CN113347697A

CN113347697A - Method and device for updating timing offset

Info

Publication number: CN113347697A
Application number: CN202011105437.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 王晓鲁; 罗禾佳; 乔云飞; 杜颖钢; 徐晨蕾
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-02-18
Filing date: 2020-10-15
Publication date: 2021-09-03

Abstract

The application provides a method and a device for updating timing offset, which are particularly suitable for NTN networks such as satellite communication and the like, wherein the method comprises the following steps: the terminal equipment sends a third message to the network equipment according to the first timing offset; the first timing offset is used to indicate a delay degree of the terminal device for delaying sending the third message, and the third message includes indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate a second timing offset, and the second timing offset is the updated first timing offset. And the terminal equipment sends a fifth message to the network equipment according to the second timing offset. The method can effectively update the timing offset in time on the basis of ensuring that the terminal equipment has enough time to perform timing advance adjustment, thereby avoiding the waste of time-frequency resources.

Description

Method and device for updating timing offset

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a method and an apparatus for updating a timing offset.

Background

Currently, New air interface (NR) technology has moved from the standardization phase to the commercial deployment phase. The NR standard is designed for Terrestrial communications, and compared to Terrestrial communications, Non-Terrestrial network (NTN) communications have characteristics of large coverage area, flexible networking, and the like.

In a terrestrial communication network, the altitude difference between the base station and the terminal device is not great, but the altitude difference between the base station/satellite and the terminal device in a non-terrestrial network is great (generally greater than 500km), as shown in fig. 1. Therefore, the round-trip delay and the round-trip delay difference of the terminal equipment in the same beam/cell in the NTN are much larger than those of the terminal equipment in the same NR cell. For example, when the cell diameter in a terrestrial cellular network is 350km, the maximum round trip delay within the cell is 1.17 ms. However, when the satellite track height in the NTN is 600km and the beam diameter is 350km, the maximum round-trip delay can reach about 13ms (10 degrees for the UE's communication elevation angle) as shown in fig. 2.

Generally, to ensure that the base station receives the uplink signal transmitted by the terminal device at a predetermined time, the terminal device needs to perform timing advance adjustment before transmitting the uplink signal. However, the amount of timing advance adjustment that the terminal device can make is much less than 13ms depending on the uplink and downlink timing relationship.

Therefore, how to make the terminal device have enough time to make timing advance adjustment is a problem to be solved.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the application provides a method and a device for updating a timing offset, which can timely and effectively update the timing offset on the basis of ensuring that terminal equipment has enough time for timing advance adjustment, thereby avoiding waste of time-frequency resources.

In a first aspect, the present application provides a method for updating a timing offset, where the method includes:

the terminal equipment sends a third message to the network equipment according to the first timing offset; the first timing offset is used to indicate a delay degree of the terminal device for delaying sending the third message, and the third message includes indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate a second timing offset, and the second timing offset is an updated first timing offset; and the terminal equipment sends a fifth message to the network equipment according to the second timing offset.

The technical scheme provided by the application is as follows: on one hand, the terminal equipment has enough time to carry out timing advance adjustment by setting the timing offset; on the other hand, by updating the timing offset, the terminal device can use the appropriate timing offset in time. Compared with the method for not updating the timing offset, the method for adjusting the timing advance of the terminal equipment can reduce the end-to-end time delay and avoid resource waste on the basis that the terminal equipment has enough time to perform timing advance adjustment.

In a possible implementation manner, before the terminal device sends the third message to the network device according to the first timing offset, the method further includes: the terminal equipment sends a first message to the network equipment, wherein the first message comprises a random access preamble; the terminal equipment receives a second message sent by the network equipment, wherein the second message comprises a random access response message; after the terminal device sends a third message to the network device according to the first timing offset, the method further includes: and the terminal equipment receives a fourth message sent by the network equipment, wherein the fourth message comprises a random access contention resolution message.

In the embodiment of the present application, the first message may be understood as Msg1 in a four-step random access process, the second message may be understood as Msg2 in a four-step random access process, the third message may be understood as Msg3 in a four-step random access process, and the fourth message may be understood as Msg4 in a four-step random access process.

In a possible implementation manner, the indicating information for indicating the second timing offset includes: the indication information includes the second timing offset.

In a possible implementation manner, the indicating information for indicating the second timing offset includes: the indication information includes a first adjustment parameter set, where the first adjustment parameter set is used to determine the second timing offset.

In the embodiment of the application, the bit number used when the terminal equipment sends the first adjustment parameter set is far smaller than the bit number used when the terminal equipment directly sends the second timing offset, so that the signaling overhead is saved.

In one possible implementation, the first set of tuning parameters includes any one or more of:

the method comprises the steps of determining parameters based on the time delay starting time of a Random Access Response (RAR) receiving window and the time of the RAR receiving window; or a parameter determined based on the time length of the delayed start of the random access contention resolution timer and the time length of the random access contention resolution timer; or a parameter determined based on a common timing advance; or a parameter determined based on the height of the track where the network device is located; or a parameter determined based on a round trip delay between the terminal device and the network device.

In a possible implementation manner, the indicating information for indicating the second timing offset includes: the indication information includes a variation between the second timing offset and a reference timing offset.

In this application, the reference timing offset is a timing offset currently used by the terminal device or a timing offset set in advance.

In a possible implementation manner, the fourth message includes the second timing offset; or,

the fourth message comprises a variation based on the second timing offset and a reference timing offset; and the reference timing offset is the timing offset currently used by the terminal equipment or a preset timing offset.

In one possible implementation, the method further includes:

the terminal device receives effective information sent by the network device, wherein the effective information is used for indicating the effective time of the second timing offset; or the terminal device sends validation information to the network device, wherein the validation information is used for indicating the validation time of the second timing offset; or the second timing offset takes effect in m time slots after the terminal device sends the third message, where m is a preset integer; or the second timing offset takes effect in n time slots after the terminal device receives the fourth message, where n is a preset integer.

In a possible implementation manner, before the terminal device sends the third message to the network device according to the timing offset, the method further includes: the terminal equipment receives a broadcast message sent by the network equipment; wherein the broadcast message includes any one or more of: the time delay starting time of the RAR receiving window and the time length of the RAR receiving window; or the time length of the delayed starting of the random access contention resolution timer and the time length of the random access contention resolution timer; or the common timing advance; or the height of the track on which the network device is located.

In a possible implementation manner, when the broadcast message includes the delay start time of the RAR receiving window and the time length of the RAR receiving window, the first timing offset satisfies the following condition:

wherein, K is_offsetTaking the value of the first timing offset; the RAR _ window is a time length of the RAR receiving window, and the time length of the RAR receiving window is used for indicating a time length for the terminal device to receive the RAR; the RAR _ offset is a delay start-up duration of the RAR receiving window, and the delay start-up duration of the RAR receiving window is used for indicating a delay duration for delaying the opening of the RAR receiving window after the terminal device sends the first message; the slot _ duration is a duration unit; said Δ K _offsetFor timing offset differences, said Δ K_offsetAre integers.

In a possible implementation manner, when the broadcast message includes a delay start time of the random access contention resolution timer and a time length of the random access contention resolution timer, the first timing offset satisfies the following condition:

wherein, the RCR _ timer is a duration of the random access contention resolution timer, and the duration of the random access contention resolution timer indicates a maximum time interval allowed between starting the random access contention resolution timer and receiving the fourth message after the terminal device sends the third message; the RCR _ offset is a delay start duration of the random access contention resolution timer, where the delay start duration of the random access contention resolution timer is used to indicate that the delay start duration of the random access contention resolution timer is delayed to start after the terminal device sends the third message; the slot _ duration is a duration unit; said Δ K_offsetFor timing offset differences, said Δ K_offsetAre integers.

In one possible implementation, the fifth message includes any one of data information, a feedback message, or a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS).

Optionally, the feedback message includes a feedback message of the fourth message.

In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the terminal equipment receives a timing advance adjusting instruction sent by the network equipment, wherein the timing advance adjusting instruction is used for indicating to update the second timing offset; and the terminal equipment sends the updated second timing offset or a second adjusting parameter set to the network equipment according to the second timing offset, wherein the second adjusting parameter set is used for determining the updated second timing offset.

In one possible implementation, the method further includes: when any one or more of the following conditions is met, the terminal device receives the updated second timing offset sent by the network device or is based on the variation between the updated second timing offset and the reference timing offset; wherein the any one or more conditions comprise: the terminal equipment switches cells; or the terminal equipment switches the wave beam; or the terminal device switches a partial Bandwidth (BWP).

In a second aspect, the present application provides a method for updating a timing offset, where the method includes:

The network equipment receives a third message sent by the terminal equipment according to the first timing offset; wherein the first timing offset is used to indicate a delay degree of the network device for delaying receiving the third message; the third message comprises indication information, the indication information is used for indicating a second timing offset, and the second timing offset is the updated first timing offset; and the network equipment receives a fifth message sent by the terminal equipment.

In a possible implementation manner, before the network device receives, according to the first timing offset, the third message sent by the terminal device, the method further includes: the network equipment receives a first message sent by the terminal equipment, wherein the first message comprises a random access preamble; the network equipment sends a second message to the terminal equipment, wherein the second message comprises a random access response message; after the network device receives the third message sent by the terminal device according to the first timing offset, the method further includes: and the network equipment sends a fourth message to the terminal equipment, wherein the fourth message comprises a random access contention resolution message.

In one possible implementation, the first set of tuning parameters includes any one or more of: the method comprises the steps of determining parameters based on the time delay starting time of a Random Access Response (RAR) receiving window and the time of the RAR receiving window; or a parameter determined based on the time length of the delayed start of the random access contention resolution timer and the time length of the random access contention resolution timer; or a parameter determined based on a common timing advance; or a parameter determined based on the height of the track where the network device is located; or a parameter determined based on a round trip delay between the terminal device and the network device.

In a possible implementation manner, the fourth message includes the second timing offset; or, the fourth message includes a variation based on the second timing offset and a reference timing offset; and the reference timing offset is the timing offset currently used by the terminal equipment or a preset timing offset.

In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the network equipment sends effective information to the terminal equipment, wherein the effective information is used for indicating the effective time of the second timing offset; or the network device receives effective information sent by the terminal device, wherein the effective information is used for indicating effective time of the second timing offset; or the second timing offset takes effect in m time slots after the network device receives the third message, where m is a preset integer; or the second timing offset takes effect n time slots after the network device sends the fourth message, where n is a preset integer.

In a possible implementation manner, before the network device receives, according to the first timing offset, the third message sent by the terminal device, the method further includes: the network equipment sends a broadcast message; wherein the broadcast message includes any one or more of: the time delay starting time of the RAR receiving window and the time length of the RAR receiving window; or the time length of the delayed starting of the random access contention resolution timer and the time length of the random access contention resolution timer; or the common timing advance; or the height of the track on which the network device is located.

wherein, K is_offse1tTaking the value of the first timing offset; the RAR _ window is a time length of the RAR receiving window, and the time length of the RAR receiving window is used for indicating a time length for the terminal device to receive the RAR; the RAR _ offset is the delay start-up duration of the RAR receiving window, where the delay start-up duration of the RAR receiving window is used to indicate the delay duration for delaying the start of the RAR receiving window after the terminal device sends the first message; the slot _ duration is a duration unit; said Δ K _offsetFor timing offset differences, said Δ K_offsetAre integers.

wherein, K is_offse1tTaking the value of the first timing offset; the RCR _ timer is a duration of the random access contention resolution timer, where the duration of the random access contention resolution timer indicates a maximum time interval allowed between starting the random access contention resolution timer and receiving the fourth message after the terminal device sends the third message; the RCR _ offset is a delay start duration of the random access contention resolution timer, where the delay start duration of the random access contention resolution timer is used to indicate that the delay start duration of the random access contention resolution timer is delayed to start after the terminal device sends the third message; the slot _ duration is a duration unit; said Δ K_offsetFor timing offset differences, said Δ K_offsetAre integers.

In one possible implementation, the fifth message includes any one of data information, a feedback message, or a sounding reference signal, SRS.

In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the network equipment sends a timing advance adjusting instruction to the terminal equipment, wherein the timing advance adjusting instruction is used for indicating to update the second timing offset; and the network equipment receives the updated second timing offset or a second adjusting parameter set sent by the terminal equipment, wherein the second adjusting parameter set is used for determining the updated second timing offset.

In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the network device sends the updated second timing offset amount to the terminal device or based on the variation between the updated second timing offset amount and the reference timing offset amount when any one or more of the following conditions are met; wherein the any one or more conditions comprise: the terminal equipment switches cells; or the terminal equipment switches the wave beam; or the terminal device switches the partial bandwidth BWP.

The beneficial effects of the second aspect can be seen in the beneficial effects of the first aspect, which are not described herein in detail.

In a third aspect, the present application provides a communications apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a processing unit for generating a third message; the third message includes indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate a second timing offset, where the second timing offset is an updated first timing offset, and the first timing offset is used to indicate a delay degree of the communication apparatus for delaying sending the third message; a sending unit, configured to send a third message to a network device according to the first timing offset; the sending unit is further configured to send a fifth message to the network device according to the second timing offset.

In a possible implementation manner, the sending unit is further configured to send a first message to the network device, where the first message includes a random access preamble; the receiving unit is further configured to receive a second message sent by the network device, where the second message includes a random access response message; and the receiving unit is further configured to receive a fourth message sent by the network device, where the fourth message includes a random access contention resolution message.

In one possible implementation, the first set of tuning parameters includes any one or more of: the method comprises the steps of determining parameters based on the time delay starting time of a Random Access Response (RAR) receiving window and the time of the RAR receiving window; or a parameter determined based on the time length of the delayed start of the random access contention resolution timer and the time length of the random access contention resolution timer; or a parameter determined based on a common timing advance; or a parameter determined based on the height of the track where the network device is located; or a parameter determined based on a round trip delay between the communication device and the network equipment.

In a possible implementation manner, the fourth message includes the second timing offset; or, the fourth message includes a variation based on the second timing offset and a reference timing offset; the reference timing offset is a timing offset currently used by the communication device or a preset timing offset.

In a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is further configured to receive validation information sent by the network device, where the validation information is used to indicate a validation time of the second timing offset; or the sending unit is further configured to send validation information to the network device, where the validation information is used to indicate a validation time of the second timing offset; or the second timing offset takes effect m time slots after the communication device sends the third message, where m is a preset integer; or the second timing offset is effective n time slots after the communication device receives the fourth message, where n is a preset integer.

In a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is further configured to receive a broadcast message sent by the network device; wherein the broadcast message includes any one or more of: the time delay starting time of the RAR receiving window and the time length of the RAR receiving window; or the time length of the delayed starting of the random access contention resolution timer and the time length of the random access contention resolution timer; or the common timing advance; or the height of the track on which the network device is located.

wherein, K is_offset1Taking the value of the first timing offset; the RAR _ window is a duration of the RAR reception window, where the duration of the RAR reception window is used to indicate a duration that the communication device receives the RAR; the RAR _ offset is a delay start time of the RAR receiving window, where the delay start time of the RAR receiving window is used to indicate a delay time for starting the RAR receiving window in a delayed manner after the communication device sends the first message; the slot _ duration is a duration unit; said Δ K _offsetFor timing offset differences, said Δ K_offsetAre integers.

wherein, K is_offse1tTaking the value of the first timing offset; the RCR _ timer is a duration of the random access contention resolution timer, where the duration of the random access contention resolution timer indicates a maximum time interval allowed between starting the random access contention resolution timer and receiving the fourth message after the communication apparatus sends the third message; the RCR _ offset is a delay start duration of the random access contention resolution timer, where the delay start duration of the random access contention resolution timer is used to indicate that the communication apparatus delays to start the delay duration of the random access contention resolution timer after sending the third message; the slot _ duration is a duration unit; said Δ K_offsetFor timing offset differences, said Δ K_offsetAre integers.

In a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is further configured to receive a timing advance adjustment instruction sent by the network device, where the timing advance adjustment instruction is used to instruct to update the second timing offset; the sending unit is further configured to send, to the network device, an updated second timing offset or a second adjustment parameter set according to the second timing offset, where the second adjustment parameter set is used to determine the updated second timing offset.

In a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is further configured to receive the updated second timing offset sent by the network device or an amount of change between the updated second timing offset and the reference timing offset when any one or more of the following conditions are met; wherein the any one or more conditions comprise: the communication device switching cells; or the communication device switches beams; or the communication device switches the partial bandwidth BWP.

In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communications apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a receiving unit, configured to receive a third message sent by the terminal device according to the first timing offset; wherein the first timing offset is used to indicate a delay degree of the network device for delaying receiving the third message; the third message comprises indication information, the indication information is used for indicating a second timing offset, and the second timing offset is the updated first timing offset; the receiving unit is further configured to receive a fifth message sent by the terminal device.

In one possible implementation, the apparatus further includes a sending unit; the receiving unit is configured to receive a first message sent by the terminal device, where the first message includes a random access preamble; the sending unit is configured to send a second message to the terminal device, where the second message includes a random access response message; the sending unit is further configured to send a fourth message to the terminal device, where the fourth message includes a random access contention resolution message.

In one possible implementation, the first set of tuning parameters includes any one or more of: the method comprises the steps of determining parameters based on the time delay starting time of a Random Access Response (RAR) receiving window and the time of the RAR receiving window; or a parameter determined based on the time length of the delayed start of the random access contention resolution timer and the time length of the random access contention resolution timer; or a parameter determined based on a common timing advance; or a parameter determined based on the height of the track on which the communication device is located; or a parameter determined based on a round trip delay between the terminal device and the communication apparatus.

In a possible implementation manner, the sending unit is further configured to send validation information to the terminal device, where the validation information is used to indicate a validation time of the second timing offset; or the receiving unit is further configured to receive validation information sent by the terminal device, where the validation information is used to indicate validation time of the second timing offset; or the second timing offset takes effect m time slots after the communication device receives the third message, where m is a preset integer; or the second timing offset is effective n time slots after the communication device sends the fourth message, where n is a preset integer.

In a possible implementation manner, the sending unit is further configured to send a broadcast message; wherein the broadcast message includes any one or more of: the time delay starting time of the RAR receiving window and the time length of the RAR receiving window; or the time length of the delayed starting of the random access contention resolution timer and the time length of the random access contention resolution timer; or the common timing advance; or the height of the track on which the communication device is located.

wherein, K is_offset1Taking the value of the first timing offset; the RAR _ window is a time length of the RAR receiving window, and the time length of the RAR receiving window is used for indicating a time length for the terminal device to receive the RAR; the RAR _ offset is a delay start-up duration of the RAR receiving window, and the delay start-up duration of the RAR receiving window is used for indicating a delay duration for delaying the opening of the RAR receiving window after the terminal device sends the first message; the slot _ duration is a duration unit; said Δ K _offsetFor timing offset differences, said Δ K_offsetAre integers.

wherein, K is_offset1Taking the value of the first timing offset; the RCR _ timer is a duration of the random access contention resolution timer, where the duration of the random access contention resolution timer indicates a maximum duration between starting the random access contention resolution timer and receiving the fourth message after the terminal device sends the third message; the RCR _ offset is a delay start duration of the random access contention resolution timer, where the delay start duration of the random access contention resolution timer is used to indicate that the delay start duration of the random access contention resolution timer is delayed to start after the terminal device sends the third message; the slot _ duration is a duration unit;said Δ K_offsetFor timing offset differences, said Δ K_offsetAre integers.

In a possible implementation manner, the sending unit is further configured to send a timing advance adjustment instruction to the terminal device, where the timing advance adjustment instruction is used to instruct to update the second timing offset; the receiving unit is further configured to receive an updated second timing offset or a second adjustment parameter set sent by the terminal device, where the second adjustment parameter set is used to determine the updated second timing offset.

In a possible implementation manner, the sending unit is further configured to send, to the terminal device, the updated second timing offset or an amount of change based on the updated second timing offset and the reference timing offset when any one or more of the following conditions are satisfied; wherein the any one or more conditions comprise: the terminal equipment switches cells; or the terminal equipment switches the wave beam; or the terminal device switches the partial bandwidth BWP.

In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication device comprising a processor, which when executing a computer program or instructions in a memory, performs a method according to the first aspect.

In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication device comprising a processor, wherein the method according to the second aspect is performed when the processor invokes a computer program or instructions in a memory.

In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communications apparatus comprising a processor and a memory, the memory for storing computer-executable instructions; the processor is configured to execute computer-executable instructions stored by the memory to cause the communication device to perform the method of the first aspect.

In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a communications apparatus comprising a processor and a memory for storing computer-executable instructions; the processor is configured to execute computer-executable instructions stored by the memory to cause the communication device to perform the method of the second aspect.

In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a communication device comprising a processor, a memory, and a transceiver for receiving signals or transmitting signals; the memory for storing program code; the processor is configured to execute the program code to cause the communication apparatus to perform the method according to the first aspect.

In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a communication device comprising a processor, a memory, and a transceiver for receiving signals or transmitting signals; the memory for storing program code; the processor is configured to execute the program code to cause the communication apparatus to perform the method according to the second aspect.

In an eleventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device comprising a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit configured to receive code instructions and transmit the code instructions to the processor; the processor executes the code instructions to cause the method as shown in the first aspect to be performed.

In a twelfth aspect, the present application provides a communication device comprising a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit configured to receive code instructions and transmit the code instructions to the processor; the processor executes the code instructions to cause the method of the second aspect to be performed.

In a thirteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer readable storage medium for storing instructions or a computer program which, when executed, cause the method of the first aspect to be carried out.

In a fourteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer readable storage medium for storing instructions or a computer program which, when executed, cause the method of the second aspect to be carried out.

In a fifteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions or a computer program which, when executed, cause the method of the first aspect to be carried out.

In a sixteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions or a computer program which, when executed, cause the method of the second aspect to be carried out.

In a seventeenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program for performing the method of the first aspect.

In an eighteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program for performing the method of the second aspect.

In a nineteenth aspect, the present application provides a communication system comprising a terminal device and a network device, wherein the terminal device is configured to perform the method of the first aspect, and the network device is configured to perform the method of the second aspect.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic architecture diagram of an NTN communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a round-trip delay versus a minimum elevation angle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 3 is a schematic architecture diagram of an NTN communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 4 is a schematic flowchart of a four-step random access method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 5a is a schematic diagram illustrating a relationship between a timing advance and a signal according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 5b is a schematic diagram illustrating a relationship between a timing advance and a signal according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 5c is a schematic diagram illustrating a relationship between a timing advance and a signal according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for updating a timing offset according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 7a is a schematic diagram illustrating a relationship between a timing advance and a signal according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 7b is a schematic diagram illustrating a relationship between a timing advance and a signal according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 8a is a schematic reference angle diagram of a service link and a feeder link provided in an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 8b is a schematic diagram of a relationship between a maximum round-trip delay difference and a minimum elevation angle according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between m and an effective time according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 10a is a flowchart illustrating a method for updating a timing offset according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 10b is a flowchart illustrating a method for updating a timing offset according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 11 is a schematic flowchart of a two-step random access method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method for updating a timing offset according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 13 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 14 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 15 is a schematic diagram of an NTN communication system based on a reference point according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 16 is an NTN system architecture diagram based on the reference point coordinates replacing Koffset value provided by the embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram A of a Koffset value/Koffset reference point coordinate indication bit provided in the embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram B illustrating the Koffset value/Koffset reference point coordinate indication bits provided in the embodiments of the present application;

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of a Koffset angle provided by an embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating a relationship between signaling and a timeslot according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 21 is a schematic diagram illustrating a relationship between signaling and a timeslot according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

The terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth," etc. in the description and claims of this application and in the accompanying drawings are used for distinguishing between different objects and not for describing a particular order. Furthermore, the terms "include" and "have," as well as any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of steps or elements is not limited to only those steps or elements listed, but may alternatively include other steps or elements not listed, or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

Reference herein to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the application. The appearances of the phrase in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. It is explicitly and implicitly understood by one skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

In this application, "at least one" means one or more, "a plurality" means two or more, "at least two" means two or three and three or more, "and/or" for describing an association relationship of associated objects, which means that there may be three relationships, for example, "a and/or B" may mean: only A, only B and both A and B are present, wherein A and B may be singular or plural. The character "/" generally indicates that the former and latter associated objects are in an "or" relationship. "at least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single item(s) or plural items. For example, at least one (one) of a, b, or c, may represent: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c", wherein a, b, c may be single or plural.

Embodiments of the present application are described below with reference to the drawings.

The method provided by the present application can be applied to an NTN communication system, as shown in fig. 3, the communication system can be composed of a terminal device, a satellite (or called a satellite base station), and a ground station (or called a gateway station, a gateway station) (gateway).

The terminal device may also be referred to as a User Equipment (UE), a terminal, and the like. The terminal equipment has a wireless transceiving function, can be deployed on land and comprises an indoor or outdoor, a handheld, a wearable or a vehicle-mounted terminal; can also be deployed on the water surface, such as a ship and the like; it may also be deployed in the air, such as on an airplane, balloon, or satellite, etc. The terminal device may be a mobile phone (mobile phone), a tablet computer (Pad), a computer with wireless transceiving function, a Virtual Reality (VR) terminal device, an Augmented Reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control (industrial control), a wireless terminal in self driving (self driving), a wireless terminal in remote medical (remote medical), a wireless terminal in smart grid (smart grid), a wireless terminal in transportation safety (transportation safety), a wireless terminal in smart city (smart city), a wireless terminal in home (smart home), and so on. It is understood that the terminal device may also be a terminal device in a future 5G network or a terminal device in a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) for future evolution, and the like. For convenience of description, the method according to the embodiment of the present application will be described below by taking a terminal device as an example.

