Access control method, UE, network device, and computer-readable storage medium

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of communications, and in particular to an access control method, a UE, a network device, and a computer-readable storage medium. The method comprises: receiving access control information sent by a network device, wherein the access control information is used for controlling a UE to access the network device in a store-and-forward mode. The present disclosure can realize access control in the store-and-forward mode between the network device and the UE. 

Description

Access control method, UE, network device, and computer-readable storage medium CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present disclosure claims priority to Chinese patent application No. 202410343306.0, filed on March 25, 2024, and entitled “Access Control Method, UE, Network Device, and Computer-Readable Storage Medium”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.  TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a field of communication technology, and particularly to a method for controlling an access, a user equipment (UE), a network device, and a computer-readable storage medium. BACKGROUND

[0003] At present, the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) Rel-19 agrees to standardize a store and forward (hereinafter referred to as S&F) mode in a non-terrestrial network (NTN) scenario. Therefore, in the NTN scenario with the S&F mode, a method for controlling an access that may be implemented between a network device and a user equipment (UE) is urgently needed. SUMMARY

[0004] Based on this, it is necessary to provide a method for controlling an access, a UE, a network device, and a computer-readable storage medium to address the above technical issues.

[0005] According to a first aspect, a method for controlling an access is provided. The method is performed by a UE and includes: receiving access control information sent by a network device, in which the access control information is configured to control the UE to access the network device via a store and forward (S&F) mode.

[0006] As an optional implementation, the access control information is configured for one or more of per cell, per public land mobile network (PLMN), per tracking area (TA), per service type, per slice, per access category or per access identity.

[0007] As an optional implementation, the access control information includes first access indication information, and the first access indication information indicates whether the UE is barred from accessing the network device via the S&F mode.

[0008] As an optional implementation, the method further includes one or more of: in a case that the UE does not support a non-terrestrial network (NTN), ignoring the first access indication information; in a case that the UE supports an NTN but does not support the S&F mode, ignoring the first access indication information; in a case that the UE supports the S&F mode, determining, based on presence or absence of the first access indication information, whether the network device supports the S&F mode; or in a case that the UE supports the S&F mode, determining, based on a value of the first access indication information, whether to bar an access to the network device via the S&F mode.

[0009] As an optional implementation, the access control information further includes second access indication information, and the second access indication information is set to indicate that an access to a current cell is barred.

[0010] As an optional implementation, the method further includes: in a case that the UE supports the S&F mode, ignoring the second access indication information.

[0011] As an optional implementation, the access control information further includes third access indication information, and the third access indication information is set to indicate that the UE is barred from accessing the network device via an NTN.

[0012] As an optional implementation, the method further includes: in a case that the UE supports the S&F mode, ignoring the third access indication information.

[0013] As an optional implementation, the access control information further includes one or more of: intra-frequency cell reselection indication information of the S&F mode; a unified access control (UAC) parameter of the S&F mode; a PLMN list of the S&F mode; a TA list of the S&F mode; a service type of the S&F mode; a slice of the S&F mode; an access category of the S&F mode; or an access identity of the S&F mode.

[0014] According to a second aspect, a method for controlling an access is provided. The method is performed by a network device and includes: sending access control information, in which the access control information is configured to control a UE to access the network device via an S&F mode.

[0015] As an optional implementation, the access control information is configured for one or more of per cell, per PLMN, per TA, per service type, per slice, per access category or per access identity.

[0016] As an optional implementation, the access control information includes first access indication information, and the first access indication information indicates whether the UE is barred from accessing the network device via the S&F mode.

[0017] As an optional implementation, sending the access control information includes one or more of: broadcasting the first access indication information in an S&F mode NTN cell; or the first access indication information not being present in a terrestrial network (TN) cell and a non-S&F mode NTN cell.

[0018] As an optional implementation, the access control information further includes second access indication information, the second access indication information indicates whether an access to a current cell is barred, and sending the access control information includes: broadcasting the second access indication information in an S&F mode NTN cell, in which a value of the second access indication information is set to be barred.

[0019] As an optional implementation, the access control information further includes third access indication information, the third access indication information indicates whether the UE is barred from accessing the network device via an NTN, and sending the access control information includes one or more of: broadcasting the third access indication information in an S&F mode NTN cell, in which a value of the third access indication information is set to be barred; broadcasting the third access indication information in a non-S&F mode NTN cell; or the third access indication information not being present in an S&F mode NTN cell.

[0020] As an optional implementation, the access control information further includes one or more of: intra-frequency cell reselection indication information of the S&F mode; a UAC parameter of the S&F mode; a PLMN list of the S&F mode; a TA list of the S&F mode; a service type of the S&F mode; a slice of the S&F mode; an access category of the S&F mode; or an access identity of the S&F mode.

[0021] According to a third aspect, a UE is provided. The UE includes a memory, a transceiver and a processor, in which the memory is configured to store a computer program; the transceiver is configured to transmit and receive data under control of the processor; and the processor is configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform an operation of: receiving access control information sent by a network device, in which the access control information is configured to control the UE to access the network device via an S&F mode.

[0022] As an optional implementation, the access control information is configured for one or more of per cell, per PLMN, per TA, per service type, per slice, per access category or per access identity.

[0023] As an optional implementation, the access control information includes first access indication information, and the first access indication information indicates whether the UE is barred from accessing the network device via the S&F mode.

[0024] As an optional implementation, the processor is further configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform one or more of: in a case that the UE does not support an NTN, ignoring the first access indication information; in a case that the UE supports an NTN but does not support the S&F mode, ignoring the first access indication information; in a case that the UE supports the S&F mode, determining, based on presence or absence of the first access indication information, whether the network device supports the S&F mode; or in a case that the UE supports the S&F mode, determining, based on a value of the first access indication information, whether to bar an access to the network device via the S&F mode.

[0025] As an optional implementation, the access control information further includes second access indication information, and the second access indication information is set to indicate that an access to a current cell is barred.

[0026] As an optional implementation, the processor is further configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform an operation of: in a case that the UE supports the S&F mode, ignoring the second access indication information.

[0027] As an optional implementation, the access control information further includes third access indication information, and the third access indication information is set to indicate that the UE is barred from accessing the network device via an NTN.

[0028] As an optional implementation, the processor is further configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform an operation of: in a case that the UE supports the S&F mode, ignoring the third access indication information.

[0029] As an optional implementation, the access control information further includes one or more of: intra-frequency cell reselection indication information of the S&F mode; a UAC parameter of the S&F mode; a PLMN list of the S&F mode; a TA list of the S&F mode; a service type of the S&F mode; a slice of the S&F mode; an access category of the S&F mode; or an access identity of the S&F mode.

[0030] According to a fourth aspect, a network device is provided. The network device includes a memory, a transceiver and a processor, in which the memory is configured to store a computer program; the transceiver is configured to transmit and receive data under control of the processor; and the processor is configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform an operation of: sending access control information, in which the access control information is configured to control a UE to access the network device via an S&F mode.

[0031] As an optional implementation, the access control information is configured for one or more of per cell, per PLMN, per TA, per service type, per slice, per access category or per access identity.

[0032] As an optional implementation, the access control information includes first access indication information, and the first access indication information indicates whether the UE is barred from accessing the network device via the S&F mode.

[0033] As an optional implementation, sending the access control information includes one or more of: broadcasting the first access indication information in an S&F mode NTN cell; or the first access indication information not being present in a TN cell and a non-S&F mode NTN cell.

[0034] As an optional implementation, the access control information further includes second access indication information, the second access indication information indicates whether an access to a current cell is barred, and sending the access control information includes: broadcasting the second access indication information in an S&F mode NTN cell, in which a value of the second access indication information is set to be barred.

[0035] As an optional implementation, the access control information further includes third access indication information, the third access indication information indicates whether the UE is barred from accessing the network device via an NTN, and sending the access control information includes one or more of: broadcasting the third access indication information in an S&F mode NTN cell, in which a value of the third access indication information is set to be barred; broadcasting the third access indication information in a non-S&F mode NTN cell; or the third access indication information not being present in an S&F mode NTN cell.

[0036] As an optional implementation, the access control information further includes one or more of: intra-frequency cell reselection indication information of the S&F mode; a UAC parameter of the S&F mode; a PLMN list of the S&F mode; a TA list of the S&F mode; a service type of the S&F mode; a slice of the S&F mode; an access category of the S&F mode; or an access identity of the S&F mode.

