Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of communications. Provided in the embodiments of the present application are a communication method and an apparatus, which are used for solving the problem that a terminal device that does not have a GNSS or does not support a GNSS cannot access an NTN network. In the method, according to received first indication information from a network device, a first terminal device may send first information to a second terminal device. The first terminal device may, on the basis that the first terminal device supports a GNSS, obtain its own position information by means of a positioning capability provided by the GNSS, and may, according to its own position information, calculate information required for accessing the network device; and, by means of the first information, the first terminal device may send the information required for accessing the network device to the second terminal device that does not support a GNSS, so as to assist the second terminal device in accessing the network device or enable the second terminal device to access the network device to communicate with the network device.

Description

Communication methods and devices

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411565801.2, filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on November 1, 2024, entitled "Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0003] Non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication boasts advantages such as wide coverage, long communication distance, high reliability, high flexibility, and high throughput. Furthermore, it is unaffected by geographical environment, climate conditions, and natural disasters, and has been widely applied in fields such as aviation communications, maritime communications, and military communications. Currently, when terminal equipment possesses or supports a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), it can access the NTN network.

[0004] However, if the terminal device does not have or does not support GNSS, it may be unable to access the NTN network. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method and apparatus to solve the problem that terminal devices that do not have or do not support GNSS cannot access the NTN network.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] Firstly, a communication method is provided. This method can be applied to a first terminal device, such as the first terminal device itself, its communication module, or a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions within the first terminal device (e.g., a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, or a system-in-package (SIP) chip). For ease of description, the following description uses the application of this method to a first terminal device as an example. The method includes: receiving first indication information from a network device, and sending first information to a second terminal device according to the first indication information. The first indication information is used to instruct the sending of first information to the second terminal device, and the first information is used for communication between the second terminal device and the network device; the first terminal device supports the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), while the second terminal device does not support GNSS.

[0008] As described in the first aspect, the first terminal device can send first information to the second terminal device based on the first instruction information received from the network device. Since the first terminal device supports GNSS, it can obtain its own location information by combining the positioning capabilities provided by GNSS, and calculate the information required to access the network device based on its own location information. The first terminal device can send the information required to access the network device to the second terminal device, which does not support GNSS, through the first information, to assist or facilitate the second terminal device's access to the network device and communication with it. Therefore, when the network device is a non-terrestrial network device, the second terminal device can use the first information sent by the first terminal device to access the non-terrestrial network device. This solves the problem that terminal devices without or without GNSS, i.e., the second terminal device, cannot access the NTN network (i.e., the aforementioned non-terrestrial network device).

[0009] In one possible design, the first information includes one or more first parameters, each of which includes at least one of the following: first timing advance information, wherein the first timing advance information includes a timing advance TA and / or time-varying information of the TA; first frequency offset information, wherein the first frequency offset information includes a frequency offset and / or time-varying information of the frequency offset; time information, wherein the time information is used to indicate the effective time of the first parameter; reference position information, wherein the reference position information is used by the second terminal device to calculate the TA and frequency offset; ephemeris information of the network device; second timing advance information, wherein the second timing advance information includes a TA offset and / or time-varying information of the TA offset; or, second frequency offset information, wherein the second frequency offset information includes a frequency offset and / or time-varying information of the frequency offset. That is, the first information contains the information required for the second terminal device to access the network device, and the first terminal device can choose to send one or more of the above-mentioned information to the second terminal device according to the specific scenario, for the second terminal device to access the network device.

[0010] In one possible design, the first information further includes one or more first cell identifiers, which are associated with one or more first parameters. One first parameter may correspond to one first cell identifier, or one first parameter may correspond to multiple first cell identifiers. That is, the relationship between the first parameter and the first cell identifier can be one-to-one or many-to-one to meet the needs of different scenarios. This application does not limit this aspect.

[0011] In one possible design, the first instruction information is further used to instruct the establishment of a connection with the second terminal device. Before sending the first information to the second terminal device according to the first instruction information, the method described in the first aspect further includes: establishing a connection with the second terminal device according to the first instruction information. The connection can be a sidelink connection or a non-3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) connection to meet the needs of different scenarios. It can be understood that when the network device needs the first terminal device to establish a connection with the second terminal device, the network device can send the first instruction information to the first terminal device, and the first terminal device can establish a connection with the second terminal device only after receiving the first instruction information, thus achieving on-demand instruction to save overhead and avoid resource waste.

[0012] In one possible design, the method described in the first aspect further includes: sending first capability information to the second terminal device and receiving a first request from the second terminal device. The first capability information indicates that the first terminal device supports GNSS; the first request requests that first information be sent to the second terminal device. Sending the first information to the second terminal device according to the first indication information includes: sending the first information to the second terminal device according to the first request and the first indication information. That is, the first terminal device can send the first capability information to the second terminal device to indicate that it supports GNSS. The second terminal device can determine, based on the first capability information and its own capability information (such as the second capability information in the second aspect below), that the first terminal device supports GNSS and the second terminal device does not support GNSS. In this case, the second terminal device can send the first request to the first terminal device. After receiving the first request, the first terminal device can determine that there is a terminal device that needs its auxiliary access. At this point, the first terminal device then determines and sends the first information to the second terminal device according to the first request and the first indication information, thereby saving overhead and avoiding resource waste.

[0013] In one possible design, the connection is a sidelink connection. The first capability information is carried in the sidelink system message, i.e., in an existing cell, to reduce implementation difficulty. Alternatively, it can be carried in a new cell to improve implementation flexibility; there is no limitation. In this approach, the first terminal device can send the first capability information to the second network device without establishing a connection with the second terminal device. Alternatively, sending the first capability information to the second terminal device includes: sending the first capability information to the second terminal device after establishing a connection; that is, after establishing a connection with the second terminal device, the first terminal device can indicate its GNSS capabilities to the second terminal device via dedicated signaling. Based on these two implementations, the needs of different scenarios can be met.

[0014] In one possible design, the first request includes a second cell identifier, which is used to indicate a candidate cell for the second terminal device. The method in the first aspect further includes: determining a first parameter associated with the second cell identifier based on the second cell identifier, and determining first information based on the first parameter associated with the second cell identifier. That is, the first request includes the identifier of a candidate cell for the second terminal device, and the first terminal device needs to calculate the first parameter associated with the candidate cell. For example, if the candidate cell of the second terminal device is not the cell currently accessed by the first terminal device, the first terminal device needs to calculate the first parameter associated with the candidate cell and send the calculated first parameter associated with the candidate cell to the second terminal device via the first information, for subsequent access by the second terminal device to network devices (such as accessing one of the candidate cells).

[0015] In one possible design, the first instruction information is used to instruct the sending of first information to the second terminal device, including: the first instruction information instructing the sending of first information to the second terminal device via broadcast; and sending the first information to the second terminal device according to the first instruction information, including: sending the first information to the second terminal device via broadcast according to the first instruction information. That is, the first terminal device does not need to establish a connection with the second terminal device; the first terminal device can directly send the first information to the second terminal device via broadcast according to the first instruction information. This reduces signaling interaction, saves overhead, and avoids resource waste.

[0016] In one possible design, the first information and the sidelink system message are associated, and the association includes at least one of the following: the first information is carried in the sidelink system message; the sidelink system message is used to indicate the time-frequency resources occupied by the first information; or, the association between the sidelink synchronization signal and the time-frequency resources occupied by the first information is pre-configured or predefined, and the sidelink system message is used to indicate whether the first terminal device should send the first information. The first terminal device can choose an appropriate method to broadcast the first information to the second terminal device according to the needs of the specific scenario, and this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0017] In one possible design, the method described in the first aspect further includes: updating the first information according to a first period to obtain the updated first information, and sending the updated first information to the second terminal device. That is, the first terminal device can periodically update the first information and send the updated first information to the second terminal device, so that the second terminal device can use the real-time updated first information to access the network device, thereby improving the success rate of the second terminal device accessing the network device and avoiding or reducing network device access failures.

[0018] In one possible design, the method described in the first aspect further includes: sending second indication information to a second terminal device. The second indication information is used by the second terminal device to determine whether to use the first information to communicate with the network device; when a first condition is met, the second terminal device determines to use the first information to communicate with the network device; wherein the first condition includes at least one of the following: the received signal power of the second terminal device is greater than or equal to a first power threshold; the path loss between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is less than or equal to the second power threshold; a first time is less than or equal to a time threshold; the first time is the time difference between the moment the second terminal device receives the first information and the moment the second terminal device uses the first information to communicate with the network device; or, the beam identifier of the network device determined by the second terminal device is the same as the beam identifier associated with the first information. That is, the second terminal device can use the second indication information to judge the usage conditions of the first information to determine whether to use the first information to communicate with the network device, thereby enabling the second terminal device to more accurately use the first information to access the network device.

[0019] In one possible design, the network equipment is a non-terrestrial network device.

[0020] Secondly, a communication method is provided. This method can be applied to a first terminal device, such as the first terminal device itself or its communication module, or a circuit or chip (e.g., a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core) responsible for communication functions within the first terminal device. For ease of description, the following description uses the application of this method to a first terminal device as an example. The method includes: receiving a first request from a second terminal device, and sending first information to the second terminal device according to the first request. The first request is used to request the sending of first information to the second terminal device, and the first information is used for communication between the second terminal device and a network device; the first terminal device supports the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), while the second terminal device does not support GNSS.

[0021] As described in the second aspect, the first terminal device can send first information to the second terminal device based on a first request received from the second terminal device. Since the first terminal device supports GNSS, it can obtain its own location information by combining the positioning capabilities provided by GNSS, and calculate the information required to access the network device based on its own location information. The first terminal device can send the information required to access the network device to the second terminal device, which does not support GNSS, through the first information to assist or facilitate the second terminal device's access to the network device and communication with it. Therefore, when the network device is a non-terrestrial network device, the second terminal device can use the first information sent by the first terminal device to access the non-terrestrial network device. This solves the problem that terminal devices without or without GNSS support, i.e., the second terminal device, cannot access the NTN network (i.e., the aforementioned non-terrestrial network device).

[0022] In one possible design, the first information includes one or more first parameters, each of the one or more first parameters including at least one of the following: first timing advance information; wherein the first timing advance information includes timing advance TA and / or time-varying information of TA; first frequency offset information; wherein the first frequency offset information includes frequency offset and / or time-varying information of frequency offset; time information; wherein the time information is used to indicate the effective time of the first parameter; reference position information; wherein the reference position information is used by the second terminal device to calculate TA and frequency offset; ephemeris information of the network device; second timing advance information; wherein the second timing advance information includes TA offset and / or time-varying information of TA offset; or, second frequency offset information; wherein the second frequency offset information includes frequency offset offset and / or time-varying information of frequency offset offset.

[0023] In one possible design, the first information also includes one or more first cell identifiers, which are associated with one or more first parameters.

[0024] In one possible design, before receiving the first request from the second terminal device, the method in the second aspect further includes: sending first capability information to the second terminal device and establishing a connection with the second terminal device. The first capability information indicates that the first terminal device supports GNSS; the connection is a sidelink connection or a non-3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) connection. That is, the first terminal device can spontaneously send the first capability information to the second terminal device and establish a connection with the second terminal device without requiring instructions from the network device, thus saving instruction overhead.

[0025] In one possible design, the connection is a sidelink connection, and the first capability information is carried in the sidelink system message; or, the first capability information is sent to the second terminal device, including: sending the first capability information to the second terminal device after establishing a connection with the second terminal device.

[0026] In one possible design, the first request includes a second cell identifier, which is used to indicate a candidate cell for the second terminal device; the method in the second aspect further includes: determining a first parameter associated with the second cell identifier based on the second cell identifier, and determining first information based on the first parameter associated with the second cell identifier.

[0027] In one possible design, the method described in the second aspect further includes: updating the first information according to a first cycle, obtaining the updated first information, and sending the updated first information to the second terminal device.

[0028] In one possible design, the method in the second aspect further includes: sending second indication information to a second terminal device. The second indication information is used by the second terminal device to determine whether to use the first information to communicate with the network device; when a first condition is met, the second terminal device determines to use the first information to communicate with the network device; wherein the first condition includes at least one of the following: the received signal power of the second terminal device is greater than or equal to a first power threshold; the path loss between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is less than or equal to the second power threshold; a first time is less than or equal to a time threshold; wherein the first time is the time difference between the moment the second terminal device receives the first information and the moment the second terminal device uses the first information to communicate with the network device; or, the beam identifier of the network device determined by the second terminal device is the same as the beam identifier associated with the first information.

[0029] In one possible design, the network equipment is a non-terrestrial network device.

[0030] Furthermore, other technical effects of the method described in the second aspect can be referred to the technical effects of the method described in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0031] Thirdly, a communication method is provided. This method can be applied to the terminal device side, such as the terminal device itself or its communication module, or the circuit or chip responsible for communication functions within the terminal device (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core). For ease of description, the following description uses the application of this method to a second terminal device as an example. The method includes: receiving first information from a first terminal device, and communicating with a network device based on the first information. The first information is used for communication between the second terminal device and the network device; the second terminal device does not support the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), while the first terminal device does support GNSS.

[0032] In one possible design, the first information includes one or more first parameters, each of the one or more first parameters including at least one of the following: first timing advance information; wherein the first timing advance information includes timing advance TA and / or time-varying information of TA; first frequency offset information; wherein the first frequency offset information includes frequency offset and / or time-varying information of frequency offset; time information; wherein the time information is used to indicate the effective time of the first parameter; reference position information; wherein the reference position information is used by the second terminal device to calculate TA and frequency offset; ephemeris information of the network device; second timing advance information; wherein the second timing advance information includes TA offset and / or time-varying information of TA offset; or, second frequency offset information; wherein the second frequency offset information includes frequency offset offset and / or time-varying information of frequency offset offset.

[0033] In one possible design, the first information also includes one or more first cell identifiers, which are associated with one or more first parameters.

[0034] In one possible design, before receiving the first information from the first terminal device, the method described by the third aspect further includes: establishing a connection with the first terminal device. The connection is a sidelink connection or a non-3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) connection.

[0035] In one possible design, before receiving the first information from the first terminal device, the method of the third aspect further includes: receiving first capability information from the first terminal device, and sending a first request to the first terminal device based on the first capability information and second capability information. The first capability information indicates that the first terminal device supports GNSS; the first request requests that the first information be sent to the second terminal device, and the second capability information indicates that the second terminal device does not support GNSS.

[0036] In one possible design, the connection is a sidelink connection, and the first capability information is carried in the sidelink system message; or, receiving the first capability information from the first terminal device includes: receiving the first capability information from the first terminal device after establishing a connection with the first terminal device.

[0037] In one possible design, before receiving the first information from the first terminal device, the method described by the third aspect further includes: receiving third indication information from the network device. The third indication information is used to indicate establishing a connection with the first terminal device and receiving the first information from the first terminal device; establishing a connection with the first terminal device includes: establishing a connection with the first terminal device according to the third indication information; receiving the first information from the first terminal device includes: receiving the first information from the first terminal device according to the third indication information. That is, the second terminal device can establish a connection with the first terminal device after receiving the third indication information, and receive the first information from the first terminal device after establishing the connection, thus achieving on-demand indication to save overhead and avoid resource waste.

