the like.

[0274] The antenna 1 and the antenna 2 are used for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic wave signals.

[0275] The mobile communication module 740 can provide a solution for wireless communication including 2G / 3G / 4G / 5G, etc. applied to the electronic device.

[0276] In some embodiments, the mobile communication module 740 includes a communication interface coupled with the processor 710. The communication interface can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. In some embodiments, when the communication device is a chip configured in the terminal, the communication interface can be an input / output interface.

[0277] The wireless communication module 750 can provide a solution for wireless communication including wireless local area networks (WLAN) (such as wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) network), Bluetooth (BT), global navigation satellite system (GNSS), frequency modulation (FM), near field communication (NFC), infrared (IR) technology, etc. applied to the electronic device.

[0278] In addition, on the above components, an operating system is running. For example, iOS operating system, Android operating system, Windows operating system, etc. Application programs can be installed and run on the operating system.

[0279] FIG. 8 is a composition example of another communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. The communication device can be a network device, for example, a satellite. FIG. 8 shows a simplified structure diagram of a network device. The network device includes at least one processor 810, at least one memory 820, at least one transceiver 830, at least one network interface 840 and one or more antennas 850. The processor 810, the memory 820, the transceiver 830 and the network interface 840 are connected, for example, through a bus. In an embodiment of the present application, the connection can include various interfaces, transmission lines or buses, etc. The present embodiment does not limit this. The antenna 850 is connected with the transceiver 830. The network interface 840 is used to connect the network element with other communication devices through a communication link. For example, the network interface 840 can include the network interface between the network element and the network element in the core network, such as S1 interface. The network interface can include the network interface between the network element and other network elements, such as X2 or Xn interface.

[0280] The processor 810 shown in FIG. 8 can specifically implement the actions of the network device in the above satellite communication method, the memory 820 can implement the actions of storage in the above satellite communication method, the transceiver 830 and the antenna 850 can perform the actions of transceiving in the above satellite communication method, and the network interface 840 can implement the actions of interaction between the network device and the terminal in the above method.

[0281] The processor 810 can include, but is not limited to, at least one of a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller unit (MCU), or an artificial intelligence processor, and the like, each of which is a computing device running software, and each of which can include one or more cores for executing software instructions to perform operations or processing. The processor can be a separate semiconductor chip, or can be integrated with other circuits as a semiconductor chip, for example, can be integrated with other circuits such as coding and decoding circuits, hardware acceleration circuits, or various bus and interface circuits to form a SoC (System on Chip), or can be integrated as an internal processor of an ASIC. The ASIC integrated with the processor can be packaged separately or packaged together with other circuits. In addition to including cores for executing software instructions to perform operations or processing, the processor can further include necessary hardware accelerators such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), PLDs (programmable logic devices), or logic circuits implementing special logic operations.

[0282] The memory 820 can include at least one of the following types, but is not limited thereto: a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device that can store information and instructions, and can also be an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM).

[0283] The transceiver 830 can be configured to support the receiving or transmitting of radio frequency signals between the network element and other devices. The transceiver 830 can be connected to the antenna 850. The transceiver 830 includes a transmitter Tx and a receiver Rx. Specifically, the one or more antennas 850 can receive radio frequency signals, and the receiver Rx of the transceiver 830 is configured to receive the radio frequency signals from the antenna and convert the radio frequency signals into digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency signals, and provide the digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency signals to the processor 810 for further processing, such as demodulation and decoding. In addition, the transmitter Tx of the transceiver 830 is configured to receive modulated digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency signals from the processor 810, and convert the modulated digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency signals into radio frequency signals, and transmit the radio frequency signals through the one or more antennas 850. Specifically, the receiver Rx can selectively perform one or more levels of down-mixing and analog-to-digital conversion to obtain the digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency signals, and the order of the down-mixing and analog-to-digital conversion can be adjustable. The transmitter Tx can selectively perform one or more levels of up-mixing and digital-to-analog conversion to obtain the radio frequency signals, and the order of the up-mixing and digital-to-analog conversion can be adjustable. The digital baseband signals and the digital intermediate frequency signals can be collectively referred to as digital signals.

