Methods, apparatus and electronic equipment for satellites used for storing and forwarding data.

Abstract

This application provides a method, apparatus, and electronic device for determining satellites used for storing and forwarding data, relating to the field of communication technology. The method is applied to a satellite resource analysis network element and includes: acquiring demand information, wherein the demand information includes: data transmission requirements of the transmitting end, the location information of the transmitting end, resource usage information of the satellite network, ephemeris information, and the location information of the receiving end; determining, based on the demand information, a set of target satellites from the satellite network for storing and forwarding data transmitted by the transmitting end; and transmitting information carrying the target satellite set to the transmitting end. Based on the above method, satellites that meet the actual data transmission requirements of the data transmitting end can be accurately determined, improving the space utilization rate of satellite storage and avoiding situations where satellites cannot provide services due to insufficient space, even though there are actually idle satellites in the satellite network.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates primarily to the field of satellite mobile communication technology, and in particular to methods, apparatus, and electronic equipment for determining satellites for storing and forwarding data. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, research is being conducted on satellite store-and-forward technology. In some scenarios, a satellite cannot connect to both ends of the communication simultaneously. When the satellite connects to a data transmitter (e.g., UE), it receives and stores the data sent by the data transmitter. When the satellite connects to a data receiver (e.g., a gateway station or DN), it forwards the stored data to the data receiver. The two ends of the communication can be both data transmitters and data receivers at the same time.

[0003] Given that satellite resources are limited, the current industry solution is to limit the amount of data that the UE can store on the satellite, such as the size and duration of the data. This ensures that the amount of data stored on the satellite will not exceed the total storage space.

[0004] While limiting the amount of data stored by satellites can ensure that the amount of data stored will not exceed the total storage space, it cannot guarantee a high overall utilization rate of the satellite network's storage space. There may be situations where some satellites have high storage space utilization rates while others have low storage space utilization rates. This could lead to situations where satellites cannot provide services due to insufficient storage space, even though there are satellites with idle space in the satellite network. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a method, apparatus, and electronic device for determining a satellite for storing and forwarding data, so as to improve the overall storage space utilization of the satellite network while meeting the data transmission needs of the data sending end in the scenario of storing and forwarding data via satellite.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for determining satellites used for storing and forwarding data, applying satellite resource analysis network elements, the method comprising:

[0007] Obtain demand information, wherein the demand information includes: data transmission requirements of the sending end, location information of the sending end, resource usage information of the satellite network, ephemeris information, and location information of the receiving end;

[0008] Based on the required information, determine the target satellite set from the satellite network for storing and forwarding the data sent by the transmitting end;

[0009] Send information carrying the target satellite set to the sending end.

[0010] Optionally, the data transmission requirement information of the sending end includes one or any combination of the following: the duration requirement of data transmission for store-and-forward, the space requirement of data transmission for store-and-forward, and the transmission time requirement of data transmission for store-and-forward.

[0011] Optionally, determining the target set of satellites from the satellite network for storing and forwarding data transmitted by the transmitter, based on the demand information, includes:

[0012] When the data transmission requirement information includes a store-and-forward duration requirement and / or a transmission time requirement, a first set of satellites that meet the store-and-forward duration requirement and / or transmission time requirement is determined from the satellite network based on the location information of the sending end, the location information of the receiving end, and the ephemeris information; otherwise, the satellites of the satellite network are directly used as the first set of satellites.

[0013] When the data transmission requirement information includes the space requirement for store-and-forward, a second set of satellites that meets the space requirement for store-and-forward is determined from the first set of satellites based on the resource usage information; otherwise, the satellites in the first set of satellites are directly used as the second set of satellites.

[0014] Based on the resource usage information, a target satellite set with a resource utilization rate less than a preset value is determined from the second satellite set.

[0015] Optionally, the resource usage information is derived from satellite network information messages sent by the operation and control center or from local configuration information, and the ephemeris information is derived from the satellite network information messages or from the local configuration information.

[0016] Optionally, the data transmission request information of the sending end comes from a satellite resource analysis request message or a message sent by the sending end, and the location information of the sending end comes from the satellite resource analysis request message or a message sent by the sending end.

[0017] Optionally, the location information of the receiving end is derived from the satellite network information message, the local configuration information, the satellite resource analysis request message, or a message sent by the sending end.

[0018] Optionally, determining the target set of satellites from the satellite network for storing and forwarding data sent by the transmitter based on the demand information is performed in response to receiving data transmission request information from the transmitter.

[0019] Optionally, the step of determining the target set of satellites from the satellite network for storing and forwarding data sent by the transmitter based on the demand information is performed periodically.

[0020] Optionally, the step of determining the target set of satellites for storing and forwarding data sent by the transmitter from the satellite network based on the demand information is performed in response to any change in the demand information.

[0021] Optionally, the data transmission time requirements for store-and-forward include the transmission time from the satellite to the gateway station and the transmission time from the gateway station to the data network.

[0022] Optionally, the sending end is a user terminal or a data network application platform.

[0023] Optionally, the receiving end is a user terminal or a data network application platform.

[0024] Optionally, when the sending end or the receiving end is the data network application platform, the location information of the sending end or the location information of the receiving end includes the location information of one or more gateway stations.

