CN114342469A

CN114342469A - Cell selection method and communication device

Info

Publication number: CN114342469A
Application number: CN201980100105.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 郑黎丽; 耿婷婷; 吴烨丹; 张宏平
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-09-12
Filing date: 2019-09-12
Publication date: 2022-04-12
Anticipated expiration: 2039-09-12
Also published as: WO2021046821A1; CN114342469B

Abstract

The application provides a cell selection method and a communication device. The method can comprise the following steps: the terminal equipment enters a cell selection or cell reselection, wherein the cell for the terminal equipment to perform the cell selection or cell reselection comprises a ground cell and a satellite cell; under the condition that the ground cell comprises a proper cell, the terminal equipment preferentially selects to reside in the ground cell; the suitable cell represents a cell selected by the terminal device through cell selection or cell reselection. By the method, the introduction of satellite communication is considered, and the existing cell selection or cell reselection mechanism can be optimized, namely after the terminal equipment enters the cell selection or cell reselection process, the terminal equipment selects to reside in the ground cell as long as the ground cell has a proper cell (namely a target cell).

Description

Cell selection method and communication device

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of communications, and in particular, to a method and a communications apparatus for cell selection.

Background

Terrestrial communication systems do not achieve true "seamless coverage". For example, there are often insufficient cellular networks in rural areas with low population density, and for example, communication is not possible via ground networks in the marine or aviation sectors.

Due to the 'ubiquitous' and 'direct user-oriented' characteristics of satellite communication, the satellite communication technology is rapidly developed in the fields of satellite television direct broadcast service, mobile satellite service, internet access, special networks, military communication and the like. Therefore, in the discussion of the 3rd generation partnership project (3 GPP) protocol regarding the fifth generation (5th generation, 5G) system, satellites will be the new access method.

Then, after the satellite communication is introduced, how to perform cell selection or reselection becomes an urgent problem to be solved.

Disclosure of Invention

The application provides a cell selection method and a communication device, which can optimize the existing cell selection mechanism or cell reselection mechanism.

In a first aspect, a method of cell selection is provided. The method may be implemented by a terminal device, or may be implemented by a component (e.g., a chip or a circuit) that is available to the terminal device, which is not limited in this application.

The method can comprise the following steps: the method comprises the steps that terminal equipment enters cell selection or cell reselection, wherein cells which can be used for the terminal equipment to perform the cell selection or cell reselection comprise a ground cell and a satellite cell; the terminal device determines that the target cell is camped on in the terrestrial cell, in a case where the terrestrial cell includes the target cell.

Optionally, the terminal device enters cell selection or cell reselection, that is, it may indicate that the terminal device enters a cell selection or cell reselection process.

Alternatively, a terrestrial cell, i.e., a Terrestrial Network (TN) cell, is used to represent a cell deployed on the ground. A satellite cell, i.e., a non-terrestrial communication (NTN) cell, is used to represent a cell deployed on a satellite.

Optionally, the cells that can be used for the terminal device to perform the cell selection or cell reselection include a terrestrial cell and a satellite cell, which may mean that the cells to be measured by the terminal device include a terrestrial cell and a satellite cell. That is, the cells that can be measured by the terminal device in cell selection or cell reselection include a terrestrial cell and a satellite cell.

Optionally, the cells that can be used for the terminal device to perform the cell selection or cell reselection include a terrestrial cell and a satellite cell, which may indicate that the terminal device determines that the cells that can serve as serving cells include a terrestrial cell and a satellite cell. Alternatively, the terrestrial cell and the satellite cell each include a target cell. That is, the terminal device may select a terrestrial cell and a satellite cell as serving cells in cell selection or cell reselection.

Optionally, the terminal device determines that the target cell in the terrestrial cell is camped on, which may be replaced by determining or selecting the target cell in the terrestrial cell as a serving cell. The target cell in the terrestrial cell may be a current serving cell or a neighboring cell.

Alternatively, the target cell may represent a suitable cell selected in cell selection or cell reselection, or a cell determined to be able to camp on in cell selection or cell reselection, or a cell determined to be able to provide a service for the terminal device in cell selection or cell reselection.

Based on the technical scheme, the priority of the ground cell is higher than that of the satellite cell. After the terminal equipment enters the cell selection or cell reselection, the terminal equipment selects to reside in the ground cell as long as the ground cell has a proper cell (namely, a target cell). That is, when the terminal device selects or reselects a cell, the terminal device selects a terrestrial cell as a serving cell as long as the terrestrial cell has a suitable cell.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the terminal equipment measures M1 first cells, wherein the first cells are the ground cells, and M1 is an integer greater than 1 or equal to 1; the determining, by the terminal device, that the target cell is camped in the terrestrial cell, if the terrestrial cell includes the target cell, includes: in a case where the target cell is included in the M1 first cells, the terminal device determines that the target cell is camped on among the M1 first cells.

Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device may only measure the ground cell, and as long as the ground cell has a suitable cell (i.e. a target cell), the terminal device selects the ground cell as the serving cell. That is, no satellite cell measurement is required, which can help the terminal device to save power.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: in the case where the target cell is not included in the M1 first cells, the terminal device measures N1 second cells, the second cells being the satellite cells, N1 being an integer greater than 1 or equal to 1.

Based on the technical scheme, the terminal equipment firstly measures the ground cell, and under the condition that the ground cell does not comprise a proper cell (namely a target cell), the terminal equipment can measure the satellite cell so as to find the cell which can be resided, and ensure communication.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the terminal equipment measures M2 first cells and N2 second cells, wherein the first cells are the ground cells, the second cells are the satellite cells, and M2 and N2 are integers which are greater than 1 or equal to 1; the determining, by the terminal device, that the target cell is camped in the terrestrial cell, if the terrestrial cell includes the target cell, includes: in a case where the target cell is included in each of the M2 first cells and the N2 second cells, the terminal device determines that the target cell is camped on among the M2 first cells.

Based on the technical scheme, the priority of the ground cell is higher than that of the satellite cell.

With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the target cell is a cell that satisfies cell selection criteria, or the target cell is a cell that satisfies cell reselection criteria.

The following is presented with respect to cell selection criteria and cell reselection criteria.

Optionally, the cell may also be a target cell when any one of the following is satisfied: the cell belongs to a selected Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN); the cell belongs to a registered plmn (registered plmn); cell not barred (bar) access; the cell belongs to at least one TA not in Forbidden Tracking Areas (Forbidden Areas), and the TA belongs to a selected PLMN or a registered PLMN or an equivalent PLMN (equivalent PLMN).

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the terminal equipment measures the received signal strength value of the ground cell and the received signal strength value of the satellite cell; and under the condition that the received signal strength value of the ground cell is equal to the received signal strength value of the satellite cell, the R value of the ground cell is greater than the R value of the satellite cell.

Alternatively, the terminal device may calculate the R values of the terrestrial cell and the satellite cell based on different formulas.

Alternatively, a positive offset (offset) may be subtracted from the satellite cell; alternatively, a negative offset may be added to the satellite cell; alternatively, a positive offset may be added to the terrestrial cell; alternatively, the ground cell may be subtracted by a negative offset. The details are described below.

Based on the above technical solution, when the terminal device ranks the R values calculated for the cells on the same priority, the ground cell may be preferentially considered by adding or subtracting the offset.

In a second aspect, a method of cell selection is provided. The method may be implemented by a terminal device, or may be implemented by a component (e.g., a chip or a circuit) that is available to the terminal device, which is not limited in this application.

The method can comprise the following steps: the method comprises the steps that terminal equipment enters a cell reselection mode, wherein the cell which can be used for the terminal equipment to reselect the cell comprises a ground cell and a satellite cell; in the cell reselection, any one of the following is satisfied: cell reselection of the satellite cell does not consider the number of good beams; or, the satellite cell and the terrestrial cell are not on the same frequency or the same frequency priority; or, under the condition that the satellite cell and the ground cell are at the same frequency or the same frequency priority, the satellite cell and the ground cell are sorted separately; or, when the satellite cell and the ground cell are at the same frequency or the same frequency priority and the satellite cell and the ground cell are ranked together, the number of good beams of the ground cell is 1.

Optionally, the cell reselection of the satellite cell does not consider the number of good beams (good beams), and may be considered as reselection to the satellite cell; alternatively, it can be used to: in cell reselection, the terrestrial cell and the satellite cell do not need to be ranked together.

Alternatively, the satellite cell and the terrestrial cell may not be on the same frequency (or frequency priority), which may be protocol specified. That is, it may be predefined that the satellite cell and the terrestrial cell cannot be on the same frequency, or cannot be prioritized on the same frequency, so that the satellite cell and the terrestrial cell can be prevented from being ranked together.

Alternatively, the satellite cells and the terrestrial cells may be sorted separately, such as sorting only the satellite cells or sorting only the terrestrial cells or sorting separately.

Based on the scheme, the problem that the satellite cell cannot determine the reselection target cell by comparing the number of good beams (good beams) because of only one beam can be solved.

In a third aspect, a method for providing cell selection is provided. The method may be implemented by a network device, or may be implemented by a component (e.g., a chip or a circuit) that is available to a network device, which is not limited in this application.

The method can comprise the following steps: and sending a notification message to the terminal equipment, wherein the notification message is used for notifying the terminal equipment that the terminal equipment selects the target cell in the ground cell to reside under the condition that the ground cell comprises the target cell.

With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the target cell is a cell that satisfies cell selection criteria or the target cell is a cell that satisfies cell reselection criteria.

In a fourth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which is configured to perform the communication method provided in the first aspect or the second aspect. In particular, the communication device may comprise means for performing the communication method provided by the first aspect or the second aspect.

In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, which is configured to perform the communication method provided in the third aspect. In particular, the communication device may comprise means for performing the communication method provided by the third aspect.

In a sixth aspect, a communications apparatus is provided that includes a processor. The processor is coupled to the memory and is operable to execute instructions in the memory to implement the communication method of any of the above-described first or second aspects and possible implementations of the first or second aspects. Optionally, the communication device further comprises a memory. Optionally, the communication device further comprises a communication interface, the processor being coupled to the communication interface for inputting and/or outputting information. The information includes at least one of instructions and data.

In one implementation, the communication device is a terminal device. When the communication device is a terminal device, the communication interface may be a transceiver, or an input/output interface.

