Communication method, apparatus and storage medium

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a communication method, an apparatus and a storage medium, which can effectively reduce co-channel interference at a terminal side. The method comprises: when a ground coverage area of a relay apparatus and a ground coverage area of a network device have an overlap area, determining a target forwarding radius of the relay apparatus on the basis of a first CP length and / or a threshold of a first frequency offset difference, wherein the first CP length is determined by the network device, the first frequency offset difference is the difference between a frequency offset on a first transmission path and a frequency offset on a second transmission path, the first transmission path comprises a terminal device and the network device, and the second transmission path comprises the terminal device, the network device and the relay apparatus; and the network device sending first information to the relay apparatus, the first information being used to indicate the target forwarding radius.

Description

Communication methods, devices and storage media Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, apparatus and storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] In satellite communication scenarios, the propagation loss of the satellite-to-ground transmission link is high, the antenna gain of the terminal equipment is low, and the signal-to-noise ratio of the link is low. Therefore, a solution is proposed to extend the method of relaying signals in terrestrial communication systems to satellite communication scenarios. That is, a relay device is added between the satellite and the terminal equipment. This relay device improves the signal-to-noise ratio of the satellite-to-ground link by using high-gain transmit / receive antennas, thereby improving the transmission spectral efficiency of the terminal equipment.

[0003] However, in scenarios where satellite signals are relayed, if the relay device uses the same-frequency relay method, the terminal device may simultaneously receive signals from the satellite and signals relayed by the satellite through the relay device, resulting in same-frequency interference and affecting the decoding performance of the terminal. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method, apparatus, and storage medium to reduce co-channel interference on the terminal side.

[0005] In a first aspect, this application provides a communication method that can be applied to a network side, such as a network device, a module (e.g., a circuit, chip, or chip system) within the network device, or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the network device. The method is described below using a network device as an example.

[0006] For example, the method includes: in the case where there is an overlap between the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device and the ground coverage area of ​​the network device, determining the target forwarding radius of the relay device based on a threshold of a first cyclic prefix (CP) length and / or a first frequency deviation; and sending first information to the relay device, the first information being used to indicate the target forwarding radius.

[0007] The first CP length is determined by the network device, and the first CP length can be replaced by the first CP type.

[0008] The first frequency offset is the difference between the frequency offset on the first transmission path and the frequency offset on the second transmission path. The first transmission path includes terminal equipment and network equipment, and the second transmission path includes terminal equipment, network equipment, and relay devices.

[0009] Based on this technical solution, when there is an overlap between the ground coverage area of ​​the network device and the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device, the network device determines the target forwarding radius of the relay device by determining a first CP length and / or a first frequency deviation threshold, and indicates this target forwarding radius to the relay device. The relay device can then adjust its current forwarding radius according to the target forwarding radius, ensuring that the adjusted forwarding radius is not greater than the target forwarding radius. Since the target forwarding radius is determined based on the first CP length and / or the first frequency deviation threshold, when the relay device forwards signals from the network device to the terminal device using the adjusted forwarding radius, the transmission delay difference between the signals received by the terminal device from the network device and those forwarded by the relay device is less than the first CP length and / or the frequency deviation is less than the first frequency deviation threshold. This effectively avoids inter-symbol interference and thus effectively improves the decoding performance on the terminal side. Similarly, when the relay device forwards signals from the terminal device to the network device using the adjusted forwarding radius, the transmission delay difference between the signals received by the network device from the terminal device and the signals forwarded by the relay device is less than the first CP length, and / or the frequency deviation is less than the threshold of the first frequency deviation. This can effectively avoid inter-symbol interference and thus effectively improve the decoding performance on the network side.

[0010] Optionally, the threshold for the first frequency deviation can be predefined or determined by the network device.

[0011] Optionally, the frequency offset on the first transmission path is a first Doppler frequency offset, and the frequency offset on the second transmission path is a second Doppler frequency offset. The first Doppler frequency offset is the Doppler frequency offset of the first signal received by the terminal device through the first transmission path, and the second Doppler frequency offset is the Doppler frequency offset of the first signal received by the terminal device through the second transmission path.

[0012] Doppler frequency shift refers to the frequency deviation phenomenon caused by the Doppler effect. When there is relative motion between the wave source (transmitter) and the observer (receiver), the frequency of the wave received by the observer differs from the frequency and phase emitted by the wave source. This change is called Doppler frequency shift or Doppler frequency deviation.

[0013] Optionally, the target forwarding radius of the relay device is the distance between the geographical location of the relay device and the farthest geographical location that the relay device can cover. Alternatively, the target forwarding radius of the relay device is the maximum radius of the overlapping area between the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device and the ground coverage area of ​​the network device, where the maximum radius of the overlapping area refers to the maximum distance between the geographical location of the relay device and the edge of the overlapping area.

[0014] Optionally, the first information can be sent via radio resource control (RRC) signaling or media access control (MAC) control element (CE) signaling.

[0015] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, determining the target forwarding radius of the relay device based on a threshold of the first CP length and / or the first frequency deviation includes: determining the target forwarding radius of the relay device based on the threshold of the first CP length and / or the first frequency deviation, and the height of the network device above the ground.

[0016] This method of increasing the parameter of the network device's height above the ground to determine the target forwarding radius of the relay device can improve the accuracy of the target forwarding radius determined by the network device.

[0017] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, before determining the target forwarding radius of the relay device based on a threshold of a first CP length and / or a first frequency deviation, the method further includes: receiving second information from the relay device, the second information indicating at least one of the following: a first radius, an overlapping area between the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device and the ground coverage area of ​​the network device, or the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device; determining the current forwarding radius of the relay device based on the second information; and determining the first CP length based on the current forwarding radius of the relay device.

[0018] This method of determining the first CP length based on the indication of the second information can make the first CP length determined by the network device more reasonable, which is more conducive to solving the problem of co-channel interference on the terminal side.

[0019] Wherein, the first radius is the current forwarding radius of the relay device, or the first radius is the maximum radius of the overlapping area. The current forwarding radius of the relay device is the distance between the geographical location of the relay device and the farthest geographical location that the relay device can cover.

[0020] Optionally, the second information can be transmitted via MAC CE.

[0021] It is understandable that when the second information is used to indicate the current forwarding radius of the relay device or the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device, the relay device does not need to determine the radius of the overlapping area between the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device and the ground coverage of the network device based on the surrounding signal propagation environment, which effectively reduces the implementation complexity on the relay device side.

[0022] Optionally, based on the second information, the network device determines that the transmission delay difference corresponding to the current forwarding radius of the relay device may be greater than or equal to the maximum CP length among the predefined CP lengths, or it may be less than the maximum CP length among the predefined CP lengths.

[0023] Optionally, the relay device can also send information to the network device indicating the geographical location of the relay device.

[0024] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, before determining the target forwarding radius of the relay device based on a threshold of the first CP length and / or the first frequency deviation, the method further includes: receiving third information from the relay device, the third information indicating the maximum transmission delay difference between the first transmission delay and the second transmission delay; and determining the first CP length based on the maximum transmission delay difference.

[0025] This method of determining the first CP length based on the maximum transmission delay difference indicated by third information can make the first CP length determined by the network device more reasonable, which is more conducive to solving the problem of co-channel interference on the terminal side.

[0026] Wherein, the first transmission delay is the delay of the second signal received by the terminal device through the first transmission path, and the second transmission delay is the delay of the second signal received by the terminal device through the second transmission path.

[0027] Optionally, the maximum transmission delay difference indicated by the third information may be greater than or equal to the maximum CP length among the predefined CP lengths, or it may be less than the maximum CP length among the predefined CP lengths.

[0028] For example, if the maximum transmission delay difference indicated by the third information is greater than or equal to the maximum CP length of the predetermined CP length, the network device can determine any one of the predefined CP lengths as the first CP length.

[0029] For example, if the maximum transmission delay difference indicated by the third information is less than the maximum predetermined CP length, the network device can determine any one of the predefined multiple CP lengths that is less than or equal to the maximum transmission delay difference as the first CP length.

[0030] Optionally, third information can be transmitted via MAC CE signaling.

[0031] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving fourth information from the relay device, the fourth information indicating that the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device overlaps with the ground coverage area of ​​the network device. Alternatively, the fourth information indicates that the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device does not overlap with the ground coverage area of ​​the network device.

[0032] This allows network devices to determine whether there is overlap in the ground coverage areas of network devices and relay devices based on the indication of the fourth information, effectively reducing the implementation complexity on the network side.

[0033] Optionally, this fourth message can be sent to network devices via MAC CE signaling.

[0034] Secondly, this application provides another communication method that can be applied to a relay device, a module (e.g., a circuit, chip, or chip system) within a relay device, or a logic node, logic module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of a relay device. The method is described below using a relay device as an example.

[0035] For example, the method includes: receiving first information from a network device, the first information indicating a target forwarding radius of the relay device; and adjusting the current forwarding radius of the relay device based on the target forwarding radius.

[0036] The target forwarding radius is determined based on a threshold of a first CP length and / or a first frequency deviation. The first CP length is determined by the network device, and the first frequency deviation is the difference between the frequency deviation on the first transmission path and the frequency deviation on the second transmission path. The first transmission path includes terminal devices and network devices, and the second transmission path includes terminal devices, network devices, and relay devices.

[0037] For a more detailed description of the first CP length, the first frequency deviation, and the first information, please refer to the description in the first aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0038] Based on this technical solution, the relay device adjusts its current forwarding radius according to the target forwarding radius indicated by the first information, and then uses the adjusted forwarding radius to forward signals from the network device to the terminal device, or to forward signals from the terminal device to the network device. Since the target forwarding radius is determined based on a first CP length and / or a first frequency deviation threshold, when the relay device uses the adjusted forwarding radius to forward signals from the network device to the terminal device, the transmission delay difference between the signal received by the terminal device from the network device and the signal forwarded by the relay device is less than the first CP length, and / or the frequency deviation is less than the first frequency deviation threshold. This effectively avoids inter-symbol interference and thus effectively improves the decoding performance on the terminal side. Similarly, when the relay device uses the adjusted forwarding radius to forward signals from the terminal device to the network device, the transmission delay difference between the signal received by the network device from the terminal device and the signal forwarded by the relay device is less than the first CP length, and / or the frequency deviation is less than the first frequency deviation threshold. This effectively avoids inter-symbol interference and thus effectively improves the decoding performance on the network side.

