Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and a communication apparatus. The method comprises: a first communication device determining time-frequency resources respectively used for determining the noise floor and out-of-band interference of a first cell, and sending a measurement collaboration application for the noise floor and the out-of-band interference to a second communication device by means of a first message, such that no signal transmission is performed at a time-domain position in a neighboring cell of the first cell that corresponds to a first time-frequency resource for measuring the noise floor, and no signal transmission is performed at a time-domain position in the neighboring cell of the first cell that corresponds to a second time-frequency resource for measuring the out-of-band interference. Therefore, the first communication device is enabled to accurately acquire the noise floor and the out-of-band interference of the first cell, thereby accurately observing the strength of the out-of-band interference generated by a communication device in an NTN to the first cell.

Description

Communication methods and communication devices

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411595957.5, filed on November 8, 2024, entitled "Communication Method and Communication Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and more specifically, to a communication method and a communication device. Background Technology

[0003] Compared to terrestrial networks (TN), non-terrestrial networks (NTN) offer advantages such as wider coverage and more flexible networking, enabling seamless global network coverage. NTN can be viewed as a supplement to current terrestrial networks, or as an independent communication system providing users with high-speed global network access. NTN communication utilizes equipment such as drones, high-altitude platforms, or satellites to create networks that provide data transmission, voice communication, and other services to terminals.

[0004] From the current protocol specifications, the adjacent channel leakage ratio (ACLR) of TN is much stricter than that of NTN. For satellite-to-ground coexistence systems, NTN communication systems may cause significant interference to TN communication systems in adjacent frequency bands. Therefore, how to determine the adjacent channel interference situation of NTN communication systems so that NTN can adjust its signal strength to reduce interference to TN communication systems in adjacent frequency bands has become an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method for determining the interference of an NTN communication system on communication systems in adjacent frequency bands.

[0006] Firstly, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a first communication device. Unless otherwise specified, the "first communication device" in this application can refer to the first communication device itself (e.g., a communication device in an NTN communication system or a communication device in a TN communication system), or a component within the first communication device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system, such as a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions in an NTN or TN communication device (e.g., a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, or a system-in-package (SIP) chip)). Alternatively, it can be a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first communication device. For ease of description, the following explanation uses execution by the first communication device as an example.

[0007] The communication method includes: determining a first time-frequency resource and a second time-frequency resource, wherein the first time-frequency resource is used to measure the noise floor of a first cell, and the second time-frequency resource is used to measure the out-of-band interference of the first cell, wherein the first cell is a cell served by the first communication device; sending a first message to a second communication device, wherein the first message indicates that no signal transmission is performed in at least one second cell at a time-domain location corresponding to the first time-frequency resource, and signal transmission is performed in the at least one second cell at a time-domain location corresponding to the second time-frequency resource, wherein the at least one second cell is a cell with a frequency adjacent to the first cell, and wherein the second communication device is a communication device in a non-terrestrial network (NTN).

[0008] Based on the above technical solution, the first communication device can determine the time-frequency resources used to measure the noise floor and out-of-band interference of the first cell, and send a measurement cooperation request for noise floor and out-of-band interference to the second communication device through a first message, so that at least one neighboring cell of the first cell does not transmit signals at the time domain position corresponding to the first time-frequency resource for measuring noise floor, and at least one neighboring cell of the first cell transmits signals at the time domain position corresponding to the second time-frequency resource for measuring out-of-band interference, enabling the first communication device to accurately obtain the noise floor of the first cell and the out-of-band interference of at least one neighboring cell to the first cell, thereby accurately observing the intensity of the out-of-band interference generated by the communication device in the NTN to the first cell.

[0009] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the first message includes at least one of the following information: time-domain location information corresponding to the first time-frequency resource, time-domain location information corresponding to the second time-frequency resource, timing information of the first cell, frequency point information of the first cell, or service location information of the first communication device, wherein the frequency point information of the first cell and the service location information of the first communication device are used to determine the at least one second cell; the time-domain location information corresponding to the first time-frequency resource, the timing information of the first cell, and the service location information of the first communication device are used to determine that no signal transmission is performed in the at least one second cell at the time-domain location corresponding to the first time-frequency resource; the time-domain location information corresponding to the second time-frequency resource, the timing information of the first cell, and the service location information of the first communication device are used to determine that signal transmission is performed in the at least one second cell at the time-domain location corresponding to the second time-frequency resource.

[0010] Based on the above technical solution, the first communication device may include in the first message time-domain location information of time-frequency resources for determining the noise floor and out-of-band interference of the first cell, the timing information of the first cell, the frequency point information of the first cell, or the service location information of the first communication device, so that the second communication device can determine at least one second cell adjacent to the frequency point of the first cell based on the first message, and that the signal of the at least one second cell determined by the second communication device can fill the time-frequency resources for determining out-of-band interference, and that the at least one second cell determined by the second communication device has no signal on the time-frequency resources for determining the noise floor, thereby realizing the negotiation between the first communication device and the second communication device regarding the measurement of noise floor and out-of-band interference through the first message.

[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the second time-frequency resource is divided into at least one sub-time-frequency resource group, and the at least one second cell is divided into at least one cell group, each of the sub-time-frequency resource groups corresponding to a cell group, wherein the sub-time-frequency resource group is used to measure the out-of-band interference of its corresponding cell group to the first cell.

[0012] Based on the above technical solution, the second time-frequency resource for measuring out-of-band interference can include one or more sub-time-frequency resource groups. Different sub-time-frequency resource groups can correspond to different neighboring cell groups, which can realize the measurement of out-of-band interference intensity of different neighboring cell groups, improve the accuracy of measuring out-of-band interference, and realize fine observation of the out-of-band interference intensity of NTN.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the at least one second cell is divided into the at least one cell group based on at least one of the following parameters: the orbital altitude of the NTN equipment corresponding to the at least one second cell, the frequency of the at least one second cell, or the power of the NTN equipment corresponding to the at least one second cell.

[0014] Based on the above technical solution, there can be multiple ways to divide neighboring cells, so that the technical solution can be adapted to different scenarios.

[0015] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving an acknowledgment message from the second communication device, the acknowledgment message indicating that the second communication device agrees to use the first time-frequency resources for measuring the noise floor of the first cell, and the second time-frequency resources for measuring the out-of-band interference of the first cell.

[0016] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: sending the first time-frequency resource and the second time-frequency resource to a third communication device.

[0017] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first message further includes first indication information and second indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the first time-frequency resource is used to measure the noise floor of the first cell, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the second time-frequency resource is used to measure the out-of-band interference of the first cell.

[0018] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first time-frequency resource includes a first zero-power channel state indication reference signal ZP-CSI-RS resource or a first non-zero-power channel state indication reference signal NZP-CSI-RS resource; the second time-frequency resource includes a second ZP-CSI-RS resource or a second NZP-CSI-RS resource.

[0019] Secondly, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a second communication device. Unless otherwise specified, the "second communication device" in this application can refer to the second communication device itself (e.g., a communication device in an NTN), or a component in the second communication device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system, such as a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions in a communication device in an NTN (e.g., a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core)), or it can be a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the second communication device. For ease of description, the following description uses the execution of a second communication device as an example.

[0020] The communication method includes: receiving a first message from a first communication device; determining a first time-frequency resource and a second time-frequency resource based on the first message, wherein the first time-frequency resource is used to measure the noise floor of a first cell, and the second time-frequency resource is used to measure the out-of-band interference of the first cell, and the first cell is a cell served by the first communication device; wherein the time-domain location corresponding to the first time-frequency resource is not used for signal transmission in at least one second cell, and the time-domain location corresponding to the second time-frequency resource is used for signal transmission in the at least one second cell, and the at least one second cell is a cell with a frequency point adjacent to that of the first cell.

[0021] In conjunction with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the first message includes at least one of the following: time-domain location information corresponding to the first time-frequency resource, time-domain location information corresponding to the second time-frequency resource, timing information of the first cell, frequency point information of the first cell, or service location information of the first communication device; the method further includes:

[0022] The at least one second cell is determined based on the frequency point information of the first cell and the service location information of the first communication device;

[0023] The step of determining the first time-frequency resource and the second time-frequency resource based on the first message includes:

[0024] Based on the time-domain location information corresponding to the first time-frequency resource, the timing information of the first cell, and the service location information of the first communication device, it is determined that the at least one second cell does not transmit signals at the time-domain location corresponding to the first time-frequency resource.

[0025] Based on the time-domain location information corresponding to the second time-frequency resource, the timing information of the first cell, and the service location information of the first communication device, it is determined that the at least one second cell transmits signals at the time-domain location corresponding to the second time-frequency resource.

[0026] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the second time-frequency resource is divided into at least one sub-time-frequency resource group, and the at least one second cell is divided into at least one cell group, with each sub-time-frequency resource group corresponding to a cell group, wherein the sub-time-frequency resource group is used to measure the out-of-band interference of its corresponding cell group to the first cell.

[0027] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: dividing the at least one second cell into the at least one cell group based on at least one of the following parameters: the orbital altitude of the NTN equipment corresponding to the at least one second cell, the frequency of the at least one second cell, or the power of the NTN equipment corresponding to the at least one second cell.

