Satellite-ground integrated network slice management method, device, and storage medium

Abstract

The present application provides a network slice management method, device and storage medium based on satellite-ground integration, which relates to the field of communication technology. The method can realize intelligent management of network slices in satellite-ground integration scenarios. The method includes: in the case of ephemeris changes, the management device sends a first switching request message to the first base station on the satellite, and the first switching request message is used to indicate that the base station carrying the service is changed from the second base station on the satellite to the first base station on the satellite; the management device obtains the network slice configuration change request of the first base station on the satellite; the management device responds to the network slice configuration change request, and when the switching reason is inter-satellite switching, determines the target network slice according to the satellite status and / or S‑NSSAI; the management device deploys the target network slice to the first base station on the satellite. It is used in the process of satellite-ground integration to solve the problem of how to configure network slices in the scenario of satellite-ground integration.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a satellite-ground integrated network slicing management method, device and storage medium. Background Art

[0002] Network slicing, a key technology for fifth-generation mobile communication technology (5G), logically divides a physical network into multiple network slices. Each slice forms an independent end-to-end network serving users, and each slice is logically isolated from the others. Network slicing flexibly allocates network resources, creating multiple logical sub-networks with distinct characteristics within a single network. This provides on-demand, customized network services for diverse scenarios, offering differentiated, isolated, and customizable network services at varying levels for various vertical industries.

[0003] Satellite communication networks have the advantages of wide coverage and support for broadcast / multicast services. With the introduction of satellite-ground integrated satellite Internet, satellite communication networks are integrated with ground networks to form satellite-ground integrated networks, which can support richer services on the basis of existing ground 5G networks. Network slicing applied to satellite-ground integrated networks can build satellite-ground integrated network slices on the basis of existing 5G networks, realize virtual private networks with logical isolation between space-based and ground-based networks, and provide customized network services for richer application scenarios and wider spaces. However, the current 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standards do not specify the implementation method of network slicing in satellite-ground integrated scenarios, and there is no method for managing network slicing in satellite-ground integrated scenarios in the existing technology. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present application provides a network slice management method, device and storage medium based on satellite-ground integration, which realizes the intelligent management of network slices in the satellite-ground integration scenario.

[0005] In the first aspect, the present application provides a network slice management method based on satellite-ground integration, the method including: in the case of ephemeris changes, sending a first switching request message to the first base station on the satellite; the first switching request message is used to indicate that the base station carrying the service is changed from the second base station on the satellite to the first base station on the satellite; obtaining a network slice configuration change request from the first base station on the satellite; the network slice configuration change request includes a switching reason and single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI); in response to the network slice configuration change request, when the switching reason is inter-satellite switching, determining the target network slice according to the satellite status and / or S-NSSAI; deploying the target network slice to the first base station on the satellite.

[0006] The present application provides a satellite-ground integrated network slice management method. When the ephemeris changes, the management device sends a first switching request to the first base station on the satellite, thereby obtaining a network slice configuration change request from the first base station on the satellite. When the switching reason is an inter-satellite switching, the management device determines the target network slice based on the satellite status and / or S-NSSAI, and further deploys the target network slice to the first base station on the satellite. This application makes up for the shortcomings of how to deploy network slices in the satellite-ground integrated scenario, and realizes the switching of the network slice of the second base station on the satellite to the first base station when the ephemeris changes, ensuring the normal operation of various services.

[0007] In one possible implementation method, before sending a first switching request message to a first base station on a satellite, the method further includes: obtaining a second switching request message from a second base station on the satellite; the second switching request message is used to indicate that due to a change in the ephemeris, the base station carrying the service needs to perform an inter-satellite switching; the second switching request message includes: a switching type, a switching reason, and an S-NSSAI.

[0008] In another possible implementation, the first base station and the second base station are located on different satellites; the satellite status includes: the ephemeris change period information between the satellite where the first base station is located and the satellite where the second base station is located; the target network slice is determined according to the satellite status, including: from the historical records of inter-satellite switching, determining the network slice that meets the ephemeris change period information as the target network slice.

[0009] Another possible implementation method is that the first base station and the second base station are located on the same satellite; the satellite status includes: the resource status of the satellite; determining the target network slice based on the satellite status and S-NSSAI, including: determining the change requirements of the network slice corresponding to the S-NSSAI based on the S-NSSAI; the change requirements include expansion or reduction of virtual resources; based on the change requirements and the resource status of the satellite, changing the virtual resources of the network slice corresponding to the S-NSSAI; and determining the changed network slice as the target network slice.

[0010] Another possible implementation method is that the first base station and the second base station are located on the same satellite; the target network slice is determined according to the S-NSSAI, including: according to the S-NSSAI, determining the change requirements of multiple concurrent network slices corresponding to the S-NSSAI; the change requirements include expansion or reduction of virtual resources; based on the change requirements of multiple concurrent network slices and the virtual resource conditions of other network slices without change requirements, the virtual resources of each network slice in the multiple concurrent network slices are changed respectively; and the multiple concurrent network slices after the change are determined as the target network slices.

[0011] Another possible implementation method further includes: feeding back a network slice configuration change response to a second base station on the satellite; the network slice configuration change response is used to indicate that the target network slice is successfully deployed.

[0012] In the second aspect, the present application provides a network slice management device based on satellite-ground integration, which includes: a sending module, an acquisition module, a determination module, and a deployment module. The sending module is used to send a first switching request message to the first base station on the satellite when the ephemeris changes; the first switching request message is used to indicate that the base station carrying the service is changed from the second base station on the satellite to the first base station on the satellite; the acquisition module is used to obtain a network slice configuration change request from the first base station on the satellite; the network slice configuration change request includes a switching reason and single network slice selection assistance information S-NSSAI; the determination module is used to determine the target network slice according to the satellite status and / or S-NSSAI in response to the network slice configuration change request when the switching reason is an inter-satellite switching; the deployment module is used to deploy the target network slice to the first base station on the satellite.

