Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

Disclosed in the present application are a communication method and apparatus, which can avoid performing coherent joint transmission scheduling on a UE in a scenario where no performance gain is achieved, thereby ensuring that all coherent joint transmission scheduling of the UE results in a performance gain. The method comprises: receiving first information, wherein the first information indicates an estimation accuracy requirement of an offset, the offset is an offset between a signal transmitted by means of a satellite and a signal received by means of a first communication apparatus, and the offset comprises at least one of a frequency offset, a time offset or a phase offset; and on the basis of the first information, sending second information, the second information indicating a requirement for a signal quality parameter corresponding to the estimation accuracy requirement of the offset, wherein the second information is used for determining a set of satellites serving the first communication apparatus, and the set of satellites is used for executing coherent joint transmission, and / or the second information is used for determining whether to perform coherent joint transmission scheduling on the first communication apparatus.

Description

A communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202510105914.2, filed on January 22, 2025, entitled "A Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0004] Satellite networks currently use a single satellite directly connected to user equipment (UE), resulting in a poor communication link budget between the satellite and the UE. Considering using multiple satellites for coherent joint transmission can increase the equivalent aperture and improve the communication link budget between the satellite and the UE.

[0005] Coherent joint transmission schemes already exist for terrestrial network (TN) systems. However, the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SNR) of communication links in non-terrestrial network (NTN) systems differs significantly from that of TN systems. In NTN systems, the SNR is lower, resulting in poorer estimation accuracy for parameters such as time offset and frequency offset. Directly applying the coherent joint transmission scheme from TN systems to NTN systems would conversely worsen communication performance.

[0006] In NTN systems, how to perform coherent joint transmission to improve communication performance is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This application provides a communication method and apparatus that can avoid performing coherent joint transmission scheduling on the UE in scenarios where performance gains cannot be obtained, and ensure that performance gains can be obtained for coherent joint transmission scheduling on the UE.

[0008] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, applied to a first communication device. Unless otherwise specified, the "first communication device" in this application may refer to the first communication device itself, or a component in the first communication device (e.g., a processor, a chip, or a chip system), or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first communication device. The method includes: receiving first information, the first information indicating an estimated accuracy requirement for an offset, the offset being the offset between a signal transmitted by a satellite and a signal received by a first communication device, the offset including at least one of frequency offset, time offset, or phase offset; transmitting second information according to the first information, the second information indicating a requirement for a signal quality parameter corresponding to the estimated accuracy requirement for the offset, the signal quality parameter including at least one of signal to interference plus noise ratio (SNR), signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR), reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), or received signal strength indicator (RSSI), the second information being related to the capabilities of the first communication device; wherein the second information is used to determine a satellite set serving the first communication device, the satellite set being used to perform coherent joint transmission; and / or, the second information is used to determine whether to schedule coherent joint transmission for the first communication device.

[0009] In this embodiment, the first communication device can report a signal quality parameter requirement corresponding to the estimated accuracy requirement of the offset. This signal quality parameter requirement is related to the capability of the first communication device, allowing the second communication device to determine whether to perform coherent joint transmission scheduling for the first communication device (or, in other words, determine the set of satellites serving the first communication device) based on the signal quality parameter requirement. On the one hand, this avoids configuring measurement events related to coherent joint transmission for the first communication device in scenarios where performance gain cannot be obtained from coherent joint transmission scheduling, thereby saving air interface resources and avoiding interference. On the other hand, the signal quality parameter requirement can assist the second communication device in determining the set of satellites providing coherent joint transmission services to the first communication device, thereby ensuring that the coherent joint transmission configured by the first communication device can obtain performance gain.

[0010] In one possible design, the initial information is related to at least one of the following: satellite orbital altitude, the feedback time interval of the offset, or the maximum phase offset requirement for coherent joint transmission. Of course, these are just examples, and the actual implementation may not be limited to these.

[0011] In this way, it can be ensured that when performing coherent joint transmission, the transmission can match the satellite orbital altitude, the feedback time interval of the offset, or the maximum phase offset requirement of coherent joint transmission.

[0012] In one possible design, the first piece of information includes: the offset estimation accuracy threshold. It can be understood that the offset estimation accuracy requirement is met when the offset estimation accuracy reaches or exceeds the offset estimation accuracy threshold.

[0013] This reduces the amount of data in the initial information and saves signaling overhead.

[0014] In one possible design, an index is used to determine the accuracy threshold of the offset estimation.

[0015] In this way, the amount of data in the initial information can be further reduced, saving signaling overhead.

[0016] In one possible design, the satellite set is also related to at least one of the following: the obstruction loss parameters between the multiple candidate satellites and the first communication device, wherein the satellite set is a subset of the multiple candidate satellites; the location of the first communication device; and the ephemeris positions of the multiple candidate satellites, wherein the satellite set is a subset of the multiple candidate satellites.

[0017] In this way, it can be ensured that the identified satellite set can provide coherent joint transmission for the first communication device and achieve a large performance gain.

[0018] In one possible design, the satellite set is an empty set, meaning there are no satellites available for coherent joint transmission to the first communication device, i.e., no coherent joint transmission scheduling is performed on the first communication device.

[0019] In one possible design, the satellite array includes at least one satellite, and the method further includes: receiving and measuring reference signals from at least one satellite to obtain an estimate of the offset; and transmitting the estimate of the offset.

[0020] In this way, each satellite can compensate for the corresponding offset when transmitting downlink signals, so as to ensure that the satellite and the first communication device are synchronized (such as time synchronization, frequency synchronization, phase synchronization, etc.) and ensure coherent joint transmission performance.

[0021] In one possible design, the capabilities of the first communication device include at least one of the following: the processing technology used by the receiver of the first communication device; and the processing capability of the receiver of the first communication device.

[0022] It is understood that in some embodiments, the processing capability of the receiver may be related to the processing technology used by the receiver, and therefore in some scenarios, the processing capability of the receiver and the processing technology used by the receiver may be interchangeable.

[0023] Secondly, a communication method is provided, applied to a second communication device. Unless otherwise specified, the term "second communication device" in this application can refer to the second communication device itself, a component within the second communication device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the second communication device. The method includes: transmitting first information indicating an estimated accuracy requirement for an offset, the offset being the offset between a signal transmitted by a satellite and a signal received by the first communication device, the offset including at least one of frequency offset, time offset, or phase offset; receiving second information indicating a requirement for signal quality parameters corresponding to the estimated accuracy requirement for the offset, the signal quality parameters including at least one of SNR, SINR, RSRP, RSRQ, or RSSI, the second information being related to the capabilities of the first communication device; determining a set of satellites serving the first communication device based on the second information, the satellite set being used to perform coherent joint transmission; and / or determining whether to perform coherent joint transmission scheduling for the first communication device based on the second information.

[0024] In one possible design, the first information is related to at least one of the following: satellite orbital altitude, feedback time interval of offset, or maximum phase offset requirement of coherent joint transmission.

[0025] In one possible design, the first piece of information includes: the accuracy threshold for the offset estimation.

[0026] In one possible design, an index is used to determine the accuracy threshold of the offset estimation.

[0027] In one possible design, the satellite set is also related to at least one of the following: the obstruction loss parameters between the multiple candidate satellites and the first communication device, wherein the satellite set is a subset of the multiple candidate satellites; the location of the first communication device; and the ephemeris positions of the multiple candidate satellites, wherein the satellite set is a subset of the multiple candidate satellites.

[0028] In one possible design, the satellite set is an empty set.

[0029] In one possible design, the satellite ensemble includes at least one satellite, and the method further includes: controlling at least one satellite to transmit a reference signal; and receiving an estimate of the offset.

[0030] In one possible design, the capabilities of the first communication device include at least one of the following: the processing technology used by the receiver of the first communication device; and the processing capability of the receiver of the first communication device.

[0031] The technical effects of the second aspect can be found in the description of the technical effects of the first aspect, and will not be elaborated further.

[0032] Thirdly, a communication method is provided, applied to a first communication device. Unless otherwise specified, the "first communication device" in this application can refer to the first communication device itself, a component within the first communication device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first communication device. The method includes: acquiring an estimated value of an offset and a confidence level of the estimated value, the offset being the offset between a signal transmitted by a satellite and a signal received by the first communication device, the offset including at least one of frequency offset, time offset, or phase offset; transmitting third information, the third information including at least one of the estimated value and the confidence level; wherein the third information is used to determine a set of satellites serving the first communication device, the satellite set being used to perform coherent joint transmission; and / or, the third information is used to determine whether to perform coherent joint transmission scheduling for the first communication device.

[0033] In this embodiment, the first communication device reports at least one of an estimated value and a confidence level, enabling the second communication device to determine whether to perform coherent joint transmission scheduling for the first communication device (or, in other words, determine the set of satellites serving the first communication device) based on the estimated value and the confidence level. On one hand, this avoids configuring measurement events related to coherent joint transmission for the first communication device in scenarios where performance gains cannot be obtained from coherent joint transmission scheduling, thereby saving air interface resources and avoiding interference. On the other hand, at least one of the estimated value and the confidence level can assist the second communication device in determining the set of satellites providing coherent joint transmission services to the first communication device, thus ensuring that the coherent joint transmission configured by the first communication device can obtain performance gains.

[0034] In one possible design, the confidence level is related to the signal reception quality of the first communication device. For example, the worse the signal reception quality, the lower the confidence level; the better the signal reception quality, the higher the confidence level.

[0035] In one possible design, the third information includes the estimate and the confidence level.

[0036] Thus, the reporting logic of the first communication device is relatively simple.

[0037] In one possible design, the confidence level is within a first range, and the third information includes the confidence level; or, the confidence level is within a second range, and the third information includes the estimated value.

[0038] In this way, the content to be reported to the second communication device can be determined based on the range of confidence level, which can reduce the amount of data in the third information and save uplink signaling overhead.

[0039] In one possible design, the method further includes: receiving first indication information, the first indication information being used to determine a first range and / or a second range. For example, the first indication information indicates a first value, the first range is a range less than the first value, and the second range is a range greater than the first value.

[0040] This allows the first and second communication devices to align their understanding of confidence levels, thereby improving the reliability of the solution.

[0041] In one possible design, with a confidence level in the third range, the satellite set is an empty set and / or no coherent joint transmission scheduling is performed on the first communication device; or, with a confidence level in the fourth range, the satellite set includes at least one satellite and / or coherent joint transmission scheduling is performed on the first communication device.

[0042] In this way, when the confidence level is low (i.e., when the estimate is relatively unreliable), coherent joint transmission scheduling can be avoided for the first communication device; when the confidence level is high (i.e., when the estimate is relatively reliable), coherent joint transmission scheduling can be performed for the first communication device.

[0043] In one possible design, the confidence level is related to the capability of the first communication device, which includes at least one of the following: the processing technology used by the receiver of the first communication device; and the processing capability of the receiver of the first communication device.