[0028] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending an empty signal or not sending a signal to the third communication device at the time domain location corresponding to the first time-frequency resource; and sending a signal to the third communication device at the time domain location corresponding to the second time-frequency resource.

[0029] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending an acknowledgment message to the first communication device, the acknowledgment message indicating that the second communication device agrees to use the first time-frequency resources to measure the noise floor of the first cell, and the second time-frequency resources to measure the out-of-band interference of the first cell.

[0030] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first message further includes first indication information and second indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the first time-frequency resource is used to measure the noise floor of the first cell, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the second time-frequency resource is used to measure the out-of-band interference of the first cell.

[0031] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first time-frequency resource includes a first zero-power channel state indication reference signal ZP-CSI-RS resource or a first non-zero-power channel state indication reference signal NZP-CSI-RS resource; the second time-frequency resource includes a second ZP-CSI-RS resource or a second NZP-CSI-RS resource.

[0032] The technical effects of the methods shown in the second aspect above can be referenced in the first aspect and its possible designs.

[0033] Thirdly, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a third communication device. Unless otherwise specified, the "third communication device" in this application can refer to the third communication device itself (e.g., a terminal device), or a component within the third communication device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system, such as a circuit or chip in a terminal device responsible for communication functions (e.g., a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core)), or it can be a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the third communication device. For ease of description, the following description uses the execution by a third communication device as an example.

[0034] The communication method includes: receiving a first time-frequency resource and a second time-frequency resource from a first communication device, wherein the first time-frequency resource is used to measure the noise floor of a first cell, and the second time-frequency resource is used to measure the out-of-band interference of the first cell, wherein the first cell is a cell served by the first communication device; measuring the noise floor of the first cell on the first time-frequency resource; and measuring the out-of-band interference of the first cell on the first time-frequency resource.

[0035] The technical effects of the methods shown in the third aspect above can be referenced in the first aspect and its possible designs.

[0036] Fourthly, a communication apparatus is provided for performing the method provided in the first aspect. Specifically, the communication apparatus may include units and / or modules for performing the method provided in any of the above implementations of the first aspect, such as a processing unit and an acquisition unit.

[0037] In one implementation, the transceiver unit can be a transceiver or an input / output interface; the processing unit can be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver can be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface can be an input / output circuit.

[0038] In another implementation, the transceiver unit can be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuit on the chip, chip system, or circuit; the processing unit can be at least one processor, processing circuit, or logic circuit.

[0039] Fifthly, a communication apparatus is provided for performing the method provided in the second aspect. Specifically, the communication apparatus may include units and / or modules for performing the method provided in the second aspect, such as a processing unit and an acquisition unit.

[0040] In one implementation, the transceiver unit can be a transceiver or an input / output interface; the processing unit can be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver can be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface can be an input / output circuit.

[0041] In another implementation, the transceiver unit can be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuit on the chip, chip system, or circuit; the processing unit can be at least one processor, processing circuit, or logic circuit.

[0042] In a sixth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided for performing the method provided in the third aspect. Specifically, the communication apparatus may include units and / or modules for performing the method provided in the second aspect, such as a processing unit and an acquisition unit.

[0043] In one implementation, the transceiver unit can be a transceiver or an input / output interface; the processing unit can be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver can be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface can be an input / output circuit.

[0044] In another implementation, the transceiver unit can be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuit on the chip, chip system, or circuit; the processing unit can be at least one processor, processing circuit, or logic circuit.

[0045] In a seventh aspect, this application provides a processor for executing the method provided by any of the implementations of the first to third aspects described above.

[0046] Unless otherwise specified, or if it does not contradict its actual function or internal logic in the relevant description, the transmission and acquisition / reception operations involved in the processor can be understood as processor output and reception, input and other operations, or as transmission and reception operations performed by radio frequency circuits and antennas. This application does not limit them in this regard.

[0047] Eighthly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores program code for execution by a device, the program code including a method for performing any of the implementations of the first to third aspects described above.

[0048] Ninth aspect, a computer program product containing instructions is provided, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method provided by any of the implementations of the first to third aspects described above.

[0049] In a tenth aspect, a chip is provided, the chip including one or more processors and a communication interface, wherein the processor reads a computer program or instructions stored in a memory through the communication interface and executes the method provided by any of the implementations of the first to third aspects described above.

[0050] Optionally, as one implementation, the chip also includes a memory storing computer programs or instructions, and a processor for executing the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory. When the computer programs or instructions are executed, the processor is used to execute the method provided by any of the first to third aspects described above.

[0051] Eleventhly, a communication system is provided, comprising the communication device described in the fourth aspect and the communication device described in the fifth aspect. Optionally, the communication system further comprises the communication device described in the sixth aspect. Attached Figure Description

[0052] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the network architecture applicable to the embodiments of this application.

[0053] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the open radio access network (O-RAN) architecture.

[0054] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication scenario applicable to an embodiment of this application.

[0055] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of another satellite communication scenario applicable to the embodiments of this application.

[0056] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a transparent satellite architecture.

[0057] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a non-transparent satellite architecture.

[0058] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a cell coverage area.

[0059] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of interference measurement.

[0060] Figure 9 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0061] Figure 10 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0062] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0063] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the following points will be explained first.

[0064] First, in this application, "for indicating" can include both direct and indirect indication. When describing an indication message as indicating A, it can include whether the indication message directly indicates A or indirectly indicates A, but does not necessarily mean that the indication message carries A.

[0065] The information indicated by the instruction is called the information to be instructed. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to indicate the information to be instructed, such as, but not limited to, directly indicating the information to be instructed, such as the information to be instructed itself or its index. It can also be indirectly indicated by indicating other information, where there is a relationship between the other information and the information to be instructed. It can also indicate only a part of the information to be indicated, while the other parts are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the instruction of specific information can be achieved by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol-defined) arrangement of various pieces of information, thereby reducing instruction overhead to some extent. At the same time, common parts of various pieces of information can be identified and indicated uniformly to reduce the instruction overhead caused by individually indicating the same information.

[0066] Second, in this application, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "more than one" refers to two or more. Furthermore, in the embodiments of this application, "first," "second," and various numerical designations (e.g., "#1," "#2," etc.) are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The sequence numbers of the processes below do not imply an order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application. It should be understood that the objects described in this way can be interchanged where appropriate to describe solutions other than those in the embodiments of this application. Moreover, in the embodiments of this application, terms such as "S910" are merely identifiers for descriptive convenience and do not limit the order of execution steps.

[0067] Third, in the embodiments of this application, the words "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that they are examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design that is described as "exemplary" or "for example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design options. Specifically, the use of the words "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0068] Fourth, the term "storage" in the embodiments of this application can refer to storage in one or more memories. These memories can be separate installations or integrated into an encoder, decoder, processor, or communication device. Alternatively, some memories can be separately installed, while others can be integrated into the decoder, processor, or communication device. The type of memory can be any form of storage medium, and this application does not limit this.

[0069] Fifth, in the implementation of this application, "protocol" may refer to standard protocols in the field of communications, such as New Radio (NR) protocols and related protocols applied in future communication systems, which are not limited in this application.

[0070] Sixth, in the embodiments of this application, the terms "of", "corresponding (relevant)", "corresponding", and "associate" can sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that when their differences are not emphasized, their intended meanings are consistent.

[0071] Seventh, in the embodiments of this application, "under the circumstances", "when", and "if" can sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that when the distinction is not emphasized, their intended meanings are consistent.

[0072] Eighth, the term "and / or" in this article is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this article generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0073] Ninth, in the embodiments of this application, the names of messages and devices are merely examples. This application does not impose any limitations on message names, device names, etc., as long as they can achieve the corresponding functions.

[0074] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0075] The technical solutions of this application can be applied to satellite communication systems, high altitude platform station (HAPS) communication, and non-terrestrial network (NTN) systems such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Examples include integrated communication and navigation (ICAN) systems, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), and ultra-dense low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication systems. Satellite communication systems can be integrated with traditional mobile communication systems. For example, the mobile communication system can be a 4th generation (4G) communication system (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE) system), a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, a 5th generation (5G) communication system (e.g., new radio (NR) system), and future mobile communication systems.

[0076] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a communication system applicable to embodiments of this application. The communication system includes at least one network device and at least one terminal. Terminals include ground-based mobile terminals, drones, etc. Both network devices and terminals are sometimes referred to as communication devices; for example, the network device in Figure 1 can be understood as a communication device with base station functionality, and the terminal can be understood as a communication device with terminal functionality.

[0077] It should be understood that Figure 1 is a simplified illustration of a communication scenario in which this application can be applied, using examples of communication between an access network device and a terminal device, and between an access network device and a core network device. It does not limit other scenarios in which this application can be applied. It should also be understood that Figure 1 is only a simplified schematic diagram for ease of understanding. This communication system may also include other network devices or other terminal devices, which are not shown in Figure 1.

