A satellite communication method and device based on store-and-forward

Abstract

The embodiment of the present application provides a satellite communication method and device based on storage and forwarding, which is applied to the field of communication technology. The method is applied to a first satellite base station, the satellite base station network includes at least one satellite base station, the satellite base station network includes a first satellite base station and a second satellite base station, the first satellite base station establishes a communication connection with the second satellite base station and the user equipment respectively, the second satellite base station establishes a communication connection with the first satellite base station and the ground station respectively, and the user equipment is in a non-storage and forwarding mode. The method includes: when the communication between the second satellite base station and the ground station is disconnected or the communication between the first satellite base station and the second satellite base station is disconnected, the first satellite base station generates a first mode switching indication; the first satellite base station sends a first mode switching indication to the user equipment, and the first mode switching indication is used to indicate that the communication mode of the user equipment is switched from the current non-storage and forwarding mode to the storage and forwarding mode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a satellite communication method and device based on store-and-forward. Background Art

[0002] Satellite operators use intersatellite links to form a satellite network to serve ground equipment. Since the satellite network is moving relative to the ground, the communication between the satellite network and ground equipment may be interrupted during the movement.

[0003] Currently, after the communication between the satellite network and the ground equipment is interrupted, the satellite network can only notify the user equipment that the communication link between the user equipment and the ground station has been disconnected, and the satellite network can no longer provide services to the user equipment.

[0004] Therefore, how the satellite network can continue to provide communication services to user equipment after the communication between the satellite network and the ground equipment is interrupted is a problem that needs to be solved at present. Summary of the invention

[0005] The embodiment of the present application provides a satellite communication method and device based on storage and forwarding, wherein a first satellite base station generates a first mode switching indication, and sends the first mode switching indication to a user equipment, so that the user equipment switches from a non-storage and forwarding mode to a storage and forwarding mode. The first satellite base station sends the first mode switching indication to the user equipment, notifying the user equipment of a communication interruption, so that the user equipment can better select a service.

[0006] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a satellite communication method based on storage and forwarding, which is applied to a first satellite base station, the satellite base station network includes at least one satellite base station, the satellite base station network includes a first satellite base station and a second satellite base station, the first satellite base station establishes a communication connection with the second satellite base station and a user equipment respectively, the second satellite base station establishes a communication connection with the first satellite base station and a ground station respectively, and the user equipment is in a non-storage and forwarding mode. The method includes: when the communication between the second satellite base station and the ground station is disconnected or the communication between the first satellite base station and the second satellite base station is disconnected, the first satellite base station generates a first mode switching indication; the first satellite base station sends a first mode switching indication to the user equipment, and the first mode switching indication is used to instruct the user equipment The communication mode is switched from the current non-storage and forwarding mode to the storage and forwarding mode.

[0007] Based on the above technical solution, the first satellite base station sends a first mode switching indication to the user equipment, notifying the user equipment of the interruption of the communication link, so that the user equipment can switch from the current non-storage forwarding mode to the storage forwarding mode. After the user equipment switches to the storage forwarding mode, the satellite network can continue to provide communication services for the user equipment. On the other hand, after the user equipment receives the switching indication, the user equipment can know that it needs to switch to the storage forwarding mode. The user can stop executing services suitable for the non-storage forwarding mode and choose to execute services that are more suitable for the storage forwarding mode, so that the user equipment can better make service selections.

[0008] In one possible implementation, the first mode switching indication also includes storage-and-forwarding mode service time information, and the first satellite base station generates the first mode switching indication including: the first satellite base station determines a service link time information set, the target service link time information includes the identifier of the corresponding target satellite base station, the service link recovery time of the target satellite base station, and the service link maintenance duration of the target satellite base station, and the target service link time information is any one in the service link time information set; the first satellite base station determines the storage-and-forwarding mode service information based on the service link time information set, and the storage-and-forwarding mode service information includes the satellite identifier, service time point, and service maintenance duration corresponding to the storage-and-forwarding mode service satellite base station provided to the user equipment.

[0009] In combination with the first aspect and the above-mentioned implementation method, the first mode switching indication also includes storage-forwarding mode service time information. After the user equipment receives the first mode switching indication, it can switch the communication mode according to the storage-forwarding mode service time information to obtain more time information about the storage-forwarding service that can be provided by the first satellite base station, so that the user equipment can better perform mode switching.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the above-mentioned first satellite base station determines a service link time information set, including: the first satellite base station determines the service link time information of each satellite base station according to the ephemeris of each satellite base station in the satellite base station network and the position of the user equipment, the service link time information including the corresponding satellite identifier, service link recovery time and service link maintenance time; the first satellite base station determines the service link time information set according to the service link time information of each satellite base station.

[0011] In this possible implementation, a method for determining service link time information is specifically provided, which improves the feasibility of the embodiments of the present application.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the first satellite base station determines the storage-forwarding mode service information based on the service link time information set, including: the first satellite base station determines the satellite base station with the earliest service link recovery time in the service link time information set as the target satellite base station; the first satellite base station determines the satellite identifier, service link recovery time and service link maintenance duration corresponding to the target satellite base station as the storage-forwarding mode service information.

[0013] In this possible implementation, a method for determining storage-and-forwarding mode service information is specifically provided, and a satellite base station with the earliest service link recovery time is selected as the target satellite base station, so as to provide storage-and-forwarding mode service to the user equipment as soon as possible, thereby speeding up the communication recovery speed between the satellite base station and the user equipment.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the first mode switching indication also includes non-storage-and-forwarding mode service time information, and the first satellite base station generates the first mode switching indication and also includes: the first satellite base station determines a feeder link time information set, the target feeder link time information includes the identifier of the corresponding target satellite base station, the feeder link recovery time of the target satellite base station, and the feeder link maintenance duration of the target satellite base station, and the target feeder link time information is any one in the feeder link time information set; the first satellite base station determines the non-storage-and-forwarding mode service information based on the service link time information set and the feeder link time information set, and the non-storage-and-forwarding mode service information includes the satellite identifier, service time point and service maintenance duration for providing non-storage-and-forwarding mode service to the user equipment.

[0015] In this possible implementation, the first mode switching indication also includes non-storage forwarding mode service time information. After receiving the first mode switching indication, the user equipment can switch the communication mode according to the non-storage forwarding mode service time information to obtain more time information about the non-storage forwarding service that can be provided by the first satellite base station, so that the user equipment can better perform mode switching.

[0016] In a possible implementation, the above-mentioned first satellite base station determines a feeder link time information set, including: the first satellite base station determines the feeder link time information of each satellite base station based on the ephemeris of each satellite base station in the satellite base station network and the position information of the ground station, the feeder link time information including the corresponding satellite identifier, feeder link recovery time and feeder link maintenance time; the first satellite base station determines the feeder link time information set based on the feeder link time information of each satellite base station.

[0017] In a possible implementation manner, before the first satellite base station generates the first mode switching indication, the method further includes: the first satellite base station receives location information of the ground station.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the first satellite base station sends a first mode switching indication to the user equipment, including: the first satellite base station sends a radio resource control RRC signaling to the user equipment, and the RRC signaling is used to carry the first mode switching indication; or the first satellite base station sends a media access control layer control element MAC CE to the user equipment, and the MAC CE is used to carry the first mode switching indication.