[0025] Optionally, the resource usage information includes: usage information of computing resources used for store-and-forward on the satellite and / or usage information of storage resources used for store-and-forward on the satellite.

[0026] Optionally, the satellite resource analysis network element is deployed in the operation and control center, in the core network element, or on the satellite.

[0027] Secondly, the present invention provides a method for determining a satellite for storing and forwarding data, applied at a transmitting end, the method comprising:

[0028] Send data transmission requirement information, wherein the data transmission requirement information includes one or any combination of the following: store-and-forward duration requirement, store-and-forward space requirement, and store-and-forward transmission time requirement;

[0029] Receive information carrying a target satellite set, wherein the target satellite set is a set of satellites used to store and forward data sent by the sending end.

[0030] Optionally, before sending the data transmission request information, the method further includes: determining that there is data to be sent.

[0031] Thirdly, the present invention provides an apparatus for identifying satellites used for storing and forwarding data, applied to a satellite resource analysis network element, the apparatus comprising:

[0032] The acquisition module is used to acquire demand information, wherein the demand information includes: data transmission requirement information of the sending end, location information of the sending end, resource usage information of the satellite network, ephemeris information, and location information of the receiving end;

[0033] The determination module is used to determine, based on the requirement information, the set of target satellites in the satellite network for storing and forwarding the data sent by the transmitting end;

[0034] The transmitting module is used to send information carrying the target satellite set to the transmitting end.

[0035] Fourthly, this invention provides an apparatus for determining a satellite for storing and forwarding data, applied at a transmitting end, the apparatus comprising:

[0036] A sending module is used to send data transmission requirement information, wherein the data transmission requirement information includes one or any combination of the following: store-and-forward duration requirement, store-and-forward space requirement, and store-and-forward transmission time requirement;

[0037] A receiving module is used to receive information carrying a set of target satellites, wherein the set of target satellites is a set of satellites used to store and forward data sent by the sending end.

[0038] Optionally, the device is also used to determine that there is data to be sent.

[0039] Fourthly, the present invention provides an electronic device, which includes a processor, a communication interface, a memory, and a communication bus, wherein the processor, the communication interface, and the memory communicate with each other through the communication bus;

[0040] Memory, used to store computer programs;

[0041] A processor, when executing a program stored in memory, implements the method described in any of the preceding claims for determining a satellite for storing and forwarding data.

[0042] Fifthly, the present invention provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program therein, which, when executed by a processor, implements the method for determining satellites for storing and forwarding data as described in any of the preceding claims.

[0043] Beneficial effects of the embodiments in this application:

[0044] This invention comprehensively analyzes the resource utilization of satellite networks through satellite resource analysis network elements. It accurately determines the target satellite set that can be used for data storage and forwarding based on information such as the data transmission requirements of the data sender, the location information of the data sender, the location information of the data receiver, and ephemeris information. The satellites in this target satellite set not only meet the actual data transmission needs of the data sender but also have low space utilization. This avoids situations where selected satellites for data storage and forwarding cannot provide service due to insufficient space, even though there are actually idle satellites in the satellite network, thus improving the space utilization of the satellite network.

[0045] Of course, implementing any product or method of this application does not necessarily require achieving all of the advantages described above at the same time. Attached Figure Description

[0046] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other embodiments can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0047] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a satellite store-and-forward method provided in this application;

[0048] Figure 2 A flowchart of a method for determining a satellite for storing and forwarding data is provided in this application;

[0049] Figure 3 A flowchart of Embodiment 1 provided in this application;

[0050] Figure 4 A flowchart of Embodiment 2 provided in this application;

[0051] Figure 5 A flowchart of Embodiment 3 provided in this application;

[0052] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of a first device for determining a satellite for storing and forwarding data, provided in this application;

[0053] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of a second type of device for determining a satellite for storing and forwarding data, provided in this application;

[0054] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device provided in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0055] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on this application are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0056] Furthermore, in the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise stated, " / " means "or". For example, A / B can mean A or B. The "and / or" in the text is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. In addition, in the description of the embodiments of this application, "multiple" means two or more.

[0057] Hereinafter, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as implying or suggesting relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature, and in the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" means two or more.

[0058] Currently, regarding satellite store-and-forward technology, in certain scenarios, the satellite cannot simultaneously connect to both ends of the communication. When the satellite is connected to the data sender but not to the data receiver, it receives and stores the data sent by the data sender. When the satellite moves to connect to the data receiver but not to the data sender, it forwards the stored data to the data receiver. The two ends of the communication can be both data senders and data receivers at the same time.