[0284] The transceiver 830 can also be referred to as an input / output interface, a communication interface, or the like. In some embodiments, when the communication apparatus is a chip configured in a satellite, the transceiver 830 can be an input / output interface.

[0285] It should be understood that FIG. 8 is merely an example and not limiting. The network device including the processor, the memory, and the transceiver described above can not rely on the structure shown in FIG. 8.

[0286] Embodiments of the present application also provide a communication apparatus.

[0287] As shown in FIG. 9, the communication apparatus 900 can correspond to the functions or steps implemented by the network device in the above-mentioned various method embodiments. The communication apparatus 900 includes a processing module 901 and a transceiving module 902. In some embodiments, the communication apparatus can further include a storage module 903, which can be configured to store instructions (codes or programs) and / or data. The processing module 901 and the transceiving module 902 can be coupled with the storage module 903. For example, the processing module 901 can read the instructions (codes or programs) and / or data in the storage module to implement corresponding methods. The various modules described above can be independently arranged, or partially or entirely integrated.

[0288] In some embodiments, the transceiver 902 is configured to send a first message to the terminal, the first message being used to indicate a coverage range of the first beam, and receive a second message, the second message being used to indicate a relative position of the terminal with respect to the coverage range of the first beam; and the processor 901 is configured to switch the first beam to a second beam, the coverage range of the second beam including the position of the terminal. The specific implementation process of the transceiver 902 and the processor 901 can be referred to the embodiment of FIG. 2, and details are not described herein.

[0289] In some other embodiments, the transceiver 902 is configured to receive a first message, the first message being used to indicate a physical position of the terminal; and the processor 901 is further configured to switch the first beam to a second beam, the coverage range of the second beam including the physical position of the terminal. The specific implementation process of the transceiver 902 and the processor 901 can be referred to the embodiment of FIG. 5, and details are not described herein.

[0290] In some other embodiments, the transceiver 902 is configured to send a first message, the first message being used to indicate a coverage range of the first beam, and receive a second message, the second message being used to indicate a relative position of the terminal with respect to the coverage range of the first beam, or receive a third message, the third message being used to indicate a physical position of the terminal, or receive a fourth message, the fourth message being used to indicate a relative position of the terminal with respect to the coverage range of the first beam. The processor 901 is configured to switch the first beam to a second beam, the coverage range of the second beam including the position of the terminal. The specific implementation process of the transceiver 902 and the processor 901 can be referred to the embodiment of FIG. 6, and details are not described herein.

[0291] The communication apparatus 900 shown in FIG. 9 can also correspond to the functions or steps implemented by the terminal in the above-mentioned various method embodiments. The communication apparatus 900 includes a processor 901 and a transceiver 902. In some embodiments, the communication apparatus 900 can not include the processor 901. In some embodiments, the communication apparatus can further include a storage module 903, which can be used to store instructions (codes or programs) and / or data. The processor 901 and the transceiver 902 can be coupled with the storage module 903. For example, the processor 901 can read the instructions (codes or programs) and / or data in the storage module to implement corresponding methods. The above-mentioned various modules can be independently arranged, or partially or entirely integrated.

[0292] In some embodiments, the transceiver 902 is configured to receive a first message, the first message being used to indicate a coverage range of the first beam, and send a second message, the second message being used to indicate a relative position of the terminal with respect to the coverage range of the first beam. The specific implementation process of the transceiver 902 can be referred to the embodiment of FIG. 2, and details are not described herein.

[0293] In some other embodiments, the transceiver module 902 is configured to send a first message, the first message being used to indicate the physical location of the terminal. The detailed implementation process of the transceiver module 902 can refer to the embodiments of FIG. 5, which will not be repeated here.