[0013] In one possible implementation method, before sending a first switching request message to a first base station on a satellite, the acquisition module is also used to obtain a second switching request message from a second base station on the satellite; the second switching request message is used to indicate that due to changes in the ephemeris, the base station carrying the service needs to perform inter-satellite switching; the second switching request message includes: switching type, switching reason and S-NSSAI.

[0014] In another possible implementation, the first base station and the second base station are located on different satellites; the satellite status includes: the ephemeris change period information between the satellite where the first base station is located and the satellite where the second base station is located; the determination module is specifically used to determine, from the historical records of inter-satellite switching, the network slice that meets the ephemeris change period information as the target network slice.

[0015] Another possible implementation method is that the first base station and the second base station are located on the same satellite; the satellite status includes: the resource status of the satellite; the determination module is specifically used to determine, based on the S-NSSAI, the change requirement of the network slice corresponding to the S-NSSAI; the change requirement includes the expansion or reduction of virtual resources; based on the change requirement and the resource status of the satellite, the virtual resources of the network slice corresponding to the S-NSSAI are changed; and the changed network slice is determined as the target network slice.

[0016] Another possible implementation method is that the first base station and the second base station are located on the same satellite; the determination module is specifically used to determine, based on the S-NSSAI, the change requirements of multiple concurrent network slices corresponding to the S-NSSAI; the change requirements include expansion or reduction of virtual resources; based on the change requirements of multiple concurrent network slices and the virtual resource conditions of other network slices without change requirements, the virtual resources of each network slice in the multiple concurrent network slices are changed respectively; and the multiple concurrent network slices after the change are determined as the target network slices.

[0017] Another possible implementation method is that the sending module is also used to feedback a network slice configuration change response to the second base station on the satellite; the network slice configuration change response is used to indicate that the target network slice is successfully deployed.

[0018] In a third aspect, the present application provides an electronic device comprising: a processor and a memory; the memory stores instructions executable by the processor; when the processor is configured to execute the instructions, the electronic device implements the method of the first aspect above.

[0019] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which includes: computer software instructions; when the computer software instructions are executed in an electronic device, the electronic device implements the method of the first aspect above.

[0020] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product. When the computer program product is run on a computer, it enables the computer to execute the steps of the relevant method described in the first aspect to implement the method of the first aspect.

[0021] The beneficial effects of the second to fifth aspects mentioned above refer to the corresponding description of the first aspect and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the application environment of a satellite-ground integrated network slicing management method provided in this application;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a diagram of the overall architecture of a satellite-ground integrated network slice management device provided in this application;

[0024] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the flow of a satellite-ground integrated network slice management method provided in this application;

[0025] Figure 4 A flowchart of another satellite-ground integrated network slice management method provided in this application;

[0026] Figure 5 A flowchart of another satellite-ground integrated network slice management method provided in this application;

[0027] Figure 6 A flowchart of another satellite-ground integrated network slice management method provided in this application;

[0028] Figure 7 A flowchart of another satellite-ground integrated network slice management method provided in this application;

[0029] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the system architecture provided for this application;

[0030] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the composition of a satellite-ground integrated network slice management device provided in this application;

[0031] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of the composition of an electronic device provided in this application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of this application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0033] It should be noted that in the embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplarily" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or explanations. Any embodiment or design described in the embodiments of this application as "exemplarily" or "for example" should not be interpreted as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of words such as "exemplarily" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a concrete manner.

[0034] In order to facilitate a clear description of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, words such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish between identical or similar items with basically the same functions and effects. Those skilled in the art can understand that words such as "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity and execution order.

[0035] As 5G networks develop and mature, 5G network services are becoming increasingly diversified. Different types of network services have distinct service characteristics, and these services have varying requirements for network speed, latency, security, reliability, and billing. Traditional, single-network deployment models are no longer sufficient to meet the diverse types of 5G network services and the varying service requirements. This is why network slicing technology has emerged. Network slicing technology can create multiple, logically independent virtual networks on demand within the same physical network, meeting service performance isolation and diverse service requirements. A network slice is an end-to-end, logically dedicated network that provides specific network capabilities. A network slice instance is a collection of network functions and required physical / virtual resources, consisting of network slice instances for subnets in the radio, transport, and core networks.

[0036] In order to realize the management of network slicing, the 5G network has added a new network slicing management function, which includes: a communication service management function (CSMF) module, a network slice management function (NSMF) module, a network slice subnet management function (NSSMF) module, and a management and network orchestration (MANO). The process of managing network slicing in the prior art is: the CSMF module receives the user's service request, converts the service demand into a network slicing demand and sends it to the NSMF module; the NSMF module converts the network slicing demand into a network sub-slicing demand and sends it to the NSSMF module; the NSSMF module converts the network sub-slicing demand into a network function demand and sends it to the MANO; the MANO instantiates the network service according to the network function demand. However, the 3GPP standard currently does not specify the implementation method of network slicing in the satellite-ground integration scenario. In addition, there is no method for managing network slicing in the satellite-ground integration scenario in the prior art.

[0037] In summary, there is an urgent need for a method of intelligent management of satellite-ground integrated network slice resources. Based on this, the embodiment of the present application provides a satellite-ground integrated network slice management method. In this method, when the ephemeris changes, the management device sends a first switching application to the first base station on the satellite, thereby obtaining a network slice configuration change request of the first base station on the satellite. When the switching reason is inter-satellite switching, the management device determines the target network slice according to the satellite status and / or S-NSSAI, and further deploys the target network slice to the first base station on the satellite. The embodiment of the present application makes up for the shortcomings of how to deploy network slices in the satellite-ground integrated scenario, and realizes the switching of the network slice of the second base station on the satellite to the first base station when the ephemeris changes, thereby ensuring the normal operation of various services.

[0038] The network slice management method based on satellite-ground integration provided in this application can be applied to Figure 1 In the application environment shown. Figure 1 As shown, the application environment includes: a satellite-ground integrated network slice management device 101 (which can be simply referred to as a management device) and a satellite device 102, wherein the satellite-ground integrated network slice management device 101 and the satellite device 102 are interconnected.