[0059] like Figure 1 The diagram illustrates a satellite store-and-forward system. The lower left corner shows UE 101 (User Equipment), and the lower right corner shows gateway station 102, indicating that UE 101 and gateway station 102 are deployed on the ground. Typically, the DN (Data Network, such as an application platform) is also deployed on the ground. Data exchange between the DN and UE 101 requires passing through gateway station 102, which is not shown in the diagram. Figure 1The data exchange process between the DN and the UE is simplified to data exchange between the gateway station 102 and the UE 101. From a temporal perspective, the data exchange between the UE and the DN is divided into at least two stages, namely time 1 and time 2 in the diagram. At time 1, the service link between satellite 103 and UE 101 is available, while the power supply link between satellite 103 and gateway station 102 is unavailable. Satellite 103 and UE 101 exchange data; UE 101 sends data that needs to be sent to DN to satellite 103. Satellite 103 stores the received data. If satellite 103 stores data that DN needs to send to UE 101, it forwards the stored data to UE 101. At time 2, the service link between satellite 103 and UE 101 is unavailable, while the power supply link between satellite 103 and gateway station 102 is available. Satellite 103 and gateway station 102 exchange data; gateway station 102 sends data that DN needs to send to UE 101 to satellite 103. Satellite 103 stores the received data. If satellite 103 stores data that UE 101 needs to send to UE 101, it forwards the stored data to UE 101. If satellite 101 needs to send data to DN, satellite 103 will forward the stored data to gateway station 102. After receiving the data, gateway station 102 will forward it to DN. Between time 1 and time 2, there may be a period when both the service link and the power supply link are unavailable. During this period, satellite 103 will only store data.

[0060] Given the limited resources of satellites, the current industry solution is to limit the amount of data that a UE can store on a satellite, including the size and duration of the data. This ensures that the amount of data stored on the satellite does not exceed the total storage space. While this limit method can guarantee that the amount of data stored on satellites will not exceed the total storage space, it cannot guarantee a high overall utilization rate of the satellite network's storage space. Some satellites may have high storage space utilization rates while others have low utilization rates, potentially leading to situations where satellites cannot provide service due to insufficient storage space, even though there are satellites with available space in the network.

[0061] Furthermore, considering the long latency in end-to-end data transmission caused by satellite store-and-forward, the current industry solution involves the core network sending the expected delivery time to the application network element. Based on this, the DN can adjust timers related to data transmission, thus avoiding chain reactions caused by data retransmissions and incorrect UE status assessments due to long latency. However, sending the expected delivery time to the application network element only allows the DN to adjust data transmission and cannot truly meet the data transmission needs (such as end-to-end latency) of the data sender (including both the UE and the DN). This may result in a significant discrepancy between the actual situation and the data sender's actual needs (the data arrival time exceeding the sender's expected time).

[0062] To address the aforementioned technical problems, embodiments of this application provide a method, apparatus, and related equipment for determining satellites used for storing and forwarding data. See [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining satellites used for storing and forwarding data, provided in an embodiment of this application. The method is applied to a satellite resource analysis network element and may include the following steps:

[0063] S201. Obtain requirements information;

[0064] In this embodiment of the application, the satellite resource analysis network element obtains demand information, which may include: data transmission requirement information of the transmitting end, location information of the transmitting end, resource usage information of the satellite network, ephemeris information, and location information of the receiving end.

[0065] Satellite resource analysis network elements can be existing core network elements, such as NWDAF (Network Data Analytics Function), or new core network elements. They can also be new functions added to the network management system, the satellite operations and control center, or the DN (Network Data Provider), or other forms of functionality. This technical disclosure does not impose any limitations on their existence. Satellite resource analysis network elements can be deployed on the ground or on satellites.

[0066] The sending end refers to the data initiator between the two ends used for data interaction, such as UE, DN, etc.

[0067] Data transmission requirements refer to the quality requirements of the transmitting end for data transmission via satellite store-and-forward. For example, data transmission requirements may include the duration requirements for data transmission to store-and-forward, which may include the transmission time from the satellite to the gateway station and the transmission time from the gateway station to the data network; data transmission requirements may also include the space requirements for data transmission to store-and-forward, which may be the size of a single data transmission by the transmitting end or the total size of data transmitted by the transmitting end over a period of time; data transmission requirements may also include the transmission time requirements for data transmission to store-and-forward, which may be the planned time for the transmitting end to send data to the satellite in the future, such as planning to send data in one hour.

[0068] The location information of the transmitting end can refer to a specific physical location, a tracking area, or other information used to indicate location. If the data transmitting end is a DN (Data Provider), the location information can refer to the location of the DN, the location of the gateway station through which the DN interacts with the satellite, or both the location of the DN and the location of the gateway station.

[0069] Resource usage information for a satellite network refers to the usage of resources used for store-and-forward on one or more satellites within the network. For example, resource usage information may include computing resources on a satellite used for store-and-forward, which can be hardware and software resources used for computing, such as CPUs; it may also include storage resources on a satellite used for store-and-forward, which can be hardware and software resources used for storage, such as solid-state drives; and it may also include the resource utilization rate of each satellite in the satellite network.

[0070] Ephemeris information refers to data describing the trajectory of a satellite (spacecraft) in space. It includes orbital ephemeris information and precise ephemeris information. Orbital ephemeris information (OEM) is a file type defined in the CCSDS standard used to describe the trajectory of a spacecraft in space. Precise ephemeris information is satellite orbital information calculated from observation data from satellite tracking stations through post-processing, used for purposes such as precise satellite positioning.

[0071] The location information of the receiving end and the location information of the sending end are conceptually the same, as described above in the description of the location information of the sending end.

[0072] It should be noted that if the transmitting or receiving end is a DN, and the location information of the transmitting or receiving end includes the location information of the gateway stations through which the DN transmits or receives data to the satellite, then the location information of the transmitting or receiving end may include the location information of one or more gateway stations. For example, the location information of the transmitting or receiving end includes the location information of all gateway stations that can be used to interact with the satellite data for store-and-forward.