[0019] In this possible implementation, a method for transmitting a first mode switching indication is specifically provided without adding other new signaling, which reduces the difficulty of implementing the solution and improves the feasibility of the embodiments of the present application.

[0020] In one possible implementation, when the communication between the second satellite base station and the ground station is disconnected and the communication between the first satellite base station and the second satellite base station is normal, before the first satellite base station sends a first mode switching indication to the user equipment, the method further includes: the first satellite base station receives disconnection information sent by the second satellite base station, and the disconnection information indicates that the feeder link between the second satellite base station and the ground station has been disconnected.

[0021] In a possible implementation, the disconnection information further includes a satellite identifier corresponding to the second satellite base station, a feeder link recovery time, and a feeder link maintenance time.

[0022] In one possible implementation, the first satellite base station receives the disconnection information sent by the second satellite base station, including: the first satellite base station receives the disconnection information sent by the second satellite base station through the X2 interface; or the first satellite base station receives the disconnection information sent by the second satellite base station through the inter-satellite link interface.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: when a third satellite base station in the satellite base station network can communicate with the ground station, the first satellite base station generates a second mode switching indication; the first satellite base station sends the second mode switching indication to the user equipment, and the second mode switching indication is used to instruct the user equipment to switch from the storage and forwarding mode to the non-storage and forwarding mode.

[0024] In this possible implementation, the first satellite base station sends a second mode switching indication to the user equipment to notify the user equipment of the communication link interruption, so that the user equipment can switch the communication mode and better select a service according to the communication mode.

[0025] In a possible implementation, the second mode switching indication further includes a satellite identifier, a service time point, and a service maintenance duration for the third satellite base station to provide a non-store-and-forward mode service to the user equipment.

[0026] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a satellite communication method based on storage and forwarding, which is applied to a user device, wherein the user device establishes a communication connection with a first satellite base station, and the user device is in a non-storage and forwarding mode. The method includes: the user device receives a first mode switching indication sent by the first satellite base station, and the first mode switching indication is used to indicate that the communication mode of the user device is switched from a current non-storage and forwarding mode to a storage and forwarding mode; the user device switches from the non-storage and forwarding mode to the storage and forwarding mode according to the first mode switching indication.

[0027] In this possible implementation, the user equipment receives a first mode switching indication, the user equipment can switch the communication mode to the store-and-forward mode, and the satellite network can continue to provide communication services for the user equipment; on the other hand, the user equipment can also better select services according to the communication mode.

[0028] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the first user equipment receives a second mode switching indication sent by the first satellite base station, the second mode switching indication being used to instruct the user equipment to switch from the storage-forwarding mode to the non-storage-forwarding mode; the user equipment switches from the storage-forwarding mode to the non-storage-forwarding mode according to the second mode switching indication.

[0029] In the third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a satellite communication method based on storage and forwarding, which is applied to a second satellite base station, and the second satellite base station establishes a communication connection with the first satellite base station and the ground station equipment respectively. The method includes: when the communication between the second satellite base station and the ground station is disconnected and the communication between the first satellite base station and the second satellite base station is normal, the second satellite base station sends a disconnection information to the first satellite base station, and the disconnection information indicates that the feeder link between the second satellite base station and the ground station has been disconnected.

[0030] In this possible implementation, when the communication between the second satellite base station and the ground station is disconnected, the second satellite base station may notify the first satellite base station of the situation, so that the first satellite base station may take corresponding processing, such as sending a first switching indication to the user equipment.

[0031] In a possible implementation, the disconnection information further includes a satellite identifier corresponding to the second satellite base station, a feeder link recovery time, and a feeder link maintenance time.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the second satellite base station sends disconnection information to the first satellite base station, including: the second satellite base station sends disconnection information to the first satellite base station through the X2 interface; or the second satellite base station sends disconnection information to the first satellite base station through the inter-satellite link interface.

[0033] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a first satellite base station, comprising: a processor and a memory. The processor is coupled to the memory; the memory is used to store computer instructions, and the computer instructions are loaded and executed by the processor to enable the satellite base station to implement any one of the methods provided in the first aspect.

[0034] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a user device, comprising: a processor and a memory. The processor is coupled to the memory; the memory is used to store computer instructions, which are loaded and executed by the processor to enable the user device to implement any one of the methods provided in the second aspect. In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a second satellite base station, comprising: a processor and a memory. The processor is coupled to the memory; the memory is used to store computer instructions, which are loaded and executed by the processor to enable the user device to implement any one of the methods provided in the third aspect.

[0035] In the seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip, which includes: a processor and an interface circuit; the interface circuit is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor; the processor is used to run the code instructions to execute any one of the methods provided in the first aspect.

[0036] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip, comprising: a processor and an interface circuit; the interface circuit is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor; the processor is used to run the code instructions to execute any one of the methods provided in the second aspect.

[0037] In the ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip, which includes: a processor and an interface circuit; the interface circuit is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor; the processor is used to run the code instructions to execute any one of the methods provided in the third aspect.

[0038] In the tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which at least one computer program instruction is stored, and the computer program instruction is loaded and executed by a processor to implement any one of the methods provided in the first aspect above.

[0039] In the eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which at least one computer program instruction is stored, and the computer program instruction is loaded and executed by a processor to implement any one of the methods provided in the second aspect above.

[0040] In the twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores at least one computer program instruction, and the computer program instruction is loaded and executed by a processor to implement any one of the methods provided in the third aspect above.

[0041] In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, including computer execution instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to execute any one of the methods provided in the first aspect.

[0042] In a fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, including computer execution instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to execute any one of the methods provided in the second aspect.

[0043] In a fifteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, including computer execution instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to execute any one of the methods provided in the third aspect.

[0044] In the sixteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a satellite communication system, characterized in that the satellite communication system includes a satellite base station network, user equipment and a ground station, the satellite base station network includes a first satellite base station and a second satellite base station, the first satellite base station is used to execute any one of the methods provided in the first aspect, the user equipment is used to execute any one of the methods provided in the second aspect, and the second satellite base station is used to execute any one of the methods provided in the third aspect.

[0045] The possible implementation methods of the third aspect to the sixteenth aspect have effects similar to those in the first aspect, the possible design of the first aspect, the second aspect, the possible design of the second aspect, the third aspect, and the possible design of the third aspect, and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a satellite communication scenario;

[0047] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a scenario of a satellite communication method based on store-and-forwarding provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a flow chart of a satellite communication method based on store-and-forwarding provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a flow chart of a satellite communication method based on store-and-forwarding provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of a first satellite base station provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of a user equipment provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of a second satellite base station provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0053] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the structure of another first satellite base station provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0054] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of the structure of another user equipment provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] Fig.10 A schematic diagram of the structure of another second satellite base station provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] Fig.11 A schematic diagram of the structure of a satellite communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0058] In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, " / " indicates that the objects associated with each other are in an "or" relationship, for example, A / B can represent A or B; "and / or" in this application is merely a description of the association relationship between associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist, for example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural.