[0078] The terminal in this application embodiment can also be referred to as a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. Terminals can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, etc. Terminals can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, etc. Terminals typically contain communication modules, circuits, or chips that perform corresponding communication functions. The terminal can also be configured with program instructions for performing these communication functions.

[0079] The network devices in this application embodiment may sometimes be referred to as access network devices, open radio access network (RAN) entities, or access nodes, etc., constituting part of the communication system to help terminals achieve wireless access. The communication system may include multiple network devices, which may be nodes of the same type or nodes of different types.

[0080] In one possible scenario, network equipment can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system. Network equipment can be a macro base station, a micro base station or indoor station, a relay node or donor node, or a wireless controller. Optionally, network equipment can also be a server, wearable device, vehicle, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, the access network equipment in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a roadside unit (RSU).

[0081] In another possible scenario, multiple network devices collaborate to assist terminals in achieving wireless access, with each device performing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, these network devices could be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU). The CU and DU can be configured separately or included in the same network element, such as the baseband unit (BBU). The CU and DU nodes separate the gNB's protocol layers; some protocol layer functions are centrally controlled by the CU, while the remaining partial or complete protocol layer functions are distributed across the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU.

[0082] The CU is deployed with the radio resource control (RRC) layer, the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, and the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer in the protocol stack; the DU is deployed with the radio link control (RLC) layer, the media access control (MAC) layer, and the physical layer (PHY) in the protocol stack.

[0083] The CU has RRC, PDCP, and SDAP processing capabilities. The DU has RLC, MAC, and PHY processing capabilities.

[0084] It should be understood that the above functional division (or segmentation) is merely an example and does not constitute a limitation on CU and DU in this application. That is to say, there may be other ways to divide functions between CU and DU, and the embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0085] The functions of a CU can be implemented by a single entity or by different entities. For example, the functions of a CU can be further divided, such as separating the control plane (CP) and the user plane (UP), i.e., the CU control plane (CU-CP) and the CU user plane (CU-UP). CU-CP and CU-UP can be implemented by different functional entities, and they can be coupled with DUs to jointly complete the functions of the network device. The CU control plane CU-CP can also include a further divided architecture, namely, dividing CU-CP into CU-CP1 and CU-CP2. CU-CP1 includes various radio resource management functions, while CU-CP2 only includes RRC functions and PDCP-control (C) functions (i.e., the basic functions of control plane signaling at the PDCP layer).

[0086] In one possible implementation, CU-CP handles control plane functions, primarily including RRC and PDCP-C. PDCP-C is mainly responsible for control plane data encryption / decryption, integrity protection, and data transmission. CU-UP handles user plane functions, primarily including SDAP and PDCP-user (U). SDAP is mainly responsible for processing core network data and mapping data flows to bearers. PDCP-U is mainly responsible for data plane encryption / decryption, integrity protection, header compression, sequence number maintenance, and data transmission. CU-CP and CU-UP are connected via an E1 interface. CU-CP represents the gNB and connects to the core network via the Ng interface. It connects to the DU via F1-C (control plane). CU-UP connects to the DU via F1-U (user plane). Another possible implementation is that PDCP-C is also located within CU-UP.

[0087] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, a radio access network can also be an open radio access network (O-RAN) architecture. In an ORAN system, CU can also be called an open CU (open CU, O-CU), DU can also be called an open DU (open DU, O-DU), CU-CP can also be called an open CU-CP (open CU-CP, O-CU-CP), CU-UP can also be called an open CU-UP (open CU-UP, O-CU-UP), and RU can also be called an O-RU. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software modules and hardware modules.

[0088] To facilitate understanding, the O-RAN architecture designed in this application is briefly introduced with reference to Figure 2. As can be seen from Figure 2, the O-RAN architecture includes: a first network unit, a second network unit, a third network unit, an O-eNB, an O-CU-CP, an O-CU-UP, an O-DU, an O-RU, and an O-cloud.

[0089] The aforementioned network elements (also referred to as nodes) can be interconnected. For example, the first network unit connects to the O-cloud via the O2 interface; the first network unit connects to the third network unit, O-eNB, O-CU-CP, O-CU-UP, O-DU, and O-RU via the O1 interface; the first network unit connects to the O-RU via the open fronthaul M-Plane interface; the O-DU connects to the O-RU via the open fronthaul M-Plane interface and the open fronthaul C / U / S-Plane interface; the third network unit connects to the O-eNB, O-CU-CP, O-CU-UP, and O-DU via the E2 interface; the O-CU-CP connects to the O-DU via the F1-c interface; the O-CU-UP connects to the O-DU via the F1-u interface; and the O-CU-CP connects to the O-CU-UP via the E1 interface. For a detailed description of the interfaces shown in Figure 2, please refer to existing standards; further details are omitted here.

[0090] One possible example is that the first network unit could be a service management and orchestration framework (SMO), or a network unit with similar functionality to an SMO; there is no limitation on which one.

[0091] One possible example is that the second network element can be a Non-RT RIC, or a network element with similar functionality to a Non-RT RIC; there is no limitation on this.

[0092] One possible example is that the third network unit could be a Near-RT RIC, or a network unit with similar functionality to a Near-RT RIC; there is no limitation on this.

[0093] O-RAN aims to achieve an intelligent and open access network. A key feature of the O-RAN architecture is the separation of hardware and software, enabling the virtualization of network functions and the standardization of hardware. Furthermore, O-RAN incorporates artificial intelligence (AI).

[0094] In the ORAN system, CU can also be called O-CU (Open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0095] In this embodiment, the communication system may also include core network equipment, i.e., equipment in the core network (CN) that provides service support to the terminal. Examples of core network equipment include: access and mobility management function (AMF) entities, session management function (SMF) entities, user plane function (UPF) entities, etc., which will not be listed here. The AMF entity is responsible for terminal access management and mobility management; the SMF entity is responsible for session management, such as user session establishment; and the UPF entity is a user plane function entity, primarily responsible for connecting to external networks. It should be noted that in this application, entities can also be referred to as network elements or functional entities. For example, an AMF entity can also be called an AMF network element or an AMF functional entity, and an SMF entity can also be called an SMF network element or an SMF functional entity, etc.

[0096] It should be understood that the above naming is defined solely for the purpose of distinguishing different functions and should not constitute any limitation on this application. This application does not preclude the possibility of using other naming conventions in 5G networks and other future networks. For example, in future communication networks, some or all of the above-mentioned network elements may use the terminology from 5G, or they may use other names, etc.

[0097] Currently, 5G has moved from the standardization phase to the commercial deployment phase. The NR standard was designed specifically for terrestrial communication, offering high-speed, high-reliability, and low-latency communication for user terminals. Compared to terrestrial communication, non-terrestrial networks (NTN) communication features large coverage areas and flexible networking. Currently, various research institutes, communication organizations, and companies are involved in researching NTN communication technologies and standards, striving to build a unified communication network integrating air, space, and ground communication. Depending on the payload type, NTN commonly employs two architectures: regenerative architecture and transparent architecture.

[0098] For example, the network devices and terminals in Figure 1 are devices in a satellite communication system. For instance, the network devices and terminals are devices in a converged network architecture of NTN and terrestrial networks. For ease of understanding, the satellite communication scenarios to which the solution of this application is applicable will be briefly introduced in conjunction with Figures 3 and 4.

[0099] Figure 3 shows a potential converged network architecture of NTN and terrestrial networks. In Figure 3, the NTN architecture is a transparent architecture, that is, the base station entity is deployed on the ground.

[0100] Another potential converged network architecture of NTN and terrestrial networks is shown in Figure 4. In Figure 4, the NTN architecture is a regenerative architecture, meaning that the base station entity is deployed on NTN equipment. The NTN equipment can be satellite or other non-terrestrial equipment.

[0101] NTN equipment and terrestrial network base stations can interconnect through a shared core network. They can also achieve more timely assistance and interconnection through interfaces defined between base stations. In NR, the interface between base stations is called the Xn interface, and the interface between the base station and the core network is called the NG interface. In a converged network, NTN equipment and terrestrial nodes can communicate with each other through these interfaces.

[0102] This application embodiment can be applied to the satellite communication scenario shown in Figures 3 and 4. In this scenario, the network equipment includes satellite equipment and a gateway station. The user terminal includes an Internet of Things (IoT) terminal, but can also be a terminal of other forms and performance, such as a mobile terminal, a high-altitude aircraft, etc., which is not limited here. The link between the satellite and the user terminal is called a service link, and the link between the satellite and the gateway station is called a feeder link.

[0103] It should be noted that Figures 3 and 4 above are merely examples and do not constitute any limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

[0104] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, some basic concepts involved in this application will be briefly explained.

[0105] 1. Non-terrestrial networks (NTN): These include networks utilizing equipment such as drones, high-altitude platforms, or satellites to provide data transmission and voice communication services to the UE. High-altitude platform equipment is generally located at an altitude of 8–50 km above the ground. Based on the satellite's orbital altitude, satellite communication systems can be divided into three types: geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite communication systems (also known as synchronous orbit satellite systems); medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite communication systems; and low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication systems. GEO satellites orbit at an altitude of 35,786 km, and their main advantage is that they remain relatively stationary compared to the ground and provide a large coverage area. However, GEO satellite communication also has significant disadvantages:

[0106] 1) GEO satellites are far from Earth, resulting in high free-space propagation loss and tight communication link budgets. To increase transmit / receive gain, satellites need to be equipped with larger aperture antennas.