[0038] In one possible design, receiving the first information from the first terminal device includes receiving the first information broadcast by the first terminal device. That is, the second terminal device does not need to establish a connection with the first terminal device first; the second terminal device can directly receive the first information broadcast by the first terminal device. This reduces signaling interaction, saves overhead, and avoids resource waste.

[0039] In one possible design, the method described in the third aspect further includes: receiving third indication information from the network device. The third indication information is used to instruct the receiving of first information broadcast by the first terminal device. Receiving the first information broadcast by the first terminal device includes: receiving the first information broadcast by the first terminal device according to the third indication information. That is, when the network device needs the second terminal device to receive the first information, the network device can send the third indication information to the second terminal device. The second terminal device can receive the first information broadcast by the first terminal device only after receiving the third indication information, thereby saving overhead and avoiding resource waste.

[0040] In one possible design, the first information is associated with the sidelink system message, and the association includes at least one of the following: the first information is carried in the sidelink system message; the sidelink system message is used to indicate the time-frequency resources occupied by the first information; or, the association between the sidelink synchronization signal and the time-frequency resources occupied by the first information is pre-configured or pre-defined, and the sidelink system message is used to indicate whether the first terminal device sends the first information.

[0041] In one possible design, the method described in the third aspect further includes: receiving updated first information from the first terminal device, and communicating with the network device based on the updated first information. The updated first information is obtained by the first terminal device updating the first information according to a first cycle.

[0042] In one possible design, the method in the third aspect further includes: receiving second indication information from a first terminal device, and determining, based on the second indication information, to use the first information to communicate with the network device when a first condition is met. The second indication information is used by the second terminal device to determine whether to use the first information to communicate with the network device; the first condition includes at least one of the following: the received signal power of the second terminal device is greater than or equal to a first power threshold; the path loss between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is less than or equal to the second power threshold; a first time is less than or equal to a time threshold; wherein the first time is the time difference between the moment the second terminal device receives the first information and the moment the second terminal device uses the first information to communicate with the network device; or, the beam identifier of the network device determined by the second terminal device is the same as the beam identifier associated with the first information.

[0043] In one possible design, the network equipment is a non-terrestrial network device.

[0044] Furthermore, other technical effects of the method described in the third aspect can be referred to the technical effects of the method described in the first or second aspect, and will not be elaborated here.

[0045] Fourthly, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a network device, by a module applied to the network device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or by a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the network device's functions. For ease of description, the following description uses the example of the method being executed by a network device. The method includes: sending a first indication message to a first terminal device and sending a third indication message to a second terminal device. The first indication message is used to indicate sending first information to the second terminal device, and the first information is used for communication between the second terminal device and the network device; the first terminal device supports the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), while the second terminal device does not support GNSS; the third indication message is used to indicate establishing a connection with the first terminal device and receiving the first information from the first terminal device; or, the third indication message is used to indicate receiving the first information sent by the first terminal device in a broadcast format.

[0046] In one possible design, the first information includes one or more first parameters, each of the one or more first parameters including at least one of the following: first timing advance information; wherein the first timing advance information includes timing advance TA and / or time-varying information of TA; first frequency offset information; wherein the first frequency offset information includes frequency offset and / or time-varying information of frequency offset; time information; wherein the time information is used to indicate the effective time of the first parameter; reference position information; wherein the reference position information is used by the second terminal device to calculate TA and frequency offset; ephemeris information of the network device; second timing advance information; wherein the second timing advance information includes TA offset and / or time-varying information of TA offset; or, second frequency offset information; wherein the second frequency offset information includes frequency offset offset and / or time-varying information of frequency offset offset.

[0047] In one possible design, the first information also includes one or more first cell identifiers, which are associated with one or more first parameters.

[0048] In one possible design, the network equipment is a non-terrestrial network device.

[0049] Furthermore, other technical effects of the method described in the fourth aspect can be referred to the technical effects of the method described in the first, second, or third aspects, and will not be elaborated here.

[0050] Fifthly, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes modules for performing the method as described in the first aspect. For example, a transceiver module and a processing module.

[0051] The transceiver module is used to receive first indication information from the network device and send first information to the second terminal device according to the first indication information. The first indication information is used to instruct the second terminal device to send first information, and the first information is used for communication between the second terminal device and the network device. The communication device described in the fifth aspect supports the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), but the second terminal device does not support GNSS.

[0052] In one possible design, the first information includes one or more first parameters, each of the one or more first parameters including at least one of the following: first timing advance information; wherein the first timing advance information includes timing advance TA and / or time-varying information of TA; first frequency offset information; wherein the first frequency offset information includes frequency offset and / or time-varying information of frequency offset; time information; wherein the time information is used to indicate the effective time of the first parameter; reference position information; wherein the reference position information is used by the second terminal device to calculate TA and frequency offset; ephemeris information of the network device; second timing advance information; wherein the second timing advance information includes TA offset and / or time-varying information of TA offset; or, second frequency offset information; wherein the second frequency offset information includes frequency offset offset and / or time-varying information of frequency offset offset.

[0053] In one possible design, the first information also includes one or more first cell identifiers, which are associated with one or more first parameters.

[0054] In one possible design, the first instruction information is further used to instruct the communication device described in the fifth aspect to establish a connection with the second terminal device; before sending the first information to the second terminal device according to the first instruction information, the processing module is used to establish a connection with the second terminal device according to the first instruction information. The connection is either a sidelink connection or a non-3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) connection.

[0055] In one possible design, the transceiver module is further configured to send first capability information to the second terminal device and receive a first request from the second terminal device. The first capability information indicates that the communication device described in the fifth aspect supports GNSS; the first request requests that first information be sent to the second terminal device. The transceiver module is further configured to send the first information to the second terminal device according to the first request and the first indication information.

[0056] In one possible design, the connection is a sidelink connection, and the first capability information is carried in the sidelink system message; or, the transceiver module is also used to send the first capability information to the second terminal device after establishing a connection with the second terminal device.

[0057] In one possible design, the first request includes a second cell identifier, which is used to indicate a candidate cell for the second terminal device. The processing module is further configured to determine a first parameter associated with the second cell identifier based on the second cell identifier, and to determine first information based on the first parameter associated with the second cell identifier.

[0058] In one possible design, the first indication information is used to instruct the transmission of first information to the second terminal device, including: the first indication information instructs the transmission of first information to the second terminal device via broadcast. The transceiver module is further configured to transmit the first information to the second terminal device via broadcast according to the first indication information.

[0059] In one possible design, the first information and the sidelink system message are associated, and the association includes at least one of the following: the first information is carried in the sidelink system message; the sidelink system message is used to indicate the time-frequency resources occupied by the first information; or, the association between the sidelink synchronization signal and the time-frequency resources occupied by the first information is pre-configured or pre-defined, and the sidelink system message is used to indicate whether the communication device described in the fifth aspect sends the first information.

[0060] In one possible design, the processing module is further configured to update the first information according to the first cycle to obtain the updated first information. The transceiver module is configured to send the updated first information to the second terminal device.

[0061] In one possible design, the transceiver module is further configured to send second indication information to the second terminal device. The second indication information is used by the second terminal device to determine whether to use the first information to communicate with the network device. When a first condition is met, the second terminal device determines to use the first information to communicate with the network device. The first condition includes at least one of the following: the received signal power of the second terminal device is greater than or equal to a first power threshold; the path loss between the communication device described in the fifth aspect and the second terminal device is less than or equal to the second power threshold; a first time is less than or equal to a time threshold; the first time is the time difference between the moment the second terminal device receives the first information and the moment the second terminal device uses the first information to communicate with the network device; or, the beam identifier of the network device determined by the second terminal device is the same as the beam identifier associated with the first information.

[0062] In one possible design, the network equipment is a non-terrestrial network device.

[0063] Optionally, the transceiver module may include a sending module and a receiving module. The sending module implements the sending function of the communication device described in the fifth aspect, and the receiving module implements the receiving function of the communication device described in the fifth aspect.

[0064] Optionally, the communication device described in the fifth aspect may further include a storage module storing programs or instructions. When the processing module executes the program or instructions, the communication device can perform the communication method described in the first aspect.

[0065] It should be noted that the communication device described in the fifth aspect may be a first terminal device, or a chip (system) or other component or assembly in the first terminal device, or a device containing the first terminal device. This application does not limit it in this regard.

[0066] Furthermore, the technical effects of the communication device described in the fifth aspect can be referred to the technical effects of the communication method described in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0067] A sixth aspect provides a communication device. The communication device includes modules for performing the method as described in the second aspect. For example, a transceiver module and a processing module.

[0068] The transceiver module is configured to receive a first request from the second terminal device and, based on the first request, send first information to the second terminal device. The first request is used to request the sending of first information to the second terminal device, and the first information is used for communication between the second terminal device and the network device. The communication device described in the sixth aspect supports the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), but the second terminal device does not support GNSS.

[0069] In one possible design, the first information includes one or more first parameters, each of the one or more first parameters including at least one of the following: first timing advance information; wherein the first timing advance information includes timing advance TA and / or time-varying information of TA; first frequency offset information; wherein the first frequency offset information includes frequency offset and / or time-varying information of frequency offset; time information; wherein the time information is used to indicate the effective time of the first parameter; reference position information; wherein the reference position information is used by the second terminal device to calculate TA and frequency offset; ephemeris information of the network device; second timing advance information; wherein the second timing advance information includes TA offset and / or time-varying information of TA offset; or, second frequency offset information; wherein the second frequency offset information includes frequency offset offset and / or time-varying information of frequency offset offset.

[0070] In one possible design, the first information also includes one or more first cell identifiers, which are associated with one or more first parameters.

[0071] In one possible design, before receiving the first request from the second terminal device, the transceiver module is further configured to send first capability information to the second terminal device. The processing module is configured to establish a connection with the second terminal device. The first capability information indicates that the communication device described in the sixth aspect supports GNSS; the connection is a sidelink connection or a non-3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) connection.

[0072] In one possible design, the connection is a sidelink connection, and the first capability information is carried in the sidelink system message; or, the transceiver module is also used to send the first capability information to the second terminal device after establishing a connection with the second terminal device.

[0073] In one possible design, the first request includes a second cell identifier, which is used to indicate a candidate cell for the second terminal device. The processing module is further configured to determine a first parameter associated with the second cell identifier based on the second cell identifier, and to determine first information based on the first parameter associated with the second cell identifier.

[0074] In one possible design, the processing module is further configured to update the first information according to the first cycle to obtain the updated first information. The transceiver module is further configured to send the updated first information to the second terminal device.

[0075] In one possible design, the transceiver module is further configured to send second indication information to the second terminal device. The second indication information is used by the second terminal device to determine whether to use the first information to communicate with the network device. When a first condition is met, the second terminal device determines to use the first information to communicate with the network device. The first condition includes at least one of the following: the received signal power of the second terminal device is greater than or equal to a first power threshold; the path loss between the communication device described in the sixth aspect and the second terminal device is less than or equal to the second power threshold; a first time is less than or equal to a time threshold; wherein the first time is the time difference between the moment the second terminal device receives the first information and the moment the second terminal device uses the first information to communicate with the network device; or, the beam identifier of the network device determined by the second terminal device is the same as the beam identifier associated with the first information.

[0076] In one possible design, the network equipment is a non-terrestrial network device.

[0077] Optionally, the transceiver module may include a sending module and a receiving module. The sending module implements the sending function of the communication device described in the sixth aspect, and the receiving module implements the receiving function of the communication device described in the sixth aspect.

[0078] Optionally, the communication device described in the sixth aspect may further include a storage module storing programs or instructions. When the processing module executes the program or instructions, the communication device can perform the communication method described in the second aspect.

[0079] It should be noted that the communication device described in the sixth aspect may be a first terminal device, or a chip (system) or other component or assembly in the first terminal device, or a device containing the first terminal device. This application does not limit this.

[0080] Furthermore, the technical effects of the communication device described in the sixth aspect can be referred to the technical effects of the communication method described in the second aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0081] A seventh aspect provides a communication device. The communication device includes modules for performing the method described in the third aspect, such as a transceiver module and a processing module.

[0082] The transceiver module is used to receive first information from the first terminal device. The processing module is used to communicate with the network device based on the first information. The first information is used for communication between the communication device described in the seventh aspect and the network device; the communication device does not support the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), while the first terminal device does support GNSS.

[0083] In one possible design, the first information includes one or more first parameters, each of the one or more first parameters including at least one of the following: first timing advance information; wherein the first timing advance information includes timing advance TA and / or time-varying information of TA; first frequency offset information; wherein the first frequency offset information includes frequency offset and / or time-varying information of frequency offset; time information; wherein the time information is used to indicate the effective time of the first parameter; reference position information; wherein the reference position information is used by the communication device described in the seventh aspect to calculate TA and frequency offset; ephemeris information of the network device; second timing advance information; wherein the second timing advance information includes TA offset and / or time-varying information of TA offset; or, second frequency offset information; wherein the second frequency offset information includes frequency offset offset and / or time-varying information of frequency offset offset.

[0084] In one possible design, the first information also includes one or more first cell identifiers, which are associated with one or more first parameters.

[0085] In one possible design, before receiving the first information from the first terminal device, the processing module is also used to establish a connection with the first terminal device. This connection is either a sidelink connection or a non-3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) connection.

[0086] In one possible design, before receiving the first information from the first terminal device, the transceiver module is further configured to receive first capability information from the first terminal device, and send a first request to the first terminal device based on the first capability information and the second capability information. The first capability information indicates that the first terminal device supports GNSS; the first request requests the transmission of the first information to the communication device described in the seventh aspect; and the second capability information indicates that the communication device does not support GNSS.

[0087] In one possible design, the connection is a sidelink connection, and the first capability information is carried in the sidelink system message; or, the transceiver module is also used to receive the first capability information from the first terminal device after establishing a connection with the first terminal device.

[0088] In one possible design, before receiving the first information from the first terminal device, the transceiver module is further configured to receive third indication information from the network device. The third indication information is used to indicate establishing a connection with the first terminal device and receiving the first information from the first terminal device. The processing module is further configured to establish a connection with the first terminal device according to the third indication information. The transceiver module is further configured to receive the first information from the first terminal device according to the third indication information.

[0089] In one possible design, the transceiver module is also used to receive first information sent by the first terminal device in a broadcast format.

[0090] In one possible design, the transceiver module is further configured to receive third indication information from the network device. This third indication information indicates the need to receive first information broadcast by the first terminal device. The transceiver module is also configured to receive the first information broadcast by the first terminal device according to the third indication information.

[0091] In one possible design, the first information is associated with the sidelink system message, and the association includes at least one of the following: the first information is carried in the sidelink system message; the sidelink system message is used to indicate the time-frequency resources occupied by the first information; or, the association between the sidelink synchronization signal and the time-frequency resources occupied by the first information is pre-configured or pre-defined, and the sidelink system message is used to indicate whether the first terminal device sends the first information.

[0092] In one possible design, the transceiver module is further configured to receive updated first information from the first terminal device. The processing module is further configured to communicate with the network device based on the updated first information. The updated first information is obtained by the first terminal device updating the first information according to a first cycle.