[0037] According to a fifth aspect, an apparatus for controlling an access is provided. The apparatus is performed by a UE, and includes: a receiving unit, configured to receive access control information sent by a network device, in which the access control information is configured to control the UE to access the network device via an S&F mode.

[0038] According to a sixth aspect, an apparatus for controlling an access is provided. The apparatus is performed by a network device, and includes: a sending unit, configured to send access control information, in which the access control information is configured to control a UE to access the network device via an S&F mode.

[0039] According to a seventh aspect, a communication system is provided. The communication system includes a UE and a network device, in which the UE performs a step of any one of the methods according to the first aspect, and the network device performs a step of any one of the methods according to the second aspect.

[0040] According to an eighth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium is stored thereon with a computer program that, when executed by a processor, cause a step of any one of the methods according to the first aspect or the second aspect to be implemented.

[0041] The present disclosure provides the method for controlling the access, the UE, the network device, the computer-readable storage medium. The technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure brings at least following beneficial effects. The network device implements indicating whether to support the S&F mode via the first access indication information. The UE may determine, based on the first access indication information, whether a detected cell supports the S&F mode, and determine whether the access or camping via the S&F mode is barred.

[0042] It should be understood that an above general description and a following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and do not limit the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] In order to clearly illustrate technical solutions of embodiments of the present disclosure or the related art, a brief description of drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the related art is given below. Obviously, the drawings in the following descriptions are only some embodiments of the present disclosure, and for those skilled in the art, other drawings may be obtained according to these drawings without creative labor.

[0044] FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a method for controlling an access according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0045] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method for controlling an access according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0046] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a user equipment (UE) according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0047] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a network device according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0048] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an apparatus for controlling an access according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0049] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an apparatus for controlling an access according to embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] The term “and / or” describes the relationship between associated objects, indicating that there may be three relationships, for example, A and / or B means A, A and B at the same time, and B. The character “ / ” generally indicates that the relationship between associated objects is an “or” relationship.

[0051] The term “a plurality of” in the present disclosure refers to two or more than two, and other quantifiers are similar to it.

[0052] In order to enable those skilled in the art to understand the technical solutions of the present disclosure, technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the embodiments described here are only part of the embodiments of the present disclosure and are not all embodiments of the present disclosure. Based on the embodiments of the present disclosure, other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor are within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0053] In a store and forward (hereinafter referred to as S&F) mode NTN scenario, an end-to-end signaling and a data flow are completed in two steps. In a first step, data transmission is performed between a UE and a satellite, and the satellite is not connected to a TN in this case (the satellite may operate a service link without a feeder link connection). In a second step, the satellite moves to a position where the satellite may be connected to the TN, establishes a connection with the TN, and the data transmission is performed between the satellite and the TN. For example, in the first step, the satellite receives data from the UE and stores the data on the satellite. In the second step, the satellite transmits the stored data to the TN.

[0054] Currently, the methods adopted by the network device for controlling an access of the UE mainly include the following operations. (1) In an NTN scenario, broadcasting, by the network device, related information for barring an access to a cell, which includes: (1) cellBarred, with a value of an enumerated type {barred, notBarred}; (2) cellBarred-NTN, with a value of an enumerated type {barred, notBarred}. For a terrestrial network (TN) cell, the network device broadcasts cellBarred, and cellBarred-NTN is not present. If the value of the cellBarred is barred, it indicates that the TN cell bars the UE from accessing or camping on. If the value of the cellBarred is notBarred, it indicates that the TN cell does not bar the UE from accessing or camping on. For an NTN cell, the network device broadcasts cellBarred and cellBarred-NTN. The value of the cellBarred is barred. If the value of the cellBarred-NTN is barred, it indicates that the NTN cell bars the UE from accessing or camping on via the NTN. If the value of the cellBarred is notBarred, it indicates that the NTN cell does not bar the UE from accessing or camping on via the NTN. (2) The UE determines, based on a unified access control mechanism, whether the UE is allowed to initiate an access according to the unified access control mechanism before the access. Specifically, the UE obtains an access identity and an access category. After an access stratum (AS) layer of the UE obtains the access identity and the access category, the UE determines whether the UE is allowed to access according to information in SIB1. The information in SIB1 refers to parameters corresponding to each access category, for example, a probability of allowing the access, and a time to wait before trying again if the access is not allowed.

[0055] At present, the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) Rel-19 agrees to standardize the S&F mode in an NTN scenario. Therefore, in an S&F mode scenario, it is urgent to standardize and normalize a series of issues such as how the network device indicates whether to support the S&F mode by configuring parameters, how the UE determines whether the detected cell is an S&F mode NTN cell, and how to determine whether the S&F mode NTN cell allows the access or camping.

[0056] To facilitate understanding, embodiments of the present disclosure explain some technical terms in the present disclosure, as follows.

[0057] The UE does not support the NTN, which means that the UE does not support accessing the network via NTN technology. For example, the UE does not support standardized NTN technologies in Rel-17, Rel-18 and other versions, nor does it support technologies related to the S&F mode. The UE supports the NTN but does not support the S&F mode, which means that the UE may access the network via NTN technologies other than the S&F mode. For example, the UE supports standardized NTN technologies in 3GPP Rel-17, Rel-18 and other versions, but does not support technologies related to the S&F mode in the NTN scenario. The UE supports the S&F mode, which means that the UE supports accessing the network via the S&F mode, and the UE may also support standardized NTN technologies in 3GPP Rel-17, Rel-18 and other versions.

[0058] A non-S&F mode NTN cell, i.e., an NTN cell that does not support the S&F mode, means that the network supports NTN technologies other than the S&F mode, for example, supports standardized NTN technologies in 3GPP Rel-17, Rel-18 and other versions, but does not support technologies related to the S&F mode in the NTN scenario. A cell supporting the S&F mode or an S&F mode NTN cell (the S&F mode NTN cell is an NTN cell that supports the S&F mode) means a cell where the network supports the S&F mode, or allows an access of a UE having a capability of the S&F mode. The cell supporting the S&F mode may be that a cell supports the S&F mode, or that some public land mobile networks (PLMNs), some tracking areas (TAs), some service types, some slices, some access categories or some access identities of the cell support the S&F mode.

[0059] Based on this, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for controlling an access. The method is performed by a UE, as shown in FIG. 1, the specific processing procedure includes the following step.

[0060] At step S101, access control information sent by a network device is received. The access control information is configured to control the UE to access the network device via an S&F mode.

[0061] In an implementation, in order to enable the network device to indicate whether the S&F mode is supported by configuring parameters, and to enable the UE to determine whether a detected cell supports the S&F mode, and / or to determine whether an access or camping via the S&F mode is barred, the network device may broadcast the access control information in an S&F mode scenario and the access control information is configured to control the UE to access the network device via the S&F mode. Correspondingly, the UE may receive the access control information sent by the network device. In an example, the network device in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be an NTN device such as a base station or a core network in an NTN scenario, and the base station and / or the core network device may be carried on a satellite.

[0062] As an optional implementation, the access control information is configured for one or more of per cell, per PLMN, per TA, per service type, per slice, per access category or per access identity.

[0063] In the implementation, the access control information may be configured for one or more of per cell, per PLMN, per TA, per service type, per slice, per access category or per access identity, thus achieving different manners of access control.

[0064] As an optional implementation, the access control information includes first access indication information, and the first access indication information indicates whether the UE is barred from accessing the network device via the S&F mode.

[0065] In the implementation, the access control information may include the first access indication information (i.e., saf-cellbarred), and the saf-cellbarred indicates whether the UE is barred from accessing the network device via the S&F mode. In an example, a value of the saf-cellbarred may be an enumerated type, and includes two values: barred and notBarred. If the value of the saf-cellbarred is barred, it indicates that the UE is barred from accessing the network device via the S&F mode. If the value of the saf-cellbarred is notBarred, it indicates that the UE is not barred from accessing the network device via the S&F mode. If the saf-cellbarred is not present, it indicates that the network does not support the S&F mode. In this way, by carrying the first access indication information in the access control information, the network device indicates whether to support the S&F mode. At the same time, the UE may also determine, based on the first access indication information, whether a detected cell supports the S&F mode, and determine whether the access or camping via the S&F mode is barred.

[0066] As an optional implementation, depending on a capability supported by the UE, processing of the first access indication information is also different. There are following cases.

