Chip system, communication method and mobile terminal

Abstract

The invention discloses a chip system, a communication method and a mobile terminal, and relates to the technical field of communication. The chip system comprises an application processor AP and a baseband processor Modem. The Modem comprises a first protocol stack module and a first physical layer module, and the first protocol stack module is respectively communicated with the first physical layer and the user identification card. The Modem further comprises a second physical layer module. And the AP comprises a second protocol stack module, communicates with the user identification card through the second protocol stack module in the AP, and realizes communication between the second protocol stack module and the second physical layer module through the AP and the Modem. Or, the Modem comprises a second protocol stack module, and the communication between the second protocol stack module and the user identification card and the communication between the second protocol stack module and the second physical layer module are realized through the Modem. According to the mobile terminal adopting the chip system, the mobile terminal can support both cellular communication and satellite communication under the condition that the thickness and the weight of the mobile terminal body are not changed as much as possible.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a chip system, a communication method and a mobile terminal. Background Art

[0002] Compared with cellular communication: satellite communication can use artificial satellites as relay stations to forward radio electromagnetic wave signals. In this way, even in areas where cellular base stations are not covered, such as deserts and mountains, satellite networks can still be used to maintain communication. It can be seen that adding satellite communication functions to terminals that support cellular communication (such as smartphones) is of great significance.

[0003] However, implementing satellite communication on a terminal usually requires the support of hardware such as a separate satellite communication chip, a radio frequency (RF) component that supports satellite communication, and a user identification card (such as a subscriber identity module (SIM)). These hardware components need to occupy space in the terminal and have a certain weight, which will increase the size of the terminal (such as increasing the thickness of the terminal body) and weight.

[0004] However, current smartphones have very high requirements for body thickness and weight. For example, the thickness of a smartphone is usually within 10 mm and the weight does not exceed 200 g. Because of this, the difficulty of implementing satellite communication in smartphones has increased significantly while minimizing the thickness and weight of the body. This is also an important reason why current smartphones cannot support both cellular communication and satellite communication. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of this, the present application provides a chip system, a communication method and a mobile terminal, which can enable the mobile terminal to support both cellular communication and satellite communication while minimizing the increase in the volume and weight of the mobile terminal.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides a chip system, the chip system includes an application processor AP and a baseband processor Modem, the AP is in communication connection with the Modem. The Modem includes a first protocol stack module for cellular communication and a first physical layer module for cellular communication, the first protocol stack module communicates with the first physical layer module and the user identification card respectively to realize cellular communication.

[0007] The modem also includes a second physical layer module for satellite communication, and the AP or the modem includes a second protocol stack module for satellite communication. In other words, a separate satellite communication chip is no longer used to configure the second protocol stack and the second physical layer. In a possible design, the AP includes a second protocol stack module for satellite communication, and the chip system realizes satellite communication in the following manner: communicating with a user identification card through the second protocol stack module in the AP, and communicating with the second physical layer module through the AP and the modem. In another possible design, the modem includes a second protocol stack module for satellite communication, and the chip system realizes satellite communication in the following manner: communicating with the user identification card through the second protocol stack module in the AP, and communicating with the second physical layer module through the modem.

[0008] The chip system includes the second protocol stack and the second physical layer, so there is no need to use a separate satellite communication chip to configure the second protocol stack and the second physical layer. In addition, satellite communication and cellular communication can share a user identification card, so there is no need to add a user identification card for satellite communication. In this way, the chip system is applied to the mobile terminal, so that the mobile terminal can support both cellular communication and satellite communication while ensuring that the thickness and weight of the mobile terminal are increased as little as possible.

[0009] In a possible design of the first aspect, the chip system is used to: communicate with the radio frequency RF component through a first physical layer module to send and receive cellular signals to achieve cellular communication; and communicate with the RF component through a second physical layer module to send and receive satellite signals to achieve satellite communication.

[0010] With this design, satellite communication and cellular communication share RF components, so there is no need to add RF components for satellite communication, further avoiding an increase in the thickness and weight of the mobile terminal.

[0011] In another possible design of the first aspect, the chip system is used to: respond to a first event and a second event through an AP, the first event is used to trigger switching to cellular communication, and the second event is used to trigger switching to satellite communication.

[0012] The AP responds to the first event, including: in response to the first event, notifying the modem to start the communication between the first physical layer module and the RF component, and notifying the modem to close the communication between the second physical layer module and the RF component. In this way, after switching to cellular communication, only the first physical layer module and the RF component communicate.

[0013] And, the AP responds to the second event, including: in response to the second event, notifying the modem to close the communication between the first physical layer module and the RF component, and notifying the modem to open the communication between the second physical layer module and the RF component. In this way, after switching to satellite communication, only the second physical layer module and the RF component communicate.

[0014] By adopting this design, the AP chip can manage so that only one of the first physical layer module and the second physical layer module communicates with the RF component at the same time. In this way, it can avoid conflicts caused by the RF component being occupied by the first physical layer module and the second physical layer module at the same time.

[0015] In another possible design of the first aspect, the chip system is further used to: after communication is established between the first physical layer module and the RF component, send a first instruction to the RF component through the first physical layer module, the first instruction being used to instruct the RF component to receive electromagnetic waves in a first frequency band, where the first frequency band is a frequency band of electromagnetic waves for cellular communication. Subsequently, the RF component may also receive electromagnetic waves in the first frequency band based on the first instruction to implement cellular communication.

[0016] Furthermore, the chip system is further used to: after establishing communication between the second physical layer module and the RF component, send a second instruction to the RF component through the second physical layer module, the second instruction is used to instruct the RF component to receive electromagnetic waves in a second frequency band, and the second frequency band is a frequency band of electromagnetic waves for satellite communication. Subsequently, the RF component may also receive electromagnetic waves in the second frequency band based on the second instruction to achieve satellite communication.

[0017] By adopting this design, the chip system can control the frequency band of the electromagnetic waves received by the RF component, thereby ensuring that after cellular communication is turned on, the RF component receives the electromagnetic waves of cellular communication; and after satellite communication is turned on, the RF component receives the electromagnetic waves of satellite communication.

[0018] In another possible design of the first aspect, the first event includes: an operation of turning on cellular communication. Or, an operation of turning off satellite communication. Or, the chip system is applied to a mobile terminal, and satellite communication is turned on, but the mobile terminal has no need to use satellite communication. For example, satellite communication can usually be used for making calls and sending text messages. Then, if the call interface or text message interface is not displayed on the foreground of the mobile terminal, and the mobile terminal is not in a call, there is no need to use satellite communication. The second event includes: an operation of turning on satellite communication. Or, an operation of turning off cellular communication. Or, the chip system is applied to a mobile terminal, and cellular communication is turned on, the mobile terminal has no cellular signal, but the mobile terminal has a GPS signal.

[0019] With this design, the AP chip can manage the communication between the first physical layer and the second physical layer and the same RF component when the user manually switches the communication type (such as cellular communication or satellite communication) or automatically detects a switching requirement. In this way, flexible management of the communication between the RF component and the physical layer can be achieved in both manual and automatic switching scenarios.

[0020] In another possible design of the first aspect, the AP includes an application framework layer, and the application framework layer is configured with a communication management module. The AP is used to respond to the first event and the second event, including: the communication management module is used to respond to the first event and the second event.

[0021] In another possible design of the first aspect, the AP also includes an application layer. The chip system is also used to: receive an operation of turning on cellular communication or turning off cellular communication through a cellular application in the application layer, and receive an operation of turning on satellite communication or turning off satellite communication through a satellite application in the application layer. The chip system is also used to: monitor whether the cellular application receives an operation of turning on cellular communication or turning off cellular communication through the communication management module, and monitor whether the satellite application receives an operation of turning on satellite communication or turning off satellite communication through the communication management module.

[0022] By adopting this design method, the communication management module is configured in the application framework layer in the AP. The communication management module can then monitor the user's manual switching of the communication type in the application layer, and promptly discover the need to switch the communication type and respond.

[0023] In another possible design manner of the first aspect, the AP includes a second protocol stack module for satellite communication, and the second protocol stack module communicates with a user identification card, including: the second protocol stack module communicates with the user identification card through the first protocol stack module.

[0024] With this design, the AP chip includes a second protocol stack module, and the second protocol stack can reuse the communication relationship between the first protocol stack module and the user identification card to achieve communication between the second protocol stack and the user identification card.

[0025] In another possible design of the first aspect, the AP includes a hardware abstraction layer, the second protocol stack module is configured in the hardware abstraction layer, and the hardware abstraction layer also includes a first hardware abstraction layer for cellular communication. The second protocol stack module communicates with the user identification card through the first protocol stack module, including: the second protocol stack module communicates with the first protocol stack module through the first hardware abstraction layer to communicate with the user identification card through the first protocol stack module, wherein the second protocol stack module and the first hardware abstraction layer communicate with each other using an inter-process communication method.

[0026] In another possible design of the first aspect, the chip system is a system on chip (SoC), and the AP and the Modem are integrated in the SoC.

[0027] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a chip system, wherein the chip system includes an application processor AP and a baseband processor Modem, wherein the Modem includes a first protocol stack module for cellular communication, a first physical layer module for cellular communication, and a second physical layer module for satellite communication. The method includes: the first protocol stack module communicates with a user identification card, and the first protocol stack module communicates with a cellular network through the first physical layer module to achieve cellular communication. The AP includes a second protocol stack module for satellite communication, the second protocol stack module in the AP communicates with the user identification card, and the second protocol stack module in the AP communicates with the satellite network through the second physical layer module to achieve satellite communication. Alternatively, the Modem includes a second protocol stack module for satellite communication, the second protocol stack module in the Modem communicates with the user identification card, and the second protocol stack module in the AP communicates with the satellite network through the second physical layer module to achieve satellite communication.

[0028] In the above communication method, it is also possible to support both cellular communication and satellite communication without adding a separate satellite communication chip and a user identification card.

[0029] In a possible design manner of the second aspect, the second protocol stack module in the AP communicates with the user identification card, including: the second protocol stack module in the AP communicates with the user identification card through the first protocol stack module.

[0030] In another possible design of the second aspect, the second protocol stack module communicates with the user identification card through the first protocol stack module, including: after completing the radio resource control RRC link establishment in response to the first event, the second protocol stack module forwards an authentication request from the satellite network to the user identification card through the first protocol stack module, the authentication request is used to verify the identity of the user identification card, and the first event is used to trigger switching to satellite communication. The second protocol stack module receives the authentication result from the user identification card through the first protocol stack module, and the authentication result corresponds to the authentication request.

[0031] That is, the second protocol stack can transmit authentication related information with the user identification card through the first protocol stack.

[0032] And, the second protocol stack module communicates with the satellite network through the second physical layer module, including: the second protocol stack module sends the authentication result to the satellite network through the second physical layer module. The second protocol stack module receives a message of successful authentication from the satellite network through the second physical layer module.

[0033] In the third aspect, the present application also provides a mobile terminal, which includes the chip system in the above-mentioned first aspect and any possible design method, a user identification card interface and a satellite communication processor, the chip system is communicatively connected with the user identification card interface and the satellite communication processor respectively, and the user identification card interface is used to plug in the user identification card.

[0034] In a possible design of the third aspect, the mobile terminal also includes a radio frequency RF component, which is communicatively connected to the chip system for sending and receiving cellular signals or satellite signals.

[0035] In a fourth aspect, the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, comprising computer instructions, which, when executed on a mobile terminal, enables the mobile terminal to execute the method in the above-mentioned second aspect and any possible design thereof.

[0036] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method described in the second aspect and any possible design thereof.

