Satellite communication method and satellite communication system

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a satellite communication method and a satellite communication system, which relate to the field of communication technology. The satellite communication method includes: responding to a policy control request from a ground PGW network element, determining a communication connection link of a terminal device corresponding to the policy control request; when the communication connection link is connected to a target satellite, obtaining connection information of the communication connection link and connection authority information of the terminal device; forming a connection authority authentication result for the terminal device according to a matching result between the connection information and the connection authority information; sending the connection authority authentication result to the ground PGW network element to maintain or disconnect the communication connection link. The embodiments of the present disclosure can optimize the allocation of satellite communication resources.

Description

Background Art

[0002] Currently, the mobile Internet of Things uses 4G as the main transmission bearer mode. When the user terminal (UE) enters the sea, airspace or remote areas, there is an urgent need to provide satellite access business scenarios, use the satellite carrier as an extension of the wireless backhaul channel of the satellite core network, connect the IOT (Internet of Things Terminal) to the satellite communication network and achieve network interconnection with the ground Internet of Things.

[0003] However, satellite link resources are relatively scarce, while the number of user terminals is huge, so how to reasonably allocate satellite link resources becomes an issue that needs to be considered.

[0004] It should be noted that the information disclosed in the above background technology section is only used to enhance the understanding of the background of the present disclosure, and therefore may include information that does not constitute the prior art known to ordinary technicians in the field. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a satellite communication method and a satellite communication system for solving the problem of satellite link resource allocation and management.

[0006] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a satellite communication method is provided, which is executed by a ground PCRF network element, including: responding to a policy control request from a ground PGW network element, determining a communication connection link of a terminal device corresponding to the policy control request; when the communication connection link is connected to a target satellite, obtaining connection information of the communication connection link and connection authority information of the terminal device; forming a connection authority authentication result for the terminal device based on a matching result between the connection information and the connection authority information; and sending the connection authority authentication result to the ground PGW network element to maintain or disconnect the communication connection link.

[0007] According to a second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a satellite communication method is provided, which is performed by a ground GMLC network element, and includes:

[0008] In response to a first location query request from a ground PCRF network element, obtain a terminal device identifier of a terminal device to be queried and an MME address of a target satellite to which the terminal device is currently connected;

[0009] Sending a second location query request to a satellite MME network element of the target satellite according to the terminal equipment identifier and the MME address of the target satellite;

[0010] Receiving a second location query response message from a satellite MME network element of the target satellite to determine location information of the terminal device;

[0011] A first location query response message is sent to the ground PCRF network element according to the location information of the terminal device.

[0012] According to a third aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a satellite communication method is provided, which is executed by a satellite base station, including: responding to a terminal device connection message, determining the satellite beam to which the terminal device is connected; determining a cell identifier corresponding to the satellite beam; recording the cell identifier in the current location details information corresponding to the user device, so that the terminal device can obtain the cell identifier by parsing the current location details information, forming an ECGI cell identifier based on the cell identifier, and reporting the ECGI cell identifier to a satellite MME network element.

[0013] According to a fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a satellite communication system is provided, including: a terminal device; multiple satellites and a gateway station connected to the multiple satellites; a satellite NTN communication network, the satellite NTN communication network includes a satellite base station, a satellite MME network element, a satellite SGW network element, and a satellite E-SMLC network element, and the satellite base station is used to communicate with the gateway station; a ground core network, the ground core network includes a ground PGW network element, a ground PCRF network element, and a ground GMLC network element, and the ground core network includes an Internet of Things ground core network; wherein the ground PCRF network element, the ground GMLC network element and the satellite base station are used to execute the above satellite communication method.

[0014] According to a fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, comprising: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute a satellite communication method as described in any one of the above items based on instructions stored in the memory.

[0015] The disclosed embodiment performs secondary authentication on the communication connection link between the terminal device and the target satellite. This can review the satellite link to which the terminal device is connected based on the connection information of the communication connection link and the connection permission information of the terminal device without making major changes to the existing network elements. It can ultimately decide whether to maintain or disconnect the communication link between the terminal device and the target satellite, and can perform detailed management of limited satellite link resources, optimize the allocation of satellite communication resources, and optimize the user's satellite communication experience.

[0016] It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The accompanying drawings herein are incorporated into the specification and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present disclosure, and together with the specification are used to explain the principles of the present disclosure. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present disclosure, and for ordinary technicians in this field, other accompanying drawings can be obtained based on these accompanying drawings without creative work.

[0018] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication system in an application scenario of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 2 is a flow chart of a satellite communication method in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 3 In the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure Figure 2 The method shown is applied in Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the interactions in the system shown.

[0021] Figure 4 is a flowchart of step S3 in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of a terminal device reporting satellite access information in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 6 is a flowchart of step S3 in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 7 is a flowchart of step S3 in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 8 is a flow chart of a satellite communication method in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Fig. 9 2 is a flowchart of decision-making implementation of method 200 in an exemplary embodiment.

[0027] Fig.10 is a flow chart of a satellite communication method in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Fig.11 is a schematic diagram of a communication device in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, example embodiments can be implemented in a variety of forms and should not be construed as being limited to the examples set forth herein; on the contrary, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be more comprehensive and complete, and the concepts of the example embodiments are fully conveyed to those skilled in the art. The described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner. In the following description, many specific details are provided to provide a full understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the technical solutions of the present disclosure may be practiced while omitting one or more of the specific details, or other methods, components, devices, steps, etc. may be adopted. In other cases, known technical solutions are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0030] In addition, the accompanying drawings are only schematic diagrams of the present disclosure, and the same reference numerals in the drawings represent the same or similar parts, so their repeated description will be omitted. Some of the block diagrams shown in the accompanying drawings are functional entities, which do not necessarily correspond to physically or logically independent entities. These functional entities can be implemented in software form, or implemented in one or more hardware modules or integrated circuits, or implemented in different networks and / or processor devices and / or microcontroller devices.

[0031] The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication system in an application scenario of an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1 The satellite communication system 100 shown may be, for example, an Internet of Things satellite communication system.

[0033] refer to Figure 1 , the satellite communication system 100 may include:

[0034] Terminal device 1;

[0035] A plurality of satellites 2 and a gateway station 21 connected to the plurality of satellites 2;

[0036] Satellite NTN communication network 3, satellite NTN communication network 3 includes satellite base station 31, satellite MME network element 32, satellite SGW network element 33, satellite E-SMLC network element 34, satellite base station 31 is used for communication connection with the gateway station 21;

[0037] The ground core network 4 includes a ground PGW network element 41 (PDSN GateWay, packet gateway), a ground PCRF network element 42 (Policy and Charging Rules Function), and a ground GMLC network element 43.

