Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of communications, and provides a communication method and apparatus. The communication method comprises: a network device indicates to a terminal device at least one of the following pieces of information: first information or second information, wherein the first information is at least used for indicating one of the following: a time-domain offset value of a positioning time window or the valid time of the positioning time window, and the second information is used for indicating a plurality of time intervals corresponding to one network node; and then, the terminal device receives positioning reference signals on the basis of the first information and / or the second information indicated by the network device, and feeds back measurement results of the positioning reference signals to the network device. In this way, the first information and / or the second information can be indicated to the terminal device on the basis of variations in the arrival time of the positioning reference signals, so that the terminal device can accurately receive the positioning reference signals on the basis of the first information and / or the second information, thereby ensuring that the terminal device can receive sufficient and high-quality positioning reference signals, ensuring high positioning accuracy.

Description

Communication method and apparatus

[0001] The present application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202411357687.4, filed on September 26, 2024, and entitled "Communication method and apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0003] Non-terrestrial networks (NTN) is a kind of communication network architecture, which uses communication infrastructure (called aircraft) located outside the earth's surface to provide wireless communication services. These aircrafts can include satellites, drones, high-altitude balloons, etc., which communicate with devices or users on the ground through wireless links. The original intention of non-terrestrial networks is to solve the problem that traditional ground networks are difficult to cover in remote areas, oceans, mountains, air or high-altitude areas, etc., so as to expand the coverage of communication networks and realize global seamless connection. With the progress of technology and the growth of demand, non-terrestrial networks show great potential and value in emergency communication, distance education, telemedicine, Internet of Things applications, and aerospace, etc.

[0004] In the NTN positioning scenario, due to the mobile characteristics of the aircraft, its position is constantly changing relative to the terminal device on the ground, so that the propagation path of the positioning signal used for positioning is constantly changing, which cannot guarantee that the terminal device can receive enough high-quality positioning reference signals, resulting in low positioning accuracy. SUMMARY

[0005] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus for improving the positioning accuracy in the NTN scenario.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present application adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which is applied to a terminal device. The execution subject of the method can be a terminal device, a component or apparatus (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) applied to a terminal device, or a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the functions of a terminal device. The communication method comprises: receiving first information and / or second information, the first information being used to indicate a time domain offset value of a positioning time window and / or an effective time of the positioning time window, and the second information being used to indicate a plurality of time intervals corresponding to one network node; receiving a positioning reference signal based on the first information and / or the second information; and sending a measurement result of the positioning reference signal.

[0008] In a first aspect, the network device indicates at least one of the following information to the terminal device: first information, or second information. The first information is used at least to indicate one of the following: a time domain offset value of a positioning time window, or a validity time of the positioning time window. The second information is used to indicate a plurality of time intervals corresponding to one network node. Then, the terminal device receives the positioning reference signal based on the first information and / or the second information indicated by the network device, and feeds back the measurement result of the positioning reference signal to the network device. In this way, the first information and / or the second information can be indicated to the terminal device in combination with the change of the arrival time of the positioning reference signal, so that the terminal device can accurately receive the positioning reference signal based on the first information and / or the second information, thereby ensuring that the terminal device can receive sufficient and high-quality positioning reference signals, and thereby ensuring high positioning accuracy.

[0009] In a possible design, the method can further include: sending third information, the third information being used to request the first information and / or the second information.

[0010] In this design, the terminal device actively sends the third information to request the first information and / or the second information. In this way, the terminal device can request the first information and / or the second information for receiving the positioning reference signal in a timely manner based on its own needs, and can ensure that the terminal device can receive sufficient and high-quality positioning reference signals, and thereby ensure high positioning accuracy.

[0011] In a possible design, the second information includes a plurality of expected reference signal time differences, or the second information includes a plurality of time difference offset values of a reference time difference. Optionally, the second information further includes at least one of the following: a plurality of time difference ranges, or validity times of a plurality of time intervals.

[0012] In this design, a plurality of second information is flexibly designed, and the diversified second information enables the communication system to support a wider range of application scenarios.

[0013] In a possible design, any time difference offset value in the plurality of time difference offset values is used to determine the time domain position of one or more detection time windows, and the detection time window is used to detect the positioning reference signal sent by the network node.

[0014] In this design, one time difference offset value is used to determine the time domain position of one or more detection time windows. By determining the time domain position of the detection time window through the time difference offset value, it can be ensured that the positioning reference signal is detected within an accurate time range, thereby improving the positioning accuracy.

[0015] In a possible design, the number of time domain offset values is a plurality, and any time domain offset value is used to determine the time domain position of the positioning time window in at least one period.

[0016] In the design, one time domain offset value is used to determine the time domain position of the positioning time window in one or more periods. By determining the time domain position of the positioning time window through the time domain offset value, the positioning reference signal can be detected in an accurate time range, thereby improving the positioning accuracy.

[0017] In a possible design, the first information is carried in radio resource control signaling or medium access control layer control element.

[0018] In the design, the possible signaling carrying the first information is designed, so that the communication system can support more extensive application scenarios.

[0019] In a possible design, the second information is carried in positioning protocol signaling. By transmitting the second information through the positioning protocol signaling, it can be ensured that the terminal device can accurately receive the positioning reference signal, thereby improving the positioning accuracy.

[0020] In a possible design, the method can further include: receiving fourth information, the fourth information being used to indicate a first time domain position of the positioning time window, and the time domain offset value being a bias value based on the first time domain position. Optionally, the fourth information is carried in radio resource control signaling.

[0021] In the design, the first time domain position of the positioning time window is indicated through the fourth information, and the first time domain position can be used as a basis for adjusting the time domain offset value. This enables the terminal device to receive the positioning reference signal in a more accurate time range, and reduces the positioning deviation caused by time error.

[0022] In a possible design, the first information is further used to activate the positioning time window.

[0023] In the design, the first information is further used to activate the positioning time window. In this way, multiple functions are implemented through one first information, thereby reducing the signaling transmission overhead of the communication system.

[0024] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The method is applied to a network device. The execution subject of the method can be the network device, a component or apparatus (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system) applied to the network device, or a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the functions of the network device. The communication method includes: sending first information and / or second information, the first information being used to indicate a time domain offset value of a positioning time window, and / or the first information being used to indicate an effective time of the positioning time window, and the second information being used to indicate a plurality of time intervals corresponding to one network node; and receiving a measurement result of a positioning reference signal.

[0025] In a second aspect, the network device indicates at least one of the following information to the terminal device: the first information, or the second information. The first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: a time domain offset value of the positioning time window or a validity time of the positioning time window. The second information is used to indicate a plurality of time intervals corresponding to one network node. Then, the terminal device receives the positioning reference signal based on the first information and / or the second information indicated by the network device, and feeds back the measurement result of the positioning reference signal to the network device. In this way, the first information and / or the second information can be indicated to the terminal device in combination with the change of the arrival time of the positioning reference signal, so that the terminal device can accurately receive the positioning reference signal based on the first information and / or the second information, thereby ensuring that the terminal device can receive sufficient and high-quality positioning reference signals, and thus ensuring high positioning accuracy.

[0026] In a possible design, the method further includes: receiving third information, where the third information is used to request the first information and / or the second information.

[0027] In this design, the network device receives the third information used to request the first information and / or the second information, so that the network device can timely indicate the first information and / or the second information to the terminal device, thereby enabling the terminal device to receive sufficient and high-quality positioning reference signals, and thus ensuring high positioning accuracy.

[0028] In a possible design, the second information includes a plurality of expected reference signal time differences, or the second information includes a plurality of time difference offset values of the reference time difference. Optionally, the second information further includes at least one of the following: a plurality of time difference ranges, or validity times of a plurality of time intervals.

[0029] In this design, a plurality of second information is flexibly designed, and the diversified second information enables the communication system to support more extensive application scenarios.

[0030] In a possible design, any time difference offset value of the plurality of time difference offset values is used to determine the time domain position of one or more detection time windows, where the detection time window is used to detect the positioning reference signal sent by the network node.

[0031] In this design, one time difference offset value is used to determine the time domain position of one or more detection time windows, and the time domain position of the detection time window is determined by the time difference offset value, which can ensure that the positioning reference signal is detected within an accurate time range, thereby improving the positioning accuracy.

[0032] In a possible design, the number of time domain offset values is a plurality, and any time domain offset value is used to determine the time domain position of the positioning time window in at least one period.

[0033] In the design, one time domain offset value is used to determine the time domain position of the positioning time window in one or more periods. By determining the time domain position of the positioning time window through the time domain offset value, the positioning reference signal can be detected in an accurate time range, thereby improving the positioning accuracy.

[0034] In a possible design, the first information is carried in radio resource control signaling or medium access control layer control element.

[0035] In the design, the possible signaling carrying the first information is designed, so that the communication system can support more extensive application scenarios.

[0036] In a possible design, the second information is carried in positioning protocol signaling. By transmitting the second information through the positioning protocol signaling, the terminal device can accurately receive the positioning reference signal, thereby improving the positioning accuracy.

[0037] In a possible design, the method can further include: sending fourth information, the fourth information being used to indicate a first time domain position of the positioning time window, and the time domain offset value being a bias value based on the first time domain position. Optionally, the fourth information is carried in radio resource control signaling.

[0038] In the design, the first time domain position of the positioning time window is indicated through the fourth information, and the first time domain position can be used as the basis for adjusting the time domain offset value. This enables the terminal device to receive the positioning reference signal in a more accurate time range, and reduces the positioning deviation caused by time error.

[0039] In a possible design, the first information is further used to activate the positioning time window.

[0040] In the design, the first information is further used to activate the positioning time window. In this way, multiple functions are implemented through one first information, thereby reducing the signaling transmission overhead of the communication system.

[0041] In a third aspect, a communication apparatus is provided for implementing the method described in any of the first aspect to the second aspect. For example, the communication apparatus can be the terminal device in the first aspect, or an apparatus (such as a chip or chip system) included in the terminal device; or the communication apparatus can be the network device in the second aspect, or an apparatus (such as a chip or chip system) included in the network device.

