Communication method and apparatus, and storage medium and computer program product

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a communication method and apparatus, and a storage medium and a computer program product, which are used for improving the throughput of a communication system. In this application, an NTN apparatus acquires first configuration information, wherein the first configuration information is used for indicating the region in which a first communication apparatus provides a communication service; the NTN apparatus acquires first information, wherein the first information is used for determining the relationship between the position of the NTN apparatus and the region in which the first communication apparatus provides a communication service; and on the basis of the first information and the first configuration information, the NTN apparatus camps on the first communication apparatus when the NTN apparatus moves to the region in which the first communication apparatus provides a service. The solution can reduce signaling overheads during the process in which an NTN apparatus determines which communication apparatus to camp on, accelerate the speed at which the NTN apparatus camps on the communication apparatus, and increase the success rate of camping.

Description

A communication method, apparatus, storage medium, and computer program product

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411464142.3, filed on October 18, 2024, with the title “A Communication Method, Apparatus, Storage Medium and Computer Program Product”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, apparatus, storage medium, and computer program product. Background Technology

[0004] Currently, the 5th generation (5G) New Radio (NR) technology is evolving from revision (R) 18 to revision (R19). Simultaneously, NR technology has moved from the standardization phase to the commercial deployment phase. The NR standard protocol is a wireless communication technology designed for terrestrial cellular network scenarios, providing users with ultra-low latency, ultra-reliability, ultra-high speed, and massive connectivity wireless communication services. Compared to terrestrial communication, non-terrestrial networks (NTN) communication features large coverage areas and flexible networking, achieving seamless global network coverage. NTN communication utilizes equipment such as drones, high-altitude platforms, and satellites to build networks, providing data transmission, voice communication, and other services to user equipment (UE). Currently, reducing resource consumption is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method, apparatus, storage medium, and computer program product for determining whether to reside on a first communication device based on first information and first configuration information. This solution can save signaling overhead and reduce resource consumption.

[0006] Firstly, this application provides a communication method that can be executed by an NTN device. The NTN device may include an NTN equipment or a chip (or chip system, circuit, or unit) within the NTN equipment. For example, the NTN equipment may include a terminal or network device. For example, the NTN equipment may also act as a relay to provide access services to other devices. For example, the NTN equipment includes satellites, drones, or high-altitude platforms. As another example, the NTN equipment includes an aircraft (or other flying vehicle), or a terminal on an aircraft (or other flying vehicle), a ground-based mobile terminal, a drone terminal, an aircraft terminal, a satellite, or a satellite terminal. The satellite or satellite terminal may operate in transparent mode or regenerative mode. As another example, the NTN equipment may include IAB-MT, or NCR-MT, or Wireless Access Backhaul (WAB)-MT, etc.

[0007] This application also relates to communication devices, such as a first communication device, a second communication device, or a third communication device. Any of the first, second, or third communication devices can be a network device or a chip (or chip system, circuit, or unit) within a network device. For example, the network device may include access network equipment, ground station, gateway, relay equipment, base station, host, parent node, or node. As another example, the network device may include an IAB, an NCR, or a WAB. The first communication device can also be replaced by a first network device, the second communication device can be replaced by a second network device, and the third communication device can be replaced by a third network device.

[0008] For example, the NTN device acquires first configuration information, which indicates the area where the first communication device provides communication services. The NTN device acquires first information, which determines the relationship between the location of the NTN device and the area where the first communication device provides communication services. Based on the first information and the first configuration information, the NTN device camps on the first communication device when it moves to the area where the first communication device provides services.

[0009] The first configuration information includes information for indicating at least one of the following:

[0010] The first elevation angle range corresponding to the first communication device, and the area corresponding to the first elevation angle range belongs to the area where the first communication device provides communication services;

[0011] The first orbital angle range where the NTN device is located, and the area corresponding to the first orbital angle range belongs to the area where the first communication device provides communication services;

[0012] The first Doppler range corresponding to the signal sent by the first communication device, and the area corresponding to the first Doppler range belongs to the area where the first communication device provides communication services;

[0013] The first Doppler rate range corresponding to the signal sent by the first communication device, and the area corresponding to the first Doppler rate range belongs to the area where the first communication device provides communication services;

[0014] Within the first time frame, the location of the NTN device within the first time frame belongs to the area where the first communication device provides communication services;

[0015] The first timing advance (TA) range, the area corresponding to the first TA range belongs to the area where the first communication device provides communication services;

[0016] The first TA change rate range, the area corresponding to the first TA change rate range belongs to the area where the first communication device provides communication services; or...

[0017] The range of the rate of change of TA, the area corresponding to the range of the rate of change of TA belongs to the area where the first communication device provides communication services.

[0018] In this implementation, the NTN device can determine the communication device to be camped on using the first configuration information and the first information. For example, if the NTN device determines, based on the first configuration information and the first information, that it has moved to an area where the first communication device provides communication services, then the first communication device can be identified as the communication device to be camped on. This approach can reduce the signaling overhead in the process of the NTN device determining the communication device to be camped on, speed up the process of the NTN device camping on the communication device, and improve the success rate of camping on the communication device.

[0019] To facilitate understanding, a possible scenario is illustrated below. For example, the NTN device is a satellite, and the communication device is a ground-based relay. The NTN device (e.g., a satellite) may be in a constant state of movement. As the NTN device moves, it frequently changes the communication device it hosts, resulting in significant signaling overhead. In the solution provided in this application, the first configuration information may include at least one of the following: a first elevation angle range, a first orbital angle range, a first Doppler range, a first Doppler rate range, a first time range, a first TA range, a first TA rate of change range, or a TA rate of change rate range. This first configuration information can assist the NTN device in autonomously determining the communication device it wants to host. This process reduces signaling transmission between the NTN device and other devices during the determination of the desired communication device, thereby saving signaling and reducing resource overhead.

[0020] In another possible scenario, the NTN device can first select the communication device to camp on based on the first configuration information, then measure the signal of the communication device to camp on, and then determine whether to camp on that communication device based on the measurement results. Since the NTN device has already determined the communication device to camp on before performing the communication device signal measurement, this scheme can configure the measurement control information more accurately, reduce the number of cells and the number of measurement signals, and save measurement signaling overhead and complexity. The scheme provided in this application embodiment can also be applied to other scenarios to reduce signaling overhead in other scenarios. Relevant examples will be described in detail in the following specific embodiments, and will not be described here.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0022] The elevation angle of the connection between the NTN device and the first communication device on the side of the first communication device;

[0023] The track angle corresponding to the NTN device;

[0024] The Doppler signal received by the NTN device from the first communication device;

[0025] The Doppler rate corresponding to the signal received by the NTN device from the first communication device;

[0026] Current time;

[0027] The TA corresponding to the signal between the NTN device and the first communication device;

[0028] The rate of change of the TA corresponding to the signal between the NTN device and the first communication device; or,

[0029] The rate of change of the TA corresponding to the signal between the NTN device and the first communication device.

[0030] An NTN device can acquire first information in various ways. For example, an NTN device can obtain the current time based on time information. Another example is that an NTN device can determine its location information based on its ephemeris information, and then, based on its location information and the location information of the first communication device, determine the elevation angle of the connection between the NTN device and the first communication device on the first communication device side.

[0031] As can be seen from the above, the NTN device can obtain the first information through at least one of the following: time information, ephemeris information, location information of the first communication device, or signals transmitted by the first communication device (e.g., reference signals). Obtaining the first information is relatively easy, which reduces the complexity for the NTN device in determining which communication device to reside in, thereby saving resource overhead.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the NTN device determines that it has moved to the area where the first communication device provides services, provided that the first information meets the first condition.

[0033] The first condition includes at least one of the following:

[0034] The connection between the NTN device and the first communication device has an elevation angle corresponding to the first communication device side that falls within the first elevation angle range.

[0035] The track angle corresponding to the NTN device belongs to the first track angle range;

[0036] The Doppler signal received by the NTN device from the first communication device belongs to the first Doppler range;

[0037] The Doppler rate of the signal received by the NTN device from the first communication device belongs to the first Doppler rate range; or,

[0038] The current time falls within the first time frame;

[0039] The TA corresponding to the signal between the NTN device and the first communication device belongs to the first TA range;

[0040] The rate of change of the transfer signal (TA) between the NTN device and the first communication device falls within the range of the first TA rate of change; or,

[0041] The rate of change of the TA corresponding to the signal between the NTN device and the first communication device falls within the range of the rate of change of TA.

[0042] As can be seen from the above methods, the communication device selected by the NTN device to camp on can provide better communication service quality, thereby improving the success rate of the NTN device camping on the communication device and also improving the communication quality of the NTN device.

[0043] In one possible implementation, before the NTN device camps on the first communication device, the NTN device determines, based on first information, that it will move out of the area served by the second communication device. In this way, the NTN device can camp on other communication devices after leaving the area served by the second communication device, thereby reducing the number of communication device handovers and saving signaling overhead.

[0044] In one possible implementation, the first configuration information is used to indicate the area where multiple candidate target communication devices provide communication services, and the first communication device belongs to multiple candidate target communication devices. The first configuration information is also used to indicate the priority of multiple candidate target communication devices. Since the first configuration information configures the priority of the candidate target communication devices, the NTN device can determine whether a candidate target communication device is the communication device to be camped on according to the priority, and can then preferentially camp on the communication device with the higher priority.

[0045] In one possible implementation, the first configuration information is used to indicate the area where multiple candidate target communication devices provide communication services, and the first communication device belongs to multiple candidate target communication devices. One of the following candidate target communication devices is selected as the target communication device (or the first communication device):

[0046] Among multiple candidate target communication devices, the candidate target communication device that is closest to the NTN device;

[0047] Among multiple candidate target communication devices, the candidate target communication device with the largest elevation angle corresponding to the NTN device side of the connection between the candidate target communication device and the NTN device; or,

[0048] The candidate target communication device with the strongest signal received by the NTN device among multiple candidate target communication devices.

[0049] As can be seen from the above scheme, the communication device selected by the NTN device to be hosted can provide better communication service quality, thereby improving the success rate of the NTN device hosting the communication device and improving the communication quality of the NTN device.

[0050] In one possible implementation, the first configuration information further includes at least one of the following: location information of the first communication device, frequency information, and cell identifier. This can help the NTN device improve the speed at which it camps on the communication device.

[0051] The embodiments provided in this application are applicable to various scenarios, such as random access scenarios. For example, the NTN device sends a random access preamble to the first communication device. The NTN device receives the random access response. The NTN device camps on the cell of the first communication device. Since the NTN device determines the communication device capable of providing communication services based on the first configuration information before performing the random access procedure, the NTN device can directly send the random access procedure to the first communication device. This scheme can improve the success rate of random access.

[0052] For example, the embodiments provided in this application can be applied to both cell handover procedures and conditional handover procedures. For instance, the NTN device can determine the communication device to be camped on based on first configuration information, and then send first indication information to the second communication device, indicating that the first communication device is the target communication device. The NTN device receives a message instructing the NTN device to switch from the second communication device to the first communication device. Subsequently, the NTN device can camp on the first communication device based on this message instructing the NTN device to switch from the second communication device to the first communication device. This scheme can save signaling overhead during the NTN device's communication device handover process.

[0053] For example, before measuring the signals of each communication device, the NTN device can determine the communication device to be camped on based on the first configuration information. It can measure the signal of the communication device to be camped on, without measuring the signals of other communication devices, thereby reducing the number of communication device signals to be measured and lowering the measurement complexity. For instance, the NTN device sends a second indication message to a second communication device, indicating that the candidate target communication device includes the first communication device. The NTN device receives a measurement control message from the second communication device, instructing the NTN device to measure the signal of the first communication device. The NTN device measures the signal of the first communication device based on the measurement control message and obtains measurement result information. The NTN device sends the measurement result information to the second communication device. The NTN device receives a message instructing the NTN device to switch from the second communication device to the first communication device. Subsequently, the NTN device can camp on the first communication device based on this message instructing the NTN device to switch from the second communication device to the first communication device. This scheme can reduce the number of communication device signals to be measured and lower the measurement complexity.

[0054] For example, the embodiments provided in this application can be applied to the cell reselection process. For instance, the NTN device can select a communication device to camp on based on the first configuration information and camp on that communication device. This eliminates the need for neighbor cell measurement and reselection evaluation decisions, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0055] For example, before initiating neighbor cell measurement, the NTN device can select a communication device to camp on based on first configuration information. Then, it measures the signal of the selected communication device, eliminating the need to measure signals from other communication devices. This reduces the number of communication device signals to be measured and lowers measurement complexity. For instance, the NTN device measures the signal from a first communication device to obtain the signal measurement result. If the signal measurement result of the first communication device meets specified conditions, the NTN device camps on the cell of the first communication device.

[0056] Secondly, this application provides a communication method that can be executed by a second communication device. This application also relates to other communication devices, such as a second or third communication device. Any of the first, second, or third communication device can be a network device or a chip (or chip system, circuit, or unit) within a network device. For example, the network device may include access network equipment, ground station, gateway, relay equipment, base station, host, parent node, or node, etc. As another example, the network device may include an IAB, or an NCR, or a WAB, etc. The first communication device may also be referred to as a first network device, the second communication device as a second network device, and the third communication device as a third network device.

[0057] The second communication device acquires first configuration information, which indicates the area where the first communication device provides communication services. The second communication device then sends the first configuration information to the NTN device.

[0058] The first configuration information includes information for indicating at least one of the following:

[0059] The first elevation angle range corresponding to the first communication device, and the area corresponding to the first elevation angle range belongs to the area where the first communication device provides communication services;

[0060] The first orbital angle range where the NTN device is located, and the area corresponding to the first orbital angle range belongs to the area where the first communication device provides communication services;

[0061] The first Doppler range corresponding to the signal sent by the first communication device, and the area corresponding to the first Doppler range belongs to the area where the first communication device provides communication services;

[0062] The first Doppler rate range corresponding to the signal sent by the first communication device, and the area corresponding to the first Doppler rate range belongs to the area where the first communication device provides communication services;

[0063] Within the first time frame, the location of the NTN device within the first time frame belongs to the area where the first communication device provides communication services;

[0064] The first TA range is measured in advance, and the area corresponding to the first TA range belongs to the area where the first communication device provides communication services.

[0065] The first TA change rate range, the area corresponding to the first TA change rate range belongs to the area where the first communication device provides communication services; or...

[0066] The range of the rate of change of TA, the area corresponding to the range of the rate of change of TA belongs to the area where the first communication device provides communication services.

[0067] The first configuration information enables the NTN device to determine the communication device to camp on, based on the first configuration information and the first information. This reduces the signaling overhead during the NTN device's determination of the communication device to camp on, speeds up the NTN device's camping process, and improves the camping success rate.

[0068] In one possible implementation, the first configuration information is used to enable the NTN device to determine the relationship between the location of the NTN device and the area where the first communication device provides communication services, and to reside on the first communication device when the NTN device moves to the area where the first communication device provides services.

[0069] In one possible implementation, the first configuration information is used to indicate the area where multiple candidate target communication devices provide communication services, and the first communication device belongs to the multiple candidate target communication devices. The first configuration information is also used to indicate the priority of the multiple candidate target communication devices.

[0070] In one possible implementation, the second communication device receives first indication information from the NTN device, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first communication device is the target communication device, and the first communication device is determined by the NTN device based on first configuration information;

[0071] The second communication device sends a message instructing the NTN device to switch from the second communication device to the first communication device.

[0072] In one possible implementation, the second communication device receives second indication information, which indicates that the candidate target communication device includes the first communication device. The second communication device sends a measurement control message, which instructs the NTN device to measure the signal of the first communication device. The second communication device receives measurement result information, which includes information obtained by the NTN device from measuring the signal of the first communication device. The second communication device sends a message instructing the NTN device to switch from the second communication device to the first communication device.

[0073] In one possible implementation, the second communication device stops sending signals to the NTN device when the NTN device moves out of the area served by the second communication device, based on information from the NTN device. This saves power consumption for the second communication device. Alternatively, the second communication device acquires information from the NTN device. Based on this information, the second communication device sends signals to the NTN device when the NTN device moves into the area served by the second communication device. This provides communication services to the NTN device.

[0074] The relevant content and beneficial effects of the second aspect and its possible implementation methods are described in the aforementioned first aspect and will not be repeated here.

[0075] Thirdly, a communication device is provided, which can be the aforementioned NTN device or the second communication device. The communication device may include a communication unit and a processing unit to perform any one of the first to second aspects, or any possible implementation of the first to second aspects. The communication unit is used to perform functions related to transmission and reception. The communication unit may be referred to as a transceiver unit. Optionally, the communication unit includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. In one design, the communication device is a communication chip, the processing unit may be one or more processors or processor cores, and the communication unit may be the input / output circuit, input / output interface, or antenna port of the communication chip.

[0076] In another design, the communication unit can be a transmitter and a receiver, or the communication unit can be a transmitter and a receiver.

[0077] Optionally, the communication device may also include modules that can be used to perform any one of the first to second aspects described above, or to perform any possible implementation of the first to second aspects.

[0078] Fourthly, a communication device is provided, which may be the aforementioned NTN device or a second communication device. The communication device may include at least one processor and a memory to execute any one of the first to second aspects, or to execute any possible implementation of the first to second aspects. The memory is used to store computer programs or instructions, and the processor is used to retrieve and execute the computer program or instructions from the memory. When the processor executes the computer program or instructions in the memory, the communication device executes any one of the first to second aspects, or to execute any possible implementation of the first to second aspects.

[0079] Optionally, there may be one or more processors and one or more memories.

[0080] Optionally, the memory can be integrated with the processor, or the memory can be set up separately from the processor.

[0081] Optionally, a transceiver may also be included. Optionally, the transceiver may include a transmitter and a receiver.

[0082] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, which can be the aforementioned NTN device or the second communication device. The communication device may include at least one processor to execute any one of the first to second aspects, or to execute any possible implementation of the first to second aspects. Optionally, the communication device further includes a memory. Optionally, the processor is coupled to the memory. Optionally, the communication device further includes a communication interface, and the processor is coupled to the communication interface.

[0083] In one implementation, when the communication device is an NTN device or a second communication device, the communication interface can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the transceiver can be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface can be an input / output circuit.

[0084] In another implementation, when the communication device is a chip or chip system, the communication interface can be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuit on the chip or chip system. The processor can also be manifested as a processing circuit or logic circuit.

[0085] Sixthly, a system is provided, which includes the aforementioned NTN device.

[0086] In one possible implementation, the system may further include a first communication device. In another possible implementation, the system may further include a second communication device.

[0087] In a seventh aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising: a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions) that, when executed, causes a computer to perform any one of the first to second aspects described above, or to perform any possible implementation of the first to second aspects.

[0088] Eighthly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions) that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform any one of the first to second aspects described above, or to perform any possible implementation of the first to second aspects.

[0089] A ninth aspect provides a communication device, comprising: an interface circuit and a processing circuit. The interface circuit may include an input circuit and an output circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive signals through the input circuit and transmit signals through the output circuit, thereby enabling any one of the first to second aspects, or any possible implementation thereof, to be implemented.

[0090] In practical implementation, the aforementioned communication device can be a chip, the input circuit can be an input pin, the output circuit can be an output pin, and the processing circuit can be a transistor, gate circuit, flip-flop, and various logic circuits. The input signal received by the input circuit can be received and input by, for example, but not limited to, a receiver, and the signal output by the output circuit can be, for example, but not limited to, output to a transmitter and transmitted by the transmitter. Furthermore, the input circuit and the output circuit can be the same circuit, which is used as both the input circuit and the output circuit at different times. This application does not limit the specific implementation of the processor and various circuits.

[0091] In one implementation, when the communication device is an NTN device or a second communication device, the interface circuit can be an RF processing chip in the NTN device or the second communication device, and the processing circuit can be a baseband processing chip in the NTN device or the second communication device.

[0092] In another implementation, the communication device can be a component of an NTN device or a second communication device, such as a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or communication chip, or other integrated circuit products. The interface circuit can be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pins, or related circuits on the chip or chip system. The processing circuit can be the logic circuit on the chip. Attached Figure Description

[0093] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of a network architecture of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application;

[0094] Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of the network architecture of another communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application;

[0095] Figure 1C is a schematic diagram of the network architecture of another communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application;

[0096] Figure 1D is a schematic diagram of the network architecture of another communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application;

[0097] Figure 1E is a schematic diagram of the network architecture of another communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application;

[0098] Figure 1F is a schematic diagram of the network architecture of another communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application;

[0099] Figure 1G is a schematic diagram of the network architecture of another communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application;

[0100] Figure 1H is a schematic diagram of the network architecture of another communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application;

[0101] Figure 1I is a schematic diagram of the network architecture of another communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application;

[0102] Figure 1J is a schematic diagram of the network architecture of another communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application;

[0103] Figure 1K is a schematic diagram of the network architecture of another communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application;

[0104] Figure 1L is a schematic diagram of the network architecture of another communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application;

[0105] Figure 1M is a schematic diagram of the network architecture of another communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application;

[0106] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a scenario applicable to an embodiment of this application;

[0107] Figure 3 is a possible flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0108] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an elevation angle range provided by an embodiment of this application;

[0109] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a track angle range provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0110] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the Doppler signal corresponding to a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0111] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the Doppler rate corresponding to the signal of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0112] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of an elevation angle provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0113] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a scenario applicable to an embodiment of this application;

[0114] Figure 10 is a possible flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0115] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of another scenario to which the embodiments of this application are applicable;

[0116] Figure 12 is a possible flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0117] Figure 13 is a possible flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0118] Figure 14 is a possible flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0119] Figure 15 is a possible flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0120] Figure 16 is a possible flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0121] Figure 17 is a possible flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0122] Figure 18 is a possible flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0123] Figure 19 is a possible flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0124] Figure 20 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0125] Figure 21 is a schematic diagram of another structure of the communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0126] Figure 22 is a schematic diagram of another structure of the communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0127] The terms and nouns used in the embodiments of this application are described below.