[0039] Optionally, the frequency offset on the first transmission path is a first Doppler frequency offset, and the frequency offset on the second transmission path is a second Doppler frequency offset. The first Doppler frequency offset is the Doppler frequency offset of the first signal received by the terminal device through the first transmission path, and the second Doppler frequency offset is the Doppler frequency offset of the first signal received by the terminal device through the second transmission path.

[0040] Optionally, the target forwarding radius is the distance between the geographical location of the relay device and the farthest geographical location that the relay device can cover. Alternatively, the target forwarding radius of the relay device is the maximum radius of the overlapping area between the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device and the ground coverage area of ​​the network device, where the maximum radius of the overlapping area refers to the maximum distance between the geographical location of the relay device and the edge of the overlapping area.

[0041] Optionally, the current forwarding radius of the relay device is the distance between the geographical location of the relay device and the farthest geographical location that the relay device can cover.

[0042] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the adjusted forwarding radius of the relay device is less than or equal to the target forwarding radius.

[0043] This allows the relay device to forward signals from network devices (or terminal devices) using the adjusted forwarding radius, ensuring that the transmission delay difference between the signals received by the network device (or the signal forwarded by the relay device) and the signals received by the terminal device is less than the first CP length, and / or that the frequency deviation is less than the threshold of the first frequency deviation, thereby avoiding inter-symbol interference and improving the decoding performance on the network side.

[0044] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending second information to a network device, the second information indicating at least one of the following: a first radius, an overlapping area, or a ground coverage area of ​​a relay device; the first radius being the current forwarding radius of the relay device, or the first radius being the maximum radius of the overlapping area.

[0045] This method of indicating the current forwarding radius of the relay device, or the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device, through the second information, allows the relay device to avoid determining the overlap radius between the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device and the ground coverage of the network equipment based on the surrounding signal propagation environment, thereby effectively reducing the implementation complexity on the relay device side.

[0046] Optionally, when the second information is used to indicate the overlapping area, or the maximum radius of the overlapping area, the method further includes: the relay device can determine the maximum radius of the overlapping area based on environmental conditions such as buildings in the current ground coverage area.

[0047] For a more detailed description of the second piece of information, please refer to the relevant description in the first aspect above, which will not be repeated here.

[0048] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending third information to the network device, the third information being used to indicate the maximum transmission delay difference between the first transmission delay and the second transmission delay.

[0049] Optionally, before the relay device sends the third information to the network device, the method further includes: the relay device determining the maximum delay difference.

[0050] Optionally, the relay device determines the maximum delay difference by: the relay device determining the maximum transmission delay difference based on its ground coverage area radius or overlapping area radius, and based on the geographical location of the network equipment and the geographical location of the relay device.

[0051] For a description of the maximum transmission delay difference, please refer to the relevant description in the first aspect above, which will not be repeated here.

[0052] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending a fourth message to the network device, the fourth message indicating that the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device overlaps with the ground coverage area of ​​the network device.

[0053] For a more detailed description of the fourth piece of information, please refer to the relevant description in the first aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0054] Thirdly, this application provides a communication device, including a processing module and a transceiver module.

[0055] For example, the processing module is configured to: determine the target forwarding radius of the relay device based on a threshold of a first CP length and / or a first frequency deviation when there is an overlap between the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device and the ground coverage area of ​​the network device, wherein the first CP length is determined by the network device, and the first frequency deviation is the difference between the frequency deviation on a first transmission path and the frequency deviation on a second transmission path, wherein the first transmission path includes the terminal device and the network device, and the second transmission path includes the terminal device, the network device, and the relay device; the transceiver module is configured to: send first information to the relay device, wherein the first information is used to indicate the target forwarding radius.

[0056] Optionally, the frequency offset on the first transmission path is a first Doppler frequency offset, and the frequency offset on the second transmission path is a second Doppler frequency offset. The first Doppler frequency offset is the Doppler frequency offset of the first signal received by the terminal device through the first transmission path, and the second Doppler frequency offset is the Doppler frequency offset of the first signal received by the terminal device through the second transmission path.

[0057] Optionally, the target forwarding radius is the distance between the geographical location of the relay device and the farthest geographical location that the relay device can cover.

[0058] Optionally, the first information is carried in RRC signaling or MAC CE.

[0059] In one possible implementation, the processing module is specifically used to: determine the target forwarding radius of the relay device based on a threshold of the first CP length and / or the first frequency deviation, and the height of the network device above the ground.

[0060] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to: receive second information from the relay device, the second information indicating at least one of the following: a first radius, the overlapping area, or the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device; the first radius being the current forwarding radius of the relay device, or the first radius being the maximum radius of the overlapping area; the processing module is specifically configured to: determine the current forwarding radius of the relay device based on the second information; and determine the first CP length based on the current forwarding radius of the relay device.

[0061] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to: receive third information from the relay device, the third information indicating the maximum transmission delay difference between a first transmission delay and a second transmission delay, the first transmission delay being the delay of a second signal received by the terminal device through the first transmission path, and the second transmission delay being the delay of the second signal received by the terminal device through the second transmission path; the processing module is specifically configured to: determine the length of the first CP based on the maximum transmission delay difference.

[0062] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to: receive fourth information from the relay device, the fourth information being used to indicate that the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device overlaps with the ground coverage area of ​​the network device.

[0063] Fourthly, this application provides another communication device, including a transceiver module and a processing module.

[0064] For example, the transceiver module is configured to: receive first information from a network device, the first information indicating the target forwarding radius of the relay device; the target forwarding radius is determined based on a threshold of a first CP length and / or a first frequency deviation, the first CP length being determined by the network device, the first frequency deviation being the difference between the frequency deviation on a first transmission path and the frequency deviation on a second transmission path, the first transmission path including the terminal device and the network device, the second transmission path including the terminal device, the network device, and the relay device; the processing module is configured to: adjust the current forwarding radius of the relay device based on the target forwarding radius.

[0065] Optionally, the adjusted forwarding radius of the relay device is less than or equal to the target forwarding radius.

[0066] Optionally, the frequency offset on the first transmission path is a first Doppler frequency offset, and the frequency offset on the second transmission path is a second Doppler frequency offset. The first Doppler frequency offset is the Doppler frequency offset of the first signal received by the terminal device through the first transmission path, and the second Doppler frequency offset is the Doppler frequency offset of the first signal received by the terminal device through the second transmission path.

[0067] Optionally, the target forwarding radius is the distance between the geographical location of the relay device and the farthest geographical location that the relay device can cover.

[0068] Optionally, the first information is carried in RRC signaling or MAC CE.

[0069] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to: send second information to the network device, the second information indicating at least one of the following: a first radius, an overlapping area between the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device and the ground coverage area of ​​the network device, or the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device; the first radius being the current forwarding radius of the relay device, or the first radius being the maximum radius of the overlapping area.

[0070] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to: send third information to the network device, the third information being used to indicate the transmission delay difference between a first transmission delay and a second transmission delay, wherein the first transmission delay is the delay of the terminal device transmitting and receiving a second signal through the first transmission path, and the second transmission delay is the delay of the terminal device receiving the second signal through the second transmission path.

[0071] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to: send fourth information to the network device, the fourth information being used to indicate that the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device overlaps with the ground coverage area of ​​the network device.

[0072] Fifthly, this application provides a communication device including at least one processor, the at least one processor being configured to perform the methods described in any of the foregoing aspects and any possible implementations of any of the foregoing aspects.

[0073] The apparatus may further include a memory for storing instructions and data. The memory is coupled to the processor, which, when executing the instructions stored in the memory, can implement the methods described in the foregoing aspects.

[0074] The device may also include a communication interface for communicating with other devices. For example, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module or other type of communication interface.

[0075] Sixthly, this application provides a chip system including at least one processor for supporting the implementation of the functions involved in any of the above aspects and any possible implementations of any of the above aspects, such as receiving or processing data and / or information involved in the above methods.

[0076] In one possible design, the chip system also includes a memory for storing program instructions and data, which may be located within or outside the processor.

[0077] The chip system can consist of chips or include chips and other discrete components.

[0078] In a seventh aspect, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium including a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to implement the methods in any of the foregoing aspects and any possible implementations of any of the foregoing aspects.

[0079] Eighthly, this application provides a computer program product comprising: a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions) that, when run, causes a computer to perform the methods described in any of the foregoing aspects and any possible implementations of any of the foregoing aspects.

[0080] Ninthly, this application provides a communication system including the aforementioned network device and relay device. The network device is used to execute the methods of the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof, and the relay device is used to execute the methods of the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0081] Alternatively, the communication system may include the apparatus described in the third aspect and the apparatus described in the fourth aspect.

[0082] Optionally, the communication system may also include the aforementioned terminal equipment.

[0083] It should be understood that the third to ninth aspects of this application correspond to the technical solutions of the first and second aspects of this application, and the beneficial effects achieved by each aspect and the corresponding feasible implementation are similar, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0084] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an open radio access network (O-RAN or ORAN) architecture;

[0085] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an O-RAN system;

[0086] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a network-controlled repeater (NCR);

[0087] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a land communication system applicable to the method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0088] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a satellite communication scenario provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0089] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a satellite communication system applicable to the method of this application embodiment;

[0090] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of various spectrum allocation methods provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0091] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing how the transmission delay difference varies with the forwarding radius of the relay device;

[0092] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing the variation of Doppler bias with the relay radius;

[0093] Figure 10 is a schematic flowchart of the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0094] Figure 11 shows the positional relationship between the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device and the ground coverage area of ​​the network device;

[0095] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram showing that the ground coverage areas of the network device and the relay device provided in the embodiment of this application do not overlap;

[0096] Figures 13 and 14 are schematic block diagrams of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0097] Figure 15 is a schematic block diagram of the baseband hardware implementation provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0098] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0099] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the following points are explained first:

[0100] First, in the embodiments of this application, the use of prefixes such as "first" and "second" is merely for the purpose of distinguishing and describing different things belonging to the same name category, and does not constrain the order, size, or quantity of things. For example, "first information" and "second information" are simply different pieces of information, and there is no temporal sequence, size, or priority relationship between them.