[0067] Case one: in a case that the UE does not support an NTN, the first access indication information is ignored.

[0068] In an implementation, for the UE that does not support the NTN, the UE ignores the first access indication information (i.e., saf-cellbarred).

[0069] Case two: in a case that the UE supports an NTN but does not support the S&F mode, the first access indication information is ignored.

[0070] In an implementation, for the UE that supports the NTN but does not support the S&F mode, the UE ignores the first access indication information (i.e., saf-cellbarred).

[0071] Case three: in a case that the UE supports the S&F mode, it is determined, based on presence or absence of the first access indication information, whether the network device supports the S&F mode.

[0072] In an implementation, for the UE that supports the S&F mode, the UE determines whether the first access indication information (i.e., saf-cellbarred) is present in the access control information. If the saf-cellbarred is present, it indicates that the network device supports the S&F mode. If the saf-cellbarred is not present, it indicates that the network device does not support the S&F mode.

[0073] Case four: in a case that the UE supports the S&F mode, it is determined, based on a value of the first access indication information, whether an access to the network device via the S&F mode is barred.

[0074] In an implementation, for the UE that supports the S&F mode, the UE determines, based on the value of the first access indication information (i.e., saf-cellbarred), whether the UE is barred from accessing the network device via the S&F mode. If the value of the saf-cellbarred is barred, it indicates that the UE is barred from accessing the network device via the S&F mode. If the value of the saf-cellbarred is notBarred, it indicates that the UE is not barred from accessing the network device via the S&F mode.

[0075] As an optional implementation, the access control information further includes second access indication information, and the second access indication information is set to indicate that an access to a current cell is barred.

[0076] In the implementation, in the S&F mode scenario, the access control information further includes the second access indication information (i.e., cellBarred). The cellBarred indicates whether the access to the current cell is barred, and the value of the cellBarred is barred. For the UE that does not support the NTN, after receiving the access control information, the UE determines that the value of the cellBarred is barred, and determines that the current cell is barred from accessing or camping.

[0077] As an optional implementation, in a case that the UE supports the S&F mode, the second access indication information is ignored.

[0078] In the implementation, for the UE that supports the S&F mode, the UE ignores the second access indication information (i.e., cellBarred).

[0079] As an optional implementation, the access control information further includes third access indication information, and the third access indication information is set to indicate that the UE is barred from accessing the network device via the NTN.

[0080] In the implementation, in the S&F mode scenario, the access control information further includes the third access indication information (i.e., cellbarred-NTN). The cellbarred-NTN indicates whether the UE is barred from accessing the network device via the NTN, and the value of the cellbarred-NTN is barred. In this way, for the UE that supports the NTN but does not support the S&F mode, after receiving the access control information, the UE determines that the value of the cellbarred-NTN is barred, and determines that the UE is barred from accessing the network device via the NTN.

[0081] As an optional implementation, in a case that the UE supports the S&F mode, the third access indication information is ignored.

[0082] In the implementation, for the UE that supports the S&F mode, the UE ignores the third access indication information (i.e., cellbarred-NTN).

[0083] It needs to be noted that the saf-cellbarred may be configured for one or more of per cell, per PLMN, per TA, per service type, per slice, per access category or per access identity.

[0084] (1) For saf-cellbarred configured for per cell, the saf-cellbarred indicates whether the cell bars the UE from accessing via the S&F mode. The UE that supports the S&F mode determines, based on the value of the saf-cellbarred configured for the cell, whether the cell bars the UE from accessing via the S&F mode. If the value of the saf-cellbarred is barred, the cell supports the S&F mode and bars the access via the S&F mode. If the value of the saf-cellbarred is notBarred, the cell supports the S&F mode and does not bar the access via the S&F mode.

[0085] (2) For saf-cellbarred configured for per PLMN, the saf-cellbarred indicates whether the PLMN bars the UE from accessing via the S&F mode. The UE that supports the S&F mode determines, based on the value of the saf-cellbarred configured for the PLMN, whether the PLMN bars the UE from accessing via the S&F mode. If the value of the saf-cellbarred is barred, the PLMN supports the S&F mode and bars the access via the S&F mode. If the value of the saf-cellbarred is notBarred, the PLMN supports the S&F mode and does not bar the access via the S&F mode.

[0086] (3) For saf-cellbarred configured for per TA, the saf-cellbarred indicates whether the TA bars the UE from accessing via the S&F mode. The UE that supports the S&F mode determines, based on the value of the saf-cellbarred configured for the TA, whether the TA bars the UE from accessing via the S&F mode. If the value of the saf-cellbarred is barred, the TA supports the S&F mode and bars the access via the S&F mode. If the value of the saf-cellbarred is notBarred, the TA supports the S&F mode and does not bar the access via the S&F mode.

[0087] (4) For saf-cellbarred configured for per service type, the saf-cellbarred indicates whether the service type bars the UE from accessing via the S&F mode. The UE that supports the S&F mode determines, based on the value of the saf-cellbarred configured for the service type, whether the service type bars the UE from accessing via the S&F mode. If the value of the saf-cellbarred is barred, the service type supports the S&F mode and bars the access via the S&F mode. If the value of the saf-cellbarred is notBarred, the service type supports the S&F mode and does not bar the access via the S&F mode.

[0088] (5) For saf-cellbarred configured for per slice, the saf-cellbarred indicates whether the slice bars the UE from accessing via the S&F mode. The UE that supports the S&F mode determines, based on the value of the saf-cellbarred configured for the slice, whether the slice bars the UE from accessing via the S&F mode. If the value of the saf-cellbarred is barred, the slice supports the S&F mode and bars the access via the S&F mode. If the value of the saf-cellbarred is notBarred, the slice supports the S&F mode and does not bar the access via the S&F mode.

[0089] (6) For saf-cellbarred configured for per access category, the saf-cellbarred indicates whether the access category bars the UE from accessing via the S&F mode. The UE that supports the S&F mode determines, based on the value of the saf-cellbarred configured for the access category, whether the access category bars the UE from accessing via the S&F mode. If the value of the saf-cellbarred is barred, the access category supports the S&F mode and bars the access via the S&F mode. If the value of the saf-cellbarred is notBarred, the access category supports the S&F mode and does not bar the access via the S&F mode.

[0090] (7) For saf-cellbarred configured for per access identity, the saf-cellbarred indicates whether the access identity bars the UE from accessing via the S&F mode. The UE that supports the S&F mode determines, based on the value of the saf-cellbarred configured for the access identity, whether the access identity bars the UE from accessing via the S&F mode. If the value of the saf-cellbarred is barred, the access identity supports the S&F mode and bars the access via the S&F mode If the value of the saf-cellbarred is notBarred, the access identity supports the S&F mode and does not bar the access via the S&F mode.

[0091] As an optional implementation, the network device allows a simultaneous access of the S&F mode NTN and the non-S&F mode NTN. Correspondingly, the access control information further includes one or more of: (1) intra-frequency cell reselection indication information of the S&F mode; (2) a unified access control (UAC) parameter of the S&F mode; (3) a PLMN list of the S&F mode; (4) a TA list of the S&F mode; (5) a service type of the S&F mode; (6) a slice of the S&F mode; (7) an access category of the S&F mode; or (8) an access identity of the S&F mode.

[0092] In the implementation, in order to support an intra-frequency cell reselection, the access control information may further include the intra-frequency cell reselection indication information of the S&F mode (i.e., saf-IntraFreqReselection). The saf-IntraFreqReselection indicates whether the UE is allowed to reselect to an intra-frequency cell when a value of saf-cellBarred of a higher-ranked cell is barred. A value of the saf-IntraFreqReselection is an enumerated type (ENUMERATED) {allowed, notAllowed}. The network device may broadcast the saf-cellBarred and the saf-IntraFreqReselection. If the value of the saf-cellBarred is barred and the value of the saf-IntraFreqReselection is allowed, it indicates that the current cell does not allow the UE to access or camp on via the S&F mode, but the UE may perform the intra-frequency cell reselection. If the value of the saf-cellBarred is barred and the value of the saf-IntraFreqReselection is notAllowed, the UE determines that the current cell does not allow the UE to access or camp on via the S&F mode, and the UE may not perform the intra-frequency cell reselection. Similar to the saf-cellBarred, the saf-IntraFreqReselection may also be configured for per PLMN / per TA / per service type / per slice / access category / per access identity.

