WO2025190138A1 - Communication method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A communication method and an apparatus. In the method, a second device sends first information, wherein the first information is used for configuring an uplink resource for sending a timing advance, and the uplink resource configured by the first information belonging, in a time domain, to the first N uplink time units within each time period during which a data beam provides service. A first device sends second information by using the uplink resource configured by the first information, the second information being used for indicating a first timing advance determined on the basis of a received downlink reference signal. The second device sends a first timing offset, the first timing offset being determined on the basis of the first timing advance. The first device sends uplink data on the basis of the first timing offset. The method enables the first device to send the current timing advance as early as possible during data beam revisits, so that the first device can determine, as early as possible, the timing offset used for sending the uplink data. The method further enables the first device and the second device to align the timing offset used by the uplink transmission as early as possible, and can improve communication quality.

Description

Communication method and device

This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on March 11, 2024, with application number 202410275002.5 and application name “Communication Method and Device,” the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application.

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and device.

Background Art

With the development of information technology, there are more urgent demands for efficient, mobile, and diverse communications. Compared to terrestrial mobile communication networks, non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) offer advantages such as large coverage areas and flexible networking.

In NTN, to ensure that satellites receive uplink data from terminal devices within the specified timeframe, terminal devices must perform a timing advance adjustment before sending uplink data. However, the long distance between satellites and terminal devices results in significant round-trip delays, which in turn increases the timing advance required for this adjustment. Therefore, a timing offset (Koffset) is required to ensure that terminal devices have sufficient time to perform the timing advance adjustment.

Furthermore, in NTN, satellite coverage covers a large area, but the number of beams used for communication is limited. Time-division scheduling is required to provide communication to different areas. Specifically, after a satellite beam leaves an area, it takes a while for the beam to revisit and re-cover the area. During this revisit, determining the timing offset used by the terminal device is a technical challenge that needs to be addressed.

Summary of the Invention

The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus that enable a terminal device to determine a timing offset used in the case of beam revisit.

In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a first device, a chip in the first device, or a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the first device. The following description is taken as an example of the first device. The method includes: the first device receives first information, the first information is used to configure the uplink resources for sending the timing advance, and the uplink resources configured by the first information belong in the time domain to: the first N uplink time units in the time period in which the data beam provides service each time, where N is a positive integer. The first device receives a downlink reference signal, and the first device determines the first timing advance based on the downlink reference signal. The first device uses the uplink resources configured by the first information to send second information, and the second information is used to indicate the first timing advance. The first device receives a first timing offset, and the first timing offset is determined based on the first timing advance. The first device sends uplink data based on the first timing offset.

It can be seen that in this method, the uplink resource configured by the first information is a relatively early time in the time period in which the data beam provides services each time in the time domain, which is conducive to the first device sending the current timing advance, i.e., the first timing advance, as early as possible when the data beam provides services to the first device (for example, the data beam returns to the area where the first device is located), so that the first device can receive the timing offset determined by the second device based on the current timing advance of the first device as early as possible, and then the first device can determine the timing offset used to send uplink data as early as possible.

In addition, this method facilitates early alignment of the timing offsets used for uplink transmission between the first and second devices. This prevents the first device's uplink data from arriving at the second device prematurely or late due to misalignment of the timing offsets used by the first and second devices. This could potentially cause collisions with data sent from other devices to the second device. It also prevents misalignment of the timing offsets used by the first and second devices, which could prevent the second device from being able to determine the actual arrival time of the first device's uplink data, leading to errors in the second device's parsing of the first device's uplink data. This improves communication quality.

In an optional embodiment, the uplink resources configured by the first information are related to the resources of the downlink reference signal. Understandably, since the first device can determine the current timing advance in conjunction with the received downlink reference signal, the correlation between the uplink resources configured by the first information and the resources of the downlink reference signal is beneficial for the first device to determine the timing advance.

In an optional implementation manner, the uplink resources configured by the first information include: uplink resources corresponding to a downlink reference signal, wherein the interval between the uplink resources corresponding to the downlink reference signal and the downlink resources used by the downlink reference signal is equal to the first value.

Among them, the first value can be set to be smaller, so that the interval between the uplink resource configured by the first information and the downlink resource used by the downlink reference signal can be smaller. Exemplarily, the interval in the time domain between the uplink resource configured by the first information and the downlink resource used by the downlink reference signal is smaller, which can enable the first device to determine the timing advance in combination with the received downlink reference signal, and during the period from the time when the first device uses the uplink resource configured by the first information to send the timing advance, the actual timing advance of the first device changes little or does not change, that is, the timing advance indicated by the second information sent by the first device using the uplink resource configured by the first information, that is, the timing advance determined by the first device in combination with the received downlink reference signal, is close to or equal to the actual timing advance when the first device uses the uplink resource configured by the first information, thereby making the first timing offset received by the first device more suitable for the current timing advance of the first device, reducing scheduling delay.

In an optional embodiment, the second information is used to indicate the first timing advance, including: the second information is the difference between the first timing advance and a second timing offset. The second timing offset is the most recently received timing offset from the broadcast beam, and the timing offset received from the broadcast beam is determined based on the maximum timing advance corresponding to the broadcast beam coverage area. This approach helps reduce signaling overhead.

In an optional embodiment, before the first device uses the uplink resources configured with the first information to send the second information, the method also includes: the first device uses a second timing offset to send uplink data; the second timing offset is the timing offset most recently received from the broadcast beam, and the timing offset received from the broadcast beam is determined based on the maximum timing advance corresponding to the broadcast beam coverage area.

In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a second device, a chip in the second device, or a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the second device. The following description is taken as an example of the second device. The method includes: the second device sends first information, the first information is used to configure the uplink resource for sending the timing advance, and the uplink resource configured by the first information belongs in the time domain to: the first N uplink time units in the time period in which the data beam provides service each time, where N is a positive integer. The second device sends a downlink reference signal, and the downlink reference signal is used to determine the first timing advance. The second device receives second information sent using the uplink resource configured with the first information, and the second information is used to indicate the first timing advance. The second device sends a first timing offset, and the first timing offset is determined based on the first timing advance. The second device receives uplink data based on the first timing offset.

It can be seen that in this method, the uplink resource configured by the first information is a relatively early time in the time period in which the data beam provides services each time in the time domain, which is beneficial for the first device to send the current timing advance, i.e., the first timing advance, as early as possible when the data beam provides services to the first device (for example, the data beam returns to the area where the first device is located), so that the second device can determine the timing offset based on the current timing advance of the first device as early as possible and send the timing frequency shift, which is beneficial for the first device to determine the timing offset used to send uplink data as early as possible.

In addition, this method facilitates early alignment of the timing offsets used for uplink transmission between the second device and the first device. This prevents the first device's uplink data from arriving at the second device prematurely or late due to misaligned timing offsets. This could potentially cause collisions with data sent from other devices to the second device. It also prevents misaligned timing offsets between the first and second devices, which could prevent the second device from being able to determine the actual arrival time of the first device's uplink data, leading to errors in the second device's parsing of the first device's uplink data. This improves communication quality.

In an optional implementation manner, the uplink resources configured by the first information are related to the resources of the downlink reference signal.

In an optional implementation manner, the uplink resources configured by the first information include: uplink resources corresponding to a downlink reference signal, wherein the interval between the uplink resources corresponding to the downlink reference signal and the downlink resources used by the downlink reference signal is equal to the first value.

In an optional embodiment, the second information is used to indicate the first timing advance, including: the second information is the difference between the first timing advance and a second timing offset. The second timing offset is the timing offset most recently transmitted in the broadcast beam, and the timing offset transmitted in the broadcast beam is determined based on the maximum timing advance corresponding to the broadcast beam coverage area. The method also includes: the second device determining the first timing advance based on the second information and the second timing offset.

In an optional embodiment, before the second device receives the second information sent by the uplink resource configured using the first information, the method also includes: the second device uses a second timing offset to receive uplink data; the second timing offset is the timing offset most recently sent in the broadcast beam, and the timing offset sent in the broadcast beam is determined based on the maximum timing advance corresponding to the broadcast beam coverage area.

In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication method. This method can be applied to a first device, a chip within the first device, or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the first device's functions. The following description uses the first device as an example. The method includes: the first device receiving a third timing offset from a data beam; the first device determining a fourth timing offset based on the third timing offset; and the first device transmitting uplink data using the fourth timing offset.

As can be seen, in this method, the first device can determine the timing offset used for sending uplink data by receiving the third timing offset from the data beam. This method can be applied to a scenario where a data beam revisits the area where the first device is located. During the data beam revisit, the first device can determine the timing offset used for sending uplink data by receiving the third timing offset from the data beam.

In addition, this method also facilitates aligning the timing offsets used by the first and second devices before the first device sends the timing advance. This can prevent the first device's uplink data from arriving at the second device early or late due to misalignment of the timing offsets used by the first and second devices. This could cause collisions with data sent by other devices to the second device. It can also prevent misalignment of the timing offsets used by the first and second devices, which could prevent the second device from being able to determine the actual arrival time of the first device's uplink data, leading to errors in the second device's parsing of the first device's uplink data. This can help improve communication quality.

In an optional implementation, the third timing offset is determined based on a maximum timing advance corresponding to the data beam coverage area. Alternatively, the third timing offset is determined based on a revisit time of the data beam and a most recently reported timing advance.

In an optional embodiment, the first device determines a fourth timing offset based on the third timing offset, including: if the first timing advance is less than the third timing offset, the first device determines the fourth timing offset to be the third timing offset. If the first timing advance is greater than the third timing offset, the first device obtains the fourth timing offset through random access. The first timing advance is the current timing advance, and the fourth timing offset is determined based on the first timing advance carried in the random access.

In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: when the first timing advance is less than the third timing offset and the difference between the first timing advance and the third timing offset is less than a second value, the first device sends second information, the second information being used to indicate the first timing advance, where the first timing advance is the current timing advance.