[0101] Second, in the embodiments of this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send first information to a relay device" can be understood as the destination of the first information being the relay device, which may include direct transmission via the air interface or indirect transmission via the air interface by other units or modules. "Receive first information from a network device" can be understood as the source of the configuration first information being the network device, which may include direct reception from the network device via the air interface or indirect reception from the network device via the air interface by other units or modules. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface.

[0102] In other words, sending and receiving can occur between devices, such as between network devices and relays; or they can occur within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within a device via a bus, wiring, or interface.

[0103] It is understandable that information may undergo necessary processing, such as encoding and modulation, before being sent from the source to the destination. Similarly, the destination, upon receiving information from the source, can also perform corresponding processing, such as decoding and demodulation, to interpret the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be understood in a similar way and will not be elaborated further.

[0104] Third, in the embodiments of this application, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "more than one" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates an "or" relationship between the preceding and following related objects, but it does not exclude the possibility of indicating an "and" relationship. The specific meaning can be understood in conjunction with the context. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c; a and b; a and c; b and c; or a and b and c. Here, a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0105] Fourth, in the embodiments of this application, "instruction" can include direct instruction and indirect instruction, as well as explicit instruction and implicit instruction. The information indicated by a certain piece of information (such as the first information, second information, etc., as described below) is called the information to be instructed. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to instruct the information to be instructed, such as, but not limited to, directly instructing the information to be instructed, such as the information to be instructed itself or its index. It can also indirectly instruct the information to be instructed by instructing other information, where there is a correlation between the other information and the information to be instructed; or it can only instruct a part of the information to be instructed, while the other parts of the information to be instructed are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the instruction of specific information can be achieved by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol predefined) arrangement order of various pieces of information, thereby reducing the instruction overhead to a certain extent. This application does not limit the specific method of instruction.

[0106] It is understandable that, for the sender of the instruction information, the instruction information can be used to indicate the information to be indicated, and for the receiver of the instruction information, the instruction information can be used to determine the information to be indicated.

[0107] Fifth, the tables in the embodiments of this application are merely examples. The values ​​of the information in each table are only examples and can be configured to other values; this application is not limited thereto. The tables do not limit the scope of protection of this application. For example, appropriate modifications and adjustments can be made based on the tables described above, such as splitting, merging, etc. Furthermore, the parameter names shown in the headings of each table can also use other names understandable to the communication device, and the values ​​or representations of the parameters can also be other values ​​or representations understandable to the communication device. Moreover, in the implementation of the above tables, other data structures can also be used, such as arrays, queues, containers, stacks, linear lists, pointers, linked lists, trees, graphs, structures, classes, heaps, hash tables, or hash tables, etc.

[0108] Sixth, in the embodiments of this application, descriptions such as "when," "under the circumstances," "if," and "if" all refer to the fact that the device (e.g., network device or relay device) will make corresponding processing under certain objective circumstances. They are not time limits, nor do they require the device (e.g., network device or terminal device) to make a judgment action when implementing it, nor do they mean that there are other limitations.

[0109] Seventh, the predefined terms in this application can be understood as: definition, pre-defined, storage, pre-storage, pre-negotiation, pre-configuration, solidification, or pre-firing.

[0110] Eighth, the term "storage" in this application can refer to storage in one or more memory devices. These memory devices can be separate installations or integrated into an encoder, decoder, processor, or communication device. Alternatively, some memory devices 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.

[0111] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) systems, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD) systems, 5th Generation (5G) mobile communication systems or new radio access technology (NR), satellite communication systems, etc. Among them, the 5G mobile communication system can include non-standalone (NSA) and / or standalone (SA) networks, and the satellite communication system can be a satellite communication system integrated with the 5G communication system or future communication networks, such as a non-terrestrial network (NTN). The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to future communication networks.

[0112] The network equipment in this application can be a radio access network (RAN) device or a core network device with wireless transceiver capabilities. The RAN device can provide wireless communication services, allowing terminal devices to access the wireless network. The RAN device can be a node in the RAN, referred to as a RAN node.

[0113] In one possible scenario, a RAN node can be a base station (BS), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a home evolved NodeB (or home Node B, HNB), an access point (AP) for wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), a mobile switching center, or a base station in a future mobile communication system. A RAN node can also be a device that performs base station functions in device-to-device (D2D) communication systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication systems, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication systems, and internet-to-things (IoT) communication systems. A RAN node can also be a RAN node in a non-terrestrial network (NTN), meaning that a RAN node can be deployed on a high-altitude platform or satellite, or a satellite with base station functions, or a high / low-altitude device with base station functions. RAN nodes can be macro base stations, micro base stations, indoor stations, relay nodes, donor nodes, or radio controllers in cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenarios, or nodes in open radio access network (O-RAN or ORAN) scenarios.

[0114] O-RAN is a RAN architecture based on open standards and interfaces. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an ORAN architecture. As shown in Figure 1, the RAN is decomposed into three main functional layers: central unit (CU), distributed unit (DU), and radio unit (RU). These functional layers can be connected through open interfaces to achieve interoperability between equipment from different vendors.

[0115] The O-RAN standard is a supplement and enhancement to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standard. Building upon the E1, F1, NG, Xn, and X2 standards defined by 3GPP, O-RAN further opens up the standard by defining interfaces such as O1, O2, E2, A1, and Open-FH.

[0116] O-RAN also introduces virtualization technology, decoupling RAN functions from dedicated hardware and deploying them on open hardware and cloud platforms, thus enabling software-based and flexible RAN operations. Furthermore, O-RAN utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) technology to integrate intelligent controllers into the RAN, enabling real-time monitoring, optimization, and management of the RAN.

[0117] The main difference between O-RAN and traditional RAN lies in the fact that O-RAN divides the wireless system equipment into standard subsystem components, which are developed independently in layers. Interoperability with other manufacturers is achieved through open internal interfaces. It includes different components such as O-cloud, RU, DU, CU-CP, CU-UP, and RAN intelligent controller (RIC), and ensures compatibility and consistency between O-RAN components from different vendors by establishing a unified testing and certification mechanism.

[0118] Alternatively, RAN nodes can also be servers, wearable devices, vehicles, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, in V2X technology, RAN nodes can be roadside units (RSUs). Of course, RAN nodes can also be nodes in the core network.

[0119] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist terminal devices in achieving wireless access, with different RAN nodes each implementing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, RAN nodes can be central units (CUs), distributed units (DUs), CU-control plane (CPs), CU-user plane (UPs), or radio units (RUs), etc. CUs and DUs can be set up separately or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs).

[0120] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an O-RAN system. As shown in Figure 2, access network devices communicate with core network (CN) devices via backhaul links and with terminal devices via air interfaces. Specifically, the baseband unit (BBU) in the access network device communicates with the core network device via the backhaul link, and the RU in the access network device communicates with at least one terminal device via the air interface. The BBU communicates with at least one RU via a fronthaul link. The BBU and RU may or may not be co-located.

[0121] The BBU includes at least one CU and at least one DU, which can communicate through at least one midhaul link.

[0122] It should be understood that the O-RAN system shown in Figure 2 may include other components.

[0123] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in the ORAN system, CU can also be called open CU (O-CU), DU can also be called open DU (O-DU), CU-CP can also be called open CU-CP (O-CU-CP), CU-UP can also be called open CU-UP (O-CU-UP), and RU can also be called open RU (O-RU).

[0124] Any one of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU units can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules. That is, the wireless access network device in this application can be a virtualized device, for example, implemented through general-purpose hardware and instantiated virtualization functions, or dedicated hardware and instantiated virtualization functions. The general-purpose hardware can be a server, such as a cloud server.

[0125] In this application, "terminal" may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal equipment, wireless communication equipment, user agent, or user apparatus. The terms "terminal" and "terminal equipment" may be used interchangeably in the following text.

[0126] Terminal devices can be devices that provide voice / data connectivity to users, such as handheld devices with wireless connectivity, in-vehicle devices, etc. Currently, examples of terminal devices include: mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities (such as laptops and PDAs), mobile internet devices (MIDs), virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving vehicles, drones, wireless terminals in remote medical care, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices, terminal devices in 5G networks, or future public land mobile communication networks. Terminal equipment in a mobile network (PLMN) or NTN, etc.

[0127] Wearable devices, also known as wearable smart devices, are a general term for devices that utilize wearable technology to intelligently design and develop everyday wearables, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. Wearable devices are portable devices worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothing or accessories. Wearable devices are not merely hardware devices; they achieve powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Broadly defined, wearable smart devices include those with comprehensive functions, large sizes, and the ability to perform complete or partial functions without relying on a smartphone, such as smartwatches or smart glasses. They also include devices focused on a specific application function that require the use of other devices, such as smart bracelets and smart jewelry for vital sign monitoring.

[0128] Furthermore, terminal devices can also be terminal devices within IoT systems. IoT is a crucial component of future information technology development, its main technological characteristic being the connection of objects to networks via communication technologies, thereby achieving intelligent networks that enable human-machine and machine-to-machine interconnection. IoT technology, for example, can achieve massive connectivity, deep coverage, and low power consumption at the terminal level through narrowband (NB) technology.

[0129] In addition, terminal devices may also include sensors such as smart printers, train detectors, and gas stations. Their main functions include collecting data (for some terminal devices), receiving control information and downlink data from network devices, and sending electromagnetic waves to transmit uplink data to network devices.

[0130] The terminal device in this application can be a virtualized device, for example, implemented through general-purpose hardware and instantiated virtualization functions, or dedicated hardware and instantiated virtualization functions. The general-purpose hardware can be a server, such as a cloud server.

[0131] In addition, the terminal equipment can also be an NTN, such as the terminal equipment in a satellite communication system.

[0132] The relay device in this application may be a network-controlled repeater (NCR), an integrated access and backhaul (IAB), a wireless access backhaul (WAB), etc.

