A negotiation method and apparatus therefor

Abstract

This disclosure presents a negotiation method and apparatus applicable to communication systems such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), 5G, 5G New Radio, or other future new mobile communication systems. The method includes receiving a terminal device capability indication under satellite access and feeding back network indication information to the terminal device based on the capability indication. By implementing this disclosure, feeding back network indication information to the terminal device based on the capability indication indicates whether the terminal supports power-saving management and mobility management in cases of discontinuous satellite access coverage, as well as random communication within a preset time range before and after satellite signal coverage is lost. This avoids unreasonable resource consumption or network congestion when the terminal uses a discontinuous satellite access network, thus saving terminal and network resources.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a negotiation method and apparatus thereof. Background Technology

[0002] In wireless communication, satellite access is used to provide network services to users. However, satellite access may be affected by factors such as the coverage range of satellite beams and the insufficient number of satellites in Starlink, resulting in discontinuous signal coverage to the ground. This means that when a user accesses the network via satellite in a certain area, there may be periods without satellite signal coverage. To address the discontinuous coverage of satellite access networks used by terminal devices, it is necessary to solve problems such as power-saving management and mobility management based on satellite coverage conditions, as well as random communication before and after satellite coverage is lost. This will prevent unreasonable resource consumption and communication congestion in discontinuous coverage scenarios. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This disclosure provides a negotiation method and apparatus that can be applied to communication systems such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), 5th Generation (5G), 5G New Radio (NR), or other future new mobile communication systems. By receiving a terminal device capability indication under satellite access conditions and feeding back network indication information to the terminal device based on the capability indication, the method indicates whether the terminal supports power-saving management and mobility management in cases of discontinuous satellite access coverage, as well as random communication within a preset time range before and after satellite signal coverage is lost. This avoids unreasonable resource consumption or network congestion when the terminal uses a discontinuous satellite access network.

[0004] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a negotiation method, the method comprising:

[0005] Receive terminal device capability indication under satellite access, and feed back network indication information to the terminal device based on the terminal device capability indication;

[0006] Wherein, the terminal capability indicator of the terminal device under satellite access is used to indicate at least one of the following capabilities:

[0007] Supports discontinuous coverage with satellite access;

[0008] Supports sending power-saving parameters and non-access stratum NAS timers;

[0009] Supports sending satellite coverage information related to terminal devices;

[0010] Supports random communication before satellite coverage is about to be lost;

[0011] Supports delayed communication after satellite coverage is restored.

[0012] Optionally, the terminal device capability indication under satellite access includes at least one of the following:

[0013] The first capability indication is used to indicate that the terminal device supports discontinuous coverage of satellite access, or that the satellite network to which the terminal device is connected provides discontinuous coverage;

[0014] The second capability indicator is used to indicate that the terminal device supports providing power-saving parameter calculations;

[0015] The third capability indication is used to indicate that the terminal device supports providing satellite coverage information related to the terminal device;

[0016] The fourth capability indication is used to indicate that the terminal device supports the first timer or supports random communication before the loss of coverage signal, wherein the first timer is used to control the communication between the terminal device and the network device before the loss of satellite signal coverage;

[0017] The fifth capability indication is used to indicate that the terminal device supports the second timer or supports delayed communication after satellite coverage is restored, wherein the second timer is used to control the communication between the terminal device and the network after the same satellite access signal coverage is restored.

[0018] Optionally, the receiving terminal device's capability indication under satellite access, and the network indication information fed back to the terminal device based on the terminal device capability indication, include at least one of the following:

[0019] In response to receiving a first capability indication, the network device feeds back network first indication information, which is used to indicate that the network device supports discontinuous coverage for satellite access;

[0020] In response to receiving a second capability indication, the system feeds back network second indication information to the terminal device, the second indication information being used to instruct the terminal device to provide the power-saving parameters and the NAS timer;

[0021] In response to receiving a third capability indication, network third indication information is fed back to the terminal device, the third indication information being used to instruct the terminal device to provide satellite coverage information related to the terminal device;

[0022] In response to receiving a fourth capability indication, network fourth indication information is fed back to the terminal device. The fourth indication information is used to indicate a first time range or a first timer for random communication. The first time range is used to indicate network communication within the time range before satellite coverage is lost, and the first timer is used to indicate network communication after the timer expires.

[0023] In response to receiving a fifth capability indication, network fifth indication information is fed back to the terminal device. The fifth indication information is used to indicate a second time range for delayed communication. The second time range is used to indicate network communication within the time range after satellite coverage is restored.

[0024] Optionally, the satellite coverage information associated with the terminal device includes at least one of the following:

[0025] The time during which the terminal device has satellite signal coverage;

[0026] The duration for which the terminal device has satellite signal coverage;

[0027] The time during which the terminal device has no satellite signal coverage;

[0028] The duration during which the terminal device has no satellite signal coverage.

[0029] Optionally, the power-saving parameters and NAS timer include at least one of the following information:

[0030] Extended Discontinuous Receive Mode (eDRX) parameters in the connection management idle CM-IDLE state;

[0031] Parameters used to configure the MICO mode where only terminal devices initiate connections;

[0032] Parameters used to configure the power saving PSM state;

[0033] The duration of the timer is set to be registered periodically.

[0034] The duration of the mobile reachability timer;

[0035] Implicitly unregister the timer's duration.

[0036] In this technical solution, by receiving the terminal device capability indication under satellite access, and feeding back network indication information to the terminal device based on the terminal device capability indication, the solution indicates whether the terminal supports power saving management and mobility management in the case of discontinuous satellite access coverage, as well as random communication within a preset time range before satellite signal coverage is about to be lost and after satellite signal coverage is restored. This avoids problems such as unreasonable resource consumption or network congestion when the terminal uses a satellite access network with discontinuous coverage.

[0037] Secondly, this disclosure provides another negotiation method, which includes:

[0038] Send a terminal device capability indication under satellite access to the network device;

[0039] Receive network indication information sent by the network device, wherein the network indication information includes any one of the following:

[0040] The first indication information is used to indicate that the network supports discontinuous coverage for satellite access;

[0041] The second instruction information is used to instruct the terminal device to provide power-saving parameters and a NAS timer;

[0042] The third instruction information is used to instruct the terminal device to provide satellite coverage information related to the terminal device;

[0043] The fourth indication information is used to indicate the first time range or the first timer for random communication;

[0044] The fifth instruction information is used to indicate the second time range of delayed communication.

[0045] Optionally, in response to the network indication information including the first indication information and / or the second indication information, the power-saving parameters and the NAS timer are sent to the network device, and the network device is requested to grant authorization.

[0046] Optionally, in response to the network indication information including first indication information and / or third indication information, satellite coverage information related to the terminal device is sent to the network device.

[0047] Optionally, in response to the network indication information including first indication information and / or fourth indication information, a third timer duration is set according to the satellite coverage information related to the terminal device and the first time range; or,

[0048] Based on the satellite coverage information related to the terminal device and the first time range, a period of inaccessibility for the terminal device is set. The start time of the period of inaccessibility for the terminal device is within the first time range before the terminal device loses satellite signal coverage, or

[0049] The duration of a third timer is set based on satellite coverage information and a preset time range on the terminal device; or,

[0050] The terminal device is set to be unreachable during a period of time based on the satellite coverage information and a preset time range. The start time of the unreachable period is within the preset time range before the terminal device loses satellite signal coverage.

[0051] Optionally, after setting the duration of the third timer, the method further includes:

[0052] Start a third timer, and when the third timer expires, communicate with the network device.

[0053] Optionally, after setting the unreachable period for the terminal device, the method further includes:

[0054] Communicate with the network device before the start of the unreachable period of the terminal device.