In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication method. This method can be applied to a second device, a chip within the second device, or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the second device's functions. The following description uses the second device as an example. The method includes: the second device transmitting a third timing offset via a data beam; and the second device receiving uplink data using the third timing offset.

This method facilitates the first device to determine the timing offset used for sending uplink data by receiving the third timing offset from the data beam. This method can be applied to a scenario where a data beam revisits the area where the first device is located. When the data beam revisits the area where the first device is located, the second device can send the third timing offset via the data beam, allowing the first device to determine the timing offset used for sending uplink data by receiving the third timing offset from the data beam.

In addition, this method also facilitates aligning the timing offsets used by the first and second devices before the first device sends the timing advance. This can prevent the first device's uplink data from arriving at the second device early or late due to misalignment of the timing offsets used by the first and second devices. This could cause collisions with data sent by other devices to the second device. It can also prevent misalignment of the timing offsets used by the first and second devices, which could prevent the second device from being able to determine the actual arrival time of the first device's uplink data, leading to errors in the second device's parsing of the first device's uplink data. This can help improve communication quality.

In an optional implementation, the third timing offset is determined based on a maximum timing advance corresponding to the data beam coverage area. Alternatively, the third timing offset is determined based on a revisit time of the data beam and a most recently reported timing advance.

In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: the second device receiving second information indicating the first timing advance; the second device sending a first timing offset, the first timing offset being determined based on the first timing advance; and the second device receiving uplink data based on the first timing offset.

In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a first device, a chip in the first device, or a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the first device. The following description is taken as an example of the first device. The method includes: the first device sends third information when it starts to be served by the data beam, and the third information is used to request the configuration of uplink resources for sending timing advance. The first device receives fourth information, and the fourth information is used to configure uplink resources for sending timing advance. The first device uses the uplink resources configured by the fourth information to send second information, and the second information is used to indicate the first timing advance, and the first timing advance is the current timing advance. The first device receives a first timing offset, and the first timing offset is determined based on the first timing advance. The first device sends uplink data based on the first timing offset.

It can be seen that this method can be applied to the scenario where the data beam revisits the area where the first device is located. In this scenario, the first device can send third information to request the second device to configure the uplink resources for sending the timing advance when the data beam starts to provide services for the first device during the data beam revisit. In this way, the first device can report the current timing advance, that is, the first timing advance, as soon as possible, so that the first device can receive the timing offset determined by the second device based on the current timing advance of the first device as soon as possible, and then the first device can determine the timing offset used to send the uplink data as soon as possible.

In addition, this method facilitates early alignment of the timing offsets used for uplink transmission between the first and second devices. This prevents the first device's uplink data from arriving at the second device prematurely or late due to misalignment of the timing offsets used by the first and second devices. This could potentially cause collisions with data sent from other devices to the second device. It also prevents misalignment of the timing offsets used by the first and second devices, which could prevent the second device from being able to determine the actual arrival time of the first device's uplink data, leading to errors in the second device's parsing of the first device's uplink data. This improves communication quality.

In a sixth aspect, the present application also provides a communication device. The communication device can be a first device, or a chip in the first device, or a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the first device. The communication device has the function of realizing some or all of the implementation methods described in the first aspect, third aspect, or fifth aspect. Alternatively, the communication device can be a second device, or a chip in the second device, or a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the second device. The communication device has the function of realizing some or all of the implementation methods described in the second aspect or fourth aspect. The functions can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the above functions.

In one possible design, the communication device may include a processing unit configured to support the communication device in executing the corresponding functions in the above method. Optionally, the communication device may also include a communication unit configured to support communication between the communication device and other communication devices. Optionally, the communication device may also include a storage unit coupled to the processing unit and the communication unit to store program instructions and data necessary for the communication device. In addition, the processing unit may be used to control the communication unit to transmit and receive data/signaling.

In one embodiment, a communication unit is configured to receive first information, where the first information is used to configure uplink resources for sending a timing advance, where the uplink resources configured by the first information belong, in the time domain, to the first N uplink time units in each time period in which a data beam provides service, where N is a positive integer. The communication unit is further configured to receive a downlink reference signal. The processing unit is configured to determine a first timing advance based on the downlink reference signal. The communication unit is further configured to send second information using the uplink resources configured by the first information, where the second information is used to indicate the first timing advance. The communication unit is further configured to receive a first timing offset, where the first timing offset is determined based on the first timing advance. The communication unit is further configured to send uplink data based on the first timing offset.

In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the first aspect above and will not be described in detail here.

In another embodiment, a communication unit is configured to send first information, where the first information is used to configure uplink resources for sending a timing advance. The uplink resources configured by the first information belong, in the time domain, to the first N uplink time units in a time period in which a data beam provides service each time, where N is a positive integer. The communication unit is further configured to send a downlink reference signal, where the downlink reference signal is used to determine the first timing advance. The communication unit is further configured to receive second information sent using the uplink resources configured with the first information, where the second information is used to indicate the first timing advance. The communication unit is further configured to send a first timing offset, where the first timing offset is determined based on the first timing advance. The communication unit is further configured to receive uplink data based on the first timing offset.

In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the second aspect above and will not be described in detail here.

In another embodiment, the communication unit is configured to receive a third timing offset from the data beam, the processing unit is configured to determine a fourth timing offset based on the third timing offset, and the communication unit is further configured to transmit uplink data using the fourth timing offset.

In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the third aspect above and will not be described in detail here.

In another embodiment, the communication unit is configured to send the third timing offset via a data beam, and further configured to receive uplink data using the third timing offset.

In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the fourth aspect above and will not be described in detail here.

In another embodiment, the communication unit is configured to send third information when starting to be served by a data beam, the third information being used to request configuration of uplink resources for sending a timing advance. The communication unit is further configured to receive fourth information, the fourth information being used to configure uplink resources for sending a timing advance. The communication unit is further configured to send second information using the uplink resources configured with the fourth information, the second information being used to indicate a first timing advance, the first timing advance being the current timing advance. The communication unit is further configured to receive a first timing offset, the first timing offset being determined based on the first timing advance. The communication unit is further configured to send uplink data based on the first timing offset.

In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the fifth aspect above and will not be described in detail here.

As an example, the communication unit may be a transceiver or a communication interface, the storage unit may be a memory, and the processing unit may be a processor. The processor is coupled to the memory, the memory is used to store programs or instructions to the processor, and the processor is configured to cause the communication device to perform the method described in the first aspect when the programs or instructions are executed by the processor. The transceiver or communication interface may be configured to transmit and receive signals and/or data.

In one embodiment, a transceiver is configured to receive first information, where the first information is used to configure uplink resources for sending a timing advance, where the uplink resources configured by the first information belong in the time domain to the first N uplink time units in a time period in which a data beam provides service each time, where N is a positive integer. The transceiver is further configured to receive a downlink reference signal. The processor is configured to determine a first timing advance based on the downlink reference signal. The transceiver is further configured to send second information using the uplink resources configured by the first information, where the second information is used to indicate the first timing advance. The transceiver is further configured to receive a first timing offset, where the first timing offset is determined based on the first timing advance. The transceiver is further configured to send uplink data based on the first timing offset.

In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the first aspect above and will not be described in detail here.

In another embodiment, a transceiver is configured to send first information, where the first information is used to configure uplink resources for sending a timing advance, where the uplink resources configured by the first information belong in the time domain to the first N uplink time units in a time period in which a data beam provides service each time, where N is a positive integer. The transceiver is further configured to send a downlink reference signal, where the downlink reference signal is used to determine the first timing advance. The transceiver is further configured to receive second information sent using the uplink resources configured with the first information, where the second information is used to indicate the first timing advance. The transceiver is further configured to send a first timing offset, where the first timing offset is determined based on the first timing advance. The transceiver is further configured to receive uplink data based on the first timing offset.

In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the second aspect above and will not be described in detail here.

In another embodiment, the transceiver is configured to receive a third timing offset from a data beam, the processor is configured to determine a fourth timing offset based on the third timing offset, and the transceiver is further configured to transmit uplink data using the fourth timing offset.

In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the third aspect above and will not be described in detail here.

In another embodiment, the transceiver is configured to send a third timing offset via a data beam and to receive uplink data using the third timing offset.

In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the fourth aspect above and will not be described in detail here.

In another embodiment, the transceiver is configured to transmit third information upon starting to be served by a data beam, the third information being used to request configuration of uplink resources for transmitting a timing advance. The transceiver is further configured to receive fourth information, the fourth information being used to configure uplink resources for transmitting a timing advance. The transceiver is further configured to transmit second information using the uplink resources configured with the fourth information, the second information being used to indicate a first timing advance, the first timing advance being the current timing advance. The transceiver is further configured to receive a first timing offset, the first timing offset being determined based on the first timing advance. The transceiver is further configured to transmit uplink data based on the first timing offset.

In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the fifth aspect above and will not be described in detail here.

In another embodiment, the communication device is a chip or a chip system. The processing unit may also be embodied as a processing circuit or a logic circuit; and the transceiver unit may be an input/output interface, an interface circuit, an output circuit, an input circuit, a pin, or a related circuit on the chip or chip system.

During implementation, the processor may be used to perform, for example, but not limited to, baseband-related processing, and the transceiver or communication interface may be used to perform, for example, but not limited to, radio frequency transceiver. The above-mentioned devices may be arranged on separate chips, or at least partially or entirely on the same chip. For example, the processor may be further divided into an analog baseband processor and a digital baseband processor. Among them, the analog baseband processor may be integrated with the transceiver (or communication interface) on the same chip, and the digital baseband processor may be arranged on a separate chip. With the continuous development of integrated circuit technology, more and more devices can be integrated on the same chip. For example, a digital baseband processor may be integrated with multiple application processors (such as, but not limited to, a graphics processor, a multimedia processor, etc.) on the same chip. Such a chip may be called a system on a chip (SoC). Whether each device is independently arranged on different chips or integrated on one or more chips often depends on the needs of product design. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the implementation form of the above-mentioned devices.

