An information transmission method, device and medium

Abstract

The application provides an information transmission method, device and medium, which can reduce power waste and prevent user equipment from failing to camp on a cell. A user equipment receives a service start time of a first satellite cell, and determines the service start time of the first satellite cell as a service start time of a next satellite cell that provides service to the user equipment. Alternatively, the user equipment receives first satellite cell list information, which includes a service start time of at least one satellite cell and can also include coverage area information of at least one satellite cell. The user equipment obtains a satellite cell that can cover a location where the user equipment is located from the first satellite cell list information, and determines the service start time of the satellite cell as a service start time of a next satellite cell. Different execution operations are determined according to the received content, unnecessary signaling overhead can be reduced, and resource utilization efficiency is improved.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese Patent Application No. 202210010802.5, filed on January 6, 2022, entitled "Information Transmission Method, Device and Medium", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, in particular to an information transmission method, device and medium. BACKGROUND

[0003] In order to achieve global coverage, a low-orbit satellite communication system generally needs a large number of satellites to form a constellation system, so that the entire constellation system provides services for user equipment (UE). Due to the mobility of satellites, in order to prevent the UE from wasting power consumption by performing invalid satellite cell search, the UE can be provided with a service start time of an incoming satellite cell and a service end time of a current satellite cell. However, the coverage areas of different satellites on the ground can be different, which can cause the UE to receive a service start time of a next satellite cell, and at the corresponding service start time of the next satellite cell, the coverage range of the next satellite cell does not cover the location of the UE, thereby causing the UE to fail to camp on the next satellite cell. SUMMARY

[0004] The present application provides an information transmission method, device and medium, which can reduce power consumption waste and prevent user equipment from failing to camp on a cell.

[0005] In a first aspect, an information transmission method is provided, which is applied to user equipment located in a service area of a second satellite cell, and includes the following steps:

[0006] receiving first information, the first information including a service start time of a first satellite cell or including first satellite cell list information; the first satellite cell list information including a service start time of at least one satellite cell; and determining a service start time of a satellite cell next to provide services for the user equipment according to the first information.

[0007] In the above scheme, the service start time of the satellite cell next to provide services for the user equipment is determined according to the received information content. Different information contents determine different service start times, that is, in different situations, the service start time is determined by different ways, which can reduce unnecessary signaling overhead and improve resource utilization.

[0008] In a possible implementation, when the first information comprises a service start time of the first satellite cell, the first satellite cell starts to provide service for the user equipment in the service area of the second satellite cell at the service start time. When the first information comprises first satellite cell list information, at least one satellite cell in the first satellite cell list information starts to provide service for at least one user equipment in the service area of the second satellite cell at a corresponding service start time.

[0009] It should be understood that the service area of the second satellite cell in the embodiments of the present application is a ground coverage area currently provided with service. For example, the current service area of the second satellite cell is area A1, and if the second satellite cell moves at the next moment, the coverage area of the second satellite cell becomes area B1. The user equipment receives the first information when the current service area of the second satellite cell is area A1. The first satellite cell starts to provide service for the user equipment in the service area of the second satellite cell at the service start time, which can be understood as that the first satellite cell provides service for the user equipment in area A1 at the service start time. That is, if the moment of the second satellite cell in area A1 is the current moment, the service start time of the first satellite cell is a future time after the current moment.

[0010] The first satellite cell starts to provide service for the user equipment in the service area of the second satellite cell at the service start time, which can also be understood as that the coverage area of the first satellite cell at the service start time can cover the current service area of the second satellite cell.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the first information comprises a service start time of the first satellite cell, and the determining of the service start of the next satellite cell for providing service for the user equipment according to the first information comprises: determining the service start time of the first satellite cell as the service start time of the next satellite cell for providing service for the user equipment.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the first information comprises satellite cell list information, the satellite cell list further comprises coverage area information of the at least one satellite cell at a corresponding service start time, and the determining of the service start time of the next satellite cell for providing service for the user equipment according to the first information comprises: determining a third satellite cell capable of covering the position of the user equipment according to the position information of the user equipment and the coverage area information of the at least one satellite cell at the corresponding service start time from the first satellite cell list information; and determining the service start time corresponding to the third satellite cell as the service start time of the next satellite cell for providing service for the user equipment.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the first satellite cell is a satellite cell in a satellite communication system to which the user equipment belongs and which can provide service to the user equipment earliest.

[0014] In the implementation, the satellite cell that can provide service earliest is selected to send to the user equipment, so that the time for which the user equipment interrupts communication can be reduced even in a discontinuous communication scenario.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving a coverage area change indication, the coverage area change indication being used to indicate that a coverage area of the next satellite cell in a satellite communication system to which the user equipment belongs is different from a service area of the second satellite cell.

[0016] In the implementation, the coverage area change indication is provided, so that the user equipment directly determines the service start time of the next satellite cell according to the satellite cell list information.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the first information includes a service start time of the first satellite cell, and the method further includes:

[0018] receiving second satellite cell list information, the second satellite cell list information including service start times of at least one satellite cell and coverage area information of the at least one satellite cell; the coverage area of the at least one satellite cell included in the second satellite cell list information overlaps with the service area of the second satellite cell; and the service start time of at least one satellite cell included in the first satellite cell list information is earlier than the service start time of the first satellite cell;

[0019] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0020] In a possible implementation, the fourth satellite cell is a satellite cell in a satellite communication system to which the user equipment belongs and which can provide service to the user equipment earliest.

[0021] In the implementation, the user equipment can determine the next satellite cell and the service start time according to the residence time requirement.

[0022] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0023] receiving coverage area description information;

[0024] The coverage area description information includes a coverage start time corresponding to each of the at least one coverage area, and coverage range information of the at least one coverage area at the coverage start time.

[0025] The second coverage area capable of covering the location of the user equipment and a coverage start time of the second coverage area are determined according to the coverage area description information.

[0026] In a possible implementation, the coverage range of any coverage area included in the coverage area description information overlaps with the current service area of the second satellite cell.

[0027] In a possible implementation, the coverage range information includes reference point information, or includes reference point information and a coverage radius.

[0028] In a second aspect, the present application provides an information transmission method applied to a network device, including:

[0029] The first information includes a service start time of a first satellite cell, or includes first satellite cell list information including a service start time of at least one satellite cell.

[0030] The first information is sent to a UE in the current service area of the second satellite cell.

[0031] In the above scheme, different information contents are broadcast to user equipment according to the obtained information contents, unnecessary signaling overheads are reduced, and resource utilization efficiency is improved.

[0032] In a possible implementation, the first coverage area of the first satellite cell at least covers the service area of the second satellite cell, and the first coverage area is a region covered by the first satellite cell at the service start time; or the first satellite cell list further includes coverage area information of the at least one satellite cell at a corresponding service start time, and the service area of at least one satellite cell included in the first satellite cell list information overlaps with the current service area of the second satellite cell.

[0033] In the above scheme, the content of the obtained first information, that is, the relationship between the currently served satellite cell and the coverage area of the determined next satellite cell, is used to broadcast the content of the first information, unnecessary signaling overheads are reduced, and resource utilization efficiency is improved. The user equipment can parse the broadcast content according to the broadcast content and its own needs, reduce unnecessary operations, and thus reduce the power consumption of the user equipment.

[0034] In a possible implementation, the first satellite cell is a satellite cell in a satellite communication system to which the network device belongs, and the satellite cell is capable of providing service to the user equipment earliest.

[0035] In the above implementation, the satellite cell capable of providing service earliest is selected to be broadcast to the user equipment, and the time for which the user equipment interrupts communication can be reduced even in a discontinuous communication scenario.

[0036] In a possible implementation, the first information comprises first satellite cell list information, and the method further comprises: broadcasting coverage area change indication to the user equipment; and the coverage area change indication is used to indicate that a coverage area of a next satellite cell of the second satellite cell in a satellite communication system to which the network device belongs is different from a service area of the second satellite cell.

[0037] In the above implementation, the coverage area change indication is provided, so that the user equipment directly determines a service start time of the next satellite cell according to the satellite cell list information.