[0059] In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more than two. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0060] In addition, in order to clearly describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, words such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish the same items or similar items with substantially the same functions and effects. Those skilled in the art can understand that words such as "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity and execution order, and words such as "first" and "second" do not necessarily limit the difference.

[0061] In the embodiments of the present application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of the present application should not be interpreted as being more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present related concepts in a concrete way for easy understanding.

[0062] It is understood that the "embodiment" mentioned throughout the specification means that the specific features, structures or characteristics related to the embodiment are included in at least one embodiment of the present application. Therefore, the various embodiments in the entire specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, these specific features, structures or characteristics can be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner. It is understood that in various embodiments of the present application, the size of the sequence number of each process does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiment of the present application.

[0063] It can be understood that some optional features in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented independently in certain scenarios without relying on other features, such as the solution on which they are currently based, to solve corresponding technical problems and achieve corresponding effects, or may be combined with other features according to needs in certain scenarios. Accordingly, the devices provided in the embodiments of the present application may also realize these features or functions accordingly, which will not be elaborated here.

[0064] In this application, unless otherwise specified, the same or similar parts between the various embodiments can refer to each other. In this application, if there is no special description or logical conflict between the various embodiments, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced to each other, and different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships. The following implementation methods of this application do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

[0065] like Figure 1 As shown in the figure, satellite operators will form a satellite network through intersatellite links to serve ground equipment. Since the satellite network is moving relative to the ground, the communication between the satellite network and the ground equipment may be interrupted during the movement. Therefore, the satellite network needs to prepare corresponding execution plans to deal with this situation.

[0066] At present, satellite networking can solve the problem of communication interruption between satellite networking and ground equipment by using the store-and-forward method. For example, when the communication between the satellite networking and the ground station is disconnected, the satellite networking temporarily stores the communication data sent by the user equipment, and then sends the communication data to the ground station after the communication between the satellite networking and the ground station is restored, providing the user equipment with store-and-forward service.

[0067] Therefore, after the communication between the satellite network and the ground equipment is interrupted, how the satellite side and the ground side switch to the store-and-forward service mode is a problem that needs to be solved at present.

[0068] Based on this, an embodiment of the present application provides a satellite communication method based on storage and forwarding, which is applied to a first satellite base station, the satellite base station network includes at least one satellite base station, the satellite base station network includes a first satellite base station and a second satellite base station, the first satellite base station establishes a communication connection with the second satellite base station and a user equipment respectively, the second satellite base station establishes a communication connection with the first satellite base station and a ground station respectively, and the user equipment is in a non-storage and forwarding mode. The method includes: when the communication between the second satellite base station and the ground station is disconnected or the communication between the first satellite base station and the second satellite base station is disconnected, the first satellite base station generates a first mode switching indication; the first satellite base station sends a first mode switching indication to the user equipment, and the first mode switching indication is used to instruct the communication mode of the user equipment to switch from the current non-storage and forwarding mode to the storage and forwarding mode.

[0069] In the embodiment of the present application, the first satellite base station sends a first mode switching indication to the user equipment, notifying the user equipment of the interruption of the communication link, so that the user equipment can switch the communication mode to the storage and forwarding mode, and better select services according to the communication mode. For example, in the non-storage and forwarding mode, the user equipment can perform instant communication, and in the storage and forwarding mode, the user equipment cannot perform instant communication, so the user equipment can select a service that does not require instant communication.

[0070] like Figure 2 As shown, the satellite communication method based on storage and forwarding in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to Figure 2 The satellite communication system shown in the figure may include a satellite base station network, user equipment and ground station equipment (ground station), and the satellite base station network may include a first satellite device and a second satellite device.

[0071] The satellite base station network includes multiple satellite base stations. The satellite base stations in the embodiment of the present application can be devices with signal receiving and transmitting functions on various satellites of extraterrestrial control. For example, global positioning system satellites, Beidou satellites, and communication satellites of various operators, etc. The multiple satellite base stations can communicate with each other through inter-satellite links, and any one of the multiple satellite base stations can communicate with user equipment and / or ground station equipment. Figure 2 As shown, the first satellite base station establishes communication connections with the second satellite base station and the user equipment respectively, and the second satellite base station establishes communication connections with the first satellite base station and the ground station respectively, thereby forming a communication link between the user equipment-first satellite base station-second satellite base station-ground station equipment.

[0072] In an embodiment of the present application, after the communication link is disconnected, the communication mode between the first satellite base station and the user equipment will be switched from the non-store-and-forward mode to the store-and-forward mode, wherein the store-and-forward mode means that the communication data sent by the input end will be stored in the satellite base station network until the satellite base station network establishes a communication connection with the output end, and then the communication data will be sent to the output end, the input end is one of the user equipment and the ground station device, and the output end is the other of the user equipment and the ground station device. The non-store-and-forward mode refers to a communication mode other than the store-and-forward mode, such as an instant messaging mode, simplex communication, half-duplex communication, and full-duplex communication, etc., which are not specifically limited here.

[0073] It can be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the satellite communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application is explained by taking the communication link of user equipment-first satellite base station-second satellite base station-ground station equipment as an example. The satellite communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to other communication links. The number of satellite base stations in the other communication links can be one, such as user equipment-first satellite base station-ground station equipment, or multiple, such as user equipment-first satellite base station-second satellite base station-third satellite base station-ground station equipment, which is not limited here.

[0074] In an embodiment of the present application, the at least one satellite base station may be each satellite base station corresponding to one satellite, that is, there is only one satellite base station on one satellite; or multiple satellite base stations may correspond to one satellite, that is, there may be multiple satellite base stations on one satellite, which is not limited here.

[0075] In the embodiment of the present application, the ground station device is a communication device located on the ground, and the ground station device can be used to communicate with the satellite base station network. The ground station device can be a network communication device such as a base station, a server, etc. that has the ability to communicate with a satellite forwarding device. The ground station device in the embodiment of the present application may include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations (also called small stations), relay stations, access points, etc.

[0076] The user equipment in the embodiment of the present application can be used to communicate with the satellite base station network. The user equipment (UE) in the embodiment of the present application can also be called terminal equipment, terminal, mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc. The terminal can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a laptop, a PDA, a mobile internet device (MID), a wearable device, a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in smart city, or a wireless terminal in smart home, etc. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the terminal.

[0077] The technical solution provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD), universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, fifth generation (5G) mobile communication system, new radio (NR), etc. The 5G mobile communication system in the embodiments of the present application includes a non-standalone (NSA) 5G mobile communication system or a standalone (SA) 5G mobile communication system.

[0078] The technical solution provided in the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to future communication systems, such as the sixth-generation mobile communication system, etc., and the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this.

[0079] It is understandable that in the embodiments of the present application, the execution subject may execute some or all of the steps in the embodiments of the present application, and these steps or operations are only examples. The embodiments of the present application may also execute other operations or variations of various operations. In addition, the various steps may be executed in different orders presented in the embodiments of the present application, and it is possible that not all operations in the embodiments of the present application need to be executed.