[0128] (1) Reference signal.

[0129] The reference signal in the embodiments of this application may include at least one of the following: positioning reference signal (PRS), sounding reference signal (SRS), channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), demodulation reference signal (DMRS), phase-tracking reference signal (PTRS), or synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block (SSB).

[0130] (2) Region.

[0131] Region: Unless otherwise specified, "region" in the following embodiments of this application refers to a geographical region. A region is fixed relative to the Earth, or can be understood as a geographical area that is fixed relative to the Earth. For example, a region may have at least one of the following attributes: shape, outline, size, radius, area, geographical location, etc.

[0132] The term "region" can also have an altitude attribute, meaning a region can be understood as a geographical area at a given altitude or altitude range. By default, a region can refer to a geographical area on the ground with an elevation of 0 kilometers (km) or an elevation around 0 km (e.g., within the range of [-2, 2] km), or a geographical area with a certain average elevation. Additionally, it can refer to geographical areas at other specific altitudes or altitude ranges, such as a geographical area with an elevation of 10 km, or a geographical area with an elevation around 10 km (e.g., within the range of [7, 13] km).

[0133] In one possible implementation, the aforementioned region fixed relative to the Earth may also be referred to as a "wave position," "geographical region," etc. Of course, other names are also possible, and this application does not specifically limit the name of the region fixed relative to the Earth.

[0134] Different regions may have the same or different shapes, outlines, sizes, radii, and areas. Different regions may be geographically different. Different regions may or may not overlap.

[0135] In one possible implementation, "region fixed relative to the Earth" can be understood as follows: the region's outline, size, or geographical location remains unchanged; for example, the region's outline, size, or geographical location does not change over time. Alternatively, "region fixed relative to the Earth" can be understood as follows: the region's outline and the points within it can be described using a fixed Earth coordinate system, or the coordinates of each point on the region's outline in the fixed Earth coordinate system remain constant.

[0136] In one possible implementation, the shape of the region can be a regular hexagon, or other shapes such as a regular pentagon, a circle, an ellipse, etc. Alternatively, the shape of the region can also be irregular, without limitation.

[0137] For example, the shape of a region can be defined by a protocol or by a network device. Regions defined by different network devices can have the same or different shapes. The same network device can also define multiple region shapes. Similarly, the size, radius, and area of ​​a region can also be defined by a protocol or by a network device. Regions defined by different network devices can have the same or different sizes, radii, or areas. The same network device can also define multiple region sizes, multiple region radii, or multiple region areas.

[0138] In one possible implementation, the Earth's surface can be divided into multiple regions, and these regions can be indexed (e.g., numbered). Terminal devices and network devices can agree on the numbering method for these regions (e.g., starting from 1 or 0) and the correspondence between regions and indexes. Alternatively, the protocol can define the numbering method for these regions and the correspondence between regions and indexes. Based on the region indexes, information such as the region's geographical location can be determined.

[0139] Optionally, the multiple regions can completely cover the Earth's surface, such that any location on the Earth's surface belongs to a certain region; or, the multiple regions can also cover part of the geographical location on Earth, for example, the multiple regions may not cover the Earth's South Pole and / or North Pole, that is, the South Pole and / or North Pole may not exist in the region.

[0140] Optionally, the method of dividing the network into multiple zones can be defined by a protocol or by the network device. Different network devices can define the same or different division methods. The same network device can also define multiple division methods.

[0141] As a first possible method of partitioning, the Earth's surface can be divided using a latitude and longitude grid with a granularity, for example, a latitude and longitude grid with a granularity of 1 degree. If only this discretization method is used, the globe can be divided into 360×360=129600 regions. Terminal devices and network devices can define the indexes of these 129600 regions as 0,1,…,129599, or they can also define them as 1,2,…,129600.

[0142] Optionally, when introducing the altitude attribute of a geographic region, multiple grids can be defined to divide the Earth's surface. For example, a grid at an altitude of 0 km or within the range of [-2, 2] km can be divided into 1-degree latitude and longitude grids, generating 129,600 regions. At an altitude of 10 km or within the range of [7, 13] km, further division using 1-degree latitude and longitude grids generates another 129,600 regions. When indexing these regions, the index range needs to be expanded. For example, the total index could be 0, 1, ..., 129,599, 129,600, 129,601, ..., 259,199, where the first 129,600 indices represent the region index at an altitude of 0 km or within the range of [-2, 2] km, and the last 129,600 indices represent the region index at an altitude of 10 km or within the range of [7, 13] km.

[0143] For example, the granularity of the latitude and longitude grid can be determined based on the type of network device. For instance, a relatively small granularity can be used for discretization when the network device is a LEO satellite, and a relatively large granularity can be used when the network device is a geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) satellite.

[0144] As a second possible method of division, the Earth's surface can be divided using latitude and longitude grids of various granularities. For example, a portion of the Earth's surface or a portion of its administrative region can be divided using a latitude and longitude grid with a granularity of 1 degree, while another portion of the surface or administrative region can be divided using a latitude and longitude grid with a granularity of 2 degrees.

[0145] Alternatively, by introducing the altitude attribute of a geographic region, the Earth's surface can be divided using a latitude and longitude grid with a granularity of 1 degree at an altitude of 0 km, and the Earth's surface can be divided using a latitude and longitude grid with a granularity of 2 degrees at an altitude of 10 km.

[0146] As a third possible method of division, the Earth's surface can be divided by administrative regions. For example, a township-level administrative region could be considered as a region.

[0147] As a fourth possible division method, for GEO satellites, the projection of one of the GEO satellite's beams onto the ground can be considered as a region. Since GEO satellites are stationary relative to the Earth, the projection of the GEO satellite's beams onto the ground can be considered fixed relative to the Earth.

[0148] In practical applications, the Earth's surface can be divided using a combination of different methods. For example, a portion of the Earth's surface or a part of its administrative region can be divided using a latitude and longitude grid with a granularity of 1, while another portion of the surface or administrative region can be divided according to its administrative region.

[0149] In one possible implementation, when the Earth's surface is divided into multiple regions, different levels of region division can be applied to the same surface area. For example, for a given surface area, a first level of region division can be performed using a 10-degree granularity latitude and longitude grid, a second level using a 6-degree granularity grid, and a third level using a 1-degree granularity grid. In this case, within the surface area, the number of regions at the first level is greater than the number at the second level, and the number of regions at the second level is greater than the number at the third level. Furthermore, in this scenario, each level of region can be individually numbered.

[0150] The technical solutions of this application embodiment can be applied to various communication systems, such as terrestrial communication systems, NTN communication systems, and satellite communication systems. Satellite communication systems can be integrated with mobile communication systems. For example, mobile communication systems can be 4th Generation (4G) communication systems (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) communication systems, 5th Generation (5G) communication systems (e.g., New Radio (NR) systems), and future mobile communication systems. Mobile communication systems can also be vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems and Internet of Things (IoT) systems.

[0151] Figure 1A exemplarily illustrates an architecture diagram of a communication system 1000 applicable to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1A, the communication system includes a wireless access network 100 and a core network 200. Optionally, the communication system 1000 may also include an Internet 300. The wireless access network 100 may include at least one wireless access network device (110a and 110b in Figure 1A) and at least one terminal device (120a-120j in Figure 1A). The terminal device is wirelessly connected to the wireless access network device, and the wireless access network device is wirelessly or wiredly connected to the core network. The core network device and the wireless access network device may be independent and different physical devices, or the functions of the core network device and the logical functions of the wireless access network device may be integrated on the same physical device, or a single physical device may integrate some of the functions of the core network device and some of the functions of the wireless access network device. Terminal devices and wireless access network devices may be interconnected via wired or wireless means. Figure 1A is just a schematic diagram. The communication system may also include other network devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices, which are not shown in Figure 1A.

[0152] The network devices involved in the embodiments of this application include, for example, radio access network (RAN) devices. RAN devices can be base stations, evolved NodeBs (eNodeBs or eNBs), transmission reception points (TRPs), transmission points (TPs), base stations in 5th generation (5G) mobile communication systems, base stations in future mobile communication systems, or access nodes in WiFi systems; they can also be modules or units that perform some of the functions of a base station, for example, they can be central units (CUs), distributed units (DUs), or radio units (RUs). The CU (Radio Control Unit) performs the functions of the radio resource control protocol and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) of the base station, and can also perform the functions of the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP). The DU (Radio Link Control Unit) performs the functions of the radio link control layer and medium access control (MAC) layer of the base station, and can also perform some or all of the physical layer functions. For specific descriptions of the above-mentioned protocol layers, please refer to the relevant technical specifications of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The CU and DU can be set up separately, or they can be included in the same network element, such as in the baseband unit (BBU). The RU (Radio Receiver Unit) can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as in the remote radio unit (RRU), active antenna unit (AAU), or remote radio head (RRH). In different systems, CU, DU, or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an open radio access network (ORAN) system, a CU can also be called an open CU (open-CU, O-CU), a DU can also be called an open DU (open-DU, O-DU), and a RU can also be called an open RU (open-RU, O-RU).In this application, any of the following units—CU (or CU control plane (CU-CP), CU user plane (CU-UP), DU, and RU)—can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules. CU-CP can also be called open-CU-CP (O-CU-CP), and CU-UP can also be called open-CU-UP (O-CU-UP).

[0153] Figure 1B exemplarily illustrates a schematic diagram of an O-RAN system architecture provided by an embodiment of this application. The O-RAN system in the embodiments provided by this application may include components other than those shown in Figure 1B. As shown in Figure 1B, the access network device (RAN, for example, may be an eNB, a next-generation NodeB (gNB), or an access network device in a future mobile communication system) communicates with the core network (CN) via a backhaul link and with user equipment (UE) via an air interface. For example, the baseband unit (BBU) in the access network device communicates with the core network via a backhaul link, and the radio unit (RU) in the access network device communicates with at least one UE via an air interface. The BBU communicates with at least one RU via a fronthaul link; the BBU and RU may or may not be co-located. The BBU includes at least one control unit (CU) and at least one distributed unit (DU), which can communicate via at least one midhaul link.

[0154] Figure 1C exemplarily illustrates a schematic diagram of an O-RAN system architecture provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1C, O-RAN may include O-CU-CP, O-CU-UP, O-DU, and O-RU. This system architecture may also include an open cloud (O-cloud), a service management and orchestration framework, an open eNB (O-eNB), a near-real-time (RT) RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC), and a non-real-time RIC. The non-RT RIC can monitor, configure, manage, and control radio resources of at least one of multiple O-CU-CP, O-CU-UP, DU, or O-eNB. As shown in Figure 1C, the interfaces defined by 3GPP include, for example: E1, F1 (e.g., F1-c, F1-u), NG (e.g., NG-c, NG-u), Xn (e.g., Xn-c, Xn-u), and X2 (e.g., X2-c, X2-u). For example, O-RAN communication systems also include interfaces such as O1, O2, E2, A1, Open-Fronthaul (FH)-plane (e.g., Open FH M-plane), and Open FH Control, User, and Synchronization (CUS)-plane. The names of the interfaces and the connection methods of the units shown in Figure 1C are an example; in practical applications, O-RAN systems may include more or fewer interfaces, or more or fewer units.

[0155] Wireless access network equipment can be a macro base station (110a in Figure 1A), a micro base station or an indoor station (110b in Figure 1A), or a relay device, relay node, or donor node, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or equipment form used in the wireless access network equipment. For ease of description, a base station is used as an example of wireless access network equipment in the following description.

[0156] Terminal devices can also be referred to as terminals, user equipment (UE), mobile stations, mobile terminal devices, etc. Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, etc. Terminal devices can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, sensors, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technologies or device forms used in the terminal devices.

[0157] The aforementioned terminal devices can establish connections with the operator's network through interfaces provided by the operator's network (such as N1), and use data and / or voice services provided by the operator's network. The terminal devices can also access the Domain Name System (DNS) through the operator's network, and use operator services deployed on the DNS, and / or services provided by third parties. These third parties can be service providers outside of the operator's network and the terminal devices, and can provide other data and / or voice services to the terminal devices. The specific form of these third parties can be determined according to the actual application scenario and is not limited here.

[0158] Base stations and terminal equipment can be fixed or mobile. They can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; on water; or in the air on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of the base stations and terminal equipment.

[0159] The roles of base stations and terminal devices can be relative. For example, the helicopter or drone 120i in Figure 1A can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminal devices 120j that access the wireless access network 100 through 120i, terminal device 120i is a base station; however, for base station 110a, 120i is a terminal device, meaning that 110a and 120i communicate via a wireless air interface protocol. Of course, 110a and 120i can also communicate via a base station-to-base station interface protocol. In this case, relative to 110a, 120i is also a base station. Therefore, both base stations and terminal devices can be collectively referred to as communication devices. 110a and 110b in Figure 1A can be called communication devices with base station functions, and 120a-120j in Figure 1A can be called communication devices with terminal device functions.

[0160] Communication between base stations and terminal devices, between base stations, and between terminal devices can be conducted using licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or both simultaneously. Communication can be conducted using spectrum below 6 GHz, spectrum above 6 GHz, or both simultaneously. The embodiments of this application do not limit the spectrum resources used for wireless communication.

[0161] In the embodiments of this application, the functions of the base station can be executed by modules (such as chips) within the base station, or by a control subsystem that includes base station functions. This control subsystem, including base station functions, can be a control center in the aforementioned application scenarios such as smart grids, industrial control, intelligent transportation, and smart cities. Similarly, the functions of the terminal device can be executed by modules (such as chips or modems) within the terminal device, or by a device that includes terminal device functions.

[0162] In this application, the base station sends downlink signals or downlink information to the terminal device, with the downlink information carried on the downlink channel; the terminal device sends uplink signals or uplink information to the base station, with the uplink information carried on the uplink channel. In order to communicate with the base station, the terminal device needs to establish a radio connection with a cell controlled by the base station. The cell with which the terminal device has established a radio connection is called the serving cell of the terminal device. When the terminal device communicates with this serving cell, it is also subject to interference from signals from neighboring cells.

[0163] The core network involved in this application embodiment may include network devices that process and forward user signaling and data. For example, it includes core network devices such as access and mobility management functions (AMF), session management functions (SMF), user plane gateways, and location management devices. The user plane gateway can be a server with functions such as mobility management, routing, and forwarding of user plane data, generally located on the network side, such as a serving gateway (SGW), packet data network gateway (PGW), or user plane function (UPF). AMF and SMF are equivalent to the mobility management entity (MME) in a long-term evolution (LTE) system. AMF is mainly responsible for admission aspects, and SMF is mainly responsible for session management. Of course, the core network may also include other network elements, which are not listed here.

[0164] Based on the content shown in Figures 1A, 1B, and 1C, Figure 1D also exemplarily illustrates a system architecture diagram applicable to another embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1D, the communication system includes a terminal device (e.g., a UE), a network device (e.g., a base station), and a relay device. The UE shown in Figure 1D can be replaced by any of the terminal devices shown in Figures 1A, 1B, or 1C. The base station shown in Figure 1D can be replaced by the network device (e.g., an access network device) shown in Figures 1A, 1B, or 1C. The relay device shown in Figure 1D can be the network device shown in Figures 1A, 1B, or 1C, and this relay device has the ability to forward data. Data can be sent and received in the form of signals; therefore, in this embodiment, signals can be replaced by data, and data can also be replaced by signals.

[0165] Figure 1D illustrates this using a network-controlled repeater (NCR) as an example. The NCR can act as a UE access base station (parent node) to receive control signaling from the base station (the control signaling controls the NCR's data forwarding behavior). The NCR can also amplify and forward signals between the UE and the base station.

[0166] Based on the content shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D, Figure 1E also exemplarily illustrates a system architecture diagram applicable to yet another embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1E, the communication system includes a terminal device (e.g., a UE), a network device (e.g., a base station), and a relay device. The UE shown in Figure 1E can be replaced by any of the terminal devices shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 1C, or 1D. The base station shown in Figure 1D can be replaced by the network device (e.g., an access network device) shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 1C, or 1D. The relay device shown in Figure 1E can be the network device shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 1C, or 1D, and this relay device has the capability to forward data.

[0167] As shown in Figure 1E, a relay device (such as an NCR, satellite, or other relay device) includes two functional entities: a mobile termination (MT) entity (the relay device is an NCR, and the MT entity can also be called an NCR MT entity or NCR-MT entity) and a forwarding (Fwd) entity (the relay device is an NCR, and the forwarding entity can also be called an NCR Fwd entity or NCR-Fwd entity).

[0168] A relay unit (MT) can be defined as a functional entity that communicates with the base station via a control link (C-link) to exchange control information. The C-link can be based on the NR Uu interface, meaning the NCR-MT entity and the gNB are connected via the Uu interface. The base station uses the C-link to control the relay device. For example, the relay device can receive control information from the base station (e.g., side information for controlling the forwarding entity), beam control information (e.g., beam control information for the control link, backhaul link, or access link), relay device on / off status (the NCR's on and off state), or NCR signal transmit power control, etc. The relay device amplifies and forwards data between the base station and the UE, without needing to perform data processing such as decoding on the forwarded data.

[0169] A forwarding entity is defined as a functional entity that performs amplification and forwarding of uplink (UL) / downlink (DL) radio frequency (RF) signals between the base station and the UE via the backhaul link and access link. The behavior of the forwarding entity can be controlled based on control information received from the base station.

[0170] Figure 1F illustrates an exemplary architecture diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 1F uses an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) communication system architecture as an example for illustration.

[0171] The purpose of IAB is to support wireless backhaul and relay links, enabling flexible and very dense deployment of NR cells without proportionally encrypting the wired transmission network. Typical deployment scenarios include supporting outdoor small cell deployment, indoor small cell deployment, and even mobile relay (e.g., on buses or trains).

[0172] As shown in Figure 1F, the communication system includes a UE and a network device. The UE in Figure 1F can be a terminal device or a chip (or chip system, processor, circuit, or functional module) within the terminal device. For example, the network device can include an IAB-host and an IAB-node. The IAB-donor supports the gNodeB with IAB additional functions, connects to the core network via a non-IAB connection, and can provide access to the UE or IAB-node (e.g., through a backhaul link or an access link). The IAB-node can support NR access (e.g., through an access link) and backhaul (e.g., through a backhaul link). In this embodiment, the host can be written as "donor," and the node can be written as "node." Correspondingly, the IAB-host can be written as "IAB-donor," and the IAB-node can also be written as "IAB-node." The substitution methods for other terms are similar, and will not be repeated in other locations. Either the IAB-donor or IAB-node shown in Figure 1F can be a satellite device or a chip (or chip system, processor, circuit, or functional module) inside a satellite device, or a ground-deployed network device (such as a ground base station) or a chip (or chip system, processor, circuit, or functional module) inside a network device (such as a ground base station).

[0173] Figure 1G exemplarily illustrates a communication system architecture applicable to an embodiment of this application. The network architecture shown in Figure 1G can be the network architecture involved in IAB-donor and IAB-node in Figure 1F, and related content can also be found in the description in Figure 1F above.

[0174] As shown in Figure 1G, this communication system includes the UE and the 5G Core Network (5GC). 5GC / base station / parent node / gNB can be network devices. As shown in Figure 1G, this communication system also includes base stations (e.g., gNobeB), hosts (illustrated as IAB-host in Figure 1G, which can also be written as IAB-donor), and nodes (illustrated as IAB-node in Figure 1G, which can also be written as IAB-node).

[0175] As shown in Figure 1G, the IAB-node supports NR access and backhaul functions and can include an IAB-node-mobile termination (MT) and an IAB-node-DU. The IAB-node-MT can act as a regular terminal device connected to its parent node or host CU or DU, serving as a control link. The IAB-node-MT sends or receives beam direction information for control backhaul / control link / access link, switches forwarding transmission information, routing-related information, etc. The IAB-node-DU can provide coverage for access-side pole cells under the IAB-node, providing access for regular UEs or lower-level IAB-node-MTs to establish lower-level control links.