[0042] The communication apparatus includes a module, unit, or means corresponding to the method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the functions.

[0043] In some possible design, the communication apparatus can include a processing module and a transceiver module. The processing module can be used to implement the processing functions in any of the above aspects and any possible implementation manner thereof. The transceiver module, which can also be referred to as a transceiver unit, is used to implement the sending and / or receiving functions in any of the above aspects and any possible implementation manner thereof. The transceiver module can be composed of a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver, or a communication interface.

[0044] In some possible design, the transceiver module includes a sending module and / or a receiving module, which are used to implement the sending or receiving functions in any of the above aspects and any possible implementation manner thereof, respectively.

[0045] In a fourth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which includes a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is used to communicate with modules outside the communication apparatus. The processor is used to execute computer programs or instructions, so that the communication apparatus performs the method in any of the above aspects. For example, the communication apparatus can be the terminal device in the first aspect, or an apparatus included in the terminal device, such as a chip or chip system. Alternatively, the communication apparatus can be the network device in the second aspect, or an apparatus included in the network device, such as a chip or chip system. When the apparatus is a chip system, it can be composed of a chip, or include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0046] In a fifth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which includes at least one processor. The processor is used to execute computer programs or instructions stored in a memory, so that the communication apparatus performs the method in any of the above aspects. The memory can be coupled with the processor, or the memory can exist independently of the processor, for example, the memory and the processor are two independent modules. The memory can be located outside the communication apparatus, or located inside the communication apparatus.

[0047] The communication apparatus is used to implement the method in any of the first aspect to the second aspect. For example, the communication apparatus can be the terminal device in the first aspect, or an apparatus included in the terminal device, such as a chip or chip system. Alternatively, the communication apparatus can be the network device in the second aspect, or an apparatus included in the network device, such as a chip or chip system. When the apparatus is a chip system, it can be composed of a chip, or include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0048] In a sixth aspect, a computer readable storage medium is provided, which stores computer programs or instructions, when running on a communication apparatus, so that the communication apparatus can perform the method in any of the above aspects.

[0049] In a seventh aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed on a communications device, enable the communications device to perform the method of any of the aspects.

[0050] In an eighth aspect, there is provided a communications device configured to enable the communications device to perform the method of any of the aspects.

[0051] In a ninth aspect, there is provided a chip comprising a processor and a transceiver for enabling the chip to perform the method of any of the aspects.

[0052] In a tenth aspect, there is provided a communications system comprising at least one of the terminal device and the network device of the above aspects.

[0053] It can be understood that when the communications device of any of the third aspect to the fifth aspect is a chip, the transmitting action / function of the communications device can be understood as outputting information, and the receiving action / function of the communications device can be understood as inputting information.

[0054] The technical effects brought by any of the third aspect to the tenth aspect can be referred to the technical effects brought by the first aspect to the second aspect, which will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0055] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a non-terrestrial network scenario according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a positioning time window scenario according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0057] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a satellite mobile scenario under a non-terrestrial network according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0058] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a downlink positioning process under a satellite positioning scenario according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0059] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a communications system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0060] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a structure of another communications system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0061] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a structure of another communications system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0062] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a structure of another communications system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0063] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a structure of another communications system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0064] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0065] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a satellite mobile scenario according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0066] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a positioning time window for a satellite according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0067] FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0068] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a time interval for a satellite according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0069] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0070] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0071] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0072] The network architecture and service scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are used to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art can know that, with the evolution of network architecture and the appearance of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0073] Before introducing the embodiments of the present application, some terms related to the embodiments of the present application are explained.

[0074] I. Positioning measurement time window (measurement gap, MG)

[0075] MG refers to a time interval specially set in a mobile communication system for positioning measurement. During this time, the terminal device will suspend the regular communication with the serving cell and turn to receive and measure the positioning signal. This mechanism is particularly important in advanced mobile communication systems such as 5G NR (New Radio), as it supports more complex positioning technologies and more accurate positioning requirements.

[0076] MG plays multiple key roles in the positioning process: it ensures that the terminal device has sufficient time window to receive and process positioning reference signals from multiple base stations or signal sources, thus completing positioning measurements without interfering with normal communication; by focusing on the reception of positioning signals, MG reduces interference with other signals of the serving cell (such as data signals), improving the quality of positioning reference signals and thus enhancing the accuracy and reliability of positioning measurements; in addition, proper configuration of MG can effectively reduce interference with the communication of the serving cell, optimize the overall performance of the network, reduce congestion and delay, and improve user experience; most importantly, for complex scenarios that require cross-frequency or cross-system measurements, MG provides the necessary time guarantee to ensure that these measurements can be carried out smoothly.

[0077] In the embodiments of the present application, MG is referred to as positioning time window.

[0078] II. Expected reference signal time difference (expected RSTD) and uncertainty range

[0079] expected RSTD: Since the network side knows the positions of all base stations (including the serving base station and the neighbor stations). This is obtained through satellite navigation, ground measurement or other positioning means. The network also knows which serving base station the terminal device is currently connected to. This is because the terminal device will continuously exchange signals with the serving base station during communication. Based on the position information of the base stations and the serving base station where the terminal device is located, the network can calculate the approximate distance difference between the terminal device and the serving base station and each neighbor station. This distance difference can be converted through the speed of electromagnetic wave propagation (close to the speed of light in vacuum) and the signal propagation time difference (i.e. RSTD). Therefore, the network can configure an expected RSTD value for each pair of base stations (the serving base station and each neighbor station constitutes a pair of base stations).

[0080] Uncertainty range: Since various factors (such as atmospheric conditions, multipath effects, device clock errors, etc.) in the actual environment will affect the propagation time of signals, the network will also configure an uncertainty range for the expected RSTD. This range represents the degree to which the measured RSTD value may deviate from the expected value due to various factors.

[0081] After detecting the reference signal of the reference station, the terminal device will determine a blind detection time window according to the configured expected RSTD and its uncertainty range, and the terminal device detects the reference signal of the neighbor station within the blind detection time window, which can reduce the time length of blind detection of the signal of the neighbor station, reduce the detection complexity and save power consumption.

[0082] In the field of mobile communications, achieving high-precision positioning is one of the key technologies for improving user experience and service quality. In the 5G terrestrial cellular network positioning standard, for terrestrial networks, multiple positioning technologies are supported, including:

[0083] downlink time difference of arrival (DL-TDOA),

[0084] downlink angle of departure (DL-AOD),

[0085] uplink time difference of arrival (UL-TDOA),

[0086] uplink angle of arrival (UL-AOA),

[0087] multi-round trip time (multi-RTT),

[0088] Among them, DL-TDOA, UL-TDOA, and multi-RTT algorithms are time-based localization techniques. These techniques require the receiving end to accurately measure the arrival time of the signal sent by the sending end, and then convert these time differences into distance information between the sending end and the receiving end, and finally estimate the position of the target to be positioned through these distance information.

[0089] And DL-AOD and UL-AOA are angle-based localization techniques. In these techniques, the receiving end measures the arrival angle (for UL-AOA) or departure angle (for DL-AOD) of the reference signal sent by the sending end, and then combines the angle information between the receiving end and multiple sending ends with known positions to infer the specific position of the receiving end through geometric or statistical methods.

[0090] Regardless of the way, the prerequisite for achieving accurate positioning is that the terminal device can receive sufficient and high-quality positioning reference signals, and ensure that the sending end and the receiving end are in a direct view state to reduce the impact of adverse factors such as multipath effects.

[0091] For example, in a DL-TDOA based positioning solution, the terminal device relies on accurate measurements of downlink positioning reference signals (PRS) from base stations or satellites. This process involves multiple steps, starting with the location management function (LMF) requesting configuration information of PRS from serving and neighboring base stations, which are then forwarded to the terminal device by the base stations. Subsequently, the LMF instructs the terminal device to perform measurements, which receives the PRS and measures their time of arrival, reporting the measurements back to the LMF. The LMF uses these measurements, combined with known coordinates of the satellites or base stations, to estimate the position of the terminal device through mathematical algorithms such as trilateration.

[0092] The configuration mechanism of MG and expected RSTD is particularly important to ensure that the terminal device receives sufficient and high-quality positioning reference signals.

[0093] The traditional expected RSTD and measurement time window MG configuration mechanisms for terrestrial networks have limitations in NTN. The setting of expected RSTD relies on the prediction of the distance difference between the UE and the satellite, but the rapid movement of the satellite makes this prediction complex and inaccurate. At the same time, the configuration of MG is originally designed to avoid interference between positioning measurements and data communication, but in NTN, due to the highly dynamic and unpredictable arrival time of reference signals sent by satellites, the traditional fixed period MG configuration cannot effectively cover all expected received reference signals, leading to missed detection of positioning information and decreased positioning accuracy.

[0094] For MG, the traditional positioning measurement gap (MG) configuration method based on terrestrial networks faces significant challenges in NTN positioning scenarios. In terrestrial networks, the design of MG is intended to allow the UE to focus on the measurement of positioning reference signals (such as PRS) during a specific time period, thereby avoiding mutual interference with daily data communication. However, as shown in FIG. 1, in the NTN environment, due to the high-speed mobility of satellites and their non-fixed position relative to ground stations, this causes the time window of reference signals sent by each satellite to arrive at the terminal device to become highly dynamic and unpredictable.

[0095] Specifically, as shown in (a) of FIG. 2, in ground communication, since the positions of ground base stations are generally fixed, the MG in each MG period can contain positioning reference signals of multiple base stations (ground base station 1, ground base station 2, and ground base station 3). As shown in (b) of FIG. 2, in satellite communication, since satellite 1 and satellite 2 are moving in the direction towards the terminal device, the distances between these satellites and the terminal device become closer and closer, so that the time of air transmission of the reference signals sent at different times becomes shorter, meaning that the signals will arrive at the terminal device earlier than expected; in contrast, for other satellites far away from the terminal device, such as satellite 3, the transmission time of the signals arriving at the terminal device will become longer, meaning that the signals will arrive at the terminal device later than expected. If the original configured MG is still adopted, the MG in the second MG period cannot contain the positioning reference signals of multiple satellites (satellite 1, satellite 2, and satellite 3), that is, the terminal device cannot receive the positioning reference signals of more satellites.

