Satellite communication method and related apparatus

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide a satellite communication method and a related apparatus. A network device supports activation of a first type of beam and a second type of beam. The coverage range of the first type of beam is wide, and the coverage range of the second type of beam is narrow, or the half-power beam width of the first type of beam is large, and the half-power beam width of the second type of beam is small. It can be understood that: a beam having a large half-power beam width results in the beam having a wide coverage range, and because a network device supports activating a beam with a wide coverage range, the increased coverage range of such a beam can enhance the coverage area of the network device. In the present satellite communication method, a terminal receives an SSB sent by the network device on the basis of a first beam. The first type of beam is activated by the network device in a number M of consecutive SSB periods. The terminal sends uplink control information and / or uplink service data on the basis of a second beam, or receives downlink control information and / or downlink service data on the basis of the second beam. The first type of beam comprises the first beam, and the second type of beam comprises the second beam.

Description

Satellite communication methods and related devices

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411532221.3, filed on October 30, 2024, entitled "Satellite Communication Method and Related Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of satellite communication technology, and in particular to a satellite communication method and related apparatus. Background Technology

[0003] Satellite communication is a type of non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication. Compared with terrestrial network communication, satellite communication has the advantages of wide coverage, less susceptibility to natural disasters or external damage, and can be used to provide communication services to areas that cannot be covered by terrestrial networks.

[0004] Satellites, a crucial component of satellite communications, operate in space and are powered by solar panels. This means that satellites can only utilize limited energy storage to achieve network coverage during communication. Typically, in satellite communication systems, satellites use high-gain beams to cover the ground, with one beam covering one area. A single satellite can provide thousands of beams to cover an area, but due to the limited energy storage, a satellite cannot activate all beams simultaneously for communication. This prevents the satellite from achieving large-area coverage, let alone full coverage. Therefore, how to enhance the coverage area of ​​satellite communications is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a satellite communication method and related apparatus, with the aim of enhancing the satellite coverage area.

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

[0007] Firstly, this application provides a satellite communication method, which can be executed by a terminal, or by a component configured in the terminal (such as a circuit, chip, or chip system), or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal's functions. This application does not limit the scope of this method. The following description uses a terminal as an example.

[0008] The satellite communication method includes: a terminal receiving a synchronization signal block (SSB); wherein the SSB is transmitted by a network device based on a first beam, and the network device supports the activation of beams including a first type of beam and a second type of beam, wherein the half-power beamwidth of the first type of beam is greater than a first threshold, and the half-power beamwidth of the second type of beam is less than the first threshold, or the coverage area of ​​the first type of beam is greater than the coverage area of ​​the second type of beam, or the coverage area of ​​the first type of beam is greater than the second threshold, and the coverage area of ​​the second type of beam is less than the second threshold; the first type of beam includes a first beam, and the second type of beam includes a second beam; the first type of beam supported by the network device is activated by the network device in M ​​consecutive SSB cycles; the terminal transmits uplink control information and / or uplink service data based on the second beam, or receives downlink control information and / or downlink service data based on the second beam.

[0009] In the above technical solution, the network device supports the activation of two types of beams: those with different coverage ranges and those with different half-power beamwidths. This means that a beam with a larger half-power beamwidth has a wider coverage range. Since the network device supports activating beams with wider coverage ranges, the increased coverage of these beams enhances the coverage area of ​​the network device.

[0010] Furthermore, since the SSB period for activating the first type of beam and transmitting the SSB is continuous, the time required for the network device to activate the first type of beam can be shortened.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the terminal sending service request information to the network device; wherein the terminal sends uplink control information and / or uplink service data based on a second type of beam, or receives downlink control information and / or downlink service data based on a second type of beam, including: the terminal sending uplink control information and / or uplink service data based on a first beam, or receiving downlink control information and / or downlink service data based on a first beam during the data period corresponding to the service request information.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the terminal receiving a first message, the first message being used to indicate M.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the terminal receives a first message, which includes: the terminal receiving the first message based on one or more of the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), Paging Control Channel (PCCH), Access Grant Channel (AGCH), and Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH).

[0014] In one possible implementation, the first message is the System Information Block (SIB).

[0015] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the terminal receiving a second message, the second message indicating N, where N refers to the number of consecutive data periods determined by the network device.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the terminal receives a second message, which includes: the terminal receiving the second message based on one or more of the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), Paging Control Channel (PCCH), Access Grant Channel (AGCH), and Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH).

[0017] In one possible implementation, the second message is a System Information Block (SIB).

[0018] In one possible implementation, before the terminal transmits uplink control information and / or uplink service data based on the second beam, or receives downlink control information and / or downlink service data based on the second beam, the method further includes: the terminal receiving a third message, the third message indicating time-frequency domain resources for indicating the terminal's service data, and a modulation and coding scheme (MCS), wherein the time-frequency domain resources are used to indicate: the data period corresponding to the terminal's service data; the service data includes uplink service data and / or downlink service data.

[0019] Secondly, this application provides a satellite communication method, which can be executed by a network device, or by a component (such as a circuit, chip, or chip system) configured in the network device, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the network device. This application does not limit the scope of this method. The following description uses a network device as an example.

[0020] The network device supports the activation of beams including a first type of beam and a second type of beam. The half-power beamwidth of the first type of beam is greater than a first threshold, and the half-power beamwidth of the second type of beam is less than the first threshold. The coverage area of ​​the first type of beam is greater than the coverage area of ​​the second type of beam, or the coverage area of ​​the first type of beam is greater than the threshold, and the coverage area of ​​the second type of beam is less than the threshold. The first type of beam includes a first beam, and the second type of beam includes a second beam. The satellite communication method includes: the network device determining M consecutive synchronization signal block (SSB) periods, where M is a positive integer; the network device activating the first type of beam to transmit SSB during the M consecutive SSB periods; the network device determining N consecutive data periods, where N is a positive integer; the network device activating the second type of beam during the N consecutive data periods to transmit downlink control information and / or downlink service data of the terminal, or to receive uplink control information and / or uplink service data of the terminal.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the network device determines M consecutive synchronization signal block (SSB) periods, including: the network device determines the M consecutive SSB periods based on a rule that fully covers the beam coverage area of ​​the network device.

[0022] In one possible implementation, the network device determines N consecutive data periods, including: the network device performs location clustering on multiple terminals, the multiple terminals being within the beam coverage area of ​​the network device, and the location clustering rule is: terminals within the coverage area of ​​the same second-type beam belong to one category; the network device obtains N consecutive data periods based on the location clustering results of the multiple terminals.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the location clustering rules also include: for a terminal belonging to the coverage area of ​​multiple second-type beams, the principle is to determine the terminal's category as little as possible, given that the terminal belongs to the coverage area of ​​multiple second-type beams. A fewer number of terminal categories indicates that the network device activates fewer second-type beams during the data cycle, thus saving network device resources.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the network device obtains N consecutive data periods based on the location clustering results of multiple terminals, including: the network device determining the number of terminal categories indicated by the location clustering results; and multiple terminals determining N as a value less than or equal to the number of terminal categories.

[0025] In one possible implementation, after the network device determines N consecutive data periods, the process further includes: the network device receiving service request information from the terminal; and the network device determining the data period corresponding to the service request information.

[0026] Specifically, the network device activates the second type beam to send downlink control information and / or downlink service data of the terminal, or receives uplink control information and / or uplink service data of the terminal during N consecutive data cycles. This includes: the network device activating the second beam to send downlink control information and / or downlink service data of the terminal, or receiving uplink control information and / or uplink service data of the terminal during the data cycle corresponding to the service request information. The second beam belongs to the second type beam, and the terminal is within the coverage area of ​​the second beam.

[0027] In one possible implementation, the higher the priority of the service indicated by the terminal's service request information, the earlier the data period corresponding to the service request information is in the consecutive N data periods. This allows the network device to prioritize the execution of high-priority services.

[0028] In one possible implementation, after the network device determines M consecutive synchronization signal block (SSB) cycles, it further includes: the network device sending a first message, which is used to indicate M.

[0029] In one possible implementation, the network device sends a first message based on one or more of the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), Paging Control Channel (PCCH), Access Grant Channel (AGCH), and Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH).