[0073] In this embodiment, if the operation control center and the satellite resource analysis network element are separate entities, the satellite resource analysis network element obtains resource usage information, ephemeris information, and / or receiver location information from the satellite network information messages sent by the operation control center; it also obtains ephemeris information and receiver location information not obtained from the satellite network messages from its locally configured information. That is, when the satellite network messages sent by the operation control center do not contain ephemeris information and / or receiver location information, the satellite resource analysis network element obtains the ephemeris information and / or receiver location information from its locally configured information. If the operation control center and the satellite resource analysis network element are co-located, or the satellite resource analysis network element is part of the operation control center, the satellite resource analysis network element itself possesses resource usage information, ephemeris information, and receiver location information, and can directly obtain the aforementioned information from its locally configured information.

[0074] In one possible implementation, the satellite resource analysis network element can obtain the data transmission requirement information and the location information of the sending end from the received satellite resource analysis request message.

[0075] Optionally, the satellite resource analysis request message can be sent by other entities (such as core network elements) to the satellite resource analysis network element. That is, the sending end first sends a NAS message to other entities (the NAS message includes data transmission request information), and then the other entities send a satellite resource analysis request message (containing data transmission request information) to the satellite resource analysis network element. This satellite resource analysis request message also includes the sending end's location information. The sending end's location information can be provided by the sending end when sending the NAS message, or it can be obtained by other entities and then provided in the satellite resource analysis request message. The satellite resource analysis request message can also include the receiving end's location information, which is provided by the sending end when sending the NAS message. For example, the satellite resource analysis request message may include the receiving end's IP address information, or the identifier of a specified gateway station, etc. This application does not limit the format of the location information.

[0076] Optionally, the satellite resource analysis request message can be sent directly by the sender to the satellite resource analysis network element. The satellite resource analysis request message sent directly by the sender includes data transmission request information and the sender's location information, and may also include the receiver's location information.

[0077] In one possible implementation, the sending end can directly send the data transmission request information to the satellite resource analysis network element. In this case, the satellite resource analysis request message received by the satellite resource analysis network element does not contain the data transmission request from the sending end. This satellite resource analysis request message can be used to trigger the satellite resource analysis network element to perform satellite resource analysis.

[0078] In one possible implementation, the transmitting end does not actively provide data transmission request information to the satellite resource analysis network element. Instead, the satellite resource analysis network element obtains the transmitting end's data transmission request information from other sources. Regarding obtaining the transmitting end's data transmission request information from other sources, the satellite resource analysis network element can obtain the transmitting end's data transmission request information from core network elements, DNs, network management systems, or other entities.

[0079] For example, other entities can determine the data transmission requirements of the UE (using the UE as an example for the sending end) in two ways. The first way is to analyze the UE's historical behavior to determine its possible future data transmission requirements. For example, if the UE sends data packets of the same size to the other entities at regular intervals every day, then the data transmission requirement of the UE is determined to be the periodic sending of data packets of the same size. The second way is to determine the UE's data transmission requirements statically through prior agreement. For example, the data transmission requirements may be included in the UE's subscription information, or the UE may have signed an agreement with an application platform, through which the data transmission requirements can be determined.

[0080] It should be noted that if the satellite resource analysis network element obtains the data transmission requirement information from the sender from other places, the satellite resource analysis request message will not contain the data transmission requirement information. The satellite resource analysis request message can be used to trigger satellite resource analysis, specifically by requesting the satellite resource analysis network element to perform satellite resource analysis, or by notifying the satellite resource analysis network element that the UE has connected to the satellite, etc. After receiving the message, the satellite resource analysis network element will perform satellite resource analysis.

[0081] S202. Based on the demand information, determine the set of target satellites from the satellite network to store and forward the data sent by the transmitting end;

[0082] Specifically, the satellite resource analysis network element determines the target satellite set for storing and forwarding the data sent by the sender based on the data transmission requirements of the sender, the location information of the sender, the resource usage information of the satellite network, the ephemeris information, and the location information of the receiver.

[0083] In one possible implementation, the process by which the satellite resource analysis network element determines the target satellite set is as follows:

[0084] First, based on the location information of the transmitting end, the location information of the receiving end, and the ephemeris information, a first set of satellites that meets the storage-and-forward duration requirements and / or transmission requirements in the data transmission requirements information is determined from the satellite network. This set can be denoted as satellite set A. In one possible scenario, if the data transmission requirements information does not include duration and transmission requirements, then satellite set A represents all the satellites in the overall satellite network.

[0085] Then, based on the resource usage information, a second set of satellites that meets the space requirements for store-and-forward in the data transmission requirements information is determined from the first set of satellites; this set can be denoted as satellite set B. In one possible scenario, if the data transmission requirements information does not include space requirements, then satellite set B is the same as satellite set A.

[0086] Finally, based on resource usage information, a target satellite set with a resource utilization rate lower than a preset value is determined from the second satellite set. For example, satellites with a resource utilization rate of less than 70% are selected from satellite set B, which can meet the space requirements for data storage and forwarding. In another implementation, a target satellite set with a resource utilization rate lower than a preset value can be selected from the second satellite set, provided that the satellites will not pass through an area with a high number of transmitters in the short term. In yet another implementation, a preset number of satellites can be selected from the second satellite set based on resource usage information, in ascending order of resource utilization rate.