Optionally, in the communication system shown in fig. 3, the terminal device and the terminal device may communicate with each other through device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-anything (V2X), or machine-to-machine (M2M), and other communication technologies, and the communication method between the terminal devices is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

The satellite can provide wireless access service for the terminal equipment, schedule wireless resources to the accessed terminal equipment, and provide reliable wireless transmission protocol and data encryption protocol. The satellite may be a base station that uses an artificial earth satellite, a high-altitude aircraft, and the like as wireless communication, such as an evolved NodeB (eNB), a 5G base station (gNB), and the like. Alternatively, the satellite may act as a relay for these base stations, and transparently transmit the radio signals of these base stations to the terminal device, in which case the ground station may be regarded as a base station for radio communication. Thus, in some embodiments of the present application, such as in a satellite regeneration scenario, the network device may be a satellite base station as shown in fig. 3; in other embodiments, such as in a satellite pass-through scenario, the network device may be a ground station as shown in fig. 3. Therefore, for convenience of description, the method related to the present application is described below by taking a network device as a base station as an example.

In the embodiment of the present application, the network device may include, but is not limited to, the base station shown above, for example, the base station may also be a base station in a future communication system, such as a sixth generation communication system. Optionally, the network device may also be an access node, a wireless relay node, a wireless backhaul node, and the like in a wireless local area network (WiFi) system. Optionally, the network device may also be a wireless controller in a Cloud Radio Access Network (CRAN) scenario. Optionally, the network device may also be a wearable device or a vehicle-mounted device, etc. Optionally, the network device may also be a small station, a transmission node (TRP) (or may also be referred to as a transmission receiving point), and the like. It is understood that the network device may also be a base station in a PLMN for future evolution, etc.

Optionally, the satellite may be a geostationary orbit (GEO) satellite, a non-geostationary orbit (NGEO) medium orbit (MEO) satellite, a low orbit (LEO) satellite, a High Altitude communication Platform (HAPS), and the like.

Wherein the ground station may be used to connect the satellite with the core network. For example, when a satellite serves as a base station for wireless communications, the ground station may be transparent to signaling between the satellite and the core network. Alternatively, the ground station may be a base station for wireless communication, and the satellite may transparently transmit signaling between the terminal device and the ground station. For example, when communicating, the ground station may send signaling from the core network to the satellite via a feedback link; and the signaling is sent by the satellite to the terminal device over a service link between the satellite and the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device may also send signaling to the satellite via the service link, which sends the signaling to the core network via the ground station.

It will be appreciated that fig. 3 shows only one satellite and one ground station, and in actual use, a multi-satellite and/or multi-ground station architecture may be adopted as desired. Wherein each satellite may provide services to one or more terminal devices, each satellite may correspond to one or more ground stations, each ground station may correspond to one or more satellites, and so on, which are not specifically limited in this application.

In order to fully understand the method disclosed in the present application, the following describes the four-step random access method according to the embodiments of the present application in detail. As shown in fig. 4:

401. The UE sends a random access preamble, which may also be referred to as a first message (Msg1), to the base station. The random access preamble is used to inform the base station of a random access request and enable the base station to estimate a transmission delay between the base station and the UE, so that the base station calibrates uplink timing (uplink timing) and informs the UE of calibration information through a Timing Advance (TA) command (timing advance command).

402. The base station sends a Random Access Response (RAR), which may also be referred to as a second message (Msg2), to the UE after detecting the random access preamble. The random access response may include the sequence number of the random access preamble, the timing advance command, the uplink resource allocation information, a temporary cell-radiosystematic identifier (TC-RNTI), and the like, which are received in the above 401.

403. The UE receives the random access response, and if the random access preamble indicated by the sequence number of the random access preamble in the random access response is the same as the random access preamble sent by the UE to the base station in 401, the UE considers that the random access response is the random access response for the UE, that is, the UE receives the random access response of the UE. After receiving the random access response, the UE sends an uplink message on the uplink resource indicated by the random access response, for example, sends uplink data on a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH), which is also referred to as a third message (Msg 3). Wherein the Msg3 can carry a unique user identifier.

404. The base station receives the uplink message of the UE and returns a conflict resolution message, which is also called a fourth message (Msg4), to the UE with successful access. The base station will carry the unique user identity in Msg3 in the collision resolution message to indicate the UE with successful access, and other UEs without successful access will re-initiate random access.

From the above description it can be seen that: in order to align the timing of the downlink signal with the timing of the uplink signal when the uplink signal arrives at the satellite base station, the UE needs to make a timing advance adjustment when transmitting the uplink signal, as shown in fig. 5 a. The larger round-trip delay in the NTN causes a larger difference between the timing of the uplink signal and the timing of the downlink signal received by the satellite base station side. Therefore, the amount of timing advance adjustment for uplink signals in the NTN system is relatively large.

To address the problems that need to be solved by the present application: for example, after receiving Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) data transmitted by a base station, a UE needs to transmit a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) -Acknowledgement (ACK) message to the base station to feed back that the PDSCH is correctly received.

For example, if the UE receives PDSCH data in slot (slot) n, the UE needs to be in n + K ₁And feeding back the HARQ-ACK message on the time slot. That is, the maximum value that the UE can make timing advance adjustment is K₁A length of one slot. In general, the K₁Has a maximum value of 15, and when the subcarrier spacing (SCS) is 30KHz, the length of one time slot is 0.5ms, then the UE can make the maximum timing advanceThe pre-adjustment amount is 7.5 ms. As can be seen from fig. 2, the round-trip delay between the UE and the base station in the NTN is much larger than 7.5 ms. Thus, K₁The length of a slot cannot provide enough time for the UE to make timing advance adjustments, i.e. cannot meet the timing advance requirements for round trip delay compensation in beams or cells in the NTN. Specifically, as shown in fig. 5b, the timing advance adjustment amount of the uplink data transmitted by the UE is greater than K₁The UE is not able to send HARQ-ACK messages on time already at a slot length.

One solution to this problem is to introduce a timing offset (K) K_offsetSo that there is enough time between the UE receiving the PDSCH data and the UE sending the HARQ-ACK message to make timing advance adjustments. I.e. at the satellite base station side, at n + K₁+K_offsetThe HARQ-ACK message is received in a slot. As shown in FIG. 5c, introduce K_offsetValue, UE can pass K_offsetThe value adjusts the time slot in which the UE sends the HARQ-ACK message so that the UE has enough time to make timing advance adjustments.

Therefore, the method provided by the present application will be described in the following aspects. First, a method for updating a timing offset according to the present application is introduced; secondly, a sending method of a first timing offset, a sending method of a second timing offset, an effective time and an updating method and the like involved in the method are introduced; next, the switching scenario to which the present application relates is introduced; finally, another method of updating timing offsets to which the present application is directed is described.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for updating a timing offset according to the present application. Optionally, the method may be applicable to a four-step random access scenario. As shown in fig. 6, the method specifically includes:

603. UE according to the first timing offset K_offset1Sending a third message (Msg3) to the base station; the first timing offset is used to indicate a delay degree of the UE for delaying sending the third message, and the third message includes indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate a second timing offset, and the second timing offset is the updated first timing offset.

Correspondingly, the base station receives a third message sent by the UE according to the first timing offset; the first timing offset is used to indicate a delay degree of the base station for delaying the reception of the third message.

The UE sends the third message to the base station according to the first timing offset, which may be understood as: for example, if the UE receives an RAR message in the timeslot n where the base station transmits a signal, the UE transmits a signal in timeslot n + K to the base station₂+Δ+K_offset1And sending the third message. Similarly, the base station receives the signal time slot n + K transmitted by the UE₂+Δ+K_offset1And receiving the third message. Wherein, K₂Is a parameter that the base station indicates to the UE through broadcast or Downlink Control Information (DCI), and Δ is a value predetermined in advance by the system. For the K₂And Δ, and the application is not limited to particular values or sources.

The first timing offset may also be referred to as an initial timing offset. Optionally, the UE may obtain the first timing offset from a broadcast message; alternatively, the UE may determine the first timing offset based on an associated adjustment parameter broadcast in a broadcast message. It can be understood that, as for how the UE obtains the first timing offset according to the related adjustment parameter, reference is made to the following description, which is not detailed herein. And how the UE indicates the second timing offset to the base station, refer also to the following, which will not be detailed here.

Optionally, before the step 603, the method shown in fig. 6 further includes:

601. The UE sends a first message (Msg1) to the base station, the first message including a random access preamble.

Accordingly, the satellite base station receives the first message sent by the UE.

In the embodiment of the present application, in a transparent transmission scenario of a satellite, a base station is equivalent to a ground station shown in fig. 3; in the scenario of satellite regeneration, the base station corresponds to the satellite base station shown in fig. 3.

602. The base station sends a second message (Msg2) to the UE, wherein the second message comprises a Random Access Response (RAR) message.

Correspondingly, the UE receives the second message sent by the base station.

Optionally, before step 605, the method shown in fig. 6 further includes:

604. the base station sends a fourth message to the UE, the fourth message comprising a random access contention resolution message.

Accordingly, the UE receives the fourth message.

Specifically, after receiving the second message sent by the base station, the UE may obtain a timing advance (i.e., a TA value or TA _ New) according to a timing advance command and a common timing advance (or a timing advance used by the UE before) included in the second message; further, the UE performs timing advance adjustment on the transmitted signal according to the timing advance. Further, the UE may determine a second timing offset based on the timing advance. Optionally, the timing advance TA _ New and the second timing offset may satisfy the following formula (1):

Wherein, TA _ New is a timing advance used when the UE sends the third message; the slot _ duration is a duration unit; symbol

Indicating rounding up. It is understood that the duration unit may be a slot length, such as a slot length of uplink data or a slot length of downlink data. Alternatively, the duration unit may also be any one of 0.5ms, 1ms, a symbol length, a subframe length, a frame length, and the like.

Optionally, in view of the processing delay and the effect of the altitude at which the UE is located, a fixed amount, e.g., Δ t, may be added or subtracted to TA _ New in calculating the second timing offset, i.e., the second timing offset may be calculated based on TA _ New

Δ t is a time measurement, which may be a value agreed upon in advance by the protocol. The dimension of Δ t may be different from the dimension of TA _ New. Or, at K_offset2On the basis of a fixed quantity, e.g. Δ D, i.e. added to or subtracted from

Δ D is an integer value, which may be a value agreed upon in advance by the protocol.

It can be understood that formula (1) illustrates the relationship between the timing advance and the second timing offset by rounding up, and in a specific implementation, the second timing offset may also be determined by rounding down.

It is to be understood that the above description of rounding up and rounding down applies equally.

After the UE obtains the second timing offset according to equation (1), in some embodiments, the UE may determine whether to update the first timing offset with the second timing offset according to an update threshold. For example, if the update threshold is 1, the UE may determine not to update the first timing offset if the difference between the timing offset obtained according to equation (1) and the first timing offset value is less than or equal to 1. Conversely, if the difference between the timing offset obtained according to the formula (1) and the first timing offset value is greater than or equal to 1, the UE may determine to update the first timing offset, and the timing offset obtained according to the formula (1) is the second timing offset. It is understood that, when the update threshold is 1, the UE does not update the first timing offset, and the application is not limited thereto. Also for example, the update threshold may be 2, and so on. When the update threshold value is large, the frequency of updating the first timing offset is reduced, so that the signaling overhead can be reduced, and the indication information is prevented from being carried through a third message and other messages in an RRC connection stage frequently.

Further, after the UE determines to update the first timing offset, the UE sends indication information to the base station; and the base station receives the indication information sent by the UE.

It is understood that the update threshold may be preset by the base station or a protocol. Or the UE may obtain the information through a broadcast message, where the broadcast message may include any one or more of a System Information Block (SIB) 1, a master system information block (MIB), and Other System Information (OSI). Alternatively, the UE may further acquire the update threshold through any one or more of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message, Downlink Control Information (DCI), group DCI, Medium Access Control (MAC), and Timing Advance Command (TAC). Optionally, the UE may obtain the update threshold in a multicast manner, in addition to obtaining the update threshold through a broadcast message or a unicast message. Optionally, the updated threshold may also be carried with the data transmission or in a separately allocated PDSCH.

The above is merely an example, and the application is not limited to how the UE obtains the update threshold and the specific value of the update threshold.

After the UE obtains the second timing offset according to equation (1), in other embodiments, after the UE sends the indication information to the base station, the base station may further determine whether to update the first timing offset with the second timing offset according to an update threshold. For how the base station is updated, reference may be made to the description of the UE, which is not described in detail here.

Optionally, after the base station determines to update the first timing offset, the base station may further send, to the UE through an Msg4 message, a second timing offset, an amount of change between the second timing offset and the reference timing offset, or an adjustment parameter indicating the second timing offset. The reference timing offset is a timing offset being used by the UE or a timing offset configured by the base station (e.g., a timing offset configured by a broadcast message) or a fixed timing offset set in advance. The timing offset currently used by the UE is, for example, the first timing offset. The preset timing offset can be understood as: the reference timing offset is predefined by the base station or by a protocol. It is understood that for the description of the reference timing offset, the reference timing offset appearing hereinafter in this application is used as well.

For example, if the reference timing offset is 20 and the second timing offset is 21, the variation may be + 1. For another example, if the reference timing offset amount is 20 and the second timing offset amount is 19, the change amount may be-1. Alternatively, the variation may be 0. The example shown above is the second timing offset amount-the reference timing offset amount as an example, but in the embodiment of the present application, the variation may also be obtained from the reference timing offset amount-the second timing offset amount.

It is noted that the adjustment parameter included in the Msg4 indicating the second timing offset may be different from the adjustment parameter used in the third message indicating the second timing offset, for example, the first adjustment parameter used in the third message indicating the second timing offset may be the timing advance used by the UE to send the third message, and the adjustment parameter included in the Msg4 indicating the second timing offset may be some adjustment parameter related to the difference between the second timing offset and the first timing offset. Further, after receiving the second timing offset or an adjustment parameter indicating the second timing offset or a variation between the second timing offset and the reference timing offset, which is included in the Msg4, the UE may update the first timing offset. After the second timing offset is valid, the UE may send a fifth message according to the second timing offset.

To illustrate more clearly the method by which the UE or the base station determines whether to update the first timing offset with the second timing offset according to the update threshold, the following description is given by way of example.

Illustratively, for example, the UE obtains the second timing offset value as 15, the first timing offset value as 14, and the update threshold value as 2 according to formula (1); in the case where the UE determines whether to update the first timing offset with the second timing offset, the UE may determine not to update the first timing offset since a difference between the first timing offset and the second timing offset is less than 2. Thus, to save signaling overhead, the UE may not send the indication information to the base station. In the case that the base station determines whether to update the first timing offset by using the second timing offset, the UE may indicate, by the indication information, that the second timing offset is 15, so that after the base station receives the indication information, the base station may determine not to update the first timing offset according to that a difference between the first timing offset and the second timing offset is less than 2 and an update threshold is 2. Further, the second timing offset may not be included in the Msg 4.

Illustratively, for example, the UE obtains the second timing offset as 17, the first timing offset as 14, and the update threshold as 2 according to formula (1); in the case where the UE determines whether to update the first timing offset with the second timing offset, the UE may determine to update the first timing offset since a difference between the first timing offset and the second timing offset is greater than 2. Further, the UE transmits indication information to the base station. In a case that the base station determines whether to update the first timing offset by using the second timing offset, the UE may indicate, by the indication information, that the second timing offset is 17, so that, after the base station receives the indication information, the base station may determine to update the first timing offset according to that a difference between the first timing offset and the second timing offset is greater than 2 and an update threshold is 2. Further, a second timing offset may be included in the Msg 4.

It is to be understood that the above are merely examples, and the numerals therein should not be construed as limiting the application.

605. And the UE sends a fifth message to the base station according to the second timing offset.

Accordingly, the base station receives the fifth message.

The fifth message may include a HARQ-ACK message, which may be a HARQ-ACK message of the fourth message. Alternatively, the fifth message may further include an uplink data message or an uplink reference signal (e.g., sounding reference signal), and so on.

It is understood that the UE may refer to the description of the UE sending the third message to the base station according to the first timing offset, and the description thereof is not further detailed herein. And a description of the effective time for this second timing offset, reference may be made to the following.

The technical scheme provided by the application is as follows: on one hand, the UE can have enough time to carry out timing advance adjustment by setting the timing offset; on the other hand, by updating the timing offset, e.g., updating the first timing offset or updating the second timing offset, etc., the UE can be made to use the appropriate timing offset. Compared with the method for not updating the timing offset, the method for adjusting the timing advance of the UE can reduce the end-to-end time delay and avoid resource waste on the basis that the UE has enough time to perform timing advance adjustment.

For example, in the NTN system, the relative distance between the LEO satellite and the UE may change all the time, which also means that the round trip delay changes all the time. If the timing offset K is not updated_offsetThen the UE needs to use a larger K_offsetA value to ensure proper communication. Therefore, if K is not updated_offsetThe UE delays the delay length of the feedback message (K shown in FIG. 7 a) ₁+K_offset) There may be situations where the timing advance is much greater. As shown in fig. 7a, after transmitting data 1, the base station continues to transmit data 2-10 before receiving HARQ-ACK (in the figure, a/N indicates ACK or NACK) of data 1, so as to fill up the entire time domain resource. Therefore, the base station needs to use 10 processes to avoid the waste of time domain resources.

If K is_offsetCan be updated, the delay length of the UE for delaying the transmission of the HARQ-ACK is not much longer than the timing advance used by the UE. As shown in FIG. 7b, the UE uses the more appropriate K_offsetAt this time, the number of downlink processes on the base station side can be reduced to 7. And, update K_offsetAnd the HARQ-ACK feedback can be received by waiting for 6 data lengths after the rear base station sends the data 1, and compared with the method of waiting for 9 data lengths before updating, the method reduces the end-to-end time delay. Therefore, the scheme of the application can optimize and reduce the process number of the base station for sending the downlink data and reduce the end-to-end time delay.

It will be appreciated that the timing offset K shown in this application_offsetIf not otherwise specified, the timing offset may comprise a first timing offset K_offset1Or a second timing offset K_offset2Or an updated second timing offset, etc. That is, the timing offset K_offsetIt is a generic term without specific meaning.

Other methods that may be involved in the method shown in fig. 6 will be described in detail below.

It is understood that the methods shown below may be referred to one another or may be combined, and all such combinations are within the scope of the present application.

The method for the UE to obtain the first timing offset from the broadcast message is as follows:

illustratively, if the base station determines the timing offset based on the maximum round trip delay, e.g.

Where max _ RTD represents the round trip delay, i.e., the maximum round trip delay, of the point farthest from the base station in the beam or cell area covered by the base station. The number of bits (bit) to transmit the timing offset in different scenarios is as follows:

it will be appreciated that the example shown below has a subcarrier spacing of 120KHz, and if the duration unit slot _ duration is the slot length, then the duration unit is 0.125 ms.

In a GEO transparent transmission (transparent) scene, the diameter D of a cell is 200km, and the maximum round-trip delay is 541.1 ms; need to indicate K_offsetThe maximum value of (2) is 541.1/0.125-4329-13 bit.

In a GEO regeneration (regeneration) scene, the diameter D of a cell is 200km, and the maximum round-trip delay is 270.5 ms; need to indicate K_offsetThe maximum value of (2) is 270.5/0.125 ═ 2164 ═ 12 bit.

The maximum round-trip delay of a cell diameter D of 100km in an LEO-1200 transparent transmission scene is 25.8 ms; need to indicate K _offsetThe maximum value of (b) is 41.7/0.125 ═ 334 ═ 9 bit.

The maximum round-trip delay of a cell diameter D of 100km in an LEO-1200 regeneration scene is 12.9 ms; need to indicate K_offsetThe maximum value of (2) is 20.9/0.125 ═ 168 ═ 8 bit.

The diameter D of a cell in an LEO-600 transparent transmission scene is 100km, and the maximum round-trip delay is 25.8 ms; need to indicate K_offsetThe maximum value of (2) is 25.8/0.125 ═ 207 ═ 8 bit.

The maximum round-trip delay of a cell diameter D of 100km in an LEO-600 regeneration scene is 12.9 ms; need to indicate K_offsetThe maximum value of (2) is 12.9/0.125 ═ 104 ═ 7 bit.

It is understood that the maximum round trip delay of the transparent transmission scenario shown above may represent the maximum round trip delay between the reference point-the satellite-the ground station. The maximum round trip delay of the above-shown reproduction scenario may represent the maximum round trip delay between the reference point-the satellite. The reference point may be a reference point in the coverage area of a beam or cell.

Optionally, the base station may send the value of the first timing offset to the UE in a broadcast manner. For example, the base station may be of the form

A value of the first timing offset is calculated. In view of the processing delay and the effect of the altitude at which the UE is located, a fixed amount, e.g., Δ t, may be added or subtracted from max _ RTD in calculating the first timing offset

Δ t is a time measurement, which may be a value agreed upon in advance by the protocol. The dimension of Δ t may be different from the dimension of max _ RTD. Or, at K_offset1On the basis of a fixed quantity, e.g. Δ D, i.e. added to or subtracted from

Δ D is an integer value, which may be a value agreed upon in advance by the protocol. It is understood that the present application is not limited to the values or sources of Δ t and Δ D.

As can be seen from the above examples, the differences areBase station direct broadcast K under scene_offset1The specific values of (a) all require a large number of bits. Therefore, in order to reduce the signaling overhead, the UE may obtain the relevant adjustment parameter from the broadcast message, so that the UE obtains the first timing offset according to the relevant adjustment parameter.

The method of determining the first timing offset from the associated tuning parameter broadcast in the broadcast message is as follows:

it can be understood that in the methods of the present application, the UE needs to acquire a certain parameter or parameters, such as S, in order to obtain the first timing offset_K、△K_offset、△K_{offset_time}α, β, the base station may send to the UE in the following signaling manner:

the base station transmits the above parameters to the UE through a broadcast message, which may include any one or more of a System Information Block (SIB) 1, a master system information block (MIB), and Other System Information (OSI). Alternatively, when the base station needs to notify the UE of the first timing offset of another cell or beam in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection phase, the base station may further send the above parameters to the UE through any one or more of an RRC message, Downlink Control Information (DCI), group DCI, Medium Access Control (MAC), and Timing Advance Command (TAC). Optionally, the base station may also send the above parameters with the data transmission or in a separately allocated PDSCH. Optionally, the base station may send the parameters in a multicast manner, in addition to sending the parameters in a broadcast message or a unicast message. It is understood that the above description of the various parameters also applies to other embodiments of the present application.

The first method,

Generally, the UE receives RAR related information sent by the base station through a preset receiving window. However, the round-trip delay is large in satellite communication, so that the UE delays for a certain time length to open the receiving window to detect the RAR related information after sending the random access preamble. Theoretically, the delay start time of the RAR receiving window is related to the round-trip delay of the point closest to the base station in the beam/cell covered by the base station, that is, the minimum round-trip delay; the timing offset is related to the maximum round trip delay of the beam/cell covered by the base station. The delay start time of the RAR receiving window may be notified to the UE by the base station, and therefore, in order to save signaling overhead, the first timing offset may be determined according to the delay start time of the RAR receiving window.

Optionally, the first timing offset and the delay start time of the RAR receiving window may satisfy the following formula (2):

wherein, K_offset1Is a first timing offset, S_KIs a scale factor, and the scale factor is a non-negative number; the RAR _ delay is the time length of delay starting of the RAR receiving window; slot _ duration is a duration unit.

Optionally, the first timing offset and the delay start time of the RAR receiving window may satisfy the following formula (3):

Wherein, Delta K_offsetThe timing offset difference is an integer value.

Illustratively, the base station may determine the first timing offset K based on the coverage area of the beam/cell_offset1Is, for example, according to the formula

Thus obtaining the product. Then, the base station broadcasts K according to the value of RAR _ delay to the UE_offset1Substituting RAR _ delay into formula (3) to obtain delta K_offsetThe value of (c). The base station can use the delta K_offsetThe value is sent to the UE by means of broadcast. Accordingly, the UE receives RAR _ delay and Δ K_offsetThe value of (3) is substituted into the formula (3) to obtain the value of the first timing offset. Wherein, slot _ durThe engagement can be a protocol pre-agreement or a protocol specification. It can be understood how the base station, UE, as described above, obtains and uses Δ K_offsetThe same applies to the parameter S_KAnd the parameters used to derive the first timing offset in the equations described below.

Optionally, the first timing offset and the delay start time of the RAR receiving window may satisfy the following formula (4):

wherein, Delta K_{offset_time}The time length difference may be a positive number, a negative number, or 0. Further, the dimension of the time length difference may also be different from RAR _ delay, thereby saving signaling overhead.

It is understood that the value of the time length difference can be any value, such as a positive number, a negative number or 0.

Optionally, the first timing offset and the delay start time of the RAR receiving window may satisfy the following formula (5):

it can be understood that for the description of the respective parameters in equation (5), reference can be made to equations (2), (3) and (4).

It is understood that, for the relationship between the first timing offset and the delay start time of the RAR receiving window, different forms may be possible according to the above parameters, and the present application is not limited thereto. Illustratively, according to equation (2) and equation (3), the first timing offset and the delay start time of the RAR receiving window may also satisfy, for example:

the second method,

As described above, the UE receives the RAR related information sent by the base station through a preset receiving window, so that the base station needs to notify the UE of the time duration (RAR _ window) of the RAR receiving window, and after sending the preamble, the UE detects the RAR related information within the time duration of the RAR receiving window. Theoretically, the duration of the RAR receive window is related to the round trip delay difference in the beam/cell covered by the base station. Therefore, to save signaling overhead, the first timing offset may be determined according to the duration of the RAR receiving window.

