Beam switching method, apparatus and satellite mobile communication system

Abstract

The application provides a beam switching method, device and satellite mobile communication system, wherein a satellite terminal in the satellite mobile communication system has a first service communication module and a second service communication module. In the case that the first service communication module of the satellite terminal establishes a first service channel with an access network based on a first beam, if the satellite terminal detects that the satellite terminal is in a beam overlapping area of multiple beams, a second beam to be switched to is determined from the multiple beams; a second service channel is established with the access network based on the second beam through the second service communication module, and if the satellite terminal confirms that the second service channel has been successfully established, the first service channel between the first service communication module and the access network is released. The scheme of the application can improve the beam switching success rate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a beam switching method, apparatus and satellite mobile communication system. Background Technology

[0002] A satellite mobile communication system mainly consists of satellites, terminals, access networks, core networks, and operation and control systems. The satellite is primarily used for transmitting wireless signals between the terminals and the access network. The terminals establish connections with the access network based on the beams emitted by the satellite, and then establish communication connections with the core network and operation and control system through the access network.

[0003] As satellites move at high speeds and terminal locations change, the beams on the satellite that cover the terminal also change. To ensure reliable transmission of wireless signals between the terminal and the access network, it is necessary to switch the beam the terminal is connected to. Currently, in satellite mobile communication systems, the access network typically controls the terminal to switch beams based on measurement reports (such as neighbor cell lists, measurement values ​​of each neighbor cell, pilot signal strength, and other measurement information) reported by the terminal.

[0004] However, if the terminal in the satellite mobile communication system is a spaceborne terminal carried on a low-Earth orbit satellite, the measurement report received by the access network may not match the actual measurement of the spaceborne terminal due to the very fast movement speed of the spaceborne terminal and the long transmission delay of the satellite link, resulting in a low handover success rate. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a beam switching method, apparatus, and satellite mobile communication system to improve the beam switching success rate.

[0006] On one hand, this application provides a beam switching method applied to a satellite-borne terminal in a satellite mobile communication system. The satellite-borne terminal has a first service communication module and a second service communication module. The method includes:

[0007] When the first service communication module establishes a first service channel with the access network based on the first beam, if it is detected that the spaceborne terminal is in the beam overlap area of ​​multiple beams, the second beam to be switched to is determined from the multiple beams.

[0008] The second service communication module establishes a second service channel with the access network based on the second beam.

[0009] If it is confirmed that the second service channel has been successfully established, release the first service channel between the first service communication module and the access network.

[0010] In one possible implementation, before or simultaneously with releasing the first service channel between the first service communication module and the access network, the method further includes:

[0011] The service data transmission channel is switched from the first service channel to the second service channel, and the service data is transmitted to the access network through the second service channel.

[0012] In another possible implementation, the confirmation that the second service channel has been successfully established includes:

[0013] Upon receiving a beam switching completion response from the second service communication module and receiving service data through the second service channel, the beam switching completion response indicates that the second service communication module has established the second service channel with the access network.

[0014] In another possible implementation, the mobile satellite communication system includes: a first satellite that transmits beams, and a second satellite that carries the onboard terminal;

[0015] The onboard terminal is equipped with the first ephemeris information of the first satellite, the beam characteristic information of the first satellite's transmitted beam, and the second ephemeris information of the second satellite.

[0016] Before determining the second beam to be switched to from the plurality of beams if the spaceborne terminal is detected to be in a beam overlap region of multiple beams, the method further includes:

[0017] Based on the first ephemeris information, the second ephemeris data, and the beam characteristic information of the first satellite's transmitted beam, it is detected whether the onboard terminal is in the beam overlap area of ​​multiple beams.

[0018] In yet another possible implementation, determining the second beam to be switched from the plurality of beams includes:

[0019] From the multiple beams other than the first beam, select the second beam with the highest signal strength or the beam whose center is closest to the spaceborne terminal.

[0020] In another possible implementation, the first service communication module is configured with a first International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), and the first service channel is a service channel corresponding to the first IMSI.

[0021] The second service communication module is configured with a second International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI).

[0022] In the access network of the satellite mobile communication system, the first International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) and the second IMSI are configured to correspond to the same user identifier.

