Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a communication method and a communication apparatus. The method comprises: receiving first information, wherein the first information includes configuration information of K uplink wake-up signals (UL WUSs), the K UL WUSs being used for triggering K non-terrestrial network (NTN) cells to send a system information block SIB1, time intervals in which the K NTN cells serve a terminal device being different, and K being an integer greater than 1; and sending a first UL WUS on the basis of configuration information of the first UL WUS, wherein the configuration information of the first UL WUS belongs to the configuration information of the K UL WUSs. On this basis, a terminal can be prevented from frequently acquiring UL WUS configurations.

Description

Communication methods and communication devices

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202510089786.7, filed on January 20, 2025, entitled "Communication Method and Communication Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

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

[0003] In the current research on network energy savings (NES), in order to achieve energy saving, for some cells, the base station can not periodically and frequently send system information block (SIB) 1. Instead, when the terminal device needs it, the NES cell can be triggered to send SIB 1 by sending a wake-up signal (WUS).

[0004] Non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) can deploy base stations or part of their functions on high-altitude platforms or satellites to provide seamless coverage for terminal devices. When base stations or part of their functions are deployed on satellites, considering that each satellite covers a certain area on the ground for a limited time, how to enable terminal devices to select appropriate cells to camp on and trigger the transmission of SIB1 through WUS is a problem that urgently needs to be solved in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method and a communication device.

[0006] As described in the background section, when a base station or part of its functions are deployed on a satellite, the terminal device can select a suitable cell to camp on and trigger the cell to send SIB1 via WUS. However, using the current cell camping mechanism, due to the different service times of different NTN cells, the terminal device frequently obtains UL WUS configuration when selecting a suitable cell to camp on and triggering the cell to send SIB1 via WUS. To solve this problem, the embodiments of this application provide the following technical solution.

[0007] Firstly, a communication method is provided. This method can be applied to a terminal device; that is, the method can be executed by the terminal device itself, or by components of the terminal device (such as a chip, chip system, circuit, communication module, or processor). This application does not limit the scope of the method. The following description primarily uses a terminal device as an example.

[0008] The method may include: a terminal device receiving first information, the first information including configuration information of K uplink wake-up signals (UL WUS), the K UL WUS being used to trigger K non-terrestrial network (NTN) cells to send system information blocks (SIB1), the K NTN cells serving the terminal device having different time intervals, and K being an integer greater than 1; the terminal device sending the first UL WUS based on the configuration information of the first UL WUS, the configuration information of the first UL WUS being part of the configuration information of the K UL WUS, the first UL WUS being used to trigger the first NTN cell to send SIB1.

[0009] Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device can obtain the UL WUS configuration of multiple NTN cells serving the terminal device in different time intervals through the first information, thereby avoiding the problem of the terminal device frequently re-obtaining the UL WUS configuration due to the short coverage time of the NTN cells.

[0010] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method may further include: a terminal device receiving K time information, the K time information being associated with the configuration information of the K UL WUS, the K time information including first time information associated with the first UL WUS, the first time information including at least one of the following: the time when the first NTN cell starts service; the time when the first NTN cell stops service; the validity period of the configuration information of the first UL WUS.

[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, before sending the first UL WUS based on the configuration information of the first UL WUS, the method may further include: the terminal device determining the configuration information of the first UL WUS from the configuration information of the K UL WUS at a first moment, wherein the first moment is later than the moment when the first NTN cell starts service, and / or, the first moment is earlier than the moment when the first NTN cell stops service, and / or, the first moment is within the validity period of the configuration information of the first UL WUS.

[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the configuration information of the first UL WUS is the configuration information of the K UL WUS where the start time of the corresponding cell is earlier than the configuration information of the UL WUS at the first moment; and / or, the configuration information of the first UL WUS is the configuration information of the K UL WUS where the stop time of the corresponding cell is later than the configuration information of the UL WUS at the first moment; and / or, the configuration information of the first UL WUS is the configuration information of the K UL WUS where the validity period includes the configuration information of the UL WUS at the first moment.

[0013] Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device can determine the first NTN cell that can provide coverage to the terminal device based on time information, and determine the first UL WUS to trigger the first NTN cell to send SIB1 from the configuration information of K UL WUS; in addition, the terminal device can also determine whether the configuration information of UL WUS has expired based on time information.

[0014] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method may further include: the terminal device determining at a second time to delete the configuration information of the first UL WUS, wherein the second time is later than the time when the first NTN cell stops service, and / or the second time exceeds the validity period of the configuration information of the first UL WUS; or, determining at a second time to retain the configuration information of the first UL WUS, wherein the second time is earlier than the time when the first NTN cell stops service, and / or the second time is within the validity period of the configuration information of the first UL WUS.

[0015] Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device can determine whether to delete or retain the UL WUS configuration information it stores based on time information, thereby reasonably adjusting the storage space of the terminal device.

[0016] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method may further include: a terminal device receiving SIB1 from a first NTN cell, the first UL WUS being used to trigger the first NTN NES cell to send SIB1; and the terminal device camping in the first NTN cell.

[0017] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method may further include: the terminal device receiving satellite auxiliary information of the first NTN cell; and, in the event that the reception of satellite auxiliary information of the first NTN cell fails, the terminal device blocking the first NTN cell.

[0018] Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device can determine whether to block the first NTN cell by whether it can successfully receive the satellite auxiliary information of the first NTN cell, and thus select a suitable cell to camp on.

[0019] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method may further include: a terminal device receiving paging information, the paging information indicating an update of the configuration information of at least one of the K UL WUS.

[0020] Based on the above technical solution, when the UL WUS configuration information of at least one of the K NTN cells changes, the network device can notify the terminal device by paging to update the configuration information of at least one of the K UL WUS.

[0021] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the terminal device determines that the transmission status of SIB1 of the first NTN cell is "transmitted", and the first UL WUS is used to trigger the first NTN cell to transmit SIB1; or the first UL WUS is not transmitted.

[0022] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, before sending the first UL WUS based on the configuration information of the first UL WUS, the method may further include: the terminal device determining that the transmission status of SIB1 of the first NTN cell is not transmitting SIB1.

[0023] Based on the above technical solution, before sending the first UL WUS, the terminal device can check whether the first NTN cell has already broadcast SIB1. If the first NTN cell has already broadcast SIB1, the terminal device does not need to send the first UL WUS.

[0024] Secondly, a communication method is provided. This method can be applied to a first network device; that is, the method can be executed by the first network device or by components of the first network device (such as a chip, chip system, circuit, communication module, or processor). This application does not limit this. The following description mainly uses a first network device as an example.

[0025] The method may include: a first network device receiving a first UL WUS, the first UL WUS being sent based on configuration information of the first UL WUS, the configuration information of the first UL WUS belonging to K UL WUS configuration information, the K UL WUS being used to trigger K NTN cells to send SIB1, the K NTN cells serving the terminal device having different time intervals, and K being an integer greater than 1; the first network device sending SIB1 in the first NTN cell, the first UL WUS being used to trigger the first network device to send SIB1 in the first NTN cell.

[0026] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method may further include: a first network device sending paging information, the paging information indicating an update to the configuration information of at least one of the K UL WUS.

[0027] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method may further include: a first network device sending second information to a second network device, the second information instructing the second network device to send SIB1 in a second NTN cell, the second NTN cell being the next cell serving the terminal device after the first NTN cell.

[0028] Based on the above technical solution, after receiving the first UL WUS from the terminal device, the first network device can directly send the second information to the second network device to trigger the second NTN cell to send SIB1. Thus, the terminal device can achieve the effect of triggering the second NTN cell to send SIB1 without knowing the UL WUS configuration of the second NTN cell.

[0029] For the beneficial effects and possible designs of the second aspect, please refer to the relevant description in the first aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0030] Thirdly, a communication method is provided. This method can be applied to a terminal device, a first network device, and a third network device; that is, the method can be executed by the terminal device, the first network device, and the third network device, or by components of the terminal device, the first network device, and the third network device (such as a chip, a chip system, a circuit, a communication module, or a processor). This application does not limit this. The following description mainly uses a terminal device, a first network device, and a third network device as examples.

[0031] The method may include: a third network device sending first information, the first information including configuration information of K uplink wake-up signals (UL WUS), the K UL WUS being used to trigger K NTN cells to send SIB1, the K NTN cells serving the terminal device having different time intervals, and K being an integer greater than 1; the terminal device receiving the first information; the terminal device sending the first UL WUS based on the configuration information of the first UL WUS, the configuration information of the first UL WUS belonging to the configuration information of the K UL WUS; a first network device receiving the first UL WUS, the first UL WUS being used to trigger the first network device to send SIB1 in the first NTN cell; and the first network device sending SIB1 in the first NTN cell.

[0032] For the beneficial effects and possible designs of the third aspect, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the first or second aspects, which will not be repeated here.

[0033] Fourthly, a communication method is provided. This method can be applied to a terminal device; that is, the method can be executed by the terminal device itself, or by a component of the terminal device (such as a chip, chip system, circuit, communication module, or processor). This application does not limit this. The following description mainly uses a first network device as an example.

[0034] The method may include: a terminal device receiving configuration information of a second UL WUS in a third NTN cell, the second UL WUS being used to trigger a fourth NTN cell to send SIB1, the third NTN cell serving the terminal device, and the fourth NTN cell being the next NTN cell serving the terminal device after the third NTN cell; the terminal device sending the second UL WUS to the fourth NTN cell based on the configuration information of the second UL WUS.

[0035] Based on the above technical solution, the NTN cell of the serving terminal device can provide the UL WUS configuration of the NTN cell of the next-hop satellite. Therefore, when the next-hop satellite covers the terminal device, the terminal device can trigger the NTN cell of the next-hop satellite to send SIB1 based on this UL WUS configuration. Conversely, if the UL WUS configuration of the next-hop satellite is not provided, the terminal device will be unable to obtain the UL WUS configuration of the NTN cell of the next-hop satellite when the current serving satellite is switched away.

[0036] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the method may further include: a terminal device receiving second time information, the second time information being associated with the configuration information of the second UL WUS, the second time information including at least one of the following: the time when the fourth NTN cell begins service; the time when the fourth NTN cell stops service; the validity period of the configuration information of the second UL WUS.

[0037] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, sending the second UL WUS to the fourth NTN cell based on the configuration information of the second UL WUS includes: the terminal device sending the second UL WUS at a third time, wherein the third time is later than the time when the fourth NTN cell starts service, and / or the third time is earlier than the time when the fourth NTN cell stops service, and / or the third time is within the validity period of the configuration information of the second UL WUS.

[0038] Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device can determine whether to trigger the fourth NTN cell to send SIB1 based on time information. For example, the terminal device will only request the fourth NTN cell to send SIB1 if the time interval of the fourth NTN cell serving the terminal device is within that time period.

[0039] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the method may further include: the terminal device receiving SIB1 from the fourth NTN cell; the terminal device camping in the fourth NTN cell.

[0040] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the method may further include: the terminal device receiving satellite auxiliary information of the fourth NTN cell; and, in the event that the reception of the satellite auxiliary information of the fourth NTN cell fails, the terminal device blocking the fourth NTN cell.

[0041] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the method may further include: a terminal device receiving paging information, the paging information indicating an update to the configuration information of the second UL WUS.

[0042] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, before sending the second UL WUS to the fourth NTN cell based on the configuration information of the second UL WUS, the method may further include: the terminal device determining that the SIB1 transmission status of the fourth NTN cell is not transmitting SIB1.

[0043] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the terminal device determines that the transmission status of the fourth NTN cell is "transmitted"; the terminal device does not transmit the second UL WUS.

[0044] Fifthly, a communication method is provided. This method can be applied to a terminal device, a fourth network device, and a fifth network device; that is, the method can be executed by the terminal device, the fourth network device, and the fifth network device, or by components of the terminal device, the fourth network device, and the fifth network device (e.g., a chip, a chip system, a circuit, a communication module, or a processor). This application does not limit the scope of the method. The following description primarily uses a terminal device, a fourth network device, and a fifth network device as examples.

[0045] The method may include: a fourth network device sending configuration information for a second UL WUS in a third NTN cell, the second UL WUS being used to trigger the fourth NTN cell to send SIB1, the third NTN cell serving the terminal device, and the fourth NTN cell being the next NTN cell serving the terminal device after the third NTN cell; the terminal device receiving the configuration information for the second UL WUS in the third NTN cell; the terminal device sending the second UL WUS to a fifth network device; and the fifth network device sending SIB1 in the fourth NTN cell.

[0046] It is understandable that, in the fifth aspect, the network device (or cell) can send the WUS configuration of the network device (or cell) that serves the terminal device to the terminal device.

[0047] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the method may further include: the fifth network device sending second information to the sixth network device, the second information instructing the sixth network device to send SIB1 in the fifth NTN cell, the fifth NTN cell being the next cell serving the terminal device after the fourth NTN cell.

[0048] It is understandable that network devices (or cells) can directly instruct network devices (or cells) at the back-end terminal devices to send SIB1.

[0049] For the beneficial effects and possible designs of the fifth aspect, please refer to the relevant description in the fourth aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0050] Sixthly, a communication method is provided. This method can be applied to a seventh network device; that is, the method can be executed by the seventh network device or by components of the seventh network device (such as a chip, chip system, circuit, communication module, or processor). This application does not limit this. The following description mainly uses a seventh network device as an example.

[0051] The method may include: a seventh network device sending configuration information of a third UL WUS to a first cell, the third UL WUS being used to trigger a sixth NTN cell to send SIB1, the sixth NTN cell being adjacent to the first cell; the seventh network device receiving the third UL WUS in the first cell; and the seventh network device sending the third UL WUS to an eighth network device, the sixth NTN cell being a cell of the eighth network device.