[0030] In one possible implementation, the first message is the System Information Block (SIB).

[0031] In one possible implementation, the network device sends a first message, including: the network device sends the first message based on a first type of beam.

[0032] In one possible implementation, after the network device determines N consecutive data cycles, it further includes: the network device sending a second message, the second message indicating N.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the network device sends a second message based on one or more of the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), Paging Control Channel (PCCH), Access Grant Channel (AGCH), and Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH).

[0034] In one possible implementation, the second message is a System Information Block (SIB).

[0035] In one possible implementation, the network device sends a second message, including: the network device sends the second message based on a second type of beam.

[0036] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the network device sending a third message, which is used to indicate the time-frequency domain resources of the terminal's service data and the modulation and coding scheme (MCS). The time-frequency domain resources are used to indicate: the data period corresponding to the terminal's service data; the service data includes uplink service data and / or downlink service data.

[0037] Thirdly, this application provides a communication device including a transceiver module for receiving a synchronization signal block (SSB); and for transmitting uplink control information and / or uplink service data based on a second beam, or receiving downlink control information and / or downlink service data based on the second beam; wherein the network device supports the activation of beams including a first type of beam and a second type of beam, wherein the half-power beamwidth of the first type of beam is greater than a first threshold, and the half-power beamwidth of the second type of beam is less than the first threshold, or the coverage area of ​​the first type of beam is greater than the coverage area of ​​the second type of beam, or the coverage area of ​​the first type of beam is greater than the second threshold, and the coverage area of ​​the second type of beam is less than the second threshold; the first type of beam includes a first beam, and the second type of beam includes a second beam.

[0038] It should be understood that the communication device of the third aspect can be used to perform any or all of the possible implementations of the first aspect.

[0039] Fourthly, this application provides a communication device, which includes a processing module and a transceiver module. The processing module is used to determine M consecutive synchronization signal block (SSB) periods, where M is a positive integer, and N consecutive data periods, where N is a positive integer. The transceiver module is used to activate a first type of beam to transmit SSB during the M consecutive SSB periods, and is also used to activate a second type of beam to transmit downlink control information and / or downlink service data of the terminal during the N consecutive data periods, or to receive uplink control information and / or uplink service data of the terminal. In this communication device, the network equipment supports the activation of beams including a first type of beam and a second type of beam. The half-power beamwidth of the first type of beam is greater than a first threshold, and the half-power beamwidth of the second type of beam is less than the first threshold. Alternatively, the coverage area of ​​the first type of beam is greater than the coverage area of ​​the second type of beam, or the coverage area of ​​the first type of beam is greater than a second threshold, and the coverage area of ​​the second type of beam is less than a second threshold. The first type of beam includes a first beam, and the second type of beam includes a second beam.

[0040] It should be understood that the communication device of the sixth aspect can be used to perform any or all of the possible implementations of the second aspect.

[0041] Fifthly, this application provides a communication device including a processor coupled to a memory, which can be used to execute instructions or data in the memory to implement the method in any possible implementation of the first aspect above.

[0042] In one possible implementation, the communication device also includes a memory.

[0043] In one possible implementation, the communication device further includes a communication interface, to which the processor is coupled. In one implementation, the communication interface may be a transceiver, or an input / output interface.

[0044] In another implementation, the communication device is a chip configured in the terminal. When the communication device is a chip configured in the terminal, the communication interface can be an input / output interface.

[0045] In a sixth aspect, this application provides a communication device including a processor coupled to a memory, which can be used to execute instructions or data in the memory to implement the method in any possible implementation of the second aspect above.

[0046] In one possible implementation, the communication device also includes a memory.

[0047] In one possible implementation, the communication device further includes a communication interface, to which the processor is coupled. In one implementation, the communication interface may be a transceiver, or an input / output interface.

[0048] In another implementation, the communication device is a chip configured in a satellite. When the communication device is a chip configured in a satellite, the communication interface can be an input / output interface.

[0049] In a seventh aspect, this application provides a processor, including: an input circuit, an output circuit, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is used to receive signals through the input circuit and transmit signals through the output circuit, causing the processor to execute the method in any possible implementation of any aspect.

[0050] In specific implementation, the processor can be one or more chips, the input circuit can be input pins, the output circuit can be output pins, and the processing circuit can be transistors, gate circuits, flip-flops, and various logic circuits. The input signal received by the input circuit can be received and input by, for example, but not limited to, a receiver, and the signal output by the output circuit can be, for example, but not limited to, output to and transmitted by a transmitter. Furthermore, the input circuit and the output circuit can be the same circuit, which is used as both the input circuit and the output circuit at different times. This application does not limit the specific implementation of the processor and various circuits.

[0051] Eighthly, this application provides a computer program product comprising: a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions) that, when run, causes a computer to perform a method in any of the possible implementations of any of the above aspects.

[0052] Ninthly, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions) that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method in any possible implementation of any of the above aspects.

[0053] In a tenth aspect, this application provides a chip system including one or more processors for calling and executing instructions stored in memory, causing the methods in any of the above aspects or possible implementations to be executed. The chip system may be composed of a chip or may include chips and other discrete devices. The chip system may include input circuitry or interfaces for transmitting information or data, and output circuitry or interfaces for receiving information or data.

[0054] In the eleventh aspect, this application provides a communication system, including the aforementioned terminal and network equipment.

[0055] In one possible implementation, the communication system may also include other devices that communicate with the terminal and / or network devices. Attached Figure Description

[0056] Figure 1 shows an example of a network device communicating with a terminal.

[0057] Figure 2 is a diagram showing the projection of the satellite's active beams on the ground within its coverage area;

[0058] Figure 3 is a diagram showing the coverage of the first type of beam and the second type of beam disclosed in the embodiments of this application;

[0059] Figure 4 is a flowchart of the satellite communication method disclosed in an embodiment of this application;

[0060] Figure 5 is a structural diagram of the frame period disclosed in the embodiments of this application;

[0061] Figure 6 is a flowchart of another satellite communication method disclosed in an embodiment of this application;

[0062] Figure 7 is a structural example diagram of a communication device disclosed in an embodiment of this application;

[0063] Figure 8 is a structural example diagram of another communication device disclosed in an embodiment of this application;

[0064] Figure 9 is a structural example diagram of another communication device disclosed in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0065] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terminology used in the following embodiments is for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to be a limitation of this application. As used in the specification and appended claims of this application, the singular expressions "a," "an," "the," "the," "the," and "this" are intended to also include expressions such as "one or more," unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that in the embodiments of this application, "one or more" refers to one, two, or more; "and / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships may exist; for example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0066] References to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" as described in this specification mean that one or more embodiments of this application include a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment. Therefore, the phrases "in one embodiment," "in some embodiments," "in other embodiments," "in still other embodiments," etc., appearing in different parts of this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but rather mean "one or more, but not all, embodiments," unless otherwise specifically emphasized. The terms "comprising," "including," "having," and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to," unless otherwise specifically emphasized.

[0067] The "multiple" mentioned in the embodiments of this application refers to two or more. It should be noted that in the description of the embodiments of this application, terms such as "first" and "second" are used only for the purpose of distinguishing descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, nor should they be construed as indicating or implying order.

[0068] The technical solution of this application can be applied to non-terrestrial network (NTN) systems such as satellite communication systems, high altitude platform station (HAPS) communications, air-to-ground (A2G) communications, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Examples include integrated communication and navigation (ICaN) systems and global navigation satellite systems (GNSS).

[0069] Satellite communication systems can be integrated with mobile communication systems. For example, mobile communication systems can be fourth-generation (4G) communication systems (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication systems, fifth-generation (5G) communication systems (e.g., new radio (NR) systems), and future mobile communication systems, etc.

[0070] The communication system provided in this application may include: a first device and a second device. The first device may be a network-side device for providing network communication functions, or a network-side device mounted on a satellite, i.e., a satellite and a base station with all or part of the functions of a base station. The base station may refer to an evolved Node B (eNB or eNodeB) in LTE; or a base station in a 5G network or a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), a broadband network gateway (BNG), an aggregation switch, or a non-3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) access device, etc. The embodiments of this application do not specifically limit this.