[0044] It is understood that in some embodiments, the processing capability of the receiver may be related to the processing technology used by the receiver, and therefore in some scenarios, the processing capability of the receiver and the processing technology used by the receiver may be interchangeable.

[0045] Fourthly, a communication method is provided, applied to a second communication device. Unless otherwise specified, the "second communication device" in this application can refer to the second communication device itself, a component within the second communication device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the second communication device. The method includes: receiving third information, the third information including at least one of an estimated value of an offset and a confidence level of the estimated value, the offset being the offset between a signal transmitted by a satellite and a signal received by a first communication device, the offset including at least one of a frequency offset, a time offset, or a phase offset; determining a set of satellites serving the first communication device based on the third information, the satellite set being used to perform coherent joint transmission; and / or determining whether to perform coherent joint transmission scheduling for the first communication device based on the third information.

[0046] In one possible design, the confidence level is related to the signal reception quality of the first communication device.

[0047] In one possible design, the third information includes the estimate and the confidence level.

[0048] In one possible design, the confidence level is within a first range, and the third information includes the confidence level; or, the confidence level is within a second range, and the third information includes the estimated value.

[0049] In one possible design, the method further includes: sending first indication information, the first indication information being used to determine a first range and / or a second range.

[0050] In one possible design, the first indication information indicates a first value, the first range is the range less than the first value, and the second range is the range greater than the first value.

[0051] In one possible design, with a confidence level in the third range, the satellite set is an empty set and / or no coherent joint transmission scheduling is performed on the first communication device; or, with a confidence level in the fourth range, the satellite set includes at least one satellite and / or coherent joint transmission scheduling is performed on the first communication device.

[0052] In one possible design, the confidence level is related to the capability of the first communication device, which includes at least one of the following: the processing technology used by the receiver of the first communication device; and the processing capability of the receiver of the first communication device.

[0053] The technical effects of the fourth aspect can be found in the description of the technical effects of the third aspect, and will not be elaborated further.

[0054] Fifthly, a communication method is provided, applied to a first communication device. Unless otherwise specified, the "first communication device" in this application can refer to the first communication device itself, a component within the first communication device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first communication device. The method includes: determining a spatial range, wherein the antenna gain of the first communication device within the spatial range is within a fifth range; transmitting fourth information, wherein the fourth information indicates the spatial range; wherein the fourth information is used to determine a set of satellites serving the first communication device, the satellite set being used to perform coherent joint transmission; and / or, the fourth information is used to determine whether to perform coherent joint transmission scheduling for the first communication device.

[0055] In this embodiment, the first communication device reports a spatial range where its antenna gain falls within a fifth range, enabling the second communication device to determine whether to perform coherent joint transmission scheduling for the first communication device (or, in other words, determine the set of satellites serving the first communication device) based on this spatial range. On one hand, this avoids configuring measurement events related to coherent joint transmission for the first communication device in scenarios where performance gain cannot be obtained through coherent joint transmission scheduling, thereby saving air interface resources and avoiding interference. On the other hand, this spatial range can assist the second communication device in determining the set of satellites providing coherent joint transmission services to the first communication device, thus ensuring that the coherent joint transmission configured by the first communication device can obtain performance gain.

[0056] In one possible design, the fourth information includes angle values ​​α1, α2, α3, and α4; the spatial range is the range of azimuth angles α1 to α2, and the range of pitch angles α3 to α4.

[0057] Thus, the fourth information indicates a relatively coarse range, protecting the location privacy of the first communication device without affecting the coherent joint transmission scheduling judgment.

[0058] In one possible design, the fourth information includes offset values ​​Δ1, Δ2, Δ3, and Δ4; the spatial range is the range of azimuth angle (ɑ1'+Δ1) to (ɑ2'+Δ2) and pitch angle (ɑ3'+Δ3) to (ɑ4'+Δ4), where ɑ1', ɑ2', ɑ3', and ɑ4' are angular values.

[0059] In this way, the location privacy of the first communication device can be protected without affecting the coherent joint transmission scheduling decision, and the amount of data of the fourth information can be reduced, saving signaling overhead.

[0060] In one possible design, a1', a2', a3', and a4' are predefined.

[0061] In one possible design, the method further includes receiving second indication information, which indicates a1', a2', a3', and a4'.

[0062] The above two designs allow the first and second communication devices to align α1', α2', α3', and α4', thus improving the reliability of the solution.

[0063] In one possible design, the satellite set is also related to the ephemeris positions of multiple candidate satellites, and the satellite set is a subset of the multiple candidate satellites.

[0064] In this way, a set of satellites that can provide services to the first communication device can be determined from multiple candidate satellites, which can improve the efficiency of satellite selection.

[0065] Sixthly, a communication method is provided, applied to a second communication device. Unless otherwise specified, the term "second communication device" in this application can refer to the second communication device itself, a component within the second communication device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the second communication device. The method includes: receiving fourth information, the fourth information indicating a spatial range, and the antenna gain of the first communication device within the spatial range being within a fifth range; determining a set of satellites serving the first communication device based on the fourth information, the satellite set being used to perform coherent joint transmission; and / or determining, based on the fourth information, whether to perform coherent joint transmission scheduling for the first communication device.

[0066] In one possible design, the fourth piece of information includes angle values ​​α1, α2, α3, and α4;

[0067] The spatial range is: the range of azimuth angles α1 to α2, and the range of elevation angles α3 to α4.

[0068] In one possible design, the fourth piece of information includes offset values ​​Δ1, Δ2, Δ3, and Δ4;

[0069] The spatial range is: the range of azimuth (a1'+Δ1) to (a2'+Δ2), and the range of elevation (a3'+Δ3) to (a4'+Δ4), where a1', a2', a3' and a4' are angular values.

[0070] In one possible design, a1', a2', a3', and a4' are predefined.

[0071] In one possible design, the method further includes sending a second instruction message that indicates a1', a2', a3', and a4'.

[0072] In one possible design, the satellite set is also related to the ephemeris positions of multiple candidate satellites, and the satellite set is a subset of the multiple candidate satellites.

[0073] The technical effects of the sixth aspect can be found in the description of the technical effects of the fifth aspect, and will not be elaborated further.

[0074] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, which may include modules, units, or technical means for performing the methods described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect.

[0075] For example, the device may include a transceiver unit and a processing unit; the processing unit is configured to control the transceiver unit to receive first information, the first information indicating an estimated accuracy requirement for an offset, the offset being the offset between a signal transmitted by a satellite and a signal received by a first communication device, the offset including at least one of frequency offset, time offset, or phase offset; the processing unit is further configured to control the transceiver unit to transmit second information according to the first information, the second information indicating a requirement for signal quality parameters corresponding to the estimated accuracy requirement for the offset, the signal quality parameters including at least one of SNR, SINR, RSRP, RSRQ, or RSSI, the second information being related to the capabilities of the first communication device; wherein, the second information is used to determine a set of satellites serving the first communication device, the satellite set being used to perform coherent joint transmission; and / or, the second information is used to determine whether to perform coherent joint transmission scheduling for the first communication device.

[0076] Eighthly, a communication device is provided, which may include modules, units, or technical means for performing the methods described in the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect.

[0077] For example, the device may include a transceiver unit and a processing unit; the processing unit is configured to control the transceiver unit to transmit first information, the first information indicating an estimated accuracy requirement for an offset, the offset being the offset between a signal transmitted by a satellite and a signal received by a first communication device, the offset including at least one of frequency offset, time offset, or phase offset; the processing unit is further configured to control the transceiver unit to receive second information, the second information indicating a requirement for signal quality parameters corresponding to the estimated accuracy requirement for the offset, the signal quality parameters including at least one of SNR, SINR, RSRP, RSRQ, or RSSI, the second information being related to the capabilities of the first communication device; determine a set of satellites serving the first communication device based on the second information, the satellite set being used to perform coherent joint transmission; and / or determine whether to perform coherent joint transmission scheduling for the first communication device based on the second information.

[0078] Ninth aspect, a communication device is provided, which may include modules, units or technical means for performing the methods described in the third aspect or any possible design of the third aspect.

[0079] For example, the device may include a transceiver unit and a processing unit; the processing unit is configured to obtain an estimated value of the offset and a confidence level of the estimated value, the offset being the offset between the signal transmitted by the satellite and the signal received by the first communication device, the offset including at least one of frequency offset, time offset, or phase offset; the processing unit is further configured to control the transceiver unit to transmit third information, the third information including at least one of the estimated value and the confidence level; wherein, the third information is used to determine the satellite set serving the first communication device, the satellite set being used to perform coherent joint transmission; and / or, the third information is used to determine whether to perform coherent joint transmission scheduling for the first communication device.

[0080] In a tenth aspect, a communication device is provided, which may include modules, units, or technical means for performing the methods described in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect.

[0081] For example, the device may include a transceiver unit and a processing unit; the processing unit is configured to control the transceiver unit to receive third information, the third information including at least one of an estimated value of an offset and a confidence level of the estimated value, the offset being the offset between a signal transmitted by a satellite and a signal received by a first communication device, the offset including at least one of a frequency offset, a time offset, or a phase offset; the processing unit is further configured to determine, based on the third information, a set of satellites serving the first communication device (the set of satellites is used to perform coherent joint transmission), and / or, based on the third information, determine whether to schedule coherent joint transmission for the first communication device.

[0082] Eleventhly, a communication device is provided, which may include modules, units or technical means for performing the methods described in the fifth aspect or any possible design of the fifth aspect.

[0083] For example, the device may include a transceiver unit and a processing unit; the processing unit is used to determine a spatial range, wherein the antenna gain of the first communication device within the spatial range is within a fifth range; the processing unit is also used to control the transceiver unit to send fourth information, the fourth information indicating the spatial range; wherein the fourth information is used to determine a set of satellites serving the first communication device, the set of satellites being used to perform coherent joint transmission; and / or, the fourth information is used to determine whether to schedule coherent joint transmission for the first communication device.

[0084] In a twelfth aspect, a communication device is provided, which may include modules, units, or technical means for performing the methods described in the sixth aspect or any possible design of the sixth aspect.

[0085] For example, the device may include a transceiver unit and a processing unit; the processing unit is configured to control the transceiver unit to receive fourth information, the fourth information indicating a spatial range, and the antenna gain of the first communication device within the spatial range being within a fifth range; the processing unit is further configured to determine, based on the fourth information, a set of satellites serving the first communication device, the set of satellites being used to perform coherent joint transmission; and / or, based on the fourth information, determine whether to perform coherent joint transmission scheduling for the first communication device.

[0086] In a thirteenth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: at least one processor; and a communication interface communicatively connected to the at least one processor; wherein the at least one processor, by executing instructions stored in a memory, causes the device to perform, via the communication interface, the method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or any possible design of the second aspect, or any possible design of the second aspect, or any possible design of the third aspect, or any possible design of the third aspect, or any possible design of the fourth aspect, or any possible design of the fifth aspect, or any possible design of the fifth aspect, or any possible design of the sixth aspect, or any possible design of the sixth aspect.