[0052] Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device can send the UL WUS used to trigger the NTN cell to send SIB1 to the cooperating cell, which then notifies the neighboring NTN cells to send SIB1. This avoids the terminal device failing to send the UL WUS to the neighboring NTN cell due to a lack of ephemeris information, or in other words, it prevents the UL WUS from being correctly received by the network equipment belonging to the neighboring NTN cell.

[0053] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the method may further include: a seventh network device transmitting the frequency band of the sixth NTN cell, and / or, first indication information, the first indication information indicating that the sixth NTN cell is an NTN cell.

[0054] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, receiving the third UL WUS may include: a seventh network device receiving the third UL WUS transmitted through a first UL resource, the first UL resource being associated with the sixth NTN cell.

[0055] Based on the above technical solution, adjacent NTN cells can be associated with the resources sent by the terminal device for UL WUS. Thus, after the cooperating cell receives the UL WUS, it can determine which NTN cell the UL WUS is used to trigger.

[0056] Seventhly, a communication method is provided. This method can be applied to a terminal device; that is, the method can be executed by the terminal device itself, or by a component of the terminal device (such as a chip, chip system, circuit, communication module, or processor). This application does not limit the scope of the method. The following description primarily uses a terminal device as an example.

[0057] The method may include: a terminal device receiving configuration information of a third UL WUS in a first cell, wherein the third UL WUS is used to trigger a sixth NTN cell to send SIB1, and the sixth NTN cell is adjacent to the first cell; and the terminal device sending the third UL WUS in the first cell.

[0058] In conjunction with the seventh aspect, in some implementations of the seventh aspect, the method may further include: the terminal device receiving the frequency band of the sixth NTN cell, and / or, first indication information, the first indication information indicating that the sixth NTN cell is an NTN cell.

[0059] In conjunction with the seventh aspect, in some implementations of the seventh aspect, the transmission of the third UL WUS includes: the terminal device transmitting the third UL WUS through a first UL resource, wherein the first UL resource is associated with the sixth NTN cell.

[0060] For the beneficial effects and possible designs of the seventh aspect, please refer to the relevant description in the sixth aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0061] Eighthly, a communication method is provided. This method can be applied to a terminal device; that is, the method can be executed by the terminal device itself, or by a component of the terminal device (such as a chip, chip system, circuit, communication module, or processor). This application does not limit the scope of the method. The following description primarily uses a terminal device as an example.

[0062] The method may include: a terminal device receiving configuration information of a fourth UL WUS and first auxiliary information, wherein the fourth UL WUS is used to trigger a seventh NTN cell to transmit SIB1, and the first auxiliary information includes at least one of the following: ephemeris of a first satellite, timing advance parameters of the first satellite, validity period of the ephemeris and the timing advance parameters, wherein the seventh NTN cell is a cell of the first satellite; the terminal device transmitting the fourth UL WUS based on the configuration information of the fourth UL WUS and the first auxiliary information.

[0063] Based on the above technical solution, the cooperating cell can provide the terminal device with UL WUS configuration information and auxiliary information, enabling the terminal device to perform timed pre-compensation, thereby allowing the terminal device to send UL WUS to the neighboring NTN cell more accurately.

[0064] In conjunction with aspect eight, in certain implementations of aspect eight, receiving the configuration information and first auxiliary information of the fourth UL WUS includes: the terminal device receiving a first SIB, the first SIB including the configuration information and first auxiliary information of the fourth UL WUS, and the first SIB also including the frequency point and / or PCI of the seventh NTN cell; or, the terminal device receiving a first SIB and SIB19, the first SIB including the configuration information and a first identifier of the fourth UL WUS, and the SIB19 including the first auxiliary information and a second identifier; wherein, the first identifier and the second identifier indicate the first satellite, or, the first identifier and the second identifier indicate the frequency point and / or PCI of the seventh NTN cell, or, the first identifier belongs to a first list, the second identifier belongs to a second list, and the position of the first identifier in the first list and the position of the second identifier in the second list are the same.

[0065] In conjunction with the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, the step of sending the fourth UL WUS based on the configuration information and the first auxiliary information includes: when the configuration information of the fourth UL WUS is associated with the ephemeris, the terminal device sends the fourth UL WUS based on the configuration information and the first auxiliary information; or, the terminal device sends the fourth UL WUS based on the configuration information and the first auxiliary information at a fourth time, wherein the fourth time is within the validity period of the ephemeris.

[0066] In conjunction with the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, the terminal device does not send the fourth UL WUS if the configuration information of the fourth UL WUS is not associated with the ephemeris.

[0067] In conjunction with the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, the method may further include: the terminal device receiving SIB1 from the seventh NTN cell; the terminal device camping in the seventh NTN cell.

[0068] In conjunction with aspect eight, in some implementations of aspect eight, the method may further include: the terminal device receiving satellite auxiliary information of the seventh NTN cell; and, in the event that the reception of satellite auxiliary information of the seventh NTN cell fails, the terminal device blocking the seventh NTN cell.

[0069] In conjunction with the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, before transmitting the fourth UL WUS based on the configuration information and the first auxiliary information of the fourth UL WUS, the method further includes: the terminal device determining that the transmission status of the seventh NTN cell is not transmitting SIB1.

[0070] In conjunction with the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, the terminal device determines that the transmission status of SIB1 of the seventh NTN cell is transmitted; the terminal device does not transmit the fourth UL WUS.

[0071] Ninthly, a communication method is provided. This method can be applied to a terminal device; that is, the method can be executed by the terminal device itself, or by a component of the terminal device (such as a chip, chip system, circuit, communication module, or processor). This application does not limit the scope of the method. The following description mainly uses a terminal device as an example.

[0072] The method may include: a terminal device receiving configuration information of M UL WUSs and M auxiliary information, wherein the M UL WUSs are respectively used to trigger M NTN cells to send SIB1; determining an eighth NTN cell among the M NTN cells based on the M auxiliary information, wherein the M auxiliary information includes third time information and / or location information of the eighth NTN cell, wherein the third time information includes at least one of the following: the time when the eighth NTN cell starts service; the time when the eighth NTN cell stops service; the validity period of the configuration information of the fifth UL WUS among the M UL WUSs, wherein the fifth UL WUS is used to trigger the eighth NTN cell to send SIB1; the location information includes at least one of the following: coordinates of a reference point, wherein the reference point is located within the service range of the eighth NTN cell; a first distance threshold; and sending the fifth UL WUS to the eighth NTN cell.

[0073] Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device can select the most suitable NTN cell to camp on based on auxiliary information, thereby optimizing the cell reselection method of the terminal device to address the characteristic that the near-far effect of NTN cells is not obvious.

[0074] In conjunction with the ninth aspect, in certain implementations of the ninth aspect, the step of sending the fifth UL WUS to the eighth NTN cell includes: the terminal device sending the fifth UL WUS at a fifth time, the fifth time being after the time when the eighth NTN cell starts service, and / or, the fifth time being before the time when the eighth NTN cell stops service, and / or, the fifth time being within the validity period of the configuration information of the fifth UL WUS; and / or, the terminal device sending the fifth UL WUS when the distance between the terminal device and the reference point is less than or equal to the first distance threshold; and / or, the terminal device determining the eighth NTN cell from the M NTN cells, the time when the eighth NTN cell stops service being later than the time when any of the M NTN cells other than the eighth NTN cell stops service, and / or, the distance between the terminal device and the reference point being less than or equal to the distance between the terminal device and the reference point of any of the M NTN cells other than the eighth NTN cell.

[0075] In conjunction with the ninth aspect, in some implementations of the ninth aspect, the eighth NTN cell belongs to Q NTN cells out of the M NTN cells, and the signal quality of the Q NTN cells is greater than or equal to a threshold.

[0076] In conjunction with the ninth aspect, in some implementations of the ninth aspect, the eighth NTN cell includes multiple NTN cells, and the transmission of the fifth UL WUS to the eighth NTN cell includes: the terminal device transmitting the fifth UL WUS to the eighth NTN cell with the best signal quality among the multiple eighth NTN cells.

[0077] In a tenth aspect, a communication system is provided, including a terminal device, a first network device, and a third network device. The third network device is configured to transmit first information, the first information including configuration information of K uplink wake-up signals (UL WUS), the K UL WUS being used to trigger K NTN cells to transmit SIB1, the K NTN cells serving the terminal device having different time intervals, and K being an integer greater than 1; the terminal device is configured to receive the first information; the terminal device is further configured to transmit the first UL WUS based on the configuration information of the first UL WUS, the configuration information of the first UL WUS belonging to the configuration information of the K UL WUS; the first network device is configured to receive the first UL WUS, the first UL WUS being used to trigger the first network device to transmit SIB1 in a first NTN cell; the first network device is further configured to transmit SIB1 in the first NTN cell.

[0078] Eleventhly, a communication system is provided, including a terminal device, a fourth network device, and a fifth network device. The fourth network device is configured to transmit configuration information of a second UL WUS in a third NTN cell, the second UL WUS being used to trigger the fourth NTN cell to transmit SIB1, the third NTN cell serving the terminal device, and the fourth NTN cell being the next NTN cell serving the terminal device after the third NTN cell; the terminal device is configured to receive the configuration information of the second UL WUS in the third NTN cell; the terminal device is configured to transmit the second UL WUS to the fifth network device; and the fifth network device is configured to transmit SIB1 in the fourth NTN cell.

[0079] In a twelfth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided for performing the methods of the first aspect or the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof. Specifically, the apparatus may include units and / or modules for performing the methods of the first aspect or the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof, such as processing units and / or communication units.

[0080] In one implementation, the device is a communication device (such as a terminal device or a network device). When the device is a communication device, the communication unit can be a transceiver or an input / output interface; the processing unit can be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver can be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface can be an input / output circuit.

[0081] In another implementation, the device is a chip, chip system, circuit, or communication module for communication equipment (such as terminal equipment or network equipment). When the device is a chip, chip system, or circuit for communication equipment, the communication unit may be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuit on the chip, chip system, or circuit; the processing unit may be at least one processor, processing circuit, or logic circuit.

[0082] In a thirteenth aspect, a communication device is provided, the device comprising: at least one processor configured to cause the device to perform the methods of the first aspect or the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0083] Optionally, the at least one processor is configured to execute computer programs or instructions to perform the methods described in the first or second aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0084] Optionally, the device further includes a memory for storing the computer program or instructions.

[0085] Optionally, the at least one processor is coupled to a memory for storing the computer program or instructions. The memory may be located externally to the device.

[0086] Optionally, the device also includes a communication interface through which the processor reads instructions from memory. This can be understood as the communication interface being coupled to the processor and used to input computer programs or instructions to the processor, or to output information from the processor.

[0087] Unless otherwise specified, or if the transmission and acquisition / reception operations involved do not contradict their actual function or internal logic in the relevant description, they can be understood as output, input, or other operations, or as transmission and reception operations performed by radio frequency circuits and antennas. This application does not limit them in this regard.

[0088] In one implementation, the device is a communication device (such as a terminal device or a network device).

[0089] In another implementation, the device is a chip, chip system, circuit, or communication module for communication equipment (such as terminal equipment or network equipment). Optionally, the chip is a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core or a system-in-package (SIP) chip.

[0090] In a fourteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores a computer program (e.g., program code) or instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the methods of the first or second aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0091] In a fifteenth aspect, a computer program product containing instructions is provided, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods described in the first or second aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0092] In a sixteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, including a first communication device and a second communication device. The first communication device is used to execute the method provided in any implementation of the first aspect, and the second communication device is used to execute the method provided in any implementation of the second aspect. Attached Figure Description

[0093] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application.

[0094] Figure 2 is another schematic diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application.

[0095] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an access network device applicable to an embodiment of this application.

[0096] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of several satellite communication architectures.

[0097] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a communication method 500 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0098] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a communication method 600 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0099] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a communication method 700 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0100] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a communication method 800 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0101] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a communication method 900 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0102] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of a communication device 1000 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0103] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of another communication device 1100 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0104] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of a chip system 1200 provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0105] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0106] Before introducing the scheme of this application, the following points should be noted.

[0107] (1) In this application, "instruction" can include direct instruction, indirect instruction, explicit instruction, implicit instruction, etc. When describing an instruction information as indicating A, it can be understood that the instruction information carries A, carries the identifier of A, carries B which is associated with A, carries the identifier of B which is associated with A, etc. In other words, if the receiving side of an instruction information can determine A based on the instruction information, it can be described as the instruction information indicating A, and the specific method of determination is not limited. When it is understood that the instruction information carries A, "instruction" can be replaced with "includes". In this case, a statement such as "send / receive instruction information, the instruction information indicates A" can be replaced with "send / receive A".

[0108] In this application, the information indicated by the instruction information is called the information to be instructed. In specific implementations, there are many ways to indicate the information to be instructed, such as, but not limited to, directly indicating the information to be instructed, such as the information to be instructed itself or its index. It can also indirectly indicate the information to be instructed by indicating other information, where there is a relationship between the other information and the information to be instructed. It can also indicate only a part of the information to be instructed, while the other parts are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the instruction of specific information can be achieved by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol-defined) arrangement of various pieces of information, thereby reducing instruction overhead to some extent. Furthermore, the information to be instructed can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information pieces, and the sending period and / or timing of these sub-information pieces can be the same or different.

[0109] (2) In this application, the expression " / " is used to indicate that the objects before and after are in an "or" relationship; for example, A / B can mean: A or B. The expression "and / or" is used to indicate that the objects before and after are in a relationship of either "and" or "or"; for example, A and / or B can mean the following: A exists alone, B exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, where A and B can be single or multiple. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions are used to indicate any combination of the listed items; for example, at least one of A, B and / or C can mean the following: A exists alone, B exists alone, C exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, B and C exist simultaneously, A and C exist simultaneously, A, B and C exist simultaneously, where A, B, and C can be single or multiple.