[0096] That is, the mobility of the satellites causes the time points at which the reference signals sent by the satellites arrive at the terminal device to be different each time, which makes the originally configured MG based on a fixed period possibly unable to accurately cover all the expected received reference signals. Therefore, the terminal device can not receive any valid positioning reference signals during the MG, or only receive part of the signals, thereby causing missed detection of positioning information and a decrease in positioning accuracy.

[0097] For the expected RSTD, as shown in FIG. 3, taking two satellites as an example, the arrival time difference RSTD of the reference signals sent by the neighbor satellites (neighbor stations) and the reference signals of the reference satellite (reference station) at different times is given. From left to right, the distances between the neighbor stations and the reference station are described from far to near and then from near to far; in this process, the distances between the neighbor satellites and the reference satellite change greatly, causing the arrival time difference between the reference signals of the neighbor satellites and the reference signals of the reference satellite to also change greatly, so that a configured expected RSTD and its uncertainty range can be mismatched at different times, that is, the reference signals of the neighbor satellites are not well covered, causing the terminal device to miss the reference signals of the neighbor satellites, wasting the power consumption of the terminal device, and affecting the positioning accuracy.

[0098] In other words, in the NTN positioning scenario, although the UE is stationary, the movement of the serving satellite and the neighbor satellites causes the distance difference to fluctuate greatly, making the configured expected RSTD window possibly mismatched, that is, unable to accurately cover the arrival time of the neighbor satellite signals, causing the terminal device to miss the signals, wasting power consumption, and decreasing the positioning accuracy. As shown in the example in FIG. 3, how the distance change between satellites affects the RSTD, and then causes the expected RSTD window to fail.

[0099] In summary, in the NTN positioning scenario, due to the moving characteristics of the aircraft, the position of the aircraft is constantly changing relative to the terminal device on the ground, so that the propagation path of the positioning signal used for positioning is constantly changing, and the terminal device cannot guarantee that it can receive sufficient and high-quality positioning reference signals, resulting in low positioning accuracy.

[0100] To solve the above technical problems, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication method. The communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application will be described below in combination with a downlink positioning process in a satellite positioning scenario. For example, the embodiments of the present application provide a downlink positioning process in a satellite positioning scenario, as shown in FIG. 4, which includes the following steps:

[0101] S1. Interacting positioning configuration information:

[0102] The positioning server LMF and the serving satellite and the neighboring satellite of the terminal device interact with each other to exchange information related to positioning, such as the position information of the satellite, the period / time of sending the reference signal, and the configuration parameters of the reference signal (such as the sending period, bandwidth, and frequency domain position of the reference signal) and the like;

[0103] S2. Sending assistance information:

[0104] Before starting the positioning measurement, the terminal device needs to obtain the configuration information of the reference signal sent by each satellite from the network, such as the sending period, bandwidth size, and time-frequency domain position of the reference signal of each satellite;

[0105] S3. Requesting measurement:

[0106] The network may need to initiate a positioning request to the terminal device to request the terminal device to measure the configured reference signal, and the network will also indicate the reporting period. The reporting period of the terminal device for reporting the measurement result is generally different from the period of the reference signal mentioned above, that is, the terminal device may measure the reference signal multiple times and report the measurement result once.

[0107] S4. Sending reference signal:

[0108] The serving satellite and the neighboring satellite send the configured positioning reference signal;

[0109] S5. Activating MG:

[0110] The serving satellite sends indication information to the terminal device to indicate the activated MG. The MG may be multiple sets of MGs of the terminal device pre-configured by the satellite. The serving satellite may use media access control control element (MAC CE) signaling to activate one of the MGs;

[0111] S6. Measurement:

[0112] measurements based on the indicated activated MGs, such as measuring time difference of arrival RSTD, Rx-Tx time difference, phase difference, Doppler frequency offset, angle of arrival, etc. of different reference signals;

[0113] S7. Reporting measurement results:

[0114] For terminal device-assisted positioning mode, after measuring the reference signals, the terminal device needs to report the measurement results to the network, such as TOA / RSTD / Phase, etc. If it is periodic positioning, the terminal device reports the measurement results according to a certain period.

[0115] Then, the network solves the position of the terminal device according to the measurement results reported by the terminal device and the position information of the satellite.

[0116] The method provided by the embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the drawings in the specification.

[0117] The communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as long term evolution (LTE) system, 5G mobile communication system, wireless fidelity (WiFi) system, future communication system, or system integrating multiple communication systems, etc., and the embodiments of the present application are not limited. Wherein, 5G can also be referred to as NR.

[0118] The communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication scenarios, such as one or more of the following communication scenarios: enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra reliable low latency communication (URLLC), machine type communication (MTC), massive machine type communication (mMTC), device to device (D2D), vehicle to everything (V2X), vehicle to vehicle (V2V), and internet of things (IoT), etc.

[0119] For the convenience of understanding the embodiments of the present application, the application scenarios used in the present application are described by taking the communication system architecture shown in FIG. 5 as an example. FIG. 5 shows a possible and non-limiting system schematic diagram. As shown in FIG. 5, the communication system 3000 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. The RAN 100 includes at least one network device (such as 101a and 101b in FIG. 5, collectively referred to as 101) and at least one terminal (such as 102a-102j in FIG. 5, collectively referred to as 102). The RAN 100 can also include other RAN nodes, such as a wireless relay device and / or a wireless backhaul device (not shown in FIG. 5), etc. The terminal 102 is connected to the network device 101 in a wireless manner. The network device 101 is connected to the core network 200 in a wireless or wired manner. The core network device in the core network 200 and the network device 101 in the RAN 100 can be different physical devices respectively, or can be the same physical device integrated with the logical functions of the core network and the logical functions of the radio access network.

[0120] The RAN 100 can be a 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) related cellular system, such as a 4G, 5G mobile communication system, or an evolved system after 5G. The RAN 100 can also be an open radio access network (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a WiFi system. The RAN 100 can also be a communication system in which two or more of the above systems are integrated.

[0121] The apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present application can be applied to the network device 101 or the terminal 102. It can be understood that FIG. 5 only shows one possible communication system architecture to which the embodiments of the present application can be applied, and in other possible scenarios, other devices can also be included in the communication system architecture.

[0122] The network device 101 is a node in the RAN, which can also be referred to as an access network device, and can also be referred to as a RAN node (or device). The network device 101 is configured to help terminals to access the network wirelessly. The network devices 101 in the communication system 3000 can be nodes of the same type or nodes of different types. In some scenarios, the roles of the network devices 101 and the terminals 102 are relative, for example, the network element 102i in FIG. 5 can be a helicopter or a drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station. For a terminal 102j that accesses the RAN 100 through the network element 102i, the network element 102i is a base station; but for the base station 101a, the network element 102i is a terminal. The network devices 101 and the terminals 102 are sometimes collectively referred to as communication apparatuses, for example, the network elements 101a and 101b in FIG. 5 can be understood as communication apparatuses with base station functions, and the network elements 102a-102j can be understood as communication apparatuses with terminal functions.

[0123] In a possible scenario, the network device can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmitting and receiving point (TRP), a transmitting point (TP), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a base station in a future mobile communication system, a satellite, or an access point (AP) in a WiFi system, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, a network device in a non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication system, i.e., can be deployed on a high-altitude platform or a satellite, etc. The network device can be a macro base station (such as 101a in FIG. 5), a micro base station or an indoor station (such as 101b in FIG. 5), a relay node or a donor node, or a wireless controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. The network device can also be a device assuming base station functions in device to device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, drone communication, or machine communication. Optionally, the network device can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle or a vehicle-mounted device, etc. For example, the access network device in V2X technology can be a road side unit (RSU).

[0124] In another possible scenario, a terminal accesses a wireless network by cooperation of multiple network devices, and each of the network devices implements part of functions of a base station. For example, a network device can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and the DU can be separately configured, or can be included in a same network element, for example, a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, for example, a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH). It can be understood that a network device can be a CU node, or a DU node, or a device including a CU node and a DU node. In addition, the CU can be divided into a network device in a radio access network (RAN), or the CU can be divided into a network device in a core network (CN), which is not limited here.

[0125] In different systems, the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU can also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in an open-radio access network (O-RAN) system, the CU can also be referred to as an O-RAN central unit (O-CU) (open CU), the DU can also be referred to as an O-RAN distributed unit (O-DU), the CU-CP can also be referred to as an O-CU-CP, the CU-UP can also be referred to as an O-CU-UP, and the RU can also be referred to as an O-RAN radio unit (O-RU). For the convenience of description, the CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU are taken as examples for description in this application. Any one of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0126] In the embodiments of this application, the form of the network device is not limited, and the device for implementing the functions of the network device can be the network device; or can be a device capable of supporting the network device to implement the functions, for example, a chip system. The device can be installed in the network device or used in combination with the network device.

[0127] The terminal device 102, which can also be referred to as a user equipment (UE), a mobile station (MS), a mobile terminal (MT), or the like, or a device configured to provide voice or data connectivity to a user, can also be an Internet of Things (IoT) device. For example, the terminal device can include a handheld device having wireless connection capability, a vehicle-mounted device, or the like. Currently, the terminal device can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a palm computer, a mobile internet device (MID), a wearable device (e.g., a smart watch, a smart bracelet, a pedometer, smart glasses, or the like), a vehicle-mounted device (e.g., a car, a bicycle, an electric vehicle, an airplane, a ship, a train, a high-speed rail, or the like), a satellite terminal, a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, a smart point of sale (POS) machine, a customer-premises equipment (CPE), a light UE, a reduced capability UE (REDCAP UE), a wireless terminal in industrial control, a smart home device (e.g., a refrigerator, a television, an air conditioner, an electricity meter, or the like), a smart robot, a mechanical arm, a workshop device, a wireless terminal in unmanned driving, a wireless terminal in telemedicine, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, a flight device (e.g., a smart robot, a hot air balloon, a drone, an airplane), or the like. The terminal device can also be a vehicle device, such as a whole vehicle device, a vehicle-mounted module, a vehicle-mounted chip, an on board unit (OBU), or a telematics box (T-BOX), or the like. The terminal device can also be other devices having terminal functions, for example, the terminal device can also be a device performing a terminal function in D2D communication.