[0093] In order to allow the simultaneous access of the S&F mode NTN and the non-S&F mode NTN, the access control information may further include (1) a UAC parameter of the S&F mode; (2) a PLMN list and / or a TA list and / or a service type and / or a slice and / or an access category and / or an access identity of the S&F mode. The UE may receive the UAC parameter of the S&F mode, and the UE selects a UAC parameter list according to a determined PLMN. Based on a selected UAC parameter list, the UE then performs access control determination according to a determined access category so as to determine whether the UE is allowed to access or camp on. Taking the PLMN as an example, implementations include following four methods. Method one: the network device configures a PLMN list 1 and a corresponding cellBarred-NTN list, and configures a PLMN list 2 and a corresponding saf-cellBarred list. Each cellBarred-NTN in the cellBarred-NTN list indicates whether each PLMN in the PLMN list 1 allows the UE to access via the NTN. Each saf-cellBarred in the saf-cellBarred list indicates whether each PLMN in the PLMN list 2 allows the UE to access via the S&F mode. Method two: the network device configures a PLMN list 1 and a corresponding cellBarred-NTN. The cellBarred-NTN is configured as notBarred, it indicates that each PLMN in the PLMN list 1 allows the UE to access via the NTN. The network configures a PLMN list 2 and a corresponding saf-cellBarred list. Each saf-cellBarred in the saf-cellBarred list indicates that each PLMN in the PLMN list 2 allows the UE to access via the S&F mode. Method three: the network device configures a list for indicating whether each PLMN supports the S&F mode NTN or the non-S&F mode NTN, and this list is also associated with a barred list which indicates whether each PLMN allows the UE to access. Method four: the network device configures a list for indicating whether each PLMN supports the S&F mode NTN or the non-S&F mode NTN, and each PLMN in this list is associated with two barred bits which indicates whether the PLMN allows the UE to access via the non-S&F mode NTN and whether the PLMN allows the UE to access via the S&F mode, respectively. Implementations of the TA list, the service type, the slice, the access category and the access identity are similar to the above implementations of the PLMN, and are not repeated herein.

[0094] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for controlling an access. The method is performed by a network device, as shown in FIG. 2, the specific processing procedure includes the following step.

[0095] At step S201, access control information is sent. The access control information is configured to control a UE to access the network device via an S&F mode.

[0096] In an implementation, in order to enable the network device to indicate whether the S&F mode is supported by configuring parameters, parameters, and to enable the UE to determine whether a detected cell supports the S&F mode, and / or to determine whether an access or camping via the S&F mode is barred, the network device may broadcast the access control information in an S&F mode scenario, in which the access control information is configured to control the UE to access the network device via the S&F mode. In an example, the network device in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be an NTN device such as a base station or a core network in an NTN scenario, and the base station and / or the core network device may be carried on a satellite.

[0097] As an optional implementation, the access control information is configured for one or more of per cell, per PLMN, per TA, per service type, per slice, per access category or per access identity.

[0098] In the implementation, the access control information may be configured for one or more of per cell, per PLMN, per TA, per service type, per slice, per access category or per access identity.

[0099] As an optional implementation, the access control information includes first access indication information, and the first access indication information indicates whether the UE is barred from accessing the network device via the S&F mode.

[00100] In the implementation, the access control information includes the first access indication information (i.e., saf-cellbarred), and the saf-cellbarred indicates whether the UE is barred from accessing the network device via the S&F mode. In an example, a value of the saf-cellbarred may be an enumerated type, and includes two values: barred and notBarred. If the value of the saf-cellbarred is barred, it indicates that the UE is barred from accessing the network device via the S&F mode. If the value of the saf-cellbarred is notBarred, it indicates that the UE is not barred from accessing the network device via the S&F mode. If the saf-cellbarred is not present, it indicates that the network does not support the S&F mode. The saf-cellbarred may also be configured for one or more of per cell, per PLMN, per TA, per service type, per slice, per access category or per access identity. For a specific introduction of the saf-cellbarred configured for one or more of per cell, per PLMN, per TA, per service type, per slice, per access category or per access identity, reference may be made to an introduction on the UE side above, and is not repeated herein. In this way, by carrying the first access indication information in the access control information, the network device indicates whether to support the S&F mode. At the same time, the UE may also determine, based on the first access indication information, whether a detected cell supports the S&F mode, and determine whether the access or camping via the S&F mode is barred.

[00101] As an optional implementation, sending, by the network device, the access control information includes one or more of: (1) broadcasting the first access indication information in a cell supporting the S&F mode; (2) the first access indication information not being present in a TN cell and a non-S&F mode NTN cell.

[00102] In the implementation, (1) in a cell supporting the S&F mode, the network device always broadcasts saf-cellbarred. In this way, the UE that supports the S&F mode may determine whether the network device supports the S&F mode based on presence of the saf-cellbarred, and the UE may determine whether the UE is barred from accessing the network device via the S&F mode based on the value of the saf-cellbarred. (2) In the TN cell and the non-S&F mode NTN cell, the first access indication information is not present. Optionally, the cell that supports the S&F mode may be that a cell supports the S&F mode, or that a PLMN, a TA, a service type, a slice, an access category or an access identity of the cell supports the S&F mode.

[00103] As an optional implementation, the access control information further includes second access indication information, and the second access indication information is set to indicate that an access to a current cell is barred. The processing procedure for the network device to send the access control information includes: broadcasting the second access indication information in an S&F mode NTN cell, and a value of the second access indication information is set to be barred.

[00104] In the implementation, in the S&F mode scenario, the access control information further includes the second access indication information (i.e., cellBarred). The cellBarred indicates whether the access to the current cell is barred. In the S&F mode NTN cell, the network device broadcasts the cellBarred, and the value of the cellBarred is always barred. In this way, after receiving the access control information, the UE that does not support the NTN determines that the value of the cellBarred is barred, and determines that the current cell is barred from access or camping.

[00105] As an optional implementation, the access control information further includes third access indication information, in which the third access indication information indicates whether the UE is barred from accessing the network device via the NTN. The processing procedure for the network device to send the access control information includes one or more of: (1) broadcasting the third access indication information in an S&F mode NTN cell, and a value of the third access indication information is set to be barred; (2) broadcasting the third access indication information in a non-S&F mode NTN cell; (3) the third access indication information not being present in an S&F mode NTN cell.

[00106] In the implementation, in the S&F mode scenario, the access control information further includes the third access indication information (i.e., cellbarred-NTN), and the cellbarred-NTN indicates whether the UE is barred from accessing the network device via the NTN. (1) In the S&F mode NTN cell, the network device broadcasts the third access indication information, and the value of the third access indication information is always barred. In this way, after receiving the access control information, the UE that supports the NTN but does not support the S&F mode determines that the value of the cellbarred-NTN is barred, and determines that the UE is barred from accessing the network device via the NTN. (2) In the non-S&F mode NTN cell, the third access indication information is broadcast. In this way, after receiving the access control information, the UE that supports the NTN but does not support the S&F mode may determine whether the UE is barred from accessing the network device via the NTN based on the value of the cellbarred-NTN. (3) In the S&F mode NTN cell, the third access indication information is not present.

[00107] As an optional implementation, the network device allows a simultaneous access of the S&F mode NTN and the non-S&F mode NTN. Correspondingly, the access control information further includes one or more of: (1) intra-frequency cell reselection indication information of the S&F mode; (2) a UAC parameter of the S&F mode; (3) a PLMN list of the S&F mode; (4) a TA list of the S&F mode; (5) a service type of the S&F mode; (6) a slice of the S&F mode; (7) an access category of the S&F mode; or (8) an access identity of the S&F mode.

[00108] In the implementation, in order to support an intra-frequency cell reselection, the access control information may further include the intra-frequency cell reselection indication information of the S&F mode (i.e., saf-IntraFreqReselection). The saf-IntraFreqReselection indicates whether the UE is allowed to reselect to an intra-frequency cell when a value of saf-cellBarred of a higher-ranked cell is barred. A value of the saf-IntraFreqReselection is an enumerated type (ENUMERATED) {allowed, notAllowed}. The network device may broadcast the saf-cellBarred and the saf-IntraFreqReselection. If the value of the saf-cellBarred is barred and the value of the saf-IntraFreqReselection is allowed, it indicates that the current cell does not allow the UE to access or camp on via the S&F mode, but the UE may perform the intra-frequency cell reselection. If the value of the saf-cellBarred is barred and the value of the saf-IntraFreqReselection is notAllowed, the UE determines that the current cell does not allow the UE to access or camp on via the S&F mode, and the UE may not perform the intra-frequency cell reselection. Similar to the saf-cellBarred, the saf-IntraFreqReselection may also be configured for per PLMN / per TA / per service type / per slice / per access category / per access identity.