[0055] Optionally, in response to the network indication information including first indication information and / or fourth indication information, the method further includes:

[0056] Start the first timer, and when the first timer expires, communicate with the network device.

[0057] Optionally, in response to the network indication information including first indication information and / or fifth indication information, the method further includes:

[0058] The duration of the second timer is set based on the second time range and the satellite coverage information related to the terminal device.

[0059] Optionally, after setting the duration of the second timer, the method further includes:

[0060] Start the second timer, and when the second timer expires, communicate with the network device.

[0061] Optionally, the satellite coverage information associated with the terminal device includes at least one of the following:

[0062] The time during which the terminal device has satellite signal coverage;

[0063] The duration for which the terminal device has satellite signal coverage;

[0064] The time during which the terminal device has no satellite signal coverage;

[0065] The duration during which the terminal device has no satellite signal coverage.

[0066] Optionally, the power-saving parameters and NAS timer include at least one of the following information:

[0067] eDRX parameters under CM-IDLE;

[0068] Parameters used to configure MICO mode;

[0069] Parameters used to configure the PSM status;

[0070] The duration of the timer is set to be registered periodically.

[0071] The duration of the mobile reachability timer;

[0072] Implicitly unregister the timer's duration.

[0073] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device that implements some or all of the functions of the terminal device described in the first aspect above. For example, the communication device may have the functions of some or all of the embodiments in this disclosure, or it may have the functions of any one embodiment in this disclosure implemented individually. The functions may be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0074] In one implementation, the communication device may include a transceiver module and a processing module, the processing module being configured to support the communication device in performing the corresponding functions described in the above method. The transceiver module supports communication between the communication device and other devices. The communication device may also include a storage module, coupled to the transceiver module and the processing module, which stores necessary computer programs and data for the communication device.

[0075] As an example, the processing module can be a processor, the transceiver module can be a transceiver or a communication interface, and the storage module can be a memory. In one implementation, the communication device includes:

[0076] The first transceiver module is used to receive the terminal device capability indication under satellite access and to feed back network indication information to the terminal device based on the terminal device capability indication.

[0077] Wherein, the terminal capability indicator of the terminal device under satellite access is used to indicate at least one of the following capabilities:

[0078] Supports discontinuous coverage with satellite access;

[0079] Supports sending power-saving parameters and non-access stratum NAS timers;

[0080] Supports sending satellite coverage information related to terminal devices;

[0081] Supports random communication before satellite coverage is about to be lost;

[0082] Supports delayed communication after satellite coverage is restored.

[0083] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide another communication device that implements some or all of the functions of the network device in the method example described in the second aspect above. For example, the communication device may have the functions of some or all of the embodiments in this disclosure, or it may have the functions of any one embodiment in this disclosure implemented individually. The functions may be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0084] In one implementation, the communication device may include a transceiver module and a processing module, the processing module being configured to support the communication device in performing the corresponding functions described in the above method. The transceiver module is used to support communication between the communication device and other devices. The communication device may also include a storage module, which is coupled to the transceiver module and the processing module, and stores the necessary computer programs and data of the communication device.

[0085] As an example, the processing module can be a processor, the transceiver module can be a transceiver or a communication interface, and the storage module can be a memory. In one implementation, the communication device includes:

[0086] The second transceiver module is used to send a terminal device capability indication under satellite access to the network device.

[0087] The third transceiver module is used to receive network indication information sent by the network device, wherein the network indication information includes any one of the following:

[0088] The first indication information is used to indicate that the network supports discontinuous coverage for satellite access;

[0089] The second instruction information is used to instruct the terminal device to provide power-saving parameters and a NAS timer;

[0090] The third instruction information is used to instruct the terminal device to provide satellite coverage information related to the terminal device;

[0091] The fourth indication information is used to indicate the first time range or the first timer for random communication;

[0092] The fifth instruction information is used to indicate the second time range of delayed communication.

[0093] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device including a processor that, when the processor invokes a computer program in memory, executes the method described in the first aspect.

[0094] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device including a processor that, when the processor invokes a computer program in memory, executes the method described in the second aspect above.

[0095] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device including a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program; the processor executes the computer program stored in the memory to cause the communication device to perform the method described in the first aspect above.

[0096] Eighthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device including a processor and a memory storing a computer program; the processor executes the computer program stored in the memory to cause the communication device to perform the method described in the second aspect above.

[0097] Ninthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device including a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is configured to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor, which is configured to execute the code instructions to cause the device to perform the method described in the first aspect above.

[0098] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device including a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is configured to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor, which is configured to execute the code instructions to cause the device to perform the method described in the second aspect above.

[0099] Eleventhly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a negotiation system, which includes the communication device described in the third aspect and the communication device described in the fourth aspect, or the system includes the communication device described in the fifth aspect and the communication device described in the sixth aspect, or the system includes the communication device described in the seventh aspect and the communication device described in the eighth aspect, or the system includes the communication device described in the ninth aspect and the communication device described in the tenth aspect.

[0100] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a computer-readable storage medium for storing instructions for use by the aforementioned terminal device, which, when executed, cause the terminal device to perform the method described in the first aspect.

[0101] In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a readable storage medium for storing instructions for use by the network device described above, which, when executed, cause the network device to perform the method described in the second aspect above.

[0102] In a fourteenth aspect, this disclosure also provides a computer program product including a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method described in the first aspect above.

[0103] In a fifteenth aspect, this disclosure also provides a computer program product including a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method described in the second aspect above.

[0104] In a sixteenth aspect, this disclosure provides a chip system including at least one processor and an interface for supporting a terminal device in implementing the functions involved in the first aspect, such as determining or processing at least one of the data and information involved in the above methods. In one possible design, the chip system further includes a memory for storing computer programs and data necessary for the terminal device. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0105] In a seventeenth aspect, this disclosure provides a chip system including at least one processor and an interface for supporting network devices in implementing the functions involved in the second aspect, such as determining or processing at least one of the data and information involved in the above methods. In one possible design, the chip system further includes a memory for storing computer programs and data necessary for the network device. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0106] In an eighteenth aspect, this disclosure provides a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method described in the first aspect above.

[0107] In a nineteenth aspect, this disclosure provides a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method described in the second aspect above. Attached Figure Description

[0108] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments or background art of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments or background art of this disclosure will be described below.

[0109] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0110] Figure 2 This is a schematic flowchart of a negotiation method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0111] Figure 3 This is a schematic flowchart of a negotiation method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0112] Figure 4 This is a schematic flowchart of a negotiation method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0113] Figure 5This is a flowchart illustrating another negotiation method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0114] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0115] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0116] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0117] To better understand the negotiation method disclosed in this embodiment, the communication system to which this embodiment applies is first described below.

[0118] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication system may include, but is not limited to, a network device and a terminal device. Figure 1 The number and form of devices shown are for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of this disclosure. In actual applications, two or more network devices and two or more terminal devices may be included. Figure 1 The communication system shown is exemplified by a network device 101 and a terminal device 102.

[0119] It should be noted that the technical solutions of this disclosure can be applied to various communication systems. For example, Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, 5th Generation (5G) mobile communication systems, 5G New Radio (NR) systems, or other future new mobile communication systems. It should also be noted that the side link in this disclosure can also be referred to as a side link or a direct link.

[0120] The network device 101 in this embodiment is a network unit entity with a certain function on the network side. For example, the network device 101 can be an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), a Mobility Management Entity (MME), a Session Management Function (SMF), etc. The embodiments of this disclosure do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the network device.

[0121] The terminal device 102 in this disclosure is a user-side entity used to receive or transmit signals, such as a mobile phone. The terminal device can also be referred to as a terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc. The terminal device can be a car with communication capabilities, a smart car, a mobile phone, a wearable device, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, a wireless terminal device in a smart home, etc. This disclosure does not limit the specific technology or device form used in the terminal device.