[0038] Among them, the terminal device 1 (User Equipment, UE) realizes communication connection and network connection with the satellite or ground base station through wireless signals, and the device type is, for example, a mobile phone, a tablet computer or other mobile devices. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the terminal device 1 is an Internet of Things Terminal (IOT), such as a smart home device, an industrial automation sensor, an intelligent transportation system, etc. When the terminal device 1 is an Internet of Things Terminal, the satellite NTN communication network 3 can be an Internet of Things satellite NTN communication network (IOT-NTN, Internet of Things Non-Terrestrial Networks), which is a satellite communication network based on NTN (Non-terrestrial networks, non-terrestrial networks), and the ground core network 4 can be an Internet of Things terrestrial core network (Internet of Things Core Network, IOT-CN).

[0039] IOT-NTN technology combines satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO), geosynchronous orbit (GEO) and high-altitude platforms such as drones to supplement and expand ground networks. It can cover remote areas, oceans and air vehicles, and provide seamless global connectivity.

[0040] The IoT Ground Core Network (IOT-CN) is responsible for processing and forwarding data from various IoT terminal devices. In the IoT system, the IoT Ground Core Network is usually closely integrated with the sensor network, application layer and other service components to provide end-to-end connectivity and data flow management, enabling the IoT to support a wide range of application scenarios, such as smart homes, industrial automation, smart transportation, etc.

[0041] Satellite 2 orbits the Earth and is able to receive wireless signals from terminal device 1 and forward them to ground-based gateway station 21, ensuring wide coverage of the signal and stable communication services even in remote areas. One gateway station 21 can connect to multiple satellites 2 to achieve wider coverage and more efficient communications.

[0042] The satellite base station 31 (also called e-NB, evolved Node B) is used to receive satellite signals forwarded from the gateway 21, and after establishing a communication connection with the terminal device 1, forward the satellite signals from the terminal device 1 to the satellite MME network element 32 for processing. The satellite base station 31 can be established on the ground or on a satellite, and the present disclosure does not impose any special restrictions on this.

[0043] The satellite MME network element 32 (Satellite Mobility Management Entity) is responsible for managing and controlling the connection and switching between satellite 2 and terminal device 1. When terminal device 1 enters the coverage area of ​​the satellite communication system, it usually attempts to communicate with the ground base station. If it is unable to establish contact with the ground base station, terminal device 1 will transparently transmit the communication request through satellite 2, reach satellite base station 31 through gateway 21, communicate with satellite base station 31, and then send the registration request to satellite MME network element 32 through satellite base station 31. Satellite MME network element 32 verifies the identity information of terminal device 1, such as the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), and decides whether to allow terminal device 1 to access the network. Once terminal device 1 is allowed to access the network, a communication connection link is established between terminal device 1 and the satellite to which it is currently connected.

[0044] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the satellite that establishes a communication connection link with the terminal device 1 is called a target satellite. After the communication connection link is established, the terminal device 1 can communicate with the operator's ground core network 4 through the target satellite to obtain network services. The satellite communication method for the ground core network 4 in the embodiment of the present disclosure is implemented after the terminal device 1 establishes a communication connection link with the target satellite.

[0045] After establishing the communication connection link, the satellite MME network element 32 is responsible for maintaining and managing the location information of the terminal device 1 (used to provide location-based services such as navigation, positioning and emergency rescue, etc.), tracking the location changes of the terminal device 1, and storing this information in the database. In addition, when the terminal device 1 moves from one satellite coverage area to another, the satellite MME network element 32 is responsible for coordinating and managing the switching process of the device to ensure that the connection is not interrupted and data can be transmitted seamlessly.

[0046] The satellite MME network element 32 can be set on the ground or on a satellite and is responsible for managing one or more satellites. Regardless of whether the satellite MME network element 32 is located on the ground or on a satellite, when the satellite 2 receives the information of the terminal device 1, it will forward the connection request of the terminal device 1 to the corresponding satellite MME network element 32. Subsequently, the satellite MME network element 32 is responsible for establishing and managing the communication connection link between the terminal device 1 and the satellite.

[0047] In general, the satellite MME network element 32 queries the ground HSS network element (Home Subscriber Server, see Figure 3) to determine whether services can be provided for the terminal device 1, and obtain relevant policies and authorization information. Since this process can also be called authentication, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the process in which the satellite MME network element 32 determines whether services can be provided for the terminal device 1 by querying the ground HSS network element is called a one-time authentication.

[0048] The satellite SGW network element 33 (Serving Gateway) acts as a user gateway and is responsible for establishing a session according to the request sent by the satellite MME network element 32, and allocating a data path and managing data transmission for the terminal device 1. Next, the satellite SGW network element 33 needs to contact the ground PGW network element to implement packet gateway control.

[0049] It should be noted that although the satellite NTN communication network 3 itself is equipped with a satellite ground PGW network element, in the present disclosed embodiment, the satellite SGW network element 33 contacts the ground PGW network element in the ground core network 4 to implement packet gateway control, so as to achieve secondary authentication through the ground PCRF network element 42.

[0050] The satellite E-SMLC network element 34 (Evolved Serving Mobile Location Center) is used to process signaling and data transmission between the satellite and the terminal device 1, and provide high-precision location information for the mobile communication network. The satellite E-SMLC network element 34 can accurately calculate the geographic location coordinates of the terminal device 1 by interacting with the satellite MME network element 32 and the terminal device 1, and collect and process the location information from the terminal device 1 in real time.

[0051] In addition to the above network elements, the satellite NTN communication network 3 may also include satellite ground control stations (GCS), satellite network management systems (NMS), and satellite link control systems (LCS), etc. These components work together to ensure the normal operation and communication of the satellite. Since these components are not related to the embodiments of the present disclosure, they will not be described in detail here.

[0052] Corresponding to IOT-NTN, the operator's ground core network 4 includes multiple key network elements, such as ground base stations (not shown), ground MME network elements (not shown), ground SGW network elements (not shown), ground PGW network elements 41 (PDSN GateWay, packet gateway), ground PCRF network elements 42 (Policy and Charging Rules Function, policy and charging management function) and ground GMLC network elements 43 (Gateway Mobile Location Center, gateway mobile location center) to provide network services to the terminal device 1.

[0053] The ground PGW network element 41 acts as a packet gateway and is responsible for routing data packets from the satellite SGW network element 33 to the correct destination. The ground PCRF network element 42 is responsible for formulating charging policies and rules, and in the embodiment of the present disclosure, is also responsible for performing secondary authentication on the communication connection link between the terminal device 1 and the target satellite. The ground GMLC network element 43 is responsible for processing functions related to positioning, such as obtaining the location information of the terminal device 1.