[0038] In a possible implementation, the first information comprises first satellite cell list information, and the method further comprises:

[0039] broadcasting coverage area description information to the user equipment, the coverage area description information comprising a coverage start time corresponding to each of the at least one coverage area and coverage range information of the at least one coverage area at the corresponding coverage start time.

[0040] Through the above implementation, the user equipment can know at what time there is a coverage area or a satellite cell capable of providing service to the user equipment, so that unnecessary satellite cell searching can be reduced, and resource waste can be reduced.

[0041] In a possible implementation, the coverage range of any coverage area included in the coverage area description information overlaps with a current service area of the second satellite cell.

[0042] In a possible implementation, the coverage range information comprises reference point information and / or coverage radius.

[0043] In a possible implementation, the first information comprises a service start time of the first satellite cell, and the method further comprises:

[0044] sending second satellite cell list information to the user equipment in a current service area of the second satellite cell;

[0045] The second satellite cell list information includes service start time of at least one satellite cell and coverage area information of the at least one satellite cell; the coverage area of the at least one satellite cell included in the second satellite cell list information overlaps with the service area of the second satellite cell; and the service start time of at least one satellite cell included in the first satellite cell list information is earlier than the service start time of the first satellite cell.

[0046] According to the above implementation, the user equipment can determine the next satellite cell and the service start time according to the camping time requirement.

[0047] In a possible implementation, the first information is sent to the user equipment in the current service area of the second satellite cell, including:

[0048] When the first information includes the service start time of the first satellite cell, a first message is sent to the user equipment in the service area of the second satellite cell, and a first field in the first message carries the service start time of the first satellite cell; or

[0049] When the first information includes the first satellite cell list information, a first message is sent to the user equipment in the service area of the second satellite cell, and a first field in the first message carries the first satellite cell list information.

[0050] In the above implementation, the first satellite cell list and the service start time of the first satellite cell are multiplexed in the same field of the same message. It should be understood that the first satellite cell list information and the service start time of the first satellite cell are not sent at the same time. In some cases, the first satellite cell list needs to be sent, and the first satellite cell list is sent through the first field. In other cases, the service start time of the first satellite cell needs to be sent, and the service start time of the first satellite cell is sent through the first field.

[0051] In a possible implementation, the first information is sent to the UE in the current service area of the second satellite cell, including:

[0052] When the first information includes the service start time of the first satellite cell, a second message is sent to the user equipment in the service area of the second satellite cell, and a second field in the second message carries the service start time of the first satellite cell; or

[0053] When the first information includes the first satellite cell list information, a second message is sent to the user equipment in the service area of the second satellite cell, and a third field in the second message carries the first satellite cell list information.

[0054] In the above implementation, the first satellite cell list and the service start time of the first satellite cell are sent through different fields of the same message. In some cases, the first satellite cell list needs to be sent, and the first satellite cell list is sent through the third field. In other cases, the service start time of the first satellite cell needs to be sent, and the service start time of the first satellite cell is sent through the second field.

[0055] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a user equipment, the user equipment UE is located in a current service area of a second satellite cell, and the apparatus comprises a transceiver and a processor.

[0056] The processor is configured to receive, through the transceiver, first information, the first information comprising a service start time of a first satellite cell or comprising first satellite cell list information, the first satellite cell list information comprising service start times of at least one satellite cell; and determine, according to the first information, a service start time of a satellite cell next to provide service for the user equipment.

[0057] In a possible implementation, the first information comprises the service start time of the first satellite cell, and the processor is specifically configured to:

[0058] determine the service start time of the first satellite cell as the service start time of the satellite cell next to provide service for the user equipment.

[0059] In a possible implementation, the first information comprises satellite cell list information, and the satellite cell list further comprises coverage area information of the at least one satellite cell at a corresponding service start time, and the processor is specifically configured to:

[0060] determine, according to position information of the user equipment and the coverage area information of the at least one satellite cell at the corresponding service start time, a third satellite cell capable of covering a position where the user equipment is located from the first satellite cell list information;

[0061] determine a service start time corresponding to the third satellite cell as the service start time of the satellite cell next to provide service for the user equipment.

[0062] In a possible implementation, the first satellite cell is a satellite cell earliest to provide service for the user equipment in a satellite communication system to which the user equipment belongs.

[0063] In a possible implementation, the processor is further configured to: determine a service start time corresponding to the third satellite cell as a service start time of a next satellite cell providing service for the user equipment before a coverage area change indication is received by the transceiver, the coverage area change indication being used to indicate that a coverage area of a next satellite cell in a satellite communication system to which the user equipment belongs is different from a service area of the second satellite cell.

[0064] In a possible implementation, the processor is specifically configured to:

[0065] receive, by the transceiver, a first message, and obtain the first information from a first field of the first message.

[0066] In a possible implementation, the processor is specifically configured to:

[0067] when the first information comprises a service start time of a first satellite cell, receive, by the transceiver, a second message, and obtain the service start time of the first satellite cell from a second field of the second message; or

[0068] when the first information comprises the first satellite cell list information, receive, by the transceiver, the second message, and obtain the first satellite cell list information from a second field of the second message.

[0069] In a possible implementation, the first information comprises a service start time of a first satellite cell, and the transceiver is further configured to receive second satellite cell list information, the second satellite cell list information comprising service start times of at least one satellite cell and coverage area information of the at least one satellite cell; the coverage area of the at least one satellite cell included in the second satellite cell list information overlaps with a service area of the second satellite cell; and the service start time of at least one satellite cell included in the first satellite cell list information is earlier than the service start time of the first satellite cell.

[0070] The processor is further configured to: when it is determined that the service start time of the first satellite cell does not meet the residence time requirement, select a fourth satellite cell from the second satellite cell list as a next satellite cell providing service for the user equipment.

[0071] The coverage area of the fourth satellite cell at the service start time comprises a location of the user equipment, and the service start time of the fourth satellite cell is earlier than the service start time of the first satellite cell.

[0072] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a network device, comprising a transceiver and a processor.

[0073] determine first information, the first information comprising a service start time of a first satellite cell or comprising first satellite cell list information, the first satellite cell list information comprising service start times of at least one satellite cell;

[0074] send, by the transceiver, the first information to user equipment in a current service area of a second satellite cell.

[0075] In a possible implementation, the first coverage area of the first satellite cell at least covers a service area of the second satellite cell, the first coverage area being an area covered by the first satellite cell at the service start time; or,

[0076] the first satellite cell list further comprises coverage area information of the at least one satellite cell at corresponding service start times, the first satellite cell list information comprising service areas of at least one satellite cell that overlap with the current service area of the second satellite cell.

[0077] In a possible implementation, the first satellite cell is a satellite cell in a satellite communication system to which the network device belongs, and the satellite cell is earliest to provide service for the user equipment.

[0078] In a possible implementation, the first information comprises first satellite cell list information, and the processor is further configured to control the transceiver to broadcast a coverage area change indication to the UE, the coverage area change indication being used to indicate that a coverage area of a next satellite cell in a satellite communication system to which the network device belongs is different from the service area of the second satellite cell.

[0079] In a possible implementation, the processor is specifically configured to:

[0080] when the first information comprises a service start time of a first satellite cell, send, by the transceiver, a first message to user equipment in a service area of the second satellite cell, a first field in the first message carrying the service start time of the first satellite cell; or,

[0081] when the first information comprises first satellite cell list information, send, by the transceiver, a first message to user equipment in a service area of the second satellite cell, a first field in the first message carrying the first satellite cell list information.

[0082] In a possible implementation, the processor is specifically configured to:

[0083] when the first information comprises the service start time of the first satellite cell, sending, by the transceiver, a second message to a user equipment in a service area of the second satellite cell, a second field in the second message carrying the service start time of the first satellite cell; or

[0084] when the first information comprises the first satellite cell list information, sending, by the transceiver, a second message to a user equipment in a service area of the second satellite cell, a third field in the second message carrying the first satellite cell list information.

[0085] In a possible implementation, the first information comprises the service start time of the first satellite cell, and the processor is further configured to:

[0086] sending, by the transceiver, second satellite cell list information to the user equipment in a current service area of the second satellite cell;

[0087] The second satellite cell list information comprises service start time of at least one satellite cell and coverage area information of the at least one satellite cell; the coverage area of the at least one satellite cell included in the second satellite cell list information overlaps with the service area of the second satellite cell; and the service start time of at least one satellite cell included in the first satellite cell list information is earlier than the service start time of the first satellite cell.