[0122] The 5G core network supports user terminals to access the network via satellite.

[0123] If satellite access is used to provide network services to users, the signal coverage provided to the ground may be discontinuous due to factors such as the coverage range of the satellite beam and the insufficient number of satellites in Starlink. That is, when a user accesses the network via satellite in a certain area, there may be periods of time when there is no satellite signal coverage. For example, after a terminal device obtains 20 minutes of satellite access signal coverage, it may take 10 hours before it can obtain another 20 minutes of signal coverage.

[0124] Terminal devices use satellite network access. During periods of lost access coverage, the terminal device can enter a power-saving state or use other available access networks. Therefore, the network or terminal device needs to obtain satellite coverage information to determine the terminal device's behavior during periods of no satellite coverage, including deciding on power-saving parameters.

[0125] In existing technologies, a UE can obtain satellite coverage information and generate power-saving parameters based on the satellite coverage information, UE location, trajectory, and other information, and request the network to authorize the parameters. Alternatively, the UE can provide the satellite coverage information to the network, which will then generate power-saving parameters based on the coverage information and send them to the UE. The relevant technologies are described below:

[0126] If the UE can determine the time period during which it has no satellite coverage and decides not to conduct any application services during the period of no coverage, it can trigger the mobile registration update process to achieve the following:

[0127] a) Request parameters from the network for Mobile Initiated Connection Only (MICO) mode, Extended Discontinuous Reception (eDRX) parameters under Connection Management-IDLE (CM-IDLE) state, and Non-access stratum (NAS) timers. This allows the network device to authorize the network device for these parameters and NAS timers, and then return the authorization to the UE for power saving and mobility management during periods without satellite signal coverage. Alternatively,

[0128] (b) When the UE is about to lose network coverage, a UE unreachable period is sent to the network. The network device generates power-saving parameters and NAS timers required for power-saving management and mobility management of the UE during the period without satellite signal coverage based on the UE unreachable period, and returns them to the UE. The UE implements power-saving management and mobility management during the period without satellite signal coverage based on the power-saving parameters and NAS timers.

[0129] In addition, if a UE that is in a period of no satellite signal coverage regains signal coverage, a large number of UEs may simultaneously access the network or restore their connection with the network. This could lead to a large number of users communicating with the network at the same time in a short period of time, causing network congestion. To avoid this situation, the network provides the UE with an access waiting time range. Each UE sets a random value for a waiting timer according to the information. When the waiting timer expires, the UE resumes communication with the network.

[0130] The above technical implementation has the following problems:

[0131] When a terminal device uses satellite access with discontinuous coverage, it is unclear how the terminal device decides whether to provide power-saving parameters or satellite coverage information to the network, and how the terminal device learns under what circumstances the network needs satellite coverage information or power-saving parameters related to the terminal device.

[0132] The network provides terminal devices with access waiting time range information, but how to handle situations where the terminal device does not support the waiting timer?

[0133] Furthermore, when satellite signal coverage in a designated area is about to be lost, a large number of UEs may simultaneously communicate with the network, such as sending registration updates to request power-saving parameters for use during periods of no signal coverage. This simultaneous communication by a large number of users is highly likely to cause network congestion. How can this be avoided?

[0134] It is understood that the communication system described in the embodiments of this disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this disclosure. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0135] The negotiation method and apparatus provided in this disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0136] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating a negotiation method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. The method is applied to network devices. Figure 2 As shown, the method may include, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0137] Step S201: Receive the terminal device capability indication under satellite access, and feed back network indication information to the terminal device based on the terminal device capability indication;

[0138] Wherein, the terminal capability indicator of the terminal device under satellite access is used to indicate at least one of the following capabilities:

[0139] Supports discontinuous coverage with satellite access;

[0140] Supports sending power-saving parameters and non-access stratum NAS timers;

[0141] Supports sending satellite coverage information related to terminal devices;

[0142] Supports random communication before satellite coverage is about to be lost;

[0143] Supports delayed communication after satellite coverage is restored.

[0144] In this embodiment, the network device determines whether the terminal device supports power-saving management and mobility management under discontinuous satellite access coverage, as well as random communication within a preset time range before and after satellite signal coverage is lost. This avoids unreasonable resource consumption or network congestion when the terminal uses a discontinuous satellite access network. The terminal capability indicator under satellite access indicates the capabilities supported by the terminal device. Based on the terminal capability indicator, the network device determines the capabilities supported by the terminal device under discontinuous satellite signal coverage and feeds back network indication information to the terminal device. This network indication information instructs the terminal device's behavior to control power-saving management and mobility management under discontinuous satellite signal coverage, as well as communication within a preset time range before and after satellite signal coverage is lost.

[0145] NAS timers are mainly used to control the sending of registration update messages. Theoretically, when a NAS timer expires, a registration update message should be sent to the network device. However, to avoid congestion, it is now necessary to combine the unreachable period of the terminal device or the expiration of the first, second, or third timer before sending the message.

[0146] The power-saving parameters are various parameters of the terminal device used to control the power-saving management of the terminal device during periods without satellite signal coverage, so as to save power, avoid unreasonable consumption, and improve the battery life of the terminal device.

[0147] Random communication involves the terminal device communicating with the network randomly within a preset time range before losing satellite signal coverage. This disperses the communication start times of a large number of UEs in the same area within the preset time range, thereby avoiding network congestion.

[0148] Delayed communication involves the terminal device randomly communicating with the network within a preset time range after satellite signal coverage is restored. This disperses the communication start times of a large number of UEs in the same area within the preset time range, thereby avoiding network congestion.

[0149] The network device in this disclosure is a network unit entity on the network side that has a certain function. For example, the network device can be an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), a Mobility Management Entity (MME), a Session Management Function (SMF), etc. The embodiments of this disclosure do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the network device.

[0150] Optionally, the network device is an AMF or MME, and the information transmitted between the terminal device and the AMF (such as the terminal device capability indication under satellite access) is forwarded through the base station. The AMF is used to perform registration, connection, reachability, and mobility management. It provides a session management message transmission channel for the UE and SMF, provides authentication and authorization functions for user access, and is the core network control plane access point for the terminal and radio.

[0151] The Management Module (MME) is a key control node in 3GPP LTE access networks. It is responsible for locating terminal devices in idle mode, paging processes (including relaying), and generally, signaling processing. The MME includes the following functions: access control (including security and authorization control); mobility management; attach and detach; and session management.

[0152] In this embodiment, by receiving the terminal device capability indication under satellite access and feeding back network indication information to the terminal device based on the terminal device capability indication, the system indicates whether the terminal supports power saving management and mobility management in the case of discontinuous satellite access coverage, as well as random communication within a preset time range before satellite signal coverage is about to be lost and after satellite signal coverage is restored. This avoids problems such as unreasonable resource consumption or network congestion when the terminal uses a satellite access network with discontinuous coverage.

[0153] Optionally, the terminal device capability indication under satellite access includes at least one of the following:

[0154] The first capability indication is used to indicate that the terminal device supports discontinuous coverage of satellite access, or that the satellite network to which the terminal device is connected provides discontinuous coverage;

[0155] The second capability indicator is used to indicate that the terminal device supports providing power-saving parameter calculations;

[0156] The third capability indication is used to indicate that the terminal device supports providing satellite coverage information related to the terminal device; the fourth capability indication is used to indicate that the terminal device supports a first timer or supports random communication before the loss of coverage signal, wherein the first timer is used to control the communication between the terminal device and the network device before the loss of satellite signal coverage;

[0157] The fifth capability indication is used to indicate that the terminal device supports the second timer or supports delayed communication after satellite coverage is restored, wherein the second timer is used to control the communication between the terminal device and the network after the same satellite access signal coverage is restored.