[0110] (3) In this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information being XX, which may include direct transmission via the air interface or indirect transmission by other units or modules via the air interface. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY, which may include direct reception from YY via the air interface or indirect reception from YY by other units or modules via the air interface. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface. In other words, sending and receiving can occur between devices, such as between network devices and terminal devices, or within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within the device via a bus, wiring, or interface.

[0111] (4) In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0112] (5) In this application, "first," "second," and "#1," "#2," and "#A" are merely for descriptive convenience and are used to distinguish objects, and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. They are not used to describe the order or sequence of features. It should be understood that such described objects can be interchanged where appropriate in order to describe solutions other than those in the embodiments of this application.

[0113] (6) In this application, "predefined" can mean a standard protocol predefined, or it can mean a pre-agreed or pre-negotiated agreement between devices. Here, "protocol" can refer to a standard protocol in the field of communications, for example, it may include fourth-generation (4G) protocols. th Generation 4G network, fifth generation (5G) network th This application does not limit the scope to network protocols such as 5G (generation, 5G), New Radio (NR), 5.5G, and related protocols applied in future communication networks.

[0114] (7) In this application, the words “exemplary,” “for example,” etc., are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as an “example” in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of the word “example” is intended to present the concept in a concrete manner. In the embodiments of this application, “of,” “corresponding, relevant,” and “corresponding” may sometimes be used interchangeably, and it should be noted that their intended meanings are consistent unless their distinction is emphasized.

[0115] First, let me introduce the communication system to which this application applies.

[0116] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as 5th generation (5G) or new radio (NR) systems, long term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, and LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to future communication network systems. Furthermore, the technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), and Internet of Things (IoT) communication systems. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to non-terrestrial network (NTN) systems, such as inter-satellite communication systems and satellite communication systems.

[0117] As an example, a satellite communication system includes satellites, which can act as base stations or as terminal devices. When a satellite acts as a base station, it can be simply referred to as a satellite base station, and this satellite base station can provide communication services to terminal devices. When a satellite acts as a terminal device, it can be simply referred to as a satellite terminal, and this satellite terminal can receive information from the base station, which may include instruction information or data packets, etc. The satellite can refer to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), hot air balloons, low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, medium-Earth orbit (MEO) satellites, high-Earth orbit (HEO) satellites, etc. A satellite can also refer to non-terrestrial base stations or non-terrestrial equipment, etc.

[0118] As an example, V2X communication can include: vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) communication, and vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication.

[0119] In a communication system, a device can send signals to or receive signals from another device. These signals can include information, signaling, or data. The device can also be replaced by an entity, network entity, communication equipment, communication module, node, communication node, etc. This application uses a device as an example for description.

[0120] The terminal device in this application embodiment can be a device or module that accesses the aforementioned communication system and has corresponding communication functions. The terminal device can include various devices with wireless communication capabilities, which can be used to connect people, objects, machines, etc. The terminal device can be widely applied in various scenarios, such as: cellular communication, D2D, V2X, peer-to-peer (P2P), M2M, MTC, IoT, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, drones, robots, remote sensing, passive sensing, positioning, navigation and tracking, autonomous delivery, etc. The terminal device can be a terminal in any of the above scenarios, such as an MTC terminal, an IoT terminal, etc. Terminal equipment can be user equipment (UE), terminal, fixed equipment, mobile station equipment or mobile equipment, subscriber unit, handheld device, vehicle-mounted equipment, wearable device, cellular phone, smartphone, session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, wireless data card, personal digital assistant (PDA), computer, tablet computer, laptop computer, wireless modem, handset, laptop computer, computer with wireless transceiver capability, smart book, vehicle, satellite, global positioning system (GPS) device, target tracking device, aircraft (e.g., drone, helicopter, multiple helicopters, four helicopters, or airplanes), ship, remote control device, smart home device, industrial equipment, transportation vehicle with wireless communication capability, communication module, or roadside unit with terminal function, all conforming to the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) standard. The device may be a wireless communication unit (RSU), or a device built into the aforementioned device (e.g., a communication module, modem, or chip in the aforementioned device), or other processing devices connected to the wireless modem.

[0121] It should be understood that in certain scenarios, a UE can also be used as a base station. For example, a UE can act as a scheduling entity, providing sidelink signaling between UEs in scenarios such as V2X, D2D, or P2P.

[0122] In this embodiment, the device for implementing the functions of a terminal device, i.e., the terminal device, can be the terminal device itself, or it can be any device capable of supporting the terminal device in implementing the functions, such as a chip system, chip, circuit, or communication module (i.e., a communication module that performs communication functions). This device can be installed in the terminal device. In this embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete devices. Furthermore, the device can also be configured with program instructions for performing corresponding communication functions.

[0123] The network device in this application embodiment can be a device or module with corresponding communication functions. The network device can be a device used to communicate with terminal devices; it can also be called an access network device or a wireless access network device, such as a base station. In this application embodiment, the network device can refer to a radio access network (RAN) node (or device) that connects the terminal device to the wireless network. A base station can broadly encompass, or be replaced by, various names including: NodeB, evolved NodeB (eNB), next-generation NodeB (gNB), relay station, access point, transmitting and receiving point (TRP), transmitter, master station, auxiliary station, multiple standard radio (MSR) node, home base station, network controller, access node, wireless node, access point (AP), transmission node, transceiver node, baseband unit (BBU), remote radio unit (RRU), active antenna unit (AAU), remote radio head (RRH), central unit (CU), distributed unit (DU), positioning node, etc. A base station can be a macro base station, micro base station, relay node, donor node, or similar, or a combination thereof. A base station can also refer to a communication module, modem, or chip installed within the aforementioned equipment or apparatus. A base station can also be a mobile switching center, a device that performs base station functions in D2D, V2X, and M2M communications, a network-side device in future communication networks, or a device that performs base station functions in future communication systems. A base station can support networks using the same or different access technologies. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technologies or device forms used in the network equipment.

[0124] Base stations can be fixed or mobile. For example, a helicopter or drone can be configured to act as a mobile base station, and one or more cells can move depending on the location of the mobile base station. In other examples, a helicopter or drone can be configured as a device to communicate with another base station.

[0125] In some deployments, the network devices mentioned in the embodiments of this application may be devices including CU, or DU, or devices including CU and DU, or devices with control plane CU nodes (central unit-control plane (CU-CP)) and user plane CU nodes (central unit-user plane (CU-UP)) and DU nodes.

[0126] In some deployments, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist terminal devices in achieving wireless access, with different RAN nodes each implementing some of the base station's functions. For example, RAN nodes can be CUs, DUs, CU-CPs, CU-UPs, or radio units (RUs). CUs and DUs can be configured separately or included in the same network element, such as a BBU. RUs can be included in radio equipment or radio units, such as RRUs, AAUs, or RRHs.

[0127] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, a radio access network can also be an open radio access network (O-RAN) architecture. In an O-RAN system, CU can also be called an open CU (open CU, O-CU), DU can also be called an open DU (open DU, O-DU), CU-CP can also be called an open CU-CP (O-CU-CP), CU-UP can also be called an open CU-UP (O-CU-UP), and RU can also be called an open RU (open RU, O-RU). Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software modules and hardware modules.

[0128] In this embodiment, the device for implementing the functions of a network device can be a network device itself, or a device capable of supporting the network device in implementing those functions, such as a chip system, chip, circuit, or communication module (i.e., a communication module that performs communication functions). This device can be installed within the network device. In this embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete devices. Furthermore, the device can be configured with program instructions for performing corresponding communication functions. This embodiment only uses a network device as an example to illustrate the device for implementing the functions of a network device, and does not limit the solution of this embodiment.

[0129] Network devices and terminal devices can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can also be deployed in the air on airplanes, balloons, and satellites. This application does not limit the scenario in which the network devices and terminal devices are located.

[0130] The communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application is briefly described below with reference to Figure 1.

[0131] Referring to Figure 1, as an example, Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1, the wireless communication system includes a wireless access network 100. The wireless access network 100 may be a next-generation (e.g., future or higher version) wireless access network or a traditional (e.g., 5G, 4G, 3G, or 2G) wireless access network. One or more terminal devices (120a-120j, collectively referred to as 120) may be interconnected or connected to one or more network devices (110a, 110b, collectively referred to as 110) in the wireless access network 100. Network elements in the wireless communication system are connected through interfaces (e.g., NG, Xn) or air interfaces.

[0132] When network devices and terminal devices communicate, the network device can manage one or more cells, and a cell can include at least one terminal device. A cell can be understood as an area within the wireless signal coverage range of the network device.

[0133] Figure 1 is just a schematic diagram. The wireless communication system may also include other devices, such as core network devices, wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices, which are not shown in Figure 1.

[0134] Referring to Figure 2, as an example, Figure 2 is another schematic diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to embodiments of this application. This wireless communication system may also be referred to as an ORAN system, for example. The wireless communication system may include a core network, access network equipment, and a UE. As an example, the wireless communication system may also include other components besides those shown in Figure 2; specific details are not limited in this application.

[0135] Access network equipment can communicate with the core network (CN) via a backhaul link. Access network equipment can also communicate with the UE via an air interface. Specifically, the BBU in the access network equipment communicates with the core network via a backhaul link. The RU in the access network equipment communicates with at least one UE via an air interface. The BBU communicates with at least one RU via a fronthaul link; the BBU and RU may or may not be co-located. A BBU includes at least one CU and at least one DU, and the CU and DU can communicate via at least one midhaul link.

[0136] Referring to Figure 3, as an example, Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an access network device applicable to an embodiment of this application.

[0137] Optionally, the access network equipment includes a CU. The CU is a logical node that carries the radio resource control (RRC), service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, and other control functions of the access network equipment. The CU can connect to network nodes such as the core network through interfaces, such as the E2 interface. The CU may have some core network functions. The CU (e.g., the PDCP layer and / or higher layers of the CU) connects to the DU (e.g., the radio link control (RLC) layer and lower layers of the DU) through interfaces, such as the F1 interface. Optionally, the F1 interface can provide control plane (C-Plane) and user plane (U-Plane) functions (e.g., interface management, system information management, UE context management, RRC message transmission, etc.). F1AP is the application protocol of the F1 interface, defining the signaling procedures of F1 in some examples. The F1 interface supports control plane F1-C and user plane F1-U.

[0138] As an example, a CU includes CU-CP and CU-UP. CU-CP is a logical node carrying the control plane (PDCP-C) layer, which carries the RRC layer and the Packet Data Convergence Protocol layer, and is used to implement the CU's control plane functions. CU-CP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement control plane functions. These network elements in the core network can be access and mobility function (AMF) network elements, such as the access and mobility management function (AMF) in a 5G system. The AMF network element is responsible for mobility management in the mobile network, such as terminal device location updates, terminal device registration with the network, and terminal device handover. CU-UP is a logical node carrying the user plane (PDCP-U) layer, which carries the SDAP layer and the Packet Data Convergence Protocol layer, and is used to implement the CU's user plane functions. CU-UP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement user plane functions. These network elements in the core network, such as the user plane function (UPF) in a 5G system, are responsible for data forwarding and receiving in terminal devices. The above CU and DU configurations are merely examples. In practical applications, the functions of the CU and DU can be configured as needed. For instance, the CU or DU can be configured to have more protocol layer functions, or to have only some protocol layer processing functions. For example, some RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions above the RLC layer can be placed in the CU, while the remaining RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions below the RLC layer can be placed in the DU. Furthermore, the functions of the CU or DU can be divided according to service type or other system requirements. For example, based on latency, functions that require low latency can be placed in the DU, while functions that do not require low latency can be placed in the CU.

[0139] Optionally, the access network equipment includes a DU. As shown in Figure 3, the DU is a logical node carrying the RLC layer, medium access control (MAC) layer, higher physical layer (Higher PHY) layer, and other functions. In some examples, the DU can control at least one RU. The DU connects to the RU through interfaces, which can be fronthaul interfaces. In some examples, the Higher PHY layer includes the PHY layer processing, such as forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation, and demodulation.

[0140] Optionally, the access network equipment includes a Runner (RU). As shown in Figure 4, the RU is a logical node that carries lower physical layer (Lower PHY) and radio frequency (RF) processing. In some examples, the RU may be a 3GPP transmission reception point (TRP), a remote radio head (RRH), or other similar entities. In some examples, the Lower PHY includes PHY processing functions such as fast fourier transform (FFT), inverse fast fourier transform (IFFT), digital beamforming, and filtering. The RU communicates with one or more UEs via a radio link (such as an RF chain).

[0141] The DU and RU can be co-located or not. The DU and RU exchange control plane and user plane information via a fronthaul link through the lower-layer split CUS-plane (LLS-CUS-Plane) (or O-RAN CUS-Plane) interface. Here, CUS-Plane represents the control plane (C-Plane), user plane (U-Plane), and synchronization plane (S-Plane) (CUS-Plane). LLS-CUS may include a lower-layer split control (LLS-C) interface providing the control plane and a lower-layer split user (LLS-U) interface providing the user plane. Additionally, LLS-CUS may include a lower-layer split synchronization (LLS-S) interface providing the synchronization plane. In some examples, the control plane (or control plane) refers to the real-time control between the DU and RU. The DU and RU exchange management plane information via the lower-layer split management (LLS-M) interface of the fronthaul link. The management plane (M-Plane) refers to the non-real-time management operations between the DU and RU.

[0142] DU and RU can cooperate to implement the functions of the PHY layer. A DU can be connected to one or more RUs. The functions of DU and RU can be configured in various ways depending on the design. For example, a DU can be configured to implement baseband functions, and an RU can be configured to implement mid-RF functions. Another example is that a DU can be configured to implement higher-level functions in the PHY layer, and an RU can be configured to implement lower-level functions in the PHY layer, or to implement both lower-level and RF functions. Higher-level functions in the physical layer can include a portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the MAC layer, while lower-level functions in the physical layer can include another portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the mid-RF side.