[0133] Among them, NCR only amplifies and forwards the data between the base station and the terminal, without performing any additional data processing.

[0134] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the NCR architecture. As shown in Figure 3, the NCR includes two functional entities: NCR-Mobile Termination (MT) and NCR-Forwarding (Fwd).

[0135] The NCR-MT is defined as a functional entity that communicates with the base station via a control link (C-link) to exchange control information (e.g., side information for controlling the NCR-Fwd). The C-link is based on the NR Uu interface, meaning the NCR-MT connects to the base station via the Uu interface. The gNB uses the C-link to control the NCR. The NCR can receive control information (i.e., side information), beam control information (control link, backhaul link, or access link), NCR forwarding switching, forwarding power control, etc., from the base station via the C-link.

[0136] NCR-Fwd is defined as a functional entity that performs uplink (UL) / downlink (DL) radio frequency (RF) signal amplification and forwarding between the base station and the terminal via the backhaul link and access link. The behavior of NCR-Fwd is controlled according to the control information received from the gNB.

[0137] It is understandable that current NCR standard research is limited to in-band scenarios, that is, NCR signals relayed at the same frequency.

[0138] It should be understood that this application does not limit the specific form of network equipment, terminals, and relay devices.

[0139] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a land communication system 400 applicable to the method provided in the embodiments of this application. As shown in Figure 4, the communication system 400 includes a base station 410, a terminal 420, and a relay device 430. The relay device 440 can perform uplink and downlink communication with the base station. The terminal 420 can perform uplink and downlink communication with the base station 410 through the relay device 430.

[0140] In terrestrial communication systems, terminals and base stations can communicate directly. However, if the communication link between them is obstructed, preventing direct communication, a relay device can be added to enable uplink and downlink transmission between the terminal and the base station. That is, the base station sends downlink signals to the terminal through the relay device, and the terminal communicates with the base station via the relay device.

[0141] It should be understood that Figure 4 is a simplified schematic diagram for ease of understanding only. The terrestrial communication system 400 may also include a core network and the Internet, or other equipment, which are not shown in Figure 4.

[0142] The wireless communication technology shown in Figure 4, designed for a terrestrial cellular network scenario, can provide users with wireless communication services characterized by ultra-low latency, ultra-reliability, ultra-high speed, and massive connectivity. However, cellular network coverage is limited, making it difficult to achieve seamless global coverage. For example, in areas without terrestrial base stations, such as ocean areas, polar regions, and rainforests, it is impossible to provide voice and data services to areas without cellular network coverage.

[0143] Compared to terrestrial communications, NTN (such as satellite communication networks) has advantages such as large coverage areas and flexible networking, enabling seamless global network coverage. The NTN network can be seen as both a supplement to current terrestrial networks and an independent communication system providing users with high-speed global network access.

[0144] NTN communication involves networking using equipment such as drones, high-altitude platform stations, and satellites to provide data transmission and voice communication services to terminals. High-altitude platform stations (HAPS) typically operate at altitudes of 8–50 kilometers above the ground. Based on satellite orbital altitude, satellite communication systems can be categorized 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.

[0145] GEO satellites orbit at an altitude of 35,786 km. Their main advantages are that they remain relatively stationary relative to the ground and provide a large coverage area. However, GEO satellite communication has the following disadvantages: 1) The long distance between GEO satellites and Earth results in significant free-space propagation loss, leading to tight communication link budgets. To increase transmit / receive gain, larger aperture antennas are required for the satellites; 2) Communication transmission delays are large, reaching around 500 milliseconds (ms) round-trip time, which cannot meet the needs of real-time services; 3) GEO orbital resources are relatively scarce, launch costs are high, and coverage cannot be provided to the polar regions of Earth.

[0146] MEO satellites orbit at altitudes between 2000 and 35786 km, enabling global coverage with a relatively small number of satellites. However, their higher altitudes result in greater transmission latency compared to LEO satellites. MEO satellites are primarily used for positioning and navigation.

[0147] LEO satellites orbit at altitudes ranging from 300 to 2000 km. Compared to MEO and GEO satellites, LEO satellites have lower orbital altitudes and advantages such as lower data transmission delay, lower transmission loss, and relatively lower launch costs.

[0148] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a satellite communication scenario 500 provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 5, the network equipment in scenario 500 includes a satellite 510 and a gateway station (also called a signal gateway) 520. Scenario 500 also includes a terminal device 530. The link between the satellite and the terminal device can be called a service link, and the link between the satellite and the gateway station can be called a feeder link.

[0149] Satellites can be divided into two categories based on their operating mode: transparent mode satellites and regenerative mode satellites.

[0150] When the satellite operates in transparent transmission mode, it functions as a relay, i.e., a transparent forwarding function. The gateway station possesses all or some of the functions of a base station; in this case, the gateway station can be considered a base station. Alternatively, the base station and gateway station can be deployed separately, with the gateway station connected to the base station. In this case, the power supply link transmission includes both the satellite-to-gate station and gateway-to-base station transmissions. For example, from a transmission delay perspective, the delay includes both the satellite-to-gate station transmission delay and the gateway-to-base station transmission delay.

[0151] When a satellite is operating in regeneration mode, it has strong data processing capabilities and functions as a base station or partially as a base station. In this case, the satellite can be regarded as a base station.

[0152] In satellite communication scenarios, the satellite-to-ground transmission link suffers from high propagation loss, low terminal antenna gain, and a low signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SNR). Therefore, the method of relaying signals using relay devices, common in terrestrial communications, can be extended to satellite communication systems. This can be achieved by adding a ground-controlled transparent transmission node with a high-gain transmit / receive antenna between the terminal and the satellite, thereby improving the SNR of the satellite-to-ground link and ultimately enhancing the transmission spectral efficiency of the terminal equipment. In this application, the ground-controlled transparent transmission node can be referred to as a relay device or a ground relay.

[0153] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a satellite communication system 600 applicable to the method of this application embodiment. As shown in Figure 6, the network equipment in the communication system 600 includes a satellite 610 and a gateway station (also called a signal gateway station) 620. The scenario 600 also includes a terminal 630 and a ground relay 640. The ground relay 640 acts as a terminal accessing the network equipment to receive control signaling and simultaneously amplifies and forwards the signal between the terminal 630 and the network equipment.

[0154] Among them, the DL frequency between the ground relay 640 and the satellite 610, the UL frequency between the ground relay 640 and the satellite 610 is f2, the DL frequency between the ground relay 640 and the terminal 630, and the UL frequency between the ground relay 640 and the terminal 630 can be the same or different.

[0155] The following section uses the satellite communication system shown in Figure 6 as an example, and combines Figure 7 to illustrate the spectrum allocation method for relay devices to forward satellite signals. In Figure 7, the horizontal axis represents frequency, Tx represents transmission, and Rx represents reception.

[0156] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of various spectrum allocation methods provided in the embodiments of this application. As shown in Figure 7(a), the DL frequency between the ground relay and the satellite is f1, and the UL frequency is f2. That is, the ground relay uses f1 to receive signals from the satellite and uses f2 to transmit signals to the satellite. The DL frequency between the ground relay and the terminal is f3, and the UL frequency is f4. That is, the ground relay uses f3 to transmit signals to the terminal and uses f4 to receive signals from the terminal.

[0157] Among them, f1, f2, f3, and f4 are all different. Although this will occupy more spectrum resources, it will not cause inter-satellite interference.

[0158] As shown in Figure 7(b), the DL frequency between the ground relay and the satellite is f1, and the UL frequency is f2. That is, the ground relay uses f1 to receive signals from the satellite and uses f2 to transmit signals to the satellite. The DL frequency between the ground relay and the terminal is f2, and the UL frequency is f1. That is, the ground relay uses f2 to transmit signals to the terminal and uses f1 to receive signals from the terminal.

[0159] Here, f1 and f2 are different frequencies. Compared to the satellite-to-ground spectrum sharing method shown in Figure 7(a), although this method does not occupy additional spectrum resources, it will cause co-channel interference when the ground relay receives signals from both the satellite and the terminal at the same time.

[0160] As shown in Figure 7(c), the DL frequency between the ground relay and the satellite is f2, and the UL frequency is f1. That is, the ground relay uses f2 to receive signals from the satellite and uses f1 to transmit signals to the satellite. The DL frequency between the ground relay and the terminal is f2, and the UL frequency is f1. That is, the ground relay uses f2 to transmit signals to the terminal and uses f1 to receive signals from the terminal.

[0161] Here, f1 and f2 are different frequencies. Compared to the satellite-to-ground spectrum sharing method shown in Figure 7(b), this avoids ground relays receiving co-channel signals from both the satellite and the terminal. However, the ground terminal may simultaneously receive co-channel signals from both the satellite and the ground relay, resulting in co-channel interference.

[0162] Based on the communication scenario shown in Figure 7(c), this application analyzes and discovers the correlation between the forwarding radius of the relay device shown in Figure 8 and the transmission delay difference: as the forwarding radius of the relay device increases, the transmission delay difference between the satellite signal received by the terminal device and the satellite signal forwarded by the relay device also increases. When the transmission delay difference is greater than the cyclic prefix (CP), the receiver (e.g., the terminal device and the satellite) will generate inter-symbol interference (ISI) and inter-subcarrier interference (ICI), affecting the decoding performance of the receiver.

[0163] Taking the CP length with a subcarrier spacing (SCS) of 15 kilohertz (kHz) as an example, and referring to Figure 7, we can obtain the following: when the relay device forwarding radius is ≤720 meters (m), the transmission delay difference is ≤normal CP length ≈4.7 microseconds (µs); when the relay device forwarding radius is ≤2500 m, the transmission delay difference is ≤extended CP length (≈16.7 µs).

[0164] Furthermore, analysis revealed the correlation between the relay radius and Doppler frequency deviation shown in Figure 9: as the satellite orbital altitude decreases and the cell radius of the ground relay signal increases, the Doppler frequency deviation between the satellite signal received by the terminal equipment and the satellite signal relayed by the relay equipment also increases. When the Doppler frequency deviation is large (e.g., greater than 2% of the subcarrier spacing), it will seriously affect the decoding performance of the receiver.