[00109] In order to allow the simultaneous access of the S&F mode NTN and the non-S&F mode NTN, the access control information may further include (1) a UAC parameter of the S&F mode; (2) a PLMN list and / or a TA list and / or a service type and / or a slice and / or an access category and / or an access identity of the S&F mode. The UE may receive the UAC parameter of the S&F mode, and the UE selects a UAC parameter list according to a determined PLMN. Based on a selected UAC parameter list, the UE then performs access control determination according to a determined access category so as to determine whether the UE is allowed to access or camp on. Taking the PLMN as an example, implementations include following four methods. Method one: the network device configures a PLMN list 1 and a corresponding cellBarred-NTN list, and configures a PLMN list 2 and a corresponding saf-cellBarred list. Each cellBarred-NTN in the cellBarred-NTN list indicates whether each PLMN in the PLMN list 1 allows the UE to access via the NTN. Each saf-cellBarred in the saf-cellBarred list indicates whether each PLMN in the PLMN list 2 allows the UE to access via the S&F mode. Method two: the network device configures a PLMN list 1 and a corresponding cellBarred-NTN. The cellBarred-NTN is configured as notBarred, it indicates that each PLMN in the PLMN list 1 allows the UE to access via the NTN. The network configures a PLMN list 2 and a corresponding saf-cellBarred list. Each saf-cellBarred in the saf-cellBarred list indicates that each PLMN in the PLMN list 2 allows the UE to access via the S&F mode. Method three: the network device configures a list for indicating whether each PLMN supports the S&F mode NTN or the non-S&F mode NTN, and this list is also associated with a barred list which indicates whether each PLMN allows the UE to access. Method four: the network device configures a list for indicating whether each PLMN supports the S&F mode NTN or the non-S&F mode NTN, and each PLMN in this list is associated with two barred bits which indicates whether the PLMN allows the UE to access via the non-S&F mode NTN and whether the PLMN allows the UE to access via the S&F mode, respectively. Implementations of the TA list, the service type, the slice, the access category and the access identity are similar to the above implementations of the PLMN, and are not repeated herein.

[00110] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide five embodiments as follows.

[00111] Embodiment one: a network device indicates whether a UE is barred from accessing or camping on by configuring saf-cellBarred. The saf-cellBarred is configured for per cell, i.e., the saf-cellBarred indicates whether the cell allows the UE to access via an S&F mode, or whether the cell supports an S&F mode service. A value of the saf-cellBarred is an enumerated type (ENUMERATED) {barred, notBarred}.

[00112] Scenario one: a TN cell, a non-S&F mode NTN cell and a UE that supports the S&F mode.

[00113] For the TN cell, the network device broadcasts cellBarred, and the saf-cellBarred is not present. A value of the cellBarred is barred or notBarred.

[00114] For the non-S&F mode NTN cell, the network device broadcasts the cellBarred and the cellBarred-NTN, and the saf-cellBarred is not present. The value of the cellBarred is barred, and a value of the cellBarred-NTN is barred or notBarred.

[00115] For the UE that supports the S&F mode, the UE determines whether the cell is an S&F mode NTN cell by determining whether the saf-cellBarred is present in the broadcast. Therefore, in the TN cell or the non-S&F mode NTN cell, since the saf-cellBarred is not present in the broadcast, the UE that supports the S&F mode determines that the cell does not support the S&F mode, i.e., does not support providing an S&F service.

[00116] Scenario two: an S&F mode NTN cell, a UE that does not support an NTN, a UE that supports an NTN but does not support the S&F mode, and a UE that supports the S&F mode.

[00117] For the cell that supports the S&F mode, a network device broadcasts cellBarred and saf-cellBarred, and cellBarred-NTN is not present. A value of the cellBarred is barred, and a value of the saf-cellBarred is notBarred.

[00118] For the UE that does not support the NTN, the UE ignores the saf-cellBarred, the UE determines that the cellBarred is barred, and determines that the cell does not allow an access or camping.

[00119] For the UE supports the NTN but does not support the S&F mode, the UE ignores the saf-cellBarred, the UE determines that the cellBarred-NTN is not present in the broadcast, and determines that the cell does not support an access or camping via the NTN.

[00120] For the UE that supports the S&F mode, the UE ignores the cellBarred, the UE determines that the saf-cellBarred is present in the broadcast, and determines that the cell is the S&F mode NTN cell and supports an S&F mode service. The UE further determines that the saf-cellBarred is notBarred, and determines that the cell allows an access or camping via the S&F mode.

[00121] Scenario three: an S&F mode NTN cell, a UE that does not support an NTN, a UE that supports an NTN but does not support an S&F mode, and a UE that supports the S&F mode.

[00122] For the cell that supports the S&F mode, a network device broadcasts cellBarred and saf-cellBarred, and cellBarred-NTN is not present. A value of the cellBarred is barred, and a value of the saf-cellBarred is barred.

[00123] For the UE that does not support the NTN, the UE ignores the saf-cellBarred, the UE determines that the cellBarred is barred, and determines that the cell does not allow an access or camping.

[00124] For the UE that supports the NTN but does not support the S&F mode, the UE ignores the saf-cellBarred, the UE determines that the cellBarred-NTN is not present in the broadcast, and determines that the cell does not support an access via the NTN.

[00125] For the UE that supports the S&F mode, the UE ignores the cellBarred, the UE determines that the saf-cellBarred is present in the broadcast, and determines that the cell is the S&F mode NTN cell and supports an S&F mode service. The UE further determines that the saf-cellBarred is barred, and determines that the cell bars an access or camping via the S&F mode.

[00126] Embodiment two: a network device indicates whether a UE is barred from accessing or camping on by configuring saf-cellBarred. The saf-cellBarred is configured for per cell, i.e., the saf-cellBarred indicates whether the cell allows the UE to access via an S&F mode, or whether the cell supports an S&F mode service. A value of the saf-cellBarred is an enumerated type (ENUMERATED) {barred, notBarred}.

[00127] Scenario one: a TN cell, a non-S&F mode NTN cell and a UE that supports the S&F mode.

[00128] For the TN cell, the network device broadcasts cellBarred, and the saf-cellBarred is not present. A value of the cellBarred is barred or notBarred.

[00129] For the non-S&F mode NTN cell, the network device broadcasts the cellBarred and the cellBarred-NTN, and the saf-cellBarred is not present. The value of the cellBarred is barred, and a value of the cellBarred-NTN is barred or notBarred.

[00130] For the UE that supports the S&F mode, the UE determines whether the cell is an S&F mode NTN cell by determining whether the saf-cellBarred is present in the broadcast. Therefore, in the TN cell or the non-S&F mode NTN cell, since the saf-cellBarred is not present in the broadcast, the UE determines that the cell does not support the S&F mode, i.e., does not support providing an S&F service.

[00131] Scenario two: an S&F mode NTN cell, a UE that does not support an NTN, a UE that supports an NTN but does not support the S&F mode, and a UE that supports the S&F mode.

[00132] For the cell that supports the S&F mode, a network device broadcasts cellBarred, cellBarred-NTN and saf-cellBarred. Values of the cellBarred and the cellBarred-NTN are barred, and a value of the saf-cellBarred is notBarred.

[00133] For the UE that does not support the NTN, the UE ignores the cellBarred-NTN and the saf-cellBarred, the UE determines that the cellBarred is barred, and determines that the cell does not allow an access or camping.

[00134] For the UE that supports the NTN but does not support the S&F mode, the UE ignores the cellBarred and the saf-cellBarred, the UE determines that the cellBarred-NTN is barred, and determines that the cell does not allow an access or camping via the NTN.

[00135] For the UE that supports the S&F mode, the UE ignores the cellBarred and the cellBarred-NTN, the UE determines that the saf-cellBarred is present in the broadcast, and determines that the cell is the S&F mode NTN cell and supports an S&F mode service. The UE further determines that the saf-cellBarred is notBarred, and determines that the cell allows an access or camping via the S&F mode.

[00136] Scenario three: an S&F mode NTN cell, a UE that does not support an NTN, a UE that supports an NTN but does not support an S&F mode, and a UE that supports the S&F mode.