[0143] Figures 1 to 3 above are illustrative examples, and the embodiments of this application are not limited thereto.

[0144] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, a brief explanation of the background and terminology involved in this application is provided.

[0145] 1. Network energy-saving NES cell:

[0146] NES cells are the opposite of regular cells. NES cells refer to cells that employ network energy-saving technologies, while regular cells are those that do not. NES cells can be abbreviated as energy-saving cells. Regular cells can also be called cooperative cells.

[0147] As an example, an NES cell can include a cell that does not actively transmit SIB1, or in other words, an NES cell can be a cell that transmits SIB1 only after receiving a wake-up signal (WUS). That is, an NES cell can achieve network energy saving through on-demand SIB1 (OD-SIB1).

[0148] As an example, a cooperating cell (cell A) can provide the terminal device with the WUS configuration information of the NES cell; in other words, the WUS configuration information can be provided by cell A. Cell A can be a cell that periodically transmits its own SIB1, and cell A can carry the NES cell's WUS configuration information through its periodically transmitted SIB1 or other SIBs.

[0149] As an example, the configuration information for triggering the NES cell to send SIB1 WUS can also be provided by other NES cells, or in other words, sent to the terminal device by other NES cells.

[0150] 2. On-demand SIB1:

[0151] Current discussions on network energy savings (NES) include on-demand SIB1. This can be understood as follows: to achieve energy savings, an NES cell may not send SIB1. When a terminal device needs SIB1, it can trigger the NES cell to send it by sending WUS. Terminal devices in the RRC idle or inactive state can trigger the NES cell to send SIB1 by sending WUS, thereby obtaining the NES cell's SIB1 and thus camping on or accessing the NES cell.

[0152] As an example, WUS can be a random access preamble or pilot signal. For instance, a network device can allocate a portion of its pilot resources as a wake-up signal. When the network device receives the corresponding pilot signal sent by the terminal device, it can know that a terminal device has triggered an SIB1 request, and thus send SIB1.

[0153] 3. Non-terrestrial networks:

[0154] As communication requirements continue to rise, traditional terrestrial networks (TN) cannot provide seamless coverage for terminal devices, especially in areas where base stations cannot be deployed, such as oceans, deserts, and the air. Introducing non-terrestrial networks, by deploying base stations or some base station functions on non-terrestrial network equipment such as satellites, can provide seamless coverage for terminal devices and improve communication reliability.

[0155] Based on satellite altitude, or orbital altitude, satellite systems can be divided into high-Earth orbit (GEO) satellites and medium-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. GEO satellites, also known as geostationary orbit (GEO) satellites, move at the same speed as the Earth's rotation, thus remaining stationary relative to the ground. Correspondingly, the cells of GEO satellites are also stationary. GEO satellite cells have relatively large coverage areas, typically with a cell diameter of 500 km. LEO satellites include medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellites and low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. MEO and LEO satellites move relatively quickly relative to the ground, therefore, the service coverage areas they provide also shift. Thus, for LEO satellites, the coverage cells can be divided into two types:

[0156] (1) Quasi-earth-fixed cell: A moving satellite forms a cell by adjusting its beam, and the cell remains stationary on the ground for a certain period of time.

[0157] (2) Earth-moving cell: The satellite does not dynamically adjust its beam direction; the cell covered by the satellite's beam moves as the satellite moves.

[0158] Based on their operating modes, satellites are generally divided into two main categories: the first is transparent satellites, which relay radio frequency signals from ground-based base stations. The second is regenerative satellites, which possess all or part of the functions of a base station; that is, the base station or some of its functions are deployed on the satellite. The following explanation is based on Figure 4, where (a) corresponds to a transparent satellite, and (b) to (d) correspond to regenerative satellites.

[0159] Referring to Figure 4, which, as an example, is a schematic diagram of several satellite communication architectures. The architectures shown in Figure 4(a) to (d) can be collectively referred to as NTN-based NG-RAN architectures.

[0160] Figure 4(a) shows a transparent satellite RAN architecture. As shown in Figure 4(a), in this architecture, the satellite forwards the radio frequency signals from the ground-based base station. The satellite's role is to perform radio frequency filtering, frequency conversion, and amplification. That is, the satellite primarily acts as a Layer 1 relay, regenerating physical layer signals, and does not involve any higher protocol layers. Therefore, the satellite replicates the NR Uu radio interface signal from the feeder link (between the NTN gateway and the satellite) to the service link (between the satellite and the UE), and vice versa. The satellite radio interface (SRI) on the feeder link transmits the NR Uu interface signal; that is, the satellite does not terminate the NR Uu interface signal but rather replicates it. The NTN gateway supports all necessary functions for forwarding the NR Uu interface signal. Different transmission satellites can connect to the same terrestrial base station (such as a next-generation NodeB (gNB) or an evolved NodeB (eNB) in a 5G system). The SRI interface is a transmission link between the NTN gateway and the satellite. In this architecture, the satellite and the NTN gateway can be considered as a single remote radio unit.

[0161] Figure 4(b) shows a regenerative satellite without ISL architecture. In this architecture, the satellite acts as a base station, regenerating signals received from the ground. Specifically, NR Uu radio interface signals are transmitted on the service link between the UE and the satellite, and SRI signals are transmitted on the feeder link between the NTN gateway and the satellite. NG interface signals are transmitted to the NTN gateway via the SRI interface, and then forwarded by the NTN gateway to the ground core network equipment. The process of transmitting NG interface signals from the ground core network equipment to the satellite base station is similar and will not be described further here.

[0162] Figure 4(c) shows a regenerative satellite with ISL architecture. In this architecture, the satellite also acts as a base station. The difference from the architecture shown in Figure 4(b) is that this scenario includes an ISL. An ISL is an inter-satellite transmission link. As shown in Figure 4(b), a UE served by an on-board base station can access the 5G core network via the ISL. Base stations on different satellites can connect to the same terrestrial 5G core network.

[0163] Figure 4(d) shows the architecture of NG-RAN with a regenerative satellite based on gNB-DU. In this architecture, the CU and DU of the base station are separated. The satellite, as the DU of the base station, is on-board. The satellite realizes the regeneration of signals received from the ground, that is, it transmits NR Uu radio interface signals on the service link between the UE and the satellite, and transmits SRI signals on the feed link between the NTN gateway and the satellite. SRI is a transport link capable of transmitting the 3GPP standard logical interface F1 signal. F1 protocol signals are transmitted on the SRI. The satellite can provide inter-satellite links (ISL). The NTN gateway is a transport network layer node and supports all necessary transport protocols. DUs on different satellites can be connected to the same ground CU.

[0164] 4. Community Selection:

[0165] When a terminal device is powered on or experiences a wireless link failure, it will perform a cell search process and select a suitable cell to camp on as soon as possible. This process is called "cell selection".

[0166] During cell search, the terminal device reads the cell's system information, obtaining parameters such as Qrxlevmeas, Qrxlevmin, and Qrxlevminoffset. The terminal device then evaluates the cell's suitability based on the S criterion. Once a suitable cell is found—that is, a cell satisfying the S criterion—the cell selection process is complete. If the cell is not suitable, the terminal device continues searching until a suitable cell is found and it camps on it.

[0167] S-criterion formula: Srxlev>0, that is, if the S value of a cell is greater than 0, it means that the cell is a suitable cell, that is, a suitable cell for residence. The formula for calculating Srxlev is: Srxlev=Qrxlevmeas-(Qrxlevmin-Qrxlevminoffset)-Pcompensation.

[0168] in:

[0169] Srxlev: The calculated cell-selected receive level value;

[0170] Qrxlevmeas: The received signal strength value measured by the terminal device. This value is the measured reference signal receiving power (RSRP).

[0171] Qrxlevmin: The minimum received signal strength required for this cell;

[0172] Pcompensation: The larger of (PEMAX – PUMAX) or 0, where PEMAX is the maximum allowed transmission power set by the system when the terminal device accesses the cell; PUMAX refers to the maximum output power specified according to the terminal device level.

[0173] Qrxlevminoffset: This parameter is only effective when the terminal device is normally camped on a virtual private mobile network (VPMN) and periodically searches for a high-priority public land mobile network (PLMN) for cell selection evaluation. This parameter biases Qrxlevmin to a certain extent.

[0174] It should be noted that due to the evolution of communication protocol versions, the formulas for S-criterion and Srxlev may change for various reasons. The formulas given here are just examples and do not impose any limitations on the formulas themselves.

[0175] 5. Community reselection:

[0176] Once a terminal device camps on a cell, it may need to switch to a higher-priority or better-signal cell as it moves; this is the cell reselection process. Cell selection is the process of finding a suitable cell as quickly as possible, while cell reselection is the process of selecting a more suitable cell. To save power for the terminal device, the protocol specifies measurement criteria:

[0177] For frequency layers or systems with higher priority than the cell in which it resides, the terminal equipment always measures them.

[0178] If S stays in the community rxlev <=S intrasearch The terminal equipment initiates measurements of cells on the same frequency, where S intrasearch It is the threshold value for same-frequency measurement;

[0179] If S stays in the community rxlev <=S nonintrasearch or S nonintrasearch If not configured, the terminal device initiates measurements on frequencies of the same or lower priority and the system.

[0180] After measurement, the terminal device will determine whether to perform cell reselection to a new cell. The reselection criteria are as follows:

[0181] High-priority frequency or system reselection criteria: S of the target frequency cell rxlev >T hreshx-high And it lasts for a certain period of time, of which T hreshx-high This refers to the threshold value for reselecting from the current serving carrier frequency to a higher priority frequency;

[0182] Low-priority frequencies or system reselection criteria: S of the stationary cell rxlev <T hreshserving-low And it lasts for a certain period of time, of which T hreshx- low This refers to the threshold value for reselecting from the current serving carrier frequency to a frequency with lower priority;

[0183] Cell reselection criteria within the same priority frequency or system: Cell reselection to other cells within the same priority frequency is based on the ranking criteria for cell reselection within the same frequency. The ranking criteria for cell reselection within the same frequency are defined as follows: R s R represents the ranking value of the currently residing cell. n Ranking value of neighboring cells: R s =Q meas_s +Q hyst –Q offset_temp R n =Q meas_s –Qoffset –Q offset_temp .

[0184] in:

[0185] Q hyst Hysteresis value, used to prevent ping-pong reselection;

[0186] Q meas_s The received signal strength value of the stationary cell obtained by the terminal equipment;

[0187] Q offset For frequencies of the same frequency, when Q offsets_n Valid, value is Q offsets_n Otherwise, the value is 0; for different frequencies, when Q offsets_n Valid, value is Q offsets_n +Q offsetfrequency Otherwise, the value is Q. offsetfrequency ;

[0188] Q offset_temp This can represent the deviation amount. The deviation amount can be, for example, a network broadcast deviation amount added to a cell when a terminal device experiences an RRC connection establishment failure.

[0189] The terminal device sorts all cells that meet the S-criterion for cell selection by their ranking values. During reselection, it does not simply reselect the cell with the best ranking value, but finds the cell with the highest ranking value at the time of ranking. Cells with a certain difference in value from the highest ranking value (e.g., x dB, where x is configurable) are considered similar cells. Among these similar cells, the terminal device reselects the cell with the most good beams.

[0190] Generally, the system message of the currently camped cell broadcasts the required configuration parameters for the currently camped cell and neighboring cells, so that the terminal device can calculate R. s and R n Parameters such as Q. meas This is the received signal strength value of the cell measured by the terminal equipment. At most N beams in each cell whose signal strength exceeds a threshold can be used to generate cell quality. The cell quality is then filtered through Layer 3 and used as the Q value. meas The threshold and N are communicated to the terminal device in the broadcast message, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. Beams exceeding the threshold are considered good beams.

[0191] In addition, for high / low priority frequencies or systems, ranking should also be performed when multiple cells meet the criteria.

[0192] It should be noted that due to the evolution of communication protocol versions, R s and R n The calculation formula may change for some reason. The formula given here is just an example and does not impose any limitations on the formula itself.

[0193] As mentioned earlier, on-demand SIB1 involves two types of cells: cell A and NES cell. Cell A can represent a cell that periodically transmits its own SIB1. Cell A can provide uplink wake-up signal (UL WUS) configuration to NES cells. The UL WUS configuration is associated with the NES cell through frequency point and physical cell identifier (PCI). An NES cell represents a cell that can transmit SIB1 after receiving a UL WUS signal from a terminal device. An NES cell can also broadcast its own UL WUS configuration and the UL WUS configurations of neighboring NES cells.

[0194] As one implementation, a terminal device in RRC idle or inactive state can reside in an NES cell through the following process: Step #A1: The terminal device obtains the UL WUS configuration from cell A; Step #A2: The terminal device decides whether to send an on-demand SIB1 request to the NES cell through the cell reselection procedure. For example, when the terminal device decides to use the NES cell as the target cell for cell reselection through the cell reselection procedure, it can send an on-demand SIB1 request to that NES cell. Step #A3: After receiving the SIB1 request from the NES cell, the terminal device resides in the NES cell. The NES cell can reply with an acknowledgment message after receiving the on-demand SIB1 request from the terminal device. For example, the NES cell can indicate this through a random access response (RAR) message. Specifically, the terminal device requests on-demand SIB1 by sending a preamble. If the RAR message carries a MAC subprotocol data unit (subPDU) with only the index of message 1 (random access preamble identity, RAPID), that is, it carries a MAC subPDU with only RAPID, it indicates that the on-demand SIB1 request has been confirmed.

[0195] As one possible scenario, the NES cell could be an NTN cell. Since NTN coverage time is limited, providing a single-hop WUS configuration via cell A or the NES cell would require multiple WUS configuration updates, necessitating frequent UL WUS configuration updates from the terminal device. Therefore, this application proposes that the UL WUS of K NTN cells serving the terminal device in different time intervals can be configured at once, avoiding the need for the terminal device to frequently obtain UL WUS configurations.