[0087] It should be noted that the process of determining the target satellite set is not limited to the above order. The above process is only one possible implementation order. Alternatively, based on resource usage information, the set of satellites that meet the space requirements for store-and-forward in the data transmission requirements information can be determined from the satellite network first. Then, based on other requirements information, the target satellite set can be determined. Other possible implementation processes will not be elaborated here.

[0088] Regarding the triggering timing for satellite resource analysis network elements to determine the target satellite set for storing and forwarding data sent by the transmitting end from the satellite network based on the above-mentioned demand information, this application provides two types: one is transmitting end triggering, and the other is self-triggered. However, this invention does not limit the triggering timing.

[0089] The sending end triggers the operation, which means that the satellite resource analysis network element responds to the data transmission request information received from the sending end. This can be either the satellite resource analysis network element receiving the data transmission request information directly sent by the sending end, or the satellite resource analysis network element receiving the data transmission request information indirectly sent by the sending end (e.g., through the core network element).

[0090] There are two ways to trigger the satellite resource analysis network element: one is to execute it periodically according to a preset cycle, and the other is to trigger the execution of the satellite resource analysis network element when any information in the acquired demand information is changed.

[0091] S203. Send information carrying the target satellite set to the sending end.

[0092] Specifically, after identifying the target satellite set, the satellite resource analysis network element sends information carrying the target satellite set to the sending end. The satellite resource analysis network element can directly send this information to the sending end; alternatively, it can first send this information to other entities (such as core network elements or radio access network RANs), which then forward the message directly or after one or more relays to the sending end.

[0093] This application also provides a method for determining satellites for storing and forwarding data, which is applied at a transmitting end and specifically includes the following steps:

[0094] S101, Send data transmission request information;

[0095] The sending end sends data transmission requirement information, which may include one or any combination of the following: store-and-forward duration requirement, store-and-forward space requirement, and store-and-forward transmission time requirement.

[0096] Specifically, the sending end can directly send data transmission request information to the satellite resource analysis network element, or it can send the data transmission request information to the satellite resource analysis network element through other entities, such as core network elements.

[0097] S102, Receive information carrying the target satellite set.

[0098] The target satellite set is the set of satellites used to store and forward the data that the sender needs to transmit. Specifically, the information carrying the target satellite set can be sent directly to the sender by the satellite resource analysis network element, or it can be sent to the sender by the satellite resource analysis network element through other entities; the specific transmission method is not limited.

[0099] It should be noted that before sending data transmission request information, the sending end needs to confirm that there is data to be sent; after receiving the message carrying the target satellite set, the sending end determines the satellites in the current satellite network used for data storage and forwarding, and then sends the data to be sent to the satellites in the target satellite set.

[0100] Appendix Figure 3-5 The flowcharts are respectively the first, second and third possible embodiments of the method for determining the satellite for storing and forwarding data provided in this application. The three embodiments are described with the UE as the transmitting end as an example. Other entities include RAN, core network elements, operation and control center and satellite resource analysis network elements.

[0101] See Figure 3 The specific process of Example 1 is as follows:

[0102] S301, The Operations Control Center sends satellite network information messages to the satellite resource analysis network element;

[0103] Satellite network information messages include satellite resource usage information, ephemeris information, and may also include gateway station location information.

[0104] In one possible implementation, the satellite resource analysis network element proactively initiates a request before receiving satellite network information messages, etc., which is not shown in the flowchart.

[0105] S302, The UE sends a NAS message to the core network element;

[0106] The NAS message sent by the UE contains data transmission request information. Optionally, the NAS message may also contain the location information of the UE and / or the DN, where the DN is the receiving end.

[0107] S303. The core network element sends a satellite resource analysis request message to the satellite resource analysis network element.

[0108] The satellite resource analysis request message includes data transmission requirement information. Optionally, the satellite resource analysis request message may include the location information of the UE and / or DN. In one possible implementation, the UE does not provide its location information in S302. After obtaining the UE's location information, the core network element includes it in the message in S303 and provides it to the satellite resource analysis network element. In another possible implementation, neither S302 nor S303 provides the location information of the DN. The satellite resource analysis network element can determine this information based on its configuration or obtain it from other entities. For example, the data or DNN (Data Network Name, which the UE can provide in the message) of a UE in a certain area has a default data landing location. The satellite resource analysis network element determines the location information of the data network based on the configuration (the mapping relationship between the UE's location information or DNN and the corresponding data landing location). Alternatively, the satellite resource analysis network element obtains the location information of the data network from the application platform. The application platform provides the satellite resource analysis network element with a list of UEs it serves, and the satellite resource analysis network element determines the location information accordingly.

[0109] S304. The satellite resource analysis network element performs satellite resource analysis to determine the target satellite set information used for storing and forwarding data sent by the UE.

[0110] The satellite resource analysis network element determines the target satellite set information for storing and forwarding data sent by the UE based on the acquired satellite resource usage information, ephemeris information, UE data transmission requirement information, UE location information, and DN location information.

[0111] S305. The satellite resource analysis network element sends a satellite resource analysis response message to the core network element.

[0112] The satellite resource analysis response message contains information about the target satellite set used for storing and forwarding data sent by the UE. After receiving the target satellite set information, the core network element stores this information. When the UE requests network access, the core network element can use this information to determine whether to allow the UE to store and forward data via satellites in the target satellite set.