[0023] The step of establishing a second service channel with the access network through the second service communication module based on the second beam includes:

[0024] The second service communication module establishes a second service channel corresponding to the second International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) with the access network based on the second beam, so that the access network can simultaneously transmit service data to the first service channel and the second service channel based on the correspondence between the first IMSI and the second IMSI and the same user identifier.

[0025] In another aspect, this application also provides a beam switching device applied to a satellite-borne terminal in a satellite mobile communication system. The satellite-borne terminal has a first service communication module and a second service communication module. The device includes:

[0026] A beam determination unit is used to determine the second beam to be switched to from the multiple beams if the satellite terminal is detected to be in the beam overlap area of ​​multiple beams when the first service communication module establishes a first service channel with the access network based on the first beam.

[0027] A channel establishment unit is used to establish a second service channel with the access network based on the second beam through the second service communication module.

[0028] The channel release unit is used to release the first service channel between the first service communication module and the access network if it is confirmed that the second service channel has been successfully established.

[0029] In one possible implementation, the device further includes:

[0030] The channel switching unit is used to switch the transmission channel of service data from the first service channel to the second service channel before or simultaneously with the channel release unit releasing the first service channel between the first service communication module and the access network, and to transmit service data to the access network through the second service channel.

[0031] In yet another possible implementation, the channel release unit includes:

[0032] The channel release subunit is used to release the first service channel upon receiving a beam switching completion response from the second service communication module and receiving service data through the second service channel. The beam switching completion response indicates that the second service communication module has established the second service channel with the access network.

[0033] In another aspect, this application also provides a satellite mobile communication system, comprising:

[0034] The first satellite is used to transmit beams;

[0035] The second satellite carries an onboard terminal.

[0036] Access network;

[0037] The spaceborne terminal has a first service communication module and a second service communication module.

[0038] The onboard terminal is used to execute any of the beam switching methods described above;

[0039] The access network is configured such that the first International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) and the second IMSI correspond to the same user identifier.

[0040] As can be seen from the above, in this embodiment of the application, under the premise that the spaceborne terminal has established a first service channel with the access network based on the first beam, if the spaceborne terminal detects that it is in the beam overlap area of ​​multiple beams, it will determine the second beam to be switched to, and use the second service communication module to establish a second service channel with the access network based on the second beam. This realizes that the spaceborne terminal actively determines whether it meets the beam switching conditions and controls the beam switching, thereby avoiding switching anomalies caused by the measurement report received by the access network not matching the actual measurement situation of the spaceborne terminal, thus improving the switching success rate. Moreover, the spaceborne terminal will only release the first service channel established based on the first beam after confirming that the second service channel based on the second beam has been successfully established, which can not only further ensure the reliability of beam switching, but also reduce the loss of service data during beam switching. Attached Figure Description

[0041] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0042] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the composition architecture of a satellite mobile communication system to which embodiments of this application apply is shown;

[0043] Figure 2 This paper illustrates a flowchart of a beam switching method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0044] Figure 3 This illustration shows a flowchart of the beam switching method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0045] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of one composition of the beam switching device provided in an embodiment of this application is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0046] The solution of this application is applicable to satellite mobile communication systems where the terminal is a spaceborne terminal. The solution of this application is a new beam switching method, which can improve the success rate of beam switching by the spaceborne terminal.

[0047] 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 of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0048] To facilitate understanding, the satellite mobile communication system to which the scheme of this application is applicable will be introduced first.

[0049] like Figure 1 As shown, it illustrates a schematic diagram of the composition architecture of a satellite mobile communication system to which the solution of this application is applicable.

[0050] Depend on Figure 1 It can be seen that the satellite mobile communication system includes: a first satellite 101, an onboard terminal 102, an access network 103, a core network 104, and a control system 105.

[0051] Among them, the first satellite 101 is a satellite used to transmit beams in the satellite mobile communication system.

[0052] The spaceborne terminal 102 is carried on the second satellite ( Figure 1 The terminal on the device (not shown separately) is a special type of mobile terminal (Mobile Earth Station, MES).