[0196] The methods provided by the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments provided by this application can be applied to the scenarios shown in the above figures, and are not limited thereto.

[0197] Referring to Figure 5, as an example, Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a communication method 500 provided in an embodiment of this application. For ease of description, a terminal device and a network device are used as examples for illustrative purposes. The terminal device can be replaced by components of a terminal device (e.g., a chip, chip system, circuit, communication module, or processor), and the network device can be replaced by components of a network device (e.g., a chip, chip system, circuit, communication module, or processor). Furthermore, the steps described below as being performed by a single execution entity can also be divided into steps performed by multiple execution entities, which can be logically and / or physically separated. The method 500 shown in Figure 5 may include the following steps.

[0198] S510, the terminal device receives the first information. Accordingly, the third network device sends the first information to the terminal device.

[0199] As an example, the third network device can be the network device that generates cell A, or the network device that generates the NES cell mentioned above, etc., and the terminal device is within the cell generated by the third network device. Therefore, the third network device sending the first information to the terminal device can also be replaced by cell A sending / providing the first information to the terminal device, or the NES cell sending / providing the first information to the terminal device, etc., and this application embodiment does not limit it.

[0200] The first information includes configuration information for K UL WUS. It can also be replaced by the first information indicating configuration information for K UL WUS, or the first information providing configuration information for K UL WUS, or the third network device providing configuration information for K UL WUS, etc., which is not limited in this application embodiment. As an example, K is an integer greater than 1. For example, K equals 2, 3, 4, or 5, etc. As an example, K UL WUS can also be called multi-hop UL WUS, or multiple sets of UL WUS, or subsequent UL WUS, or a series of UL WUS, or a chain of WUS, etc., and its name does not limit the scope of protection of this application embodiment. As an example, the UL WUS configuration information can configure UL WUS pilot resources, etc., for terminal devices. The WUS configuration information can also be called WUS configuration information or WUS configuration, etc., and its name does not limit the scope of protection of this application embodiment.

[0201] K UL WUS are used to trigger K NTN cells to send SIB1. For example, the description of NTN cells can be found above, and will not be repeated here. In this embodiment, the NTN cell can also have the on-demand SIB1 function described above, which can also be understood as the NTN cell supporting NES, or in other words, the NTN cell can be an NTN NES cell; this embodiment does not limit this. For example, the NTN cell can be a neighboring cell of a cell A / NES cell generated by a third network device. Alternatively, the NTN cell is a cell adjacent to the cell A / NES cell; for example, the coverage areas of the NTN cell and the cell A / NES cell partially overlap. For example, the K UL WUS and K NTN cells can correspond one-to-one, or the K UL WUS can be associated with K NTN cells respectively. For example, the K UL WUS can be associated with K NTN cells through frequency points and / or PCI.

[0202] The K NTN cells serve terminal devices within different time intervals. This can also be understood as the K NTN cells serving terminal devices at different times. For example, the K NTN cells could be multi-hop satellite cells, where the multi-hop satellites cover the area where the terminal device is located at different times.

[0203] Optionally, the time intervals of the K NTN cell serving terminal devices can be non-overlapping, or in other words, the intersection of the time intervals is empty or the intersection is a single point. For example, K=2, starting from time #1, interval #1 corresponds to minutes 3 to 5, and interval #2 corresponds to minutes 5 to 7.

[0204] Optionally, the time intervals of the K NTN cell serving terminal devices can partially overlap, or in other words, the intersection of the time intervals is non-empty or the intersection is a certain period of time. For example, K=2, starting from time #1, interval #1 corresponds to the 3rd to 5th minute, and interval #2 corresponds to the 4th to 6th minute.

[0205] As an example, K UL WUS configuration information can be associated with K time information.

[0206] Optionally, method 500 further includes: step #B, whereby the terminal device receives K time information items. Accordingly, the third network device sends the K time information items.

[0207] K time information pieces are associated with K UL WUS configuration information pieces. The following explanation uses the first time information piece among the K time information pieces as an example. It should be understood that the characteristics of each of the K time information pieces can be inferred and understood by referring to the explanation of the first time information piece below; further examples will not be provided in the following text.

[0208] As an example, the K time information includes the first time information associated with the first UL WUS, which includes at least one of the following: the time when the first NTN cell starts service; the time when the first NTN cell stops service; and the validity period of the configuration information of the first UL WUS.

[0209] Specifically, the first UL WUS is used to trigger the first NTN cell to send SIB1. In other words, the first NTN cell supports the function of sending SIB1 on demand, and can send SIB1 after receiving the first UL WUS.

[0210] For example, in Example #1, if the first NTN cell can serve the terminal equipment from time #2A to time #2B, then the first time information can indicate time #2A and / or time #2B. Furthermore, if the configuration information of the first UL WUS expires after time #2C, then the first time information can indicate time #2C.

[0211] As an example, after S510, the terminal device can store the configuration information of the above K UL WUS.

[0212] Furthermore, method 500 may also include: step #C, whereby the terminal device determines the configuration information of the first UL WUS from the configuration information of the K UL WUS at a first moment.

[0213] Specifically, the terminal device can determine, based on the above K time information, to trigger the SIB1 transmission of the corresponding NTN cell using the first UL WUS among the K UL WUS.

[0214] As an example, the first time point is later than the time when the first NTN cell starts service, and / or, the first time point is earlier than the time when the first NTN cell stops service, and / or, the first time point is within the validity period of the configuration information of the first UL WUS. Alternatively, the configuration information of the first UL WUS can be found among K UL WUS configuration information sets, where the start time of the corresponding cell is earlier than the configuration information of the UL WUS at the first time point; and / or, the configuration information of the first UL WUS can be found among K UL WUS configuration information sets, where the stop time of the corresponding cell is later than the configuration information of the UL WUS at the first time point; and / or, the configuration information of the first UL WUS can be found among K UL WUS configuration information sets, where the validity period includes the configuration information of the UL WUS at the first time point.

[0215] Generally, the first moment is later than the moment when the first NTN cell starts service, and earlier than the moment when the first NTN cell stops service. It can be understood that, under these circumstances, the first NTN cell can serve the terminal equipment at the first moment.

[0216] For example, in Example #2, combined with Example #1 above, the first time point is between time point #2A and time point #2B, and the first time point is before time point #2C. Therefore, the first time point is later than the time when the first NTN cell starts service (time point #2A), and earlier than the time when the first NTN cell stops service (time point #2B). Furthermore, the first time point is within the validity period of the configuration information of the first UL WUS.

[0217] Optionally, before sending the first UL WUS, the terminal device may check the transmission status of SIB1 of the first NTN cell. The transmission status may include sent (in the process of sending) / not sent, and the transmission status may also be referred to as broadcast status, etc., which is not limited in this embodiment.

[0218] As an example, method 500 may include: step #D1, the terminal device determines that the transmission status of SIB1 of the first NTN cell is transmitted, then the terminal device does not transmit the first UL WUS.

[0219] For example, if other terminal devices have requested the first NTN cell to send SIB1, or if the first network device knows that a terminal device will request the first NTN cell to send SIB1, the sending status of SIB1 in the first NTN cell can be "sent".

[0220] As another example, method 500 may include: step #D2, whereby the terminal device determines that the transmission status of SIB1 of the first NTN cell is not transmitting SIB1, then the terminal device may transmit the first UL WUS.

[0221] Optionally, the transmission status of SIB1 in the first NTN cell is indicated by the master information block (MIB). For example, it is indicated by the SIB1 broadcast status field.

[0222] S520, the terminal device sends the first UL WUS based on the configuration information of the first UL WUS. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the first UL WUS from the terminal device. The configuration information of the first UL WUS belongs to the configuration information of K UL WUS.

[0223] As an example, the first network device may be the network device that generates the first NTN cell described above. The first network device may refer to the network device itself, or it may refer to the network device on the first satellite. Therefore, the first network device receiving the first UL WUS from the terminal device can also be replaced by the first NTN cell receiving the first UL WUS, or the first satellite receiving the first UL WUS, etc., and this application embodiment does not limit it.

[0224] S530, the terminal device receives SIB1 from the first NTN cell. Correspondingly, the first network device sends SIB1.

[0225] S540: After obtaining SIB1 from the first NTN cell, the terminal device camps on the first NTN cell.

[0226] As one possible implementation, the terminal device can determine whether to delete / retain K UL WUS configuration information based on K time information.

[0227] As an example, the terminal device may determine to delete the configuration information of the first UL WUS at a second time, wherein the second time is later than the time when the first NTN cell stops service, and / or the second time exceeds the validity period of the configuration information of the first UL WUS.

[0228] It is understandable that at some point after the first NTN cell stops serving, the terminal device can delete the configuration information of the first UL WUS.

[0229] It should be understood that the time later than the time when the first NTN cell stopped service may include the time when the first NTN cell stopped service, and a time after the time when the first NTN cell stopped service may include the time when the first NTN cell stopped service.

[0230] As an example, if the second time is later than the time when the first NTN cell stops serving, it can be understood that the first NTN cell no longer serves the terminal device at the second time; or, if the second time exceeds the validity period of the configuration information of the first UL WUS, it can be understood that the configuration information of the first UL WUS has expired.

[0231] Generally, when the second time is later than the time when the first NTN cell stops service, or when the second time exceeds the validity period of the configuration information of the first UL WUS, the terminal device can delete the configuration information of the first UL WUS.

[0232] For example, in Example #3, combined with Examples #1 and #2 above, if the second time is later than time #2B, or if the second time is later than time #2C, the terminal device can delete the configuration information of the first UL WUS.

[0233] As another example, the terminal device may determine to retain the configuration information of the first UL WUS at a second time, wherein the second time is earlier than the time when the first NTN cell stops service, and / or the second time is within the validity period of the configuration information of the first UL WUS.

[0234] As an example, if the second time is earlier than the time when the first NTN cell stops serving, it can be understood that the first NTN cell has not yet stopped serving the terminal equipment at the second time; or, if the second time is within the validity period of the configuration information of the first UL WUS, it can be understood that the configuration information of the first UL WUS has not expired.

[0235] Generally, when the second time is earlier than the time when the first NTN cell stops serving, and the second time is within the validity period of the configuration information of the first UL WUS, the terminal device can retain the configuration information of the first UL WUS.

[0236] For example, in Example #4, combined with Examples #1 and #2 above, if the second time point is earlier than time point #2B and earlier than time point #2C, then the terminal device can retain the configuration information of the first UL WUS.

[0237] Optionally, method 500 may further include: step #E, whereby the terminal device receives satellite assistance information from the first NTN cell. Optionally, the first network device transmits the satellite assistance information.

[0238] As an example, satellite auxiliary information may be in SIB19 transmitted by the first NTN cell, or it may be in other SIBs transmitted by the first NTN cell, or it may be in other separate signaling. This application embodiment does not limit the scope of the application.

[0239] Furthermore, in the event of failure to receive satellite-assisted information from the first NTN cell, the terminal device can disable the first NTN cell. In other words, the terminal device can disable (barrier) the first NTN cell.

[0240] For example, if satellite auxiliary information is present in SIB19 transmitted by the first NTN cell, after the terminal device camps on the first NTN cell, it can obtain the SIB19 transmitted by the first NTN cell based on the scheduling information in SIB1 transmitted by the first NTN cell. If the terminal device fails to obtain the SIB19, it can disable the first NTN cell.

[0241] Optionally, method 500 may further include: step #F, whereby the terminal device receives paging information. Accordingly, the first network device sends the paging information. The paging information indicates an update to the configuration information of at least one of the K UL WUS.

[0242] It is understood that when the UL WUS configuration information of at least one of the K NTN cells mentioned above changes, the first network device can notify the terminal device by paging to update the configuration information of at least one of the K UL WUS cells.

[0243] Optionally, method 500 may further include: step #G, whereby the first network device sends second information to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the second information from the first network device. The second information instructs the second network device to send SIB1 in the second NTN cell.

[0244] As an example, the second network device may be the network device that generates the second NTN cell. The second network device may refer to the network device itself, or it may refer to the network device on the second satellite. Therefore, the second network device receiving the second information from the first network device can also be replaced by the second NTN cell receiving the second information, or the second satellite receiving the second information, etc. The embodiments of this application are not limited to this.

[0245] As an example, the second NTN cell can be an NTN cell that supports the on-demand SIB1 function described above. It can also be understood that the second NTN cell is an NES cell, or in other words, the second NTN cell can be an NTN NES cell. This application does not limit the specific implementation.

[0246] The second NTN cell is the next cell after the first NTN cell to serve the terminal device; in other words, the second NTN cell can serve the terminal device after the first NTN cell. This can also be understood as the second NTN cell starting service later than the first NTN cell starting service. Optionally, the time interval for the second NTN cell to serve the terminal device may overlap with the time interval for the first NTN cell to serve the terminal device, or they may not overlap.

[0247] It should be understood that for explanations regarding overlapping or non-overlapping time intervals, please refer to the relevant content in S510 above, which will not be repeated in the embodiments of this application.

[0248] Referring to Figure 6, as an example, Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a communication method 600 provided in an embodiment of this application. For ease of description, a terminal device and a network device are used as examples for illustrative purposes. The terminal device can be replaced by components of a terminal device (e.g., a chip, chip system, circuit, communication module, or processor), and the network device can be replaced by components of a network device (e.g., a chip, chip system, circuit, communication module, or processor). Furthermore, the steps described below as being performed by a single execution entity can also be divided into steps performed by multiple execution entities, which can be logically and / or physically separated. The method 600 shown in Figure 6 may include the following steps.

[0249] S610, the terminal device receives the configuration information of the second UL WUS in the third NTN cell. Correspondingly, the fourth network device sends the configuration information of the second UL WUS to the terminal device. The third NTN cell serves the terminal device.