[0158] Optionally, the receiving terminal device's capability indication under satellite access, and the network indication information fed back to the terminal device based on the terminal device capability indication, include at least one of the following:

[0159] In response to receiving a first capability indication, the network device feeds back network first indication information, which is used to indicate that the network device supports discontinuous coverage for satellite access;

[0160] In response to receiving a second capability indication, the system feeds back network second indication information to the terminal device, the second indication information being used to instruct the terminal device to provide the power-saving parameters and the NAS timer;

[0161] In response to receiving a third capability indication, network third indication information is fed back to the terminal device, the third indication information being used to instruct the terminal device to provide satellite coverage information related to the terminal device;

[0162] In response to receiving a fourth capability indication, network fourth indication information is fed back to the terminal device. The fourth indication information is used to indicate a first time range or a first timer for random communication. The first time range is used to indicate network communication within the time range before satellite coverage is lost, and the first timer is used to indicate network communication after the timer expires.

[0163] In response to receiving a fifth capability indication, network fifth indication information is fed back to the terminal device. The fifth indication information is used to indicate a second time range for delayed communication. The second time range is used to indicate network communication within the time range after satellite coverage is restored.

[0164] Optionally, the network device is an AMF / MME. The AMF / MME receives the terminal device capability indication under satellite access forwarded by the terminal device through the base station. After the network device generates network indication information, it forwards the network indication information to the terminal device through the base station.

[0165] Optionally, the satellite coverage information associated with the terminal device includes at least one of the following:

[0166] The time during which the terminal device has satellite signal coverage;

[0167] The duration for which the terminal device has satellite signal coverage;

[0168] The time during which the terminal device has no satellite signal coverage;

[0169] The duration during which the terminal device has no satellite signal coverage.

[0170] In this embodiment, the satellite coverage information is used to indicate the time period during which the terminal device's communication is covered by satellite, and the time period during which it is not covered by satellite. Based on the above information network device, it can be determined whether the terminal device is covered by satellite.

[0171] Optionally, the power-saving parameters and NAS timer include at least one of the following information:

[0172] Extended Discontinuous Receive Mode (eDRX) parameters in the connection management idle CM-IDLE state;

[0173] Parameters used to configure the MICO mode where only terminal devices initiate connections;

[0174] Parameters used to configure the power saving PSM state;

[0175] The duration of the timer is set to be registered periodically.

[0176] The duration of the mobile reachability timer;

[0177] Implicitly unregister the timer's duration.

[0178] In this embodiment, the signaling connection between the terminal device and the network device has two states: CM-IDLE and CM-CONNECTED (Connection Management Access). When the connection state between the terminal device and the network device is CM-IDLE, it indicates that the terminal device has not established a NAS signaling connection with the AMF on N1, nor has it established an access network signaling connection, N2 connection, or N3 connection. Whenever an N2 connection is established between the satellite and the network device for the terminal device, the network device will enter the CM-CONNECTED state of the terminal device. Upon receiving the initial N2 message, the network device will begin transitioning from the CM-IDLE state to the CM-CONNECTED state.

[0179] If the terminal device is simultaneously in CM-IDLE and RM-REGISTERED states, it can respond to a paging message by executing a service request procedure; it will also execute a service request procedure when it needs to send uplink signaling or uplink user data.

[0180] eDRX has a longer paging period, allowing terminal devices to save power, but it also results in longer downlink data latency. The module can only listen to the paging channel according to the DRX cycle within the paging time window (PTW) to receive downlink services; outside the PTW, it is in sleep mode, does not listen to the paging channel, and cannot receive downlink services. The eDRX parameters include the PTW.

[0181] If the terminal device is in MICO mode and CM-IDLE state, only the terminal can initiate a service request to establish a connection. When the network device receives downlink data or messages from the user, it will not page the terminal device to establish a connection; the terminal device will not receive such messages in MICO mode. The network can only send downlink data or messages to the terminal device when it is in CM-CONNECTED state. Terminal devices in MICO mode will not initiate a service request process to respond to network paging.

[0182] The principle of PSM (Power Segmentation Management) is to allow terminal devices to shut down signal transmission and reception and access layer functions after a period of idle time, thereby reducing power consumption of antennas, radio frequency, signaling processing, etc. During PSM, the terminal device does not receive any network paging, including cell search messages, cell reselection, etc. From the perspective of network devices, the terminal device is unreachable at this time and no longer receives downlink data.

[0183] In PSM mode, the terminal device no longer listens for paging, but it remains registered in the network; therefore, it does not need to reconnect or establish a connection to send data. Even after entering PSM mode, the terminal device can still actively send uplink data to the platform.

[0184] By sending the power-saving parameters (at least one of eDRX parameters, MICO mode parameters in CM-IDLE state, and PSM parameters) and NAS timer (periodic registration update timer) to the terminal device, the terminal device can be provided with the parameters required for power-saving management and mobility management during periods without satellite coverage, thereby saving the terminal device's energy and avoiding unreasonable consumption of terminal resources.

[0185] Please see Figure 3 , Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a negotiation method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. The method is applied to network devices. Figure 3 As shown, the method may include, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0186] Step S301: Send a terminal device capability indication under satellite access to the network device;

[0187] Step S302: Receive network indication information sent by the network device, wherein the network indication information includes any one of the following:

[0188] The first indication information is used to indicate that the network supports discontinuous coverage for satellite access;

[0189] The second instruction information is used to instruct the terminal device to provide power-saving parameters and a NAS timer;

[0190] The third instruction information is used to instruct the terminal device to provide satellite coverage information related to the terminal device;

[0191] The fourth indication information is used to indicate the first time range or the first timer for random communication;

[0192] The fifth instruction information is used to indicate the second time range of delayed communication.

[0193] In this embodiment, the terminal device sends a terminal device capability indication under satellite access, which is used to indicate the capabilities supported by the terminal device.

[0194] The network device determines, based on the capabilities of the terminal device, whether the terminal device has used satellite access that provides discontinuous coverage and the ability to process support under discontinuous satellite signal coverage. The network device then feeds back network indication information to the terminal device. This network indication information is used to instruct the behavior of the terminal device to control its behavior in the absence of satellite signal coverage and to enable communication after satellite coverage is restored.

[0195] In this embodiment, by receiving the terminal device capability indication under satellite access and feeding back network indication information to the terminal device based on the terminal device capability indication, the system indicates whether the terminal supports power saving management and mobility management in the case of discontinuous satellite access coverage, as well as random communication within a preset time range before satellite signal coverage is about to be lost and after satellite signal coverage is restored. This avoids problems such as unreasonable resource consumption or network congestion when the terminal uses a satellite access network with discontinuous coverage.

[0196] Optionally, in response to the network indication information including the first indication information and / or the second indication information, the power-saving parameters and the NAS timer are sent to the network device, and the network device is requested to grant authorization.

[0197] Optionally, in response to the network indication information including first indication information and / or third indication information, satellite coverage information related to the terminal device is sent to the network device.

[0198] Optionally, in response to the network indication information including first indication information and / or fourth indication information, a third timer duration is set according to the satellite coverage information related to the terminal device and the first time range; or,

[0199] Based on the satellite coverage information related to the terminal device and the first time range, a period of inaccessibility for the terminal device is set. The start time of the period of inaccessibility for the terminal device is within the first time range before the terminal device loses satellite signal coverage.

[0200] The duration of a third timer is set based on satellite coverage information and a preset time range on the terminal device; or,

[0201] The terminal device is set to be unreachable during a period of time based on the satellite coverage information and a preset time range. The start time of the unreachable period is within the preset time range before the terminal device loses satellite signal coverage.

[0202] In this embodiment, the terminal device supports random communication before satellite coverage is about to be lost, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate the first time range or the first timer for random communication.