[0176] The IAB-donor can support gNodeBs (also known as gNodeB-donors) with IAB-node additional functions and can connect to the core network (e.g., via non-IAB connections), such as fiber optic cables. The IAB-donor can include IAB-host-CU (also known as IAB-donor-CU) and IAB-host-DU (also known as IAB-donor-DU). The IAB-donor-CU provides connectivity for the IAB-donor-DU and IAB-node-DU. The IAB-donor-CU can act as a base station connecting to other base stations (e.g., via the Xn-C interface), allowing the base station to access the 5GC, or the IAB-donor-CU can directly access the 5GC (e.g., via the NG interface). The IAB-donor-DU can provide coverage for access-side pole-mounted cells under the IAB-donor, providing access for ordinary UEs or IAB-nodes to establish lower-level control links.

[0177] The F1 interface is used for the connection between IAB-node-DU and IAB-donor-CU, and is fully inherited from the F1 interface of DU and CU. The Uu interface (e.g., NR Uu interface) is used for the connection between IAB-donor-DU and IAB-node-MT. It can also be used for the connection between IAB-node and UE. As shown in Figure 1G, the IAB-node accesses the IAB-donor as a terminal device and establishes a Uu interface connection. The UE can connect to the IAB-node and then access the IAB-donor-DU.

[0178] Figures 1H and 1I exemplarily illustrate network architecture diagrams of several communication systems applicable to embodiments of this application. The communication system may include satellites, network devices, and terminal devices. The communication system may also include gateways and core network devices. Figures 1H and 1I exemplarily illustrate a converged network architecture of NTN and terrestrial networks. A description is provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0179] The satellite can be a highly elliptical orbit (HEO) satellite, a geosynchronous orbit (GSO) satellite, a geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite, a medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite, or a low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite. This application does not limit the satellite's operating mode; for example, the satellite can operate in transparent mode or regenerative mode. Figure 1H illustrates the example of a satellite operating in transparent mode, and Figure 1I illustrates the example of a satellite operating in regenerative mode.

[0180] When a satellite operates in transparent mode, it provides transparent relay forwarding functionality. A gateway possesses the functions of a network device (such as a base station) or some of the functions of a network device (such as a base station); in this case, the gateway can be considered a network device (such as a base station). Alternatively, the network device (such as a base station) can be deployed separately from the gateway. In this case, the feeder link latency includes both the latency from the satellite to the gateway and the latency from the gateway to the gNB. The transparent mode discussed later assumes that the gateway and gNB are located together or close to each other. For cases where the gateway and gNB are far apart, the feeder link latency is simply the sum of the latency from the satellite to the gateway and the latency from the gateway to the gNB.

[0181] When a satellite is operating in regenerative mode, it has data processing capabilities and functions as a network device (such as a base station) or partially functions as a network device (such as a base station). In this case, the satellite can be regarded as a network device (such as a base station).

[0182] Satellites can communicate wirelessly with terminal devices via broadcast communication signals and navigation signals. Optionally, each satellite can provide communication, navigation, and positioning services to terminal devices through multiple beams. For example, each satellite uses multiple beams to cover the service area, and the relationship between different beams can be one or more of time-division, frequency-division, and space-division.

[0183] A gateway (also known as a ground station, earth station, or gateway) is a network device used to connect satellites and ground-based network equipment (such as ground base stations). One or more satellites can connect to one or more ground-based network devices (such as ground base stations) through one or more gateways; this is not a limitation. The link between the satellite and the terminal device is called a service link, and the link between the satellite and the gateway is called a feeder link. Network equipment can be deployed separately from the gateway; therefore, the latency of the feeder link can include both the latency from the satellite to the gateway and the latency from the gateway to the network equipment.

[0184] The network devices in this application embodiment may include network devices deployed on satellites (such as satellite base stations), network devices deployed on gateways, or network devices deployed on the ground (such as ground base stations). For example, the network devices may be radio access network (RAN) nodes or RAN nodes in O-RAN systems as shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, or 1I. Related details are described above and will not be repeated here.

[0185] The core network (CN) device in this embodiment is a device located on the ground that can communicate with NTN devices in the NTN system. For example, the CN can be the CN involved in Figure 1A, Figure 1B, Figure 1C, Figure 1D, Figure 1E, Figure 1F, Figure 1G, Figure 1H or Figure 1I. For relevant details, please refer to the foregoing description and will not be repeated here.

[0186] The terminal device in the embodiments of this application may be the terminal, terminal equipment or terminal device involved in Figure 1A, Figure 1B, Figure 1C, Figure 1D, Figure 1E, Figure 1F, Figure 1G, Figure 1H or Figure 1I. For relevant content, please refer to the foregoing description and it will not be repeated here.

[0187] The embodiments of this application can also be applied to other communication system architectures, such as air-to-ground (ATG) communication systems, which include at least one network device and at least one high-altitude terminal device. High-altitude terminal devices include, for example, high-altitude aircraft and onboard terminal devices. The satellites in Figures 1F and 1G can also be replaced with other relay devices, such as high-altitude platform stations (HAPS) or other NTN devices. The communication system shown in Figure 1F or 1G is merely an example and does not limit the communication systems to which the methods provided in the embodiments of this application are applicable.

[0188] This application's embodiments can also be applied to air-to-ground (ATG) communication systems. As an example, please refer to Figure 1J, which is a schematic diagram of the network architecture of another communication system to which this application's embodiments apply. This communication system includes at least one network device and at least one high-altitude terminal device. Data forwarding between the network device and the high-altitude terminal device can also be achieved through relay devices. High-altitude terminal devices include, for example, high-altitude aircraft and onboard terminal devices.

[0189] Figure 1K illustrates an exemplary communication system architecture applicable to embodiments of this application. As shown in Figure 1K, the communication system includes a gateway, a satellite, a ground-based relay device, a ground-based UE, a high-altitude UE (e.g., a high-altitude aircraft or onboard terminal device), and a high-altitude relay device (e.g., the satellite shown in Figure 1K, which may be an NCR / integrated access and backhaul (IAB)-MT entity).

[0190] As shown in Figure 1K, the gateway can transmit base station signals via satellite to ground-based relay equipment. The ground-based relay equipment can then forward the base station signals to UEs on the ground or in the sky / space (e.g., aircraft, satellite equipment (e.g., satellites including IAB-MT entities)). The ground-based relay equipment can also forward the base station signals to the next relay equipment, which can be deployed on the ground or in the air. Figure 1K illustrates this with an example of a satellite in the air acting as the next relay equipment. This satellite can act as an NCR (Non-Command Relay) to forward received data (or forward it to other UEs or other relay equipment). The base station signal can originate from a ground-based base station or a satellite base station.

[0191] In another example, the gateway can transmit base station signals via satellite to ground-based relay equipment. The ground-based relay equipment can forward signals from UEs (e.g., ground-based UEs, aircraft in the air, or satellites configured to include IAB-MT entities) or other relay equipment (e.g., satellites configured as NCR in the diagram) to the gateway (e.g., forwarded via satellite or sent directly to the gateway). The gateway then forwards the received UE signals to the base station. The UE signals can originate from ground-based UEs or UEs in the air.

[0192] In another example, the embodiments of this application can also be extended to satellite relay and ground relay backhaul forwarding scenarios. Figures 1L and 1M exemplarily illustrate two scenarios to which the embodiments of this application can be applied. In these two scenarios, ground relays can be used to expand congested ISLs, thereby increasing system capacity and reducing transmission path length. This application can replace or supplement existing inter-satellite links (ISLs) with on-demand deployed ground relay equipment and satellite-to-ground forwarding links, reducing satellite payload costs and improving the economics of low-Earth orbit satellite network deployment. As shown in Figure 1K, in this scenario, the ISL is partially congested, and ground relays are deployed to expand inter-satellite backhaul capacity. The ground relays can be relay equipment such as NCR / IAB / WAB. As shown in Figure 1M, for low-cost satellites that may not have inter-satellite links, ground relays can be deployed to quickly form a backhaul network, enabling low-cost satellite network backhaul.

[0193] Figure 2 exemplarily illustrates a possible scenario applicable to the embodiments of this application. Figure 2 exemplarily illustrates an NTN device and multiple communication devices (e.g., communication device #1, communication device #2, communication device #3, and communication device #4). Figure 2 also shows the areas where each communication device provides communication services (or provides better communication services). These areas can be defined by some parameters, such as the area corresponding to the elevation angle range of the communication device, the area corresponding to the orbital angle of the NTN device, the area corresponding to the Doppler range of the signal transmitted by the communication device, the area corresponding to the Doppler rate of the signal transmitted by the communication device, or the area corresponding to the movement path of the NTN device within a time range, etc. These contents will be described in detail in subsequent embodiments. Figure 2 exemplarily illustrates the movement direction of the NTN device and also shows the two positions of the NTN device at time t1 and time t2. The NTN device can provide communication services and / or access services (e.g., provide access links) for different areas (or the same area, illustrated in Figure 2 with different areas as examples) at different positions. The areas where different communication devices provide communication services may overlap or not overlap.

[0194] As shown in Figure 2, at time t1, the NTN device (e.g., a satellite) is located close to communication devices #1 and #2. Therefore, the NTN device can establish a connection with communication devices #1 and / or #2. The figure illustrates this by showing the connection established between the NTN device and communication device #1. As the NTN device (e.g., a satellite) moves, at time t2, its location becomes closer to communication devices #3 and #4. The NTN device will switch communication devices; for example, if communication device #3 has a lower priority than communication device #4, the NTN device can switch to communication device #4. It can be seen that as the NTN device moves, it changes communication devices, resulting in significant signaling overhead in this scenario.

[0195] This application provides several possible implementation methods to save signaling overhead during the process of an NTN device residing in a communication device. For example, the NTN device can determine whether to reside in the first communication device based on first information and first configuration information, or the NTN device can determine whether to reside in the first communication device based on second information. Specific descriptions of these schemes will be provided later and will not be elaborated upon here. These schemes enable the NTN device to autonomously determine the target communication device, thereby reducing the signaling overhead during the selection of the communication device.

[0196] The process of selecting a first communication device by the NTN device provided in this application embodiment can be applied to various scenarios to reduce the signaling required for selecting the first communication device, thereby saving resource overhead. For example, if the communication device is a gNB / host node / parent node, the solution provided in this application embodiment can allow the NTN device to access / switch / reselect among multiple gNBs (or multiple host nodes, or multiple parent nodes) using the identity of a mobile terminal, thereby saving signaling overhead in these scenarios.

[0197] For example, in the relay and backhaul scenario of satellite-to-ground communication, NTN devices include, for instance, IAB / NCR / WAB deployed on satellites. Ground-based communication devices may include ground relays (or ground relay equipment), and the location of these devices (e.g., ground relays) can be fixed. Satellite movement causes satellites to constantly "switch" between communication devices (e.g., ground relays). Since the location of ground-based communication devices can be fixed, signaling overhead is high in this scenario. The solution provided in this application allows the NTN device to switch (or continuously switch) between communication devices (e.g., ground relays). This solution reduces signaling overhead during switching, increases switching speed, and reduces power consumption and avoids additional interference by instructing the communication device to start / stop sending signals to a designated area. The embodiments of this application will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0198] Based on the content shown in at least one of Figures 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, 1I, 1J, 1K, 1L, 1M, and 2, as well as the other content mentioned above, Figure 3 exemplarily illustrates a possible flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of this application. For ease of understanding, Figure 3 uses the interaction between an NTN device and a first communication device as an example for illustration.

[0199] An NTN device may include an NTN equipment or a chip (or chip system, circuit, or unit) within an NTN equipment. For example, an NTN equipment may include the terminal or network equipment shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, 1I, 1J, 1K, 1L, 1M, or 2. For example, the NTN equipment may also act as a relay to provide access services to other devices. For example, NTN equipment may include satellites, drones, or high-altitude platforms. As another example, NTN equipment may include aircraft (or other flying vehicles), or terminals on aircraft (or other flying vehicles), ground mobile terminals, drone terminals, aircraft terminals, satellites, or satellite terminals. The satellite or satellite terminal may operate in transparent or regenerative mode. As another example, NTN equipment may include IAB-MT, NCR-MT, or WAB-MT.

[0200] This application embodiment also involves a second communication device and a third communication device. Any one of the first, second, or third communication devices can be a network device or a chip (or chip system, circuit, or unit) within a network device as shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, 1I, 1J, 1K, 1L, 1M, or 2. For example, the network device may include an access network device, a ground station, a gateway, a relay device, a base station, a host, a parent node, or a node. Another example is that the network device may include an IAB, an NCR, or a WAB. In this application embodiment, the access network device and the gateway can be deployed in one device or separately. In this application embodiment, the first communication device can be replaced by a first network device, the second communication device can be replaced by a second network device, and the third communication device can be replaced by a third network device.

[0201] The following description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying diagram.

[0202] Step 301: The NTN device obtains the first configuration information.

[0203] In the embodiments of this application, the first configuration information may include information associated with at least one communication device, such as at least one of the following: NTN device location range information, elevation angle range, orbital angle range, time range, Doppler range, Doppler rate range, TA, TA rate of change, TA rate of change information, or priority information of at least one communication device.

[0204] For example, the first configuration information may include information to assist the NTN device in determining which communication device it can currently camp on. For example, the first configuration information may include information indicating the area where one or more communication devices (e.g., the first communication device) provide communication services. If it is determined that the NTN device is located in the area where the first communication device provides communication services, the NTN device may camp on the first communication device.

[0205] The first configuration information can be pre-configured, protocol-defined, or indicated by other communication devices (e.g., a second communication device). In one possible implementation, the second communication device sends the first configuration information to the NTN device, and the NTN device receives the first configuration information. The second communication device is the communication device currently accessed / camped on by the NTN device; the second communication device can also be referred to as the source communication device. The second communication device can also be referred to as / replaced by: cell, cell of the second communication device, cell corresponding to the second communication device, source cell, or source communication device, etc. Subsequently, if the NTN device determines that it wants to camp on the first communication device, the first communication device can also be referred to as the target communication device, and the NTN device can switch from the source communication device to the target communication device. In this application embodiment, the source communication device and the target communication device may change subsequently. For example, after the NTN device resides on the first communication device, it needs to switch to the next communication device (e.g., called communication device #5). In this case, the source communication device can be regarded as the first communication device, and the target communication device can be regarded as communication device #5. In this scheme, the first communication device can execute the scheme executed by the second communication device in this application embodiment, and the communication device #5 can execute the scheme executed by the second communication device in this application embodiment. The schemes are similar and will not be described again.

[0206] Alternatively, a third communication device sends first configuration information to the NTN device. This third communication device is not the source communication device for the current NTN device. The first configuration information sent by the third communication device may include multiple candidate target communication devices to be switched to. The NTN device can sequentially determine whether to switch to a candidate target communication device based on the first configuration information. For example, the first configuration information may include the priorities of multiple candidate target communication devices, such as the first communication device, communication device #5, and communication device #6. The priority of the first communication device is higher than that of communication device #5, and the priority of communication device #5 is higher than that of communication device #6. The NTN device can first determine whether to reside on the first communication device; if so, it can reside on the first communication device. When the NTN device leaves or is about to leave the first communication device, it can first determine whether to reside on communication device #5; if so, it can reside on communication device #5; if not, it can then determine whether to reside on communication device #6. It can be seen that the NTN device can sequentially determine whether to reside on each candidate target communication device based on their priorities.

[0207] For example, the first configuration information can set some parameters (such as at least one of NTN device location range information, elevation angle range, orbital angle range, Doppler range, or Doppler rate range, etc.). These parameters can help the NTN device determine the area (and / or the boundary of the area) where the communication device provides communication services (the concept of area can be found in the foregoing description, and will not be repeated here). The following uses a first communication device as an example. For example, the first configuration information includes at least one of the following: information for indicating the first elevation angle range corresponding to the first communication device (information A1), information for indicating the first orbital angle range corresponding to the first communication device (information A2), information for indicating the first time range corresponding to the first communication device (information A3), information for indicating the first Doppler range corresponding to the first communication device (information A4), information for indicating the first Doppler rate range corresponding to the first communication device (information A5), information for indicating the TA corresponding to the first communication device (information A6), information for indicating the TA change rate corresponding to the first communication device (information A7), information for indicating the change rate of the TA change rate corresponding to the first communication device (information A8), or information for indicating the priority of the first communication device (information A9). The first configuration information may also include information corresponding to other communication devices (such as information on the elevation angle range corresponding to the second communication device, information on the orbital angle range corresponding to the second communication device, etc.). For information on other communication devices, please refer to the introduction of information corresponding to the first communication device, which will not be repeated here.

[0208] Information A1 is used to indicate the first elevation angle range corresponding to the first communication device.

[0209] The area corresponding to the first elevation angle range is the area where the first communication device provides communication services. The area corresponding to the first elevation angle range includes the area formed by the elevation angles of the communication devices within the first elevation angle range. For example, if the elevation angle corresponding to the NTN device is located within the first elevation angle range corresponding to the first communication device, the NTN device can camp on the first communication device.

[0210] The first elevation angle range can include an interval composed of multiple elevation angles. For example, in this embodiment, the elevation angle can be composed of two lines. The elevation angle can be replaced by a "representation angle". For example, the elevation angle corresponding to the first communication device can be composed of the angle between the line passing through the first communication device (or ground reference point) and the projection of the line on a plane. For example, the elevation angle corresponding to the first communication device can include the angle between the line projected into the air from the first communication device (or ground reference point) and the projection of the line on a horizontal plane. In this embodiment, the ground reference point can be a point in a region, such as a point relatively close to the center (or located in the center) of a region (e.g., the region where the first communication device provides communication services). For example, the ground reference point can include / be the center point of the cell of the first communication device. The ground reference point can reuse the ground reference point in the cell reselection or conditional handover (CHO) measurement process. The location of the ground reference point can be pre-configured on the NTN device side. Or the location of the ground reference point is sent to the NTN device by other communication devices (e.g., a third communication device or a second communication device). Alternatively, the location of the ground reference point is determined by the NTN device according to preset rules. In the embodiments of this application, the location of the ground reference point can also be referred to as reference location, reference point, cell reference point, or the location of the cell reference point, etc.

[0211] In this embodiment, the area served by the first communication device can also be replaced by the space where the first communication device provides services. For example, the area corresponding to the first elevation angle range can be the area formed by rotating multiple boundary lines of the elevation angle range around a first line, and the first line can be a line perpendicular to the ground with the first communication device as the starting point.

[0212] Figure 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of a possible first elevation angle range corresponding to a first communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 4, the location of the first communication device is the origin of a coordinate system. The three coordinate axes of this coordinate system are represented as the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis, and any two axes are perpendicular to each other. Line #11 is a line projected into the air from the first communication device. Figure 4 uses the projection of line #11 onto the horizontal plane as an example to illustrate the y-axis. θ 11 This is the angle between line #11 and its projection (y-axis) onto the horizontal plane. The first elevation angle range is, for example, [θ].11 [90°], the area encompassed by the first elevation angle range includes the space enclosed by line #11 rotating around the z-axis (see the example in Figure 4). Figure 4 also shows line #12, an example of another line formed when line #11 rotates around the z-axis to the plane formed by the y-axis and z-axis. Figure 4 exemplarily illustrates an NTN device, with a satellite as an example. If the NTN device is located in the area corresponding to the first elevation angle range, the NTN device can reside in the first communication device.

[0213] The information used to indicate the first elevation angle range can be either elevation angle values ​​or index values ​​related to the first elevation angle range. The following examples illustrate the specific forms of information used to indicate the first elevation angle range.

[0214] Example 1: The information used to indicate the first elevation angle range includes two elevation angle values. These two elevation angle values ​​are used to indicate the two boundaries of the first elevation angle range. For example, if the elevation angle range is [50°, 90°], the information indicating the elevation angle range includes elevation angle values ​​of 50° and 90°.

[0215] In this application embodiment, "°" is used as a symbol to represent angle. In this application embodiment, the symbol "[]" representing an angle range can be replaced with "()". For example, [50°, 90°] can be replaced with (50°, 90°), where 50° and 90° can be considered the boundaries of the elevation angle range. [50°, 90°] indicates that the elevation angle range includes 50° and 90°. (50°, 90°) indicates that the elevation angle range does not include 50° and 90°.

[0216] Example 2: The information used to indicate the first elevation angle range may include an elevation angle value. This elevation angle value is the minimum elevation angle value within the first elevation angle range. The maximum elevation angle value within the first elevation angle range is a predefined value, such as 90°. For example, if the information used to indicate the first elevation angle range is an elevation angle value of 50°, then the first elevation angle range is [50°, 90°]. This maximum elevation angle value can be pre-configured on the NTN device side or agreed upon by the protocol, or sent to the NTN device by other communication devices (such as a second communication device).

[0217] Example 3: The information used to indicate the first elevation angle range may include an elevation angle value. This elevation angle value may indicate the two boundaries of the first elevation angle range, for example, the elevation angle value is 60°. The range before and after this elevation angle value within 30° (i.e., [30°, 90°]) constitutes the first elevation angle range, where 30° is an example and can be replaced with other preset angle values. This preset angle value may be pre-configured on the NTN device side or agreed upon by the protocol, or sent to the NTN device by other communication devices (e.g., a third communication device).