In another implementation, the communication device is a chip or a system of chips. When the communication device is a chip or a system of chips, the communication interface may be an input/output interface, which may be an input/output interface, an interface circuit, an output circuit, an input circuit, a pin or related circuit on the chip or the system of chips, and the like. The processor may also be embodied as a processing circuit or a logic circuit.

In another implementation, the communication device is a chip or a system of chips configured in the terminal equipment.

Alternatively, the transceiver may be a transmit-receive circuit. Alternatively, the input/output interface may be an input/output circuit.

In a seventh aspect, a communications apparatus is provided that includes a processor. The processor is coupled to the memory and is configured to execute the instructions in the memory to implement the communication method in any possible implementation manner of the third aspect and the third aspect. Optionally, the communication device further comprises a memory. Optionally, the communication device further comprises a communication interface, the processor being coupled to the communication interface for inputting and/or outputting information. The information includes at least one of instructions and data.

In one implementation, the communication device is a network device. When the communication device is a network device, the communication interface may be a transceiver, or an input/output interface.

In another implementation, the communication device is a chip or a system of chips. When the communication device is a chip or a system of chips, the communication interface may be an input/output interface, an interface circuit, an output circuit, an input circuit, a pin or related circuit, etc. on the chip or the system of chips. The processor may also be embodied as a processing circuit or a logic circuit.

In another implementation, the communication device is a chip or a system of chips configured in the network device.

In an eighth aspect, there is provided a computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program which, when executed by a communication apparatus, causes the communication apparatus to implement the communication method of the first aspect or the second aspect, and any possible implementation manner of the first aspect or the second aspect.

A ninth aspect provides a computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program which, when executed by a communication apparatus, causes the communication apparatus to implement the communication method in the third aspect and any possible implementation manner of the third aspect.

In a tenth aspect, a computer program product is provided that comprises instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause a communication apparatus to implement the communication method provided in the first or second aspect.

In an eleventh aspect, there is provided a computer program product containing instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause a communication apparatus to implement the communication method provided in the third aspect.

In a twelfth aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes the foregoing network device and terminal device.

Drawings

Fig. 1-4 are schematic diagrams of satellite communications suitable for use in embodiments of the present application.

Fig. 5 and 6 are schematic diagrams of an IAB system suitable for use with embodiments of the present application.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture suitable for use in embodiments of the present application.

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of a method for cell selection according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of a method for cell selection according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating a method for cell selection according to another embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 11 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 12 is another schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 13 is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 14 is a schematic structural diagram of a network device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

The technical solution in the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used herein in the description of the present application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application.

For a better understanding of the embodiments of the present application, a communication system to which the embodiments of the present application are applicable, and the concepts involved, are described below.

The technical solution of the embodiment of the present application may be applied to various communication systems, for example, a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, a fifth Generation mobile communication (5G) system, a machine to machine communication (M2M) system, a non-terrestrial communication (NTN) system, or other communication systems that evolve in the future. The wireless air interface technology of 5G is called New Radio (NR), and the 5G system can also be called NR system. The NTN system may also be referred to as a satellite communication system.

Terrestrial communication systems sometimes fail to achieve true "seamless coverage". For example, there are often insufficient cellular networks in rural areas where population densities are low. For another example, in the marine and aeronautical fields, communication cannot be realized through a ground network. Due to the 'ubiquitous' and 'direct user-oriented' characteristics of satellite communication, the satellite communication technology is rapidly developed in the fields of satellite television direct broadcast service, mobile satellite service, internet access, special networks, military communication and the like.

Satellite systems can be classified into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites, and Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites (alternatively referred to as geostationary orbit satellites) according to the altitude of the satellite, i.e., the altitude of the satellite orbit.

Wherein the satellite altitude of the LEO is approximately: 300 kilometers (km) -1500 km. The MEO has a satellite altitude between the LEO and the GEO. GEO, the satellite motion speed is the same as the earth rotation speed, and the satellite motion speed and the earth rotation speed keep a static state relative to the ground; the satellite altitude is about 35768 km.

Fig. 1-4 show several schematic architectural diagrams of satellite communications suitable for use in embodiments of the present application.

Fig. 1 illustrates a Radio Access Network (RAN) architecture with transparent (transparent) satellites.

As shown in fig. 1, in this scenario, it may include: user Equipment (UE), a satellite, an NTN gateway (gateway), a base station (e.g., NR base station B (gNB)), a 5G Core Network (CN), and a data network (data network).

The UE may be various mobile terminals, such as a mobile satellite phone, or various fixed terminals, such as a communication ground station.

The terminal may be a wireless terminal or a wired terminal. A wireless terminal may refer to a device that provides voice and/or data connectivity to a user, a handheld device having wireless connection capability, or other processing device connected to a wireless modem. A wireless terminal may communicate with one or more core networks via a RAN. The wireless terminals may be mobile terminals such as mobile telephones (or "cellular" telephones) and computers having mobile terminals, such as portable, pocket, hand-held, computer-included, or vehicle-mounted mobile devices, that exchange language and/or data with a radio access network. Examples of such devices include Personal Communication Service (PCS) phones, cordless phones, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phones, Wireless Local Loop (WLL) stations, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), and the like. A wireless terminal may also be referred to as a system, a Subscriber Unit (SU), a Subscriber Station (SS), a Mobile station (MB), a Mobile station (Mobile), a Remote Station (RS), an Access Point (AP), a Remote Terminal (RT), an Access Terminal (AT), a User Terminal (UT), a User Agent (UA), a terminal device (UD). Terminal devices typified by satellite phones, in-vehicle satellite systems, and the like can directly communicate with satellites. A fixed terminal represented by a ground communication station needs to be relayed by the ground station before communicating with a satellite. The terminal equipment realizes the setting and the acquisition of the communication state by installing the wireless receiving and transmitting antenna to finish the communication.

The satellite may be a geostationary orbit (GEO) satellite or a non-geostationary orbit (NGEO) satellite (such as an LEO or an MEO), or may be a multi-satellite network formed by two satellites.

In the transparent scenario shown in fig. 1, the satellite is mainly a relay (relay) (L1 relay) as layer 1(layer 1, L1), and can regenerate the physical layer signal, and the upper layer is not visible. The role of the satellite may include, but is not limited to: radio frequency filtering (radio frequency filtering), frequency conversion amplification (frequency conversion and amplification). In fig. 1, a satellite may transmit downlink data to a terminal device.

The satellite and the NTN gateway may act as a Remote Radio Unit (RRU). The satellite and the NTN gateway may communicate via a Uu interface (e.g., an NR Uu interface). The gNB and the core network can communicate through an NG interface. The core network and the data may communicate with each other via an N6 interface.

Fig. 2 is yet another schematic diagram of satellite communications suitable for use with embodiments of the present application.

In fig. 2, a regenerated satellite (regenerated satellite) has no inter-satellite link (ISL) (regenerated satellite with ISL).

As shown in fig. 2, in this scenario, it may include: UE, satellite, NTN gateway, 5G core network, data network.

For the introduction of each network element, reference may be made to the description in fig. 1, and details are not described here.

In satellite communication systems, the satellites may also be referred to as satellite base stations. In the scenario shown in fig. 2, the satellite may be referred to as a gNB. With the satellite as a gNB, the satellite functions similarly to a normal gNB. For example, the satellite, as a gNB, may handle a payload (payload).

The Satellite and the gateway may communicate via an NG Interface over a Satellite Radio Interface (SRI). The satellite and the core network can communicate with each other through the NG interface. The core network and the data may communicate with each other via an N6 interface.

In fig. 2, the dotted line indicates a communication signal between the satellite and the terminal. In fig. 2, a satellite base station may transmit downlink data to a terminal device. The downlink data may be transmitted to the terminal device after channel coding, modulation and mapping. The terminal device may also transmit uplink data to the satellite base station. The uplink data can also be transmitted to the satellite base station after channel coding, modulation mapping.

In fig. 2, the solid lines indicate communication signals between the satellite and the devices of the terrestrial segment, and communication signals between the network elements of the terrestrial segment.

Fig. 3 is another schematic diagram of satellite communications suitable for use with embodiments of the present application.

In fig. 3, the regenerated satellite has an ISL.

As shown in fig. 3, in this scenario, it may include: UE, satellite, NTN gateway, 5G core network, data network.

In the scenario shown in fig. 3, the satellite may act as a gNB. With the satellite as a gNB, the satellite functions similarly to a normal gNB. For example, the satellite, as a gNB, may handle a payload (payload).

In the scenarios shown in fig. 2 and 3, the satellite may be used as the gNB. The difference is that there is no ISL in the scenario shown in fig. 2, and there is ISL in the scenario shown in fig. 3.

The satellite and the satellite can communicate through an Xn interface on the ISL. The satellite and the gateway may communicate via an NG interface over the SRI. The satellite and the core network can communicate with each other through the NG interface. The core network and the data may communicate with each other via an N6 interface.

In fig. 3, the dotted line indicates a communication signal between the satellite and the terminal. In fig. 3, a satellite base station may transmit downlink data to a terminal device. The downlink data may be transmitted to the terminal device after channel coding, modulation and mapping. The terminal device may also transmit uplink data to the satellite base station. The uplink data can also be transmitted to the satellite base station after channel coding, modulation mapping.

In fig. 3, the solid lines indicate communication signals between the satellite and the devices of the terrestrial segment, and communication signals between the network elements of the terrestrial segment, and communication signals between the satellite and the satellite.

Fig. 4 is yet another schematic diagram of satellite communications suitable for use with embodiments of the present application.

Fig. 4 shows a NG-RAN architecture (NG-RAN with a regenerative satellite on a gbb-DU) based on a gbb-DU recycling satellite.

As shown in fig. 4, in this scenario, it may include: UE, satellite, NTN gateway, Centralized Unit (CU) (e.g., gNB-CU), 5G core network, data network.

In the scenario shown in fig. 4, the satellite may be a Distributed Unit (DU) (e.g., a gNB-DU). When the satellite is a gNB-DU, the satellite functions like a conventional Distributed Unit (DU).

The satellite and the NTN gateway can communicate through an F1 interface on the SRI. Communication between the satellite and the gNB-CU (i.e., between the gNB-DU and the gNB-CU) may be via the F1 interface. The core network and the data may communicate with each other via an N6 interface.