[0039] In some embodiments, the management device 101 can be an evolution nodeB (eNB), a next generation base station (gNB), a transmission receive point (TRP), a transmission point (TP), and some other access node. According to the size of the service coverage area provided, the management device 101 can be divided into a macro base station for providing macro cells (Macro cell), a micro base station for providing micro cells (Pico cell), and a femto base station for providing femto cells (Femto cell). With the continuous evolution of wireless communication technology, future base stations may also adopt other names. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific device form of the management device 101. Figure 1 In the figure, the management device 101 is taken as a base station as an example.

[0040] In some embodiments, the satellite device 102 may be the space segment portion of satellite resources, that is, high, medium, and low-orbit satellites in space that receive and forward data. Satellite equipment 102 includes communication satellites, navigation satellites, and remote sensing satellites. Remote sensing satellites provide remote sensing data, navigation satellites, mainly Beidou satellites, provide positioning and other services, and communication satellites include broadcast satellites (providing satellite TV) and Internet satellites. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the number of satellite devices 102. In some scenarios, the satellite-ground integrated network slicing management method provided in the embodiment of the present application is applied to base stations on different satellites, and may also be applied to base stations on the same satellite. Figure 1 A satellite device 102 is taken as an example.

[0041] In some embodiments, when the ephemeris changes, the management device 101 can send a first switching request message to the base station on the satellite device 102, thereby obtaining a network slice configuration change request sent by the base station on the satellite device 102. The management device determines the target network slice based on the network slice configuration change request, and further deploys the target network slice on the base station on the satellite device 102.

[0042] Figure 2 This is the overall architecture diagram of the satellite-ground integrated network slice management device provided in the embodiment of this application. Figure 2As shown, the management device may include: an access and mobility management function (AMF) module, a CSMF module, an NSMF module, a smart adaptation management function (SAMF) module, an access network-network slice subnet management function (AN-NSSMF) module, a core network-network slice subnet management function (CN-NSSMF) module and a MANO.

[0043] In some embodiments, the AMF module is used to receive a second switching request message sent by the second base station on the satellite, and to send a first switching request message to the first base station on the satellite when the ephemeris changes. The CSMF module is used to undertake various business application requirements (such as rate, latency, capacity, coverage, security, etc.), convert them into end-to-end network slicing requirements, and send them to the NSMF module for network slicing management. The NSMF module is used to query the network slice instance (NSI) according to the S-NSSAI, and convert the requirements for modifying parameters in the NSI instance into requirements for network sub-slices based on the target network slice, and send them to the NSSMF module. The SAMF module is used to determine the target network slice based on the satellite status and / or S-NSSAI. The AN-NSSMF module is used to receive a network slice configuration change request sent by the first base station on the satellite. The CN-NSSMF module is used to receive the requirements for network sub-slices sent by the NSMF module, convert the requirements for network sub-slices into network function requirements, and then call MANO to modify the parameters of the sub-slices according to the network function requirements. MANO is used to modify the parameters in the service level agreement (SLA) of NSI according to the network function requirements of the CN-NSSMF module.

[0044] Figure 3 A flow chart of a network slice management method based on satellite-ground integration provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 3 As shown, the satellite-ground integrated network slice management method provided in this application can be implemented by the above-mentioned management device, and specifically includes the following steps:

[0045] S301. When the ephemeris changes, the management device sends a first switching request message to a first base station on a satellite.

[0046] The first switching request message is used to instruct the base station carrying the service to change from the second base station on the satellite to the first base station on the satellite.

[0047] In some embodiments, satellite ephemeris can accurately calculate and predict the satellite's position, velocity, and other operating states, and can express the satellite's precise parameters. Because satellites are constantly moving, their ephemeris needs to be regularly updated. Satellite movement is accompanied by ephemeris changes, and satellite movement can also cause changes in the base station carrying the service. Therefore, when the ephemeris changes, the management device can send a first handover request message to the first base station on the satellite. The first handover request message is used to instruct the base station carrying the service to change from the second base station on the satellite to the first base station on the satellite.

[0048] For example, in combination with the above Figure 2 As shown in the management device architecture diagram, in the case of ephemeris changes, the AMF module of the management device can send a first handover request (HANDOVER REQUEST) message to the target radio access network (Target NG RAN) of the first base station on the satellite, wherein the first handover request message includes: handover type (handover type), handover reason (cause), S-NSSAI, AMF module used to distinguish user equipment identifier (AMF UE NGAP ID), user equipment aggregate maximum bit rate (UE aggregate maximum bit sate), protocol data unit session resource to be set list (PDU session resource to be setup list), source to target transparent container (source to target transparent container), user equipment security capabilities (UE security capabilities), security context (security context) and other parameters, wherein the handover type is interstellar handover (interstellar handover) and the handover reason is ephemeris change (stardate change).

[0049] S302. The management device obtains a network slice configuration change request from the first base station on the satellite.

[0050] Among them, the network slice configuration change request includes the switching reason and S-NSSAI.

[0051] In some embodiments, a first base station on a satellite receives a first handover request message sent by a management device, and upon detecting that the handover type included in the first handover request message is an inter-satellite handover, may send a network slice configuration change request to the management device. The network slice configuration change request includes a handover cause and an S-NSSAI.

[0052] For example, in combination with the above Figure 2 As shown in the management device architecture diagram, after the target wireless access network of the first base station on the satellite receives the first switching request message sent by the AMF module of the management device, the first base station detects that the switching type is an inter-satellite switching and can send a network slice configuration change request (Network SliceConfiguration Change Request) to the AN-NSSMF module of the management device.

[0053] S303. The management device responds to the network slice configuration change request and determines the target network slice based on the satellite status and / or S-NSSAI when the switching reason is inter-satellite switching.