[0037] It can be understood that the beneficial effects that can be achieved by the communication method, chip system, computer-readable storage medium, and computer program product provided above can be referred to the beneficial effects in the first aspect and any possible design method thereof, and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the composition of an existing system-on-chip (SoC);

[0039] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the composition of an existing satellite communication chip;

[0040] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the composition of existing RF components;

[0041] Figure 4 The present invention is a structural diagram of a mobile terminal for realizing satellite communication;

[0042] Figure 5 A structural diagram of another mobile terminal for realizing satellite communication;

[0043] Fig. 6A A structural diagram of a mobile terminal provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0044] Figure 6B A structural diagram of another mobile terminal provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0045] Figure 7 A hardware structure diagram of a mobile terminal provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0046] Figure 8 A software architecture diagram of a mobile terminal provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] Fig. 9 One of the mobile phone interface diagrams provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0048] Fig.10 The second mobile phone interface diagram provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0049] Fig.11A One of the interaction diagrams of the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0050] Fig. 11B The second interactive diagram of the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0051] Fig.12 The third mobile phone interface diagram provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0052] Fig.13 The third interactive diagram of the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0053] Fig.14 The fourth mobile phone interface diagram provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0054] Fig.15 The fourth interactive diagram of the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0055] Fig.16 A software architecture diagram of another mobile terminal provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] Fig.17 The fifth interactive diagram of the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0057] Fig.18 This is a structural diagram of the chip system provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application are described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Among them, in the description of the embodiments of the present application, the terms used in the following embodiments are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and are not intended to be used as limitations on the present application. As used in the specification and the appended claims of the present application, the singular expressions "a", "said", "above", "the" and "this" are intended to also include expressions such as "one or more", unless there is a clear indication to the contrary in the context. It should also be understood that in the following embodiments of the present application, "at least one", "one or more" refer to one or more (including two). The term "and / or" is used to describe the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships can 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. The character " / " generally indicates that the associated objects before and after are in a "or" relationship.

[0059] References to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" etc. described in this specification mean that one or more embodiments of the present application include specific features, structures or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment. Thus, the statements "in one embodiment", "in some embodiments", "in some other embodiments", "in some other embodiments", etc. that appear in different places in this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but mean "one or more but not all embodiments", unless otherwise specifically emphasized in other ways. The terms "including", "comprising", "having" and their variations all mean "including but not limited to", unless otherwise specifically emphasized in other ways. The term "connection" includes direct connection and indirect connection, unless otherwise specified. "First" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated.

[0060] In the embodiments of the present application, the words "exemplarily" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or explanations. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplarily" 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 "exemplarily" or "for example" is intended to present related concepts in a specific way.

[0061] Before introducing the embodiments of the present application, a brief introduction to the relevant technical terms involved in the embodiments of the present application is first given here.

[0062] 1. System on Chip (SoC).

[0063] SoC, also known as system-on-chip, integrates the chips required to run the smartphone's operating system on a single chip. SoC can usually integrate the capabilities of key chips such as application processor (AP), baseband processor (communication processor, CP, also known as modem), etc.

[0064] See also Figure 1 SoC includes AP and Modem capabilities. AP is used to process the internal data of the smartphone, but does not include the part that communicates with the outside world. Modem is used to process the part that communicates with the outside world, including processing services such as making calls, sending text messages, and surfing the Internet. For example, Modem includes a protocol stack for cellular communication (such as Figure 1 The cellular protocol stack in the embodiment, i.e., the aforementioned first protocol stack module), the physical layer for cellular communication (e.g. Figure 1 The cellular physical layer in the cellular physical layer, i.e. the aforementioned first physical layer module) and other modules realize functions such as modulation and demodulation, channel coding and decoding, and source coding and decoding.

[0065] In addition, a physical channel such as a shared memory or bus is established between the AP and the Modem to realize data transmission between the AP and the Modem, such as transmission of call content, text message content and other data.

[0066] Above Figure 1 In the example, the modem is integrated into the SoC. However, in actual implementation, the modem can also exist in the form of an independent chip and be soldered on the motherboard of the smartphone together with the SoC. Figure 1 The form shown is used as an example to illustrate the integration of a Modem in a SoC.

[0067] 2. Satellite communication chip.

[0068] Satellite communication chips refer to chips dedicated to satellite communication. Figure 2 A satellite communication chip usually includes a physical layer module for implementing satellite communication (referred to as the satellite physical layer in this article, i.e., the aforementioned second physical layer module) and a protocol stack module for implementing satellite communication (referred to as the satellite protocol stack in this article, i.e., the aforementioned second protocol stack module).

[0069] The satellite protocol stack further includes a data link layer (layer 2, denoted as L2) and a network layer (layer 3, denoted as L3). The satellite physical layer is located at the bottom of the satellite protocol stack, so it is also called layer 1 (denoted as L1). L1 provides wireless resources and physical layer processing for L2 and L3 data, such as coding, Hybrid Automatic RepeatreQuest (HARQ) processing, modulation, etc.

[0070] L1 includes the physical layer and the physical layer control (Layer 1Control, L1C) layer. L2 includes the medium access control (Medium Access Control, MAC) layer, the radio link control (Radio Link Control, RLC) layer and the packet data convergence (Packet Data Convergence Control, PDCP) layer. L3 includes the radio resource control (Radio Resource Control, RRC) layer and the non-access (Non-Access Stratum, NAS) layer.

[0071] Normally, the satellite protocol stack is separated from the satellite physical layer through the MAC layer. The MAC layer is responsible for the multiplexing of data from different logical channels and the mapping between logical channels and transmission channels, and is responsible for the processing of signaling and data messages and resource scheduling. In other words, the satellite protocol stack implements message transmission and reception through the MAC layer. The physical layer is responsible for processes such as coding, modulation, and rate matching, and provides a transmission channel for the MAC layer. The L1C layer controls the status of the physical layer, allocates radio frequency resources, and implements message transmission and reception of the protocol stack.

[0072] And, the satellite protocol stack also includes an interface layer. The interface layer provides an interface for communication between the satellite protocol stack and other modules (such as transmission of control plane instructions and user plane data). Exemplarily, the satellite protocol stack can communicate with the AP in the SoC through the interface provided by the interface layer to implement display functions related to satellite communication, such as displaying the signal strength, switch, and star-pointing prompts of satellite communication. In a specific implementation, the interface layer provides an interface for transmitting Hayes instructions (Attention, AT) (hereinafter referred to as AT interface), and the AT interface can be in the form of a universal serial bus (USB) interface, bus, shared memory, socket, etc.

[0073] It should be understood that unless otherwise specified, the satellite protocol stack and satellite physical layer mentioned below can refer to Figure 2 The relevant instructions will not be repeated later.

[0074] 3. User identification card.

[0075] In the embodiments of the present application, the subscriber identification card refers to a card module such as a subscriber identity module (SIM), a user identity module (UIM), or a universal subscriber identity module (USIM) that can be used for identity identification during the communication process.

[0076] Among them, according to different communication modes, the user identification card can be divided into a user identification card for cellular communication (such as Figure 1 The user identification card 1) and the user identification card for satellite communication (such as Figure 2 2). For example, see Figure 1 , User Identity Card 1 (such as Full Netcom TM Card) communicates with the cellular protocol stack in the Modem, and is used for the cellular protocol stack to obtain the identifier of the user identification card 1, and the card authentication during the cellular communication process (i.e., authenticating the user identification card 1). For example, see Figure 2 , User Identification Card 2 (such as Tiantong TM The satellite protocol stack in the satellite communication chip is used for the satellite protocol stack to obtain the identification of the user identification card 2 and the card authentication during the satellite communication process (ie, authenticating the user identification card 2).

[0077] 4. RF components.

[0078] RF stands for electromagnetic frequency that can be radiated into space, and the electromagnetic frequency range is between 300KHz and 30GHz. RF components are mainly used for processing received and transmitted signals during wireless communication.

[0079] Similarly, according to different communication modes, RF components can be divided into RF components for cellular communication (such as Figure 1 RF components in 1) and RF components for satellite communications (such as Figure 2 2). For example, see Figure 1 , RF component 1 communicates with the cellular physical layer in the modem, is used to receive the cellular baseband digital signal, and perform digital-to-analog conversion on it before transmitting it through the antenna, and performs analog-to-digital conversion on the radio electromagnetic wave signal received by the antenna before sending it to the cellular baseband. For example, see Figure 2 RF component 2 communicates with the satellite physical layer in the satellite communication chip, and is used to receive digital signals from the satellite physical layer, perform digital-to-analog conversion on them and transmit them through the antenna, and perform analog-to-digital conversion on the radio electromagnetic wave signals received by the antenna and send them to the satellite physical layer.

[0080] For further information, see Figure 3 , RF components may include a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) and a radio frequency front-end (RFFE).

[0081] Among them, RFIC is used to receive digital signals from the baseband (such as cellular baseband or satellite physical layer) and complete digital-to-analog conversion, and transmit the converted radio electromagnetic wave signal (analog signal) to RFFE for processing. Exemplarily, RFIC can receive digital signals from the baseband through a radio frequency interface unit (RFIU), and use a digital to analog converter (DAC) to achieve digital-to-analog conversion to obtain a radio electromagnetic wave signal. And, RFIC is used to complete analog-to-digital conversion of the radio electromagnetic wave signal processed by RFFE, and send the converted digital signal to the baseband. Exemplarily, RFIC can use an analog to digital converter (ADC) to achieve analog-to-digital conversion, and send the converted digital signal to the baseband.

[0082] It should be noted that the main differences between RF component 1 and RF component 2 may include: the electromagnetic frequencies that the RFICs included in each component can receive are different. Among them, the electromagnetic frequency of cellular communication can be from 700MHZ to 3.5GHZ, and accordingly, the RFIC in RF component 1 also needs to be able to receive electromagnetic frequencies from 700MHZ to 3.5GHZ. In addition, the electromagnetic frequency of the C band of satellite communication is around 2GHZ, so if the C band is used, the RFIC in RF component 2 needs to be able to receive electromagnetic frequencies around 2GHZ.

[0083] And, RFFE is used to send and receive radio electromagnetic wave signals. RFFE mainly includes power amplifier (PA) and low noise amplifier (LNA). PA is used to amplify the radio electromagnetic wave signal obtained by digital-to-analog conversion to obtain a high-frequency radio electromagnetic wave signal, which is then radiated through the antenna. LNA is an amplifier with a very low noise coefficient, which is used to amplify small signals in the radio electromagnetic wave signal received by the antenna.

[0084] At this point, it needs to be explained that Figure 3 The structure of the RF component is shown as a simplified structure, which does not constitute a limitation on the RF component. Figure 3For example, RFFE may also include filters, switches, duplexers, etc.

[0085] The following describes the solution of the embodiment of the present application:

[0086] The mobile terminal provided by the embodiment of the present application can be applied to scenarios that need to support both satellite communication and cellular communication. For example, if it is necessary to support cellular communication in urban life, and to support satellite communication when the cellular network is not good, the mobile terminal (such as a smart phone) provided by the embodiment of the present application can be used to implement it. In particular, by applying the embodiment of the present application to a smart phone, the smart phone can support both satellite communication and cellular communication without increasing the hardware of the smart phone. It should be understood that without increasing the hardware, the thickness and weight of the fuselage will not be increased.

[0087] In conventional technology, satellite communication functions are provided in some industry terminals (industry terminals can be considered as a type of mobile terminal) to enable satellite communication to maintain communication when cellular base stations are destroyed or in places without cellular base stations such as deserts and mountains.