In the seventh aspect, the present application also provides a processor for executing the above-mentioned various methods. In the process of executing these methods, the process of sending the above-mentioned information and receiving the above-mentioned information in the above-mentioned method can be understood as the process of outputting the above-mentioned information by the processor, and the process of inputting the above-mentioned information by the processor. When outputting the above-mentioned information, the processor outputs the above-mentioned information to the transceiver so that it is transmitted by the transceiver (or communication interface). After being output by the processor, the above-mentioned information may also need to be processed otherwise before it reaches the transceiver (or communication interface). Similarly, when the processor receives the inputted information, the transceiver (or communication interface) receives the above-mentioned information and inputs it into the processor. Furthermore, after the transceiver (or communication interface) receives the above-mentioned information, the above-mentioned information may need to be processed otherwise before it is input into the processor.

For the sending and receiving operations involved in the processor, unless otherwise specified, or unless they conflict with their actual functions or internal logic in the relevant descriptions, they can be more generally understood as processor output, reception, input and other operations, rather than sending and receiving operations directly performed by the RF circuit and antenna.

During implementation, the processor may be a processor specifically configured to execute these methods, or may be a processor that executes computer instructions in a memory to execute these methods, such as a general-purpose processor. The memory may be a non-transitory memory, such as a read-only memory (ROM), which may be integrated with the processor on the same chip or disposed on separate chips. The embodiments of this application do not limit the type of memory or the configuration of the memory and the processor.

In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program. When the computer program is run, the method described in any one of the first to fifth aspects above is executed.

In a ninth aspect, the present application further provides a computer program product comprising instructions, the computer program product comprising: computer program code, which, when the computer program code is run, enables the method described in any one of the first to fifth aspects above to be executed.

In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a chip system, which includes a processor and an interface, wherein the interface is used to obtain a program or instruction, and the processor is used to call the program or instruction to implement the functions involved in any one of the first to fifth aspects. In one possible design, the chip system also includes a memory, which is used to store program instructions and data necessary for the terminal. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or it can include a chip and other discrete devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a timing advance provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG4 is a flow chart of a communication method 100 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a resource provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG6 is a flow chart of a communication method 200 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG7 is a flow chart of a communication method 300 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG8 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG9 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments of the present application are described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

Before introducing the embodiments of the present application, the following points are first explained.

First, in this application, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and/or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their internal logical relationships.

It can be understood that some optional features in the embodiments of the present application may not depend on other features in certain scenarios, and may also be combined with other features in certain scenarios, without limitation.

It can be understood that the solutions in the embodiments of this application can be used in combination, and the explanations or descriptions of each term, similar operations or steps appearing in the embodiments can be referenced or explained with each other in each embodiment, and this application does not limit this.

Second, in this application, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "more than one" refers to two or more. "And/or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and/or B can represent: the existence of A alone, the existence of A and B at the same time, and the existence of B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the textual description of this application, the character "/" generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following items" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b and c can represent: a, or b, or c, or a and b, or a and c, or b and c, or a, b and c. Wherein a, b and c can be single or multiple, respectively.

Third, throughout this application, the terms "first," "second," and various numerical references are used for descriptive purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. For example, they are used to distinguish between different messages, rather than to describe a specific order or precedence. It should be understood that these references are interchangeable, where appropriate, to allow for the description of scenarios beyond the embodiments of this application.

Fourth, in this application, the terms "include" and "have" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not explicitly listed or are inherent to these processes, methods, products or apparatuses.

Fifth, in this application, "used to indicate" can include being used for direct indication and being used for indirect indication. When describing that a certain indication information is used to indicate A, it can include that the indication information directly indicates A or indirectly indicates A, and does not necessarily mean that the indication information carries A.

Sixth, in this application, "sending information to XX (device/network element)" can be understood as the destination of the information being the device. This can include sending information to the device directly or indirectly. "Receiving information from XX (device/network element) or receiving information from XX (device/network element)" can be understood as the source of the information being the device, which can include receiving information from the device directly or indirectly. The information may undergo necessary processing between the source and destination, such as format changes, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source.

The network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application. Ordinary technicians in this field will know that with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems. For example, the Global System for Mobile Communications, the Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, the Universal Mobile Communications System, the fourth generation (4G) mobile communication system, the fifth generation (5G) mobile communication system, and with the continuous development of communication technology, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can also be used in subsequent evolved communication systems, such as future communication networks. The embodiments of the present application can also be applied to non-terrestrial communication networks (NTNs) such as satellite networks.

Please refer to Figure 1, which is a schematic diagram of a network architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application. This network architecture integrates satellite communications and 5G technologies. The communication system includes terminal devices, 5G base stations, ground stations, a core network, and a data network (DN). The core network includes a user plane function (UPF) network element and a 5G control plane. The 5G control plane includes an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element and a session management function (AMF) network element. In this network architecture, ground-based terminal devices can communicate with a 5G base station deployed on a satellite via a 5G new air interface. The 5G base station deployed on the satellite can communicate with the ground station via a next-generation (NG) interface. The ground station is connected to the UPF network element and the AMF network element. The UPF network element can communicate with the data network, and the AMF network element can communicate with the SMF network element. In addition, there are wireless links between satellites, which enable signaling interaction and data transmission between different 5G base stations through the Xn interface.

5G base stations provide wireless access services, schedule wireless resources to access terminals, and offer reliable wireless transmission and data encryption protocols. The AMF network element manages user access, security authentication, and mobility. The UPF network element manages user plane data transmission and traffic statistics. Ground stations forward signaling and service data between satellite base stations and the core network.

Please refer to Figure 2, which is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application. The communication system includes a first device and a second device, and the first device and the second device can communicate. For example, the first device can be a terminal device and the second device can be a network device.

In the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device can access the NTN (for example, a satellite network) through the air interface and initiate calls, Internet access and other services. The terminal device can also be called user equipment (UE), terminal, access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, user agent or user device, and can be applied to 4G, 5G and even future communication networks. The terminal device in the embodiment of the present application can be a joint device that transmits and receives digital signals on an ordinary telephone line, or it can be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile phone, a tablet computer (pad), a computer with wireless transceiver function, a head mounted display (HMD), a virtual reality (VR) terminal device (such as VR glasses), an augmented reality (AR) terminal Terminal devices (such as AR glasses), mixed reality (MR) terminal devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, processing equipment connected to wireless modems, tactile terminal devices, vehicle-mounted terminal devices, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, road side units (RSU) of the aforementioned wireless terminal types, wearable terminal devices, etc.

A network device can be a device with wireless transceiver capabilities in an NTN, such as a device with wireless transceiver capabilities in a satellite network. A network device can be a satellite base station, which can be a base station for wireless communication based on an artificial earth satellite. A satellite base station can provide wireless access services to terminal devices, schedule wireless resources for accessing terminal devices, and provide reliable wireless transmission protocols and data encryption protocols. Furthermore, a satellite base station can be deployed on a satellite, or some of the base station's functions can be deployed on a satellite. Alternatively, a network device can be another NTN device, such as a high altitude platform station (HAPS). For example, a network device can be a 5G base station in the communication system described in Figure 1. Another example can be an evolved LTE base station (NodeB, eNB, or e-NodeB) carried on a satellite, a base station (gNodeB or gNB) or a transmission receiving point (TRP) in NR, a base station developed in a subsequent 3GPP evolution, an access node, wireless relay node, or wireless backhaul node in a WiFi system. A base station may include a building baseband unit (BBU) and a remote radio unit (RRU). The BBU and RRU may be placed in different locations, for example, the RRU may be remotely located in a high-traffic area, while the BBU may be placed in a central computer room. The BBU and RRU may also be placed in the same computer room. The BBU and RRU may also be different components within the same rack. A base station may be in the following forms: a macro base station, a micro base station (also known as a small cell), a pico base station, a relay station, an access point, a balloon station, etc. Optionally, in some deployments of network equipment, the network equipment may include a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). In other deployments of network equipment, the CU may be further divided into a CU-control plane (CP) and a CU-user plane (UP). In yet other deployments, the network equipment may also be an open radio access network (ORAN) architecture, etc. This application does not limit the specific deployment method of the network equipment.

It is understandable that as the network architecture changes, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application can also be implemented by devices with corresponding functions in the new network architecture.

Next, a brief introduction is given to the relevant concepts involved in the embodiments of this application.

1.NTN

NTN refers to a network that uses radio frequency resources from satellite platforms, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or high-altitude public transport systems (HAPS) to provide communication services. Compared to terrestrial networks (such as NR networks), NTN offers wider coverage, lower path loss, greater latency, faster speeds, and lower costs. The following article will use satellite-based communication networks as an example to illustrate this.

Satellite networks utilize high-, medium-, and low-orbit satellites to achieve wide-area or even global coverage, providing communication services to users worldwide. Furthermore, satellite networks can be integrated with 5G networks to form a seamless, integrated global communications network covering land, sea, air, and space, meeting users' diverse service needs and offering more comprehensive, high-quality services. For example, satellites can provide economical and reliable network services to remote areas, aircraft, and ocean-going vessels beyond the reach of terrestrial 5G networks, extending the network beyond the reach of terrestrial networks. Another example is that satellites can provide continuous, uninterrupted network connectivity for IoT devices and users on mobile carriers such as airplanes, ships, trains, and cars. The integration of satellites and 5G can significantly enhance 5G network capabilities in this area. Furthermore, satellites' superior broadcast and multicast capabilities provide efficient data distribution services to the network edge and user terminals. Furthermore, satellite mobile communication systems support a variety of mobile communication terminals, including handheld devices. In addition to traditional narrowband voice services, satellite mobile communication systems also offer high-speed data services and internet-based multimedia communication services.

2. Timing Advance (TA)

Before sending uplink data, the terminal device will perform a timing advance adjustment so that the network device can receive the uplink data from the terminal device within the specified time. The timing advance used by the terminal device for timing advance adjustment can be called the timing advance.