[0054] In some embodiments, after receiving a network slice configuration change request sent by a first base station on a satellite, the management device may determine the target network slice based on the satellite status and / or the S-NSSAI in the network slice configuration change request in response to the network slice configuration change request after detecting that the switching cause is an ephemeris change. The satellite status includes: ephemeris change period information between the satellite where the first base station is located and the satellite where the second base station is located, and the resource status of the satellite.

[0055] For example, in combination with the above Figure 2 As shown in the management device architecture diagram, after the AN-NSSMF module of the management device receives the network slice configuration change request sent by the first base station on the satellite, it can forward the network slice configuration change request to the SAMF module. The SAMF module detects that the switching reason is the ephemeris change, and modifies the parameters in the network slice template (NST) according to the satellite status and / or S-NSSAI, and further determines that the modified NST is the target network slice.

[0056] S304. The management device deploys a target network slice to the first base station on the satellite.

[0057] In some embodiments, after the management device determines the target network slice, it can deploy the target network slice on the first base station on the satellite based on the target network slice and S-NSSAI.

[0058] For example, in combination with the above Figure 2As shown in the management device architecture diagram, after the SAMF module of the management device determines the target network slice, it can send the target network slice and S-NSSAI to the NSMF module. The NSMF module queries the NSI instance that needs to be modified based on the S-NSSAI, and compares the target network slice with the NSI instance to obtain the parameters that need to be modified in the NSI instance. The NSMF module converts the requirement to modify the parameters in the NSI instance into the requirement to modify the network sub-slice, and sends the modification instruction and the requirement to modify the network sub-slice to the CN-NSSMF module. The CN-NSSMF module converts the requirement to modify the network sub-slice into the requirement to modify the network function, and sends the modification instruction and the requirement to modify the network function to the MANO. The MANO modifies the parameters in the NSI instance based on the requirement to modify the network function and the modification instruction. At this point, the management device completes the deployment of the target network slice to the first base station on the satellite, and changes the base station carrying the service from the second base station on the satellite to the first base station on the satellite. The modification instruction can include: S-NSSAI, NSI ID, and new service profile information. The modification instruction is used to instruct the modification of the parameters in the SLA agreement of the NSI instance.

[0059] The technical solutions provided by the above embodiments bring at least the following beneficial effects: the network slice management method based on satellite-ground integration provided by the embodiments of the present application, in the case of ephemeris changes, the management device sends a first switching application to the first base station on the satellite, thereby obtaining a network slice configuration change request of the first base station on the satellite. When the switching reason is inter-satellite switching, the management device determines the target network slice according to the satellite status and / or S-NSSAI, and further deploys the target network slice to the first base station on the satellite. The embodiments of the present application make up for the shortcomings of how to deploy network slices in the satellite-ground integration scenario, realize the switching of the network slice of the second base station on the satellite to the first base station, and ensure the normal operation of various services.

[0060] The following is a detailed description of the satellite-ground integrated network slicing management method provided in the embodiment of the present application in combination with specific embodiments and the drawings in the specification.

[0061] like Figure 4 As shown, the satellite-ground integrated network slice management method provided in this application may specifically include the following steps:

[0062] S401: A management device obtains a second handover request message from a second base station on a satellite.

[0063] The second handover request message is used to indicate that the base station carrying the service needs to perform inter-satellite handover due to ephemeris change. The second handover request message includes: handover type, handover reason and S-NSSAI.

[0064] In some embodiments, the second base station on the satellite detects that the satellite ephemeris has changed and the base station carrying the service needs to perform inter-satellite switching. The base station carrying the service, i.e., the second base station on the satellite, can send a second switching request message to the management device, wherein the second switching request message includes: switching type, switching reason and S-NSSAI.

[0065] For example, in combination with the above Figure 2 As shown in the management device architecture diagram, when the ephemeris changes, the source radio access network (Source NG RAN) of the second base station on the satellite can send a second handover request message (HANDOVER REQUIRED) to the AMF module of the management device, wherein the message includes: an identifier used by the AMF module to distinguish the user equipment (AMF UE NGAP ID), an identifier used by the access network to distinguish the user equipment (RAN UE NGAP ID), a handover type (handover type), a handover reason (cause), a target identifier (Target ID), a source to target transparent container (Source to Target Transparent Container), S-NSSAI and other parameters, wherein the handover type is interstellar handover and the handover reason is a stardate change (stardate change).

[0066] It should be noted that, since the ephemeris changes are updated periodically, when the ephemeris changes, the base station that carries the service also needs to be changed, and the change of the base station that carries the service from the second base station on the satellite to the first base station on the satellite is set by the administrator according to actual conditions and stored in the database of the management device. When the ephemeris changes, the management device obtains the switching application message sent by the second base station to the management device, and can query the address information of the corresponding first base station in the database according to the address information of the second base station, thereby sending the first switching application information to the first base station.

[0067] S402: When the ephemeris changes, the management device sends a first switching request message to the first base station on the satellite.

[0068] The first switching request message is used to instruct the base station carrying the service to change from the second base station on the satellite to the first base station on the satellite.

[0069] S403. The management device obtains a network slice configuration change request from the first base station on the satellite.

[0070] Among them, the network slice configuration change request includes the switching reason and S-NSSAI.

[0071] For the related description of the above S402-S403, please refer to the description of the above S301-S302, which will not be repeated here.

[0072] S404. The management device responds to the network slice configuration change request and determines the target network slice based on the satellite status and / or S-NSSAI when the switching reason is inter-satellite switching.

[0073] In some embodiments, after the management device receives a network slice configuration change request sent by the first base station on the satellite, in response to the network slice configuration change request, after detecting that the switching cause is an ephemeris change, the management device can determine the target network slice based on the satellite status and / or the S-NSSAI in the network slice configuration change request.

[0074] In some embodiments, S404 specifically includes the following three possible implementations.

[0075] The first implementation method:

[0076] In one possible implementation, the first base station and the second base station are located on different satellites, and the satellite status includes information about the ephemeris change period between the satellite where the first base station is located and the satellite where the second base station is located. Therefore, S404 can be specifically implemented by the management device determining, from historical records of inter-satellite handovers, a network slice that satisfies the ephemeris change period information as the target network slice.