[0203] The first time range is used to indicate network communication within the time range before satellite coverage is lost. The duration of the third timer is set according to the first time range to facilitate determining whether the terminal device communicates with the network after the third timer expires.

[0204] The terminal device can set an unreachable period based on the satellite coverage information related to the terminal device and the first time range. Before the unreachable period begins, the terminal device can determine to communicate with the network.

[0205] The terminal device can also set the duration of the third timer based on the satellite coverage information and the preset time range. The preset time range is a time range preset on the terminal device, and the implementer can set the preset time range according to the actual implementation needs.

[0206] The terminal device can set an unreachable period based on the satellite coverage information and a preset time range. The start time of the unreachable period is within the preset time range before the terminal device loses satellite signal coverage, so that the terminal device enters an unreachable state before losing satellite signal coverage, thus keeping the terminal in a power-saving state.

[0207] Optionally, after setting the duration of the third timer, the method further includes:

[0208] Start a third timer, and when the third timer expires, communicate with the network device.

[0209] In this embodiment, after setting the duration of the third timer, the third timer can be started to count down. When the countdown expires, the terminal communicates with the network device.

[0210] Optionally, after setting the unreachable period for the terminal device, the method further includes:

[0211] Communicate with the network device before the start time of the period when the terminal device is unreachable.

[0212] In this embodiment, before the start of the period when the terminal device is unreachable, the terminal device is still within the coverage area of ​​the satellite signal and can continue to communicate with the network device.

[0213] Optionally, in response to the network indication information including first indication information and / or fourth indication information, the method further includes:

[0214] Start the first timer, and when the first timer expires, communicate with the network device.

[0215] In this embodiment, the terminal device receives a first timer indicated by the fourth indication information, the duration of which is indicated by the network device. The first timer is started, and upon its expiration, the terminal device communicates with the network device.

[0216] In this embodiment, the first timer and the third timer are used to allow multiple terminal devices to communicate with the network device simultaneously within a preset time range before satellite coverage is lost.

[0217] Optionally, in response to the network indication information including first indication information and / or fifth indication information, the method further includes:

[0218] The duration of the second timer is set based on the second time range and the satellite coverage information related to the terminal device.

[0219] In this embodiment, the terminal device supports delayed communication after satellite coverage is restored. The fifth indication information is used to indicate the second time range of delayed communication. Based on the second time range and the satellite coverage information related to the terminal device, the duration of the second timer can be set.

[0220] Optionally, after setting the duration of the second timer, the method further includes:

[0221] Start the second timer, and when the second timer expires, communicate with the network device.

[0222] In this embodiment, the second time range is used to indicate the delayed communication time range after satellite coverage is restored. When the second timer expires, it means that the terminal device has re-entered the satellite signal coverage range and can resume communication with the network device.

[0223] Optionally, the satellite coverage information associated with the terminal device includes at least one of the following:

[0224] The time during which the terminal device has satellite signal coverage;

[0225] The duration for which the terminal device has satellite signal coverage;

[0226] The time during which the terminal device has no satellite signal coverage;

[0227] The duration during which the terminal device has no satellite signal coverage.

[0228] Optionally, the power-saving parameters and NAS timer include at least one of the following information:

[0229] eDRX parameters under CM-IDLE;

[0230] Parameters used to configure MICO mode;

[0231] Parameters used to configure the PSM status;

[0232] The duration of the timer is set to be registered periodically.

[0233] The duration of the mobile reachability timer;

[0234] Implicitly unregister the timer's duration.

[0235] In one possible embodiment, if the terminal device supports discontinuous satellite access coverage, or if the satellite network to which the terminal device is connected provides discontinuous coverage, then the terminal device generates the first capability indication information and sends it to the network device. The network device generates network indication information containing first indication information based on the first capability indication information and feeds it back to the terminal device. The first indication information indicates that the network supports discontinuous satellite access coverage. Based on the network indication information, the terminal device can determine that the network also supports discontinuous satellite access coverage.

[0236] In one possible embodiment, if the terminal device supports power-saving parameter calculation, it will generate the second capability indication information and send it to the network device. The network device generates network indication information based on the second capability indication information, which includes the second indication information, and feeds this network indication information back to the terminal device. This second indication information instructs the terminal device to provide the power-saving parameters and the NAS timer. Based on the network indication information, the terminal device can determine that it needs to provide the power-saving parameters and the NAS timer to the network device for power-saving management and mobility management in cases of discontinuous satellite access coverage.

[0237] In one possible embodiment, if the terminal device supports providing satellite coverage information related to the terminal device, then the terminal device will generate the third capability indication information and send it to the network device. The network device generates network indication information based on the third capability indication information, which includes the third indication information, and feeds this network indication information back to the terminal device. This third indication information instructs the terminal device to provide the satellite coverage information related to the terminal device. Based on the network indication information, the terminal device can determine that it needs to provide satellite coverage information related to the terminal device to the network device for power saving and mobility management in cases of discontinuous satellite access coverage.

[0238] If the network indication information received by the terminal device includes the first indication information and / or the second indication information, it can be determined that the network device supports discontinuous coverage for satellite access. Simultaneously, the terminal device needs to provide power-saving parameters and a NAS timer. In this case, the terminal device can calculate and obtain at least one of the following information:

[0239] eDRX parameters in CM-IDLE state;

[0240] Parameters used to configure MICO mode;

[0241] Parameters used to configure the PSM status;

[0242] The duration of the NAS timer (periodic registration and update timer);

[0243] The duration of the mobile reachability timer;

[0244] Implicitly unregister the timer's duration.

[0245] The above information is then fed back to the network device, requesting the network device to authorize the use of this information for power-saving management and mobility management in cases of discontinuous satellite access coverage.

[0246] If the network indication information received by the terminal device includes first indication information and / or third indication information, it can be determined that the network device supports discontinuous satellite access coverage. Simultaneously, the terminal device needs to provide satellite coverage information related to the terminal device. Therefore, the terminal device needs to send this satellite coverage information to the network device for confirmation of at least one of the following:

[0247] The time during which the terminal device has satellite signal coverage;

[0248] The duration for which the terminal device has satellite signal coverage;

[0249] The time during which the terminal device has no satellite signal coverage;

[0250] The duration during which the terminal device has no satellite signal coverage.

[0251] In one possible embodiment, if the terminal device supports a first timer or supports random communication before the loss of coverage signal, then the terminal device will generate the fourth capability indication information and send it to the network device. Alternatively, the terminal device will send the first capability indication information to the network device, whereby the first capability indication information indicates that the terminal device supports discontinuous satellite access coverage, i.e., supports random communication before the loss of coverage signal. The network device generates network indication information containing the fourth indication information based on the first capability indication information and / or the fourth capability indication information and feeds it back to the terminal device. The fourth indication information is used to indicate a first time range or a first timer for random communication.

[0252] If the network indication information received by the terminal device includes the first indication information and / or the fourth indication information, it can be determined that the network device supports discontinuous satellite access coverage. Simultaneously, the network device instructs the terminal device to set a timer. The terminal device can set a third timer or an unreachable period to enable communication in the case of discontinuous satellite access coverage. The setting steps include any one of the following:

[0253] Set the duration of the third timer based on the satellite coverage information related to the terminal device and the first time range; or,

[0254] Based on the satellite coverage information related to the terminal device and the first time range, an unreachable period for the terminal device is set. The start time of the unreachable period for the terminal device is within the first time range before the terminal device loses satellite signal coverage.

[0255] The duration of a third timer is set based on satellite coverage information and a preset time range on the terminal device; or,

[0256] The inaccessible period of the terminal device is set according to the satellite coverage information related to the terminal device and the preset time range. The start time of the inaccessible period of the terminal device is within the preset time range before the terminal device loses satellite signal coverage.