[0071] Base stations can also include various forms, such as: macro base stations, micro base stations (also known as small stations), relay stations, access points, next-generation base stations (gNodeB, gNB), baseband units (BBU), transmitting and receiving points (TRP), transmitting points (TP), mobile switching centers, etc., which are not specifically limited in this application.

[0072] The second device can be a network-connected device, typically a terminal. Terminals can take various forms, such as mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality (VR) terminal devices, augmented reality (AR) terminal devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, vehicle-mounted terminal devices, wireless terminals in self-driving cars, wireless terminals in remote medical care, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, wearable terminal devices, etc. Terminals are sometimes also referred to as terminal equipment, user equipment (UE), access terminal equipment, vehicle-mounted terminals, industrial control terminals, UE units, UE stations, mobile stations, mobile stations, remote stations, remote terminal equipment, mobile devices, UE terminal equipment, wireless communication equipment, UE agents, or UE devices. Terminals can also be fixed terminals or mobile terminals.

[0073] In some embodiments, the communication system may also include other devices that communicate with the first device and / or the second device, which is not a limitation of this application.

[0074] To facilitate understanding, the concepts involved in this application will be explained below.

[0075] 1. Satellite communication

[0076] Satellite communication currently mainly includes two mainstream communication modes: relay mode and regeneration mode. In relay mode, the satellite is responsible for relaying uplink data from the terminal to the base station, or relaying downlink data from the base station to the terminal, without involving encoding / decoding or related operations. In regeneration mode, some functions of the base station are carried over to the satellite, meaning the satellite undertakes some of the base station's functions, such as encoding / decoding. After receiving uplink data from the terminal, the satellite performs encoding / decoding operations. In the following text, satellites and base stations that possess all or some of the functions of a base station can be collectively referred to as network equipment.

[0077] 2. Beamforming

[0078] Network devices can interact with terminals using beamforming technology. Network devices typically form multiple downlink (DL) transmission beams. By using one or more DL transmission beams, downlink signals can be sent to terminals within the beam's coverage area. Terminals within the beam's coverage area can then receive the downlink signals through the beam.

[0079] 3. Synchronization signal block (SS / PBCH block, SSB), SSB opportunity, slot, half frame, SSB period

[0080] In an NR system, a SSB (Secondary Synchronization Signal) consists of a primary synchronous signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), used for initial cell access, time-frequency synchronization, and measurement functions. Transmitting an SSB consumes a certain number of time-domain symbols; therefore, the resources used to transmit an SSB are called a candidate SSB opportunity, or simply an SSB opportunity.

[0081] A time slot can include multiple sets of time-domain symbols, and each set of time-domain symbols can include multiple time-domain symbols. A slot can support a maximum of two SSBs, which are located on different sets of time-domain symbols within the slot. In other words, a slot can include a maximum of two SSB opportunities.

[0082] A half-frame, also known as an SSB time window, includes a maximum of L SSB opportunities, meaning that one SSB time window supports a maximum of L SSBs, where L is a positive integer. Different beams can be used to transmit SSBs on different SSB opportunities, allowing multiple terminals to receive SSBs.

[0083] Network devices can periodically send SSBs, meaning the SSB time window can appear periodically. The network device periodically sends SSBs within a configured time period, and only within the SSB time window of that period. This configured time period can be called the SSB sending period length, and the interval between the start of one period and the start of the next period is simply referred to as the SSB period.

[0084] The descriptions of satellite communication, beamforming, SSB, SSB opportunity, slot, half frame, SSB period, etc., are only for the purpose of understanding the technical solution of this application and do not constitute any limitation on this application.

[0085] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a satellite communication system according to an embodiment of this application.

[0086] As shown in Figure 1, the network device provides network coverage for multiple terminals on the ground. Terminals within the coverage area of ​​the network device can receive downlink data sent by the network device and can also send uplink data to the network device.

[0087] Because path loss is very severe in high-frequency communication, beamforming technology is typically used to concentrate the signal in one direction for transmission, thereby compensating for the severe path loss. Taking Figure 1 as an example, the network device transmits beams B1, B2, and B3 in different directions, each covering a different ground area. The area covered by any single beam can include one or more cells. In Figure 1, each cell is represented by a hexagon.

[0088] In practice, to meet the need for covering large areas, each satellite provides thousands of beams. For example, according to estimates, if the 3dB width of each beam is 2°, the coverage area of ​​one satellite would require approximately 1,000 beams.

[0089] For example, Figure 2 shows the projection of a satellite's active beams onto the ground within its coverage area. As shown in Figure 2, the satellite can activate 1058 beams, each of which projects onto the ground as a small hexagon as shown in Figure 2, with a coverage radius r of 28.9 km. The area consisting of all the small hexagons shown in Figure 2 belongs to the satellite's coverage area, with a coverage radius R of 853 km.

[0090] The number of antenna arrays on a satellite is finite, therefore the number of beams a satellite can activate simultaneously is also finite. For example, if a satellite has 20*20=400 antenna elements, and each beam requires 2*2=4 antenna elements, then the satellite can activate 100 beams simultaneously; if each beam requires 4*4=16 antenna elements, then the satellite can activate 25 beams simultaneously. In other words, a satellite cannot activate too many beams simultaneously (e.g., within the same time period).

[0091] Furthermore, taking a 10ms SSB period as an example, this period is insufficient to meet the coverage requirements of the total number of active beams supported by the satellite. Assuming a total of 1058 active beams and 106 beams active simultaneously, a 10ms SSB period supports only 4 SSB opportunities, meaning 424 beams can be activated within that period. This only meets 40% (424 / 1058 ≈ 40%) of the coverage requirement, insufficient for large-area coverage, let alone full coverage. Moreover, even increasing the number of SSB opportunities supported by the SSB period typically requires multiple SSB periods to achieve full coverage. Therefore, enhancing satellite coverage areas is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed.

[0092] To enhance network coverage within the limited SSB (Special Service Bus) opportunity, one approach is to switch from narrow-beam to wide-beam coverage. This means exploring whether network equipment supports activating a beam with a wider coverage range, for example, increasing the beam diameter from 50km to 79km, which increases the coverage area of ​​a single beam by 2.5 times. Alternatively, it could be achieved by increasing the 3dB width of the beam from less than or equal to 2° to greater than 2°.

[0093] However, a wide-coverage beam will reduce the effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) by 4dB. The wide beam will cause some channels to fail to meet the required signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) requirements, resulting in the data transmitted on the channel not being decoded correctly.

[0094] Therefore, this application provides a satellite communication method that can enhance the coverage of the satellite coverage area and, while ensuring the enhancement of the satellite coverage area, prevent the data transmitted through the channel from being incorrectly decoded.

[0095] In the satellite communication method provided in this application embodiment, the network device supports the activation of two types of beams.

[0096] In some embodiments, the half-power beamwidth of the first type of beam is greater than a first threshold, and the half-power beamwidth of the second type of beam is less than the first threshold. The half-power beamwidth is also called the 3dB width. For example, the first threshold can be 2°. If the half-power beamwidth of beam 1 is 3° and the half-power beamwidth of beam 2 is 1°, then beam 1 belongs to the first type of beam and beam 2 belongs to the second type of beam.

[0097] It should be understood that the half-power beamwidth of a Type I beam can also be greater than or equal to the first threshold. Alternatively, the half-power beamwidth of a Type II beam can be less than or equal to the first threshold.

[0098] Based on the different half-power beamwidths of the two types of beams, a beam with a larger half-power beamwidth can be understood as a wide beam, and a beam with a smaller half-power beamwidth can be understood as a narrow beam.

[0099] In other embodiments, the coverage area of ​​the first type of beam is greater than that of the second type of beam. For example, in a scenario where the coverage area is indicated by the beam's coverage diameter, the coverage diameter of beam 1 can be 86 km, and the coverage diameter of beam 2 can be 50 km. Beam 1 belongs to the first type of beam, and beam 2 belongs to the second type of beam. Alternatively, the coverage area of ​​the first type of beam is greater than a second threshold, and the coverage area of ​​the second type of beam is less than the second threshold. In a scenario where the coverage area is indicated by the beam's coverage diameter, the second threshold can, for example, be a coverage diameter of 80 km. For instance, beam A has a coverage diameter of 90 km, which is greater than the second threshold, and beam A belongs to the first type of beam; beam B has a coverage diameter of 60 km, which is less than the second threshold, and beam B belongs to the second type of beam.