[0128] Embodiments of the present application do not limit the form of the terminal device, and the device for implementing the function of the terminal device can be the terminal device, or can be a device capable of supporting the terminal device to implement the function, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the terminal device or used in combination with the terminal device. In embodiments of the present application, the chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices. All or part of the functions of the terminal device in the present application can also be implemented by software functions running on hardware, or by virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (such as a cloud platform).

[0129] The foregoing has introduced the communication system to which the embodiments of the present application are applicable from the dimension of macro architecture. To help deepen the understanding of the system in the actual application environment, the communication system will be described more specifically through several specific communication system examples. It should be noted that the following listed communication system examples are for illustrative purposes and are intended to provide intuitive understanding, and the actual application range of the present application is far beyond this, and other types of communication systems also have compatibility and adaptability, which are not limited.

[0130] In one example, as shown in FIG. 6, the communication system to which the embodiments of the present application are applicable can be an NTN transparent communication system. The NTN transparent communication system, as an implementation manner of the NTN technology, is characterized in that the satellite or high-altitude platform is only used as a relay link for signals, does not process or regenerate the signals, but directly forwards the received signals to the target device, and the base station function is still deployed on the ground. In this mode, the satellite or high-altitude platform is similar to a “transparent” repeater, hence the name “transparent”.

[0131] In another example, as shown in FIG. 7, the communication system to which the embodiments of the present application are applicable can be an NTN regenerative communication system. The NTN regenerative communication system is another important implementation manner of the NTN technology, which utilizes the communication capability of the satellite or high-altitude platform, and realizes direct communication and data service to the ground device by deploying the base station function thereon. This network architecture can provide more efficient and flexible communication services, especially in areas where the ground network coverage is insufficient or non-existent.

[0132] Satellite / Airborne Vehicle: Role in Transparent Architecture: As a relay node, it seamlessly forwards the ground base station signal to the ground terminal user, ensuring that the signal is directly transmitted without processing. Role in Regenerative Architecture: As a base station, it can communicate with the ground user terminal and perform signal processing and transmission tasks.

[0133] Base Station (Next Generation NodeB, gNB): Deployed in the wireless access network, it complies with the 5G standard and provides comprehensive wireless communication services for terminal devices. It has various forms, including macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, access points, and even wearable and vehicle-mounted devices. It exists in both NTN transparent and regenerative systems, but its functions and applications are different. The gNB can also be a transmission and reception point (TRP) and a transmission measurement function (TMF). The gNB can include a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU) integrated in the gNB.

[0134] gNB in NTN transparent communication system: mainly responsible for wireless communication with ground terminal users, while cooperating with NTN gateway to seamlessly forward signals from ground base stations to terminal users through satellites / aircraft. In this architecture, gNB does not directly process the regenerated signals from satellites / aircraft.

[0135] gNB in NTN regenerated communication system: in addition to providing basic wireless communication services, it also needs to closely cooperate with devices on satellites / aircraft, receive regenerated signals, and perform further decoding, encoding, etc. processing to ensure signal integrity and quality. In addition, gNB also needs to have stronger signal processing capabilities and adaptability to cope with various complex situations that may occur during regeneration.

[0136] Terminal device, the description of the terminal device can refer to the foregoing, and will not be repeated.

[0137] NTN gateway (NTN Gateway): as the key bridge of NTN, it is responsible for bidirectional signal forwarding between satellite and ground base station in both transparent and regenerated systems. Receive satellite information and forward to ground base station, or send signals from ground base station to satellite to ensure smooth communication link.

[0138] 5G core network (5G CN): whether it is a transparent or regenerated system, 5G CN plays a core management and control role, and is connected with data network.

[0139] In another example, the communication system of the embodiment of the application can be an O-RAN system, as shown in FIG. 8, which includes:

[0140] Non-real time RAN intelligent controller (Non-RT RIC): used for non-real time intelligent management of RAN functions. It can implement AI / ML workflow including model training and model updating, and guide applications / functions in Near-RT RIC based on policies. Non-RT RIC is located in the SMO module.

[0141] Near-real time RAN intelligent controller (Near-RT RIC): used for near-real time intelligent management of RAN. Through data collection and related operations on the E2 interface, it realizes near-real time control and optimization of modules and resources of O-RAN.

[0142] O-CU: to implement the radio resource control (RRC) layer, packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, and service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer in the 3GPP standards and other control functions.

[0143] O-CU-CP: similar to the CU-CP in the NR system, to implement the functions of the RRC layer and the control plane functions of the PDCP layer. It belongs to the part of the O-CU.

[0144] O-CU-UP: similar to the CU-UP in the NR system, to implement the functions of the SDAP layer and the user plane functions of the PDCP layer. It belongs to the part of the O-CU.

[0145] O-DU: based on low-layer function split, to implement the radio link control (RLC) layer, media access control (MAC) layer, and higher physical layer (Higher PHY) in the 3GPP standards. The higher physical layer functions include one or more of the following: forward error correction (FEC) encoding / decoding, scrambling / descrambling, or modulation / demodulation.

[0146] O-RU: based on low-layer function split, to implement the lower physical layer (Lower PHY) functions and radio frequency functions in the 3GPP standards. For example, the lower physical layer functions include one or more of the following: fast fourier transform (FFT) transform / inverse Fast Fourier Transformation (iFFT) transform, digital beamforming, or extraction and filtering of the physical random access channel (PRACH). The O-RU is similar to the TRP or RRH in 3GPP, but it includes low physical layer functions such as FFT / iFFT or PRACH extraction.

[0147] O-RAN Cloud (O-Cloud): As a cloud computing platform, it includes physical infrastructure nodes for hosting O-RAN functions such as RIC or O-DU, etc.; it supports software components (such as operating systems, virtual machine monitors, container runtimes), management and orchestration functions.

[0148] For the O-RAN architecture diagram of FIG. 8, the interfaces contained are described as follows:

[0149] A1 interface: the interface between Non-RT RIC and Near-RT RIC, used for intelligent and dynamic control of O-RAN internal wireless resources. Non-RT RIC provides policies, rich information and ML model updates to Near-RT RIC through A1 interface, and Near-RT RIC provides policy feedback to Non-RT RIC through A1 interface.

[0150] E2 interface: E2 interface is an open interface between two endpoints, used to connect Near-RT RIC and RAN nodes. RAN nodes include, for example: CU, DU in 5G; O-RAN compatible eNB in 4G; O-CU (O-CU-CP and / or O-CU-UP) and / or O-DU in O-RAN, etc. RIC can obtain RAN node data collection and feedback through E2 node, and RAN node can obtain Near-RT RIC control feedback through E2 node.

[0151] O1 interface: the interface between the management entity in SMO and the O-RAN module, used for operation management, through which FCAPS management, software management or file management is realized.

[0152] O2 interface: the interface between SMO and the infrastructure management framework supporting O-RAN virtual network functions.

[0153] E1 interface: the interface between O-CU-CP and O-CU-UP.

[0154] F1-c interface: the interface between O-CU-CP and O-DU.

[0155] F1-u interface: the interface between O-CU-UP and O-DU.

[0156] In an embodiment, the communication system provided by the embodiments of the present application can also be a chip system. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the chip system includes the following parts:

[0157] Processors: As the brain of the system, multiple processors are flexibly configured according to task requirements, and they each or jointly perform a series of baseband processing operations such as encoding, decoding, modulation, demodulation, etc. Each type of processor has its unique advantages, which together build a powerful processing platform. Processors include central processing units (CPUs), microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), graphics processing units (GPUs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), state machines, gate logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured for various functions. That is, the processors used in the baseband can be used to implement the processes and any one or more of the processes described below.

[0158] Memory: The memory module closely connected to each processor provides the necessary storage space for high-speed data processing. Memory is not only used to temporarily store data and instructions during execution, but also ensures fast response to data access, which is a key guarantee for system performance.

[0159] Bus: As the nerve center of the system, the bus tightly connects components such as processors, memories, peripherals, etc. through bus interfaces. The bus design is flexible and variable, and can contain any number of interconnected buses and bridge elements according to the specific application requirements and overall architecture limitations of the processing system. Its core function is to serve as a communication hub to tightly couple multiple circuit components (such as one or more processors, memory units, or computer-readable media, etc.). In addition, the bus also has expansion capabilities to connect a series of other standard circuit components such as timers, peripheral modules, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, etc. The bus interface serves as a bridge to ensure efficient and orderly transmission of data and instructions between components. At the same time, it is also responsible for integrating timing sources, voltage regulators, and other key circuits, further enhancing the stability and reliability of the system.

[0160] Radio frequency / antenna: A module that amplifies signals and radiates them into space, or receives wireless signals in space.

[0161] Computer-readable medium: As a carrier of software, a readable medium (such as a hard disk, solid state disk, etc.) stores software programs for driving processors to complete complex baseband processing tasks. These programs are carefully designed and cover various aspects from encoding to channel equalization, and are the source of system intelligence and functionality.

[0162] The processor serves as a core control unit of the system, responsible for bus management and overall data processing tasks, including executing software programs stored on the computer readable medium. These software programs, when executed by the processor, endow the processing system with the ability to perform diversified functions, such as communication processing functions including encoding, decoding, rate matching / dematching, scrambling / descrambling, modulation / demodulation, layer mapping, fast fourier transform (FFT) / inverse fast fourier transform (IFFT) / inverse discrete fourier transform (IDFT), precoding, resource element (RE) mapping / demapping, channel equalization, digital beam forming (BF), or addition and removal of cyclic prefix (CP), etc.