In fig. 4, the dotted line indicates a communication signal between the satellite and the terminal. In fig. 4, a satellite base station may transmit downlink data to a terminal device. The downlink data may be transmitted to the terminal device after channel coding, modulation and mapping. The terminal device may also transmit uplink data to the satellite base station. The uplink data can also be transmitted to the satellite base station after channel coding, modulation mapping.

In fig. 4, solid lines indicate communication signals between the satellite and the devices of the terrestrial segment, and communication signals between the network elements of the terrestrial segment.

It should be understood that fig. 1 to 4 are only exemplary illustrations, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto. For example, a greater number of terminal devices may be included in fig. 1-4. As another example, more NTN gateways may also be included in fig. 1-4.

It should also be understood that the above description in conjunction with fig. 1 to 4 exemplarily describes four scenarios, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto. For example, a satellite may also serve as an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node.

The IAB node is configured to provide backhaul (backhaul) services to nodes (e.g., terminals) accessing the wireless backhaul node. Wherein, the wireless backhaul service refers to a data and/or signaling backhaul service provided through a wireless backhaul link. The IAB node is a specific name of a relay node, and is not limited to the configuration of the present application, and may be one of the base station and the terminal device having a relay function, or may be in a separate device form. In a network including an IAB node (such as an IAB network for short), the IAB node may provide a wireless access service for a terminal, and is connected to a donor base station (donor gNB) through a wireless backhaul link to transmit traffic data of a user.

The IAB node may also be, for example, a Customer Premises Equipment (CPE), a home gateway (RG), or the like. In this case, the method provided by the embodiment of the present application may also be applied to a home access (home access) scenario.

As can be seen from the above, the architecture of satellite communication can be generally divided into the following two categories.

One is transparent, i.e. the satellite acts as a relay, and can perform radio frequency filtering, amplification and the like to regenerate the signal).

Secondly, regenerating, namely the satellite can be used as gNB, DU and relay. In the architecture, when the satellite makes a relay, the satellite is not a simple relay and is provided with a signal processing function, which is similar to an IAB.

It should be understood that the above-described satellite communication architecture is only illustrative and does not limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application.

Fig. 5 and 6 show schematic diagrams of an IAB system suitable for use in embodiments of the present application.

The IAB technology refers to that both an access Link (access Link) and a backhaul Link (backhaul Link) adopt a wireless transmission scheme, so as to avoid optical fiber deployment.

In an IAB network, a Relay Node (RN) or an IAB node (IAB node) may provide a wireless access service for a terminal device, and traffic data of the terminal device may be transmitted by one or more IAB nodes connected to a host node (IAB node) or a host base station (donor gbdeb) through a wireless backhaul link.

As shown in fig. 5, an IAB system includes at least a base station 500, one or more terminal devices 501 served by the base station 500, one or more relay nodes (i.e., IAB nodes) 510, and one or more terminal devices 511 served by the IAB nodes 510. IAB node 510 is connected to base station 500 through wireless backhaul link 513. In general, the base station 500 is referred to as a donor base station. Alternatively, the donor base station is also referred to herein as a donor (donor) node or an IAB donor (IAB donor). The IAB system may include one or more intermediate IAB nodes in addition to the above. E.g., IAB node 520 and IAB node 530.

A base station (e.g., access point) can refer to a device in an access network that communicates over the air-interface, through one or more sectors, with wireless terminals. The base station device may also coordinate management of attributes for the air interface. For example, the base station device may be an evolved node b in LTE or a node b or an access point in NR, which is not limited in this application. It should be understood that the base station described in this embodiment may be not only a base station device, but also a relay device, or other network element devices with the function of a base station.

The host base station may be an access network element with a complete base station function, or may be in a form of separating CU and DU, that is, the host node is composed of a centralized unit of the host base station and a distributed unit of the host base station. Herein, a centralized unit of a host node is also referred to as an IAB donor CU (also referred to as a donor CU, or directly as a CU). The distributed unit of the home node is also called an IAB donor DU (or donor DU). Wherein the donor CU may also be in the form of a Control Plane (CP) (abbreviated CU-CP herein) and a User Plane (UP) (abbreviated CU-UP herein) split. For example, a CU may consist of one CU-CP and one or more CU-UP.

In 5G, in consideration of a small coverage area of a high frequency band, in order to guarantee the coverage performance of the network, multi-hop networking may be adopted in the IAB network. Considering the requirement of service transmission reliability, the IAB node may be made to support Dual Connectivity (DC) or multi-connectivity (multi-connectivity) to cope with possible abnormal situations of the backhaul link. For example, the reliability of transmission is ensured by abnormalities such as link interruption, blocking (blocking), and load fluctuation. Therefore, the IAB network supports multi-hop networking and may also support multi-connection networking.

And link: a path between two adjacent nodes in a path may be represented.

And accessing a link: it may represent a link between a terminal device and a base station, or between a terminal device and an IAB node, or between a terminal device and a donor DU. Alternatively, the access link may comprise a radio link used by an IAB node to communicate with its parent node in the role of a normal end device. When the IAB node is in the role of a common terminal device, the back-transmission service is not provided for any child node. The access link includes an uplink access link and a downlink access link. In the present application, the access link of the terminal device is a wireless link, so the access link may also be referred to as a wireless access link.

A return link: may represent a link with a parent node when the IAB node is acting as a wireless backhaul node. When the IAB node is used as a wireless backhaul node, the IAB node provides wireless backhaul service for the child node. The backhaul links include an uplink backhaul link, and a downlink backhaul link. In the present application, the backhaul link between the IAB node and the parent node is a wireless link, and therefore the backhaul link may also be referred to as a wireless backhaul link.

Parent node and child node: each IAB node treats neighboring nodes for which wireless access service and/or wireless backhaul service is provided as parent nodes (parent nodes). Accordingly, each IAB node may be considered a child node (child node) of its parent node.

Alternatively, a child node may also be referred to as a subordinate node, and a parent node may also be referred to as an upper node.

As shown in fig. 6, the parent node of IAB node 1 is IAB node, IAB node 1 is the parent node of IAB node 2 and IAB node 3, IAB node 2 and IAB node 3 are both the parent node of IAB node4, and the parent node of IAB node 5 is IAB node 3. The uplink data packet of the UE may be transmitted to the host site IAB donor through one or more IAB nodes, and then sent to the mobile gateway device (e.g., the user plane function unit UPF in the 5G core network) by the IAB donor. The downlink data packet of the UE is received from the mobile gateway equipment by the IAB donor and then is sent to the UE through the IAB node. There are two available paths for data transmission between the UE1 and the donor base station. Route 1: terminal 1 → IAB node4 → IAB node 3 → IAB node 1 → donor node, and terminal 1 → IAB node4 → IAB node 2 → IAB node 1 → donor node. There are three available paths for packet transmission between the terminal 2 and the host node, which are: terminal 2 → IAB node4 → IAB node 3 → IAB node 1 → donor node, terminal 2 → IAB node4 → IAB node 2 → IAB node 1 → donor node, and terminal 2 → IAB node 5 → IAB node 2 → IAB node 1 → donor node.

It should be understood that the IAB networking scenario shown in fig. 6 is only exemplary, and there are still more other possibilities in an IAB scenario in which multiple hops and multiple connections are combined, for example, an IAB donor in fig. 6 and an IAB node under another IAB donor form a dual connection to serve a terminal device, etc., which are not listed here.

The network devices involved in the embodiments of the present application include, but are not limited to: an evolved node B (eNB), a Radio Network Controller (RNC), a Node B (NB), a Base Station Controller (BSC), a Base Transceiver Station (BTS), a home evolved NodeB (or home node B, HNB), a Base Band Unit (BBU), an evolved LTE (LTE) base station, a base station in RAN (such as an NR base station (gNB)), and the like.

The base station may be a Centralized Unit (CU) and a Distributed Unit (DU) separate architecture. The RAN may be connected to a core network (e.g., LTE core network, 5G core network, etc.). CU and DU can be understood as the division of the base stations from a logical functional point of view. CUs and DUs may be physically separate or may be deployed together.

As shown in fig. 7, a plurality of DUs can share one CU. A DU may also connect multiple CUs (not shown). The CU and DU may be connected via an interface, such as an F1 interface.

CUs and DUs may be partitioned according to protocol layers of the wireless network.

For example, one possible way of partitioning is: the CU is configured to perform functions of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer, a Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer, and a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer. The DU is used to perform functions of a Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, a Medium Access Control (MAC) layer, a physical (physical) layer, and the like.

It is understood that the division of the CU and the DU processing functions according to the protocol layer is only an example, and may also be performed in other manners, and the embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto. For example, a CU or DU may be partitioned to have more protocol layer functionality. As another example, a CU or DU may also be partitioned into partial processing functions with protocol layers. In one design, some of the functions of the RLC layer and the functions of the protocol layers above the RLC layer are set in the CU, and the remaining functions of the RLC layer and the functions of the protocol layers below the RLC layer are set in the DU. In another design, the functions of a CU or DU may also be divided according to traffic type or other system requirements. For example, dividing by time delay, setting the function that processing time needs to meet the time delay requirement in DU, and setting the function that does not need to meet the time delay requirement in CU. In another design, a CU may also have one or more functions of the core network. One or more CUs may be centrally located or separately located. For example, the CUs may be located on the network side to facilitate centralized management. The DU may have multiple rf functions, or may have a remote rf function.

The functionality of a CU may be implemented by one entity or by different entities. For example, the functionality of the CU may be further split, e.g. the Control Plane (CP) and the User Plane (UP) are separated, i.e. the control plane (CU-CP) and the user plane (CU-UP) of the CU. For example, the CU-CP and CU-UP may be implemented by different functional entities, which may be coupled with the DUs to collectively perform the functions of a base station.

Several possible scenarios applicable to embodiments of the present application are exemplarily illustrated above in connection with fig. 1 to 7, it being understood that the present application is not limited thereto.

As mentioned above, in the discussion of the 3rd generation partnership project (3 GPP) protocol regarding the 5G system, satellites will be used as a new access method. In satellite communications, cell selection/reselection is based on the cell selection/reselection mechanism of a Terrestrial Network (TN).

For ease of understanding, cell selection/reselection for terrestrial networks will first be briefly described.

1. Cell selection

When the terminal equipment is started or radio link failure occurs, the terminal equipment executes a cell search process and selects a proper cell to reside as soon as possible, and the process is called cell selection.