[0218] Example 4: The information used to indicate the first elevation angle range may include an index value. This index value is associated with the first elevation angle range, and the NTN device can use the index value to find the elevation angle range associated with the index value, thereby determining the first elevation angle range.

[0219] In one possible implementation, the first configuration information may include information about one or more communication devices (or candidate communication devices, or candidate target communication devices). An example of the information of one communication device included in the first configuration information can be found in the example of information about a first communication device in the first configuration information. Table 1 exemplifies an example of information about multiple communication devices included in the first configuration information. Table 1 can be used as an example of a ground relay device. As shown in Table 1, the information of a communication device may include the index of the communication device and information indicating the corresponding elevation angle range. Optionally, the first configuration information may also include the location information and / or frequency information of the communication device, which can speed up the dwell time of the NTN device on the communication device. The elevation angle range of the communication device in Table 1 is illustrated using two boundary values ​​as examples. The elevation angle ranges corresponding to different communication devices may be the same or different. For example, if the first communication device is communication device #1, then the first elevation angle range is [elevation angle #3, elevation angle #4].

[0220] Examples of communication device information in the first configuration information in Table 1

[0221] The following table 2 illustrates another example of the first configuration information. Table 2 uses the information indicating the elevation angle range, including the minimum elevation angle within the range, as an example. For instance, if the first communication device is communication device #1, then the first elevation angle range is [elevation angle #3, maximum elevation angle]. The maximum elevation angle can be a preset value, such as 90 degrees. Other contents in Table 2 are similar to those in Table 1 and will not be repeated.

[0222] Examples of communication device information in the first configuration information in Table 2

[0223] The above description uses the elevation angle range corresponding to the first communication device as an example. The first configuration information may also include the elevation angle range of other communication devices. For example, the first configuration information may include the second elevation angle range corresponding to the second communication device, and the area corresponding to the second elevation angle range belongs to the area where the second communication device provides communication services. The content is similar and will not be repeated here.

[0224] Information A2 is used to indicate the first orbital angle range corresponding to the first communication device.

[0225] The area corresponding to the first track angle range belongs to the area where the first communication device provides communication services. The area corresponding to the first track angle range includes the area formed by the first track angle range on the NTN device track. For example, if the track angle of the NTN device belongs to the first track angle range, the NTN device can camp on the first communication device.

[0226] In this embodiment, the orbital angle may include: the line passing through the center of the NTN device's orbit, and the angle between the line connecting the reference point of the NTN device's orbit and the center of the NTN device's orbit. The first orbital angle range may be an interval composed of multiple orbital angles. For example, the region corresponding to the first orbital angle range may be the region formed by multiple boundary lines of that orbital angle range on the orbital plane. For example, the first orbital angle range may be any one or more intervals in [0°, 360°]. The reference point for different NTN device orbits may be different. For example, the orbital reference point may include the intersection of the ascending orbit and the orbital plane of the NTN device, or the intersection of the ascending orbit and the ecliptic plane. The ecliptic plane can refer to the orbital plane of the Earth's revolution around the Sun. An ascending orbit can refer to a satellite's motion from the Earth's South Pole to the Earth's North Pole; conversely, a descending orbit can be referred to as a downward orbit.

[0227] Figure 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of a possible orbital angle range provided by an embodiment of this application. Figure 5 shows the orbital plane of the NTN device, the orbital center, and a reference point #21 on the NTN device orbit. As shown in Figure 4, for example, the first orbital angle range is [r 11 r 12 ]. r 11 Let r be the angle between the line connecting reference point #11 and the center of the NTN device track, and the line passing through the center of the NTN device track. 12 Let r be the angle between the line connecting reference point #11 and the center of the NTN device track, and the line passing through the center of the NTN device track. 11 and r 12 This can be considered as an example of two orbital angles. Figure 5 illustrates, for example, the area corresponding to the first orbital angle range. If the NTN device moves to the area corresponding to the first orbital angle range, the NTN device can reside in the first communication device.

[0228] The information used to indicate the first track angle range can be track angle values ​​or index values ​​related to the first track angle range. The following examples illustrate the specific forms of information used to indicate the first track angle range.

[0229] Example 1: The information used to indicate the first track angle range includes two track angle values. These two track angle values ​​are used to indicate the two boundaries of the first track angle range. For example, if the track angle range is [50°, 130°], the information indicating the track angle range includes track angle values ​​of 50° and 130°.

[0230] Example 2: The information used to indicate the first track angle range may include a track angle value. For example, the track angle value could be the minimum or maximum value within the first track angle range, with another boundary value defined by the protocol or pre-configured. Alternatively, the track angle value could indicate the two boundaries of the first track angle range. For instance, the track angle value could be 90°. The first track angle range is defined by a 40° range before and after the track angle value (i.e., [50°, 130°]), where 40° is an example and can be replaced with other preset angle values. These preset angle values ​​can be pre-configured on the NTN device side, agreed upon by the protocol, or sent to the NTN device by another NTN device (e.g., a third NTN device).

[0231] Example 3: The information used to indicate the first track angle range may include an index value. This index value is associated with the first track angle range, and the NTN device can use the index value to find the track angle range associated with that index value, thereby determining the first track angle range.

[0232] In one possible implementation, the first configuration information may include information about one or more communication devices (or candidate communication devices, or candidate target communication devices). An example of the information for one communication device included in the first configuration information can be found in the example of information for a first communication device in the first configuration information. Table 3 exemplifies an example of information for multiple communication devices included in the first configuration information. Table 3 can be used as an example of a ground relay device. As shown in Table 3, the information for a communication device may include the index of the communication device and information indicating the corresponding orbital angle range. Optionally, the first configuration information may also include the location information and / or frequency information of the communication device, which can speed up the dwell time of the NTN device on the communication device. The orbital angle range of the communication device in Table 3 is illustrated using two boundary values ​​as examples. The orbital angle ranges corresponding to different communication devices may be the same or different. For example, if the first communication device is communication device #1, then the first orbital angle range is [orbital angle #3, orbital angle #4].

[0233] Examples of communication device information in Table 3, First Configuration Information

[0234] The above description uses the orbital angle range corresponding to the first communication device as an example. The first configuration information may also include the orbital angle ranges of other communication devices. For example, the first configuration information may include the second orbital angle range corresponding to the second communication device, and the area corresponding to the second orbital angle range belongs to the area where the second communication device provides communication services. The content is similar and will not be repeated here.

[0235] Information A3 is used to indicate information corresponding to the first time range of the first communication device.

[0236] The location of the NTN device within the first time range falls within the area where the first communication device provides communication services. The area corresponding to the first time range includes the area formed by the location of the NTN device within the first time range. For example, if the current time falls within the first time range, the NTN device can camp on the first communication device.

[0237] In one possible implementation, the first configuration information may include information about one or more communication devices (or candidate communication devices, or candidate target communication devices). An example of the information of one communication device included in the first configuration information can be found in the example of the first communication device information in the first configuration information. Table 4 exemplifies an example of information about multiple communication devices included in the first configuration information. Table 4 can be exemplified by a ground relay device. As shown in Table 4, the information of a communication device may include the index of the communication device and information indicating the corresponding time range. Optionally, the first configuration information may also include the location information and / or frequency information of the communication device, which can speed up the NTN device's stationing speed on the communication device. The time range of the communication device in Table 4 is illustrated using two boundary values ​​as examples. The time ranges corresponding to different communication devices can be the same or different. For example, if the first communication device is communication device #1, then the first time range is [t2, t3]. For example, if the current time belongs to [t2, t3], the NTN device can station on communication device #1. Or, for example, if the current time belongs to [t4, t5], the NTN device can station on communication device #2.

[0238] Examples of communication device information in the first configuration information in Table 4

[0239] The above description uses the time range corresponding to the first communication device as an example. The first configuration information can also include the time ranges of other communication devices. For example, the first configuration information may include the time range corresponding to the second communication device, where the area corresponding to the second time range belongs to the area where the second communication device provides communication services. In other words, the location of the NTN device within the second time range belongs to the area where the second communication device provides communication services. The content is similar and will not be repeated here.

[0240] Information A4 is used to indicate the first Doppler range corresponding to the first communication device.

[0241] The area corresponding to the first Doppler range belongs to the area where the first communication device provides communication services. The area corresponding to the first Doppler range can be the area where the Doppler of the received signal from the first communication device belongs to the first Doppler range. For example, when the Doppler of the signal received by the NTN device from the first communication device belongs to the first Doppler range, the NTN device can camp on the first communication device.

[0242] Figure 6 illustrates a schematic diagram of the Doppler signal corresponding to a communication device. In Figure 6, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the Doppler signal received by the NTN device from the communication device. The location of the NTN device changes over time, and as can be seen from Figure 6, the Doppler signal received by the NTN device from the communication device also changes over time. Based on this characteristic, the first configuration information may include one or more Doppler ranges corresponding to communication devices, and the NTN device determines whether to reside on the communication device based on the Doppler signal received from the communication device.

[0243] In one possible implementation, the first configuration information may include information about one or more communication devices (or candidate communication devices, or candidate target communication devices). An example of the information of one communication device included in the first configuration information can be found in the example of the first communication device information in the first configuration information. Table 5 exemplifies an example of information about multiple communication devices included in the first configuration information. Table 5 can be used as an example of a ground relay device. As shown in Table 5, the information of a communication device may include the index of the communication device and information indicating the corresponding Doppler range. Optionally, the first configuration information may also include the location information and / or frequency information of the communication device, which can speed up the NTN device's stationing speed with the communication device. The Doppler range of the communication device in Table 5 is illustrated using two boundary values. The Doppler ranges corresponding to different communication devices can be the same or different. For example, if the first communication device is communication device #1, then the first Doppler range is [Doppler1, Doppler2]. For example, if the Doppler range of the signal received by the NTN device from communication device #1 belongs to [Doppler1, Doppler2], then the NTN device can station with communication device #1. For example, if the Doppler of the signal received by the NTN device from the communication device #2 belongs to [Doppler3, Doppler4], then the NTN device can reside on the communication device #2.

[0244] Examples of communication device information in Table 5, First Configuration Information

[0245] The above description uses the Doppler range corresponding to the first communication device as an example. The first configuration information may also include the Doppler range of other communication devices. For example, the first configuration information may include the Doppler range corresponding to the second communication device, and the area corresponding to the second Doppler range belongs to the area where the second communication device provides communication services. The content is similar and will not be repeated here.

[0246] Information A5 is used to indicate the first Doppler rate range corresponding to the first communication device.

[0247] The region corresponding to the first Doppler frequency range belongs to the area where the first communication device provides communication services. The region corresponding to the first Doppler frequency range can be the region where the Doppler frequency of the received signal from the first communication device falls within the first Doppler frequency range. For example, when the Doppler frequency of the signal received by the NTN device from the first communication device falls within the first Doppler frequency range, the NTN device can camp on the first communication device.

[0248] Figure 7 illustrates a schematic diagram of the Doppler rate corresponding to a signal from a communication device. In Figure 7, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the Doppler rate of the signal received by the NTN device from the communication device. The location of the NTN device changes over time, and as can be seen from Figure 7, the Doppler rate of the signal received by the NTN device from the communication device also changes over time. Based on this characteristic, the first configuration information may include Doppler rate ranges corresponding to one or more communication devices. The NTN device determines whether to reside on the communication device based on the Doppler rate of the signal received from the communication device.

[0249] In one possible implementation, the first configuration information may include information about one or more communication devices (or candidate communication devices, or candidate target communication devices). An example of the information of one communication device included in the first configuration information can be found in the example of information about the first communication device in the first configuration information. Table 6 exemplifies an example of information about multiple communication devices included in the first configuration information. Table 6 can be used as an example of a ground relay device. As shown in Table 6, the information of a communication device may include the index of the communication device and information indicating the corresponding Doppler rate range. Optionally, the first configuration information may also include the location information and / or frequency information of the communication device, which can speed up the NTN device's dwell time on the communication device. The Doppler rate range of the communication device in Table 6 is illustrated using two boundary values ​​as examples. The Doppler rate ranges corresponding to different communication devices may be the same or different. For example, if the first communication device is communication device #1, then the first Doppler rate range is [Doppler_rate1, Doppler_rate2]. For example, if the Doppler rate of the signal received by the NTN device from the communication device #1 belongs to [Doppler_rate1, Doppler_rate2], then the NTN device can reside on the communication device #1.

[0250] Examples of communication device information in Table 6, First Configuration Information

[0251] The above description uses the Doppler rate range corresponding to the first communication device as an example. The first configuration information may also include the Doppler rate range of other communication devices. For example, the first configuration information may include the Doppler rate range corresponding to the second communication device, and the area corresponding to the second Doppler rate range belongs to the area where the second communication device provides communication services. The content is similar and will not be repeated here.

[0252] Information A6 is used to indicate the first TA range corresponding to the first communication device.

[0253] The area corresponding to the first TA range belongs to the area where the first communication device provides communication services. The area corresponding to the first TA range can be an area where the TA of a specific communication device belongs to the first TA range. For example, when the NTN device determines that the TA corresponding to the first communication device belongs to the first TA range, the NTN device can camp on the first communication device.

[0254] For example, the NTN device can calculate the transfer time (TA) corresponding to the signal between the first communication device and the NTN device based on the position / motion relationship between the communication device and the NTN device. This TA can be understood as the TA value required for the NTN device to send a signal to the first communication device, or for the first communication device to send a signal to the NTN device. This TA can also be called the TA corresponding to the first communication device, or the TA corresponding to both the first communication device and the NTN device. Alternatively, the NTN device can obtain the TA corresponding to the first communication device based on downlink signal detection (e.g., calculated by the NTN device). Or, the NTN device can calculate the round-trip time delay or one-way delay corresponding to the first communication device based on the position of the first communication device and its own position to obtain the TA corresponding to the first communication device; for example, the TA value might be the round-trip time delay or one-way delay of signal transmission between the first communication device and the NTN device. As another example, the NTN device can determine the TA corresponding to the first communication device based on received TA-related parameters (e.g., from the base station) and the distance between the communication device and the NTN device.

[0255] The above description uses the TA range corresponding to the first communication device as an example. The first configuration information may also include the TA range of other communication devices. For example, the first configuration information may include the TA range corresponding to the second communication device, and the area corresponding to the second TA range belongs to the area where the second communication device provides communication services. The content is similar and will not be repeated here.

[0256] Information A7 is information used to indicate the range of the first TA change rate corresponding to the first communication device.

[0257] The region corresponding to the first TA change rate range belongs to the area where the first communication device provides communication services. The region corresponding to the first TA change rate range can be a region where the TA change rate of a certain communication device belongs to the first TA change rate range. For example, when the NTN device determines that the TA change rate corresponding to the first communication device belongs to the first TA change rate range, the NTN device can camp on the first communication device.

[0258] The NTN device can calculate the rate of change of the TA corresponding to the first communication device based on the position / movement relationship between the communication device and the NTN device. Alternatively, the NTN device can determine the rate of change of the TA corresponding to the first communication device based on received TA-related parameters (e.g., from the base station or from the communication device).

[0259] The above description uses the TA change rate range corresponding to the first communication device as an example. The first configuration information may also include the TA change rate range of other communication devices. For example, the first configuration information may include the TA change rate range corresponding to the second communication device, and the area corresponding to the TA change rate range of the second communication device belongs to the area where the second communication device provides communication services. The content is similar and will not be repeated here.

[0260] Information A8 is information used to indicate the range of the rate of change of the TA corresponding to the first communication device.

[0261] In this embodiment of the application, the rate of change of TA can be calculated by first calculating at least two TA change rates, and then calculating the rate of change of TA based on the at least two TA change rates.

[0262] The area corresponding to the range of the change rate of the TA corresponding to the first communication device belongs to the area where the first communication device provides communication services. For example, when the NTN device determines that the change rate of the TA of the first communication device belongs to the range of the change rate of the TA corresponding to the first communication device, the NTN device can camp on the first communication device.

[0263] The NTN device can calculate the rate of change of the TA corresponding to the first communication device based on the position / motion relationship between the communication device and the NTN device. Alternatively, the NTN device can determine the rate of change of the TA corresponding to the first communication device based on received TA-related parameters (e.g., from the base station or from the communication device).

[0264] The above description uses the range of TA change rate corresponding to the first communication device as an example. The first configuration information may also include the range of TA change rate for other communication devices. For example, the first configuration information may include the range of TA change rate corresponding to the second communication device, and the area corresponding to the range of TA change rate for the second communication device belongs to the area where the second communication device provides communication services. The content is similar and will not be repeated here.

[0265] Information A9 is information used to indicate the priority of the first communication device.

[0266] In one possible implementation, the first configuration information can be used to indicate information about multiple communication devices, which may also be referred to as candidate communication devices or candidate target communication devices, and the first communication device belongs to these multiple communication devices. The first configuration information is used to indicate the areas where the multiple candidate target communication devices provide communication services. In one possible implementation, there may be priorities among these communication devices. In one possible implementation, the NTN device can determine whether to move to the area where a candidate target communication device provides services based on the priorities of the multiple candidate target communication devices. For example, the NTN device can determine whether to reside on each communication device in descending order of priority.

[0267] For example, the priority of each communication device can be based on the order of communication devices in the list. For instance, in Table 1, communication device #0 has a higher priority than communication device #1, and communication device #1 has a higher priority than communication device #2. An NTN device can first determine whether it can reside on communication device #0; if so, it resides on communication device #0; if not, it can then determine whether it can reside on communication device #1.

[0268] Information A6 is optional; the first configuration information may not include information on the priority of the communication device. In this case, if the NTN device determines that it can camp on multiple communication devices, the NTN device can select the communication device with the best or better signal quality as the target communication device to camp on, based on the signal quality of these auxiliary communication devices.

[0269] In another possible implementation, the first configuration information may also include other information, such as the location range information of the NTN device corresponding to the first communication device. When the NTN device determines that its location falls within the range indicated by the NTN device location information corresponding to the first communication device in the first configuration information, it can be determined that the NTN device is within the communication service area provided by the first communication device. Further details can be found in other examples and will not be repeated here.

[0270] In another possible implementation, the first configuration information may also include other information about the communication device (e.g., the first communication device), such as the location information, frequency information, cell identifier, downlink synchronization reference signal sequence information, downlink synchronization signal frequency, measurement timing configuration, polarization information, etc., of the communication device (e.g., the first communication device). The location information of the communication device (e.g., the first communication device) may include, for example, earth-centered earth-fixed (ECEF) coordinates or latitude and longitude coordinates. This information can assist the NTN device in camping the communication device. For example, after the NTN device determines that it wants to camp on the first communication device, it can use this information to search for the synchronization signal of the first communication device more quickly, thereby achieving timing synchronization (or downlink timing synchronization) with the first communication device more quickly, and thus camping on the first communication device more quickly.

[0271] Step 302: The NTN device acquires the first information.

[0272] For example, the first information may include information to assist the NTN device in determining which communication device it can currently camp on. For instance, the first information may be used to determine the relationship between the location of the NTN device and the area where the first communication device provides communication services. If it is determined that the NTN device is located in the area where the first communication device provides communication services, the NTN device can camp on the first communication device.

[0273] For example, the first information includes at least one of the following: information indicating the elevation angle corresponding to the NTN device on the side of the first communication device (information B1); information indicating the orbital angle corresponding to the NTN device (information B2); information indicating the current time (information B3); information indicating the Doppler of the signal received by the NTN device from the first communication device (information B4); information indicating the Doppler rate of the signal received by the NTN device from the first communication device (information B5); information indicating the TA corresponding to the signals of the first communication device and the NTN device (information B6); information indicating the rate of change of TA corresponding to the signals of the first communication device and the NTN device (information B7); or information indicating the rate of change of the rate of change of TA corresponding to the signals of the first communication device and the NTN device (information B8). The first information may also include other information, such as the position of the NTN device.

[0274] Information B1 is used to indicate the elevation angle of the NTN device on the first communication device side.

[0275] For example, the NTN device can determine whether to camp on the first communication device if the elevation angle corresponding to the NTN device on the first communication device side is within the first elevation angle range, and / or conversely, it can determine whether to camp on the first communication device.

[0276] The elevation angle corresponding to the NTN device on the first communication device side can include the elevation angle corresponding to the line connecting the NTN device and the first communication device on the first communication device side. In this embodiment, the elevation angle corresponding to the NTN device is described using the first communication device as an example. The method is similar when calculating the elevation angle between the NTN device and other communication devices. For example, the elevation angle corresponding to the NTN device can include the elevation angle corresponding to the line connecting the NTN device and the second communication device on the second communication device side; this elevation angle can also be referred to as the elevation angle corresponding to the NTN device on the second communication device side.

[0277] For example, the elevation angle corresponding to the NTN device on the side of the first communication device can be formed by the angle between the line passing through the first communication device (or ground reference point) and the NTN device and the projection of that line onto a plane. For example, the elevation angle corresponding to the NTN device on the side of the first communication device can include: the angle between the line originating from the first communication device (or ground reference point) and the projection of the line onto a horizontal plane.