[0257] If the terminal device is set to a third timer duration, the third timer will be started after the setting is completed. When the third timer expires, communication with the network device will be established.

[0258] If the terminal device is set to an unreachable period, then after the setting is completed, it will communicate with the network device before the start time of the unreachable period.

[0259] In one possible embodiment, the terminal device may also directly start the first timer after obtaining the first timer in the fourth indication information, and communicate with the network device when the first timer expires.

[0260] In one possible embodiment, if the terminal device supports a second timer or supports delayed communication after satellite coverage is restored, then the terminal device will generate the fifth capability indication information and send it to the network device. Alternatively, the terminal device will send first capability indication information to the network device, indicating that the terminal device supports discontinuous satellite access coverage, thus supporting delayed communication after coverage signal restoration. The network device generates network indication information containing the fifth indication information based on the first capability indication information and / or the fifth capability indication information and feeds it back to the terminal device. The fifth indication information is used to indicate a second time range for delayed communication.

[0261] If the network indication information received by the terminal device includes the first indication information and / or the fifth indication information, it can be determined that the network device supports discontinuous satellite access coverage. Simultaneously, the network device instructs the terminal device to set a timer. The terminal device sets the duration of the second timer based on the second time range and the satellite coverage information related to the terminal device. After setting, the second timer is started. When the second timer expires, communication with the network device is established.

[0262] Please see Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating a negotiation method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure, used to negotiate whether a terminal supports random communication within a preset time range before satellite coverage is about to be lost. Figure 4 As shown, the method may include, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0263] S401, the UE (terminal device) accesses the AMF (network device) via satellite and initiates a registration request. The registration request message includes a terminal device capability indication under satellite access, and the indication information is used for the following capabilities:

[0264] The terminal equipment supports discontinuous coverage via satellite access; or

[0265] The terminal device supports random communication before satellite coverage is about to be lost;

[0266] If the terminal device supports the above capabilities, the network device will provide the corresponding indication information. If the terminal device does not provide indication information, it is assumed that the terminal device does not support the corresponding capabilities.

[0267] S402, the AMF makes decisions based on the indication information received from the UE and the AMF's capability information (such as whether the network supports discontinuous coverage of the satellite network) to determine the behavior of the terminal device.

[0268] The terminal device behavior includes:

[0269] The first indication information is used to indicate that the network device supports discontinuous coverage for satellite access; or,

[0270] The fourth indication information is used to indicate a first time range or a first timer for random communication, wherein the first time range is used to indicate network communication within the time range before satellite coverage is lost, the first timer is used to indicate network communication after the timer expires, and the duration of the first timer is set such that the expiration time of the first timer is within the time range.

[0271] S403, AMF returns a registration acceptance message to UE, which includes the network indication information.

[0272] S404, the terminal device receives the network instruction information.

[0273] If the network indication information is the first indication information, it means that the network also supports discontinuous satellite coverage, which means that by default, both the terminal and the network support random communication before satellite coverage is lost and delayed communication after satellite coverage is restored. The terminal device can set a third timer according to its preset time range.

[0274] If the network indication information is the fourth indication information, and the fourth indication information indicates a time range, then the terminal device sets the duration of the third timer or the UE unreachable period according to the satellite coverage information related to the UE and the time range, so that the third timer expires within the time range, or the UE unreachable period begins within the time range.

[0275] The satellite coverage information related to the UE includes at least one of the following: the time period during which the UE has signal coverage (start time and duration of satellite information coverage), and the time period during which the terminal device has no signal coverage (start time and duration of no satellite information coverage).

[0276] S405, according to steps S403 and S404, the UE starts the first timer or the third timer.

[0277] S406, when the first or third timer expires, or when there is no first or third timer, it is determined that the UE is about to start an unreachable period. The UE learns that it is about to lose satellite coverage and initiates a registration update request to the network, which includes satellite coverage information related to the UE or UE unreachable period information.

[0278] S407, AMF sets power-saving parameters and NAS timers based on the satellite coverage information related to the UE or the period when the UE is unreachable, and returns them to the UE.

[0279] S408, based on power-saving parameters, maintains a power-saving state when the UE enters a period without satellite coverage, thus saving terminal power consumption.

[0280] Please see Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating another negotiation method provided in this embodiment, used to negotiate whether the terminal supports delayed communication within a preset time range after satellite coverage is restored. Figure 4 As shown, the method may include, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0281] S501, the UE (terminal device) accesses the AMF (network device) via satellite and initiates a registration request. The registration request message includes a terminal device capability indication under satellite access, and the indication information is used for the following capabilities:

[0282] The terminal equipment supports discontinuous coverage via satellite access; or

[0283] The terminal equipment supports delayed communication after satellite coverage is restored;

[0284] If the terminal device supports the above capabilities, the network device will provide the corresponding indication information. If the terminal device does not provide indication information, it is assumed that the terminal device does not support the corresponding capabilities.

[0285] S502, the AMF makes decisions based on the indication information received from the UE and the AMF's capability information (such as whether the network supports discontinuous coverage of the satellite network) to determine the behavior of the terminal device.

[0286] The terminal device behavior includes:

[0287] The first indication information is used to indicate that the network device supports discontinuous coverage for satellite access; and

[0288] The fifth indication information is used to indicate a second time range for delayed communication, wherein the second time range is used to indicate network communication within the time range after satellite coverage is restored.

[0289] S503, AMF returns a registration acceptance message to UE, which includes the network indication information.

[0290] S504, the terminal device receives the network instruction information.

[0291] The first indication information indicates that the network also supports discontinuous satellite coverage, which means that by default, both the terminal and the network support random communication before satellite coverage is lost and delayed communication after satellite coverage is restored.

[0292] The fourth indication information indicates a time range. Then, the terminal device sets the duration of the second timer according to the satellite coverage information related to the UE and the time range, so that the second timer expires within the time range.

[0293] The satellite coverage information related to the UE includes at least one of the following: the time period during which the UE has signal coverage (start time and duration of satellite information coverage), and the time period during which the terminal device has no signal coverage (start time and duration of no satellite information coverage).

[0294] S505: Before losing network coverage, the UE sends a registration update request to the network, which includes satellite coverage information related to the UE or information about the period when the UE is unreachable.

[0295] S506, AMF sets power-saving parameters and NAS timers based on the UE's relevant satellite coverage information or the period when the UE is unreachable, and returns them to the UE.

[0296] S507, based on power-saving parameters, maintains a power-saving state when the UE enters a period without satellite coverage, thus saving terminal power consumption.

[0297] S508, based on power saving parameters, when the UE exits power saving mode, ensure that the UE restores satellite signal coverage and start the second timer.

[0298] S509, when the second timer expires, the UE initiates communication with the network, such as initiating a registration update.

[0299] In the embodiments provided above, the methods provided by the present disclosure have been described from the perspectives of network devices and terminal devices, respectively. To implement the functions of the methods provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the network device and the terminal device may include hardware structures and software modules, implementing the above functions in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules. One of the above functions can be executed in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules.

[0300] Please see Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 70 provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 6 The communication device 70 shown may include a transceiver module 701 and a processing module 702. The transceiver module 701 may include a sending module and / or a receiving module. The sending module is used to implement the sending function, and the receiving module is used to implement the receiving function. The transceiver module 701 can implement both sending and / or receiving functions.

[0301] The communication device 70 may be a terminal device (such as the terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiments), a device within a terminal device, or a device that can be used in conjunction with a terminal device. Alternatively, the communication device 70 may be a network device, a device within a network device, or a device that can be used in conjunction with a network device.

[0302] Communication device 70 is a terminal device, including:

[0303] The second transceiver module is used to send a terminal device capability indication of the terminal device under satellite access to the network device.