[0054] In the exemplary embodiment, the satellite E-SMLC network element 34 and the ground GMLC network element 43 are collectively referred to as positioning network elements. They work together to provide high-precision location information services for the terminal device 1, and realize accurate calculation and real-time monitoring of the terminal device position by processing signaling and data transmission.

[0055] In the ground core network of the Internet of Things, a mechanism for aggregating services to the PCRF is provided. That is, before the ground PGW network element 41 is connected to the external data network, it needs to communicate with the ground PCRF network element 42 to obtain policy control and billing information and perform policy control and billing functions. Therefore, the embodiment of the present disclosure transforms the ground PCRF network element 42 to implement secondary authentication of the communication connection link between the terminal device 1 and the target satellite, so that the operator can manage and control satellite communications.

[0056] In other embodiments, for example, when the ground core network 4 is a 4G / 5G ground core network, as long as the ground PGW network element 41 needs to communicate with the ground PCRF network element 42 before connecting to the external data network, the method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied.

[0057] In the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, in order to manage the communication connection link between the terminal device 1 and the target satellite, the ground PCRF network element 42 and the ground GMLC network element 43 are improved.

[0058] Figure 2 is a flow chart of a satellite communication method in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0059] refer to Figure 2 The satellite communication method 200 is performed by a ground PCRF network element and may include:

[0060] Step S1, responding to a policy control request from a ground PGW network element, determining a communication connection link of a terminal device corresponding to the policy control request;

[0061] Step S2, when the communication connection link is connected to a target satellite, obtaining connection information of the communication connection link and connection authority information of the terminal device;

[0062] Step S3, forming a connection authority authentication result for the terminal device according to a matching result between the connection information and the connection authority information;

[0063] Step S4: Send the connection authority authentication result to the ground PGW network element to maintain or disconnect the communication connection link.

[0064] The disclosed embodiment performs secondary authentication on the communication connection link between the terminal device and the target satellite. This can review the satellite link to which the terminal device is connected based on the connection information of the communication connection link and the connection permission information of the terminal device without making major changes to the existing network elements. It can ultimately decide whether to maintain or disconnect the communication link between the terminal device and the target satellite, and can perform detailed management of limited satellite link resources, optimize the allocation of satellite communication resources, and optimize the user's satellite communication experience.

[0065] exist Figure 2 In the method 200 shown, the ground PCRF network element and the ground PGW network element belong to the same core network, which may be Figure 1 In the terrestrial core network 4 of the system 100 shown in FIG. 1 , the terrestrial PCRF network element and the terrestrial PGW network element in the method 200 may be Figure 1 The ground PCRF network element 42 and the ground PGW network element 41 in the system 100 are shown. In other embodiments, the core network of the ground PCRF network element and the ground PGW network element may also be other types of core networks. In this case, the ground PCRF network element and the ground PGW network element belong to ground PCRF network elements and ground PGW network elements of other core networks.

[0066] Regardless of which core network the ground PCRF network element and the ground PGW network element belong to, the ground PGW network element is configured to send a policy control request to the ground PCRF network element before connecting to an external network.

[0067] Figure 3 In the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure Figure 2 The method shown is applied in Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the interactions in the system shown.

[0068] refer to Figure 3 In the application scenario of the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the terminal device 1 is an Internet of Things terminal, namely, IOT, the satellite NTN communication network 3 is an Internet of Things satellite NTN communication network (IOT-NTN), and the ground core network 4 is an Internet of Things ground core network.

[0069] The IoT terminal device 1 is connected to the satellite base station 31 in the IoT satellite NTN communication network 3 (IOT-NTN) through the satellite 2 and the gateway 21, and registers with the satellite MME network element 32 via the satellite base station 31. The satellite MME network element 32 performs a one-time authentication and session management with the ground HSS network element 44. If the one-time authentication result is passed, the satellite MME network element 32 sends the user's session and data flow information to the satellite SGW network element 33 to continue processing the access and session establishment.

[0070] The satellite SGW network element 33 sends the data packet to the ground PGW network element 41 in the IoT ground core network 4 so as to direct the traffic to the Internet. In the IoT ground core network 4, before the ground PGW network element 41 is connected to the Internet, for example, when a user session is established or modified, a policy control request needs to be sent to the ground PCRF network element 42.

[0071] The ground PCRF network element 42 usually generates policy rules (such as QoS, traffic limitation, etc.) based on the received policy control request and the current network policy and user subscription information, generates billing rules based on the billing policy, and passes these rules to the ground PGW network element 41, so that the ground PGW network element 41 can process user data traffic, implement QoS policy, and perform data metering according to the instructions of the ground PCRF network element 42.

[0072] In some embodiments, the ground PCRF network element 42 is also connected to the SCEF network element (not shown). The SCEF network element (ServiceCapability Exposure Function) is mainly used to expose and manage service capability interfaces in the mobile network, allowing third-party applications to access service capabilities in the network, such as location services and data management. In addition, the ground PGW network element 41 is also connected to the AS network element (not shown). The AS network element (Application Server) is responsible for processing and managing the business logic of the application layer, and works with the ground PGW network element 41 to support data transmission and service functions.

[0073] In an exemplary embodiment, after the terminal device 1 completes the attachment or tracking area update, the satellite MME network element 32 selects the satellite SGW network element 33 and the ground PGW network element 41 according to the existing implementation mode and the default APN (Access Point Name) information in the ground HSS network element 44 (Home Subscriber Server, used to store and manage the subscription data of IoT users and the location information of mobile users), and initiates a connection request for establishing a default bearer PDN (Private Data Network). The ground PGW network element 41 initiates a policy control request to the ground PCRF network element 42 to obtain the PCC (Policy and Charging Control) service policy rules of the terminal device 1.

[0074] Method 200 is implemented at this node. The method of the disclosed embodiment can provide a method for implementing service admission control for the scenario of an IoT satellite IOT terminal roaming into a satellite communication network. When the IoT terminal roams into a satellite network, the satellite carrier is used as an extension of the 4G wireless backhaul channel.

[0075] exist Figure 2 In the exemplary embodiment of the method 200 shown, the ground PCRF network element 42 is improved so that after receiving the policy control request from the ground PGW network element 41, the ground PCRF network element 42 determines whether the communication connection link corresponding to the policy control request is a 4G connection or a satellite connection. In step S2, when the communication connection link is connected to the target satellite, the ground PCRF network element 42 obtains the connection information of the communication connection link and the connection authority information of the terminal device 1, and forms a connection authority authentication result for the terminal device 1 according to the matching result of the connection information and the connection authority information in step S3, and sends the connection authority authentication result to the ground PGW network element 41 in step S4 to maintain or disconnect the communication connection link.