[0053] The first satellite is typically a high-orbit satellite, while the second satellite, carrying an onboard terminal, is typically a low-orbit satellite. Low-orbit satellites are those flying at an altitude of less than 1,000 kilometers; while high-orbit satellites are those flying at an altitude of more than 20,000 kilometers. High-orbit satellites are characterized by their wide beam coverage.

[0054] Depend on Figure 1 It can be seen that the first satellite can be used for the transmission of wireless signals between the onboard terminal and the access network. The onboard terminal establishes a service channel with the access network by accessing the beam of a certain frequency point emitted by the first satellite, thereby realizing the transmission of service data between the onboard terminal and the access network.

[0055] Access network 103 may include a Gateway Transceiver Station (GTS) 1031 and a Gateway Station Controller (GSC) 1032. The GTS is primarily responsible for receiving uplink information relayed by the onboard terminal via the first satellite, and for relaying downlink information from the network side to the first satellite. The GSC is primarily responsible for managing the access, service establishment, release, modification, or switching processes of the onboard terminal, and for requesting or releasing real-time radio resources from the operation and control system based on the resource requests of the onboard terminal.

[0056] Core network 104, also known as Gateway Core Network (GCN), is primarily responsible for providing core switching and pepper routing functions.

[0057] The Operation Control System 105 is primarily responsible for managing and maintaining real-time wireless resources.

[0058] Of course, the above is only a brief introduction to mobile satellite communication systems. The various components of a mobile satellite communication system may also have other functions, and there are no restrictions on this.

[0059] The inventors of this application discovered through research that in ordinary satellite mobile communication systems, the terminal is a ground-based terminal. Because the high-orbit satellites transmitting beams in satellite mobile communication systems have a large coverage area, and the terminal moves at a low speed on the ground, the probability of beam switching is relatively low. Based on this, it is more suitable for the terminal to perform relevant information measurements and send measurement reports to the access network, allowing the core network to determine which beam the terminal needs to switch and control the beam switching.

[0060] However, for the satellite mobile communication system involved in this application, since the terminal is a spaceborne terminal, and the spaceborne terminal moves faster than the ground terminal, beam switching of the spaceborne terminal is more frequent, resulting in rapid changes in the measurement information required by the spaceborne terminal. Therefore, if the beam switching method of a conventional satellite mobile communication system is still used, some measurement information on the spaceborne terminal side may have changed by the time the spaceborne terminal sends the measurement report to the access network. This would cause the information indicated in the measurement report received by the access network to be inconsistent with the actual information on the spaceborne terminal side, leading to abnormal beam switching and a low beam switching success rate.

[0061] However, if the frequency of the satellite terminal reporting measurement reports to the access network is increased in order to improve the beam switching success rate, the satellite terminal will inevitably need to acquire and report measurement information more frequently, resulting in high resource consumption and serious power consumption of the satellite terminal; moreover, it cannot fundamentally improve the beam switching success rate.

[0062] Based on this, in order to improve the success rate of beam switching, this application proposes that the beam switching be controlled by the onboard terminal, so as to avoid the beam status on the onboard terminal side changing during the process of the onboard terminal sending the measurement report to the access network, which would cause the measurement report received by the access network to be inconsistent with the actual situation on the onboard terminal side.

[0063] Furthermore, in order to improve the reliability of beam switching and reduce the loss of service data during beam switching, the satellite terminal has two service communication modules, referred to as the first service communication module and the second service communication module, respectively. These two service communication modules have the same function and can both access the beam provided by the first satellite to establish a service channel with the access network based on the beam of the first satellite.

[0064] The beam switching method of this application is described below with reference to the flowchart.

[0065] like Figure 2 The diagram illustrates a flowchart of a beam switching method provided in an embodiment of this application, which is applied to a spaceborne terminal in a satellite mobile communication system. This embodiment may include:

[0066] S201, when the first service communication module has established a first service channel with the access network based on the first beam, if it is detected that the spaceborne terminal is in the beam overlap area of ​​multiple beams, the second beam to be switched to is determined from the multiple beams.

[0067] Understandably, after startup, if the onboard terminal determines which beam it needs to connect to from the first satellite, it can directly send a connection request for that beam to the access network to establish a connection. This is commonly known as network access (network-side registration) based on the service communication module. The specific implementation process is similar to that in a satellite communication system, where a terminal or onboard terminal establishes a connection with the access network based on a specific beam, and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0068] For ease of distinction, this application refers to the service communication module that the spaceborne terminal currently establishes a connection with the access network as the first service communication module, the beam on which the first service communication module relies to establish a connection with the access network as the first beam, and the service channel between the spaceborne terminal and the access network established based on the first service communication module as the first service channel.