Optionally, the first timing offset and the duration of the RAR receiving window may satisfy the following formula (6):

optionally, the first timing offset and the duration of the RAR receiving window may satisfy the following formula (7):

Optionally, the first timing offset and the duration of the RAR receiving window may satisfy the following formula (8):

optionally, the first timing offset and the duration of the RAR receiving window may satisfy the following formula (9):

it is understood that the relationship between the first timing offset and the time length of the RAR receiving window may have different forms according to the above parameters, and the present application is not limited thereto. For example, other derived formulas may be obtained, and the first timing offset and the duration of the RAR receiving window may satisfy the following equations:

and so on.

It can be understood that for the description of each parameter in each formula in method two, reference can be made to the parameters shown in method one.

The third method,

In combination with the first method and the second method, since the base station needs to notify the UE of not only the time length of the RAR receiving window but also the time delay start time length of the RAR receiving window, the first timing offset may also be determined according to the time length of the RAR receiving window and the time delay start time length of the RAR receiving window.

Optionally, the first timing offset, the time length of the RAR receiving window and the time delay start-up time length of the RAR receiving window may satisfy the following formula (10):

optionally, the first timing offset, the time length of the RAR receiving window and the time delay start-up time length of the RAR receiving window may satisfy the following formula (11):

It is understood that other methods of deriving the first timing offset may be obtained by modifying equations (10) and (11) according to the parameters shown in methods one and two, for example,

or

And so on.

It is understood that for the description of the various parameters of the formulas in method three, reference may be made to the parameters shown in method one and method two.

The fourth method,

After the UE sends Msg3 in the four-step random access process, a random access contention resolution timer (ra-ContentionResolutionTimer) is started, and Msg4 starts to be detected. The access is considered successful if the Msg4 is successfully received before the random access contention resolution timer expires. For example, the value range of the random access contention resolution timer includes {8ms,16ms,24ms,32ms,40ms,48ms,56ms,64ms }. While the round-trip delay in NTN is large, e.g. the round-trip delay in GEO scenario is about 250 ms. At this time, a delay starting amount needs to be introduced into the random access contention resolution timer, so that the Msg4 is received before the timer fails. Theoretically, the time length of the start delay of the random access contention resolution timer is related to the round trip delay of the point closest to the base station in the beam/cell covered by the base station, i.e., the minimum round trip delay. In general, the base station may send the delay start duration RCR _ offset of the random access contention resolution timer to the UE through the SIB 1. In order to save signaling overhead, the first timing offset may be determined according to a delay start duration of the random access contention resolution timer.

Optionally, the first timing offset and the delay start duration of the random access contention resolution timer may satisfy the following formula (12):

optionally, the first timing offset and the delay start duration of the random access contention resolution timer may satisfy the following formula (13):

optionally, the first timing offset and the delay start duration of the random access contention resolution timer may satisfy the following equation (14):

optionally, the first timing offset and the delay start duration of the random access contention resolution timer may satisfy the following formula (15):

it can be understood that, for the derivation relationship between the first timing offset and the delay start duration of the random access contention resolution timer, other derivation formulas can also be obtained through the above parameters, for example:

and so on.

It is understood that for the description of the individual parameters of the formulae in method four, reference is made to the parameters shown in the preceding methods.

Method V,

Similarly, the base station informs the UE of the duration RCR _ timer of the random access contention resolution timer. Theoretically, the duration of the random access contention resolution timer is related to the round trip delay difference in the beam/cell covered by the base station. Therefore, to save overhead, the first timing offset may be determined according to the duration of the random access contention resolution timer.

Optionally, the first timing offset and the duration of the random access contention resolution timer may satisfy the following formula (16):

optionally, the first timing offset and the duration of the random access contention resolution timer may satisfy the following formula (17):

optionally, the first timing offset and the duration of the random access contention resolution timer may satisfy the following formula (18):

optionally, the first timing offset and the duration of the random access contention resolution timer may satisfy the following formula (19):

it can be understood that, for the derivation relationship between the first timing offset and the duration of the random access contention resolution timer, other derivation formulas can also be obtained by the above parameters, for example:

and so on.

It is understood that for the description of the various parameters of the formulas in method five, reference may be made to the parameters shown in the foregoing methods.

The sixth method,

In the combination of the fourth and fifth methods, since the base station needs to notify the UE of not only the duration of the random access contention resolution timer but also the delay start duration of the random access contention resolution timer, the first timing offset may be determined according to the duration of the random access contention resolution timer and the delay start duration of the random access contention resolution timer.

Optionally, the first timing offset, the duration of the random access contention resolution timer and the delay start duration of the random access contention resolution timer may satisfy the following formula (20):

optionally, the first timing offset, the duration of the random access contention resolution timer and the delay start duration of the random access contention resolution timer may satisfy the following formula (21):

it is understood that other methods of deriving the first timing offset may be obtained by modifying equations (20) and (21) based on the parameters shown in methods one and two, for example,

or

And so on.

It will be appreciated that for the description of the individual parameters in the formulae of method six, reference may be made to the parameters shown in the methods described previously.

The method comprises the following steps,

In the initial access phase, the timing advance is used for providing the UE without the positioning function to transmit the random access preamble. The base station broadcasts a common timing advance (common TA) amount to the beams or cells, and the UE determines a timing advance used when transmitting the random access preamble using the common TA amount. The common timing advance may be calculated according to the following: selecting a reference point (the closest point to the base station can be selected) in the coverage area of the beam or cell, calculating the reference point-satellite (regeneration scene of the satellite); or, the common timing advance is equal to the round trip delay or to the round trip delay plus/minus a fixed value, with reference to the round trip delay between the reference point-the satellite-the ground station (transparent transmission scenario of the satellite). The reference point may be a point on the service link or a point on the feeder link, which is not limited herein. Similarly, the base station may also send a reference point position coordinate to the UE, and the UE calculates the common timing advance according to the round-trip delay between the position of the satellite and the reference point position. The common timing advance may be a positive value or a negative value.

For a UE with positioning function, the UE may calculate a timing advance that can be used when sending the random access preamble according to the location information of the UE and the location information of the satellite (which may be obtained from ephemeris information). However, the UE with positioning function can still obtain the common timing advance that the base station will broadcast to the beam or cell.

Thus, the first timing offset may be derived from the common timing advance TA _ common.

Optionally, the first timing offset and the common timing advance TA _ common may satisfy the following formula (22):

optionally, the first timing offset and the common timing advance may satisfy the following equation (23):

optionally, the first timing offset and the common timing advance may satisfy the following equation (24):

optionally, the first timing offset and the common timing advance may satisfy the following formula (25):

it will be appreciated that for the derivation relationship between the first timing offset and the common timing advance, other derivation formulas can also be derived from the above parameters, for example:

and so on.

It can be appreciated that reference can be made to the foregoing methods for the description of the various parameters of the formulas in method seven.

The method eight,

The first timing offset may also be determined from the orbital altitude H of the satellite. The orbital altitude of the satellite is related to the minimum round trip delay of the coverage area of the base station. The orbit height may be the subsatellite point round trip delay in figure 8 a. The orbital altitude of the satellite can be obtained from ephemeris information.

Optionally, the first timing offset amount and the track height H may satisfy the following formula (26):

where H is the track height and c is the speed of light.

Optionally, the first timing offset amount and the track height H may satisfy the following formula (27):

optionally, the first timing offset amount and the track height H may satisfy the following formula (28):

optionally, the first timing offset amount and the track height H may satisfy the following formula (29):

it will be appreciated that the first timing offset and track height derivation can also be derived from the above parametersIt derives a formula, for example:

and so on.

It will be appreciated that for the transparent mode, there will be a delay between the feeder link and the service link, and therefore further optimization can be made for equations (26) to (29) and the modified equations, i.e. 2 × H/c is replaced by 4 × H/c.

It is understood that reference may be made to the foregoing methods for the description of the various parameters of the formulas in method eight.

The method comprises the following steps of,

The base station sends to the UE a reference angle of a serving link and/or a reference angle of a feeder link corresponding to the coverage beam/cell. As shown in fig. 8a, the reference angle of the service link may be determined according to the angle formed by the reference angle reference point of the service link-satellite-subsatellite point, and the reference angle reference point of the service link may select the point farthest from the satellite within the coverage beam/cell (or determine the reference point position according to the specific network deployment). The sub-satellite point is the line connecting the satellite with the center of the earth's sphere, the intersection of this line with the earth's surface. Therefore, the UE can calculate the round trip delay of the serving link according to the reference angle α of the serving link: 2 × H/cos (α)/c.

Similarly, as shown in fig. 8a, the base station can calculate the round trip delay of the feeder link according to the reference angle sent to the UE feeder link. The reference angle of the feeder link can be determined according to the angle formed by the reference angle reference point of the feeder link, the satellite and the sub-satellite point, and the reference angle reference point of the feeder link can be selected from the position of the station. Thus, the UE can calculate the round trip delay in the feeder link from the reference angle β of the feeder link: 2 × H/cos (β)/c.

Finally, the UE may calculate K from the reference angle α of the serving link and/or the reference angle β of the feeder link transmitted by the base station_offset1。

Optionally, the first timing offset and the reference angle α of the serving link may satisfy the following formula (30):

optionally, the first timing offset and the reference angle β of the feeder link may satisfy the following equation (31):

optionally, the first timing offset and the reference angle α of the serving link and the reference angle β of the feeder link may satisfy the following formula (32):

it will be appreciated that other derivation equations for deriving the relationship between the first timing offset and the reference angle may also be derived from other parameters in the above method, such as:

and so on.

It is understood that for the description of the various parameters of the above formula, reference may be made to the various methods described above.

In the method shown in fig. 6, the indication information may be used to indicate a second timing offset, where the method for the UE to indicate the second timing offset to the base station includes:

the first method,

The indication information includes a second timing offset. Illustratively, as in the example shown above, the second timing offset may occupy the same number of bits as the first timing offset, and may be 13 bits, 12 bits, 9 bits, 8 bits, 7 bits, or the like.

The second method,

The indication information includes a first set of adjustment parameters, which is used to determine the second timing offset. That is, the indication information includes a first adjustment parameter set, and the base station determines the second timing offset according to the first adjustment parameter set.

Wherein, any one or more of the following parameters may be included in the first set of adjustment parameters:

based on a second timing offset K_offset2And the time delay starting time RAR _ delay of the RAR receiving window; or

Based on a second timing offset K_offset2And a parameter determined by the RAR window duration RAR _ window; or

Based on a second timing offset K_offset2And the time delay starting time RAR _ delay of the RAR receiving window and the time RAR _ window of the RAR receiving window are determined; or

Based on a second timing offset K_offset2A parameter determined by the delay starting time length RCR _ offset of the contention resolution timer for the mobile terminal access; or

Based on a second timing offset K_offset2And a parameter determined by a duration RCR _ timer of the random access contention resolution timer; or

Based on a second timing offset K_offset2And a delay starting time length RCR _ offset of the random access competition resolving timer, and a parameter determined by the time length RCR _ timer of the random access competition resolving timer; or

Based on a second timing offset K_offset2And a parameter determined by the common timing advance TA _ common; or

Based on a second timing offset K_offset2And the track height H of the network equipment; or

Based on a second timing offset K_offset2And a parameter determined by a round trip delay between the terminal device and the network device; or

Based on a second timing offset K_offset2And a parameter determined by a reference angle alpha of the service link; or

Based on a second timing offset K_offset2And a reference angle β of the feeder link; or

Based on the second timingOffset K_offset2And a reference angle alpha of the service link and a reference angle beta of the feeder link; or,

the timing advance used when the UE sends the third message (in different scenarios, the timing advance may also be understood as the timing advance used by the UE most recently); or

A difference in timing offset, which may be a difference between the second timing offset and the reference timing offset. The reference timing offset is a timing offset currently used by the UE or a preset timing offset. The timing offset currently used by the UE may be the first timing offset described above.

Illustratively, the first set of adjustment parameters includes a timing advance TA _ New used when the UE transmits the third message. After receiving TA _ New, the base station may determine a second timing offset according to the following equation:

method for transmitting TA _ New by UE to base station, e.g. UE transmitting quantized value N of TA used to base station_TAThe base station receives N_TAThen multiplied by a agreed quantization factor S to obtain the TA value (in seconds or milliseconds) actually used by the UE. This can reduce the signaling length of the indication TA and reduce the signaling overhead. For example, assume that the quantization factor S is 100/(15000 × 2048) ≈ 3.25 us. TA _ New equals 4 ms. Quantized value N_TA4ms/3.25us 1231, 11 bits are needed. If TA values are quantized using Ts ≈ 32.5ns as used in LTE, then 4ms/32.5ns ≈ 123077, requiring 17 bits. A saving of 6 bits can be seen.

For another example, to save signaling overhead, the UE may send a parameter value based on the round trip delay of the satellite orbit altitude to the base station, so that the base station can calculate the TA value actually used by the UE. For example, the UE sends an amount of time V to the base station _TA(V_TACan be positive or negative₎The base station delays the round trip time of the satellite point by the time quantity V_TAThe addition/subtraction results in the TA value used by the UE. Satellite orbit height H (unit meter), satellite subsatellite pointRound-trip delay of 2 × H/c, where c represents the speed of light 3 × 10⁸M/s. The base station may then follow the equation TA _ New-2 × H/c + V_TAAnd calculating to obtain a TA value used by the UE.

As another example, the UE may send a multiple value or scale factor M to the base station that is related to the satellite orbital altitude (e.g., the satellite's sub-satellite round-trip delay)_TAAnd the base station multiplies the round-trip delay of the satellite point by the multiple value to obtain a TA (timing advance) value used by the UE. That is, the base station may be according to the equation TA _ New ═ 2 × H/c × M_TAAnd calculating to obtain a TA value used by the UE. For example, assuming that the orbital altitude of the satellite is 600km, the round trip delay of the orbital altitude of the satellite is 600e3 × 2/3e8 — 4 ms. When the TA value used by the UE is 4.2ms, only V needs to be sent to the base station_TAThe base station may calculate the TA value actually used by the UE according to 4+0.2 — 4.2 ms. If this method is not used, the UE needs to send 4.2ms to the base station, which takes more bits. Or the UE sends a multiple value M based on the round-trip delay of the satellite point to the base station_TA，M_TA4.2/4-1.05. 4.2 does not need to be sent to the base station, and signaling overhead is saved.

For another example, the UE receives RAR related information sent by the base station through a preset receiving window, and because the round-trip delay in satellite communication is large, after sending the preamble, the UE delays for a certain time RAR _ delay to open the receiving window and start to detect the RAR related information. The time delay RAR _ delay of the RAR receiving window is informed to the UE by the base station side. Therefore, in order to save signaling overhead, the UE may send a parameter value based on the delay time RAR _ delay of the RAR receiving window to the base station, so that the base station side calculates the TA value actually used by the UE.

For another example, in order to save signaling overhead, the UE may send a parameter value based on common TA to the base station, so that the base station can calculate the TA value actually used by the UE. It is understood that the above methods may also be used in combination. It can be understood that the present application is applicable to a method for transmitting a timing advance used by a UE to a base station, and the following refers to the same method. For example, in the subsequent communication process, when the UE needs to update the second timing offset, the method may also be used to send the timing advance used by the UE to the base station.

Illustratively, the indication information sent by the UE to the base station includes Δ K ═ K _offset2-K_offset1And Δ K represents a difference in timing offset. Correspondingly, after receiving the delta K, the base station follows the formula K_offset2＝K_offset1+. DELTA.K to obtain K_offset2The value is obtained.

Optionally, the UE may send the first adjustment parameter set to the base station by using a method in the method for obtaining the first timing offset from the broadcast message by the UE in this application. It is noted that K in the method for obtaining the first timing offset from the broadcast message by the UE is required_offset1Replaced by updated K_offset1(i.e., second timing offset K)_offset2) Including formula (2) through formula (32) and other formulas listed. UE sends S to base station_K、△K_offset、△K_{offset_time}At least one parameter value of α, β, etc.; correspondingly, the base station calculates the second timing offset by using one of the formulas (2) to (32) in the method for obtaining the first timing offset from the broadcast message by the UE.

Illustratively, K in formula (11)_offset1Is replaced by K_offset2Then UE refers to

Equation determination of Δ K_offsetThe value of (c). Then Δ K is included in the indication information_offsetValue, UE sends to base station. Correspondingly, Δ K is received by the base station_offsetThen according to

Formula is calculated to obtain K_offset2The value of (c).

Illustratively, K in formula (27)_offset1Is replaced by K_offset2Then UE refers to

Equation determination of Δ K_offsetThe value of (c). Then Δ K is included in the indication information _offsetValue, UE sends Δ K to base station_offsetThe value is obtained. Correspondingly, Δ K is received by the base station_offsetThen according to

Formula is calculated to obtain K_offset2The value of (c). The use of formulas herein is merely an illustrative example, and is equally applicable to other formulas.

It will be appreciated that although this Δ K_offsetThe symbols of (2) are the same as those in (3) above, but have different meanings. Δ K in formula (3)_offsetThe value of (d) may be broadcast by the base station, etc. In the method of the present application, the Δ K_offsetThen the modified base station is obtained according to the above formula (11) and formula (27), and the UE transmits the Δ K to the base station_offsetThe value is obtained.

Optionally, the UE sends S to the base station_K、△K_offset、△K_{offset_time}And the variation value of at least one parameter value in the parameters of alpha, beta and the like is used by the base station to calculate the second timing offset.

Illustratively, the UE sends a parameter S to the base station_KIs 0.2, and the last S sent by the UE to the base station_kValue 1.3 or S last sent by base station to UE_kValue 1.3 or agreed reference S_kThe value is 1.3, at which point the base station can obtain the updated S_kThe value is 1.3+0.2 ═ 1.5. Base station

The second timing offset is calculated, and the use of the formula herein is merely an exemplary example and does not limit the formula used.

Optionally, Δ K may be further included in the indication information _offsetSuch as 001. That is, different Δ K_offsetCan correspond to different indexesNumber, table look-up method in method three below.

Optionally, the indication information may further include latest location information of the UE, and the latest location information may include latest three-dimensional location coordinates. Therefore, the base station side can calculate the round-trip delay between the satellite and the UE according to the position of the satellite and the position of the UE, further obtain the TA value TA _ New used by the UE, and obtain the TA value TA _ New used by the UE according to the formula

Obtaining the latest timing offset value K_offset2。

The third method,

In each of the above methods, K_offsetOr K_offsetThe difference from the reference timing offset may also be a fixed discrete value, such as K_offsetE {1,3,5,7} or K_offsetE.g. {1.5,3.5,5.5,7.5 }. By setting discrete timing offsets, K can be reduced_offsetSignaling overhead of (2). It is understood that the timing offset herein may include a first timing offset, a second timing offset, an updated second timing offset, and so on.

As shown in fig. 8b, the maximum round trip delay difference in the beam covered by the base station is 2.28 ms. If K is expressed in time slot as time length unit_offsetWhen the subcarrier width is 120KHz, the minimum time slot length is 0.125ms, then K _offset2.28/0.125-18.24. The UE or the base station transmits the K_offset5 bits are required. Will K_offsetPerforming quantization, e.g. K_offsetE {0,3,6,9,12,15,18,21}, the UE or the base station transmits the K_offset3 bits are required. For example, the UE or the base station may transmit the K according to a mapping relationship, such as Table 1_offsetI.e. 100.

TABLE 1

K_offsetBit representation	K_offsetValue of
		000	0
001	3
		010	6
011	9
		100	12
101	15
		110	18
111	21

It is understood that the mapping relationship shown above is only an example, and should not be construed as a limitation on the embodiments of the present application. Likewise, K_offsetThe difference from the reference timing offset may also be represented by discrete values.

The method for indicating the updated first timing offset to the UE by the base station comprises the following steps:

as described above, "after the base station determines to update the first timing offset amount, the base station may also send the second timing offset amount, an amount of change between the second timing offset amount and the reference timing offset amount, or an adjustment parameter indicating the second timing offset amount to the UE through the Msg4 message. "

After determining to update the first timing offset, the base station sends, to the UE, an adjustment parameter for indicating a second timing offset, where sending the adjustment parameter may refer to a method in which the UE obtains the first timing offset from a broadcast message and a method in which the UE indicates the second timing offset to the base station. It is noted that K in the method for obtaining the first timing offset from the broadcast message by the UE is required _offset1Replaced by updated K_offset1(i.e., second timing offset K)_offset2) Including formula (2) through formula (32) and other formulas listed. Base station sends S to UE_K、△K_offset、△K_{offset_time}At least one parameter value of α, β, etc.; accordingly, the UE may calculate the second timing offset by using a method from equation (2) to equation (32) in "a method for obtaining the first timing offset from the broadcast message by the UE".

For example, the adjustment parameter sent by the base station to the UE for indicating the second timing offset comprises S_K、△K_offset、△K_{offset_time}The magnitude of the change in value of at least one of the parameters α, β, etc. Accordingly, the UE receives the variation value and calculates a second timing offset by using the variation value. Reference may be made to the specific example in the second method in which the UE indicates the second timing offset to the base station.

The method for determining the effective time of the second timing offset includes the following steps:

the first method,

The effective information is sent to the UE by the base station, and the effective information is used for indicating the effective time of the second timing offset, namely the time when the UE and the base station start to use the second timing offset; accordingly, the UE receives the validation information.

Optionally, the base station sends the validation information to the UE after receiving the third message (including the indication information), for example, the validation information may be ACK or NACK information, and the UE updates the timing offset at the appointed time after receiving the ACK information. For example, it may be agreed to update the timing offset immediately upon receipt of the ACK information by the UE. Alternatively, it may be assumed that the timing offset is updated q slots after the UE receives the ACK message, where q is a non-negative integer.

Optionally, the validation information may also be a second timing offset update completion (K)_offset2update complete) information. An example of the method may refer to the validation information as a method of sending ACK.

In an extensible manner, the UE sends the updated timing offset to the base station, and after the base station receives the updated timing offset sent by the UE, the base station may send validation information to the UE. The updated timing offset includes: the updated first timing offset is the second timing offset; or, an updated second timing offset.

Optionally, the validation information may also be included in the fourth message.

Optionally, the base station may further indicate an effective time to the UE before receiving the third message, where the effective time may be applied to determine an effective time of the second timing offset; or may be applied to an updated second timing offset, etc.

Optionally, the base station may send the validation information to the UE through a broadcast message, where the broadcast message may include any one or more of a System Information Block (SIB) 1, a master system information block (MIB), and Other System Information (OSI). Alternatively, in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection phase, the base station may further send validation information to the UE through any one or more of an RRC message, Downlink Control Information (DCI), group DCI, Media Access Control (MAC), and Timing Advance Command (TAC). Optionally, the base station may also send validation information with the data transmission or in the separately allocated PDSCH. Optionally, the base station may send the validation information in a multicast manner, in addition to sending the above parameters through a broadcast message or a unicast message.

It can be understood that, the embodiment of the present application is not limited to when the base station sends the validation information to the UE. And the specific form of the validation information, the embodiment of the present application is not limited.

The second method,

The UE sends effective information to the base station, wherein the effective information is used for indicating the effective time of the second timing offset; accordingly, the base station receives the validation information.

Optionally, the UE may send the validation information to the base station after (or before) sending the third message to the base station. Alternatively, the UE may also send validation information to the base station after (or before) receiving the fourth message sent by the base station.

Optionally, the validation information may also be included in the third message;

optionally, the validation information may also be included in Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) information, and the like.

For the specific mode of the second method, reference is made to the description of the first method, and details are not described here.

The third method,

For the UE, the second timing offset takes effect m time slots after the UE sends the third message, where m is a preset integer; alternatively, the second timing offset is effective n time slots after the UE receives the fourth message, where n is a preset integer.

For the base station, the second timing offset may take effect m slots after receiving the third message; alternatively, the second timing offset is effective n slots after the base station transmits the fourth message.

It should be understood that the unit of time slot is used for illustration and not limitation. For example, m subframes or frames may be agreed to be effective after a time length of m subframes or frames. Alternatively, m may be agreed to be in units of milliseconds, microseconds, or the like.

Taking fig. 9 as an example, if the mth slot after the UE sends the third message starts, the second timing offset or the updated second timing offset starts to take effect. That is, the UE starts to transmit signals by the base station using the second timing offset or the updated second timing offset at the mth slot after the third message is transmitted. Accordingly, the base station starts to validate the second timing offset or the updated second timing offset at the mth time slot after receiving the third message. That is, the base station starts to receive the signal transmitted by the UE using the second timing offset or the updated second timing offset at the mth time slot after receiving the third message.

It is understood that the above m, n may be preset by the base station; or, preset by a protocol, etc., and the embodiments of the present application are not limited. When preset by the base station, the base station may send the value of m or n to the UE through a broadcast message, a multicast message, or a unicast message. For example, the m value or the n value may be notified to the UE or the base station through the transmission method of the validation information in the above-mentioned first method, that is, the validation information includes the m value or the n value.