[0076] Figure 4 is a flowchart of step S3 in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0077] refer to Figure 4 In an exemplary embodiment, the connection information includes the location information of the terminal device, the connection authority information includes the preset satellite connection location information of the terminal device, and step S3 may include:

[0078] Step S301, sending a first location query request to a terrestrial GMLC network element according to the terminal device identifier in the policy control request, so as to determine the location information of the terminal device by receiving a first location query response message sent by the terrestrial GMLC network element;

[0079] Step S302, determining a preset satellite connection position of the terminal device according to the terminal device identifier in the policy control request;

[0080] Step S303, comparing the location information of the terminal device with the preset satellite connection location of the terminal device to form a first comparison result;

[0081] Step S304: forming a connection authority authentication result for the terminal device according to the first comparison result.

[0082] In the disclosed embodiment, the ground PCRF network element 42 is set as a policy control node, so that the ground PCRF network element 42 evaluates and determines whether the terminal device 1 has the authority to connect to the current target satellite based on the location information of the terminal device 1, thereby realizing access control of satellite access to the Internet of Things terminal devices.

[0083] In an exemplary embodiment, a location query interface can be set between the ground PCRF network element 42 and the ground GMLC network element 43, allowing the ground PCRF network element 42 to send a first location query request to the ground GMLC network element 43, so that the ground GMLC network element 43 responds to the first location query request, queries the location information of the terminal device 1 through the satellite MME network element 32 and then through the satellite E-SMLC network element 34, and returns the location information of the terminal device 1 to the ground PCRF network element 42 through the location query interface.

[0084] In some embodiments, the location information returned by the satellite E-SMLC network element 34 is the exact longitude and latitude of the terminal device 1. In other embodiments, the location information returned by the satellite E-SMLC network element 34 is the longitude and latitude of the ECGI cell of the satellite beam to which the terminal device 1 is connected.

[0085] In an exemplary embodiment, the longitude and latitude of the ECGI cell of the satellite beam to which the terminal device is connected are determined based on the satellite beam ECGI cell position comparison table of the target satellite and the ECGI cell identifier of the terminal device (determined based on a policy control request). The satellite beam ECGI cell position comparison table is pre-configured in the satellite E-SMLC network element 34. The longitude and latitude of the ECGI cell of the satellite beam to which the terminal device is connected are the longitude and latitude of the center position of the satellite beam area to which the terminal device is connected.

[0086] In the disclosed embodiment, in order to achieve consistent management of satellite ECGI (Evolved Cell Global Identity) and terrestrial network ECGI, IoT-NTN (Internet of Things Non-Terrestrial Networks) is set to divide the satellite coverage area into cell identifiers ECGI (i.e. PLMNID+eNBID+Cell Identity) according to satellite beams, and incorporate it into unified cell management with the ECGI of the terrestrial network, and set the longitude and latitude of the center position of the satellite beam area as the longitude and latitude of the ECGI cell, establish a satellite beam ECGI cell location comparison table, and pre-configure it to the satellite E-SMLC network element 34, so as to provide location services for terminals under satellite access conditions.

[0087] Table 1 is a satellite beam ECGI cell identification code location comparison table:

[0088] Table 1:

[0089]

[0090] When the location information returned by the satellite E-SMLC network element 34 is the longitude and latitude of the ECGI cell of the satellite beam to which the terminal device 1 is connected, it is necessary to obtain the longitude and latitude information of the ECGI cell according to the ECGI cell identifier of the satellite beam to which the terminal device 1 is connected (which can be determined according to the policy control request) and the configured satellite beam ECGI cell location comparison table. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, it is configured that when the terminal device 1 reports the satellite access information to the satellite MME network element 32, the ECGI cell identifier of the satellite beam to which the terminal device 1 is connected is reported.

[0091] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of a terminal device reporting satellite access information in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0092] refer to Figure 5 ,When the terminal device 1 is an IoT satellite terminal device, IOT-NTN is used to realize satellite wireless access, and the satellite wireless access link completely reuses the 4G network S1 interface.

[0093] In satellite access step 1, terminal device 1 establishes communication with satellite base station 31 through satellite 2, locks the corresponding beam of satellite orbit through cell search, and parses the system information Cell ID (cell identifier) ​​in the cell broadcast channel. It should be noted that the Cell ID (cell identifier) ​​in the broadcast information at this time is the Cell ID of the satellite beam after the satellite base station 31 is improved in the embodiment of the present disclosure. For relevant embodiments of satellite base station 31, please see Fig.10 .

[0094] After receiving the Cell ID information, the terminal device 1 uses the Cell ID information together with the identifier (eNBID) of the satellite base station 31 and the Public Land Mobile Network (PLMNID) as the ECGI cell identifier to be reported, that is, ECGI cell identifier = PLMNIN + eNBID + Cell ID. Thus, the terminal device 1 completes the acquisition of location information with the help of the network side.

[0095] In satellite access step 2, the terminal device 1 reports the parsed ECGI cell identifier and the wireless access type (RAT-Type) supported by itself to the satellite MME network element 32 through the satellite 2, the gateway 21, and the satellite base station 31. The satellite MME network element 32 transmits the identifier of the terminal device 1, the ECGI cell identifier, the supported wireless access type and other information to the ground PGW network element 41 through the satellite SGW network element 33, so that the ground PGW network element 41 carries this information when sending a policy control request for secondary authentication by the ground PCRF network element 42.

[0096] During the secondary authentication, the ground PCRF network element 42 obtains the longitude and latitude information of the location of the terminal device 1 from the satellite E-SMLC network element 34 via the ground GMLC network element 43. The satellite E-SMLC network element 34 communicates with the terminal device 1 to try to obtain the accurate longitude and latitude information of the terminal device 1. If the satellite E-SMLC network element 34 cannot obtain the accurate longitude and latitude information of the terminal device 1, by pre-configuring the satellite beam ECGI cell location comparison table in the satellite E-SMLC network element 34, it can be ensured that even if the longitude and latitude information of the terminal device 1 is not obtained in real time, the ECGI cell identifier of the terminal device 1 carried in the policy control request can be compared with the satellite beam ECGI cell location comparison table to obtain the longitude and latitude of the ECGI cell to which the terminal device 1 is connected, that is, the coarse positioning information of the terminal device 1. If the satellite E-SMLC network element 34 can obtain the accurate longitude and latitude information of the terminal device 1, the longitude and latitude information will be reported to the ground GMLC network element 43 and then to the ground PCRF network element 42 of the Internet of Things; if the satellite E-SMLC network element 34 cannot obtain the accurate longitude and latitude information of the terminal device 1, the longitude and latitude of the ECGI cell of the satellite beam connected to the terminal device 1 will be reported to the ground GMLC network element 43 and then to the ground PCRF network element 42 of the Internet of Things.