[0069] To promptly determine whether a satellite-borne terminal needs to switch beams, it needs to detect whether it is within the beam overlap area of ​​multiple beams. The beam overlap area refers to the region where the coverage areas of multiple beams coincide. Therefore, when a satellite-borne terminal moves from the coverage area of ​​a single beam into the beam overlap area of ​​multiple beams, it means that the terminal is about to switch from the coverage area of ​​one beam to the coverage area of ​​multiple beams, thus meeting the condition for beam switching—that is, the terminal is about to switch from the first beam to another beam outside the first beam.

[0070] For ease of distinction, the beam that the onboard terminal is to switch to among the multiple beams is called the second beam, which is the beam other than the first beam.

[0071] In this application, there are several ways to specifically implement the detection of whether the spaceborne terminal is currently in a beam overlap area. For example, by combining the beam transmission characteristics of the first satellite transmitting the beam, and the relative operational relationship between the first satellite and the second satellite carrying the spaceborne terminal, it can be determined which beams emitted by the first satellite the spaceborne terminal is in at different times, thereby determining whether the spaceborne terminal is in the beam overlap area of ​​each beam.

[0072] In one possible implementation, the spaceborne terminal may be configured with first ephemeris information of the first satellite, beam characteristic information of the first satellite's transmitted beam, and second ephemeris information of the second satellite. Accordingly, the spaceborne terminal can detect whether it is located in a beam overlap area of ​​multiple beams based on the first ephemeris information, the second ephemeris data, and the beam characteristic information of the first satellite's transmitted beam.

[0073] The satellite's ephemeris information can include information used to determine the satellite's instantaneous position and attitude, among other satellite statuses. For example, satellite ephemeris information can be used to accurately calculate and predict the satellite's time, position, velocity, and other operational statuses, enabling satellite tracking, and there are no limitations on this.

[0074] For ease of distinction, this application refers to the ephemeris information of the first satellite as the first ephemeris information, and the ephemeris information of the second satellite as the second ephemeris information.

[0075] The beam characteristics of the first satellite's transmitted beam can reflect the distribution of the transmitted beams relative to the first satellite. For example, the beam characteristics of the first satellite's transmitted beam can include the number of beams transmitted by the first satellite, the frequency points of each beam, and the distribution characteristics of the beam's coverage area. Accordingly, based on the beam characteristics of the first satellite's transmitted beam, the beam coverage area of ​​each beam in the first satellite at a given time can be determined.

[0076] Based on this, by combining the ephemeris information of the first and second satellites, the current positional relationship of the second satellite relative to the first satellite can be determined. Furthermore, by combining the beam characteristics of the first satellite, the beam coverage areas of each beam emitted by the first satellite can be determined. Based on this, it can be determined which beam coverage areas the second satellite falls within; that is, at least one target beam of the second satellite can be identified from the beams emitted by the first satellite. If the number of at least one target beam is greater than two, it indicates that the second satellite is located in the beam overlap area of ​​multiple beams.

[0077] There are several ways to determine the second beam. For example, a beam that is not the first beam can be randomly selected from multiple beams as the second beam.

[0078] For example, in order to ensure the communication quality between the spaceborne terminal and the access network, this application may also select the second beam with the highest signal strength or the beam whose center position is closest to the spaceborne terminal from the beams other than the first beam among the multiple beams.

[0079] Of course, there are other ways to choose a second beam, and there are no restrictions on this.

[0080] S202, establishes a second service channel with the access network based on the second beam through the second service communication module.

[0081] Understandably, when the satellite-borne terminal establishes a second service channel with the access network using its first service communication module, and the satellite-borne terminal does not enter a beam overlap area, its second service communication module is idle. However, when the satellite-borne terminal needs to enter a beam overlap area and switch to the second beam, it can maintain the first service channel while using its second service communication module to access the second beam, thus establishing a wireless link, i.e., a service channel, with the access network based on the second beam.