[0107] 2) The communication transmission delay is large, reaching about 500ms round-trip delay, which cannot meet the needs of low-latency services;

[0108] 3) GEO orbital resources are relatively scarce, launch costs are high, and it cannot provide coverage for the polar regions of the Earth.

[0109] MEO satellites orbit at altitudes ranging from 2000 to 35786 km. Their advantage lies in achieving global coverage with a relatively small number of satellites. However, their orbital altitude is higher than LEO satellites, resulting in significantly longer transmission latency. Considering both advantages and disadvantages, MEO satellites are primarily used for positioning and navigation. LEO satellites, on the other hand, orbit at altitudes between 300 and 2000 km. Lower than MEO and GEO orbits, LEO satellites offer advantages such as lower data propagation latency, less transmission loss, and lower launch costs. Therefore, LEO satellite communication has gained increasing attention in recent years.

[0110] Furthermore, we note that satellite equipment is limited by manufacturing and launch costs, restricting onboard data processing capabilities and transmission power. Currently, satellite communication networks cannot provide UEs with communication rates comparable to terrestrial communication networks. To overcome these limitations and improve the overall signal processing capabilities and communication throughput of satellite networks, satellite operators are preparing to launch giant low-Earth orbit constellations, compensating for the limitations of individual satellite communication capabilities by increasing the number of satellites. In future NTN communication systems, after a UE accesses the system, it will be "visible" to multiple communicable satellites for a period of time. At this time, multiple satellites can provide communication services to the UE, providing the foundation for multi-satellite collaborative transmission.

[0111] 2. Satellite operating modes: including transparent transmission mode and non-transparent transmission mode. In transparent transmission mode, the signal only undergoes frequency conversion and signal amplification on the satellite, and the satellite is transparent to the signal. In non-transparent transmission mode, the satellite functions as a base station during signal transmission, and the UE can send signals to the 5G core network (CN) through the satellite.

[0112] Alternatively, transparent transmission, also known as bend-tube relay transmission, means that the signal only undergoes frequency conversion and signal amplification on the satellite, and the satellite is transparent to the signal, as if it does not exist. Non-transparent transmission, also known as regeneration (on-board access or processing) transmission, means that the satellite has some or all base station functions (such as a satellite corresponding to a complete base station or DU).

[0113] As an example and not a limitation, satellite communication systems include transparent satellite architecture and non-transparent satellite architecture. In a transparent satellite architecture, the satellite operates in transparent mode, while in a non-transparent satellite architecture, the satellite operates in non-transparent mode. For ease of understanding, the transparent and non-transparent satellite architectures are briefly introduced with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 shows the transparent satellite architecture. As can be seen from Figure 5, the signal passes through the satellite and NTN gateway during transmission between the UE and gNB. However, the signal only undergoes frequency conversion and signal amplification on the satellite; the satellite is transparent to the signal. As shown in Figure 5, in the transparent satellite architecture, the satellite and NTN gateway are equivalent to a remote radio unit (RRU). Furthermore, as can be seen from Figure 6, the satellite functions as a base station during signal transmission; the UE can transmit signals to the 5G CN via the satellite.

[0114] 3. Out-of-band leakage: Also known as out-of-band interference. When a signal is transmitted within its designated operating frequency band, it may affect systems operating in adjacent frequency bands. Since channel bandwidth resources are limited in communication, out-of-band leakage must be controlled.

[0115] Specifically, communication systems define the adjacent channel leakage ratio (ACLR) metric to constrain out-of-band leakage. According to current protocol specifications, the ACLR of TN in 3GPP is stricter than that of NTN.

[0116] As shown in Tables 1 and 2 below, the ACLR index for cellular communication systems is 45 dB, while that for LEO satellite systems is 24 dB.

[0117] Table 1

[0118] Table 2

[0119] 4. Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS): The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has officially released SCS regulations, allowing satellites to use the spectrum of cooperating cellular operators to provide services. There are requirements for the template of the spectrum used; that is, the aggregated out-of-band emission (OOBE) power flux density (PFD) cannot exceed a threshold (-120 dBW / m² / MHz) to avoid interference with neighboring systems. A uniform OOBE threshold is used for different frequency points to simplify the rule description.

[0120] 5. Interference of LEO satellites with adjacent frequency bands of cellular systems: As mentioned above, the ACLR (Advanced Channel Limitation Restriction) of LEO satellite systems is much more lenient than that of cellular communication systems. Therefore, LEO satellite systems may cause significant interference to cellular communication systems in adjacent frequency bands for two reasons:

[0121] 1) The out-of-band interference of NTN is much greater than that of TN. For example, because the ACLR index of NTN is more lenient than that of TN, the out-of-band interference of NTN is much greater than that of TN.

[0122] 2) The aggregation characteristics of NTN cause cell edge interference to be close to or even greater than that of the cell center area. For example, because NTN equipment lacks near-far effect, strong signals in the vicinity will not cover weak signals in the distance, thus cell edge interference is close to or even greater than that of the cell center area.

[0123] To facilitate understanding, the interference between NTN and TN is analyzed and explained with reference to Figure 7. As shown in Figure 7, the typical beam (cell) coverage in a cellular system is shown in the left image, and the typical beam (cell) coverage in a satellite system is shown in the right image. Assuming the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the center of the cellular cell can reach 30dB, and the SNR at the cell edge is approximately 0dB due to increased transmission loss, the out-of-band interference analysis for the cellular cell is as follows:

[0124] Cellular coverage center area:

[0125] • High leakage intensity; for example, interference-to-noise ratio (I / N) = 30 dB (SNR) – 45 dB (ACLR) = -15 dB

[0126] • Low coverage multiplicity, for example, coverage multiplicity of 1.

[0127] The total leakage is: Total I / N = I / N x 1 (multiplicity) x 2 (two adjacent bands) = -12dB

[0128] Cellular coverage edge area:

[0129] • Low leakage intensity, for example, I / N = 0dB (SNR) – 45dB (ACLR) = -45dB

[0130] • High coverage multiples, for example, a coverage multiple of 3.

[0131] The total leakage is: Total I / N = I / N x 3 (multiplicity) x 2 (two adjacent bands) = -37dB

[0132] In addition, the satellite has strong capabilities, and the SNR perceived by the terminal can be as high as 20dB. At the edge of the beam, the SNR is about 17dB due to the 3dB decrease in antenna gain.

[0133] The out-of-band interference analysis based on the current 3GPP LEO satellite ACLR index (24dB) is as follows:

[0134] Satellite coverage of the central area:

[0135] • High leakage intensity, for example, I / N = 20dB (SNR) – 24dB (ACLR) = -4dB

[0136] • Low coverage multiplicity, for example, coverage multiplicity of 1.

[0137] The total leakage is: Total I / N = I / N x 1 (multiplicity) x 2 (two adjacent bands) = -1 dB

[0138] Satellite coverage edge areas:

[0139] • Moderate leakage intensity, for example, I / N = 17 dB (SNR) – 24 dB (ACLR) = -7 dB

[0140] • High coverage multiples, for example, a coverage multiple of 3.

[0141] The total leakage is: Total I / N = I / N x 3 (multiplicity) x 2 (two adjacent bands) = 0.8 dB

[0142] The out-of-band interference analysis based on the current FCC SCS LEO satellite's OOBE index (-120dBW / m2 / MHz) is as follows:

[0143] Satellite coverage of the central area:

[0144] • High leakage intensity, for example, I / N = -5.3dB (corresponding to a center frequency of 2GHz).

[0145] • Low coverage multiplicity, for example, coverage multiplicity of 1.

[0146] The total leakage is: Total I / N = I / N x 1 (multiplicity) x 2 (two adjacent bands) = -2.3dB

[0147] Satellite coverage edge areas:

[0148] • The leakage intensity is moderate, for example, I / N = -8.3dB

[0149] • High coverage multiples, for example, a coverage multiple of 3.

[0150] The total leakage is: Total I / N = I / N x 1 (multiplicity) x 2 (two adjacent bands) = -0.5dB

[0151] It is generally believed that when the interference-to-noise ratio (I / N) is less than -12 dB, the impact of interference is negligible. However, it is evident that the maximum out-of-band interference intensity of high-capability satellites under 3GPP and FCC regulations far exceeds -12 dB for cellular systems, and its impact on adjacent frequency band systems cannot be ignored. However, due to the nature of satellite supplementary coverage, satellite coverage is often insufficient in most scenarios. For example, some scenarios may only have single-sided neighboring cell coverage, or only single or double coverage. In these cases, leakage interference will be less severe than under redundant coverage.