[0088] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides an information transmission apparatus applied to a user equipment, wherein the user equipment is located in a service area of a second satellite cell, and the information transmission apparatus comprises:

[0089] a receiving unit configured to receive first information, wherein the first information comprises service start time of a first satellite cell or comprises first satellite cell list information, and the first satellite cell list information comprises service start time of at least one satellite cell;

[0090] a processing unit configured to determine service start time of a satellite cell next to provide service for the user equipment according to the first information.

[0091] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides an information transmission apparatus applied to a network equipment, and the information transmission apparatus comprises:

[0092] a determining unit configured to determine first information, wherein the first information comprises service start time of a first satellite cell or comprises first satellite cell list information, and the first satellite cell list information comprises service start time of at least one satellite cell;

[0093] a sending unit configured to send the first information to a user equipment in a current service area of the second satellite cell.

[0094] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a computer readable storage medium, which stores computer instructions, and the computer instructions, when executed by a processor, implement the method in any implementation manner of the first aspect.

[0095] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer readable storage medium, which stores computer instructions, and the computer instructions, when executed by a processor, implement the method in any implementation manner of the second aspect.

[0096] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, which includes computer program codes, and when the computer program codes are executed, the method executed by the network device in the first aspect is executed, or the method executed by the user equipment in the second aspect is executed.

[0097] The advantages of the above-mentioned second aspect to the ninth aspect can refer to the related description of the first aspect, and the subsequent description will not be repeated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0098] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments or the prior art description. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and for those skilled in the art, other drawings can also be obtained without creative labor on the basis of these drawings.

[0099] Figure 1 The satellite communication system architecture diagram provided by the embodiments of the present application is shown in the following figure:

[0100] Figure 2 The Earth-fixed satellite and Earth-moving satellite diagram provided by the embodiments of the present application is shown in the following figure:

[0101] Figure 3 The satellite coverage diagram provided by the embodiments of the present application is shown in the following figure:

[0102] Figure 4 Another satellite coverage diagram provided by the embodiments of the present application is shown in the following figure:

[0103] Figure 5 Another satellite coverage diagram provided by the embodiments of the present application is shown in the following figure:

[0104] Figure 6 The information transmission method flow diagram provided by the embodiments of the present application is shown in the following figure:

[0105] Figure 7Another information transmission method flow diagram provided by the embodiment of the present application;

[0106] Figure 8 Another information transmission method flow diagram provided by the embodiment of the present application;

[0107] Figure 9 Another information transmission method flow diagram provided by the embodiment of the present application;

[0108] Figure 10 An information transmission device structure diagram provided by the embodiment of the present application;

[0109] Figure 11 Another information transmission device structure diagram provided by the embodiment of the present application;

[0110] Figure 12 A network device structure diagram provided by the embodiment of the present application;

[0111] Figure 13 A user equipment structure diagram provided by the embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0112] In order to make the purpose, technical scheme and advantages of the present application clearer, the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor fall within the scope of the present application.

[0113] It should be noted that "first", "second" in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish similar objects, not to describe a specific sequence or chronological order. The "and / or" in the embodiments of the present application describes the association relationship of the associated objects, which means that there can be three kinds of relationships, for example, A and / or B, which can represent the following three cases: A exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone. The character " / " generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after it.

[0114] Reference is made to Figure 1A possible satellite communication system architecture is shown. The satellite communication system includes user equipment (UE), satellite cell, gateway, core network, and the like. The user equipment can establish a service link with the satellite cell. The satellite establishes a feeder link with the gateway. The satellite cell provides services for the user equipment in its coverage area. The satellite cell is mainly used for communication between the user equipment and the gateway. The satellite has two working modes: the first working mode is a transparent forwarding mode. In the transparent forwarding mode, the satellite only transparently forwards the communication data between the user equipment and the gateway, and does not process the communication data. It can be understood that the satellite performs frequency conversion, wireless signal amplification, and the like on the uplink / downlink signals, and does not perform encoding / decoding. At this time, the function of the satellite is similar to that of a radio frequency relay. The second working mode is a regenerative communication mode. At this time, the satellite can detect and process the information carried by the received signal, which is equivalent to completing the function of the base station. That is, the satellite can perform frequency conversion, wireless signal amplification, encoding / modulation, demodulation / decoding, and the like on the uplink / downlink signals. That is, the satellite can have all or part of the functions of the base station, and can regenerate the communication signal.

[0115] The satellite communication system can be based on a communication system based on a fourth generation (4G) mobile communication system (for example, long term evolution (LTE), advanced long term evolution (LTE-A)), a third generation partnership project (3GPP) related cellular system, a fifth generation (5G) mobile communication system, and a subsequent evolved communication system. Among them, 5G can also be referred to as new radio (NR).

[0116] In the embodiments of the present application, the gateway can also be referred to as a gateway, gateway, and the like. It can be separately set with a network device such as gNB in 5G, eNB in LTE, or integrated with gNB, eNB, and the like.

[0117] The user equipment referred to in the embodiments of the present application can be a device providing voice and / or data connectivity to a user, a handheld device having wireless connection capability, or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, etc. The user equipment can also be referred to as terminal equipment. The wireless terminal equipment can communicate with one or more core networks (CN) via a radio access network (RAN). The wireless terminal equipment can be a mobile terminal equipment, such as a mobile telephone (or called "cellular" telephone) and a computer with mobile terminal equipment, for example, a portable, pocket, handheld, computer-embedded, or vehicle-mounted mobile device that exchanges voice and / or data with a radio access network. For example, the wireless terminal equipment can be a personal communication service (PCS) phone, a cordless phone, a session initiated protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), etc. The wireless terminal equipment can also be referred to as a system, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a mobile, a remote station, an access point, a remote terminal, an access terminal, a user terminal, a user agent, a user device, which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0118] The satellite cell is further divided into two categories: Earth-fixed satellite and Earth-moving satellite. The Earth-fixed satellite refers to that the ground coverage area of the satellite service cell does not change with the movement of the satellite in a certain time, that is, the satellite adopts a "staring" mode. The satellite is moving, but in a certain time, the satellite is similar to "staring" at a certain area on the ground. Referring to Fig. 1 (1), the satellite moves from T1 time to T2 time, and the satellite is always in the ground coverage area A, wherein T1 and T2 are generally short time intervals. Figure 2 The Earth-moving satellite refers to that the ground coverage area of the satellite service cell changes with the movement of the satellite. Referring to Fig. 1 (2), the coverage area of the satellite is A at T1 time and B at T2 time. Figure 2 The Earth-moving satellite refers to that the ground coverage area of the satellite service cell changes with the movement of the satellite. Referring to Fig. 1 (2), the coverage area of the satellite is A at T1 time and B at T2 time.

[0119] As described in the background section, the current satellite cell provides the UEs within its coverage area with the service start time of the next satellite cell and the service end time of the current satellite cell. The UE can then select which satellite cell to camp on based on the service start time of the next satellite cell. This is especially important in scenarios with discontinuous coverage, allowing the UE to obtain the service start time of the next satellite cell from the current satellite cell, thus enabling it to camp on or access the next satellite cell at the expected time, avoiding ineffective cell searches and wasted power. However, due to the mobility of satellites, in some scenarios, the coverage area of ​​the next satellite cell may not be the same as that of the current satellite cell. That is, the coverage area of ​​the next satellite cell may not cover all UEs within the coverage area of ​​the current satellite cell, leading to UEs not covered by the next satellite cell failing to camp on that next satellite cell.