[0113] S306. Core network elements send NAS messages to the UE.

[0114] The NAS message sent by the core network element contains information about the target satellite set used to store and forward data sent by the UE.

[0115] Upon receiving the information, the UE will select a satellite to access and transmit data based on the target satellite set information. If the current satellite is not included in the target satellite set, the UE may disconnect from the current satellite (or its base station, etc.) (actively or passively) and wait for a satellite in the target satellite set to cover the UE's area before accessing the satellite and transmitting data. If the current satellite is included in the target satellite set, the UE can directly transmit data to that satellite according to its data transmission needs.

[0116] See Figure 4 The specific process of Example 2 is as follows:

[0117] S401, The Operations Control Center sends satellite network information messages to the satellite resource analysis network element;

[0118] Satellite network information messages include satellite resource usage information, ephemeris information, and may also include gateway station location information.

[0119] S402, The UE sends a NAS message to the core network element;

[0120] In Implementation 2, the NAS message sent by the UE to the core network element does not contain the UE's data transmission request information. The NAS message is only a request message for the UE to access the core network element.

[0121] S403. The core network element sends a satellite resource analysis request message to the satellite resource analysis network element.

[0122] In Implementation 2, the satellite resource analysis request message sent by the core network element does not contain the UE's data transmission request information. This satellite resource analysis request message is used to notify the satellite resource analysis network element that the UE has connected to the satellite and to trigger the satellite resource analysis network element to perform satellite resource analysis.

[0123] In Embodiment 2, the method further includes a step of the satellite resource analysis network element sending a satellite resource analysis request response message to the core network element, which is used to indicate that the core network element has received the satellite resource analysis request; and a step of the core network element sending a NAS response message to the UE, which is used to establish a connection with the UE. Figure 4 None of them are shown in the text.

[0124] S404, The UE sends data transmission request information to the satellite resource analysis network element;

[0125] The UE directly interacts with the satellite resource analysis network element, and the information includes the UE's data transmission requirements, as well as the UE's location information and the DN's location information. The interaction can be conducted via signaling or data; this application does not limit the method of interaction.

[0126] S405. The satellite resource analysis network element performs satellite resource analysis to determine the target satellite set information used for storing and forwarding data sent by the UE.

[0127] The satellite resource analysis network element determines the target satellite set information for storing and forwarding data sent by the UE based on the acquired satellite resource usage information, ephemeris information, UE data transmission requirement information, UE location information, and DN location information.

[0128] S406. The satellite resource analysis network element sends target satellite set information to the UE.

[0129] The satellite resource analysis network element directly interacts with the UE, and this information includes target satellite set information. The method of information interaction is the same as described above and will not be repeated here.

[0130] Upon receiving the information, the UE will select a satellite to access and transmit data based on the target satellite set information. If the current satellite is not included in the target satellite set, the UE may disconnect from the current satellite (or its base station, etc.) (actively or passively) and wait for a satellite in the target satellite set to cover the UE's area before accessing the satellite and transmitting data. If the current satellite is included in the target satellite set, the UE can directly transmit data to that satellite according to its data transmission needs.

[0131] Compared to Examples 1 and 2, Example 3 has different conditions for triggering satellite resource analysis. Examples 1 and 2 provide data transmission requirement information to the satellite resource analysis network element when the data sending end needs to transmit data, and the satellite resource analysis network element will give the analysis results in a timely manner. However, Example 3 actively (when the requirement information changes) performs satellite resource analysis, and the satellite resource analysis network element does not need to perform satellite resource analysis frequently.

[0132] See Figure 5 The specific process of Example 3 is as follows:

[0133] S501, the Operations Control Center sends satellite network information messages to the satellite resource analysis network element;

[0134] Satellite network information messages include satellite resource usage information, ephemeris information, and may also include gateway station location information.

[0135] S502, the satellite resource analysis network element performs satellite resource analysis to determine the target satellite set information used to store and forward data sent by the UE;

[0136] Specifically, when any information in the received demand information changes, such as changes in satellite resource usage information (for example, when the satellite resource utilization rate changes beyond a certain threshold), the satellite resource analysis network element performs satellite resource analysis; or, according to a preset cycle, the satellite resource analysis network element performs satellite resource analysis periodically.

[0137] In this implementation scenario, the data transmission requirement information used in this satellite resource analysis process can be obtained in two ways. The first method is that the data transmission requirement information provided by the UE to the satellite resource analysis network element each time is covered or stored for a relatively long period, or even provided only once. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide the data transmission requirement information every time data is sent; that is, it is obtained once and used for a long time. The second method is that the target satellite set information determined by the satellite resource analysis network element may not be targeted at a single UE. For example, it can be targeted at data transmission requirements. For instance, satellite set A corresponds to UEs in region 1 with a transmission duration requirement of 1 minute, and satellite set B corresponds to UEs in region 2 with a transmission duration requirement of 10 minutes.

[0138] S503, The satellite resource analysis network element sends the target satellite set information determined for storing and forwarding data sent by the UE to the core network element;

[0139] S504, the UE sends a NAS message to the core network element, the message containing data transmission request information;

[0140] S505, the core network element sends data transmission request information to the satellite resource analysis network element;

[0141] S506, Core network elements send NAS messages to UE;

[0142] Optionally, the NAS message includes the received target satellite set information. It should be noted that this embodiment provides two methods for sending the target satellite set information to the UE. The first method is provided in step S506, and the second method is provided to the UE through steps S507-S508 below.