[0080] It should be noted that the message names between the devices or the names of the parameters in the messages in the following embodiments of the present application are only examples, and other names may be used in the specific implementation, and the embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this.

[0081] Combine the following Figure 3 to Figure 4 The technical solution of the present application is described in detail with specific method embodiments. The following specific embodiments can be combined with each other, and the same or similar concepts or processes may not be described in detail in some embodiments.

[0082] For example, Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a flow chart of a satellite communication method based on storage and forwarding provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 3 As shown, the satellite communication method based on storage and forwarding may specifically include the following steps:

[0083] 301. A first satellite base station receives disconnection information from a second satellite base station.

[0084] When the communication between the second satellite base station and the ground station is disconnected and the communication between the first satellite base station and the second satellite base station is normal, the second satellite base station sends disconnection information to the first satellite base station.

[0085] Correspondingly, the first satellite base station receives disconnection information sent by the second satellite base station, where the disconnection information indicates that the feeder link between the second satellite base station and the ground station has been disconnected.

[0086] In a possible implementation, the disconnection information further includes a satellite identifier corresponding to the second satellite base station, a feeder link recovery time, and a feeder link maintenance time.

[0087] Specifically, in one possible implementation, the second satellite base station can send disconnection information to the first satellite base station through the inter-satellite link interface. The inter-satellite link between the first satellite base station and the second satellite base station can be implemented in a transparent forwarding manner, that is, the first satellite base station and the ground station establish an S1 connection, and the second satellite base station only forwards and transmits signaling and data. In this scenario, the first satellite base station and the second satellite base station do not need to establish the X2 interface defined by 3GPP, and can directly transmit information through the inter-satellite link interface.

[0088] In this case, when the communication between the second satellite base station and the ground station is disconnected, disconnection information can be added to the intersatellite link interface sent by the second satellite base station to the second satellite base station. The disconnection information may include a disconnection notification, which may indicate that the feeder link between the second satellite base station and the ground station has been disconnected.

[0089] For example, the disconnection notification may be an ERROR_INDICATION event report transmitted by an intersatellite link interface, and the disconnection notification may carry a fault type ErrorType: Feeder link disconnected (feeder link disconnected).

[0090] The disconnection notification may also carry a disconnection reason value, namely a fault code (Error Value). Different fault codes represent different faults. For example, fault code 1 represents a second satellite base station fault, fault code 2 represents that the ground station is not in the coverage area of ​​the second satellite base station, and fault code 3 represents other reasons.

[0091] In addition, the disconnection information may also carry other information, such as the feeder link recovery time (Feeder Link Next Recover Time Start), which may indicate the time point when the Feeder Link is restored next time. It may also carry the feeder link maintenance duration (Feeder Link Next Maintain Time), which may indicate the duration for which the Feeder Link is maintained next time. It may also carry satellite ephemeris information (Ephemeris), based on which the position of the satellite at any time may be calculated. It may also carry the satellite radius (radius), which is the coverage radius with the center of the satellite beam as the center, based on which the ground range that the satellite can cover at a certain position may be calculated. In addition, the disconnection information may also carry other information, which is not limited here.

[0092] In the embodiment of the present application, the satellite ephemeris information may be of various types. For example, the satellite ephemeris may be a six-digit ephemeris. The parameters of the satellite ephemeris information Ephemeris Orbital Parameters are as follows:

[0093] Ephemeris Orbital Parameters-r17 ::= SEQUENCE {

[0094] semiMajorAxis-r17 INTEGER (0..8589934591),

[0095] eccentricity-r17 INTEGER (0..1048575),

[0096] periapsis-r17 INTEGER (0..268435455),

[0097] longitude - r17 INTEGER (0..268435455),

[0098] Inclination angle - r17 INTEGER (-67108864..67108863),

[0099] anomalyanomaly-r17 INTEGER (0..268435455)}.

[0100] In addition, the satellite ephemeris in the embodiments of the present application may also be of other types, such as broadcast ephemeris, precise ephemeris, etc., which are not specifically limited here.

[0101] Specifically, in another possible implementation, the second satellite base station may send disconnection information to the first satellite base station based on an X2 interface between satellite base stations, where the X2 interface is based on 3GPP TS36.423 and supports X2AP (X2 application protocol).

[0102] The disconnection information may be an ERROR INDICATION message in the above protocol, and a field may be added to the ERROR INDICATION message, as shown in Table 1:

[0103]

[0104] Table 1

[0105] Among them, the feeder link recovery time (Feeder Link Next Recover Time Start) can indicate the time point when the Feederlink is restored next time. The feeder link maintenance duration (Feeder Link Next Maitain Time) can indicate the duration for which the FeederLink is maintained next time. Satellite ephemeris information (Ephemeris) can be used to calculate the position of the satellite at any time. The satellite ephemeris information can be six-digit ephemeris or other types, such as broadcast ephemeris, precise ephemeris, etc., which are not limited here. The satellite radius (radius) is the coverage radius with the center of the satellite beam as the center, based on which the ground range that the satellite can cover when it is at a certain position can be calculated. In addition, the disconnection information can also carry other information, which is not limited here.

[0106] In one possible implementation, when the communication between the second satellite base station and the ground station is disconnected, the second satellite base station will not only send disconnection information to the first satellite base station, but also broadcast the disconnection information to all satellite base stations in the satellite network, which is not limited here.

[0107] In an embodiment of the present application, the second satellite base station can send disconnection information to the first satellite base station through the inter-satellite link interface, and the second satellite base station can also send disconnection information to the first satellite base station through the 3GPP-defined X2 interface. In addition, the disconnection information can also be sent in other ways, which are not limited here.

[0108] 302. The first satellite base station searches for an available satellite base station.

[0109] Optionally, after receiving the disconnection information, the first satellite base station determines that the feeder link between the second satellite base station and the ground station has been disconnected. Therefore, the first satellite base station can search for other satellite base stations in the satellite network to replace the second satellite base station to communicate with the ground station to restore the feeder link between the second satellite base station and the ground station.

[0110] In one possible implementation, the first satellite base station finds an available satellite base station and communicates with the ground station through the available satellite base station instead of the second satellite base station, thereby restoring the feeder link between the second satellite base station and the ground station. The first satellite base station does not need to perform steps 303 and 304.

[0111] In another possible implementation, if the first satellite base station does not find an available satellite base station to replace the second satellite base station to communicate with the ground station, the first satellite base station performs subsequent steps 303 and 304 .

[0112] 303. The first satellite base station generates a first mode switching indication.

[0113] When the first satellite base station fails to find an available satellite base station to replace the second satellite base station for communicating with the ground station, the first satellite base station generates a first mode switching indication instructing the user equipment to switch from the non-store-and-forward mode to the store-and-forward mode.

[0114] In a possible implementation manner, after receiving the disconnection information, the first satellite base station may also directly generate a first mode switching indication without searching for an available satellite base station, which is not specifically limited here.

[0115] In an embodiment of the present application, the first mode switching indication may include storage-forwarding mode service time information, and the storage-forwarding mode service time information includes at least one of a satellite identifier, a satellite base station identifier, a beam identifier, a cell identifier, a service time point, and a service maintenance duration corresponding to a satellite base station that provides storage-forwarding mode service to a user device.