[0120] For example, see Figure 3 As shown, at time T1, the coverage area of ​​satellite cell 1 is area A, and the coverage area of ​​satellite cell 2 is area B, but the size of area A is smaller than that of area B. At time T2, the coverage area of ​​satellite cell 1 becomes area D, and the coverage area of ​​satellite cell 2 becomes area C. Area D is different from area A, but the coverage area is the same, and both are smaller than that of area B. For example, at time T1, both UE1 and UE2 are within the coverage area (area B) of satellite cell 2, with UE1 at the center and UE2 at the edge. At time T2, UE1 is located within the coverage area (area D) of satellite cell 1, while UE2 is not. Therefore, if at time T1, both UE1 and UE2 receive the service start time from satellite cell 1, UE1 can expect the service from satellite cell 1 at the broadcast time. However, for UE2, the expected service start time of satellite 1 cell is problematic based on the service start time of the next satellite broadcast by satellite 2 cell, because the coverage area of ​​satellite 1 cell at that service start time does not include the location of UE1.

[0121] In some possible scenarios, the coverage area of ​​satellites at different orbital altitudes may vary in size. For example, see... Figure 4As shown, satellite 2 is a Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellite, and satellite 1 is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite. Generally, the higher the satellite orbit, the larger the ground area that can be covered by a single satellite. Therefore, the ground coverage area of satellite 2 is generally larger than that of satellite 1. At time T1, the coverage area of the satellite 1 cell is area A, and the coverage area of the satellite 2 cell is area B, but the size of area A is smaller than that of area B. At time T2, the coverage area of the satellite 1 cell becomes area D, and the coverage area of the satellite 2 cell becomes area C. Area D is different from area A, but the size of the coverage area is the same, and the size of the coverage area is smaller than that of area B. At time T1, UE1 and UE2 in area B can expect different next satellite cells, because when the coverage area of satellite 1 is area D, UE1 is in area D, and UE2 is not in area D.

[0122] To solve the above problem, one possible implementation is to broadcast the service start time and the corresponding coverage area information of one or more satellite cells in the current satellite cell. Thus, the UE can determine the next satellite cell to camp on and the starting time of camping according to the service start time and the corresponding coverage area information of one or more satellite cells. Exemplarily, the total coverage area of the one or more satellite cells includes at least the coverage area of the current satellite cell.

[0123] However, in some possible scenarios, the coverage area of the next satellite cell is the same as that of the current satellite cell at the service start time, and in this case, broadcasting the coverage area information of one or more satellite cells will cause unnecessary system message overhead and reduce resource utilization.

[0124] For example, referring to Figure 5 As shown, at time T1, the coverage area of the satellite 1 cell is area A, and the coverage area of the satellite 2 cell is area B. At time T2, the coverage area of the satellite 1 cell changes to area B, and the coverage area of the satellite 2 cell changes to area C. As can be seen from the above, the coverage area of the satellite 1 cell at time T1 is the same as that of the satellite 2 cell at time T2. Therefore, the satellite 2 cell can only broadcast the service start time of the satellite 1 cell to the UEs in the coverage area, and the UEs under the coverage of the satellite 2 cell can all expect the service of the satellite 1 cell at the same time.

[0125] Therefore, how to indicate the service start time and the coverage area information of the satellite cell to the UE is worth discussing.

[0126] Based on this, the embodiment of the present application provides an information transmission method and device, which provides an implementation manner of indicating the service start time and coverage area information of a satellite cell to a UE, and prevents unnecessary system message overhead in the case of failure of some UEs to camp on a next satellite.

[0127] Referring to Figure 6 As shown in the figure, a flowchart of an information transmission method provided by the embodiment of the present application.

[0128] 101, the network device acquires first information, the first information including a service start time of a first satellite cell or including first satellite cell list information; the first satellite cell list information including a service start time of at least one satellite cell.

[0129] Exemplarily, when the first information includes the service start time of the first satellite cell, the first satellite cell starts to provide services for user equipment in the service area of the second satellite cell at the service start time. When the first information includes the first satellite cell list information, at least one satellite cell in the first satellite cell list information starts to provide services for at least one user equipment in the service area of the second satellite cell at the corresponding service start time.

[0130] It should be understood that the service area of the second satellite cell in the embodiment of the present application is the ground coverage area currently provided with services. For example, the current service area of the second satellite cell is area A1, if the next moment, due to the movement of the second satellite cell, the coverage area of the second satellite cell becomes area B1. The user equipment receives the first information when the current service area of the second satellite cell is area A1. Then the first satellite cell starts to provide services for the user equipment in the service area of the second satellite cell at the service start time, which can be understood as that the first satellite cell provides services for the user equipment in area A1 at the service start time. That is, if the moment of the second satellite cell in area A1 is the current moment, the service start time of the first satellite cell is a future time after the current moment.

[0131] 102, the network device sends the first information to the user equipment in the service area of the second satellite cell.

[0132] Exemplarily, the network device can broadcast the first information through the second satellite cell, or indicate the first information to the user equipment in the service area of the second satellite cell through other control message. In the subsequent description, the broadcast of the first information is taken as an example.

[0133] In a possible implementation, the network device determines that a first coverage area of a first satellite cell in the satellite communication system at least covers a current service area of a second satellite cell, and obtains a service start time of the first satellite cell, and broadcasts the service start time of the first satellite cell to UEs in the current service area of the second satellite cell. It can be understood that the first coverage area is an area covered by the first satellite cell at the service start time. It should be understood that in this case, the coverage area information of the first satellite cell is no longer broadcasted.

[0134] Exemplarily, the network device can be a core network device, or a gateway station, or a second satellite cell. The embodiments of the present application do not make a specific limitation in this regard.

[0135] It can be understood that the first coverage area of the first satellite cell contains the current service area of the second satellite cell, or the first coverage area of the first satellite cell is the same as the current service area of the second satellite cell. The first coverage area of the first satellite cell is the same as the current service area of the second satellite cell, which can also be described as the first coverage area of the first satellite cell completely overlaps the current service area of the second satellite cell.

[0136] It can be understood that the first coverage area of the first satellite cell is greater than or equal to the current service area of the second satellite cell.

[0137] In a possible example, the service start time of the first satellite cell covering the current service area of the second satellite cell is the earliest time among service start times of all satellite cells included in the satellite communication system that can provide service to the UE. Here, the earliest time is a time after the service start time of the second satellite cell. For example, there are multiple satellite cells in the satellite communication system that can cover the current service area of the second satellite cell. The service start time of the second satellite cell is the earliest time among time periods when the multiple satellite cells cover the current service area of the second satellite cell. For example, the satellite communication system includes two satellite cells that can cover the current service area of the second satellite cell, which are satellite cell 1 and satellite cell 2. Satellite cell 1 covers the current service area of the second satellite cell at time t1, and satellite cell 2 covers the current service area of the second satellite cell at time t2. For example, t1 < t2 (for example, t1 arrives first), and the network device can broadcast the service start time of satellite cell 1.

[0138] In another possible example, when the coverage areas of multiple satellite cells in the satellite communication system respectively correspond to the current service area of the second satellite cell, the network device can also broadcast the service start times of the multiple satellite cells respectively. For example, the satellite communication system includes two satellite cells that can cover the current service area of the second satellite cell, namely, satellite cell 1 and satellite cell 2. Satellite cell 1 covers the current service area of the second satellite cell at time t1, and satellite cell 2 covers the current service area of the second satellite cell at time t2. The network device can broadcast the service start time of satellite cell 1 and the service start time of satellite cell 2.

[0139] In some embodiments, the network device can also broadcast the service end time of the second satellite cell to the UE in the current service area of the second satellite cell.

[0140] After receiving the service start time of the first satellite cell, the UE in the current service area of the second satellite cell can know that the coverage area of the first satellite cell at the service start time covers the current service area of the second satellite cell that provides the current service. Hereinafter, UE1 in the current service area of the second satellite cell is taken as an example.

[0141] In another possible implementation, when the network device determines that the coverage area of the next satellite cell of the second satellite cell cannot cover the current service area of the second satellite cell, the network device acquires the first satellite cell list information and broadcasts the satellite cell list information to the UE in the current service area of the second satellite cell. The coverage area of the next satellite cell of the second satellite cell cannot cover the current service area of the second satellite cell, which can also be understood as that the satellite communication system does not include a satellite cell whose coverage area contains the current service area of the second satellite cell.