[0087] Fourteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided for storing a computer program that, when the computer program is run on a computer, causes the method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or any possible design of the second aspect, or any possible design of the third aspect, or any possible design of the third aspect, or any possible design of the fourth aspect, or any possible design of the fifth aspect, or any possible design of the sixth aspect, to be performed.

[0088] In a fifteenth aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or any possible design of the second aspect, or any possible design of the third aspect, or any possible design of the fourth aspect, or any possible design of the fifth aspect, or any possible design of the sixth aspect.

[0089] In a sixteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising a first communication device and a second communication device;

[0090] The first communication device is used to perform the method as described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, and the second communication device is used to perform the method as described in the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect; or, the first communication device is used to perform the method as described in the third aspect or any possible design of the third aspect, and the second communication device is used to perform the method as described in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect; or, the first communication device is used to perform the method as described in the fifth aspect or any possible design of the fifth aspect, and the second communication device is used to perform the method as described in the sixth aspect or any possible design of the sixth aspect.

[0091] For the specific designs and beneficial effects of aspects seven through sixteen above, please refer to the corresponding designs and beneficial effects in aspects one through six. Attached Figure Description

[0092] Figure 1 shows an example of the frequency offset estimation accuracy.

[0093] Figure 2 shows the simulation results of the frequency offset estimation.

[0094] Figures 3A to 3I are schematic diagrams of the architecture of some communication systems applicable to the embodiments of this application;

[0095] Figure 4 is a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0096] Figure 5 is a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0097] Figure 6 is a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0098] Figure 7A is a schematic diagram of the antenna gain distribution of the first UE;

[0099] Figure 7B is a schematic diagram of the antenna gain distribution of the second UE;

[0100] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0101] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0102] The following section will introduce some of the technical terms involved in the embodiments of this application.

[0103] 1) Path loss: This refers to the loss of signal along the uplink path, which includes uplink path loss and downlink path loss. Uplink path loss refers to the signal loss along the uplink path, such as the path from the terminal device to the satellite. Correspondingly, downlink path loss refers to the signal loss along the downlink path, such as the path from the satellite to the terminal device.

[0104] 2) Coherent joint transmission (CJT): refers to the joint beamforming of multiple antennas, in which the emitted signals can be superimposed in the same direction to obtain higher beamforming gain.

[0105] In a TN network, multiple base stations can perform coherent joint transmission. For example, two base stations can send the same data to the user equipment (UE) via downlink multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO). Through beamforming, the signals from the two base stations can be coherently superimposed or coherently combined at the UE side, improving the signal-to-noise ratio of the received signal and thus obtaining coherent gain or array gain.

[0106] In NTN networks, multiple satellites can perform coherent joint transmission. For example, two satellites can send the same data to the UE via downlink MIMO. Through beamforming, the signals from the two satellites can be coherently superimposed or coherently combined at the UE side, improving the signal-to-noise ratio of the receiver signal and thus obtaining coherent gain or array gain.

[0107] It is understood that in specific applications, coherent joint transmission can also be replaced by joint transmission, related joint transmission, related joint transmission or other names, and this application does not impose any restrictions.

[0108] 3) Estimation accuracy: This refers to the accuracy of parameter estimation. For example, estimation accuracy can be the degree of difference between the estimated value and the true value of a parameter. The closer the estimated value is to the true value, the higher the estimation accuracy; the greater the difference between the estimated value and the true value, the lower the estimation accuracy. The parameters involved in the estimation values ​​in the embodiments of this application include, for example, frequency offset, time offset, and phase offset.

[0109] 4) In the embodiments of this application, the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, refers to "singular nouns or plural nouns," that is, "one or more." "At least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B means: A or B. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c means: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0110] The ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish multiple objects, and are not used to limit the size, content, order, timing, priority, or importance of the multiple objects. Furthermore, the numbering of steps in the various embodiments described in this application is only to distinguish different steps and is not used to limit the order in which the steps are performed.

[0111] The following describes the technical features involved in the embodiments of this application.

[0112] The 5G New Radio (NR) standard was designed specifically for terrestrial communication, offering high-speed, highly reliable, and low-latency communication for user terminals. In contrast, non-terrestrial networks (NTN) communication offer advantages such as large coverage areas and flexible network deployment. Current research on NTN communication technologies and standards aims to integrate air, space, and ground communication into a unified communication network.

[0113] NTN communication involves networking using equipment such as drones, high-altitude platform stations (HAPS), and satellites to provide UEs with services such as data transmission and voice communication. High-altitude platform stations (HAPS) are typically located at an altitude of 8–50 km above the ground. Based on satellite orbital altitude, satellite communication systems can be divided into three types: geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite communication systems (also known as synchronous orbit satellite systems); medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite communication systems; and low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication systems. GEO satellites orbit at an altitude of 35,786 km, and their main advantages are that they remain relatively stationary compared to the ground and provide a large coverage area. However, GEO satellite communication also has significant drawbacks: 1) GEO satellites are located far from Earth, resulting in high free-space propagation loss and tight communication link budgets. Larger aperture antennas are needed to increase transmit / receive gain; 2) Communication transmission delays are high, reaching around 500ms round-trip time, which cannot meet the needs of real-time services; 3) GEO orbital resources are relatively scarce, launch costs are high, and coverage to the polar regions is not available. MEO satellites orbit at altitudes between 2000 and 35786 km. Their advantage is that global coverage can be achieved with a relatively small number of satellites, but their orbital altitude is higher than LEO, resulting in significantly higher transmission delays. Considering the advantages and disadvantages of MEO satellite communication, it is primarily used for positioning and navigation. LEO satellites orbit at altitudes between 300 and 2000 km. LEO satellites orbit at lower altitudes than MEO and GEO, offering advantages such as lower data propagation delays, lower transmission loss, and relatively lower launch costs. Therefore, LEO satellite communication has also gained widespread attention in recent years. In addition, satellite equipment is limited by manufacturing and launch costs, and its onboard data processing capabilities and transmission power are restricted. Satellite communication networks cannot provide UEs with communication rates comparable to those of terrestrial communication networks.

[0114] The direct connection between the UE and the satellite adopts a single-satellite technology approach, meaning that only one satellite provides service to the UE at any given time. However, using a single satellite for direct mobile phone connection presents significant challenges, especially given the limited budget for the downlink (DL) link (the link from the satellite to the UE), which requires substantial improvement.

[0115] One way to improve link budget is to reduce the frequency, such as switching the satellite's operating frequency from the Ka band to the L band or S band. However, this method results in low spectrum resource utilization. Furthermore, the bandwidth in the L band or S band is typically smaller; for example, the bandwidth of the Ka band can reach 200MHz, while in the L band or S band, the bandwidth may only be around 10MHz. Therefore, for the same spectral efficiency, the throughput of the L band or S band is lower.

[0116] Another way to improve link budget is to increase the satellite's payload capacity, such as by making the satellite's antenna array larger and increasing beam gain. However, this approach leads to increased satellite payload weight, higher power consumption, and higher hardware costs.

[0117] To overcome this limitation and improve the overall signal processing capability and communication throughput of satellite networks, multi-satellite collaborative transmission can be considered to compensate for the limitations of a single satellite's communication capacity. For example, multiple satellites can be used for coherent joint downlink transmission to the UE, which can increase the equivalent aperture and improve the downlink budget.

[0118] Using multiple satellites for downlink coherent joint transmission to the UE requires ensuring that each satellite is synchronized with the UE (synchronization includes, but is not limited to, at least one of time synchronization, frequency synchronization, and phase synchronization). Therefore, the UE needs to estimate and report the offset between the signal received by the UE and the signal transmitted by the satellite (e.g., at least one of frequency offset, time offset, and phase offset). This allows each satellite to pre-compensate the downlink signal based on the offset before transmitting. Frequency offset is also known as frequency deviation, time offset, etc., time offset is also known as time offset, time deviation, etc., and phase offset is also known as phase offset, phase deviation, etc.

[0119] However, there is no clear solution yet for how the UE should provide feedback on the offset in the NTN system.

[0120] Although coherent joint transmission schemes exist in TN systems, such as using multiple base stations for coherent joint transmission for the same UE, the significant difference in SNR between NTN and TN systems means that TN coherent joint transmission cannot be directly applied to NTN systems. Taking the 2GHz band as an example, for TN systems, the path loss between the base station and the user at the cell edge is ~118dB at a cell radius of 10km; while for NTN systems, at an orbital altitude of 600km, the path loss at the nadir is ~154dB. Therefore, the path loss difference is over 30dB. In NTN systems, the signal-to-noise ratio is low, resulting in poor offset estimation accuracy, which becomes a major factor limiting coherent joint transmission in NTN systems.

[0121] Taking frequency offset estimation as an example:

[0122] Referring to Figure 1, in a TN system, frequency offset estimation is performed using 4 columns of CSI-RS. The estimation accuracy can reach 0.04% of the subcarrier spacing (SCS) residual frequency offset (the residual frequency offset is the difference between the estimated and actual frequency offset) when SNR = 15dB. However, at low SNR, such as SNR = -10dB, the residual frequency offset is as high as 0.2%. Such frequency offset estimation accuracy is insufficient for coherent transmission in an NTN system, especially at higher SCS levels. For example, at SCS = 120kHz, a 0.1% SCS residual frequency offset corresponds to a 120Hz residual frequency offset. With a feedback delay of 10ms, the behavioral offset caused by the frequency offset is 432 degrees, making coherent joint transmission impossible.

[0123] To improve frequency offset estimation performance, receiver design is required. For example, a repetition method can be used, where multiple reference signals are received and superimposed to improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), ultimately enhancing frequency offset estimation performance. Another approach is to use a phase-locked loop (PLL) method with a lower loop bandwidth to further improve SNR and frequency offset estimation performance. Figure 2 shows simulation results of these two methods for frequency offset estimation. The performance of frequency offset estimation over 1000 iterations at an SNR of -10dB in Figure 2 shows that the PLL algorithm performs better, achieving an SNR on the order of 1e-6, which meets the transmission requirements of CJT. The repetition algorithm performs worse, achieving an SNR on the order of 1e-4, which fails to meet the CJT transmission requirements. Therefore, it can be concluded that different receiver algorithms exhibit significant differences in frequency offset estimation performance.

[0124] For NTN systems, the SNR is relatively low, making them more sensitive to receiver performance. A good receiver can provide accurate frequency offset estimates, and the network side can perform pre-compensation based on these estimates, ultimately achieving coherent joint transmission and improving system performance. Conversely, if the receiver is unreliable and the reported frequency offset estimates are inaccurate, the coherent joint transmission performance after network-side pre-compensation may be poor, even worse than that of a single satellite, resulting in a net loss.