[0250] As an example, the third NTN cell is an NTN cell that supports the on-demand SIB1 function described above. It can also be understood that the third NTN cell is an NES cell, or that the third NTN cell can be an NTN NES cell. This application does not limit this.

[0251] As an example, the fourth network device can be the network device that generates the third NTN cell. The fourth network device can refer to the network device itself, or it can refer to the network device on the fourth satellite. Therefore, the transmission of the second UL WUS by the fourth network device can also be replaced by the transmission of the second UL WUS by the third NTN cell, or by the transmission of the second UL WUS by the fourth satellite, etc. This application embodiment does not limit the scope.

[0252] As an example, the second UL WUS is used to trigger the fourth NTN cell to send SIB1.

[0253] As an example, the fourth NTN cell is an NTN cell that supports the on-demand SIB1 function described above. It can also be understood that the fourth NTN cell is an NES cell, or that the fourth NTN cell can be an NTN NES cell. This application does not limit this.

[0254] The fourth NTN cell is the next NTN cell that serves the terminal device after the third NTN cell. In other words, the fourth NTN cell can serve the terminal device after the third NTN cell. For example, the fourth NTN cell could be the NTN cell of the fifth satellite, which can cover the terminal device after the fourth satellite, thus allowing the fourth NTN cell to serve the terminal device after the third NTN cell.

[0255] It should be understood that for the description of the service terminal equipment of cell A after cell B, please refer to the relevant content in method 500 above, and will not be repeated here in the embodiments of this application.

[0256] As an example, the configuration information of the second UL WUS can also be referred to as the configuration information of the incoming satellite or the UL WUS of the upcoming cell, etc., and its name does not limit the scope of protection of the embodiments of this application.

[0257] Optionally, the configuration information of the second UL WUS may carry associated time information.

[0258] Optionally, method 600 may further include: step #H, whereby the terminal device receives second time information. Correspondingly, the fourth network device sends the second time information. The second time information is associated with the configuration information of the second UL WUS, and includes at least one of the following: the time when the fourth NTN cell begins service; the time when the fourth NTN cell ceases service; and the validity period of the configuration information of the second UL WUS.

[0259] It should be understood that the specific description of the second time information can be obtained by analogy with the content of step #B in the previous text, and will not be repeated here in the embodiments of this application.

[0260] Optionally, the configuration information of the second UL WUS may carry the frequency point and / or PCI information of the fourth NTN cell.

[0261] Optionally, method 600 may further include: the terminal device receiving frequency point and / or PCI information of the fourth NTN cell. Accordingly, the fourth network device transmits the frequency point and / or PCI information of the fourth NTN cell.

[0262] It is understandable that the terminal device can associate the configuration information of the second UL WUS with the fourth NTN cell through the frequency point and / or PCI of the fourth NTN cell.

[0263] As an example, if the fourth network device does not send the frequency point and / or PCI information of the fourth NTN cell, the fourth NTN cell can use the same frequency point and / or PCI as the third NTN cell. That is, the terminal device can associate the configuration information of the second UL WUS with the fourth NTN cell through the frequency point and / or PCI of the third NTN cell.

[0264] As an example, after S610, the terminal device can store the configuration information of the aforementioned second UL WUS.

[0265] S620, the terminal device sends the second UL WUS to the fourth NTN cell based on the configuration information of the second UL WUS. Correspondingly, the fifth network device receives the second UL WUS.

[0266] As an example, the fifth network device can be the network device that generates the fourth NTN cell. The fifth network device can refer to the network device itself, or it can refer to the network device on the fifth satellite. Therefore, the transmission of the second UL WUS by the fifth network device can also be replaced by the transmission of the second UL WUS by the third NTN cell, or by the transmission of the second UL WUS by the fourth satellite, etc. This application embodiment does not limit the scope.

[0267] As one possible implementation, the terminal device can determine, based on the second time information, to send the second UL WUS when reselecting to the fourth NTN cell.

[0268] As an example, the terminal device can send a second UL WUS at a third moment. Accordingly, the fifth network device can receive the second UL WUS at a third moment.

[0269] As an example, the third time is later than the time when the fourth NTN cell starts service, and / or the third time is earlier than the time when the fourth NTN cell stops service, and / or the third time is within the validity period of the configuration information of the second UL WUS.

[0270] Generally, the third time is later than the time when the fourth NTN cell starts service, and earlier than the time when the fourth NTN cell stops service. It can be understood that, under these circumstances, the fourth NTN cell can serve the terminal equipment during the third time.

[0271] It should be understood that the example of the third moment can be compared with the example of the first moment in Example #2 above, and will not be repeated in the embodiments of this application.

[0272] Optionally, the terminal device may check the transmission status of SIB1 of the fourth NTN cell before transmitting the second UL WUS.

[0273] As an example, if the terminal device determines that the SIB1 transmission status of the fourth NTN cell is not transmitting SIB1, then the terminal device can transmit the second UL WUS.

[0274] As another example, if the terminal device determines that the transmission status of the fourth NTN cell is "transmitted", then the terminal device will not transmit the second UL WUS.

[0275] It should be understood that for specific details in this section, please refer to the relevant content in steps #D1 and D#2 above. The embodiments of this application will not be repeated here.

[0276] S630, the terminal device receives SIB1 from the fourth NTN cell. Correspondingly, the fifth network device sends SIB1.

[0277] S640: After obtaining SIB1 from the fourth NTN cell, the terminal device camps on the fourth NTN cell.

[0278] Optionally, method 600 may further include: the terminal device receiving satellite assistance information from the fourth NTN cell. Optionally, the fifth network device transmitting the satellite assistance information.

[0279] As an example, if satellite auxiliary information reception fails in the fourth NTN cell, the terminal device can disable the fourth NTN cell.

[0280] It should be understood that for the explanation of how the terminal device receives satellite auxiliary information, please refer to the relevant content of step #E above, and this application embodiment will not repeat it here.

[0281] Optionally, method 600 may further include: a terminal device receiving paging information. Accordingly, a fifth network device sends the paging information. The paging information indicates an update to the configuration information of the second UL WUS.

[0282] It should be understood that for the explanation of how the terminal device receives paging information, please refer to the relevant content of step #F above, and this application embodiment will not repeat it here.

[0283] Optionally, method 600 may further include: the fifth network device sending second information to the sixth network device. Correspondingly, the sixth network device receives the second information from the fifth network device. The second information instructs the sixth network device to send SIB1 in the fifth NTN cell, where the fifth NTN cell is the next cell after the fourth NTN cell serving the terminal device.

[0284] It should be understood that the description of the fifth network device sending the second information to the sixth network device can be compared with the relevant content of step #G in the previous text, and will not be repeated here in the embodiments of this application.

[0285] Referring to Figure 7, as an example, Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a communication method 700 provided in an embodiment of this application. For ease of description, a terminal device and a network device are used as examples for illustrative purposes. The terminal device can be replaced by components of a terminal device (e.g., a chip, chip system, circuit, communication module, or processor), and the network device can be replaced by components of a network device (e.g., a chip, chip system, circuit, communication module, or processor). Furthermore, the steps described below as being performed by a single execution entity can also be divided into steps performed by multiple execution entities, which can be logically and / or physically separated. The method 700 shown in Figure 7 may include the following steps.

[0286] S710, the seventh network device sends the configuration information of the third UL WUS in the first cell. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the configuration information of the third UL WUS in the first cell.

[0287] As an example, the seventh network device could be the network device that generates the first cell, and the terminal device is located within the first cell. Therefore, the configuration information for the third UL WUS sent by the seventh network device could also be replaced by the first cell sending the third UL WUS.

[0288] As an example, the first cell can be cell A, that is, the first cell can broadcast its own SIB1.

[0289] As an example, the third UL WUS is used to trigger the sixth NTN cell to send SIB1.

[0290] As an example, the sixth NTN cell can be an NTN cell that supports the on-demand SIB1 function described above. It can also be understood that the sixth NTN cell is an NES cell, or in other words, the sixth NTN cell can be an NTN NES cell. This application does not limit the specific implementation.

[0291] As an example, the sixth NTN cell is adjacent to the first cell. This can also be understood as the sixth NTN cell being a neighboring cell of the first cell. For instance, the coverage areas of the sixth NTN cell and the first cell partially overlap.

[0292] As an example, the configuration information of the third UL WUS can be associated with the sixth NTN cell via frequency point and / or PCI.

[0293] It is understandable that the terminal device can determine which of the multiple neighboring cells it triggers to send SIB1 by using the configuration information of the third UL WUS. Furthermore, the configuration information of different UL WUS can determine which neighboring cell it triggers to send SIB1.

[0294] As an example, method 700 may further include: step #1, the seventh network device transmits the frequency band of the sixth NTN cell, and / or, first indication information. Accordingly, the terminal device receives the frequency band of the sixth NTN cell, and / or, the first indication information.

[0295] As an example, the frequency band transmitted by the seventh network device can be an NTN band, such as n255 or n256.

[0296] It is understandable that the seventh network device can implicitly indicate to the terminal device that the sixth NTN cell is an NTN cell by transmitting the NTN frequency band. Accordingly, the terminal device can determine that the sixth NTN cell is an NTN cell based on this frequency band.

[0297] As an example, the first indication information indicates that the sixth NTN cell is an NTN cell.

[0298] It is understood that the seventh network device can indicate to the terminal device that the sixth NTN cell is an NTN cell by sending the first indication information. Accordingly, the terminal device can determine that the sixth NTN cell is an NTN cell based on the first indication information.

[0299] In S720, the seventh network device receives the third UL WUS in the first cell. Correspondingly, the terminal device transmits the third UL WUS in the first cell.

[0300] As an example, prior to S720, method 700 may also include: the terminal device determines that it supports access to the NTN cell, and the sixth NTN cell meets the cell reselection conditions.

[0301] Optionally, the terminal device may check the transmission status of SIB1 of the sixth NTN cell before transmitting the third UL WUS.

[0302] As an example, if the terminal device determines that the SIB1 transmission status of the sixth NTN cell is not transmitting SIB1, then the terminal device can transmit the third UL WUS.

[0303] As another example, if the terminal device determines that the transmission status of the sixth NTN cell is "transmitted", then the terminal device will not transmit the third UL WUS.

[0304] It should be understood that for specific details in this section, please refer to the relevant content in steps #D1 and D#2 above. The embodiments of this application will not be repeated here.

[0305] As an example, S720 can specifically be that the seventh network device receives the third UL WUS transmitted through the first UL resource. Correspondingly, the terminal device transmits the third UL WUS through the first UL resource.

[0306] As an example, the first UL resource is associated with the sixth NTN cell. This can also be understood as the third UL WUS pilot resource being associated with the sixth NTN cell. The association between the first UL resource and the sixth NTN cell can be pre-configured or defined.

[0307] It is understandable that after the seventh network device receives the third UL WUS, it can determine that the target NTN cell is the sixth NTN cell based on the first UL resource, and then notify the sixth NTN cell to send SIB1.

[0308] S730, the seventh network device sends a third UL WUS to the eighth network device. Accordingly, the eighth network device receives the third UL WUS.

[0309] As an example, the sixth NTN cell is the cell of the eighth network device. Alternatively, the eighth network device can be the network device that generates the sixth NTN cell; the eighth network device can refer to the network device itself, or it can refer to the network device on the eighth satellite. Therefore, the eighth network device receiving the third UL WUS can also be replaced by the eighth satellite receiving the third UL WUS, etc., and this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0310] S740, the terminal device receives SIB1 from the sixth NTN cell. Correspondingly, the eighth network device sends SIB1.

[0311] S750: After the terminal device obtains SIB1 from the sixth NTN cell, it camps on the sixth NTN cell.

[0312] Optionally, method 700 may further include: the terminal device receiving satellite assistance information from the sixth NTN cell. Optionally, the eighth network device transmits the satellite assistance information.

[0313] As an example, if satellite auxiliary information reception fails in the sixth NTN cell, the terminal device can disable the sixth NTN cell.

[0314] It should be understood that for the explanation of how the terminal device receives satellite auxiliary information, please refer to the relevant content of step #E above, and this application embodiment will not repeat it here.

[0315] Referring to Figure 8, as an example, Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a communication method 800 provided in an embodiment of this application. For ease of description, a terminal device and a network device are used as examples for illustrative purposes. The terminal device can be replaced by components of the terminal device (e.g., a chip, chip system, circuit, communication module, or processor), and the network device can be replaced by components of the network device (e.g., a chip, chip system, circuit, communication module, or processor). Furthermore, the steps described below as being performed by a single execution entity can also be divided into steps performed by multiple execution entities, which can be logically and / or physically separated. The method 800 shown in Figure 8 may include the following steps.

[0316] S810, the terminal device receives the configuration information and first auxiliary information of the fourth UL WUS. Correspondingly, the ninth network device sends the configuration information and first auxiliary information of the fourth UL WUS.

[0317] As an example, the ninth network device could be the network device that generates cell A, with the terminal device located within cell A. Therefore, the configuration information for the fourth UL WUS sent by the ninth network device could also be replaced by cell A sending the fourth UL WUS.

[0318] As an example, the fourth UL WUS is used to trigger the seventh NTN cell to send SIB1.

[0319] As an example, the seventh NTN cell can be an NTN cell that supports the on-demand SIB1 function described above. It can also be understood that the seventh NTN cell is an NES cell, or in other words, the seventh NTN cell can be an NTN NES cell. This application does not limit the specific implementation.

[0320] As an example, the first auxiliary information may include at least one of the following: the ephemeris of the first satellite, the timing advance parameters of the first satellite, and the validity period of the ephemeris and the timing advance parameters.

[0321] It should be understood that, in order to distinguish it from the first satellite in method 500, the first satellite in method 800 can be represented by satellite #1.