It will be appreciated that the effective time is related to the channel delay and may be a value related to one-way or round-trip delay. Therefore, in addition to notifying the UE or the base station of the effective time by the effective information sending method described in the second and third methods, the effective time may be agreed by using a known parameter related to one-way or round-trip delay. For example, by the agreement calculation method, the UE and the base station use the same method to obtain the effective time. The effective time calculation method is as follows:

or

Or

Or

Or

Or

Or

Or

Adding a correction value Δ T (the correction value may be sent to the UE by a protocol agreement or by the base station, Δ T is an integer) based on the above calculation manner, for example:

or

Or

Or

Illustratively, when the base station and the UE agree on the formula

And calculating the effective time, and then the UE and the base station respectively substitute RAR _ window and RAR _ offset values (which can be obtained from broadcast messages) into the equation, respectively calculate the same m value, and use the m value to obtain the effective time for updating the timing offset. The method can avoid adding a new signaling indication m value; and can beThe value m can be adjusted according to the round-trip delay between the wave beam/cell and the base station, and the method has higher flexibility.

It is understood that the above m, n values are in such a way that the effective time is agreed with respect to the time of transmitting and receiving the signal. The validation time may also be specified in absolute time, e.g., the base station sends validation information to the UE including the validation time indicating that the UE starts using the updated timing offset value at the first slot of the 98 th frame of the transmitted signal. Accordingly, the base station starts receiving signals using the updated timing offset value at the first slot of the 98 th frame in which signals transmitted by the UE are received. The effective time of the absolute time may be sent to the UE using the above-mentioned manner of sending the m and n values, and will not be described in detail here.

After the UE obtains the latest timing offset, i.e. the second timing offset, the UE may send data information or control channel information scheduled by the base station to the base station by using the second timing offset after the second timing offset takes effect. The type included in the fifth message is specifically described below.

The first method,

The fifth message includes a HARQ-ACK feedback message for Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) data, such as the HARQ-ACK message of the fourth message (Msg 4). As in fig. 6, step 605 may be: the UE sends a HARQ-ACK message to the base station according to the second timing offset, wherein the HARQ-ACK message is used for confirming that the conflict access message is correctly received; accordingly, the base station receives the HARQ-ACK message. For example, the UE receives the PDSCH signal ending in slot x, then in slot x + K at the UE ₁+K_offsetAnd sending corresponding HARQ-ACK feedback.

The second method,

The fifth message includes uplink data. As in fig. 6, step 605 may be: the UE sends uplink data scheduled by the base station to the base station according to the second timing offset (the base station indicates the scheduled uplink data through RAR authorization and DCI); accordingly, the base station receives the uplink data. For example, the base station schedules the UE to transmit physical uplink shared channel PUSCH data by DCI instruction, DCI signaling is in slot x, and then the UE is in slot x

And sending PUSCH data. Wherein, mu_PUSCHRelated to the sub-carrier spacing of PUSCH, μ_PUSCHWhen being equal to 0, the PUSCH subcarrier interval is 15 KHz. Mu.s_PDCCHMu associated with the subcarrier spacing of the physical downlink control channel PDCCH_PDCCHWhen 0, the PDCCH subcarrier spacing is 15 KHz.

The third method,

The fifth message includes a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS), and the base station transmits DCI signaling in slot x to trigger an aperiodic SRS signal. After receiving the trigger signaling, UE transmits the trigger signaling to UE in time slot

An aperiodic SRS signal is transmitted. Mu.s_SRSRelated to the subcarrier spacing of the SRS signal, mu_PDCCHWhen being equal to 0, the subcarrier interval of the SRS signal is 15 KHz.

It is to be understood that the above communication procedure using the updated timing offset is merely an example, and is not limited to the communication procedure using the updated timing offset or the timing offset. For example, the base station may use the updated timing offset or timing offset when determining to transmit the csi reference resource timing information.

The following describes how the UE updates the timing offset in subsequent communications after accessing the system.

In the subsequent communication process between the UE and the base station (i.e. after the UE accesses the base station), the UE and the satellite generate relative motion (which also causes the round-trip delay between the UE and the base station to change), so that the timing advance used by the UE needs to be adjusted. Thus, one way is: the UE may obtain the timing advance according to a timing advance adjustment instruction (TA adjustment) sent by the base station. One way is that: the UE may obtain the timing advance according to the location information of the UE and the location information of the base station.

The method for updating the timing offset in the subsequent communication comprises the following two methods:

the difference between the two methods is whether the UE side or the base station side decides whether to update the timing offset being used (the timing offset being used includes the second timing offset).

The first method, the UE side determining whether to update the timing offset, includes:

when the UE receives a timing advance adjustment instruction (e.g., a timing advance change rate or a timing advance adjustment value, etc.) sent by the base station, the UE may adjust a timing advance used by its sending signal using the timing advance adjustment instruction, and determine whether to update the second timing offset according to the adjusted timing advance; or, the UE adjusts the timing advance to be used according to its own position information, ephemeris information, and the like, and determines whether to update the second timing offset according to the timing advance.

It is understood that the second timing offset is a general term for the timing offset being used after the UE accesses the system, and can be understood as the timing offset being used by the UE and the base station. This feature is also applicable to other embodiments of the present application.

The UE may determine whether to update the second timing offset according to the adjusted timing advance (i.e. the latest timing advance adjustment used by the UE): whether to update the timing offset amount may be determined by referring to a difference between the timing offset amount obtained in equation (1) and the timing offset amount being used (at this time, the latest timing advance adjustment amount is substituted into TA _ New), and specific operations may refer to the description in fig. 6 for determining whether to update the first timing offset amount with the second timing offset amount according to the update threshold by the UE, which is not described in detail herein. If the UE determines to update the timing offset, the UE sends the updated second timing offset to the base station or based on an amount of change between the updated second timing offset and the reference timing offset or a second set of adjustment parameters, and so on. The specific transmission manner and parameters may refer to the above "method for UE to indicate the second timing offset to the base station". It should be noted that the second timing offset needs to be replaced by the updated second timing offset and other relevant corresponding replacements.

Illustratively, K in formula (11)_offset1Replaced by updated K_offset2Then UE refers toAfter update

Equation determination of Δ K_offsetThe value of (c). Then Δ K is included in the second set of adjustment parameters_offsetValue, UE sends Δ K to base station_offsetThe value is obtained. Correspondingly, Δ K is received by the base station_offsetThen according to the updated

Calculating to obtain updated K_offset2The value is obtained.

Illustratively, the UE sends S to the base station_K、△K_offset、△K_{offset_time}α, β, etc., the base station calculates a corresponding updated second timing offset using the methods in equations (2) through (32) above. Alternatively, the UE transmits S to the base station_K、△K_offset、△K_{offset_time}And the base station calculates an updated timing offset value (i.e. an updated second timing offset) by using the variation value of at least one parameter value of the parameters of alpha, beta and the like. A specific example may refer to method two in the above "method in which the UE indicates the second timing offset to the base station".

Further, after the UE sends the updated second timing offset or the second adjustment parameter to the base station, the base station receives the updated second timing offset or the second adjustment parameter sent by the UE. And after the updated second timing offset takes effect, the UE sends the uplink data scheduled by the base station to the base station according to the updated second timing offset.

It is understood that, for the method for determining the effective time of the updated second timing offset, reference may be made to the description of the method for determining the effective time of the second timing offset, and the detailed description thereof is omitted here.

The second method, the base station side determines whether to update the timing offset, includes:

when the UE receives a timing advance adjustment instruction (e.g., a timing advance change rate or a timing advance adjustment value, etc.) transmitted by the base station, the timing advance adjustment instruction is used to indicate to the UE to update the timing advance. The UE may adjust the timing advance used by its transmitted signal according to the timing advance adjustment instruction, to obtain the adjusted timing advance.

The UE sends the second timing offset to the base station according to the adjusted timing advance, or based on the amount of change between the updated second timing offset and the reference timing offset, or a second adjustment parameter set, etc. (refer to method one above); correspondingly, the base station receives the corresponding information sent by the UE, and obtains the second timing offset, and further determines whether to update the timing offset, that is, whether to update the second timing offset. The detailed operation can refer to the description of fig. 6 for determining whether to update the first timing offset by the second timing offset according to the update threshold, which is not described in detail herein.

If the base station determines that the timing offset needs to be updated, the base station sends the updated second timing offset to the UE, or based on the amount of change between the updated second timing offset and the reference timing offset, or an adjustment parameter indicating the updated second timing offset. The related design of the base station sending the above parameters to the UE may refer to the above description in the method for the UE to obtain the first timing offset from the broadcast message, the method for the UE to indicate the second timing offset to the base station, and the method for the base station to indicate the updated first timing offset to the UE, and will not be described in detail here.

Illustratively, K in a method of obtaining a first timing offset from a broadcast message by a UE_offset1Replaced by updated K_offset2(i.e., the updated second timing offset) includes equations (2) through (32) and the other equations listed. Base station sends S to UE_K、△K_offset、△K_{offset_time}At least one parameter value of α, β, etc.; accordingly, the UE may calculate the updated second timing offset by using one of the equations (2) to (32) in the "method for obtaining the first timing offset from the broadcast message by the UE".

Further, the UE obtains the updated second timing offset according to the received variation between the updated second timing offset and the reference timing offset or the received adjustment parameter for indicating the updated second timing offset, and after the updated second timing offset takes effect, the UE sends the uplink data scheduled by the base station to the base station according to the updated second timing offset.

It can be understood that the uplink data in the above two manners is only a general term, and may be any information transmitted by the UE.

In the following scenario, the UE also needs to update the second timing offset. The scene is as follows: in case of a UE switching cell; or, in case of UE switching beam; or in case of UE switching partial bandwidth BWP.

It should be understood that different beams may be distinguished in a protocol according to a fractional bandwidth part (BWP), Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI), or Synchronization Signal Block (SSB). In other words, the beam may be indicated according to BWP, TCI, or SSB. Therefore, the switching of beams may be indicated by the switching of BWP, TCI or SSB between the UE and the base station, so that it is possible for the UE and/or the base station to actually perform the switching of BWP, TCI or SSB. Thus, the beams described in this application may also be replaced by BWP, TCI or SSB.

For the scenario of beam switching, in the embodiment of the present application, a beam before switching may be referred to as a serving beam, and a beam after switching may be referred to as a target beam. Further, the base station transmitting the serving beam may be referred to as a serving base station (or, the serving base station is a base station to which the serving beam belongs), and the base station transmitting the target beam may be referred to as a target base station (or, the target base station is a base station to which the target beam belongs). Taking fig. 3 as an example, the current terminal device is in the coverage of beam #2, and beam #2 is the serving beam of the terminal device. The beam #3 (or beam #1) after the UE handover is the target beam. It is understood that the service beam may be replaced with a service BWP, a service TCI, or a service SSB; accordingly, the target beam may be replaced by the target BWP, the target TCI, or the target SSB. For convenience of description, the following will use beams as an example to introduce the embodiments of the present application.

The timing offsets used in the serving or target beams may be different in the handover scenario. Therefore, the UE needs to update the second timing offset. It is understood that the updated second timing offset referred to herein can be understood as: the timing offset used by the target beam. The present application will be described below taking as an example the timing offset used by the target beam.

The base station informs the UE of the timing offset used in the target beam in advance before handover, which may be implemented in the following two ways:

1) the difference of the timing offset to be used by the UE in the target beam or cell and the timing offset used by the UE in the serving beam or cell is sent to the UE.

2) The UE calculates the timing offset by using the timing advance which is informed by the base station to be used in the target beam or the cell. Namely, it is

Wherein TA _ value is the timing advance used by the UE in the target cell or beam, K_offsetIndicating the timing offset to be used by the UE in the target cell or beam. The base station may also calculate the timing offset to be used by the UE according to this equation.

In some scenarios, the UE is required to inform the base station of the timing offset it will use in the target beam or cell. For example, when the UE performs inter-satellite handover, the UE may calculate a timing advance used after the handover by using the location information and the location information of the target satellite (which may be obtained from ephemeris information), and at this time, the UE needs to report a timing offset to be used in a target beam or a cell. The method comprises the following two methods:

1) The UE informs the base station of the timing offset value it will use in the target beam or cell.

2) The UE sends to the base station the timing advance it will use in the target beam or cell. The base station receives the timing advance sent by the UE and thenAccording to the formula

And calculating to obtain the timing offset used by the UE in the target beam or the cell. The UE may also calculate the timing offset it will use from this equation.

For the timing offset or difference in timing offset used by the target beam or cell, the UE may acquire via a broadcast message, which may include any one or more of SIB1, MIB, OSI. Or, the UE may further acquire the timing offset used by the target beam through any one or more of RRC message, DCI, group DCI, MAC, and TAC. Optionally, in addition to acquiring the timing offset used by the target beam through a broadcast message or a unicast message, the UE may also acquire the timing offset used by the target beam through a multicast manner. Optionally, the timing offset used by the target beam may also be carried with the data transmission or in a separately allocated PDSCH. It is understood that the UE may also acquire the amount of change between the timing offset used by the target beam and the reference timing offset by the above method.

Furthermore, when the UE performs beam switching, the timing offset used by the UE in the target beam may also be transmitted in initial BWP signaling or BWP downlink common signaling (BWP-DownlinkCommon) or BWP uplink common signaling (BWP-uplinkccommon) or BWP downlink dedicated signaling (BWP-downlinkedconddicated) or BWP uplink dedicated signaling (BWP-uplinkdedicted) or measurement signaling (MeasObjectNR). Some specific examples are given below:

for example: when the UE performs beam switching, switching to the initial BWP and issuing K in RRC signaling corresponding to the BWP_offsetOther non-initial BWPs issue K in BWP-downlinkCommon or BWP-uplinkCommon_offset. Here K_offsetOr information related to obtaining a timing offset, e.g. timing offset value, S_K、△K_offset、△K_{offset_time}Alpha, beta, etc. parameter values or parameter differences.

Illustratively, when the UE performs beam switching, the base station may switch over BWP-DownlinkDededicated and BWP-uplinkDededicated signaling sends K used in target beam to UE_offset(ii) a Or K used in transmitting a target beam_offsetWith K used in the service beam_offsetThe difference is sent to the UE. For example:

illustratively, the signaling format sent by the base station is as follows:

wherein, the parameter Koffset may represent K used by the UE in the target beam _offset(ii) a Or K used in the target beam_offsetWith K used in the service beam_offsetThe difference value. In the signaling, m represents a positive integer, for example, m is 16. Illustratively, the UE receives BWP-downlink demodulated signaling sent by the base station, and then reads Koffset in the signaling, wherein the value of Koffset is a value determined by the base station from an integer between 0 and 16.

Before initiating BWP or beam or cell handover, the base station needs to trigger the measurement procedure, so the base station can also send the K used by the UE in the target beam to the UE through the measurement configuration and corresponding RRC signaling in the handover_offset(ii) a Or K used in transmitting a target beam_offsetWith K used in the service beam_offsetThe difference value.

Illustratively, the signaling format sent by the base station is as follows:

according to the inter-cell handover signaling flow, sending K used in a target beam to the UE in the serving cell beam through an RRC Reconfiguration (Reconfiguration) message_offset(ii) a Sending K used in target beam to UE_offsetAnd use in service beamsK of_offsetThe difference value.

It is understood that the above-described classification methods may be combined with each other, and for example, the embodiment of the present application provides a method for updating the timing offset, as shown in fig. 10a and 10 b.

As shown in fig. 10a, the method for updating the timing offset includes:

1001. the base station broadcasts a common timing advance (common TA) and a first timing offset (K)_offset1)。

1002. UE sends random access preamble to base station; accordingly, the base station receives the random access preamble.

Optionally, the UE without location function may send the random access preamble by using the common timing advance. The UE with the positioning function can send the random access preamble by using the position information of the UE and the timing advance obtained by the satellite information of the satellite; alternatively, the UE with positioning function may also transmit the random access preamble using the common timing advance.

1003. A base station sends a random access response to UE, wherein the random access response comprises a timing advance command; accordingly, the UE receives the random access response.

1004. The UE determines the second timing offset based on the used timing advance (i.e., the latest timing advance), as shown in equation (1).

Optionally, the UE may obtain the second timing offset according to equation (1), and determine to update the first timing offset with the second timing offset by using the update threshold in the foregoing.

1005. The UE sends an Msg3 message to the base station according to the broadcasted first timing offset; correspondingly, the base station receives the Msg3 message according to the first timing offset; the Msg3 includes a second timing offset.

1006. A base station sends a competition resolving message or a conflict resolving message to UE; accordingly, the UE receives the contention resolution message or the collision resolution message.

1007. The base station sends a timing advance adjusting instruction to the UE; accordingly, the UE receives the timing advance adjustment instruction.

1008. The UE adjusts the instruction according to the timing advance; or, the latest timing advance is determined based on the location information of the UE and the location information of the satellite. Further, after the UE determines the latest timing advance, the UE may calculate an updated second timing offset according to the latest timing advance. And the UE sends the updated second timing offset to the base station.

1009. The UE sends the uplink data scheduled by the base station to the base station according to the second timing offset; correspondingly, the base station receives the uplink data according to the second timing offset.

Optionally, after the updated second timing offset takes effect, the UE may further send uplink data scheduled by the base station to the base station according to the updated second timing offset.

The method shown in this application is illustrated assuming an uplink subcarrier spacing of 15 kHz. In the random access process, the maximum round-trip delay calculated by the base station side according to the coverage range of the wave beam is 20.87ms, and K calculated according to the value is obtained _offset121. The base station side connects the K_offset121 to UE via broadcast or Msg2, UE uses K_offset1Msg3 is sent 21. Meanwhile, the UE calculates K from the latest TA value to be used when transmitting Msg3_offset1If updating is required, it is assumed that the TA value used when the UE sends Msg3 is 19.9ms, i.e. TA _ New is 19.9ms, and then K is calculated_offset2：

K_offset1If a change occurs, the UE sends a new K to the base station in Msg3_offset2＝20。

After the UE successfully accesses the system, the distance between the UE and the satellite changes during the subsequent communication between the UE and the base station, and the timing advance of the UE changes accordingly. When UE calculates the latest timing advance according to a TA adjusting instruction or a TA rate instruction issued by a base station side or according to position information and ephemeris information, the timing advance of uplink data sent by the UE changes, and the TA value used by the UE at the moment is assumed to be 18.9ms, according to the TA adjusting instruction or the TA rate instruction issued by the base station side or the position information and the ephemeris information

Discovery and use of K now_offset2 is different, the UE will be the K_offset2And reporting to the base station.

To avoid redundancy, only the differences in the method of fig. 10b from that shown in fig. 10a are shown below.

Step 1101 to step 1103 may correspond to step 1001 to step 1003.

1104. The UE sends Msg3 to the base station according to the broadcasted first timing offset; correspondingly, the base station receives the Msg3 according to the first timing offset; wherein the Msg3 includes a timing advance used by the UE.

1105. And the base station determines a second timing offset according to the timing advance used by the UE.

Optionally, after the base station obtains the second timing offset according to the timing advance used by the UE, the base station may further determine to update the first timing offset by using the second timing offset by using the update threshold.

1106. A base station sends a competition resolving message or a conflict resolving message to UE; accordingly, the UE receives the contention resolution message or the conflict resolution message; wherein the contention resolution message or the conflict resolution message includes a second timing offset.

1107. The base station sends a timing advance adjusting instruction to the UE; accordingly, the UE receives the timing advance adjustment instruction.

Further, the UE adjusts the command according to the timing advance; or, the latest timing advance is determined by the location information of the UE and the location information of the base station.

1108. The UE sends the latest timing advance to a base station; accordingly, the base station receives the latest timing advance.

Further, the base station determines an updated second timing offset according to the latest timing advance; and the base station sends the updated second timing offset to the UE.

1109. The UE sends uplink data to the base station according to the second timing offset; correspondingly, the base station receives the uplink data according to the second timing offset.

Optionally, after the updated second timing offset takes effect, the UE may further send uplink data to the base station according to the updated second timing offset.

It is understood that fig. 10a and 10b are only two examples. The various classification approaches presented herein may also be combined in accordance with inherent logic and such approaches are intended to fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

The method shown above can be applied to scenarios: the area (beam or cell or BWP) covered by the base station may include UEs with positioning function, UEs without positioning function, or UEs without positioning function. Alternatively, the method shown above may also be applied to scenarios: a UE in the area covered by the base station has no positioning function or uses no positioning function. For example, since the UE does not have or use a positioning function, the UE needs to determine the first timing offset according to the common timing advance broadcasted by the base station. And equation (1) above can be replaced with equation (33):

The TA _ common is a common timing advance, and the TA _ command is a timing advance adjustment included in the random access response.

Further, the method shown above may also be applied to the scenario: the UE strictly adjusts the timing advance according to the timing advance command sent by the base station, and the UE strictly adjusts the timing advance according to the timing advance adjustment instruction of the base station, so that both the UE and the base station know the timing advance adjustment value used by the UE in real time. In this case, since the UE adjusts the timing advance strictly according to the method instructed by the base station, the UE may not include the instruction information in the Msg3 transmitted by the UE after receiving the Msg2 transmitted by the base station. And after the base station sends the timing advance adjustment instruction to the UE, the UE also does not send the updated second timing offset to the base station; or a second set of tuning parameters, etc. That is, in this scenario, the UE adjusts the timing advance strictly according to the timing advance command (included in Msg 2) sent by the base station and the timing advance adjustment command, so that both the base station and the UE know the change of the timing offset. The base station and the UE may agree on a formula for updating the timing offset, and the base station and the UE may update the timing offset according to the formula and the update threshold.

Therefore, under the condition that the UE has no positioning function or does not use the positioning function, the method for updating the timing offset by avoiding signaling interaction is provided, and the signaling overhead can be saved. The method specifically comprises the following steps:

and the UE adjusts the used timing advance according to the timing advance adjusting instruction of the base station. When the timing advance adjustment amount used by the UE changes, the UE may determine whether to update the timing offset amount with reference to a difference between the timing offset amount obtained by equation (1) and the timing offset amount being used (at this time, the latest timing advance adjustment amount is substituted into TA _ New), and the specific operation may refer to the description in fig. 6 that the UE determines whether to update the first timing offset amount with the second timing offset amount according to the update threshold, which is not described in detail herein. If the UE determines to update the timing offset, the new timing offset is employed according to the validation time. For the related design of the effective time of the updated timing offset, reference may be made to the description of the method for determining the effective time of the second timing offset, which is not described in detail herein.

The base station sends the timing advance adjustment instruction to the UE, and at the same time, can also calculate the timing advance that the UE is using at this time. Therefore, the difference between the timing offset obtained by equation (1) and the timing offset being used may also be referred to determine whether to update the timing offset, and specific operations may refer to the description in fig. 6 that the base station determines whether to update the first timing offset by using the second timing offset according to the update threshold, which is not described in detail herein. If the base station determines to update the timing offset, the new timing offset is used according to the validation time. For the related design of the effective time of the updated timing offset, reference may be made to the description of the method for determining the effective time of the second timing offset, which is not described in detail herein.

The method achieves the purpose of saving signaling by enabling the UE and the base station to adopt the same formula to calculate and update the timing offset. It will be appreciated that the method is illustrated by formula (1) and does not limit the specific form of the formula.

That is, the UE and the base station may determine the updated timing offset according to the same formula or method, respectively, so that the updated timing offset may be directly effective at an appointed time or a preset time or a time specified by a protocol. The method avoids the signaling interaction between the UE and the base station and saves the signaling overhead.

Another method for updating the timing offset provided by the present application is described below.

In order to reduce access delay and signaling overhead, a two-step random access procedure is proposed at present, as shown in fig. 11, in which a terminal device sends a random access preamble (preamble) and data to a base station simultaneously in a first step, and the base station sends a random access response to the terminal device in a second step. In the two-step random access process, on one hand, the terminal equipment sends the random access preamble and the data in the first step, so that the time delay of uplink data transmission can be reduced. On the other hand, the base station does not need to send scheduling information corresponding to the Msg3 to the terminal device, so that the signaling overhead can be reduced. The first interactive message of two-step random access can be generally represented by using MsgA, where MsgA is sent to a base station by a terminal device, and includes an MsgA preamble part and an MsgA data part, where the preamble is carried on an MsgA Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) physical channel for transmission, and the data part is carried on an MsgA PUSCH physical channel for transmission.

Fig. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method for updating a timing offset according to an embodiment of the present application, where the method is optionally applicable to two-step random access. As shown in fig. 12, the method includes:

1201. broadcasting a first timing offset K by a base station_offset1. Or the base station broadcasts common timing advance (common TA), the track height of the base station and MsgB connectionAny one or more of the time length of the receiving window and the time length of the delayed start of the MsgB receiving window. For this method, reference may be made to the aforementioned method in which the UE obtains the first timing offset from the broadcast message, and details thereof are not described here.

1202. The UE sends an MsgA application access system to the base station by using the broadcasted common TA or the TA value calculated by the UE; accordingly, the base station receives the MsgA.

1203. The base station sends MsgB to the UE; accordingly, the UE receives the MsgB.

Wherein MsgB includes timing advance commands, preamble IDs, etc.

1204. UE according to the first timing offset K_offset1Sending the HARQ-ACK message of the MsgB to a base station; accordingly, the base station receives the HARQ-ACK message.

Optionally, the UE may determine the second timing offset K according to the used timing advance_offset2. For the K_offset2And K_offset1The relationship between the above can be referred to the updated threshold value in fig. 6. In this case, the timing advance used by the UE may be understood as: a timing advance determined from a timing advance command included in the MsgB.

1205. UE sends indication information to a base station; accordingly, the base station receives the indication information.

The indication information is used to indicate a second timing offset. It can be appreciated that, as to how to indicate the second timing offset, reference can be made to the aforementioned method of the UE indicating the second timing offset to the base station.