[0082] It is understandable that accessing the second beam through the second service communication module is actually a process of registering with the access network based on the second service communication module. This process is similar to the process in the current satellite communication system where the terminal registers with the access network through the communication module in order to establish a service channel with the access network. The specific process is not limited.

[0083] S203, if it is confirmed that the second service channel has been successfully established, release the first service channel between the first service communication module and the access network.

[0084] It is understandable that maintaining the first service channel during the establishment of the second service channel can reduce the possibility that service data transmitted on the access network side cannot be transmitted to the satellite terminal during the switch from the first beam to the second beam.

[0085] Accordingly, after the successful establishment of the second service channel is detected, the first service channel can be released to reduce resource consumption, allowing the first service communication module to return to an idle state. Simultaneously, the second service channel can be used to perform service data transmission.

[0086] Understandably, in order to ensure that the satellite terminal can reliably switch services from the first service channel to the second service channel, the service data transmission channel can be switched from the first service channel to the second service channel before or at the same time as the first service channel is released. Based on this, service data can be transmitted to the access network through the second service channel.

[0087] As can be seen from the above, in this embodiment of the application, under the premise that the satellite terminal has established a first service channel with the access network based on the first beam, if the satellite terminal detects that it is in the beam overlap area of ​​multiple beams, it will determine the second beam to be switched to, and use the second service communication module to establish a second service channel with the access network based on the second beam. This realizes that the satellite terminal actively determines whether it meets the beam switching conditions and controls the beam switching, thereby avoiding the switching anomaly caused by the measurement report received by the access network not matching the actual measurement situation of the satellite terminal, thereby improving the switching success rate.

[0088] Moreover, the onboard terminal will only release the first service channel established based on the first beam after confirming the successful establishment of the second service channel based on the second beam. Therefore, during the beam switching process of the onboard terminal, the first service channel can still receive service data transmitted by the access network, thereby reducing the loss of service data sent from the source beam by the access network during the beam switching process. This not only further ensures the reliability of beam switching but also reduces the loss of service data during the beam switching process.

[0089] It is understandable that if the access network side still uses the first service channel to send service data to the satellite terminal before releasing the first service channel, then when the first service channel is released, there may still be service data that has not been received, which may result in the loss of service data.

[0090] Therefore, in order to further reduce the possibility of service data loss, this application only confirms the successful establishment of the second service channel and releases the first service channel after receiving a beam switching completion response from the second service communication module and receiving service data through the second service channel. The beam switching completion response indicates that the second service communication module has established the second service channel with the access network.

[0091] It is understandable that if the second service channel receives service data, it means that the access network side has confirmed that the satellite terminal has completed registration through the second beam, and the access network can send service data to the satellite terminal through the second service channel. Therefore, it can be determined that the second beam has been successfully switched, and the access network side has transmitted service data through the second service channel. At this time, there is no situation where the satellite terminal cannot receive the data sent through the first beam, so the first service channel can be released.

[0092] In one alternative approach, in order for the access network to determine that both the first service communication module and the second service communication module belong to the same satellite-borne terminal, and thus confirm that both the first service channel and the second service channel are service channels established with the same satellite-borne terminal, the access network side may pre-configure the correspondence between the first service communication module and the second service communication module and the satellite-borne terminal.

[0093] For example, the first service communication module and the second service communication module are each configured with different International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI). That is, the first service communication module is configured with a first IMSI, and the second service communication module is configured with a second IMSI. Of course, the first service communication module and the second service communication module also each have their own Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card.

[0094] Based on this, the first service channel established in this application is a service channel corresponding to the first International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI). For example, when the first service communication module establishes a connection with the access network, the connection request sent by the first service communication module can carry the first IMSI. Correspondingly, after the first service channel is established, the access network and the satellite terminal will store the correspondence between the first service channel and the first IMSI.

[0095] To identify that the first service communication module and the second service communication module belong to the same satellite-borne terminal, in this application, the access network of the satellite mobile communication system can be configured to correspond the first International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) and the second IMSI to the same user identifier. This user identifier can be the user identifier of the user corresponding to the satellite-borne terminal.