[0142] In the first satellite cell list information, the service start time of at least one satellite cell is included. The first satellite cell list information can also include coverage area information of at least one satellite cell. The coverage area information can include one or more of ephemeris information, elevation angle information, or wave speed information. The ephemeris information can include the inclination of the satellite orbit plane, the right ascension of the ascending node, the long semi-axis of the orbit ellipse, the eccentricity of the orbit ellipse, the angle distance of the perigee, and the time when the satellite passes the perigee.

[0143] After receiving the first satellite cell list information, the UE in the current service area of the second satellite cell can know that the coverage areas of the satellite cells in the service cell list cannot completely cover the current service area of the second satellite cell that provides the current service. Hereinafter, UE1 in the current service area of the second satellite cell is taken as an example.

[0144] 103, the UE1 receives the first information, and determines the service start time of the next satellite cell providing service for the UE1 according to the first information.

[0145] In a possible implementation, if the UE1 receives the service start time of the first satellite cell, the UE1 can determine that the time for the first satellite cell to provide service for the UE1 is the service start time of the first satellite cell. The next satellite cell providing service for the UE1 can also be understood as the satellite cell that the UE1 will reside in next, or referred to as the next satellite cell (incoming satellite cell).

[0146] In some embodiments, when the network device broadcasts the service start times of a plurality of satellite cells including the first satellite cell, the UE1 can select the next satellite cell providing service for the UE1 according to the service start times of the plurality of satellite cells. Here, the plurality of satellite cells including the first satellite cell can all cover the current service area of the second satellite cell at the respective service start times. For example, in a satellite communication system, there are two satellite cells that can cover the current service area of the second satellite cell, which are satellite cell 1 and satellite cell 2. The satellite cell 1 covers the current service area of the second satellite cell at t1, and the satellite cell 2 covers the current service area of the second satellite cell at t2. The network device broadcasts the service start time of the satellite cell 1 and the service start time of the satellite cell 2. Then, the UE1 can select one of the satellite cell 1 and the satellite cell 2 as the next satellite cell providing service for the UE1. The specific selection manner is not limited in the present application.

[0147] In another possible implementation, after the UE1 receives the satellite cell list information, the UE1 determines the service start time of the next satellite cell providing service for the UE1 according to the satellite cell list information.

[0148] For example, the UE1 can select one satellite cell that can cover the location of the UE1 as the next satellite cell providing service for the UE1 according to the location of the UE1 and the coverage area information of at least one satellite cell in the satellite cell list information. The service start time of the selected satellite cell is the time for the satellite cell to provide service for the UE1. For example, if a third satellite cell that can cover the location of the UE1 is determined from the first satellite cell list information according to the location information of the user equipment and the coverage area information of the at least one satellite cell at the corresponding service start time, the service start time corresponding to the third satellite cell is determined as the service start time of the next satellite cell providing service for the user equipment.

[0149] In one possible example, the network device transmits the service start time of the first satellite cell and the first satellite cell list information in the same information field of the same type of message. For example, the same type of message is referred to as a first message. In the case that the first information includes the service start time of the first satellite cell, a first field in the first message carries the service start time of the first satellite cell. In the case that the first information includes the first satellite cell list information, the first field in the first message carries the first satellite cell list information. The first field can also be referred to as a service cell information field, and can also be referred to in other manners, which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application. As an example, the first message can be a system message, that is, the service cell information field can be located in the system message. For example, when the network device transmits the service start time, the network device can carry the service start information in the service cell information field in the system message. In some scenarios, when the network device needs to transmit the first satellite cell list information, the network device can also carry the first satellite cell list information in the service cell information field in the system message. For UE1, if it is determined that the service cell information field includes only one record, the record is a time information, and the time information is parsed from the service cell information field, it is determined that the time information records the service start time of the next satellite cell that provides services for UE1. If one or more service start times and coverage area information are parsed from the service cell information field, it is determined that the service cell information field carries the first satellite cell list information, and the service start time of the next satellite cell that provides services for UE1 is determined according to the one or more service start times and coverage area information.

[0150] In another possible example, the network device transmits the service start time of the first satellite cell and the satellite cell list information by separate information fields. For example, the same type of message is referred to as a second message. In the case that the first information includes the service start time of the first satellite cell, a second field in the second message carries the service start time of the first satellite cell. In the case that the first information includes the first satellite cell list information, a third field in the second message carries the first satellite cell list information. Therefore, if UE1 obtains the service start time of the first satellite cell from the second field, the service start time of the first satellite cell is determined as the service start time of the next satellite cell. Therefore, if UE1 obtains the first satellite cell list information from the third field, the service start time of the next satellite cell is determined according to the second satellite cell list information.

[0151] In a possible implementation, when the first information comprises a service start time of the first satellite cell, the network device can further broadcast a coverage area change indication to the UE. The coverage area change indication is used to indicate that a coverage area of a next satellite cell of the second satellite cell cannot cover a current service area of the second satellite cell. For example, when the network device determines that the coverage area of the next satellite cell of the second satellite cell cannot cover the current service area of the second satellite cell, the network device broadcasts the first satellite cell list information to the UE in the current service area of the second satellite cell, and further broadcasts the coverage area change indication. See Figure 7 It can be understood that the coverage area change indication is used to inform the UE in the current service area of the second satellite cell that the coverage area of the next satellite cell is different from the coverage area of the currently served satellite cell.

[0152] If the UE1 receives the coverage area change indication, the UE can know that the coverage area of the next satellite cell is different from the coverage area of the currently served satellite cell, and can determine the service start time of the satellite cell serving the UE1 according to the received first satellite cell list information. See Figure 7 Step 202 in FIG. 2.

[0153] In another possible implementation, when the coverage area of the next satellite cell of the second satellite cell cannot cover the current service area of the second satellite cell, coverage area description information can be further broadcast to the UE in the current service area of the second satellite cell, the coverage area description information comprising coverage start times corresponding to the at least one coverage area respectively, and coverage range information of the at least one coverage area at the corresponding coverage start times. For example, when the network device determines that the coverage area of the next satellite cell of the second satellite cell cannot cover the current service area of the second satellite cell, the network device broadcasts the coverage area description information. See Figure 8 For example, the coverage range information can comprise reference point information, or comprise reference point information and coverage radius. The coverage range can also be represented in other ways, such as latitude and longitude range.

[0154] For example, the coverage range information can comprise reference point information, or comprise reference point information and coverage radius. The coverage range can also be represented in other ways, such as latitude and longitude range. Figure 8In step 302 in the method, when UE1 receives the coverage area description information, UE1 can determine the second coverage area that can cover the location of UE1 and the coverage start time of the second coverage area according to the coverage area description information. In one possible example, UE1 determines the next satellite cell to be camped on and the service start time of the next satellite cell to be camped on according to the first satellite cell list information. If the determined service start time can meet the camping time requirement, the coverage area description information can be ignored. In another possible example, if the determined service start time cannot meet the camping time requirement, the next coverage area that can provide service for UE1 and the corresponding coverage start time can also be determined from the coverage area description information. In yet another possible example, UE1 determines the next satellite cell to be camped on and the service start time of the next satellite cell to be camped on according to the first satellite cell list information. Then, the subsequent coverage area that can provide service for UE1 and the corresponding coverage start time can also be determined according to the coverage area description information. Through the above scheme, UE can know when there is a coverage area or satellite cell that can provide service for itself, so as to reduce unnecessary satellite cell search and reduce resource waste.

[0155] In yet another possible implementation, when it is determined that the coverage area of the next satellite cell of the second satellite cell cannot cover the current service area of the second satellite cell, the network device can broadcast the first satellite cell list information, the coverage area change indication, and the coverage area description information to the UEs located in the current service area of the second satellite cell. Further, the UEs located in the current service area of the second satellite cell can obtain the first satellite cell list information and / or the coverage area description information from the received signal according to the coverage area change indication.