[0088] For example, the industry terminal may support satellite communication but not cellular communication. Figure 4 In this example, the industry terminal includes SoC, satellite communication chip, user identification card 2 and RF component 2. However, the SoC in the industry terminal does not include a modem, and thus does not include a cellular protocol stack and a cellular physical layer, and cannot support cellular communication. Among them, the satellite protocol stack and the AP communicate through the AT interface to realize satellite communication-related display functions, such as displaying the signal strength and switch of the satellite network. It should be understood that the SoC and the satellite communication chip are usually connected through a serial port. Therefore, the AT interface needs to communicate with the AP through the serial port to realize the communication between the satellite protocol stack in the satellite communication chip and the AP in the SoC. The satellite communication chip, the user identification card 2 and the RF component 2 are used to realize satellite communication.

[0089] As another example, the industry terminal can support both satellite communication and cellular communication. Figure 5 In this example, the industry terminal includes SoC, user identification card 1, RF component 1, satellite communication chip, user identification card 2 and RF component 2, and the industry terminal (such as SoC) includes a Modem, thereby including a cellular protocol stack and a cellular physical layer for supporting cellular communication. Figure 4 Based on the satellite communication in the example shown, the industry terminal can also achieve cellular communication through the AP and Modem in the SoC, as well as the user identification card 1 and the RF component 1.

[0090] Above Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the example of , at least SoC, satellite communication chip, user identification card 2 and RF component 2 are required to realize satellite communication. Among them, the satellite communication chip, user identification card 2 and RF component 2 are all hardware newly added for satellite communication. These hardware all need to occupy the space of the mobile terminal and have a certain weight.

[0091] At the same time, industry terminals supporting satellite communications usually only need to meet the special needs of the corresponding industry for satellite communication functions, and there are no strict restrictions on the thickness and weight of the fuselage like smartphones. For example, the thickness of an industry terminal can be tens of millimeters (mm) and the weight can be 300 grams (g) or even heavier. Therefore, in order to enable the industry terminal to support satellite communication, it is no problem to set the satellite communication chip required for satellite communication in the industry terminal, as well as the user identification card 2 and RF component 2 that support satellite communication.

[0092] However, unlike industrial terminals, smart terminals (especially smartphones) not only require more components to support more functions, but also have higher requirements for body thickness and weight. For example, the thickness of a smartphone is usually within 10mm and the weight does not exceed 200g. Because of this, it is difficult to achieve satellite communication without increasing the thickness and weight of the smart terminal.

[0093] In addition, Figure 5 In the example, it is necessary to provide card slots for user identification card 1 and user identification card 2 respectively, and user identification card 1 and user identification card 2 cannot be mixed. For example, the terminal provides card slot 1 for user identification card 1 and card slot 2 for user identification card 2, then user identification card 1 cannot be inserted into card slot 2, and user identification card 2 cannot be inserted into card slot 1. In this way, the user is required to accurately insert the user identification card (such as user identification card 1 and user identification card 2) into the corresponding card slot. In order to achieve this purpose, further, the terminal can mark the corresponding user identification card in each card slot to instruct the user to insert the user identification card into the corresponding card slot. For example, "cellular card" is marked at the position of card slot 1, indicating that the cellular card (such as user identification card 1) is inserted into card slot 1; and "satellite card" is marked at the position of card slot 2, indicating that the satellite card (such as user identification card 2) is inserted into card slot 2. In this way, although the difficulty of accurately placing the user identification card can be reduced to a certain extent, it is still impossible to achieve arbitrary placement of the user identification card (i.e., mixed insertion).

[0094] However, in existing smart terminals that support dual SIM cards, the most basic function is to enable the user identification card to be placed anywhere. For example, a user can place any user identification card in any card slot to achieve normal communication. Figure 5 The example obviously cannot meet the above requirements of smartphones.

[0095] Based on this, see Fig. 6A and Figure 6B The present application embodiment provides a terminal, which includes a SoC, an RF component 3 and a user identification card 3. The SoC includes an AP and a Modem. The Modem includes not only a cellular protocol stack and a cellular physical layer, but also a satellite physical layer. And, in some embodiments, such as Fig. 6A As shown, the satellite protocol stack is configured in the Modem. In other embodiments, such as Figure 6B As shown, the satellite protocol stack is configured in the AP. In this way, the cellular protocol stack, cellular physical layer, satellite protocol stack and satellite physical layer can be integrated in the SoC to support both cellular communication and satellite communication.

[0096] The RF component 3 can communicate with the cellular physical layer and the satellite physical layer. In addition, the RF component 3 supports both cellular communication and satellite communication. Exemplarily, the RFIC in the RF component 3 can transmit and receive electromagnetic waves corresponding to the electromagnetic frequency of cellular communication, and can also transmit and receive electromagnetic waves corresponding to the electromagnetic frequency of satellite communication. In this way, the RF component 3 can be shared by cellular communication and satellite communication.

[0097] In a specific implementation, after the satellite communication function is turned on, the satellite protocol stack can send the electromagnetic frequency band corresponding to satellite communication to the RF component 3 through the satellite physical layer to instruct the RF component 3 to send and receive electromagnetic waves in the electromagnetic frequency band corresponding to satellite communication. Subsequently, the RF component 3 can send and receive electromagnetic waves for satellite communication based on the instruction, thereby realizing satellite communication. After the cellular communication function is turned on, the cellular protocol stack can send the electromagnetic frequency band corresponding to cellular communication to the RF component 3 through the cellular physical layer to instruct the RF component 3 to send and receive electromagnetic waves in the electromagnetic frequency band corresponding to cellular communication. Subsequently, the RF component 3 can send and receive electromagnetic waves for cellular communication based on the instruction, thereby realizing cellular communication.

[0098] Furthermore, the satellite protocol stack can communicate with the user identification card 3. The user identification card 3 has both cellular communication services and satellite communication services enabled, thereby supporting both cellular communication and satellite communication. Figure 6B In the embodiment shown, the satellite protocol stack is configured in the AP, and the user identification card 3 is connected to the modem, so the satellite protocol stack can communicate with the user identification card 3 through the modem, such as through the cellular protocol stack in the modem. Fig. 6AIn the illustrated embodiment, the satellite protocol stack is configured among the Modem, because the Subscriber Identity Module 3 is connected with the Modem, so the satellite protocol stack can directly communicate with the Subscriber Identity Module 3. Of course, the cellular protocol stack can also communicate with the Subscriber Identity Module 3, and is used for the cellular protocol stack to obtain the identification of the Subscriber Identity Module 3, and to carry out the card authentication in the cellular communication process. Like this, cellular communication and satellite communication can share the same Subscriber Identity Module 3. Should be understood that cellular communication and satellite communication can share the Subscriber Identity Module 3, then do not need to distinguish between satellite card and cellular card, thereby can realize placing the Subscriber Identity Module 3 in any card slot.

[0099] It is understandable that the user identification card 3 can be used for card authentication in the cellular communication process, and can also be used for card authentication in the satellite communication process. Then, the user identification card 3 should be configured with an authentication algorithm for card authentication in the cellular communication process and an authentication algorithm for card authentication in the satellite communication process. Among them, the authentication algorithm for card authentication in the satellite communication process can be one or more of the authentication algorithms for card authentication in the cellular communication process, or it can be a separate authentication algorithm different from the authentication algorithm for card authentication in the cellular communication process. The embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit this.

[0100] In summary, Fig. 6A and Figure 6B The terminal shown can use the same set of hardware, namely SoC, RF component 3 and user identification card 3, to support both cellular communication and satellite communication, without adding additional satellite communication chips, RF components 2 for satellite communication and user identification cards 2 for satellite communication. In this way, not only can the terminal support both satellite communication and cellular communication, but also the thickness and weight of the intelligent terminal can be minimized. It should be understood that the fact that neither the thickness nor the weight of the body increases here is only a theoretical situation. In practice, the thickness and / or weight of the body may also increase slightly, which is almost negligible compared to the addition of a satellite communication chip. For example, the software of the RF component 1 may be improved to obtain an RF component 3 that supports satellite communication and cellular communication, which will basically not affect the thickness and weight of the body. However, it is also possible to improve the hardware on the basis of the RF component 1 to obtain an RF component 3 that supports satellite communication and cellular communication, which may result in a small increase in the thickness and / or weight of the body. For another example, if the storage space in the AP is sufficient, transplanting the satellite protocol stack from the satellite communication chip to the AP does not require additional physical storage space, and does not increase the thickness and / or weight of the body. However, in order to reduce the storage space occupied by the satellite protocol stack in the AP, a small amount of physical storage space may be added to the AP, which may result in a small increase in the thickness and / or weight of the body.

[0101] Above Fig. 6A and Figure 6B In the figure, it is explained that cellular communication and satellite communication share a set of RF components 3, which greatly reduces the hardware overhead required for satellite communication. It should be understood that in practice, cellular communication and satellite communication can also use different RF components. It should be noted that if cellular communication and satellite communication use different RF components, such as cellular communication uses RF component 1 to send and receive signals, and satellite communication uses RF component 2 to send and receive signals, and the two are independent of each other, then the terminal can use satellite communication while using cellular communication. For example, while using the cellular network to surf the Internet, use the satellite network to make calls or send text messages.

[0102] However, if the cellular communication and the satellite communication use the same set of RF components (such as RF component 3), then the RF component 3 can only be used for satellite communication or cellular communication at the same time. Fig. 6A and Figure 6B In view of the situation where the same set of RF components 3 are used for cellular communication and satellite communication, the SoC (such as AP) may further include a cellular / satellite management module. The cellular / satellite management module is used to manage network switching so that the terminal only turns on the cellular network or the satellite network at the same time. Exemplarily, while the cellular network is turned on, the satellite network is turned off. For example, the functions related to the radio in the satellite protocol stack are turned off, that is, the communication between the satellite protocol stack, the satellite physical layer and the RF component 3 is turned off. While the satellite network is turned on, the cellular network is turned off. For example, the functions related to the radio in the cellular protocol stack are turned off, that is, the communication between the cellular protocol stack, the cellular physical layer and the RF component 3 is turned off. In this way, the conflict that may be caused by the simultaneous use of the same RF component 3 for cellular communication and satellite communication can be avoided.

[0103] It should be noted that the operating system running in the AP (such as Android TM The system is open source, and it is relatively easy for terminal manufacturers to add a software module. The operating system running in the modem (such as the real-time operating system (RTOS) TM )) Currently, there is no open source. If terminal manufacturers want to add software modules to them, they need to communicate and cooperate with the modem manufacturers. It can be seen that it is much more difficult to improve the modem than to improve the AP. Therefore, configuring the satellite protocol stack in the AP can reduce the difficulty of improvement.

[0104] Although it is difficult to improve the modem, since the satellite physical layer is highly dependent on hardware (such as hardware and RF components in the modem), configuring the satellite physical layer in the modem can make it easier for the satellite physical layer to communicate with related hardware. The above-mentioned satellite protocol stack, satellite physical layer, cellular protocol stack and cellular physical layer can be pure software modules or modules combining software and hardware, which are not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0105] Exemplarily, the terminal may be a smart phone, a tablet, a laptop, a smart wearable device, an industry terminal, or the like, which needs to support both cellular communication and satellite communication. The embodiment of the present application does not impose any special restrictions on the specific form of the terminal.

[0106] See also Figure 7 , is a hardware structure diagram of a terminal provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 7 As shown, taking the terminal as a smart phone as an example, the terminal may include: a processor 210, an internal memory 221, a charging management module 230, a power management module 231, a battery 232, an antenna 1, an antenna 2, a mobile communication module 251 (such as an RF component 3), a wireless communication module 253, an audio module 270, a speaker 270A, a receiver 270B, a microphone 270C, an earphone interface 270D, a sensor module 280, a display screen 294, and a user identification card 3 (such as a SIM card) interface 295, etc.