[0096] Correspondingly, the satellite terminal can establish a second service channel corresponding to the second International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) with the access network based on the second beam through the second service communication module, so that the access network can transmit service data to the first service channel and the second service channel simultaneously based on the correspondence between the first IMSI and the second IMSI and the same user identifier.

[0097] Based on this, if the second service channel has been successfully established, the service data sent by the access network to the satellite terminal through the first service channel will also be received through the second service channel. Therefore, if service data is received through the second service channel, it can be concluded that there is no missed service data sent by the access network based on the first beam. On this basis, releasing the first service channel can reduce or even avoid data loss due to missed service data.

[0098] To facilitate understanding of the scheme in this application, the beam switching method of this application will be introduced below from the perspective of the interaction between the two service communication modules in the onboard terminal of the satellite mobile communication system and the access network.

[0099] like Figure 3 As shown, it illustrates another flowchart of the beam switching method provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0100] exist Figure 3 For ease of description, the connection relationship between the first beam and the second beam and the first service communication module and the second service communication module in the spaceborne terminal is shown in the access network.

[0101] Depend on Figure 3 As can be seen, this embodiment may include the following:

[0102] S301, when the first service communication module of the spaceborne terminal establishes a first service channel with the access network based on the first beam, the main control module of the spaceborne terminal interacts with the access network through the first service communication module based on the first service channel.

[0103] For example, if the onboard terminal determines that it needs to access the first beam, it can send a request to the access network to establish a wireless resource connection based on the first beam, and finally complete the wireless resource connection, so that there is a first service channel of the first beam between the first service communication module and the access network.

[0104] The first service communication module interacts with the access network based on the first service channel, including sending service data to the access network and receiving service data sent by the access network based on the first service channel.

[0105] S302, the main control module of the spaceborne terminal detects whether the spaceborne terminal is currently in the beam overlap area of ​​multiple beams based on the first ephemeris information of the first satellite, the second ephemeris data of the second satellite, and the beam characteristic information of the transmitted beam of the first satellite.

[0106] S303, if the main control module of the satellite terminal detects that the satellite terminal is in the beam overlap area of ​​multiple beams, it determines the second beam to be switched to from the multiple beams.

[0107] The specific implementation of determining whether it is in the beam overlap area and determining the second beam can be found in the relevant descriptions of the previous embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0108] S304, the main control module of the spaceborne terminal sends a beam switching command to the second service communication module.

[0109] This beam switching command is used to instruct the second service communication module to switch to the second beam.

[0110] S305, in response to the beam switching command, the second service communication module of the spaceborne terminal sends a radio resource control connection request to the access network.

[0111] The Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection request is used to request the establishment of a radio resource connection based on the second beam.

[0112] S306 After the access network obtains the radio resource control connection request, if it agrees to establish a radio resource connection based on the second beam with the second service communication module, it returns a radio resource control connection indication for the radio resource control request to the second service communication module.

[0113] S307 After receiving the radio resource control connection instruction, the second service communication module of the spaceborne terminal returns a response message to the access network to construct a second service channel based on the second beam between the first service communication module and the access network.

[0114] The second wireless service channel is the wireless resource connection channel.

[0115] It is understood that the above steps S305 to S307 are an example of an implementation method for the second service communication module to establish a second service channel based on the second beam with the access network. This embodiment is also applicable to other methods of establishing a second service channel.

[0116] S308: After establishing the second service channel, the second service communication module of the spaceborne terminal sends a beam switching completion response to the main control module.

[0117] The beam switching completion response is used to characterize the completion of the establishment of the second service channel.

[0118] S309, the access network determines that the first service communication module and the second service communication module have a corresponding relationship with the user identifier of the satellite terminal, and sends service data to the satellite terminal through the first service channel and the second service channel.

[0119] For example, the access network can be configured with a correspondence between the first IMSI of the first service communication module and the second IMSI of the second service communication module and the same user identifier corresponding to the satellite terminal. Based on this, it can be determined that the two service communication modules belong to the same user. Moreover, since it is in a beam overlap area, which includes at least the overlap area of ​​the first beam and the second beam, the access network can simultaneously transmit service data through the first service channel corresponding to the first beam and the second service channel corresponding to the second beam, so that both service channels can receive service data from the access network.