[0093] In one possible design, the transceiver module is further configured to receive second indication information from the first terminal device. The processing module is further configured to determine, based on the second indication information, whether to use the first information to communicate with the network device when a first condition is met. The second indication information is used by the communication device described in the seventh aspect to determine whether to use the first information to communicate with the network device; the first condition includes at least one of the following: the received signal power of the communication device is greater than or equal to a first power threshold; the path loss between the first terminal device and the communication device is less than or equal to a second power threshold; a first time is less than or equal to a time threshold; the first time is the time difference between the moment the communication device receives the first information and the moment the communication device uses the first information to communicate with the network device; or, the beam identifier of the network device determined by the communication device is the same as the beam identifier associated with the first information.

[0094] In one possible design, the network equipment is a non-terrestrial network device.

[0095] Optionally, the transceiver module may include a transmitting module and a receiving module. The transmitting module implements the transmitting function of the communication device described in the seventh aspect, and the receiving module implements the receiving function of the communication device described in the seventh aspect.

[0096] Optionally, the communication device described in the seventh aspect may further include a storage module storing programs or instructions. When the processing module executes the program or instructions, the communication device can perform the method described in the third aspect.

[0097] It is understood that the communication device described in the fourth aspect may be a second terminal device, or a chip (system) or other component or assembly in the second terminal device, or a device containing the second terminal device. This application does not limit this.

[0098] Furthermore, the technical effects of the communication device described in the seventh aspect can be referred to the technical effects of the method described in the third aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0099] Eighthly, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes modules for performing the method described in the fourth aspect, such as a transceiver module and a processing module.

[0100] The processing module is configured to control the transceiver module to send a first instruction message to the first terminal device and a third instruction message to the second terminal device. The first instruction message instructs the second terminal device to send first information, which is used for communication between the second terminal device and the communication device described in the eighth aspect. The first terminal device supports Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), while the second terminal device does not. The third instruction message instructs the establishment of a connection with the first terminal device and the receipt of the first information from the first terminal device; alternatively, the third instruction message instructs the receipt of the first information broadcast by the first terminal device.

[0101] In one possible design, the first information includes one or more first parameters, each of the one or more first parameters including at least one of the following: first timing advance information; wherein the first timing advance information includes timing advance TA and / or time-varying information of TA; first frequency offset information; wherein the first frequency offset information includes frequency offset and / or time-varying information of frequency offset; time information; wherein the time information is used to indicate the effective time of the first parameter; reference position information; wherein the reference position information is used by the second terminal device to calculate TA and frequency offset; ephemeris information of the communication device described in the seventh aspect; second timing advance information; wherein the second timing advance information includes TA offset and / or time-varying information of TA offset; or, second frequency offset information; wherein the second frequency offset information includes frequency offset offset and / or time-varying information of frequency offset offset.

[0102] In one possible design, the first information also includes one or more first cell identifiers, which are associated with one or more first parameters.

[0103] In one possible design, the communication device described in the seventh aspect is a non-terrestrial network device.

[0104] Optionally, the transceiver module may include a transmitting module and a receiving module. The transmitting module implements the transmitting function of the communication device described in the eighth aspect, and the receiving module implements the receiving function of the communication device described in the eighth aspect.

[0105] Optionally, the communication device described in the eighth aspect may further include a storage module storing programs or instructions. When the processing module executes the program or instructions, the communication device can perform the method described in the fourth aspect.

[0106] It is understood that the communication device described in the eighth aspect may be a network device, or a chip (system) or other component or assembly in the network device, or a device containing a network device, and this application does not limit it in this regard.

[0107] Furthermore, the technical effects of the communication device described in the eighth aspect can be referred to the technical effects of the method described in the fourth aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0108] A ninth aspect provides a communication device. The communication device includes a processor configured to execute the method described in any one of the possible implementations of the first to fourth aspects.

[0109] In one possible design, the communication device described in the ninth aspect may further include a transceiver. This transceiver may be a transceiver circuit or an interface circuit. The transceiver can be used for communication between the communication device described in the ninth aspect and other communication devices.

[0110] In one possible design, the communication device described in the ninth aspect may further include a memory. This memory may be integrated with the processor or disposed separately. The memory may be used to store computer programs and / or data relating to the methods described in any of the possible implementations of the first to fourth aspects.

[0111] In the embodiments of this application, the communication device described in the ninth aspect may be the first terminal device described in the first aspect or the second aspect, or may be a chip (system) or other component or assembly disposed in the first terminal device, or may include the device of the first terminal device; or, the communication device described in the ninth aspect may be the second terminal device described in the third aspect, or may be a chip (system) or other component or assembly disposed in the second terminal device, or may include the device of the second terminal device; or, the communication device described in the ninth aspect may be the network device described in the fourth aspect, or may be a chip (system) or other component or assembly disposed in the network device, or may include the device of the network device.

[0112] Furthermore, the technical effects of the communication device described in the ninth aspect can be referred to the technical effects of the method described in any of the possible implementations of the first to fourth aspects, and will not be repeated here.

[0113] A tenth aspect provides a communication device. The communication device includes a processor coupled to a memory, the processor executing a computer program stored in the memory, such that the communication device performs the method described in any one of the possible implementations of the first to tenth aspects.

[0114] In one possible design, the communication device described in the tenth aspect may further include a transceiver. The transceiver may be a transceiver circuit or an interface circuit. The transceiver can be used for communication between the communication device described in the tenth aspect and other communication devices.

[0115] In the embodiments of this application, the communication device described in the tenth aspect may be the first terminal device described in the first aspect or the second aspect, or a chip (system) or other component or assembly disposed in the first terminal device, or an apparatus containing the first terminal device; or, the communication device described in the tenth aspect may be the second terminal device described in the third aspect, or a chip (system) or other component or assembly disposed in the second terminal device, or an apparatus containing the second terminal device; or, the communication device described in the tenth aspect may be the network device described in the fourth aspect, or a chip (system) or other component or assembly disposed in the network device, or an apparatus containing the network device.

[0116] Furthermore, the technical effects of the communication device described in the tenth aspect can be referred to the technical effects of the method described in any of the possible implementations of the first to fourth aspects, and will not be repeated here.

[0117] Eleventhly, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor and a memory; the memory is used to store a computer program, which, when executed by the processor, causes the communication device to perform the method described in any one of the possible implementations of the first to fourth aspects.

[0118] In one possible design, the communication device described in the eleventh aspect may further include a transceiver. This transceiver may be a transceiver circuit or an interface circuit. The transceiver can be used for communication between the communication device described in the eleventh aspect and other communication devices.

[0119] In the embodiments of this application, the communication device described in the eleventh aspect may be the first terminal device described in the first aspect or the second aspect, or may be a chip (system) or other component or assembly disposed in the first terminal device, or may include the device of the first terminal device; or, the communication device described in the eleventh aspect may be the second terminal device described in the third aspect, or may be a chip (system) or other component or assembly disposed in the second terminal device, or may include the device of the second terminal device; or, the communication device described in the eleventh aspect may be the network device described in the fourth aspect, or may be a chip (system) or other component or assembly disposed in the network device, or may include the device of the network device.

[0120] Furthermore, the technical effects of the communication device described in the eleventh aspect can be referred to the technical effects of the method described in any of the possible implementations of the first to fourth aspects, which will not be repeated here.

[0121] In a twelfth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor; the processor being configured to be coupled to a memory, and after reading a computer program from the memory, to execute, according to the computer program, the method as described in any one of the possible implementations of the first to fourth aspects.

[0122] In one possible design, the communication device described in the twelfth aspect may further include a transceiver. The transceiver may be a transceiver circuit or an interface circuit. The transceiver can be used for communication between the communication device described in the twelfth aspect and other communication devices.

[0123] In the embodiments of this application, the communication device described in the twelfth aspect may be the first terminal device described in the first or second aspect, or a chip (system) or other component or assembly disposed in the first terminal device, or an apparatus containing the first terminal device; or, the communication device described in the twelfth aspect may be the second terminal device described in the third aspect, or a chip (system) or other component or assembly disposed in the second terminal device, or an apparatus containing the second terminal device; or, the communication device described in the twelfth aspect may be the network device described in the fourth aspect, or a chip (system) or other component or assembly disposed in the network device, or an apparatus containing the network device.

[0124] Furthermore, the technical effects of the communication device described in the twelfth aspect can be referred to the technical effects of the method described in any possible implementation of the first to fourth aspects, which will not be repeated here.

[0125] In a thirteenth aspect, a communication system is provided. The communication system includes: a first terminal device as described in the first aspect, a second terminal device as described in the third aspect, and a network device as described in the fourth aspect.

[0126] Fourteenthly, a communication system is provided. The communication system includes: a first terminal device as described in the second aspect, a second terminal device as described in the third aspect, and a network device as described in the fourth aspect.

[0127] In a fifteenth aspect, a communication chip is provided, wherein instructions are stored that, when the chip is operated on a communication device, cause the method described in any of the possible implementations of the first to fourth aspects to be implemented.

[0128] In a sixteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, comprising: a computer program or instructions; when the computer program or instructions are executed on a computer, causing the computer to perform the method described in any one of the possible implementations of the first to fourth aspects.

[0129] In a seventeenth aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method described in any one of the possible implementations of the first to fourth aspects. Attached Figure Description

[0130] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the TA of the terminal device;

[0131] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a UE aggregation scenario;

[0132] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0133] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0134] Figure 5 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0135] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0136] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device provided in the embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0137] For ease of understanding, the technical terms involved in the embodiments of this application will be introduced below.

[0138] 1. Non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication

[0139] Currently, New Radio (NR) technology has moved from the standardization stage to the commercial deployment stage. The initial research purpose of the NR standard protocol was to design a wireless communication technology for terrestrial cellular network scenarios, capable of providing users with ultra-low latency, ultra-reliability, ultra-high speed, and massive connectivity wireless communication services. However, cellular networks cannot achieve seamless global coverage. For example, in areas without terrestrial base stations, such as ocean areas, polar regions, and rainforests, voice and data services cannot be provided to these areas without cellular network coverage.

[0140] NTN can be a general term for networks involving flying objects, including satellite communication networks, high altitude platform stations (HAPS), and air-to-ground networks. Key value scenarios for NTN include areas with poor land coverage, maritime communication, public safety needs, inter-aircraft communication, and railways, aiming to provide mobile broadband services to users. HAPS are carried on airborne platforms, primarily aircraft, balloons, and airships, serving as mobile communication base stations and providing mobile services using the same frequency bands as terrestrial mobile networks.

[0141] Compared to terrestrial cellular networks (e.g., 5G communication systems), NTN communication offers advantages such as wider coverage, longer communication distance, higher path loss, greater latency, faster speed, lower cost, higher reliability, greater flexibility, and higher throughput. It is unaffected by geographical environment, climate conditions, or natural disasters and has been widely applied in fields such as aviation, maritime, and military communications. As a supplement and extension to terrestrial networks, NTN can achieve wide-area seamless coverage that wired telephone networks and terrestrial mobile communication networks cannot, effectively solving the internet access problem in areas lacking communication infrastructure. Based on this, introducing satellites into future 5G technology can provide communication services to areas difficult to cover by terrestrial networks, such as oceans and forests. It can enhance the reliability of 5G communication, providing more stable and higher-quality communication services for users on trains, airplanes, and other modes of transportation, and can also provide more data transmission resources, supporting a larger number of connections.

[0142] NTN communication involves networking using equipment such as drones, high-altitude platforms, and satellites to provide data transmission and voice communication services to user equipment (UE). High-altitude platform equipment is typically located at an altitude of 8–50 km above the ground. Satellite communication networks rely on onboard platforms and can be categorized into three types based on satellite orbital altitude: geostationary orbit (GEO) satellite communication systems (also known as synchronous orbit satellite systems); medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellite communication systems; and low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication systems.

[0143] For example, deploying a large number of satellites in LEO (Light Array) satellites, through reasonable constellation construction, can achieve seamless ground coverage, and the round-trip transmission latency between satellites and ground terminals can be significantly reduced compared to GEO satellites, reaching the tens of milliseconds level. With the use of technologies such as high-frequency bands, multi-beamforming, and frequency reuse, satellite communication capabilities have been significantly improved, while reducing unit broadband costs, thus meeting the demands of high-data-rate services. Compared to terrestrial 5G networks and submarine fiber optic cables, NTN (Network Telecommunications) also has a significant cost advantage. Modern small satellite development processes are maturing, manufacturing costs are gradually decreasing, and software-defined technologies can further extend the lifespan of satellites in orbit. In addition to global coverage (such as in remote areas and on ocean-going vessels), NTN can also be used in emergency disaster relief (such as disaster monitoring and emergency communications), the Internet of Things, and high-speed mobility (such as high-speed rail and airplanes), thus attracting widespread attention from industry and academia.

[0144] 2. Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)

[0145] GNSS is a system that uses satellite technology to provide positioning, navigation, and timing services to users worldwide. It can provide users with all-weather three-dimensional coordinates, velocity, and time information from any location on the Earth's surface or in near-Earth space. A GNSS constellation can consist of three segments: space segment, control segment, and user segment. The space segment, composed of satellites or spacecraft, provides various information needed for positioning, including ephemeris (such as satellite orbital parameters) and transmits ranging signals. The control segment refers to the ground monitoring station's main control center, which primarily calculates the satellite's ephemeris and satellite clock modification parameters based on detected GNSS observation data and feeds this information back to the satellite. It also controls the satellite and issues commands. The user segment refers to GNSS receivers, which receive satellite signals and perform certain calculations to obtain their own position and time information.

[0146] The basic principle of GNSS positioning is based on ranging, that is, calculating the user's position based on the measured distance between the satellite and the user. Users generally obtain two types of distance measurement information: pseudorange and carrier phase ranging. First, pseudorange: the user receives the signal transmitted by the satellite and simultaneously records the current user time. The satellite transmission time is known, so the signal's propagation time in space can be obtained. Considering the speed of light, the distance between the satellite and the user can be measured. Because of errors, the measured distance is not the true distance, hence the name pseudorange. The other distance measurement method is carrier phase ranging. Carrier phase ranging does not rely on the signal's spatial propagation time but utilizes the periodicity of the electromagnetic wave's phase. Since GNSS signals are electromagnetic waves with periodic phases, the true phase should consist of N integer cycles plus one non-integer phase. The non-integer part can be accurately obtained using methods such as phase-locked loops, while the integer part N is uncertain and needs to be determined using auxiliary information. Finally, by combining GNSS with ephemeris information, the position and velocity of the satellite at various times can be obtained. GNSS can determine the user's location based on the satellite's position and the distance between the satellite and the user, using methods such as least squares or extended Kalman filtering.

[0147] Leveraging the positioning capabilities provided by GNSS, terminal devices can first rely on GNSS to obtain their own location before initial access. During the initial access process, the terminal device can calculate the timing advance (TA) based on its location and the ephemeris information of the access satellites to adjust the timing for subsequent random access. For example, the specific process can be divided into two steps: First, the terminal device can perform timing estimation through PSS / SSS detection, complete downlink synchronization, obtain cell information and ephemeris information from SIB1 / SIB19, and select the cell to camp on. Then, based on the terminal device's location information obtained from GNSS, the terminal device can calculate the TA according to the formula specified in the protocol, adjust the timing, and send the physical random access channel (PRACH) based on the TA to execute the subsequent random access process.