[0304] The third transceiver module is used to receive network indication information sent by the network device, wherein the network indication information includes any one of the following:

[0305] The first indication information is used to indicate that the network supports discontinuous coverage for satellite access;

[0306] The second instruction information is used to instruct the terminal device to provide power-saving parameters and a NAS timer;

[0307] The third instruction information is used to instruct the terminal device to provide satellite coverage information related to the terminal device;

[0308] The fourth indication information is used to indicate the first time range or the first timer for random communication;

[0309] The fifth instruction information is used to indicate the second time range of delayed communication.

[0310] Communication device 70 is a network device, including:

[0311] The first transceiver module is used to receive the terminal device capability indication under satellite access and to feed back network indication information to the terminal device based on the terminal device capability indication.

[0312] Wherein, the terminal capability indicator of the terminal device under satellite access is used to indicate at least one of the following capabilities:

[0313] Supports discontinuous coverage with satellite access;

[0314] Supports sending power-saving parameters and non-access stratum NAS timers;

[0315] Supports sending satellite coverage information related to terminal devices;

[0316] Supports random communication before satellite coverage is about to be lost;

[0317] Supports delayed communication after satellite coverage is restored.

[0318] Please see Figure 7 , Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device 80 provided in this embodiment. The communication device 80 can be a network device, a terminal device (such as the terminal device in the foregoing method embodiments), a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the network device in implementing the above methods, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the terminal device in implementing the above methods. This device can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0319] The communication device 80 may include one or more processors 801. The processor 801 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the CPU can be used to control the communication device (e.g., base station, baseband chip, terminal equipment, terminal equipment chip, DU or CU, etc.), execute computer programs, and process data from the computer programs.

[0320] Optionally, the communication device 80 may further include one or more memories 802, which may store a computer program 803. The processor 801 executes the computer program 803 to cause the communication device 80 to perform the method described in the above method embodiments. Optionally, the memory 802 may also store data. The communication device 80 and the memory 802 may be provided separately or integrated together.

[0321] Optionally, the communication device 80 may also include a transceiver 804 and an antenna 805. The transceiver 804 may be referred to as a transceiver unit, transceiver, or transceiver circuit, etc., and is used to implement the transmission and reception functions. The transceiver 804 may include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver may be referred to as a receiver or receiving circuit, etc., and is used to implement the receiving function; the transmitter may be referred to as a transmitter or transmitting circuit, etc., and is used to implement the transmitting function.

[0322] Optionally, the communication device 80 may further include one or more interface circuits 806. The interface circuits 806 are used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor 801. The processor 801 executes the code instructions to cause the communication device 80 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments.

[0323] Communication device 80 is a terminal device: transceiver 804 is used to perform... Figure 3 Steps S301 and S302 in the process.

[0324] Communication device 80 is a network device: transceiver 804 is used to perform... Figure 2 Step S201 in the process.

[0325] In one implementation, the processor 801 may include a transceiver for implementing receive and transmit functions. For example, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit, an interface, or an interface circuit. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit for implementing receive and transmit functions may be separate or integrated. The aforementioned transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit can be used for reading and writing code / data, or it can be used for transmitting or relaying signals.

[0326] In one implementation, processor 801 may store computer program 803, which runs on processor 801 and causes communication device 80 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments. Computer program 803 may be embedded in processor 801; in this case, processor 801 may be implemented in hardware.

[0327] In one implementation, the communication device 80 may include circuitry capable of performing the functions of transmitting, receiving, or communicating as described in the foregoing method embodiments. The processor and transceiver described in this disclosure can be implemented on integrated circuits (ICs), analog ICs, radio frequency integrated circuits (RFICs), mixed-signal ICs, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), printed circuit boards (PCBs), electronic devices, etc. The processor and transceiver can also be manufactured using various IC process technologies, such as complementary metal oxide semiconductors (CMOS), n-metal-oxide-semiconductor (NMOS), positive channel metal oxide semiconductors (PMOS), bipolar junction transistors (BJTs), bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS), silicon germanium (SiGe), gallium arsenide (GaAs), etc.

[0328] The communication device described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal device (such as the terminal device in the foregoing method embodiments), but the scope of the communication device described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device may vary. Figure 7 The communication device may be a standalone device or part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be:

[0329] (1) Independent integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem;

[0330] (2) A collection of one or more ICs, optionally including storage components for storing data and computer programs;

[0331] (3) ASIC, such as modem;

[0332] (4) Modules that can be embedded in other devices;

[0333] (5) Receivers, terminal equipment, smart terminal equipment, cellular phones, wireless equipment, handheld devices, mobile units, vehicle-mounted equipment, network equipment, cloud equipment, artificial intelligence equipment, etc.

[0334] (6) Others, etc.

[0335] For cases where the communication device can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 8 The diagram shows the structure of the chip. Figure 8 The chip shown includes a processor 901 and an interface 902. There can be one or more processors 901, and multiple interfaces 902.

[0336] Optionally, the chip also includes a memory 903, which is used to store necessary computer programs and data.

[0337] Those skilled in the art will also understand that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps listed in the embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented by electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both. Whether such functionality is implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and the overall system design requirements. Those skilled in the art can implement the described functionality using various methods for each specific application, but such implementation should not be construed as exceeding the scope of protection of the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0338] This disclosure also provides a negotiation system, which includes the aforementioned... Figure 6 The embodiments include a communication device as a terminal device (such as the terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiments) and a communication device as a network device; or, the system includes the aforementioned... Figure 7 The embodiments include a communication device as a terminal device (such as the terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiments) and a communication device as a network device.

[0339] This disclosure also provides a readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a computer, implement the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0340] This disclosure also provides a computer program product that, when executed by a computer, implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0341] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs. When the computer program is loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this disclosure are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program can be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., high-density digital video discs (DVDs)), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks (SSDs)).

[0342] Those skilled in the art will understand that the various numerical designations such as "first," "second," etc., used in this disclosure are merely for the convenience of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this disclosure, nor do they indicate the order of events.

[0343] At least one of the features described in this disclosure can also be described as one or more, and multiple features can be two, three, four or more, and this disclosure does not impose any limitations. In the embodiments of this disclosure, for a technical feature, the technical features in that technical feature are distinguished by "first", "second", "third", "A", "B", "C" and "D", etc., and there is no sequential order or size order among the technical features described by "first", "second", "third", "A", "B", "C" and "D".

[0344] The correspondences shown in the tables of this disclosure can be configured or predefined. The values ​​of the information in each table are merely examples and can be configured to other values; this disclosure is not limiting. When configuring the correspondences between information and parameters, it is not necessarily required to configure all the correspondences shown in each table. For example, the correspondences shown in some rows of the tables in this disclosure may not be configured. Furthermore, appropriate modifications and adjustments can be made based on the above tables, such as splitting, merging, etc. The names of the parameters shown in the headers of the above tables can also use other names that the communication device can understand, and the values ​​or representations of the parameters can also be other values ​​or representations that the communication device can understand. In the implementation of the above tables, other data structures can also be used, such as arrays, queues, containers, stacks, linear lists, pointers, linked lists, trees, graphs, structures, classes, heaps, hash tables, or hash tables, etc.

[0345] The predefined terms in this disclosure can be understood as defined, predefined, stored, pre-stored, pre-negotiated, pre-configured, solidified, or pre-burned.

[0346] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this disclosure.