[0165] Taking a center frequency of 2 gigahertz (GHz) and a subcarrier spacing of 15 kHz as an example, and referring to Figure 9, we can see that when the relay device's relay radius is ≤1700m (orbit altitude ≥300km), the frequency deviation can be guaranteed to be ≤2%*SCS. When the relay device's relay radius is further reduced, the Doppler frequency deviation will also decrease.

[0166] Based on the aforementioned co-channel interference problem and the conclusions of simulation experiments, this application provides a communication method, apparatus, and storage medium. In this method, when there is an overlap between the ground coverage area of ​​the network device and the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device, the network device determines the target forwarding radius of the relay device by using a determined CP length and / or a frequency deviation threshold, and indicates this target forwarding radius to the relay device. This allows the relay device to adjust its current forwarding radius according to the target forwarding radius. In this way, the relay device forwards information from the network device to the terminal device according to the adjusted forwarding radius, effectively preventing the delay difference of the received signal from the terminal device from exceeding the CP or the frequency deviation from being too large. This effectively avoids inter-symbol or inter-carrier interference, thereby effectively improving the decoding performance on the terminal side. Similarly, the relay device forwards information from the terminal device to the network device according to the adjusted forwarding radius, effectively preventing the delay difference of the received signal from the network device from exceeding the CP or the frequency deviation from being too large. This effectively avoids inter-symbol or inter-carrier interference, thereby effectively improving the decoding performance on the network side.

[0167] The methods and apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The methods provided in this application can be applied to the communication systems shown in Figures 6 and 7 above, but the embodiments of this application are not limited thereto. For example, in the communication scenario shown in Figure 4 above, if the signal transmitted by the base station 410 and the signal forwarded by the relay device 430 overlap, the problem of co-channel interference may also exist. Therefore, the methods provided in this application are also applicable to the communication scenario shown in Figure 4.

[0168] Figure 10 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 1000 provided in an embodiment of this application. The flowchart in Figure 10 illustrates the method from the perspective of interaction between a terminal device and a network device, but this application does not limit the entity executing the method. For example, the terminal device in Figure 10 can be replaced by a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the implementation of the method on the terminal device, or it can be a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the terminal device. Similarly, the network device in Figure 10 can be replaced by a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the implementation of the method on the network device, or it can be a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the network device.

[0169] As shown in Figure 10, method 1000 may include steps S1001 to S1003. The steps in method 1000 are described in detail below.

[0170] S1001, In the case where there is an overlap between the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device and the ground coverage area of ​​the network device, the network device determines the target forwarding radius of the relay device based on the threshold of the first CP length and / or the first frequency deviation.

[0171] In this context, the ground coverage area of ​​a relay device refers to the area covered on the ground by the beams emitted by all of the relay device's antennas. Similarly, the ground coverage area of ​​a network device refers to the area covered on the ground by the beams emitted by all of the network device's antennas. It can be understood that the ground coverage areas of both network devices and relay devices can be regular or irregular in shape. Similarly, the overlapping area between the two can also be either regular or irregular in shape.

[0172] Figure 11 illustrates the locational relationship between the ground coverage areas of the relay device and the network device. As shown in Figure 11, the ground coverage area of ​​the network device located at geographical location 1 is designated as Region 1, and the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device located at geographical location 2 is designated as Region 2. The overlapping area of ​​Region 1 and Region 2 is designated as Region 3.

[0173] In this application, the target forwarding radius of the relay device is the distance between the geographical location of the relay device and the farthest geographical location that the relay device can cover. Alternatively, the target forwarding radius of the relay device is the maximum radius of the overlapping area between the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device and the ground coverage area of ​​the network device. The maximum radius of the overlapping area refers to the maximum distance between the geographical location of the relay device and the edge of the overlapping area. Referring to the geographical coverage area shown in Figure 11, the distance identified by R can be the radius of the overlapping area.

[0174] The aforementioned first CP length is determined by the network device. This first CP length can be one CP length determined by the network device from a set of predefined CP lengths. Since there is a correspondence between the predefined CP lengths and CP types, the first CP length in this application can be replaced by the first CP type. Table 1 below shows the correspondence between CP types and CP lengths.

[0175] Table 1

[0176] It is understood that the correspondence shown in Table 1 is only an example. Table 1 may also include more or fewer CP types or more CP lengths, and this application does not limit this.

[0177] The first frequency offset is the difference between the frequency offset on the first transmission path and the frequency offset on the second transmission path. The first transmission path includes terminal equipment and network equipment, while the second transmission path includes terminal equipment, network equipment, and a relay device. The frequency offset described here can be a Doppler frequency offset.

[0178] The threshold for the first frequency deviation can be predefined or determined by the network device. This threshold can be related to the SCS used by the network device. For example, the threshold for the first frequency deviation can be N times the SCS (N is a positive number), where N can be, for example, 2%. Optionally, the value of N can be predefined or determined by the network device.

[0179] Optionally, the network device can determine the target forwarding radius based on the correlation between the transmission delay difference and the forwarding radius of the relay device, as shown in Figure 8 above, the forwarding radius corresponding to the maximum transmission delay difference not exceeding the length of the first CP. Here, the transmission delay difference is the difference between the transmission delay on the first transmission path and the transmission delay on the second transmission path. The transmission delay on the first transmission path can be the delay of the second signal received by the terminal device through the first transmission path, and the second transmission delay can be the delay of the second signal received by the terminal device through the second transmission path.

[0180] Optionally, the network device can determine the target forwarding radius based on the correlation between the Doppler frequency deviation and the forwarding radius of the relay device shown in Figure 9, with the forwarding radius corresponding to the maximum Doppler frequency deviation that is not greater than the threshold of the first frequency deviation.

[0181] Understandably, when the network device determines the target forwarding radius of the relay device based on the first CP length and the threshold of the first frequency deviation, the network device can determine the forwarding radius corresponding to the maximum transmission delay difference not greater than the first CP length as forwarding radius #1 based on the correlation between transmission delay difference and relay device forwarding radius shown in Figure 8, and determine the forwarding radius corresponding to the maximum Doppler frequency deviation not greater than the threshold of the first frequency deviation as forwarding radius #2 based on the correlation between Doppler frequency deviation and forwarding radius shown in Figure 9. Then, the target forwarding radius of the relay device is determined based on forwarding radius #1 and forwarding radius #2. For example, the network device determines the smaller of forwarding radius #1 and forwarding radius #2 as the target forwarding radius of the relay device.

[0182] S1002, the network device sends first information to the relay device, which indicates the target forwarding radius. Correspondingly, the relay device receives the first information from the network device. Alternatively, S1002 can be replaced by: the network device sending first information to the relay device-MT. Correspondingly, the relay device-MT receives the first information from the network device.

[0183] That is, the network device sending information or signaling to the relay device described in this application can also be understood as the network device sending information or signaling to the relay device-MT. For example, the network device sends first information to the NCR-MT.

[0184] Optionally, the network device can send the first information to the relay device via a C-Link link.

[0185] Alternatively, the first information is used to indicate the maximum ground coverage area for the relay device to forward signals (from network devices or terminal devices). The maximum ground coverage area for the relay device to forward signals can be understood as the maximum ground coverage area within the relay device's ground coverage area that can be used to forward signals from the network or terminal. That is, the maximum area where the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device and the ground coverage area of ​​the network device can overlap. Specifically, the first information can indicate this maximum ground coverage area through the following examples one through three.

[0186] Example 1: When the maximum ground coverage area is a regular shape (e.g., circular or hexagonal), the first information can indicate the maximum coverage area using a reference point plus a radius. The reference point can be the center of the regular shape.

[0187] Example 2: When the Earth's surface is divided into multiple regions and these regions are numbered, the first piece of information can be indicated by multiple identifiers corresponding to the maximum ground coverage area.

[0188] For example, the Earth's surface can be divided using a latitude and longitude grid of a certain granularity (such as a 1-degree latitude and longitude grid).

[0189] Example 3: The first piece of information directly indicates the maximum ground coverage area through the latitude and longitude information corresponding to the maximum ground coverage area.

[0190] S1003: The relay device adjusts the current forwarding radius based on the target forwarding radius. Alternatively, S1003 can be replaced with: The relay device-MT adjusts the current forwarding radius based on the target forwarding radius.

[0191] For example, after receiving the target forwarding radius, the relay device can change its forwarding radius by adjusting one or more of the following: the angle of the transmitted signal, the power of the transmitted signal, the antenna gain of the transmitted signal, the angle of the received signal, the power of the received signal, or the antenna gain of the received signal, so that the adjusted forwarding radius does not exceed the target forwarding radius. That is, the adjusted forwarding radius of the relay device is less than or equal to the target forwarding radius; or, the maximum radius of the area overlapping the coverage area of ​​the relay device's adjusted forwarding signal with the ground coverage area of ​​the network device is less than or equal to the target forwarding radius.

[0192] In this application, the current forwarding radius of the relay device is the distance between the geographical location of the relay device before it receives the target forwarding radius and the farthest geographical location that the relay device can cover within the ground coverage area of ​​the network equipment. Alternatively, the current forwarding radius of the relay device is the maximum radius of the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device forwarding the signal before it receives the target forwarding radius.

[0193] In this embodiment, when there is an overlap between the ground coverage area of ​​the network device and the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device, the network device determines the target forwarding radius of the relay device by determining a first CP length and / or a first frequency deviation threshold, and indicates the target forwarding radius to the relay device. The relay device can then adjust its current forwarding radius based on the target forwarding radius, ensuring that the adjusted forwarding radius is not greater than the target forwarding radius. Since the target forwarding radius is determined based on the first CP length and / or the first frequency deviation threshold, when the relay device forwards signals from the network device to the terminal device using the adjusted forwarding radius, the transmission delay difference between the signals received by the terminal device from the network device and those forwarded by the relay device is less than the first CP length and / or the frequency deviation is less than the first frequency deviation threshold. This effectively avoids inter-symbol interference and thus effectively improves the decoding performance on the terminal side. Similarly, when the relay device forwards signals from the terminal device to the network device using the adjusted forwarding radius, the transmission delay difference between the signals received by the network device from the terminal device and the signals forwarded by the relay device is less than the first CP length, and / or the frequency deviation is less than the threshold of the first frequency deviation. This can effectively avoid inter-symbol interference and thus effectively improve the decoding performance on the network side.