[0116] Specifically, the first satellite base station generates the storage and forwarding mode service time information in the first mode switching indication. It can first determine, based on the ephemeris of each satellite base station in the satellite network and the current position of the user equipment, that each satellite base station can restore and maintain the service link service link between the user equipment, including the satellite identifier, satellite base station identifier, beam identifier, cell identifier, service link service time point, service link service maintenance duration and other time information. The set of time information corresponding to each satellite base station is the service link time information set.

[0117] Then, the first satellite base station determines, based on the service link time information set, the service link time information corresponding to the target satellite base station that is most suitable for providing the store-and-forward mode service to the user equipment as the store-and-forward mode service information.

[0118] In one possible implementation, the first satellite base station can determine that in the above-mentioned service link time information set, the earliest set of data at the service link service time point is the storage-forwarding mode service information, that is, determine that the target satellite base station that can provide the storage-forwarding mode service to the user equipment earliest is the most suitable satellite base station, and then determine that the service link time information corresponding to the target satellite base station is the storage-forwarding mode service information.

[0119] In an embodiment of the present application, the first mode switching indication may also include non-storage forwarding mode service time information, and the non-storage forwarding mode service time information indicates the time information when the satellite network can provide non-storage forwarding mode for the user equipment next time. The non-storage forwarding mode service time information may include at least one of the satellite identifier, satellite base station identifier, beam identifier, cell identifier, service time point, and service maintenance duration corresponding to the satellite base station that provides non-storage forwarding mode service for the user equipment.

[0120] Specifically, when the first mode switching indication also includes non-store-and-forward mode service time information, the first satellite base station generates the first mode switching indication further including: the first satellite base station first determines, based on the ephemeris of each satellite base station in the satellite network and the position of the ground station equipment, that each satellite base station can recover and maintain the feeder link time information with the ground station equipment, and the time information may include satellite identification, satellite base station identification, beam identification, cell identification, feeder link service time point, feeder link service maintenance duration and other time information, and the set of time information corresponding to each satellite base station is the feeder link time information set.

[0121] Then, the first satellite base station determines, based on the feeder link time information set, that the feeder link time information corresponding to the target satellite base station that is most suitable for providing non-store-and-forward mode service to the user equipment is the non-store-and-forward mode service information.

[0122] In one possible implementation, the first satellite base station may determine that, in the above-mentioned feeder link time information set, a set of data with the earliest feeder link service time point is non-store-and-forward mode service information, that is, determine that the target satellite base station that can provide non-store-and-forward mode service to the user equipment earliest is the most suitable satellite base station, and then determine that the feeder link time information corresponding to the target satellite base station is non-store-and-forward mode service information.

[0123] In this possible implementation, the satellite base station determines that the non-store-and-forward mode service information requires the location information of the ground station device, so before the first satellite base station generates the first mode switching indication, the method may further include: the first satellite base station receives the location information of the ground station. It can be understood that the location information of the ground station may be sent by the ground station device or by other devices, which is not specifically limited here.

[0124] Specifically, for example, the ground station device can report the ground station location information (ground station location) to the first satellite base station through the S1 interface specified by the 3GPP TS36.413 S1AP (S1 Application protocol), so that the first satellite base station can calculate information such as the Feeder link recovery time based on it.

[0125] In an embodiment of the present application, the ground station device can report the ground station location information to the first base station through the existing signaling in the protocol. For example, the ground station location information can be added in the MME CONFIGURATION UPDATE signaling, and the MME, as the ground station device, sends the ground station location information to the first satellite base station. In addition, the ground station location information can also be transmitted by adding a new signaling. For example, the ground station location information can be carried by SATELLITE INFORMATION BROADCAST signaling, and the ground station device sends the SATELLITE INFORMATION BROADCAST signaling to the first satellite base station, and the SATELLITE INFORMATION BROADCAST signaling includes the ground station location information; the ground station location information can also be sent in other ways, which are not limited here.

[0126] In the embodiment of the present application, the ground station location information may be longitude and latitude information, and the ground station location information may be as follows:

[0127] SatelliteInformationBroadcast ::= SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..maxnoofGroundStations)) OF SatelliteInformation

[0128] SatelliteInformation ::= SEQUENCE {

[0129] groundStationPostionGroundStationPostion,

[0130] …

[0131] }

[0132] GroundStationPosition ::= SEQUENCE { / / Ground station position

[0133] latitudeINTEGER(-131072..131071), / / latitude

[0134] longitudeINTEGER(-131072..131071), / / longitude

[0135] }

[0136] 304. The first satellite base station sends a first mode switching instruction to the user equipment.

[0137] The first satellite base station sends a first mode switching instruction to the user equipment through the UU interface, where the first mode switching instruction instructs the user equipment to switch from the non-store-and-forward mode to the store-and-forward mode.

[0138] Correspondingly, after receiving the first mode switching instruction, the user equipment may switch from the non-store-and-forward mode to the store-and-forward mode.

[0139] In an embodiment of the present application, the first satellite base station sends a first mode switching indication to the user equipment, and the first mode switching indication may be carried by radio resource control (RRC) signaling; the first mode switching indication may also be carried by medium access control layer control element (MAC CE) signaling; the first mode switching indication may also be transmitted by other signaling, which is not limited here.

[0140] Specifically, the first satellite base station may carry the first mode switching indication through RRC signaling, for example, the following IE may be added in a system information block (SIB) (corresponding to an idle state UE) or an RRC Reconfiguration message (corresponding to a connected state UE):

[0141] NextNormalModeRecoveryInfo ::= SEQUENCE { / / The next recovery information of normal mode (non-store-and-forward mode)

[0142] startTimeOffsetINTEGER(0..7200), / / The time difference between the start time and the current time, in seconds

[0143] maintainTimeINTEGER(0..7200), / / The duration of normal mode maintenance, in seconds

[0144] satellite-IdINTEGER(0..255), / / satellite ID that provides service link

[0145] cellIdINTEGER(0..255), / / Beam or cell ID of the satellite providing the service link

[0146] …

[0147] }

[0148] NextStoreAndForwardModeRecoveryInfo ::= SEQUENCE { / / The next recovery information of S&F mode

[0149] startTimeOffsetINTEGER(0..7200), / / The time difference between the start time and the current time, in seconds

[0150] maintainTimeINTEGER(0..7200), / / The duration of maintaining S&F mode, in seconds

[0151] satellite-IdINTEGER(0..255), / / satellite ID that provides service link

[0152] cellIdINTEGER(0..255), / / Beam or cell ID of the satellite providing the service link

[0153] …

[0154] }

[0155] In a possible implementation, the first satellite base station may carry the first mode switching indication through MAC CE signaling (corresponding to a connected UE), which requires adding a logical channel (Logical Channel ID, LCID).

[0156] For example, under the 3GPP 36.321-i10 version protocol, a signaling Store And Forward MACControl Element can be added, and the sub-header corresponding to the MAC CE can use the R / F2 / E / LCID format), where the LCID value is 01100. The format design of the MAC CE is shown in Table 2:

[0157]

[0158] Table 2

[0159] The corresponding newly added logical channel related information is shown in Table 3:

[0160]

[0161] Table 3

[0162] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0163] 305. The first satellite base station generates a second mode switching indication.