[0097] The ground PCRF network element 42 determines the terminal device identifier of the terminal device 1 according to the policy control request, and then determines the service subscription information of the user according to the terminal device identifier, determines the preset satellite connection position of the terminal device 1, compares the obtained location information of the terminal device 1 with the preset satellite connection position, obtains a first comparison result, and determines whether to allow the terminal device 1 to use the satellite access service and establish a default bearer according to the first comparison result. For example, when the first comparison result is consistent, that is, the location information of the terminal device 1 coincides with the preset satellite connection position, the connection authority authentication result is set to allow access; when the first comparison result is inconsistent, that is, the location information of the terminal device 1 does not coincide with the preset satellite connection position, the connection authority authentication result is set to not allow access.

[0098] In an exemplary embodiment, the preset satellite connection location can be obtained by adding a mapping relationship between the location area and the contracted satellite service scenario in the service contract information of the SPR module (Subscriber Profile Repository) of the ground PCRF network element 42, so that the ground PCRF network element 42 can determine whether the terminal device 1 has signed a contract to use the IOT-NTN satellite access service in the specified satellite orbit and coverage area scenario. The ground PCRF network element 42 compares the actual satellite access related information (location information) of the terminal device 1 with the access conditions (preset satellite connection location) of the satellite service license signed by the terminal, outputs a policy on whether to grant access to the satellite network, and notifies the ground PGW network element 41 to execute, thereby effectively rejecting the access of uncontracted terminals, releasing satellite links, and effectively protecting the utilization rate of satellite resources.

[0099] If the ground PCRF network element 42 determines that the terminal device 1 is allowed to use the satellite access service to establish a default bearer, the ground PGW network element 41 notifies the satellite SGW network element 33, the satellite MME network element 32, the satellite base station 31, and the terminal device 1 to establish an end-to-end bearer.

[0100] If the ground PCRF network element 42 determines that the terminal device 1 is not allowed to use the satellite access service to establish a default bearer, it notifies the satellite MME network element 32 through the ground PGW network element 41 and the satellite SGW network element 33. After receiving the notification, the satellite MME network element 32 instructs the eNB, i.e. the satellite base station 31, to disconnect the terminal device 1 from the network and exit the service.

[0101] Since the above process belongs to the authentication of the communication connection link between the terminal device 1 and the target satellite, in order to distinguish it from the primary authentication performed by the satellite MME network element 32 through the ground HSS network element 44, the process of step S3 can be called secondary authentication.

[0102] By obtaining the location information of the terminal device 1 through the network side under the satellite access conditions of the terminal device 1, the location information of the satellite communication network actually accessed by the terminal device 1 can be compared with the satellite coverage area range (preset satellite connection location) signed by the terminal device 1 to achieve secondary authentication, so that the operator can make more precise access control to satellite communications and better protect the effective use of satellite resources.

[0103] In addition to performing secondary authentication through the location information of the terminal device 1, secondary authentication can also be performed through other information.

[0104] Figure 6 is a flowchart of step S3 in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0105] refer to Figure 6 In an exemplary embodiment, the connection information includes the wireless access type of the terminal device, the connection authority information includes the satellite orbit type subscribed by the terminal device 1, and obtaining the connection information of the communication connection link and the connection authority information of the terminal device includes:

[0106] Step S305, determining the wireless access type of the terminal device according to the policy control request, and determining the satellite orbit type subscribed by the terminal device according to the terminal device identifier in the policy control request;

[0107] Step S306, comparing the satellite orbit type subscribed by the terminal device with the wireless access type of the terminal device to form a second comparison result;

[0108] Step S307: forming a connection authority authentication result for the terminal device according to the second comparison result.

[0109] In terms of the ground network access control function, the disclosed embodiment expands the IOT terminal wireless access type (RAT-Type). When the terminal device 1 interacts with the IOT-NTN, the satellite MME network element 32 maps the terminal device 1 into different RAT-Types (different access types are distinguished according to the different satellite orbit types accessed by the terminal device 1) according to the satellite orbit type (low orbit, medium orbit, earth, high orbit, geosynchronous orbit, etc.) accessed by the terminal device 1, thereby providing more accurate access control for the access of the terminal device 1.

[0110] Exemplarily, when the terminal device 1 initiates an attach or tracking area update operation, that is, when the terminal device 1 actively establishes a connection with the satellite network or updates its location information during movement, the satellite base station 31 (eNB) provides the satellite MME network element 32 with information on the satellite access type according to the type of satellite orbit actually accessed by the terminal device 1, for example:

[0111] The RAT-Type of low-orbit satellites is EUTRAN-NB-IoT (LEO);

[0112] The RAT-Type of the medium-orbit satellite is EUTRAN-NB-IoT (MEO);

[0113] The RAT-Type of geosynchronous orbit satellites is EUTRAN-NB-IoT (GEO);

[0114] The RAT-Type for other orbital satellites is EUTRAN-NB-IoT (OTHERSAT).

[0115] refer to Figure 5 In the process of the terminal device 1 reporting the satellite access information, that is, after the terminal device 1 is connected to the satellite base station 31, the wireless access type (RAT-Type) that the terminal device 1 can support is reported to the satellite base station 31. The satellite base station 31 instructs the terminal device 1 to use a wireless access type for access. When the terminal device 1 completes the wireless RRC connection according to the wireless access type, it reports its current wireless access type (RAT-Type) to the satellite MME network element 32 through the NAS (Non-Access Stratum) channel. In this process, the satellite base station 31 (eNB) transparently transmits the information reported by the terminal device 1.

[0116] The satellite MME network element 32 transmits the wireless access type of the terminal device 1 to the ground PCRF network element 42 through the satellite SGW network element 33 and the ground PGW network element 41 via a policy control request.

[0117] After the ground PCRF network element 42 obtains the wireless access type of the terminal device 1 through the policy control request, it determines the satellite orbit type subscribed by the terminal device 1 according to the device identifier of the terminal device 1, compares the satellite orbit type subscribed by the terminal device 1 with the wireless access type of the terminal device 1 to form a second comparison result, and forms a connection authority authentication result for the terminal device 1 according to the second comparison result. For example, when the second comparison result is consistent, that is, when the wireless access type of the terminal device 1 and the satellite orbit type overlap, the connection authority authentication result is set to allow access; when the second comparison result is inconsistent, that is, when the wireless access type of the terminal device 1 and the satellite orbit type do not overlap, the connection authority authentication result is set to not allow access.

[0118] In some embodiments, the ground PCRF network element 42 forms a connection authority authentication result based on the first comparison result and the second comparison result at the same time. For example, only when the first comparison result and the second comparison result are both consistent, the connection authority authentication result is set to allow access, otherwise, the connection authority authentication result is set to not allow access.

[0119] In an exemplary embodiment, secondary authentication may also be performed based on other information.