[0278] The elevation angle in this embodiment can range from [0°, 90°]. For example, when the line of sight is above the horizontal line, the angle between the line of sight and the horizontal line in the vertical plane is called the elevation angle. Another example is the angle between the line connecting the communication device and the NTN device and the horizon. The elevation angle can also describe the position of the NTN device above the communication device (or ground reference point) at a certain moment; for example, an elevation angle of 90° indicates that the NTN device is directly above the communication device (or ground reference point). Because the elevation angle is related to the position of the communication device (or ground reference point), the elevation angle of the same NTN device (e.g., a satellite device) observed from different communication devices (or ground reference points) on the ground will be different. Furthermore, the elevation angle changes continuously as the NTN device moves along its orbit.

[0279] There are several methods for an NTN device to obtain its elevation angle. For example, an NTN device can determine its elevation angle based on ephemeris information. For instance, the NTN device determines its position based on ephemeris information, and then calculates its elevation angle based on the position of a first communication device (or a ground reference point) and its own position. Ephemeris information may include, for example, the NTN device's speed information, motion path information, position information, and the time information corresponding to its position. Alternatively, the NTN device can determine its own position based on a positioning system, and then determine its elevation angle based on its own position and the communication device (or ground reference point). In the embodiments of this application, the position of the NTN device (e.g., satellite position) can also be referred to as a reference point or reference location, or the position of the NTN device may include / be the position or reference location of the reference point corresponding to the NTN device. The position or reference location of the reference point corresponding to the NTN device can be the location of the NTN device itself, or the location within the cell of the NTN device, or a location near the NTN device, such as the location of the cell center of the NTN device.

[0280] Figure 8 illustrates, for example, a schematic diagram of the elevation angle corresponding to the first communication device side of the NTN device shown in Figure 4. The θ shown in Figure 8... 12 This is one possible example of the elevation angle corresponding to the NTN device on the side of the first communication device. θ 12 Let θ be the angle between the line connecting the NTN device and the first communication device and its projection onto the horizontal plane. The elevation angle shown in Figure 8 is one possible example; in practical applications, other angles can also be used to represent the elevation angle, such as θ for the NTN device on the side corresponding to the first communication device. 12 Supplementary or complementary angles.

[0281] Information B2 is used to indicate the track angle corresponding to the NTN device.

[0282] For example, an NTN device can determine which communication device it will camp on based on the orbital angle corresponding to the NTN device and the range of orbital angles corresponding to the communication device. Referring to Table 3 and Figure 9 above, Figure 9 shows the position of the NTN device at times t0, t1, and t2, respectively. The orbital angles corresponding to the NTN device are different at these three times. For example, if the orbital angle corresponding to the NTN device is [orbital angle #1, orbital angle #2], the NTN device can camp on communication device #0; if the orbital angle corresponding to the NTN device is [orbital angle #3, orbital angle #4], the NTN device can camp on communication device #1; if the orbital angle corresponding to the NTN device is [orbital angle #5, orbital angle #6], the NTN device can camp on communication device #2. For related information, please refer to the description of orbital angles in information A2 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0283] The track angle corresponding to the NTN device may include: the line passing through the center of the NTN device's track, and the angle between the reference point passing through the NTN device's track and the line connecting the center of the NTN device's track.

[0284] There are several methods for an NTN device to obtain its corresponding orbital angle. For example, an NTN device can determine its orbital angle based on its ephemeris information. For instance, the NTN device can determine its position based on its ephemeris information, and then calculate its orbital angle based on its position and the location of its orbital center.

[0285] The track angles involved in the embodiments of this application can be represented by angle values. Alternatively, the track angle can be replaced by track position, for example, the track angle can be represented by track position information. For example, the track angle corresponding to the NTN device includes the position information of the NTN device on the track. As another example, the first track angle range corresponding to the first communication device includes [track position #1, track position #2], where track position #1 and track position #2 represent two points on the track surface. When the track angle or track position corresponding to the NTN device is located between these two points, it can be said that the track angle corresponding to the NTN device belongs to the first track angle range; otherwise, it does not.

[0286] Information B3 indicates the current time.

[0287] For example, the NTN device can select the communication device to reside in based on time. Referring to Table 4 above, for example, the NTN device can reside in communication device #0 in [t0,t1], in communication device #1 in [t2,t3], and in communication device #2 in [t4,t5].

[0288] In one possible implementation, when the NTN device selects a communication device to reside on based on time, the NTN device can perform time alignment / synchronization with the communication device side. This allows for a more accurate selection of the communication device to reside on.

[0289] Information B4 is used to indicate the Doppler information corresponding to the signal received by the NTN device from the first communication device.

[0290] For example, the NTN device can determine whether to reside on the first communication device if the Doppler corresponding to the signal of the first communication device falls within the first Doppler range, and / or conversely, determine whether not to reside on the first communication device.

[0291] There are several ways for an NTN device to acquire the Doppler signal from a first communication device. For example, the NTN device receives the signal from the first communication device and obtains the Doppler corresponding to the signal from the first communication device. Another example is that the NTN device calculates the Doppler of the signal from the first communication device based on the motion relationship between the first communication device and the NTN device (e.g., determined based on the ephemeris information of the NTN device). Yet another example is that the NTN device receives a reference signal from the first communication device (e.g., a demodulation reference signal (DMRS), a phase tracking reference signal (PTRS), a synchronization signal and PBCH block (SSB), or a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), etc.) and obtains the Doppler corresponding to the signal from the first communication device by detecting this reference signal.

[0292] Information B5 is used to indicate the Doppler rate corresponding to the signal received by the NTN device from the first communication device.

[0293] For example, the NTN device can determine whether to reside on the first communication device if the Doppler rate corresponding to the signal of the first communication device is within the first Doppler rate range, and / or conversely, determine whether to reside on the first communication device.

[0294] There are several ways for an NTN device to acquire the Doppler rate of a signal from a first communication device. Please refer to the aforementioned methods for an NTN device to acquire the Doppler rate of a signal from a first communication device; these will not be repeated here.

[0295] Information B6 is used to indicate the TA information corresponding to the signal between the first communication device and the NTN device.

[0296] For example, the NTN device can determine that it can camp on the first communication device if the TA corresponding to the signal between the first communication device and the NTN device belongs to the first TA range, and / or conversely, it can determine that it will not camp on the first communication device.

[0297] The method by which the NTN device obtains the TA corresponding to the signal between the first communication device and the NTN device is described above and will not be repeated here.

[0298] Information B7 is used to indicate the rate of change of the TA corresponding to the signal between the first communication device and the NTN device.

[0299] For example, the NTN device can determine whether to reside on the first communication device if the rate of change of the TA corresponding to the signal between the first communication device and the NTN device is within the range of the first TA rate of change, and / or conversely, it can determine whether to reside on the first communication device.

[0300] The method by which the NTN device obtains the rate of change of the TA corresponding to the signal between the first communication device and the NTN device is described above and will not be repeated here.

[0301] Information B8 is used to indicate the rate of change of the TA change rate corresponding to the signal between the first communication device and the NTN device.

[0302] For example, the NTN device can determine whether to reside on the first communication device if the rate of change of the TA change rate corresponding to the signal between the first communication device and the NTN device is within the range of the rate of change of the first TA change rate, and / or conversely, it can determine whether to reside on the first communication device.

[0303] The method by which the NTN device obtains the rate of change of the TA corresponding to the signal between the first communication device and the NTN device is described above and will not be repeated here.

[0304] Step 303: Based on the first information and the first configuration information, the NTN device camps on the first communication device when the NTN device moves to an area where the first communication device provides services.

[0305] In another possible implementation, the NTN device, based on the first information and the first configuration information, will not camp on the first communication device if the NTN device has not moved to an area where the first communication device provides services (e.g., the first condition is not met). In this way, the NTN device can camp on the first communication device only after moving to an area where the first communication device provides services, thereby improving the success rate of camping on the first communication device.

[0306] In this application embodiment, the first communication device can also be referred to as a cell, the cell of the first communication device, the cell corresponding to the first communication device, the target cell, or the target communication device, etc. For example, in this application embodiment, "camping to the first communication device" can also be replaced with: "camping to the cell of the first communication device," or "camping to the cell corresponding to the first communication device," or "camping to the target cell," or "camping to a cell," or "camping to the cell of the target communication device," or "camping to the target communication device," etc. The meaning of "camping" in this application embodiment also has multiple meanings. For example, "camping" can be replaced with: establishing a connection, establishing communication, handover, reselection, or receiving broadcast messages, etc. For example, in the embodiments of this application, the NTN device camping on the first communication device may include / be / be replaced with / be understood as: the NTN device establishing a connection with the first communication device; the NTN device communicating with the first communication device; the NTN device switching to the first communication device; the NTN device switching from the second communication device to the first communication device; the NTN device reselecting to the first communication device; the NTN device reselecting to the first communication device and communicating with the first communication device; or the NTN device receiving a broadcast message from the first communication device; or, the NTN device reselecting to the first communication device but not communicating with the first communication device, and the NTN device receiving a broadcast message from the first communication device, etc. In these examples, the first communication device can be replaced with a cell or a target cell, etc. For example, the NTN device reselecting to the first communication device can be replaced with the NTN device reselecting to the target cell; as another example, the NTN device switching to the first communication device can be replaced with the NTN device switching to the target cell. Other replacement methods are similar and can be replaced according to the actual situation, and will not be described one by one.

[0307] In one possible implementation, the NTN device determines that it has moved to the area where the first communication device provides services, provided that the first information meets the first condition.

[0308] For example, the first condition includes at least one of the following:

[0309] The connection between the NTN device and the first communication device has an elevation angle corresponding to the first communication device side that falls within the first elevation angle range.

[0310] The track angle corresponding to the NTN device belongs to the first track angle range;

[0311] The Doppler signal received by the NTN device from the first communication device belongs to the first Doppler range;

[0312] The Doppler rate of the signal received by the NTN device from the first communication device belongs to the first Doppler rate range;

[0313] The current time falls within the first time frame;

[0314] The TA corresponding to the signal between the NTN device and the first communication device belongs to the first TA range;

[0315] The rate of change of the transfer corresponding to the signal between the NTN device and the first communication device falls within the range of the first rate of change of the transfer;

[0316] The rate of change of the transfer signal (TA) between the NTN device and the first communication device falls within the range of the rate of change of the TA corresponding to the first communication device; or,

[0317] The location of the NTN device falls within the area indicated by the NTN device location range information corresponding to the first communication device in the first configuration information.

[0318] An NTN device may or may not be camped on other communication devices before camping on the first communication device. For example, an NTN device may be camped on a second communication device before camping on the first communication device. In this case, the NTN device can determine whether it has moved out of the area served by the second communication device before camping on the first communication device. For example, step 303 can be replaced by: the NTN device, based on the first information and the first configuration information, camping on the first communication device if the NTN device moves to the area served by the first communication device and moves out of the area served by the second communication device. In another possible implementation, the NTN device does not camp on the first communication device if it has not moved out of the area served by the second communication device. In this way, the NTN device can switch communication devices only after moving out of the area served by the second communication device and moving to the area served by the first communication device, thereby reducing the number of handovers and thus reducing signaling overhead.

[0319] In another possible implementation, the NTN device determines that it is moving out of the area served by the second communication device if the second condition is met.

[0320] For example, the second condition includes at least one of the following:

[0321] The elevation angle of the connection between the NTN device and the second communication device on the side of the second communication device does not fall within the range of the second elevation angle corresponding to the second communication device.

[0322] The orbital angle corresponding to the NTN device does not fall within the range of the second orbital angle corresponding to the second communication device.

[0323] The Doppler signal received by the NTN device from the second communication device does not belong to the second Doppler range corresponding to the second communication device.

[0324] The Doppler rate of the signal received by the NTN device from the second communication device does not fall within the range of the second Doppler rate.

[0325] The current time does not fall within the second time range corresponding to the second communication device;

[0326] The TA corresponding to the signal between the NTN device and the second communication device does not belong to the TA range corresponding to the second communication device.

[0327] The rate of change of the TA corresponding to the signal between the NTN device and the second communication device does not fall within the range of the rate of change of the TA corresponding to the second communication device.

[0328] The rate of change of the transfer rate (TA) corresponding to the signal between the NTN device and the second communication device does not fall within the range of the TA rate of change corresponding to the second communication device; or,

[0329] The location of the NTN device does not fall within the area indicated by the NTN device location range information corresponding to the second communication device in the first configuration information.

[0330] In this embodiment, the areas (or signal coverage areas) where the second communication device and the first communication device provide communication services may overlap or may not overlap. In this embodiment, the NTN device moving out of the area where the second communication device provides services may mean moving out of an area where the second communication device can provide services relatively well (although the fifth communication device may still provide services to the NTN device, but with poor service quality), or it may mean completely moving out of the signal coverage area of ​​the second communication device.

[0331] For details regarding the items in the first and / or second conditions, please refer to the descriptions of steps 301 and 302 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0332] As shown in the embodiment in Figure 3, the NTN device can determine whether to camp on the first communication device using first configuration information and first information. The first configuration information may include, for example, at least one of a first elevation angle range, a first orbital angle range, a first Doppler range, a first Doppler rate range, or a first time range. This approach can reduce signaling overhead during the NTN device's camping on the first communication device, thereby reducing resource overhead.

[0333] Based on at least one of Figures 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, 1I, 1J, 1K, 1L, 1M, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, and the other contents described above, Figure 10 exemplarily illustrates a possible flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of this application. The NTN device, first communication device, second communication device, and third communication device involved in Figure 10 can be referred to in the relevant description of Figure 3 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0334] Step 1001: The NTN device acquires the second information.

[0335] Step 1002: The NTN device camps on the first communication device according to the second information.

[0336] The second information can assist the NTN device in determining the communication device to be camped on. For example, if the NTN device identifies at least one candidate target communication device (the first communication device belongs to the at least one candidate target communication device), the NTN device can select one of the at least one candidate target communication devices as the communication device to be camped on, for example, selecting the first communication device as the communication device to be camped on. For example, the second information may include at least one of the following: the elevation angle of the NTN device on the side of the first communication device, the strength of the signal received by the NTN device from the first communication device, or the distance between the NTN device and the first communication device.

[0337] In one possible implementation, the NTN device selects the communication device with the largest elevation angle, strongest signal strength, or shortest distance from the at least one candidate target communication device to camp on (or as the first communication device). This can improve the communication service quality of the NTN device.

[0338] For example, in step 1002, the NTN device may choose to camp on the first communication device if at least one of the following conditions is met:

[0339] The elevation angle corresponding to the NTN device on the first communication device side is the largest of at least one elevation angle, which may include the elevation angle corresponding to the NTN device on at least one communication device (e.g., a candidate communication device);

[0340] The strength of the signal received by the NTN device from the first communication device is the largest of at least one signal strength, which can be the strength of the signal received by the NTN device from at least one communication device (e.g., a candidate communication device); or,

[0341] The distance between the NTN device and the first communication device is the shortest distance among at least one distance, which may be the distance between the NTN device and at least one communication device (e.g., a candidate communication device).

[0342] In another possible implementation, the NTN device selects from at least one candidate target communication device the communication device with the smallest elevation angle, weakest signal strength, or longest distance from the NTN device for camping (or as the first communication device). This can extend the connection establishment time between the NTN device and the selected communication device, thereby reducing the frequency of communication device switching and saving signaling overhead.

[0343] In another possible implementation, the NTN device can select the communication device to be camped based on multiple factors, including distance, elevation angle, and signal strength.

[0344] For example, when two candidate target communication devices are at equal or close distances to the NTN device, the NTN device can select the candidate target communication device with stronger (or weaker) signal strength as the communication device to be hosted (or as the first communication device).

[0345] For example, distance, elevation angle, and signal strength each correspond to a weight. The NTN device scores each communication device in these three dimensions based on its distance, elevation angle, and signal strength (e.g., the closer the device is to the NTN device, the higher the score, and vice versa; the higher the elevation angle of the NTN device relative to the communication device, the higher the score, and vice versa; the stronger the signal, the higher the score, and vice versa). The scores in these three dimensions are then weighted and summed to obtain the total score for the communication device. The NTN device can then select the communication device with the highest total score as the target communication device. Alternatively, for example, scores can be assigned to each of the three dimensions—distance, elevation angle, and signal strength—and the communication device with the highest total score across these three dimensions can be selected as the target communication device (i.e., the first communication device).

[0346] For example, in the distance dimension, each communication device can be ranked and scored based on its proximity to the NTN device (e.g., a satellite). For instance, with 10 communication devices, the device closest to the NTN device receives 10 points, decreasing by 1 point for each subsequent device, with the farthest device receiving 1 point. Similarly, in the elevation dimension, each communication device can be ranked and scored based on its corresponding elevation angle. For example, with 10 communication devices, the device with the highest elevation angle receives 10 points, decreasing by 1 point for each subsequent device, with the lowest elevation angle receiving 1 point. Likewise, in the signal strength dimension, each communication device can be ranked and scored based on its corresponding signal strength. For example, with 10 communication devices, the device with the strongest signal strength receives 10 points, decreasing by 1 point for each subsequent device, with the weakest signal strength receiving 1 point. The scores for each communication device across all three dimensions are summed, and the communication device with the highest total score across all three dimensions is designated as the target communication device (i.e., the first communication device).

[0347] In this embodiment, the candidate target communication device can be considered as a communication device to be hosted. The NTN device can select a communication device to be hosted from at least one subsequent target communication device (e.g., selecting the first communication device). For example, the NTN device can select a suitable communication device as a candidate target communication device based on at least one of elevation angle, signal strength, or distance. For example, the elevation angle corresponding to the candidate target communication device is greater than (or not less than) an elevation angle threshold (which can also be called the minimum elevation angle threshold). Another example is that the signal strength received by the NTN device from the candidate target communication device is greater than (or not less than) a signal strength threshold (which can also be called the minimum signal strength threshold). Yet another example is that the distance between the NTN device and the candidate target communication device is less than (or not greater than) a distance threshold (which can also be called the maximum distance threshold). When a communication device does not meet at least one of these examples, the NTN device can consider that the communication device cannot be a candidate target communication device and therefore will not consider it as a communication device to be hosted.

[0348] For example, the NTN device can calculate the distance between the NTN device and the first communication device and / or the elevation angle of the NTN device on the side of the first communication device based on the location of the NTN device and the location of the first communication device. Alternatively, the NTN device can detect signal strength based on a reference signal (e.g., SSB) transmitted by the first communication device.

[0349] In another possible implementation, the NTN device may also acquire some configuration information, such as second configuration information. This second configuration information may include at least one of the following: the index number, location information, frequency information, cell identifier, or polarization information of at least one communication device (e.g., the first communication device). This configuration information can assist the NTN device in determining whether to camp on the first communication device. The second configuration information may also include other information, such as downlink synchronization reference signal sequence information, downlink synchronization signal frequency, and measurement timing configuration.

[0350] The following table 7 illustrates an example of information about multiple communication devices included in a second configuration. For example, if the first communication device is communication device #1, then the location information of communication device #1 is location #1, the frequency is F1, the cell identifier is PCI#1, and it is right-handed polarization.

[0351] Examples of communication device information in Table 7, First Configuration Information

[0352] For example, the second configuration information and the first configuration information can be the same information, or the second configuration information and the first configuration information can be different information (they can be carried in the same or different messages). For example, the second information and the first information can be the same information, or the second information and the second information can be different information.

[0353] The implementation methods provided in Figures 3 and 10 of this application can be executed individually or in combination. For example, the NTN device can use the scheme provided in Figure 3 to determine multiple communication devices that meet the first condition (the multiple communication devices include the first communication device), and then use the scheme provided in step 1002 to select the first communication device as the communication device to be hosted. In this application embodiment, the NTN device selects the first communication device as the communication device to be hosted as an example. In actual applications, the NTN device may also select other communication devices to be hosted.

[0354] Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 15 in this embodiment describe how an NTN device determines a communication device to be hosted, from the perspective of the NTN device. Figures 11, 12, 13, and 14 below provide possible implementations describing how a communication device determines an NTN device to be hosted, from the perspective of the communication device. For ease of understanding, the following sections use a fourth communication device as an example to illustrate how the fourth communication device determines the NTN device to be hosted. Other communication devices can also refer to the implementation of this fourth communication device; the content is similar and will not be repeated.

[0355] Figure 11 illustrates an application scenario provided by an embodiment of this application. Figure 11 uses two NTN devices as an example, but in actual applications, it may also include one NTN device. As shown in Figure 11, the first NTN device and the second NTN device move along the direction of motion, causing the second NTN device to be unable to provide communication services to the fourth communication device. The first NTN device can provide communication services to the fourth communication device. The area where the fourth communication device is located is not within the area where the second NTN device provides communication services, but the area where the fourth communication device is located is within the area where the first NTN device provides communication services. Therefore, the fourth communication device can switch from the second NTN device to the first NTN device. In this example, the second NTN device can be understood as the source NTN device, and the first NTN device can be understood as the target NTN device. It can be seen that the fourth communication device can act as a mobile terminal to access various NTN devices and can also switch / reselect NTN devices. In this scheme, the fourth communication device can autonomously determine the NTN device to camp on based on some information, thereby saving signaling overhead. The scheme will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0356] Based on at least one of Figures 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, 1I, 1J, 1K, 1L, 1M, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, as well as the other content described above, Figure 12 exemplarily illustrates a possible flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of this application. For ease of understanding, Figure 12 uses the interaction between a fourth communication device and a first NTN device as an example for illustration.