[0100] It should be understood that the coverage area of ​​the first type of beam can also be greater than or equal to the second threshold. Alternatively, the coverage area of ​​the second type of beam can be less than or equal to the second threshold.

[0101] Based on the different coverage ranges of the two types of beams, a beam with a larger coverage range can be understood as a wide beam, and a beam with a smaller coverage range can be understood as a narrow beam.

[0102] Figure 3 exemplarily illustrates the coverage areas of a satellite-supported active wide beam and narrow beam. A wide beam coverage area may include multiple narrow beam coverage areas, as shown in Figure 3(a), or it may include a portion of the coverage area of ​​a single narrow beam, as shown in Figure 3(b). Multiple narrow beam coverage areas may not share a common area, as shown in Figure 3(a), or they may share a common area, as shown in Figure 3(b).

[0103] In one possible implementation, a wide beam can guarantee sufficient coverage area, while a narrow beam can support service transmission.

[0104] In some embodiments, both the first type of beam and the second type of beam may include multiple beams, and the directions of the different beams may be different. For ease of explanation, the following description uses an exemplary form to illustrate that the first type of beam includes a first beam, and the second type of beam includes a second beam.

[0105] Before introducing the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application, the uses of the first type of beam (also known as wide beam) and the second type of beam (also known as narrow beam) supported by network devices will be introduced first.

[0106] Understandably, Type I beams have a large coverage area but a low required SNR; network devices use fewer antenna elements to activate Type I beams. Type II beams have a small coverage area but a high required SNR; network devices use more antenna elements to activate Type II beams.

[0107] In some embodiments, network devices transmit public information via wide beams, ensuring the transmission of public information within the network device's coverage area. This guarantees that all terminals within the coverage area can receive the public information, thereby enabling operations such as cell camping, channel measurement, and time-frequency domain synchronization. Specifically, a first type of beam is used to support the network device in transmitting public information. Taking a wide beam as an example, when a network device transmits public information based on the first beam, terminals within the coverage area of ​​the first beam can receive the public information.

[0108] In some embodiments, the public information may include: radio resource control (RRC) signaling, synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (SSB), system information block (SIB), public control information carried by the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), etc.

[0109] In some embodiments, the network device can simultaneously activate multiple first-type beams, meaning there are multiple first beams. The coverage areas of these multiple first beams may be completely different or partially the same. The network device transmits public information based on these multiple first beams, and terminals within the coverage areas of these multiple first beams can all receive the public information. In some embodiments, the number of first-type beams that the network device can simultaneously activate may also be limited.

[0110] In some embodiments, the second type of beam, namely the narrow beam, is used to support service transmission. Both network devices and terminals can transmit service transmission-related data, such as control information and terminal service data, through the narrow beam. This can be understood as follows: the terminal's service data includes uplink and downlink service data, and the control information includes uplink and downlink control information. That is, the second type of beam is used to support the transmission of control information and terminal service data. Uplink and downlink service data include, for example, data from voice calls and data transmission, while uplink and downlink control information includes, for example, control information for random access procedures and scheduling information.

[0111] Taking a narrow beam as the second beam as an example, the network device transmits the terminal's service data based on the second beam. Since the terminal is within the coverage area of ​​the second beam, it can receive the service data. Furthermore, because the coverage area of ​​the second beam is relatively small, the terminal can correctly decode the service data transmitted by the network device, thus ensuring the normal operation of the service.

[0112] In some embodiments, the network device may simultaneously activate multiple second-type beams, meaning there are multiple second beams, and the coverage areas of the multiple second beams may be completely different or partially the same. In some embodiments, the number of second-type beams that the network device may simultaneously activate may also be limited.

[0113] Figure 4 illustrates a satellite communication method provided in an embodiment of this application, in which a network device switches and activates two types of beams with different coverage areas.

[0114] As shown in Figure 4, the communication method provided in this embodiment includes:

[0115] S401. The network device determines M consecutive SSB cycles, where M is a positive integer.

[0116] The determination of M consecutive SSB cycles by the network device can be understood as: the network device determining the number of consecutive SSB cycles.

[0117] Taking a frame period of 10ms as an example, in related technologies, as shown in Figure 5(a), a period includes a 10ms SSB period and a 10ms data period, with the data period following the SSB period. The 10ms SSB period includes 4 to 8 SSB opportunities, and during each SSB opportunity, the network device activates a certain number of beams. The network device may need to spend multiple SSB periods to complete the activation of all beams, resulting in a relatively long activation time for all beams.

[0118] In one implementation of this application, to quickly activate all beams within the beam coverage area of ​​the network device, the network device sets both the SSB period and the data period to be continuous. For example, as shown in Figure 5(b), the network device can use multiple consecutive frame periods as SSB periods. In each SSB period, the network device activates the beam and transmits SSBs during the SSB opportunity within that period. Through multiple SSB opportunities within multiple consecutive SSB periods, the network device can quickly complete the activation of all beams, shortening the time required to activate all beams. Furthermore, after multiple consecutive SSB periods, the network device then uses multiple frame periods as data periods. In each data period, the network device transmits or receives data frames.

[0119] Understanding: A data cycle refers to the period during which network devices and terminals execute services. These devices and terminals can transmit service-related data, which may include control information and the terminal's service data. For example, during a data cycle, network devices send downlink service data to terminals based on the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH).

[0120] In some embodiments, the network device determines M consecutive SSB cycles based on a rule that fully covers the beam coverage area of ​​the network device. That is, the beams activated within the M SSB cycles are used to fully cover the beam coverage area of ​​the network device.

[0121] This can be understood as follows: A network device, within M SSB cycles, has the opportunity to activate a Type 1 beam transmission SSB to achieve full coverage of the beam coverage area. Of course, a network device can support the activation of multiple Type 1 beams, and different Type 1 beam transmission SSBs will be activated at different SSB opportunities within the M SSB cycles.

[0122] In this way, the network device activates the first type of beam to transmit SSBs through the SSB opportunities within M consecutive SSB cycles to complete the full coverage of the beam coverage area. Since the coverage range of the first type of beam is wide, the number of first type beams that the network device needs to activate when fully covering the beam coverage area of ​​the network device will be less than the number of second type beams, which further shortens the time required to activate all beams to fully cover the beam coverage area.

[0123] In one implementation, M is calculated by considering the number of Type I beams to be activated in the beam coverage area of ​​the network device and the number of Type I beams activated in one SSB cycle. The number of Type I beams activated in one SSB cycle is limited by the number of SSB opportunities in one SSB cycle and the number of Type I beams activated simultaneously by each SSB opportunity.

[0124] For example, the number of Type I beams required for the beam coverage area of ​​a network device is y. Taking the coverage area of ​​a satellite mentioned above as an example, it would require approximately 1000 narrow beams, where y << 1000. The number of SSB opportunities included in one SSB cycle is a, and the number of Type I beams activated simultaneously in one SSB opportunity is x. M = CEIL((y / x) / a), where CEIL() refers to a function used to round up to the nearest integer.

[0125] S402. The network device activates the first type beam to transmit SSB during M consecutive SSB cycles, and the corresponding terminal receives the SSB.

[0126] After the network device determines the number of M SSB cycles, that is, after determining the number of consecutive SSB cycles, it can activate the first type beam to transmit SSB in each SSB cycle. The number of first type beams activated by the network device in one SSB cycle is multiple, and the first type beams activated by the network device in different SSB cycles are different.

[0127] In some embodiments, the network device activates a Type 1 beam transmission SSB during an SSB cycle SSB opportunity.

[0128] Network devices transmit SSBs based on Type I beams, and terminals within the coverage area of ​​Type I beams can receive the SSBs.

[0129] Taking the terminal as an example, where the terminal is within the coverage area of ​​the first beam (which is a type 1 beam), the network device activates the first beam to transmit an SSB during one SSB cycle. The terminal, being within the coverage area of ​​the first beam, can receive the SSB transmitted by the network device based on the first beam.