[0107] It is understood that the structure illustrated in this embodiment does not constitute a specific limitation on the smart phone. In other embodiments, the smart phone may include more or fewer components than shown in the figure, or combine some components, or split some components, or arrange the components differently. The components shown in the figure may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0108] The processor 210 may include one or more processing units, for example, the processor 210 may include an AP, a GPU, an image signal processor (ISP), a controller, a memory, a video codec, a digital signal processor (DSP), a modem and / or a neural-network processing unit (NPU), etc. Different processing units may be independent devices or integrated into one or more processors.

[0109] In some embodiments, the Modem in the process 210 includes a cellular protocol stack, a cellular physical layer, a satellite protocol stack and a satellite physical layer, such as Fig. 6AIn some other embodiments, the Modem in the above process 210 includes a cellular protocol stack, a cellular physical layer and a satellite physical layer, and the AP includes a satellite protocol stack, such as Figure 6B shown.

[0110] It should be noted that Figure 7 The corresponding Figure 6B If it is Fig. 6A In the embodiment, Figure 7 The satellite protocol stack in the AP in the processor 710 shown needs to be placed in the Modem.

[0111] In some embodiments, the processor 210 may include one or more interfaces. The interface may include an inter-integrated circuit (I2C) interface, an inter-integrated circuit sound (I2S) interface, a pulse code modulation (PCM) interface, a universal asynchronous receiver / transmitter (UART) interface, a mobile industry processor interface (MIPI), a general-purpose input / output (GPIO) interface, a user identification card 3 (such as a SIM) interface, and / or a universal serial bus (USB) interface, etc.

[0112] The charging management module 230 is used to receive charging input from a charger. The charger can be a wireless charger or a wired charger. The power management module 231 is used to connect the battery 232, the charging management module 230 and the processor 210. The power management module 231 receives input from the battery 232 and / or the charging management module 230, and supplies power to the processor 210, the internal memory 221, the external memory, the display screen 294, the camera 293, and the wireless communication module 253.

[0113] The wireless communication function of the smart phone can be realized through antenna 1, antenna 2, mobile communication module 251, wireless communication module 253, AP and Modem, etc. Antenna 1 and antenna 2 are used to transmit and receive electromagnetic wave signals.

[0114] The mobile communication module 251 can provide solutions for cellular communication (such as 2G / 3G / 4G / 5G) and satellite communication applied on smart phones. The mobile communication module 251 may include at least one filter, a switch, a power amplifier, a low noise amplifier (LNA), etc. The mobile communication module 251 can receive electromagnetic waves from the antenna 1, and filter, amplify and process the received electromagnetic waves, and transmit them to the baseband processor for demodulation. The mobile communication module 251 can also amplify the signal modulated by the baseband processor and convert it into electromagnetic waves for radiation through the antenna 1.

[0115] It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present application, the same group of mobile communication modules 251 (such as Fig. 6A and Figure 6B RF components 3) and antenna 1 (such as Fig. 6A and Figure 6B to support cellular and satellite communications.

[0116] The wireless communication module 253 can provide wireless communication solutions including wireless local area networks (WLAN) (such as wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) networks), bluetooth (BT), global navigation satellite system (GNSS), frequency modulation (FM), near field communication (NFC), infrared (IR), etc., which are applied to smart phones. The wireless communication module 253 can be one or more devices integrating at least one communication processing module. The wireless communication module 253 receives electromagnetic waves via the antenna 2, modulates the frequency of the electromagnetic wave signal and performs filtering, and sends the processed signal to the processor 210. The wireless communication module 253 can also receive the signal to be sent from the processor 210, modulate the frequency of it, amplify it, and convert it into electromagnetic waves for radiation through the antenna 2.

[0117] The AP may output a sound signal through an audio device (not limited to the speaker 270A, the receiver 270B, etc.), or may display an image or video through the display screen 294 .

[0118] The smart phone implements display functions through the GPU, display screen 294, and AP, such as displaying the switch of satellite communication and cellular communication, and displaying application interfaces of various applications such as calls and text messages.

[0119] The internal memory 221 may be used to store computer executable program codes, which include instructions. The processor 210 executes various functional applications and data processing of the smartphone by running the instructions stored in the internal memory 221. The internal memory 221 may include a program storage area and a data storage area.

[0120] The smart phone can implement audio functions through the audio module 270, the speaker 270A, the receiver 270B, the microphone 270C, the headphone interface 270D, and the application processor, etc. For example, music playing, recording, etc. In some embodiments, during a call using a cellular network or a satellite network, the smart phone can collect the user's voice through the microphone 270C, and can play the voice from the other end through the speaker 270A, the receiver 270B or the earphone connected to the headphone interface 270D.

[0121] The SIM card interface 295 is used to connect a SIM card. The SIM card interface 295 may be a card slot for a SIM card. A smartphone may include 1-N SIM card interfaces 295. The SIM card may be connected to and separated from the smartphone by inserting it into the SIM card interface 295 or pulling it out from the SIM card interface 295. A smartphone may support one or more SIM card interfaces. The SIM card interface 295 may support Nano SIM cards, Micro SIM cards, SIM cards, and the like. Multiple cards may be inserted into the same SIM card interface 295 at the same time. The types of the multiple cards may be the same or different. The SIM card interface 295 may also be compatible with different types of SIM cards. The SIM card interface 295 may also be compatible with external memory cards. The smartphone communicates with the network through the SIM card to implement functions such as calls and data communications. In some embodiments, the smartphone uses an eSIM, i.e., an embedded SIM card. The eSIM card may be embedded in the smartphone and cannot be separated from the smartphone.

[0122] The software system of the AP in the above terminal can adopt a layered architecture, an event-driven architecture, a micro-core architecture, a micro-service architecture, or a cloud architecture. TM Taking the system as an example, the software structure of the terminal is illustrated.

[0123] Reference Figure 8 , which is the corresponding embodiment of the present application Fig. 6A A software architecture diagram of the terminal shown in FIG. Figure 8 In the software architecture shown, the satellite protocol stack and the satellite physical layer are both configured in the modem.

[0124] It should be noted that satellite communications are usually developed using closed protocols, which makes it difficult for chip manufacturers that support cellular communications to obtain satellite communication protocols. Therefore, non-source satellite protocol stacks and satellite physical layers can be obtained from satellite protocol stack developers and run in binary form. For example, satellite protocol stacks and satellite physical layers can be run in a modem as one or more tasks in binary form.

[0125] like Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , the layered architecture can divide the AP software into several layers, each with a clear role and division of labor. The layers communicate with each other through software interfaces. In some embodiments, Android TM The system is divided into four layers, from top to bottom: application layer, application framework layer, hardware abstract layer (HAL) and kernel layer.

[0126] It should be understood that Figure 8 The AP layering shown is only exemplary, and in actual implementation, the AP software may include more or fewer layers. For example, between the application framework layer and the hardware abstraction layer, a system library is also included.

[0127] Among them, the application layer may include a series of application packages, such as calls, text messages, browsers, chat applications, video players, and other applications that require network (including cellular networks, satellite networks, etc.) support.

[0128] It should be noted that applications such as calls and text messages can implement communication services (i.e., making calls, sending text messages, etc.) with the support of cellular networks, and can also implement communication services with the support of satellite networks. In other words, calls can be divided into satellite calls and cellular calls, and text messages can be divided into satellite text messages and cellular text messages. Therefore, in a specific implementation method, the terminal may further include two call applications, satellite calls and cellular calls, and may further include two text message applications, satellite text messages and cellular text messages. In this way, it is easy to distinguish the type of network to be used from the application running in the foreground. For example, if the application running in the foreground is satellite text messages, then in response to the user confirming the operation of sending a text message, the terminal can determine to use the satellite network to send the text message.

[0129] Of course, the actual implementation is not limited to this implementation. In another specific implementation, calls and text messages may not be further subdivided, that is, calls and text messages are only one application each. In this implementation, the terminal can determine the type of network to be used based on the network currently enabled by the terminal or based on the network set by the user for the application. For example, in response to the user confirming the operation of sending a text message, the terminal can use the currently enabled cellular network to send the text message. For another example, in the text message settings, the network used for sending text messages can be set to a satellite network. Then, in response to the user confirming the operation of sending a text message, the terminal can determine to use a satellite network to send the text message.

[0130] In some embodiments, the application layer also includes satellite applications and cellular applications.

[0131] In some embodiments, the application layer also includes satellite applications and cellular applications.

[0132] The cellular application is used to provide display information related to the cellular network.

[0133] For example, a cellular application may provide information about the signal strength of the cellular network in the status bar. Fig. 9 The signal strength shown in prompt 9011 in the interface 901 is shown.

[0134] In another exemplary embodiment, the cellular application can provide information on whether the cellular network is switched on or off. Fig. 9 By sliding down from the top of the interface 901, the mobile phone can display Fig. 9 Interface 902 is shown. Interface 902 includes a cellular network switch 9021. The cellular application can provide status information of whether the switch 9021 is on or off. If the cellular application provides an on state, the switch 9021 can display that the cellular network is on; if the cellular application provides an off state, the switch 9021 can display that the cellular network is off.

[0135] In another exemplary embodiment, the cellular application can provide information related to the setting items of the cellular network in the setting application. Fig. 9 By clicking the application icon 9013 of the setting application in the interface 901, the mobile phone can display Fig. 9 The interface 903 shown includes a cellular network setting item 9031. The cellular application can provide various information displayed after entering the setting item 9031.

[0136] The satellite application is used to provide display information related to the satellite network.

[0137] For example, a satellite application may provide information on the signal strength of a satellite network.

[0138] In another exemplary embodiment, the satellite application can provide information on whether the satellite network is switched on or off. Fig. 9 By sliding down from the top of the interface 901, the mobile phone can display Fig. 9 Interface 902 is shown. Interface 902 includes a switch 9022 for a satellite network. The satellite application can provide status information of whether the switch 9022 is on or off. If the satellite application provides an on status, the switch 9022 can display that the satellite network is on; if the satellite application provides an off status, the switch 9022 can display that the satellite network is off.

[0139] In another exemplary embodiment, the satellite application may provide information related to the setting items of the satellite network in the setting application. Fig. 9 By clicking the application icon 9013 of the setting application in the interface 901, the mobile phone can display Fig. 9 The interface 903 shown includes a satellite network setting item 9032. The satellite application can provide various information displayed after entering the setting item 9032.

[0140] In addition, the cellular application may also receive an operation of turning on or off the cellular network by the user, such as receiving a click operation of the user on a cellular switch (such as the cellular switch 9021 in the interface 902). In response to the operation of turning on or off the cellular network, the cellular application may request the underlying layer to turn on the cellular network. The satellite application may also receive an operation of turning on or off the satellite network by the user, such as receiving a click operation of the user on a cellular switch (such as the cellular switch 9022 in the interface 902). In response to the operation of turning on or off the satellite network, the cellular application may request the underlying layer to turn on the satellite network.

[0141] The application framework layer provides an application programming interface (API) and a programming framework for the applications in the application layer. The application framework layer includes some predefined functions.

[0142] The application framework layer may include a notification manager, a window manager, a resource manager, a content provider, and a view system, etc.

[0143] In some embodiments, the application framework layer may also include a cellular framework and a satellite framework. The satellite framework is used in the process of satellite communication to complete some processing that does not require the perception of upper-layer applications (such as satellite applications), and to complete the related processing of interface conversion between upper-layer applications (such as text messages, calls) and satellite protocol stacks.