[0077] For example, in combination with the above Figure 2 As shown in the management device architecture diagram, after the AN-NSSMF module of the management device receives the network slice configuration change request sent by the first base station on the satellite, it can forward the network slice configuration change request to the SAMF module. The SAMF module detects that the switching reason is the ephemeris change. The SAMF module can search the historical records of the database for modification records that are the same as the S-NSSAI and that also meet the periodic information, thereby determining that the target network slice in the modification record that is the same as the S-NSSAI is the target network slice.

[0078] It should be noted that the periodicity of ephemeris changes is determined based on the mobility and periodicity of satellite motion. Administrators can set the periodicity based on the number of satellites and base stations in actual situations. Furthermore, after the management device completes the deployment of the target network slice on the first base station on the satellite, it can store the relevant information about the change of the service-carrying base station, such as the first base station address information, the second base station address information, the S-NSSAI, and the target network slice, in a database, so that the management device can search for relevant modification records from the database.

[0079] The second implementation method:

[0080] In another possible implementation, the first base station and the second base station are located on the same satellite, and the satellite status includes: the resource status of the satellite. The resource status of the satellite is used to indicate the status of unused virtual resources on the satellite, and the virtual resources are resources such as traffic and storage space. Therefore, if Figure 5 As shown, the above S404 can be specifically implemented as follows S501-S503:

[0081] S501. The management device determines the change requirements of the network slice corresponding to the S-NSSAI based on the S-NSSAI.

[0082] The change requirements include expansion or reduction of virtual resources.

[0083] In some embodiments, after the management device receives a network slice configuration change request sent by the first base station on the satellite, it can determine the change requirements of the network slice corresponding to the S-NSSAI based on the S-NSSAI in the network slice configuration change request, where the change requirements include expansion or reduction of virtual resources.

[0084] For example, in combination with the above Figure 2 As shown in the management device architecture diagram, after the AN-NSSMF module of the management device receives the network slice configuration change request sent by the first base station on the satellite, it can forward the network slice configuration change request to the SAMF module. The SAMF module detects that the reason for the switching is the change in the ephemeris, and detects according to S-NSSAI that the reason for the change in the service-bearing base station of the network slice corresponding to S-NSSAI is that its virtual resources need to be expanded or reduced. For example, when the service demand under the network slice corresponding to S-NSSAI increases, the virtual resources on the network slice cannot support the normal operation of the service, and it is necessary to expand the virtual resources of the network slice. The SAMF module determines that the change requirement of the network slice corresponding to S-NSSAI is the expansion of virtual resources.

[0085] S502. The management device changes the virtual resources of the network slice corresponding to the S-NSSAI based on the change requirements and the resource conditions of the satellite.

[0086] In some embodiments, after the management device determines the change requirement of the network slice corresponding to the S-NSSAI, it can obtain the usage of the virtual resources on the satellite. The management device changes the virtual resources of the network slice corresponding to the S-NSSAI based on the change requirement and the resource situation of the satellite.

[0087] For example, in combination with the above Figure 2As shown in the management device architecture diagram, after the SAMF module of the management device determines that the change requirement of the network slice is expansion or reduction, it can determine the expansion value or reduction value for expanding or reducing the network slice according to the change requirement of the network slice and the usage of virtual resources and the usage of virtual resources on the satellite. For example, the management device can set multiple preset intervals, and determine the expansion value or reduction value according to the correspondence between the virtual resource usage of the network slice and the preset interval, wherein different preset intervals correspond to different expansion values ​​or reduction values, or the management device can also determine the expansion value or reduction value based on the relevant algorithm according to the actual situation. The embodiment of the present application does not make specific limitations on this. The expansion value of the network slice cannot exceed the value of unused virtual resources on the satellite. The SAMF module of the management device sends the determined expansion value or reduction value to the CN-NSSMF module. The CN-NSSMF module can convert the expansion value or reduction value into a requirement to modify the network function, and send the modification instruction and the requirement to modify the network function to MANO. MANO modifies the parameters in the network slice according to the requirement to modify the network function and the modification instruction, and completes the change of the virtual resources of the network slice corresponding to S-NSSAI.

[0088] S503. The management device determines the changed network slice as the target network slice.

[0089] In some embodiments, after the management device changes the virtual resources of the network slice corresponding to the S-NSSAI, it determines that the changed network slice is the target network slice.

[0090] The third implementation method:

[0091] In another possible implementation, the first base station and the second base station are located on the same satellite. When the ephemeris changes, the demands for multiple different services corresponding to multiple network slices on the second base station change simultaneously. Therefore, the first switching application information and the network slice configuration change request contain information of multiple network slices, that is, the S-NSSAI corresponds to multiple concurrent network slices. Figure 6 As shown, the above S404 can be specifically implemented as follows S601-S603:

[0092] S601. The management device determines the change requirements of multiple concurrent network slices corresponding to S-NSSAI based on S-NSSAI.

[0093] The change requirements include expansion or reduction of virtual resources.

[0094] In some embodiments, the S-NSSAI in the network slice configuration change request obtained by the management device corresponds to multiple concurrent network slices. Therefore, after the management device receives the network slice configuration change request sent by the first base station on the satellite, it can determine the change requirements of each network slice in the multiple concurrent network slices corresponding to the S-NSSAI based on the S-NSSAI, where the change requirements include expansion or reduction of virtual resources.

[0095] For example, in combination with the above Figure 2 As shown in the management device architecture diagram, after the AN-NSSMF module of the management device receives the network slice configuration change request sent by the first base station on the satellite, it can forward the network slice configuration change request to the SAMF module. The SAMF module detects that the reason for the switching is the change in the ephemeris, and detects according to S-NSSAI that the reason for the change of the service-bearing base stations of multiple concurrent network slices corresponding to S-NSSAI is that their virtual resources need to be expanded or reduced. The SAMF module determines that the change requirement of each network slice in the multiple concurrent network slices corresponding to S-NSSAI is the expansion or reduction of virtual resources.