[0130] It can be understood that after a network device activates the first type of beam transmission SSB for M consecutive SSB cycles, it can achieve full coverage of the network device's beam coverage area.

[0131] In this embodiment, the network device supports the activation of two types of beams with different coverage ranges. Since the network device supports the activation of beams with a wide coverage range, the increased coverage range of these beams can enhance the coverage of the network device's coverage area.

[0132] S403. The network device determines N consecutive data cycles, where N is a positive integer.

[0133] In this context, the network device determining N consecutive data cycles can be understood as: the network device determining the number of consecutive data cycles.

[0134] In some embodiments, the network device determines N consecutive data periods in the following ways:

[0135] S1. The network device performs location clustering on multiple terminals based on location clustering rules, obtaining location clustering results for the multiple terminals. Of course, the multiple terminals are located within the beam coverage area of ​​the network device. In some embodiments, the location clustering rule is: terminals within the coverage area of ​​the same second-type beam belong to one category.

[0136] The network device stores the coverage area of ​​each Type II beam. After obtaining the locations of multiple terminals, the network device compares the location of each terminal with the coverage area of ​​the Type II beam to determine the terminals that are within the coverage area of ​​the same Type II beam. Terminals within the coverage area of ​​the same Type II beam are clustered into one group.

[0137] This can be understood as follows: For terminals of the same category, network devices use a single Type II beam to provide service, and each terminal within that category is within the coverage area of ​​that Type II beam. It can be seen that the more categories of terminals there are, the more Type II beams the network device will activate.

[0138] S2. The network device obtains N consecutive data cycles based on the location clustering results of multiple terminals.

[0139] It can be understood that a network device can activate one or more Type II beams within a data cycle. The location clustering results of multiple terminals can indicate the demand for Type II beams when the network device supports multiple terminals performing services.

[0140] For example, the location clustering results of multiple terminals indicate that multiple terminals are clustered into 3 categories: terminals in category 1 are within the coverage area of ​​beam 1 and are provided by beam 1; terminals in category 2 are within the coverage area of ​​beam 2 and are provided by beam 2; and terminals in category 3 are within the coverage area of ​​beam 3 and are provided by beam 3. Beams 1, 2, and 3 are all second-category beams.

[0141] For a scenario where a network device activates a second-type beam in one data cycle, the network device obtains three data cycles based on three categories indicated by the location clustering results of multiple terminals.

[0142] For scenarios where network devices activate multiple second-type beams in a single data cycle, the network devices obtain fewer than three data cycles based on the three categories indicated by the location clustering results of multiple terminals.

[0143] Therefore, it can be seen that in some embodiments, the network device obtains N consecutive data cycles in the following way:

[0144] The network device determines the number of terminal categories indicated by the location clustering results.

[0145] The network device then determines N as a value that is less than or equal to the number of terminal categories indicated by the location clustering results.

[0146] It can be understood that the network device determines N data periods based on the terminal location clustering results. Since the number of terminal categories indicated by the location clustering results is equal to the number of second-category beams required, the N data periods determined by the network device can meet the service needs of all terminals within the beam coverage area of ​​the network device.

[0147] In some scenarios, a terminal is within the coverage area of ​​multiple Type II beams.

[0148] In this scenario, the rules for clustering terminal locations may also include: for a terminal that belongs to the coverage area of ​​multiple second-type beams, the principle of minimizing the number of terminal categories obtained is to determine the terminal's category.

[0149] It's understandable that the more Type II beams a network device activates, the greater its resource overhead. To conserve network resources, network devices strive to cover as many users as possible with as few Type II beams as possible.

[0150] Therefore, in a scenario where a terminal is within the coverage area of ​​multiple Type II beams, for example, terminal 1 is within the coverage area of ​​beams E and F, both of which belong to Type II beams. Furthermore, beam E also covers terminals 2 and 3, while beam F does not cover other terminals. When determining the location clustering of terminals 1 to 3, terminal 1 is not clustered into one category, and terminals 2 and 3 are clustered into another category. Instead, terminals 1 to 3 are clustered into one category, and beam E provides services to all three terminals to save resource overhead.

[0151] In one implementation, the network device determines the location of terminals within its beam coverage area as follows:

[0152] After receiving the SSB, the terminal can send uplink information to the network device. The network device receives the uplink signal and can determine the number of terminals within the coverage area of ​​each Type I beam based on the uplink information, thereby obtaining the total number of terminals within the beam coverage area. The total number of terminals can indicate the total number of users within the beam coverage area.

[0153] After determining the total number of terminals within the beam coverage area, the network equipment can locate each terminal using satellite positioning technology and other methods to obtain the location of each terminal.

[0154] In some embodiments, after receiving an SSB, the terminal may execute a random access procedure. During the random access procedure, the terminal may send uplink information to the network device, and the network device may determine the number of terminals within its beam coverage area based on the uplink information from the terminal.

[0155] In other embodiments, after receiving the SSB, the terminal can also send uplink information to the network device in other scenarios. The network device can determine the number of terminals in its beam coverage area based on the uplink information from the terminal.

[0156] S404a: During N consecutive data cycles, the network device activates the second type beam to transmit downlink control information and / or downlink service data from the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the downlink control information and / or the terminal's downlink service data.

[0157] S404b: During N consecutive data cycles, the terminal activates the second type beam to transmit uplink control information and / or the terminal's uplink service data. Correspondingly, the network device receives the uplink control information and / or the terminal's uplink service data.

[0158] After determining the number of N data cycles (i.e., the number of consecutive data cycles), the network device can activate the second type of beam in each data cycle to support terminal services. The network device only provides services to the terminal using the second type of beam to ensure that the terminal can perform services normally and avoid incorrect decoding.

[0159] The number of Type II beams activated by the network device in a single data cycle may be one or more. Furthermore, the Type II beams activated by the network device may differ in different data cycles.

[0160] In a data cycle, a network device activates one or more Type II beams. Terminals within the coverage area of ​​the activated Type II beams can transmit data with the network device. This data transmission includes: the network device sending downlink control information and / or the terminal's downlink service data, and correspondingly, the terminal receiving the downlink control information and / or the terminal's downlink service data; or, the terminal sending uplink control information and / or the terminal's uplink service data, and correspondingly, the network device receiving the uplink control information and / or the terminal's uplink service data.

[0161] Taking a terminal being within the coverage area of ​​the second beam (which is a type 2 beam) as an example, if the network device determines that the terminal has a service requirement, it will activate the second beam in one data cycle and send downlink control information and / or the terminal's downlink service data to the terminal. The terminal, being within the coverage area of ​​the second beam, can receive the downlink control information and / or the terminal's downlink service data sent by the network device. Alternatively, if the network device activates the second beam in one data cycle and the terminal, being within the coverage area of ​​the second beam, can send uplink control information and / or the terminal's uplink service data based on the second beam, the network device can receive the uplink control information and / or the terminal's uplink service data.

[0162] In some embodiments, the second type of beam activated by the network device in each data cycle can be random. That is, in a scenario where multiple terminals have service needs and the second type of beams with different needs provide services, the network device randomly selects the second type of beam to be activated in each data cycle and activates the selected second type of beam in that data cycle.

[0163] In other embodiments, the network device may also determine the second type of beam to be activated in each data cycle based on certain rules. These rules could be: if the terminal service has a higher priority, the second type of beam covering that terminal location will be activated by the network device first in the data cycle; that is, the higher the priority of the terminal service, the earlier the data cycle corresponding to the second type of beam covering that terminal location will appear in the next N consecutive data cycles.

[0164] Based on this, the network device determines the implementation method of activating the second type of beam in each data cycle as follows:

[0165] S3, The network device receives the service request information from the terminal.

[0166] Service request information is used to request a network device to execute a service from a terminal, and may include attribute information of the service requested to be executed by the network device. In some embodiments, the service request information may indicate one or more of the following: service priority, service type, or service indicator requirements. That is, the service request information includes one or more of the following: service priority, service type, or service indicator requirements.