[0152] 6. Zero-Power Channel Status Indication Reference Signal (ZP-CSI-RS) Resource Configuration: When a UE receives the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), the resources allocated to the PDSCH may contain channel status indication reference signals (CSI-RS) configured for other UEs. The purpose of configuring ZP-CSI-RS is to notify the UE which resources allocated to the PDSCH are used for configuring CSI-RS for other UEs, thus achieving rate matching. ZP-CSI-RS is zero-power, therefore, it is not necessary to generate a CSI-RS sequence; simply configuring the corresponding resources is sufficient.

[0153] In cellular systems, there are two types of downlink channel state information-reference signals (CSI-RS) used to measure channel and interference: non-zero-power (NZP) CSI-RS and zero-power (ZP) CSI-RS. After measuring the channel and interference, the UE can feed back the measured channel state information (CSI) to the base station. Based on the CSI fed back by the UE, the base station can perform data scheduling, thereby improving data transmission efficiency.

[0154] When the NZP CSI-RS is used for channel measurement, the base station notifies the UE of its detailed configuration information, allowing the UE to measure the characteristics of the radio channel traversed by that NZP CSI-RS. When the ZP CSI-RS is used for interference measurement, the base station informs the UE on which ZP CSI-RS to measure neighboring cell interference. The UE assumes that the serving cell is not transmitting any signal on the time-frequency resources corresponding to that ZP CSI-RS, and therefore receives only interference. When the NZP CSI-RS is used for interference measurement, the UE can first measure the interference between multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) paired UEs within the cell based on the NZP CSI-RS. Then, the UE can subtract the interference between UEs from the total received power to obtain the interference between cells.

[0155] 7. Noise floor and out-of-band interference: Noise floor refers to the interference within the system when there is no external interference. Out-of-band interference refers to interference caused by external factors.

[0156] 8. Interference Measurement: NR supports ZP-CSI-RS. By leaving blank resource elements (REs), the UE measures the energy of the blank REs to determine the strength of interference signals (in-band and out-of-band).

[0157] The transmission delay between NTN and TN, and between NTN and NTN, is significant, and the coverage area of ​​the NTN beam is large, so the signal boundaries between NTN-NTN and NTN-TN may not be aligned. For example, a TN UE cannot determine whether the energy measured on a blank RE in a TN system is "noise floor" or "noise floor and out-of-band interference," as shown in Figure 8. The upper part of Figure 8 represents a synchronous system, where the energy measured by the TN UE on a blank RE in a TN system is "noise floor." The lower part of Figure 8 represents an asynchronous system, where the energy measured by the TN UE on a blank RE in a TN system includes some out-of-band interference, and the UE's measurement result is neither "noise floor" nor complete out-of-band interference.

[0158] The preceding text, with reference to Figures 3 and 4, briefly introduced the application scenarios of the communication method provided in this application embodiment, as well as the basic concepts that may be involved in this application embodiment. Within these basic concepts, it described the interference of LEO on adjacent frequency band cellular systems and the measurement of interference. Currently, protocols use static constraints on out-of-band leakage. Overly strict static constraints can limit the service capabilities of satellites, while lenient static constraints may negatively impact out-of-band performance due to excessive out-of-band interference. For satellite-ground coexistence systems, it is ideal to obtain the out-of-band signal strength of the satellite system in real time, allowing the satellite network to adjust its transmission signal strength according to interference conditions. However, the aforementioned interference measurement methods cannot obtain out-of-band interference in real time.

[0159] This application provides a communication method for determining adjacent channel interference in NTN.

[0160] The communication method provided in this application can be applied to systems that communicate using multi-antenna technology, such as the communication system shown in Figure 1. This communication system may include at least one network device and at least one terminal device. More specifically, the communication method provided in this application can be applied to NTN communication scenarios, such as the satellite communication scenarios shown in Figure 3 or Figure 4. The embodiments shown below do not limit the application scenarios of the method provided in this application.

[0161] The embodiments shown below do not specifically limit the structure of the execution entity of the method provided in the embodiments of this application. As long as it is possible to communicate according to the method provided in the embodiments of this application by running a program that records the code of the method provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0162] For example, the method provided in this application embodiment can be executed by a first communication device (e.g., a terminal device), or by a component of the first communication device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system, such as a circuit or chip in the first communication device responsible for communication functions (e.g., a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core)), or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first communication device. For ease of description, the following description uses the execution by the first communication device as an example.

[0163] For example, the method provided in the embodiments of this application can be executed by a second communication device (e.g., access mobility management network element), or by a component of the second communication device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system, such as a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions in the first communication device (e.g., a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core)), or by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the second communication device.

[0164] Figure 9 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application, including the following steps:

[0165] S910, the first communication device determines the first time-frequency resource and the second time-frequency resource.

[0166] Specifically, the first time-frequency resource is used to measure the noise floor of the first cell. The second time-frequency resource is used to measure the out-of-band interference of the first cell, which is the cell served by the first communication equipment.

[0167] For example, the first communication device is an access network device in an NTN, such as an NTN BS; or, the first communication device is an access network device in a TN, such as a TN BS.

[0168] For example, the first communication device is a core network device in an NTN, such as an NTN CN; or, the first communication device is a core network device in a TN, such as a TN CN.

[0169] It should be understood that the above-mentioned first communication device, such as NTN BS, TN BS, NTN CN, or TN CN, is merely an example and does not constitute any limitation on the scope of protection of this application. In this embodiment, the specific form of the first communication device is not limited, as long as it can achieve the corresponding function.

[0170] Optionally, the first time-frequency resource can be a first ZP-CSI-RS resource or a first NZP-CSI-RS resource. The second time-frequency resource can be a second ZP-CSI-RS resource or a second NZP-CSI-RS resource.

[0171] It should be noted that the first time-frequency resource mentioned above is either the first ZP-CSI-RS resource or the first NZP-CSI-RS resource, and the second time-frequency resource is either the second ZP-CSI-RS resource or the second NZP-CSI-RS resource. These are merely examples to illustrate the possible forms of the first and second time-frequency resources in this application and do not constitute any limitation on the scope of protection of this application. The first time-frequency resource can also be other time-frequency resources that can be used to measure noise floor, and the second time-frequency resource can be other time-frequency resources that can measure out-of-band interference. In other words, as the standard evolves, the ZP-CSI-RS resource or NZP-CSI-RS resource mentioned above may have other names, which will not be illustrated here.

[0172] For example, the first communication device determines the first time-frequency resource by: the first communication device determining the time-domain location and the frequency-domain location corresponding to the first time-frequency resource.

[0173] For example, the first communication device determines the second time-frequency resource by: the first communication device determining the time domain location corresponding to the second time-frequency resource and the frequency domain location corresponding to the second time-frequency resource.

[0174] It should be understood that this application does not limit the specific method by which the first communication device determines the first time-frequency resource and the second time-frequency resource. The first communication device may select time-frequency resources that can be used to measure the noise floor and out-of-band interference based on the local available time-frequency resources. For example, the first communication device may determine the first time-frequency resource and the second time-frequency resource by dividing the ZP-CSI-RS resource (or blank RE) into two groups, one group for measuring the noise floor, i.e. the first time-frequency resource mentioned above; and the other group for obtaining out-of-band interference, i.e. the second time-frequency resource mentioned above.

[0175] Furthermore, after the first communication determines the first time-frequency resource and the second time-frequency resource, it can indicate the first time-frequency resource and the second time-frequency resource to at least one second communication device in at least one NTN communication system in an adjacent frequency band through a first message, thereby realizing the cooperation between the first communication device and the second communication device regarding the measurement noise floor and out-of-band interference.

[0176] For ease of description, the following explanation uses the example of a first communication device indicating first and second time-frequency resources to a second communication device in an NTN communication system in an adjacent frequency band. The communication method shown in Figure 9 further includes:

[0177] S920, the first communication device sends a first message to the second communication device, and correspondingly, the second communication device receives the first message from the first communication device.

[0178] It should be understood that if there are multiple NTN communication systems in the same frequency band as the communication system to which the first communication device belongs, the first communication device may send the aforementioned first message to multiple second communication devices respectively.

[0179] For example, the first communication device is a TN BS in a TN communication system. The NTN communication system in the adjacent frequency band of the TN communication system includes NTN communication system #1 and NTN communication system #2. The BS in NTN communication system #1 is NTN BS #1, and the BS in NTN communication system #2 is NTN BS #2. The TN BS can send the first message to NTN BS #1 and NTN BS #2 respectively.

[0180] For example, the first communication device is a TN CN in a TN communication system. The NTN communication system in the adjacent frequency band of the TN communication system includes NTN communication system #1 and NTN communication system #2. In NTN communication system #1, the CN is NTN CN#1, and in NTN communication system #2, the BS is NTN CN#2. The TN CN can send the first message to NTN CN#1 and NTN CN#2 respectively.

[0181] Optionally, the first communication device may send a first message to at least one second communication device via broadcast.

[0182] Specifically, the first message is used to identify at least one second cell adjacent to the frequency point of the first cell, and to indicate that no signal transmission is performed in at least one second cell at the time-domain location corresponding to the first time-frequency resource, and that signal transmission is performed in at least one second cell at the time-domain location corresponding to the second time-frequency resource.