[0096] S602. The management device changes the virtual resources of each of the multiple concurrent network slices based on the change requirements of the multiple concurrent network slices and the virtual resource conditions of other network slices that have no change requirements.

[0097] In some embodiments, after the management device determines the change requirements of each of the multiple concurrent network slices corresponding to the S-NSSAI, it can determine the virtual resource usage of other network slices that do not require change based on the configuration of other network slices that do not require change in the first base station. The management device can allocate the unused virtual resources of other network slices that do not require change to the network slice whose change requirement is expansion based on the change requirements of each network slice in the multiple concurrent network slices and the virtual resource usage of other network slices that do not require change, and change the virtual resources of each network slice in the multiple concurrent network slices separately.

[0098] For example, in combination with the above Figure 2As shown in the management device architecture diagram, after the SAMF module of the management device determines that the change requirement of each network slice in multiple concurrent network slices is expansion or reduction, it can allocate the unused virtual resources of the network slice without change requirement to the network slice with the change requirement of expansion in the multiple concurrent network slices according to the virtual resource usage of other network slices without change requirement on the first base station. The management device can determine the expansion value or reduction value of each network slice in the multiple concurrent network slices according to the virtual resource usage of the network slice without change requirement and the change requirement of the multiple concurrent network slices, and modify the parameters corresponding to each network slice in the multiple concurrent network slices according to the method in the above S502 to realize the change of virtual resources of each network slice in the multiple concurrent network slices.

[0099] S603. The management device determines the changed multiple concurrent network slices as target network slices.

[0100] In some embodiments, after the management device changes the virtual resources of each network slice in multiple concurrent network slices corresponding to the S-NSSAI, it determines that the changed multiple network slices are target network slices.

[0101] It should be noted that, since the SAMF module of the management device allocates the unused virtual resources of the network slices that do not need to be changed to multiple concurrent network slices, the management device also needs to modify the parameters in the network slices that do not need to be changed so that their virtual resources are allocated to multiple concurrent network slices. In addition, since multiple network slices are concurrent, the management device determines each of the multiple network slices after the change as the target network slice, and then deploys the target network slice of each network slice on the second base station on the satellite.

[0102] S405. The management device deploys a target network slice to the first base station on the satellite.

[0103] The relevant description of the above S405 can be found in the description of the above S304, and will not be repeated here.

[0104] It should be noted that after the management device completes the deployment of the target network slice to the first base station on the satellite, it can also feedback the message of network slice deployment completion to the second base station on the satellite.

[0105] Therefore, after S405, the embodiment of the present application provides a network slice management method based on satellite-ground integration, further comprising the following S406:

[0106] S406. The management device feeds back a network slice configuration change response to the second base station on the satellite.

[0107] Among them, the network slice configuration change response is used to indicate that the target network slice is deployed successfully.

[0108] In some embodiments, after the management device completes the deployment of the target network slice on the first base station on the satellite, it can feedback a network slice configuration change response to the second base station on the satellite, where the network slice configuration change response is used to indicate that the target network slice is deployed successfully.

[0109] For example, in combination with the above Figure 2 As shown in the management device architecture diagram, after the MANO of the management device completes the modification of the parameters in the NSI instance, it can send a modification completion message to the CN-NSSMF module. The CN-NSSMF module forwards the modification completion message to the NSMF module. After receiving the modification completion message, the NSMF module can feedback a network slice configuration change response (network slice configuration change response) to the second base station on the satellite, indicating that the target network slice is deployed successfully.

[0110] It should be noted that after the target network slice is deployed by the management device, the deployment record of the target network slice can be stored in the database, such as: the first base station address information, the second base station address information, S-NSSAI and the target network slice, etc., so that the management device can search for relevant modification records from the database.

[0111] The technical solutions provided by the above embodiments bring at least the following beneficial effects: the network slice management method based on satellite-ground integration provided by the embodiments of the present application, in the case of ephemeris changes, the management device sends a first switching application to the first base station on the satellite, thereby obtaining a network slice configuration change request of the first base station on the satellite, and in the case where the switching reason is inter-satellite switching, the management device determines the target network slice according to the satellite status and / or S-NSSAI, and further deploys the target network slice to the first base station on the satellite, so as to achieve the purpose of managing the network slice in the satellite-ground integration scenario. The embodiments of the present application make up for the shortcomings of how to deploy network slices in the satellite-ground integration scenario, and realize the switching of the network slice of the second base station on the satellite to the first base station when the ephemeris changes, thereby ensuring the normal operation of various services.

[0112] Furthermore, the management device can also determine the target network slice in different situations based on the satellite status and / or S-NSSAI, thereby achieving reasonable deployment of virtual resources on the satellite and improving resource utilization.

[0113] The following is an introduction to the satellite-ground integrated network slice management method of the embodiment of the present application based on a specific embodiment. The specific implementation process of this method is as follows: Figure 7 shown.

[0114] When the ephemeris changes, the base station of the service satellite of the target network slice changes from satellite 1 to satellite 2, and the base station changes from RAN1 to RAN2 (that is, the service-bearing base station of the target network slice changes from the second base station on the satellite to the first base station on the satellite). The base station RAN1 of satellite 1 (that is, the second base station) triggers a handover based on the NG interface and notifies the wireless NSSMF that this handover type is an inter-satellite NG handover (that is, the second-level station on the satellite sends a second handover request message to the AMF module of the management device. The second handover request message contains: handover type, handover reason and S-NSSAI. The AMF module processes the second handover request message and forwards it to the first base station on the satellite. The first base station detects that the handover type is an inter-satellite handover and sends a network slice configuration change request to the AN-NSSMF module of the management device). The wireless-side NSSMF notifies the intelligent adaptation platform. The intelligent adaptation platform identifies the information of the next-hop satellite and the slice information that needs to be changed based on the handover message (that is, the management device responds to the network slice configuration change request and determines the target network slice based on the satellite status and / or S-NSSAI when the handover reason is an inter-satellite handover). The intelligent adaptation platform notifies the NSMF to change the slice instance on the wireless side and the bearer side of Satellite 2 (i.e., the management device deploys the target network slice to the first base station on the satellite). The network slice instance change is completed (i.e., the management device feeds back a network slice configuration change response to the second base station on the satellite, indicating that the target network slice has been successfully deployed).