The terminal device reads the system information of the cell in the cell searching process to obtain parameters such as Qrxlevmeas, Qrxlevmin, Qrxlevminoffset and the like, the terminal device evaluates whether the cell is a proper cell according to an S criterion, and once the proper cell is found, namely the cell meeting the S criterion, the cell selecting process is completed. If the cell is not a suitable cell, the terminal device continues searching until a suitable cell is found and camped on.

The formula of S criterion: s_rxlev>0, i.e. the S value of a cell if greater than 0, indicates that the cell is a suitable cell, i.e. a cell suitable for camping, S_rxlevThe calculation formula of (2) is:

S _rxlev＝Q _rxlevmeas-(Q _rxlevmin-Q _{rxlevminoffset})-P _compensation

wherein:

S _rxlev: calculating the obtained cell selection receiving level value;

Q _rxlevmeas: a received signal strength value measured by the terminal device, wherein the value is a measured Reference Signal Receiving Power (RSRP);

Q _rxlevmin: a minimum received signal strength value required for the cell;

P _compensation: (PEMAX-PUMAX) or 0, where PEMAX is a maximum allowed transmission power set by a system when the terminal device accesses the cell; PUMAX refers to the maximum output power specified by the terminal equipment class.

Q _{rxlevminoffset}: the parameter is valid only when the terminal device normally resides in a Virtual Private Mobile Network (VPMN) and periodically searches a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) with a high priority for cell selection evaluation, and the parameter is Q for the public land mobile network (VPMN)_rxlevminA certain bias is applied.

It should be noted that, due to the evolution of the communication protocol version, the formula of the S criterion and the S_rxlevThe calculation formula (a) may be changed for some reason, and the formula given here is only an example and does not limit the formula itself.

2. Cell reselection

After the terminal device resides in one cell, the terminal device may need to change to another cell residence with higher priority or better signal as the terminal device moves, which is the cell reselection process. Cell selection is the process of finding a suitable cell as soon as possible and cell reselection is the process of selecting a more suitable cell. For power saving of the terminal device, the protocol specifies the measurement criteria:

for a frequency layer or a system with higher priority than the resident cell, the terminal equipment always measures the frequency layer or the system;

if S of the resident cell_rxlev<＝S _intrasearchThe terminal equipment starts the measurement of the cells with the same frequency, wherein S_intrasearchIs a same frequency measurement threshold value;

if S of the resident cell_rxlev<＝S _{nonintrasearch}Or S_{nonintrasearch}When not configured, the terminal equipment starts the measurement of the frequency with the same priority or the frequency with low priority and the system;

after the measurement, the terminal device may determine whether to perform cell reselection to a new cell, where reselection criteria are as follows:

reselection criteria for high priority frequencies or systems: s of target frequency cell_rxlev>T _hreshx-highAnd for a certain time, wherein, T_hreshx-highThe threshold value is the threshold value when the current service carrier frequency is reselected to the frequency with high priority;

low priority frequencies or reselection criteria of the system: s of resident cell_rxlev<T _{hreshserving-low}And for a certain time, wherein, T_hreshx-lowThe threshold value is the threshold value when the frequency with low priority is reselected from the current service carrier frequency;

reselection criteria for frequencies or systems of equal priority: cell reselection to a same priority frequency is based on ranking (ranking) criteria for co-frequency cell reselection. The same-frequency cell reselection ranking standard is defined as follows, R_sFor the ranking value of the currently camped cell,R _nranking value for neighbor cell:

R _s＝Q _{meas_s}+Q _hyst–Q _{offset_temp}，R _n＝Q _{meas_s}–Q _offset–Q _{offset_temp}

wherein:

Q _hyst: a hysteresis value for preventing ping-pong reselection;

Q _{meas_s}: the terminal equipment measures the received signal strength value of the resident cell;

Q _offset: for the same frequency, when Q_{offsets_n}Effective, taking the value as Q_{offsets_n}Otherwise, the value is 0; for different frequencies, when Q_{offsets_n}Effective, valued as Q_{offsets_n}+Q _{offsetfrequency}Otherwise, the value is Q_{offsetfrequency}；

Q _{offset_temp}: the amount of deviation can be expressed. The offset may be, for example, an offset broadcast by the network and added for a cell after the terminal device has failed to establish the RRC connection in the cell.

The terminal device will sort all the cells meeting the S criteria of cell selection by ranking values, and instead of simply reselecting the best ranked cell, find the highest ranking value when ranking, and all the cells within a certain range (such as x dB, where x is allocable) from which it differs are considered as similar (similar) cells, and among these similar cells, the terminal device reselects the cell with the largest number of good beams (good beams).

Generally, the above configuration parameters required for the currently camped cell and the neighboring cell are broadcast in the system message of the currently camped cell, so that the terminal device can calculate R_sAnd R_nAnd the like. Q_measThe received signal strength value of the cell measured by the terminal equipment. At most N beams (beam) with signal strength per cell above a threshold can be used to generate a cell quality (small)The volume is filtered through layer 3 and taken as Q_meas. Wherein, the threshold sum N informs the terminal device in the broadcast message, N is an integer greater than 1 or equal to 1. Wherein a beam above the threshold is considered a good beam.

It should be noted that, due to the evolution of the communication protocol version, R_sAnd R_nThe calculation formula (a) may be changed for some reason, and the formula given here is only an example and does not limit the formula itself.

Then, after introducing satellite communication, the cells to be measured may include satellite cells and terrestrial cells, taking into account that the terminal device is performing cell selection/reselection.

In view of this, the present application provides a method for optimizing an existing cell reselection mechanism.

Various embodiments provided herein will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 8 is a schematic interaction diagram of a method 800 for cell selection according to an embodiment of the present application. The method 800 may include the following steps.

And 810, the terminal equipment enters cell selection or cell reselection, wherein the cells which can be used for the terminal equipment to perform the cell selection or the cell reselection comprise a terrestrial cell and a satellite cell.

In other words, the terminal device is about to perform cell selection or cell reselection.

Illustratively, when the terminal device is powered on or a radio link failure occurs, the terminal device will perform a cell search procedure, i.e. the terminal device enters cell selection.

Illustratively, after the terminal device resides in one cell, the terminal device may need to change to another cell residence with higher priority or better signal as the terminal device moves, i.e., a terminal device cell reselection process.

It should be understood that the above description only exemplarily describes a scenario in which the terminal device enters cell selection or cell reselection, and the embodiment of the present application is not limited to when the terminal device enters cell selection or cell reselection, or how the terminal device enters cell selection or cell reselection.

Among them, a terrestrial cell, that is, a Terrestrial Network (TN) cell, is used to represent a cell deployed on the ground. A satellite cell, i.e., a non-terrestrial communication (NTN) cell, is used to represent a cell deployed on a satellite, such as a cell deployed on a GEO or a MEO or a LEO.

It should be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of distinguishing and does not limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application.

Optionally, the cells that can be used for cell selection or cell reselection by the terminal device include a terrestrial cell and a satellite cell. The following two scenarios may be included.

In scenario 1, the cells to be measured by the terminal device include a ground cell and a satellite cell. That is, in the cell selection or cell reselection process, the cells that can be measured by the terminal device include a terrestrial cell and a satellite cell.

In scenario 2, the terminal device determines that the cells capable of serving as the serving cell include a terrestrial cell and a satellite cell. Alternatively, the terrestrial cell and the satellite cell each include a target cell. That is, the terminal device may select a terrestrial cell and a satellite cell as serving cells in a cell selection or cell reselection process.

Alternatively, the terminal device may determine whether one cell is a terrestrial cell or a satellite cell based on any one of the following methods.

Method 1, a System Information (SI) carries a cell type.

For example, the cell types carried in the SI are: satellite cells or terrestrial cells. As another example, the cell types carried in the SI are: LEO or GEO, or the cell types carried in SI are: LEO or MEO or GEO, when the carried cell type is LEO or MEO or GEO, the cell is a satellite cell.

And 2, judging according to the existence or dereferencing of certain parameters.

Illustratively, a parameter may be added (e.g., in a broadcast message) to indicate whether the cell is a satellite cell or a terrestrial cell.

For example, whether a cell is a terrestrial cell or a satellite cell may be determined based on whether the parameter is present. If the parameter exists, the cell is represented as a satellite cell; when the parameter does not exist, the cell is represented as a terrestrial cell.

For another example, it may be determined whether the cell is a terrestrial cell or a satellite cell according to the value of the parameter. If the parameter value is '1', the cell is a satellite cell; when the value of the parameter is '0', the cell is the ground cell. Alternatively, the existing parameters may be multiplexed, but not limited thereto.

The above two methods are exemplified, the embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto, and any method that can determine whether the cell is a terrestrial cell or a satellite cell falls within the scope of the embodiment of the present application. The following description about the determination of the cell as the terrestrial cell or the satellite cell by the terminal device will not be described.

In the case where the target cell is included in the terrestrial cell, 820, the terminal device determines that the target cell is camped on in the terrestrial cell.

It will be appreciated that terrestrial cells are prioritized over satellite cells.

According to the embodiment of the application, as long as a suitable (able) cell exists in the terrestrial cell, the terminal device preferentially camps on the terrestrial cell, that is, the terminal device preferentially selects or reselects to the terrestrial cell.

The suitable cell, i.e. the target cell, may represent a suitable cell selected in a cell selection or cell reselection process, or a cell determined to be camped in the cell selection or cell reselection process, or a cell determined to be capable of providing a service for the terminal device in the cell selection or cell reselection process.

It should be understood that the target cell is only named for differentiation and does not limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application.

Hereinafter, for convenience of description, suitable cells are collectively referred to as target cells, i.e., cells in which the terminal device can camp are referred to as target cells. For the purpose of differentiation, a suitable one of the terrestrial cells, i.e., a target one of the terrestrial cells, is referred to as a target terrestrial cell, and a suitable one of the satellite cells, i.e., a target one of the satellite cells, is referred to as a target satellite cell.

Details regarding the target cell are described below.

Alternatively, with respect to measuring the terrestrial cell and the satellite cell, the following two cases may be included.

Case 1: the terminal equipment preferentially measures the ground cell.

Illustratively, in the scenario 1 described above, that is, the scenario in which the cell to be measured by the terminal device includes a terrestrial cell and a satellite cell, the terminal device measures the terrestrial cell first.

Further, as long as the suitable cell exists in the ground cell, the terminal device goes to the ground cell, that is, the terminal device selects the ground cell as the serving cell or the terminal device selects to camp on the ground cell. In the case that no suitable cell exists for the terrestrial cell, the terminal device considers the satellite cell again.