[0120] The service data sent by the access network can come from the core network or from itself, without any restrictions.

[0121] S310: After confirming that the service data has been received through the second service channel, the main control module of the satellite terminal switches the service data transmission channel from the first service channel to the second service channel and transmits the service data to the access network through the second service channel.

[0122] S311, the main control module of the spaceborne terminal instructs the first service communication module to release the first service channel.

[0123] S312, the first service communication module of the spaceborne terminal sends a release request for the first service channel to the access network in order to release the first service channel.

[0124] Corresponding to the beam switching method of this application, this application also provides a beam switching device.

[0125] like Figure 4 The diagram illustrates a flow chart of a beam switching device provided in an embodiment of this application. This device is applied to a satellite-borne terminal in a satellite mobile communication system. The satellite-borne terminal has a first service communication module and a second service communication module, as detailed in the preceding description.

[0126] The device includes:

[0127] The beam determination unit 401 is used to determine the second beam to be switched to from the multiple beams when the first service communication module establishes a first service channel with the access network based on the first beam;

[0128] The channel establishment unit 402 is used to establish a second service channel with the access network based on the second beam through the second service communication module.

[0129] The channel release unit 403 is used to release the first service channel between the first service communication module and the access network if it is confirmed that the second service channel has been successfully established.

[0130] In one possible implementation, the device further includes:

[0131] The channel switching unit is used to switch the transmission channel of service data from the first service channel to the second service channel before or simultaneously with the channel release unit releasing the first service channel between the first service communication module and the access network, and to transmit service data to the access network through the second service channel.

[0132] In yet another possible implementation, the channel release unit includes:

[0133] The channel release subunit is used to release the first service channel upon receiving a beam switching completion response from the second service communication module and receiving service data through the second service channel. The beam switching completion response indicates that the second service communication module has established the second service channel with the access network.

[0134] In another possible implementation, the mobile satellite communication system includes: a first satellite that transmits beams, and a second satellite that carries the onboard terminal;

[0135] The onboard terminal is equipped with the first ephemeris information of the first satellite, the beam characteristic information of the first satellite's transmitted beam, and the second ephemeris information of the second satellite.

[0136] Before the step of detecting that the spaceborne terminal is in a beam overlap region of multiple beams, the method further includes:

[0137] An overlap detection unit is used to detect whether the onboard terminal is in the beam overlap area of ​​multiple beams before the beam determination unit determines the second beam to be switched from the plurality of beams, based on the first ephemeris information, the second ephemeris data, and the beam characteristic information of the first satellite transmitted beam.

[0138] In another possible implementation, when the beam determination unit determines the second beam to be switched to from the plurality of beams, it is specifically used to select the second beam with the highest signal strength or the beam whose center position is closest to the spaceborne terminal from the beams other than the first beam among the plurality of beams.

[0139] In another possible implementation, the first service communication module is configured with a first International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), and the first service channel is a service channel corresponding to the first IMSI.

[0140] The second service communication module is configured with a second International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI);

[0141] In the access network of the satellite mobile communication system, the first International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) and the second IMSI are configured to correspond to the same user identifier.

[0142] The channel establishment unit includes:

[0143] The channel establishment subunit is used to establish a second service channel corresponding to the second International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) with the access network based on the second beam through the second service communication module, so that the access network can transmit service data to the first service channel and the second service channel simultaneously based on the correspondence between the first IMSI and the second IMSI and the same user identifier.

[0144] It should be noted that the various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on its differences from other embodiments. Similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to interchangeably. Furthermore, the features described in the various embodiments of this specification can be substituted or combined with each other, enabling those skilled in the art to implement or use this application. For apparatus embodiments, since they are basically similar to method embodiments, the description is relatively simple; relevant parts can be referred to the descriptions of the method embodiments.

[0145] Finally, 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 the element.