[0144] Exemplarily, the satellite framework can calculate the angle between the satellite beam and the terminal antenna (such as antenna 1 mentioned above) based on the Global Positioning System (GPS) signal and the signals collected by related sensors, and determine the satellite alignment strategy based on the calculated angle, such as the direction and angle of rotation. Finally, the satellite framework feeds back the satellite alignment strategy to the satellite application, and the satellite application can prompt the user to turn the terminal. In this example, the satellite application does not need to perceive the process of calculating and determining the satellite alignment strategy, which is completely completed by the satellite framework.

[0145] In another exemplary embodiment, in the process of sending text messages using a satellite network, the user only needs to enter the recipient's number and text message content in the text message (application). After receiving the operation of sending a text message, the text message (application) can transmit the text message sending command to the satellite framework. Since the format adapted by the text message sending interface provided by the satellite protocol stack is fixed, that is, the text message sending interface will only send the content in a fixed format. Then, in response to the text message sending command, the satellite framework can encode the text message content in the text message sending request to obtain the content in a fixed format. For example, the UCS2 encoding method is used to encode Chinese characters, and the 7bit encoding method is used to encode English characters. After the encoding is completed, the satellite framework can call the text message sending interface provided by the satellite protocol stack to send text messages. In this example, the satellite framework can encode the text message into a format adapted by the text message sending interface of the satellite protocol stack and then call the text message sending interface to send the text message, and implement the interface conversion process between the text message (application) and the satellite protocol stack.

[0146] Similar to the satellite framework, the cellular framework can also complete some processing that does not require the perception of upper-layer applications (such as cellular applications) during cellular communication, as well as the related processing of interface conversion between upper-layer applications (such as text messages and calls) and satellite protocol stacks. This article will not go into details about the cellular framework.

[0147] In some embodiments, the application framework layer also includes a cellular / satellite management module. The cellular / satellite management module is used to manage network switching so that the terminal only turns on the cellular network or the satellite network at the same time. That is, when the cellular network is turned on, the satellite network is turned off; when the satellite network is turned on, the cellular network is turned off.

[0148] The hardware abstraction layer can provide a unified interface for the calls of upper-level applications, shielding the specific implementation details of the hardware driver in the kernel layer. The upper-level applications can implement corresponding functions by calling the interface provided by the hardware abstraction layer without having to know the specific implementation method of the kernel-level hardware driver.

[0149] The hardware abstraction layer includes cellular HAL and satellite HAL. Satellite HAL is used for inter-core communication between satellite protocol stacks in AP and Modem to realize information communication during satellite communication. Cellular HAL is used for inter-core communication between cellular protocol stacks in AP and Modem to realize information communication during cellular communication.

[0150] The kernel layer is a layer between hardware and software. The kernel layer may include display drivers, camera drivers, audio drivers, etc. It should be noted that in the process of satellite communication and cellular communication, the kernel layer is mainly used for data transmission, which is similar to the role of data transparent transmission. Therefore, in the present application scheme, there is no need to change the software composition of the kernel layer.

[0151] Continue to see Figure 8 The software architecture of the terminal also includes the software components of the Modem, which runs an RTOS. TM The difference between the two systems is that RTOS is a single-task operating system that can only handle a single process at a time. TM The system can handle multiple processes at the same time.

[0152] Modem usually includes a cellular protocol stack and a cellular physical layer. For the cellular protocol stack and the cellular physical layer, please refer to the description in the related art, which will not be described in detail here.

[0153] The modem also includes a satellite protocol stack and a satellite physical layer. For details about the satellite protocol stack and the satellite physical layer, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the previous article, and no further details will be given here.

[0154] In certain embodiments, the Modem also includes a card driver. The card driver can be used for the communication of the satellite protocol stack and the cellular protocol stack with the subscriber identity card 3 respectively. Exemplary, the satellite protocol stack or the cellular protocol stack can read the identification of the subscriber identity card 3 by the card driver, such as the International Mobile Subscriber Identification Number (IMSI), the satellite protocol stack or the cellular protocol stack can send an authentication request to the subscriber identity card 3 by the card driver, and the subscriber identity card 3 can return an authentication response to the satellite protocol stack or the cellular protocol stack by the card driver.

[0155] In some embodiments, the modem further includes an RF interface module. The RF interface module is used for the satellite physical layer and the cellular physical layer to communicate with the RF component 3 respectively. In a specific implementation, the RF interface module includes a baseband interface unit (BBIU). Exemplarily, the satellite physical layer or the cellular physical layer sends uplink voice data to the RF component 3 through the RF interface module, and finally transmits it through the antenna; and the RF component 3 can send downlink voice data to the satellite physical layer or the cellular physical layer through the RF interface module, and finally play it through a device such as a speaker, a receiver or a headset.

[0156] In some embodiments, the modem also includes an RF driver (not shown in the figure), which is used for the satellite physical layer or the cellular physical layer to control the RFFE. Exemplarily, the satellite physical layer or the cellular physical layer can control the receive (receive, rx) path (i.e., the path where the LNA is located) and the transmit (transport, tx) path (i.e., the path where the PA is located) in the RFFE through the RF driver, as well as control the PA power in the tx path.

[0157] use Figure 8 The software architecture shown in FIG. 1 is to set the satellite protocol stack and the satellite physical layer in the Modem. In this way, a separate satellite communication chip is not needed to support satellite communication. In addition, the satellite protocol stack and the cellular protocol stack communicate with the same user identification card 3, and the satellite physical layer and the cellular physical layer communicate with the same RF component 3. In this way, a separate user identification card 3 and RF component 3 are not needed to support satellite communication. In this way, satellite communication can be realized without adding additional hardware.

[0158] The following is an exemplary description of the above Figure 8 In the software architecture shown, the communication method between various modules related to realizing satellite communication.

[0159] Among them, the layers in the AP communicate with each other through software interfaces. Exemplarily, the satellite application and the satellite framework, the satellite application and the satellite framework, the call application and the satellite framework, and the satellite framework and the satellite HAL all communicate by calling the software interface. And, the modules in the application framework layer in the AP also communicate with each other through software interfaces. Exemplarily, the cellular / satellite management module and the satellite framework, and the cellular / satellite management module and the cellular framework can all communicate by calling the software interface.

[0160] The satellite HAL in the AP communicates with the satellite protocol stack in the Modem through the third logical channel newly added between the AP and the Modem. It should be understood that in one physical channel, multiple logical channels can be virtualized to realize the transmission of data with different functions. Since in the process of satellite communication, it is necessary to transmit the satellite protocol stack and the card module communication related data, such as IMSI, authentication response, etc., between the AP and the Modem, a first logical channel can be added to the physical channel between the AP and the Modem to support the data transmission between the satellite HAL of the AP and the satellite protocol stack in the Modem.

[0161] It should be understood that when the third logical channel is added, the logical channel can be implemented with a matching interface based on the type of SoC. For example, if the SoC is a chip of manufacturer A, and the AP and the Modem in the chip of manufacturer A communicate through the a interface, then a set of a interfaces can be added to implement the first logical channel. For another example, if the SoC is a chip of manufacturer B, and the AP and the Modem in the chip of manufacturer B communicate through the b interface, then a set of b interfaces can be added to implement the first logical channel.

[0162] Of course, other logical channels may be virtualized in the physical channel between the AP and the Modem, for example, a logical channel for transmitting data of cellular communication may be virtualized.

[0163] In the modem, the modem can provide an interface to ensure the operation of the satellite protocol stack and the satellite physical layer. Exemplarily, the modem can provide one or more of the following interfaces: DSP calculation interface, Turbo decoding interface, and Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) calculation interface.

[0164] The satellite protocol stack and the satellite physical layer can communicate with other modules through interface calls. For example, the satellite protocol stack and the card driver, the satellite protocol stack and the satellite physical layer, the satellite physical layer and the RF interface module, and the satellite physical layer and the RF driver can communicate by calling software interfaces.

[0165] Using the above communication method, we can construct Figure 8 There are multiple communication paths in , namely communication path ①-communication path ⑨.

[0166] Below Figure 8 On the basis of the multiple communication paths shown, the communication process of the terminal provided in the embodiment of the present application is further described in combination with the following process 1, process 2 and process 3:

[0167] Process 1, network switching process. That is, the process of the terminal switching between the satellite network and the cellular network, including switching from the satellite network to the cellular network, and switching from the cellular network to the satellite network. Each switching can be manually triggered by the user or automatically triggered by the terminal.

[0168] In the network switching process, the cellular / satellite management module in the AP manages the switching between the cellular network and the satellite network, so that when the cellular network is turned on, the satellite network is turned off, and when the satellite network is turned on, the cellular network is turned off.

[0169] In some scenarios, the user can manually trigger the satellite network to switch from the cellular network to the satellite network. Fig.10 The interface 1001 shown in FIG. 1 includes a switch 10011 for a satellite network. At this time, the switch 10011 for the satellite network is in an off state (indicated by icons and text that are not bold in the figure). The operation of turning on the satellite network may be a click operation on the switch for the satellite network that is in an off state. Then, in response to the user clicking the switch 10011 that is in an off state, the mobile phone may start the process of switching from the cellular network to the satellite network. Furthermore, after switching to the satellite network, the mobile phone may display Fig.10 The interface 1002 shown includes a satellite network switch 10021. However, at this time, the satellite network switch 10021 is in an on state (indicated by bold icons and text in the figure), and the signal strength of the satellite network is shown by an icon 10022 in the interface 1002.

[0170] See also Fig.11A In the process of manually triggering the user to switch from the cellular network to the satellite network, the satellite application communicates with the cellular / satellite management module using communication path ①, so that the cellular / satellite management module obtains the message of starting the satellite network. Fig.11A Then, on the one hand, using communication path ②, the cellular / satellite management module communicates with the satellite framework to notify the satellite framework to start satellite communication, as shown in S1102 in FIG. Fig.11A On the other hand, using communication path ③, the cellular / satellite management module communicates with the cellular protocol stack through the cellular framework, cellular HAL, to close the cellular communication, as shown in S1103. Fig.11A As shown in S1104.

[0171] Specifically, the process of a user manually triggering a switch from a cellular network to a satellite network includes:

[0172] S1101. A satellite application receives an operation to start a satellite network.

[0173] For example, the operation of opening the satellite network can be performed by the user Fig.10 The switch 10011 of the satellite network in the interface 1001 is clicked.

[0174] Of course, the operation of opening the satellite network is not Fig.10 As another example, the terminal is provided with a physical button for turning on the satellite network, and the operation of turning on the satellite network can be an operation performed by the user on the physical button; or, the operation of turning on the satellite network can be an operation of the user inputting a preset voice 1 (such as "turn on the satellite network"), etc.

[0175] After receiving the operation of starting the satellite network, the satellite application will execute the following S1102 to switch to the satellite network through the cellular / satellite management module.

[0176] S1102: The cellular / satellite management module obtains a message for starting a satellite network from a satellite application.

[0177] In the embodiment of the present application, the manner in which the cellular / satellite management module obtains the message for starting the satellite network is not specifically limited.

[0178] In some embodiments, after receiving the operation of starting the satellite network, the satellite application may send a message of starting the satellite network to the cellular / satellite management module, so that the cellular / satellite management module can obtain the message of starting the satellite network.

[0179] In other embodiments, the cellular / satellite management module may register and monitor in the satellite network. Thus, when the satellite application receives an operation to start the satellite network, the cellular / satellite management module may monitor the message to start the satellite network.

[0180] S1103. The cellular / satellite management module notifies the satellite framework to start the satellite network.