In NTN, taking satellite networks as an example, the long distance between satellites and the ground results in a long round-trip delay between network equipment deployed on satellites and terminal devices on the ground. This results in a large timing advance used for timing advance adjustment. Therefore, a timing offset (Koffset) needs to be introduced to allow the terminal device sufficient time to perform timing advance adjustment, ensuring that the actual time the terminal device sends an uplink signal is after the time it receives the downlink signal corresponding to the uplink signal.

For example, assuming that the terminal device uses a timing advance of TA slots for timing advance adjustment, in conjunction with Figure 3 , the network device transmits the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in slot _n1 , and the terminal device receives the PDCCH in slot _n2 . The network device transmits the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) in slot _n1 +k+Koffset. Consequently, the terminal device receives the PDSCH in slot _n2 +k+Koffset. Therefore, the network device schedules the transmission time of the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) for the terminal device to be slot _n2 +k+Koffset. Because the terminal device performs timing advance adjustment, it actually transmits the PUSCH in slot _n2 +k+Koffset-TA. Consequently, the network device receives the PUSCH in slot _n1 +k+Koffset.

3. Beam hopping

In NTN, taking satellite networks as an example, network equipment deployed on satellites covers a large area, but the number of beams used for communication is limited. Therefore, network equipment deployed on satellites uses time-division beam scheduling to provide communication for different areas. This time-division beam scheduling method is also called beam hopping. Specifically, after a network device's beam leaves a certain area, it takes a while for the beam to return to cover the area again.

In an NTN, network device beams include data beams and broadcast beams. Data beams can be used to transmit data, while broadcast beams can be used to carry broadcast messages and terminal device access. Both data beams and broadcast beams are scheduled using a beam-hopping method, but the scheduling periods or intervals for data beams and broadcast beams may differ. It is understood that a network device's data beam and broadcast beam may not necessarily serve the same area at the same time. In other words, a data beam may serve an area while a broadcast beam does not. It is also possible that a data beam may have served an area for a period of time before a broadcast beam returns to serve the same area again.

The following is a detailed description of the embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The embodiments of the present application use the first device and the second device as examples to illustrate the corresponding method, but the present application does not limit the execution of the method. For example, the device in the method can also be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the device to implement the corresponding method, or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the device.

Please refer to FIG4 , which is a flow chart of a communication method 100 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication method 100 includes the following steps.

S101. A second device sends first information, where the first information is used to configure uplink resources for sending a timing advance. The uplink resources configured by the first information belong, in the time domain, to the first N uplink time units in each time period in which a data beam provides service, where N is a positive integer. Accordingly, a first device receives the first information.

For example, the uplink resources configured by the first information in the time domain are: the first N uplink time units in the time period in which the data beam provides services each time. For another example, the uplink resources configured by the first information in the time domain are: the Mth uplink time unit to the Nth uplink time unit in the first N uplink time units in the time period in which the data beam provides services each time, where M is an integer greater than 1 and less than N.

The time unit may be, for example, milliseconds (ms). When the first information is used to configure uplink resources for the first device, the "time period during which the data beam provides services each time" used in describing the "uplink resources configured by the first information" may be understood as the time period during which the data beam provides services for the first device each time.

In addition, the data beam of the second device provides communication for different areas covered by the second device in a time-division manner, that is, the data beam of the second device provides services in a beam-hopping manner. Then, for the first device, the data beam of the second device will provide services to the first device multiple times, and the time difference between the start time of the data beam providing services to the first device for the i-th time and the end time of the data beam providing services to the first device for the i-1th time is greater than 0, where i is an integer greater than 1. The data beam providing services to the first device for the i-th time can also be understood as the data beam returning to the area where the first device is located.

It can be seen that the uplink resources configured by the first information belong to the first N uplink time units in the time period in which the data beam provides services each time in the time domain. It is understandable that the uplink resources configured by the first information belong to the earlier time in the time period in which the data beam provides services each time in the time domain. This is beneficial for the first device to send the current timing advance as early as possible when the data beam provides services to the first device (for example, the data beam revisits the area where the first device is located), so that the second device can determine the timing offset based on the obtained timing advance and send the timing offset as early as possible, and then the first device can determine the timing offset used for sending uplink data as early as possible, which is also beneficial for the first device and the second device to align the timing offset used for uplink transmission as early as possible. This can avoid the uplink data of the first device arriving at the second device early or late due to the misalignment of the timing offsets used by the first device and the second device. The uplink data of the first device arriving at the second device early or late will cause a collision with the data sent to the second device by other devices. It can also avoid misalignment of the timing offsets used by the first device and the second device, so that the second device cannot obtain the actual arrival time of the uplink data of the first device, resulting in errors in the second device's parsing of the uplink data of the first device.

In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, for the first device, uplink refers to the first device sending data/information to the second device, and downlink refers to the first device receiving data/information from the second device. For the second device, uplink refers to the second device receiving data/information from the first device, and downlink refers to the second device sending data/information to the first device.

In an optional implementation, the second device sending the first information may be performed during the process of sending a configuration message to the first device after the second device establishes a connection with the first device. Optionally, the first information may be carried in a configuration message sent by the second device to the first device after the second device establishes a connection with the first device.

S102: The second device sends a downlink reference signal. Correspondingly, the first device receives the downlink reference signal.

S103. The first device determines a first timing advance based on a downlink reference signal.

In an optional embodiment, the uplink resources configured by the first information are understandably related to the resources of the downlink reference signal. Since the first device can determine the current timing advance in combination with the received downlink reference signal, the second device can determine the uplink resources configured for the first device for sending the timing advance based on the resources of the downlink reference signal, which is beneficial for the first device to determine the timing advance.

Optionally, the uplink resources configured by the first information include: uplink resources corresponding to a downlink reference signal; and an interval between the uplink resources corresponding to the downlink reference signal and the downlink resources used by the downlink reference signal is equal to a first value. The interval between the uplink resources corresponding to the downlink reference signal and the downlink resources used by the downlink reference signal may be, for example, an interval in the time domain.

The first value may be predefined or configured, and there is no restriction on this. Optionally, the first value may be set to be smaller, so that the interval between the uplink resource configured by the first information and the downlink resource used by the downlink reference signal is smaller. Exemplarily, the interval in the time domain between the uplink resource configured by the first information and the downlink resource used by the downlink reference signal is smaller, so that the first device determines the timing advance in combination with the received downlink reference signal, and during the period from when the first device uses the uplink resource configured by the first information to send the timing advance, the actual timing advance of the first device changes little or does not change. That is, the timing advance indicated by the second information sent by the first device using the uplink resource configured by the first information, that is, the timing advance determined by the first device in combination with the received downlink reference signal, is close to or equal to the actual timing advance when the first device uses the uplink resource configured by the first information, thereby making the first timing offset determined based on the timing advance indicated by the second information more suitable for the current timing advance of the first device, thereby reducing scheduling delay.

Optionally, the downlink resource used by the downlink reference signal may be one or more downlink resources, and the uplink resources configured by the first information include: an uplink resource corresponding to each downlink resource of the one or more downlink resources used by the downlink reference signal, and an interval between the uplink resource corresponding to each downlink resource used by the downlink reference signal and the downlink resource is equal to a first value. For example, taking the time domain as an example, in conjunction with Figure 5, when the data beam provides service to the first device for the i-th time, the downlink resources used to transmit the downlink reference signal include downlink resource #1, downlink resource #2, and downlink resource #3, and the uplink resources configured by the first information include: uplink resource #1, uplink resource #2, and uplink resource #3 in the time period when the data beam provides service to the first device for the i-th time, wherein uplink resource #1 corresponds to downlink resource #1 and the interval between uplink resource #1 and downlink resource #1 is equal to the first value, uplink resource #2 corresponds to downlink resource #2 and the interval between uplink resource #2 and downlink resource #2 is equal to the first value, and uplink resource #3 corresponds to downlink resource #3 and the interval between uplink resource #3 and downlink resource #3 is equal to the first value.

In an optional implementation, the first device determines the first timing advance based on a downlink reference signal, including: the first device determines the first timing advance based on a measurement result obtained by measuring the downlink reference signal.

S104: The first device sends second information using the uplink resources configured by the first information, where the second information is used to indicate the first timing advance. Correspondingly, the second device receives the second information.

In an optional embodiment, the second information is used to indicate the first timing advance, including: the second information is the difference between the first timing advance and the second timing offset, which is conducive to reducing signaling overhead. The method also includes: the second device determining the first timing advance based on the second information and the second timing offset.

For the first device, the second timing offset is the timing offset most recently received by the first device from the broadcast beam. The timing offset received from the broadcast beam is determined based on the maximum timing advance corresponding to the broadcast beam coverage area. For the second device, the second timing offset is the timing offset most recently sent in the broadcast beam. The timing offset sent in the broadcast beam is determined based on the maximum timing advance corresponding to the broadcast beam coverage area. The timing offset most recently sent by the second device in the broadcast beam can be understood as the timing offset in the broadcast beam most recently sent by the second device to the area where the first device is located.

It can be seen that the timing offset sent in the broadcast beam is a cell-level or beam-level timing offset. When the timing offset sent in the broadcast beam is a cell-level timing offset, the broadcast beam coverage area is the cell in which the broadcast beam is located, and the cell-level timing offset applies to multiple devices in the cell in which the broadcast beam is located. When the timing offset sent in the broadcast beam is a beam-level timing offset, the broadcast beam coverage area is the area covered by the 3-dB width of the main lobe of the broadcast beam, and the beam-level timing offset applies to multiple devices in the area covered by the 3-dB width of the main lobe of the broadcast beam.