And after the UE sends the indication information to the base station, the base station receives the indication information sent by the UE and obtains a second timing offset. And after the second timing offset takes effect, the UE sends the uplink data scheduled by the base station to the base station according to the updated second timing offset.

It is understood that, for the method for determining the effective time of the second timing offset, reference may be made to the description of the method for determining the effective time of the second timing offset, and the detailed description thereof is omitted here.

Optionally, in step 1201, the base station may also only broadcast a common timing advance common TA; in this case, the UE without positioning function may use the common TA to send a preamble for access, and the UE with positioning function obtains a more accurate TA value according to the location information of the UE and the location information of the satellite (which may be obtained from ephemeris information), so as to perform timing advance adjustment to send the preamble. Therefore, the UE with positioning function can carry the TA value used by the UE in PUSCH data when transmitting MsgA. The method for sending the TA value may refer to a method for reporting the latest TA value used by itself in Msg3 in the four-step random access. After receiving the TA value, the base station may determine whether to update the timing offset according to the latest TA value of the UE, and determine whether to update the relevant design with reference to the update threshold in fig. 6.

Optionally, if the base station can distinguish whether the UE uses the positioning function, in some embodiments, the UE without the positioning function may not carry the TA value it uses in the MsgA. The method for distinguishing whether the UE uses the positioning function is, for example, distinguished by different preamble packets, distinguished by an identifier in an uplink signal, or distinguished by whether the UE carries a used TA value in Msg a.

Optionally, if the base station cannot distinguish whether the UE has the positioning function, the UE without the positioning function also carries the used TA value in the PUSCH data when sending the MsgA. The method for sending the TA value may refer to a method for reporting the latest TA value used by itself in Msg3 in the four-step random access.

In some embodiments, after the base station receives the MsgA, if the MsgA carries the TA value used by the UE, the base station follows the equation

Or

Determination of K_offset1Whether an update is required, such as determined based on the update threshold described above. Wherein, TAC _ value is an adjustment value included in a timing advance adjustment instruction to be sent to the UE by the base station. It will be appreciated that the TA value used by the UE carried in MsgA may be used to determine the second timing offset K _offset2Or for determining whether the timing offset is to be updated. Or the base station will K_offset2The value is sent to the UE via MsgB.

In other embodiments, if the MsgA does not carry the TA value used by the UE, it indicates that the UE uses the preamble sent by the broadcasted common TA value, so that both the UE and the base station use the equation

Or

Calculating to obtain K_offset2At this time, both the base station side and the UE side know the K used by the UE_offset2. In this case, the MsgB sent by the base station to the UE may not carry K_offset2. However, the base station side may also set K in consideration of the movement of the satellite and the change of TA used by the UE_offset2And informing the UE through the MsgB.

It is understood that for the specific description of the indication method of the second timing offset, and the effective time, etc., reference may be made to the aforementioned methods.

Optionally, the method shown in fig. 12 may further include:

the base station sends a timing advance adjusting instruction to the UE, and the UE receives the timing advance adjusting instruction.

The UE sends data information to a base station according to the timing advance adjusting instruction, wherein the data information comprises an updated second timing offset; or the data information includes a second adjustment parameter set, where the second adjustment parameter set is used to determine the updated second timing offset.

It is understood that the method for updating the timing offset in the two-step random access method shown above may also be applied to a case where a UE in an area covered by a base station has no positioning function or uses no positioning function. And also can be applied to the UE to adjust the timing advance according to the timing advance command transmitted by the base station, so that the UE and the base station know the timing advance adjustment value used by the UE in real time.

In the above methods, the UE performs timing advance adjustment. However, there may also be a scenario: and the base station side compensates a part of time delay, and the UE performs timing advance adjustment according to the rest time delay.

In this case, the above-described parameter related to the timing advance may be subtracted by the value of the delay compensation performed by the base station side on the uplink signal when the UE determines the timing offset.

Exemplary, formulas above

The following formula may be substituted:

max_RTDD＝max_RTD–delay_compensated (35)

wherein max _ RTDD represents the maximum round-trip delay difference of a beam or cell covered by a satellite; delay _ compensated represents a value for performing delay compensation on the uplink signal at the base station side. It can be seen that the maximum round-trip delay difference is the difference between the maximum round-trip delay between the UE and the base station in the beam or cell and the delay compensation value at the base station side.

Illustratively, the above equation (11) may be replaced with the following equation (36):

illustratively, the above equation (33) may be replaced with the following equation (37):

the embodiments of the present application are described above in detail, and the communication device of the present application is described below.

Fig. 13 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application, and as shown in fig. 13, the communication device includes a processing unit 1301, a sending unit 1302, and a receiving unit 1303.

In an embodiment, the processing unit 1301 is configured to generate a third message; the third message includes indication information, the indication information is used to indicate a second timing offset, the second timing offset is an updated first timing offset, and the first timing offset is used to indicate a delay degree of the communication device for delaying sending the third message;

a sending unit 1302, configured to send a third message to the network device according to the first timing offset; the sending unit 1302 is further configured to send a fifth message to the network device according to the second timing offset.

In a possible implementation manner, the sending unit 1302 is further configured to send a first message to the network device, where the first message includes a random access preamble; the receiving unit 1303 is further configured to receive a second message sent by the network device, where the second message includes a random access response message; and the receiving unit 1303 is further configured to receive a fourth message sent by the network device, where the fourth message includes a random access contention resolution message.

In one possible implementation, the indicating information for indicating the second timing offset includes: the indication information includes the second timing offset.

In one possible implementation, the indicating information for indicating the second timing offset includes: the indication information includes a first adjustment parameter set, which is used to determine the second timing offset.

In one possible implementation, the first set of tuning parameters includes any one or more of: the method comprises the steps of responding to a time delay starting time of an RAR receiving window and a parameter determined by the time delay starting time of the RAR receiving window based on random access; or a parameter determined based on the time length of the delayed start of the random access contention resolution timer and the time length of the random access contention resolution timer; or a parameter determined based on a common timing advance; or a parameter determined based on the height of the track on which the network device is located; or a parameter determined based on the round trip delay between the communication device and the network equipment.

In a possible implementation, the fourth message includes the second timing offset; or, the fourth message includes a variation based on the second timing offset and a reference timing offset; wherein the reference timing offset is a timing offset currently used by the communication device or a preset timing offset.

In a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit 1303 is further configured to receive effective information sent by the network device, where the effective information is used to indicate an effective time of the second timing offset; or the sending unit 1302, further configured to send validation information to the network device, where the validation information is used to indicate a validation time of the second timing offset; or the second timing offset is effective m time slots after the communication device sends the third message, where m is a preset integer; or the second timing offset is effective n time slots after the communication device receives the fourth message, where n is a preset integer.

In a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit 1303 is further configured to receive a broadcast message sent by the network device; wherein, the broadcast message includes any one or more of the following items: the time delay starting time of the RAR receiving window and the time length of the RAR receiving window; or the time length of the delayed start of the random access contention resolution timer and the time length of the random access contention resolution timer; or the common timing advance; or the height of the track on which the network device is located.

Wherein, K is_offset1Taking the value of the first timing offset; the RAR _ window is a duration of the RAR receiving window, and the duration of the RAR receiving window is used to indicate a duration of the RAR receiving by the communication device(ii) a The RAR _ offset is a delay start time of the RAR receiving window, and the delay start time of the RAR receiving window is used to indicate a delay time for delaying the opening of the RAR receiving window after the communication device sends the first message; the slot _ duration is a duration unit; the delta K_offsetFor timing offset difference, the Δ K_offsetAre integers.

In a possible implementation manner, when the broadcast message includes the delay start time of the random access contention resolution timer and the time length of the random access contention resolution timer, the first timing offset satisfies the following condition:

wherein the RCR _ timer is a duration of the random access contention resolution timer, and the duration of the random access contention resolution timer indicates a maximum time interval allowed between starting the random access contention resolution timer and receiving the fourth message after the communication device sends the third message; the RCR _ offset is a delay start duration of the random access contention resolution timer, where the delay start duration of the random access contention resolution timer is used to indicate that the communication apparatus delays to start the delay duration of the random access contention resolution timer after sending the third message; the slot _ duration is a duration unit; the delta K _offsetFor timing offset difference, the Δ K_offsetAre integers.

In a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit 1303 is further configured to receive a timing advance adjustment instruction sent by the network device, where the timing advance adjustment instruction is used to instruct to update the second timing offset; the sending unit 1302 is further configured to send, to the network device, the updated second timing offset or a second adjustment parameter set according to the second timing offset, where the second adjustment parameter set is used to determine the updated second timing offset.

In a possible implementation manner, the sending unit 1302 is further configured to receive the updated second timing offset sent by the network device or an amount of change between the updated second timing offset and the reference timing offset when any one or more of the following conditions are satisfied; wherein the any one or more conditions comprise: the communication device switches cells; or the communication device switches beams; or the communication device switches the partial bandwidth BWP.

It is to be understood that, when the communication apparatus is a terminal device or a component in a terminal device, the processing unit 1301 may be one or more processors, the transmitting unit 1302 may be a transmitter, the receiving unit 1302 may be a receiver, or the transmitting unit 1302 and the receiving unit 1303 may be integrated into one device, such as a transceiver.

When the communication device is a chip, the processing unit 1301 may be one or more processors, logic circuits, or the like, the transmitting unit 1302 may be an output interface, the receiving unit 1303 may be an input interface, or the transmitting unit 1302 and the receiving unit 1303 are integrated into one unit, such as an input-output interface, a communication interface, or the like.

The communication apparatus of the embodiment of the present application has any function of the terminal device in the foregoing method, and details are not described here.

Referring to fig. 13, in another embodiment, the receiving unit 1303 is configured to receive a third message sent by the terminal device according to the first timing offset; wherein the first timing offset is used to indicate a delay degree of the network device for delaying receiving the third message; the third message comprises indication information, the indication information is used for indicating a second timing offset, and the second timing offset is the updated first timing offset; the receiving unit 1303 is further configured to receive a fifth message sent by the terminal device.

In a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit 1303 is configured to receive a first message sent by the terminal device, where the first message includes a random access preamble; the sending unit 1302 is configured to send a second message to the terminal device, where the second message includes a random access response message; the sending unit 1302 is further configured to send a fourth message to the terminal device, where the fourth message includes a random access contention resolution message.

In one possible implementation, the first set of tuning parameters includes any one or more of: the method comprises the steps of responding to a time delay starting time of an RAR receiving window and a parameter determined by the time delay starting time of the RAR receiving window based on random access; or a parameter determined based on the time length of the delayed start of the random access contention resolution timer and the time length of the random access contention resolution timer; or a parameter determined based on a common timing advance; or a parameter determined based on the height of the track on which the communication device is located; or a parameter determined based on the round trip delay between the terminal device and the communication means.

In a possible implementation, the fourth message includes the second timing offset; or, the fourth message includes a variation based on the second timing offset and a reference timing offset; the reference timing offset is a timing offset currently used by the terminal device or a preset timing offset.

In a possible implementation manner, the sending unit 1302 is further configured to send validation information to the terminal device, where the validation information is used to indicate a validation time of the second timing offset; or the receiving unit 1303 is further configured to receive effective information sent by the terminal device, where the effective information is used to indicate effective time of the second timing offset; or the second timing offset is effective m time slots after the communication device receives the third message, where m is a preset integer; or the second timing offset is effective n time slots after the communication device sends the fourth message, where n is a preset integer.

In a possible implementation manner, the sending unit 1302 is further configured to send a broadcast message; wherein, the broadcast message includes any one or more of the following items: the time delay starting time of the RAR receiving window and the time length of the RAR receiving window; or the time length of the delayed start of the random access contention resolution timer and the time length of the random access contention resolution timer; or the common timing advance; or the height of the track on which the communication device is located.

Wherein, K is_offset1Taking the value of the first timing offset; the RAR _ window is a time length of the RAR receiving window, and the time length of the RAR receiving window is used for indicating a time length for the terminal device to receive the RAR; the RAR _ offset is a delay start-up duration of the RAR receiving window, and the delay start-up duration of the RAR receiving window is used for indicating a delay duration for delaying the opening of the RAR receiving window after the terminal device sends the first message; the slot _ duration is a duration unit; the delta K_offsetFor timing offset difference, the Δ K_offsetAre integers.

wherein the RCR _ timer is the random access contention resolution timerA duration of the random access contention resolution timer indicates a maximum time interval allowed between starting the random access contention resolution timer and receiving the fourth message after the terminal device sends the third message; the RCR _ offset is a delay start duration of the random access contention resolution timer, where the delay start duration of the random access contention resolution timer is used to indicate that the delay start duration of the random access contention resolution timer is delayed to start after the terminal device sends the third message; the slot _ duration is a duration unit; the delta K _offsetFor timing offset difference, the Δ K_offsetAre integers.

In a possible implementation manner, the sending unit 1302 is further configured to send a timing advance adjustment instruction to the terminal device, where the timing advance adjustment instruction is used to instruct to update the second timing offset; the receiving unit 1303 is further configured to receive an updated second timing offset or a second adjustment parameter set sent by the terminal device, where the second adjustment parameter set is used to determine the updated second timing offset.

In a possible implementation manner, the sending unit 1302 is further configured to send the updated second timing offset amount or a change amount between the updated second timing offset amount and the reference timing offset amount to the terminal device when any one or more of the following conditions are satisfied; wherein the any one or more conditions comprise: the terminal equipment switches cells; or the terminal equipment switches the wave beam; or the terminal device switches the partial bandwidth BWP.

It is to be understood that, when the communication apparatus is a network device or a component in a network device, the processing unit 1301 may be one or more processors, the transmitting unit 1302 may be a transmitter, the receiving unit 1302 may be a receiver, or the transmitting unit 1302 and the receiving unit 1303 may be integrated into one device, such as a transceiver.

The communication apparatus of the embodiment of the present application has any function of the network device in the foregoing method, and details are not described here.

Further, when the processing unit is implemented by a processor, and the receiving unit and the transmitting unit are integrated into one unit, the processing unit is implemented by a transceiver, as shown in fig. 14. The communication apparatus 140 includes at least one processor 1420, configured to implement the functions of the terminal device in the method provided in the embodiment of the present application; or, the method and the device are used for implementing the functions of the network device in the method provided by the embodiment of the application. And the communication device 140 may also include a transceiver 1410. The transceiver is used to communicate with other devices/apparatuses via a transmission medium. Processor 1420 utilizes transceiver 1410 to transceive data and/or signaling and is configured to implement the corresponding methods of the above-described method embodiments.

Optionally, the communication device 140 may also include at least one memory 1430 for storing program instructions and/or data. A memory 1430 is coupled to the processor 1420. The coupling in the embodiments of the present application is an indirect coupling or a communication connection between devices, units or modules, and may be an electrical, mechanical or other form for information interaction between the devices, units or modules. The processor 1420 may operate in conjunction with the memory 1430. Processor 1420 may execute program instructions stored in memory 1430. At least one of the at least one memory may be included in the processor.

The specific connection medium between the transceiver 1410, the processor 1420 and the memory 1430 is not limited in this embodiment. In fig. 14, the memory 1430, the processor 1420 and the transceiver 1410 are connected by a bus 1440, the bus is shown by a thick line in fig. 14, and the connection manner between other components is only for illustrative purposes and is not limited thereto. The bus may be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is shown in FIG. 14, but this is not intended to represent only one bus or type of bus.

In the embodiments of the present application, the processor may be a general-purpose 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, or a discrete hardware component, and may implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic blocks disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor or the like. The steps of a method disclosed in connection with the embodiments of the present application may be directly implemented by a hardware processor, or may be implemented by a combination of hardware and software modules in a processor.

It is understood that for the specific implementation of the communication apparatus shown in fig. 14, reference may be made to the functions of the terminal device shown in fig. 13; alternatively, the specific implementation method of the communication apparatus shown in fig. 14 may also refer to the function of the network device shown in fig. 13.

In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, apparatus and method may be implemented in other ways. For example, the above-described apparatus embodiments are merely illustrative, and for example, the division of the units is only one logical division, and other divisions may be realized in practice, for example, a plurality of units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be omitted, or not executed. In addition, the shown or discussed mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection may be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, and may also be an electric, mechanical or other form of connection.

The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts displayed as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one place, or may be distributed on a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of the embodiments of the present application.

In addition, functional units in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist alone physically, or two or more units are integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be realized in a form of hardware, and can also be realized in a form of a software functional unit.

The integrated unit, if implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as a stand-alone product, may be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solution of the present application may be substantially or partially contributed by the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution may be embodied in a software product, which is stored in a storage medium and includes instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device) to execute all or part of the steps of the method according to the embodiments of the present application. And the aforementioned storage medium includes: various media capable of storing program codes, such as a usb disk, a removable hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

In addition, according to the method for updating the timing offset provided by the embodiment of the present application, the present application also provides a computer program for executing the operation and/or the processing performed by the terminal device in the method provided by the present application.

The present application also provides a computer program for performing the operations and/or processes performed by the network device in the methods provided herein.

The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores computer instructions, and when the computer instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is enabled to execute the operations and/or processes performed by the terminal device in the method provided by the present application.

The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium having stored therein computer instructions, which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the operations and/or processes of the method provided by the present application, performed by a network device.

The present application also provides a computer program product comprising computer code or instructions which, when run on a computer, implement the method of the method embodiments of the present application.

The application also provides a wireless communication system, which comprises the terminal equipment and the network equipment in the embodiment of the application.

The above description is only for the specific embodiments of the present application, but the scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of the changes or substitutions within the technical scope of the present application, and shall be covered by the scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Based on the above description of fig. 6 and the related method, the Msg2 may carry an adjustment parameter Δ K, which is determined by the coverage of the beam (beam) where the UE is located. Similarly, the adjustment parameter Δ K value of Koffset can also be determined in the coverage of the cell (cell) in which the UE is located. Accordingly, it is derived from the Koffset determination formula (Koffset ═ f { Max _ RTD _ cell, time _ duration }), for example, optionally,

Wherein, Max _ RTD _ cell is the maximum round-trip delay between the coverage area of the cell where the UE is located and the base station.

And if the base station side receives the signal transmitted by the UE, the time delay compensation is carried out on the signal. Then the Koffset determination formula is adapted, e.g., optionally, in beams, based on the above method and formulaThe coverage is determined by the Koffset,

also, optionally, the Koffset is determined in terms of the coverage of the cell, and the above formula may be changed to

Carrying Δ K in Msg2, may instead be transmitted in RRCSetup signaling, i.e. Msg 4. Preferably, when the RRCSetup signaling (Msg4) carries Δ K related information, Koffset used by the UE in transmitting Msg3 can work (i.e. it is ensured that the initial Koffset acquired by the UE according to the broadcast message is greater than the maximum round-trip delay).

Optionally, in the above related method, only Msg2 may be used to carry Koffset, that is, the UE directly uses Koffset transmitted by Msg2 to send Msg 3. At this time, Koffset may be Koffset at a beam level or a cell level.

The above-described fig. 6 and related method are based on the transmission of Koffset for a four-step (four-step) random access procedure. If the two-step (two-step) random access process is adopted, the delta K or the Koffset can be sent by using the MsgB, the design is carried out by referring to the formula, and the Koffset is calculated by the UE according to the appointed formula by jointly using the broadcast parameters and the delta K.

It will be appreciated that the above equations are exemplary and illustrative only, and are not limiting as to the specific form of equations that yield Koffset and Δ K. For example, the broadcast parameter may also use a time length of an RAR receiving window, a time length of delay start of the RAR receiving window, a time length of a random access contention resolution timer, a time length of delay start of the random access contention resolution timer, and the like.

For example, alternatively, Koffset and Δ K are obtained using the following formulas:

wherein, the RAR _ window is the time length of the RAR receiving window; the RAR _ delay is a delay start time of the RAR receiving window. Or,

or,

wherein, RCR _ timer is the time length of timer for solving contention by random access; RCR _ offset is the delay start duration of the random access contention resolution timer.

Or,

or,

wherein TA _ common is the common timing advance of the broadcast.

By combining the broadcast parameters and Δ K, signaling overhead can be saved compared to sending the Koffset value directly to the UE. In addition, as shown in table 2, cell level Koffset, beam level Koffset, and UE level Koffset are compared from the perspective of signaling overhead and end-to-end delay. It can be seen that the beam level Koffset has a smaller end-to-end delay compared with the cell level Koffset, and has a smaller signaling overhead compared with the UE level Koffset.

TABLE 2 comparison of different Koffset update mechanisms

	Cell level Koffset	Beam level Koffset	UE-level Koffset
				Signalling overhead	Is low in	In	Height of
End-to-end delay	Big (a)	In	Small

Fig. 15 is a schematic diagram of an NTN communication system based on a reference point according to the present application, which may update a timing offset in the NTN communication system based on the reference point. Optionally, the method for updating the timing offset may be applicable to a four-step random access scenario, and the method specifically includes:

1501. a satellite (gNB) broadcasts a plurality of Koffset value information to the cell coverage.

1502. After receiving the broadcast message, the UE determines a corresponding Koffset value according to the received SSB index number (SSB index).

Alternatively, the plurality of Koffset value information may be Koffset numbers or IDs in step 1501, for example, Koffset1, Koffset2, Koffset3, and the like. In step 1502, for example, when the SSB index received by the UE is 1, a Koffset1 value is used. When the SSB index received by the UE is 3, a Koffset3 value is used. The method can make the UE use the Koffset value of the beam level by establishing the relationship (e.g. mapping relationship) between the Koffset value and the SSB index number, and can reduce the end-to-end time delay.

Alternatively, the satellite may broadcast information such as Koffset1, Δ Koffset2, Δ Koffset3, Δ Koffset4, …, etc. The UE may obtain the corresponding Koffset value by the following equation:

Koffset1＝Koffset1

Koffset2＝Koffset1+△Koffset2

Koffset3＝Koffset1+△Koffset3

Koffset4＝Koffset1+△Koffset4

… (base value + specific variable)

Or,

Koffset1＝Koffset1

Koffset2＝Koffset1+△Koffset2

Koffset3＝Koffset1+△Koffset2+△Koffset3

Koffset4＝Koffset1+△Koffset2+△Koffset3+△Koffset4

… (base + accumulation of the variable)

As can be seen from table 3-relation between number of synchronized broadcast blocks and subcarrier spacing, carrier frequency, when the carrier frequency is greater than 6GHz, a maximum of 64 synchronized broadcast blocks (SSBs) can be broadcast. The SSB indexes 64 synchronized broadcast block indexes indicated in common by 3 bits of PBCH and 3 bits implicitly indicated by PBCH scrambling pattern.

TABLE 3 relation between number of simulcast broadcast blocks and subcarrier spacing, carrier frequency

Alternatively, the plurality of Koffset value information may be a plurality of Koffset reference point coordinates in step 1501, such as Koffset reference point coordinate 1, Koffset reference point coordinate 2, Koffset reference point coordinate 3, and the like. In step 1502, upon receiving the broadcast message, the UE calculates a Koffset value to be used using a corresponding Koffset reference point coordinate according to the received SSB index number (SSB index).

For example, in the NTN system architecture diagram shown in fig. 16 in which the Koffset value is replaced based on the reference point coordinates, when the SSB index received by the UE is 3, the Koffset reference point coordinate 3 is used to acquire the Koffset value to be used. The UE calculates a round trip delay RTD _ reference between the Koffset reference point 3 and the satellite according to the Koffset reference point coordinate 3 and the satellite position coordinate (which may be obtained from ephemeris information), and then calculates a Koffset value to be used according to the round trip delay, which may be calculated by the following equation:

Alternatively, if the influence of service link (service link) and feeder link (feeder link) delays on the calculation of Koffset is considered, for example when the satellite is operating in transparent mode (transparent), each UE needs to use two reference points to calculate the Koffset value to be used:

the plurality of Koffset value information in step 1501 may be a plurality of Koffset reference point coordinates and one Koffset feeder link reference point coordinate (which may refer to the design described in fig. 8a and the method thereof), for example, Koffset feeder link reference point coordinate, Koffset reference point coordinate 1, Koffset reference point coordinate 2, Koffset reference point coordinate 3, and the like.

In step 1502, determining the corresponding Koffset value from the received SSB index number (SSB index) after the UE receives the broadcast message includes calculating the Koffset value to be used using the Koffset feeder-link reference point coordinate and the corresponding Koffset reference point coordinate from the received SSB index number (SSB index). For example, when the SSB index received by the UE is 1, the Koffset value to be used is acquired using the Koffset feeder link reference point coordinate and the corresponding Koffset reference point coordinate of 1. The UE calculates the round-trip delay RTD _ reference between the Koffset reference point and the satellite according to the Koffset reference point coordinate 1 and the satellite position coordinate (which may be obtained from ephemeris information). And the UE calculates the round-trip delay RTD _ reference _ feeder between the Koffset feeder link reference point and the satellite according to the Koffset feeder link reference point coordinate and the satellite position coordinate. Then, the Koffset value to be used is calculated from the RTD _ reference and the RTD _ reference _ feeder, and may be optionally calculated using the following equation:

Optionally, for the network side to flexibly configure the broadcast Koffset value or Koffset reference point, an indication bit is added to indicate whether the transmitted multiple Koffset values or multiple Koffset reference point coordinates. As shown in fig. 17-Koffset value/Koffset reference point coordinate indication bit diagram a, one Koffset value/Koffset reference point coordinate indication bit is introduced to indicate whether at least one Koffset value or at least one Koffset reference point coordinate is transmitted later. For example, an indication bit of 0 indicates that at least one Koffset value is transmitted later, and an indication bit of 1 indicates that at least one Koffset reference point coordinate is transmitted later. When the indicator bit is 0, the Koffset value transmitted later may be: koffset1, Koffset2, Koffset3 … …. When the indicator bit is 1, the Koffset reference point coordinates transmitted later may be: koffset reference point coordinate 1, Koffset reference point coordinate 2, Koffset reference point coordinate 3 … …. Specific methods of using the Koffset value and the reference point can refer to the above-described embodiments. If the influence of the feeder-link delay on the determination of the Koffset value is taken into account, the Koffset feeder-link reference point coordinate may be transmitted together with the Koffset reference point coordinate, as shown in fig. 18-Koffset value/Koffset reference point coordinate indication bit diagram B.