Case 2: the terminal device measures both the terrestrial cell and the satellite cell.

It is to be understood that simultaneous measurements are used herein, and those skilled in the art will understand the meaning thereof, and do not limit the simultaneous measurements to be performed in time. Here, the simultaneous measurement of the terrestrial cell and the satellite cell is used to mean that the terminal device measures both the terrestrial cell and the satellite cell.

Exemplarily, in the above scenario 2, that is, in a case where the terminal device can select the terrestrial cell and the satellite cell as the serving cell, the terminal device selects the terrestrial cell as the serving cell. It can be understood that the terminal device goes to the terrestrial cell as long as there is a suitable cell in the terrestrial cell, that is, the terminal device selects the terrestrial cell as the serving cell or the terminal device selects to camp on the terrestrial cell.

The two cases are described below with reference to fig. 9 and 10, respectively.

First, the above case 1 will be described with reference to fig. 9.

Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating a method 900 for cell selection according to an embodiment of the present application.

Optionally, method 900 may include step 901.

901, the current serving cell sends a notification message to the terminal device.

The current serving cell, that is, the cell currently providing service for the terminal device, may be a ground cell or a satellite cell, and the embodiment of the present application is not limited.

Alternatively, the notification message may be an RRC release message, such as the terminal device entering an idle state or a deactivated state (inactive state) from a connected state (connected state). Alternatively, the notification message may be included in a broadcast message, such as a System Information Block (SIB).

The notification message may be used to notify the terminal device to increase the selection or reselection priority of the terrestrial cell, or the notification message may be used to notify the terminal device that the selection priority of the terrestrial cell is higher than the priority of the satellite cell. That is, the terminal device selects to camp on the terrestrial cell as long as the terrestrial cell has a suitable cell.

Taking the broadcast message as an example, the terminal device receives the broadcast message in the cell selection or cell reselection process.

For example, the broadcast message may include parameters for the first cell, such as parameters used during cell selection or cell reselection, for determining whether to camp on the first cell or reselect to the first cell. The first cell is a cell deployed on the ground, and the first cell may be a serving cell of the terminal device or a neighboring cell of the terminal device.

Optionally, the broadcast message may further include parameters for the second cell, such as parameters used in cell selection or cell reselection, for determining whether to camp on the second cell or reselect to the second cell. The second cell is a cell deployed on a satellite, and the second cell may be a serving cell of the terminal device or a neighboring cell of the terminal device.

In the following, without loss of generality, a first cell represents a cell deployed on the ground and a second cell represents a cell deployed on a satellite. It should be understood that the first cell and the second cell are only named for differentiation and do not limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application.

The terminal device measures 910 the terrestrial cell.

That is, in a scenario where the cell to be measured by the terminal device includes a ground cell and a satellite cell, the terminal device measures the ground cell first.

Optionally, the terminal device measures M1 first cells, and M1 is an integer greater than 1 or equal to 1.

That is, the terminal device may measure one or more first cells. For convenience of illustration, a first cell is exemplarily illustrated in fig. 9. It should be understood that the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

The terminal equipment measures the ground cell firstly, and considers the ground cell as long as the ground cell has a proper cell, otherwise, considers the satellite cell. This criterion is higher than the cell selection or cell reselection priority.

Optionally, regarding a manner in which the terminal device measures the terrestrial cell, the embodiment of the present application is not limited. The cell selection criteria described above may be employed; alternatively, the cell reselection criteria described above may be employed.

In the case where the terrestrial cell comprises a target cell (i.e., a target terrestrial cell), method 900 includes step 920.

The terminal device reselects to the target terrestrial cell 920.

It can be appreciated that the terminal device selects to camp on the target terrestrial cell as long as the terrestrial cell has the target terrestrial cell. The criterion is higher than the cell reselection priority.

For example, the target terrestrial cell may be a serving cell of the terminal device, and at this time, the terminal device reselects to the target terrestrial cell, which may be understood as that the terminal device continues to camp on the serving cell (i.e., the target terrestrial cell).

For another example, the target terrestrial cell may also be a neighboring cell of the terminal device, and at this time, the terminal device reselects to the target terrestrial cell, which may be understood as that the terminal device reselects to the neighboring cell (i.e., the target terrestrial cell) from the serving cell.

Optionally, in case the terrestrial cell does not comprise a target cell (i.e. a target terrestrial cell), the method 900 may comprise step 930.

The terminal device measures 930 the satellite cell.

Optionally, in case the terrestrial cells do not comprise a target terrestrial cell, the terminal device measures N1 second cells, N1 being an integer greater than 1 or equal to 1.

That is, in case the terrestrial cell does not comprise the target cell, the terminal device considers the satellite cell, i.e. the terminal device may measure one or more second cells.

The terminal device reselects 940 to the target satellite cell.

It is to be understood that in the case where the terrestrial cell does not exist as the target terrestrial cell and the satellite cell exists as the target satellite cell, the terminal device selects to camp on the target satellite cell.

The target satellite cell may be a serving cell of the terminal device, or may be a neighboring cell of the terminal device.

The target cell (e.g., a target terrestrial cell or a target satellite cell) is described in detail below.

Alternatively, the target cell may satisfy any one of the following conditions.

Condition 1, the target cell is a cell that satisfies cell selection criteria.

That is, the cell that satisfies the cell selection criteria is considered the target cell.

For example, a cell satisfying the S criteria may be considered a target cell. Reference may be made to the above description with respect to the S criterion.

In condition 1, it is understood that a cell determined by cell selection to be able to camp on may be a target cell. Regardless of the manner of cell selection, a cell that can camp on as determined by cell selection may be considered a target cell.

For example, the terminal device measures a first cell, and determines that the first cell satisfies an S criterion according to an S criterion formula, and then the terminal device determines that the first cell is a target terrestrial cell.

For another example, none of the one or more first cells measured by the terminal device satisfies the S criterion, that is, the terminal device determines that there is no cell satisfying the S criterion in the ground cell, and then the terminal device may measure the satellite cell.

It should be appreciated that due to the evolution of the communication protocol version, cell selection criteria, such as those of terrestrial cells or those of satellite cells, may change. Regardless of the change, any cell that meets the cell selection criteria may be considered a target cell.

And 2, the target cell is a cell meeting the cell reselection criterion.

That is, the cell that satisfies the cell reselection criteria is considered the target cell. Condition 2 may include the following several cases.

(1) For a cell on a high-priority frequency point, the cell can be taken as a target cell when the cell meets the following conditions: the S value of the cell is above a certain threshold for a period of time and the terminal device stays in the original cell for more than 1 second (S).

The time parameter and the threshold are not limited in the embodiments of the present application. For example, the time parameter and the threshold may both be transmitted by a broadcast message. Hereinafter, the description will be omitted.

It should also be understood that the time that the terminal device camps on the original cell for more than 1s is only one example, and the application is not limited thereto.

For example, if the first cell is a cell of a high priority frequency bin. The terminal device measures a first cell, and if the S value of the first cell is higher than a certain threshold continuously within a period of time and the time that the terminal device resides in the original cell exceeds 1S, the terminal device determines that the first cell is a target ground cell (namely a target cell).

Alternatively, if multiple cells on the highest priority are eligible, the best cell on the highest priority frequency (sorted by R-criteria) is selected as the target terrestrial cell (i.e., the target cell).

Reference may be made to the above description with respect to the R criterion.

(2) For a cell on the same frequency or the same priority frequency, the cell can be taken as a target cell when the cell meets the following conditions: no high priority cell satisfies the reselection condition and the S value of the cell satisfies the S criterion (i.e., cell selection criterion) and the cell is better than the serving cell for a duration of time (i.e., better than the serving cell according to the R criterion) and the terminal device camps on the original cell for more than 1S.

It should be understood that the time that the terminal device camps on the original cell for more than 1s is only one example, and the application is not limited thereto.

For example, if the first cell is a cell on the same frequency or the same priority frequency. If no high priority cell satisfies the reselection condition and the S value of the first cell satisfies the S criterion (i.e., the cell selection criterion), and the first cell is better than the serving cell for a duration of time (i.e., better than the serving cell according to the R criterion), and the terminal device camps on the original cell for more than 1S, the terminal device may determine that the first cell is the target terrestrial cell (i.e., the target cell).

Alternatively, if there are multiple cells eligible, the best cell on the highest priority frequency (sorted by R-criteria) is selected as the target terrestrial cell (i.e., the target cell).

(3) For a cell on a low priority frequency, the cell may be a target cell when the cell satisfies the following condition: no high or same priority cell meets the reselection condition, the serving cell quality is lower than a certain threshold, the cell quality is higher than a certain threshold for a period of time, and the time for the terminal device to camp on the original cell exceeds 1 s.

For example, if the first cell is a cell on a low priority frequency. If no high-priority or same-priority cell satisfies the reselection condition, the serving cell quality is lower than a certain threshold, the first cell quality is higher than the certain threshold for a certain period of time, and the time for the terminal device to camp on the original cell exceeds 1s, the terminal device may determine that the first cell is a target terrestrial cell (i.e., a target cell).

It should be understood that the above is only an exemplary list of the cases that the condition 2 may include, and the embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto.

It should also be appreciated that due to the evolution of the communication protocol version, cell reselection criteria, such as those of terrestrial cells or those of satellite cells, may change. Regardless of the change, any cell that satisfies the cell reselection criteria may be considered a target cell.

And 3, when the cell meets any one of the following conditions, the cell is the target cell:

cell belongs to selected plmn (selected plmn); the cell belongs to a registered plmn (registered plmn); cell not barred (bar) access; the cell belongs to at least one TA not in Forbidden Tracking Areas (Forbidden Areas), and the TA belongs to a selected PLMN or a registered PLMN or an equivalent PLMN (equivalent PLMN).

It should be understood that the above exemplarily lists conditions that can be met by the target cell. For example, when the first cell satisfies any of the above conditions, the first cell may be the target cell.

Based on the above scheme, the terminal device may preferentially measure the terrestrial cell, and as long as the terrestrial cell has a suitable cell (i.e., a target cell), the terminal device selects or reselects to the terrestrial cell.

The above case 2 is explained below with reference to fig. 10.

Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating a method 1000 for cell selection according to another embodiment of the present application.

Optionally, method 1000 may include step 1001.