[0115] Figure 8 This is a system architecture diagram of an embodiment of the present application. The E2E slice management system (i.e., the management device) includes: a satellite-ground integrated CSMF module 801, a satellite-ground integrated NSMF module 802, an intelligent adaptation SAMF module 803, a RAN-NSSMF module 804, a BN-NSSMF module 805, a CN-NSSMF module 806, an NFV module 807, a VNFM module 808, and a VIM module 809.

[0116] The satellite-ground integrated CSMF module 801 is used to receive various business application requirements, convert the business requirements into network slicing requirements and send them to the satellite-ground integrated NSMF module 802. The satellite-ground integrated NSMF module 802 is used to manage the network slice instance (NSI) according to the target network slice, convert the requirements for the parameters that need to be modified in the NSI into requirements for network sub-slices, and send them to the CN-NSSMF module, which is applied to the above S304. The intelligent adaptation module 803 is used to determine the target network slice according to the satellite status and / or S-NSSAI, and is applied to the above S303. The RAN-NSSMF module 804, that is, the radio access network network slice subnet management module, is used to receive the network slice configuration change request sent by the first base station on the satellite, and is applied to the above S301. The BN-NSSMF module 805, that is, the transport network network slice subnet management module, includes a resource subset of the data plane, control plane, and service management and orchestration plane, a collection of network functions, and network virtual functions. The CN-NSSMF module 806, i.e., the core network network slice subnet management module, is used to receive the network sub-slice requirements issued by the NSMF module, and convert the network sub-slice requirements into network function requirements, and then call MANO to modify the sub-slice parameters according to the network function requirements, which are applied to the above S304. The network function virtualization (NFV) module 807 is used to implement the control of new network services and integrate the virtualized network function module (VNF) into the virtual architecture, verify and authorize the resource request of the NFV infrastructure (NFVI). The virtualized network function module manager (VNFM) module 808 is used to perform the life cycle management of the virtualized network function module. The virtualized infrastructure manager (VIM) module 809 is used to control and manage the computing resources, storage resources and network resources of the network function virtualization infrastructure NFVI. Among them, the NFV module 807, the VNFM module 808 and the VIM module 809 together constitute the network slice editor MANO, which is used to modify the parameters in the SLA protocol of the NSI instance according to the network function requirements of the CN-NSSMF module and is applied to the above S304.

[0117] In an exemplary embodiment, the present application also provides a satellite-ground integrated network slice management device. The satellite-ground integrated network slice management device may include one or more functional modules for implementing the satellite-ground integrated network slice management method of the above method embodiment.

[0118] For example, Figure 9 Schematic diagram of a network slice management device based on satellite-ground integration provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 9 As shown, the satellite-ground integrated network slice management device includes: a sending module 901, an acquisition module 902, a determination module 903 and a deployment module 904.

[0119] The sending module 901 is used to send a first switching request message to the first base station on the satellite when the ephemeris changes. The first switching request message is used to indicate that the base station carrying the service is changed from the second base station on the satellite to the first base station on the satellite. The acquisition module 902 is used to obtain a network slice configuration change request from the first base station on the satellite. The network slice configuration change request includes a switching reason and single network slice selection assistance information S-NSSAI. The determination module 903 is used to determine the target network slice according to the satellite status and / or S-NSSAI in response to the network slice configuration change request when the switching reason is an inter-satellite switching. The deployment module 904 is used to deploy the target network slice to the first base station on the satellite.

[0120] In some embodiments, before sending a first switching request message to a first base station on a satellite, the acquisition module 902 is also used to obtain a second switching request message from a second base station on the satellite. The second switching request message is used to indicate that due to changes in the ephemeris, the base station carrying the service needs to perform inter-satellite switching. The second switching request message includes: switching type, switching reason and S-NSSAI.

[0121] In some other embodiments, the first base station and the second base station are located on different satellites, and the satellite status includes information about an ephemeris change period between the satellite where the first base station is located and the satellite where the second base station is located. Determination module 903 is specifically configured to determine, from historical records of inter-satellite handovers, a network slice that satisfies the ephemeris change period information as the target network slice.

[0122] In some other embodiments, the first base station and the second base station are located on the same satellite, and the satellite status includes: a resource status of the satellite. The determination module 903 is specifically configured to determine, based on the S-NSSAI, a change requirement for a network slice corresponding to the S-NSSAI, where the change requirement includes expansion or reduction of virtual resources; based on the change requirement and the resource status of the satellite, change the virtual resources of the network slice corresponding to the S-NSSAI, and determine the changed network slice as the target network slice.

[0123] In some other embodiments, the first base station and the second base station are located on the same satellite. The determination module 903 is specifically configured to determine, based on the S-NSSAI, a change requirement for multiple concurrent network slices corresponding to the S-NSSAI, where the change requirement includes expansion or reduction of virtual resources, and based on the change requirement of the multiple concurrent network slices and the virtual resource status of other network slices without change requirements, respectively change the virtual resources of each of the multiple concurrent network slices, and determine the multiple concurrent network slices after the change as the target network slices.

[0124] In some other embodiments, the sending module is also used to feedback a network slice configuration change response to the second base station on the satellite, and the network slice configuration change response is used to indicate that the target network slice is successfully deployed.