[00137] For the S&F mode NTN cell, the network device broadcasts the cellBarred, the cellBarred-NTN and the saf-cellBarred. Values of the cellBarred and the cellBarred-NTN are barred, and a value of the saf-cellBarred is barred.

[00138] For the UE that does not support the NTN, the UE ignores the cellBarred-NTN and the saf-cellBarred, the UE determines that the cellBarred is barred, and determines that the cell does not allow an access or camping.

[00139] For the UE that supports the NTN but does not support the S&F mode, the UE ignores the cellBarred and the saf-cellBarred, the UE determines that the cellBarred-NTN is barred, and determines that the cell does not allow an access or camping via the NTN.

[00140] For the UE that supports the S&F mode, the UE ignores the cellBarred and the cellBarred-NTN, the UE determines that the saf-cellBarred is present in the broadcast, and determines that the cell is the S&F mode NTN cell and supports an S&F mode service. The UE further determines that the saf-cellBarred is barred, and determines that the cell bars an access or camping via the S&F mode.

[00141] Embodiment three: a network device indicates whether a UE is barred from accessing or camping on by configuring saf-cellBarred. The saf-cellBarred is configured for per PLMN / per TA / per service type / per slice / per access category / per access identity.

[00142] (1) The saf-cellBarred is configured for per PLMN, the saf-cellBarred is a list, and the list includes saf-cellBarred corresponding to the each PLMN. If a value of the saf-cellBarred corresponding to a certain PLMN is barred, it indicates that a PLMN in a current cell bars the UE from accessing via an S&F mode. If a value of the saf-cellBarred corresponding to a certain PLMN is notBarred, it indicates that a PLMN in the current cell allows the UE to access via the S&F mode.

[00143] (2) The saf-cellBarred is configured for per TA, the saf-cellBarred is a list, and the list includes saf-cellBarred corresponding to each TA. If a value of the saf-cellBarred corresponding to a certain TA is barred, it indicates that a TA in the current cell bars the UE from accessing via the S&F mode. If a value of the saf-cellBarred corresponding to a certain TA is notBarred, it indicates that a TA in the current cell allows the UE to access via the S&F mode.

[00144] (3) The saf-cellBarred is configured for per service type, the saf-cellBarred is a list, and the list includes saf-cellBarred corresponding to each service type. If a value of the saf-cellBarred corresponding to a certain service type is barred, it indicates that a service type in the current cell bars the UE from accessing via the S&F mode. If a value of the saf-cellBarred corresponding to a certain service type is notBarred, it indicates that a service type in the current cell allows the UE to access via the S&F mode.

[00145] (4) The saf-cellBarred is configured for per slice, the saf-cellBarred is a list, and the list includes saf-cellBarred corresponding to each slice. If a value of the saf-cellBarred corresponding to a certain slice is barred, it indicates that a slice in the current cell bars the UE from accessing via the S&F mode. If a value of the saf-cellBarred corresponding to a certain slice is notBarred, it indicates that a slice in the current cell allows the UE to access via the S&F mode.

[00146] (5) The saf-cellBarred is configured for per access category, the saf-cellBarred is a list, and the list includes saf-cellBarred corresponding to each access category. If a value of the saf-cellBarred corresponding to a certain access category is barred, it indicates that an access category in the current cell bars the UE from accessing via the S&F mode. If a value of the saf-cellBarred corresponding to a certain access category is notBarred, it indicates that an access category in the current cell allows the UE to access via the S&F mode.

[00147] (6) The saf-cellBarred is configured for per access identity, the saf-cellBarred is a list, and the list includes saf-cellBarred corresponding to each access identity. If a value of the saf-cellBarred corresponding to a certain access identity is barred, it indicates that an access identity in the current cell bars the UE from accessing via the S&F mode. If a value of the saf-cellBarred corresponding to a certain access identity is notBarred, it indicates that an access identity in the current cell allows the UE to access via the S&F mode.

[00148] Embodiment four: a current cell allows a simultaneous access of an S&F mode NTN and a non-S&F mode NTN, and a network device indicates whether a UE is barred from accessing or camping on by configuring saf-cellBarred. The saf-cellBarred is configured for per PLMN / per TA / per service type / per slice / per access category / per access identity.

[00149] Taking the PLMN as an example, the network device configures whether each PLMN operates in the non-S&F mode NTN or the S&F mode NTN, and specific methods are as follows.

[00150] Method one: the network device configures a PLMN list 1 and a corresponding cellBarred-NTN list, and configures a PLMN list 2 and a corresponding saf-cellBarred list. Each cellBarred-NTN in the cellBarred-NTN list indicates whether each PLMN in the PLMN list 1 allows the UE to access via the NTN. Each saf-cellBarred in the saf-cellBarred list indicates whether each PLMN in the PLMN list 2 allows the UE to access via the S&F mode.

[00151] Method two: the network device configures a PLMN list 1 and a corresponding cellBarred-NTN. The cellBarred-NTN is configured as notBarred, which indicates that each PLMN in the PLMN list 1 allows the UE to access via the NTN. The network configures a PLMN list 2 and a corresponding saf-cellBarred list. Each saf-cellBarred in the saf-cellBarred list indicates that each PLMN in the PLMN list 2 allows the UE to access via the S&F mode.

[00152] Method three: the network device configures a list for indicating whether each PLMN supports the S&F mode NTN or the non-S&F mode NTN, and this list is also associated with a barred list which indicates whether each PLMN allows the UE to access.

[00153] Method four: the network device configures a list for indicating whether each PLMN supports the S&F mode NTN or a normal mode NTN, and each PLMN in this list is associated with two barred bits which indicates whether the PLMN allows the UE to access via the NTN and whether the PLMN allows the UE to access via the S&F mode, respectively.

[00154] The UE determines whether a selected PLMN and an access mode bars the UE from accessing according to information broadcast by the network device.

[00155] Similarly, similar to the PLMN, a configuration may also be performed for per TA / per service type / per slice / per access category / per access identity.

[00156] Embodiment five: a current cell supports an access via an S&F mode and a non-S&F mode, and a network device may also configure other related configuration of an S&F mode NTN.

[00157] Scenario one: the network device indicates, by configuring saf-IntraFreqReselection, whether a UE is allowed to reselect to an intra-frequency cell in a case where a value of saf-cellBarred of a higher-ranked cell is barred. The saf-IntraFreqReselection is configured for a cell, and a value of the saf-IntraFreqReselection is an enumerated type (ENUMERATED) {allowed, notAllowed}.

[00158] (1) The network broadcasts the saf-cellBarred and the saf-IntraFreqReselection. A value of the saf-cellBarred is barred, and a value of the saf-IntraFreqReselection is allowed. The UE determines that the current cell does not allow the UE to access or camp on via the S&F mode, but the UE may perform intra-frequency cell reselection.

[00159] (2) The network broadcasts the saf-cellBarred and the saf-IntraFreqReselection, a value of the saf-cellBarred is barred, and a value of the saf-IntraFreqReselection is notAllowed. The UE determines that the current cell does not allow the UE to access or camp on via the S&F mode, and the UE may not perform the intra-frequency cell reselection.

[00160] Similarly, the saf-IntraFreqReselection may also be configured for per PLMN / per TA / per service type / per slice / per access category / per access identity.

[00161] Scenario two: the network device configures an UAC parameter list for a non-S&F mode access and a UAC parameter list for an S&F mode access.

[00162] After receiving two UAC parameter lists broadcast by the network device, the UE selects a corresponding UAC parameter list according to a determined PLMN. Based on a selected UAC parameter list, the UE then performs access control determination according to a determined access category to determine whether the UE is allowed to access or camp on.

[00163] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide the method for controlling the access. The network device indicates whether to support the S&F mode via the first access indication information. The UE may determine, based on the first access indication information, whether a detected cell supports the S&F mode, and determine whether the access or camping via the S&F mode is barred.

[00164] The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to various systems. For example, applicable systems may be a long term evolution (LTE) system, an LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, an LTE time division duplex (TDD) system, a long term evolution advanced (LTE-A) system, a universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) system, a 5G new radio (NR) system and its evolution communication systems, etc. The various systems may include terminals and network devices. The system may also include a core network part, such as an evolved packet system (EPS), a 5G system (5GS), etc.

[00165] It may be understood that same / similar parts between various embodiments of the above method in this specification may be referred to each other, and each embodiment focuses on differences from other embodiments. For related parts, reference may be made to the description of other method embodiments.