[0143] S507. Core network elements send target satellite set information to the RAN;

[0144] S508 and RAN transmit target satellite set information to UE via broadcast.

[0145] It should be noted that the above-described Embodiments 1 and 2 are only some embodiments of the method for determining satellites for storing and forwarding data provided in this application, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments in this application are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0146] This invention comprehensively analyzes the resource utilization of satellite networks through satellite resource analysis network elements. It accurately determines the target satellite set that can be used for data storage and forwarding based on information such as the data transmission requirements of the data sender, the location information of the data sender, the location information of the data receiver, and ephemeris information. The satellites in this target satellite set not only meet the actual data transmission needs of the data sender but also have low space utilization. This avoids situations where selected satellites for data storage and forwarding cannot provide service due to insufficient space, even though there are actually idle satellites in the satellite network, thus improving the space utilization of the satellite network.

[0147] Based on the same inventive concept, this application also provides a device for identifying satellites used for storing and forwarding data, applied to satellite resource analysis network elements, see [link to related document]. Figure 6 As shown, the device includes:

[0148] The acquisition module 601 is used to acquire demand information, wherein the demand information includes: data transmission requirement information of the transmitting end, location information of the transmitting end, resource usage information of the satellite network, ephemeris information, and location information of the receiving end;

[0149] The determination module 602 is used to determine, based on the demand information, the set of target satellites in the satellite network for storing and forwarding data sent by the transmitting end;

[0150] The transmitting module 603 is used to transmit information carrying the target satellite set to the transmitting end.

[0151] Optionally, module 502 is specifically used for:

[0152] When the data transmission requirements include store-and-forward duration requirements and / or transmission time requirements, the first set of satellites that meet the store-and-forward duration requirements and / or transmission time requirements is determined from the satellite network based on the location information of the sending end, the location information of the receiving end, and the ephemeris information; otherwise, the satellites of the satellite network are directly used as the first set of satellites.

[0153] When the data transmission requirement information includes the space requirement for store-and-forward, the second set of satellites that meets the space requirement for store-and-forward is determined from the first set of satellites based on the resource usage information; otherwise, the satellites in the first set of satellites are directly used as the second set of satellites.

[0154] Based on resource usage information, a set of target satellites with resource utilization rates lower than preset values ​​is determined from the second set of satellites.

[0155] Optionally, the resource usage information is derived from satellite network information messages sent by the operation and control center or from local configuration information, and the ephemeris information is derived from the satellite network information messages or from the local configuration information.

[0156] Optionally, the data transmission request information of the sending end comes from a satellite resource analysis request message or a message sent by the sending end, and the location information of the sending end comes from the satellite resource analysis request message or a message sent by the sending end.

[0157] Other details of this device can be found in the method embodiments described above, and will not be elaborated here.

[0158] Based on the same inventive concept, this application also provides an apparatus for determining a satellite used for storing and forwarding data, applied at the transmitting end, see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 7 As shown, the device includes:

[0159] The sending module 701 is used to send data transmission requirement information, wherein the data transmission requirement information includes one or any combination of the following: store-and-forward duration requirement, store-and-forward space requirement, and store-and-forward transmission time requirement;

[0160] The receiving module 702 is used to receive information carrying a target satellite set, wherein the target satellite set is a set of satellites used to store and forward data sent by the sending end.

[0161] Optionally, the device is also used to determine that there is data to be sent.

[0162] Based on the same inventive concept, this application also provides an electronic device, such as... Figure 8 As shown, the system includes a processor 801, a communication interface 802, a memory 803, and a communication bus 804. The processor 801, communication interface 802, and memory 803 communicate with each other via the communication bus 804. The memory 803 stores computer programs. When the processor 801 executes the program stored in the memory 803, it implements the method steps described in the preceding embodiments for determining satellites for storing and forwarding data, achieving the same technical effect.

[0163] The communication bus mentioned in the above electronic devices can be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus or an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, etc. This communication bus can be divided into address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is used to represent it in the diagram, but this does not indicate that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0164] The communication interface is used for communication between the aforementioned electronic devices and other devices.

[0165] The memory may include random access memory (RAM) or non-volatile memory (NVM), such as at least one disk storage device. Optionally, the memory may also be at least one storage device located remotely from the aforementioned processor.

[0166] The processors mentioned above can be general-purpose processors, including central processing units (CPUs), network processors (NPs), etc.; they can also be digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components.

[0167] In another embodiment provided in this application, a computer-readable storage medium is also provided, which stores a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a processor, it implements any of the above-described method steps for determining a satellite for storing and forwarding data, so as to achieve the same technical effect.

[0168] In another embodiment provided in this application, a computer program product containing instructions is also provided, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to execute any of the above-described method steps for determining a satellite for storing and forwarding data, in order to achieve the same technical effect.

[0169] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means.

[0170] The data center performs the transmission. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access, or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., DVDs), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state drives (SSDs)).