[0194] Optionally, if the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device does not overlap with the ground coverage area of ​​the network device, the network device may not send the first information to the relay device or may send a predetermined value or default value, such as 0 or the maximum value of the first information, indicating that the relay device may not adjust the radius of the forwarding signal coverage area.

[0195] Optionally, the frequency offset on the first transmission path is a first Doppler frequency offset, and the frequency offset on the second transmission path is a second Doppler frequency offset. The first Doppler frequency offset is the Doppler frequency offset of the first signal received by the first receiver through the first transmission path, and the second Doppler frequency offset is the Doppler frequency offset of the first signal received by the first receiver through the second transmission path.

[0196] In other words, the first Doppler frequency offset is the Doppler frequency offset of the first signal sent by the network device to the terminal device after being relayed by the relay device. The second frequency offset is the Doppler frequency offset of the first signal sent by the network device directly to the terminal device without being relayed by the relay device.

[0197] Optionally, the aforementioned first information can be sent via broadcast information, or the first information can be broadcast information. For example, the network device sends the information to the relay device or relay device-MT via system information block (SIB) 1, SIB 19, other system information (OSI), master information block (MIB), physical broadcast channel messages, etc.

[0198] When the first message is carried in a broadcast message, network devices can send the first message using either broadcast or multicast. This effectively avoids allocating different resources to different relay devices to send the first message, thus saving signaling overhead for resource allocation and reducing the complexity of system scheduling.

[0199] Optionally, the network device may also send first information to the relay device or relay device-MT during the radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment phase or during subsequent communication. For example, the first information may carry one or more of the following: an RRC setup message, an RRC reconfiguration message, an RRC resume message, downlink control information (DCI), a group DCI, or a media access control (MAC) control element (CE) (abbreviated as MAC CE).

[0200] Specifically, network devices can indicate the target forwarding radius to relay devices in a table format, or it can be carried during data transmission or in a separately allocated physical uplink shared channel (PDSCH).

[0201] When the first message carries RRC signaling, DCI, or MAC CE, network devices can send the first message via unicast or multicast. This allows for flexible control of the target forwarding radius of each / group of relay devices, enabling optimization of relay device / system communication performance. For example, network devices can optimize the CP length required by terminals in different locations based on the overlapping coverage area of ​​the relay devices, thereby improving transmission efficiency.

[0202] One possible implementation is that the network device determines the target forwarding radius of the relay device based on a threshold of the first CP length and / or the first frequency deviation, including: the network device determines the target forwarding radius of the relay device based on the threshold parameters of the first CP length and / or the first frequency deviation, and the height of the network device above the ground.

[0203] Specifically, the network device can determine the target forwarding radius of the relay device based on the first CP length and the height of the network device above the ground. Alternatively, the network device can determine the target forwarding radius of the relay device based on a first frequency offset threshold and the height of the network device above the ground. Or, the network device can determine the target forwarding radius of the relay device based on the first CP length, the first frequency offset difference threshold, and the height of the network device above the ground.

[0204] It can be understood that the height of the network device above the ground can be interpreted as the track height described in Figures 8 and 9.

[0205] The correlation between the first CP length, the height of the network device above the ground, and the forwarding radius in this application, as well as the correlation between the frequency offset, the height of the network device above the ground, and the forwarding radius, can be predefined.

[0206] In one possible implementation, prior to S1001, the method 1000 further includes: the relay device or relay device-MT sending second information to the network device, the second information indicating at least one of the following: a first radius, an overlapping area, or the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device. Correspondingly, the network device receives the second information from the relay device or relay device-MT; and based on the second information, determines the current forwarding radius of the relay device; and based on the current forwarding radius of the relay device, determines the first CP length.

[0207] Wherein, the first radius is the current forwarding radius of the relay device, or the first radius is the radius of the overlapping area, and the radius of the overlapping area is the distance between the geographical location of the relay device and the farthest geographical location covered by the current overlapping area.

[0208] Optionally, the second information can be sent to the network device via MAC CE signaling.

[0209] In Method 1, the second piece of information is used to indicate the current forwarding radius of the relay device, or the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device. This eliminates the need for the relay device to determine the overlap radius between its ground coverage area and the network equipment's ground coverage based on the surrounding signal propagation environment, effectively reducing the implementation complexity on the relay device side.

[0210] Regarding the method of indicating the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device with the second information, it can be referred to the method of indicating the maximum ground coverage area with the first information mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0211] For method one, the network device can determine whether there is an overlapping area between its ground coverage area and the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device based on the current forwarding radius of the relay device indicated by the first information or the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device; if there is no overlapping area, the current forwarding radius of the relay device is determined to be 0. It can be understood that if the radius of the current forwarding signal of the relay device and the radius of the network device's coverage area are 0, the network device may not execute S1001.

[0212] Method 2: The second information is used to indicate the overlapping area, or the radius of the overlapping area. In this method, the relay device can determine the overlapping area or the radius of the overlapping area based on environmental conditions such as buildings in the current ground coverage area before sending the second information.

[0213] For example, the overlapping area or the radius of the overlapping area can be determined manually and input into the relay device.

[0214] For example, relay devices can also use environmental sensing to determine information about the surrounding environment obstructing network device signals, and then determine the overlapping area or the radius of the overlapping area.

[0215] For method two, if the overlapping area indicated by the first information or the radius of the overlapping area is 0, the network device may not execute S1001.

[0216] Optionally, if the ground coverage area of ​​the network device does not overlap with the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device, the relay device may not send the second information.

[0217] Based on the second information, the network device determines that the transmission delay difference corresponding to the current forwarding radius of the relay device may be greater than or equal to the maximum CP length among the predefined CP lengths, or it may be less than the maximum CP length among the predefined CP lengths.

[0218] If the transmission delay difference corresponding to the current forwarding radius of the relay device is greater than or equal to the largest predefined CP length, the network device can determine any one of the predefined CP lengths as the first CP length. For example, the network device can determine the largest CP length as the first CP length.

[0219] If the transmission delay difference (hereinafter referred to as transmission delay difference 1) corresponding to the current forwarding radius of the relay device is less than the largest CP length among the predefined CP lengths, the network device can determine any CP length that is less than or equal to transmission delay difference 1 among the predefined multiple CP lengths as the first CP length.

[0220] Optionally, the relay device can also send information 1 indicating the geographical location of the relay device to the network device. Correspondingly, the network device receives information 1 from the relay device. At this time, the network device can determine the first CP length based on the current forwarding radius and geographical location of the relay device. For example, the network device can determine the maximum value of the aforementioned transmission delay difference based on the geographical location of the relay device, the forwarding radius of the relay device, and the geographical location of the network device, thereby ensuring that the selected first CP length is greater than the maximum value of the transmission delay difference.

[0221] Information 1 and information 2 can be sent simultaneously or separately. This application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0222] In one possible implementation, prior to S1001, the method 1000 further includes: the relay device or relay device-MT sending third information to the network device, the third information indicating the maximum transmission delay difference between the first transmission delay and the second transmission delay. Correspondingly, the network device receives the third information from the relay device or relay device-MT and determines the first CP length based on the maximum transmission delay difference.

[0223] Wherein, the first transmission delay is the delay of the second signal received by the terminal device through the first transmission path, and the second transmission delay is the delay of the second signal received by the terminal device through the second transmission path.

[0224] Optionally, third information can be sent to network devices via MAC CE signaling.

[0225] The maximum transmission delay difference indicated by the third information mentioned above may be greater than or equal to the maximum CP length among the predefined CP lengths, or it may be less than the maximum CP length among the predefined CP lengths.

[0226] If the maximum transmission delay difference indicated by the third information is greater than or equal to the maximum CP length of the predetermined CP length, the network device may determine any one of the predefined CP lengths as the first CP length.

[0227] If the maximum transmission delay difference indicated by the third information is less than the maximum predetermined CP length, the network device may determine any CP length that is less than or equal to the maximum transmission delay difference from among a plurality of predefined CP lengths as the first CP length.

[0228] Optionally, before the relay device sends the third information to the network device, the method 1000 may further include: the relay device determining the maximum delay difference.

[0229] For example, the relay device can calculate the maximum transmission delay difference between the delay on the first transmission path and the delay on the second transmission path based on its ground coverage area radius or overlapping area radius, and based on the geographical location of the network device and the geographical location of the relay device. Specifically, the relay device calculates the transmission delay difference between the delay on the first transmission path and the delay on the second transmission path based on all possible terminal locations in the overlapping area, and groups these delay differences into a set. The maximum transmission delay difference in this set is the aforementioned maximum transmission delay difference.

[0230] Optionally, if the ground coverage area of ​​the network device and the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device do not overlap, the relay device may not send the third information, or may indicate the maximum transmission delay difference as a predetermined value through the third information (e.g., the third information indicates 0). In this case, the network device may not execute S1001 and S1002.

[0231] In one possible implementation, prior to S1001, the method 1000 further includes: the relay device or relay device-MT sending fourth information to the network device, the fourth information indicating that the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device overlaps with the ground coverage area of ​​the network device. Correspondingly, the network device receives the fourth information from the relay device or relay device-MT.

[0232] Optionally, the fourth piece of information can also be used to indicate that the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device does not overlap with the ground coverage area of ​​the network device. If the ground coverage areas of the relay device and the network device do not overlap, the network device may not need to send the relay device's target forwarding radius to the relay device.

[0233] For example, the aforementioned fourth information can use one or more bits to indicate whether there is an overlapping area between the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device and the ground coverage area of ​​the network device. For instance, one bit "0" can indicate that there is an overlapping area between the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device and the ground coverage area of ​​the network device, and one bit "1" can indicate that there is no overlap between the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device and the ground coverage area of ​​the network device; or, one bit "1" can indicate that there is an overlapping area between the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device and the ground coverage area of ​​the network device, and one bit "0" can indicate that there is no overlap between the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device and the ground coverage area of ​​the network device.