[0125] In view of this, the technical solution of the embodiments of this application is provided, which clarifies how the UE reports parameters to the network side in the NTN system to assist the network side in performing coherent joint transmission scheduling, so as to ensure that the coherent joint transmission configured by the network side for the UE can obtain performance gains, and avoid the network side configuring measurement events related to coherent joint transmission for UEs that cannot obtain performance gains, thereby causing problems such as waste of air interface resources and interference.

[0126] The following describes the application scenarios of the embodiments of this application.

[0127] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as the 4th generation (4G) mobile communication technology system, such as the Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, or the 5th generation (5G) mobile communication technology system, such as the New Radio (NR) system, or future mobile communication systems or other similar communication systems, or existing satellite mobile communication technology systems, without any specific limitations.

[0128] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to NTN or TN networks, such as terrestrial cellular networks. For example, they can be applied to scenarios with downlink transmission. Furthermore, the technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to D2D scenarios, such as NR-D2D scenarios, or V2X scenarios, such as NR-V2X scenarios. For example, these embodiments can be used in fields such as factory manufacturing, smart homes, intelligent driving, assisted driving, intelligent connected vehicles, or indoor commercial scenarios.

[0129] Figure 3A exemplarily illustrates an architecture diagram of a communication system 1000 applicable to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 3A, the communication system includes a wireless access network 100 and a core network 200. Optionally, the communication system 1000 may also include an Internet 300. The wireless access network 100 may include at least one wireless access network device (110a and 110b in Figure 3A) and at least one terminal device (120a-120j in Figure 3A). The terminal device is wirelessly connected to the wireless access network device, and the wireless access network device is wirelessly or wiredly connected to the core network. The core network device and the wireless access network device may be independent and different physical devices, or the functions of the core network device and the logical functions of the wireless access network device may be integrated on the same physical device, or a single physical device may integrate some of the functions of the core network device and some of the functions of the wireless access network device. Terminal devices and wireless access network devices may be interconnected via wired or wireless means. Figure 3A is just a schematic diagram. The communication system may also include other network devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices, which are not shown in Figure 3A.

[0130] The network devices involved in the embodiments of this application include, for example, radio access network (RAN) devices. RAN devices can be base stations, evolved NodeBs (eNodeBs), transmission reception points (TRPs), transmission points (TPs), base stations in 5th generation (5G) mobile communication systems, base stations in future mobile communication systems, or access nodes in WiFi systems; they can also be modules or units that perform some of the functions of a base station, for example, they can be central units (CUs), distributed units (DUs), or radio units (RUs). The CU (Radio Control Unit) performs the functions of the radio resource control protocol and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) of the base station, and can also perform the functions of the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP). The DU (Radio Link Control Unit) performs the functions of the radio link control layer and medium access control (MAC) layer of the base station, and can also perform some or all of the physical layer functions. For specific descriptions of the above-mentioned protocol layers, please refer to the relevant technical specifications of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The CU and DU can be set up separately, or they can be included in the same network element, such as in the baseband unit (BBU). The RU (Radio Receiver Unit) can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as in the remote radio unit (RRU), active antenna unit (AAU), or remote radio head (RRH). In different systems, CU, DU, or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an open radio access network (O-RAN) system, a CU can also be called an open CU (open-CU, O-CU), a DU can also be called an open DU (open-DU, O-DU), and a RU can also be called an open RU (open-RU, O-RU).In this application, any of the following units—CU (or CU control plane (CU-CP), CU user plane (CU-UP), DU, and RU)—can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules. CU-CP can also be called open-CU-CP (O-CU-CP), and CU-UP can also be called open-CU-UP (O-CU-UP).

[0131] Figure 3B exemplarily illustrates a schematic diagram of an O-RAN system architecture provided by an embodiment of this application. The O-RAN system in the embodiments provided by this application may include components other than those shown in Figure 3B. As shown in Figure 3B, the access network device (RAN, for example, may be an eNB, gNB, or access network device in a future mobile communication system) communicates with the core network (CN) via a backhaul link and with user equipment (UE) via an air interface. For example, the baseband unit (BBU) in the access network device communicates with the core network via a backhaul link, and the radio unit (RU) in the access network device 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. The BBU includes at least one control unit (CU) and at least one distributed unit (DU), which can communicate via at least one midhaul link. In this embodiment of the application, the first network device may send signaling to the terminal device (e.g., UE) for scheduling the first network device and / or auxiliary communication devices. The sending of these signaling messages may be carried out by the CU and / or DU in the first network device to the terminal device.

[0132] Figure 3C exemplarily illustrates a schematic diagram of an O-RAN system architecture provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 3C, O-RAN may include O-CU-CP, O-CU-UP, O-DU, and O-RU. This system architecture may also include an open cloud (O-cloud), a service management and orchestration framework, an open eNB (O-eNB), a near-real-time (RT) RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC), and a non-real-time RIC. The non-RT RIC can monitor, configure, manage, and control radio resources of at least one of multiple O-CU-CP, O-CU-UP, DU, or O-eNB. As shown in Figure 3C, the interfaces defined by 3GPP include, for example: E1, F1 (e.g., F1-c, F1-u), NG (e.g., NG-c, NG-u), Xn (e.g., Xn-c, Xn-u), and X2 (e.g., X2-c, X2-u). For example, O-RAN communication systems also include interfaces such as O1, O2, E2, A1, and Open Front Haul (FH) interfaces (e.g., Open-FH Control (M)-plane, and Open-FH Control, User and Synchronization (CUS)-plane). The names of the interfaces and the connection methods of the units shown in Figure 3C are an example; in practical applications, O-RAN systems may include more or fewer interfaces, or more or fewer units.

[0133] Wireless access network equipment can be a macro base station (as shown in Figure 3A, 110a), a micro base station or an indoor station (as shown in Figure 3A, 110b), or a relay node or donor node, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or equipment form used in the wireless access network equipment. For ease of description, the following description uses a base station as an example of wireless access network equipment.

[0134] Terminal devices can also be referred to as user equipment (UE), mobile stations, mobile terminal devices, etc. Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, etc. Terminal devices can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, roadside units (RSUs), etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technologies or device forms used in the terminal devices.

[0135] Base stations and terminal equipment can be fixed or mobile. They can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; on water; or in the air on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of the base stations and terminal equipment.

[0136] The roles of base stations and terminal devices can be relative. For example, the helicopter or drone 120i in Figure 3A can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminal devices 120j that access the wireless access network 100 through 120i, terminal device 120i is a base station; however, for base station 110a, 120i is a terminal device, meaning that 110a and 120i communicate via a wireless air interface protocol. Of course, 110a and 120i can also communicate via a base station-to-base station interface protocol. In this case, relative to 110a, 120i is also a base station. Therefore, both base stations and terminal devices can be collectively referred to as communication devices. 110a and 110b in Figure 3A can be called communication devices with base station functions, and 120a-120j in Figure 3A can be called communication devices with terminal device functions.

[0137] Communication between base stations and terminal devices, between base stations, and between terminal devices can be conducted using licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or both simultaneously. Communication can be conducted using spectrum below 6 GHz, spectrum above 6 GHz, or both simultaneously. The embodiments of this application do not limit the spectrum resources used for wireless communication.

[0138] In the embodiments of this application, the functions of the base station can be executed by modules (such as chips) within the base station, or by a control subsystem that includes base station functions. This control subsystem, including base station functions, can be a control center in the aforementioned application scenarios such as smart grids, industrial control, intelligent transportation, and smart cities. Similarly, the functions of the terminal device can be executed by modules (such as chips or modems) within the terminal device, or by a device that includes terminal device functions.

[0139] The core network involved in this application embodiment may include network devices that process and forward user signaling and data. For example, it includes core network devices such as access and mobility management functions (AMF), session management functions (SMF), user plane gateways, and location management devices. The user plane gateway can be a server with functions such as mobility management, routing, and forwarding of user plane data, generally located on the network side, such as a serving gateway (SGW), packet data network gateway (PGW), or user plane function (UPF). AMF and SMF are equivalent to the mobility management entity (MME) in a long-term evolution (LTE) system. AMF is mainly responsible for admission aspects, and SMF is mainly responsible for session management. Of course, the core network may also include other network elements, which are not listed here.

[0140] Figures 3A, 3B, and 3C are only schematic diagrams. This wireless communication system may also include other devices, such as core network devices, wireless relay devices, and / or wireless backhaul devices, which are not all shown in the figures.

[0141] Figure 3D exemplarily illustrates a schematic diagram of the architecture of a satellite communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application. In this scenario, network equipment includes satellites and gateways (also referred to as ground stations, earth stations, signaling stations, or gateways). User terminals include IoT terminals, but can also be terminals of other forms and capabilities, such as mobile phones, high-altitude aircraft, etc., without limitation here. The link between the satellite and the user terminal is called a service link, and the link between the satellite and the gateway station is called a feeder link.

[0142] Satellites can be highly elliptical orbit (HEO), GEO, medium Earth orbit (MEO), or low-earth orbit (LEO).

[0143] Satellites can communicate wirelessly with terminals via broadcast communication signals and navigation signals. Optionally, each satellite can provide communication, navigation, and positioning services to terminal devices through multiple beams. For example, each satellite uses multiple beams to cover the service area, and the relationship between different beams can be one or more of time-division, frequency-division, and space-division.

[0144] A gateway is a network device used to connect satellites and ground-based network equipment (such as ground base stations). One or more satellites can connect to one or more ground-based network devices (such as ground base stations) through one or more gateways; this is not a limitation. The link between a satellite and a terminal is called a service link, and the link between a satellite and a gateway is called a feeder link. Network equipment can be deployed separately from gateways; therefore, the latency of the feeder link can include both the latency from the satellite to the gateway and the latency from the gateway to the network equipment.

[0145] The embodiments of this application do not limit the working mode of the satellite. For example, the working mode of the satellite can be transparent mode or regenerative mode.

[0146] Figure 3E is a schematic diagram of the transparent transmission mode: The satellite acts as an analog radio frequency repeater, with relay forwarding functions. It can perform wireless frequency conversion and amplification, and can transparently transmit or copy signals between the base station and the terminal equipment. For example, signals sent by the terminal equipment can be transparently transmitted through the satellite, and the gateway forwards them to the ground base station. The gateway has some or all of the functions of the base station, and in this case, the gateway can be regarded as the base station. It can be considered that the gateway and the base station can be deployed together or separately. If the gateway and the base station are deployed separately, then the delay of the feeder link includes the delay from the satellite to the gateway and the delay from the gateway to the base station.

[0147] Figure 3F illustrates the regeneration mode: The satellite acts as a base station for wireless communication, possessing some or all of the functions of a base station. It regenerates signals received from the ground and can understand and process these signals. For example, the satellite can be a base station mounted on an artificial Earth satellite or a high-altitude aircraft; the base station could be an evolved NB (eNB) or a 5G base station (gNB). The gateway can forward signaling between the satellite (or base station) and the core network.