[0183] Furthermore, in the embodiments of this application, the first message can be understood as: an interference measurement cooperation request message sent by the first communication device to the second communication device, used to enable the NTN or TN communication system to which the first communication device belongs to negotiate the transmission time of the reference signal with the NTN communication system to which the first communication device belongs, so as to realize the measurement of noise floor and out-of-band interference. Then the method flow shown in Figure 9 further includes:

[0184] S930, the second communication device determines, based on the first message, a first time-frequency resource for measuring the noise floor of the first cell and a second time-frequency resource for measuring the out-of-band interference of the first cell.

[0185] For example, the first message includes at least one of the following:

[0186] The time-domain location information corresponding to the first time-frequency resource, the time-domain location information corresponding to the second time-frequency resource, the timing information of the first cell, the frequency point information of the first cell, or the service location information of the first communication device.

[0187] Optionally, the frequency information of the first cell and the service location information of the first communication device carried in the first message are used to determine a list of at least one second cell that overlaps with the coverage area of ​​the first communication device and is adjacent to it in frequency. For example, when at least one second communication device receives the above-mentioned first message, it can determine the at least one second cell based on the first message.

[0188] In addition, the time-domain location information corresponding to the first time-frequency resource, the timing information of the first cell, and the service location information of the first communication device carried in the first message are used to determine the time slot location of the resource that does not transmit signals, thereby realizing that no signal transmission is performed in the at least one second cell at the time-domain location corresponding to the first time-frequency resource.

[0189] Furthermore, the time-domain location information corresponding to the second time-frequency resource, the timing information of the first cell, and the service location information of the first communication device carried in the first message are used to determine the time slot location of the resource for continuous signal transmission, thereby enabling signal transmission in at least one second cell at the time-domain location corresponding to the second time-frequency resource.

[0190] As an example and not a limitation, in order to enable the second communication device to clearly know the functions of the first time-frequency resource and the second time-frequency resource indicated in the first message, the first message may also include first indication information and second indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate that the first time-frequency resource is used to measure the noise floor of the first cell, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the second time-frequency resource is used to measure the out-of-band interference of the first cell.

[0191] Optionally, the second time-frequency resource used to measure out-of-band interference can be divided into at least one sub-time-frequency resource group, and at least one second cell can also be divided into at least one cell group. Each cell group may include one or more cells, each sub-time-frequency resource group corresponds to one cell group, and each sub-time-frequency resource group is used to measure the out-of-band interference of its corresponding cell group to the first cell.

[0192] For example, the second time-frequency resource includes time-frequency resource #1, time-frequency resource #2, time-frequency resource #3, and time-frequency resource #4. These four time-frequency resources are divided into two sub-time-frequency resource groups, sub-time-frequency resource group #1 and sub-time-frequency resource group #2. Sub-time-frequency resource group #1 includes time-frequency resource #1 and time-frequency resource #2, and sub-time-frequency resource group #2 includes time-frequency resource #3 and time-frequency resource #4. At least one second cell includes second cell #1, second cell #2, second cell #3, and second cell #4. These four second cells are divided into two cell groups, cell group #1 and cell group #2. Cell group #1 includes second cell #1 and second cell #2, and cell group #2 includes second cell #3 and second cell #4. Sub-time-frequency resource group #1 corresponds to cell group #1, and sub-time-frequency resource group #2 corresponds to cell group #2. The time-frequency resources included in sub-time-frequency resource group #1 are used to measure the out-of-band interference of cell group #1 to the first cell, and the time-frequency resources included in sub-time-frequency resource group #2 are used to measure the out-of-band interference of cell group #2 to the first cell.

[0193] For example, at least one second cell is divided into at least one cell group based on at least one of the following parameters:

[0194] The orbital height of the NTN equipment corresponding to at least one second cell, the frequency of at least one second cell, or the power of the NTN equipment corresponding to at least one second cell.

[0195] For example, after the second communication device determines at least one second cell, it groups the at least one second cell according to the orbital altitude of the NTN equipment corresponding to the at least one second cell. For example, the NTN equipment corresponding to the at least one second cell includes GEO satellites, 600km LEO satellites, and 1200km LEO satellites, with GEO satellites forming one group, 600km LEO satellites forming another group, and 1200km LEO satellites forming yet another group.

[0196] For example, after the second communication device determines at least one second cell, it groups the at least one second cell according to its frequency, or in other words, it groups the at least one second cell according to the frequency of the NTN device corresponding to the at least one second cell. For example, the frequency of the at least one second cell includes first-order frequency points, second-order frequency points, etc., with first-order frequency points forming one group and second-order frequency points forming another group.

[0197] For example, after the second communication device determines at least one second cell, it groups the devices according to the battery strength of the NTN equipment corresponding to the at least one second cell. For instance, the battery strength of the NTN equipment corresponding to the at least one second cell can be [-120 to -110 dBw / km² / MHz] or [-110 to -100 dBw / km² / MHz]. Devices with battery strengths of [-120 to -110 dBw / km² / MHz] form one group, and devices with battery strengths of [-110 to -100 dBw / km² / MHz] form another group.

[0198] It should be understood that the above cell grouping method is only an example and does not constitute any limitation on the scope of protection of this application. Other grouping methods can also be used to determine multiple groups of cells adjacent to the frequency point of the first cell, which will not be illustrated here.

[0199] Furthermore, after the second communication device determines, based on the first message, not to perform signal transmission in at least one second cell at the time-domain location corresponding to the first time-frequency resource, and performs signal transmission in at least one second cell at the time-domain location corresponding to the second time-frequency resource, the second communication device can notify the first communication device through an acknowledgment message. The method flow shown in Figure 9 may also include:

[0200] S940, the second communication device sends an acknowledgment message to the first communication device, and correspondingly, the second communication device receives an acknowledgment message from the first communication device.

[0201] Specifically, the confirmation message indicates that there is no signal transmission from adjacent cells on the first time-frequency resource used for measuring noise floor, or in other words, that there is no signal transmission from adjacent cells with interference exceeding a threshold on the first time-frequency resource used for measuring noise floor. Furthermore, the confirmation message can also be used to indicate that there is always signal transmission from adjacent cells on the second time-frequency resource used for measuring out-of-band interference.

[0202] For example, after receiving the aforementioned confirmation message, the first communication device can send information about the first and second time-frequency resources to the third communication device, enabling the third communication device to perform measurements of noise floor and out-of-band interference. The method flow shown in Figure 9 may further include:

[0203] S950, the first communication device sends the first time-frequency resource and the second time-frequency resource to the third communication device, and correspondingly, the third communication device receives the first time-frequency resource and the second time-frequency resource from the first communication device.

[0204] Specifically, in this application, the third communication device is a device that can communicate with the communication system to which the first communication device belongs, and with the communication system to which the second communication device belongs.

[0205] For example, the first communication device is a TN BS in a TN communication system, the second communication device is an NTN BS in an NTN communication system, and the third communication device is a UE. The UE can communicate with both the TN BS and the NTN BS. For example, the third communication device can receive a first time-frequency resource and a second time-frequency resource from the TN BS, as well as type indications of the first and second time-frequency resources. The third communication device can also receive a reference signal from the NTN BS on the first time-frequency resource for measuring out-of-band interference.

[0206] Furthermore, after the third communication device receives the first time-frequency resource for measuring the noise floor and the second time-frequency resource for measuring out-of-band interference, it can perform the measurement of the noise floor and out-of-band interference. Therefore, the method flow shown in Figure 9 can further include:

[0207] S960, the third communication device, measures noise floor and out-of-band interference.

[0208] For example, the access network equipment in the communication system to which the first communication device belongs and the at least one access network equipment in the at least one communication system to which at least one second communication device belongs do not transmit signals on the first time-frequency resource, so that the third communication device can measure the noise floor intensity of the first cell on the first time-frequency resource.

[0209] For example, the first communication device is a TN BS in a TN communication system, and at least one second communication device is at least one NTN BS in at least one NTN communication system (e.g., NTN BS#1 and NTN BS#2, etc.). The TN BS and at least one NTN BS do not transmit signals on the first time-frequency resource.

[0210] For example, if the first communication device is a TN CN in a TN communication system, and at least one second communication device is at least one NTN CN in at least one NTN communication system (e.g., NTN CN#1 and NTN CN#2, etc.), then the TN CN can instruct the TN BS not to transmit signals on the first time-frequency resource, and at least one NTN CN can instruct at least one NTN BS not to transmit signals on the first time-frequency resource.

[0211] For example, the first communication device is NTN BS#3 in NTN communication system #3, and at least one second communication device is at least one NTN BS in at least one NTN communication system (e.g., NTN BS#1 and NTN BS#2, etc.). NTN BS#3 and at least one NTN BS do not transmit signals on the first time-frequency resource.

[0212] For example, the access network equipment in the communication system to which the first communication device belongs does not transmit signals on the second time-frequency resource, while at least one access network equipment in at least one communication system to which at least one second communication device belongs transmits signals on the second time-frequency resource, so that the third communication device can measure the out-of-band interference intensity generated by at least one second cell on the first cell on the first time-frequency resource.