[00166] Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a UE. As shown in FIG. 3, the UE includes a memory 310, a transceiver 320, and a processor 330. The memory 310 is configured to store a computer program. The transceiver 320 is configured to send and receive data under control of the processor 330. The processor 330 is configured to read the computer program in the memory 310 and perform a following operation: receiving access control information sent by a network device; in which the access control information is configured to control the UE to access the network device via an S&F mode.

[00167] As an optional implementation, the access control information is configured for one or more of per cell, per PLMN, per TA, per service type, per slice, per access category or per access identity.

[00168] As an optional implementation, the access control information includes first access indication information, and the first access indication information indicates whether the UE is barred from accessing the network device via the S&F mode.

[00169] As an optional implementation, the processor 330 is further configured to read the computer program in the memory 310 and perform one or more of: in a case that the UE does not support an NTN, ignoring the first access indication information; in a case that the UE supports an NTN but does not support the S&F mode, ignoring the first access indication information; in a case that the UE supports the S&F mode, determining, based on presence or absence of the first access indication information, whether the network device supports the S&F mode; or in a case that the UE supports the S&F mode, determining, based on a value of the first access indication information, whether to bar an access to the network device via the S&F mode.

[00170] As an optional implementation, the access control information further includes second access indication information, and the second access indication information is set to indicate that an access to a current cell is barred.

[00171] As an optional implementation, the processor 330 is further configured to read the computer program in the memory 310 and perform an operation of: in a case that the UE supports the S&F mode, ignoring the second access indication information.

[00172] As an optional implementation, the access control information further includes third access indication information, and the third access indication information is set to indicate that the UE is barred from accessing the network device via an NTN.

[00173] As an optional implementation, the processor 330 is further configured to read the computer program in the memory 310 and perform an operation of: in a case that the UE supports the S&F mode, ignoring the third access indication information.

[00174] As an optional implementation, the access control information further includes one or more of: intra-frequency cell reselection indication information of the S&F mode; a UAC parameter of the S&F mode; a PLMN list of the S&F mode; a TA list of the S&F mode; a service type of the S&F mode; a slice of the S&F mode; an access category of the S&F mode; or an access identity of the S&F mode.

[00175] The terminal in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user, a handheld device with a wireless connection function, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem. In different systems, names of the terminal may also be different. For example, in a 5G system, the terminal may be called a UE. A wireless terminal may be a USB storage device, other personal computer memory devices and a dongle, and may also communicate with one or more core networks (CNs) via a radio access network (RAN). The wireless terminal may be a mobile terminal, such as a mobile phone (or called a “cellular” phone) and a computer with a mobile terminal, for example, it may be a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer built-in or vehicle-mounted mobile device that exchanges language and / or data with a radio access network, for example, a personal communication service (PCS) phone, a cordless phone, a session initiated protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a personal computer, a tablet computer, a machine-type communication (MTC) terminal and other devices. The wireless terminal may also be called a system, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a mobile, a remote station, an access point, a remote terminal, an access terminal, a user terminal, a user agent, a user device, and a wireless accessor and router / modem, etc. that meet limitations of this definition, and is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[00176] It needs to be noted here that the above UE provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure may implement all method steps implemented by the above method embodiments, and may achieve same technical effects. The same parts and beneficial effects as those in the method embodiments in this embodiment will not be repeated here.

[00177] Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a network device. As shown in FIG. 4, the network device includes a memory 410, a transceiver 420, and a processor 430. The memory 410 is configured to store a computer program. The transceiver 420 is configured to send and receive data under control of the processor 430. The processor 430 is configured to read the computer program in the memory 410 and perform an operation of: sending access control information, in which the access control information is configured to control a UE to access the network device via an S&F mode.

[00178] As an optional implementation, the access control information is configured for one or more of per cell, per PLMN, per TA, per service type, per slice, per access category or per access identity.

[00179] As an optional implementation, the access control information includes first access indication information, and the first access indication information indicates whether the UE is barred from accessing the network device via the S&F mode.

[00180] As an optional implementation, sending the access control information includes one or more of: broadcasting the first access indication information in an S&F mode NTN cell; or the first access indication information not being present in a TN cell and a non-S&F mode NTN cell.

[00181] As an optional implementation, the access control information further includes second access indication information, the second access indication information indicates whether an access to a current cell is barred, and sending the access control information includes: broadcasting the second access indication information in an S&F mode NTN cell, in which a value of the second access indication information is set to be barred.

[00182] As an optional implementation, the access control information further includes third access indication information, the third access indication information indicates whether the UE is barred from accessing the network device via an NTN, and sending the access control information includes one or more of: broadcasting the third access indication information in an S&F mode NTN cell, in which a value of the third access indication information is set to be barred; broadcasting the third access indication information in a non-S&F mode NTN cell; or the third access indication information not being present in an S&F mode NTN cell.

[00183] As an optional implementation, the access control information further includes one or more of: intra-frequency cell reselection indication information of the S&F mode; a UAC parameter of the S&F mode; a PLMN list of the S&F mode; a TA list of the S&F mode; a service type of the S&F mode; a slice of the S&F mode; an access category of the S&F mode; or an access identity of the S&F mode.

[00184] The network device involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be a satellite, and the satellite may include a plurality of cells that provide a service to the terminal. Depending on a specific application scenario, the satellite may also be called an access point, or a device in an access network that communicates with the wireless terminal via one or more sectors over a radio interface, or other names. The network device may be used to exchange a received radio frame with an Internet protocol (IP) packet, acting as a router between the wireless terminal and the rest of the access network, in which the rest of the access network may include an IP communication network. The network device may also coordinate attribute management of the radio interface.

[00185] It needs to be noted here that the above network device provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure may implement all method steps implemented by the above method embodiments, and may achieve same technical effects. The same parts and beneficial effects as those in the method embodiments in this embodiment will not be repeated here.

[00186] In FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, specifically linking various circuits of one or more processors represented by the processor and one or more memories represented by the memory. The bus architecture may also link together various other circuits such as peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art and therefore will not be further described herein. A bus interface provides an interface. The transceiver is configured to receive and send data under the control of the processor. The transceiver may be a plurality of elements, i.e., including a transmitter and a receiver, providing a unit for communicating with various other devices over transmission media, including wireless channels, wired cables, optical cables, and other transmission media. The processor is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory may store data used by the processor when performing operations. The processor may be a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or a complex programmable logic device (CPLD). The processor may also adopt a multi-core architecture.

[00187] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus for controlling an access, performed by a UE, as shown in FIG. 5, including: a receiving unit 510, configured to receive access control information sent by a network device, in which the access control information is configured to control the UE to access the network device via an S&F mode.

[00188] As an optional implementation, the access control information is configured for one or more of per cell, per PLMN, per TA, per service type, per slice, per access category or per access identity.

[00189] As an optional implementation, the access control information includes first access indication information, and the first access indication information indicates whether the UE is barred from accessing the network device via the S&F mode.

[00190] As an optional implementation, the apparatus further includes one or more of: a first processing unit, configured to, in a case that the UE does not support an NTN, ignore the first access indication information; a second processing unit, configured to, in a case that the UE supports an NTN but does not support the S&F mode, ignore the first access indication information; a first determining unit, configured to, in a case that the UE supports the S&F mode, determine, based on presence or absence of the first access indication information, whether the network device supports the S&F mode; or a second determining unit, configured to, in a case that the UE supports the S&F mode, determine, based on a value of the first access indication information, whether to bar an access to the network device via the S&F mode.

[00191] As an optional implementation, the access control information further includes second access indication information, and the second access indication information is set to indicate that an access to a current cell is barred.

[00192] As an optional implementation, the apparatus further includes: a third processing unit, configured to, in a case that the UE supports the S&F mode, ignore the second access indication information.

[00193] As an optional implementation, the access control information further includes third access indication information, and the third access indication information is set to indicate that the UE is barred from accessing the network device via an NTN.

[00194] As an optional implementation, the apparatus further includes: a fourth processing unit, configured to, in a case that the UE supports the S&F mode, ignore the third access indication information.

[00195] As an optional implementation, the access control information further includes one or more of: intra-frequency cell reselection indication information of the S&F mode; a UAC parameter of the S&F mode; a PLMN list of the S&F mode; a TA list of the S&F mode; a service type of the S&F mode; a slice of the S&F mode; an access category of the S&F mode; or an access identity of the S&F mode.