[0148] TA (Transmission Targeting) is generally used for uplink transmission from terminal devices. Essentially, TA is a negative offset between the start time of receiving a downlink subframe and the time of transmitting an uplink subframe. By appropriately controlling the offset of each terminal device, network devices can control the arrival time of uplink signals from different terminal devices at the base station. For terminal devices farther from the network device, due to the larger transmission delay, they need to send uplink data earlier than terminal devices closer to the base station. TA is described below.

[0149] For example, as shown in Figure 1, TA can be the time difference between the start time of the downlink frame (used for downlink transmission) and the start time of the uplink frame (used for uplink transmission) of the terminal device. Taking downlink frame #i and uplink frame #i as examples, the downlink frame #i is timed T times earlier. TA This can be followed by an uplink frame #i. The terminal device can then use the formula specified in the protocol: Calculate TA.

[0150] Among them, T TA The possible values ​​for TA are: N TA The TA adjustment amount is calculated by the network device based on the actual received uplink data time and the TA value reported by the terminal device; N TA,offset It can be a fixed value, N, that varies depending on different frequency bands and subcarrier spacing. TA,offset The timing advance offset (n-TimingAdvanceOffset) can be configured through radio resource control (RRC), and its values ​​can be 0, 25600, and 39936. It's understandable that if N is not configured in the timing advance offset... TA,offset NTA,offset A default value can be determined by referring to the protocol, without imposing any restrictions; The transmission delay from satellite to reference point (RP) can be represented by common TA, which is calculated by network equipment and sent to terminal equipment; The transmission delay from the terminal device to the satellite can be defined as the service link transmission delay, calculated by the terminal device based on GNSS and ephemeris information; Tc is the basic unit of time, Tc = 1 / (Δf) max ·N f ), Δf max =480×10 3 Hertz (Hz), N f =4096. For a detailed introduction to TA, please refer to the relevant content in the technical specification (TS) 38.211. It will not be elaborated here.

[0151] 3. Sidelink (SL) communication

[0152] Direct communication between two terminal devices is called sidelink communication, which can effectively reduce communication latency and improve communication efficiency. The communication interface between the two terminal devices is a PC5 interface, and the link between them is called a sidelink. Terminal devices communicating via sidelink can be within network coverage and can be in any radio resource control (RRC) state (including RRC connected state, idle state, or inactive state), or they can be outside the network device's coverage area.

[0153] 4. User Equipment (UE) Aggregation

[0154] In NR release R 18, the sidelink (SL) relay enhancements introduced a new multi-path feature that supports UE aggregation. UE aggregation typically refers to a logical connection formed by combining multiple UEs using certain techniques to improve data transmission rates, enhance signal stability, or achieve load balancing. For example, as shown in Figure 2, a remote UE and network equipment have a direct path and an indirect path forwarded by a relay UE, aiming to improve uplink speed, reliability, service stability, and reduce latency. Information exchange between remote UE and relay UE can be achieved through 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) connections, such as sidelink connections, or through non-3GPP connectivity (N3C) connections, such as Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (WiFi), StarFlash, ultra-wideband (UWB), near-field communication (NFC), Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and visible light communication (VLC).

[0155] Currently, terminal devices with or supporting GNSS can access the NTN network. However, if a terminal device does not have or support GNSS, it may be unable to access the NTN network.

[0156] For example, in sidelink relay technology, when the communication channel quality of a remote UE deteriorates, the remote UE cannot communicate directly with the network. The remote UE needs to select a suitable relay UE for forwarding to ensure service continuity. Furthermore, in NTN communication scenarios, due to the long communication distance, UE aggregation technology can be used. For instance, an NTN handheld terminal device can request other nearby terminal devices, such as other mobile phones, wearable devices, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, laptops, etc., to help it upload some data.

[0157] However, if the relay UE used for forwarding lacks or does not support GNSS, it may be unable to access the NTN network, preventing the remote UE from communicating with the NTN network. For example, in a sidelink relay scenario, this could prevent the remote UE from communicating with the NTN network, affecting the continuity of remote UE services; in UE aggregation scenarios, it could prevent the full utilization of nearby terminal devices. Alternatively, if a terminal device lacking or supporting GNSS needs to access the NTN network, it may be unable to do so due to its lack of GNSS support. Therefore, resolving the issue of UEs lacking or supporting GNSS accessing the network, or the inability of a remote UE to communicate with network devices due to the lack of GNSS support by a relay UE, is a pressing problem that needs to be addressed.

[0158] In summary, in view of the above-mentioned technical problems, the embodiments of this application propose the following technical solutions to solve the problem that terminal devices that do not have or do not support GNSS cannot access the NTN network.

[0159] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0160] The technical solutions of this application embodiment can be applied to various communication systems, such as Bluetooth systems, wireless fidelity (WiFi) systems, long-range radio (LoRa), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication systems, device-to-device (D2D) communication systems, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication systems, machine-type communication (MTC), IoT communication systems, fourth-generation (4G) communication systems such as long-term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication systems, fifth-generation (5G) communication systems such as NR systems, NTN systems such as inter-satellite communication and satellite communication, and future communication systems.

[0161] In a communication system, a device can send signals to or receive signals from another device. These signals can include information, signaling, or data. The term "device" can also be replaced with entities, network entities, communication equipment, communication modules, nodes, communication nodes, etc.

[0162] This application will present various aspects, embodiments, or features relating to systems that may include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and appreciated that individual systems may include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or may not include all the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, combinations of these approaches are also possible.

[0163] In addition, to better understand the embodiments of this application, the following points are made before introducing the embodiments of this application.

[0164] In the embodiments of this application, the words "exemplary," "for example," etc., are used to indicate that they are examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design that is described as "exemplary" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design options. Specifically, the use of the term "exemplary" is intended to present the concept in a concrete manner.

[0165] In the embodiments of this application, the terms "information," "signal," "message," "channel," and "signaling" may sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that, without emphasizing their distinction, their intended meanings are consistent. Similarly, "of," "corresponding (relevant)," and "corresponding" may sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that, without emphasizing their distinction, their intended meanings are consistent. Furthermore, the " / " mentioned in this application can be used to indicate an "or" relationship. It is understood that in this application, "instruction" can include direct instruction, indirect instruction, explicit instruction, and implicit instruction. When describing an instruction information used to indicate A, it can be understood that the instruction information carries A, directly indicates A, or indirectly indicates A.

[0166] In this embodiment, the information indicated by the instruction information is called the information to be instructed. In specific implementations, there are many ways to indicate the information to be instructed, such as, but not limited to, directly indicating the information to be instructed, such as the information to be instructed itself or its index; or indirectly indicating the information to be instructed by indicating other information, wherein there is an association between the other information and the information to be instructed. Alternatively, only a part of the information to be instructed may be indicated, while the other parts are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the instruction of specific information can be achieved by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol-defined) arrangement of various pieces of information, thereby reducing instruction overhead to some extent.

[0167] Furthermore, the specific indication method can also be any existing indication method, such as, but not limited to, the above-mentioned indication methods and their various combinations. Specific details of various indication methods can be found in existing technologies, and will not be repeated here. As described above, for example, when multiple pieces of information of the same type need to be indicated, the indication methods for different pieces of information may differ. In the specific implementation process, the required indication method can be selected according to specific needs. This application embodiment does not limit the selected indication method; therefore, the indication methods involved in this application embodiment should be understood to cover various methods that enable the party to be indicated to obtain the information to be indicated.

[0168] The information to be instructed can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information messages, and the sending period and / or timing of these sub-information messages can be the same or different. This application does not limit the specific sending method. The sending period and / or timing of these sub-information messages can be predefined, for example, according to a protocol, or configured by the transmitting device by sending configuration information to the receiving device.

[0169] The terms "first," "second," and various numerical designations used in the embodiments of this application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. For example, they distinguish different instruction information. Similarly, "first network region" and "second network region" are simply used to distinguish different regions and do not limit their order. Those skilled in the art will understand that the terms "first," "second," etc., do not limit the quantity or execution order, and that "first," "second," etc., are not necessarily different.

[0170] "Predefined" or "pre-configured" can be achieved by pre-saving corresponding codes, tables, or other means of indicating relevant information in the device (e.g., including terminal devices and network devices). This application does not limit the specific implementation method. "Saving" can refer to saving in one or more memories. These memories can be separate installations or integrated into the encoder, decoder, processor, or communication device. Alternatively, some memories can be separate installations, while others are integrated into the decoder, processor, or communication device. The type of memory can be any form of storage medium, and this application does not limit this.

[0171] The “protocol” mentioned in the embodiments of this application may refer to standard protocols in the field of communication, such as LTE protocol, NR protocol and related protocols applied to future communication systems. The embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0172] In the embodiments of this application, descriptions such as "when," "under the circumstances," "if," and "if" all refer to the fact that the device (e.g., a terminal device or a network device) will make corresponding processing under certain objective circumstances. They are not time limits, nor do they require the device (e.g., a terminal device or a network device) to have a judgment action when implementing it, nor do they imply any other limitations.

[0173] In the embodiments of this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information being XX, which may include direct transmission via the air interface or indirect transmission by other units or modules via the air interface. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY, which may include direct reception from YY via the air interface or indirect reception from YY by other units or modules via the air interface. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface. In other words, sending and receiving can occur between devices, such as between network devices and terminal devices, or within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within the device via a bus, wiring, or interface.

[0174] The network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0175] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application will be described in detail first using the communication system shown in FIG3 as an example. For example, FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system to which the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application applies.

[0176] As shown in Figure 3, the communication system mainly includes: network equipment, first terminal equipment, and second terminal equipment.

[0177] The network device can be a device with wireless transceiver capabilities, or it can be a chip or chip system located in the access network (AN) of the communication system to provide access services to the terminal. For example, the network device can be called a radio access network (RAN) device, specifically an access network device in a future communication system, or in a future mobile communication system, the network device can also have other naming conventions, all of which are covered within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application, and the embodiments of this application do not impose any limitations on them. Alternatively, network equipment can also include 5G, such as a gNB in ​​a New Radio (NR) system, or one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a 5G base station. It can also be network nodes constituting a gNB, transmission and reception point (TRP) or transmission point (TP), or transmission measurement function (TMF), such as a central unit (CU), distributed unit (DU), CU-control plane (CP), CU-user plane (UP), or radio unit (RU), RSU with base station functionality, or wired access gateway, or 5G core network elements. Alternatively, network equipment can also include: access points (APs) in Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) systems, wireless relay nodes, wireless backhaul nodes, various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations (also called small cells), relay stations, access points, wearable devices, vehicle-mounted equipment, etc.

[0178] CU and DU can be configured separately or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RU can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs). It is understood that network equipment can be CU nodes, DU nodes, or a combination of both. Furthermore, CUs can be classified as network equipment in the access network (RAN) or the core network (CN); there are no restrictions on this classification.

[0179] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called O-CU (open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0180] In this embodiment, the form of the network device is not limited. The device used to implement the function of the network device can be the network device itself, or it can be a device that supports the network device in implementing the function, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the network device or used in conjunction with the network device.

[0181] Terminal devices, such as the first and second terminal devices mentioned above, can be devices or modules that are connected to the aforementioned communication system and have corresponding communication functions. A terminal device can be a terminal device with transceiver functions, or it can be a chip or chip system disposed within the terminal device. This terminal device can also be referred to as a UE, access terminal device, subscriber unit, user station, mobile station (MS), mobile station, remote station, remote terminal device, mobile device, user terminal device, terminal equipment, wireless communication equipment, user agent, or user apparatus. The terminal devices in the embodiments of this application may be mobile phones, cellular phones, smartphones, tablets, wireless data cards, personal digital assistants (PDAs), wireless modems, handsets, laptop computers, machine-type communication (MTC) terminal devices, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality (VR) terminal devices, augmented reality (AR) terminal devices, smart home devices (e.g., refrigerators, televisions, air conditioners, electricity meters, etc.), intelligent robots, robotic arms, workshop equipment, wireless terminal devices in autonomous driving, wireless terminal devices in industrial control, wireless terminal devices in self-driving, wireless terminal devices in remote medical care, wireless terminal devices in smart grids, wireless terminal devices in transportation safety, wireless terminal devices in smart cities, and smart homes. The terminal equipment in this application can be a wireless terminal device (e.g., a vehicle-mounted terminal device), a roadside unit (RSU) with terminal device functionality, or flying equipment (e.g., intelligent robots, hot air balloons, drones, airplanes). The terminal equipment in this application can also be a vehicle-mounted module, vehicle-mounted component, vehicle-mounted chip, or vehicle-mounted unit integrated into a vehicle as one or more components or units, a transportation vehicle with wireless communication functionality, or a communication module. The terminal equipment can also be other devices with terminal device functionality; for example, it can be a device that functions as a terminal device in D2D communication.

[0182] The embodiments of this application do not limit the form of the terminal device. The device used to implement the functions of the terminal device can be the terminal device itself; it can also be a device that supports the terminal device in implementing the functions, such as a chip system. This device can be installed in the terminal device or used in conjunction with the terminal device. In the embodiments of this application, the chip system can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete devices. The terminal device typically has a communication module, circuit, or chip that performs the corresponding communication functions. The terminal device can also be configured with program instructions for performing the corresponding communication functions.

[0183] It is understood that in this embodiment, the first terminal device may support or have GNSS, meaning it can receive and parse signals from devices such as the Global Positioning System (GPS) and BeiDou. Through GNSS, the first terminal device can obtain its own precise location information, synchronize its time, and perform various geo-related functions, such as navigation, tracking, and outdoor activity guidance. The second terminal device can be a terminal device within the communication range of the first terminal device, but it does not support or have GNSS; that is, the second terminal device cannot obtain its own precise location information, synchronize its time, or perform various geo-related functions through GNSS.

[0184] The network device is a non-terrestrial network device. A non-terrestrial network device is not a network node located on the ground; it can be deployed on an airborne platform or satellite, or other forms of network device deployed at high altitudes, and may be structurally and functionally similar to terrestrial network devices. An airborne platform can include at least one of the following: satellite, drone, hot air balloon, airplane, or other aircraft. Examples of terrestrial network devices include network devices carried by drones or otherwise implemented within drones, such as high-altitude platforms (HAPs), and satellites. In this embodiment, the non-terrestrial network device is primarily exemplified by a network device deployed on a satellite.

[0185] In this communication system, a first terminal device can send first information to a second terminal device based on first instruction information received from a network device. Since the first terminal device supports GNSS, it can obtain its own location information by combining the positioning capabilities provided by GNSS, and calculate the information required to access the network device based on its own location information. The first terminal device can send the information required to access the network device to a second terminal device that does not support GNSS via the first information, to assist or facilitate the second terminal device's access to the network device and communication with it. Therefore, when the network device is a non-terrestrial network device, the second terminal device can use the first information sent by the first terminal device to access the non-terrestrial network device. This solves the problem that terminal devices without GNSS or that do not support GNSS, i.e., the second terminal device, cannot access the NTN network (i.e., the aforementioned non-terrestrial network device).