[0171] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0172] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a related manner. Similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to mutually. Each embodiment focuses on describing the differences from other embodiments. In particular, the system, device, electronic device, storage medium, and program product embodiments are basically similar to the method embodiments, so the descriptions are relatively simple; relevant parts can be referred to the descriptions of the method embodiments.

[0173] Although this application has been described with reference to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art should recognize that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate this application, and various equivalent changes or substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of this application. Therefore, any changes or modifications to the above embodiments within the essential spirit of this application will fall within the scope of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A method for determining satellites for storing and forwarding data, characterized in that, The method, which utilizes satellite resource analysis network elements, includes: Obtain demand information, wherein the demand information includes: data transmission requirements of the sending end, location information of the sending end, resource usage information of the satellite network, ephemeris information, and location information of the receiving end; Based on the required information, determine the target satellite set from the satellite network for storing and forwarding the data sent by the transmitting end; Send information carrying the target satellite set to the sending end.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The data transmission requirements of the sending end include one or any combination of the following: storage-forward duration requirements, storage-forward space requirements, and storage-forward transmission time requirements.

3. The method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The step of determining the target satellite set for storing and forwarding data transmitted by the transmitter from the satellite network based on the demand information includes: When the data transmission requirement information includes a store-and-forward duration requirement and / or a transmission time requirement, a first set of satellites that meet the store-and-forward duration requirement and / or the transmission time requirement is determined from the satellite network based on the location information of the sending end, the location information of the receiving end, and the ephemeris information; otherwise, the satellites of the satellite network are directly used as the first set of satellites. When the data transmission requirement information includes the space requirement for store-and-forward, a second set of satellites that meets the space requirement for store-and-forward is determined from the first set of satellites based on the resource usage information; otherwise, the satellites in the first set of satellites are directly used as the second set of satellites. Based on the resource usage information, a target satellite set with a resource utilization rate less than a preset value is determined from the second satellite set.

4. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The resource usage information is derived from satellite network information messages sent by the operations control center or from local configuration information, and the ephemeris information is derived from the satellite network information messages or from the local configuration information.

5. The method as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The data transmission request information of the sending end comes from the satellite resource analysis request message or from the message sent by the sending end, and the location information of the sending end comes from the satellite resource analysis request message or from the message sent by the sending end.

6. The method as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The location information of the receiving end is derived from the satellite network information message, the local configuration information, the satellite resource analysis request message, or the message sent by the sending end.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The step of determining the target set of satellites in the satellite network for storing and forwarding data sent by the transmitter, based on the requirement information, is performed in response to receiving the data transmission request information from the transmitter.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The process of determining the target set of satellites from the satellite network for storing and forwarding data sent by the transmitting end, based on the required information, is performed periodically.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The step of determining the target set of satellites for storing and forwarding data sent by the transmitter from the satellite network based on the demand information is performed in response to any change in the demand information.

10. The method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The data transmission time requirements for store-and-forward include the transmission time from the satellite to the gateway station and the transmission time from the gateway station to the data network.

11. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The sending end is either a user terminal or a data network application platform.

12. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The receiving end is either a user terminal or a data network application platform.

13. The method according to any one of claims 11-12, characterized in that, When the sending end or the receiving end is the data network application platform, the location information of the sending end or the location information of the receiving end includes the location information of one or more gateway stations.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The resource usage information includes: usage information of computing resources used for store-and-forward on the satellite and / or usage information of storage resources used for store-and-forward on the satellite.

15. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The satellite resource analysis network element is deployed in the operation and control center, in the core network element, or on the satellite.

16. A method for determining satellites for storing and forwarding data, characterized in that, Applied to the sending end, the method includes: Send data transmission requirement information, wherein the data transmission requirement information includes one or any combination of the following: store-and-forward duration requirement, store-and-forward space requirement, and store-and-forward transmission time requirement; Receive information carrying a target satellite set, wherein the target satellite set is a set of satellites used to store and forward data sent by the sending end.

17. The method as described in claim 16, characterized in that, Before sending the data transmission request information, the method further includes: determining that there is data to be sent.

18. An apparatus for determining a satellite for storing and forwarding data, characterized in that, The device, applied to satellite resource analysis network elements, includes: The acquisition module is used to acquire demand information, wherein the demand information includes: data transmission requirement information of the sending end, location information of the sending end, resource usage information of the satellite network, ephemeris information, and location information of the receiving end; The determination module is used to determine, based on the requirement information, the set of target satellites in the satellite network for storing and forwarding the data sent by the transmitter; The transmitting module is used to send information carrying the target satellite set to the transmitting end.

19. An apparatus for determining a satellite for storing and forwarding data, characterized in that, Applied to the transmitting end, the device includes: A sending module is used to send data transmission requirement information, wherein the data transmission requirement information includes one or any combination of the following: store-and-forward duration requirement, store-and-forward space requirement, and store-and-forward transmission time requirement; A receiving module is used to receive information carrying a set of target satellites, wherein the set of target satellites is a set of satellites used to store and forward data sent by the sending end.

20. An electronic device, characterized in that, It includes a processor, a communication interface, a memory, and a communication bus. The processor, communication interface, and memory communicate with each other through the communication bus. Memory, used to store computer programs; A processor, when executing a program stored in memory, implements the steps of the method described in any one of claims 1-15 or 16-17.

21. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the method described in any one of claims 1-15 or 16-17.

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