The flexible configuration of the broadcast Koffset value and/or Koffset reference point provides benefits for the system to operate in different modes:

1. gaze mode (stable): when the system is operating in gaze mode, the coverage area of the satellite beams will remain unchanged for a period of time, as will the broadcast Koffset reference point. The system can be configured to broadcast a Koffset reference point via the indicator bits so the system does not have to update this value, which reduces complexity for system broadcast updates.

2. Non-gaze mode: when the system works in the non-staring mode, the coverage area of the satellite beam moves along with the movement of the satellite, and the Koffset value of the beam does not change, so the system can be configured to broadcast the Koffset value through the indicating bit.

Alternatively, based on similar ideas as described above, the Koffset value or the Koffset reference point may also be replaced with a corresponding Koffset angle value. The UE calculates the round-trip delay value by using the angle value of the Koffset, and then calculates the Koffset value by using the method similar to the method.

As shown in fig. 19-Koffset angle (Koffset feeder link angle) diagram, assuming the velocity of the satellite in the direction of motion is V, the satellite (gNB) broadcasts at least one Koffset angle (corresponding to a beam) and a Koffset feeder link angle to the UE. The Koffset angle may replace the Koffset value or the Koffset reference point described above, and the Koffset feeder-link angle may replace the Koffset value or the Koffset feeder-link reference point described above.

After the UE acquires the corresponding Koffset angle α and Koffset feeder link angle β from the SSB index, optionally, the Koffset to be used may be calculated according to the following formula (other formula symbols refer to the above embodiment):

if the UE acquires only the corresponding Koffset angle α from the SSB index, then, alternatively, the Koffset to be used may be calculated according to the following equation:

in the staring mode, the Koffset angle is used to represent the Koffset, so that compared with the Koffset value, frequent updating can be avoided, and the complexity of the system broadcasting process is reduced.

The determination method of the initial timing offset amount at the cell level and the initial timing offset amount at the beam level, the update method of the timing offset amount, and the like are described above. The method for determining the initial timing offset at the beam level and the method for determining the initial timing offset at the cell level will be further described below.

The method for determining the initial timing offset of a beam level (such as beam specific or beam-specific) is as follows:

illustratively, as described above in FIG. 15, the base station broadcasts multiple Koffsets (also written herein as K) into the cell coverage area_offset) Value information, and then the UE determines a corresponding Koffset value according to the SSB index number or the TCI number or the beam number, etc. The base station broadcasts a plurality of Koffset value information to the coverage area of the cell, and the Koffset value information comprises the following steps: the base station broadcasts a plurality of timing offset Koffset values through SIB1 messages, or broadcasts Koffset values respectively corresponding to a plurality of beams through broadcast messages, such as SIB1 messages. The beam level timing offset refers to that the UEs in the beam corresponding to the offset all use the same timing offset value, that is, all use the beam level timing offset. Illustratively, the timing offset at the beam level may be determined by the maximum round trip delay of the gNB with the UE in the beam. The beam level timing offsets include beam level initial timing offsets, where "initial" in the initial timing offsets represents a parameter used during the initial (or previous n times, e.g., first or second, etc.) access to the beam or a base parameter used in the beam.

In one possible implementation, the base station may broadcast multiple Koffset values through random access configuration generic RACH-ConfigGeneric signaling in the SIB1 message or signaling with similar functionality. The RACH-ConfigGeneric signaling carries the parameter set that needs to be used in the terminal random access system procedure. Alternatively, it can be understood that a plurality of Koffset values are added to the RACH-ConfigGeneric parameter (or called signaling, etc.) in the SIB1 signal. Illustratively, one or more variable fields may be included in the RACH-ConfigGeneric signaling, and the one or more variable fields are used for indicating the plurality of Koffset values.

For example, the RACH-ConfigGeneric parameter may include a variable field Koffset-list, which may represent a plurality of Koffset values, i.e., timing offset values corresponding to a plurality of beams. For another example, a variable field Koffset-list may include two variable fields Koffset1 and a variable field Koffset-diff, where the variable field Koffset1 represents the timing offset value of beam 1, and the variable field Koffset-diff represents the difference between the timing offsets of other beams and beam 1. For another example, there may be a difference of up to 63 timing offsets, i.e., the variable domain Koffset-list may represent Koffset for 64 beams, i.e., the difference of 63 timing offsets may be used to determine timing offsets corresponding to 63 beams and Koffset1 may be used to determine timing offsets corresponding to 1 beam.

In other words, the variable domain Koffset-diff in the embodiment of the present application may be understood as Δ Koffset2, Δ Koffset3, Δ Koffset4, or the like in the above-described embodiment.

Illustratively, the RACH-ConfigGeneric signaling format in the SIB1 message is as follows:

in the embodiment of the present application, the value ranges of the variable domain Koffset1 and the variable domain Koffset-diff may be determined according to the maximum round-trip delay between cells or beams (for example, related to the track height and the minimum communication elevation angle) in the communication scenario supported by the standard protocol, the maximum round-trip delay difference between cells or beams, and the time offset slot _ duration calculated.

For example, in the GEO transparent transmission scenario, when the minimum communication elevation angle is 10 degrees, the maximum round-trip delay is 541.46ms, and the duration unit slot _ duration takes the minimum slot length as an example, i.e., 0.125e-3 s. The following signaling examples of other parts also use the minimum slot length as a time length unit, and are not described again. Since 541.46e-3/0.125e-3 is 4331.68, the variable domain Koffset1 requires 13bit indications 0-4332. The 13bit of the variable domain Koffset1 may represent: the range of 0 to 8191, wherein the signaling example only uses the range of 0 to 4332, and can reserve (reserved) unused ranges of 4333 to 8191, and can also reserve for other indication purposes.

The value range of the variable domain Koffset-diff can be determined by the maximum round-trip delay difference value between beams, the satellite orbit height, the cell size or the minimum communication elevation angle.

For example, in a GEO transparent transmission scenario, the cell diameter is 450km, the minimum communication elevation angle is 10 degrees, the maximum round-trip delay difference in the cell is 2.933e-3s, 2.933e-3/0.125e-3 is 23.464, so that 6 bits are required to indicate the value range of-24 to +24, and 6 bits of a certain timing offset difference in a variable domain Koffset-diff can indicate-31 to +31, wherein the signaling only uses the range of-24 to +24 in the above example, the unused ranges of-31 to-25 and +25 to +31 can be reserved (reserved), and can also be used for other indication purposes.

For example, after acquiring the Koffset-list signaling, the UE may respectively acquire the variable domain Koffset1 and the variable domain Koffset-diff according to: koffset1 corresponds to the Koffset value of beam 1, and if there are 63 timing offset differences between Koffset-diff, it can also be obtained that the Koffset value of beam 2 is Koffset1+ 1 st Koffset-diff value (i.e., Koffset1+ 1 st timing offset difference), the Koffset value of beam 3 is Koffset1+ 2 nd Koffset-diff value (i.e., Koffset1+ 2 nd timing offset difference), and so on. As described above, a beam number, such as beam 1, beam 2, etc., can be associated with an SSB index number or a TCI number, for example, the SSB index number or the TCI number is a beam number. The signaling transmission method not only provides flexibility, but also can save signaling bit overhead in a multi-beam scene.

Optionally, the UE may obtain a difference of the timing offset corresponding to a certain beam that the UE may use by subtracting a fixed value from the received Koffset-diff value. Compared with the scheme of directly sending the timing offset difference value which can be directly used to the UE, the method obtains the difference value of the timing offset corresponding to a certain usable wave beam through calculation of the UE, reserves the calculated amount to the UE, and reduces the calculation complexity of the base station side. For example, the Koffset-diff variable field uses 6 bits to represent 0 to 48, and the UE subtracts the Koffset-diff value by a fixed value (assuming that the fixed value is 24) after receiving the Koffset-diff value, so that the UE uses a timing offset difference value representing a range of-24 to + 24. For example, a value in the Koffset-diff variable field is 8, the UE subtracts the value from the value by a fixed value 24 to obtain-16, and the UE uses the-16 as the timing offset difference of the beam corresponding to the value.

The method for determining the initial timing offset of a cell level (cell specific or cell-specific) is as follows:

the base station broadcasts an initial Koffset value of a cell through a broadcast message (e.g., SIB1) or transmits the initial Koffset value to the UE through RRC signaling (e.g., RRC setup RRCSetup signaling, RRC reconfiguration RRCReconfiguration signaling, or RRC recovery rrcreesume signaling, etc.). In other words, the base station may cause the UEs within the cell to obtain the initial Koffset value through the above-described method, so that the UEs within the cell use the initial Koffset value. The cell-level timing offset refers to that UEs in a cell corresponding to the timing offset all use the same timing offset value, that is, all use the cell-level timing offset. Illustratively, the timing offset at the cell level may be determined by the maximum round trip delay of the gNB and the UE in the cell. The cell-level timing offsets include cell-level initial timing offsets, where "initial" in the initial timing offsets represents a parameter used initially to access the cell or a base parameter used in the cell.

In one possible implementation, the base station may broadcast the Koffset value corresponding to the cell (cell) through RACH-ConfigGeneric signaling in the SIB1 message. Illustratively, one or more variable fields may be seen in the RACH-ConfigGeneric signaling, which may be used to indicate the above-mentioned Koffset value. For example, the one or more variable domains may be the variable domains Koffset _ initial, Koffset-LEO and Koffset-complete, Koffset-LEO-600, Koffset-LEO-1200 and Koffset-GEO in the following examples.

The specific description of this RACH-ConfigGeneric signaling can be as follows:

in a first way,

A new variable field Koffset _ initial is added to the RACH-ConfigGeneric parameter to indicate the initial timing offset used by UEs within the cell. For example, the value range of the variable field Koffset _ initial may be determined according to the maximum round-trip delay (e.g., related to the track height and the minimum communication elevation angle) in the communication scenario supported by the standard protocol. It is understood that the description of the value range of the variable domain Koffset _ initial can refer to the description of the variable domain Koffset 1. Compared with the beam-level Koffset signaling transmission, the signaling transmission method saves more signaling overhead.

the second way,

Two new variable fields Koffset-LEO and Koffset-compensation are added to the RACH-ConfigGeneric parameter, which can be used to determine the initial timing offset. Illustratively, the ranges of values of Koffset-LEO and Koffset-complete (including the expressed ranges and/or expressed bits) may be determined according to the orbital altitude range and the minimum communication elevation angle of the satellite. Thus, to further save signaling bits, a combined indication of the initial timing offset may be made according to the track height range.

the added variable field Koffset-complete is optional, and indicates that transmission may be performed or not. Whether or under what conditions the variable field Koffset-completion parameter is transmitted, the following example can be referred to.

For example, for a scene with a track height of not higher than 1200km, when the minimum communication elevation angle is 10 degrees, the maximum round trip delay is 41.745895ms, the initial timing offset is 41.745895e-3/0.125e-3, which is 333.9672, and the corresponding bit number is 9 bits. Therefore, the network side may send only Koffset-LEO signaling (9 bits), i.e., not Koffset-complete. At this time, only 9 bits of signaling is required to indicate the timing offset parameter, which is in the range of 0 to + 334. The 9 bits may indicate a range of: 0 to +511, wherein the above signaling example uses only the range from 0 to +334, and the unused range from +335 to +511 can be reserved (reserved), or can be reserved for other indication purposes.

For another example, for a scenario with a track height greater than 1200km, the network side may send Koffset-LEO and Koffset-compensation signaling (4 bits) to the UE, where Koffset-compensation represents high bits and Koffset-LEO represents low bits. The Koffset-LEO and the Koffset-complete jointly form 13-bit signaling, which represents the range of 0-4332. The range that 13 bits can represent is: 0 to 8191. The signaling example only uses the range of 0 to 4332, and can reserve (reserved) unused ranges of 4333 to 8191, and can also reserve for other indication purposes. For indications of the combination of Koffset-LEO and Koffset-complete, reference may be made to the above description of the variable domain Koffset 1.

Thus, after acquiring the Koffset-LEO or the Koffset-LEO and Koffset-compensation signaling, the UE can acquire the timing offset to be used according to the signaling. The signaling transmission method not only provides flexibility, but also can save a part of signaling bits in a scene with low track height.

It is understood that the Koffset range in the above exemplary signaling is only exemplary, the application does not limit the value range of Koffset, and the value range of Koffset may be agreed according to the actual deployment conditions.

The third method,

Three new variable fields, Koffset-LEO-600, Koffset-LEO-1200 and Koffset-GEO, are added to the RACH-ConfigGeneric parameter to indicate the timing offset used by UEs within a cell. The range of values (including the number of bits expressed and/or the range of values) for Koffset-LEO-600, Koffset-LEO-1200, or Koffset-GEO may be determined according to the range of orbital altitudes and the minimum communication elevation angle of the satellite. Wherein, Koffset-LEO-600 represents the timing offset related parameter of the track height not more than 600km, Koffset-LEO-1200 represents the timing offset related parameter of the track height more than 600km and not more than 1200km, and Koffset-GEO represents the timing offset related parameter of the track height not more than 36000 km. The Koffset-LEO-600, Koffset-LEO-1200 or Koffset-GEO parameters may be set as optional, and reference may be made to the following examples for how signaling is sent.

For example, for a scene with the orbit height not higher than 600km, the network side may send only Koffset-LEO-600 signaling, i.e. not send Koffset-LEO-1200 and Koffset-GEO. When the minimum elevation angle is 10 degrees, the maximum round-trip delay of the LEO-600 scenario is 25.755ms, the maximum timing offset is 25.755e-3/0.125e-3 ═ 206.04, and the corresponding bit number is 8 bits (corresponding to the description in the LEO-600 transparent transmission scenario in the above embodiment). Only 8 bits of signaling need to be sent for the UE to determine the timing offset, which is used to indicate a range of 0 … + 207. The range that 8 bits can indicate is: 0 to +255, wherein the signaling example uses only the range from 0 to +207, and the unused range from 208 to 255 can be reserved (reserved) or can be reserved for other indication purposes.

For another example, for a scene with a track height greater than 600km and not greater than 1200km, the network side may send Koffset-LEO-1200 signaling to the UE, that is, not send Koffset-LEO-600 and Koffset-GEO. At this point, signaling of 9 bits (corresponding to the description in the LEO-1200 transparent transmission scenario in the above embodiment) needs to be sent for the UE to determine the timing offset. It is understood that the description of the value ranges of Koffset-LEO-1200 signaling can refer to the above description of Koffset-LEO and will not be described in detail here.

For another example, for a scene with a track height higher than 1200km, the network side only needs to send Koffset-GEO signaling, i.e. not send Koffset-LEO-600 and Koffset-LEO-1200. At this time, it is necessary to send 13-bit signaling (corresponding to the description in the GEO transparent transmission scenario in the above embodiment) for the UE to determine the timing offset, which is used to indicate the range of 0 to + 4332. It is understood that the description of the value ranges of Koffset-GEO signaling can refer to the descriptions of Koffset-LEO, Koffset-compensation and Koffset-LEO-600 mentioned above, and will not be described in detail here.

it is understood that the values of the signaling format are only examples, and should not be construed as limiting the embodiments of the present application.

In this embodiment, the base station may further add a new variable field corresponding to the timing offset to the PUSCH-ConfigCommon physical layer uplink shared channel general configuration signaling in the SIB1 or the PUSCH-Config physical layer uplink shared channel configuration signaling in the RRC signaling. For a specific description of a new variable field corresponding to adding a timing offset in PUSCH-ConfigCommon physical layer uplink shared channel general configuration signaling in SIB1 or PUSCH-Config physical layer uplink shared channel configuration signaling in RRC signaling, reference may be made to the above-mentioned means one to means three, and details thereof are not described here.

It is understood that the values of the respective signaling shown in the embodiments of the present application are only examples, and should not be construed as limiting the embodiments of the present application.

The above methods and embodiments may be combined with each other, and methods and flows for updating timing offsets in different scenes may be combined. Illustratively, combined updating of cell-level timing offsets, beam-level timing offsets, or UE-level timing offsets in connection with different scenarios will be exemplified below.

In other words, the cell-level Koffset, the beam-level Koffset, or the UE-level Koffset shown above may be used jointly.

It is to be appreciated that a UE-level (UE specific or UE-specific) timing offset indicates that different timing offset values may be used among UEs in a cell/beam.

Illustratively, the UE acquires the cell level Koffset value through a broadcast message at the initial access. After the UE initiates random access, the base station updates the Koffset value used by the UE to the beam level according to the beam where the UE is located. As shown in table 2, updating Koffset from cell level to beam level can reduce end-to-end delay. Further, when the UE requires higher latency, such as in a scenario requiring low latency, the base station and the UE may update the used Koffset to the Koffset value at the UE level. As shown in table 2, the updated Koffset to UE level has smaller end-to-end delay (including scheduling delay) than the Koffset at cell level and beam level, and thus is suitable for the scenario with low delay requirement.

Illustratively, the UE acquires the cell level Koffset value through a broadcast message at the initial access. After the UE initiates random access, the gNB determines whether the Koffset value used by the UE needs to be updated according to the service type of the UE and/or different requirements for delay.

1) When the UE has low requirement on the time delay performance and is not sensitive to the time delay, the base station can enable the type of UE to continuously use the Koffset at the cell level or update the Koffset at the beam level.

2) When the UE has high requirement on time delay performance and low requirement on time delay, the base station can update the timing offset value used for the UE to the Koffset of the UE level. The scheme flow needs the gNB to send signaling to the UE to indicate that Koffset is updated to the beam level or the Koffset is updated to the UE level, or the UE applies for the gNB to update the Koffset to the beam level or update the Koffset to the UE level.

For example, in case the UE requires low latency, the UE may autonomously determine and report to the base station an updated cell-level Koffset value to a UE-level Koffset value; alternatively, the UE may autonomously determine and report the Koffset value of the updated beam level to the Koffset value of the UE level to the base station.

For another example, when the UE has a requirement on the latency performance, the UE may send indication information to the base station, where the indication information may be used to indicate the latency requirement of the UE or indicate a level (e.g., cell level, beam level, or UE level) at which the UE requires the use of a timing offset. Therefore, the base station receives the indication information and determines whether to update the timing offset value used by the UE according to the indication information; if updated, the base station transmits information indicating that the Koffset value is updated. Such as the base station may instruct the UE to update to the Koffset value of the beam level or the Koffset value of the UE level.

Alternatively, the base station may indicate to the UE whether to turn on the Koffset update mechanism or which update Koffset mechanism to use. If not, the cell level Koffset is not used to be updated to the beam level Koffset or the UE level Koffset, and the UE does not need to report TA or delay requirement or the Koffset level to be used. For example: the base station may send the following signaling to the UE, or the UE sends the following signaling to the base station to indicate whether to turn on a certain Koffset update mechanism:

the signaling indicates whether to turn on the UE-specific Koffset update mechanism. If the base station is turned on, it indicates that the base station and the UE can update the Koffset from the cell level or the beam level to the UE level Koffset. If not, it indicates that the UE continues to use the Koffset level in use. The method has the advantages that different Koffset updating mechanisms can be selected according to the service requirements of the UE and the scheduling delay requirements, and the extra overhead of updating the Koffset signaling can be avoided.

The signaling indicates whether the beam-specific Koffset update mechanism is turned on. If the signal is on, the base station and the UE can update the Koffset from the cell level or the UE level to the beam level Koffset. If not, it indicates that the UE continues to use the Koffset level in use. The method has the advantages that different Koffset updating mechanisms can be selected according to the service requirements of the UE and the scheduling delay requirements, and the extra overhead of updating the Koffset signaling can be avoided.

The signaling indicates whether the beam-specific Koffset or UE-specific Koffset update mechanism is used or not to update the Koffset to other levels. The signaling indication method is to indicate that the base station and/or the UE in the scene supports updating the Koffset level to the beam level or the UE level or not changing the used Koffset level. The signaling indication can avoid ambiguity of a Koffset updating mechanism between the base station and the UE, and has the advantages that different Koffset updating mechanisms can be selected according to the service requirements of the UE and the scheduling delay requirements, and the additional overhead of updating the Koffset signaling can be avoided.

In the following, a combination of the above-described method and various embodiments will be exemplified in a specific scenario.

Scene one, update the cell-level Koffset value to the beam-level Koffset value.

In this scenario, when the UE initially accesses, a cell-level Koffset value is obtained.

For example, when the UE applies for accessing the system, the base station, such as the gNB, transmits the timing offset difference Δ Koffset in Msg2 or Msg4 or RRCsetup signaling, and the UE may update the Koffset after receiving the Δ Koffset, i.e., Koffset _ new — Koffset — old + Δ Koffset. Wherein Koffset _ old represents the Koffset value or reference timing offset value or initial Koffset being used by the gNB and UE. Koffset _ new represents the updated Koffset value to be used by the gNB and UE, i.e. the updated timing offset value on the basis of Koffset _ old. The gNB may determine the Δ Koffset value here according to the beam level Koffset, i.e. the gNB determines that the UE is to use the updated Koffset value Koffset _ new according to the beam where the UE is located (e.g. the gNB determines the Koffset _ new value according to the maximum round-trip delay between the UE and the gNB in the coverage of the beam where the UE is located), and then obtains the Δ Koffset value according to the Δ Koffset _ old-Koffset _ new. The signaling that the gNB can transmit the Δ Koffset through Msg2, Msg4, RRCsetup, etc. the reason for setting the Δ Koffset to optional (indicating that the Koffset can be sent or not sent) in the signaling is to consider that if the network side decides not to update the Koffset, the gNB can not send the Δ Koffset to the UE, that is, the gNB and the UE do not update the Koffset being used.

In a possible implementation manner, the base station may configure a serving cell configuration signaling transmission Δ Koffset using a serving cell in the RRCsetup signaling, and the RRCReconfiguration and rrcreesume signaling also include the serving cell configuration signaling, and may also send the Δ Koffset value through the RRCReconfiguration and rrcreesume signaling. Illustratively, the serving cell configuration ServingCellConfig signaling includes one or more variable fields therein, which may be used to indicate Δ Koffset.

In a first way,

A new variable domain Koffset-difference is added to the serving cell configuration ServingCellConfig parameter, which represents a timing offset difference Δ Koffset, and the UE can use the timing offset difference value Koffset-difference to update the Koffset. The value range (such as the representation range or the corresponding bit number) of the Koffset-difference can be determined according to the maximum round-trip delay difference value between the beams, the satellite orbit height, the cell size and the minimum communication elevation angle.

For example, in a GEO transparent transmission/regeneration scene, the maximum round-trip delay difference in a cell is 10.3ms, 10.3e-3/0.125e-3 is 82.4, and a variable domain Koffset-difference needs 8-bit indication-83. 8 bits of Koffset-difference can represent: the signaling example only uses the range of-83 to 83, and the unused ranges of-127 to-84 and +84 to +127 can be reserved (reserved) or can be reserved for other indication purposes. Compared with the scheme of directly transmitting the Koffset complete value, the transmission timing offset difference value scheme can save signaling overhead.

Illustratively, the above signaling format may be as follows:

the second way,

A new variable field Koffset-difference-list is added to the servingCellConfig parameter or a parameter with similar function, which represents the difference between the Koffset values used by UEs in multiple beams in a cell and the cell level Koffset. That is, Koffset-difference-list represents a plurality of Koffset differences, for example, the difference between the Koffset value corresponding to 64 beams and the cell level Koffset corresponding to the cell in which the beams are located can be represented at most.

Illustratively, the above signaling format may be as follows:

in this embodiment of the present application, the value range of the variable domain Koffset-difference-list may be related to the maximum round-trip delay (e.g., related to the track height and the minimum communication elevation angle) of a cell or a beam in a communication scenario supported by a standard protocol, the maximum round-trip delay difference between the cell and the beam, and the time offset slot _ duration.

For example, in a GEO transparent transmission scenario, the cell diameter is 450km, the minimum communication elevation angle is 10 degrees, the maximum round-trip delay difference in the cell is 2.933e-3s, 2.933e-3/0.125e-3 is 23.464, so that 6 bits are required to indicate the value range of-24 to +24, and 6 bits of a certain timing offset difference in a variable domain Koffset-difference-list can indicate-31 to +31, wherein the signaling only uses the range of-24 to +24 in the above example, and unused ranges of-31 to +25 and +25 to +31 can be reserved (reserved), and can also be used for other indication purposes.

For example, after acquiring the Koffset-difference-list signaling, the UE may determine the beam level Koffset value corresponding to the beam it is located in according to the difference between the Koffset value being used (or the previously received Koffset value or the cell level Koffset value being used) and the Koffset indicated by the variable domain Koffset-difference-list. For example, the Koffset-difference-list indicates 64 Koffset differences, and the UE selects a corresponding Koffset difference in the Koffset-difference-list according to the beam number (e.g., determined according to the corresponding relationship between the beam number and the SSB number or the TCI number), e.g., the beam number is 5, and then selects the 5 th Koffset difference indicated by the Koffset-difference-list (assuming that the beam number starts from 1) or the 4 th Koffset difference indicated by the Koffset-difference-list (assuming that the beam number starts from 0). The UE may obtain the beam level Koffset value corresponding to the beam it is on based on the Koffset value it is using + the selected Koffset-difference-list value (i.e., the Koffset value the UE is using + the timing offset difference selected based on the beam number). And the UE and the gNB acquire and update the Koffset value of the beam level according to the calculation of the method. The signaling transmission method not only provides flexibility, but also can save signaling bit overhead in a multi-beam scene.