[0167] Among these, service priority describes the order in which different services are executed. Network devices execute services according to the order indicated by service priority; that is, higher-priority services are executed first. Service type refers to the type of service. Different types of services may have different priorities, meaning that service type can also indicate the order of different services. Service performance requirements refer to the requirements that the service must meet during execution, which may include latency requirements, reliability requirements, etc. Services with different performance requirements may have different priorities; that is, service performance requirements can also indicate the order of different services. For example, services with low latency requirements have higher priority than services with high latency requirements, and network devices must execute them first. For services with high reliability requirements, network devices should preferentially use Type II beams for execution.

[0168] S4. The network device determines the data period corresponding to the service request information.

[0169] The data period corresponding to the service request information can refer to the data period corresponding to the second type of beam covering the location of the terminal to which the service request information belongs.

[0170] In some embodiments, the higher the priority of the service indicated by the terminal's service request information, the earlier the data period corresponding to the service request information appears in a consecutive N data periods. For example, URLLC services have high latency requirements and need to be executed first, while IoT services have low priority and can be executed later.

[0171] In this embodiment, the order in which network devices execute services during the data cycle is determined based on the priority of terminal services, which can provide a reliability guarantee for the execution of terminal services.

[0172] Correspondingly, taking the terminal as being within the coverage area of ​​the second beam, and the second beam being a second type of beam as an example, the implementation of step S404a is as follows: the network device activates the second beam to send downlink control information and / or the downlink service data of the terminal during the data period corresponding to the service request information.

[0173] The implementation method of step S404b is as follows: the network device receives uplink control information and / or uplink service data from the terminal during the data period corresponding to the service request information.

[0174] Figure 6 illustrates another satellite communication method provided by an embodiment of this application.

[0175] As shown in Figure 6, the communication method provided in this embodiment includes:

[0176] S601. The network device determines M consecutive SSB cycles, where M is a positive integer.

[0177] For details on the implementation of step S601, please refer to the content of step S401 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0178] S602, the network device sends the first message, and the corresponding terminal receives the first message. The first message is used to indicate M.

[0179] In some embodiments, the first message is a System Information Block (SIB). That is, the network device sends an SIB to the terminal, which is used to indicate M. The SIB indicating M can be understood as: the SIB carries bits indicating M.

[0180] This SIB typically refers to an NTN-related SIB. An NTN-related SIB can be understood as an SIB used to implement NTN communication. For example, SIB1 and SIB19 are examples of NTN-related SIBs.

[0181] Network devices can send "M" to terminals via SIB, enabling terminals in RRC connected, RRC inactive, or RRC idle states to receive "M".

[0182] In other embodiments, the network device transmits a first message based on one or more of the following: PDSCH, paging control channel (PCCH), access grant channel (AGCH), and physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). That is, the first message is carried on one or more of the following: PDSCH, PCCH, AGCH, and PDCCH.

[0183] In essence, the network device informs the terminal of the number of consecutive SSB cycles (denoted as M) by sending a first message. Based on this value M, the terminal can specify the frame cycle format; that is, the terminal knows that the network device will use M consecutive frame cycles as the SSB cycle. The terminal can then wait for the network device to send the SSB for M frame cycles.

[0184] In some embodiments, the network device transmits a first message based on a first type of beam.

[0185] S603. The network device activates the first type beam to transmit SSB during M consecutive SSB cycles, and the corresponding terminal receives the SSB.

[0186] For details on the implementation of step S603, please refer to the content of step S402 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0187] S604. The network device determines N consecutive data cycles, where N is a positive integer.

[0188] For details on the implementation of step S604, please refer to the content of step S403 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0189] S605, the network device sends a second message, and the corresponding terminal receives the second message, which is used to indicate N.

[0190] In some embodiments, the second message is a System Information Block (SIB). That is, the network device sends an SIB to the terminal, which is used to indicate N. The SIB indicating N can be understood as: the SIB carries bits indicating N.

[0191] This SIB typically refers to an NTN-related SIB. An NTN-related SIB can be understood as an SIB used to implement NTN communication. For example, SIB1 and SIB19 are examples of NTN-related SIBs.

[0192] Network devices can send N to terminals via SIB, enabling terminals in RRC connected, RRC inactive, or RRC idle states to receive N.

[0193] In other embodiments, the network device transmits a second message based on one or more of the following: PDSCH, paging control channel (PCCH), access grant channel (AGCH), and physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). That is, the second message is carried on one or more of the following: PDSCH, PCCH, AGCH, and PDCCH.

[0194] In essence, the network device informs the terminal of the number of consecutive data cycles (N) by sending a second message. Based on this value N, the terminal can specify the format of the frame cycle; that is, the terminal knows that the network device will use N consecutive frame cycles as a data cycle. The terminal can then exchange service data with the network device over these N frame cycles.

[0195] In some embodiments, the network device transmits a second message based on a second type of beam. For multiple terminals within the beam coverage area of ​​the network device, the network device transmits a second message based on a second type of beam covering the location of each terminal.

[0196] S606. The network device sends a third message, and the corresponding terminal receives the third message. The third message is used to indicate the time-frequency domain resources and modulation and coding strategy of the terminal's service data.

[0197] Among them, the time domain resources in the time and frequency domain resources are used to indicate the data period corresponding to the terminal's service data; the frequency resources in the time and frequency domain resources refer to the frequency resources of the network equipment for transmitting service data, which includes uplink service data and / or downlink service data.

[0198] Modulation and coding scheme (MCS) refers to the modulation method and code rate of downlink service data sent by network devices and uplink service data sent by terminals. Terminals can receive and decode downlink service data from network devices based on the modulation and coding scheme, and network devices can also receive and decode uplink service data from terminals based on the modulation and coding scheme.

[0199] For multiple terminals within the beam coverage area of ​​a network device, the third message can indicate the time-frequency domain resources and modulation and coding strategies of the service data of each terminal. The time-frequency domain resources and modulation and coding strategies of the service data of different terminals can be different or the same.

[0200] This can be understood as follows: the time-domain resources in the time-frequency domain indicate the data period corresponding to the service data of a terminal, which is the same data period as the data period corresponding to the service request information of that terminal. Thus, based on the third message, the terminal can clearly determine the time-frequency domain resources and modulation and coding strategies of its service data exchanged with network equipment.

[0201] In some embodiments, the third message may be downlink control information (DCI), which may include one or more of DCI1_0, DCI1_1, and DCI1_2.

[0202] In some embodiments, the network device may scramble the DCI with second information, which is used to indicate that the DCI belongs to beam activation information. Thus, when a terminal receives the DCI with the second information scrambled, it can descramble it to obtain the second information and the DCI, and determine that the DCI belongs to beam activation information by parsing the second information.

[0203] In some embodiments, the network device transmits a third message based on a second type of beam. For multiple terminals within the beam coverage area of ​​the network device, the network device transmits a third message based on a second type of beam covering the location of each terminal.

[0204] In some embodiments, the second information includes a radio network temporary identifier (RNTI).

[0205] In some embodiments, the second and third messages can be the same message, i.e., the network device sends a message that indicates N, as well as the time-frequency domain resources and modulation and coding strategy of the terminal's service data. In some embodiments, this message is DCI.

[0206] Of course, the second and third messages can also be different messages, which enhances the flexibility of the network device in informing terminal N about the time-frequency domain resources and modulation and coding strategies of the terminal's service data.

[0207] S607a: During N consecutive data cycles, the network device activates the second type beam to transmit downlink control information and / or downlink service data from the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the downlink control information and / or the terminal's downlink service data.

[0208] S607b: During N consecutive data cycles, the terminal activates the second type beam to transmit uplink control information and / or the terminal's uplink service data. Correspondingly, the network device receives the uplink control information and / or the terminal's uplink service data.

[0209] For details on the implementation of steps S607a and S607b, please refer to the aforementioned steps S404a and S404b, which will not be repeated here.

[0210] Figure 7 illustrates an example of the composition of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. This communication device can be a terminal, including but not limited to mobile phones, smart wearable devices (such as smartwatches), and other electronic devices. Taking a mobile phone as an example, the communication device may include a processor 710, internal memory 720, display screen 730, antenna 1, antenna 2, mobile communication module 740, and wireless communication module 750, etc.