[0164] The communication mode between the first satellite base station and the user equipment has been switched to the storage and forwarding mode in step 304. When the third satellite base station in the satellite base station networking establishes communication with the ground station, and the first satellite base station establishes communication with the third satellite base station, it means that the user equipment can communicate with the ground station in a non-storage and forwarding mode through the third satellite base station, that is, when the satellite networking can provide non-storage and forwarding mode services for the user equipment, the first satellite base station generates a second mode switching indication, and the second mode switching indication instructs the user equipment to switch from the storage and forwarding mode to the non-storage and forwarding mode.

[0165] In one possible implementation, the second mode switching indication may also include non-storage forwarding mode service time information, and the non-storage forwarding mode service time information indicates the time information when the satellite network can provide non-storage forwarding mode to the user equipment next time. The non-storage forwarding mode service time information may include at least one of the satellite identifier, satellite base station identifier, beam identifier, cell identifier, service time point, and service maintenance duration corresponding to the satellite base station (i.e., the third satellite base station) that provides non-storage forwarding mode service to the user equipment.

[0166] In the embodiment of the present application, the manner in which the first satellite base station generates the second mode switching indication is similar to the manner in which the first satellite base station generates the first mode switching indication in the above step 303, and the details are not repeated here.

[0167] 306. The first satellite base station sends a second mode switching indication to the user equipment.

[0168] The first satellite base station sends a second mode switching instruction to the user equipment.

[0169] Correspondingly, the user equipment receives the second mode switching indication, and switches from the store-and-forward mode to the non-store-and-forward mode according to the second mode switching indication.

[0170] In the embodiment of the present application, the manner in which the first satellite base station sends the second mode switching indication to the user equipment is similar to the manner in which the first satellite base station sends the first mode switching indication to the user equipment in the above step 304, and the details are not repeated here.

[0171] Combined with the above Figure 3 to Figure 4 , a satellite communication method based on storage and forwarding provided in an embodiment of the present application is described. The following describes a first satellite base station and a user equipment for executing the above-mentioned satellite communication method based on storage and forwarding provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0172] like Figure 5 As shown, Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first satellite base station provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 5As shown, the first satellite base station 500 may include a processing module 501 and a transceiver module 502, wherein:

[0173] The processing module 501 is used to generate a first mode switching indication when the communication between the second satellite base station and the ground station is disconnected or the communication between the first satellite base station and the second satellite base station is disconnected;

[0174] The transceiver module 502 is used to send a first mode switching indication to the user equipment, where the first mode switching indication is used to instruct the user equipment to switch the communication mode from the current non-store-and-forward mode to the store-and-forward mode.

[0175] In one possible implementation, the first mode switching indication also includes storage-forwarding mode service time information, and the processing module 501 is also used to: determine a service link time information set, the target service link time information includes the identifier of the corresponding target satellite base station, the service link recovery time of the target satellite base station, and the service link maintenance duration of the target satellite base station, and the target service link time information is any one in the service link time information set; determine the storage-forwarding mode service information based on the service link time information set, and the storage-forwarding mode service information includes providing the user equipment with a satellite identifier, service time point, and service maintenance duration corresponding to the storage-forwarding mode service satellite base station.

[0176] In one possible implementation, the processing module 501 is also used to: determine the service link time information of each satellite base station based on the ephemeris of each satellite base station in the satellite base station network and the position of the user equipment, the service link time information including the corresponding satellite identifier, service link recovery time and service link maintenance time; determine the service link time information set based on the service link time information of each satellite base station.

[0177] In one possible implementation, the processing module 501 is also used to: determine the satellite base station with the earliest service link recovery time in the service link time information set as the target satellite base station; determine the satellite identifier, service link recovery time and service link maintenance duration corresponding to the target satellite base station as storage and forwarding mode service information.

[0178] In one possible implementation, the first mode switching indication also includes non-storage forwarding mode service time information, and the processing module 501 is also used to: determine a feeder link time information set, the target feeder link time information includes the identifier of the corresponding target satellite base station, the feeder link recovery time of the target satellite base station, and the feeder link maintenance duration of the target satellite base station, and the target feeder link time information is any one in the feeder link time information set; determine the non-storage forwarding mode service information based on the service link time information set and the feeder link time information set, the non-storage forwarding mode service information includes the satellite identifier, service time point and service maintenance duration for providing non-storage forwarding mode service to the user equipment.

[0179] In one possible implementation, the processing module 501 is also used to: determine the feeder link time information of each satellite base station based on the ephemeris of each satellite base station in the satellite base station network and the location information of the ground station, the feeder link time information including the corresponding satellite identifier, feeder link recovery time and feeder link maintenance time; determine the feeder link time information set based on the feeder link time information of each satellite base station.

[0180] In a possible implementation, the transceiver module 502 is further used to receive location information of a ground station.

[0181] In a possible implementation, the transceiver module 502 is further used to: send radio resource control RRC signaling to the user equipment, the RRC signaling is used to carry the first mode switching indication; or send a media access control layer control element MAC CE to the user equipment, the MAC CE is used to carry the first mode switching indication.

[0182] In one possible implementation, when the communication between the second satellite base station and the ground station is disconnected and the communication between the first satellite base station and the second satellite base station is normal, the transceiver module 502 is also used to: receive disconnection information sent by the second satellite base station, and the disconnection information indicates that the feeder link between the second satellite base station and the ground station has been disconnected.

[0183] In a possible implementation, the disconnection information further includes a satellite identifier corresponding to the second satellite base station, a feeder link recovery time, and a feeder link maintenance time.

[0184] In a possible implementation, the transceiver module 502 is further used to: receive disconnection information sent by the second satellite base station through the X2 interface; or the first satellite base station receives disconnection information sent by the second satellite base station through the inter-satellite link interface.

[0185] In a possible implementation, the processing module 501 is further configured to: generate a second mode switching indication when a third satellite base station in the satellite base station network can communicate with the ground station;

[0186] The transceiver module 502 is further used to send a second mode switching indication to the user equipment, where the second mode switching indication is used to instruct the user equipment to switch from the store-and-forward mode to the non-store-and-forward mode.

[0187] In a possible implementation manner, the second mode switching indication further includes a satellite identifier, a service time point, and a service maintenance duration for the third satellite base station to provide a non-store-and-forward mode service for the user equipment.

[0188] like Figure 6 As shown, Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of a user equipment provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 6 As shown, the user equipment 600 may include a transceiver module 601 and a processing module 602, wherein:

[0189] The transceiver module 601 is used to receive a first mode switching instruction sent by a first satellite base station, where the first mode switching instruction is used to instruct the communication mode of the user equipment to switch from a current non-store-and-forward mode to a store-and-forward mode;

[0190] The processing module 602 is configured to switch from the non-store-and-forward mode to the store-and-forward mode according to a first mode switching instruction.