1001, the current serving cell sends a notification message to the terminal device.

This step is similar to step 901 in method 900, and reference may be specifically made to the description in step 901.

The terminal device measures 1010 terrestrial cells and satellite cells.

The terrestrial cell may include a serving cell and a neighboring cell (intra-frequency measurement) or only a neighboring cell (inter-frequency measurement).

Optionally, the terminal device measures M2 first cells and N2 second cells, and M2 and N2 are both integers greater than 1 or equal to 1. That is, the terminal device may measure one or more first cells and measure one or more second cells.

With respect to the first cell and the second cell, reference may be made to the description in method 900.

The manner in which the terminal device measures the terrestrial cell and the satellite cell may or may not be the same.

Example 1, the manner in which the terminal device measures terrestrial cells and satellite cells may be the same.

For example, whether it is a terrestrial cell or a satellite cell, the terminal device determines whether the cell is a suitable cell based on terrestrial cell selection criteria (i.e., S-criteria) or cell reselection criteria as described above.

Example 2, the manner in which the terminal device measures the terrestrial cell and the satellite cell may also be different.

For example, the terminal device may use different criteria to calculate the R values for the terrestrial cell and the satellite cell.

Alternatively, when calculating the R value of a cell on the same frequency priority, the terrestrial cell is prioritized by adding an offset (offset).

Optionally, the terminal device measures a received signal strength value of the terrestrial cell and a received signal strength value of the satellite cell, and the R value of the terrestrial cell is greater than the R value of the satellite cell when the received signal strength value of the terrestrial cell is equal to the received signal strength value of the satellite cell.

The above example 2 is explained in detail below.

In case that the target cell (i.e., the target terrestrial cell) is included in the M2 first cells, the method 1000 may further include step 1020.

The terminal device reselects to the target terrestrial cell 1020.

That is, when the terrestrial cell includes the target terrestrial cell, the terminal device reselects to the target terrestrial cell.

With respect to the target cell, the target terrestrial cell, reference may be made to the description in method 900.

For example, in the above example 1, in the case where the terminal device measures the terrestrial cell in the same manner as the satellite cell, it may be prescribed or instructed in advance that the terminal device preferentially selects the terrestrial cell.

For another example, in example 2 above, that is, in a case where the terminal device measures the terrestrial cell and the satellite cell differently, the terminal device may specify or indicate in advance that the terrestrial cell is preferentially selected; alternatively, the R value may be calculated based on a different formula to prioritize terrestrial cells.

In the following, describing example 2 in detail, the manner in which the terminal device measures the terrestrial cell and the satellite cell may also be different.

For example, the terminal device prioritizes terrestrial cells by adding offset when ranking the cell calculation R values on the same priority.

At least the following schemes may be included.

Scheme 1, the satellite cell is subtracted by the positive offset.

For example, subtracting the positive offset from the satellite cell is denoted as offset1_NTN，offset1 _NTNIs a number greater than 0.

For terrestrial cells: reselection criteria for frequencies or systems of equal priority: and the cell reselects to the cell with the same priority level frequency based on the same-frequency cell reselection ranking standard. R_sIs the ranking value, R, of the currently camped cell_nIs the ranking value of the neighboring cell.

For example, the terminal device may calculate the R value of the terrestrial cell based on the following formula.

R _s＝Q _{meas_s}+Q _hyst–Q _{offset_temp}，R _n＝Q _{meas_s}–Q _offset–Q _{offset_temp}。

For a satellite cell: reselection criteria for frequencies or systems of equal priority: and the cell reselects to the cell with the same priority level frequency based on the same-frequency cell reselection ranking standard. R_sIs the ranking value, R, of the currently camped cell_nIs the ranking value of the neighboring cell.

For example, the terminal device may calculate the R value of the satellite cell based on the following formula.

R _s＝Q _{meas_s}+Q _hyst–Q _{offset_temp}–offset1 _NTN，R _n＝Q _{meas_s}–Q _offset–Q _{offset_temp}–offset1 _NTN。

With regard to the parameters, reference may be made to the above description. It can be seen that when other parameters are the same, the R value of the terrestrial cell is greater than that of the satellite cell, so that preference can also be given to terrestrial cells.

Wherein the offset1_NTNThe method may be preset or protocol-specified, and is not limited thereto.

It should be understood that the above formula is only an exemplary illustration, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

Scheme 2, add a negative offset to the satellite cell.

For example, adding a negative offset to a satellite cell is denoted as offset2_NTN，offset2 _NTNIs a number less than 0.

R _s＝Q _{meas_s}+Q _hyst–Q _{offset_temp}+offset2 _NTN，R _n＝Q _{meas_s}–Q _offset–Q _{offset_temp}+offset2 _NTN。

Wherein the offset2_NTNThe method may be preset or protocol-specified, and is not limited thereto.

Scheme 3, add positive offset to the terrestrial cell.

For example, adding a positive offset to a terrestrial cell is denoted as offset1_TN，offset1 _TNIs a number greater than 0.

R _s＝Q _{meas_s}+Q _hyst–Q _{offset_temp}+offset1 _TN，R _n＝Q _{meas_s}–Q _offset–Q _{offset_temp}+offset1 _TN。

Wherein the offset1_TNThe method may be preset or protocol-specified, and is not limited thereto.

Scheme 4, subtract the negative offset to the terrestrial cell.

For example, subtracting a negative offset from a terrestrial cell is denoted as offset2_TN，offset2 _TNIs a number greater than 0.

R _s＝Q _{meas_s}+Q _hyst–Q _{offset_temp}–offset2 _TN，R _n＝Q _{meas_s}–Q _offset–Q _{offset_temp}–offset2 _TN。

Wherein the offset2_TNThe method may be preset or protocol-specified, and is not limited thereto.

It should be understood that the above formula is only exemplary, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto

It should also be understood that the above exemplary lists several schemes, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto, and any scheme that prioritizes the terrestrial cells by modifying the above formula falls within the scope of the embodiments of the present application.

It should also be understood that any of the above schemes may also be used in the embodiments shown in fig. 8 or 9 when the R criterion is required in the embodiments shown in fig. 8 or 9.

Based on the above scheme, the terminal device may measure the terrestrial cell and the satellite cell simultaneously, and as long as the terrestrial cell has a suitable cell (i.e., a target cell), the terminal device selects or reselects the terrestrial cell. Alternatively, the R value may be calculated based on a different formula in order to prioritize terrestrial cells.

The above description mainly describes the case of giving priority to terrestrial cells in cell selection or cell reselection in conjunction with fig. 8 to 10.

The following text application sets forth yet another embodiment. It is to be understood that the embodiments described below may be used alone.

As described above, when the cells on the same priority are ranked by the R-criterion in the terrestrial network, the cell with the highest R-value is not selected directly, but the cell with the highest number of good beams (good beams) is selected from the cells within a certain range of the highest R-value (e.g., the cell is referred to as ranging to be cell).

Considering that a satellite cell generally has only 1 beam (beam), and therefore a cell reselection cannot be performed by selecting a cell with the largest number of good beams, the present application proposes another embodiment:

the terminal equipment enters a cell reselection, wherein the cell which can be used for the terminal equipment to reselect the cell comprises a ground cell and a satellite cell; in cell reselection, at least one of the following is satisfied: the cell reselection of the satellite cell does not consider the good beam number; or the satellite cell and the ground cell are not in the same frequency or the same frequency priority; or, under the condition that the satellite cell and the ground cell are at the same frequency or the same frequency priority, the satellite cell and the ground cell are sorted separately; or, in the case that the satellite cell and the terrestrial cell are on the same frequency or the same frequency priority, and the satellite cell and the terrestrial cell are ranked together, the good beam number of the terrestrial cell is 1.

The above-mentioned schemes are described separately below.

In case 1, the cell reselection of the satellite cell does not take the good beam number into account.

This scheme may be considered a reselection to a satellite cell. Alternatively, the scheme may be used to: in cell reselection, the terrestrial cell and the satellite cell do not need to be ranked together.

For example, for a satellite cell, the rangeToBestCell may not be configured. Or the terminal device ignores the rangeToBestCell even if the rangeToBestCell is configured.

In case 2, the protocol specifies that the satellite cell and the terrestrial cell cannot be on the same frequency (or frequency priority).

Considering that satellite cells and terrestrial cells may need to be ranked together, as cells on the same frequency (including satellite cells and terrestrial cells) need to be ranked together, or cells on different frequencies on the same priority (including satellite cells and terrestrial cells) need to be ranked together. It can be predefined that the satellite cell and the terrestrial cell cannot be on the same frequency or cannot be prioritized on the same frequency, so that the satellite cell and the terrestrial cell can be prevented from being ranked together.

In case of scheme 3, if the satellite cell and the terrestrial cell are on the same frequency (or frequency priority), they are sorted separately.

For example, the terminal device may select to reselect to the best ranked terrestrial cell (best ranked TN cell) or the best ranked satellite cell (best ranked NTN cell).

As another example, it may also be indicated by a camping cell. If the resident cell can indicate the reselection to best ranked TN cell or preferentially select the resident ground cell to the terminal equipment; alternatively, the camping cell may indicate to the terminal device to reselect to the best ranked NTN cell or preferentially select the camping satellite cell.

Optionally, when the camping cell indicates to the terminal device that it camps on the ground cell preferentially, the terminal device may only sequence the ground cells; when the camping cell indicates to the terminal device that it is preferred to camp on the satellite cells, the terminal device may rank only the satellite cells.

In case of scheme 4, if the satellite cell and the terrestrial cell are on the same frequency (or the same frequency priority), they are ranked together, but the number of good beams of the terrestrial cell is also considered to be 1, regardless of the number of multiple beams.

It can be seen that the above scheme 1 may be considered as a scheme proposed for reselection of a satellite cell, or in other words, in a cell reselection process, a scenario in which a terrestrial cell and a satellite cell do not need to be ranked together; solutions 2 through 4 are proposed solutions that take into account that satellite cells and terrestrial cells may need to be ranked together.

It should be understood that the above-described schemes are only exemplary, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

Based on the scheme, the problem that the satellite cell cannot determine the reselection target cell by comparing the good beam numbers because only one beam exists can be solved.