[0211] It is understood that the structure illustrated in this embodiment does not constitute a specific limitation on the communication device. In other embodiments, the communication device may include more or fewer components than illustrated, or combine some components, or split some components, or have different component arrangements. The illustrated components may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0212] The processor 710 may include one or more processing units, such as an application processor (AP), a modem processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and / or a baseband processor.

[0213] Internal memory 720 can be used to store executable program code, which includes instructions. Processor 710 performs various functions of the electronic device by executing the instructions stored in internal memory 720.

[0214] The wireless communication function of electronic devices can be implemented through antenna 1, antenna 2, mobile communication module 740, wireless communication module 750, modem processor, and baseband processor.

[0215] Antenna 1 and antenna 2 are used to transmit and receive electromagnetic wave signals.

[0216] The mobile communication module 740 can provide solutions for wireless communication applications, including 2G / 3G / 4G / 5G, in electronic devices.

[0217] In some embodiments, the mobile communication module 740 includes a communication interface coupled to the processor 710. This communication interface may be a transceiver or an input / output interface. In some embodiments, when the communication device is a chip configured in a terminal, the communication interface may be an input / output interface.

[0218] The wireless communication module 750 can provide solutions for wireless communication applications in electronic devices, including wireless local area networks (WLAN) (such as wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) networks), Bluetooth (BT), global navigation satellite system (GNSS), frequency modulation (FM), near field communication (NFC), and infrared (IR) technologies.

[0219] In addition, an operating system runs on top of the aforementioned components. Examples include iOS, Android, and Windows. Applications can be installed and run on this operating system.

[0220] Figure 8 illustrates another example of the composition of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. This communication device can be a network device, such as a satellite. Figure 8 shows a simplified schematic diagram of a network device. The network device includes: at least one processor 810, at least one memory 820, at least one transceiver 830, at least one network interface 840, and one or more antennas 850. The processor 810, memory 820, transceiver 830, and network interface 840 are connected, for example, via a bus. In this embodiment, the connection may include various interfaces, transmission lines, or buses, etc., and this embodiment is not limited in this respect. The antenna 850 is connected to the transceiver 830. The network interface 840 is used to enable a network element to connect to other communication devices through a communication link. For example, the network interface 840 may include a network interface between a network element and network elements in the core network, such as an S1 interface. The network interface may also include a network interface between a network element and other network elements, such as an X2 or Xn interface.

[0221] The processor 810 shown in Figure 8 can specifically perform the network device processing actions in the above-mentioned satellite communication method, the memory 820 can perform the storage actions in the above-mentioned satellite communication method, the transceiver 830 and the antenna 850 can perform the transmission and reception actions in the above-mentioned satellite communication method, and the network interface 840 can perform the interaction actions between the network device and the terminal in the above-mentioned method.

[0222] The processor 810 may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller unit (MCU), or an artificial intelligence processor, etc., which are various computing devices that run software. Each computing device may include one or more cores for executing software instructions to perform calculations or processing. The processor may be a standalone semiconductor chip or integrated with other circuits into a single semiconductor chip. For example, it may form a System-on-a-Chip (SoC) with other circuits (such as encoding / decoding circuits, hardware acceleration circuits, or various bus and interface circuits), or it may be integrated as a built-in processor within an ASIC. The ASIC with the integrated processor may be packaged separately or together with other circuits. In addition to the cores for executing software instructions to perform calculations or processing, the processor may further include necessary hardware accelerators, such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), or logic circuits that implement dedicated logic operations.

[0223] The memory 820 may include at least one of the following types, but is not limited to: read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, random access memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic storage devices that can store information and instructions, or electrically erasable programmable-only memory (EEPROM).

[0224] Transceiver 830 can be used to support the reception or transmission of radio frequency (RF) signals between network elements and other devices. Transceiver 830 can be connected to antenna 850. Transceiver 830 includes a transmitter Tx and a receiver Rx. Specifically, one or more antennas 850 can receive RF signals. The receiver Rx of transceiver 830 is used to receive RF signals from the antennas, convert the RF signals into digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency (IF) signals, and provide the digital baseband signals or IF signals to processor 810 so that processor 810 can perform further processing on the digital baseband signals or IF signals, such as demodulation and decoding. In addition, the transmitter Tx in transceiver 830 is also used to receive modulated digital baseband signals or IF signals from processor 810, convert the modulated digital baseband signals or IF signals into RF signals, and transmit the RF signals through one or more antennas 850. Specifically, the receiver Rx can selectively perform one or more stages of downmixing and analog-to-digital conversion on the radio frequency signal to obtain a digital baseband signal or a digital intermediate frequency (IF) signal. The order of the downmixing and IF processing is adjustable. The transmitter Tx can selectively perform one or more stages of upmixing and digital-to-analog conversion on the modulated digital baseband or digital IF signal to obtain a radio frequency signal. The order of the upmixing and IF processing is also adjustable. Digital baseband signals and digital IF signals can be collectively referred to as digital signals.

[0225] The transceiver 830 can also be referred to as an input / output interface or a communication interface, etc. In some embodiments, when the above-mentioned communication device is a chip configured in a satellite, the transceiver 830 can be an input / output interface.

[0226] It should be understood that Figure 8 is merely an example and not a limitation, and the network devices described above, including processors, memory, and transceivers, may not depend on the structure shown in Figure 8.

[0227] This application also provides a communication device.

[0228] As shown in Figure 9, the communication device 900 can correspondingly implement the functions or steps implemented by the network device in the various method embodiments described above. The communication device 900 includes a processing module 901 and a transceiver module 902. In some embodiments, the communication device may further include a storage module 903, which can be used to store instructions (code or program) and / or data. The processing module 901 and the transceiver module 902 can be coupled to the storage module 903. For example, the processing module 901 can read instructions (code or program) and / or data from the storage module to implement the corresponding method. The various modules described above can be set independently, or partially or completely integrated.

[0229] In some embodiments, processing module 901 is used to determine M consecutive SSB (Synchronization Signal Block) periods, where M is a positive integer, and to determine N consecutive data periods, where N is a positive integer. Transceiver module 902 is used to activate the first type of beam transmission SSB during the M consecutive SSB periods, and also to activate the second type of beam transmission of downlink control information and / or downlink service data of the terminal during the N consecutive data periods, or to receive uplink control information and / or uplink service data of the terminal. The specific implementation process of processing module 901 and transceiver module 902 can be found in the embodiment shown in Figure 4, and will not be repeated here.

[0230] In other embodiments, the transceiver module 902 is used to receive service request information from the terminal; the processing module 901 is also used to determine the data period corresponding to the service request information. The specific implementation process of the transceiver module 902 and the processing module 901 can be found in the embodiment shown in Figure 4, and will not be repeated here.

[0231] In other embodiments, the transceiver module 902 is used to send a first message indicating M, a second message indicating N, and a third message indicating the time-frequency domain resources of the terminal's service data, as well as the modulation and coding scheme (MCS). The specific implementation process of the transceiver module 902 can be found in the embodiment shown in Figure 6, and will not be repeated here.

[0232] The communication device 900 shown in Figure 9 can also implement the functions or steps implemented by the terminal in the above-described method embodiments. The communication device 900 includes a processing module 901 and a transceiver module 902. In some embodiments, the communication device 900 may not include the processing module 901. In some embodiments, the communication device may also include a storage module 903, which can be used to store instructions (code or programs) and / or data. The processing module 901 and the transceiver module 902 can be coupled to the storage module 903. For example, the processing module 901 can read instructions (code or programs) and / or data from the storage module to implement the corresponding method. The above modules can be set independently, or partially or completely integrated.

[0233] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 902 is used to receive SSBs and also to receive downlink control information and / or downlink service data based on the second beam, or to transmit uplink control information and / or uplink service data based on the second beam. The specific implementation process of the transceiver module 902 can be found in the embodiment shown in Figure 4, and will not be repeated here.

[0234] In other embodiments, the transceiver module 902 is used to send service request information. The specific implementation process of this transceiver module 902 can be found in the embodiment shown in Figure 4, and will not be repeated here.