[0146] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use this application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this application. Therefore, this application is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

[0147] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various improvements and modifications without departing from the principles of this application, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A beam switching method, characterized in that, A satellite-borne terminal is applied in a satellite mobile communication system, the satellite mobile communication system comprising: a first satellite transmitting a beam, and a second satellite carrying the satellite-borne terminal, the satellite-borne terminal having a first service communication module and a second service communication module, the satellite-borne terminal being configured with first ephemeris information of the first satellite, beam characteristic information of the first satellite's transmitted beam, and second ephemeris information of the second satellite, the method comprising: When the first service communication module establishes a first service channel with the access network based on the first beam, it detects whether the on-board terminal is in the beam overlap area of ​​multiple beams based on the first ephemeris information, the second ephemeris information and the beam feature information of the first satellite's transmitted beam. The first ephemeris information and the second ephemeris information are used to determine the positional relationship of the second satellite relative to the first satellite at the current time, and the beam feature information of the first satellite's transmitted beam is used to determine the beam coverage area of ​​each beam in the first satellite. If the onboard terminal is detected to be in the beam overlap area of ​​multiple beams, determine the second beam to be switched to from the multiple beams; The second service communication module establishes a second service channel with the access network based on the second beam. If it is confirmed that the second service channel has been successfully established, release the first service channel between the first service communication module and the access network.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Before or simultaneously with releasing the first service channel between the first service communication module and the access network, the method further includes: The service data transmission channel is switched from the first service channel to the second service channel, and the service data is transmitted to the access network through the second service channel.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The confirmation that the second business channel has been successfully established includes: Upon receiving a beam switching completion response from the second service communication module and receiving service data through the second service channel, the beam switching completion response indicates that the second service communication module has established the second service channel with the access network.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of determining the second beam to be switched to from the plurality of beams includes: From the multiple beams other than the first beam, select the second beam with the highest signal strength or the beam whose center is closest to the spaceborne terminal.

5. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first service communication module is configured with a first International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), and the first service channel is a service channel corresponding to the first IMSI. The second service communication module is configured with a second International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI). In the access network of the satellite mobile communication system, the first International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) and the second IMSI are configured to correspond to the same user identifier. The step of establishing a second service channel with the access network through the second service communication module based on the second beam includes: The second service communication module establishes a second service channel corresponding to the second International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) with the access network based on the second beam, so that the access network can simultaneously transmit service data to the first service channel and the second service channel based on the correspondence between the first IMSI and the second IMSI and the same user identifier.

6. A beam switching device, characterized in that, A satellite-borne terminal for use in a satellite mobile communication system, the satellite mobile communication system comprising: a first satellite transmitting a beam, and a second satellite carrying the satellite-borne terminal, the satellite-borne terminal having a first service communication module and a second service communication module, the satellite-borne terminal being configured with first ephemeris information of the first satellite, beam characteristic information of the first satellite's transmitted beam, and second ephemeris information of the second satellite, the device comprising: A beam determination unit is used to determine the second beam to be switched to from the multiple beams when the first service communication module has established a first service channel with the access network based on the first beam; A channel establishment unit is used to establish a second service channel with the access network based on the second beam through the second service communication module. The channel release unit is used to release the first service channel between the first service communication module and the access network if it is confirmed that the second service channel has been successfully established. An overlap detection unit is used to detect whether the onboard terminal is in the beam overlap area of ​​multiple beams before the beam determination unit determines the second beam to be switched from the plurality of beams. This is based on the first ephemeris information, the second ephemeris information, and the beam feature information of the first satellite's transmitted beam. The first ephemeris information and the second ephemeris information are used to determine the positional relationship of the second satellite relative to the first satellite at the current time, and the beam feature information of the first satellite's transmitted beam is used to determine the beam coverage area of ​​each beam in the first satellite.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, Also includes: The channel switching unit is used to switch the transmission channel of service data from the first service channel to the second service channel before or simultaneously with the channel release unit releasing the first service channel between the first service communication module and the access network, and to transmit service data to the access network through the second service channel.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, The channel release unit includes: The channel release subunit is used to release the first service channel upon receiving a beam switching completion response from the second service communication module and receiving service data through the second service channel. The beam switching completion response indicates that the second service communication module has established the second service channel with the access network.

9. A satellite mobile communication system, characterized in that, include: The first satellite is used to transmit beams; The second satellite carries an onboard terminal. Access network; The spaceborne terminal has a first service communication module and a second service communication module. The spaceborne terminal is used to execute the beam switching method as described in any one of claims 1 to 5 above; The access network is configured such that the first International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) and the second IMSI correspond to the same user identifier.

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