[0156] In some possible embodiments, in the case where the obtained first information includes the service start time of the first satellite cell, the network device can broadcast the service start time of the first satellite cell when broadcasting the first satellite cell list information and / or the coverage area description information to the user equipment UE in the current service area of the second satellite cell, for example, see Figure 9The step 401 is shown. In the step, the service start time of at least one satellite cell in the second satellite cell list information is earlier than the service start time of the first satellite cell. Further, taking the UE1 in the current service area of the second satellite cell as an example, the UE1 receives the service start time of the first satellite cell and the second satellite cell list information. The service start time of at least one satellite cell in the second satellite cell list information is earlier than the service start time of the first satellite cell. In some embodiments, when the UE1 determines that the service start time of the first satellite cell does not meet the residence time requirement, the UE1 selects a fourth satellite cell from the second satellite cell list information as the next satellite cell to be camped on. For example, refer to the step 402 in Figure 9 In the step, the coverage area of the fourth satellite cell at the service start time includes the location of the UE, and the service start time of the fourth satellite cell is earlier than the service start time of the first satellite cell. In other embodiments, if the service start time of the first satellite cell meets the residence time requirement, the second satellite cell list information can be ignored. It can be understood that the service start time of the first satellite cell not meeting the residence time requirement can include the service end time of the second satellite cell being earlier than the service start time of the first satellite cell. In yet other embodiments, the UE1 determines whether there is a satellite cell that can cover the location of the UE1 and the service start time of the satellite cell is earlier than the service start time of the first satellite cell according to the second satellite cell list information. If there is not, the first satellite cell can be used as the next satellite cell. The service start time of the first satellite cell is the time when the UE1 is provided with services.

[0157] In the embodiments of the present application, the relationship between the coverage area of the currently served satellite cell and the determined next satellite cell is used to determine the broadcast content, which can reduce unnecessary signaling overhead and improve resource utilization efficiency. The UE can parse the broadcast content according to the broadcast content and its own needs, reduce unnecessary operations, and thus reduce UE power consumption.

[0158] Based on the same inventive concept, the present application also provides an information transmission device applied to a network equipment. Refer to Figure 10 As shown in the figure, the device includes a determination unit 1001 and a sending unit 1002. In which:

[0159] The determination unit 1001 acquires first information, the first information includes the service start time of the first satellite cell or includes the first satellite cell list information, and the first satellite cell list information includes the service start time of at least one satellite cell.

[0160] The sending unit 1002 is configured to send the first information to a user equipment in the current service area of the second satellite cell.

[0161] In a possible implementation, the first coverage area of the first satellite cell covers at least a service area of the second satellite cell, and the first coverage area is an area covered by the first satellite cell at the service start time.

[0162] The first satellite cell list further includes coverage area information of the at least one satellite cell at a corresponding service start time, and the service area of the at least one satellite cell included in the first satellite cell list information overlaps with the current service area of the second satellite cell.

[0163] In a possible implementation, the first satellite cell is a satellite cell that can provide service to the user equipment earliest in a satellite communication system to which the network device belongs.

[0164] In a possible implementation, the first information includes first satellite cell list information, and the sending unit 1002 is further configured to broadcast coverage area change indication to the user equipment, where the coverage area change indication is used to indicate that a coverage area of a next satellite cell of the second satellite cell in a satellite communication system to which the network device belongs is different from a service area of the second satellite cell.

[0165] In a possible implementation, the sending unit 1002 is specifically configured to:

[0166] when the first information includes a service start time of the first satellite cell, send a first message to user equipment in the service area of the second satellite cell, and a first field in the first message carries the service start time of the first satellite cell; or

[0167] when the first information includes the first satellite cell list information, send a first message to user equipment in the service area of the second satellite cell, and a first field in the first message carries the first satellite cell list information.

[0168] In a possible implementation, the sending unit 1002 is specifically configured to:

[0169] when the first information includes a service start time of the first satellite cell, send a second message to user equipment in the service area of the second satellite cell, and a second field in the second message carries the service start time of the first satellite cell; or

[0170] when the first information includes the first satellite cell list information, send a second message to user equipment in the service area of the second satellite cell, and a third field in the second message carries the first satellite cell list information.

[0171] In a possible implementation, the first information includes a service start time of the first satellite cell, and the sending unit 1002 is further configured to send second satellite cell list information to the user equipment in the current service area of the second satellite cell, wherein the second satellite cell list information includes service start times of at least one satellite cell and coverage area information of the at least one satellite cell; the coverage area of the at least one satellite cell included in the second satellite cell list information overlaps with the service area of the second satellite cell; and the service start time of at least one satellite cell included in the second satellite cell list information is earlier than the service start time of the first satellite cell.

[0172] Based on the same inventive concept, the application further provides an information transmission apparatus applied to user equipment (UE), wherein the UE is located in the current service area of a second satellite cell, as shown in FIG. 11, the apparatus includes a receiving unit 1101 and a processing unit 1102. Figure 11

[0173] The receiving unit 1101 receives first information, wherein the first information includes a service start time of a first satellite cell or includes first satellite cell list information, and the first satellite cell list information includes service start times of at least one satellite cell.

[0174] The processing unit 1102 is configured to determine, according to the first information, a service start time of a satellite cell that will provide service to the user equipment next.

[0175] In a possible implementation, the first information includes a service start time of the first satellite cell, and the processing unit 1102 is specifically configured to determine the service start time of the first satellite cell as the service start time of the satellite cell that will provide service to the user equipment next.

[0176] In a possible implementation, the first information includes first satellite cell list information, and the first satellite cell list further includes coverage area information of the at least one satellite cell at a corresponding service start time, and the processing unit 1102 is specifically configured to determine, according to position information of the user equipment and the coverage area information of the at least one satellite cell at the corresponding service start time, a third satellite cell that can cover the position of the user equipment from the first satellite cell list information; and determine the service start time corresponding to the third satellite cell as the service start time of the satellite cell that will provide service to the user equipment next.

[0177] In a possible implementation, the first satellite cell is the satellite cell that can provide service to the user equipment earliest in a satellite communication system to which the user equipment belongs. ​

[0178] In a possible implementation, the receiving unit 1101 is further configured to receive a coverage area change indication broadcast by the network device, where the coverage area change indication is used to indicate that a coverage area of a next satellite cell of the second satellite cell in a satellite communication system to which the user equipment belongs is different from a service area of the second satellite cell.

[0179] In a possible implementation, the receiving unit 1101 is specifically configured to receive a first message, and the processing unit 1102 obtains the first information from a first field of the first message.

[0180] In a possible implementation, the receiving unit 1101 receives a second message, and the processing unit 1102 obtains the service start time of the first satellite cell from a second field of the second message; or,

[0181] In a possible implementation, when the first information includes the first satellite cell list information, the receiving unit 1101 receives a second message, and the processing unit 1102 obtains the first satellite cell list information from a second field of the second message.

[0182] In a possible implementation, the receiving unit 1101 is further configured to receive the second satellite cell list information when receiving the service start time of the first satellite cell, where the second satellite cell list information includes service start times of at least one satellite cell and coverage area information of the at least one satellite cell, the coverage area of the at least one satellite cell included in the second satellite cell list information overlaps with the service area of the second satellite cell, at least one satellite cell in the first satellite cell list information has a service start time earlier than the service start time of the first satellite cell, and the processing unit 1102 selects a fourth satellite cell from the second satellite cell list as a next satellite cell for providing service to the user equipment when the service start time of the first satellite cell does not meet the residence time requirement, where a coverage area of the fourth satellite cell at the service start time includes a location of the user equipment and the service start time of the fourth satellite cell is earlier than the service start time of the first satellite cell.

[0183] Based on the same technical concept, the embodiment of the present application further provides a network device. The network device can perform the information transmission method implemented by the network device in any of the above embodiments.

[0184] Figure 12A structural diagram of the network device provided by the embodiment of the present application is shown, that is, another structural diagram of the network device is shown. As shown in the figure, the network device comprises a processor 1201, a memory 1202 and a transceiver 1203. Figure 12 The processor 1201 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 1202 can store data used by the processor 1201 in performing operations. The transceiver 1203 is used to receive and send data under the control of the processor 1201.

[0185] The processor 1201 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 1202 can store data used by the processor 1201 in performing operations. The transceiver 1203 is used to receive and send data under the control of the processor 1201.

[0186] The bus architecture can comprise any number of interconnected buses and bridges, which link various circuits together, such as one or more processors represented by the processor 1201 and memories represented by the memory 1202. The bus architecture can also link various other circuits together, such as peripheral devices, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art, and therefore, will not be further described herein. The bus interface provides an interface. The processor 1201 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 1202 can store data used by the processor 1201 in performing operations.