Based on the above technical solution, in consideration of the introduction of satellite communication, the present application proposes to preferentially consider a ground cell, that is, a terminal device preferentially selects a resident ground cell. For example, the terminal device may first measure a terrestrial cell and choose to camp on the terrestrial cell as long as the terrestrial cell has a suitable cell. For another example, the terminal device may also measure a ground cell and a satellite cell simultaneously, and select to camp on the ground cell as long as the ground cell has a suitable cell; alternatively, the R values of the terrestrial cell and the satellite cell are calculated based on different formulas to preferentially select the terrestrial cell.

The various embodiments described herein may be implemented as stand-alone solutions or combined in accordance with inherent logic and are intended to fall within the scope of the present application.

It is to be understood that, in the above-described method embodiments, the method and the operation implemented by the terminal device may also be implemented by a component (e.g., a chip or a circuit) available for the terminal device, and the method and the operation implemented by the network device may also be implemented by a component (e.g., a chip or a circuit) available for the network device.

The method provided by the embodiment of the present application is described in detail above with reference to fig. 8 to 10. Hereinafter, a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application will be described in detail with reference to fig. 11 to 14. It should be understood that the description of the apparatus embodiments corresponds to the description of the method embodiments, and therefore, for brevity, details are not repeated here, since the details that are not described in detail may be referred to the above method embodiments.

The above-mentioned scheme provided by the embodiment of the present application is introduced mainly from the perspective of interaction between network elements. It is understood that each network element, for example, the transmitting end device or the receiving end device, includes a corresponding hardware structure and/or software module for performing each function in order to implement the above functions. Those of skill in the art would appreciate that the various illustrative components and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as hardware or combinations of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is performed as hardware or computer software drives hardware depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the solution. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present application.

In the embodiment of the present application, the functional modules may be divided according to the above method example for the transmitting end device or the receiving end device, for example, each functional module may be divided corresponding to each function, or two or more functions may be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be realized in a hardware mode, and can also be realized in a software functional module mode. It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present application, the division of the module is schematic, and is only one logic function division, and there may be another division manner in actual implementation. The following description will be given taking the example of dividing each functional module corresponding to each function.

Fig. 11 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1100 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1100 includes a transceiving unit 1110 and a processing unit 1120. The transceiving unit 1110 can communicate with the outside, and the processing unit 1110 is used for data processing. The transceiving unit 1110 may also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication unit.

Optionally, the communication device 1100 may further include a storage unit, which may be used to store instructions or data, and the processing unit 1120 may read the instructions or data in the storage unit.

The communication apparatus 1100 may be configured to perform the actions performed by the terminal device in the above method embodiment, the transceiving unit 1110 is configured to perform transceiving-related operations performed by the terminal device in the above method embodiment, and the processing unit 1120 is configured to perform processing-related operations performed by the terminal device in the above method embodiment, in this case, the communication apparatus 1100 may be the terminal device or may be a component or assembly configurable to the terminal device.

Alternatively, the communication apparatus 1100 may be configured to perform the actions performed by the network device in the foregoing method embodiment, the transceiving unit 1110 is configured to perform the transceiving-related operations performed by the network device in the foregoing method embodiment, and the processing unit 1120 is configured to perform the processing-related operations performed by the network device in the foregoing method embodiment, in this case, the communication apparatus 1100 may be a network device, or may be a component or assembly configurable in a network device.

As one design, the communication apparatus 1100 is configured to perform the actions performed by the terminal device in the above method embodiments. A processing unit 1120 configured to enter cell selection or cell reselection, wherein the cells that can be used for cell selection or cell reselection by the communication apparatus 1100 include a terrestrial cell and a satellite cell; in a case where the target cell is included in the terrestrial cell, a target cell camping in the terrestrial cell is determined.

Optionally, the transceiving unit 1110 is configured to receive a notification message.

Optionally, the processing unit 1120 is configured to measure M1 first cells, where the first cells are terrestrial cells, and M1 is an integer greater than 1 or equal to 1; in the case where the target cell is included in the M1 first cells, it is determined that the target cell is camped on among the M1 first cells.

Optionally, the processing unit 1120 is configured to measure N1 second cells in a case where the target cell is not included in the M1 first cells, where the second cells are satellite cells, and N1 is an integer greater than 1 or equal to 1.

Optionally, the processing unit 1120 is configured to measure M2 first cells and N2 second cells, where the first cells are terrestrial cells, the second cells are satellite cells, and M2 and N2 are both integers greater than 1 or equal to 1; in the case where the target cell is included in each of the M2 first cells and the N2 second cells, it is determined that the target cell is camped on among the M2 first cells.

Optionally, the target cell is a cell satisfying cell selection criteria, or the target cell is a cell satisfying cell reselection criteria.

Optionally, the processing unit 1120 is configured to measure a received signal strength value of a terrestrial cell and a received signal strength value of a satellite cell; and under the condition that the received signal strength value of the ground cell is equal to that of the satellite cell, the R value of the ground cell is greater than that of the satellite cell.

As yet another design, the communication apparatus 1100 is configured to perform the actions performed by the terminal device in the above method embodiment. A processing unit 1120 configured to enter cell selection or cell reselection, wherein the cells that can be used for cell selection or cell reselection by the communication apparatus 1100 include a terrestrial cell and a satellite cell; in cell reselection, any one of the following is satisfied: the cell reselection of the satellite cell does not consider the number of good beams; or the satellite cell and the ground cell are not in the same frequency or the same frequency priority; or, under the condition that the satellite cell and the ground cell are at the same frequency or the same frequency priority, the satellite cell and the ground cell are sorted separately; or, in the case that the satellite cell and the terrestrial cell are on the same frequency or the same frequency priority, and the satellite cell and the terrestrial cell are ranked together, the number of good beams of the terrestrial cell is 1.

As another design, communications apparatus 1100 is configured to perform the actions performed by the network device in the above method embodiments. A transceiving unit 1110, configured to send a notification message to a terminal device, where the notification message is used to notify the terminal device that the terminal device selects a target cell in a terrestrial cell to camp on when the terrestrial cell includes the target cell; the target cell is a cell capable of providing service for the terminal equipment.

The processing unit 1120 in the above embodiments may be implemented by a processor or a processor-related circuit. The transceiving unit 1110 may be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuitry. The transceiving unit 1110 may also be referred to as a communication unit or a communication interface. The storage unit may be implemented by a memory.

As shown in fig. 12, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication apparatus 1200. The communication device 1200 comprises a processor 1210, the processor 1210 is coupled to a memory 1220, the memory 1220 is used for storing computer programs or instructions or data, and the processor 1210 is used for executing the computer programs or instructions or data stored by the memory 1220, so that the method in the above method embodiments is executed.

Optionally, the communication device 1200 includes one or more processors 1210.

Optionally, as shown in fig. 12, the communication apparatus 1200 may further include a memory 1220.

Optionally, the communication device 1200 may include one or more memories 1220.

Alternatively, the memory 1220 may be integrated with the processor 1210 or separately provided.

Optionally, as shown in fig. 12, the communication apparatus 1200 may further include a transceiver 1230, and the transceiver 1230 is used for receiving and/or transmitting signals. For example, processor 1210 may be configured to control transceiver 1230 to receive and/or transmit signals.

As an approach, the communication apparatus 1200 is used to implement the operations executed by the terminal device in the above method embodiments, or may be executed by a component (e.g., a chip or a circuit) available for the terminal device.

For example, the processor 1210 is configured to implement the processing-related operations executed by the terminal device or may be executed by a component (e.g., a chip or a circuit) available to the terminal device in the above method embodiments, and the transceiver 1230 is configured to implement the transceiving-related operations executed by the terminal device or may be executed by a component (e.g., a chip or a circuit) available to the terminal device in the above method embodiments.

Alternatively, the communication apparatus 1200 is used to implement the operations executed by the network device in the above method embodiments, or may be executed by a component (e.g., a chip or a circuit) available for the network device.

For example, the processor 1210 is configured to implement the processing-related operations executed by the network device in the above method embodiments or may be executed by a component (e.g., a chip or a circuit) available to the network device, and the transceiver 1230 is configured to implement the transceiving-related operations executed by the network device in the above method embodiments or may be executed by a component (e.g., a chip or a circuit) available to the network device.

The embodiment of the present application further provides a communication apparatus 1300, where the communication apparatus 1300 may be a terminal device or a chip. The communication apparatus 1300 may be used to perform the operations performed by the terminal device in the above method embodiments, or may be performed by a component (e.g., a chip or a circuit) available for the terminal device.

When the communication apparatus 1300 is a terminal device, fig. 13 shows a simplified structural diagram of the terminal device. For easy understanding and illustration, in fig. 13, the terminal device is exemplified by a mobile phone. As shown in fig. 13, the terminal device includes a processor, a memory, a radio frequency circuit, an antenna, and an input-output device. The processor is mainly used for processing communication protocols and communication data, controlling the terminal equipment, executing software programs, processing data of the software programs and the like. The memory is used primarily for storing software programs and data. The radio frequency circuit is mainly used for converting baseband signals and radio frequency signals and processing the radio frequency signals. The antenna is mainly used for receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input and output devices, such as touch screens, display screens, keyboards, etc., are used primarily for receiving data input by a user and for outputting data to the user. It should be noted that some kinds of terminal devices may not have input/output devices.

When data needs to be sent, the processor performs baseband processing on the data to be sent and outputs baseband signals to the radio frequency circuit, and the radio frequency circuit performs radio frequency processing on the baseband signals and sends the radio frequency signals to the outside in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the terminal equipment, the radio frequency circuit receives radio frequency signals through the antenna, converts the radio frequency signals into baseband signals and outputs the baseband signals to the processor, and the processor converts the baseband signals into the data and processes the data. For ease of illustration, only one memory and processor are shown in FIG. 13, and one or more processors and one or more memories may be present in an actual end device product. The memory may also be referred to as a storage medium or a storage device, etc. The memory may be provided independently of the processor, or may be integrated with the processor, which is not limited in this embodiment.

In the embodiment of the present application, the antenna and the radio frequency circuit having the transceiving function may be regarded as a transceiving unit of the terminal device, and the processor having the processing function may be regarded as a processing unit of the terminal device.

As shown in fig. 13, the terminal device includes a transceiving unit 1310 and a processing unit 1320. The transceiving unit 1310 may also be referred to as a transceiver, a transceiving means, etc. The processing unit 1320 may also be referred to as a processor, a processing board, a processing module, a processing device, or the like.