[0120] Figure 7 is a flowchart of step S3 in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0121] refer to Figure 7 The connection information includes the connection period, the connection authority information includes the contract access period of the terminal device, and the connection information of the communication connection link and the connection authority information of the terminal device also include:

[0122] Step S308, determining a subscription access period of the terminal device according to the terminal device identifier in the policy control request, and determining a connection period of the terminal device according to the policy control request;

[0123] Step S309, comparing the connection period with the contract access period to form a third comparison result;

[0124] Step S310: forming a connection authority authentication result for the terminal device according to the third comparison result.

[0125] The ground PCRF network element 42 can obtain the terminal device identifier of the terminal device 1 through the policy control request, and then obtain the contract access period and connection period of the terminal device 1, and determine whether the connection period is the contract access period of the terminal device 1, wherein the connection period can be determined by including but not limited to the current time point, the setting information of the connection start time point and the end time point, etc. If the connection period is not the contract access period of the terminal device 1, the third comparison result is set to be inconsistent, and the terminal device 1 is not allowed to access the satellite communication network; if it is, the third comparison result is set to be consistent, and it is determined whether the terminal device 1 is allowed to access the satellite communication network in combination with other information.

[0126] In an exemplary embodiment, the ground PCRF network element 42 simultaneously forms a connection authority authentication result based on the first comparison result, the second comparison result, and the third comparison result. For example, only when the first comparison result, the second comparison result, and the third comparison result are all consistent, the connection authority authentication result is set to allow access, otherwise, the connection authority authentication result is set to not allow access.

[0127] In some embodiments, the ground PCRF network element 42 may also form a connection authority authentication result based on one or two of the first comparison result, the second comparison result, and the third comparison result, or, based on one, two or all of the first comparison result, the second comparison result, and the third comparison result, combined with other information, form a connection authority authentication result.

[0128] In the above embodiment, the policy control request may include part or all of the information such as the terminal device identifier of the terminal device 1 , the ECGI cell identifier of the terminal device 1 , and the wireless access type.

[0129] In addition, the ground GMLC network element 43 needs to be modified so that the ground GMLC network element 43 can respond to the first location query request of the ground PCRF network element 42.

[0130] Figure 8 is a flow chart of a satellite communication method in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0131] refer to Figure 8 , satellite communication method 800 comprises Figure 1 The terrestrial GMLC network element 43 in the system shown executes, including:

[0132] Step S81, responding to the first location query request from the ground PCRF network element, obtaining the terminal device identifier of the terminal device to be queried and the MME address of the target satellite to which the terminal device is currently connected;

[0133] Step S82, sending a second location query request to the satellite MME network element of the target satellite according to the terminal equipment identifier and the MME address of the target satellite;

[0134] Step S83, receiving a second location query response message from the satellite MME network element of the target satellite, and determining the location information of the terminal device;

[0135] Step S84: Send a first location query response message to the ground PCRF network element according to the location information of the terminal device.

[0136] Method 800 is a location query process after the ground GMLC network element 43 receives the first location query request from the ground PCRF network element 42 in method 200 .

[0137] In an exemplary embodiment, step S81 may include: sending a user current MME address query request to the ground HSS network element 44 according to the terminal device identifier; receiving a user current MME address query response message from the ground HSS network element 44, and determining the MME address of the target satellite to which the terminal device 1 is currently connected.

[0138] The method 200 and the method 800 are described below in general with reference to the interaction diagram.

[0139] Fig. 9 2 is a flowchart of decision-making implementation of method 200 in an exemplary embodiment.

[0140] refer to Fig. 9In an exemplary embodiment, in step S901, after the ground PGW network element 41 sends a policy control request to the ground PCRF network element 42, in step S902, the ground PCRF network element 42 determines that the communication connection type is satellite access, that is, connection with the target satellite, and then obtains the terminal device identifier, the ECGI cell identifier of the terminal device 1, and the current wireless connection type of the terminal device 1.

[0141] In step S903 , the ground PCRF network element 42 sends a first location query request to the ground GMLC network element 43 , where the first location query request carries the terminal device identifier and the ECGI cell identifier of the terminal device 1 .

[0142] In step S904, the ground GMLC network element 43 sends a user current MME address query request to the ground HSS network element 44 according to the terminal equipment identifier.

[0143] In step S905, the ground GMLC network element 43 receives the user's current MME address query response message from the ground HSS network element 44, and determines the MME address of the target satellite to which the terminal device is currently connected.

[0144] In step S906 , the ground GMLC network element 43 sends a second location query request to the satellite MME network element 32 corresponding to the target satellite, where the second location query request carries the ECGI cell identifier of the terminal device 1 .

[0145] In step S907 , the satellite MME network element 32 corresponding to the target satellite sends a third location query request to the satellite E-SMLC network element 34 , where the third location query request carries the ECGI cell identifier of the terminal device 1 .

[0146] In step S908, the satellite E-SMLC network element 34 communicates with the terminal device 1 to obtain the accurate longitude and latitude of the terminal device 1. If the accurate longitude and latitude cannot be obtained, the longitude and latitude information of the ECGI of the satellite beam to which the terminal device 1 is connected is determined according to the ECGI cell identifier of the terminal device 1.

[0147] In step S909, the satellite E-SMLC network element 34 returns a third location query response message to the satellite MME network element 32 corresponding to the target satellite, carrying the location information of the terminal device 1. The location information of the terminal device 1 is the accurate longitude and latitude of the terminal device 1 or the longitude and latitude information of the ECGI of the satellite beam to which the terminal device 1 is connected.

[0148] In step S910 , the satellite MME network element 32 returns a second location query response message to the terrestrial GMLC network element 43 , carrying the location information of the terminal device 1 .

[0149] In step S911 , the terrestrial GMLC network element 43 returns a first location query response message to the terrestrial PCRF network element 42 , carrying the location information of the terminal device 1 .

[0150] In step S912, the ground PCRF network element 42 compares the location information (latitude and longitude), contract period, and RAT-TYPE (radio access type) of the terminal device 1 with the satellite access authority information of the designated location area contracted by the SPR module user (the contracted location area, i.e., the preset satellite connection location, the contracted access period, and the contracted satellite orbit type), determines whether the terminal device 1 is allowed to maintain the current communication connection link, i.e., access, and sends the connection authority authentication result of the terminal device to the ground PGW network element 41 through the Gx interface in step S913.

[0151] If the terminal device 1 is not allowed to maintain the current communication connection link, the result-code sent by the ground PCRF network element 42 to the ground PGW network element 41 is an abnormal result code, such as 5003 (DIAMETER_AUTHORIZATION_REJECTED), indicating that the ground PGW network element 41 failed to establish the default bearer (QCI=9) and released network resources.