[0187] The flow disclosed by the embodiment of the present application can be applied in the processor 1201 or implemented by the processor 1201. In the implementation process, each step of the signal processing flow can be completed by the integrated logic circuit of the hardware in the processor 1201 or the instructions in the form of software. The processor 1201 can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, which can implement or execute the disclosed methods, steps and logic block diagrams in the embodiments of the present application. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the method disclosed in conjunction with the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as hardware processor execution or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor. The software module can be located in a storage medium mature in the art, such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory or electrically erasable programmable memory, register, etc. The storage medium is located in the memory 1202, and the processor 1201 reads the information in the memory 1202 and completes the steps of the signal processing flow in combination with the hardware.

[0188] Specifically, the processor 1201 is configured to read a computer program in the memory 1202, and implement the steps of any embodiment of the network device when the processor 1201 executes the computer program. Figures 6-9 For example:

[0189] The processor 1201 is configured to determine first information, the first information comprising a service start time of a first satellite cell or comprising first satellite cell list information, the first satellite cell list information comprising service start times of at least one satellite cell; and transmit, by the transceiver 1203, the first information to a user equipment in a current service area of the second satellite cell.

[0190] Based on the same technical concept, the embodiments of the present application further provide a user equipment. The user equipment can perform the information transmission method implemented by the user equipment in any of the above embodiments. Figure 13 A structure diagram of the user equipment provided by the embodiments of the present application is shown, that is, another structure diagram of the user equipment is shown. As shown in the figure, Figure 13 The user equipment comprises a processor 1301, a memory 1302 and a transceiver 1303.

[0191] The processor 1301 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 1302 can store data used by the processor 1301 in performing operations. The transceiver 1303 is configured to receive and send data under the control of the processor 1301.

[0192] The bus architecture can comprise any number of interconnected buses and bridges, which link various circuits together, including the processor 1301 representing one or more processors and the memory 1302 representing the memory. The bus architecture can also link various other circuits such as peripheral devices, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art, and thus, are not further described herein. The bus interface provides an interface. The processor 1301 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 1302 can store data used by the processor 1301 in performing operations.

[0193] The flow disclosed by the embodiments of the present application can be applied to the processor 1301 or implemented by the processor 1301. In the implementation process, the steps of the signal processing flow can be completed by the integrated logic circuit of the hardware in the processor 1301 or the instructions in the form of software. The processor 1301 can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, and can implement or execute the methods, steps and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the method disclosed in combination with the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as hardware processor execution or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor. The software module can be located in a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory or an electrically erasable programmable memory, a register or other mature storage medium in the art. The storage medium is located in the storage 1302, and the processor 1301 reads the information in the storage 1302 and combines the hardware to complete the steps of the signal processing flow.

[0194] Specifically, the processor 1301 is configured to read a computer program in the storage 1302, and implement the steps of any one of the embodiments of the present application when the processor 1301 executes the computer program. Figures 4-9 The steps implemented by the user equipment in any one of the embodiments. For example:

[0195] The processor 1301 is configured to receive first information through the transceiver 1303, the first information including a service start time of a first satellite cell or including first satellite cell list information; the first satellite cell list information including a service start time of at least one satellite cell; and determining a service start time of a next satellite cell providing service for the user equipment according to the first information.

[0196] Those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments of the present application can be provided as a method, a system or a computer program product. Therefore, the present application can take the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Moreover, the present application can take the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer usable storage media (including but not limited to magnetic disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) containing computer usable program code.

[0197] The computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks. Figure 1 one or more flow or blocks. Figure 1 one or more flow or blocks.

[0198] These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function specified in the flowchart block or blocks. Figure 1 one or more flow or blocks. Figure 1 one or more flow or blocks.

[0199] The computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks. Figure 1 one or more flow or blocks. Figure 1 one or more flow or blocks.

[0200] Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present application are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, the application can be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

1. A method of information transmission, characterized in that, The method is applied to a user equipment located in a service area of a second satellite cell, and comprises the following steps: receiving first information, wherein the first information comprises first satellite cell list information; the first satellite cell list information comprises service start time of at least one satellite cell; the first satellite cell list information further comprises coverage area information of at least one satellite cell; the coverage area information comprises ephemeris information and / or elevation angle information; a coverage area of a next satellite cell of the second satellite cell cannot cover the service area of the second satellite cell; or, receiving first information, wherein the first information comprises first satellite cell list information; the first satellite cell list information comprises service start time of at least one satellite cell; the first satellite cell list information further comprises coverage area information of at least one satellite cell; the coverage area information comprises ephemeris information and / or elevation angle information; a coverage area of a next satellite cell of the second satellite cell cannot cover the service area of the second satellite cell; or, receiving first information, wherein the first information comprises first satellite cell list information; the first satellite cell list information comprises service start time of at least one satellite cell; the first satellite cell list information further comprises coverage area information of at least one satellite cell; the coverage area information comprises ephemeris information and / or elevation angle information; a coverage area of a next satellite cell of the second satellite cell cannot cover the service area of the second satellite cell; or, 2. The method of claim 1, wherein, determining service start time of a satellite cell next to provide service for the user equipment according to the first information. The first information comprises service start time of a first satellite cell, and the determining service start time of a satellite cell next to provide service for the user equipment according to the first information comprises:

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, determining the service start time of the first satellite cell as the service start time of the satellite cell next to provide service for the user equipment. The first information comprises first satellite cell list information, and the determining service start time of a satellite cell next to provide service for the user equipment according to the first information comprises: determining a third satellite cell capable of covering a location of the user equipment from the first satellite cell list information according to location information of the user equipment and coverage area information of the at least one satellite cell at corresponding service start time; 4. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein, determining service start time corresponding to the third satellite cell as the service start time of the satellite cell next to provide service for the user equipment.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein, The first satellite cell is a satellite cell earliest to provide service for the user equipment in a satellite communication system to which the user equipment belongs. Before the determining service start time corresponding to the third satellite cell as the service start time of the satellite cell next to provide service for the user equipment, the method further comprises:

6. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein, receiving coverage area change indication for indicating that a coverage area of a next satellite cell in a satellite communication system to which the user equipment belongs is different from the service area of the second satellite cell. The receiving first information comprises:

7. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein, receiving a first message and obtaining the first information from a first field of the first message. The receiving first information comprises: the first information comprises service start time of a first satellite cell, and the receiving a second message and obtaining the service start time of the first satellite cell from a second field of the second message; or, The first information includes the first satellite cell list information, and the second message is received, and the first satellite cell list information is obtained from a second field of the second message.

8. The method of claim 3 or 5, wherein, The first information includes a service start time of the first satellite cell, and the method further includes: receiving second satellite cell list information, the second satellite cell list information including service start time of at least one satellite cell and coverage area information of the at least one satellite cell; the coverage area of the at least one satellite cell included in the second satellite cell list information overlaps with the service area of the second satellite cell; and the first satellite cell list information includes at least one satellite cell whose service start time is earlier than the service start time of the first satellite cell; when it is determined that the service start time of the first satellite cell does not meet the residence time requirement, selecting a fourth satellite cell from the second satellite cell list as the next satellite cell to provide service for the user equipment; wherein the coverage area of the fourth satellite cell at the service start time includes the location of the user equipment and the service start time of the fourth satellite cell is earlier than the service start time of the first satellite cell.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein, The determination of the service start time of the next satellite cell to provide service for the user equipment according to the first information includes: determining the service start time of the one satellite cell as the service start time of the next satellite cell to provide service for the user equipment.