[0235] In other embodiments, the transceiver module 902 is used to receive a first message indicating M, a second message indicating N, and a third message indicating the time-frequency domain resources of the terminal's service data, as well as the modulation and coding scheme (MCS). The specific implementation process of the transceiver module 902 can be found in the embodiment shown in Figure 6, and will not be repeated here.

[0236] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the explanations and beneficial effects of the relevant content in any of the communication devices provided above can be referred to the corresponding method embodiments provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0237] This application also provides a processor, including: an input circuit, an output circuit, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit receives signals through the input circuit and transmits signals through the output circuit, causing the processor to execute the satellite communication method described in the above embodiments.

[0238] In specific implementation, the processor can be one or more chips, the input circuit can be input pins, the output circuit can be output pins, and the processing circuit can be transistors, gate circuits, flip-flops, and various logic circuits. The input signal received by the input circuit can be received and input by, for example, but not limited to, a receiver, and the signal output by the output circuit can be output to, for example, but not limited to, a transmitter and transmitted by the transmitter. Furthermore, the input circuit and the output circuit can be the same circuit, which is used as the input circuit and the output circuit at different times. This application does not limit the specific implementation of the processor and various circuits.

[0239] This application also provides a chip system including one or more processors for calling and executing instructions stored in a memory, thereby executing the satellite communication method described in the above embodiments. The chip system may be composed of a chip or may include chips and other discrete devices. The chip system may include input circuitry or interfaces for transmitting information or data, and output circuitry or interfaces for receiving information or data.

[0240] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on one or more computing devices, cause the one or more computing devices to perform the satellite communication method described in the above embodiments.

[0241] Computer-readable storage media can be non-transitory computer-readable storage media, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, and optical data storage devices.

[0242] This application also provides a computer program product. When executed by one or more computing devices, the computer program product enables the computing devices to execute any of the aforementioned satellite communication methods. The computer program product can be a software installation package. When any of the aforementioned satellite communication methods needs to be used, the computer program product can be downloaded and executed on a computer.

[0243] The above-described embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit it. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A satellite communication method, characterized in that, include: The terminal receives a Synchronization Signal Block (SSB); wherein the SSB is transmitted by the network device based on a first beam, and the network device supports the activation of beams including a first type of beam and a second type of beam, wherein the half-power beamwidth of the first type of beam is greater than a first threshold, and the half-power beamwidth of the second type of beam is less than the first threshold, or the coverage area of ​​the first type of beam is greater than the coverage area of ​​the second type of beam, or the coverage area of ​​the first type of beam is greater than a second threshold, and the coverage area of ​​the second type of beam is less than the second threshold; the first type of beam includes a first beam, and the second type of beam includes a second beam, and the first type of beam supported by the network device is activated by the network device in M ​​consecutive SSB cycles; The terminal transmits uplink control information and / or uplink service data based on the second beam, or receives downlink control information and / or downlink service data based on the second beam.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The terminal sends a service request message to the network device; Wherein, the terminal transmits uplink control information and / or uplink service data based on the second type of beam, or receives downlink control information and / or downlink service data based on the second type of beam, including: The terminal, in the data period corresponding to the service request information, sends uplink control information and / or uplink service data based on the first beam, or receives downlink control information and / or downlink service data based on the first beam.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Also includes: The terminal receives a first message, which is used to instruct the M.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The terminal receives a first message, including: The terminal receives the first message based on one or more of the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), Paging Control Channel (PCCH), Access Allowed Channel (AGCH), and Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH).

5. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first message is a System Information Block (SIB).

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Also includes: The terminal receives a second message, which indicates N, where N represents the number of consecutive data periods determined by the network device.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The terminal receives a second message, including: The terminal receives the second message based on one or more of the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), Paging Control Channel (PCCH), Access Allow Channel (AGCH), and Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH).

8. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The second message is a System Information Block (SIB).

9. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Before the terminal transmits uplink control information and / or uplink service data based on the second beam, or receives downlink control information and / or downlink service data based on the second beam, the method further includes: The terminal receives a third message, which indicates the time-frequency domain resources of the terminal's service data and the modulation and coding scheme (MCS). The time-frequency domain resources indicate the data period corresponding to the terminal's service data. The service data includes uplink service data and / or downlink service data.

10. A satellite communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a network device, wherein the network device supports the activation of beams including a first type of beam and a second type of beam, wherein the half-power beamwidth of the first type of beam is greater than a first threshold, and the half-power beamwidth of the second type of beam is less than the first threshold; or, the coverage area of ​​the first type of beam is greater than the coverage area of ​​the second type of beam; or, the coverage area of ​​the first type of beam is greater than a second threshold, and the coverage area of ​​the second type of beam is less than the second threshold; the method includes: The network device determines M consecutive synchronization signal block (SSB) periods, where M is a positive integer; The network device activates the first type of beam transmission SSB during M consecutive SSB cycles; The network device determines N consecutive data periods, where N is a positive integer; The network device activates the second type of beam to transmit downlink control information and / or downlink service data of the terminal, or receives uplink control information and / or uplink service data of the terminal, during the N consecutive data cycles.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The network device determines M consecutive synchronization signal block (SSB) cycles, including: The network device determines M consecutive synchronization signal block (SSB) cycles based on a rule that fully covers the beam coverage area of ​​the network device.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The network device determines N consecutive data periods, including: The network device performs location clustering on multiple terminals located within the beam coverage area of ​​the network device. The location clustering rule is that terminals within the coverage area of ​​the same second type of beam belong to the same category. The network device obtains the N consecutive data periods based on the location clustering results of the multiple terminals.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The location clustering rules also include: for a terminal that belongs to the coverage area of ​​multiple second-type beams, the principle is to determine the category to which the terminal belongs, so that the number of categories of the terminal obtained is as small as possible.

14. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The network device obtains the N consecutive data periods based on the location clustering results of the multiple terminals, including: The network device determines the number of terminal categories indicated by the location clustering results; The plurality of terminals determine N as a value that is less than or equal to the number of categories of the terminals.

15. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, After the network device determines N consecutive data periods, it also includes: The network device receives service request information from the terminal; The network device determines the data period corresponding to the service request information; Wherein, the network device, during the N consecutive data cycles, activates the second type of beam to transmit downlink control information and / or downlink service data of the terminal, or receives uplink control information and / or uplink service data of the terminal, including: The network device activates a second beam during the data period corresponding to the service request information to send downlink control information and / or downlink service data of the terminal, or to receive uplink control information and / or uplink service data of the terminal. The second beam belongs to the second type of beam, and the terminal is within the coverage area of ​​the second beam.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The higher the priority of the service indicated by the service request information of the terminal, the earlier the data period corresponding to the service request information is in the N consecutive data periods.

17. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, After the network device determines M consecutive synchronization signal block (SSB) cycles, it also includes: The network device sends a first message, which is used to instruct the M.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The network device transmits the first message based on one or more of the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), Paging Control Channel (PCCH), Access Allow Channel (AGCH), and Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH).

19. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The first message is a System Information Block (SIB).

20. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The network device sends a first message, including: The network device transmits the first message based on the first type of beam.

21. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, After the network device determines N consecutive data periods, it also includes: The network device sends a second message, which is used to indicate the N.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that, The network device transmits the second message based on one or more of the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), Paging Control Channel (PCCH), Access Allow Channel (AGCH), and Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH).

23. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that, The second message is a System Information Block (SIB).

24. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that, The network device sends a second message, including: The network device transmits the second message based on the second type of beam.

25. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, Also includes: The network device sends a third message, which is used to indicate the time-frequency domain resources of the terminal's service data and the modulation and coding scheme (MCS). The time-frequency domain resources are used to indicate the data period corresponding to the terminal's service data. The service data includes uplink service data and / or downlink service data.

26. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit, and is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, or the method as described in any one of claims 10 to 25.

27. A communication device, characterized in that, include: Memory, used to store computer instructions; A processor for executing a computer program or computer instructions stored in the memory, causing the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, or the method as described in any one of claims 10 to 25.

28. A communication system, characterized in that, Includes the communication device as described in claim 27.

29. A computer storage medium, characterized in that, Used to store a computer program, which, when executed, is used to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 9 or 10 to 25.

30. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program thereunder, when the computer program is run, causes the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9 or 10 to 25 to be performed.

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