[0322] As an example, the seventh NTN cell is the cell of satellite #1, or the seventh NTN cell is the cell of the tenth network device, or the tenth network device can be the network device that generates the sixth NTN cell. The tenth network device can refer to the network device itself, or the tenth network device can refer to the network device on satellite #1.

[0323] The following examples, using methods 1 to 4, illustrate different ways in which the ninth network device sends the configuration information of the fourth UL WUS and the first auxiliary information.

[0324] Method 1:

[0325] Optionally, the terminal device receives the first SIB. Accordingly, the ninth network device sends the first SIB. The first SIB includes configuration information and first auxiliary information of the fourth UL WUS, and also includes the frequency point and / or PCI of the seventh NTN cell.

[0326] It is understandable that in Method 1, the first auxiliary information can be configured in the same SIB as the configuration information of the fourth UL WUS, and associated with the seventh NTN cell through frequency point and / or PCI.

[0327] Method 2:

[0328] Optionally, the terminal device receives the first SIB and SIB19. Accordingly, the ninth network device sends the first SIB and SIB19. The first SIB includes configuration information and a first identifier for the fourth UL WUS, and the SIB19 includes first auxiliary information and a second identifier.

[0329] As an example, the first identifier and the second identifier indicate satellite #1. For example, the first identifier could be the satellite ID of satellite #1.

[0330] It is understood that in method 2, the first auxiliary information can be carried in SIB19 of cell A and associated with the seventh NTN cell / satellite #1 through the second identifier; an SIB other than SIB19 can carry the configuration information of the fourth UL WUS and be associated with the seventh NTN cell / satellite #1 through the first identifier. The first auxiliary information and the configuration information of the fourth UL WUS can be associated through the same identifier, for example, the same satellite ID.

[0331] Method 3:

[0332] Optionally, the terminal device receives the first SIB and SIB19. Accordingly, the ninth network device sends the first SIB and SIB19. The first SIB includes configuration information and a first identifier for the fourth UL WUS, and the SIB19 includes first auxiliary information and a second identifier.

[0333] As an example, the first identifier and the second identifier indicate the frequency point and / or PCI of the seventh NTN cell.

[0334] It is understood that in method 3, the first auxiliary information can be carried in SIB19 of cell A and identified by frequency point and / or PCI; an SIB other than SIB19 can carry the configuration information of the fourth UL WUS, and the configuration information of the fourth UL WUS is identified by frequency point and / or PCI. The first auxiliary information and the configuration information of the fourth UL WUS can be associated by the same frequency point and / or PCI.

[0335] Method 4:

[0336] Optionally, the terminal device receives the first SIB and SIB19. Accordingly, the ninth network device sends the first SIB and SIB19. The first SIB includes configuration information and a first identifier for the fourth UL WUS, and the SIB19 includes first auxiliary information and a second identifier.

[0337] As an example, the first identifier belongs to the first list, the second identifier belongs to the second list, and the first identifier is in the same position in the first list and the second identifier is in the same position in the second list.

[0338] As an example, the first auxiliary information is carried in SIB19 of cell A. For example, the first auxiliary information is carried in a list of neighboring satellite auxiliary information in SIB19. For example, this list is denoted as list#1, and list#1 can be ntn-NeighCellConfigList-r17 or ntn-NeighCellConfigListExt-v1720, etc.

[0339] As an example, an SIB other than SIB19 can carry the configuration information of the fourth UL WUS through a list. For example, this list can be denoted as list#2.

[0340] As an example, the first identifier is in the same position in the first list and the second identifier is in the same position in the second list. This can be understood as the first auxiliary information entry in list #1 and the fourth UL WUS configuration information entry in list #2 corresponding one-to-one.

[0341] S820, the terminal device sends the fourth UL WUS based on the configuration information of the fourth UL WUS and the first auxiliary information. Accordingly, the tenth network device receives the fourth UL WUS.

[0342] As an example, prior to S820, method 800 may also include: the terminal device determining that the seventh NTN cell meets the cell reselection conditions.

[0343] As an example, S820 may specifically include: sending the fourth UL WUS based on the configuration information of the fourth UL WUS and the first auxiliary information when the configuration information of the fourth UL WUS is associated with the ephemeris; or, sending the fourth UL WUS based on the configuration information of the fourth UL WUS and the first auxiliary information at a fourth time, the fourth time being within the validity period of the ephemeris.

[0344] As an example, correspondingly, if the configuration information of the fourth UL WUS is not associated with the ephemeris, the terminal device may not send the fourth UL WUS. The ephemeris is in the first auxiliary information, and the configuration information of the fourth UL WUS and the first auxiliary information can be associated through any of the methods 1 to 4 described above.

[0345] As an example, correspondingly, in the case of an ephemeris expiration, the terminal device may not send the fourth UL WUS.

[0346] Optionally, the terminal device may check the transmission status of SIB1 in the seventh NTN cell before transmitting the fourth UL WUS.

[0347] As an example, if the terminal device determines that the SIB1 transmission status of the seventh NTN cell is not transmitting SIB1, then the terminal device can transmit the fourth UL WUS.

[0348] As another example, if the terminal device determines that the transmission status of the seventh NTN cell is "transmitted", then the terminal device will not transmit the fourth UL WUS.

[0349] It should be understood that for specific details in this section, please refer to the relevant content in steps #D1 and D#2 above. The embodiments of this application will not be repeated here.

[0350] S830, the terminal device receives SIB1 from the seventh NTN cell. Correspondingly, the tenth network device sends SIB1.

[0351] S840: After obtaining SIB1 from the seventh NTN cell, the terminal device camps on the seventh NTN cell.

[0352] Optionally, method 800 may further include: the terminal device receiving satellite auxiliary information from the seventh NTN cell. Optionally, the tenth network device transmitting the satellite auxiliary information.

[0353] As an example, if satellite-assisted information reception fails in the seventh NTN cell, the terminal device can disable the seventh NTN cell.

[0354] It should be understood that for the explanation of how the terminal device receives satellite auxiliary information, please refer to the relevant content of step #E above, and this application embodiment will not repeat it here.

[0355] Referring to Figure 9, as an example, Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a communication method 900 provided in an embodiment of this application. For ease of description, a terminal device and a network device are used as examples for illustrative purposes. The terminal device can be replaced by components of a terminal device (e.g., a chip, chip system, circuit, communication module, or processor), and the network device can be replaced by components of a network device (e.g., a chip, chip system, circuit, communication module, or processor). Furthermore, the steps described below as being performed by a single execution entity can also be divided into steps performed by multiple execution entities, which can be logically and / or physically separated. The method 900 shown in Figure 9 may include the following steps.

[0356] S910, the terminal device receives configuration information for M UL WUS and M auxiliary information. Correspondingly, the eleventh network device sends the configuration information for the M UL WUS and the M auxiliary information.

[0357] As an example, the eleventh network device can be the network device that generates cell A, and the terminal device is located within cell A. Therefore, the eleventh network device sending M UL WUS configuration information and M auxiliary information can also be replaced by cell A sending the M UL WUS configuration information and M auxiliary information.

[0358] As an example, M UL WUS are used to trigger M NTN cells to send SIB1.

[0359] As an example, an NTN cell can be an NTN cell that supports the on-demand SIB1 function described above. It can also be understood that an NTN cell is an NES cell, or that an NTN cell can be an NTN NES cell. This application does not limit the scope of the embodiments.

[0360] As an example, an NTN cell can be a neighboring cell of cell A generated by the eleventh network device. In other words, an NTN cell is a cell adjacent to cell A, for example, the coverage of an NTN cell partially overlaps with that of cell A.

[0361] As an example, M UL WUS cells and M NTN cells can be associated one-to-one, or in other words, M UL WUS cells can be associated with M NTN cells respectively. For example, M UL WUS cells can be associated with M NTN cells through frequency points and / or PCI.

[0362] As an example, each of the M auxiliary information pieces includes the third time information and / or location information of its corresponding cell (which can be represented as cell #1). The M auxiliary information pieces can be information at the cell level.

[0363] The third time information may include at least one of the following: the time when cell #1 starts service; the time when cell #1 stops service; and the validity period of the UL WUS configuration information, which is used to trigger cell #1 to send SIB1.

[0364] The location information includes at least one of the following: coordinates of a reference point located within the service area of ​​cell #1; and a first distance threshold.

[0365] It should be understood that location information can also be called coverage information, etc., and distance threshold can also be called distance threshold or reference radius, etc., which are not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0366] As an example, the terminal device can determine whether to send UL WUS based on M auxiliary information.

[0367] Optionally, the terminal device can determine whether to send UL WUS based on M third-party time information alone.

[0368] Optionally, the terminal device can determine whether to send UL WUS based on M location information individually.

[0369] Optionally, the terminal device may determine whether to send UL WUS based on M third-party time information or M location information, and the RSRP conditions of M cells.

[0370] Optionally, the terminal device can determine whether to send UL WUS based on M third-time information, M location information, and the RSRP conditions of M cells.

[0371] S920, the terminal device is based on the eighth NTN cell among M NTN cells containing M auxiliary information, and the M auxiliary information includes the third time information and / or location information of the eighth NTN cell.

[0372] It is understood that the third time information and / or location information of the eighth NTN cell can be obtained by referring to the previous description of cell #1 and replacing cell #1 with the eighth NTN cell. This application embodiment will not be described in detail here.

[0373] S930, the terminal device sends the fifth UL WUS to the eighth NTN cell. Correspondingly, the twelfth network device receives the fifth UL WUS.

[0374] Optionally, the terminal device may check the transmission status of SIB1 of the eighth NTN cell before transmitting the fifth UL WUS.

[0375] As an example, if the terminal device determines that the SIB1 transmission status of the eighth NTN cell is not transmitting SIB1, then the terminal device can transmit the fifth UL WUS.

[0376] As another example, if the terminal device determines that the transmission status of the eighth NTN cell is "transmitted", then the terminal device will not transmit the fifth UL WUS.

[0377] It should be understood that for specific details in this section, please refer to the relevant content in steps #D1 and D#2 above. The embodiments of this application will not be repeated here.

[0378] The following examples 1 to 3 illustrate the situation where three types of terminal devices send the fifth UL WUS to the eighth NTN cell.

[0379] Example 1:

[0380] Optionally, the terminal device sends the fifth UL WUS at the fifth time, which is after the time when the eighth NTN cell starts service, and / or before the time when the eighth NTN cell stops service, and / or within the validity period of the configuration information of the fifth UL WUS.

[0381] It is understandable that the terminal device may send the fifth UL WUS to the eighth NTN cell only during the service period of the eighth NTN cell.

[0382] It should be understood that the example of the fifth moment can be compared with the example of the first moment in Example #2 above, and the embodiments of this application will not be repeated here.

[0383] Example 2:

[0384] Optionally, if the distance between the terminal device and the reference point is less than or equal to a first distance threshold, the terminal device sends a fifth UL WUS.

[0385] It is understandable that the terminal device can send the fifth UL WUS only when the distance to the reference point of the eighth NTN cell is less than a certain threshold.

[0386] Example 3:

[0387] Optionally, the terminal device determines the eighth NTN cell from the M NTN cells, the time when the eighth NTN cell stops service is later than the time when any of the M NTN cells except the eighth NTN cell stops service, and / or, the distance between the terminal device and the reference point is less than or equal to the distance between the terminal device and the reference point of any of the M NTN cells except the eighth NTN cell.

[0388] It is understandable that when there are multiple NTN cells, the terminal device can select the NTN cell with the longest remaining service time or the closest distance, and send the corresponding UL WUS to that cell, or in other words, trigger the corresponding OD-SIB1 request.

[0389] It should be noted that any of the examples 1 to 3 above can be combined with the signal quality of the cell.

[0390] Optionally, the signal quality can be RSRP.

[0391] As an example, the eighth NTN cell belongs to Q NTN cells out of M NTN cells. Among them, the signal quality of the Q NTN cells is greater than or equal to the threshold.

[0392] It can be understood that the eighth NTN cell belongs to the neighboring cells among the M NTN cells whose signal quality is greater than or equal to a threshold. Referring to the previous example, this means that the eighth NTN cell can be the neighboring cell with the longest remaining time among those whose signal quality exceeds a certain threshold, or it can be the neighboring cell closest to the terminal device among those whose signal quality exceeds a certain threshold.

[0393] As another example, the eighth NTN cell may include multiple NTN cells, and the terminal device may send the fifth UL WUS to the eighth NTN cell with the best signal quality among the multiple eighth NTN cells.

[0394] It is understood that the eighth NTN cell can include multiple NTN cells; that is, the conditions in the previous example can be met by multiple NTN cells. For example, neighboring cells with remaining time exceeding a certain threshold can be multiple NTN cells, or neighboring cells with a distance to the terminal device less than a certain threshold can be multiple NTN cells. Furthermore, the terminal device can determine the NTN cell with the best signal quality among these multiple NTN cells as the target cell for cell reselection, or in other words, the terminal device can send the fifth UL WUS to the NTN cell with the best signal quality among these multiple NTN cells.

[0395] S940, the terminal device receives SIB1 from the eighth NTN cell. Correspondingly, the twelfth network device sends SIB1.

[0396] S950: After the terminal device obtains SIB1 from the eighth NTN cell, it stays in the eighth NTN cell.

[0397] It should be noted that the methods 500 to 900 described above can be used as individual embodiments or combined with each other to form new embodiments. The embodiments in this application are not limited.

[0398] The methods provided by the embodiments of this application have been described in detail above with reference to Figures 5 to 9. The apparatus provided by the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 10 to 12. It should be understood that the descriptions of the apparatus embodiments correspond to the descriptions of the method embodiments; therefore, any content not described in detail can be referred to the method embodiments above, and for the sake of brevity, will not be repeated here.