[0163] In combination with the above communication system, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, in which a network device indicates at least one of the following information to a terminal device: first information or second information. The first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: a time domain offset value of a positioning time window or a validity time of the positioning time window. The second information is used to indicate a plurality of time intervals corresponding to one network node. Then, the terminal device receives a positioning reference signal based on the first information and / or the second information indicated by the network device, and feeds back a measurement result of the positioning reference signal to the network device. In this way, the first information and / or the second information can be indicated to the terminal device in combination with the variation of the arrival time of the positioning reference signal, so that the terminal device can accurately receive the positioning reference signal based on the first information and / or the second information, thereby ensuring that the terminal device can receive sufficient and high-quality positioning reference signals, and further ensuring high positioning accuracy.

[0164] It should be noted that in the following embodiments of the present application, the names of messages between network elements, the names of parameters, or the names of information, etc. are only examples, and in other embodiments, they can also be other names, and the communication method provided by the present application does not specifically limit this.

[0165] It can be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, each network element can perform part or all of the steps in the embodiments of the present application, and these steps or operations are only examples, and the embodiments of the present application can also perform other operations or variations of various operations. In addition, each step can be executed in a different order as presented in the embodiments of the present application, and it is possible that not all operations in the embodiments of the present application are executed.

[0166] It can be understood that the terminal device and the network device are taken as an example to illustrate the execution subject of the interaction in the present application, but the present application does not limit the execution subject of the interaction. For example, the method executed by the terminal device in the present application can also be executed by a module (such as a chip, a chip system, or a processor) applied to the terminal device, and can also be implemented by a logic node, a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the function of the terminal device; the method executed by the network device in the present application can also be executed by a module (such as a chip, a chip system, or a processor) applied to the network device, and can also be implemented by a logic node, a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the function of the network device, and the embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations.

[0167] In the foregoing description, it has been mentioned that the network device can send at least one of the first information and the second information to the terminal device. In order to further understand and illustrate the communication method in the embodiments of the present application, next, the present application will first focus on the embodiment in which the network device indicates the first information to the terminal device.

[0168] FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 10, the method can include the following steps:

[0169] S110, the first network device sends the first information to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first information from the first network device.

[0170] The first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: a time domain offset value of the positioning time window (such as the MG mentioned above), or a valid time of the positioning time window.

[0171] The time domain offset value of the positioning time window is an offset introduced in the time domain to adjust the reception time of the positioning reference signal to improve the positioning accuracy. The time domain offset value determines the difference between the time domain position of the actual reception positioning reference signal positioning time window and the first time domain position of a certain reference positioning time window. For example, in the embodiments of the present application, the first time domain position mentioned above can be the time domain position of one positioning time window activated (for example, activated by the network device through MAC CE signaling) from the multiple sets of positioning time windows pre-configured by the network device to the terminal device.

[0172] The valid time of the positioning time window defines a time period, in which the terminal device is expected or capable of receiving the positioning reference signal, and considers that the positioning reference signal received by the terminal device in this time period is valid and reliable for subsequent positioning measurement.

[0173] In the embodiments of the present application, the network device is divided into an access network device (referred to as a first network device) and a core network device (referred to as a second network device). For example, for a satellite positioning scenario, the first network device can be a service satellite, and the second network device can be an LMF. Since the LMF knows the running track and relative position relationship of all satellites, the LMF can determine which satellites are close to the terminal device and which satellites are far away from the terminal device in the next time period, and then the LMF can determine whether the time of arrival of the positioning reference signal sent by the satellite to the terminal device is increasing or decreasing, and then determine a positioning time window that can ensure that the terminal device receives more satellite positioning reference signals, and obtain the time domain offset value of the positioning time window by subtracting the time domain position of the positioning time window from the first time domain position. Similarly, the LMF can also determine the effective time of the activated reference positioning time window.

[0174] Then, the LMF can send the first information indicating the time domain offset value of the positioning time window and / or the effective time of the positioning time window to the first network device, and then the first network device sends the first information to the terminal device. It can be understood that the first network device can transparently transmit the first information to the terminal device after receiving the first information, or can adjust the first information based on the network environment and the like, and then send the adjusted first information to the terminal device, which is not limited. As an alternative, the LMF can also directly send the first information to the terminal device.

[0175] For example, as shown in FIG. 11, in a typical scenario, satellite 1 and satellite 2 are close to the terminal device, that is, the time of arrival of the reference signal sent by these satellites at the terminal device is shortened, while satellite 3 is far away from the terminal device, so the time of arrival of the reference signal of satellite 3 at the terminal device is increasing. Therefore, in order to ensure that the terminal device receives more satellite positioning reference signals, that is, the terminal device can receive the positioning reference signals of satellite 1 and satellite 2. For the MG of satellite 1, satellite 2 and satellite 3 shown in FIG. 11, in order to ensure that the terminal device can receive more satellite positioning reference signals, the positioning time window should be activated in advance in the scenario shown in FIG. 11.

[0176] In addition, the content of the first time indicating the time domain offset value of the positioning time window can be flexibly designed. For example, the first information can be MG-1: the time domain offset value is -2; or the first information is MG-2: the time domain offset value is -3.

[0177] In a positioning scenario, generally, multiple periods are included, and one period includes one positioning time window, that is, there can be multiple positioning time windows. The number of time domain offset values is multiple, and any time domain offset value is used to determine the time domain position of the positioning time window in one or more periods (in one possible interpretation, it can also be explained that any time domain offset value is used to determine the time domain position of at least one positioning time window). For example, in a certain scenario, there are four positioning periods from the front to the back over time, and the four positioning time windows in the four positioning periods are: time window 1 (corresponding to the first time domain position 1), time window 2 (corresponding to the first time domain position 2), time window 3 (corresponding to the first time domain position 3), and time window 4 (corresponding to the first time domain position 4).

[0178] Suppose the first information indicates that MG-1: the time domain offset value is -2; MG-2: the time domain offset value is -3; MG-3: the time domain offset value is -1; and MG-4: the time domain offset value is +1. If any time domain offset value is used to determine the time domain position of two positioning time windows, then MG-1: the time domain offset value of -2 can be used to adjust the first time domain position 1 and the first time domain position 2 of the time window 1 and the time window 2 at the same time. MG-2: the time domain offset value of -3 can be used to adjust the first time domain position 3 and the first time domain position 4 of the time window 3 and the time window 4 at the same time. For another example, if any time domain offset value is used to determine the time domain position of one positioning time window, then MG-1: the time domain offset value of -2; MG-2: the time domain offset value of -3; MG-3: the time domain offset value of -1; and MG-4: the time domain offset value of +1 are used to adjust the first time domain position of the time window 1, the time window 2, the time window 3, and the time window 4, respectively.

[0179] For example, in the scenario where the first time domain position is the time domain position of the activated one of the multiple sets of positioning time windows pre-configured by the network device to the terminal device, the above MG-N can refer to the size of the time domain offset value corresponding to the Nth MG after receiving the signaling activating the MG. If the time domain offset value is a negative number M, it means that the MG is started M time slots in advance. If the time domain offset value is a positive number M, it means that the MG is started M time slots later.

[0180] It can be understood that the above is an example of the time domain offset value, and the unit of the time domain offset value is not limited. In actual implementation, the unit of the time domain offset value can be flexibly set, for example, it can be a time slot, a subframe, a frame, a symbol, etc.

[0181] For example, if the validity time of the positioning time window is 10 seconds, it means that the above-mentioned reference positioning time window is valid and can be used for positioning measurement of the terminal device within the 10-second window. Once the 10 seconds elapses, the reference positioning time window is no longer used for positioning. In order to continue positioning, a positioning time window can be reactivated by the network device in time as a new reference positioning time window for the terminal device to perform positioning measurement.

[0182] In an embodiment, if the first information indicates not only the validity time of the positioning time window but also the time domain offset value, the pair of parameters (validity time of the positioning time window and time domain offset value) jointly act on the positioning measurement process within the validity time of the positioning time window. After the current reference positioning time window expires, the reference positioning time window and the time domain offset value can be updated to ensure the continuity and accuracy of the positioning service.

[0183] In an embodiment, the first information can be carried in the signaling for activating the positioning time window of the first time domain position (for example, the signaling for activating the MG in step S5 in FIG. 4). In other words, the first information can also be used to activate the positioning time window. For example, the first information is carried in the radio resource control signaling or the medium access control layer control element.

[0184] S120, the terminal device receives the positioning reference signal based on the first information.

[0185] In a satellite positioning scenario, the first network device is a satellite. Specifically, the satellite can be divided into a service satellite and an auxiliary satellite. The service satellite is responsible for indicating the first information (such as the validity time of the positioning time window, the time domain offset value, etc.) containing the key parameters to the terminal device. At the same time, in order to enhance the accuracy and reliability of positioning, the auxiliary satellite works cooperatively with the service satellite, and both of them can send the positioning reference signal to the terminal device. The terminal device can receive the positioning reference signal from the service satellite and the auxiliary satellite based on the time domain offset value and / or the validity time of the positioning time window indicated by the first information.

[0186] Specifically, if the first information indicates only the time domain offset value of the positioning time window, the terminal device can adjust the above-mentioned first time domain position based on the time domain offset value to obtain a new positioning time window, and receive the positioning reference signal within the new positioning time window. If the first information indicates only the validity time of the positioning time window, the positioning reference signal can be received within the validity time of the positioning time window based on the activated positioning time window. If the first information indicates the time domain offset value of the positioning time window and / or the validity time of the positioning time window, the terminal device can adjust the above-mentioned first time domain position based on the time domain offset value to obtain a new positioning time window, and receive the positioning reference signal within the validity time of the positioning time window based on the new positioning time window.

[0187] The terminal device can then perform positioning measurement based on the received positioning reference signals to obtain measurement results. Exemplarily, the positioning measurement process can cover measurement of a plurality of key parameters, including at least one of the following: a time difference of arrival (RSTD) between different positioning reference signals, a time difference between signal reception and transmission (Rx-Tx Time Difference), a signal phase difference, a Doppler frequency offset effect, or a signal angle of arrival, etc.

[0188] In step S130, the terminal device sends the measurement results of the positioning reference signals to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the measurement results of the positioning reference signals from the terminal device.

[0189] After measuring the measurement results of the positioning reference signals, the terminal device can send the measurement results of the positioning reference signals to the second network device.