[00196] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus for controlling an access, performed by a network device, as shown in FIG. 6, including: a sending unit 610, configured to send access control information, in which the access control information is configured to control a UE to access the network device via an S&F mode.

[00197] As an optional implementation, the access control information is configured for one or more of per cell, per PLMN, per TA, per service type, per slice, per access category or per access identity.

[00198] As an optional implementation, the access control information includes first access indication information, and the first access indication information indicates whether the UE is barred from accessing the network device via the S&F mode.

[00199] As an optional implementation, the sending unit 610 is specifically configured to perform one or more of: broadcasting the first access indication information in an S&F mode NTN cell; or the first access indication information not being present in a TN cell and a non-S&F mode NTN cell.

[00200] As an optional implementation, the access control information further includes second access indication information, the second access indication information indicates whether an access to a current cell is barred, and the sending unit 610 is specifically configured to: broadcast the second access indication information in an S&F mode NTN cell, in which a value of the second access indication information is set to be barred.

[00201] As an optional implementation, the access control information further includes third access indication information, the third access indication information indicates whether the UE is barred from accessing the network device via an NTN, and the sending unit 610 is specifically configured to perform one or more of: broadcasting the third access indication information in an S&F mode NTN cell, in which a value of the third access indication information is set to be barred; broadcasting the third access indication information in a non-S&F mode NTN cell; or the third access indication information not being present in an S&F mode NTN cell.

[00202] As an optional implementation, the access control information further includes one or more of: intra-frequency cell reselection indication information of the S&F mode; a UAC parameter of the S&F mode; a PLMN list of the S&F mode; a TA list of the S&F mode; a service type of the S&F mode; a slice of the S&F mode; an access category of the S&F mode; or an access identity of the S&F mode.

[00203] It needs to be noted that the division of units in the embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrative and is only a logical function division, and there may be other division manners in an actual implementation. In addition, each functional unit in various embodiments of the present disclosure may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit. An integrated unit may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional unit.

[00204] If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of the software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it may be stored in a processor-readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solution of the present disclosure essentially or a part that contributes to the related art or all or part of the technical solution may be embodied in the form of a software product. A computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) or a processor to perform all or part of the steps of the methods of various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[00205] It needs to be noted here that the above apparatuses provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure may implement all the method steps implemented by the above method embodiments, and may achieve same technical effects. The same parts and beneficial effects as those in the method embodiments in this embodiment will not be repeated here.

[00206] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication system, including a UE and a network device, in which the UE performs steps of any method for controlling an access executed by the UE as above, and the network device performs steps of any method for controlling an access executed by the network device as above.

[00207] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements steps of any one of the above method for controlling an access.

[00208] A processor-readable storage medium may be any available medium or data storage device that the processor may access, including but not limited to a magnetic memory (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, magneto-optical disk (MO), etc.), an optical memory (e.g., compact disc (CD), digital video disk (DVD), blue-ray disc (BD), holographic versatile disc (HVD), etc.), and a semiconductor memory (e.g., read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), Negative-AND flash (NAND FLASH), solid-state drive (SSD)), etc.

[00209] Those skilled in the art should understand that, the embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a method, a system, or a computer program product. Therefore, the present disclosure may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining with software and hardware. And, the present disclosure may take the form of a computer program product implemented in one or more computer readable storage media (including but not limited to a disk memory, an optical memory, etc.) including computer usable program codes.

[00210] The present disclosure is described with reference to flowcharts and / or block diagrams according to the method, the device (system), and the computer program product of the embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be understood that the computer executable instructions implement each flow and / or each block in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams and a combination of flows and / or blocks in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams. These computer executable instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device to generate a machine, such that an apparatus for implementing a specific function at one or more flows in the flowcharts and / or one or more blocks in the block diagrams is generated by instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device.

[00211] These computer executable instructions may be stored in a processor readable memory which may guide the computer or other programmable data processing device to work in a specific way, such that the instructions stored in the processor readable memory include a product of an instruction apparatus. The instruction apparatus implements the specific function at the one or more flows in the flowcharts and / or the specific function at the one or more blocks in the block diagrams.

[00212] Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications to the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present disclosure fall within the scope of the claims of the present disclosure and their equivalents, the present disclosure is also intended to include these modifications and variations. 

Claims

1. A method for controlling an access, performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising:receiving access control information sent by a network device, wherein the access control information is configured to control the UE to access the network device via a store and forward (S&F) mode.  2. The method of claim 1, wherein the access control information is configured for one or more of per cell, per public land mobile network (PLMN), per tracking area (TA), per service type, per slice, per access category or per access identity.  3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the access control information comprises first access indication information, and the first access indication information indicates whether the UE is barred from accessing the network device via the S&F mode.  4. The method of claim 3, further comprising one or more of:in a case that the UE does not support a non-terrestrial network (NTN) connectivity, ignoring the first access indication information;in a case that the UE supports an NTN connectivity but does not support the S&F mode, ignoring the first access indication information;in a case that the UE supports the S&F mode, determining, based on presence or absence of the first access indication information, whether the network device supports the S&F mode; orin a case that the UE supports the S&F mode, determining, based on a value of the first access indication information, whether to bar an access to the network device via the S&F mode.  5. The method of claim 3 or 4, wherein the access control information further comprises second access indication information, and the second access indication information is set to indicate that an access to a current cell is barred.  6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:in a case that the UE supports the S&F mode, ignoring the second access indication information.  7. The method of claim 3 or 4, wherein the access control information further comprises third access indication information, and the third access indication information is set to indicate that the UE is barred from accessing the network device via an NTN.  8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:in a case that the UE supports the S&F mode, ignoring the third access indication information.  9. The method of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the access control information further comprises one or more of:intra-frequency cell reselection indication information of the S&F mode;a unified access control (UAC) parameter of the S&F mode;a PLMN list of the S&F mode;a TA list of the S&F mode;a service type of the S&F mode;a slice of the S&F mode;an access category of the S&F mode; oran access identity of the S&F mode.  10. A method for controlling an access, performed by a network device, comprising:sending access control information, wherein the access control information is configured to control a user equipment (UE) to access the network device via a store and forward (S&F) mode.  11. The method of claim 10, wherein the access control information is configured for one or more of per cell, per public land mobile network (PLMN), per tracking area (TA), per service type, per slice, per access category or per access identity.  12. The method of claim 10 or 11, wherein the access control information comprises first access indication information, and the first access indication information indicates whether the UE is barred from accessing the network device via the S&F mode.  13. The method of claim 12, wherein sending the access control information comprises one or more of:broadcasting the first access indication information in an S&F mode non-terrestrial network (NTN) cell; orthe first access indication information not being present in a terrestrial network (TN) cell and a non-S&F mode NTN cell.  14. The method of claim 12, wherein the access control information further comprises second access indication information, the second access indication information indicates whether an access to a current cell is barred, and sending the access control information comprises:broadcasting the second access indication information in an S&F mode NTN cell, wherein a value of the second access indication information is set to be barred.  15. The method of claim 12, wherein the access control information further comprises third access indication information, the third access indication information indicates whether the UE is barred from accessing the network device via an NTN, and sending the access control information comprises one or more of:broadcasting the third access indication information in an S&F mode NTN cell, wherein a value of the third access indication information is set to be barred;broadcasting the third access indication information in a non-S&F mode NTN cell; orthe third access indication information not being present in an S&F mode NTN cell.  16. The method of any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein the access control information further comprises one or more of:intra-frequency cell reselection indication information of the S&F mode;a unified access control (UAC) parameter of the S&F mode;a PLMN list of the S&F mode;a TA list of the S&F mode;a service type of the S&F mode;a slice of the S&F mode;an access category of the S&F mode; oran access identity of the S&F mode.  17. A user equipment (UE), configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 9.   18. A network device, configured to perform the method of any one of claims 10 to 16.  19. An apparatus for controlling an access, performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising:a receiving unit, configured to receive access control information sent by a network device, wherein the access control information is configured to control the UE to access the network device via a store and forward (S&F) mode.  20. An apparatus for controlling an access, performed by a network device, comprising:a sending unit, configured to send access control information, wherein the access control information is configured to control a user equipment (UE) to access the network device via a store and forward (S&F) mode.  21. A computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements steps of the method of any one of claims 1 to 9, or the method of any one of claims 10 to 16.  

Images