[0186] It is understood that Figure 3 above is a simplified schematic diagram for ease of understanding, and the communication system may also include other devices, which are not shown in Figure 3.

[0187] For ease of understanding, the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 4 and 5.

[0188] For example, Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. It is understood that this embodiment uses the first terminal device, the second terminal device, and the network device shown in Figure 3 as examples of the execution entities for this interaction illustration, but this embodiment does not limit the execution entities for the interaction illustration. For instance, the method executed by the network device in this embodiment can also be implemented by modules (e.g., circuits, processors, chips, or chip systems) in the network device, or by logic nodes, logic modules, or software capable of implementing all or part of the network device's functions; the method executed by the terminal devices (i.e., the first terminal device and the second terminal device) in this embodiment can also be implemented by a communication module in the terminal device or by circuits or chips (such as modem chips (also known as baseband chips), or SoC chips containing modem cores, or SIP chips) in the terminal device responsible for communication functions.

[0189] It is understood that in this embodiment, the first terminal device supports or has GNSS (which can be referred to as a GNSS UE), and the second terminal device does not support or does not have GNSS (which can be referred to as a non-GNSS UE). The second terminal device can be one of one or more GNSS-unsupporting terminal devices within the communication range of the first terminal device, and the first terminal device can be one of one or more GNSS-supporting terminal devices within the communication range of the second terminal device. The network device is a non-terrestrial network device, and its specific description can be found in the relevant content of the above communication system section, which will not be repeated here.

[0190] As shown in Figure 4, the flow of this communication method is as follows:

[0191] S401, the network device sends a first instruction message to the first terminal device. Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the first instruction message from the network device.

[0192] The first instruction information can be used to instruct the second terminal device to send first information, which is used for communication between the second terminal device and the network device. Since the first terminal device supports GNSS, it can obtain its own location information by combining the positioning capabilities provided by GNSS. The first terminal device calculates the information required for communication with the network device based on its own location information, i.e., the aforementioned first information. This first information can be used to assist a second terminal device that does not support GNSS in accessing the network device; the first information can also be called auxiliary access information. The first information will be described in detail below.

[0193] In one possible design, the first information includes one or more first parameters. Each of the one or more first parameters includes at least one of the following: first timing advance information; first frequency offset information; time information; reference position information; ephemeris information of the network device; second timing advance information; or, second frequency offset information.

[0194] The first timing advance information includes the timing advance TA and / or the time-varying information of TA. It is understood that a detailed description of TA can be found in the relevant content of the above-mentioned technical terminology section, and will not be repeated here. The time-varying information of TA can be used to characterize how TA changes over time, such as including the first derivative of TA, the second derivative of TA, or any other parameters that may characterize how TA changes over time (such as other higher intermediate derivatives of TA, etc.). This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0195] The first frequency offset information may include frequency offset and / or time-varying information of frequency offset. Frequency offset may refer to the deviation between the received signal frequency and the theoretical or expected frequency (i.e., the reference frequency), or the Doppler frequency offset caused by the operation of network equipment (such as a satellite), and can be used for frequency offset pre-compensation of the transmitted signal, or for compensation of Doppler frequency shift caused by the operation of network equipment (such as a satellite), etc. For details, please refer to the prior art, which will not be elaborated here. The time-varying information of frequency offset can be used to characterize the frequency offset changing over time, such as including the first derivative of the frequency offset, the second derivative of the frequency offset, or any other parameters that may characterize the frequency offset changing over time (such as the high intermediate derivative of other frequency offsets, etc.). The embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0196] Time information can be used to indicate the validity period of the first parameter, i.e., the validity period of the first parameter. It can be understood that due to the movement of the location of the first terminal device and / or network device, the TA, frequency offset, and other information calculated by the first terminal device are only valid for a period of time. If the period of time is exceeded, the TA, frequency offset, and other information cannot be used for uplink data transmission between the second terminal device and the network device. This period of time can be understood as the validity period of the first parameter mentioned above.

[0197] The reference location information can be used by the first terminal device to calculate the TA and frequency offset, and can also be used by the second terminal device to calculate the TA and frequency offset. This reference location information can be characterized in the form of latitude and longitude parameters, etc., but this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0198] The ephemeris information of network devices can indicate the location-related information of network devices. For a detailed introduction, please refer to existing technologies, which will not be elaborated here.

[0199] The second timing advance information may include TA offset and / or time-varying information of TA offset. TA offset, also known as TA bias or TA offset, can be the deviation between the TA calculated by the second terminal device based on reference position information and ephemeris information of the network device and the actual TA (i.e., the TA used to initiate uplink random access). The time-varying information of TA offset can be used to characterize how TA offset changes over time, such as including the first derivative of TA offset, the second derivative of TA offset, or any other parameters that may characterize how TA offset changes over time (such as other higher intermediate derivatives of TA offset, etc.). This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0200] The second frequency offset information may include the frequency offset and / or time-varying information of the frequency offset. The frequency offset can also be called the frequency offset deflection or the frequency offset offset amount. The frequency offset can be the deviation between the frequency offset calculated by the second terminal device based on the reference position information and the ephemeris information of the network device and the actual frequency offset (i.e., the frequency offset used for frequency offset pre-compensation of the transmitted signal, or the frequency offset used for uplink frequency offset pre-compensation). The time-varying information of the frequency offset can be used to characterize the change of the frequency offset over time, such as including the first derivative of the frequency offset, the second derivative of the frequency offset, or any other parameters that may characterize the change of the frequency offset over time (such as other higher derivatives of the frequency offset, etc.). This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0201] It is understood that the naming of the first parameter, first timing advance information, time-varying TA information, first frequency offset information, time-varying frequency offset information, time information, reference position information, network device ephemeris information, second timing advance information, TA offset, time-varying TA offset information, second frequency offset information, frequency offset offset, and time-varying frequency offset offset information is only an example. The first parameter, first timing advance information, time-varying TA information, first frequency offset information, time-varying frequency offset information, time information, reference position information, network device ephemeris information, second timing advance information, TA offset, time-varying TA offset information, second frequency offset information, frequency offset offset, and time-varying frequency offset offset information can also be replaced with any other possible naming, without limitation.

[0202] In one possible design, the first information may also include one or more first cell identifiers (IDs), which are associated with one or more first parameters.

[0203] The first cell identifier can be used to indicate a first cell, which can be a cell in which the first terminal device can receive its transmitted signal, or a cell that the first terminal device can search for. One first parameter can correspond to one first cell identifier, or one first parameter can correspond to multiple first cell identifiers; that is, the relationship between the first parameter and the first cell identifier can be one-to-one or many-to-one. In other words, one first cell can correspond to one first parameter, or multiple first cells can correspond to one first parameter, thus meeting the needs of different scenarios. This application does not limit this aspect.

[0204] It is understood that the aforementioned first information or first parameter may also include any other possible parameters, without limitation. The naming of the first cell identifier above is only an example, and the first cell identifier may be replaced with any other possible name, without limitation.

[0205] Based on the above description, each first parameter may include one or more of the above-mentioned items. The first terminal device may select to send one or more of the above-mentioned items to the second terminal device via the first information, depending on the specific scenario, so that the second terminal device can access the network device. For ease of understanding, the embodiments of this application will use the following example to describe the content of the first information.

[0206] Example 1: The first information includes one or more first cell identifiers. Each of these first cell identifiers can correspond to a first parameter. Taking cell ID#1 as an example, one of the one or more first cell identifiers is cell ID#1. Cell ID#1 is used to indicate cell#1, and cell ID#1 corresponds to the first parameter#1. The first parameter#1 can include: TA#1, TA time information#1, frequency offset#1, frequency offset time information#1, and valid time#1. The valid time#1 is used to indicate the valid time of the first parameter#1.

[0207] Example 2: The first information may include: reference location information #1, ephemeris information of network device, TA offset #1, time-varying information of TA offset #1, frequency offset #1, and time-varying information of frequency offset #1.

[0208] Based on the above introduction, the following example illustrates the specific implementation of a network device sending a first instruction message to a first terminal device.

[0209] Implementation 1: The network device sends the first instruction information to the first terminal device via broadcast.

[0210] In Implementation 1, the network device can send the first indication information via broadcast. The first terminal device can be one of one or more GNSS-enabled terminal devices that receive the first indication information; that is, the first indication information is a broadcast signal. In Implementation 1, the first terminal device and the network device do not need to establish a connection, thus reducing signaling interaction, saving overhead, and avoiding resource waste.

[0211] Implementation 2: The network device sends the first instruction information to the first terminal device through dedicated signaling.

[0212] In implementation 2, the first terminal device needs to establish a connection with the network device first. After the first terminal device establishes a connection with the network device, the network device can send a first indication message to the specific first terminal device through dedicated signaling (i.e., terminal device-level signaling), such as RRC signaling, downlink control information (DCI), MAC-control element (MAC-CE) signaling, etc. That is, the first indication message can be a unicast or multicast signal.

[0213] It is understood that Implementation 1 and Implementation 2 described above are merely examples, and the network device may send the first instruction information to the first terminal device in any other possible way. This application embodiment does not limit this. The naming of the first instruction information and the first information described above is merely an example, and the first instruction information and the first information may be replaced with any other possible names, without limitation.

[0214] S402, the first terminal device sends first information to the second terminal device according to the first instruction information. Correspondingly, the second terminal device receives the first information from the first terminal device.

[0215] That is, the first terminal device can send the first indication information to nearby terminal devices that do not support GNSS, such as the second terminal device, based on the first indication information received from the network device. The following is a detailed description of step S402 using the following example.

[0216] Scenario 1: The first terminal device establishes a connection with the second terminal device.

[0217] In one possible design, the first instruction information can also be used to instruct the first terminal device to establish a connection with the second terminal device. Before the first terminal device sends the first information to the second terminal device according to the first instruction information, or before the second terminal device receives the first information from the first terminal device, the method further includes:

[0218] The first terminal device establishes a connection with the second terminal device according to the first instruction information. Correspondingly, the second terminal device establishes a connection with the first terminal device.

[0219] It is understandable that when a network device needs to establish a connection between a first terminal device and a second terminal device, the network device can send a first instruction message to the first terminal device. The first terminal device can then establish a connection with the second terminal device after receiving the first instruction message, thus realizing on-demand instruction to save costs and avoid resource waste.

[0220] The connection can be a sidelink connection (such as a PC5 connection) or a non-3GPP connection (such as Bluetooth, WiFi, Starlink, UWB, NFC, BLE, VLC, etc.). That is, the first terminal device and the second terminal device can connect via a sidelink or via a non-3GPP connection to meet the needs of different scenarios. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0221] Based on the above description, in one possible design scheme, before the second terminal device receives the first information from the first terminal device, the method further includes:

[0222] The network device sends a third instruction to the second terminal device. Correspondingly, the second terminal device receives the third instruction from the network device. This third instruction can be used to instruct the second terminal device to establish a connection with the first terminal device.

[0223] The second terminal device establishes a connection with the first terminal device, including:

[0224] The second terminal device establishes a connection with the first terminal device based on the third instruction information.

[0225] It is understandable that, since the second terminal device does not support GNSS, the network device can send the third instruction information via broadcast.

[0226] The third terminal device can be one of one or more GNSS-unsupported terminal devices that receive the third indication information; that is, the third indication information is a broadcast signal. When the network device needs the second terminal device to establish a connection with the first terminal device, the network device can send the third indication information to the second terminal device via broadcast. The second terminal device can then establish a connection with the first terminal device after receiving the third indication information, thus achieving on-demand indication, saving costs and avoiding resource waste.

[0227] It is understood that the first terminal device and the second terminal device may also initiate the connection establishment process spontaneously without the instruction of the network device (such as the instruction of the first instruction information and the third instruction information), and this application embodiment does not limit this. It should be noted that the process of establishing a connection between the first terminal device and the second terminal device can refer to the prior art, and will not be described in detail here.

[0228] Based on the above description, the third instruction information can also be used to instruct the second terminal device to receive the first information from the first terminal device. In one possible design, the second terminal device receiving the first information from the first terminal device includes:

[0229] The second terminal device receives the first information from the first terminal device according to the third instruction information.

[0230] That is, the second terminal device can establish a connection with the first terminal device after receiving the third instruction information, and receive the first information from the first terminal device after establishing a connection with the first terminal device, thus realizing on-demand instruction, saving costs and avoiding resource waste.

[0231] In one possible design, before the first terminal device sends the first information to the second terminal device according to the first instruction information, or before the second terminal device receives the first information from the first terminal device, the method further includes:

[0232] The first terminal device sends first capability information to the second terminal device. Correspondingly, the second terminal device receives the first capability information from the first terminal device.

[0233] The second terminal device sends a first request to the first terminal device based on the first capability information and the second capability information. Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the first request from the second terminal device.

[0234] The first terminal device sends first information to the second terminal device according to the first instruction information, including:

[0235] The first terminal device sends the first information to the second terminal device based on the first request and the first instruction information.

[0236] In this embodiment, the first capability information can be used to indicate that the first terminal device supports GNSS, and the second capability information can be used to indicate that the second terminal device does not support GNSS. The second terminal device can determine, based on the first capability information sent by the first terminal device and its own capability information (i.e., the second capability information), that the first terminal device supports GNSS and the second terminal device does not, and then send a first request to the first terminal device. The first request can be used to request the first terminal device to send first information to the second terminal device. After receiving the first request, the first terminal device can determine that there is a terminal device requiring its auxiliary access. At this time, the first terminal device, based on the first request and the first indication information, determines and sends the first information to the second terminal device to save overhead and avoid resource waste. It is understood that the second terminal device can also send second capability information to the first terminal device for the first terminal device to determine that the second terminal device does not support GNSS and to perform subsequent operations; this embodiment does not limit this.

[0237] In one possible design, the connection is a sidelink connection (such as a PC5 connection). The first capability information is carried in the sidelink system message, that is, carried in the existing information cell to reduce the implementation difficulty, or it can be carried in a new information cell to improve the implementation flexibility. There is no limitation. In this method, the first terminal device can send the first capability information to the second network device without establishing a connection with the second terminal device. That is, the first terminal device can send the first capability information to the second terminal device before establishing a connection with the second terminal device.

[0238] This sidelink system message can be used by the first terminal device and the second terminal device to confirm connection parameters and initialize communication before establishing a connection. For example, this sidelink system message can be a sidelink master information block (sidelink MIB) or any other possible system message, without limitation. Taking the sidelink system message as a sidelink MIB as an example, the sidelink MIB can use a reserved bit to indicate whether the first terminal device supports GNSS. For example, when the reserved bit is 1, it indicates that the first terminal device supports GNSS; when the reserved bit is 0, it indicates that the first terminal device does not support GNSS. Alternatively, when the reserved bit is 0, it indicates that the first terminal device supports GNSS; when the reserved bit is 1, it indicates that the first terminal device does not support GNSS. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0239] Alternatively, the first terminal device may send first capability information to the second terminal device, including: after establishing a connection with the second terminal device, the first terminal device sends the first capability information to the second terminal device. That is, after establishing a connection with the second terminal device, the first terminal device can indicate its GNSS capabilities to the second terminal device via dedicated signaling. Based on these two implementations, the needs of different scenarios can be met.