[0294] In some other embodiments, the transceiver module 902 is configured to receive a first message, the first message being used to indicate the coverage range of the first beam, the processing module 901 is configured to determine whether the reference signal receiving power (RSRP) is greater than a threshold value, the transceiver module 902 is further configured to send a second message, the second message being used to indicate the relative position between the terminal and the coverage range of the first beam, or send a third message through a small data packet, the third message being used to indicate the physical location of the terminal, and further configured to send a fourth message based on the preamble and / or PRACH opportunity resource, the fourth message being used to indicate the relative position between the terminal and the coverage range of the first beam. The detailed implementation process of the transceiver module 902 and the processing module 901 can refer to the embodiments of FIG. 6, which will not be repeated here.

[0295] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the explanations and beneficial effects of the related contents in any of the above communication devices can refer to the corresponding method embodiments provided above, which will not be repeated here.

[0296] The embodiments of the present application further provide a processor, comprising: an input circuit, an output circuit and a processing circuit. Wherein: the processing circuit is configured to receive signals through the input circuit, and transmit signals through the output circuit, so that the processor executes the satellite communication method described in the above embodiments.

[0297] In the specific implementation process, the processor can be one or more chips, the input circuit can be an input pin, the output circuit can be an output pin, and the processing circuit can be a transistor, a gate circuit, a flip-flop, and various logic circuits, etc. The input signals received by the input circuit can be received and input by, for example but not limited to, a receiver, the signals output by the output circuit can be output to and transmitted by, for example but not limited to, a transmitter, and the input circuit and the output circuit can be the same circuit, which is used as the input circuit and the output circuit at different times. The specific implementation of the processor and various circuits is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0298] The embodiments of the present application further provide a chip system, which comprises one or more processors for calling and running instructions stored in a memory, so that the satellite communication method described in the above embodiments is executed. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices. Wherein, the chip system can include an input circuit or an interface for sending information or data, and an output circuit or an interface for receiving information or data.

[0299] The embodiment of the present application further provides a computer readable storage medium, which stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed on one or more computing devices, the one or more computing devices execute the satellite communication method described in the above embodiment.

[0300] The computer readable storage medium can be a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, for example, the non-transitory computer readable storage medium can be a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical data storage device, and the like.

[0301] The embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, when the computer program product is executed by one or more computing devices, the one or more computing devices execute any one of the above satellite communication methods. The computer program product can be a software installation package, and when any one of the above satellite communication methods needs to be used, the computer program product can be downloaded and executed on a computer.

[0302] The above embodiment is only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, and is not limited thereto; although the above embodiment is described in detail, those skilled in the art should understand that the technical solutions recorded in the above embodiment can be modified, or some technical features can be replaced by equivalent features; and these modifications or replacements do not change the essence of the corresponding technical solutions, which is still within the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A method of satellite communication, characterized by, The method comprises: A terminal receives a first message, the first message being used to indicate a coverage range of a first beam; wherein a network device supports activated beams including a first type of beam and a second type of beam, a coverage range of the first type of beam being greater than a coverage range of the second type of beam, or a coverage range of the first type of beam being greater than a threshold value, a coverage range of the second type of beam being less than the threshold value, the first type of beam including the first beam, and the second type of beam including a second beam; The terminal sends a second message to the network device, the second message being used to indicate a relative position of the terminal and the coverage range of the first beam.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The terminal sending the second message to the network device comprises: The terminal sends the second message to the network device based on a transmission opportunity of a preamble and / or a physical random access channel (PRACH).

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, The terminal sending the second message to the network device comprises: The terminal sends the second message to the network device based on a random access small data transmission (RA-SDT) capability or a configured grant small data transmission (CG-SDT) capability.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The terminal sending the second message to the network device based on the RA-SDT comprises: The terminal sends a small data packet to the network device through Msg3 in a 4-step random access or through Msg A in a 2-step random access, the small data packet including the second message.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The method further comprises: The terminal sends service request information to the network device.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, The small data packet sent by the terminal to the network device through Msg3 in the 4-step random access or through Msg A in the 2-step random access includes the service request information.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein, Before the terminal sends the second message to the network device based on the transmission opportunity of the preamble and / or the PRACH, the method further comprises: The terminal determines that a reference signal received power (RSRP) is less than a threshold value.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein, Before the terminal sends the second message to the network device based on the transmission opportunity of the preamble and / or the PRACH, the method further comprises: The terminal determines that a reference signal received power (RSRP) is greater than or equal to a threshold value.

9. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, Before the terminal sends the second message to the network device based on the RA-SDT or the CG-SDT, the method further comprises: The terminal determines that a reference signal received power (RSRP) is greater than or equal to a threshold value.

10. A satellite communication method, characterized by, The method applied to a network device, the network device supporting activated beams including a first type of beam and a second type of beam, a coverage range of the first type of beam being greater than a coverage range of the second type of beam, or a coverage range of the first type of beam being greater than a threshold value, a coverage range of the second type of beam being less than the threshold value; the first type of beam including a first beam, and the second type of beam including a second beam, the method comprising: The network device sends a first message, the first message being used to indicate a coverage range of the first beam; The network device receives a second message, the second message being used to indicate a relative position of a terminal to a coverage range of the first beam; The network device switches the first beam to the second beam, the coverage range of the second beam including a position of the terminal, the position of the terminal being determined based on the relative position of the terminal to the coverage range of the first beam.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The network device sends a first message, including: The network device sends the first message based on the first beam.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The first message is a radio resource control (RRC) signaling and / or a system information block (SIB).

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that, The first message indicates position information of a center point of the coverage range of the first beam, a coverage diameter, and position information of a reference point within the coverage range of the first beam, the reference point being different from the center point.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, The position information of the center point of the coverage range of the first beam and the position information of the reference point within the coverage range of the first beam are both indicated in a form of longitude and latitude.

15. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that, The second beam is used to support the network device to send control information and service data of a terminal, and is also used to support the terminal to send control information and service data of the terminal.

16. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that, The network device receives a second message, including: The network device receives a plurality of second messages from a plurality of terminals, each of the plurality of second messages being used to indicate a relative position of a sending terminal of the second message to a coverage range of the first beam.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein, The second beam includes a plurality of beams, coverage ranges of the plurality of beams included in the second beam including positions of the plurality of terminals, each of the positions of the terminals being determined based on the relative position of the terminal to the coverage range of the first beam.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein, The second beam includes a plurality of beams, coverage ranges of the plurality of beams included in the second beam including positions of a first part of the plurality of terminals, each of the positions of the terminals being determined based on the relative position of the terminal to the coverage range of the first beam.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein, The network device switches the first beam to the second beam includes: The network device switches the first beam to a third beam and the second beam, the third beam being the same as or different from the first beam, the third beam being a first type of beam, the second beam including a plurality of beams, coverage ranges of the plurality of beams included in the second beam including positions of a third part of the plurality of terminals, the coverage range of the third beam including positions of a fourth part of the plurality of terminals, each of the positions of the terminals being determined based on the relative position of the terminal to the coverage range of the first beam.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein, Before the network device switches the first beam to the second beam, the method further includes: The network device receives service request information; The network device determines, based on the service request information, the second beam including the plurality of beams corresponding to the first part of the terminals.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein, Before the network device switches the first beam to the third beam and the second beam, the method further includes: The network device receives service request information; The network device determines, based on the service request information, a plurality of beams included in a second beam corresponding to the third part of terminals.

22. The method of claim 20 or 21, wherein, The service request information indicates one or more of a service priority, a service type, or a service index requirement.

23. A communications device, characterized by A communication device comprising a processing module and a transceiver module, the communication device configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 9, or the method of any one of claims 10 to 22.

24. A communications device, characterized by comprising: a memory for storing computer instructions; a processor for executing the computer program or computer instructions stored in the memory, so that the communication device performs the method of any one of claims 1 to 9, or the method of any one of claims 10 to 22.

25. A communication system, characterized by a communication device as claimed in claim 23.

26. A computer storage medium, comprising, a computer program for storing, which, when executed, is configured to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 9 or 10 to 22.

27. A computer program product, characterised in that, a computer program, which, when executed, causes the method of any one of claims 1 to 9 or 10 to 22 to be performed.

Images