[0181] After receiving the notification of turning on the satellite network, the satellite framework can start a series of processes to turn on the satellite network. For details, please refer to the description in process 2 below. It will not be described here. After turning on the satellite network, the cellular application can prompt that the satellite network is turned on. For example, the satellite application can display Fig.10 The switch 10021 of the satellite network in the shown interface 1002 is in the turned-on state, indicating that the satellite network is in the turned-on state.

[0182] S1104. The cellular / satellite management module notifies the cellular framework to shut down the cellular network.

[0183] For example, the cellular framework can notify the cellular protocol stack to turn off the relevant functions of the Radio through the cellular HAL, thereby turning off the communication between the cellular protocol stack, the cellular physical layer and the RF component 3. This article does not provide too much explanation on the process of turning off the cellular network. For details, please refer to the existing cellular communication related materials. It should be understood that after turning off the cellular network, the cellular application can prompt that the cellular network is in the off state. For example, the cellular application can display Fig.10 The cellular network switch 10023 in the illustrated interface 1002 is in an off state (indicated by icons and text that are not bold in the figure), indicating that the cellular network is in an off state.

[0184] Of course, the user can also manually trigger the cellular network to switch from the satellite network to the cellular network. Fig.10 The interface 1002 shown in the figure includes a cellular network switch 10023. At this time, the cellular network switch 10023 is in the off state. The operation of turning on the cellular network can be a click operation on the cellular network switch in the off state. Then, in response to the user clicking the switch 10023 in the off state, the mobile phone can start the process of switching from the satellite network to the cellular network. And after switching to the cellular network, the mobile phone can display Fig.10 The interface 1001 shown includes a cellular network switch 10012. However, at this time, the cellular network switch 10012 is turned on (indicated by bold icons and text in the figure), and the signal strength of the cellular network is shown by icon 10013 in the interface 1001.

[0185] Continue to see Fig.11A In the process of manually triggering the user to switch from the satellite network to the cellular network, the communication path ④ is adopted, and the cellular application communicates with the cellular / satellite management module so that the cellular / satellite management module obtains the message of starting the cellular network. Fig.11A Then, on the one hand, using communication path ②, the cellular / satellite management module communicates with the satellite framework to notify the satellite framework to shut down satellite communication, as shown in S1106 in the figure. Fig.11A On the other hand, using communication path ③, the cellular / satellite management module communicates with the cellular framework, cellular HAL and cellular protocol stack to enable cellular communication, as shown in S1107. Fig.11A As shown in S1108.

[0186] Specifically, the process of a user manually triggering a switch from a satellite network to a cellular network includes:

[0187] S1105. The cellular application receives an operation to activate a cellular network.

[0188] For example, the operation of opening the cellular network can be performed by the user Fig.10 The click operation of the switch 10023 of the cellular network in the interface 1002 is shown.

[0189] Unlike satellite network, cellular network is not activated by Fig.10 As another example, the terminal is provided with a physical button for turning on the cellular network, and the operation of turning on the cellular network may be an operation performed by the user on the physical button; or, the operation of turning on the satellite network may be an operation of turning off the flight mode; or, the operation of turning on the cellular network may be an operation of the user inputting a preset voice 2 (such as "turn on the cellular network"), etc.

[0190] After receiving the operation of opening the cellular network, the cellular application will execute the following S1106 to switch to the cellular network through the cellular / satellite management module.

[0191] S1106: The cellular / satellite management module obtains a message for starting the cellular network from the cellular application. Referring to the description of S1102, the satellite application in S1102 is replaced by the cellular application.

[0192] S1107. The cellular / satellite management module notifies the cellular framework to start the cellular network.

[0193] After receiving the notification of opening the cellular network, the cellular framework can start a series of processes to open the cellular network, so that the cellular protocol stack, the cellular physical layer and the RF component 3 can communicate and realize the transmission and reception of signals. The specific process of opening the cellular network is not described in detail in this article. For details, please refer to the existing cellular communication related materials. It should be understood that after the cellular network is turned on, the cellular application can prompt that the cellular network is turned on. For example, the cellular application can display Fig.10 The switch 10012 of the cellular network in the shown interface 1001 is in the turned-on state, indicating that the cellular network is in the turned-on state.

[0194] S1108. The cellular / satellite management module notifies the satellite framework to shut down the satellite network.

[0195] After receiving the notification of shutting down the satellite network, the satellite framework can start a series of processes to shut down the satellite network. Exemplarily, the satellite framework can notify the satellite protocol stack to shut down the relevant functions of Radio through the satellite HAL, thereby shutting down the communication between the satellite protocol stack, the satellite physical layer and the RF component 3.

[0196] At this point, it should be noted that the above Fig.11AIn the embodiment of the invention, the satellite network is turned on by triggering the satellite application, and the cellular network is turned on by triggering the cellular application. In other embodiments, in order to ensure that the terminal can always communicate with the outside, the terminal turns on the satellite network while turning off the cellular network, so as to ensure that the satellite network can be used to provide communication services for the terminal after the cellular network is turned off. Also, the terminal turns on the cellular network while turning off the satellite network, so as to ensure that the cellular network can be used to provide communication services for the terminal after the satellite network is turned off.

[0197] Then, in this embodiment, when the cellular application receives an operation to turn off the cellular network (such as turning on the flight mode), it will also trigger the turning on of the satellite network. That is, the turning on of the satellite network can also be triggered by the cellular application. Therefore, in this embodiment, the above S1101 can also be replaced by: the cellular application receives an operation to turn off the cellular network. Correspondingly, S1102 can be replaced by: the cellular / satellite management module obtains a message from the cellular application to turn off the cellular network, that is, a message to turn on the satellite network.

[0198] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the cellular application receives an operation to turn off the satellite network, it will also trigger turning on the satellite network. That is, the satellite application can also trigger turning on the cellular network. Therefore, in this embodiment, the above S1105 can also be replaced by: the satellite application receives an operation to turn off the satellite network. Correspondingly, S1106 can be replaced by: the cellular / satellite management module obtains a message to turn off the satellite network from the satellite application, that is, a message to turn on the cellular network.

[0199] In other scenarios, the terminal can automatically trigger the start of the satellite network, thereby triggering a switch from the cellular network to the satellite network.

[0200] See also Fig. 11B When the cellular / satellite management module detects that the conditions for switching to the satellite network are met (such as the first preset condition), on the one hand, the cellular / satellite management module communicates with the satellite framework using communication path ② to notify the satellite framework to start satellite communication, such as Fig. 11B As shown in S1112 in; on the other hand, using communication path ③, the cellular / satellite management module communicates through the cellular framework, cellular HAL and cellular protocol stack to close the cellular communication, such as Fig. 11B As shown in S1113.

[0201] Specifically, the process of automatically triggering the terminal to switch from the cellular network to the satellite network includes the following steps:

[0202] S1111. The cellular / satellite management module monitors target information.

[0203] The target information includes information reflecting whether there are conditions for cellular communication or satellite communication, information reflecting whether there is a business demand for using a satellite network, and status information of the satellite network, such as an on state or an off state.

[0204] Exemplarily, if there is no cellular network, it is determined that there is no condition for cellular communication. Then, the target information may include information on whether there is a cellular network.

[0205] As another example, if there is no GPS signal, it is impossible to use the GPS signal to complete the satellite alignment. It should be understood that if the satellite alignment cannot be completed, the terminal cannot complete the communication with the satellite network, and it is determined that there is no condition for satellite communication. Then, the target information may include information on whether there is a GPS signal.

[0206] For example, if the terminal does not display a call or text message interface in the foreground and the terminal is not in a call, there is no service demand for using the satellite network. Then, the target information may include information about the application running in the foreground of the terminal and whether the terminal is in a call.

[0207] S1112. If the cellular / satellite management module detects that the target information meets the first preset condition, the satellite framework is notified to start the satellite network.

[0208] Among them, if the first preset condition is met, it indicates that the satellite network needs to be turned on and the cellular network needs to be turned off. In some embodiments, if there is no cellular communication condition, but there is a satellite communication condition, it is determined that the first preset condition is met. Exemplarily, the first preset condition includes no cellular network and a GPS signal. Further, the network signal is unstable. In order to ensure switching to the satellite network when there is no cellular network but not when the cellular network is unstable, the first preset condition includes that the duration of no cellular network exceeds a preset duration and there is a GPS signal.

[0209] S1113. The cellular / satellite management module notifies the cellular framework to shut down the cellular network.

[0210] Furthermore, in order to accurately meet the needs of users, in some embodiments, S1112 further includes: if the cellular / satellite management module detects that the target information meets the first preset condition, it can first send information about switching to the satellite network to the application layer (such as a desktop application). After receiving the information about switching to the satellite network, the application layer can display a prompt for switching to the satellite network. For example, the desktop application can display Fig.12The prompt 1202 in the interface 1201 shown in the figure includes "Current cellular network has no signal, do you want to switch to satellite network?" and two options "Yes" and "No". After displaying the prompt to switch to satellite network, the application layer responds to receiving the user's confirmation operation (such as the user's confirmation of switching). Fig.12 After selecting the "Yes" option in the prompt 1202 in the interface 1201 shown in the figure), a first switching request can be sent to the cellular / satellite management module to request switching to the satellite network. The cellular / satellite management module will notify the satellite framework to turn on the satellite network and notify the cellular framework to turn off the cellular network in response to the first switching request.

[0211] On the contrary, after displaying the prompt to switch to the satellite network, the application layer responds to receiving the user's confirmation operation not to switch (such as the user's Fig.12 After the "No" option is selected in the prompt 1202 in the interface 1201, the first switching request will not be sent to the cellular / satellite management module. Accordingly, the cellular / satellite management module will not notify the satellite framework to turn on the satellite network and the cellular framework to turn off the cellular network.

[0212] With this embodiment, only when the user confirms the switch, the cellular / satellite management module will notify the satellite framework to turn on the satellite network and the cellular framework to turn off the cellular network. In this way, the user's switching needs can be accurately met.

[0213] Of course, the terminal can also automatically trigger the opening of the cellular network, thereby triggering the switch from the satellite network to the cellular network.

[0214] Continue to see Fig. 11B When the cellular / satellite management module detects that the conditions for switching to the cellular network are met (such as the second preset condition), on the one hand, the cellular / satellite management module communicates with the satellite framework using communication path ② to notify the satellite framework to shut down the satellite communication, such as Fig. 11B As shown in S1114 in; on the other hand, using communication path ③, the cellular / satellite management module communicates with the cellular protocol stack through the cellular framework, cellular HAL, to enable cellular communication, such as Fig. 11B As shown in S1115.

[0215] Specifically, the process of automatically triggering the terminal to switch from the cellular network to the satellite network includes the following steps:

[0216] S1114: If the cellular / satellite management module detects that the target information meets the second preset condition, the cellular framework is notified to start the cellular network.

[0217] Among them, if the second preset condition is met, it indicates that the cellular network needs to be turned on and the satellite network needs to be turned off. In some embodiments, if there is no business demand for using the satellite network, but the satellite network is currently in an on state, it is determined that the second preset condition is met. Exemplarily, the second preset condition includes that the terminal foreground does not display a call or text message interface, the terminal is not in a call, and the satellite network is in an on state.

[0218] S1115. The cellular / satellite management module notifies the cellular framework to start the cellular network.

[0219] Furthermore, in order to accurately meet the needs of users, in some embodiments, S1113 further includes: if the cellular / satellite management module detects that the target information meets the second preset condition, it can first send information about switching to the cellular network to the application layer (such as a desktop application). After receiving the information about switching to the cellular network, the application layer can display a prompt for switching to the cellular network. For example, the desktop application can display Fig.12 The prompt 1204 in the interface 1203 shown in the figure includes "There is no need to use the satellite network at present. Do you want to switch to the cellular network?" and two options "Yes" and "No". After displaying the prompt to switch to the cellular network, the application layer responds to receiving the user's confirmation operation (such as the user's confirmation of the switch). Fig.12 After selecting the "Yes" option in the prompt 1204 in the interface 1203 shown in the figure), a second switching request can be sent to the cellular / satellite management module to request switching to the cellular network. The cellular / satellite management module responds to the second switching request and then notifies the cellular framework to turn on the cellular network and the satellite framework to turn off the satellite network.