[0240] It should be understood that if the second terminal device sends second capability information to the first terminal device, based on the same principle, when the connection is a sidelink connection, the second capability information can be carried in the sidelink system message. In this mode, the second terminal device can send the second capability information to the first terminal device without establishing a connection with the first terminal device. Alternatively, the second terminal device can send the first capability information to the first terminal device after establishing a connection with the first terminal device. That is, after establishing a connection with the second terminal device, the first terminal device can indicate its GNSS capabilities to the first terminal device through dedicated signaling. For a detailed introduction, please refer to the relevant introduction of the first capability information above, which will not be repeated here.

[0241] It is understood that the naming of the third instruction information, the first capability information, the second capability information, the first request, and the side link system message is only an example. The third instruction information, the first capability information, the second capability information, the first request, and the side link system message can also be replaced with any other possible names, which will not be elaborated here.

[0242] In one possible design, the first request may include a second cell identifier, which can be used to indicate a candidate cell for the second terminal device. The method also includes:

[0243] The first terminal device determines the first parameter associated with the second cell identifier based on the second cell identifier.

[0244] The first terminal device determines the first information based on the first parameter associated with the second cell identifier.

[0245] The candidate cell for the second terminal device can be a cell that the second terminal device can access or a cell that it wishes to access, a cell that the second terminal device can receive its transmitted signal from, or a cell that the first terminal device can search for, etc. This embodiment of the application does not limit this. The signal quality of the candidate cell can meet preset conditions, such as the signal quality of the candidate cell being greater than or equal to a preset value. This ensures that if the second terminal device subsequently chooses to access the candidate cell, the communication quality and efficiency of the second terminal device can be guaranteed. It is understood that the second cell identifier can include one or more cell identifiers, and each cell identifier can indicate a candidate cell for the second terminal device. That is, the second terminal device can have one or more candidate cells, and this embodiment of the application does not limit this.

[0246] The second terminal device can send the second cell identifier to the first terminal device through a first request. In this case, the first terminal device can determine the candidate cell indicated by the second cell identifier. The first terminal device can calculate one or more of the first parameters associated with the candidate cell indicated by the second cell identifier, such as the first timing advance information, the first frequency offset information, the time information, the reference location information, the ephemeris information of the network device, the second timing advance information, or the second frequency offset information. For example, taking cell ID#2 as the second cell identifier, cell ID#2 is used to identify the candidate cell of the second terminal device, i.e., cell#2. If cell#2 is not the cell currently accessed by the first terminal device, the first terminal device needs to calculate the first parameters associated with cell#2. For example, in Example 1 above, the first terminal device needs to calculate the TA, the time information of the TA, the frequency offset, the time information of the frequency offset, and the effective time of cell#2; in Example 2 above, the first terminal device needs to calculate the reference location information, the ephemeris information of the network device, the TA offset, the time-varying information of the TA offset, the frequency offset, and the time-varying information of the frequency offset.

[0247] It can be understood that when the second cell identifier is equal to one or more of the aforementioned first cell identifiers, the first parameter included in the first information is the first parameter associated with the second cell identifier; when the second cell identifier is a part of one or more of the aforementioned first cell identifiers, the first information includes the first parameter associated with the second cell identifier, and the first parameters associated with other first cell identifiers among the one or more first cell identifiers besides the second cell identifier. Thus, the first terminal device can determine the first information based on the first parameter associated with the second cell identifier.

[0248] It is understood that the naming of the second cell identifier mentioned above is only an example, and the second cell identifier can be replaced with any other possible name, which will not be elaborated here.

[0249] Scenario 2: The first terminal device and the second terminal device do not establish a connection.

[0250] In one possible design, the first instruction information is used to instruct the first terminal device to send the first information to the second terminal device, including: the first instruction information is used to instruct the first terminal device to send the first information to the second terminal device in a broadcast manner.

[0251] The first terminal device sends first information to the second terminal device according to the first instruction information, including:

[0252] The first terminal device, based on the first instruction information, broadcasts the first information to the second terminal device. Correspondingly, the second terminal device receives the first information from the first terminal device, including:

[0253] The second terminal device receives the first information broadcast by the first terminal device.

[0254] In scenario 2, the first terminal device does not need to establish a connection with the second terminal device. The first terminal device can directly transmit the first information via broadcast according to the first instruction information. The second terminal device can be one of one or more GNSS-unsupported terminal devices that receive the first information; that is, the first information is a broadcast signal. In scenario 2, the first terminal device and the second terminal device do not need to establish a connection, thus reducing signaling interaction, saving overhead, and avoiding resource waste.

[0255] Based on the above introduction, one possible design scheme includes the following additional methods:

[0256] The network device sends a third instruction message to the second terminal device. Correspondingly, the second terminal device receives the third instruction message from the network device. This third instruction message can be used to instruct the second terminal device to receive the first information sent by the first terminal device in a broadcast format.

[0257] The second terminal device receives the first information broadcast by the first terminal device, including:

[0258] The second terminal device receives the first information broadcast by the first terminal device in accordance with the third instruction information.

[0259] It is understandable that, similar to the scenario 1 above where the network device sends a third instruction to the second terminal device, since the second terminal device does not support GNSS, the network device needs to send the third instruction via broadcast. The third terminal device can be one of one or more GNSS-unsupporting terminal devices that receive the third instruction; that is, the third instruction is a broadcast signal. When the network device needs the second terminal device to receive the first information, the network device can send the third instruction to the second terminal device. The second terminal device can then receive the first information broadcast by the first terminal device after receiving the third instruction, thus achieving on-demand instruction to save costs and avoid resource waste.

[0260] It is understood that the first terminal device and the second terminal device may also be able to receive the first information spontaneously, without needing the instructions of the first instruction information and the third instruction information. This application embodiment does not limit this. The naming of the third instruction information mentioned above is only an example, and the third instruction information can be replaced with any other possible naming, which will not be elaborated here.

[0261] The following describes the specific method by which the first terminal device sends the first information to the second terminal device via broadcast.

[0262] In one possible design, the first information is associated with the sidelink system message, and the association includes at least one of the following:

[0263] The first information is carried in the side link system message;

[0264] Sidelink system messages are used to indicate the time-frequency resources occupied by the first information; or,

[0265] The association between the sidelink synchronization signal and the time-frequency resources occupied by the first information is pre-configured or pre-defined, and the sidelink system message is used to indicate whether the first terminal device should send the first information.

[0266] The sidelink system message can be a sidelink MIB or any other possible system message, without limitation. The following example will illustrate each of these items.

[0267] Method 1: The first information can be carried in the side link system message.

[0268] That is, the first information can be carried in an existing information cell to reduce implementation difficulty, or it can be carried in a new information cell to improve implementation flexibility; there is no limitation. The first terminal device can broadcast the first information to the second terminal device through a sidelink system message. The second terminal device can receive the sidelink system message broadcast by the first terminal device and obtain the first information based on the sidelink system message. It is understood that the number of bits occupied by the first information in the sidelink system message, such as the aforementioned sidelink MIB, can be pre-configured or pre-defined, or related to the amount of data contained in the first information, etc., and this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0269] Method 2: Side link system messages can be used to indicate the time-frequency resources occupied by the first information.

[0270] The first terminal device can broadcast a sidelink system message, such as the sidelink MIB mentioned above, to the second terminal device. The second terminal device can receive the sidelink system message broadcast by the first terminal device and obtain the time-frequency resources occupied by the first information indicated by the sidelink system message. The second terminal device can receive the first information broadcast by the first terminal device on the time-frequency resources occupied by the first information.

[0271] It is understood that the sidelink system message can indicate the time and frequency resources occupied by the first information through the signaling (or parameters) therein, such as signaling #1. In this application embodiment, the number of bits occupied by signaling #1 in the sidelink system message, such as the sidelink MIB mentioned above, is not limited.

[0272] Method 3: The association between the side link synchronization signal and the time-frequency resources occupied by the first information is pre-configured or pre-defined, and the side link system message is used to indicate whether the first terminal device should send the first information.

[0273] The sidelink synchronization signal can be a sidelink synchronization signal (sidelink S-SS), a physical sidelink broadcast channel block (PSBCH), or any other possible synchronization signal, without limitation.

[0274] The first terminal device can broadcast a sidelink system message, such as the sidelink MIB mentioned above, to the second terminal device. The second terminal device can receive the sidelink system message broadcast by the first terminal device. This sidelink system message can be used to indicate whether the first terminal device should send first information. The second terminal device can determine whether the first terminal device should send first information based on this sidelink system message. If the sidelink system message indicates that the first terminal device has sent first information, the second terminal device can obtain the time-frequency resources occupied by the first information based on the correlation between the sidelink synchronization signal and the time-frequency resources occupied by the first information. For example, the protocol can predefine the deviation between the time-frequency resources occupied by the sidelink synchronization signal and the time-frequency resources occupied by the first information. The second terminal device can calculate the time-frequency resources occupied by the first information based on the time-frequency resources occupied by the sidelink synchronization signal and the deviation, etc., without limitation. The second terminal device can receive the first information broadcast by the first terminal device on the time-frequency resources occupied by the first information.

[0275] It is understood that the sidelink system message can indicate whether the first terminal device should send the first information through the signaling (or parameters) therein, such as signaling #2. In this application embodiment, the number of bits occupied by signaling #2 in the sidelink system message, such as the sidelink MIB mentioned above, is not limited.

[0276] Thus, in scenario 2, the first terminal device can send the first information to the second terminal device via broadcast, based on any one of methods 1-3 or a combination of methods described above. This embodiment of the application does not limit this. It is understood that methods 1-3 described above are merely examples, and the first terminal device can also send the first information to the second terminal device via broadcast in any other possible manner. This embodiment of the application does not limit this.

[0277] S403, the second terminal device communicates with the network device based on the first information.

[0278] The second terminal device can be a GNSS-unsupported terminal device that needs to access the network device, or a GNSS-unsupported relay terminal device through which the first terminal device needs to communicate with the network device. This embodiment does not limit the specific implementation of this application. When the second terminal device is a GNSS-unsupported terminal device that needs to access the network device, the second terminal device can directly communicate with the network device based on the first information. When the second terminal device is a GNSS-unsupported relay terminal device, the second terminal device can communicate with the network device based on the first information, thereby enabling the first terminal device to communicate with the network device through the second terminal device.

[0279] The communication between the second terminal device and the network device may include: the second terminal device randomly accessing the network device, the maintenance of the TA and the adjustment of the frequency offset during the communication between the second terminal device and the network device, etc., which are not limited in this embodiment.

[0280] It is understandable that after receiving the first information, the second terminal device needs to initiate a random access procedure to the network device. For example, based on Example 1 above, assume the second terminal device selects to access cell #1, which is the cell provided by the network device. The second terminal device can use the first parameter #1 corresponding to cell ID #1, namely TA #1, TA time information #1, frequency offset #1, frequency offset time information #1, and valid time #1, etc., to initiate a random access procedure to the network device.

[0281] Specifically, the second terminal device can use TA#1 and TA time information #1 within the effective time #1 to calculate the TA for uplink access at the current time (i.e., the time of accessing the network device), which can be denoted as TA#a. The second terminal device can also use frequency offset #1 and frequency offset time information #1 within the effective time #1 to calculate the frequency offset for uplink frequency offset pre-compensation at the current time (i.e., the time of accessing the network device), which can be denoted as frequency offset #a. The second terminal device can use TA#a for timing advance and send a physical random access channel (PRACH) according to TA#a to execute subsequent random access procedures. The second terminal device can also use frequency offset #a to perform frequency offset pre-compensation for the transmitted signal or to compensate for Doppler frequency offset caused by network device operation, etc., to achieve access to the network device. The specific implementation can refer to existing technologies and will not be elaborated further.

[0282] Based on Example 2 above, the second terminal device can use the first information, namely the reference location information #1, the ephemeris information of the network device, the TA offset #1, the time-varying information of the TA offset #1, the frequency offset #1, and the time-varying information of the frequency offset #1, to initiate a random access procedure to the network device.

[0283] Specifically, the second terminal device can use reference location information #1 and the ephemeris information of the network device to calculate the TA and frequency offset of the reference location. The second terminal device can calculate the TA for uplink access at the current time (i.e., the time of accessing the network device) based on the TA of the reference location, TA offset #1, and the time-varying information #1 of the TA offset, which can be denoted as TA#b. The second terminal device can calculate the frequency offset for uplink frequency offset pre-compensation at the current time (i.e., the time of accessing the network device) based on the frequency offset of the reference location, frequency offset offset #1, and the time-varying information #1 of the frequency offset offset, which can be denoted as frequency offset #b. The second terminal device can use TA#b for timing advance and send PRACH according to TA#b to execute subsequent random access procedures. The second terminal device can use frequency offset #b to perform frequency offset pre-compensation for transmitted signals or to compensate for Doppler frequency offset caused by network device operation, etc., to achieve access to the network device. Specific implementation details can refer to existing technologies and will not be elaborated further.

[0284] It is understood that the above implementation process is merely an example, and the second terminal device can also access the network device through any other possible implementation method based on the first information, without limitation. Based on the above implementation, the second terminal device can access the network device. After the second terminal device accesses the network device, the maintenance of the TA and the adjustment of frequency offset during the communication process between the second terminal device and the network device can be referred to existing technologies for specific implementation, which will not be elaborated here.

[0285] In summary, the first terminal device can send first information to the second terminal device based on the first instruction information received from the network device. Since the first terminal device supports GNSS, it can obtain its own location information by combining the positioning capabilities provided by GNSS, and calculate the information required to access the network device based on its own location information. The first terminal device can send the information required to access the network device to the second terminal device, which does not support GNSS, through the first information to assist or facilitate the second terminal device's access to the network device and communication with it. Therefore, when the network device is a non-terrestrial network device, the second terminal device can use the first information sent by the first terminal device to access the non-terrestrial network device. This solves the problem that terminal devices without GNSS or that do not support GNSS, i.e., the second terminal device, cannot access the NTN network (i.e., the aforementioned non-terrestrial network device).

[0286] In conjunction with the above embodiments, in one possible design scheme, the method further includes:

[0287] The first terminal device sends a second instruction message to the second terminal device. Correspondingly, the second terminal device receives the second instruction message from the first terminal device.

[0288] The second terminal device determines, based on the second instruction information, that when the first condition is met, it will use the first information to communicate with the network device.

[0289] The second indication information can be used by the second terminal device to determine whether to use the first information to communicate with the network device. When the first condition is met, the second terminal device determines to use the first information to communicate with the network device.

[0290] The first condition includes at least one of the following: the received signal power of the second terminal device is greater than or equal to a first power threshold; the path loss between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is less than or equal to a second power threshold; and the first time is less than or equal to a time threshold. Wherein, the first time is the time difference between the moment when the second terminal device receives the first information and the moment when the second terminal device uses the first information to communicate with the network device; or, the beam identifier of the network device determined by the second terminal device is the same as the beam identifier associated with the first information.

[0291] It should be understood that the second terminal device can receive one or more first messages sent from the same GNSS-enabled terminal device (such as the first terminal device described above), or the second terminal device can also receive one or more first messages sent from different GNSS-enabled terminal devices (including the first terminal device). Therefore, after receiving the second indication information, the second terminal device can verify the received one or more first messages according to the second indication information, so as to determine whether each of the one or more first messages can be used, or to select one of the one or more first messages to be used.