[0190] The timing at which the terminal device sends the positioning reference signals can be flexibly set. Exemplarily, taking a UE as an example, for a UE-assisted positioning mode, the UE reports the measurement results to the second network device immediately after measuring the reference signals. For example, if it is periodic positioning, the UE reports the measurement results according to a certain period. This periodic reporting manner can effectively manage the terminal device and prevent invalid occupation of resources by periodically updating the measurement results of the UE.

[0191] After receiving the measurement results of the positioning reference signals, the second network device, for example, the LMF, can determine the position of the terminal device based on the measurement results of the positioning reference signals.

[0192] It can be understood that, as an alternative, the terminal device can also send the measurement results of the positioning reference signals to the first network device, which then forwards the measurement results of the positioning reference signals to the second network device.

[0193] In the embodiments of the present application, the network device indicates the first information to the terminal device. The first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: a time domain offset value of the positioning time window or an effective time of the positioning time window. Then, the terminal device receives the positioning reference signals based on the first information indicated by the network device, and feeds back the measurement results of the positioning reference signals to the network device. In this way, the first information is used to indicate the time variation of the positioning reference signals to the terminal device, so that the terminal device can accurately receive the positioning reference signals based on the first information, thereby ensuring that the terminal device can receive sufficient and high-quality positioning reference signals, and further ensuring high positioning accuracy.

[0194] In an embodiment, optionally, before step S110, the method can further include:

[0195] S140, the terminal device sends third information to the first network device, and correspondingly, the first network device receives the third information from the terminal device.

[0196] In addition to the first network device determining the timing of sending the first information by itself, the terminal device can also request the first information through the third information based on its own needs. For example, when the terminal device determines that there is no sufficient positioning reference signal measured in the positioning time window in a period of time, the terminal device can send the third information to request the first information.

[0197] In the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device actively sends the third information to the first network device to request the first information for receiving the positioning reference signal. In this way, the terminal device can request the first information for receiving the positioning reference signal in a timely manner based on its own needs, so as to ensure that the terminal device can receive sufficient and high-quality positioning reference signals, and further ensure high positioning accuracy.

[0198] In an embodiment, before step S120, the method can further include:

[0199] S150, the first network device sends fourth information to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the fourth information from the first network device.

[0200] The fourth information is used to indicate the first time domain position of the positioning time window. That is, the positioning time window can be adjusted based on the first time domain position and the time domain offset value. As mentioned above, the first time domain position of the activated positioning time window indicated by the first network device is the object of the time domain offset value adjustment. For example, before the terminal device receives the positioning reference signal, the first time domain position can be indicated to the terminal device by the first network device. That is, the fourth information is used to indicate the first time domain position to the terminal device.

[0201] Optionally, the fourth information is carried in RRC.

[0202] In the embodiment of the present application, the first network device indicates the first time domain position of the positioning time window to the terminal device through the fourth information. In this way, the terminal device can determine the positioning time window for receiving the positioning reference signal based on the first time domain position and the time domain offset value of the positioning time window indicated by the first information, so as to ensure that the terminal device can receive sufficient and high-quality positioning reference signals, and further ensure high positioning accuracy.

[0203] In the above embodiment, the implementation manner of the network device indicating the first information to the terminal device has been introduced. As mentioned above, in the embodiment of the present application, the network device can also send the second information to the terminal device, so that the terminal device receives the positioning reference signal based on the second information. The embodiment will be introduced as follows.

[0204] FIG. 13 shows a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 13, the method can include the following steps:

[0205] S210, the second network device sends second information to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second information from the second network device.

[0206] In the embodiments of the present application, the network device is divided into an access network device (referred to as a first network device) and a core network device (referred to as a second network device). For example, for a satellite positioning scenario, satellites can be divided into service satellites and auxiliary satellites, the first network device can be a service satellite, the network node can be an auxiliary satellite, and the second network device can be an LMF.

[0207] The second information is used to indicate a plurality of time intervals corresponding to each network node. The time interval is a time interval for receiving a downlink reference signal determined based on the second information. For example, in the scenario shown in FIG. 3, the terminal device can calculate the expected arrival time of the positioning reference signal of the adjacent station based on the arrival time of the positioning reference signal of the reference station in combination with the expected RSTD, and expand the uncertainty range (which can be understood as a range of offsets) based on the expected arrival time to obtain a time interval.

[0208] In particular, in the embodiments of the present application, the second information indicates a plurality of time intervals corresponding to each network node, rather than only one time interval. The plurality of time intervals are determined by the network device (for example, the LMF) based on the position changes of the auxiliary satellite and the reference satellite relative to the terminal device, which can be more accurately matched with the actual arrival time of the positioning reference signal of the auxiliary satellite, thereby improving the success rate of the terminal device receiving the positioning reference signal of the auxiliary satellite.

[0209] In detail, since the LMF can determine whether the distance between the assisting satellite and the reference satellite (a satellite serving as a reference in the positioning solution process, which has the characteristics of good signal quality, known and stable position for the terminal device, and exemplary, the reference satellite can be the first network device) is getting smaller or larger, the LMF can determine whether the time difference between the positioning reference signal sent by the assisting satellite and the positioning reference signal sent by the reference satellite is getting larger or smaller, so for each assisting satellite (i.e. network node), the LMF can configure multiple time intervals. Exemplarily, as shown in FIG. 14, for the assisting satellite, two time intervals are configured: time interval 1 and time interval 2, wherein the expected reference signal time difference of time interval 1 is expected time difference 1, and the uncertainty range is range 1, at this time, the actual time difference of the positioning reference signals of the assisting satellite and the serving satellite should be time difference 1; the expected reference signal time difference of time interval 2 is expected time difference 2, and the uncertainty range is range 2, at this time, the actual time difference of the positioning reference signals of the assisting satellite and the serving satellite should be time difference 2.

[0210] In an implementation, the second information includes multiple expected reference signal time differences, and exemplary, the expected reference signal time difference can be the aforementioned expectedRSTD. Optionally, the second information can further include multiple time difference ranges (for example, the aforementioned uncertainty range) and / or the validity time of multiple time intervals. Wherein, the multiple expected reference signal time differences correspond one-to-one to the multiple time difference ranges (these time difference ranges can be indicated by the second network device in the second information, can be specified by the protocol, or can be agreed by the terminal device and the second network device, without limitation). For example, in the scenario shown in FIG. 14, the multiple expected reference signal time differences include expected time difference 1 and expected time difference 2, and the multiple time difference ranges include range 1 and range 2. The validity time of the multiple time intervals can also be indicated by the second network device in the second information, or can be specified according to the protocol, or can be agreed by the terminal device and the second network device, without limitation. The validity time of the multiple time intervals indicated in the second information can include the validity time of each time interval, or can include the validity time of the first time interval in the multiple time intervals in time sequence, and the terminal device can calculate the validity time of other time intervals based on the validity time of the first time interval.

[0211] In an embodiment, as an alternative, the second information comprises a plurality of time difference offset values of the reference time difference. Optionally, the second information can further comprise the validity time of the plurality of time intervals. Any of the plurality of time difference offset values is used to determine the time domain position of one or more detection time windows for detecting the positioning reference signal transmitted by the network node, for example, in the scenario shown in FIG. 14, the time interval 1 and the time interval 2 correspond to one detection time window respectively. It can be understood that, compared with the positioning time window mentioned in step S110, the detection time window is a part of the positioning time window, and the detection time window defines a smaller time domain for the terminal device to receive the positioning reference signal.

[0212] The reference time difference can be specified by a protocol or agreed by the terminal device and the second network device, or transmitted by the second network device to the terminal device, without limitation. Similar to the time domain offset value introduced in step S110, the time difference offset value is an offset introduced in the time domain for the reference time difference to adjust the reception time of the positioning reference signal to improve the positioning accuracy. The terminal device can determine the time interval for receiving the positioning reference signal in each detection time window based on the plurality of time difference offset values.

[0213] In an embodiment, as an alternative, the second information comprises a plurality of time difference ranges of the reference time difference, similar to the scenario that the second information comprises a plurality of time difference offset values of the reference time difference. Any of the plurality of time difference ranges is used to determine the time domain position of one or more detection time windows for detecting the positioning reference signal transmitted by the network node, and the description of the detection time window can be referred to the foregoing, and will not be repeated. Each time difference range in combination with the reference time difference can determine a time interval, and the terminal device can receive the positioning reference signal of the corresponding reference satellite based on the plurality of time intervals determined by the plurality of time difference ranges.

[0214] Optionally, the second information transmitted by the second network device to the terminal device can be carried in the positioning protocol signaling. In other words, the second network device can transmit the second information together with the assistance data in step S2 shown in FIG. 4 to the terminal device. At this time, the second information can be understood as a kind of assistance data.

[0215] In an embodiment, as an alternative, the second network device can further transmit the second information to the first network device, and then the first network device transmits the second information to the terminal device, at this time, the second information can be carried in the radio resource control signaling or the medium access control layer control element.

[0216] S220, the terminal device receives the positioning reference signal based on the second information.

[0217] The terminal device can perform blind detection on the positioning reference signals of the corresponding network nodes in the multiple time intervals corresponding to each network node indicated by the second information to implement the reception of the positioning reference signals.

[0218] In an embodiment, referring to the description in step S210, the second information can include multiple expected reference signal time differences corresponding to each network node. Taking network node A as an example, the terminal device can determine when to enable the multiple expected reference signal time differences of network node A based on the effective time of the multiple time intervals of network node A (which can be indicated by the second information or agreed by a protocol, etc.), and determine an expected time window in combination with the expected reference signal time difference, the time difference range (which can be indicated by the second information or agreed by a protocol, etc.), and the reference arrival time (i.e., the arrival time of the reference signal of the serving satellite). In the time window, the terminal device will receive the positioning reference signals of network node A. Based on the principles illustrated in the above example, the terminal device can receive the positioning reference signals of multiple auxiliary satellites based on the second information.