Alternatively, a device for implementing a receiving function in the transceiving unit 1310 may be regarded as a receiving unit, and a device for implementing a transmitting function in the transceiving unit 1310 may be regarded as a transmitting unit, that is, the transceiving unit 1310 includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. A transceiver unit may also sometimes be referred to as a transceiver, transceiving circuitry, or the like. A receiving unit may also be referred to as a receiver, a receiving circuit, or the like. A transmitting unit may also sometimes be referred to as a transmitter, or a transmitting circuit, etc.

For example, in one implementation, the processing unit 1320 is configured to perform

steps

810 and 820 in fig. 8, steps 910 to 940 in fig. 9, and steps 1010 to 1020 in fig. 10, and/or the processing unit 1320 is further configured to perform other processing-related steps performed by the terminal device in the embodiment of the present application; the transceiving unit 1310 is configured to perform step 901 in fig. 9, step 1001 in fig. 10, and/or the transceiving unit 1310 is further configured to perform other transceiving related steps performed by the terminal device.

It should be understood that fig. 13 is only an example and not a limitation, and the terminal device including the transceiving unit and the processing unit described above may not depend on the structure shown in fig. 13.

When the communication device 1300 is a chip, the chip includes a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The transceiving unit can be an input/output circuit or a communication interface; the processing unit may be a processor or a microprocessor or an integrated circuit integrated on the chip.

The embodiment of the present application further provides a communication apparatus 1400, where the communication apparatus 1400 may be a network device or a chip. The communication apparatus 1400 may be used to perform the operations performed by the network device in the above method embodiments, or may be performed by a component (e.g., a chip or a circuit) available to the network device.

When the communication device 1400 is a network device, it is a base station, for example. Fig. 14 shows a simplified base station structure. The base station includes 1410 portions and 1420 portions. Part 1410 is mainly used for receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals and converting radio frequency signals and baseband signals; section 1420 is mainly used for baseband processing, control of base stations, and the like. Portion 1410 may be generally referred to as a transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiving circuitry, or transceiver, etc. Part 1420 is generally a control center of the base station, which may be generally referred to as a processing unit, for controlling the base station to perform the processing operations performed by the network device in the above-described method embodiments.

The transceiver unit of part 1410, which may also be referred to as a transceiver or transceiver, includes an antenna and radio frequency circuitry, where the radio frequency circuitry is mainly used for radio frequency processing. Alternatively, a device used for implementing a receiving function in section 1410 may be regarded as a receiving unit, and a device used for implementing a transmitting function may be regarded as a transmitting unit, that is, section 1410 includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. A receiving unit may also be referred to as a receiver, a receiving circuit, or the like, and a transmitting unit may be referred to as a transmitter, a transmitting circuit, or the like.

Section 1420 may include one or more boards, each of which may include one or more processors and one or more memories. The processor is used to read and execute programs in the memory to implement baseband processing functions and control of the base station. If a plurality of single boards exist, the single boards can be interconnected to enhance the processing capacity. As an alternative implementation, multiple boards may share one or more processors, multiple boards may share one or more memories, or multiple boards may share one or more processors at the same time.

For example, in one implementation, the transceiver unit of part 1410 is configured to perform the transmitting operation of step 901 in fig. 9, step 1001 in fig. 10, and/or the transceiver unit of part 1410 is further configured to perform other transceiving-related steps performed by the network device in this embodiment of the present application; section 1420 is used to perform the processing related steps performed by the network device in the embodiments of the present application.

It should be understood that fig. 14 is only an example and not a limitation, and the network device including the transceiving unit and the processing unit may not depend on the structure shown in fig. 14.

When the communication device 1400 is a chip, the chip includes a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The transceiver unit can be an input/output circuit and a communication interface; the processing unit is a processor or a microprocessor or an integrated circuit integrated on the chip.

The network device is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be in another embodiment: for example: the system comprises an AAU, a CU node and/or a DU node, or a BBU and an Adaptive Radio Unit (ARU), or a BBU; the CPE may be a Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) or another type, and the present application is not limited thereto.

The above-mentioned CUs and/or DUs may be used to perform the actions described in the previous method embodiments as being implemented internally by the network device, whereas the AAU may be used to perform the actions described in the previous method embodiments as being sent to or received from the terminal device by the network device. Please refer to the description of the previous embodiment of the method, which is not repeated herein.

The embodiment of the application also provides a processing device which comprises a processor and an interface. The processor may be adapted to perform the method of the above-described method embodiments.

It should be understood that the processing means may be a chip. For example, the processing device may be a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a system on chip (SoC), a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Network Processor (NP), a digital signal processing circuit (DSP), a Microcontroller (MCU), a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), or other integrated chips.

In implementation, the steps of the above method may be performed by integrated logic circuits of hardware in a processor or instructions in the form of software. 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. The software module may be located in ram, flash memory, rom, prom, or eprom, registers, etc. storage media as is well known in the art. The storage medium is located in a memory, and a processor reads information in the memory and completes the steps of the method in combination with hardware of the processor. To avoid repetition, it is not described in detail here.

It should be noted that the processor in the embodiments of the present application may be an integrated circuit chip having signal processing capability. In implementation, the steps of the above method embodiments may be performed by integrated logic circuits of hardware in a processor or instructions in the form of software. The processor described above may be a general purpose processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components. The various methods, steps, and logic blocks disclosed in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented or performed. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may be any conventional processor or the like. The steps of the method disclosed in connection with the embodiments of the present application may be directly implemented by a hardware decoding processor, or implemented by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module may be located in ram, flash memory, rom, prom, or eprom, registers, etc. storage media as is well known in the art. The storage medium is located in a memory, and a processor reads information in the memory and completes the steps of the method in combination with hardware of the processor.

It will be appreciated that the memory in the embodiments of the subject application can be either volatile memory or nonvolatile memory, or can include both volatile and nonvolatile memory. The non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a Programmable ROM (PROM), an Erasable PROM (EPROM), an electrically Erasable EPROM (EEPROM), or a flash memory. Volatile memory can be Random Access Memory (RAM), which acts as external cache memory. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM, enhanced SDRAM, SLDRAM, Synchronous Link DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to comprise, without being limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

According to the method provided by the embodiment of the present application, the present application further provides a computer program product, which includes: computer program code which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of any one of the embodiments shown in figures 8 to 10.

According to the method provided by the embodiment of the present application, a computer-readable medium is further provided, and the computer-readable medium stores program codes, and when the program codes are executed on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method of any one of the embodiments shown in fig. 8 to 10.

According to the method provided by the embodiment of the present application, the present application further provides a system, which includes the foregoing one or more terminal devices and one or more network devices.

In the above embodiments, the implementation may be wholly or partially realized by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, may be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When loaded and executed on a computer, cause the processes or functions described in accordance with the embodiments of the application to occur, in whole or in part. The computer may be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a network of computers, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored on a computer readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer readable storage medium to another, for example, from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wire (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device, such as a server, a data center, etc., that incorporates one or more of the available media. The usable medium may be a magnetic medium (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., a Digital Video Disk (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., a Solid State Disk (SSD)), among others.

The network device in the foregoing various apparatus embodiments corresponds to the terminal device or the network device in the terminal device and method embodiments, and the corresponding module or unit executes the corresponding steps, for example, the communication unit (transceiver) executes the steps of receiving or transmitting in the method embodiments, and other steps besides transmitting and receiving may be executed by the processing unit (processor). The functions of the specific elements may be referred to in the respective method embodiments. The number of the processors may be one or more.

As used in this specification, the terms "component," "module," "system," and the like are intended to refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware, firmware, a combination of hardware and software, or software in execution. For example, a component may be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a computing device and the computing device can be a component. One or more components can reside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component may be localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or more computers. In addition, these components can execute from various computer readable media having various data structures stored thereon. The components may communicate by way of local and/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., data from two components interacting with another component in a local system, distributed system, and/or across a network such as the internet with other systems by way of the signal).

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative elements and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware or combinations of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the implementation. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present application.

It is clear to those skilled in the art that, for convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the above-described systems, apparatuses and units may refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and are not described herein again.

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 be in an electrical, mechanical or other form.

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 embodiment.

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 functions, if implemented in the form of software functional units 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 or portions thereof that substantially contribute to the prior art may be embodied in the form of a software product stored in a storage medium and including 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 U disk, a removable hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

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.

Claims

A method of cell selection, comprising:

the method comprises the steps that terminal equipment enters cell selection or cell reselection, wherein cells which can be used for the terminal equipment to perform the cell selection or cell reselection comprise a ground cell and a satellite cell;

the terminal device determines that the target cell is camped on in the terrestrial cell, in a case where the terrestrial cell includes the target cell.
The method of claim 1, further comprising:

the terminal equipment measures M1 first cells, wherein the first cells are the ground cells, and M1 is an integer greater than 1 or equal to 1;

the determining, by the terminal device, that the target cell is camped in the terrestrial cell, if the terrestrial cell includes the target cell, includes:

in a case where the target cell is included in the M1 first cells, the terminal device determines that the target cell is camped on among the M1 first cells.
The method of claim 2, further comprising:

in the case where the target cell is not included in the M1 first cells, the terminal device measures N1 second cells, the second cells being the satellite cells, N1 being an integer greater than 1 or equal to 1.
The method of claim 1, further comprising:

the terminal equipment measures M2 first cells and N2 second cells, wherein the first cells are the ground cells, the second cells are the satellite cells, and M2 and N2 are integers which are greater than 1 or equal to 1;

the determining, by the terminal device, that the target cell is camped in the terrestrial cell, if the terrestrial cell includes the target cell, includes:

in a case where the target cell is included in each of the M2 first cells and the N2 second cells, the terminal device determines that the target cell is camped on among the M2 first cells.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the target cell is a cell satisfying a cell selection criterion, or the target cell is a cell satisfying a cell reselection criterion.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising:

the terminal equipment measures the received signal strength value of the ground cell and the received signal strength value of the satellite cell;

and under the condition that the received signal strength value of the ground cell is equal to the received signal strength value of the satellite cell, the R value of the ground cell is greater than the R value of the satellite cell.
A communication apparatus, characterized in that it comprises means for implementing the method according to any of claims 1 to 6.
A communications apparatus comprising a processor coupled to a memory, the memory for storing a computer program or instructions, the processor for executing the computer program or instructions in the memory such that the method of any of claims 1 to 6 is performed.
A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that a computer program or instructions for implementing the method of any of claims 1 to 6 are stored.