[0292] The following section uses the first information (denoted as first information #1) received by the second terminal device from the first terminal device in step S402 as an example to illustrate the specific implementation of the second terminal device verifying the first information #1.

[0293] Method 4: The received signal power of the second terminal device is greater than or equal to the first power threshold.

[0294] The first terminal device can send a reference signal to the second terminal device. The second terminal device can receive the reference signal from the first terminal device and measure the received power of the reference signal to obtain the received signal power (such as reference signal receiving power (RSRP)). This received signal power can be denoted as P0. A first power threshold value is denoted as P1. If the second terminal device determines that P0 is greater than or equal to P1, then the second terminal device can determine that the first information #1 from the first terminal device can be used, and the second terminal device can use the first information #1 to communicate with the network device; otherwise, the second terminal device will not use the first information #1 to communicate with the network device.

[0295] It is understood that the first power threshold value can be predefined or preconfigured (by the protocol), or the aforementioned second indication information can be used to indicate the first power threshold value; this application embodiment does not limit this. This application embodiment does not limit the specific value of the first power threshold value.

[0296] Method 5: The path loss between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is less than or equal to the second power threshold.

[0297] The path loss between the first and second terminal devices can be represented as the difference between the signal transmission power of the first terminal device (denoted as P2) and the signal reception power of the second terminal device (denoted as P3). The first terminal device can send a reference signal to the second terminal device based on P2. The second terminal device can receive the reference signal from the first terminal device and measure its reception power to obtain the received signal power, i.e., P3. A second power threshold is denoted as P4. If the second terminal device determines that P2 - P3 is less than or equal to P4, then the second terminal device can determine that the first information #1 from the first terminal device can be used, and the second terminal device can use this first information #1 to communicate with the network device; otherwise, the second terminal device will not use the first information #1 to communicate with the network device.

[0298] It is understood that the signal transmission power P2 and the second power threshold P4 of the first terminal device can be predefined or preconfigured (by the protocol), or the aforementioned second indication information can be used to indicate the signal transmission power P2 and the second power threshold P4 of the first terminal device. This application embodiment does not limit this. This application embodiment does not limit the specific value of the second power threshold.

[0299] Method 6: The first time is less than or equal to the time threshold.

[0300] The first time can be defined as the time difference between the moment the second terminal device receives the first information and the moment the second terminal device uses the first information to communicate with the network device. Assuming the moment the second terminal device receives the first information is T0, and the moment the second terminal device uses the first information to communicate with the network device is T1, then the first time can be T1-T0. Let T2 be the time threshold. If the second terminal device determines that T1-T0 is less than or equal to T2, then the second terminal device can determine that the first information #1 from the first terminal device can be used. The second terminal device can then use this first information #1 to communicate with the network device; otherwise, the second terminal device will not use the first information #1 to communicate with the network device.

[0301] It is understandable that if the second terminal device is in motion, the aforementioned first information may become invalid due to the change in its position, meaning the second terminal device cannot use the first information to communicate with the network device. Therefore, when the second terminal device has the ability to determine whether it is in motion or in a state of motion, if the second terminal device determines that it is in a state of motion, it can verify the first information #1 by checking whether the first time is less than or equal to a time threshold.

[0302] It is understood that the time threshold T2 can be predefined or preconfigured (by the protocol), or the aforementioned second indication information can be used to indicate T2; this application embodiment does not limit this. This application embodiment does not limit the specific value of the time threshold.

[0303] Method 7: The beam identifier of the network device determined by the second terminal device is the same as the beam identifier associated with the first information.

[0304] The beam identifier of the network device may include at least one of the following: the ID of the network device, the ID of the cell to which the network device provides services, or the receive beam ID of the network device, etc., without limitation. If the second terminal device determines that the beam identifier associated with the first information is the same as the beam identifier of the network device determined by the second terminal device, the second terminal device can determine that the first information #1 from the first terminal device can be used, and the second terminal device can use the first information #1 to communicate with the network device; otherwise, the second terminal device will not use the first information #1 to communicate with the network device. It is understood that the specific implementation of the beam identifier of the network device determined by the second terminal device can refer to the prior art, and this application embodiment does not limit it in this regard.

[0305] It is understood that the aforementioned second indication information can be used to indicate the beam identifier associated with the first information.

[0306] Based on the above description, the second terminal device can use one or more of the methods 4-7 to verify the first information #1 to determine whether to use the first information #1 to communicate with the network device, thereby enabling the second terminal device to more accurately use the first information #1 to access the network device. It should be noted that methods 4-7 are merely examples, and the second terminal device can use any other possible method to verify the first information #1; this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0307] It is understood that the naming of the second instruction information mentioned above is only an example, and the second instruction information can be replaced with any other possible name without limitation.

[0308] In one possible design scheme, the above method also includes:

[0309] The first terminal device updates the first information according to the first cycle and obtains the updated first information.

[0310] The first terminal device sends the updated first information to the second terminal device. Correspondingly, the second terminal device receives the updated first information from the first terminal device.

[0311] The second terminal device communicates with the network device based on the updated first information.

[0312] That is, the updated first information can be obtained by the first terminal device updating the first information according to the first period. The first terminal device can periodically update the first information and send the updated first information to the second terminal device, so that the second terminal device can use the real-time updated first information to access the network device, thereby improving the success rate of the second terminal device accessing the network device and avoiding or reducing access failures. This application embodiment does not limit the specific value of the first period. It can be understood that the specific implementation of the second terminal device communicating with the network device based on the updated first information is similar to the implementation principle of the second terminal device communicating with the network device based on the first information, and can be understood by reference, without further elaboration.

[0313] Based on scenario 1 above, since the first terminal device and the second terminal device have established a connection, the updated first information is a unicast or multicast signal; based on scenario 2 above, since the first terminal device and the second terminal device have not established a connection, the first terminal device can send the updated first information in the form of broadcast, and correspondingly, the second terminal device can receive the updated first information broadcast by the first terminal device.

[0314] For example, Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of this application. It is understood that this embodiment uses the first terminal device, the second terminal device, and the network device shown in Figure 3 as examples of the execution entities for this interaction illustration, but this embodiment does not limit the execution entities for the interaction illustration. For example, the method executed by the network device in this embodiment can also be implemented by modules (e.g., circuits, processors, chips, or chip systems) in the network device, or by logical nodes, logical modules, or software capable of implementing all or part of the network device's functions; the method executed by the terminal devices (i.e., the first terminal device and the second terminal device) in this embodiment can also be implemented by a communication module in the terminal device or by circuits or chips (such as modem chips (also known as baseband chips), or SoC chips containing modem cores, or SIP chips) in the terminal device responsible for communication functions.

[0315] It is understood that in this embodiment, the first terminal device supports or has GNSS (which can be referred to as a GNSS UE), and the second terminal device does not support or does not have GNSS (which can be referred to as a non-GNSS UE). The second terminal device can be one of one or more GNSS-unsupporting terminal devices within the communication range of the first terminal device, and the first terminal device can be one of one or more GNSS-supporting terminal devices within the communication range of the second terminal device. The network device is a non-terrestrial network device, and its specific description can be found in the relevant content of the above communication system section, which will not be repeated here.

[0316] The communication method shown in Figure 5 differs from that shown in Figure 4 in that the first and second terminal devices can establish a connection spontaneously without instruction from the network device (such as the first and second instruction information mentioned above). After the first and second terminal devices establish a connection, the second terminal device can send a first request to the first terminal device (based on the case where the first terminal device supports GNSS and the second terminal device does not), requesting the first terminal device to send first information to the second terminal device. The second terminal device can then communicate with the network device based on the first information. Otherwise, the communication method shown in Figure 5 is similar to that shown in Figure 4 and can be understood by reference; further details will not be provided later.

[0317] As shown in Figure 5, the flow of this communication method is as follows:

[0318] S501, the second terminal device sends a first request to the first terminal device. Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the first request from the second terminal device.

[0319] The first request can be used to request the first terminal device to send first information to the second terminal device, and the first information is used for the second terminal device to communicate with the network device.

[0320] In one possible design, the first information includes one or more first parameters. Each of the one or more first parameters includes at least one of the following: first timing advance information; first frequency offset information; time information; reference position information; ephemeris information of the network device; second timing advance information; or, second frequency offset information.

[0321] The first timing advance information includes timing advance TA and / or time-varying information of TA; the first frequency offset information may include frequency offset and / or time-varying information of frequency offset; the time information may be used to indicate the effective time of the first parameter; the reference position information may be used by the second terminal device to calculate TA and frequency offset; the second timing advance information may include TA offset and / or time-varying information of TA offset; the second frequency offset information may include frequency offset offset and / or time-varying information of frequency offset offset.

[0322] In one possible design, the first information may further include one or more first cell identifiers, which are associated with one or more first parameters. It is understood that the relevant description of the first information can be found in step S401 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0323] In one possible design, before the first terminal device receives a first request from the second terminal device, or before the second terminal device sends a first request to the first terminal device, the method further includes:

[0324] The first terminal device establishes a connection with the second terminal device. Correspondingly, the second terminal device establishes a connection with the first terminal device.

[0325] The connection can be a sidelink connection or a non-3GPP connection. For details, please refer to the relevant content in Case 1 of step S402 above; it will not be repeated here. It is understood that the first terminal device and the second terminal device can establish a connection spontaneously without instruction from the network device (such as the first instruction information and the third instruction information mentioned above).

[0326] In one possible design, before the first terminal device receives the first request from the second terminal device, the above method further includes:

[0327] The first terminal device sends first capability information to the second terminal device. Correspondingly, the second terminal device receives the first capability information from the first terminal device.

[0328] The second terminal device sends a first request to the first terminal device based on the first capability information and the second capability information.

[0329] Specifically, the first capability information can be used to indicate that the first terminal device supports GNSS, and the second capability information can be used to indicate that the second terminal device does not support GNSS. The second terminal device can determine, based on the first capability information sent by the first terminal device and its own capability information (i.e., the second capability information), that the first terminal device supports GNSS and the second terminal device does not support GNSS, and then send a first request to the first terminal device. For a detailed explanation, please refer to the relevant content in case 1 of step S402 above; it will not be repeated here.

[0330] In one possible design, the connection is a sidelink connection, and the first capability information can be carried in a sidelink system message; alternatively, the second terminal device receives the first capability information from the first terminal device, including:

[0331] After establishing a connection with the first terminal device, the second terminal device receives the first capability information from the first terminal device.

[0332] It is understood that the specific implementation of this process can be referred to the relevant content in Case 1 of step S402 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0333] In one possible design, the first request may include a second cell identifier, which can be used to indicate a candidate cell for the second terminal device. The method further includes: the first terminal device determining a first parameter associated with the second cell identifier based on the second cell identifier.

[0334] The first terminal device determines the first information based on the first parameter associated with the second cell identifier.

[0335] It is understood that the specific implementation of this process can be referred to the relevant content in Case 1 of step S402 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0336] It is understood that the naming of the first request and the first information above is only an example, and the first request and the first information can be replaced with any other possible names without limitation.

[0337] S502, the first terminal device sends first information to the second terminal device according to the first request. Correspondingly, the second terminal device receives the first information from the first terminal device.

[0338] After receiving the first request, the first terminal device can determine that there are terminal devices that need its assistance in accessing the second terminal device. At this time, the first terminal device then determines and sends the first information to the second terminal device according to the first request.

[0339] S503, the second terminal device communicates with the network device based on the first information.

[0340] It is understood that the specific implementation of step S503 can be referred to the introduction of the relevant content of step S403 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0341] In summary, the first terminal device can send first information to the second terminal device based on a first request received from the second terminal device. Since the first terminal device supports GNSS, it can obtain its own location information by combining the positioning capabilities provided by GNSS, and calculate the information required to access the network device based on its own location information. The first terminal device can send the information required to access the network device to the second terminal device, which does not support GNSS, through the first information to assist or facilitate the second terminal device's access to the network device and communication with it. Therefore, when the network device is a non-terrestrial network device, the second terminal device can use the first information sent by the first terminal device to access the non-terrestrial network device. This solves the problem that terminal devices without or without GNSS support, i.e., the second terminal device, cannot access the NTN network (i.e., the aforementioned non-terrestrial network device).

[0342] In conjunction with the above embodiments, in one possible design scheme, the method further includes:

[0343] The first terminal device sends a second instruction message to the second terminal device. Correspondingly, the second terminal device receives the second instruction message from the first terminal device.

[0344] The second terminal device determines, based on the second instruction information, that when the first condition is met, it will use the first information to communicate with the network device.

[0345] The second indication information can be used by the second terminal device to determine whether to use the first information to communicate with the network device. When the first condition is met, the second terminal device determines to use the first information to communicate with the network device.

[0346] The first condition includes at least one of the following: the received signal power of the second terminal device is greater than or equal to a first power threshold; the path loss between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is less than or equal to a second power threshold; and the first time is less than or equal to a time threshold. Wherein, the first time is the time difference between the moment when the second terminal device receives the first information and the moment when the second terminal device uses the first information to communicate with the network device; or, the beam identifier of the network device determined by the second terminal device is the same as the beam identifier associated with the first information.

[0347] It is understood that the specific implementation of this process can be referred to the relevant content in the communication method diagram shown in Figure 4 above, and will not be repeated here. The naming of the second instruction information mentioned above is only an example, and the second instruction information can be replaced with any other possible name without limitation.

[0348] In one possible design scheme, the above method also includes:

[0349] The first terminal device updates the first information according to the first cycle and obtains the updated first information.

[0350] The first terminal device sends the updated first information to the second terminal device. Correspondingly, the second terminal device receives the updated first information from the first terminal device.

[0351] The second terminal device communicates with the network device based on the updated first information.

[0352] That is, the updated first information can be obtained by the first terminal device updating the first information according to the first period. The first terminal device can periodically update the first information and send the updated first information to the second terminal device, so that the second terminal device can use the real-time updated first information to access the network device, thereby improving the success rate of the second terminal device accessing the network device and avoiding or reducing access failures. The specific value of the first period is not limited in the embodiments of this application. It can be understood that the specific implementation of the second terminal device communicating with the network device according to the updated first information is similar to the implementation principle of the second terminal device communicating with the network device according to the first information, and can be understood by reference, without being elaborated. It can be understood that in the communication method shown in Figure 5, since the first terminal device and the second terminal device have established a connection, the updated first information is a unicast or multicast signal.

[0353] The communication method provided by the embodiments of this application has been described in detail above with reference to Figures 4 and 5. The communication apparatus used to perform the communication method provided by the embodiments of this application is described in detail below with reference to Figures 6 and 7.

[0354] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. As exemplarily shown in Figure 6, the communication device 600 includes a transceiver module 601 and a processing module 602. For ease of explanation, Figure 6 only shows the main components of the communication device 600.

[0355] The transceiver module 601 is used to perform the transceiver function of the method shown in Figure 4 or Figure 5 above, and the processing module 602 is used to perform other functions of the method shown in Figure 4 or Figure 5 above besides the transceiver function.