[0219] In an embodiment, as an alternative, referring to the description in step S210, the second information can include multiple time difference bias values of the reference time difference corresponding to each network node. Taking network node A as an example, the terminal device can determine when to enable the multiple time difference bias values of network node A based on the effective time of the multiple time intervals of network node A (which can be indicated by the second information or agreed by a protocol, etc.), and determine an expected reference signal time difference in combination with the time difference bias value and the reference time difference, and then determine an expected time window in combination with the expected reference signal time difference, the time difference range (which can be indicated by the second information or agreed by a protocol, etc.), and the reference arrival time (i.e., the arrival time of the reference signal of the serving satellite). In the time window, the terminal device will receive the positioning reference signals of network node A. Based on the principles illustrated in the above example, the terminal device can receive the positioning reference signals of multiple auxiliary satellites based on the second information.

[0220] S230, the terminal device sends the measurement result of the positioning reference signal to the second network device, and correspondingly, the second network device receives the measurement result of the positioning reference signal from the terminal device.

[0221] Referring to the description in step S130, after measuring the measurement result of the positioning reference signal, the terminal device can send the measurement result of the positioning reference signal to the second network device, and the description is not repeated.

[0222] In an embodiment, optionally, before step S210, the method can further include:

[0223] S240, the terminal device sends third information to the second network device, and correspondingly, the second network device receives the third information from the terminal device.

[0224] The third information is used to request the second information in addition to the time when the second network device decides to send the second information, and the terminal device can also request the second information through the third information based on its own needs. For example, when the terminal device determines that there is no sufficient positioning reference signal measured in the positioning time window within a period of time, the above-mentioned third information can be sent to request the first information.

[0225] In the embodiment of the application, the terminal device actively sends the third information to the second network device to request the second information for receiving the positioning reference signal. In this way, the terminal device can request the second information for receiving the positioning reference signal in a timely manner based on its own needs, and can ensure that the terminal device can receive sufficient and high-quality positioning reference signals, thereby ensuring high positioning accuracy.

[0226] Based on the above description, it can be seen that in the communication method of the embodiment of the application, the network device indicates at least one of the following information to the terminal device: the first information or the second information. The first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the time domain offset value of the positioning time window or the valid time of the positioning time window. The second information is used to indicate a plurality of time intervals corresponding to one network node. Then, the terminal device receives the positioning reference signal based on the first information and / or the second information indicated by the network device, and feeds back the measurement result of the positioning reference signal to the network device. In this way, the first information and / or the second information can be indicated to the terminal device in combination with the arrival time variation of the positioning reference signal, so that the terminal device can accurately receive the positioning reference signal based on the first information and / or the second information, thereby ensuring that the terminal device can receive sufficient and high-quality positioning reference signals, and further ensuring high positioning accuracy.

[0227] In summary, the embodiments of the application respectively describe the communication method when the network device indicates the first information for receiving the positioning reference signal to the terminal device, and the communication method when the network device indicates the second information for receiving the positioning reference signal to the terminal device. It should be understood that in the embodiments of the application, the network device can also indicate the first information and the second information for receiving the positioning reference signal to the terminal device at the same time. The terminal device can receive the positioning reference signal according to the first information and the second information together, thereby realizing the communication method of the embodiments of the application.

[0228] As to the specific implementation, since the method for the terminal device to receive the positioning reference signal based on the first information has been introduced in steps S110-S150, and the method for the terminal device to receive the positioning reference signal based on the second information has been introduced in steps S210-S240, the terminal device can simultaneously adopt steps S110-S150 and steps S210-S240 to receive the positioning reference signal based on the first information and the second information, thereby implementing the communication method of the present application.

[0229] Specifically, after receiving the first information, the terminal device first determines the positioning time window based on the first information, receives the positioning reference signal in the positioning time window, and in combination with the receiving time of the reference positioning reference signal and the second information, determines the multiple time intervals corresponding to each network node after receiving the reference positioning reference signal. Then, the terminal device continues to receive the positioning reference signal of the network node in a smaller time range (i.e., the aforementioned time interval) in the positioning time window, thereby saving the energy consumption of the terminal device while improving the effectiveness of receiving the positioning reference signal, ensuring that the terminal device can receive sufficient and high-quality positioning reference signals, and further ensuring high positioning accuracy. The specific implementation can refer to the corresponding description of steps S110-S150 and steps S210-S240. Since the implementation principles are common, the specific implementation details will not be described here.

[0230] It can be understood that the communication method provided by the present application is not limited to the applicable communication system. For example, the communication method provided by the present application can be applied to an O-RAN communication system. Based on the functional design of O-DU / O-CU / 0-RU in the O-RAN communication system, O-DU / O-CU / O-RU, the steps performed by the network device in the communication method provided by the present application can be flexibly implemented by one or more of O-DU / O-CU / O-RU, without limitation.

[0231] In another embodiment, the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application is also applicable to a chip system environment. Specifically, a memory unit is arranged in a chip system at the network side, for storing the first information and the second information. The chip system at the terminal side is capable of receiving the information from the network side by using the integrated radio frequency / antenna module. After receiving, the processor at the terminal side performs the measurement operation on the positioning reference signal according to the received first information and second information, so as to obtain the measurement result. Then, the measurement result is transmitted back to the network side by the radio frequency / antenna module at the terminal side. Once the network side receives the measurement result, the processor inside the network side starts to process and solve the data, so as to complete the positioning process. It should be emphasized that the above description is based on the scenario that both the network side and the terminal side use the chip system, but in actual application, this scheme also supports the configuration that only the network side or the terminal side uses the chip system, without limitation.

[0232] The above describes the scheme provided by the embodiments of the present application mainly from the perspective of the logic of each step. It can be understood that each node, for example, the network device, contains the hardware structure and / or software module corresponding to each function in order to realize the above functions. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, in combination with the algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed in the present text, the method of the embodiments of the present application can be realized in the form of hardware, software, or the combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is executed in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraint conditions of the technical scheme. The professional technicians can use different methods to realize the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present application.

[0233] The embodiments of the present application can divide the function modules of the network device according to the above method examples, for example, each function module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated in one processing module. The above integrated module can be realized in the form of hardware or in the form of software function module. It should be noted that the division of the modules in the embodiments of the present application is illustrative, and is only a logical function division. There can be another division way in actual implementation.

[0234] In specific implementation, each network element shown in the present application, such as the terminal device, can adopt the constituent structure shown in Figure 15 or include the components shown in Figure 15. Figure 15 is a structure schematic diagram of a communication apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present application. When the communication apparatus has the function of the terminal device described in the embodiments of the present application, the communication apparatus can be the terminal device or a chip or system on chip in the terminal device. When the communication apparatus has the function of the network device described in the embodiments of the present application, the communication apparatus can be the network device or a chip or system on chip in the network device.

[0235] For example, FIG. 15 shows a structural diagram of a possible communication apparatus 700. It can be understood that the communication apparatus 700 includes necessary forms of means, such as modules, units, elements, circuits, or interfaces, which are configured to be appropriately combined together to perform the present solution. The communication apparatus 700 can be a terminal or a network device described in the above method embodiments, or a component (for example, a chip) of these devices, to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. The communication apparatus 700 includes one or more processors 701. The processor 701 can be a general processor or a special-purpose processor, etc. For example, it can be a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication apparatus, execute software programs, and process data of the software programs.

[0236] Optionally, in one design, the processor 701 can include a program 703 (which can also be referred to as code or instructions at times) that can be run on the processor 701, so that the communication apparatus 700 performs the methods described in the above embodiments. In another possible design, the communication apparatus 700 includes a circuit (not shown in FIG. 15) for implementing the signal processing functions in the above embodiments.

[0237] Optionally, the communication apparatus 700 can include one or more memories 702 that have a program 704 (which can also be referred to as code or instructions at times) stored thereon, which can be run on the processor 701, so that the communication apparatus 700 performs the methods described in the above method embodiments.

[0238] Optionally, the processor 701 and / or the memory 702 can include an AI module 707, 708 for implementing AI-related functions. The AI module can be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. For example, the AI module can include a RIC module. For example, the AI module can be a near-real-time RIC or a non-real-time RIC.

[0239] Optionally, the processor 701 and / or the memory 702 can also store data. The processor and the memory can be separately arranged or integrated together.

[0240] Optionally, the communication apparatus 700 can also include a transceiver 705 and / or an antenna 706. The processor 701 can also be referred to as a processing unit, which controls the communication apparatus. The transceiver 705 can also be referred to as a transceiving unit, a transceiver, a transceiving circuit, or a transceiver, etc., which is used to implement the transceiving functions of the communication apparatus through the antenna 706.

[0241] FIG. 16 shows a structural diagram of a communication apparatus 160 applied to a terminal device. The modules in the apparatus shown in FIG. 16 have the functions of implementing the corresponding steps of the above method embodiments and can achieve their corresponding technical effects. The corresponding beneficial effects of the steps performed by the modules can be referred to the descriptions of the corresponding steps in the above method embodiments, which will not be repeated. The functions can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. The communication apparatus can be a terminal device or a chip or system on chip in a terminal device. For example, the communication apparatus includes: a transceiver module 161, configured to receive first information and / or second information, the first information being used to indicate a time domain offset value of a positioning time window and / or a valid time of the positioning time window, and the second information being used to indicate a plurality of time intervals corresponding to one network node; a processing module 162, configured to receive a positioning reference signal through the transceiver module 161 based on the first information and / or the second information; and the transceiver module 161, configured to send a measurement result of the positioning reference signal.

[0242] In the embodiments of the present application, the network device indicates at least one of the following information to the terminal device: first information or second information. The first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: a time domain offset value of a positioning time window or a valid time of the positioning time window. The second information is used to indicate a plurality of time intervals corresponding to one network node. Then the terminal device receives a positioning reference signal based on the above first information and / or second information indicated by the network device, and feeds back a measurement result of the positioning reference signal to the network device. In this way, the first information and / or the second information can be indicated to the terminal device in combination with the change of the arrival time of the positioning reference signal, so that the terminal device can accurately receive the positioning reference signal based on the first information and / or the second information, and further ensure that the terminal device can receive sufficient and high-quality positioning reference signals, and further ensure high positioning accuracy.