Exemplarily, this embodiment can be applied to a scenario where a data beam provides services to a first device, but a broadcast beam does not. Because the cell-level or beam-level timing offset may be updated, when a data beam provides services to the first device, but a broadcast beam does not, the second device cannot send the updated cell-level or beam-level timing offset to the first device via the broadcast beam. The first device cannot learn the updated cell-level or beam-level timing offset. Therefore, the timing offset most recently received by the first device from the broadcast beam, i.e., the second timing offset, is the cell-level or beam-level timing offset before the update. In this embodiment provided in the present application, the first and second devices uniformly use the second timing offset to represent the first timing advance. That is, the first device sends the difference between the first timing advance and the second timing offset, and the second device calculates the timing advance based on the difference and the second timing offset, so that the second device can calculate the first timing advance. This also makes the timing advance calculated by the second device the same as the actual timing advance of the first device, which enables the first and second devices to align their timing advances. This method can avoid the following problem: the second device calculates the timing advance based on the received difference and the updated cell-level or beam-level timing offset, resulting in an error between the timing advance calculated by the second device and the actual timing advance of the first device, that is, the timing advance calculated by the second device is not aligned with the actual timing advance of the first device.

In an optional embodiment, before the first device transmits the second information using the uplink resources configured by the first information, the method further includes: the first device transmitting uplink data using a second timing offset; and correspondingly, the second device receiving uplink data using the second timing offset. For a detailed description of the second timing offset, please refer to the aforementioned related description and will not be repeated here.

It is understandable that, for the first device, before using the uplink resources configured with the first information to send the second information, the first device uses the timing offset most recently received from the broadcast beam to send uplink data to the second device. For the second device, before receiving the second information from the first device, the second device uses the timing offset most recently sent in the broadcast beam to the area where the first device is located to receive uplink data from the first device.

Exemplarily, when both the data beam and the broadcast beam return to the area where the first device is located, the second device can send the latest cell-level or beam-level timing offset through the broadcast beam. In this way, before the first device uses the uplink resources configured with the first information to send the second information, it can use the latest cell-level or beam-level timing offset to send uplink data to the second device; before the second device receives the second information from the first device, it can use the latest cell-level or beam-level timing offset to receive the uplink data from the first device.

For example, if the data beam revisits the area where the first device is located, but the broadcast beam has not yet revisited the area where the first device is located, the second device cannot send the latest cell-level or beam-level timing offset via the broadcast beam. Therefore, before the first device uses the uplink resources configured with the first information to send the second information, it can use the timing offset received from the broadcast beam when the first device last served the first device to send uplink data to the second device. Before the second device receives the second information from the first device, it can use the timing offset sent by the second device when the broadcast beam last served the first device to receive the uplink data from the first device.

S105: The second device sends a first timing offset, where the first timing offset is determined based on the first timing advance. Correspondingly, the first device receives the first timing offset.

Optionally, before the second device sends the first timing offset, the method further includes: the second device determining the first timing offset based on the first timing advance.

S106: The first device sends uplink data based on the first timing offset. Correspondingly, the second device receives uplink data based on the first timing offset.

In summary, in the communication method 100, the second device configures a relatively early time in the time period in which the data beam provides service for the first device for the first device to send the timing advance, which is beneficial for the first device to send the current timing advance as early as possible when the data beam provides service to the first device, so that the second device can determine the timing offset and send the timing offset based on the obtained timing advance as early as possible, and then the first device can determine the timing offset used for sending uplink data as early as possible. This method can be applied to the scenario where the beam revisits the area where the first device is located. In this scenario, the first device can send the current timing advance as early as possible during the beam revisit, which can avoid the expiration of the last reported timing advance due to the long beam revisit period.

This method also facilitates early alignment of the timing offsets used for uplink transmission between the first and second devices. This prevents the first device's uplink data from arriving at the second device early or late due to misalignment of the timing offsets used by the first and second devices. This could potentially cause collisions with data sent from other devices to the second device. It also prevents misalignment of the timing offsets used by the first and second devices, which could prevent the second device from being able to determine the actual arrival time of the first device's uplink data, leading to errors in the second device's parsing of the first device's uplink data.

In addition, for the same area, the time interval from the departure of the data beam to the return of the data beam may be relatively large. During this time interval, the satellite will move, so that the distance between the satellite and the terminal device on the ground may change, thereby changing the timing advance of the terminal device. Then, when the data beam returns, there may be a large deviation between the timing advance maintained by the network device and the current actual timing advance of the terminal device, which will lead to the following problems: the current actual timing advance of the terminal device is large, but the user-level timing offset scheduled for the terminal device when the data beam last served the terminal device is small, resulting in the network device scheduling uplink data when the data beam returns, and the terminal device cannot send uplink data. This is because based on the current actual timing advance of the terminal device, in order for the network device to receive the uplink data at the expected time, the terminal device needs to send uplink data before the downlink scheduling signaling, but the terminal device cannot send uplink data before receiving the downlink scheduling signaling. The communication method 100 configures a relatively early time in the data beam service time period for the first device by the second device, so that the first device can report the current timing advance as early as possible when the data beam revisits, so that the first device and the second device can align the timing advance as early as possible, so that the second device can send the first timing offset determined based on the current timing advance to the first device as early as possible when the data beam revisits, and then the first device can use the user-level timing offset appropriate to the current timing advance to send uplink data, which is conducive to avoiding the problem caused by the large deviation in the timing advance maintained by both sides mentioned above.

Please refer to FIG. 6 , which is a flow chart of a communication method 200 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication method 200 includes the following steps.

S201: A second device sends a third timing offset via a data beam. Correspondingly, a first device receives the third timing offset from the data beam.

In an optional embodiment, the third timing offset is determined based on the maximum timing advance corresponding to the data beam coverage area. Alternatively, the third timing offset is determined based on the data beam's revisit time and the most recently reported timing advance. Determining the third timing offset based on the data beam's revisit time and the most recently reported timing advance can further reduce scheduling delays. Optionally, the data beam's revisit time may include one or more of the following: the data beam's scheduling period, scheduling interval, or scheduling time point.

In one optional manner, in the case where the third timing offset is determined based on the revisit time of the data beam and the most recently reported timing advance, if the time difference between the end time of the data beam's (i-1) service to the first device and the start time of the data beam's (i) service to the first device is less than a third value, the first device may determine, when the data beam serves the first device for the i-th time, that the third timing offset is the timing offset determined and sent by the second device based on the most recently reported timing advance by the first device, where i is an integer greater than 1. The most recently reported timing advance by the first device is the timing advance last sent by the first device to the second device during the time period in which the data beam serves the first device for the (i-1)th time. Understandably, since the time interval between the data beam serving the first device for the (i-1)th time and the data beam serving the first device for the (i)th time is relatively short, the timing advance of the first device changes little or does not change during this time interval. Therefore, when the data beam serves the first device for the (i)th time, before reporting the timing advance, the first device may default the third timing offset to the user-level timing offset configured for the first device by the second device when the data beam serves the first device for the (i-1)th time. Furthermore, under this embodiment, the second device may not transmit the third timing offset via the data beam.

S202: The first device determines a fourth timing offset based on the third timing offset.

S203: The first device sends uplink data using the fourth timing offset.

In addition, for the second device, before receiving the timing offset from the first device, the second device uses the third timing offset to receive the uplink data from the first device.

In an optional embodiment, in the case where the third timing offset is determined based on the maximum timing advance corresponding to the data beam coverage area, the fourth timing offset is the third timing offset. It is understandable that since the third timing offset is determined based on the maximum timing advance corresponding to the data beam coverage area, that is, the third timing offset is a cell-level or beam-level timing offset, the third timing offset is applicable to the first device located in the data beam coverage area. Then, when the first device determines that the third timing offset received from the data beam is a cell-level or beam-level timing offset, it can directly use the third timing offset to send uplink data to the second device before sending the timing advance. Accordingly, after the second device sends the third timing offset through the data beam, the second device can directly use the third timing offset to receive uplink data from the first device before receiving the timing advance from the first device.

Optionally, when the second device determines the third timing offset based on the maximum timing advance corresponding to the data beam coverage area, the second device sends the third timing offset in the data beam via a broadcast message. The first device can determine that the third timing offset carried in the broadcast message is a cell-level or beam-level timing offset based on the received broadcast message.

Exemplarily, after the data beam revisits the area where the first device is located, the second device determines the third timing offset based on the maximum timing advance corresponding to the data beam coverage area, and the second device sends a broadcast message in the data beam, which carries the third timing offset. The first device determines that the third timing offset carried by the broadcast message is a cell-level or beam-level timing offset by receiving a broadcast message from the data beam. When the first device does not report the timing advance (that is, before sending the timing advance to the second device), the first device uses the third timing offset to send uplink data. Accordingly, before receiving the timing advance from the first device, the second device uses the third timing offset to receive uplink data from the first device.

In another optional embodiment, the first device determines a fourth timing offset based on the third timing offset, including: if the first timing advance is less than the third timing offset, determining the fourth timing offset to be the third timing offset; if the first timing advance is greater than the third timing offset, acquiring the fourth timing offset through random access. The first timing advance is the current timing advance. The fourth timing offset is determined based on the first timing advance carried in the random access.

Exemplarily, after the data beam returns to the area where the first device is located, if the current timing advance of the first device is less than the third timing offset, the first device uses the third timing offset to send uplink data before reporting the timing advance (that is, before sending the timing advance to the second device); accordingly, the second device uses the third timing offset to receive uplink data from the first device before receiving the timing advance from the first device. If the current timing advance of the first device is greater than the third timing offset, it means that the timing advance of the first device has changed significantly. The first device re-triggers random access to report the current timing advance, so that the second device configures a fourth timing offset for the first device based on the received timing advance. The first device then uses the fourth timing offset to send uplink data, and the second device uses the fourth timing offset to receive uplink data from the first device.

Optionally, the first device triggers random access to report the first timing advance, including: the first device sending a random access preamble (random access preamble), i.e., a first message (message 1, Msg1), to the second device; the second device sending a random access response (random access response), i.e., a second message (message 2, Msg2) to the first device, where the random access response includes configured uplink resources for sending a third message (message 3, Msg3); and the first device sending Msg3 using the uplink resources configured in the random access response, where Msg3 carries the first timing advance. Then, the second device may determine a fourth timing offset based on the first timing advance carried in Msg3, and send the fourth timing offset to the first device.