[0148] The embodiments of this application can also be applied to a converged communication system of NTN and terrestrial networks. Figures 3G and 3H exemplarily illustrate the converged network architecture of NTN and terrestrial networks. Figure 3G is illustrated using the satellite operating mode as a transparent transmission mode as an example, and Figure 3H is illustrated using the satellite operating mode as a regeneration mode as an example.

[0149] NTN and terrestrial network base stations can be interconnected through a shared core network. They can also achieve more timely assistance and interconnection through interfaces defined between base stations. In NR, the interface between base stations is called the Xn interface, and the interface between the base station and the core network is called the NG interface. In a converged network, both NTN nodes and terrestrial nodes can interoperate and collaborate using these interfaces.

[0150] The network devices in this application embodiment may include network devices deployed on satellites (such as satellite base stations), network devices deployed on gateways, or network devices deployed on the ground (such as ground base stations).

[0151] It is understandable that the satellites in Figures 3D and 3H can be replaced with other relay equipment, such as high altitude platform stations (HAPS) or other NTN equipment.

[0152] The embodiments of this application can also be applied to other communication system architectures, such as air-to-ground (ATG) communication systems. As an example, please refer to Figure 3I, which is a schematic diagram of the network architecture of another communication system to which the embodiments of this application are applicable. This communication system includes at least one network device and at least one high-altitude terminal device. The high-altitude terminal device includes, for example, high-altitude aircraft and onboard terminal devices. In this scenario, there will be high-speed relative motion between the transmitting and receiving ends.

[0153] It is understood that the network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0154] The method provided in the embodiments of this application is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0155] Please refer to Figure 4, which is a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This method is illustrated using a satellite communication scenario as an example. The execution entities of the method are, for example, a first communication device and a second communication device. It can be understood that the second communication device can be a network device (such as a satellite, gateway, or base station), or a component within the network device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the network device's functions. The first communication device can be a UE (User Equipment), or a component within the UE (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the UE's functions.

[0156] The method includes steps S401 to S403:

[0157] S401, the second communication device sends the first information, and the first communication device receives the second information.

[0158] The first information indicates the required accuracy of the offset estimation. The offset is the offset between the signal transmitted by the satellite and the signal received by the first communication device. The offset includes, but is not limited to, at least one of frequency offset, time offset, or phase offset.

[0159] In one possible implementation, the first information may be related to at least one of the following: satellite orbital altitude, offset feedback time interval, and maximum phase offset requirement for coherent joint transmission. For example, the second communication device may determine the first information based on at least one of the following: satellite orbital altitude, offset feedback time interval, or maximum phase offset requirement for coherent joint transmission.

[0160] As an example, when the feedback time interval of the offset and the maximum phase offset requirement of coherent joint transmission remain unchanged, the higher the satellite orbit, the higher the required accuracy of the offset estimation. As an example, when the satellite orbit altitude and the maximum phase offset requirement of coherent joint transmission remain unchanged, the smaller the feedback time interval of the offset, the higher the required accuracy of the offset estimation. As an example, when the satellite orbit altitude and the feedback time interval of the offset remain unchanged, the higher the maximum phase offset requirement of coherent joint transmission (i.e., the smaller the value of the maximum phase offset), the higher the required accuracy of the offset estimation, and so on.

[0161] In one possible implementation, the required accuracy of the offset estimation can be a threshold. The required accuracy is satisfied when the estimated accuracy of the offset reaches or exceeds the threshold.

[0162] For example, offsets include frequency offset, time offset, and phase offset. The required accuracy of offset estimation can include the estimation accuracy threshold for frequency offset (which can be represented by f_threshold), the estimation accuracy threshold for time offset (which can be represented by t_threshold), and the phase offset (which can be represented by p_threshold).

[0163] In one possible example, a higher estimation precision of the offset indicates a greater difference between the estimated value and the true value. For instance, estimation precision can be defined as: Δ = |α - β|, where α represents the estimated value of the offset, β represents the true value of the offset, and Δ represents the estimation precision. A higher estimation precision Δ results in a greater difference |α - β| between the estimated value and the true value. In this case, the estimation precision of the offset meets the estimation precision requirement if it does not reach or exceed the estimation precision threshold. Of course, Δ = |α - β| is only one possible example, and the actual implementation is not limited to this.

[0164] In another possible example, a higher estimation precision of the offset indicates a smaller difference between the estimated value and the true value. For instance, estimation precision can be defined as: Δ = 1 / |α - β|, where α represents the estimated value of the offset, β represents the true value of the offset, and Δ represents the estimation precision. A higher estimation precision Δ results in a smaller difference |α - β| between the estimated value and the true value. In this case, the estimation precision of the offset meets the estimation precision requirement when it reaches or exceeds the estimation precision threshold. Of course, Δ = 1 / |α - β| is only one possible example, and the actual implementation is not limited to this.

[0165] For ease of description, this article mainly uses the example that the greater the estimation accuracy of the offset, the smaller the difference between the estimated value and the true value.

[0166] In one possible implementation, the first information may include an estimation precision threshold for the offset, i.e., the value of the estimation precision threshold. For example, the first information may include f_threshold and t_threshold, thus directly indicating the estimation precision threshold of the offset.

[0167] In another possible implementation, the first information could include an index of the offset estimation precision threshold. This approach can reduce the amount of data in the first information.

[0168] For example, the offset estimation accuracy threshold and the index form a one-to-one mapping relationship. The second communication device determines the index according to the mapping relationship and instructs the second communication device through the first information.

[0169] When there are multiple offsets, each offset's estimation accuracy threshold has a separate index. The first information includes multiple indices, each indicating the estimation accuracy threshold of the multiple offsets, as shown in Table 1 or Table 2. Alternatively, when there are multiple offsets, the combination of the estimation accuracy thresholds of the multiple offsets and the indices form a one-to-one mapping relationship. The first information includes one index, indicating a combination of estimation accuracy thresholds, as shown in Table 3 or Table 4.

[0170] Table 1. Example of frequency offset index

[0171] Table 2 Example of Time Offset Index

[0172] Table 3. Index examples of combinations of frequency offset and time offset

[0173] Table 4. Index examples of combinations of frequency offset, time offset, and phase offset.

[0174] It is understandable that Tables 1 to 3 are merely examples of possible index formats, and are not limited to these in practice.

[0175] Optionally, the second communication device may also send a first message to the first communication device to indicate a mapping relationship; the first communication device determines the mapping relationship based on the first message, thereby the first communication device can determine the estimation accuracy threshold of the offset based on the mapping relationship and the index in the first information after receiving the first information. The first message may be a system information block (SIB) message, a radio resource control (RRC) message, etc., without limitation.

[0176] S402, the first communication device sends the second information according to the first information, and the second communication device receives the second information.

[0177] The second information indicates the signal quality parameter requirements (which can be simply referred to as signal quality requirements) corresponding to the required accuracy of the offset estimation. The required signal quality parameter requirements corresponding to the required accuracy of the offset estimation can be understood as the minimum signal quality requirements that enable the first communication device to achieve the required accuracy in estimating the offset.

[0178] Signal quality parameters include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: signal to interference plus noise ratio (SNR), signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR), reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), or received signal strength indicator (RSSI).

[0179] In one specific implementation, the second information is related to the capabilities of the first communication device. For example, the first communication device can determine the second information based on its own capabilities and the first information. The capabilities of the first communication device include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: the processing technology (e.g., the algorithm used) employed by the receiver of the first communication device, and the processing power of the receiver. In some embodiments, the receiver's processing power may be related to the processing technology used by the receiver; therefore, in some scenarios, the receiver's processing power and the processing technology used by the receiver can be interchanged. Optionally, the capabilities of the first communication device may also include the hardware configuration of the receiver of the first communication device, such as antenna size and number of antennas.

[0180] Taking frequency offset as an example, the frequency offset estimation performance varies significantly depending on the receiver algorithm (such as the PLL algorithm, the Repetition algorithm, etc.). If the receiver of the first communication device is powerful (e.g., using the PLL algorithm), it can obtain a relatively accurate frequency offset estimation result even in environments with poor signal quality, thus the signal quality parameter requirements can be lower. Conversely, if the receiver of the first communication device is less powerful (e.g., using the Repetition algorithm), it needs to be in an environment with high signal quality to obtain a relatively accurate frequency offset estimation result, thus the signal quality parameter requirements can be higher. Therefore, the signal quality parameter requirements determined based on the required accuracy of the offset estimation can differ depending on the capabilities of the first communication device.

[0181] When there are multiple offsets, the second information can indicate the signal quality parameter requirements corresponding to the estimation accuracy requirements of each offset. For example, the second information may include the SNR threshold corresponding to the estimation accuracy threshold of the frequency offset, the SNR threshold corresponding to the estimation accuracy threshold of the time offset, and the SNR threshold corresponding to the estimation accuracy threshold of the phase offset. In this way, the signal quality parameter requirements corresponding to the estimation accuracy requirements of each offset can be indicated separately.

[0182] Alternatively, when there are multiple offsets, the second information can indicate the maximum value among the signal quality parameters corresponding to the estimation accuracy requirements of the multiple offsets. For example, among the SNR thresholds corresponding to the estimation accuracy thresholds of frequency offset, time offset, and phase offset, the SNR threshold corresponding to the estimation accuracy threshold of frequency offset is the largest. In this case, the second information can only include the SNR threshold corresponding to the estimation accuracy threshold of frequency offset. This allows for a unified indication of the signal quality parameter requirements corresponding to the estimation accuracy requirements of multiple offsets, reducing the data volume of the second information.

[0183] S403, the second communication device determines the set of satellites serving the first communication device based on the second information; and / or determines whether to perform coherent joint transmission scheduling on the first communication device based on the second information.

[0184] The satellite set is used to perform coherent joint transmission, that is, the satellites in the satellite set are used to perform coherent joint transmission to the first communication device.

[0185] The second communication device determines the set of satellites serving the first communication device based on the second information. Specifically, the second communication device determines the satellites serving the first communication device based on the second information, and the set of these satellites is the set of satellites serving the first communication device.

[0186] In practice, the satellite ensemble is also related to at least one of the following:

[0187] 1) Obstruction loss parameters between multiple candidate satellites and the first communication device (specifically, for example, obstruction map between candidate satellites and the first communication device, or obstruction loss map between candidate satellites and the first communication device, or elevation map between candidate satellites and the first communication device, etc.), and the satellite set is a subset of multiple candidate satellites;

[0188] 2) The location of the first communication device (e.g., the location of the global navigation satellite system (GNSS));

[0189] 3) Ephemeris positions of multiple candidate satellites.

[0190] The satellite set is a subset of multiple candidate satellites.

[0191] The second communication device can determine the set of satellites serving the first communication device and / or determine whether to perform coherent joint transmission scheduling for the first communication device based on the second information and one or more of the above information.