[0152] If the terminal device 1 is allowed to maintain the current communication connection link, the result-code sent by the ground PCRF network element 42 to the ground PGW network element 41 is a success result code, indicating that the ground PGW network element 41 establishes the PCC policy rules required for the default bearer (QCI=9).

[0153] For example, if the ground PGW network element 41 learns that the ground PCRF network element 42 does not allow the terminal device 1 to maintain the current communication connection link, it notifies the satellite MME network element 32 through the satellite SGW network element 33. After receiving the notification, the satellite MME network element 32 notifies the satellite base station 31 (eNB) to disconnect the terminal device 1 from the network and exit the service.

[0154] If the ground PGW network element 41 learns that the ground PCRF network element 42 allows the terminal device 1 to maintain the current communication connection link, it notifies the satellite SGW network element 33, the satellite MME network element 32, the satellite base station 31 (eNB) and the terminal device 1 to establish an end-to-end bearer.

[0155] At the same time, if it is determined to maintain the communication connection link, the ground PCRF network element 42 sends the traffic and billing control policy to the ground PGW network element 41, and then the ground PGW network element 41 connects the terminal device 1 to the Internet according to the traffic and billing control policy.

[0156] The disclosed embodiment can improve the management efficiency of the satellite communication link and optimize the communication experience of the satellite communication network by performing secondary authentication based on the communication connection link between the terminal device 1 and the target satellite.

[0157] In the above embodiment, in order to enable the terminal device 1 to report the ECGI cell identifier of the connected satellite beam, the satellite base station 31 needs to be modified.

[0158] Fig.10 FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a satellite communication method in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The satellite communication method 1000 is implemented by the satellite base station 31 .

[0159] refer to Fig.10 , the satellite communication method 1000 may include:

[0160] Step S101, responding to a terminal device connection message, determining a satellite beam to which the terminal device is connected;

[0161] Step S102, determining a cell identifier corresponding to the satellite beam;

[0162] Step S103, recording the cell identifier into the current location details information corresponding to the terminal device, so that the terminal device can obtain the cell identifier by parsing the current location details information, form an ECGI cell identifier according to the cell identifier, and report the ECGI cell identifier to the satellite MME network element.

[0163] Combination Figure 5 illustrate Fig.10 The embodiment shown.

[0164] exist Fig.10 In the illustrated embodiment, during the connection process with the terminal device 1, the satellite base station 31 determines the satellite beam to which the terminal device 1 is connected, and according to the built-in mapping relationship between the satellite beam ECGI cell and the satellite beam, returns the ECGI cell identifier corresponding to the satellite beam as the Cell ID to the terminal device 1, so that the terminal device 1 forms an ECGI cell identifier (ECGI=Cell ID+eNBID+PLMNID) according to the CellID, and reports the ECGI cell identifier to the satellite MME network element 32. The satellite MME network element 32 forms a routing area identifier (3GPP-User-Location-Info) according to the ECGI cell identifier, so that the satellite SGW network element 33 and the ground PGW network element 41 can subsequently extract the ECGI cell identifier of the terminal device 1 according to the routing area identifier, and form a policy control request carrying the ECGI cell identifier of the terminal device 1 and send it to the ground PCRF network element 42.

[0165] Since the relevant embodiments have been described in detail above, the present disclosure will not be repeated here.

[0166] Corresponding to the above method embodiments, the present disclosure also provides a communication device that can be used to execute the above method embodiments.

[0167] Fig.11 is a schematic diagram of a communication device in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0168] refer to Fig.11 , the communication device 110 may include:

[0169] Memory 1101; and

[0170] The processor 1102 is coupled to the memory 1101 , and the processor 1102 is configured to execute a satellite communication method based on instructions stored in the memory 1101 .

[0171] In some embodiments, the communication device 110 includes a ground PCRF network element, and the processor 1102 is used to execute the satellite communication method 200. In other embodiments, the communication device 110 may include a ground GMLC network element, and the processor 1102 is used to execute the satellite communication method 800. In still other embodiments, the communication device 110 may include a satellite base station 31, and the processor 1102 is used to execute the satellite communication method 1000. In addition, the communication device 10 may include one or more of a ground PCRF network element, a ground GMLC network element, and a satellite base station 31 at the same time, and the processor 102 is used to execute one or more of the satellite communication method 200, the satellite communication method 800, and the satellite communication method 1000.

[0172] It should be noted that, although several modules or units of the device for action execution are mentioned in the above detailed description, this division is not mandatory. In fact, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the features and functions of two or more modules or units described above can be embodied in one module or unit. On the contrary, the features and functions of one module or unit described above can be further divided into multiple modules or units to be embodied.

[0173] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various aspects of the present invention may be implemented as a system, method or program product. Therefore, various aspects of the present invention may be specifically implemented in the following forms, namely: a complete hardware implementation, a complete software implementation (including firmware, microcode, etc.), or a combination of hardware and software, which may be collectively referred to herein as a "circuit", "module" or "system".

[0174] Through the description of the above implementation, it is easy for those skilled in the art to understand that the example implementation described here can be implemented by software, or by software combined with necessary hardware. Therefore, the technical solution according to the implementation of the present disclosure can be embodied in the form of a software product, which can be stored in a non-volatile storage medium (which can be a CD-ROM, a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, etc.) or on a network, and includes a number of instructions to enable a computing device (which can be a personal computer, a server, a terminal device, or a network device, etc.) to execute the method according to the implementation of the present disclosure.

[0175] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium is also provided, on which a program product capable of implementing the above method of the present specification is stored. In some possible implementations, various aspects of the present invention can also be implemented in the form of a program product, which includes a program code, and when the program product is run on a terminal device, the program code is used to enable the terminal device to execute the steps according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention described in the above "Exemplary Method" section of the present specification.

[0176] The program product for implementing the above method according to an embodiment of the present invention can adopt a portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) and include program code, and can be run on a terminal device, such as a personal computer. However, the program product of the present invention is not limited thereto, and in this document, a readable storage medium can be any tangible medium containing or storing a program, which can be used by or in combination with an instruction execution system, an apparatus or a device.

[0177] The program product may be any combination of one or more readable media. The readable medium may be a readable signal medium or a readable storage medium. The readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electrical, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, device or device, or any combination thereof. More specific examples (non-exhaustive list) of readable storage media include: an electrical connection with one or more wires, a portable disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0178] Computer readable signal media may include data signals propagated in baseband or as part of a carrier wave, in which readable program code is carried. Such propagated data signals may take a variety of forms, including but not limited to electromagnetic signals, optical signals, or any suitable combination of the above. Readable signal media may also be any readable medium other than a readable storage medium, which may send, propagate, or transmit a program for use by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0179] The program code embodied on the readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wired, optical cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0180] Program code for performing the operations of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Java, C++, etc., and conventional procedural programming languages ​​such as "C" or similar programming languages. The program code may be executed entirely on the user computing device, partially on the user device, as a separate software package, partially on the user computing device and partially on a remote computing device, or entirely on a remote computing device or server. In the case of a remote computing device, the remote computing device may be connected to the user computing device through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or may be connected to an external computing device (e.g., via the Internet using an Internet service provider).