Optionally, the method further includes: the second device sending a downlink reference signal, and the first device determining the first timing advance based on the downlink reference signal. Optionally, the first device determines the first timing advance based on a measurement result obtained by measuring the received downlink reference signal.

In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: when the first timing advance is less than the third timing offset, and the difference between the first timing advance and the third timing offset is less than a second value, the first device transmits second information indicating the first timing advance, where the first timing advance is the current timing advance; accordingly, the second device receives the second information; the second device transmits the first timing offset, where the first timing offset is determined based on the first timing advance; accordingly, the first device receives the first timing offset; the first device transmits uplink data based on the first timing offset; accordingly, the second device receives uplink data based on the first timing offset.

For example, if after the first device receives the third timing offset, the timing advance of the first device is initially less than the third timing offset, but as the satellite moves, the distance between the second device deployed on the satellite and the first device may change, and the timing advance of the first device may change. When the timing advance of the first device changes to a value where the difference between the timing advance of the first device and the third timing offset is less than a second value, the first device sends the second information so that the second device configures a suitable user-level timing offset for the first device based on the timing advance indicated by the second information. Alternatively, the first device may send the second information as early as possible so that the second device can configure a suitable user-level timing offset for the first device as early as possible to reduce scheduling delay.

Optionally, the first device sends the second information, including: the first device sends resource request information, the resource request information is used to request the second device to configure the uplink resources for sending the timing advance; the second device sends resource configuration information, the resource configuration information is used to configure the uplink resources for sending the timing advance; the first device uses the uplink resources configured by the resource configuration information to send the second information.

In an optional embodiment, when the fourth timing offset is the third timing offset, the first device sends a second timing advance after the first time period, where the second timing advance is the timing advance of the first device at the end of the first time period. During the first time period, the first device uses the third timing offset to send uplink data. The second device sends a sixth timing offset, which is determined based on the second timing advance. Accordingly, the first device receives the sixth timing offset. The first device sends uplink data based on the sixth timing offset, and accordingly, the second device receives uplink data based on the sixth timing offset.

It is understandable that regardless of whether the timing advance of the first device changes, even if the timing advance of the first device does not change or changes slightly, the first device also performs the operation of sending the second timing advance after the first time period, so that the second device can configure a suitable user-level timing offset for the first device as early as possible based on the received second timing advance, thereby avoiding excessive use of cell-level or beam-level timing offsets, and thus reducing scheduling delays.

In an optional embodiment, after the second device sends the third timing offset via a data beam, if the second device does not receive the timing advance from the first device within a second time period, the second device determines that the timing offset corresponding to the first device is a fifth timing offset, where the fifth timing offset is determined based on the most recently received timing advance from the first device. The second device sends the fifth timing offset to the first device, and after receiving the fifth timing offset, the first device uses the fifth timing offset to send uplink data.

It is understandable that after the second device sends the third timing offset through the data beam, if it does not receive the timing advance of the first device within a preset time period, it can be considered that the current timing advance of the first device has not changed or has changed little compared to the timing advance most recently reported by the first device. Then, the second device can consider that the user-level timing offset of the first device remains unchanged, that is, the timing offset determined based on the timing advance most recently received from the first device, thereby avoiding excessive use of cell-level or beam-level timing offsets, thereby reducing scheduling delays.

In another optional embodiment, when the data beam revisits the area where the first device is located but the broadcast beam has not yet revisited the area where the first device is located, the second device cannot send the latest cell-level or beam-level timing offset to the first device through the broadcast beam. However, since the timing offset sent by the second device through the broadcast beam is a cell-level or beam-level timing offset, the cell-level or beam-level timing offset has a certain redundancy, that is, its value is large. Therefore, before sending the timing advance to the second device, the first device can use the timing offset most recently received from the broadcast beam to send uplink data to the second device; accordingly, before receiving the timing advance from the first device, the second device can use the timing offset most recently sent in the broadcast beam to receive uplink data from the first device. Under this embodiment, the second device may not perform the operation of sending the third timing offset through the data beam, and steps S202 and S203 are not performed.

In one optional manner, after the third time period, the first device sends the timing advance at the end of the third time period, so that the second device can configure a suitable user-level timing offset for the first device as soon as possible based on the received timing advance. In the third time period, the first device uses the timing offset most recently received from the broadcast beam to send uplink data. In another optional manner, if the second device does not receive the timing advance of the first device within the second time period, it configures a user-level timing offset for the first device based on the timing advance most recently received from the first device. For a detailed explanation, please refer to the aforementioned related explanations and will not be repeated here.

In summary, in communication method 200, the second device transmits a third timing offset via a data beam, and the first device determines a fourth timing offset based on the third timing offset. The first device then transmits uplink data using the fourth timing offset. This indicates that the second device can send the third timing offset via a data beam to align the timing offsets used by the first and second devices before the first device sends the timing advance. This method can be applied to scenarios where a data beam revisits the area where the first device is located, but a broadcast beam has not yet revisited the area where the first device is located. In this scenario, the second device cannot send the latest cell-level or beam-level timing offset to the first device via a broadcast beam. This method aligns the timing offsets used by the first and second devices before the first device sends the timing advance by sending the third timing offset via a data beam from the second device. This method can prevent the first device's uplink data from arriving at the second device early or late due to misalignment of the timing offsets used by the first and second devices. This early or delayed arrival of the first device's uplink data at the second device can cause collisions with data sent by other devices to the second device. It can also avoid misalignment of the timing offsets used by the first device and the second device, so that the second device cannot obtain the actual arrival time of the uplink data of the first device, resulting in errors in the second device's parsing of the uplink data of the first device.

Please refer to FIG. 7 , which is a flow chart of a communication method 300 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication method 300 includes the following steps.

S301: When a first device starts to be served by a data beam, it sends third information for requesting configuration of uplink resources for sending a timing advance. Correspondingly, a second device receives the third information.

S302: The second device sends fourth information, where the fourth information is used to configure uplink resources for sending a timing advance. Correspondingly, the first device receives the fourth information.

S303: The first device sends second information using the uplink resources configured by the fourth information, where the second information indicates a first timing advance, which is the current timing advance. Accordingly, the second device receives the second information.

In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: the second device sending a downlink reference signal, and the first device determining the first timing advance based on the downlink reference signal. Optionally, the first device determines the first timing advance based on a measurement result obtained by measuring the received downlink reference signal.

S304: The second device sends a first timing offset, where the first timing offset is determined based on the first timing advance. Correspondingly, the first device receives the first timing offset.

S305: The first device sends uplink data based on the first timing offset. Correspondingly, the second device receives uplink data based on the first timing offset.

It can be seen that the communication method 300 can be applied to the scenario where the data beam of the second device revisits the area where the first device is located. In this scenario, the first device can send third information to request the second device to configure the uplink resources for sending the timing advance when the data beam starts to provide services for the first device during the data beam revisit. In this way, the first device can report the current timing advance as early as possible, so that the second device can determine the timing offset and send the timing offset based on the obtained timing advance as early as possible, and then the first device can determine the timing offset used for sending uplink data as early as possible.

This method also facilitates early alignment of the timing advances of the first and second devices, thereby facilitating early alignment of the timing offsets used for uplink transmission. This method can prevent the first device's uplink data from arriving at the second device early or late due to misalignment of the timing offsets used by the first and second devices. This can lead to collisions with data sent from other devices to the second device due to early or delayed arrival of the first device's uplink data at the second device. It can also prevent misalignment of the timing offsets used by the first and second devices, which can prevent the second device from being able to determine the actual arrival time of the first device's uplink data, leading to errors in the second device's parsing of the first device's uplink data.

To implement the various functions of the methods provided in the embodiments of the present application, network elements/devices may include hardware structures and/or software modules, and the aforementioned functions may be implemented in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules. Whether a particular one of the aforementioned functions is implemented in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

As shown in Figure 8, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device 800. The communication device 800 can be a first device or a second device, or a component of the first device (for example, an integrated circuit, a chip, etc.), or a component of the second device (for example, an integrated circuit, a chip, etc.). The communication device 800 can also be other communication units for implementing the method in the method embodiment of the present application. The communication device 800 may include a processing unit 801. Optionally, the communication device 800 may also include a communication unit 802, and the processing unit 801 is used to control the communication unit 802 to send and receive data/signaling. The communication unit 802 may also be referred to as a transceiver unit. Optionally, the communication unit 802 may include a sending unit and a receiving unit. The sending unit may be used to send data/signaling, and the receiving unit may be used to receive data/signaling. Optionally, the communication device 800 may also include a storage unit 803. The storage unit 803 may be used to store information and/or data and/or instructions, etc. The storage unit 803 may interact with the processing unit 801, and may also interact with the communication unit 802.

In one possible design, for a case where the communication apparatus 800 is used to implement the function of the first device in the above method embodiment:

The communication unit 802 is configured to receive first information, where the first information is used to configure uplink resources for sending a timing advance. The uplink resources configured by the first information belong in the time domain to the first N uplink time units in the time period in which the data beam provides service each time, where N is a positive integer. The communication unit 802 is also configured to receive a downlink reference signal. The processing unit 801 is configured to determine a first timing advance based on the downlink reference signal. The communication unit 802 is also configured to send second information using the uplink resources configured by the first information, where the second information is used to indicate the first timing advance. The communication unit 802 is also configured to receive a first timing offset, where the first timing offset is determined based on the first timing advance. The communication unit 802 is also configured to send uplink data based on the first timing offset.

In an optional implementation manner, the uplink resources configured by the first information are related to the resources of the downlink reference signal.

In an optional implementation manner, the uplink resources configured by the first information include: uplink resources corresponding to a downlink reference signal, wherein the interval between the uplink resources corresponding to the downlink reference signal and the downlink resources used by the downlink reference signal is equal to the first value.