[0192] For example, if the signal quality requirement reported by the first communication device is SNR = 10dB, the second communication device, based on the GNSS position, elevation map (including obstruction information), and ephemeris position of candidate satellite A reported by the first communication device, can estimate the link budget between candidate satellite A and the first communication device, determining its SNR to be 12dB, which is above 10dB. Therefore, candidate satellite A can serve the first communication device, or it can be configured as a coherent joint transmission device for the first communication device, or the first communication device can be an optional terminal device for candidate satellite A. The same method can be used to determine the quality of other candidate satellites. All the satellites ultimately determined to serve the first communication device constitute the satellite set serving the first communication device.

[0193] The second communication device determines whether to perform coherent joint transmission scheduling on the first communication device based on the second information. Specifically, the second communication device may determine the satellites serving the first communication device based on the second information. If the number of these satellites is greater than 1, coherent joint transmission scheduling may be performed on the first communication device; otherwise, coherent joint transmission scheduling may not be performed on the first communication device. Alternatively, the second communication device may determine the set of satellites serving the first communication device based on the second information. If the number of satellites in the set is greater than 1, coherent joint transmission scheduling may be performed on the first communication device; otherwise, coherent joint transmission scheduling may not be performed on the first communication device.

[0194] In one possible scenario, if the number of satellites serving the first communication device exceeds one, coherent joint transmission scheduling can be performed on the first communication device. For example, at least two satellites can perform coherent joint transmission to the first communication device. For instance, the second communication device controls at least two satellites to transmit reference signals; the first communication device receives and measures the reference signals from the at least two satellites, obtaining an estimated offset for each of the at least two satellites; the first communication device transmits the estimated offset for each of the at least two satellites, and the second communication device receives the estimated offset for each of the at least two satellites, controlling each satellite to compensate for the downlink signal based on the estimated offset for each of the at least two satellites. Alternatively, the first communication device can directly send the offset corresponding to each satellite to each satellite, and each satellite, after receiving its own offset, compensates for the downlink signal based on that offset.

[0195] In one possible scenario, the number of satellites serving the first communication device is 0, making coherent joint transmission impossible. Therefore, coherent joint transmission scheduling for the first communication device can be omitted.

[0196] In one possible scenario, if only one satellite serves the first communication device, coherent joint transmission is not possible, and coherent joint transmission scheduling for the first communication device can be omitted. Optionally, the second communication device can schedule a single satellite to provide ordinary transmission services to the first communication device (i.e., single-satellite transmission). For example, the second communication device controls the satellite to transmit a reference signal; the first communication device receives and measures the reference signal from the satellite to obtain an estimated value of the satellite's offset; the first communication device transmits the estimated value of the satellite's offset, and the second communication device receives the estimated value of the satellite's offset and controls the satellite to compensate for downlink signals based on the estimated value of the satellite's offset.

[0197] In one possible scenario, the number of satellites serving the first communication device is 1. One satellite cannot achieve coherent joint transmission. In this case, the second communication device can send new first information, indicating the new estimation accuracy requirement of the offset (the new estimation accuracy requirement of the offset can be lower than the old estimation accuracy requirement of the offset), triggering the first communication device to report new second information. Based on the new second information, a new satellite set is determined. If the new satellite set includes multiple satellites, then coherent joint transmission can be performed on the first communication device.

[0198] It can be understood that coherent joint transmission scheduling is only performed on the first communication device when the number of satellites in the satellite set of the first communication device is greater than 1; or, when the second communication device performs coherent joint transmission scheduling on the first communication device, it needs to determine multiple satellites serving the first communication device (i.e., determine a satellite set). Therefore, the second communication device determining the satellite set serving the first communication device based on the second information, and the second communication device determining whether to perform coherent joint transmission scheduling on the first communication device based on the second information, can also be understood as two different perspectives.

[0199] In the above scheme, the required signal quality parameters corresponding to the estimated accuracy of the offset reported by the first communication device are related to the capabilities of the first communication device. This allows the second communication device to determine whether to perform coherent joint transmission scheduling for the first communication device based on the required signal quality parameters. This avoids configuring measurement events related to coherent joint transmission for the first communication device in scenarios where performance gains cannot be obtained from coherent joint transmission scheduling, thereby saving air interface resources and avoiding interference. Alternatively, the second communication device can determine the set of satellites that provide coherent joint transmission services to the first communication device based on the required signal quality parameters, ensuring that the coherent joint transmission configured by the first communication device can obtain performance gains.

[0200] Please refer to Figure 5, which is a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This method is illustrated using a satellite communication scenario. The execution entities of the method are, for example, a first communication device and a second communication device. It can be understood that the second communication device can be a network device (such as a satellite, gateway, or base station), or a component within the network device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the network device's functions. The first communication device can be a UE, or a component within the UE (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the UE's functions.

[0201] The method includes steps S501 to S503:

[0202] S501, the first communication device acquires an estimated value of the offset and the confidence level of the estimated value.

[0203] The offset is the offset between the signal transmitted by the satellite and the signal received by the first communication device. The offset may include at least one of frequency offset, time offset, or phase offset.

[0204] Confidence level, also known as confidence probability or other names, indicates the reliability of an estimated value (e.g., higher confidence level means higher reliability, and vice versa). The confidence level of an estimated value can also indicate the accuracy of the first communication device's estimation of the offset. For example, higher estimation accuracy results in higher confidence, and lower estimation accuracy results in lower confidence. Therefore, in some scenarios, confidence level can be used interchangeably with estimation accuracy.

[0205] In one possible implementation, the confidence level of the offset estimate can be related to the signal reception quality of the first communication device. For example, when the signal reception quality of the first communication device is poor, the accuracy of the offset estimate obtained by the first communication device is low (i.e., the difference from the true value of the offset is large, and the confidence level of the estimate is low); when the signal reception quality of the first communication device is good, the accuracy of the offset estimate obtained by the first communication device is high (i.e., the difference from the true value of the offset is small), and the confidence level of the estimate is high. Therefore, the first communication device can determine the confidence level of the estimate based on the signal reception quality. In a specific implementation, the signal reception quality can be represented by at least one of SNR, SINR, RSRP, RSRQ, or RSSI.

[0206] In one possible example, the confidence level of the estimate is a confidence range. For instance, the confidence range from 0 to 1 can be divided into several levels, such as 0-0.2 for level 1, 0.2-0.4 for level 2, 0.4-0.6 for level 3, and so on. The confidence level of the estimate can be one of these levels.

[0207] It is understood that in S501, the first communication device can obtain the estimated value of the offset corresponding to a satellite and the confidence level of the estimated value, or it can obtain the estimated value of the offset corresponding to each satellite among multiple satellites and the confidence level of the estimated value of the offset corresponding to each satellite, without limitation.

[0208] In a specific implementation, the first communication device obtains an estimated value of the offset corresponding to a certain satellite. For example, the first communication device receives and measures the reference signal from the satellite to obtain an estimated value of the offset corresponding to the satellite.

[0209] In a specific implementation, the first communication device obtains the confidence level of the estimated value. For example, the first communication device determines the confidence level of the estimated offset value based on the signal reception quality and / or the capabilities of the first communication device. The capabilities of the first communication device include, but are not limited to, the processing technology used by the receiver of the first communication device and the processing power of the receiver. Optionally, the capabilities of the first communication device may also include the hardware configuration of the receiver, such as antenna size and number.

[0210] S502, the first communication device sends the third information, and the second communication device receives the third information.

[0211] The third piece of information includes at least one of the estimated value and the confidence level. Two possible implementation methods are described below:

[0212] Implementation Method 1: The third information includes the estimated value and confidence level. In this implementation method, the reporting logic of the first communication device is simple.

[0213] Implementation Method 2: The first communication device determines the content to be reported to the second communication device based on the range of confidence level values.

[0214] For example, the confidence level is in a first range, and the third information includes the confidence level; and / or, the confidence level is in a second range, and the third information includes the estimated value.

[0215] Specifically, the first range can be a range with relatively low values, and the second range can be a range with relatively high values. When the confidence level is in the first range, the estimated value is unreliable, and the second communication device does not need to refer to the estimated value to determine the set of satellites serving the first communication device and / or whether to perform coherent joint transmission scheduling for the first communication device; therefore, it is unnecessary to report the estimated value. When the confidence level is in the second range, the estimated value is relatively reliable, and the second communication device can refer to the estimated value to determine the set of satellites serving the first communication device and / or whether to perform coherent joint transmission scheduling for the first communication device; therefore, the estimated value can be reported. For example, the first range is the range less than a first value, and the second range is the range greater than the first value. In some embodiments, the first value can be called a confidence threshold.

[0216] Optionally, the first range and the second range can be indicated or configured to the first communication device by the second communication device. For example, the second communication device can send first indication information, the first communication device can receive the first indication information, and the first communication device can determine the first range and / or the second range based on the first indication information. For example, the first range is a range less than a first value, and the second range is a range greater than the first value. The first indication information can indicate the first value.

[0217] This implementation method can reduce the amount of third-party information and save uplink signaling overhead.

[0218] It is understood that the third information may include an estimated value of the offset corresponding to a satellite and the confidence level of that estimated value, as well as an estimated value of the offset corresponding to each of the multiple satellites and the confidence level of the estimated value of the offset corresponding to each satellite. Alternatively, the first communication device may send multiple pieces of information to carry the estimated values ​​and confidence levels of the offsets corresponding to different satellites, without limitation.

[0219] S503, the second communication device uses the third information to determine the set of satellites serving the first communication device; and / or, uses the third information to determine whether to perform coherent joint transmission scheduling for the first communication device.

[0220] The satellite array is used to perform coherent joint transmission, meaning that the satellites in the satellite array can perform coherent joint transmission to the first communication device.

[0221] It is understandable that when the number of satellites in the satellite set of the first communication device is 0 or 1, coherent joint transmission scheduling may not be performed on the first communication device; when the number of satellites in the satellite set of the first communication device is greater than 1, coherent joint transmission scheduling may be performed on the first communication device. Alternatively, when the second communication device performs coherent joint transmission scheduling on the first communication device, it needs to determine multiple satellites serving the first communication device (i.e., determine a satellite set). Therefore, the second communication device determining the satellite set serving the first communication device based on the third information, and the second communication device determining whether to perform coherent joint transmission scheduling on the first communication device based on the third information, can also be understood as two different perspectives.

[0222] In one specific implementation, if the confidence level of the estimated offset is within a third range, it is determined that coherent joint transmission scheduling will not be performed on the first communication device, and / or, the satellite set is determined to be an empty set. If the confidence level of the estimated offset is within a fourth range, it is determined that coherent joint transmission scheduling will be performed on the first communication device, and / or, the satellite corresponding to the offset is determined to serve the first communication device. All satellites whose estimated offsets are within the fourth range constitute the satellite set serving the first communication device.