[0213] For example, the first communication device is a TN BS in a TN communication system, and at least one second communication device is at least one NTN BS in at least one NTN communication system (e.g., NTN BS#1 and NTN BS#2, etc.). The TN BS does not transmit signals on the second time-frequency resource, and at least one NTN BS continuously transmits signals on the second time-frequency resource.

[0214] For example, if the first communication device is a TN CN in a TN communication system, and at least one second communication device is at least one NTN CN in at least one NTN communication system (e.g., NTN CN#1 and NTN CN#2, etc.), then the TN CN can instruct the TN BS not to transmit signals on the second time-frequency resource, and at least one NTN CN can instruct at least one NTN BS to continuously transmit signals on the second time-frequency resource.

[0215] The communication method shown in Figure 9 allows a first communication device to determine time-frequency resources for measuring the noise floor and out-of-band interference of a first cell, and to send a measurement cooperation request for noise floor and out-of-band interference to a second communication device via a first message. This ensures that neighboring cells of the first cell do not transmit signals at the time-domain location corresponding to the first time-frequency resource for measuring noise floor, and that neighboring cells of the first cell transmit signals at the time-domain location corresponding to the second time-frequency resource for measuring out-of-band interference. This enables the first communication device to accurately acquire the noise floor and out-of-band interference of the first cell, thereby accurately observing the intensity of out-of-band interference generated by the communication devices in the NTN on the first cell.

[0216] It should be understood that the sequence number of each process does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0217] It should also be understood that, unless otherwise specified or logically conflicting, the terminology and / or descriptions in the various embodiments of this application are consistent and can be referenced interchangeably. Furthermore, technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0218] The communication method provided in the embodiments of this application has been described in detail above with reference to Figure 9. The above communication method is mainly described from the perspective of interaction between various entities. It is understood that, in order to realize the above functions, the first communication device, the second communication device, and the third communication device include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function.

[0219] Those skilled in the art will recognize that, based on the units and algorithm steps described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is implemented in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0220] The communication device provided in this application is described in detail below with reference to Figures 10 and 11. It should be understood that the description of the device embodiments corresponds to the description of the method embodiments. Therefore, for details not described in detail, please refer to the method embodiments above; for brevity, some details are omitted.

[0221] This application embodiment can divide the first communication device, the second communication device, and the third communication device into functional modules according to the above method example. For example, each function can be divided into its own functional modules, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional module. It should be noted that the module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. The following description uses the division of functional modules according to each function as an example.

[0222] Figure 10 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 10 provided in an embodiment of this application. The device 10 includes a transceiver unit 11 and a processing unit 12. The transceiver unit 11 can implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing unit 12 is used for data processing. In other words, the transceiver unit 11 is used to perform operations related to receiving and sending, and the processing unit 12 is used to perform other operations besides receiving and sending. The transceiver unit 11 can also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication unit.

[0223] Optionally, the device 10 may further include a storage unit 13, which may be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing unit 12 may read the instructions and / or data in the storage unit so that the device can perform the operation of the device in the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0224] In one design, the device 10 may correspond to the first communication device in the above method embodiments, or to a component of the first communication device (such as a chip).

[0225] The device 10 can implement the steps or processes corresponding to those performed by the first communication device in the above method embodiment. The transceiver unit 11 can be used to perform the transceiver-related operations of the first communication device in the above method embodiment, and the processing unit 12 can be used to perform the processing-related operations of the first communication device in the above method embodiment.

[0226] In one possible implementation, processing unit 12 is configured to determine a first time-frequency resource and a second time-frequency resource, wherein the first time-frequency resource is used to measure the noise floor of a first cell, and the second time-frequency resource is used to measure the out-of-band interference of the first cell, wherein the first cell is a cell served by the first communication device. Transceiver unit 11 is configured to send a first message to a second communication device, wherein the first message indicates that no signal transmission will occur in at least one second cell at a time-domain location corresponding to the first time-frequency resource, and that signal transmission will occur in the at least one second cell at a time-domain location corresponding to the second time-frequency resource, wherein the at least one second cell is a cell with a frequency adjacent to the first cell, and wherein the second communication device is a communication device in a non-terrestrial network (NTN).

[0227] When the device 10 is used to execute the method in FIG9, the transceiver unit 11 can be used to execute the steps of transmitting and receiving information in the method, such as steps S920, S940 and S950; the processing unit 12 can be used to execute the processing steps in the method, such as step S910.

[0228] It should be understood that the specific process of each unit performing the above-mentioned corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0229] In another design, the device 10 may correspond to the second communication device in the above method embodiment, or to a component of the second communication device (such as a chip).

[0230] The device 10 can implement the steps or processes corresponding to those performed by the second communication device in the above method embodiments. The transceiver unit 11 can be used to perform the transceiver-related operations of the second communication device in the above method embodiments, and the processing unit 12 can be used to perform the processing-related operations of the second communication device in the above method embodiments.

[0231] In one possible implementation, transceiver unit 11 is configured to receive a first message from a first communication device; processing unit 12 is configured to determine a first time-frequency resource and a second time-frequency resource based on the first message, wherein the first time-frequency resource is used to measure the noise floor of a first cell, and the second time-frequency resource is used to measure the out-of-band interference of the first cell, and the first cell is a cell served by the first communication device; wherein the time-domain location corresponding to the first time-frequency resource is not used for signal transmission in at least one second cell, and the time-domain location corresponding to the second time-frequency resource is used for signal transmission in the at least one second cell, and the at least one second cell is a cell with a frequency point adjacent to the first cell.

[0232] When the device 10 is used to execute the method in FIG9, the transceiver unit 11 can be used to execute the steps of transmitting and receiving information in the method, such as steps S920 and S940; the processing unit 12 can be used to execute the processing steps in the method, such as step S930.

[0233] It should be understood that the specific process of each unit performing the above-mentioned corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0234] In another design, the device 10 may correspond to the third communication device in the above method embodiments, or to a component of the third communication device (such as a chip).

[0235] The device 10 can implement the steps or processes corresponding to those performed by the third communication device in the above method embodiments. The transceiver unit 11 can be used to perform transceiver-related operations of the third communication device in the above method embodiments, and the processing unit 12 can be used to perform processing-related operations of the third communication device in the above method embodiments.

[0236] In one possible implementation, transceiver unit 11 is configured to receive first time-frequency resources and second time-frequency resources from a first communication device, wherein the first time-frequency resources are used to measure the noise floor of a first cell, and the second time-frequency resources are used to measure the out-of-band interference of the first cell, wherein the first cell is a cell served by the first communication device; and processing unit 12 is configured to measure the noise floor of the first cell on the first time-frequency resources, and to measure the out-of-band interference of the first cell on the first time-frequency resources.

[0237] When the device 10 is used to execute the method in FIG9, the transceiver unit 11 can be used to execute the step of transmitting and receiving information in the method, such as step S950; the processing unit 12 can be used to execute the processing step in the method, such as step S960.

[0238] It should be understood that the specific process of each unit performing the above-mentioned corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0239] It should also be understood that the device 10 here is embodied in the form of a functional unit. The term "unit" here can refer to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), electronic circuitry, a processor (e.g., a shared processor, a proprietary processor, or a group processor, etc.) and memory for executing one or more software or firmware programs, integrated logic circuitry, and / or other suitable components supporting the described functions. In an alternative example, those skilled in the art will understand that device 10 may specifically be a mobility management network element in the above embodiments, and may be used to execute the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the mobility management network element in the above method embodiments; or, device 10 may specifically be a terminal device in the above embodiments, and may be used to execute the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the terminal device in the above method embodiments. To avoid repetition, further details are omitted here.

[0240] The apparatus 10 of each of the above-described schemes has the function of implementing the corresponding steps performed by the entities (such as the first communication device, the second communication device, and the third communication device) in the above-described methods. This function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units corresponding to the above-described functions; for example, the transceiver unit can be replaced by a transceiver (for example, the transmitting unit in the transceiver unit can be replaced by a transmitter, and the receiving unit in the transceiver unit can be replaced by a receiver), and other units, such as processing units, can be replaced by processors, which respectively execute the transceiver operations and related processing operations in each method embodiment.

[0241] In addition, the transceiver unit 11 can also be a transceiver circuit (for example, it may include a receiving circuit and a transmitting circuit), and the processing unit can be a processing circuit.

[0242] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of another communication device 20 provided in an embodiment of this application. The device 20 includes a processor 21, which is used to execute computer programs or instructions stored in a memory 22, or to read data / signaling stored in the memory 22, to perform the methods in the above-described method embodiments. Optionally, there may be one or more processors 21.

[0243] Optionally, as shown in FIG11, the device 20 further includes a memory 22 for storing computer programs or instructions and / or data. The memory 22 may be integrated with the processor 21 or may be disposed separately. Optionally, there may be one or more memories 22.

[0244] Optionally, as shown in FIG11, the device 20 further includes a transceiver 23 for receiving and / or transmitting signals. For example, the processor 21 is used to control the transceiver 23 to receive and / or transmit signals.