In an optional embodiment, the second information is used to indicate the first timing advance, including: the second information is a difference between the first timing advance and a second timing offset, where the second timing offset is a timing offset most recently received from the broadcast beam, and the timing offset received from the broadcast beam is determined based on a maximum timing advance corresponding to an area covered by the broadcast beam.

In an optional embodiment, the communication unit 802 is further configured to send uplink data using a second timing offset before sending the second information using the uplink resources configured with the first information. The second timing offset is a timing offset most recently received from the broadcast beam, and the timing offset received from the broadcast beam is determined based on a maximum timing advance corresponding to the coverage area of the broadcast beam.

In another possible design, for a case where the communication apparatus 800 is used to implement the function of the second device in the above method embodiment:

Communication unit 802 is configured to send first information, where the first information is used to configure uplink resources for sending a timing advance. The uplink resources configured by the first information belong, in the time domain, to the first N uplink time units in the time period in which the data beam provides service each time, where N is a positive integer. Communication unit 802 is also configured to send a downlink reference signal, where the downlink reference signal is used to determine the first timing advance. Communication unit 802 is also configured to receive second information sent using the uplink resources configured with the first information, where the second information is used to indicate the first timing advance. Communication unit 802 is also configured to send a first timing offset, where the first timing offset is determined based on the first timing advance. Communication unit 802 is also configured to receive uplink data based on the first timing offset.

In an optional implementation manner, the uplink resources configured by the first information are related to the resources of the downlink reference signal.

In an optional implementation manner, the uplink resources configured by the first information include: uplink resources corresponding to a downlink reference signal, wherein the interval between the uplink resources corresponding to the downlink reference signal and the downlink resources used by the downlink reference signal is equal to the first value.

In an optional embodiment, the second information is used to indicate the first timing advance, including: the second information is the difference between the first timing advance and the second timing offset. The second timing offset is the timing offset most recently sent in the broadcast beam, and the timing offset sent in the broadcast beam is determined based on the maximum timing advance corresponding to the broadcast beam coverage area. Processing unit 801 is configured to determine the first timing advance based on the second information and the second timing offset.

In an optional embodiment, the communication unit 802 is further configured to receive uplink data using a second timing offset before receiving second information sent on an uplink resource configured using the first information. The second timing offset is a timing offset most recently sent in a broadcast beam, and the timing offset sent in the broadcast beam is determined based on a maximum timing advance corresponding to a coverage area of the broadcast beam.

In another possible design, for a case where the communication apparatus 800 is used to implement the function of the first device in the above method embodiment:

The communication unit 802 is configured to receive a third timing offset from the data beam. The processing unit 801 is configured to determine a fourth timing offset based on the third timing offset. The communication unit 802 is further configured to send uplink data using the fourth timing offset.

In an optional implementation, the third timing offset is determined based on a maximum timing advance corresponding to the data beam coverage area. Alternatively, the third timing offset is determined based on a revisit time of the data beam and a most recently reported timing advance.

In an optional implementation, processing unit 801 determines a fourth timing offset based on the third timing offset, specifically: if the first timing advance is less than the third timing offset, determining the fourth timing offset to be the third timing offset; and if the first timing advance is greater than the third timing offset, acquiring the fourth timing offset through random access. The first timing advance is the current timing advance. The fourth timing offset is determined based on the first timing advance carried in the random access.

In an optional embodiment, the communication unit 802 is further used to send second information when the first timing advance is less than the third timing offset and the difference between the first timing advance and the third timing offset is less than the second value, where the second information is used to indicate the first timing advance, and the first timing advance is the current timing advance.

In another possible design, for a case where the communication apparatus 800 is used to implement the function of the second device in the above method embodiment:

The communication unit 802 is configured to send a third timing offset via a data beam. The communication unit 802 is further configured to receive uplink data using the third timing offset.

In an optional implementation, the third timing offset is determined based on a maximum timing advance corresponding to the data beam coverage area. Alternatively, the third timing offset is determined based on a revisit time of the data beam and a most recently reported timing advance.

In an optional embodiment, the communication unit 802 is further configured to receive second information indicating the first timing advance. The communication unit 802 is further configured to send a first timing offset, the first timing offset being determined based on the first timing advance. The communication unit 802 is further configured to receive uplink data based on the first timing offset.

In another possible design, for a case where the communication apparatus 800 is used to implement the function of the first device in the above method embodiment:

Communication unit 802 is configured to send third information when starting to be served by a data beam, the third information being used to request configuration of uplink resources for sending a timing advance. Communication unit 802 is further configured to receive fourth information, the fourth information being used to configure uplink resources for sending a timing advance. Communication unit 802 is further configured to send second information using the uplink resources configured with the fourth information, the second information being used to indicate a first timing advance, the first timing advance being the current timing advance. Communication unit 802 is further configured to receive a first timing offset, the first timing offset being determined based on the first timing advance. Communication unit 802 is further configured to send uplink data based on the first timing offset.

The embodiments of the present application and the method embodiments shown above are based on the same concept, and the technical effects they bring are also the same. For the specific principles, please refer to the description of the embodiments shown above, and no further details will be given.

The present application also provides a communication device 900, as shown in Figure 9. The communication device 900 can be a first device or a second device, or can be a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the first device or the second device to implement the above method. The device can be used to implement the method described in the above method embodiment. For details, please refer to the description of the above method embodiment.

The communication device 900 may include one or more processors 901. The processor 901 may be used to implement part or all of the functions of the first device or the second device through logic circuits or running computer programs. The processor 901 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, etc. For example, it may be a baseband processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component or a CPU. The baseband processor may be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit may be used to control the communication device, execute software programs, and process data of the software programs, wherein the communication device is, for example, a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal, a terminal chip, a distributed unit (DU) or a centralized unit (CU), etc.

Optionally, the communication device 900 may include one or more memories 902, on which instructions 904 may be stored. The instructions may be executed on the processor 901, causing the communication device 900 to perform the method described in the above method embodiment. Optionally, the memory 902 may also store data. The processor 901 and the memory 902 may be provided separately or integrated together.

The memory 902 may include, but is not limited to, non-volatile memories such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), random access memory (RAM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), ROM or portable read-only memory (compact disc read-only memory, CD-ROM), etc.

Optionally, the communication device 900 may further include a transceiver 905 and an antenna 906. The transceiver 905 may be referred to as a transceiver unit, a transceiver, or a transceiver circuit, etc., and is configured to implement transceiver functions. The transceiver 905 may include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver may be referred to as a receiver or a receiving circuit, etc., and is configured to implement a receiving function; the transmitter may be referred to as a transmitter or a transmitting circuit, etc., and is configured to implement a transmitting function.

In one possible design, for a case where the communication apparatus 900 is used to implement the function of the first device in the above method embodiment:

The transceiver 905 is configured to receive first information, where the first information is used to configure uplink resources for sending a timing advance. The uplink resources configured by the first information belong in the time domain to the first N uplink time units in the time period in which the data beam provides service each time, where N is a positive integer. The transceiver 905 is also configured to receive a downlink reference signal. The processor 901 is configured to determine a first timing advance based on the downlink reference signal. The transceiver 905 is also configured to send second information using the uplink resources configured by the first information, where the second information is used to indicate the first timing advance. The transceiver 905 is also configured to receive a first timing offset, where the first timing offset is determined based on the first timing advance. The transceiver 905 is also configured to send uplink data based on the first timing offset.

In an optional implementation manner, the uplink resources configured by the first information are related to the resources of the downlink reference signal.

In an optional implementation manner, the uplink resources configured by the first information include: uplink resources corresponding to a downlink reference signal, wherein the interval between the uplink resources corresponding to the downlink reference signal and the downlink resources used by the downlink reference signal is equal to the first value.

In an optional embodiment, the second information is used to indicate the first timing advance, including: the second information is a difference between the first timing advance and a second timing offset, where the second timing offset is a timing offset most recently received from the broadcast beam, and the timing offset received from the broadcast beam is determined based on a maximum timing advance corresponding to an area covered by the broadcast beam.

In an optional embodiment, the transceiver 905 is further configured to transmit uplink data using a second timing offset before transmitting the second information using the uplink resources configured using the first information. The second timing offset is a timing offset most recently received from the broadcast beam, and the timing offset received from the broadcast beam is determined based on a maximum timing advance corresponding to the coverage area of the broadcast beam.

In another possible design, for a case where the communication apparatus 900 is used to implement the function of the second device in the above method embodiment:

Transceiver 905 is configured to send first information, where the first information is used to configure uplink resources for sending a timing advance. The uplink resources configured by the first information belong in the time domain to the first N uplink time units in the time period in which the data beam provides service each time, where N is a positive integer. Transceiver 905 is also configured to send a downlink reference signal, where the downlink reference signal is used to determine the first timing advance. Transceiver 905 is also configured to receive second information sent using the uplink resources configured with the first information, where the second information is used to indicate the first timing advance. Transceiver 905 is also configured to send a first timing offset, where the first timing offset is determined based on the first timing advance. Transceiver 905 is also configured to receive uplink data based on the first timing offset.

In an optional implementation manner, the uplink resources configured by the first information are related to the resources of the downlink reference signal.

In an optional implementation manner, the uplink resources configured by the first information include: uplink resources corresponding to a downlink reference signal, wherein the interval between the uplink resources corresponding to the downlink reference signal and the downlink resources used by the downlink reference signal is equal to the first value.

In an optional embodiment, the second information is used to indicate the first timing advance, including: the second information is the difference between the first timing advance and the second timing offset. The second timing offset is the timing offset most recently sent in the broadcast beam, and the timing offset sent in the broadcast beam is determined based on the maximum timing advance corresponding to the broadcast beam coverage area. Processor 901 is configured to determine the first timing advance based on the second information and the second timing offset.

In an optional embodiment, the transceiver 905 is further configured to receive uplink data using a second timing offset before receiving second information sent using the uplink resource configured using the first information. The second timing offset is the timing offset most recently sent in the broadcast beam, and the timing offset sent in the broadcast beam is determined based on a maximum timing advance corresponding to the coverage area of the broadcast beam.