[0223] Specifically, the third range can be a range with relatively low values, and the fourth range can be a range with relatively high values. When the confidence level is in the third range, the estimated value is unreliable, and the second communication device does not perform coherent joint transmission scheduling for the first communication device; when the confidence level is in the fourth range, the estimated value is relatively reliable, and the second communication device can refer to the estimated value to determine the set of satellites serving the first communication device. For example, the third range is the range less than the second value, and the fourth range is the range greater than the second value. It can be understood that if S502 adopts implementation mode 2, and the first range is the range less than the first value, and the second range is the range greater than the first value, then the second value here can be equal to the first value.

[0224] Taking the above implementation method 1 as an example: the third information includes the estimated value and the confidence level. If the confidence level is within the third range, then no coherent joint transmission scheduling is performed on the first communication device, and the satellite set is an empty set; if the confidence level is within the fourth range, then coherent joint transmission scheduling can be performed on the first communication device, and the satellite set is not an empty set.

[0225] Taking the above implementation method 2 as an example: if the third information includes confidence level, no coherent joint transmission scheduling is performed on the first communication device, and the satellite set is an empty set; if the third information includes estimated value, then coherent joint transmission scheduling can be performed on the first communication device, and the satellite set is not an empty set.

[0226] For the specific process of coherent joint transmission scheduling for the first communication device, please refer to the relevant example in S403 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0227] In the above scheme, the first communication device reports the third information, which enables the second communication device to determine whether to perform coherent joint transmission scheduling for the first communication device based on the third information. This avoids configuring measurement events related to coherent joint transmission for the first communication device in scenarios where performance gains cannot be obtained from coherent joint transmission scheduling, thereby saving air interface resources and avoiding interference. Alternatively, the second communication device can determine the set of satellites that provide coherent joint transmission services to the first communication device based on the third information, ensuring that the coherent joint transmission configured by the first communication device can obtain performance gains.

[0228] Please refer to Figure 6, which is a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This method is illustrated using a satellite communication scenario as an example. The execution entities of the method are, for example, a first communication device and a second communication device. It can be understood that the second communication device can be a network device (such as a satellite, gateway, or base station), or a component within the network device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the network device's functions. The first communication device can be a UE (User Equipment), or a component within the UE (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the UE's functions.

[0229] The method includes steps S601 to S603:

[0230] S601, The first communication device determines the spatial range.

[0231] Wherein, the antenna gain of the first communication device within this spatial range is within the fifth range. The first communication device determines the spatial range by: determining a spatial range in which the antenna gain of the first communication device exceeds a threshold.

[0232] In one possible implementation, a radiation pattern can be used to illustrate the distribution of the antenna gain of the first communication device. The radiation pattern can include rectangular coordinate radiation patterns, polar coordinate radiation patterns, or three-dimensional radiation patterns, etc., without limitation.

[0233] Referring to Figures 7A and 7B, the antenna gain distribution of the first UE and the second UE in the same area is shown, respectively. As can be seen from Figures 7A and 7B, the spatial range within which the antenna gain falls within the fifth range differs for different UEs (including differences in size and location). For the first UE, the spatial range within the fifth range is relatively large, potentially covering more satellites and supporting multi-satellite coherent joint transmission. For the second UE, the spatial range within the fifth range is relatively small, potentially failing to cover many satellites and only allowing alignment with one satellite, thus not supporting multi-satellite coherent joint transmission. Therefore, the first communication device can assist the network side in determining whether multi-satellite coherent joint transmission can be performed on the first communication device by reporting the spatial range of its antenna gain within the fifth range (as shown in S602).

[0234] S602, the first communication device sends the fourth information, and the second communication device receives the fourth information.

[0235] The fourth piece of information indicates the spatial range of the antenna gain within the fifth range.

[0236] In one possible implementation, the fourth information may include radiation pattern information corresponding to the spatial range of antenna gain within the fifth range.

[0237] In practice, to protect the location privacy of the first communication device, the fourth information can indicate a relatively rough spatial range.

[0238] As a concrete example, the fourth piece of information includes the angle values ​​α1, α2, α3, and α4. The spatial range is: the azimuth angle (denoted by phi_LCS) from α1 to α2, and the elevation angle (denoted by theta_LCS) from α3 to α4. Specifically, for example, theta_LCS = 20°–80°, and phi_LCS = 70°–155°.

[0239] As a concrete example, the fourth information may include offset values ​​Δ1, Δ2, Δ3, and Δ4. The spatial range is the azimuth angle (α1'+Δ1) to (α2'+Δ2) and the elevation angle (α3'+Δ3) to (α4'+Δ4), where α1', α2', α3', and α4' are angular values. α1', α2', α3', and α4' are predefined, such as according to protocol specifications or network configuration, etc. For example, a second communication device can send second indication information, and a first communication device can receive the second indication information, which indicates α1', α2', α3', and α4'. The first communication device can then determine α1', α2', α3', and α4 based on the second indication information. This method can reduce the data volume of the fourth information and save signaling overhead.

[0240] For example, the second communication device can send down reference radiation pattern information. For example, the range of a reference radiation pattern is theta_LCS = 20° to 80° and phi_LCS = 70° to 155°. The first communication device can determine the offset values ​​from theta1 = 20°, theta2 = 80°, phi1 = 70°, and phi2 = 155° based on the radiation pattern information corresponding to the spatial range within the fifth range. For example, it can report theta1_offset = 5_LCS, theta_offset = 10_LCS, phi1_offset = -6_LCS, and phi2_offset = 15_LCS to reduce uplink signaling overhead.

[0241] S603, the second communication device determines the set of satellites serving the first communication device based on the fourth information; and / or determines whether to perform coherent joint transmission scheduling for the first communication device based on the fourth information.

[0242] The satellite array is used to perform coherent joint transmission, meaning that the satellites in the satellite array can perform coherent joint transmission to the first communication device.

[0243] It can be understood that when the number of satellites in the satellite set of the first communication device is 0 or 1, coherent joint transmission scheduling may not be performed on the first communication device; when the number of satellites in the satellite set of the first communication device is greater than 1, coherent joint transmission scheduling can be performed on the first communication device. Alternatively, when the second communication device performs coherent joint transmission scheduling on the first communication device, it needs to determine multiple satellites serving the first communication device (i.e., determine a satellite set). Therefore, the second communication device determining the satellite set serving the first communication device based on the fourth information, and the second communication device determining whether to perform coherent joint transmission scheduling on the first communication device based on the fourth information, can also be understood as two different perspectives.

[0244] In practice, the satellite set can be associated with the ephemeris positions of multiple candidate satellites, and the satellite set is a subset of these candidate satellites. For example, the second communication device calculates candidate satellites that can serve the first communication device based on the spatial range reported by the first communication device and the ephemeris positions of multiple candidate satellites. If the number of candidate satellites is 0 or 1, coherent joint transmission scheduling can be omitted for the first communication device. If the number of candidate satellites exceeds 1, these candidate satellites can be used as the satellite set to serve the first communication device, and the satellite set is used for coherent joint transmission to the first communication device.

[0245] In practice, different UEs located in the same area, accessing the same satellite constellation, may report different radiation patterns and use different sets of satellites for coherent joint transmission. The difference in satellite sets can manifest as a difference in the number of satellites or a difference in the specific satellites used. Regarding the difference in the number of satellites, it can be understood that a UE with a narrower radiation pattern may support a smaller set of satellites, while a user with a wider radiation pattern may support a larger set of satellites.

[0246] In the above scheme, the first communication device reports the fourth information, enabling the second communication device to know the antenna gain distribution of the first communication device. This allows the second communication device to determine whether to perform coherent joint transmission scheduling on the first communication device. This avoids configuring measurement events related to coherent joint transmission for the first communication device in scenarios where performance gains cannot be obtained by performing coherent joint transmission scheduling on the first communication device, thereby saving air interface resources and avoiding interference. Alternatively, the second communication device can determine the set of satellites that provide coherent joint transmission services to the first communication device based on the antenna gain distribution of the first communication device, ensuring that the coherent joint transmission configured by the first communication device can obtain performance gains.

[0247] It is understandable that the above methods are all based on satellite communication scenarios and are solutions proposed to address the need for coherent joint transmission of multiple satellites. In practical applications, these methods can be extended to other scenarios, such as coherent joint transmission of multiple base stations in terrestrial communication scenarios, or coherent joint transmission of multiple terminals in ATG scenarios. When extended to terrestrial communication scenarios, the aforementioned satellites can be replaced by base stations. When extended to ATG scenarios, the aforementioned satellites can be replaced by high-altitude terminal equipment.

[0248] It is understood that the above embodiments can be implemented individually or in combination, without limitation.

[0249] The methods provided by the embodiments of this application have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. The apparatus provided by the embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0250] Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 800 can be the first communication device or its circuit system described above, used to implement the method corresponding to the first communication device in the above method embodiments. Alternatively, the communication device 800 can be a second communication device or its circuit system, used to implement the method corresponding to the second communication device in the above method embodiments. For example, one type of circuit system is a chip system.

[0251] The communication device 800 includes at least one processor 801. The processor 801 can be used for internal processing within the device to implement certain control processing functions. Optionally, the processor 801 includes instructions. Optionally, the processor 801 can store data. Optionally, different processors can be independent devices, located in different physical locations, or located on different integrated circuits. Optionally, different processors can be integrated into one or more processors, for example, integrated on one or more integrated circuits.

[0252] Optionally, the communication device 800 includes one or more memories 803 for storing instructions. Optionally, the memories 803 may also store data. The processor and the memories may be separate or integrated together.

[0253] Optionally, the communication device 800 includes a communication line 802 and at least one communication interface 804. Since the memory 803, communication line 802, and communication interface 804 are all optional, they are all represented by dashed lines in Figure 8.

[0254] Optionally, the communication device 800 may further include a transceiver and / or an antenna. The transceiver can be used to send information to or receive information from other devices. The transceiver may be referred to as a transceiver unit, transceiver circuit, input / output interface, etc., and is used to realize the transmission and reception functions of the communication device 800 via the antenna. Optionally, the transceiver includes a transmitter and a receiver. For example, the transmitter can be used to generate a radio frequency (RF) signal from a baseband signal, and the receiver can be used to convert the RF signal back into a baseband signal.

[0255] The processor 801 may include a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of programs according to the present application.

[0256] Communication line 802 may include a path for transmitting information between the aforementioned components.

[0257] The communication interface 804 uses any transceiver-like device for communicating with other devices or communication networks, such as Ethernet, radio access network (RAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), wired access network, etc.

[0258] The memory 803 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device capable of storing static information and instructions, random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device capable of storing information and instructions, or electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible by a computer, but not limited thereto. The memory 803 may exist independently and be connected to the processor 801 via communication line 802. Alternatively, the memory 803 may be integrated with the processor 801.

[0259] The memory 803 stores computer execution instructions for implementing the scheme of this application, and its execution is controlled by the processor 801. The processor 801 executes the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 803, thereby implementing the steps performed by the first communication device and / or the second communication device in the above embodiments.