[0357] This application also relates to a second NTN device. The second NTN device can be considered as a source NTN device, and the first NTN device can be considered as a target NTN device. Either the first NTN device or the second NTN device can include an NTN device or a chip (or chip system, circuit, or unit) inside the NTN device. For example, the NTN device can include the terminal or network device shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, 1I, 1J, 1K, 1L, 1M, or 2. For example, the NTN device can also act as a relay to provide access services to other devices. For example, the NTN device includes a satellite, a drone or high-altitude platform, a base station, a host, a parent node, or a node. Another example is that the NTN device includes an aircraft (or other flying vehicle), or network equipment on an aircraft (or other flying vehicle). The satellite, satellite equipment, or satellite terminal can operate in transparent mode or regenerative mode. For example, NTN devices may include IAB, NCR, or WAB, etc.

[0358] The fourth communication device can be a terminal device, a chip inside a terminal device, a network device, or a chip (or chip system, circuit, or unit) inside a network device as shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, 1I, 1J, 1K, 1L, 1M, or Figure 2. For example, the fourth communication device can include IAB-MT, NCR-MT, or WAB-MT, etc. The fourth communication device can access the NTN device as a mobile terminal.

[0359] The following description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying diagram.

[0360] Step 1201: The fourth communication device obtains the third configuration information.

[0361] In this embodiment of the application, the third configuration information may include information associated with at least one NTN device, such as at least one of the following: location range information of the communication device associated with at least one NTN device, elevation angle range, orbital angle range, time range, Doppler range, Doppler rate range, TA, TA rate of change, rate of change of TA rate of change, or priority information of the NTN device.

[0362] For example, the third configuration information may include information to assist the fourth communication device in determining which NTN device it can currently camp on. For example, the third configuration information may include information indicating the area where communication services are provided by one or more NTN devices (e.g., the first NTN device). If it is determined that the fourth communication device is located in the area where communication services are provided by the first NTN device, it may camp on the first NTN device.

[0363] The method for obtaining the third configuration information can be similar to that for obtaining the first configuration information. For example, the third configuration information can be pre-configured, protocol-defined, or indicated by other devices (such as the source NTN device or other NTN devices; for example, if the fourth communication device switches from the second NTN device to the first NTN device, then the second NTN device can be considered the source NTN device). Further details will not be provided. The second NTN device can also be referred to as / replaced with: cell, cell of the second NTN device, cell corresponding to the second NTN device, source cell, or source NTN device, etc.

[0364] For example, the third configuration information may include at least one of the following: communication device location range information, information indicating the elevation angle range corresponding to the first NTN device, information indicating the orbital angle range corresponding to the first NTN device, information indicating the time range corresponding to the first NTN device, information indicating the Doppler range corresponding to the first NTN device, information indicating the Doppler rate range corresponding to the first NTN device, information indicating the TA corresponding to the first NTN device, information indicating the rate of change of TA corresponding to the first NTN device, information indicating the rate of change of the rate of change of TA corresponding to the first NTN device, or information indicating the priority of the first NTN device. The third configuration information may also include information corresponding to other NTN devices (e.g., information on the elevation angle range corresponding to the second NTN device, information on the orbital angle range corresponding to the second NTN device, etc.). Information on other communication devices can be found in the description of information corresponding to the first NTN device, and will not be repeated here. The content of the third configuration information is similar to that of the first configuration information, and they can be referred to each other.

[0365] The following table 8 illustrates an example of information about multiple NTN devices included in a third configuration. The first NTN device is, for example, NTN#1. The location information of the NTN device includes ephemeris #1, the frequency of the signal of the NTN device is F1, and the elevation angle range corresponding to the first NTN device is [elevation angle #9, elevation angle #10].

[0366] Examples of NTN device information in Table 8, Third Configuration Information

[0367] The following tables 9, 10, and 11 exemplify several examples of NTN communication device information included in the third configuration information. Unlike Table 8, Table 9 uses the orbital angle corresponding to the NTN device in the third configuration information, Table 10 uses the time range corresponding to the NTN device in the third configuration information, and Table 11 uses the Doppler range corresponding to the NTN device in the third configuration information. The remaining details are described in Figure 8 and will not be repeated here.

[0368] Examples of NTN device information in Table 9, Third Configuration Information

[0369] Examples of NTN device information in Table 10, Third Configuration Information

[0370] Examples of NTN device information in Table 11, Third Configuration Information

[0371] In another possible implementation, the third configuration information may also include other information about the NTN device (e.g., the first NTN device), such as ephemeris information, frequency information, cell identifier, downlink synchronization reference signal sequence information, downlink synchronization signal frequency, measurement timing configuration, polarization information, etc. This information can assist the fourth communication device in determining the NTN device to camp on, thereby accelerating the camping process. For related details, please refer to the description of the first configuration information; further elaboration is unnecessary.

[0372] The content of step 1201 is similar to that of step 301 and will not be repeated here.

[0373] Step 1202: The fourth communication device acquires the third information.

[0374] For example, the third information may include information used to assist the fourth communication device in determining which NTN device it can currently reside on. For example, the third information may include at least one of the following: information about the location of the fourth communication device; information indicating the elevation angle of the first NTN device on the side of the fourth communication device; information indicating the orbital angle of the first NTN device; information indicating the current time; information indicating the Doppler of the signal received by the fourth communication device from the first NTN device; information indicating the Doppler rate of the signal received by the fourth communication device from the first NTN device; information indicating the transfer rate (TA) of the signal transmitted between the fourth communication device and the first NTN device; information indicating the rate of change of the TA of the signal transmitted between the fourth communication device and the first NTN device; or information indicating the rate of change of the TA of the signal transmitted between the fourth communication device and the first NTN device.

[0375] The content of the third information can be found in the description of the first information above, and the content of step 302 can be found in the description of step 302 above. The content is similar and will not be repeated here.

[0376] Step 1203: The fourth communication device, based on the third information and the third configuration information, camps on the first NTN device when the fourth communication device is located in the area served by the first NTN device.

[0377] In another possible implementation, the fourth communication device, based on the third information and the third configuration information, does not reside with the first NTN device if the fourth communication device is not located in an area served by the first NTN device.

[0378] In this application embodiment, the first NTN device can also be referred to as a cell, the cell of the first NTN device, the cell corresponding to the first NTN device, the target cell, or the target NTN device, etc. For example, in this application embodiment, "camping to the first NTN device" can also be replaced with: "camping to the cell of the first NTN device," or "camping to the cell corresponding to the first NTN device," or "camping to the target cell," or "camping to a cell," or "camping to the cell of the target NTN device," or "camping to the target NTN device," etc. The meaning of "camping" in this application embodiment also has multiple meanings. For example, "camping" can be replaced with: establishing a connection, establishing communication, handover, reselection, or receiving broadcast messages, etc. For example, in the embodiments of this application, the fourth communication device camping on the first NTN device may include / be / be replaced / understood as: the fourth communication device establishing a connection with the first NTN device; the fourth communication device communicating with the first NTN device; the fourth communication device switching to the first NTN device; the fourth communication device switching from the second NTN device to the first NTN device; the fourth communication device reselecting to the first NTN device; the fourth communication device reselecting to the first NTN device and not communicating with the first NTN device; or the fourth communication device receiving a broadcast message from the first NTN device; or, the fourth communication device reselecting to the first NTN device and not communicating with the first NTN device, and the fourth communication device receiving a broadcast message from the first NTN device, etc. In these examples, the first NTN device can be replaced with a cell or a target cell, etc. For example, the fourth communication device reselecting to the first NTN device can be replaced with the fourth communication device reselecting to the target cell; another example is that the fourth communication device switching to the first NTN device can be replaced with the fourth communication device switching to the target cell. Other replacement methods are similar and can be replaced according to the actual situation, and will not be described one by one.

[0379] In this embodiment, the understanding of the fourth communication device residing in the first NTN device can also refer to the description of the NTN device residing in the first communication device in step 303 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0380] In one possible implementation, the fourth communication device determines that it is located in the area served by the first NTN device when the third information satisfies the third condition.

[0381] For example, the third condition includes at least one of the following:

[0382] The elevation angle of the connection between the first NTN device and the fourth communication device on the side of the fourth communication device belongs to the elevation angle range corresponding to the first NTN device.

[0383] The orbital angle corresponding to the first NTN device belongs to the orbital angle range corresponding to the first NTN device.

[0384] The Doppler signal received by the fourth communication device from the first NTN device belongs to the Doppler range of the first NTN device.

[0385] The Doppler rate of the signal received by the fourth communication device from the first NTN device belongs to the Doppler rate range of the first NTN device;

[0386] The current time falls within the time range corresponding to the first NTN device;

[0387] The TA corresponding to the signal between the first NTN device and the fourth communication device belongs to the TA range corresponding to the first NTN device;

[0388] The rate of change of the TA corresponding to the signal between the first NTN device and the fourth communication device belongs to the range of the rate of change of the TA corresponding to the first NTN device;

[0389] The rate of change of the transfer signal between the first NTN device and the fourth communication device falls within the range of the rate of change of the transfer signal corresponding to the first NTN device; or,

[0390] The location of the fourth communication device belongs to the location range indicated by the communication device location range information corresponding to the first NTN device.

[0391] The fourth communication device may or may not be camped on other NTN devices before camping on the first NTN device. For example, the fourth communication device may be camped on a second NTN device before camping on the first NTN device. In this case, the NTN device can determine whether it has moved out of the area served by the second NTN device before camping on the first NTN device. For example, step 1203 can be replaced by: the fourth communication device camping on the first NTN device if, based on the third information and the third configuration information, it is located in the area served by the first NTN device but not in the area served by the second NTN device. In another possible implementation, the fourth communication device does not camp on the first NTN device if it has not moved out of the area served by the second NTN device. In this way, the fourth communication device can switch NTNs only after moving out of the area served by the second NTN device and into the area served by the first NTN device, thereby reducing the number of handovers and thus reducing signaling overhead.

[0392] In another possible implementation, the fourth communication device determines that it is moving out of the area served by the second NTN device if the fourth condition is met.

[0393] For example, the fourth condition includes at least one of the following:

[0394] The elevation angle corresponding to the connection between the second NTN device and the fourth communication device on the side of the fourth communication device belongs to the elevation angle range corresponding to the second NTN device.

[0395] The orbital angle corresponding to the second NTN device belongs to the orbital angle range corresponding to the second NTN device;

[0396] The Doppler signal received by the fourth communication device from the second NTN device belongs to the Doppler range of the second NTN device.

[0397] The Doppler rate of the signal received by the fourth communication device from the second NTN device belongs to the Doppler rate range of the second NTN device;

[0398] The current time falls within the time range corresponding to the second NTN device;

[0399] The TA corresponding to the signal between the second NTN device and the fourth communication device does not belong to the TA range corresponding to the second NTN device;

[0400] The rate of change of TA corresponding to the signal between the second NTN device and the fourth communication device does not fall within the range of the rate of change of TA corresponding to the second NTN device; or,

[0401] The rate of change of TA corresponding to the signal between the second NTN device and the fourth communication device does not fall within the range of the rate of change of TA corresponding to the second NTN device; or,

[0402] The location of the fourth communication device does not fall within the location range indicated by the communication device location range information corresponding to the second NTN device.

[0403] The content of step 1203 is similar to that of step 303 mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0404] As can be seen from the embodiment shown in Figure 12, the fourth communication device can determine whether to camp on the first NTN device using the third configuration information and the third information. This scheme can reduce the signaling overhead during the process of the fourth communication device camping on the first NTN device, thereby reducing resource overhead.

[0405] Based on at least one of Figures 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, 1I, 1J, 1K, 1L, 1M, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12, as well as the other content described above, Figure 13 exemplarily illustrates a possible flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of this application. The fourth communication device and the first NTN device involved in Figure 13 can be referred to the relevant description in Figure 12 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0406] Step 1301: The fourth communication device acquires the fourth information.

[0407] Step 1302: The fourth communication device camps on the first NTN device according to the fourth information.

[0408] The fourth information can assist the fourth communication device in determining the NTN device to be camped on. For example, if the fourth communication device identifies at least one candidate target NTN device (the first NTN device belongs to the at least one candidate target NTN device), the fourth communication device can select one of the at least one candidate target NTN devices as the NTN device to be camped on, for example, selecting the first NTN device as the NTN device to be camped on. For example, the fourth information may include at least one of the following: the elevation angle of the first NTN device on the fourth communication device side, the signal strength received by the fourth communication device from the first NTN device, or the distance between the fourth communication device and the first NTN device.

[0409] In one possible implementation, the fourth communication device selects from the at least one candidate target NTN device the NTN device with the largest (or smallest) elevation angle, the strongest (or weakest) signal strength, or the shortest (or longest) distance from the fourth communication device for camping (or as the first NTN device). This can improve the communication service quality of the fourth communication device.

[0410] In another possible implementation, the fourth communication device may also acquire some configuration information, such as fourth configuration information. This fourth configuration information may include at least one of the following: the index number, ephemeris information, frequency information, cell identifier, or polarization information of at least one NTN device (e.g., the first NTN device). This configuration information can assist the fourth communication device in determining whether to camp on the first NTN device. The fourth configuration information may also include other information, such as downlink synchronization reference signal sequence information, downlink synchronization signal frequency, and measurement timing configuration.

[0411] The following table 12 illustrates an example of information about multiple communication devices included in a fourth configuration. For example, if the first NTN device is NTN device #1, then the location information of NTN device #1 is ephemeris #1, the frequency is F1, the cell identifier is PCI #1, and it is right-handed polarization.

[0412] Examples of communication device information in the fourth configuration information of Table 12

[0413] The scheme for the fourth communication device to select the NTN device to be camped can be referred to in the scheme for the NTN device to select the communication device to be camped in Figure 10 above. The content of step 1301 can be referred to in the content of step 1001 above, and the content of step 1302 can be referred to in the content of step 1002 above. The content is similar and will not be repeated.

[0414] In this application embodiment, the implementation methods provided in Figures 13 and 12 can be executed individually or in combination. For example, the fourth communication device can use the scheme provided in Figure 12 to determine multiple NTN devices that satisfy the third condition (the multiple NTN devices include the first NTN device), and then use the scheme provided in step 1302 to select the first NTN device as the NTN device to be hosted. In this application embodiment, the selection of the first NTN device as the NTN device to be hosted by the fourth communication device is used as an example. In actual applications, the fourth communication device may also select other NTN devices to be hosted.

[0415] Based on at least one of Figures 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, 1I, 1J, 1K, 1L, 1M, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13, as well as the other content described above, Figure 14 exemplarily illustrates a possible flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of this application. The first communication device and NTN device involved in Figure 14 can be referred to the relevant description in Figure 3 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0416] Step 1401: The second communication device obtains the sixth configuration information.

[0417] Step 1402: The second communication device determines the signal transmission strategy based on the sixth configuration information.

[0418] The sixth configuration information in this embodiment may include information about at least one NTN device (or information associated with the NTN device), such as at least one of the following: NTN device location range information, elevation angle range, orbital angle range, time range, Doppler range, Doppler rate range, TA, TA rate of change, rate of change of TA rate of change, or priority information of at least one NTN device. The contents of the sixth configuration information are similar to those of the aforementioned third configuration information and will not be repeated here.

[0419] In this application embodiment, the second communication device can obtain the sixth configuration information in various ways. For example, the sixth configuration information can be sent to the second communication device by other devices, such as by the gNB through an interface (e.g., the Xn interface). Alternatively, the sixth configuration information can be pre-configured.

[0420] For example, the second communication device can determine whether an NTN device is within the communication service area provided by the second communication device based on the sixth configuration information. This solution is similar to the aforementioned solution where the fourth communication device determines whether the first NTN device is within the communication service area provided by the fourth communication device based on the third configuration information. The solution on the second communication device side is similar to the solution on the fourth communication device side, and the solution on the NTN device side is similar to the solution on the first NTN device side. The content is similar and will not be repeated here.

[0421] In step 1402, the second communication device can determine, based on the sixth configuration information, that an NTN device is located within the communication service area provided by the second communication device. The second communication device can then send signals (e.g., synchronization signals) to the NTN device (or the area where the NTN device is located). Alternatively, if the NTN device is not located within the communication service area provided by the second communication device, the second communication device can stop sending signals to the NTN device, or stop periodically sending signals (e.g., synchronization signals) to the NTN device (or the area where the NTN device is located) for a first duration.

[0422] For example, when the NTN device is located within the communication service area provided by the second communication device, the second communication device can periodically send signals (e.g., synchronization signals) to the NTN (or the area where the NTN device is located) for a first duration. For example, when the NTN device is not located within the communication service area provided by the second communication device: the second communication device periodically sends signals (e.g., synchronization signals) to the NTN device (or the area where the NTN device is located) for a second duration. The second duration is longer than the first duration.

[0423] The above scheme uses an NTN device as an example to illustrate whether the second communication device should send a signal to the area where the NTN device is located. The second communication device can also use a similar scheme to determine whether to send a signal to other areas where the NTN device is located. In the embodiments of this application, the first communication device can also determine the signal transmission strategy based on the information associated with the NTN device. This scheme is similar to the scheme by which the second communication device determines the signal transmission strategy, and will not be described again.

[0424] Based on at least one of Figures 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, 1I, 1J, 1K, 1L, 1M, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14, as well as the other content described above, Figure 15 exemplarily illustrates a possible flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of this application. The first NTN device and the fourth communication device involved in Figure 15 can be referred to the relevant description in Figure 12 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0425] Step 1501: The first NTN device acquires the seventh configuration information.

[0426] Step 1502: The first NTN device determines the signal transmission strategy based on the seventh configuration information.

[0427] In this embodiment, the seventh configuration information may include information associated with at least one communication device. For example, it may include at least one of the following: location range information, elevation angle range, orbital angle range, time range, Doppler range, Doppler rate range, TA, TA rate of change, rate of change of TA rate of change information, or priority information of at least one communication device associated with it. The contents of the seventh configuration information are similar to those of the aforementioned first configuration information and will not be repeated here.

[0428] In this application embodiment, there are multiple ways for the first NTN device to obtain the seventh configuration information. For example, the seventh configuration information may be sent to the first NTN device by other devices, such as by the gNB through an interface (e.g., the Xn interface). Alternatively, the sixth configuration information may be pre-configured.

[0429] For example, the first NTN device can determine whether the fourth communication device is in the communication service area provided by the first NTN device based on the seventh configuration information. This solution can be found in the aforementioned content on whether the first communication device is in the communication service area provided by the NTN device based on the first configuration information. The solution on the first NTN device side can be found in the solution on the NTN device side, and the solution on the fourth communication device side can be found in the solution on the first communication device side. The content is similar and will not be repeated here.

[0430] The first NTN device can determine, based on the seventh configuration information, that a fourth communication device is located within the communication service area provided by the first NTN device. The first NTN device can then send signals (e.g., synchronization signals) to the fourth communication device (or the area where the fourth communication device is located). Alternatively, if the fourth communication device is not located within the communication service area provided by the first NTN device, the first NTN device can stop sending signals to the fourth communication device, or stop periodically sending signals (e.g., synchronization signals) to the fourth communication device (or the area where the fourth communication device is located) for a first duration.

[0431] For example, when the fourth communication device is located within the communication service area provided by the first NTN device, the first NTN device can periodically send signals (e.g., synchronization signals) to the NTN (or the area where the fourth communication device is located) for a third duration. For example, when the fourth communication device is not located within the communication service area provided by the first NTN device: the first NTN device periodically sends signals (e.g., synchronization signals) to the fourth communication device (or the area where the fourth communication device is located) for a fourth duration. The fourth duration is longer than the third duration.

[0432] The above scheme uses a fourth communication device as an example to illustrate whether the first NTN device sends a signal to the area where the fourth communication device is located. The first NTN device can also use a similar scheme to determine whether to send a signal to other areas where the same communication device is located. The scheme is similar and will not be described again. In the embodiments of this application, the second NTN device can also determine the signal transmission strategy based on the information associated with the communication device. This scheme is similar to the scheme of the first NTN device determining the signal transmission strategy and will not be described again.

[0433] In this embodiment, some information (such as first configuration information, second configuration information, third configuration information, etc.) can be carried in at least one of the broadcast information of system information block (SIB) 1, other system information (OSI), and main system information block (MIB), and sent via broadcast or multicast. This avoids scheduling different resources to send the aforementioned signaling, thereby saving the signaling overhead of resource scheduling and reducing the complexity of system scheduling.