[0234] Optionally, this fourth message can be sent to network devices via MAC CE signaling.

[0235] Optionally, before the relay device sends the fourth information to the network device, the method 1000 may further include: the relay device determining whether there is an overlapping area between its ground coverage area and the ground coverage area of ​​the network device.

[0236] For example, when the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device is located inside a tunnel, building, or under a bridge, the terminal device will not receive a signal from the network device, thus avoiding interference. In this case, the relay device determines whether there is any overlap between its ground coverage area and the ground coverage area of ​​the network device; that is, the relay device can determine that there is no overlap between its ground coverage area and the ground coverage area of ​​the network device.

[0237] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram showing that the ground coverage areas of the network device and the relay device do not overlap, according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 12, in communication scenario 1200, the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device 1210 is located inside a tunnel. The terminal device 1220 located inside the tunnel can receive the signal from the relay device 1210, but cannot receive the signal from the satellite 1230 (i.e., the network device in this application). Therefore, there is no interference from the network device signal and the relay forwarding signal on the terminal device 1220 side. Referring to Figure 12, the overlapping area in this application refers to the fact that the terminal device located in the overlapping area can receive the signal from the network device relayed by the relay device, and can also directly receive the signal sent by the network device.

[0238] For example, it can be determined manually whether there is an overlap between the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device and the ground coverage area of ​​the network equipment, and the determination result can be input into the relay device.

[0239] In one possible implementation, prior to S1001, the method 1000 further includes: the relay device or relay device-MT sending sixth information to the network device, the sixth information indicating the CP length required between the network device and the terminal device. Correspondingly, the network device receives the sixth information from the relay device or relay device-MT; and determines a first CP length based on the sixth information.

[0240] The first CP length determined by the network device based on the sixth information can be the CP length indicated by the sixth information. Alternatively, the first CP length determined by the network device based on the sixth information can be, for example, less than the CP length indicated by the sixth information.

[0241] Optionally, before the relay device sends the sixth information to the network device, the method 1000 may further include: the relay device determining the CP length or CP type required between the network device and the terminal device.

[0242] Example 1: The relay device determines the transmission delay difference 2 between the delay on the first transmission path and the delay on the second transmission path based on the radius of its ground coverage area, or the radius of the overlapping area between its ground coverage area and the ground coverage area of ​​the network device; then, based on the determined transmission delay difference 2, it determines the CP length required between the network device and the terminal device. Specifically, the relay device calculates the transmission delay difference between the delay on the first transmission path and the delay on the second transmission path based on all possible terminal locations in the overlapping area, and groups these delay differences into a set. The maximum transmission delay difference in this set is the aforementioned maximum transmission delay difference 2.

[0243] The required CP length determined by the relay device can be greater than or equal to the transmission delay difference of 2. For example, the required CP length determined by the relay device is the smallest CP length among those with a transmission delay difference of not less than 2.

[0244] Example 2: If the relay device determines that the transmission delay difference between the delay on the first transmission path and the delay on the second transmission path is less than or equal to the normal CP length based on the radius of its ground coverage area, then the CP type to be used between the network device and the terminal device is determined to be normal CP.

[0245] Optionally, if the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device does not overlap with the ground coverage area of ​​the network device, the sixth information may not be sent, or the sixth information sent may be a predetermined value (e.g., 0 or the minimum value of the sixth information), or the sixth information may be used to indicate normal CP.

[0246] Optionally, the network device determines the first CP length based on the required CP length, including: the network device determining whether to use the CP length reported by the relay device; if it is determined that the CP length reported by the relay device is used, determining the required CP as the first CP; or, if it is determined that the CP length reported by the relay device is not used, re-determining the first CP length.

[0247] In one possible implementation, the method 1000 further includes: the network device sending fifth information to the terminal device, the fifth information indicating the first CP length. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the fifth information from the network device and communicates using the first CP length.

[0248] Alternatively, the fifth piece of information is used to indicate the first CP type, such as normal or extended. There is a correspondence between the first CP type and the first CP length.

[0249] For a description of the length and type of the first CP, please refer to the relevant description in S1001 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0250] As an optional embodiment, if the network device determines that there is an overlapping area between the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device and the ground coverage area of ​​the network device, the network device instructs the relay device to use a different frequency band for forwarding signals between the network device and the terminal device than the frequency band used between the network device and the terminal device, and / or, the relay device uses a different frequency band for forwarding signals between the terminal device and the network device than the frequency band used between the terminal device and the network device, so as to avoid co-channel interference through frequency division.

[0251] It should be noted that when there is no overlap between the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device and the ground coverage area of ​​the network device, the broadcast information forwarded by the network device through the relay device may be different from the broadcast information sent directly by the network device, for example, the synchronization and timing parameters may be different; moreover, the effects of transmission delay difference and frequency deviation need not be considered.

[0252] It should also be noted that when there is an overlap between the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device and the ground coverage area of ​​the network device, the broadcast information forwarded by the network device through the relay device is the same as the broadcast information sent directly by the network device, and the area where the relay device forwards the broadcast information is limited by the target forwarding radius of the relay device.

[0253] Optionally, the method provided in this application (i.e., method 1000 above) can also be used in the access uplink (UL) synchronization mechanism involved in the scenarios shown in Figures 6 and 7. Specifically, if the terminal device adopts a traditional (non-enhanced) access UL synchronization mechanism, it is necessary to limit the forwarding radius of the relay device. The network device determines the target forwarding radius based on the CP length and satellite orbital altitude at the time of access and sends the target forwarding radius to the relay device.

[0254] Figures 13 and 14 are schematic diagrams of possible apparatuses provided in embodiments of this application. These apparatuses can be used to implement the functions of network devices or relay devices in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments.

[0255] Figure 13 is a schematic block diagram of the device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 13, the device 1300 includes a transceiver module 1310 and a processing module 1320.

[0256] One possible design is that the device 1300 is used to implement the functions of the network device in the method embodiment shown in FIG10 above.

[0257] For example, the processing module 1320 is configured to: determine the target forwarding radius of the relay device based on a threshold of a first CP length and / or a first frequency deviation when there is an overlapping area between the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device and the ground coverage area of ​​the network device; the transceiver module 1310 is configured to: send first information to the relay device, the first information being used to indicate the target forwarding radius.

[0258] Optionally, the processing module 1320 is specifically used to: determine the target forwarding radius of the relay device based on a threshold of the first CP length and / or the first frequency deviation, and the height of the network device above the ground.

[0259] Optionally, the transceiver module 1310 is further configured to: receive second information from the relay device, the second information indicating at least one of the following: a first radius, an overlapping area, or the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device; wherein the first radius is the current forwarding radius of the relay device, or the first radius is the radius of the overlapping area; the processing module 1320 is further configured to: determine the current forwarding radius of the relay device based on the second information; and determine the first CP length based on the current forwarding radius of the relay device.

[0260] Optionally, the transceiver module 1310 is further configured to: receive third information from the relay device, the third information being used to indicate the maximum transmission delay difference between the first transmission delay and the second transmission delay, the first transmission delay being the delay of the second signal received by the terminal device through the first transmission path, and the second transmission delay being the delay of the second signal received by the terminal device through the second transmission path; the processing module 1320 is further configured to: determine the length of the first CP based on the maximum transmission delay difference.

[0261] Optionally, the transceiver module 1310 is further configured to: receive fourth information from the relay device, the fourth information being used to indicate that the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device overlaps with the ground coverage area of ​​the network device.

[0262] A more detailed description of the transceiver module 1310 and the processing module 1320 can be obtained directly from the relevant description in the embodiment shown in Figure 10, and will not be repeated here.

[0263] Another possible design is that the device 1300 is used to implement the function of the relay device in the method embodiment shown in FIG10 above.

[0264] For example, the transceiver module 1310 is configured to: receive first information from the network device, the first information being used to indicate the target forwarding radius of the relay device; and the processing module 1320 is configured to: adjust the current forwarding radius of the relay device based on the target forwarding radius.

[0265] Optionally, the transceiver module 1310 is further configured to: send second information to the network device, the second information indicating at least one of the following: a first radius, an overlapping area between the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device and the ground coverage area of ​​the network device, or the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device; wherein the first radius is the current forwarding radius of the relay device, or the first radius is the maximum radius of the overlapping area.

[0266] Optionally, the transceiver module 1310 is further configured to: send third information to the network device, the third information being used to indicate the transmission delay difference between a first transmission delay and a second transmission delay, wherein the first transmission delay is the delay of the terminal device transmitting the received second signal through the first transmission path, and the second transmission delay is the delay of the terminal device receiving the second signal through the second transmission path.

[0267] Optionally, the transceiver module 1310 is further configured to: send a fourth message to the network device, the fourth message indicating that the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device overlaps with the ground coverage area of ​​the network device.

[0268] A more detailed description of the transceiver module 1310 and the processing module 1320 can be obtained directly from the relevant description in the embodiment shown in Figure 10, and will not be repeated here.

[0269] It should be noted that device 1300 may include a transmitting module but not a receiving module. Alternatively, device 1300 may include a receiving module but not a transmitting module. Specifically, it depends on whether the above-described scheme executed by device 1300 includes both transmitting and receiving actions. It is understood that because device 1300 has communication capabilities, it can also be called a communication device.

[0270] Figure 14 is another schematic block diagram of the device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 14, the device 1400 includes one or more processors 1410. The processor 1410 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor, etc. For example, it may be a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor may be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit may be used to control the device (e.g., network device, relay device, or chip, etc.), execute software programs, and process data of the software programs.

[0271] Alternatively, in one design, processor 1410 may include a program (also referred to as code or instructions) that can be executed on processor 1410 to cause device 1400 to perform the methods performed by the network device or relay device in the above method embodiments. In yet another possible design, device 1400 includes circuitry (not shown in FIG. 14) for implementing the functions of the network device or relay device in the above method embodiments.

[0272] For example, processor 1410 can be used to execute computer programs or instructions in memory to implement the steps performed by the network device or relay device in any of the embodiments shown in FIG10.