10. An information transmission method characterized by comprising: application to a network device, comprising: determining first information, the first information including first satellite cell list information, the first satellite cell list information including service start time of at least one satellite cell; the first satellite cell list information further including coverage area information of at least one satellite cell; the coverage area information including ephemeris information and / or elevation angle information; the coverage area of the next satellite cell of the second satellite cell cannot cover the service area of the second satellite cell; or, determining first information, the first information including first satellite cell list information, the first satellite cell list information including service start time of one satellite cell and not including coverage area information of the one satellite cell; the first coverage area of the first satellite cell covering at least the service area of the second satellite cell, the first coverage area being the area covered by the first satellite cell at the service start time; or, the service area of at least one satellite cell included in the first satellite cell list information overlapping with the service area of the second satellite cell; sending the first information to user equipment in the service area of the second satellite cell.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The first satellite cell is the earliest satellite cell in a satellite communication system to which the network device belongs to provide service for the user equipment.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein, The first information includes first satellite cell list information, and the method further includes: broadcasting coverage area change indication to the user equipment; the coverage area change indication being used to indicate that the coverage area of the next satellite cell in a satellite communication system to which the network device belongs is different from the service area of the second satellite cell.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein, The first information includes a service start time of the first satellite cell, and the method further comprises: sending, to the user equipment in the service area of the second satellite cell, a second message, a second field in the second message carrying the service start time of the first satellite cell; or the first information includes the first satellite cell list information, and the method further comprises:

14. The method of claim 10, wherein, sending, to the user equipment in the service area of the second satellite cell, a second message, a third field in the second message carrying the first satellite cell list information. The first information includes a service start time of the first satellite cell, and the method further comprises: sending, to the user equipment in the service area of the second satellite cell, a second satellite cell list information; 15. The method of claim 10, wherein, wherein the second satellite cell list information includes a service start time of at least one satellite cell and coverage area information of the at least one satellite cell; the coverage area of the at least one satellite cell included in the second satellite cell list information overlaps with the service area of the second satellite cell; and the second satellite cell list information includes at least one satellite cell whose service start time is earlier than the service start time of the first satellite cell. The user equipment UE is located in the service area of the second satellite cell, and the apparatus comprises a transceiver and a processor: the processor is configured to receive, by the transceiver, first information, the first information including first satellite cell list information; the first satellite cell list information including a service start time of at least one satellite cell; the first satellite cell list information further including coverage area information of the at least one satellite cell; the coverage area information including ephemeris information and / or elevation angle information; the coverage area of the next satellite cell of the second satellite cell being unable to cover the service area of the second satellite cell; or the processor is configured to receive, by the transceiver, first information, the first information including first satellite cell list information, the first satellite cell list information containing a service start time of one satellite cell and not containing coverage area information of the one satellite cell; a first coverage area of the first satellite cell covering at least the service area of the second satellite cell, the first coverage area being an area covered by the first satellite cell at the service start time; or the first satellite cell list information including at least one satellite cell whose service area overlaps with the service area of the second satellite cell.

16. A user equipment, comprising: ​ ​ determining a service start time of a next satellite cell providing service for the user equipment according to the first information.

17. The user equipment of claim 16, wherein, The first information includes a service start time of a first satellite cell, and the processor is specifically configured to: determining the service start time of the first satellite cell as the service start time of the next satellite cell providing service for the user equipment.

18. The user equipment of claim 16, wherein, The first information includes first satellite cell list information, and the processor is specifically configured to: determining a third satellite cell capable of covering a location of the user equipment from the first satellite cell list information according to location information of the user equipment and coverage area information of the at least one satellite cell at a corresponding service start time; determining a service start time corresponding to the third satellite cell as the service start time of the next satellite cell providing service for the user equipment.

19. The user equipment of claim 16 or 17, wherein, The first satellite cell is a satellite cell in a satellite communication system to which the user equipment belongs and earliest capable of providing service for the user equipment.

20. The user equipment of claim 18, wherein, The processor is further configured to receive a coverage area change indication through the transceiver before determining the service start time corresponding to the third satellite cell as the service start time of the next satellite cell providing service for the user equipment, the coverage area change indication being used to indicate that a coverage area of a next satellite cell in the satellite communication system to which the user equipment belongs is different from a service area of the second satellite cell.

21. The user equipment of claim 16 or 17, wherein, The processor is specifically configured to: receiving a first message through the transceiver, and obtaining the first information from a first field of the first message.

22. The user equipment of claim 16 or 17, wherein, The processor is specifically configured to: The first information includes a service start time of a first satellite cell, and the transceiver is further configured to receive a second message, and obtain the service start time of the first satellite cell from a second field of the second message. Or, The first information includes first satellite cell list information, and the transceiver is further configured to receive the second message, and obtain the first satellite cell list information from a second field of the second message.

23. The user equipment of claim 17 or 20, wherein, The first information includes a service start time of a first satellite cell, and the transceiver is further configured to receive second satellite cell list information, the second satellite cell list information including service start times of at least one satellite cell and coverage area information of the at least one satellite cell; the coverage area of the at least one satellite cell included in the second satellite cell list information overlaps with a service area of the second satellite cell; and the first satellite cell list information includes at least one satellite cell having a service start time earlier than the service start time of the first satellite cell; The processor is further configured to select a fourth satellite cell as the next satellite cell providing service for the user equipment from the second satellite cell list when determining that the service start time of the first satellite cell does not meet the residence time requirement; The coverage area of the fourth satellite cell at the service start time includes the location of the user equipment, and the service start time of the fourth satellite cell is earlier than the service start time of the first satellite cell.

24. The user equipment of claim 16, wherein, The processor is specifically configured to: The service start time of the one satellite cell is determined as a service start time of a next satellite cell providing service for the user equipment.

25. A network device, comprising: The transceiver and the processor are comprised; The processor is configured to determine first information, the first information comprising first satellite cell list information, the first satellite cell list information comprising a service start time of at least one satellite cell, and the first satellite cell list information further comprising coverage area information of at least one satellite cell, the coverage area information comprising ephemeris information and / or elevation angle information, and a coverage area of a next satellite cell of the second satellite cell being unable to cover a service area of the second satellite cell. Or, the processor is configured to determine first information, the first information comprising first satellite cell list information, the first satellite cell list information comprising a service start time of one satellite cell and not comprising coverage area information of the one satellite cell, and the first coverage area of the first satellite cell covering at least the service area of the second satellite cell, the first coverage area being an area covered by the first satellite cell at the service start time, or the first satellite cell list information comprising service areas of at least one satellite cell that overlap with the service area of the second satellite cell. The transceiver is configured to transmit the first information to user equipment in the service area of the second satellite cell.

26. The network device of claim 25, wherein, The first satellite cell is a satellite cell in a satellite communication system to which the network device belongs and earliest providing service for the user equipment.

27. The network device of claim 25, wherein, The first information comprises first satellite cell list information, and the processor is further configured to control the transceiver to broadcast a coverage area change indication to the UE, the coverage area change indication being used to indicate that a coverage area of a next satellite cell in a satellite communication system to which the network device belongs is different from the service area of the second satellite cell.

28. The network device of claim 25, wherein, The processor is specifically configured to: The first information comprises a service start time of the first satellite cell, and the transceiver is configured to transmit a first message to user equipment in the service area of the second satellite cell, a first field in the first message carrying the service start time of the first satellite cell. Or, The first information comprises the first satellite cell list information, and the transceiver is configured to transmit a first message to user equipment in the service area of the second satellite cell, a first field in the first message carrying the first satellite cell list information.

29. The network device of claim 25, wherein, The processor is specifically configured to: The first information comprises a service start time of the first satellite cell, and the transceiver is configured to transmit a second message to user equipment in the service area of the second satellite cell, a second field in the second message carrying the service start time of the first satellite cell. Or, The first information comprises the first satellite cell list information, and the transceiver is configured to transmit a second message to user equipment in the service area of the second satellite cell, a third field in the second message carrying the first satellite cell list information.

30. The network device of claim 25, wherein, The first information comprises a service start time of the first satellite cell, and the processor is further configured to: sending, by the transceiver, second satellite cell list information to the user equipment within the service area of the second satellite cell; wherein the second satellite cell list information comprises a service start time of at least one satellite cell and coverage area information of the at least one satellite cell; the coverage area of the at least one satellite cell included in the second satellite cell list information overlaps with the service area of the second satellite cell; and the first satellite cell list information comprises at least one satellite cell whose service start time is earlier than the service start time of the first satellite cell.

31. A computer readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores computer instructions, which, when executed by a processor, implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 9, or implement the method of any one of claims 10 to 15.

Images