The third method,

Two new variable fields, Koffset-difference-GEO and Koffset-difference-LEO, are added to the ServingCellConfig parameter to indicate the timing offset difference Δ Koffset used by different orbit ranges, which can be used by the UE to update the Koffset. The gNB selects to transmit either Koffset-difference-GEO or Koffset-difference-LEO according to the communication scenario (orbit height range). Thus, the UE can obtain a Δ Koffset value after obtaining Koffset-difference-GEO or Koffset-difference-LEO, and then update the Koffset value according to the Koffset _ new ═ Koffset _ old +. Δ Koffset.

Wherein, Koffset-difference-GEO represents the difference value of the timing offset used when the orbit height in the communication scene is more than 1200km and less than 36000km, and the representing range is determined according to the maximum round-trip delay difference value among the beams and is related to the orbit height of the satellite, the size of the cell and the minimum communication elevation angle. For specific description, reference may be made to the above description of Koffset-difference. When the track height of the communication scene is larger than 1200km and smaller than 36000km, the network side only needs to send the Koffset-difference-GEO signaling, namely the Koffset-difference-LEO signaling is not sent. At this point, 8 bits of signaling need to be sent for the terminal to determine the timing offset.

Koffset-difference-LEO represents a timing offset difference parameter for track heights no greater than 1200 km. And determining the representation range according to the maximum round trip delay difference value between the beams. For example, in the LEO-1200 scene, the maximum round-trip delay difference in the cell is 3.18ms, 3.18e-3/0.125e-3 is 25.44, and the variable domain Koffset-difference-LEO needs 6-bit indication, ranging from-26 to-26. The 6bit of Koffset-difference-LEO can represent: the signaling example uses only the range from-26 to-26, and the unused ranges from-31 to-27 and +27 to +31 can be reserved (reserved), or can be reserved for other indication purposes. The transmission timing offset difference scheme provides flexibility and can save a part of signaling bits in a scene with low track height.

Illustratively, the above signaling format may be as follows:

Koffset-difference-GEO INTEGER(-83..83)OPTIONAL,

Koffset-difference-LEO INTEGER(-26..26)OPTIONAL,

optionally, the gNB may also send a timing offset difference Δ Koffset value, i.e., a Koffset difference value, to the UE through MAC CE signaling. Therefore, the UE updates the Koffset according to the Koffset _ new ═ Koffset _ old +. DELTA.Koffset after receiving the Koffset difference. For example, the above-described 8-bit Koffset-difference signaling or 6-bit Koffset-difference-LEO signaling may be transmitted to the UE through MAC CE signaling to indicate a Δ Koffset value. For a detailed description of the MAC CE signaling, reference may be made to the above description, which is not detailed here.

Scene two, update the Koffset value of the beam level.

In the staring mode, as the relative positions of the satellite and the UE change, the beam level (beam-specific) Koffset of the beam where the UE is located changes.

When the system uses beam level initial Koffset, the gbb can update beam-specific Koffset by several signaling ways, i.e., the gbb and the UE still use beam-specific Koffset, but the specific Koffset value is updated with changes. That is, in one possible implementation, the network device may indicate the updated Koffset (i.e., beam-specific Koffset) through RRC signaling or RRC reconfiguration signaling or MAC CE signaling. Illustratively, one or more variable fields (e.g., Koffset-list) are included in the RRC reconfiguration signaling, and the one or more variable fields are used to indicate the updated Koffset. Illustratively, Δ Koffset is included in ServingCellConfig in RRC signaling. Illustratively, Δ Koffset is included in the MAC CE signaling. The following are detailed separately:

in the first mode, RRC reconfiguration (rrcrconfiguration) signaling, for example, RRC reconfiguration (rrcrconfiguration) signaling is used to update the Koffset. Therefore, the base station sends the RRC reconfiguration signaling to the UE, and after the UE receives the RRC reconfiguration signaling, the UE selects the corresponding Koffset value according to the beam where the UE is located and updates the used Koffset value. For example, the RRC reconfiguration signaling includes an updated value of the Koffset-list variable field, and the specific signaling length design may refer to the description of the Koffset-list variable field parameter.

Mode two, RRC signaling, for example, ServingCellConfig adds a Koffset difference such as a Δ Koffset parameter in RRC signaling. The Δ Koffset may be determined according to the Koffset value Koffset _ new to be updated, for example, the gNB determines the updated Koffset value Koffset _ new to be used by the UE according to the latest position relationship between the beam where the UE is located and the satellite and gateway (for example, the gNB determines the Koffset _ new value according to the maximum round-trip delay between the UE and the gNB in the coverage of the beam where the UE is located), and then obtains the Δ Koffset value according to the value Koffset — Koffset _ old-Koffset _ new. Therefore, the base station sends the RRC signaling to the UE, and the UE updates the Koffset according to the Koffset _ new ═ Koffset _ old +. DELTA.koffset after receiving the RRC signaling. The signaling of the Koffset difference can be designed with reference to the above description of the Koffset-difference variable domain parameters.

Third, MAC CE signaling, for example, the gNB may send a timing offset difference Δ Koffset value, i.e., a Koffset difference value, to the UE through MAC CE signaling. The signaling of the Koffset difference can be designed by referring to the above description of the Koffset-difference parameter

In the scenario one, when the gbb and the UE use the cell-level initial Koffset scheme, and after the UE applies for accessing the system, the gbb and the UE update the Koffset from the cell level to the beam level, and along with the change of the relative positions of the satellite, the UE and the gateway, the beam level Koffset of the beam where the UE is located also changes, that is, the beam level Koffset value changes, and needs to be updated. The gram-specific Koffset value can be updated by the gNB through the following two signaling ways.

By RRC signalling, e.g. using Delta Koffset carried in servingCellConfig signalling in RRC signalling

Koffset-difference INTEGER(-83..83)OPTIONAL,

For the introduction of the Koffset-difference variable field, reference may be made to the above-mentioned servingCellConfig parameter to add a description of a new variable field Koffset-difference.

The gNB sends a Δ Koffset value, i.e. a difference Koffset, to the UE through MAC CE signaling.

And scene three, updating the Koffset value of the UE level.

When the UE can report the TA, it indicates that the UE has now established a connection with the gNB and has obtained a Koffset value that can be used, so the gNB only needs to update the Koffset based on this value.

For example, as shown in the embodiment of fig. 6, the UE may report a TA value using Msg3 to indicate the second timing offset. That is, the UE may send the TA information or location information used by itself to the gNB in the Msg3 (or other message, such as a message sent when the timing offset needs to be updated later) in the RACH procedure. If a TA value is sent, it may be a TA value or a quantized TA value, or an updated Koffset value or Koffset difference. After accessing the system, the UE may also report the correlation value with the TA value used by the UE in other uplink messages, and the gNB is configured to determine the updated Koffset value.

In the method for the UE to send the indication information to indicate the second timing offset, the UE sends the TA correlation value to the gNB, and may subtract a common TA from a TA value being used by the UE (where the common TA value may be a positive value, a negative value, or zero) or may subtract an absolute value of the common TA from the TA value being used by the UE (i.e., obtain a difference between the TA being used and the common TA), that is, send TA-allocated (e.g., TA _ allocated is TA _ use-TA _ common) to the gNB or send half of the TA _ allocated to the gNB (where the gNB receives the TA _ allocated value multiplied by 2 to obtain the TA _ allocated value). Wherein, TA _ use represents the TA value being or about to be used by the UE, TA _ common represents the common TA value, and TA _ applied represents the difference between TA _ use and TA _ common. After receiving the TA correlation value sent by the UE, the gNB obtains the TA value currently used or to be used by the UE according to TA _ use + TA _ applied + TA _ common.

For example, if it is at 16Ts/2^uSending TA values for time dimension if TA _ use-TA _ common is not an integer multiple of 16Ts/2^uThe UE or the gNB may be according to

Or

And calculating to obtain a TA correlation value sent by the UE to the gNB. Where Ts denotes 1/(15e3 × 2048) seconds and μ is related to the subcarrier spacing, i.e. the subcarrier spacing is 2^μ·15kHz。

In one possible implementation, the UE may indicate the TA or the related value of the TA through a third message or a fifth message or other uplink message (e.g., a granted PUSCH resource, an uplink physical layer control channel message, etc.). For example, one or more variable fields (e.g., TA-applied-LEO-600, TA-applied-LEO-1200, TA-applied-GEO, Koffset _ difference _ UE, etc. hereinafter) may be included in the third message or the fifth message or other uplink messages, and may be used to indicate a correlation value of the TA or TA.

In a first way,

And adding a variable field TA-applied (used timing advance) to represent the TA related value reported by the UE. The gNB, upon receiving the TA-applied, is configured to determine the TA value used or to be used by the UE. The representation range and the bit number of the TA-applied signaling are determined by the track height, the minimum communication elevation angle and the time dimension in the communication scene.

For example, when the satellite orbit is not higher than the GEO orbit and the minimum elevation angle is 10 degrees, 16Ts/2 is used^uThe representation range of TA-applied is required to be 0-4155513 and 22 bits are required for representation in a time dimension unit. The 22 bits can represent a range of: 0-4194303, wherein the signaling only uses the range of 0-4155513, and can reserve (reserved) the unused range of 4155514-4194303, and can also reserve for other indication purposes. For example, after receiving the TA-applied parameter, the gNB may add the TA-applied parameter to a common TA (quantized common TA value) and multiply the TA-applied parameter by the time dimension unit to obtain a TA value being used by the UE, or the TA-applied indicates the TA value being used by the UE, that is, the time length of the TA being used by the UE is obtained by multiplying the TA-applied parameter by the time dimension unit. It will be appreciated that the protocol supports different satellite orbital altitudes, minimum communication elevation angles and time dimension units, and the indication range that the TA-application needs to support may be different. The indication range and the bit number of the TA-applied can be defined according to a specific communication scenario.

Exemplarily, the signaling format of the TA-applied is as follows:

TA-applied INTEGER(0..4155513)OPTIONAL,

the second way,

Three new variable fields, TA-applied-LEO-600, TA-applied-LEO-1200 and TA-applied-GEO, are added to represent timing advance values for the gNB to determine that the UE is in use. The representation range and the bit number of the TA-applied-LEO-600, the TA-applied-LEO-1200 and the TA-applied-GEO can be determined according to the orbit altitude range of the satellite, the possible minimum communication elevation angle and the time dimension unit. The TA-applied-LEO-600 represents a parameter related to a timing advance value used by the UE in a communication scene with the track height not greater than 600km, the TA-applied-LEO-1200 represents a parameter related to a timing advance value used by the UE in a communication scene with the track height not greater than 1200km, and the TA-applied-GEO represents a parameter related to a timing advance value used by the UE in a communication scene with the track height not greater than 36000 km. By referring to the above design principle of the parameter TA-applied representing range and bit number, the representing ranges and bit numbers of TA-applied-LEO-600, TA-applied-LEO-1200 and TA-applied-GEO can be obtained.

For example, related signaling of TA reported by UE, TA-applied-LEO-600/TA-applied-LEO-1200/TA-applied-GEO, is added to the RRCSetupRequest signaling of Msg3, and the UE acquires the orbit height of the satellite according to ephemeris information or satellite orbit information and further selects one signaling of the corresponding TA-applied-LEO-600/TA-applied-LEO-1200/TA-applied-GEO to send the TA value. For a scenario with a track height not higher than 600km, the UE may use TA-applied-LEO-600 signaling without sending TA-applied-LEO-1200 and TA-applied-GEO. This has the advantage that the UE can use a smaller signalling length to transmit the TA correlation value in a low earth orbit satellite communication system.

Exemplary signaling formats for TA-applied-LEO-600, TA-applied-LEO-1200, and TA-applied-GEO are as follows:

TA-applied-LEO-600 INTEGER(0..197800)OPTIONAL,

TA-applied-LEO-1200 INTEGER(0..320609)OPTIONAL,

TA-applied-GEO INTEGER(0..4155513)OPTIONAL,

the third method,

In the method for the UE to send the indication information for indicating the second timing offset, the UE may report the updated Koffset value or Koffset difference value instead of reporting the TA related value, for example, the Koffset difference value is taken as an example. And adding a new variable domain Koffset _ difference _ UE, which represents the difference value of the timing offset reported by the UE to the gNB, the difference value between the Koffset value to be updated by the UE and the Koffset being used. It is understood that the UE may report the Koffset difference in other uplink messages as well.

The indication range and the occupied bit number of the Koffset _ difference _ UE relate to the frequency and the threshold of the Koffset reported by the UE, and the Koffset _ difference _ UE needs to occupy 3 bits by taking the Koffset difference not greater than 7 as an example. After receiving the Koffset _ difference _ UE, the gNB may obtain the Koffset value to be updated by the UE and the gNB according to the Koffset _ new ═ Koffset _ old + Koffset _ difference _ UE.

Exemplarily, the signaling format of the Koffset _ difference _ UE is as follows:

Koffset_difference_UE INTEGER(0..7)OPTIONAL

as in the method for the UE to send the indication information for indicating the second timing offset, the UE may report its location information to the gNB. For example, an Earth-Centered Earth-Fixed (ECEF) coordinate system may be used, and assuming that the range of representation is up to 20km from the surface of the Earth and the radius of the Earth is 6371km, each dimension of the three-dimensional coordinate position needs to represent-6391 km. When the resolution of each dimension of the three-dimensional coordinates is 0.125m, 27 bits are required, and then 27 × 3-81 bits are required for three dimensions. When the resolution of the representation of each dimension of the three-dimensional coordinates is 0.25m, 26 bits are needed, and then 26 × 3-78 bits are needed for three dimensions. For example, the UE-Position is added by a variable field to represent the Position coordinates of the UE. The variable domain UE-Position includes three variable values representing three-dimensional coordinate related values of the UE. The range of representation and the number of occupied bits of the UE-Position signaling is related to the radius of the earth, the highest possible distance of the UE from the horizontal plane and the resolution of the Position coordinate representation. For example, the location information signaling sent by the UE may be expressed as:

UE-Position SEQUENCE(3OF INTEGER(-67108863..67108863))OPTIONAL,

Or

UE-Position SEQUENCE(3OF INTEGER(-33554431..33554431))OPTIONAL,

For example, the TA-applied-LEO-600, TA-applied-LEO-1200, TA-applied-GEO, UE-Position, or Koffset _ difference _ UE signaling may be carried in the RRCSetupRequest message.

And after the gNB receives the UE-Position signaling, multiplying the received three-dimensional coordinate correlation value by the coordinate resolution. For example, assuming a coordinate resolution of 0.125m, a UE-Position signaling value received by the gNB is (50976000, 1688000, 1592000), the gNB may obtain an actual ECEF three-dimensional coordinate of the UE (50976000 × 0.125 ═ 6372km, 1688000 × 0.125 ═ 211km, 1592000 × 0.125 ═ 199 km).

Optionally, in order to reduce signaling overhead, it may be agreed that the position coordinate sent by the UE may be subtracted by a fixed value to send a coordinate difference value. For example, after 6371km is subtracted from each latitude of the three-dimensional coordinates transmitted by the UE, a coordinate difference is transmitted. And after the gNB receives the coordinate difference, adding 6371km to each latitude to obtain the coordinate value of the UE. The above design signaling can save signaling overhead.

The fourth way,

The gNB and the UE may agree that the UE reports the TA related parameters to the gNB through a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) message. For example, the UE may send the reporting of the TA related signaling parameter or the indication information (used for indicating the second timing offset) sent by the UE according to the method and embodiment of the present application through an uplink physical layer control channel message. The method can avoid the UE applying the uplink resource for reporting the TA related parameters, and save the time for applying and scheduling the uplink resource.

In the embodiment of the present application, after the UE accesses the system, the UE may send the TA value to the gNB through the uplink MAC CE message or the PUSCH, and refer to the above TA related signaling length design method reported above.

The method for updating Koffset in Cell handover (Cell handover) is introduced in the above method and embodiment, and the following is a signaling flow of a specific communication scenario as an example:

1) in the handover flow, measurement is performed first, and then the source gNB sends rrcreeconfiguration signaling to the UE. As can be seen from the above signaling, a cell level or a beam level Koffset exists in rrcreeconfiguration. Therefore, the UE can acquire the Koffset value of the target cell/beam through RRCRECONfigure. For the random access handover exempt (RACHless handover), rrcreeconfiguration signaling is also sent to the UE by the source cell. The UE will receive the SIB1 of the target cell and will also be able to acquire the Koffset of the target cell/beam.

2) After the UE completes handover, it may perform update from cell level to beam level Koffset. Or the Koffset updated to the UE level is the same as the signaling flow after the UE randomly accesses to a certain cell.

Satellite handover (satellite switch) may be equivalent to cell handover, refer to handover signaling flow above.

The method for updating Koffset in Beam switching (Beam switch) is introduced in the above method and embodiment, and the following is a signaling flow of a specific communication scenario as an example:

When the source beam and the target beam belong to the same cell, the beam switch does not switch satellites, and the UE can continue to use the currently used cell level or UE level Koffset.

If Koffset used by the UE is beam-level, then it needs to be discussed in two categories:

first, when the system uses the beam level initial Koffset scheme, the gNB may update the beam-specific Koffset through the following two signaling methods.

1) By updating the Koffset-list through RRC signaling, for example, using rrcreeconfiguration signaling, the UE selects the corresponding Koffset value according to the beam where the UE is located, i.e., updates the Koffset value being used.

Or,

the UE needs to select a Koffset value to be used for the corresponding target beam according to the transmitted Koffset set group (e.g., Koffset-list message) in the broadcast signal.

2) The gNB may send a Δ Koffset value, i.e., a Koffset difference value, to the UE through MAC CE signaling. The UE updates the Koffset according to the Koffset _ new ═ Koffset _ old +. DELTA.Koffset after receiving the Koffset _ new ═ Koffset _ old +. DELTA.Koffset. For example, the 8-bit or 6-bit signaling representation Δ Koffset value may be sent to the UE via MAC CE signaling.

Secondly, when the system uses the cell-level initial Koffset scheme and the UE uses the beam-level Koffset after accessing the system, the gNB can update the beam-specific Koffset through the following two signaling modes.

1) Carrying Δ Koffset in servingCellConfig signaling by RRC signaling, e.g., using RRC signaling (e.g., using Koffset-difference signaling as described above)

2) The gNB sends a Δ Koffset value, i.e., a Koffset difference value, to the UE through MAC CE signaling.

Gateway switch (Gateway switch):

when soft gateway switch (soft gateway switch) occurs, the UE can receive signals of two gateways at the same time, which may be equivalent to a cell handover procedure.

When a gateway hard handoff (hard gateway switch) occurs, the UE can receive only one gateway signal at a time, and the UE instantaneously switches from the source gateway to the target gateway. At this time, the feeder link part delay varies. The gNB may send the UE the Koffset used at the target gateway or a difference from the Koffset now used, i.e., Δ Koffset.

Since the Koffset value is updated for the UEs of the whole beam or cell, the Koffset can be updated using the rrcreeconfiguration signaling carrying Δ Koffset.

Or,

the gNB uses MAC CE signaling to send the target gateway's Koffset or Δ Koffset to the UE.

If Δ Koffset is transmitted, perhaps the same number of bits as the full Koffset is needed. For example, in some special scenarios, when the network side performs timing compensation on the uplink signal before switching and the network side does not perform timing compensation on the uplink signal after switching, Δ Koffset needs to include a complete round-trip delay, and the number of bits needed for Δ Koffset is the same as that for representing the complete Koffset. If the protocol does not support this kind of special scenario, the number of bits needed to represent Δ Koffset will be less than the number of bits to represent the full Koffset, and signaling bits can be saved.

In the method for the UE to send the indication information to indicate the second timing offset, the UE sends the TA correlation value to the gNB, and how the UE reports the TA being used by the UE or the correlation value thereof will be described below by way of example.

The UE reports the TA or TA related value being used by itself, the gNB determines the TA value of the UE and accordingly determines the Koffset value that the UE needs to update, as described above:

thus, several methods of how the UE indicates to the base station the TA it is using are shown below.

Method one, UE reports TA rate

In order to save signaling overhead of reporting the TA value by the UE, the UE may report a TA change rate (TA rate) TA _ R being used by the UE and a TA value TA _ Va being used by the UE to the gNB, where the UE may calculate the TA change rate according to information such as a location of the UE, a location of a satellite, a speed direction, a speed magnitude, and the like. Both the UE and the gNB may calculate a TA value to be subsequently used by the UE from TA _ R and TA _ Va and then calculate a Koffset value. For example,

where t denotes the time instant when Koffset is to be calculated or used and t0 denotes the time instant when the TA _ Va value is used by the UE. If the gNB subsequently sends a TAC instruction to the UE to adjust the TA value, then the calculation of the Koffset equation may be adjusted to

Where TAC _ ac represents an accumulated value of TAC instructions sent by the gNB to the UE. For example, the gNB sends 2 TACs to the UE, and the sum of the two TAC adjustments is TAC _ ac. It may be agreed that both the UE and the gNB calculate the Koffset value according to the above equation, while updating to the latest Koffset value. Or, the gNB calculates the Koffset value according to the above equation, and if updating is required, indicates the updated latest Koffset value or the difference between the latest Koffset and the original Koffset to the UE.

Mode two, reporting TA difference

In order to save signaling overhead of reporting the TA by the UE, each time the UE reports the TA value being used, the difference between the TA value being used and the TA value reported last time or the difference between the TA value being used and the TA value indicated to the UE by the last gNB may be reported, so that the indication range and signaling bits required for reporting the TA may be reduced. For example, the TA value reported by the UE to the gNB last time is TA1, and at this time, the TA value being used by the UE is TA2, and then the TA values reported by the UE to the gNB at this time are TA2-TA 1. When receiving the value (TA2-TA1) reported by the UE, the gNB may add the value to the TA value TA1 reported by the UE last time, so as to obtain the TA value TA2 being used by the UE.

Mode III, mode for reporting TA value

Periodically reporting a TA value by UE: the gNB configures resources for periodically reporting the TA to the UE, so that the UE can report the TA being used by the UE according to the resources for reporting the TA configured by the base station (the reporting method may refer to the above embodiments). For example, the period reported by the gNB to the UE in the RRC signaling is 8 seconds, and 8 seconds are time domain and frequency domain resources of the period. And the UE reports the TA value periodically on the resource.

UE semi-statically reports TA value: in addition to configuring resources for periodically reporting the TA to the UE, the gNB needs to send an activated or deactivated (closed) signaling to the UE to indicate whether to start a function of periodically reporting the TA value to the UE. For example, the gNB may activate or deactivate the periodic TA reporting function through the MAC CE, and the UE starts or stops periodically reporting the TA value after receiving the activation or deactivation (closing) signaling.

UE (user equipment) reporting a TA value in an aperiodic way: and the gNB configures uplink resources for reporting the TA value to the UE and sends a TA value reporting triggering instruction to the UE. And the UE reports the TA value which is used once to the gNB after receiving the instruction (or the signaling). For example, the gNB may trigger the UE to report the TA value through a DCI instruction. And after receiving the trigger instruction, the UE immediately reports the TA value or reports the TA value after a period of appointed time. For example, the UE may report the TA value being used by the UE in the uplink timeslot n + M when the UE receives the DCI trigger instruction in the downlink timeslot n. Where M is a non-zero integer, and M is related to the size of the TA value used by the UE, e.g.

Or

delta is a nonnegative integer agreed by the gNB and the UE under consideration of the processing delay or a nonnegative integer variable configured by the gNB to the UE.

The above methods for reporting TA and TA related values may be used in combination, and are not described in detail herein.

The Koffset in the embodiment of the application can solve the problem that the timing of receiving the uplink data by the network side is later than the timing of sending the corresponding downlink data. For example,as shown in fig. 20, the gNB receives an uplink HARQ-ACK corresponding to a PDSCH carrying one MAC-CE instruction (or MAC-CE signaling) at uplink slot n. The MAC-CE command is a downlink signal configuration command, and the UE assumes to take effect in a downlink time slot for downlink configuration

The first time slot thereafter, i.e. time slot

Wherein

Is at a subcarrier spacing of 2^μ15KHz, the number of slots contained in a subframe (subframe), X is a non-negative integer agreed in the protocol or configured by a parameter, e.g., X ═ 3.

For example, the configuration instruction of the MAC CE carried in the PDSCH on the downlink signal may be resource configuration of the downlink ZP CSI-RS, or deactivate (deactivate) the downlink ZP CSI-RS resource configuration that has been validated. For another example, the instruction carried in the PDSCH may be a mapping relationship indicating a TCI status and a code point in a DCI domain ('Transmission Configuration Indication'). As another example, the instruction carried in the PDSCH may be to activate/deactivate a semi-static CSI reporting configuration. As another example, the instruction carried in the PDSCH may be to activate/deactivate CSI-RS/CSI-IM configuration.