[0434] In another possible implementation, if the information (such as first configuration information, second configuration information, third configuration information, etc.) is transmitted during the radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment phase and subsequent communication, this information can be carried in at least one of RRC signaling (e.g., RRC setup message, RRC reconfiguration message, RRC resume message, etc.), downlink control information (DCI), group DCI, media access control (MAC) control element (CE), or timing advance command (TAC). This information can be indicated by signaling or by tables. Alternatively, the information (such as first configuration information, second configuration information, third configuration information, etc.) can be transmitted with data transmission or carried in a separately allocated physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). The information (such as first configuration information, second configuration information, third configuration information, etc.) can be sent via unicast or multicast. In this way, the information corresponding to each / group of terminal devices can be flexibly controlled.

[0435] For example, different parameter values ​​can be configured based on the different locations or regions of the fourth communication device and / or the first NTN device to optimize system parameters and communication performance. For instance, if the location of the NTN device can connect to a ground relay with a lower load, the NTN device can be configured to connect to that ground relay, thereby balancing the load on the ground relay. Appropriate ground relay devices can be configured to connect NTN devices in different locations or regions, maximizing the utilization efficiency of the NTN device and ground relay, and improving the system's backhaul performance.

[0436] The scheme provided in this application is applicable to various processes, such as random access, cell handover, conditional handover, or cell reselection. The cell handover or conditional handover process can be a procedure of the NTN device in RRC connected state, and can be initiated by the network side. The cell reselection process can be a procedure of the NTN device in RRC idle state, and can be initiated actively by the NTN device. Figures 16, 17, 18, and 19 below exemplarily illustrate flowcharts of several possible communication methods, which correspond to the aforementioned processes. The following sections, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, describe which steps of each process the scheme provided in this application can be applied to.

[0437] For ease of understanding, the following description uses the second communication device as the source communication device and the first communication device as the target communication device. The source communication device can be replaced by the second communication device, and the target communication device can be replaced by the first communication device.

[0438] Figure 16 illustrates the application of the scheme provided in this embodiment of the application to a random access process. In this process, the NTN device can select the target communication device to be accessed or camped according to the scheme provided in this embodiment of the application, and then send a random access preamble to the target communication device, thereby improving the success rate and access speed of access.

[0439] As shown in Figure 16, the method includes:

[0440] Step 1601: If the NTN device determines that it wants to camp on the first communication device, it sends a random access preamble to the first communication device.

[0441] Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the random access preamble.

[0442] In step 1601, the NTN device can select the communication device to access or camp on from at least one communication device through the embodiments provided in FIG3 or FIG10 (for example, selecting the first communication device as the communication device to camp on).

[0443] Step 1602: The first communication device sends a random access response to the NTN device.

[0444] Correspondingly, the NTN device receives a random access response.

[0445] Step 1603: The NTN device camps on the cell of the first communication device.

[0446] The process shown in Figure 16 can be a two-step random access procedure or a four-step random access procedure. Taking the four-step random access procedure as an example, in step 1601, the NTN device can send message (Msg)1. In step 1602, the first communication device can send Msg2. The NTN device can also send Msg3 to the first communication device. The first communication device can send Msg4 (i.e., a contention resolution message) to the NTN device. This content describes a contention-based random access procedure as an example; the solution provided in this application embodiment is also applicable to non-contention-based random access procedures.

[0447] As can be seen from the scheme provided in Figure 16, the NTN device can select the communication device to be camped by adopting the scheme provided in the embodiments of this application, thereby reducing the signaling overhead in the process of selecting the target communication device and speeding up the NTN device's selection of the target communication device. Since the NTN device sends a random access preamble to the selected target communication device to initiate random access, the success rate of random access can be improved.

[0448] For ease of understanding, Figure 16 uses the example of an NTN device residing in a first communication device. These processes also apply to the above-mentioned scheme where a fourth communication device resides in a first NTN device. For example, the fourth communication device selects the first NTN device as the target NTN device through the implementation method provided in Figure 12 or Figure 13, and sends a random access preamble to the target NTN device. In the above example, the NTN device can be replaced by the fourth communication device, the source communication device can be replaced by the source NTN device (e.g., the second NTN device), and the target communication device can be replaced by the target NTN device (e.g., the first NTN device). The content is similar and can be referred to each other, so it will not be described again.

[0449] The solutions provided in this application are applicable to cell handover procedures and conditional handover procedures. For example, an NTN device can use the solutions provided in this application to select a target communication device (e.g., select a first communication device) and camp or switch to the target communication device.

[0450] The cell handover process and conditional handover process may include a measurement phase. During the measurement phase, the NTN device acquires measurement reports from each communication device so that the source communication device can select the target communication device to be handed over based on the measurement reports. The solution provided in this application embodiment can be applied to multiple phases of the cell handover process and conditional handover process.

[0451] For example, the solution provided in this application replaces the existing measurement stage (e.g., replacing steps 1701 to 1703, or steps 1801 to 1802). For instance, the NTN device and / or the source communication device select the target communication device to be hosted according to the solution provided in this application, eliminating the need to measure the signals of each communication device and provide a measurement report (e.g., in the solution provided in Figure 17, steps 1701 to 1703 or steps 1801 to 1802 are not required; instead, the NTN device selects the target communication device using the solution provided in Figure 3 or Figure 10 of this application). This can save signaling overhead.

[0452] For example, the solution provided in this application can be applied before the measurement stage (e.g., before step 1701 or step 1801). The NTN device can first use the solution provided in this application to determine the target communication device, then measure the signal of the target communication device, and feed back the measurement report of the target communication device to the source communication device. This solution can reduce the number of communication device signals that the NTN device needs to measure, thereby reducing signaling overhead and measurement complexity.

[0453] Figure 17 illustrates the cell handover process using the solution provided in this embodiment as an example. Figure 17 shows a schematic diagram with the AMF (Advanced Feature Function) as the core network device; however, the AMF can be replaced with other core network devices. As shown in Figure 17, the method includes:

[0454] Step 1701: The source communication device sends a measurement control message to the NTN device.

[0455] Correspondingly, the NTN device receives measurement and control messages.

[0456] Measurement control messages may include, for example, the measurement object (same frequency / different frequency), measurement report configuration, measurement gap configuration, etc.

[0457] If the target communication device is selected using the scheme provided in this application embodiment before step 1701, for example, before step 1701, the NTN device sends second indication information to the second communication device, the second indication information indicating that the target communication device includes the first communication device. Then, in step 1701, the measurement control message instructs the NTN device to measure the signal of the first communication device. In subsequent step 1703, the NTN device can also measure the first communication device, but may not measure the signals of other communication devices. The measurement result information may include the measurement result information corresponding to the first communication device, but may not include the measurement result information of other communication devices. In subsequent step 1704, the source communication device can determine the first communication device as the target communication device based on the received measurement result information. This scheme can configure measurement control information more accurately, simplify the number of cells and the number of measurement signals, and save measurement signaling overhead and complexity.

[0458] Step 1702: The NTN device sends response information of the measurement control message back to the source communication device.

[0459] Correspondingly, the source communication device receives response information from the measurement and control messages.

[0460] The response information for measurement control messages is, for example, RRC configuration complete (RRCReconfigurationComplete).

[0461] Step 1703: The NTN device sends the measurement result information to the source communication device.

[0462] Correspondingly, the source communication device receives the measurement result information. This measurement result information can be referred to as a measurement report, for example.

[0463] In step 1703, the NTN device may, for example, perform a measurement based on the received measurement control message, and after determining that the event condition has been met, report the measurement result information to the source communication device.

[0464] Step 1704: The source communication device identifies the target communication device.

[0465] Step 1704 can be implemented in various ways. For example, the source communication device can determine the target communication device based on the measurement result information (e.g., selecting the first communication device as the target communication device). Step 1704 can also be replaced by the source communication device making a switching strategy and a decision on the target communication device based on the measurement report. The target communication device can be, for example, the first communication device. In the embodiments of this application, the decision on the target communication device can also be replaced by a target small / frequency point decision.

[0466] In another possible implementation, the scheme provided in FIG17 does not require the execution of steps 1701 to 1703. Instead, the NTN device and / or the source communication device determine the target communication device respectively using the scheme provided in FIG3 or FIG10 of the embodiments of this application (after applying this embodiment, the NTN device and the source communication device will determine the same target communication device), thereby saving signaling overhead. That is, in this scheme, the source communication device does not need to configure measurement control messages to the NTN device and can send a handover request (step 1705) without measurement. The scheme in which the source communication device determines the target communication device in the embodiments of this application can also refer to the aforementioned scheme in which the NTN device determines the target communication device. The source communication device can execute the scheme on the NTN device side, which will not be described again. In this implementation, when the source communication device determines the target communication device, the NTN device does not need to report the information used to indicate the target communication device to the source communication device, thereby saving signaling overhead.

[0467] In another possible implementation, the target communication device can be selected in step 1704 using the scheme provided in the embodiments of this application. For example, in the scheme provided in FIG17, steps 1701 to 1703 do not need to be executed; instead, the NTN device selects the target communication device using the scheme provided in FIG3 or FIG10 of the embodiments of this application. The NTN device then reports the selected target communication device to the source communication device, which determines the target communication device based on the received information. That is, in this scheme, the source communication device can send a handover request (step 1705) without receiving measurement result information. For example, the NTN device sends a first indication information to the second communication device, which indicates that the first communication device is the target communication device. In step 1704, the source communication device determines the target communication device as the first communication device based on the first indication information. This scheme can save signaling overhead.

[0468] Step 1705: The source communication device sends a handover request to the AMF.

[0469] Correspondingly, the AMF receives the handover request.

[0470] A handover request may include, for example, the identifier of the target communication device (which can be considered as an example of information that is the first indication), a list of packet data unit (PDU) sessions for which data forwarding is performed, etc.

[0471] Step 1706: AMF sends a handover request to the target communication device.

[0472] Correspondingly, the target communication device receives the handover request.

[0473] In this embodiment, the source communication device (second communication device) can send a message (e.g., a handover request) to the core network device (e.g., AMF) requesting a handover to the target communication device (first communication device). Then, the core network device (e.g., AMF) can send a message to the target communication device (first communication device) requesting a handover to the first communication device. Alternatively, steps 1705 and 1706 can be replaced by the source communication device (second communication device) sending a message (e.g., a handover request) to the target communication device (first communication device) requesting a handover to the first communication device.

[0474] Step 1707: The target communication device sends a handover request response to the AMF.

[0475] Correspondingly, the AMF receives the handover request response.

[0476] Step 1708: AMF sends a switching command to the source communication device.

[0477] Correspondingly, the source communication device receives the switching command.

[0478] Step 1709: The source communication device sends a message to the NTN device instructing the NTN device to switch to the first communication device.

[0479] Correspondingly, the NTN device can receive a message that instructs the NTN device to switch to the first communication device.

[0480] Step 1710: The source communication device, the NTN device, and the target communication device interact to enable the NTN device to switch to the target communication device.

[0481] For ease of understanding, Figure 17 uses the example of an NTN device residing in a first communication device. These processes also apply to the above-described scheme where a fourth communication device resides in a first NTN device. For example, the fourth communication device selects the first NTN device as the target NTN device through the implementation method provided in Figure 12 or Figure 13. In the above example, the NTN device can be replaced by the fourth communication device, the source communication device can be replaced by the source NTN device (e.g., the second NTN device), and the target communication device can be replaced by the target NTN device (e.g., the first NTN device). The content is similar and can be referred to each other, so it will not be described again.

[0482] Figure 18 illustrates an example of a conditional handover process using the solution provided in this embodiment of the application. This process may include handover preparation and handover execution. Handover preparation may include steps 1801 to 1805, and handover execution may include steps 1806 to 1809. The solution provided in this embodiment of the application can be applied to the handover preparation and / or handover execution sections.

[0483] In this process, the NTN device can select the target communication device to be hosted according to the scheme provided in the embodiments of this application. For example, steps 1801 to 1803 can be replaced by the scheme of the NTN device selecting the target communication device before step 1801. These two examples can be found in the relevant description preceding Figure 17, and will not be repeated here. In another possible implementation, the scheme provided in the embodiments of this application can be applied to the NTN device selecting the target communication device in step 1808. For example, in this step, the NTN device can use the scheme of Figure 3 or Figure 10 to select the target communication device. This can improve the success rate and access speed of the access.

[0484] Figure 18 illustrates the core network device AMF as an example. The AMF can be replaced with other core network devices. As shown in Figure 18, the method includes:

[0485] Step 1801: The source communication device sends a measurement control message to the NTN device.

[0486] Correspondingly, the NTN device receives measurement and control messages.

[0487] If the target communication device is selected using the scheme provided in this application embodiment before step 1801, for example, before step 1801, the NTN device sends a second indication message to the second communication device, the second indication message indicating that the target communication device includes the first communication device. Then, in step 1801, the measurement control message instructs the NTN device to measure the signal of the first communication device. In subsequent step 1802, the NTN device can also measure the first communication device, but may not measure the signals of other communication devices. The measurement result information may include the measurement result information corresponding to the first communication device, but may not include the measurement result information of other communication devices. In subsequent step 1803, the source communication device can determine the first communication device as a candidate target communication device based on the received measurement result information. This scheme can reduce the number of communication device signals measured by the NTN device, thereby reducing measurement complexity.

[0488] Step 1802: The NTN device sends the measurement result information to the source communication device.

[0489] Correspondingly, the source communication device receives the measurement result information.

[0490] Step 1802 can be referred to in step 1703 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0491] Step 1803: The source communication device identifies the candidate target communication device.

[0492] There are multiple implementations in step 1803. For example, the source communication device can determine multiple candidate target communication devices (e.g., multiple candidate target communication devices include the first communication device) based on the measurement result information in step 1802.

[0493] In another possible implementation, in step 1803, the communication device and / or NTN device can select a candidate target communication device using the scheme provided in the embodiments of this application. In this case, steps 1801 to 1802 are not required in the scheme provided in FIG18. Instead, the NTN device selects the candidate target communication device using the scheme provided in FIG3 or FIG10 of the embodiments of this application. The selected candidate target communication device is then informed to the source communication device, which determines the candidate target communication device based on the received information. For example, the NTN device sends a first indication information to the second communication device, which indicates that the first communication device is a target communication device or a candidate target communication device. In step 1803, the source communication device determines the target communication device as the first communication device based on the first indication information. This scheme can save signaling overhead.

[0494] There are multiple implementation methods in step 1803.

[0495] For example, the source communication device can determine candidate target communication devices based on measurement results (e.g., selecting the first communication device as a candidate target communication device). Step 1803 can also be replaced by the source communication device performing a switching strategy and determining the candidate target communication device based on the measurement report. The candidate target communication device can be, for example, the first communication device. In the embodiments of this application, the determination of the candidate target communication device can also be replaced by the determination of the target small / frequency point.

[0496] In another possible implementation, the scheme provided in FIG18 does not require the execution of steps 1801 to 1802. Instead, the NTN device and / or the source communication device determine the candidate target communication device respectively using the scheme provided in FIG3 or FIG10 of the embodiments of this application (after applying this embodiment, the NTN device and the source communication device will determine the same candidate target communication device), thereby saving signaling overhead. That is, in this scheme, the source communication device does not need to configure measurement control messages, can determine the candidate target communication device without measurement, and then send a handover request to the candidate target communication device (step 1804). The scheme of the source communication device determining the candidate target communication device in the embodiments of this application can also refer to the aforementioned scheme of the NTN device determining the candidate target communication device. The source communication device can execute the scheme on the NTN device side, which will not be described again. In this implementation, when the source communication device determines the candidate target communication device, the NTN device does not need to report the relevant measurement result information for indicating the candidate target communication device to the source communication device, thereby saving signaling overhead.

[0497] In another possible implementation, step 1803 can utilize the scheme provided in the embodiments of this application to select a candidate target communication device. For example, in the scheme provided in FIG18, steps 1801 to 1802 are not required; instead, the NTN device selects a candidate target communication device using the scheme provided in FIG3 or FIG10 of the embodiments of this application. The NTN device then reports the selected candidate target communication device to the source communication device, which determines the candidate target communication device based on the received information. That is, in this scheme, the source communication device does not need to configure measurement control messages to the NTN device, the NTN device does not need to report measurement result information, and the source communication device can determine the candidate target communication device and then send a handover request to the candidate target communication device (step 1804). For example, the NTN device sends a first indication information to the second communication device, which indicates that the first communication device is a candidate target communication device. In step 1803, the source communication device determines the candidate target communication device as the first communication device based on the first indication information. This scheme can save signaling overhead.

[0498] Step 1804: The source communication device sends a handover request to the candidate target communication device.

[0499] Correspondingly, the candidate target communication device receives a handover request. The handover request is used to request the candidate target communication device to perform a conditional handover.

[0500] The candidate target communication device is, for example, the first communication device.

[0501] Step 1804 can be implemented in various ways. For example, the source communication device (second communication device) can send a message (e.g., a handover request) to the core network device (e.g., AMF) requesting a handover to the target communication device (first communication device), and then the core network device (e.g., AMF) can send a message requesting a handover to the candidate target communication device (e.g., first communication device). Alternatively, the source communication device (second communication device) can send a message (e.g., a handover request) to the candidate target communication device (e.g., first communication device).

[0502] Step 1805: At least one candidate target communication device sends a handover request response to the source target communication device.

[0503] Correspondingly, the source and target communication devices receive the handover request response.

[0504] For example, each candidate target communication device undergoes handover admission. If admission is granted, the candidate target communication device sends a handover request response to the source communication device. Upon successful admission, the candidate target communication device reserves radio resources for the NTN device until it receives a handover cancellation message from the source communication device.

[0505] Step 1806: The source communication device sends an RRC configuration message with a CHO switching command to the NTN device.

[0506] The corresponding NTN device receives the RRC configuration message of the CHO switching command.

[0507] The RRC configuration message of the CHO handover command can include, for example, the radio interface configuration of all candidate target base stations and the handover execution trigger conditions.

[0508] Step 1807: The NTN device sends an RRC configuration complete message to the source communication device.

[0509] The NTN device will not immediately initiate a handover action to any candidate target communication device, but will continue to maintain the connection and transmission with the source communication device. The NTN device will continuously determine whether there is a target communication device that meets the handover execution triggering conditions.

[0510] Step 1808: The NTN device determines the target communication device from at least one candidate target communication device.

[0511] In step 1808, the NTN device can select the target communication device using the scheme provided in Figure 3 or Figure 10. For example, after the NTN device finds a target communication device that meets the handover execution triggering conditions (e.g., the aforementioned first and / or second conditions), it can more accurately determine the handover timing and actively execute the handover. This can improve the success rate of the handover CHO.

[0512] Step 1809: The NTN device camps on the target communication device.

[0513] For example, an NTN device can perform random access to the target communication device and establish an RRC connection, while simultaneously dismantling the connection with the source communication device station. The source communication device can also send handover cancellation messages to other candidate target communication devices to inform them to release reserved resources and cached data.

[0514] For ease of understanding, Figure 18 uses the example of an NTN device residing in a first communication device. These processes also apply to the above-mentioned scheme where a fourth communication device resides in a first NTN device. For example, the fourth communication device selects the first NTN device as the target NTN device through the implementation method provided in Figure 12 or Figure 13. In the above example, the NTN device can be replaced by the fourth communication device, the source communication device can be replaced by the source NTN device (e.g., the second NTN device), and the target communication device can be replaced by the target NTN device (e.g., the first NTN device). The content is similar and can be referred to each other, so it will not be described again.

[0515] Figure 19 illustrates the application of the solution provided in this embodiment of the application to the cell reselection process as an example. The solution provided in this embodiment of the application can be applied to multiple stages of the cell reselection process.

[0516] As shown in Figure 19, the method includes:

[0517] Step 1901: The NTN device initiates neighbor cell measurement.

[0518] The NTN device can determine whether to initiate neighbor cell measurement based on the measurement initiation conditions. Once neighbor cell measurement is initiated, the NTN device can measure the signal quality of the current serving cell and neighboring cells.

[0519] For example, the solution provided in this application embodiment can be applied before the measurement phase (e.g., before step 1901). The NTN device can first use the solution provided in this application embodiment to determine the target communication device, and then measure the signal of the target communication device. The NTN device measures the signal from the first communication device to obtain the signal measurement result of the first communication device. If the signal measurement result of the first communication device meets the specified conditions, the NTN device camps on the cell of the first communication device. This solution can reduce the number of communication device signals that the NTN device needs to measure, thereby reducing signaling overhead and measurement complexity.

[0520] Step 1902: The NTN device performs a reselection evaluation decision.

[0521] The NTN device determines whether the signal from a neighboring cell (or the target communication device) meets the cell reselection criteria. If it does, it performs cell reselection; otherwise, it remains in the current serving cell.

[0522] Step 1903: The NTN device performs cell reselection and camps on the target communication device.

[0523] For example, the solution provided in this application replaces the existing measurement stage (e.g., replacing steps 1901 to 1902). For instance, the NTN device selects the target communication device to camp on according to the solution provided in this application, eliminating the need to measure the signals of each communication device and provide a measurement report (e.g., in the solution provided in Figure 19, steps 1901 to 1902 are not executed; instead, the NTN device selects the target communication device using the solution provided in Figure 3 or Figure 10 of this application). This saves signaling overhead. For example, the NTN device identifies the target communication device and camps on it.