[0191] In a possible implementation, the transceiver module 601 is further used to receive a second mode switching indication sent by the first satellite base station, where the second mode switching indication is used to instruct the user equipment to switch from the store-and-forward mode to the non-store-and-forward mode;

[0192] The processing module 602 is further configured to switch from the store-and-forward mode to the non-store-and-forward mode according to the second mode switching indication.

[0193] like Figure 7 As shown, Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of a user equipment provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 7 As shown, the user equipment 700 may include a transceiver module 701 and a processing module 702, wherein:

[0194] The transceiver module 701 is used to send disconnection information to the first satellite base station when the communication between the second satellite base station and the ground station is disconnected and the communication between the first satellite base station and the second satellite base station is normal, and the disconnection information indicates that the feeder link between the second satellite base station and the ground station has been disconnected.

[0195] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first satellite base station provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 8As shown, the first satellite base station 800 includes one or more (including two) processors 801 , a communication line 802 and a communication interface 803 . Optionally, the first satellite base station 800 also includes a memory 804 .

[0196] In some implementations, the memory 804 stores the following elements: executable modules or data structures, or a subset thereof, or an extended set thereof.

[0197] The method described in the above embodiment of the present application can be applied to the processor 801, or implemented by the processor 801. The processor 801 may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, each step of the above method can be completed by an integrated logic circuit of hardware or software instructions in the processor 801. The above processor 801 can be a general processor (for example, a microprocessor or a conventional processor), a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gates, transistor logic devices or discrete hardware components. The processor 801 can implement or execute the disclosed methods, steps and logic block diagrams in the embodiments of the present application.

[0198] The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiment of the present application can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware decoding processor, or can be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. Among them, the software module can be located in a mature storage medium in the field such as a random access memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, or an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM). The storage medium is located in the memory 804, and the processor 801 reads the information in the memory 804 and completes the steps of the above method in combination with its hardware.

[0199] The processor 801 , the memory 804 , and the communication interface 803 may communicate with each other via the communication line 802 .

[0200] In the above embodiments, the instructions stored in the memory for execution by the processor may be implemented in the form of a computer program product, wherein the computer program product may be pre-written in the memory, or may be downloaded and installed in the memory in the form of software.

[0201] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of the structure of a user equipment provided in an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 9As shown, the user equipment 900 includes one or more (including two) processors 901 , a communication line 902 and a communication interface 903 . Optionally, the user equipment 900 also includes a memory 904 .

[0202] In some implementations, the memory 904 stores the following elements: executable modules or data structures, or a subset thereof, or an extended set thereof.

[0203] The method described in the above embodiment of the present application can be applied to the processor 901, or implemented by the processor 901. The processor 901 may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, each step of the above method can be completed by an integrated logic circuit of hardware or software instructions in the processor 901. The above processor 901 can be a general processor (for example, a microprocessor or a conventional processor), a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gates, transistor logic devices or discrete hardware components. The processor 901 can implement or execute the disclosed methods, steps and logic block diagrams in the embodiments of the present application.

[0204] The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiment of the present application can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware decoding processor, or can be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. Among them, the software module can be located in a mature storage medium in the field such as a random access memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, or an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM). The storage medium is located in the memory 904, and the processor 901 reads the information in the memory 904 and completes the steps of the above method in combination with its hardware.

[0205] The processor 901 , the memory 904 , and the communication interface 903 may communicate with each other via the communication line 902 .

[0206] In the above embodiments, the instructions stored in the memory for execution by the processor may be implemented in the form of a computer program product, wherein the computer program product may be pre-written in the memory, or may be downloaded and installed in the memory in the form of software.

[0207] Fig.10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a second satellite base station provided in an embodiment of the present application. Fig.10As shown, the second satellite base station 1000 includes one or more (including two) processors 1001 , a communication line 1002 and a communication interface 1003 . Optionally, the second satellite base station 1000 also includes a memory 1004 .

[0208] In some implementations, the memory 1004 stores the following elements: executable modules or data structures, or a subset thereof, or an extended set thereof.

[0209] The method described in the above embodiment of the present application can be applied to the processor 1001, or implemented by the processor 1001. The processor 1001 may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, each step of the above method can be completed by an integrated logic circuit of hardware in the processor 1001 or an instruction in the form of software. The above processor 1001 can be a general-purpose processor (for example, a microprocessor or a conventional processor), a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gates, transistor logic devices or discrete hardware components. The processor 1001 can implement or execute the disclosed methods, steps and logic block diagrams in the embodiments of the present application.

[0210] The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiment of the present application can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware decoding processor, or can be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. Among them, the software module can be located in a mature storage medium in the field such as a random access memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, or an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM). The storage medium is located in the memory 1004, and the processor 1001 reads the information in the memory 1004 and completes the steps of the above method in combination with its hardware.

[0211] The processor 1001 , the memory 1004 , and the communication interface 1003 may communicate with each other via the communication line 1002 .

[0212] In the above embodiments, the instructions stored in the memory for execution by the processor may be implemented in the form of a computer program product, wherein the computer program product may be pre-written in the memory, or may be downloaded and installed in the memory in the form of software.

[0213] Fig.11The following is a schematic diagram of the structure of a satellite communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application. Fig.11 As shown, the satellite communication system includes a satellite base station network 1101, a user equipment 1102 and a ground station 1103. The satellite base station network 1101 includes a first satellite base station 1104 and a second satellite base station 1105. The first satellite base station is used to perform the above Figure 3 or Figure 4 The method performed by the first satellite base station in the embodiment of the present invention is as follows: Figure 3 or Figure 4 The method is performed by the first satellite base station in the embodiment of the present invention, wherein the second satellite base station is used to perform the method Figure 3 or Figure 4 The method performed by the second satellite base station in the user equipment is used to perform the above Figure 3 or Figure 4 A method executed by a user device in .

[0214] The embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product, which includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function executed by the satellite base station or user equipment in the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website site, computer, server or data center to another website site, computer, server or data center by wired (such as coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (such as infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be stored by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrated. For example, the available medium can include magnetic media (such as floppy disks, hard disks or tapes), optical media (such as digital versatile discs (DVD)), or semiconductor media (such as solid state disks (SSD)), etc.

[0215] An embodiment of the present application provides a satellite base station, which includes a processor and a memory, the memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is used to execute the computer program to perform the above-mentioned mode control method.

[0216] An embodiment of the present application provides a user equipment, which includes a processor and a memory, the memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is used to execute the computer program to perform the above-mentioned mode control method.

[0217] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed by the processor, the method executed by the above-mentioned satellite base station or user equipment is implemented. The method described in the above embodiment can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the function can be stored as one or more instructions or codes on a computer-readable medium or transmitted on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media may include computer storage media and communication media, and may also include any medium that can transfer a computer program from one place to another. The storage medium may be any target medium that can be accessed by a computer.

[0218] As a possible design, the computer-readable medium may include a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), RAM, ROM, EEPROM or other optical disk storage; the computer-readable medium may include a magnetic disk storage or other magnetic disk storage device. Moreover, any connection line may also be appropriately referred to as a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL or wireless technology such as infrared, radio and microwave, the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL or wireless technology such as infrared, radio and microwave are included in the definition of the medium. Disks and optical disks as used herein include compact disks (CDs), laser disks, optical disks, DVDs, floppy disks and Blu-ray disks, where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while optical disks reproduce data optically using lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included in the scope of computer-readable media.