As can be seen from fig. 20, when the timing compensation of the uplink data by the network side or the gNB is greater than or equal to

When the UE receives the HARQ ACK/NACK for the instruction carried in the PDSCH, which is sent by the UE, and the HARQ ACK/NACK is not earlier than the effective time of the instruction for configuring the downlink signal, the gNB may not know in time whether the UE correctly decodes the PDSCH or the MAC CE carrying the instruction, that is, when the MAC CE performs the configuration on the downlink data, the network side does not receive the HARQ ACK/NACK of the MAC CE fed back by the UE. After the UE sends HARQ ACK in the time slot n, the UE considers the downlink time slot

The start command starts to take effect, which causes different understandings of effective time of the command on both sides of the UE and the gNB, and causes communication conflict. The timing compensation value of the network side or the gNB for the uplink data described herein indicates that the network side or the gNB delays the receiving window by the compensation value when receiving the uplink data.

To improve the above problem, a Koffset associated with the uplink data timing compensation value according to the network side may be introduced. The UE assumes to be in effect for downlink configuration

As shown in fig. 21, it can be seen that when an appropriate Koffset value is used (the time for downlink signal configuration instruction to take effect is delayed, and it is ensured that the instruction takes effect only after the corresponding ACK is received by the gNB, that is, the time length indicated by Koffset should be not less than the time length indicated by the timing compensation value for uplink data at the network side), the gNB may take effect on the downlink configuration instruction after receiving the HARQ ACK sent by the UE corresponding to the downlink configuration instruction, and ensure that both the UE and the gNB take effect on the downlink configuration instruction in the same downlink time slot.

Koffset in this example can be obtained by the following equation:

for example:

the time _ compensated is a timing compensation value that the network side receives uplink data sent by the UE, and the unit may be second, millisecond, microsecond, slot length, symbol length, or other time units. time _ compensated is equivalent to delay _ compensated described above. The gNB may send a Koffset value to the UE. Therefore, both the gNB and the UE obtain the Koffset value, and the effective time of the downlink signal configuration instruction can be determined according to the Koffset value.

Alternatively, the gNB may also calculate Koffset according to the following formula:

where Δ K represents an integer agreed upon by the protocol to adjust the Koffset value (taking into account calculation errors or/and processing delays, etc.).

Alternatively, the gNB may send to the UE

Values and Δ K values, which are determined by the gNB based on the system error or/and processing delay. The UE and the gNB calculate a timing offset value Koffset _ new to be used according to the following formula

Koffset_new＝Koffset+△K

After the UE receives the Koffset and the delta K, both the gNB and the UE obtain the effective time of the downlink signal configuration instruction according to the Koffset _ new, namely the UE assumes to take effect on the downlink configuration

A time slot.

Alternatively, the gNB may send a time _ compensated value to the UE, and the UE and the gNB may calculate a Koffset value to use according to the equation:

alternatively, in calculating Koffset, a fixed value may be added/subtracted based on the calculation formula given herein, for example, a time offset value TA _ offset may be added/subtracted in calculating Koffset, taking into account the influence of different network device location/positioning errors or the like in a duplex mode (time-division duplex, TDD) and a frequency-division duplex (FDD) into consideration

When FDD is employed, TA _ offset is 0; when TDD is employed, TA _ offset is 624. As another example of the present invention,

Alternatively, the gNB may send the time _ compensated and Δ K values to the UE, and the UE and the gNB may calculate the Koffset value to be used according to the equation:

the time _ compensated may be an amount of time or a quantized amount of time, that is, the time unit of the time _ compensated may be determined according to an actual usage, and is not limited herein.

Alternatively, the gNB may send time _ compensated and Δ time _ offset values to the UE, and the UE and the gNB may calculate the Koffset value to use according to the equation:

the Δ timing _ offset is an adjustment value of time _ compensated, which is considered by the gNB for processing delay, calculation error and the like, and may be an amount of time, or may be a quantized amount of time, that is, a time unit of Δ timing _ offset may be determined according to an actual use situation.

Alternatively, in order to save signaling overhead and reduce the number of information bits for transmitting Koffset-related information, the gNB may transmit a timing offset difference Δ Koffset based on another time-related metric (which is known by both the UE and the gNB, e.g., a time-related metric agreed by the gNB and the UE or a time-related metric sent by the gNB to the UE or a time-related metric sent by the UE to the gNB), and the UE and the gNB calculate the Koffset to be used according to the agreed formula, i.e., the Koffset to be used is calculated by the UE and the gNB, i.e., the Koffset is calculated by the UE and the gNB

Alternatively, Koffset is calculated directly using the time _ related parameter, i.e.

Alternatively, the gNB may send a time difference component Δ timing (Δ timing is a time length value) based on another time-related quantity value, and the UE and the gNB calculate the Koffset to be used according to the agreed formula, i.e., the Koffset is used

Alternatively, the gNB may send a scale factor S (S is a non-negative number) based on another time-dependent magnitude, and the UE and gNB obtain the Koffset to be used according to the agreed formula calculation, i.e., the Koffset is obtained

Alternatively, the gNB may jointly transmit Δ Koffset and/or Δ timing and/or S, and the UE and gNB calculate the Koffset to be used according to an agreed equation, e.g.

For example, the time _ related parameter may be 2H/c or 4H/c, where H represents the orbital altitude of the satellite (which the UE may obtain from ephemeris information sent from the network side) and c represents the speed of light.

Alternatively, the time _ related parameter may be a common timing advance (common TA) amount. The common timing advance may be obtained according to, but not limited to, the following: selecting a reference point (e.g., the closest point to the base station may be selected) in the coverage area of the beam or cell, calculating a reference point-satellite; or, referring to the round trip delay between point-satellite-ground, the common timing advance is equal to the round trip delay or to the round trip delay plus/minus a fixed value (the fixed value is to take account of the inaccuracy of the satellite location information or the processing delay or the effect of the altitude of the UE location on the use of TA, which is fixed over time, which may also be changed). The reference point may be a point on the service link or a point on the feeder link, and the transmitted common ta value may be a positive value or a negative value or zero according to the position of the reference point, which is not limited herein. Similarly, the base station may also send a reference point position coordinate to the UE, and the UE calculates the common timing advance according to the round-trip delay between the position of the satellite and the reference point position.

Alternatively, the time _ related parameter may be a timer or a receiving window parameter existing in the above methods and embodiments, or a plurality of combinations thereof, because these parameters are related to the round trip delay, the processing delay, and the like of the UE and the gNB. And, these parameters gNB will be sent to the UE by broadcast, unicast, etc., so that both UE and gNB know the timer time length and the receiving window time length. For example, some round-trip delay related timer durations that may be agreed or transmitted between the UE and the gNB may be used or constitute the time _ related parameter as follows:

time delay starting time (Timer offset) offset _ of _ drx-HARQ-RTT-TimerDL of discontinuous reception downlink retransmission round trip time Timer (drx-HARQ-RTT-TimerDL)

Time delay starting time length (Timer offset) offset _ of _ drx-HARQ-RTT-TimerUL) of discontinuous reception uplink retransmission round trip time Timer (drx-HARQ-RTT-TimerUL)

Delay start duration (Timer offset) offset _ of _ ra-contentresolutiontimer or RCR _ offset of random access contention resolution Timer (ra-contentresolutiontimer)

Scheduling request prohibit timer (sr-prohibit timer) timer _ sr-prohibit timer

Reassembly timer (t-Reassembly) timer _ t-Reassembly

Discard timer (discard timer) timer _ discard timer

Receiving RAR (Random Access Response) signal receiving window length (ra-ResponseWindow) timer _ ra-ResponseWindow

the time _ related parameter may include one or more of the above parameters. For example, the time _ related parameter may be the length of time represented by offset _ of _ drx-HARQ-RTT-TimerDL. After the UE receives the Δ Koffset transmitted by the gNB, both the gNB and the UE can calculate the Koffset to be used according to the following formula

Similarly, after the UE receives the S sent by the gNB, both the gNB and the UE can calculate the Koffset to be used according to the following formula

For another example, the time _ related parameter may be the sum of the lengths of time indicated by offset _ of _ drx-HARQ-RTT-TimerDL and timer _ t-response. After the UE receives the Δ Koffset transmitted by the gNB, both the gNB and the UE can calculate the Koffset to be used according to the following formula

It can be understood that, according to the above description, "since the base station needs to notify the UE of not only the time length of the RAR receiving window but also the time delay start time length of the RAR receiving window, the first timing offset may also be determined according to the time length of the RAR receiving window and the time delay start time length of the RAR receiving window. "know: koffset can be calculated according to the sum of the time length represented by the time length of the RAR receiving window and the time delay starting time length of the RAR receiving window, namely

This approach is also suitable for use herein. In addition, the method of obtaining Koffset by the above equation (10) or (11) is also applicable here, as Δ Koffset _ time or Δ Koffset may be equal to 0,Δ Koffset _ time or Δ Koffset may not be equal to zero, and is not limited herein.

It can be understood that, according to the above description, "since the base station needs to inform the UE of not only the duration of the random access contention resolution timer but also the delay start duration of the random access contention resolution timer, the first timing offset may also be determined according to the duration of the random access contention resolution timer and the delay start duration of the random access contention resolution timer. "know: the Koffset can be calculated from the sum of the time length of the random access contention resolution timer and the time length of the delayed start of the random access contention resolution timer, that is

This method is also suitable for use herein. In addition, the method of obtaining Koffset according to the above-mentioned formula (20) or (21) is also applicable here,

different schemes for obtaining Koffset can be obtained by using the formula, parameters and methods in the above methods and embodiments, which are not described herein.

In order to save signaling overhead and reduce the information bit number for transmitting Koffset-related information, the information already sent to the UE may be utilized, and the gNB and the UE may agree on a formula for calculating Koffset to obtain Koffset. The relationship between the uplink compensation value of the network side and the TA value used by the UE side, and the round trip delay between the UE and the gNB can be described by the following equation:

time_compensated＝RTD(UE,gNB)-TA_related

Here, the TA _ related parameter indicates a parameter related to the size of the TA value used by the UE. For example, TA _ related may be equal to the TA value used by the UE. RTD (UE, gNB) is the round trip delay between UE and gNB, or between UE and satellite. For example, the parameter RCR _ offset represents the minimum round-trip delay correlation between the gNB and the UE in the beam/cell, the time length represented by RCR _ offset may be substituted for RTD (UE, gNB) to obtain the time _ compensated value, and Koffset may be calculated by using the above equation, for example

Alternatively, the TA _ related may be a timing offset scheduling _ offset indicating an uplink scheduling delay used by the UE. When the UE receives the uplink scheduling command in the time slot n, the UE sends uplink data in the time slot n + K2+ scheduling _ offset. Then TA _ related may be replaced by the time length indicated by scheduling _ offset, and the time _ compensated value may be obtained by substituting the above equation, and Koffset may be calculated by using the above equation, for example, using the equation

If a quantized value (quantized using slot _ duration) related to RTD (UE, gNB) and a quantized value (quantized using slot _ duration) related to TA _ related are substituted into the above equation, Koffset value can be directly obtained because time _ compensated obtained at this time is also a quantized value according to slot _ duration.

It is understood that various parameters (including Koffset, Δ, time _ compensated, Δ timing _ offset, Δ timing, S, and so on) in the embodiments of the present application may be broadcast by the network device to the terminal in at least one of broadcast information including a System Information Block (SIB) 1, Other System Information (OSI), a main system information block (MIB), and so on. Unicast or multicast transmissions may also be sent to the terminals. If the information is transmitted in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection phase, the network device may carry or indicate the information in at least one of RRC information, an rrcrconfiguration message, Downlink Control Information (DCI), group DCI, a Media Access Control (MAC) control element (control element, CE), a Timing Advance Command (TAC), or may transmit the information to the UE along with data transmission or in a separately allocated PDSCH bearer.

As described in the above examples: after the UE obtains the latest timing offset, i.e. the second timing offset, the UE may use the second timing offset after the second timing offset is valid The time offset transmits data information or control channel information scheduled by the base station, etc. to the base station. In the three methods described above, e.g. K in method one₁Is a value obtained from a PDSCH-to-HARQ-timing-indicator command index table (dl-DataToUL-ACK signaling table) in DCI. In the second method, K ₂0, …,32, K indicated by DCI instruction₂The value of (c).

Method III

μ_SRSWhen being equal to 0, the subcarrier interval of the SRS signal is 15 KHz. The value of k is configured by a high-level parameter slot offset (slotOffset) that triggers the group of SRS resources each time.

In addition to the three methods described above, the embodiments of the present application provide several methods, which are respectively as follows:

1) DCI scheduled PUSCH transmission timing

When UE receives uplink authorization/scheduling information in downlink time slot n, PUSCH data of UE needs to be in uplink time slot

And (5) sending. Wherein, K ₂0, …,32 is indicated by a DCI instruction K₂The value of (c). Mu.s_PUSCHAnd mu_PDCCHRelated to the subcarrier spacing of PUSCH and PDCCH, i.e.

There is another way to schedule PUSCH besides DCI: configuration grant (configured grant) is also required to use Koffset in this scheduling manner, and the scheme of automatically updating Koffset of the present invention may be used.

2) PUSCH transmission timing for RAR grant scheduling

UE receives PDSCH data bearing RAR message in downlink time slot n, and UE needs to be in uplink PUSCH time slot n + K₂+ Δ + Koffset sends message 3 for random access (Msg3), where Δ is a value agreed upon by the protocol.

3) PUSCH transmission timing for carrying CSI

When the UE receives DCI requested by Channel State Information (CSI) in a downlink slot n, the UE needs to transmit CSI in an uplink PUSCH slot n + K + Koffset. Wherein the value of K is indicated by the DCI instruction.

4) CSI reference resource timing

When UE (user equipment) needs to send CSI report in an uplink time slot n', CSI reference resource needs to be in a downlink time slot n-n_{CSI_ref}-Koffset is sent to the UE. Wherein,

n_{CSI_ref}is a value related to the CSI report category agreed by the protocol. Mu.s_DLAnd mu_ULIn relation to uplink and downlink subcarrier spacing, i.e.

5) MAC CE validation timing

The gNB receives an uplink HARQ-ACK corresponding to a PDSCH carrying a MAC-CE instruction in an uplink time slot n, the MAC-CE instruction is the configuration of a downlink signal, and the UE assumes that the MAC-CE instruction for the downlink configuration takes effect in the downlink time slot

The first slot thereafter. Wherein

Is at a subcarrier spacing of 2^μ15KHz, the number of slots contained in one sub-frame (subframe),x is a non-negative integer agreed in the protocol or configured by a parameter. For example, the configuration instruction of the MAC CE carried in the PDSCH on the downlink signal may be resource configuration of the downlink ZP CSI-RS, or deactivate (deactivate) the downlink ZP CSI-RS resource configuration that has been validated.

The gNB receives an uplink HARQ-ACK corresponding to the PDSCH carrying an instruction in the uplink time slot n, the instruction is the configuration of an uplink signal, and the UE assumes that the instruction for the uplink configuration takes effect in the uplink time slot

The first slot thereafter. Wherein

Is at a subcarrier spacing of 2^μ15KHz, the number of slots contained in a sub-frame (subframe), X is a non-negative integer agreed in the protocol or configured by parameters. For example, the instruction carried in the PDSCH may be to activate/deactivate SRS resource configuration.

It will be appreciated that in each of the embodiments described above, the first timing offset or Koffset1 or K may also be used for the expression of the initial timing offset_offset1Etc. Koffset and K_offsetIt is understood that the time _ duration and slot _ duration may be the same parameter, and Δ Koffset and Δ K may be the same parameter, etc. And in the above embodiments, Koffset or timing offset may be understood as initial timing offset, updated timing offset, and the like, and specific reference to initial timing offset or updated timing offset may be determined according to specific situations of specific embodiments. The Max _ RTD _ beam can be understood as the maximum round trip delay between the UE and the base station in the beam coverage area.

It is to be understood that the above description is not limited to the embodiment of the present application, as to the execution order of updating the timing offset and using the timing offset. For example, when the UE or the network device transmits the message for updating the timing offset, the message for updating the timing offset may not be transmitted according to the timing offset. For another example, when the UE or the network device sends a certain message according to the timing offset, the certain message may not include information indicating the updated timing offset. As shown in fig. 10a, for example, when the UE sends the uplink message to the base station according to the second timing offset, the uplink message may not include the updated second timing offset.

It is understood that the above methods and embodiments are explained by taking four-step random access and two-step random access as examples, and the above methods, such as the timing offset acquisition and updating method, are not limited to be used in the random access step, and can be used in any stage of communication. For example, the second message, the third message, and the like described in the present application may be replaced with a certain downstream message and a certain upstream message.

It is understood that the implementation manner not described in one embodiment may refer to other embodiments and the like, and will not be described in detail herein.

Claims

1. A method of updating a timing offset, the method comprising:

the terminal equipment sends a third message to the network equipment according to the first timing offset; the first timing offset is used to indicate a delay degree of the terminal device for delaying sending the third message, and the third message includes indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate a second timing offset, and the second timing offset is an updated first timing offset;

and the terminal equipment sends a fifth message to the network equipment according to the second timing offset.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein before the terminal device sends the third message to the network device according to the first timing offset, the method further comprises:

the terminal equipment sends a first message to the network equipment, wherein the first message comprises a random access preamble;

the terminal equipment receives a second message sent by the network equipment, wherein the second message comprises a random access response message;

after the terminal device sends a third message to the network device according to the first timing offset, the method further includes:

And the terminal equipment receives a fourth message sent by the network equipment, wherein the fourth message comprises a random access contention resolution message.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the indicating information for indicating the second timing offset comprises: the indication information includes the second timing offset.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the indicating information for indicating the second timing offset comprises: the indication information includes a first adjustment parameter set, where the first adjustment parameter set is used to determine the second timing offset.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first set of tuning parameters comprises any one or more of:

the method comprises the steps of determining parameters based on the time delay starting time of a Random Access Response (RAR) receiving window and the time of the RAR receiving window; or

A parameter determined based on a delay start time of a random access contention resolution timer and a time of the random access contention resolution timer; or

A parameter determined based on a common timing advance; or

A parameter determined based on the track height at which the network device is located; or

A parameter determined based on a round trip delay between the terminal device and the network device.

6. The method of any of claims 3-5, wherein the second timing offset is included in the fourth message; or,

7. The method according to any one of claims 2-6, further comprising:

the terminal device receives effective information sent by the network device, wherein the effective information is used for indicating the effective time of the second timing offset; or

The terminal device sends effective information to the network device, wherein the effective information is used for indicating the effective time of the second timing offset; or

The second timing offset takes effect in m time slots after the terminal equipment sends the third message, wherein m is a preset integer; or

The second timing offset is effective in n time slots after the terminal device receives the fourth message, where n is a preset integer.

8. The method of any of claims 1-7, wherein before the terminal device sends the third message to the network device according to the timing offset, the method further comprises:

the terminal equipment receives a broadcast message sent by the network equipment; wherein the broadcast message includes any one or more of:

the time delay starting time of the RAR receiving window and the time length of the RAR receiving window; or

The time length of the delayed starting of the random access contention resolution timer and the time length of the random access contention resolution timer; or

The common timing advance; or

The track height of the network device.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein when the broadcast message includes the delay start time of the RAR receiving window and the time length of the RAR receiving window, the first timing offset satisfies the following condition:

10. The method of claim 8, wherein when the broadcast message includes a delay start duration of the random access contention resolution timer and a duration of the random access contention resolution timer, the first timing offset satisfies the following condition:

wherein, K is_offset1Taking the value of the first timing offset; the RCR _ timer is a duration of the random access contention resolution timer, where the duration of the random access contention resolution timer indicates a maximum time interval allowed between starting the random access contention resolution timer and receiving the fourth message after the terminal device sends the third message; the above-mentionedThe RCR _ offset is a delay start duration of the random access contention resolution timer, where the delay start duration of the random access contention resolution timer is used to indicate that the delay start duration of the random access contention resolution timer is delayed to start after the terminal device sends the third message; the slot _ duration is a duration unit; said Δ K_offsetFor timing offset differences, said Δ K_offsetAre integers.

11. The method according to any of claims 2-10, wherein the fifth message comprises any of data information, feedback message, or sounding reference signal, SRS.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

the terminal equipment receives a timing advance adjusting instruction sent by the network equipment, wherein the timing advance adjusting instruction is used for indicating to update the second timing offset;

and the terminal equipment sends the updated second timing offset or a second adjusting parameter set to the network equipment according to the second timing offset, wherein the second adjusting parameter set is used for determining the updated second timing offset.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1-12, further comprising:

when any one or more of the following conditions is met, the terminal device receives the updated second timing offset sent by the network device or is based on the variation between the updated second timing offset and the reference timing offset;

wherein the any one or more conditions comprise:

the terminal equipment switches cells; or

The terminal equipment switches wave beams; or

The terminal device switches the partial bandwidth BWP.

14. A method of updating a timing offset, the method comprising:

the network equipment receives a third message sent by the terminal equipment according to the first timing offset; wherein the first timing offset is used to indicate a delay degree of the network device for delaying receiving the third message; the third message comprises indication information, the indication information is used for indicating a second timing offset, and the second timing offset is the updated first timing offset;

and the network equipment receives a fifth message sent by the terminal equipment.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein before the network device receives the third message sent by the terminal device according to the first timing offset, the method further comprises:

the network equipment receives a first message sent by the terminal equipment, wherein the first message comprises a random access preamble;

the network equipment sends a second message to the terminal equipment, wherein the second message comprises a random access response message;

after the network device receives the third message sent by the terminal device according to the first timing offset, the method further includes:

And the network equipment sends a fourth message to the terminal equipment, wherein the fourth message comprises a random access contention resolution message.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the indicating information is used for indicating the second timing offset comprises: the indication information includes the second timing offset.

17. The method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the indicating information is used for indicating the second timing offset comprises: the indication information includes a first adjustment parameter set, where the first adjustment parameter set is used to determine the second timing offset.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first set of tuning parameters comprises any one or more of:

A parameter determined based on a common timing advance; or

19. The method of any of claims 16-18, wherein the second timing offset is included in the fourth message; or,

20. The method according to any one of claims 15-19, further comprising:

the network equipment sends effective information to the terminal equipment, wherein the effective information is used for indicating the effective time of the second timing offset; or

The network equipment receives effective information sent by the terminal equipment, wherein the effective information is used for indicating the effective time of the second timing offset; or

The second timing offset takes effect in m time slots after the network device receives the third message, where m is a preset integer; or

The second timing offset is effective n time slots after the network device sends the fourth message, where n is a preset integer.

21. The method according to any of claims 14-20, wherein before the network device receives the third message sent by the terminal device according to the first timing offset, the method further comprises:

the network equipment sends a broadcast message; wherein the broadcast message includes any one or more of:

The common timing advance; or

The track height of the network device.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein when the broadcast message includes the delay start time of the RAR receiving window and the time length of the RAR receiving window, the first timing offset satisfies the following condition:

wherein, K is_offset1Taking the value of the first timing offset; the RAR _ window is a time length of the RAR receiving window, and the time length of the RAR receiving window is used for indicating a time length for the terminal device to receive the RAR; the RAR _ offset is a delay start-up duration of the RAR receiving window, and the delay start-up duration of the RAR receiving window is used for indicating a delay duration for delaying the opening of the RAR receiving window after the terminal device sends the first message; the slot _ duration is a duration unit; said Δ K _offsetFor timing offset differenceSaid Δ K_offsetAre integers.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein when the broadcast message includes a delay start duration of the random access contention resolution timer and a duration of the random access contention resolution timer, the first timing offset satisfies the following condition:

wherein, K is_offset1Taking the value of the first timing offset; the RCR _ timer is a duration of the random access contention resolution timer, where the duration of the random access contention resolution timer indicates a maximum time interval allowed between starting the random access contention resolution timer and receiving the fourth message after the terminal device sends the third message; the RCR _ offset is a delay start duration of the random access contention resolution timer, where the delay start duration of the random access contention resolution timer is used to indicate that the delay start duration of the random access contention resolution timer is delayed to start after the terminal device sends the third message; the slot _ duration is a duration unit; said Δ K_offsetFor timing offset differences, said Δ K_offsetAre integers.

24. The method according to any of claims 15-23, wherein the fifth message comprises any of data information, feedback message, or sounding reference signal, SRS.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

the network equipment sends a timing advance adjusting instruction to the terminal equipment, wherein the timing advance adjusting instruction is used for indicating to update the second timing offset;

and the network equipment receives the updated second timing offset or a second adjusting parameter set sent by the terminal equipment, wherein the second adjusting parameter set is used for determining the updated second timing offset.

26. The method according to any one of claims 14-25, further comprising:

the network device sends the updated second timing offset amount to the terminal device or based on the variation between the updated second timing offset amount and the reference timing offset amount when any one or more of the following conditions are met;

wherein the any one or more conditions comprise:

the terminal equipment switches cells; or

The terminal equipment switches wave beams; or

The terminal device switches the partial bandwidth BWP.

27. A communication device comprising a processor and a memory;

the memory is used for storing computer execution instructions;

the processor is configured to execute computer-executable instructions stored by the memory to cause the communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 1-13; alternatively, the processor is configured to execute computer-executable instructions stored by the memory to cause the communication device to perform the method of any of claims 14-26.

28. A communication device comprising a processor and interface circuitry;

the interface circuit is used for receiving code instructions and transmitting the code instructions to the processor; the processor executing the code instructions to cause the method of any one of claims 1-13 to be performed; alternatively, the processor executes the code instructions to cause the method of any one of claims 14-26 to be performed.

29. A computer-readable storage medium for storing instructions that, when executed, cause the method of any one of claims 1-13 to be implemented; or, when executed, cause the method of any of claims 14-26 to be implemented.