[0245] As one option, the device 20 is used to implement the operations performed by the first communication device, the second communication device, or the third communication device in the various method embodiments described above.

[0246] It should be understood that the processor mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be a central processing unit (CPU), or it can be one or more combinations of other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), microprocessor units (MPUs), microcontroller units (MCUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), artificial intelligence processors (AI processors), or neural processing units (NPUs); or, the processor mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be an ASIC or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component, etc. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0247] It should also be understood that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory and / or non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can be cache or random access memory (RAM). For example, RAM can be used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, RAM includes the following forms: static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0248] It should be noted that when the processor is a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, or discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) can be integrated into the processor.

[0249] It should also be noted that the memory described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0250] This application also provides a chip system (or processing system) including logic circuits and input / output interfaces.

[0251] The logic circuit can be a processing circuit in the chip system. The logic circuit can be coupled to a memory cell, calling instructions from the memory cell, enabling the chip system to implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application. The input / output interface can be an input / output circuit in the chip system, outputting processed information or inputting data or signaling information to be processed into the chip system for processing.

[0252] As one approach, the chip system is used to implement the operations performed by the first communication device, the second communication device, or the third communication device in the various method embodiments described above.

[0253] For example, the logic circuit is used to implement the processing-related operations performed by the first communication device, the second communication device, or the third communication device in the above method embodiments; the input / output interface is used to implement the sending and / or receiving-related operations performed by the first communication device, the second communication device, or the third communication device in the above method embodiments.

[0254] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions for implementing the methods executed by the first communication device, the second communication device, or the third communication device in the above-described method embodiments.

[0255] For example, when the computer program is executed by a computer, it enables the computer to implement the methods performed by the first communication device, the second communication device, or the third communication device in the various embodiments of the above methods.

[0256] This application also provides a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, implement the methods performed by the first communication device, the second communication device, or the third communication device in the above-described method embodiments.

[0257] This application also provides a communication system, including the aforementioned first communication device and second communication device. Optionally, the communication system further includes the aforementioned third communication device.

[0258] The explanations and beneficial effects of the relevant contents in any of the devices provided above can be found in the corresponding method embodiments provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0259] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0260] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0261] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces, and the indirect coupling or communication connection of apparatus or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0262] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0263] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0264] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0265] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a first communication device, the method includes: A first time-frequency resource and a second time-frequency resource are determined. The first time-frequency resource is used to measure the noise floor of the first cell, and the second time-frequency resource is used to measure the out-of-band interference of the first cell. The first cell is the cell served by the first communication device. A first message is sent to a second communication device, the first message indicating that no signal transmission will occur in at least one second cell at the time-domain location corresponding to the first time-frequency resource, and that signal transmission will occur in the at least one second cell at the time-domain location corresponding to the second time-frequency resource, wherein the at least one second cell is a cell adjacent to the frequency point of the first cell. The second communication device is a communication device in a non-terrestrial network (NTN).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first message includes at least one of the following: The time-domain location information corresponding to the first time-frequency resource, the time-domain location information corresponding to the second time-frequency resource, the timing information of the first cell, the frequency point information of the first cell, or the service location information of the first communication device. The frequency information of the first cell and the service location information of the first communication device are used to determine the at least one second cell. The time-domain location information corresponding to the first time-frequency resource, the timing information of the first cell, and the service location information of the first communication device are used to determine that no signal transmission is performed in at least one second cell at the time-domain location corresponding to the first time-frequency resource. The time-domain location information corresponding to the second time-frequency resource, the timing information of the first cell, and the service location information of the first communication device are used to determine that signal transmission is carried out in at least one second cell at the time-domain location corresponding to the second time-frequency resource.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second time-frequency resource is divided into at least one sub-time-frequency resource group, and the at least one second cell is divided into at least one cell group, with each sub-time-frequency resource group corresponding to one cell group. The sub-time-frequency resource group is used to measure the out-of-band interference of its corresponding cell group to the first cell.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The at least one second cell is divided into the at least one cell group based on at least one of the following parameters: The orbital height of the NTN equipment corresponding to the at least one second cell, the frequency of the at least one second cell, or the power of the NTN equipment corresponding to the at least one second cell.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: The device receives an acknowledgment message from the second communication device, the acknowledgment message indicating that the second communication device agrees to use the first time-frequency resources to measure the noise floor of the first cell, and the second time-frequency resources to measure the out-of-band interference of the first cell.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first time-frequency resource and the second time-frequency resource are sent to the third communication device.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The first message also includes a first indication information and a second indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate that the first time-frequency resource is used to measure the noise floor of the first cell, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the second time-frequency resource is used to measure the out-of-band interference of the first cell.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The first time-frequency resource includes a first zero-power channel state indication reference signal ZP-CSI-RS resource or a first non-zero-power channel state indication reference signal NZP-CSI-RS resource; The second time-frequency resource includes a second ZP-CSI-RS resource or a second NZP-CSI-RS resource.

9. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a second communication device, the method includes: Receive the first message from the first communication device; The first time-frequency resource and the second time-frequency resource are determined based on the first message. The first time-frequency resource is used to measure the noise floor of the first cell, and the second time-frequency resource is used to measure the out-of-band interference of the first cell. The first cell is the cell served by the first communication device. Wherein, the time-domain location corresponding to the first time-frequency resource is not used for signal transmission in at least one second cell, and the time-domain location corresponding to the second time-frequency resource is used for signal transmission in the at least one second cell, wherein the at least one second cell is a cell whose frequency point is adjacent to that of the first cell.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first message includes at least one of the following: The time-domain location information corresponding to the first time-frequency resource, the time-domain location information corresponding to the second time-frequency resource, the timing information of the first cell, the frequency point information of the first cell, or the service location information of the first communication device. The method further includes: The at least one second cell is determined based on the frequency point information of the first cell and the service location information of the first communication device; The step of determining the first time-frequency resource and the second time-frequency resource based on the first message includes: Based on the time-domain location information corresponding to the first time-frequency resource, the timing information of the first cell, and the service location information of the first communication device, it is determined that the at least one second cell does not transmit signals at the time-domain location corresponding to the first time-frequency resource. Based on the time-domain location information corresponding to the second time-frequency resource, the timing information of the first cell, and the service location information of the first communication device, it is determined that the at least one second cell transmits signals at the time-domain location corresponding to the second time-frequency resource.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The second time-frequency resource is divided into at least one sub-time-frequency resource group, and the at least one second cell is divided into at least one cell group, with each sub-time-frequency resource group corresponding to one cell group. The sub-time-frequency resource group is used to measure the out-of-band interference of its corresponding cell group to the first cell.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The method further includes: The at least one second cell is divided into the at least one cell group based on at least one of the following parameters: The orbital height of the NTN equipment corresponding to the at least one second cell, the frequency of the at least one second cell, or the power of the NTN equipment corresponding to the at least one second cell.

13. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send an empty signal to the third communication device or do not send a signal to the third communication device at the time domain location corresponding to the first time-frequency resource; A signal is sent to the third communication device at the time domain location corresponding to the second time-frequency resource.

14. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that, The method further includes: A confirmation message is sent to the first communication device, the confirmation message being used to indicate to the second communication device that the first time-frequency resources are used to measure the noise floor of the first cell, and the second time-frequency resources are used to measure the out-of-band interference of the first cell.

15. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that, The first message also includes a first indication information and a second indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate that the first time-frequency resource is used to measure the noise floor of the first cell, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the second time-frequency resource is used to measure the out-of-band interference of the first cell.

16. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 15, characterized in that, The first time-frequency resource includes a first zero-power channel state indication reference signal ZP-CSI-RS resource or a first non-zero-power channel state indication reference signal NZP-CSI-RS resource; The second time-frequency resource includes a second ZP-CSI-RS resource or a second NZP-CSI-RS resource.

17. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a third communication device, the method includes: The device receives first time-frequency resources and second time-frequency resources from a first communication device. The first time-frequency resources are used to measure the noise floor of a first cell, and the second time-frequency resources are used to measure the out-of-band interference of the first cell. The first cell is a cell served by the first communication device. Measure the noise floor of the first cell on the first time-frequency resource; The out-of-band interference of the first cell is measured on the first time-frequency resource.

18. A communication device, characterized in that, The apparatus includes a unit for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

19. A communication device, characterized in that, The apparatus includes a unit for performing the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 16.

20. A communication device, characterized in that, The apparatus includes a unit for performing the method as described in claim 17.

21. A communication system, characterized in that, It includes the communication device as described in claim 17 and the communication device as described in claim 18.

22. The communication system according to claim 21, characterized in that, The communication system further includes the communication device as described in claim 17.

23. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a processor coupled to a memory for storing computer programs or instructions, and the processor is configured to execute the computer programs or instructions in the memory, causing the device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 17.

24. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 17.

25. A chip or chip system, characterized in that, Includes: a processor for retrieving and running a computer program from memory, causing a communication device equipped with the chip system to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 17.

26. A computer program product, characterized in that, When the computer program product is run on a computer, it causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 17.

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