[0243] FIG. 17 shows a structural diagram of a communication apparatus 170 applied to a network device. The modules in the apparatus shown in FIG. 17 have functions of implementing corresponding steps in the above method embodiments and can achieve their corresponding technical effects. The corresponding beneficial effects of the steps performed by the modules can be referred to the descriptions of the corresponding steps in the above method embodiments, which will not be repeated. The functions can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. The communication apparatus can be a network device or a chip or system on chip in the network device. For example, the communication apparatus includes: a transceiver module 171, configured to send first information and / or second information, the first information being used to indicate a time domain offset value of a positioning time window, and / or the first information being used to indicate a validity time of the positioning time window, and the second information being used to indicate a plurality of time intervals corresponding to one network node; and the transceiver module 171 is configured to receive a measurement result of a positioning reference signal.

[0244] In the embodiments of the present application, the network device indicates at least one of the following information to the terminal device: the first information or the second information. The first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: a time domain offset value of a positioning time window or a validity time of the positioning time window. The second information is used to indicate a plurality of time intervals corresponding to one network node. Then, the terminal device receives the positioning reference signal based on the first information and / or the second information indicated by the network device, and feeds back the measurement result of the positioning reference signal to the network device. In this way, the first information and / or the second information can be indicated to the terminal device in combination with the change of the arrival time of the positioning reference signal, so that the terminal device can accurately receive the positioning reference signal based on the first information and / or the second information, and thus the terminal device can receive sufficient and high-quality positioning reference signals, and thus the positioning accuracy is high.

[0245] The embodiments of the present application also provide a communication system corresponding to a high-speed private network information transmission scenario of a neighboring cell. The communication system can include a terminal device and a network device. The terminal device can have the functions of the communication apparatus 160 described above, and the network device can have the functions of the communication apparatus 170 described above.

[0246] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer readable storage medium. All or part of the processes in the above method embodiments can be instructed by a computer program to relevant hardware to complete, and the program can be stored in the computer readable storage medium. When the program is executed, the program can include the processes of the above method embodiments. The computer readable storage medium can be an internal storage unit of the terminal device, such as a hard disk or a memory of the terminal device, including a data sending end and / or a data receiving end. The computer readable storage medium can also be an external storage device of the terminal device, such as a plug-in hard disk, a smart media card (SMC), a secure digital (SD) card, a flash card, and the like. Further, the computer readable storage medium can include both the internal storage unit and the external storage device of the terminal device. The computer readable storage medium is used to store the computer program and other programs and data required by the terminal device. The computer readable storage medium can also be used to temporarily store data that has been output or will be output.

[0247] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer instruction. All or part of the processes in the above method embodiments can be instructed by the computer instruction to relevant hardware (such as a computer, a processor, a network device, and a terminal, and the like) to complete. The program can be stored in the computer readable storage medium.

[0248] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product containing instructions, which, when run on a computer, cause all or part of the processes in the above method embodiments to be performed.

[0249] The embodiments of the present application further provide a chip system. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or can contain a chip and other discrete devices, without limitation. The chip system includes a processor and a transceiver. All or part of the processes in the above method embodiments can be completed by the chip system, such as the chip system can be used to implement the functions performed by the terminal device or the network device in the above method embodiments.

[0250] In a possible design, the chip system further includes a memory, and the memory is used to save program instructions and / or data. When the chip system is running, the processor executes the program instructions stored in the memory, so that the chip system performs the functions performed by the terminal device or the network device in the above method embodiments.

[0251] In the embodiments of the present application, the processor can be a general processor, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, and can implement or execute the disclosed methods, steps and logic block diagrams in the embodiments of the present application. The general processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the method disclosed in combination with the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as hardware processor execution or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor.

[0252] In the embodiments of the present application, the memory can be a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), and can also be a volatile memory such as a random-access memory (RAM). The memory can be any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and capable of being accessed by a computer, but is not limited to this. The memory in the embodiments of the present application can also be a circuit or any other device capable of realizing a storage function, used for storing instructions and / or data.

[0253] It should be noted that the terms "first" and "second" and the like in the specification, claims and drawings of the present application are used to distinguish different objects, and are not used to describe a specific order. In addition, the terms "include" and "have" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product or device including a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but can optionally include steps or units not listed or can optionally include other steps or units inherent to the process, method, product or device.

[0254] It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, "at least one" refers to one or more, "multiple" refers to two or more, "at least two" refers to two or three and three or more, and "and / or" is used to describe the association relationship of the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, "A and / or B" can mean: only A, only B, and A and B exist at the same time, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after it. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions means any combination of these items, including any combination of single item or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b or c can mean: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c", where a, b, and c can be single or multiple. It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, "B corresponding to A" means that B is associated with A. For example, B can be determined according to A. It should also be understood that determining B according to A does not mean that B is determined only according to A, but B can also be determined according to A and / or other information. In addition, "connection" appearing in the embodiments of the present application means direct connection or indirect connection and various connection manners to achieve communication between devices, which is not limited by the embodiments of the present application.

[0255] Unless otherwise specified, "transmit" and "transmission" appearing in the embodiments of the present application mean bidirectional transmission, including sending and / or receiving actions. Specifically, "transmit" in the embodiments of the present application includes data sending, data receiving, or data sending and data receiving. Or, data transmission here includes uplink and / or downlink data transmission. Data can include channels and / or signals, uplink data transmission is uplink channel and / or uplink signal transmission, and downlink data transmission is downlink channel and / or downlink signal transmission. "Network" and "system" appearing in the embodiments of the present application express the same concept, and the communication system is the communication network.

[0256] Through the description of the above embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, only the division of the above functional modules is taken as an example for illustration, and in actual application, the above functions can be completed by different functional modules according to needs, that is, the internal structure of the device is divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

[0257] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and method can be implemented by other manners. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative, for example, the division of the modules or units is merely a logical function division, and actual implementation can have another division manner, for example, a plurality of units or components can be combined or integrated into another apparatus, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection between the units or components shown or discussed can be indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, apparatuses or units, and can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0258] The units described as separate components can or can not be physically separate, and the components shown as units can be one physical unit or multiple physical units, that is, can be located in one place, or can be distributed to multiple different places. Part or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the embodiment scheme.

[0259] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application can be integrated in one processing unit, or each unit can be physically present separately, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit. The integrated unit can be realized in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional unit. When the integrated unit is realized in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application essentially or say the part that contributes to the prior art or the whole or part of the technical solutions can be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium and includes a plurality of instructions for causing an apparatus, such as a single-chip microcomputer, a chip, or a processor, to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The foregoing storage medium includes: a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and various storage medium that can store program codes.

[0260] The above is merely a specific implementation manner of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto, any change or replacement within the technical scope disclosed in the present application should be covered in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: receiving first information and / or second information, the first information being used for indicating a time domain offset value of a positioning time window and / or a validity time of the positioning time window, the second information being used for indicating a plurality of time intervals corresponding to one network node; receiving a positioning reference signal based on the first information and / or the second information; sending a measurement result of the positioning reference signal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The method further comprises: sending third information, the third information being used for requesting the first information and / or the second information.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The second information comprises a plurality of expected reference signal time differences, or the second information comprises a plurality of time difference offset values of a reference time difference.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The second information further comprises at least one of a plurality of time difference ranges or an effective time of the plurality of time intervals.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, Any time difference offset value of the plurality of time difference offset values is used for determining a time domain position of one or more detection time windows, the detection time windows being used for detecting a positioning reference signal sent by the network node.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The number of the time domain offset values is a plurality, any of the time domain offset values being used for determining a time domain position of the positioning time window within at least one period.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The first information is carried in radio resource control signaling or medium access control layer control element.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The second information is carried in positioning protocol signaling.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The method further comprises: receiving fourth information, the fourth information being used for indicating a first time domain position of the positioning time window, the time domain offset value being an offset value based on the first time domain position.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, The method further comprises that the fourth information is carried in radio resource control signaling.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The first information is further used for activating the positioning time window.

12. A communication method, comprising: The method comprises: sending first information and / or second information, the first information being used for indicating a time domain offset value of a positioning time window and / or a validity time of the positioning time window, the second information being used for indicating a plurality of time intervals corresponding to one network node; receiving a measurement result of a positioning reference signal.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving third information, the third information being used for requesting the first information and / or the second information.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein, The second information comprises a plurality of expected reference signal time differences, or the second information comprises a plurality of time difference offset values of a reference time difference.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, The second information further comprises at least one of a plurality of time difference ranges or an effective time of the plurality of time intervals.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that Any time difference offset value of the plurality of time difference offset values is used for determining a time domain position of one or more detection time windows, the detection time windows being used for detecting a positioning reference signal sent by the network node.

17. The method according to any one of claims 12-16, characterized in that, The number of the time domain offset values is a plurality, any of the time domain offset values being used for determining a time domain position of the positioning time window within at least one period.

18. The method according to any one of claims 12-17, characterized by, The first information is carried in radio resource control signaling or medium access control layer control element.

19. The method according to any one of claims 12-18, characterized in that, The second information is carried in positioning protocol signaling.

20. The method according to any one of claims 12-19, characterized in that, The method further comprises: sending fourth information, the fourth information being used for indicating a first time domain position of the positioning time window, the time domain offset value being an offset value based on the first time domain position.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein, The method further comprises that the fourth information is carried in radio resource control signaling.

22. The method according to any one of claims 12-21, characterized in that, The first information is further used to activate the positioning time window.

23. A communications device, characterized by comprising means for performing the method of any of claims 1-11; or comprising means for performing the method of any of claims 12-22.

24. A communications device, characterized by The communication device comprises a processor configured to support the communication device to perform the method of any of claims 1-22.

25. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer readable storage medium stores computer instructions that, when executed, cause the method of any of claims 1-22 to be performed.

26. A computer program product, characterised in that, When executed on a computer, cause the method of any of claims 1-22 to be performed.

27. A chip, characterized by The chip comprises a processor configured to support the chip to perform the method of any of claims 1-22.

28. A communication system, characterized by comprising means for performing the method of any of claims 1-11; or comprising means for performing the method of any of claims 12-22.

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