In another possible design, for a case where the communication apparatus 900 is used to implement the function of the first device in the above method embodiment:

The transceiver 905 is configured to receive a third timing offset from the data beam. The processor 901 is configured to determine a fourth timing offset based on the third timing offset. The transceiver 905 is further configured to transmit uplink data using the fourth timing offset.

In an optional implementation, the third timing offset is determined based on a maximum timing advance corresponding to the data beam coverage area. Alternatively, the third timing offset is determined based on a revisit time of the data beam and a most recently reported timing advance.

In an optional implementation, processor 901 determines a fourth timing offset based on the third timing offset, specifically: if the first timing advance is less than the third timing offset, determining the fourth timing offset to be the third timing offset; if the first timing advance is greater than the third timing offset, acquiring the fourth timing offset through random access. The first timing advance is the current timing advance. The fourth timing offset is determined based on the current timing advance carried in the random access.

In an optional embodiment, the transceiver 905 is further used to send second information when the first timing advance is less than the third timing offset and the difference between the first timing advance and the third timing offset is less than the second value, where the second information is used to indicate the first timing advance, and the first timing advance is the current timing advance.

In another possible design, for a case where the communication apparatus 900 is used to implement the function of the second device in the above method embodiment:

The transceiver 905 is configured to send the third timing offset via a data beam and to receive uplink data using the third timing offset.

In an optional implementation, the third timing offset is determined based on a maximum timing advance corresponding to the data beam coverage area. Alternatively, the third timing offset is determined based on a revisit time of the data beam and a most recently reported timing advance.

In an optional embodiment, the transceiver 905 is further configured to receive second information indicating the first timing advance. The transceiver 905 is further configured to send a first timing offset, the first timing offset being determined based on the first timing advance. The transceiver 905 is further configured to receive uplink data based on the first timing offset.

In another possible design, for a case where the communication apparatus 900 is used to implement the function of the first device in the above method embodiment:

Transceiver 905 is configured to transmit third information upon starting to be served by a data beam, the third information being used to request configuration of uplink resources for transmitting a timing advance. Transceiver 905 is further configured to receive fourth information, the fourth information being used to configure uplink resources for transmitting a timing advance. Transceiver 905 is further configured to transmit second information using the uplink resources configured with the fourth information, the second information being used to indicate a first timing advance, the first timing advance being the current timing advance. Transceiver 905 is further configured to receive a first timing offset, the first timing offset being determined based on the first timing advance. Transceiver 905 is further configured to transmit uplink data based on the first timing offset.

In another possible design, processor 901 may include a transceiver for implementing receiving and transmitting functions. For example, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit, an interface, or an interface circuit. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit for implementing the receiving and transmitting functions may be separate or integrated. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be used for reading and writing code/data, or the transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be used for transmitting or delivering signals.

In another possible design, processor 901 may optionally store instructions 903. Instructions 903, when executed on processor 901, may cause communication device 900 to perform the method described in the above method embodiment. Instructions 903 may be fixed in processor 901. In this case, processor 901 may be implemented by hardware.

In another possible design, the communication device 900 may include a circuit that can implement the functions of sending, receiving, or communicating in the aforementioned method embodiments. The processor and transceiver described in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented on an integrated circuit (IC), an analog IC, a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), a mixed-signal IC, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a printed circuit board (PCB), an electronic device, etc. The processor and transceiver can also be manufactured using various IC process technologies, such as complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), N-type metal oxide semiconductor (NMOS), positive channel metal oxide semiconductor (PMOS), bipolar junction transistor (BJT), bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS), silicon germanium (SiGe), gallium arsenide (GaAs), etc.

Those skilled in the art will also understand that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps listed in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of the two. Whether such functions are implemented by hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design requirements of the entire system. Those skilled in the art may use various methods to implement the described functions for specific applications, but such implementation should not be understood as exceeding the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present application.

The embodiments of the present application and the above-mentioned method embodiments are based on the same concept, and the technical effects they bring are also the same. For the specific principles, please refer to the description in the above-mentioned method embodiments, and no further details will be given.

The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing computer software instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

The present application also provides a computer program product for storing computer software instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

The present application also provides a computer program that, when executed on a computer, implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

The present application also provides a chip including a processor. The processor is configured to execute code or instructions to implement the functions of any of the above method embodiments. Optionally, the chip also includes an interface, the processor being coupled to the interface, and the interface being configured to receive or output signals.

In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function described in the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. 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 computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center by wired (such as coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (such as infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrated. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., a high-density digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., an SSD), etc.

The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims (22)

A communication method, characterized in that the method comprises: receiving first information for configuring an uplink resource for sending a timing advance, where the uplink resource belongs, in the time domain, to first N uplink time units in a time period in which a data beam provides service each time, where N is a positive integer; receiving a downlink reference signal; determining a first timing advance based on the downlink reference signal; Using the uplink resource to send second information, where the second information is used to indicate the first timing advance; receiving a first timing offset, wherein the first timing offset is determined based on the first timing advance; Uplink data is sent based on the first timing offset. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The uplink resource is related to the downlink reference signal resource. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The uplink resource includes: an uplink resource corresponding to the downlink reference signal; An interval between the uplink resource corresponding to the downlink reference signal and the downlink resource used by the downlink reference signal is equal to a first value. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The second information is used to indicate the first timing advance, including: the second information is a difference between the first timing advance and the second timing offset; The second timing offset is a timing offset most recently received from a broadcast beam, and the timing offset received from the broadcast beam is determined based on a maximum timing advance corresponding to an area covered by the broadcast beam. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that before using the uplink resource to send the second information, the method further comprises: Using the second timing offset, sending uplink data; The second timing offset is a timing offset most recently received from a broadcast beam, and the timing offset received from the broadcast beam is determined based on a maximum timing advance corresponding to an area covered by the broadcast beam. A communication method, characterized in that the method comprises: Sending first information, where the first information is used to configure an uplink resource for sending a timing advance, where the uplink resource belongs, in the time domain, to the first N uplink time units in a time period in which a data beam provides service each time, where N is a positive integer; Sending a downlink reference signal, where the downlink reference signal is used to determine a first timing advance; receiving second information sent using the uplink resource, where the second information is used to indicate the first timing advance; Sending a first timing offset, where the first timing offset is determined based on the first timing advance; Uplink data is received based on the first timing offset. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The uplink resource is related to the downlink reference signal resource. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The uplink resource includes: an uplink resource corresponding to the downlink reference signal; An interval between the uplink resource corresponding to the downlink reference signal and the downlink resource used by the downlink reference signal is equal to a first value. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that The second information is used to indicate the first timing advance, including: the second information is a difference between the first timing advance and the second timing offset; The second timing offset is a timing offset most recently sent in a broadcast beam, where the timing offset sent in the broadcast beam is determined based on a maximum timing advance corresponding to an area covered by the broadcast beam; The method further includes determining the first timing advance based on the second information and the second timing offset. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that before the receiving the second information sent using the uplink resource, the method further comprises: Receiving uplink data using a second timing offset; The second timing offset is the timing offset most recently sent in the broadcast beam, and the timing offset sent in the broadcast beam is determined based on a maximum timing advance corresponding to an area covered by the broadcast beam. A communication method, characterized in that the method comprises: receiving a third timing offset from the data beam; determining a fourth timing offset based on the third timing offset; The uplink data is sent using the fourth timing offset. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The third timing offset is determined based on the maximum timing advance corresponding to the data beam coverage area; or, The third timing offset is determined based on the revisit time of the data beam and the most recently reported timing advance. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein determining the fourth timing offset based on the third timing offset comprises: If the first timing advance is less than the third timing offset, determining the fourth timing offset to be the third timing offset; If the first timing advance is greater than the third timing offset, acquiring the fourth timing offset through random access; The first timing advance is the current timing advance. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the method further comprises: When the first timing advance is less than the third timing offset and the difference between the first timing advance and the third timing offset is less than a second value, second information is sent, where the second information is used to indicate the first timing advance, and the first timing advance is the current timing advance. A communication method, characterized in that the method comprises: transmitting a third timing offset via a data beam; The uplink data is received using the third timing offset. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The third timing offset is determined based on the maximum timing advance corresponding to the data beam coverage area; or, The third timing offset is determined based on the revisit time of the data beam and the most recently reported timing advance. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the method further comprises: receiving second information, where the second information is used to indicate a first timing advance; Sending a first timing offset, where the first timing offset is determined based on the first timing advance; Uplink data is received based on the first timing offset. A communication method, characterized in that the method further comprises: Sending third information when starting to be served by the data beam, wherein the third information is used to request configuration of uplink resources for sending timing advance; receiving fourth information, where the fourth information is used to configure an uplink resource for sending a timing advance; Using the uplink resource to send second information, where the second information is used to indicate a first timing advance, where the first timing advance is a current timing advance; receiving a first timing offset, wherein the first timing offset is determined based on the first timing advance; Uplink data is sent based on the first timing offset. A communication device, characterized in that the device includes a module or unit for implementing the method described in any one of claims 1 to 5, or includes a module or unit for implementing the method described in any one of claims 6 to 10, or includes a module or unit for implementing the method described in any one of claims 11 to 14, or includes a module or unit for implementing the method described in any one of claims 15 to 17, or includes a module or unit for implementing the method described in claim 18. A communication device, comprising a processor; The processor is configured to execute a computer program or instructions to cause the communication device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, or the method according to any one of claims 6 to 10, or the method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, or the method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, or the method according to claim 18. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that the computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, which, when the computer program is executed, implements the method described in any one of claims 1 to 5, or implements the method described in any one of claims 6 to 10, or implements the method described in any one of claims 11 to 14, or implements the method described in any one of claims 15 to 17, or implements the method described in claim 18. A computer program product, comprising: computer program code, which, when the computer program code is run, implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, or the method according to any one of claims 6 to 10, or the method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, or the method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, or the method according to claim 18.