[0220] On the contrary, after displaying the prompt to switch to the cellular network, the application layer responds to receiving the user's confirmation operation not to switch (such as the user's Fig.12 After the "No" option is selected in the prompt 1204 in the interface 1203 shown in the figure), the second switching request will not be sent to the cellular / satellite management module. Accordingly, the cellular / satellite management module will not notify the cellular framework to turn on the cellular network and the satellite framework to turn off the satellite network.

[0221] With this embodiment, only when the user confirms the switch, the cellular / satellite management module will notify the cellular framework to turn on the cellular network and the satellite framework to turn off the satellite network. In this way, the user's switching needs can be accurately met.

[0222] Regarding the above Fig. 11B For parts not described in detail in the embodiments of Fig.11A The relevant descriptions in the embodiments of the present invention will not be repeated here.

[0223] After notifying the cellular framework to turn on the cellular network using the above process 1, the cellular network can be turned on and the cellular network can be used for calls, Internet access, etc. However, this article does not further explain these processes. For details, please refer to the relevant technologies of cellular communication, which will not be described in detail in this article. After triggering the satellite network using the above process 1 (such as S1103 or S1112), process 2 can be entered.

[0224] Process 2: Start the satellite network, that is, access the satellite network.

[0225] See also Fig.13 ,In process 2, using communication path ⑧, the satellite framework can communicate with the satellite application to achieve ,satellite alignment, e.g. Fig.13 After the satellite alignment is completed, the satellite framework can communicate with the satellite HAL and the satellite protocol stack to notify the satellite protocol stack to start, such as Fig.13 After the satellite protocol stack is started, on the one hand, using the communication path ⑥, during the network search, RRC link establishment and registration (including the identity authentication and card authentication of the user identification card 3, the same below), the satellite protocol stack can communicate with the satellite network through the satellite physical layer, such as Fig.13 On the other hand, using communication path ⑦, during the registration process, the satellite protocol stack can communicate with the user identification card 3 to realize the relevant data transmission of identity recognition and card authentication, such as Fig.13 After the registration is completed, the satellite protocol stack can feedback the registration acceptance message to the satellite application through the satellite HAL and the satellite framework using the communication path ⑤ and the communication path ⑧, as shown in S1310-S1311, S1318-S1320 in the registration process. Fig.13 As shown in S1328-S1332.

[0226] Specifically, the process of a terminal accessing a satellite network includes the following steps:

[0227] S1301. Through S1103 or S1112, the satellite framework receives a notification of starting a satellite network.

[0228] Exemplarily, after the cellular / satellite management module notifies the satellite framework to activate the satellite network through the aforementioned S1103 or S1112, the satellite framework can receive the notification of activating the satellite network.

[0229] S1302: The satellite framework obtains the terminal's position and attitude, and calculates the angle between the terminal's antenna and the satellite based on the position and attitude.

[0230] For example, the satellite framework can obtain GPS signals to obtain the terminal's location, and the satellite framework can obtain gyroscope signals to obtain the terminal's attitude.

[0231] S1303: If the angle is greater than or equal to the preset angle, the satellite framework generates a satellite alignment strategy that matches the angle.

[0232] If the angle is greater than or equal to the preset angle, it indicates that the deviation between the beam center of the terminal antenna and the line connecting the satellite and the terminal is large. Then, the terminal posture needs to be adjusted to reduce the deviation between the beam center of the antenna and the line connecting the satellite and the terminal.

[0233] It should be understood that satellite pointing refers to the process of adjusting the terminal's posture to change the antenna's orientation so that the antenna's beam center is aligned with the satellite. Correspondingly, the satellite pointing strategy is information that guides the user to change the terminal's posture. For example, the satellite pointing strategy includes a rotation azimuth and a rotation angle.

[0234] S1304: The satellite framework sends the satellite alignment strategy to the satellite application.

[0235] S1305. Satellite application displays the satellite pointing strategy.

[0236] After the satellite application displays the star-pointing strategy, the user can adjust the terminal's attitude according to the star-pointing strategy, for example, according to the rotation direction and rotation angle in the star-pointing strategy.

[0237] It should be noted that for the specific implementation of calculating the angle and generating the matching alignment strategy, and adjusting the posture of the terminal based on the alignment strategy, please refer to the relevant information on alignment, which will not be elaborated in this article.

[0238] It should be noted that after the user adjusts the posture of the terminal, the satellite framework can recalculate the angle between the terminal antenna and the satellite based on the positioning and the new posture. If the angle is greater than the preset angle, a new satellite alignment strategy will be generated to guide the user to align the satellite. In other words, after S1301, the above S1302-S1305 can be continuously executed.

[0239] However, if the angle is less than the preset angle, it indicates that the antenna of the terminal has been aligned with the satellite, and S1306 and subsequent steps may be executed to continue to complete the step of accessing the satellite network.

[0240] S1306: If the angle is less than the preset angle, the satellite framework sends a command to the satellite HAL to start the satellite protocol stack.

[0241] Exemplarily, the satellite framework may send a command to the satellite HAL to start the satellite protocol stack by calling an interface for starting the satellite protocol stack in the satellite HAL.

[0242] S1307. The satellite HAL sends a command to the satellite protocol stack to start the satellite protocol stack.

[0243] Exemplarily, the satellite HAL may transmit a command to start the satellite protocol stack through inter-core communication, such as through a third logical channel in the physical channel between the AP and the Modem.

[0244] S1308: The satellite protocol stack is started.

[0245] After the satellite protocol stack is started, the satellite protocol stack can communicate with the satellite network to realize the search for the satellite network (referred to as search network) and RRC link establishment. It should be understood that the satellite protocol stack needs to pass through the satellite physical layer, RF component 3, and antenna to finally realize the communication with the satellite network. Among them, the satellite physical layer and the RF component 3 can realize the communication between the satellite physical layer and the RF component 3 by calling the RF interface module.

[0246] Exemplarily, the network search process includes: the satellite protocol stack sends a network search request to the satellite physical layer. After receiving the network search request, the satellite physical layer can turn on the RF component 3, such as turning on the receiving path of the RF component 3 (referred to as the RF receiving path) through the RF driver control. It should be understood that the sending path of the RF component 3 (referred to as the RF transmitting path) is usually turned on when information needs to be sent, and it can be temporarily not turned on at this time. After turning on the RF component 3, the RF component 3 can receive system messages from the satellite network through the antenna. Then, the RF component 3 sends the system message to the satellite physical layer. The satellite physical layer demodulates the system message and feeds back a message of successful demodulation to the satellite protocol stack after the demodulation is successful. In this example, only part of the network search process is shown, and the actual network search process is not limited to this.

[0247] Exemplarily, the process of establishing an RRC link includes: after receiving a message of successful demodulation, the satellite protocol stack initiates a random access (Random Access Channel, RACH) to the satellite physical layer. It passes through the satellite physical layer, RF component 3, and antenna in sequence, and finally sends the RACH to the satellite network. After receiving the RACH, the satellite network can reply with an access response in the window of the random access response (Random Access Response). Then, the RF component 3 can receive the access response through the antenna. It passes through the RF component 3 and the satellite physical layer in sequence, and finally returns the access response to the satellite protocol stack. In this example, only part of the process of establishing an RRC link is shown, and the actual process of establishing an RRC link is not limited to this.

[0248] After completing the network search and RRC link establishment, the registration process will begin. During the registration process, the satellite network needs to identify the identity of the user identification card 3 and authenticate the user identification card 3 (referred to as card authentication). The following will mainly explain the two steps of identity identification and card authentication in the registration process, thereby explaining the communication between the satellite protocol stack and the user identification card 3.

[0249] Specifically, identity recognition includes the following S1310-S1314:

[0250] S1310: The satellite protocol stack reads the identifier of the user identification card 3.

[0251] The satellite protocol stack can read an identifier, such as an IMSI, a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) number, etc., from the user identification card 3 through a card driver.

[0252] S1311. The user identification card 3 returns an identifier to the satellite protocol stack.

[0253] Similarly, the subscriber identity card 3 can return an identifier to the satellite protocol stack through the card driver.

[0254] In S1310 and S1311, the satellite protocol stack reads the identifier of the user identification card 3 from the user identification card 3 in real time. In practice, the identifier of the user identification card 3 may have been stored in the terminal. Exemplarily, when the terminal detects that the user identification card 3 is inserted, the identifier of the user identification card 3 can be obtained and stored. In this case, the above S1310 and S1311 can be replaced by: the satellite protocol stack obtains the identifier of the user identification card 3 from the preset storage space.

[0255] S1312. The satellite protocol stack sends an identifier to the satellite physical layer.

[0256] S1313. The satellite physical layer sends an identifier to the RF component 3.

[0257] S1314. RF component 3 sends an identification to the satellite network.

[0258] After receiving the identifier, the satellite network can identify the user identification card 3 based on the identifier. Exemplarily, the satellite network searches for the currently received identifier among the identifiers that have been allowed to access the network. If the currently received identifier belongs to the identifiers that have been allowed to access the network, the identity verification is passed. If the currently received identifier does not belong to the identifiers that have been allowed to access the network, the identity verification fails.

[0259] If the identity authentication fails, the satellite network can send a message of identity authentication failure, which will be fed back to the satellite application through the antenna, RF component 3, satellite physical layer, satellite protocol stack, satellite HAL, satellite framework, and finally displayed as a reminder of identity authentication failure.

[0260] And, the card authentication includes the following S1315-S1327:

[0261] After the identity authentication is passed, the satellite network can send an authentication request, which carries a verification value, such as a preset value or a random number.

[0262] S1315. RF component 3 receives an authentication request from the satellite network, and the authentication request carries a verification value.

[0263] S1316. RF component 3 sends an authentication request to the satellite physical layer.

[0264] S1317. The satellite physical layer sends an authentication request to the satellite protocol stack.

[0265] S1318. The satellite protocol stack sends an authentication request to the user identification card 3.

[0266] The satellite protocol stack may send an authentication request to the subscriber identity card 3 through the card driver.

[0267] S1319. The user identification card 3 calculates the check value in the authentication request to obtain an authentication result.

[0268] After receiving the authentication request, the user identification card 3 can calculate the verification value. For example, the user identification card 3 can use a built-in verification algorithm to calculate the verification value to obtain an authentication result.

[0269] S1320. The user identification card 3 sends the authentication result to the satellite protocol stack.

[0270] The user identification card 3 can send the authentication result to the satellite protocol stack through the card driver.

[0271] S1321. The satellite protocol stack constructs an authentication response message (Authentication responseMessage) based on the authentication result.

[0272] The authentication response message is a message that can be fed back to the satellite network, and the authentication response message carries the authentication result.

[0273] S1322. The satellite protocol stack sends an authentication response message to the satellite physical layer.

[0274] S1323. The satellite physical layer sends an authentication response message to RF component 3.

[0275] S1324. RF component 3 sends an authentication response message to the satellite network.

[0276] After receiving the authentication response message, the satellite network can parse the authentication result and calculate the check value using a preset check algorithm to obtain a standard authentication result.