[0399] Referring to Figure 10, which is a schematic diagram of a communication device 1000 provided in an embodiment of this application, the communication device 1000 includes a transceiver unit 1010 and a processing unit 1020. The transceiver unit 1010 can be used to implement corresponding communication functions. The transceiver unit 1010 can also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication unit. The processing unit 1020 can be used to perform processing, such as determining information bits.

[0400] Optionally, the device 1000 may further include a storage unit, which can be used to store instructions and / or data, and the processing unit 1020 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage unit to enable the device to implement the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0401] In a first possible design, the device 1000 can be the terminal device in the foregoing embodiments, which can implement the steps or processes corresponding to those executed by the terminal device in the above method embodiments. Specifically, the transceiver unit 1010 can be used to perform transceiver-related operations (such as sending and / or receiving data or messages) of the terminal device in the above method embodiments, and the processing unit 1020 can be used to perform processing-related operations of the terminal device in the above method embodiments, or operations other than transceiver (such as operations other than sending and / or receiving data or messages).

[0402] One possible implementation is that the transceiver unit 1010 is used to receive first information, the first information including configuration information of K uplink wake-up signals UL WUS, the K UL WUS being used to trigger K non-terrestrial network NTN cells to send system information blocks SIB1, the K NTN cells serving the terminal device having different time intervals, and K being an integer greater than 1; the transceiver unit 1010 is also used to send the first UL WUS based on the configuration information of the first UL WUS, the configuration information of the first UL WUS being part of the configuration information of the K UL WUS.

[0403] In a second possible design, the device 1000 can be a network device as described in the foregoing embodiments. This device 1000 can implement the steps or processes performed by the network device corresponding to those described in the above method embodiments. Specifically, the transceiver unit 1010 can be used to perform transceiver-related operations (such as sending and / or receiving data or messages) of the network device described in the above method embodiments, and the processing unit 1020 can be used to perform processing-related operations of the network device described in the above method embodiments, or operations other than transceiver operations (such as operations other than sending and / or receiving data or messages).

[0404] One possible implementation involves a transceiver unit 1010 receiving a first UL WUS, which is transmitted based on configuration information of the first UL WUS. This configuration information belongs to K UL WUS configuration sets, and the K UL WUS sets trigger K NTN cells to transmit SIB1. These K NTN cells serve the terminal device within different time intervals, where K is an integer greater than 1. The first UL WUS sets are used to trigger the first network device to transmit SIB1 in the first NTN cell. It should be understood that the specific processes by which each unit performs the above-described steps have been detailed in the above method embodiments and will not be repeated here for brevity.

[0405] It should also be understood that the device 1000 here is embodied in the form of a functional unit. The term "unit" here can refer to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), electronic circuitry, a processor (e.g., a shared processor, a proprietary processor, or a group processor, etc.) and memory for executing one or more software or firmware programs, integrated logic circuitry, and / or other suitable components supporting the described functions. In an alternative example, those skilled in the art will understand that the device 1000 can be specifically the communication device in the above embodiments, and can be used to execute the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the communication device in the above method embodiments; to avoid repetition, these will not be described again here.

[0406] The apparatus 1000 of each of the above-described schemes has the function of implementing the corresponding steps performed by the communication device (such as a terminal device or a network device) in the above-described methods. The function can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions; for example, the transceiver unit can be replaced by a transceiver (e.g., the transmitting unit in the transceiver unit can be replaced by a transmitter, and the receiving unit in the transceiver unit can be replaced by a receiver), and other units, such as processing units, can be replaced by processors, each performing the transceiver operations and related processing operations in the respective method embodiments.

[0407] In addition, the transceiver unit 1010 may also be a transceiver circuit (for example, it may include a receiving circuit and a transmitting circuit), and the processing unit may be a processing circuit.

[0408] It should be noted that the device in Figure 10 can be the communication device (such as a terminal device or a network device) in the aforementioned embodiments, or it can be a chip or a chip system, such as a system on a chip (SoC). The transceiver unit can be an input / output circuit or a communication interface; the processing unit is a processor, microprocessor, or integrated circuit integrated on the chip. No limitations are imposed here.

[0409] Referring to Figure 11, as an example, Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of another communication device 1100 provided in an embodiment of this application. The device 1100 includes a processor 1110, which is coupled to a memory 1120. The memory 1120 is used to store computer programs or instructions and / or data. The processor 1110 is used to execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory 1120, or to read the data stored in the memory 1120, in order to execute the methods in the above method embodiments.

[0410] Optionally, there may be one or more processors 1110.

[0411] Optionally, the memory 1120 may be one or more.

[0412] Alternatively, the memory 1120 can be integrated with the processor 1110, or it can be set separately.

[0413] Optionally, as shown in FIG11, the device 1100 further includes a transceiver 1130 for receiving and / or transmitting signals. For example, the processor 1110 is used to control the transceiver 1130 to receive and / or transmit signals.

[0414] As an example, processor 1110 may have the functions of processing unit 1020 shown in FIG10, memory 1120 may have the functions of storage unit, and transceiver 1130 may have the functions of transceiver unit 1010 shown in FIG10.

[0415] As one option, the device 1100 is used to implement the operations performed by a communication device (such as a terminal device or a network device) in the various method embodiments described above.

[0416] For example, processor 1110 is used to execute computer programs or instructions stored in memory 1120 to implement the relevant operations of the communication device in the various method embodiments described above.

[0417] It should be understood that the processor mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0418] It should also be understood that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory and / or non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM). For example, RAM can be used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, RAM includes the following forms: static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0419] It should be noted that when the processor is a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, or discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) can be integrated into the processor.

[0420] It should also be noted that the memory described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0421] Referring to Figure 12, as an example, Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of a chip system 1200 provided in an embodiment of this application. The chip system 1200 (or may also be referred to as a processing system) includes logic circuitry 1210 and an input / output interface 1220.

[0422] The logic circuit 1210 can be a processing circuit in the chip system 1200. The logic circuit 1210 can be coupled to a memory unit, calling instructions from the memory unit, enabling the chip system 1200 to implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application. The input / output interface 1220 can be an input / output circuit in the chip system 1200, outputting processed information from the chip system 1200, or inputting data or signaling information to be processed into the chip system 1200 for processing.

[0423] As one approach, the chip system 1200 is used to implement operations performed by communication devices (such as terminal devices or network devices) in the various method embodiments described above.

[0424] For example, logic circuit 1210 is used to implement processing-related operations performed by a communication device (such as a terminal device or a network device) in the above method embodiments; input / output interface 1220 is used to implement sending and / or receiving-related operations performed by a communication device (such as a terminal device or a network device) in the above method embodiments.

[0425] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions for implementing the methods executed by a communication device (such as a terminal device or a network device) in the above-described method embodiments. For example, when the computer program or instructions are run on the communication device, the communication device (such as a terminal device or a network device) causes the communication device to execute the above-described methods (such as any one of methods 500 to 900).

[0426] This application also provides a computer program product comprising instructions that, when executed by a computer, implement the methods described above as performed by a communication device (such as a terminal device or a network device). For example, when the computer program or instructions are run on the communication device, the communication device (such as a terminal device or a network device) performs the methods described above (such as any one of methods 500 to 900).

[0427] This application also provides a communication system that includes the terminal device and / or network device described in the embodiments above. For example, the system includes the terminal device and network device of any of the embodiments shown in Figures 5 to 9.

[0428] The explanations and beneficial effects of the relevant contents in any of the devices provided above can be found in the corresponding method embodiments provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0429] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces, and the indirect coupling or communication connection of apparatus or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0430] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes 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 can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. For example, the computer can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media can be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., DVDs), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks, SSDs). For example, the aforementioned available media include, but are not limited to, USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks, and other media capable of storing program code.

[0431] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a terminal device, the method includes: Receive first information, the first information including configuration information of K uplink wake-up signals UL WUS, the K UL WUS are used to trigger K non-terrestrial network NTN cells to send system information blocks SIB1, the K NTN cells serve the terminal device in different time intervals, and K is an integer greater than 1; The first UL WUS is sent based on the configuration information of the first UL WUS. The configuration information of the first UL WUS belongs to the configuration information of the K UL WUS. The first UL WUS is used to trigger the first NTN cell to send SIB1.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Receive K time information pieces, wherein the K time information pieces are associated with the configuration information of the K UL WUS, and the K time information pieces include first time information associated with the first UL WUS, wherein the first time information includes at least one of the following: The moment when the first NTN cell began service; The time when the first NTN cell ceases service; or... The validity period of the configuration information for the first UL WUS.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, Before sending the first UL WUS based on the configuration information of the first UL WUS, the method further includes: The configuration information of the first UL WUS is determined from the configuration information of the K UL WUS at a first moment. The first moment is later than the time when the first NTN cell starts service, and / or the first moment is earlier than the time when the first NTN cell stops service, and / or the first moment is within the validity period of the configuration information of the first UL WUS.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, Also includes: The configuration information of the first UL WUS is deleted at a second time point, wherein the second time point is later than the time when the first NTN cell stops service, and / or the second time point exceeds the validity period of the configuration information of the first UL WUS; or... The configuration information of the first UL WUS is retained at a second time point, wherein the second time point is earlier than the time when the first NTN cell stops service, and / or the second time point is within the validity period of the configuration information of the first UL WUS.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, Also includes: Receive satellite auxiliary information from the first NTN cell; If satellite auxiliary information reception fails in the first NTN cell, the first NTN cell will be disabled.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, Also includes: Receive paging information, the paging information indicating that the configuration information of at least one of the K UL WUS is updated.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, Determine the transmission status of SIB1 in the first NTN cell as transmitted; Do not send the first UL WUS.

8. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a first network device, the method includes: Receive the first UL WUS, which is sent based on the configuration information of the first UL WUS. The configuration information of the first UL WUS belongs to K UL WUS configuration information. The K UL WUS are used to trigger K NTN cells to send SIB1. The time intervals of the K NTN cells serving terminal devices are different, and K is an integer greater than 1. SIB1 is transmitted in the first NTN cell, and the first UL WUS is used to trigger the first network device to transmit SIB1 in the first NTN cell.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, Also includes: Send a paging message that instructs updating the configuration information of at least one of the K UL WUS.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, Also includes: Send a second message to a second network device, the second message instructing the second network device to send SIB1 in a second NTN cell, the second NTN cell being the next cell serving the terminal device after the first NTN cell.

11. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The third network device sends first information, which includes configuration information for K uplink wake-up signals UL WUS. The K UL WUS are used to trigger K NTN cells to send SIB1. The time intervals of the K NTN cells serving terminal devices are different, and K is an integer greater than 1. The terminal device receives the first information; The terminal device sends the first UL WUS based on the configuration information of the first UL WUS, and the configuration information of the first UL WUS belongs to the configuration information of the K UL WUS. The first network device receives the first UL WUS, and the first UL WUS is used to trigger the first network device to send SIB1 in the first NTN cell; The first network device sends SIB1 in the first NTN cell.

12. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a terminal device, the method includes: The configuration information of the second UL WUS is received in the third NTN cell. The second UL WUS is used to trigger the fourth NTN cell to send SIB1. The third NTN cell serves the terminal device. The fourth NTN cell is the next NTN cell that serves the terminal device after the third NTN cell. The second UL WUS is sent to the fourth NTN cell based on the configuration information of the second UL WUS.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, Also includes: Receive second time information, the second time information being associated with the configuration information of the second UL WUS, the second time information including at least one of the following: The time when the fourth NTN cell begins service; The time at which the fourth NTN cell ceases service; or... The validity period of the configuration information for the second UL WUS.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, Sending the second UL WUS to the fourth NTN cell based on the configuration information of the second UL WUS includes: The second UL WUS is transmitted at a third time, wherein the third time is later than the time when the fourth NTN cell starts service, and / or the third time is earlier than the time when the fourth NTN cell stops service, and / or the third time is within the validity period of the configuration information of the second UL WUS.

15. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The fourth network device sends configuration information for the second UL WUS in the third NTN cell. The second UL WUS is used to trigger the fourth NTN cell to send SIB1. The third NTN cell serves the terminal device. The fourth NTN cell is the next NTN cell that serves the terminal device after the third NTN cell. The terminal device receives the configuration information of the second UL WUS in the third NTN cell; The terminal device sends the second UL WUS to the fifth network device; The fifth network device transmits SIB1 in the fourth NTN cell.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, Also includes: The fifth network device sends a second message to the sixth network device, the second message instructing the sixth network device to send SIB1 in the fifth NTN cell, the fifth NTN cell being the next cell serving the terminal device after the fourth NTN cell.

17. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a seventh network device, the method includes: The configuration information of the third UL WUS is sent in the first cell. The third UL WUS is used to trigger the sixth NTN cell to send SIB1. The sixth NTN cell is adjacent to the first cell. The third UL WUS is received in the first cell; The third UL WUS is sent to the eighth network device, where the sixth NTN cell is a cell of the eighth network device.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, Also includes: Transmit the frequency band of the sixth NTN cell, and / or, first indication information, the first indication information indicating that the sixth NTN cell is an NTN cell.

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that, Receiving the third UL WUS includes: Receive the third UL WUS transmitted via a first UL resource, the first UL resource being associated with the sixth NTN cell.

20. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a terminal device, the method includes: The configuration information of the third UL WUS is received in the first cell. The third UL WUS is used to trigger the sixth NTN cell to send SIB1. The sixth NTN cell is adjacent to the first cell. The third UL WUS is sent in the first cell.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, Also includes: Receive the frequency band of the sixth NTN cell, and / or, first indication information, the first indication information indicating that the sixth NTN cell is an NTN cell.

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that, The transmission of the third UL WUS includes: The third UL WUS is transmitted through the first UL resource, which is associated with the sixth NTN cell.

23. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes modules or units for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 22.

24. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a processor, the processor being configured to cause the communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 22.

25. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 22.

26. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 22.

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