[0219] The embodiments of the present application are described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to the embodiments of the present application. It should be understood that each process and / or box in the flowchart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of the processes and / or boxes in the flowchart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processing unit of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device to generate a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processing unit of the computer or other programmable data processing device generate instructions for implementing the processes in the flowchart and / or block diagram. Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in a block or multiple blocks.

[0220] The above specific implementation methods further illustrate the purpose, technical solutions and beneficial effects of the present application in detail. It should be understood that the above are only specific implementation methods of the present application and are not used to limit the protection scope of the present application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made on the basis of the technical solutions of the present application should be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A satellite communication method based on store-and-forward, characterized in that: Applied to a first satellite base station, the satellite base station network includes at least one satellite base station, the satellite base station network includes the first satellite base station and a second satellite base station, the first satellite base station establishes a communication connection with the second satellite base station and a user equipment respectively, the second satellite base station establishes a communication connection with the first satellite base station and a ground station respectively, the user equipment is in a non-store-and-forward mode, and the method includes: In the case where the communication between the second satellite base station and the ground station is disconnected or the communication between the first satellite base station and the second satellite base station is disconnected, the first satellite base station determines a service link time information set, where the target service link time information includes an identifier of the corresponding target satellite base station, a service link recovery time of the target satellite base station, and a service link maintenance duration of the target satellite base station, and the target service link time information is any one of the service link time information set; The first satellite base station determines the storage-and-forwarding mode service information according to the service link time information set, where the storage-and-forwarding mode service information includes a satellite identifier, a service time point, and a service maintenance duration corresponding to the satellite base station providing the storage-and-forwarding mode service for the user equipment; The first satellite base station sends a first mode switching indication to the user equipment, the first mode switching indication includes the storage and forwarding mode service information, and the first mode switching indication is used to instruct the communication mode of the user equipment to switch from a current non-storage and forwarding mode to a storage and forwarding mode.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first satellite base station determines a service link time information set, including: The first satellite base station determines service link time information of each satellite base station according to the ephemeris of each satellite base station in the satellite base station network and the position of the user equipment, wherein the service link time information includes a corresponding satellite identifier, a service link recovery time, and a service link maintenance time; The first satellite base station determines the service link time information set according to the service link time information of each satellite base station.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The first satellite base station determines the storage and forwarding mode service information according to the service link time information set, including: The first satellite base station determines, in the service link time information set, a satellite base station with the earliest service link recovery time as a target satellite base station; The first satellite base station determines the satellite identifier, service link recovery time and service link maintenance duration corresponding to the target satellite base station as the storage and forwarding mode service information.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The first mode switching indication further includes non-store-and-forward mode service time information, and the first satellite base station generating the first mode switching indication further includes: The first satellite base station determines a feeder link time information set, the target feeder link time information includes an identifier of a corresponding target satellite base station, a feeder link recovery time of the target satellite base station, and a feeder link maintenance duration of the target satellite base station, and the target feeder link time information is any one of the feeder link time information set; The first satellite base station determines non-store-and-forward mode service information according to the service link time information set and the feeder link time information set, wherein the non-store-and-forward mode service information includes a satellite identifier, a service time point, and a service maintenance duration for providing non-store-and-forward mode service for the user equipment.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The first satellite base station determines a feeder link time information set, including: The first satellite base station determines the feeder link time information of each satellite base station according to the ephemeris of each satellite base station in the satellite base station network and the position information of the ground station, wherein the feeder link time information includes a corresponding satellite identifier, a feeder link recovery time, and a feeder link maintenance time; The first satellite base station determines the feeder link time information set according to the feeder link time information of each satellite base station.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that Before the first satellite base station generates a first mode switching indication, the method further includes: The first satellite base station receives the location information of the ground station.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The first satellite base station sending the first mode switching instruction to the user equipment includes: The first satellite base station sends a radio resource control RRC signaling to the user equipment, where the RRC signaling is used to carry the first mode switching indication; or The first satellite base station sends a media access control layer control element MAC CE to the user equipment, where the MAC CE is used to carry the first mode switching indication.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: When the communication between the second satellite base station and the ground station is disconnected and the communication between the first satellite base station and the second satellite base station is normal, before the first satellite base station sends the first mode switching indication to the user equipment, the method further includes: The first satellite base station receives disconnection information sent by the second satellite base station, where the disconnection information indicates that a feeder link between the second satellite base station and a ground station has been disconnected.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The disconnection information also includes a satellite identifier corresponding to the second satellite base station, a feeder link recovery time, and a feeder link maintenance time.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The first satellite base station receives disconnection information sent by the second satellite base station, including: The first satellite base station receives disconnection information sent by the second satellite base station through an X2 interface; or The first satellite base station receives disconnection information sent by the second satellite base station through an inter-satellite link interface.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The method further comprises: In a case where a third satellite base station in the satellite base station network can communicate with the ground station, the first satellite base station generates a second mode switching indication; The first satellite base station sends the second mode switching instruction to the user equipment, where the second mode switching instruction is used to instruct the user equipment to switch from the store-and-forward mode to the non-store-and-forward mode.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The second mode switching indication further includes a satellite identifier, a service time point, and a service maintenance duration for the third satellite base station to provide a non-store-and-forward mode service for the user equipment.

13. A satellite communication method based on store-and-forward, characterized in that: Applied to a user equipment, the user equipment establishes a communication connection with a first satellite base station, the user equipment is in a non-store-and-forward mode, and the method includes: The user equipment receives a first mode switching indication sent by the first satellite base station, where the first mode switching indication includes storage-and-forwarding mode service information, where the storage-and-forwarding mode service information includes a satellite identifier, a service time point, and a service maintenance duration corresponding to the satellite base station providing the storage-and-forwarding mode service for the user equipment, and the first mode switching indication is used to indicate that the communication mode of the user equipment is switched from a current non-storage-and-forwarding mode to a storage-and-forwarding mode; The user equipment switches from a non-store-and-forward mode to a store-and-forward mode according to the first mode switching instruction.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The method further comprises: The user equipment receives a second mode switching instruction sent by the first satellite base station, where the second mode switching instruction is used to instruct the user equipment to switch from a store-and-forward mode to a non-store-and-forward mode; The user equipment switches from the store-and-forward mode to the non-store-and-forward mode according to the second mode switching instruction.

15. A first satellite base station, characterized in that: The invention comprises a memory and a processor, wherein the memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is used to call the computer program to execute the satellite communication method based on storage and forwarding as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12.

16. A user equipment, characterized in that: The invention comprises a memory and a processor, wherein the memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is used to call the computer program to execute the satellite communication method based on storage and forwarding as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 14.

17. A satellite communication system, characterized in that: The satellite communication system includes a satellite base station network, a user equipment and a ground station, the satellite base station network includes a first satellite base station and a second satellite base station, the first satellite base station is used to execute the method described in any one of claims 1 to 12, and the user equipment is used to execute the method described in any one of claims 13 to 14.

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