[0260] Optionally, the computer execution instructions in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as application code, and the embodiments of this application do not specifically limit this.

[0261] In a specific implementation, as one example, processor 801 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in FIG8.

[0262] In a specific implementation, as one embodiment, the communication device 800 may include multiple processors, such as processor 801 and processor 805 in FIG8. Each of these processors may be a single-core (single-CPU) processor or a multi-core (multi-CPU) processor. Here, a processor may refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores for processing data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0263] When the device shown in Figure 8 is a chip, such as the chip of the first communication device or the chip of the second communication device, the chip includes a processor 801 (and may also include a processor 805), a communication line 802, and a communication interface 804. Optionally, it may include a memory 803. Specifically, the communication interface 804 may be an input interface, pins, or circuits, etc. The memory 803 may be a register, cache, etc. The processor 801 and processor 805 may be a general-purpose CPU, microprocessor, ASIC, or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of a program that controls the communication method of any of the above embodiments.

[0264] This application embodiment can divide the device into functional modules according to the above method examples. For example, each function can be divided into its own functional modules, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated modules can be implemented in hardware or software functional modules. It should be noted that the module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, when dividing each functional module according to its own function, Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a communication device. This device 900 can be the first or second communication device involved in the above method embodiments, or it can be a chip in the first or second communication device. The device 900 includes a processing unit 902 and a transceiver unit 901.

[0265] It should be understood that the device 900 can be used to implement the steps performed by the first communication device above, and the relevant features can be referred to the embodiments shown in Figures 4 to 6 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0266] Optionally, the functions / implementation processes of the transceiver unit 901 and processing unit 902 in Figure 9 can be implemented by the processor 801 in Figure 8 calling computer execution instructions stored in memory 803. Alternatively, the functions / implementation processes of the processing unit 902 in Figure 9 can be implemented by the processor 801 in Figure 8 calling computer execution instructions stored in memory 803, and the functions / implementation processes of the transceiver unit 901 in Figure 9 can be implemented by the communication interface 804 in Figure 8.

[0267] Optionally, when the device 900 is a chip or circuit, the function / implementation process of the transceiver unit 901 can also be implemented through pins or circuits. Optionally, the transceiver unit 901 may include a transmitting unit and / or a receiving unit, whereby the transmitting unit implements the transmitting function and the receiving unit implements the receiving function; or, the transceiver unit 901 may be an integral module capable of implementing both transmitting and / or receiving functions. Optionally, the transceiver unit 901 can be implemented using a transceiver.

[0268] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed, implement the methods performed by the first or second communication device in the aforementioned method embodiments. Thus, the functions described in the above embodiments can be implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to it, or a part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0269] This application also provides a computer program product comprising: computer program code, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method executed by the first communication device or the second communication device in any of the foregoing method embodiments.

[0270] This application also provides a communication device, including a processor and an interface; the processor is used to execute the method executed by the first communication device or the second communication device involved in any of the above method embodiments.

[0271] 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. 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 medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., solid-state disk (SSD)).

[0272] The various illustrative logic units and circuits described in the embodiments of this application can be implemented or operate the described functions using a general-purpose processor, digital signal processor (DSP), ASIC, field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor; alternatively, it can be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor can also be implemented using a combination of computing devices, such as a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors combined with a digital signal processor core, or any other similar configuration.

[0273] The steps of the methods or algorithms described in the embodiments of this application can be directly embedded in hardware, software units executed by a processor, or a combination of both. The software units can be stored in RAM, flash memory, ROM, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), EEPROM, registers, hard disks, removable disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium in the art. Exemplarily, the storage medium can be connected to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium can also be integrated into the processor. The processor and storage medium can be disposed in an ASIC, which can be disposed in the terminal device. Optionally, the processor and storage medium can also be disposed in different components of the terminal device.

[0274] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions, which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus, provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0275] The contents of the various embodiments of this application can be referenced to each other. Unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced to each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0276] It is understood that in the embodiments of this application, the first communication device and / or the second communication device may execute some or all of the steps in the embodiments of this application. These steps or operations are merely examples. In the embodiments of this application, other operations or variations of various operations may also be performed. Furthermore, the steps may be performed in different orders as presented in the embodiments of this application, and it is not necessary to perform all the operations in the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a first communication device, the method includes: Receive first information, the first information indicating the required accuracy of the offset estimation, the offset being the offset between the signal transmitted by the satellite and the signal received by the first communication device, the offset including at least one of frequency offset, time offset or phase offset; Based on the first information, a second information is sent, the second information indicating the requirements of signal quality parameters corresponding to the estimation accuracy requirements of the offset, the signal quality parameters including at least one of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR), reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), or received signal strength indication (RSSI), the second information being related to the capabilities of the first communication device; Wherein, the second information is used to determine the set of satellites serving the first communication device, the set of satellites being used to perform coherent joint transmission; and / or, the second information is used to determine whether to schedule coherent joint transmission for the first communication device.

2. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a second communication device, the method includes: Send a first message, the first message indicating the required accuracy of the offset estimation, the offset being the offset between the signal transmitted by the satellite and the signal received by the first communication device, the offset including at least one of frequency offset, time offset or phase offset; Receive second information, the second information indicating the requirements of signal quality parameters corresponding to the estimation accuracy requirements of the offset, the signal quality parameters including at least one of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR), reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), or received signal strength indication (RSSI), the second information being related to the capabilities of the first communication device; The second information is used to determine the set of satellites serving the first communication device, the set of satellites being used to perform coherent joint transmission; and / or, the second information is used to determine whether to schedule coherent joint transmission for the first communication device.

3. The method as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first information is related to at least one of the following: satellite orbital altitude, feedback time interval of the offset, or maximum phase offset requirement of coherent joint transmission.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The first information includes: The estimation accuracy threshold for the offset; or... The index of the estimation accuracy threshold for the offset.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The satellite set is also associated with at least one of the following: The obstruction loss parameters between multiple candidate satellites and the first communication device, wherein the satellite set is a subset of the multiple candidate satellites; The location of the first communication device; The ephemeris positions of multiple candidate satellites, wherein the set of satellites is a subset of the multiple candidate satellites.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The set of satellites is an empty set.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1, 3-6, characterized in that, The satellite set includes at least one satellite, and the method further includes: Receive and measure reference signals from the at least one satellite to obtain an estimated value of the offset; Send the estimated value of the offset.

8. The method according to any one of claims 2, 3-6, characterized in that, The satellite set includes at least one satellite, and the method further includes: Control the at least one satellite to transmit a reference signal; Receive the estimated value of the offset.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The capabilities of the first communication device include at least one of the following: The processing technology used in the receiver of the first communication device; The processing capability of the receiver of the first communication device.

10. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a first communication device, the method includes: Obtain an estimated value of the offset and a confidence level of the estimated value. The offset is the offset between the signal transmitted by the satellite and the signal received by the first communication device. The offset includes at least one of frequency offset, time offset, or phase offset. Send a third message, the third message including at least one of the estimated value and the confidence level; Wherein, the third information is used to determine the set of satellites serving the first communication device, the set of satellites being used to perform coherent joint transmission; and / or, the third information is used to determine whether to schedule coherent joint transmission for the first communication device.

11. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a second communication device, the method includes: Receive third information, the third information including at least one of an estimated value of the offset and a confidence level of the estimated value, the offset being the offset between the signal transmitted by the satellite and the signal received by the first communication device, the offset including at least one of a frequency offset, a time offset, or a phase offset; The third information is used to determine the set of satellites serving the first communication device, the set of satellites being used to perform coherent joint transmission; and / or, the third information is used to determine whether to schedule coherent joint transmission for the first communication device.

12. The method as described in claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The confidence level is related to the signal reception quality of the first communication device.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10-12, characterized in that, The third piece of information includes the estimated value and the confidence level.

14. The method according to any one of claims 10-12, characterized in that, The confidence level is within a first range, and the third information includes the confidence level; or... The confidence level is within a second range, and the third information includes the estimated value.

15. The method as described in claim 14, characterized in that, Also includes: Receive first indication information, which is used to determine the first range and / or the second range.

16. The method as described in claim 14, characterized in that, Also includes: Send a first indication message, which is used to determine the first range and / or the second range.

17. The method as described in claim 15 or 16, characterized in that, The first indication information indicates a first value, the first range is a range less than the first value, and the second range is a range greater than the first value.

18. The method according to any one of claims 10-17, characterized in that, If the confidence level is within the third range, the satellite set is an empty set and / or no coherent joint transmission scheduling is performed on the first communication device; or... The confidence level is within the fourth range, the satellite set includes at least one satellite and / or performs coherent joint transmission scheduling on the first communication device.

19. The method according to any one of claims 10-18, characterized in that, The confidence level is related to the capability of the first communication device, and the capability of the first communication device includes at least one of the following: The processing technology used in the receiver of the first communication device; The processing capability of the receiver of the first communication device.

20. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a first communication device, the method includes: The spatial range is determined, and the antenna gain of the first communication device within the spatial range is within the fifth range; Send a fourth message, the fourth message indicating the spatial range; Wherein, the fourth information is used to determine the set of satellites serving the first communication device, the set of satellites being used to perform coherent joint transmission; and / or, the fourth information is used to determine whether to schedule coherent joint transmission for the first communication device.

21. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a second communication device, the method includes: Receive fourth information, the fourth information indicating a spatial range, and the antenna gain of the first communication device within the spatial range is within a fifth range; The fourth information is used to determine the set of satellites serving the first communication device, the set of satellites being used to perform coherent joint transmission; and / or, the fourth information is used to determine whether to schedule coherent joint transmission for the first communication device.

22. The method as described in claim 20 or 21, characterized in that, The fourth piece of information includes angle values ​​α1, α2, α3, and α4; The spatial range is defined as: the range of azimuth angles α1 to α2, and the range of elevation angles α3 to α4.

23. The method as described in claim 20 or 21, characterized in that, The fourth piece of information includes offset values ​​Δ1, Δ2, Δ3, and Δ4; The spatial range is defined as the range of azimuth angle (a1'+Δ1) to (a2'+Δ2) and the range of pitch angle (a3'+Δ3) to (a4'+Δ4), where a1', a2', a3', and a4' are angular values.

24. The method as described in claim 23, characterized in that, The terms a1', a2', a3', and a4' are predefined.

25. The method as described in claim 23, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a second instruction message, which indicates a1', a2', a3' and a4'.

26. The method as described in claim 23, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a second instruction message, which instructs a1', a2', a3' and a4'.

27. The method according to any one of claims 20-26, characterized in that, The satellite ensemble is also related to the following: The ephemeris positions of multiple candidate satellites, wherein the set of satellites is a subset of the multiple candidate satellites.

28. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes: At least one processor; and a communication interface communicatively connected to said at least one processor; The at least one processor causes the device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-27 via the communication interface by executing instructions stored in the memory.

29. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium is used to store a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the method described in any one of claims 1-27 to be executed.

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

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