[0125] In an exemplary embodiment, the embodiment of the present application also provides an electronic device, which may be the satellite-ground integrated network slice management device in the above method embodiment. Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the network slice management device based on satellite-ground integration provided in the embodiment of the present application. Figure 10 As shown, the satellite-ground integrated network slice management device may include: a processor 1001 and a memory 1002; the memory 1002 stores instructions executable by the processor 1001; when the processor 1001 is configured to execute instructions, the electronic device or network device or manager implements the method described in the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0126] In an exemplary embodiment, the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium having computer program instructions stored thereon; when the computer program instructions are executed by a computer, the computer implements the method described in the aforementioned embodiment. The computer-readable storage medium can be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, for example, a ROM, a random access memory (RAM), a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical data storage device, etc.

[0127] In an exemplary embodiment, the embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product. When the computer program product is run on a computer, it enables the computer to execute the above-mentioned related method steps to implement the satellite-ground integrated network slice management method in the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0128] The above are only specific embodiments of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or replacements within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A network slice management method based on satellite-ground integration, characterized in that: The method comprises: When the ephemeris changes, a first handover request message is sent to the first base station on the satellite; the first handover request message is used to indicate that the base station carrying the service is changed from the second base station on the satellite to the first base station on the satellite; Obtain a network slice configuration change request of the first base station on the satellite; the network slice configuration change request includes a switching reason and single network slice selection assistance information S-NSSAI; In response to the network slice configuration change request, when the switching reason is inter-satellite switching, determining a target network slice according to a satellite status and / or the S-NSSAI; Deploy the target network slice to the first base station on the satellite.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that Before sending the first handover request message to the first base station on the satellite, the method further includes: Obtain a second handover request message from a second base station on the satellite; the second handover request message is used to indicate that due to ephemeris changes, the base station carrying the service needs to perform inter-satellite handover; the second handover request message includes: a handover type, the handover reason, and the S-NSSAI.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first base station and the second base station are located on different satellites; the satellite status includes: ephemeris change period information between the satellite where the first base station is located and the satellite where the second base station is located; The determining the target network slice according to the satellite status includes: From the historical records of inter-satellite switching, determine that the network slice that meets the ephemeris change cycle information is the target network slice.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein The first base station and the second base station are located on the same satellite; The satellite status includes: resource conditions of the satellite; The determining the target network slice according to the satellite status and the S-NSSAI includes: Determining, based on the S-NSSAI, a change requirement for the network slice corresponding to the S-NSSAI; the change requirement includes expansion or reduction of virtual resources; Based on the change requirement and the resource status of the satellite, change the virtual resources of the network slice corresponding to the S-NSSAI; The changed network slice is determined as the target network slice.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first base station and the second base station are located on the same satellite; The determining the target network slice according to the S-NSSAI includes: Determining, based on the S-NSSAI, change requirements for multiple concurrent network slices corresponding to the S-NSSAI; the change requirements include expansion or reduction of virtual resources; Based on the change requirements of the multiple concurrent network slices and the virtual resource conditions of other network slices that do not require change, change the virtual resources of each of the multiple concurrent network slices respectively; The changed multiple concurrent network slices are determined as the target network slices.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: A network slice configuration change response is fed back to the second base station on the satellite; the network slice configuration change response is used to indicate that the target network slice is successfully deployed.

7. A network slice management device based on satellite-ground integration, characterized in that: The device includes: a sending module, an acquiring module, a determining module and a deploying module; The sending module is used to send a first switching request message to the first base station on the satellite when the ephemeris changes; the first switching request message is used to indicate that the base station carrying the service is changed from the second base station on the satellite to the first base station on the satellite; The acquisition module is used to obtain a network slice configuration change request of the first base station on the satellite; the network slice configuration change request includes a switching reason and single network slice selection assistance information S-NSSAI; The determining module is configured to, in response to the network slice configuration change request, determine a target network slice according to a satellite state and / or the S-NSSAI when the switching reason is an inter-satellite switching; The deployment module is used to deploy the target network slice to the first base station on the satellite.

8. The satellite-ground integrated network slice management device according to claim 7, characterized in that: Before sending the first handover request message to the first base station on the satellite, the acquisition module is further used to obtain a second handover request message from the second base station on the satellite; the second handover request message is used to indicate that the base station carrying the service needs to perform inter-satellite handover due to ephemeris change; The second handover request message includes: a handover type, the handover reason, and the S-NSSAI.

9. The satellite-ground integrated network slice management device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The first base station and the second base station are located on different satellites; the satellite status includes: ephemeris change period information between the satellite where the first base station is located and the satellite where the second base station is located; The determination module is specifically used to determine, from the historical records of inter-satellite switching, a network slice that meets the ephemeris change cycle information as the target network slice.

10. The satellite-ground integrated network slice management device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The first base station and the second base station are located on the same satellite; the satellite status includes: resource status of the satellite; The determination module is specifically used to determine, based on the S-NSSAI, the change requirement of the network slice corresponding to the S-NSSAI; the change requirement includes the expansion or reduction of virtual resources; based on the change requirement and the resource situation of the satellite, change the virtual resources of the network slice corresponding to the S-NSSAI; and determine the changed network slice as the target network slice.

11. The satellite-ground integrated network slice management device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The first base station and the second base station are located on the same satellite; The determining module is specifically configured to determine, based on the S-NSSAI, change requirements of multiple concurrent network slices corresponding to the S-NSSAI; the change requirements include expansion or reduction of virtual resources; and based on the change requirements of the multiple concurrent network slices and the virtual resource conditions of other network slices without change requirements, change the virtual resources of each of the multiple concurrent network slices respectively. The changed multiple concurrent network slices are determined as the target network slices.

12. The satellite-ground integrated network slice management device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The sending module is also used to feedback a network slice configuration change response to the second base station on the satellite; the network slice configuration change response is used to indicate that the target network slice is successfully deployed.

13. An electronic device, characterized in that: The electronic device includes: a processor and a memory; The memory stores instructions executable by the processor; When the processor is configured to execute the instructions, the electronic device implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

14. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium includes: computer software instructions; When the computer software instructions are executed in an electronic device, the electronic device is enabled to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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