[0347] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0348] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this disclosure, but the scope of protection of this disclosure is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this disclosure should be included within the scope of protection of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of this disclosure should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A negotiation method, characterized in that, Applied to network devices, the method includes: The terminal device receives a terminal device capability indication under satellite access, the terminal device capability indication includes a first capability indication, the first capability indication is used to indicate that the terminal device supports discontinuous coverage of satellite access, or that the satellite network accessed by the terminal device provides discontinuous coverage; The network first indication information is fed back to the terminal device, which is used to indicate that the network device supports discontinuous coverage for satellite access.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The terminal capability indicator of the terminal device under satellite access is also used to indicate at least one of the following capabilities: Supports sending power-saving parameters and non-access stratum NAS timers; Supports sending satellite coverage information related to terminal devices; Supports random communication before satellite coverage is about to be lost; Supports delayed communication after satellite coverage is restored.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The terminal device capability indication under satellite access also includes at least one of the following: The second capability indicator is used to indicate that the terminal device supports providing power-saving parameter calculations; The third capability indication is used to indicate that the terminal device supports providing satellite coverage information related to the terminal device; The fourth capability indication is used to indicate that the terminal device supports the first timer or supports random communication before the loss of coverage signal, wherein the first timer is used to control the communication between the terminal device and the network device before the loss of satellite signal coverage; The fifth capability indication is used to indicate that the terminal device supports the second timer or supports delayed communication after satellite coverage is restored, wherein the second timer is used to control the communication between the terminal device and the network after the same satellite access signal coverage is restored.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The method of receiving a terminal device capability indication under satellite access and feeding back network indication information to the terminal device based on the terminal device capability indication also includes at least one of the following: In response to receiving a second capability indication, the system feeds back network second indication information to the terminal device, the second indication information being used to instruct the terminal device to provide the power-saving parameters and the NAS timer; In response to receiving a third capability indication, network third indication information is fed back to the terminal device, the third indication information being used to instruct the terminal device to provide satellite coverage information related to the terminal device; In response to receiving a fourth capability indication, network fourth indication information is fed back to the terminal device. The fourth indication information is used to indicate a first time range or a first timer for random communication. The first time range is used to indicate network communication within the time range before satellite coverage is lost, and the first timer is used to indicate network communication after the timer expires. In response to receiving a fifth capability indication, network fifth indication information is fed back to the terminal device. The fifth indication information is used to indicate a second time range for delayed communication. The second time range is used to indicate network communication within the time range after satellite coverage is restored.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The satellite coverage information related to the terminal device includes at least one of the following: The time during which the terminal device has satellite signal coverage; The duration for which the terminal device has satellite signal coverage; The time during which the terminal device has no satellite signal coverage; The duration during which the terminal device has no satellite signal coverage.

6. The method according to any one of claims 2-4, characterized in that, The power-saving parameters and NAS timer contain at least one of the following information: Extended Discontinuous Receive Mode (eDRX) parameters in the connection management idle CM-IDLE state; Parameters used to configure the MICO mode where only terminal devices initiate connections; Parameters used to configure the power saving PSM state; The timer duration is set to be registered periodically. The duration of the mobile reachability timer; Implicitly unregister the timer's duration.

7. A negotiation method, characterized in that, Applied to terminal devices, including: Send a terminal device capability indication under satellite access to the network device. The terminal device capability indication includes a first capability indication, which is used to indicate that the terminal device supports discontinuous coverage of satellite access, or that the satellite network to which the terminal device is accessed provides discontinuous coverage. The network device receives network indication information, wherein the network indication information includes first indication information, which indicates that the network device supports discontinuous coverage for satellite access.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The network indication information also includes any one of the following: The second instruction information is used to instruct the terminal device to provide power-saving parameters and a NAS timer; The third instruction information is used to instruct the terminal device to provide satellite coverage information related to the terminal device; The fourth indication information is used to indicate the first time range or the first timer for random communication; The fifth instruction information is used to indicate the second time range of delayed communication.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, In response to the network indication information including first indication information and / or second indication information, Send the power-saving parameters and NAS timer to the network device and request authorization from the network device.

10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, In response to the network indication information, including first indication information and / or third indication information, Send satellite coverage information related to the terminal device to the network device.

11. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, In response to the network indication information, including first indication information and / or fourth indication information, The duration of the third timer is set according to the satellite coverage information related to the terminal device and the first time range; or, Based on the satellite coverage information related to the terminal device and the first time range, a period of time when the terminal device is unreachable is set, wherein the start time of the period of time when the terminal device is unreachable is within the first time range before the terminal device loses satellite signal coverage; or, The duration of the third timer is set according to the satellite coverage information and preset time range of the terminal device. The preset time range is a time range preset on the terminal device. or, The terminal device is set to be unreachable during a period of time based on the satellite coverage information and a preset time range. The start time of the unreachable period is within the preset time range before the terminal device loses satellite signal coverage.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, After setting the duration of the third timer, the method further includes: Start a third timer, and when the third timer expires, communicate with the network device.

13. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, After setting the unreachable period for the terminal device, the method further includes: Communicate with the network device before the start time of the period when the terminal device is unreachable.

14. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, In response to the network indication information including first indication information and / or fourth indication information, the method further includes: Start the first timer, and when the first timer expires, communicate with the network device.

15. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, In response to the network indication information including first indication information and / or fifth indication information, the method further includes: The duration of the second timer is set based on the second time range and the satellite coverage information related to the terminal device.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, After setting the duration of the second timer, the method further includes: Start the second timer, and when the second timer expires, communicate with the network device.

17. The method according to any one of claims 8-16, characterized in that, The satellite coverage information related to the terminal device includes at least one of the following: The time during which the terminal device has satellite signal coverage; The duration for which the terminal device has satellite signal coverage; The time during which the terminal device has no satellite signal coverage; The duration during which the terminal device has no satellite signal coverage.

18. The method according to any one of claims 8-16, characterized in that, The power-saving parameters and NAS timer contain at least one of the following information: eDRX parameters under CM-IDLE; Parameters used to configure MICO mode; Parameters used to configure the PSM status; The timer duration is set to be registered periodically. The duration of the mobile reachability timer; Implicitly unregister the timer's duration.

19. A network device, characterized in that, include: The first transceiver module is used to receive a terminal device capability indication under satellite access. The terminal device capability indication includes a first capability indication, which is used to indicate that the terminal device supports discontinuous coverage of satellite access, or that the satellite network accessed by the terminal device provides discontinuous coverage. The network first indication information is fed back to the terminal device, which is used to indicate that the network device supports discontinuous coverage for satellite access.

20. The network device according to claim 19, characterized in that... in, The terminal capability indicator of the terminal device under satellite access is used to indicate at least one of the following capabilities: Supports sending power-saving parameters and non-access stratum NAS timers; Supports sending satellite coverage information related to terminal devices; Supports random communication before satellite coverage is about to be lost; Supports delayed communication after satellite coverage is restored.

21. A communication device, characterized in that, include: The second transceiver module is used to send a terminal device capability indication under satellite access to the network device. The terminal device capability indication includes a first capability indication, which is used to indicate that the terminal device supports discontinuous coverage of satellite access, or that the satellite network accessed by the terminal device provides discontinuous coverage. The third transceiver module is used to receive network indication information sent by the network device, wherein the network indication information includes first indication information, which indicates that the network device supports discontinuous coverage for satellite access.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that, The network indication information includes any one of the following: The second instruction information is used to instruct the terminal device to provide power-saving parameters and a NAS timer; The third instruction information is used to instruct the terminal device to provide satellite coverage information related to the terminal device; The fourth indication information is used to indicate the first time range or the first timer for random communication; The fifth instruction information is used to indicate the second time range of delayed communication.

23. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program, the processor executing the computer program stored in the memory to cause the device to perform the method as claimed in claims 1 to 6 or any one of claims 7 to 18.

24. A communication device, characterized in that, include: Processor and interface circuitry; The interface circuit is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor; The processor is configured to run the code instructions to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 or claims 7 to 18.

25. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, It is used to store instructions that, when executed, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6 or claims 7 to 18 to be implemented.

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