[0524] For ease of understanding, Figure 19 uses the example of an NTN device residing in a first communication device. These processes also apply to the above-mentioned scheme where a fourth communication device resides in a first NTN device. For example, the fourth communication device selects the first NTN device as the target NTN device through the implementation method provided in Figure 12 or Figure 13, and sends a random access preamble to the target NTN device. In the above example, the NTN device can be replaced by the fourth communication device, the source communication device can be replaced by the source NTN device (e.g., the second NTN device), and the target communication device can be replaced by the target NTN device (e.g., the first NTN device). The content is similar and can be referred to each other, so it will not be described again.

[0525] It is understood that, in order to achieve the functions in the above embodiments, the third communication device, the first communication device, the second communication device, and the NTN device may include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, based on the units and method steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed in this application, this application can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in a hardware or computer software-driven hardware manner depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0526] Based on the same concept, Figures 20, 21, and 22 are schematic diagrams of possible communication devices provided in embodiments of this application. The communication devices shown in Figures 20, 21, and 22 can be used to implement the functions of the NTN device, second communication device, first communication device, fourth communication device, or first NTN device in the above method embodiments, and therefore can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments. In the embodiments of this application, the communication device may be a terminal device as shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, 1I, 1J, 1K, 1L, 1M, or 2; or a network device (such as a satellite device or a network device deployed on the ground) as shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, 1I, 1J, 1K, 1L, 1M, or 2; or a chip (or chip system) applied to the terminal device or network device shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, 1I, 1J, 1K, 1L, 1M, or 2.

[0527] As shown in Figure 20, the communication device 1300 includes a processing unit 1310 and a transceiver unit 1320. The communication device 1300 is used to implement the functions of the NTN device or the second communication device in the method embodiments shown in Figures 3, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, or 19. The communication device 1300 can also be used to implement the functions of the fourth communication device or the first NTN device in the method embodiments shown in Figures 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, or 19. The transceiver unit 1320 can also be referred to as a communication unit. The transceiver unit 1320 may include a transmitting unit and a receiving unit.

[0528] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement the function of the NTN device in the method embodiment shown in FIG3, FIG10, FIG15, FIG16, FIG17, FIG18 or FIG19, in one possible implementation, the processing unit 1310 is used to obtain first configuration information, obtain first information, and, based on the first information and the first configuration information, reside on the first communication device when the NTN device moves to the area provided by the first communication device.

[0529] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement the function of the NTN device in the method embodiment shown in FIG3, FIG10, FIG15, FIG16, FIG17, FIG18 or FIG19, in one possible implementation, the processing unit 1310 is used to determine that the NTN device moves to the area provided by the first communication device when the first information satisfies the first condition.

[0530] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement the functions of the NTN device in the method embodiments shown in Figures 3, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, or 19, in one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1320 is used to send a random access preamble to the first communication device and receive a random access response. The processing unit 1310 is used to camp on the cell of the first communication device.

[0531] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement the function of the NTN device in the method embodiments shown in FIG3, FIG10, FIG15, FIG16, FIG17, FIG18 or FIG19, in one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1320 is used to send a first indication information to the second communication device, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first communication device is the target communication device, and to receive a message indicating that the NTN device switches from the second communication device to the first communication device.

[0532] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement the functions of the NTN device in the method embodiments shown in FIG3, FIG10, FIG15, FIG16, FIG17, FIG18 or FIG19, in one possible implementation, the processing unit 1310 is used to send second instruction information to the second communication device through the transceiver unit 1320, receive measurement control messages from the second communication device through the transceiver unit 1320, measure the signal of the first communication device based on the measurement control messages to obtain measurement result information, send the measurement result information to the second communication device through the transceiver unit 1320, and receive messages for instructing the NTN device to switch from the second communication device to the first communication device through the transceiver unit 1320.

[0533] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement the function of the NTN device in the method embodiment shown in FIG3, FIG10, FIG15, FIG16, FIG17, FIG18 or FIG19, in one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1320 measures the signal from the first communication device to obtain the signal measurement result of the first communication device, and camps on the cell of the first communication device when the signal measurement result of the first communication device meets the specified conditions.

[0534] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement the function of the NTN device in the method embodiments shown in FIG3, FIG10, FIG15, FIG16, FIG17, FIG18 or FIG19, in one possible implementation, according to the first information and the first configuration information, when the NTN device moves to the area where the first communication device provides services, a synchronization signal is sent to the first communication device, and / or, according to the first information and the first configuration information, when the NTN device is not located in the area where the first communication device provides services, the transmission of the synchronization signal to the first communication device is stopped.

[0535] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement the function of the second communication device in the method embodiment shown in FIG3, FIG10, FIG15, FIG16, FIG17, FIG18 or FIG19, in one possible implementation, the processing unit 1310 is used to obtain the first configuration information and send the first configuration information to the NTN device through the transceiver unit 1320.

[0536] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement the function of the second communication device in the method embodiments shown in FIG3, FIG10, FIG15, FIG16, FIG17, FIG18 or FIG19, in one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1320 is used to receive first indication information from the NTN device and send a message to instruct the NTN device to switch from the second communication device to the first communication device.

[0537] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement the function of the second communication device in the method embodiments shown in FIG3, FIG10, FIG15, FIG16, FIG17, FIG18 or FIG19, in one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1320 is used to receive the second instruction information, send the measurement control message, receive the measurement result information, and send the message for instructing the NTN device to switch from the second communication device to the first communication device.

[0538] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement the function of the fourth communication device in the method embodiments shown in FIG12, FIG13, FIG14, FIG16, FIG17, FIG18 or FIG19, in one possible implementation, the processing unit 1310 is used to obtain third configuration information, obtain third information, and, based on the third information and the third configuration information, reside on the first NTN device when the fourth communication device is located in the area served by the first NTN device.

[0539] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement the function of the second NTN device in the method embodiment shown in FIG12, FIG13, FIG14, FIG16, FIG17, FIG18 or FIG19, in one possible implementation, the processing unit 1310 is used to send third configuration information through the transceiver unit 1320.

[0540] For a more detailed description of the processing unit 1310 and the transceiver unit 1320, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown in Figures 3, 10, 15, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18 or 19.

[0541] As shown in Figure 21, the communication device 1400 includes at least one processor 1410 and an interface circuit 1420. The at least one processor 1410 and the interface circuit 1420 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the interface circuit 1420 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. The input / output interface is used for inputting and / or outputting information; output can be understood as sending, and input can be understood as receiving. Optionally, the communication device 1400 may further include a memory 1430 for storing instructions executed by the processor 1410, or storing input data required by the processor 1410 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 1410 executes instructions.

[0542] When the communication device 1400 is used to implement the method shown in FIG3, FIG10, FIG15, FIG12, FIG13, FIG14, FIG16, FIG17, FIG18 or FIG19, the processor 1410 is used to implement the function of the processing unit 1310, and the interface circuit 1420 is used to implement the function of the transceiver unit 1320.

[0543] Please refer to Figure 22. The communication device shown in Figure 22 can also be a schematic diagram of a possible baseband architecture. As shown in Figure 22, the communication device may include a processing system, which may include one or more processors. The processors can be used to execute processes, such as process #1...process #N shown in Figure 22.

[0544] A processing system can be implemented using a bus architecture, typically represented by a bus. A bus can include any number of interconnect buses and bridges, depending on the specific application and overall design constraints of the processing system. The bus communicatively couples various circuits together, including one or more processors (typically represented by a processor), memory, and computer-readable media (typically represented by computer-readable media, such as computer-readable media #1…computer-readable media #N shown in Figure 22). The bus can also link various other circuits, such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art and therefore will not be described further. The bus interface provides the interface between the bus and transceivers, and between the bus and the interface.

[0545] The communication device may also include a transceiver (not shown in Figure 22), which may be replaced by interface circuitry or a communication interface, etc. The transceiver provides a communication interface or means for communicating with various other devices via a wireless transmission medium. The transceiver may be coupled to an antenna array, and the transceiver and antenna array may be used together for communication with a corresponding network type. At least one interface (e.g., a network interface and / or a user interface) provides a communication interface or means for communication via an internal bus or via an external transmission medium.

[0546] The processor is responsible for managing the bus and general processing, including executing software stored on a computer-readable medium. When executed by the processor, the software causes the processing system to perform the various functions described below for any particular device. Functions achievable by the processor, memory, and computer-readable medium may include one or more of the following: encoding, decoding, rate matching, rate 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, channel equalization, RE demapping, digital beamforming (BF), adding CP, removing CP, etc.

[0547] The signaling involved in the embodiments of this application (such as first configuration information, second configuration information, first data, and second data) can be implemented by a processor, a memory, and a computer-readable medium. For example, the aforementioned signaling sent by a third communication device (e.g., a satellite device) to an NTN device is processed by the processor, memory, and computer-readable medium shown in FIG22, and then sent to the terminal device.

[0548] When the communication device shown in FIG22 is used to implement the method shown in FIG3, FIG10, FIG15, FIG12, FIG13, FIG14, FIG16, FIG17, FIG18 or FIG19, the processor 1410 is used to implement the function of the processing unit 1310, and the interface circuit 1420 is used to implement the function of the transceiver unit 1320.

[0549] When the aforementioned communication device (e.g., the communication device shown in Figures 20, 21, or 22) is a chip applied to a terminal, the terminal chip implements the function of the NTN device in the above method embodiments. The terminal chip receives information from the base station, which can be understood as the information being first received by other modules in the terminal (such as an RF module or antenna), and then sent to the terminal chip by these modules. The terminal chip sends information to the base station, which can be understood as the information being first sent to other modules in the terminal (such as an RF module or antenna), and then sent to the base station by these modules.

[0550] When the aforementioned communication device (e.g., the communication device shown in Figures 20, 21, or 22) is a chip applied to a base station (e.g., a satellite base station), the base station chip implements the functions of the communication device in the above method embodiments. The base station chip receives information from the terminal, which can be understood as the information being first received by other modules in the base station (such as an RF module or antenna), and then sent to the base station chip by these modules. The base station chip sends information to the terminal, which can be understood as the information being sent down to other modules in the base station (such as an RF module or antenna), and then sent to the terminal by these modules.

[0551] In this application, entity A sends information to entity B, either directly or indirectly through other entities. Similarly, entity B receives information from entity A, either directly or indirectly through other entities. Entities A and B can be RAN nodes or terminals, or modules within RAN nodes or terminals. Information transmission and reception can be between RAN nodes and terminals, such as between a base station and a terminal; between two RAN nodes, such as between a CU and a DU; or between different modules within a single device, such as between a terminal chip and other modules of the terminal, or between a base station chip and other modules of the base station.

[0552] Based on the same concept, embodiments of this application provide a system including the aforementioned NTN device. In one possible implementation, the system may further include a first communication device. In another possible implementation, the system may further include a second communication device.

[0553] Based on the same concept, this application provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program (also called code or instructions) that, when run, causes a computer to execute the possible implementations shown in Figures 3, 10, 15, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18 or 19.

[0554] Based on the same concept, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions) that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the possible implementations shown in Figures 3, 10, 15, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, or 19.

[0555] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application (e.g., processor 1410 in FIG. 21 and / or the processor in the processing system in FIG. 22) may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0556] The method steps in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or in software instructions executable by a processor. The software instructions can consist of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, registers, hard disks, portable hard disks, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to a processor, enabling the processor to read information from and write information to the storage medium. The storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and storage medium can reside in an ASIC. Alternatively, the ASIC can reside in a base station or terminal. The processor and storage medium can also exist as discrete components in a base station or terminal.

[0557] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. A computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When a computer program or instruction is loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions of the embodiments of this application are performed. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user equipment, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, a computer program or instructions can be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape; it can also be an optical medium, such as a digital video optical disc; or it can be a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive. The computer-readable storage medium may be a volatile or non-volatile storage medium, or may include both types of storage media.

[0558] In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0559] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the textual description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates an "or" relationship between the preceding and following related objects; in the formulas of this application, the character " / " indicates a "division" relationship between the preceding and following related objects. "Including at least one of A, B, and C" can mean: including A; including B; including C; including A and B; including A and C; including B and C; including A, B, and C.

[0560] It is understood that the various numbers involved in the embodiments of this application (such as the numerical numbers "first" and "second", and the letter numbers "A1" and "A2") are only for the convenience of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the above-mentioned process numbers does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is applicable to non-terrestrial network (NTN) devices, and the method includes: Obtain first configuration information, which is used to indicate the area where the first communication device provides communication services; Obtain first information, which is used to determine the relationship between the location of the NTN device and the area where the first communication device provides communication services; Based on the first information and the first configuration information, when the NTN device moves to an area where the first communication device provides services, it camps on the first communication device. The first configuration information includes information for indicating at least one of the following: The first elevation angle range corresponding to the first communication device, and the area corresponding to the first elevation angle range belongs to the area where the first communication device provides communication services; The first orbital angle range where the NTN device is located, and the area corresponding to the first orbital angle range belongs to the area where the first communication device provides communication services; The first Doppler range corresponding to the signal sent by the first communication device, and the area corresponding to the first Doppler range belongs to the area where the first communication device provides communication services; The first Doppler rate range corresponding to the signal sent by the first communication device, and the area corresponding to the first Doppler rate range belongs to the area where the first communication device provides communication services; Within a first time range, the location of the NTN device within that first time range belongs to the area where the first communication device provides communication services. The first TA range is measured in advance, and the area corresponding to the first TA range belongs to the area where the first communication device provides communication services. A first TA change rate range, wherein the region corresponding to the first TA change rate range belongs to the region where the first communication device provides communication services; or... The range of the rate of change of TA, wherein the area corresponding to the range of the rate of change of TA belongs to the area where the first communication device provides communication services.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first information includes at least one of the following: The elevation angle of the connection between the NTN device and the first communication device on the side of the first communication device; The track angle corresponding to the NTN device; The Doppler signal received by the NTN device from the first communication device; The Doppler rate corresponding to the signal received by the NTN device from the first communication device; Current time; The TA corresponding to the signal between the NTN device and the first communication device; The rate of change of the TA corresponding to the signal between the NTN device and the first communication device; or, The rate of change of the TA corresponding to the signal between the NTN device and the first communication device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, The acquisition of the first information includes at least one of the following: Get the current time based on the time information; or, The location information of the NTN device is determined based on the ephemeris information of the NTN device. Based on the location information of the NTN device and the location information of the first communication device, the elevation angle of the line connecting the NTN device and the first communication device on the side of the first communication device is determined.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: If the first information satisfies a first condition, it is determined that the NTN device has moved to an area where the first communication device provides services, wherein the first condition includes at least one of the following: The elevation angle of the connection between the NTN device and the first communication device on the side of the first communication device belongs to the first elevation angle range. The track angle corresponding to the NTN device belongs to the first track angle range; The Doppler signal received by the NTN device from the first communication device belongs to the first Doppler range; The Doppler rate of the signal received by the NTN device from the first communication device belongs to the first Doppler rate range; or, The current time falls within the first time range; The signal TA between the NTN device and the first communication device belongs to the first TA range; The rate of change of the transfer signal (TA) between the NTN device and the first communication device belongs to the range of the first TA rate of change; or, The rate of change of the TA change rate corresponding to the signal between the NTN device and the first communication device falls within the range of the TA change rate.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, Before residing in the first communication device, the method further includes: Based on the first information, it is determined that the NTN device has moved out of the area where the second communication device provides services.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The first configuration information is used to indicate the area where multiple candidate target communication devices provide communication services, and the first communication device belongs to the multiple candidate target communication devices; The first configuration information is also used to indicate the priority of the plurality of candidate target communication devices.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein The first configuration information is used to indicate the area where multiple candidate target communication devices provide communication services, and the first communication device belongs to the multiple candidate target communication devices; The method further includes: Select any one of the following candidate target communication devices as the first communication device: The candidate target communication device that is closest to the NTN device among the plurality of candidate target communication devices; Among the plurality of candidate target communication devices, the candidate target communication device with the largest elevation angle corresponding to the line connecting it to the NTN device on the candidate target communication device side; or... The candidate target communication device that receives the strongest signal from the NTN device among the plurality of candidate target communication devices.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The first configuration information also includes at least one of the following: the location information of the first communication device, the frequency information, and the cell identifier.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, The residing on the first communication device includes: Send a random access preamble to the first communication device; Receive random access response; The cell where the first communication device is stationed.

10. The method of any one of claims 1-8, wherein, Before residing at the first communication device, the method further includes: Send a first indication message to the second communication device, wherein the first indication message is used to indicate that the first communication device is the target communication device; Receive a message instructing the NTN device to switch from the second communication device to the first communication device.

11. The method of any one of claims 1-8, wherein, Before residing at the first communication device, the method further includes: Send a second indication message to the second communication device, the second indication message being used to indicate that the candidate target communication device includes the first communication device; Receive a measurement control message from the second communication device, the measurement control message being used to instruct the NTN device to measure the signal of the first communication device; The signal of the first communication device is measured based on the measurement control message to obtain measurement result information; The measurement result information is sent to the second communication device; Receive a message instructing the NTN device to switch from the second communication device to the first communication device.

12. The method of any one of claims 1-8, wherein, The residing on the first communication device includes: Select the first communication device to be camped on based on the first configuration information, and camp on the first communication device.

13. The method of any one of claims 1-8, wherein, The residing on the first communication device includes: The signal from the first communication device is measured to obtain the signal measurement result of the first communication device; If the signal measurement results of the first communication device meet the specified conditions, the device will remain in the cell of the first communication device.

14. A communication method, comprising: The method is applicable to a second communication device, and the method includes: Obtain first configuration information, which is used to indicate the area where the first communication device provides communication services; Send the first configuration information to the NTN device; The first configuration information includes information for indicating at least one of the following: The first elevation angle range corresponding to the first communication device, and the area corresponding to the first elevation angle range belongs to the area where the first communication device provides communication services; The first orbital angle range where the NTN device is located, and the area corresponding to the first orbital angle range belongs to the area where the first communication device provides communication services; The first Doppler range corresponding to the signal sent by the first communication device, and the area corresponding to the first Doppler range belongs to the area where the first communication device provides communication services; The first Doppler rate range corresponding to the signal sent by the first communication device, and the area corresponding to the first Doppler rate range belongs to the area where the first communication device provides communication services; Within a first time range, the location of the NTN device within that first time range belongs to the area where the first communication device provides communication services. The first TA range is measured in advance, and the area corresponding to the first TA range belongs to the area where the first communication device provides communication services. A first TA change rate range, wherein the region corresponding to the first TA change rate range belongs to the region where the first communication device provides communication services; or... The range of the rate of change of TA, wherein the area corresponding to the range of the rate of change of TA belongs to the area where the first communication device provides communication services.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, The first configuration information is used to enable the NTN device to determine the communication device to be camped on through the first configuration information and the first information.

16. The method of claim 14 or 15, wherein, The first configuration information is used to enable the NTN device to determine the relationship between the location of the NTN device and the area where the first communication device provides communication services, and to reside on the first communication device when the NTN device moves to the area where the first communication device provides services.

17. The method of any one of claims 14-16, wherein, The first configuration information is used to indicate the area where multiple candidate target communication devices provide communication services, and the first communication device belongs to the multiple candidate target communication devices; The first configuration information is also used to indicate the priority of the plurality of candidate target communication devices.

18. The method of any one of claims 14-17, wherein, The method further includes: Receive first indication information from the NTN device, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first communication device is the target communication device, the first communication device being determined by the NTN device based on the first configuration information; Send a message instructing the NTN device to switch from the second communication device to the first communication device.

19. The method of any one of claims 14-18, wherein, The method further includes: Receive a second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate that the candidate target communication device includes the first communication device; Send a measurement control message, the measurement control message being used to instruct the NTN device to measure the signal of the first communication device; Receive measurement result information, which includes information obtained by the NTN device from measuring the signal of the first communication device; Send a message instructing the NTN device to switch from the second communication device to the first communication device.

20. The method of any one of claims 14-19, wherein, The method further includes: Obtain information about the NTN device; Based on the information from the NTN device, if the NTN device moves to an area where the second communication device provides services, a signal is sent to the NTN device; and / or, Based on the information from the NTN device, if the NTN device moves out of the area served by the second communication device, the transmission of signals to the NTN device is stopped.

21. A communications device, characterized by It includes modules for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 13, or modules for performing the method as described in any one of claims 14 to 20.

22. A communications device, characterized by It includes at least one processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being used to receive signals from other communication devices and transmit them to the at least one processor or to send signals from the at least one processor to other communication devices, the processor being used to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 13, or the method as described in any one of claims 14 to 20, through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

23. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 13, or the method as described in any one of claims 14 to 20.

24. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product stores a computer program, which includes program instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 13, or the method as described in any one of claims 14 to 20, to be implemented.

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