[0356] For example, transceiver module 601 is used to receive first indication information from network device and send first information to second terminal device according to the first indication information. The first indication information is used to instruct the second terminal device to send first information, and the first information is used for communication between the second terminal device and network device; the first terminal device supports Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), while the second terminal device does not support GNSS.

[0357] Alternatively, the transceiver module 601 is configured to receive a first request from the second terminal device and, based on the first request, send first information to the second terminal device. The first request is used to request the sending of first information to the second terminal device, and the first information is used for communication between the second terminal device and the network device; the second terminal device supports Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), or it does not support GNSS.

[0358] Alternatively, transceiver module 601 is used to receive first information from the first terminal device. Processing module 602 is used to communicate with the network device based on the first information. The first information is used for communication between the second terminal device and the network device; the second terminal device does not support Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), while the first terminal device does support GNSS.

[0359] Alternatively, processing module 602 is used to control transceiver module 601 to send first instruction information to the first terminal device and third instruction information to the second terminal device. The first instruction information is used to instruct the second terminal device to send first information, which is used for communication between the second terminal device and the network device; the first terminal device supports Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), while the second terminal device does not. The third instruction information is used to instruct the establishment of a connection with the first terminal device and the receipt of the first information from the first terminal device; or, the third instruction information is used to instruct the receipt of the first information broadcast by the first terminal device.

[0360] Optionally, the transceiver module 601 may include a transmitting module (not shown in FIG. 6) and a receiving module (not shown in FIG. 6). The transmitting module is used to implement the transmitting function of the communication device 600, and the receiving module is used to implement the receiving function of the communication device 600.

[0361] Optionally, the communication device 600 may further include a storage module (not shown in FIG. 6) that stores programs or instructions. When the processing module 602 executes the program or instructions, the communication device 600 can perform the functions of the terminal device (first terminal device, second terminal device) and / or network device in the method shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5 above.

[0362] It is understood that the communication device 600 may be a terminal device (first terminal device, second terminal device), or a chip (system) or other component or assembly that can be disposed in the terminal device (first terminal device, second terminal device), or a device that includes the terminal device (first terminal device, second terminal device); or, the communication device 600 may be a network device, or a chip (system) or other component or assembly that can be disposed in the network device, or a device that includes the network device. The embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0363] Furthermore, the technical effects of the communication device 600 can be referred to the technical effects of the communication method shown in Figure 4 or Figure 5, and will not be repeated here.

[0364] For example, Figure 7 is a second schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device can be a terminal device (first terminal device, second terminal device) or a network device, or it can be a chip (system) or other component or assembly of the terminal device (first terminal device, second terminal device) or network device. As shown in Figure 7, the communication device 700 may include a processor 701. Optionally, the communication device 700 may also include a memory 702 and / or a transceiver 703. The processor 701 is coupled to the memory 702 and the transceiver 703, and may be connected via a communication bus.

[0365] The following section, with reference to Figure 7, provides a detailed description of each component of the communication device 700:

[0366] The processor 701 is the control center of the communication device 700. It can be a single processor or a collective term for multiple processing elements. For example, the processor 701 can be one or more central processing units (CPUs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the embodiments of this application, such as one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), or one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

[0367] Optionally, the processor 701 can perform various functions of the communication device 700 by running or executing software programs stored in the memory 702 and calling data stored in the memory 702, such as performing the communication methods shown in FIG4 or FIG5 above.

[0368] In a specific implementation, as one example, processor 701 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 shown in FIG7.

[0369] In a specific implementation, as one embodiment, the communication device 700 may also include multiple processors, such as processors 701 and 704 shown in FIG. 7. Each of these processors may be a single-core processor (single-CPU) or a multi-core processor (multi-CPU). Here, a processor may refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores for processing data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0370] For example, taking processor 701 as an example, processor 701 may include communication and processing circuitry. The communication and processing circuitry may include one or more hardware components that provide a physical structure that performs various processes related to wireless communication (e.g., signal reception and / or signal transmission). The communication and processing circuitry may include two or more transmit / receive chains. The functions implemented by the communication and processing circuitry may also be processed on a computer-readable medium.

[0371] The memory 702 is used to store the software program that executes the solution of this application, and is controlled by the processor 701 to execute it. The specific implementation method can be referred to the above method embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0372] Optionally, the memory 702 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device capable of storing static information and instructions, random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device capable of storing information and instructions, or electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible by a computer, but not limited thereto. The memory 702 may be integrated with the processor 701 or may exist independently and be coupled to the processor 701 through the interface circuit of the communication device 700 (not shown in FIG. 7). This application embodiment does not specifically limit this.

[0373] Transceiver 703 is used for communication with other communication devices. For example, if communication device 700 is a terminal device, transceiver 703 can be used to communicate with a network device or with another terminal device. As another example, if communication device 700 is a network device, transceiver 703 can be used to communicate with a terminal device or with another network device.

[0374] Optionally, transceiver 703 may include a receiver and a transmitter (not shown separately in Figure 7). The receiver is used to implement the receiving function, and the transmitter is used to implement the transmitting function.

[0375] Optionally, the transceiver 703 can be integrated with the processor 701 or exist independently and be coupled to the processor 701 through the interface circuit of the communication device 700 (not shown in FIG. 7). This application embodiment does not specifically limit this.

[0376] It should be noted that the structure of the communication device 700 shown in Figure 7 does not constitute a limitation on the communication device. The actual communication device may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements.

[0377] Furthermore, the technical effects of the communication device 700 can be referred to the technical effects of the communication method shown in Figure 4 or Figure 5 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0378] This application provides a communication system. The communication system may include a first terminal device, a second terminal device, and a network device as described in the above method embodiments.

[0379] It should be understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application can be a central processing unit (CPU), or it can be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0380] It should also be understood that the memory in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of random access memory (RAM) are available, such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous DRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous DRAM (ESDRAM), synchronous linked DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0381] The above embodiments can be implemented, in whole or in part, by software, hardware (such as circuits), firmware, or any other combination thereof. When implemented using software, the above embodiments can be implemented, in whole or in part, in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions or computer programs. When the computer instructions or computer programs are loaded or executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) 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 includes one or more sets of available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium. A semiconductor medium can be a solid-state drive.

[0382] It should be understood that the term "and / or" in this article is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. A and B can be singular or plural. Additionally, the character " / " in this article generally indicates an "or" relationship between the preceding and following related objects, but it can also represent an "and / or" relationship. Please refer to the context for a more accurate understanding.

[0383] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0384] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of this application, the order of the above-mentioned processes does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0385] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0386] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0387] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0388] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0389] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0390] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0391] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to the first terminal device, including: Receive first indication information from a network device; wherein the first indication information is used to instruct the sending of first information to a second terminal device, and the first information is used for the second terminal device to communicate with the network device; the first terminal device supports Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), and the second terminal device does not support GNSS; According to the first instruction information, the first information is sent to the second terminal device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first indication information is further used to indicate the establishment of a connection with the second terminal device; before sending the first information to the second terminal device according to the first indication information, the method further includes: A connection is established with the second terminal device according to the first instruction information; wherein the connection is a sidelink connection or a non-3GPP connection.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send first capability information to the second terminal device; wherein, the first capability information is used to indicate that the first terminal device supports the GNSS; Receive a first request from the second terminal device; wherein the first request is used to request that the first information be sent to the second terminal device; Sending the first information to the second terminal device according to the first indication information includes: Based on the first request and the first instruction information, the first information is sent to the second terminal device.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first indication information is used to instruct the sending of first information to the second terminal device, including: the first indication information is used to instruct the sending of the first information to the second terminal device via broadcast; Sending the first information to the second terminal device according to the first indication information includes: According to the first instruction information, the first information is sent to the second terminal device via broadcast.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first information is associated with a sidelink system message, and the association includes at least one of the following: The first information is carried in the side link system message; The sidelink system message is used to indicate the time-frequency resources occupied by the first information; or, The association between the sidelink synchronization signal and the time-frequency resources occupied by the first information is pre-configured or pre-defined, and the sidelink system message is used to indicate whether the first terminal device sends the first information.

6. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to the first terminal device, including: Receive a first request from a second terminal device; wherein the first request is used to request the sending of first information to the second terminal device, the first information being used by the second terminal device to communicate with a network device; the first terminal device supports Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), while the second terminal device does not support GNSS; Based on the first request, the first information is sent to the second terminal device.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, Before receiving the first request from the second terminal device, the method further includes: Send first capability information to the second terminal device; wherein, the first capability information is used to indicate that the first terminal device supports the GNSS; Establish a connection with the second terminal device; wherein the connection is a sidelink connection or a non-3GPP connection.

8. The method according to claim 3 or 7, characterized in that, The connection is the sidelink connection, and the first capability information is carried in the sidelink system message; or, the first capability information is sent to the second terminal device, including: After establishing the connection with the second terminal device, the first capability information is sent to the second terminal device.

9. The method according to claim 3 or any one of 6-8, characterized in that, The first request includes a second cell identifier, which is used to indicate a candidate cell for the second terminal device; the method further includes: Based on the second cell identifier, determine the first parameter associated with the second cell identifier; The first information is determined based on the first parameter associated with the second cell identifier.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first information is updated according to the first cycle to obtain the updated first information; The updated first information is sent to the second terminal device.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that, The first information includes one or more first parameters, each of the one or more first parameters including at least one of the following: First timing advance information; wherein, the first timing advance information includes timing advance TA and / or time-varying information of the TA; First frequency offset information; wherein the first frequency offset information includes frequency offset and / or time-varying information of the frequency offset; Time information; wherein the time information is used to indicate the effective time of the first parameter; Reference location information; wherein, the reference location information is used by the second terminal device to calculate the TA and the frequency offset; The ephemeris information of the network device; Second timing advance information; wherein, the second timing advance information includes TA offset and / or time-varying information of the TA offset; or, Second frequency offset information; wherein the second frequency offset information includes frequency offset offset and / or time-varying information of the frequency offset offset.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The first information also includes one or more first cell identifiers, which are associated with the one or more first parameters.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1-12, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a second indication message to the second terminal device; wherein the second indication message is used by the second terminal device to determine whether to use the first information to communicate with the network device; When a first condition is met, the second terminal device determines to use the first information to communicate with the network device; wherein the first condition includes at least one of the following: The received signal power of the second terminal device is greater than or equal to the first power threshold. The path loss between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is less than or equal to the second power threshold. The first time is less than or equal to a time threshold; wherein, the first time is the time difference between the moment the second terminal device receives the first information and the moment the second terminal device uses the first information to communicate with the network device; or... The beam identifier of the network device determined by the second terminal device is the same as the beam identifier associated with the first information.

14. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to second terminal devices, including: The system receives first information from a first terminal device; wherein the first information is used for communication between the second terminal device and a network device; the second terminal device does not support Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), while the first terminal device supports GNSS. Communicate with the network device based on the first information.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The first information includes one or more first parameters, each of the one or more first parameters including at least one of the following: First timing advance information; wherein, the first timing advance information includes timing advance TA and / or time-varying information of the TA; First frequency offset information; wherein the first frequency offset information includes frequency offset and / or time-varying information of the frequency offset; Time information; wherein the time information is used to indicate the effective time of the first parameter; Reference location information; wherein, the reference location information is used by the second terminal device to calculate the TA and the frequency offset; The ephemeris information of the network device; Second timing advance information; wherein, the second timing advance information includes TA offset and / or time-varying information of the TA offset; or, Second frequency offset information; wherein the second frequency offset information includes frequency offset offset and / or time-varying information of the frequency offset offset.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The first information also includes one or more first cell identifiers, which are associated with the one or more first parameters.

17. The method according to any one of claims 14-16, characterized in that, Before receiving the first information from the first terminal device, the method further includes: Establish a connection with the first terminal device; wherein the connection is a sidelink connection or a non-3GPP connection.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, Before receiving the first information from the first terminal device, the method further includes: Receive first capability information from the first terminal device; wherein the first capability information is used to indicate that the first terminal device supports the GNSS; Based on the first capability information and the second capability information, a first request is sent to the first terminal device; wherein, the first request is used to request the first information to be sent to the second terminal device, and the second capability information is used to indicate that the second terminal device does not support the GNSS.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The connection is the sidelink connection, and the first capability information is carried in the sidelink system message; or, receiving the first capability information from the first terminal device includes: After establishing the connection with the first terminal device, the first capability information is received from the first terminal device.

20. The method according to any one of claims 17-19, characterized in that, Before receiving the first information from the first terminal device, the method further includes: Receive third indication information from the network device; wherein the third indication information is used to indicate establishing a connection with the first terminal device and to receive first information from the first terminal device; The establishment of a connection with the first terminal device includes: The connection is established with the first terminal device according to the third indication information; Receiving the first information from the first terminal device includes: According to the third instruction information, the first information from the first terminal device is received.

21. The method according to any one of claims 14-16, characterized in that, The receiving of first information from the first terminal device includes: Receive the first information sent by the first terminal device in a broadcast format.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive third indication information from the network device; wherein the third indication information is used to indicate receiving the first information sent by the first terminal device in a broadcast manner; Receiving the first information broadcast by the first terminal device includes: According to the third instruction information, the first information sent by the first terminal device in broadcast form is received.

23. The method according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that, The first information is associated with a sidelink system message, and the association includes at least one of the following: The first information is carried in the side link system message; The sidelink system message is used to indicate the time-frequency resources occupied by the first information; or, The association between the sidelink synchronization signal and the time-frequency resources occupied by the first information is pre-configured or pre-defined, and the sidelink system message is used to indicate whether the first terminal device sends the first information.

24. The method according to any one of claims 14-23, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive updated first information from the first terminal device; wherein the updated first information is obtained by the first terminal device updating the first information according to a first cycle; Communicate with the network device based on the updated first information.

25. The method according to any one of claims 14-24, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive second indication information from the first terminal device; wherein the second indication information is used by the second terminal device to determine whether to use the first information to communicate with the network device; Based on the second indication information, when the first condition is met, the first information is used to communicate with the network device; The first condition includes at least one of the following: The received signal power of the second terminal device is greater than or equal to the first power threshold. The path loss between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is less than or equal to the second power threshold. The first time is less than or equal to a time threshold; wherein, the first time is the time difference between the moment the second terminal device receives the first information and the moment the second terminal device uses the first information to communicate with the network device; or... The beam identifier of the network device determined by the second terminal device is the same as the beam identifier associated with the first information.

26. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to network devices, including: Send a first instruction message to a first terminal device; wherein the first instruction message is used to instruct the sending of first information to a second terminal device, and the first information is used for the second terminal device to communicate with the network device; the first terminal device supports Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), and the second terminal device does not support GNSS; Send a third indication message to the second terminal device; wherein the third indication message is used to indicate establishing a connection with the first terminal device and receiving first information from the first terminal device; or, the third indication message is used to indicate receiving the first information sent by the first terminal device in a broadcast form.

27. The method according to any one of claims 1-26, characterized in that, The network device is a non-terrestrial network device.

28. A communication device, characterized in that, include: At least one processor; The at least one processor is configured to run a computer program or instructions to enable the method as described in any one of claims 1-27 to be implemented.

29. A communication chip, characterized in that, It stores instructions that, when the chip is running on a communication device, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1-27 to be implemented.

30. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium includes a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-27.

31. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes: a computer program or instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-27.

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