[0273] Optionally, the device 1400 may include one or more memories 1420 storing programs (sometimes referred to as code or instructions) that can be run on the processor 1410, causing the device 1400 to perform the methods performed by the network device or relay device in the above embodiments.

[0274] Optionally, the processor 1410 and / or memory 1420 may also store data. The processor and memory may be configured separately or integrated together.

[0275] Optionally, the device 1400 may further include a communication interface 1430. The processor 1410, sometimes referred to as a processing unit, controls the device (e.g., a network device or a relay device). The communication interface 1430, sometimes referred to as a transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, or transceiver, is used to implement the transceiver function of the device.

[0276] Optionally, the device 1400 also includes a communication interface 1430. The processor 1410 and the communication interface 1430 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the communication interface 1430 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface.

[0277] It is understandable that since device 1400 has communication capabilities, it can also be called a communication device.

[0278] When device 1400 is used to implement the method of FIG10, processor 1410 is used to execute the functions of the aforementioned processing unit, and communication interface 1430 is used to execute the functions of the aforementioned transceiver module. Whether communication interface 1430 is used for sending or receiving depends on whether the scheme executed by device 1400 is used to perform a sending action or a receiving action.

[0279] When the aforementioned device 1400 is a chip applied to a network device, the chip implements the functions of the network device in the above method embodiments. The chip of the network device receives signals from other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the network device, and these signals may be sent to the network device by a relay device; or, the chip of the network device sends signals to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the network device, and these signals may be sent to a relay device by the network device.

[0280] When the aforementioned device 1400 is a chip applied to a relay device, the chip implements the functions of the relay device in the above method embodiments. The chip of the relay device receives signals from other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the relay device, and these signals may be sent to the relay device by network devices; or, the chip of the relay device sends signals to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the relay device, and these signals may be sent to network devices by the relay device.

[0281] It is understood that when the device 1400 is a network device or a relay device, the communication interface 1430 can be a transceiver, specifically including a transmitter and a receiver, with the transmitter used to send signals and the receiver used to receive signals. When the device 1400 is a chip applied to a network device or a relay device, the communication interface 1430 can be an input / output circuit, wherein the input circuit can be used for receiving and the output interface can be used for sending.

[0282] Figure 15 is a schematic block diagram of the baseband hardware implementation provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 15, the baseband can be implemented using a processing system including one or more processors. This processing system can be implemented using a bus architecture, typically represented by a bus.

[0283] A bus can include any number of interconnect buses and bridges, depending on the specific application and overall design constraints of the processing system. The bus communicatively couples various circuits together, including M (M is a positive integer) processors (typically represented by processors), memory, and N (N is a positive integer) computer-readable media (typically represented by computer-readable media). The bus can also link various other circuits, such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art and therefore will not be described further. The bus interface provides the interface between the bus and transceivers, and between the bus and the interface.

[0284] A transceiver provides a communication interface or means for communicating with various other devices via a wireless transmission medium. The transceiver may be coupled to an antenna array, and the transceiver and antenna array may be used together for communication with a corresponding network type. At least one interface (e.g., a network interface and / or a user interface) provides a communication interface or means for communication via an internal bus or via an external transmission medium.

[0285] The processor manages the bus and general processing, including executing software stored on a computer-readable medium. When executed by the processor, this software causes the processing system to perform the various functions described below for any particular device. Functions that can be implemented by the processor, memory, and computer-readable medium include: encoding, decoding, rate matching, rate dematching, scrambling, descrambling, modulation, demodulation, layer mapping, fast Fourier transform (FFT), inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT), inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT), precoding, resource element (RE) mapping, channel equalization, RE demapping, digital beamforming (BF), adding CP, removing CP, and so on.

[0286] The signaling transmitted in this scheme (e.g., parameters such as target forwarding radius) can be implemented by a processor, memory, and computer-readable medium. For example, parameters sent by a network device to a relay device-MT are processed by the processor, memory, and computer-readable medium shown in Figure 15 before being sent to the terminal device.

[0287] It should be noted that the above method embodiments can be applied to a processor, or implemented by a processor. A processor may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, each step of the above method embodiments can be completed by integrated logic circuits in the processor's hardware or by software instructions.

[0288] The aforementioned processor can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0289] The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly manifested as being executed by a hardware decoding processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules can reside in mature storage media in the art, such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, or registers. This storage medium is located in memory, and the processor reads information from the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above method.

[0290] The memory in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as 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). It should be noted that the memory used in the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0291] The methods provided in the above embodiments can be implemented, in whole or in part, by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, they can be implemented, in whole or in part, in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product may include one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic disk), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., solid-state disk (SSD)).

[0292] This application also provides a computer program product that, when run on a processor, can implement the methods shown in the above method embodiments.

[0293] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium containing computer instructions that, when executed on a processor, can implement the methods shown in the above-described method embodiments.

[0294] This application also provides a chip, including a processor, for reading instructions stored in a memory. When the processor executes the stored instructions, the chip can implement the method shown in the above method embodiments.

[0295] This application also provides a communication system, including the aforementioned terminal equipment, network equipment, and relay device.

[0296] 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.

[0297] 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.

[0298] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0299] 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.

[0300] 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.

[0301] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory, random access memory, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0302] 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, The method, applicable to network devices or chips used in network devices, includes: In the case where the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device overlaps with the ground coverage area of ​​the network device, the target forwarding radius of the relay device is determined based on the first cyclic prefix (CP) length and / or the threshold of the first frequency deviation. The first CP length is determined by the network device, and the first frequency deviation is the difference between the frequency deviation on the first transmission path and the frequency deviation on the second transmission path. The first transmission path includes the terminal device and the network device, and the second transmission path includes the terminal device, the network device, and the relay device. Send a first message to the relay device, the first message being used to indicate the target forwarding radius.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The frequency offset on the first transmission path is the first Doppler frequency offset, and the frequency offset on the second transmission path is the second Doppler frequency offset. The first Doppler frequency offset is the Doppler frequency offset of the first signal received by the terminal device through the first transmission path, and the second Doppler frequency offset is the Doppler frequency offset of the first signal received by the terminal device through the second transmission path.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The target forwarding radius is the distance between the geographical location of the relay device and the farthest geographical location that the relay device can cover.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, Determining the target forwarding radius of the relay device based on a threshold of the first CP length and / or the first frequency offset includes: The target forwarding radius of the relay device is determined based on the threshold of the first CP length and / or the first frequency deviation, and the height of the network device above the ground.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, Before determining the target forwarding radius of the relay device based on the threshold of the first CP length and / or the first frequency offset, the method further includes: Receive second information from the relay device, the second information indicating at least one of the following: a first radius, the overlapping area, or the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device; the first radius is the current forwarding radius of the relay device, or the first radius is the radius of the overlapping area; Based on the second information, the current forwarding radius of the relay device is determined; The length of the first CP is determined based on the current forwarding radius of the relay device.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, Before determining the target forwarding radius of the relay device based on the threshold of the first CP length and / or the first frequency offset, the method further includes: The system receives third information from the relay device, the third information indicating the maximum transmission delay difference between a first transmission delay and a second transmission delay, the first transmission delay being the delay of a second signal received by the terminal device through the first transmission path, and the second transmission delay being the delay of the second signal received by the terminal device through the second transmission path. The length of the first CP is determined based on the maximum transmission delay difference.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: The relay device receives a fourth piece of information indicating that the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device overlaps with the ground coverage area of ​​the network device.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The first information is carried in the Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling or the Media Access Control (MAC) control unit (CE).

9. A communication method, characterized in that, The method, which applies to a relay device or a chip within a relay device, includes: The relay device receives first information from a network device, the first information indicating the target forwarding radius; the target forwarding radius is determined based on a first cyclic prefix (CP) length and / or a first frequency offset threshold, the first CP length being determined by the network device, the first frequency offset being the difference between the frequency offset on a first transmission path and the frequency offset on a second transmission path, the first transmission path including a terminal device and the network device, and the second transmission path including the terminal device, the network device, and the relay device; Based on the target forwarding radius, the current forwarding radius of the relay device is adjusted.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The relay device's adjusted forwarding radius is less than or equal to the target forwarding radius.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The frequency offset on the first transmission path is the first Doppler frequency offset, and the frequency offset on the second transmission path is the second Doppler frequency offset. The first Doppler frequency offset is the Doppler frequency offset of the first signal received by the terminal device through the first transmission path, and the second Doppler frequency offset is the Doppler frequency offset of the first signal received by the terminal device through the second transmission path.

12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that, The target forwarding radius is the distance between the geographical location of the relay device and the farthest geographical location that the relay device can cover.

13. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a second message to the network device, the second message indicating at least one of the following: a first radius, an overlapping area between the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device and the ground coverage area of ​​the network device, or the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device; the first radius is the current forwarding radius of the relay device, or the first radius is the maximum radius of the overlapping area.

14. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a third message to the network device, the third message being used to indicate the transmission delay difference between a first transmission delay and a second transmission delay, the first transmission delay being the delay of the second signal received by the terminal device through the first transmission path, and the second transmission delay being the delay of the second signal received by the terminal device through the second transmission path.

15. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that, The method further includes: A fourth message is sent to the network device, the fourth message indicating that the ground coverage area of ​​the relay device overlaps with the ground coverage area of ​​the network device.

16. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 15, characterized in that, The first information is carried in the Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling or the Media Access Control (MAC) control unit (CE).

17. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes modules for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8; or, it includes modules for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 16.

18. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes at least one processor for causing the communication device to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, or to cause the communication device to implement the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 16, by executing a computer program and / or by logic circuitry.

19. A chip, characterized in that, include: At least one processor is configured to read instructions stored in a memory, and when the processor executes the instructions, cause the chip to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 8; or cause the chip to implement the method of any one of claims 9 to 16.

20. A communication system, characterized in that, It includes network devices and relay devices, the network devices being used to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, and the relay devices being used to implement the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 16.

21. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program thereon, characterized in that, When the computer program is executed by a processor, the method of any one of claims 1 to 8 is executed, or the method of any one of claims 9 to 16 is executed.

22. A computer program product, characterized in that, It includes a computer program, which, when run, performs the method of any one of claims 1 to 8, or the method of any one of claims 9 to 16.

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