[0181] In addition, the above-mentioned figures are only schematic illustrations of the processes included in the method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and are not intended to be limiting. It is easy to understand that the processes shown in the above-mentioned figures do not indicate or limit the time sequence of these processes. In addition, it is also easy to understand that these processes can be performed synchronously or asynchronously, for example, in multiple modules.

[0182] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate other embodiments of the present disclosure after considering the specification and practicing the invention disclosed herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present disclosure that follow the general principles of the present disclosure and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art that are not disclosed in the present disclosure. The specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and concept of the present disclosure are indicated by the claims.

Claims

1. A satellite communication method, characterized in that: Executed by the ground PCRF network element, including: In response to a policy control request from a ground PGW network element, determine a communication connection link of a terminal device corresponding to the policy control request; When the communication connection link is connected to a target satellite, obtaining connection information of the communication connection link and connection authority information of the terminal device; Forming a connection authority authentication result for the terminal device according to a matching result between the connection information and the connection authority information; The connection authority authentication result is sent to the ground PGW network element to maintain or disconnect the communication connection link.

2. The satellite communication method according to claim 1, wherein: The connection information includes the location information of the terminal device, the connection authority information includes the preset satellite connection location information of the terminal device, and obtaining the connection information of the communication connection link and the connection authority information of the terminal device includes: Sending a first location query request to a terrestrial GMLC network element according to the terminal device identifier in the policy control request, so as to determine the location information of the terminal device by receiving a first location query response message sent by the terrestrial GMLC network element; Determine a preset satellite connection location of the terminal device according to the terminal device identifier in the policy control request; Comparing the location information of the terminal device with a preset satellite connection location of the terminal device to form a first comparison result; A connection authority authentication result for the terminal device is formed according to the first comparison result.

3. The satellite communication method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The connection information includes the wireless access type of the terminal device, the connection authority information includes the satellite orbit type subscribed by the terminal device, and obtaining the connection information of the communication connection link and the connection authority information of the terminal device includes: Determine the wireless access type of the terminal device according to the policy control request, and determine the satellite orbit type subscribed by the terminal device according to the terminal device identifier in the policy control request; Comparing the satellite orbit type contracted by the terminal device with the wireless access type of the terminal device to form a second comparison result; A connection authority authentication result for the terminal device is formed according to the second comparison result.

4. The satellite communication method according to claim 3, characterized in that: The connection information includes a connection period, the connection permission information includes a contract access period of the terminal device, and obtaining the connection information of the communication connection link and the connection permission information of the terminal device further includes: Determine the subscription access period of the terminal device according to the terminal device identifier in the policy control request, and determine the connection period of the terminal device according to the policy control request; comparing the connection period with the contract access period to form a third comparison result; A connection authority authentication result for the terminal device is formed according to the third comparison result.

5. The satellite communication method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The location information is the longitude and latitude of the terminal device, or the location information is the longitude and latitude of the ECGI cell of the satellite beam to which the terminal device is connected.

6. The satellite communication method according to claim 5, characterized in that: The longitude and latitude of the ECGI cell of the satellite beam to which the terminal device is connected are determined based on the satellite beam ECGI cell location comparison table of the target satellite and the ECGI cell identifier of the terminal device. The satellite beam ECGI cell location comparison table is pre-configured in the satellite E-SMLC network element, and the ECGI cell identifier of the terminal device is set in the policy control request.

7. A satellite communication method, characterized in that: Executed by ground GMLC network elements, including: In response to a first location query request from a ground PCRF network element, obtain a terminal device identifier of a terminal device to be queried and an MME address of a target satellite to which the terminal device is currently connected; Sending a second location query request to a satellite MME network element of the target satellite according to the terminal equipment identifier and the MME address of the target satellite; Receiving a second location query response message from a satellite MME network element of the target satellite to determine location information of the terminal device; A first location query response message is sent to the ground PCRF network element based on the location information of the terminal device, so that the ground PCRF network element evaluates and determines whether the terminal device has the authority to connect to the target satellite based on the location information of the terminal device, thereby controlling the connection between the terminal device and the target satellite.

8. The satellite communication method according to claim 7, characterized in that: Acquiring the terminal device identifier of the terminal device to be queried and the MME address of the target satellite to which the terminal device is currently connected includes: Sending a user current MME address query request to the ground HSS network element according to the terminal device identifier; Receive a user's current MME address query response message from a ground HSS network element to determine the MME address of the target satellite to which the terminal device is currently connected.

9. A satellite communication method, characterized in that: Performed by satellite base stations, including: In response to a terminal device connection message, determining a satellite beam to which the terminal device is connected; Determining a cell identifier corresponding to the satellite beam; The cell identifier is recorded in the current location details information corresponding to the terminal device, so that the terminal device can obtain the cell identifier by parsing the current location details information, form an ECGI cell identifier based on the cell identifier, and report the ECGI cell identifier to the satellite MME network element, so that the satellite MME network element forms a routing area identifier based on the ECGI cell identifier, and the satellite SGW network element and the ground PGW network element extract the ECGI cell identifier of the terminal device based on the routing area identifier, and form a policy control request carrying the ECGI cell identifier of the terminal device and send it to the ground PCRF network element.

10. A satellite communication system, characterized in that: include: Terminal equipment, the terminal equipment includes an Internet of Things terminal; A plurality of satellites and a gateway connecting the plurality of satellites; A satellite NTN communication network, wherein the satellite NTN communication network includes a satellite base station, a satellite MME network element, a satellite SGW network element, and a satellite E-SMLC network element, wherein the satellite base station is used for communication connection with the gateway station, and the satellite NTN communication network includes an Internet of Things satellite NTN communication network; A terrestrial core network, the terrestrial core network comprising a terrestrial PGW network element, a terrestrial PCRF network element, and a terrestrial GMLC network element, and the terrestrial core network comprises an Internet of Things terrestrial core network; The ground PCRF network element is used to execute the satellite communication method as described in any one of claims 1-6, the ground GMLC network element is used to execute the satellite communication method as described in claim 7 or 8, and the satellite base station is used to execute the satellite communication method as described in claim 9.

11. A communication device, characterized in that: include: Memory; as well as A processor coupled to the memory, the processor being configured to execute the satellite communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and / or the satellite communication method according to claim 7 or 8, and / or the satellite communication method according to claim 9 based on instructions stored in the memory.

Images