[0277] If the built-in verification algorithm in the user identification card 3 is the same as the preset verification algorithm, such as hash algorithms, the authentication result calculated by the user identification card 3 (i.e. the authentication result parsed by the user identification card 3) should be the same as the standard authentication result. If the built-in verification algorithm in the user identification card 3 is different from the preset verification algorithm, the authentication result calculated by the user identification card 3 (i.e. the authentication result parsed by the user identification card 3) is different from the standard authentication result. Based on this, the satellite network can compare the parsed authentication result with the standard authentication result. If the two are the same, the authentication is successful; if the two are not the same, the authentication is recognized.

[0278] If authentication fails, the satellite network can send a message of authentication failure, which will be fed back to the satellite application through the antenna, RF component 3, satellite physical layer, satellite protocol stack, satellite HAL, satellite framework, and finally displayed as a prompt of authentication failure.

[0279] If the authentication is successful, the satellite network can send a message of successful authentication to the satellite protocol stack, as shown in S1325-S1327 below:

[0280] S1325. RF component 3 receives a message indicating successful authentication from the satellite network.

[0281] S1326. RF component 3 sends a message of successful authentication to the satellite physical layer.

[0282] S1327. The satellite physical layer sends a message indicating successful authentication to the satellite protocol stack.

[0283] After the authentication is successful, the satellite protocol stack and the satellite network can continue to complete the subsequent registration process, and after the registration is completed, the satellite network can send a registration acceptance message to the satellite protocol stack to indicate successful access to the satellite network. Correspondingly, the satellite protocol stack can receive the registration acceptance message, as shown in S1328:

[0284] S1328. The satellite protocol stack receives a registration acceptance message.

[0285] S1329. The satellite protocol stack sends a registration acceptance message to the satellite HAL.

[0286] S1330. The satellite HAL sends a registration acceptance message to the satellite framework.

[0287] S1331. The satellite framework sends a registration acceptance message to the satellite application.

[0288] S1332: The satellite application updates the state of the satellite network to the on state.

[0289] In some embodiments, in order to facilitate users to clearly understand the signal strength of the satellite network, after receiving the registration acceptance message, the satellite protocol stack can also report the signal strength measured by the satellite physical layer to the upper application (such as desktop application, satellite application, etc.) through the satellite HAL and the satellite framework in sequence. Then, the upper application can display the signal strength. It should be understood that as the network environment changes, the signal strength measured by the satellite physical layer may change. Therefore, the satellite protocol stack can continuously report the signal strength measured by the satellite physical layer to the upper application. In this way, the upper application can display the real-time signal strength.

[0290] After accessing the satellite network using the above process 2, the terminal can use the satellite network to make calls, send text messages, transmit IoT short messages, etc. In this article, the use of the satellite network is mainly described by taking the use of satellite network calls (i.e. the following process 3) as an example.

[0291] Process 3, call process, that is, the process of making a call using a satellite network.

[0292] After receiving the user's call initiation operation, the terminal can start to execute process 3. For example, after the satellite network is turned on, the mobile phone can display Fig.14 Interface 1401 is shown. Interface 1401 is a dialing interface. Interface 1401 includes historical call records 14011 and a dialing keyboard 14012. The operation of initiating a call may be a click operation of a user inputting a number in the dialing keyboard and then clicking a dial button 14013 in the dialing keyboard 14012. Alternatively, the operation of initiating a call may be a selection operation (such as a click operation) of the historical call record 14011 by the user.

[0293] Of course, the operation of initiating a call does not start with Fig.14 For example, the operation of initiating a call may also be an operation of the user inputting voice 3 (such as "Call Tom"); or, the operation of initiating a call may also be an operation of the user clicking a shortcut key on a dial pad (such as the shortcut key for alarm is the number "0").

[0294] In response to the call initiation operation, the terminal may display a calling interface. The calling interface includes: the called user's information (such as number, number's location, name, etc.) and a calling prompt. For example, the calling interface is Fig.14In the interface 1402 shown, the text "Tom" in the interface 1402 is the name of the called user, and the text "Calling..." is a reminder of the calling user.

[0295] After the call control plane and call user plane are established, the voice call can begin. At this point, the phone can display Fig.14 Interface 1403 is shown. Interface 1403 includes a call timer "00:00", indicating that the call has started.

[0296] join Fig.15 In process 3, using communication path ⑨ and communication path ⑤, the call application can communicate between the satellite framework, satellite HAL and satellite protocol stack to transmit a call command to the satellite protocol stack after receiving the user's call-initiating operation, such as Fig.15 As shown in S1501-S1504 in . After receiving the call command, the satellite protocol stack adopts communication path ⑥. During the process of RRC link establishment, identity authentication and authorization of user identification card 3, and establishment of call control plane and call user plane, the satellite protocol stack can communicate with the satellite network through the satellite physical layer. Also, by adopting communication path ③, the communication between the satellite protocol stack and the user identification card 3 can be realized during the identity authentication and authorization of the user identification card 3. Also, by adopting communication path ⑦, the satellite protocol stack can communicate with the user identification card 3 to realize the relevant data transmission of the identity identification and authentication of the user identification card before the call. After the call control plane and the call user plane are established, the call can start. During the call, the satellite protocol stack can send and receive the uplink and downlink signals of the call through the satellite physical layer using communication path ⑥, as shown Fig.15 As shown in S1505-S1513.

[0297] Specifically, the call process includes the following steps:

[0298] S1501: When the satellite network is turned on, the call application receives an operation of a user initiating a call.

[0299] S1502: The satellite application sends a call command to the satellite framework.

[0300] Exemplarily, the satellite application may call a call interface provided by the satellite framework to send a call command to the satellite framework.

[0301] S1503: The satellite framework sends a call command to the satellite HAL.

[0302] S1504: The satellite HAL sends a call command to the satellite protocol stack.

[0303] The satellite HAL can communicate with the satellite protocol stack through the physical channel and the first logical path between the AP and the Modem, such as sending a call command.

[0304] Before the call, the satellite protocol stack and the satellite network also need to establish an RRC link. And, after the RRC link is established, the user identification card 3 also needs to be authenticated and authorized. For the specific implementation of RRC link establishment, identity authentication and card authentication, please refer to the description in the previous process 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0305] After identity authentication and card authentication are completed, a call control plane and a call user plane need to be established between the satellite protocol stack and the satellite network. Exemplarily, the process of establishing the call control plane includes: the satellite protocol stack initiates a call command, and passes through the satellite physical layer, RF component 3, antenna in sequence, and finally sends the call command to the satellite network. After sending the call command to the satellite network, the satellite network can pass through the antenna, RF component 3, satellite physical layer in sequence, and finally return a call response to the satellite protocol stack.

[0306] After the call control plane and the call user plane are established, the voice call can be started. Exemplarily, after the call control plane and the call user plane are established, the satellite protocol stack can feed back a message of starting the call to the call application, such as through the satellite HAL and the satellite framework, and finally feed back a message of starting the call to the call application. After receiving the message of starting the call, the call application can display the start time of the call.

[0307] Exemplarily, after establishing the call control plane and the call user plane, the satellite protocol stack can call the interface of the audio driver in the kernel layer to enable the audio driver audio device (such as audio acquisition device, audio playback device) to work.

[0308] S1505. The satellite protocol stack receives the uplink voice collected by the audio collection device.

[0309] Exemplarily, the audio acquisition device may first send the collected uplink voice to the DSP for processing, and then the DSP sends the processed uplink voice to the satellite protocol stack through inter-core communication.

[0310] The audio acquisition device may be a microphone of the terminal, or a microphone of a headset connected to the terminal, etc.

[0311] S1506. The satellite protocol stack encodes the uplink voice to obtain an encoded uplink signal.

[0312] S1507. The satellite protocol stack sends an uplink signal to the satellite physical layer.

[0313] S1508. The satellite physical layer sends an uplink signal to the RF component 3.

[0314] S1509. RF component 3 sends an uplink signal to the satellite network.

[0315] The RF component 3 can send an uplink signal to the satellite network via an antenna, thereby transmitting the uplink signal to the called user via the satellite network.

[0316] S1510, RF component 3 receives a downlink signal from a satellite network.

[0317] Exemplarily, the RF component 3 may receive a downlink signal from the called user forwarded by a satellite network via an antenna.

[0318] S1511, RF component 3 sends a downlink signal to the satellite physical layer.

[0319] S1512. The satellite physical layer sends a downlink signal to the satellite protocol stack.

[0320] S1513. The satellite protocol stack decodes the downlink signal to obtain decoded downlink voice for playback by the audio playback device.

[0321] Exemplarily, the satellite protocol stack can send downlink voice to the audio playback device.

[0322] See also Fig.16 , which is the corresponding embodiment of the present application Figure 6B A software architecture diagram of the terminal shown in FIG. Fig.16 In the software architecture shown, the satellite protocol stack is configured in the AP and the satellite physical layer is configured in the Modem.

[0323] It should be noted that satellite communications are usually developed using closed protocols, which makes it difficult for chip manufacturers that support cellular communications to obtain satellite communication protocols. Therefore, non-source satellite protocol stacks and satellite physical layers can be obtained from satellite protocol stack developers and run in binary form. For example, in Fig.16 In the present invention, the satellite protocol stack can be run as a process in the AP in binary form, and the satellite physical layer can be run as one or more tasks in the modem in binary form. Similarly, the modem can provide an interface to ensure the operation of the satellite protocol stack and the satellite physical layer in binary form.

[0324] In the following about Fig.16 In the description of the software architecture, the focus is on Figure 8 The differences in the software architecture shown are explained.

[0325] like Fig.16As shown, the layered architecture can divide the AP software into several layers, such as the application layer, application framework layer, hardware abstract layer (HAL) and kernel layer from top to bottom.

[0326] The application layer may include a series of application packages, such as calls, text messages, browsers, chat applications, video players, and other applications that require network (including cellular networks, satellite networks, etc.) support, and may also include satellite applications and cellular applications. The application framework layer may include cellular frameworks, satellite frameworks, and cellular / satellite management modules.

[0327] and Figure 8 The software architecture shown is different in that: Fig.16 In the software architecture shown, the hardware abstraction layer includes not only the cellular HAL (which can be understood as the first hardware abstraction layer described above) and the satellite HAL, but also a satellite protocol stack. That is, the satellite protocol stack is configured in the hardware abstraction layer in the AP. In another implementation, the satellite protocol stack can be configured in the satellite HAL.

[0328] The kernel layer is a layer between hardware and software. The kernel layer may include display drivers, camera drivers, audio drivers, etc. It should be noted that in the process of satellite communication and cellular communication, the kernel layer is mainly used for data transmission, which is similar to the role of data transparent transmission. Therefore, in the present application scheme, there is no need to change the software composition of the kernel layer.

[0329] Continue to see Fig.16 The software architecture of the terminal also includes the software components of the Modem. Figure 8 The software architecture shown is different in that: Fig.16 In the software architecture shown, since the satellite protocol stack has been configured in the AP, there is no need to configure the satellite protocol stack in the Modem, but the satellite physical layer needs to be configured.

[0330] In some embodiments, the modem also includes a card driver and an RF interface module, such as a BBIU.

[0331] about Fig.16 For parts of the software architecture not described in detail, please refer to the previous article Figure 8 The relevant instructions will not be repeated here.

[0332] use Fig.16The software architecture shown configures the satellite protocol stack in the AP and the satellite physical layer in the Modem, so that no separate satellite communication chip is needed to support satellite communication. In addition, the satellite protocol stack and the cellular protocol stack both communicate with the same user identification card 3, and the satellite physical layer and the cellular physical layer both communicate with the same RF component 3, so that no separate user identification card 3 and RF component 3 are needed to support satellite communication. In this way, satellite communication can be achieved without adding additional hardware.

[0333] The following is an exemplary description of the above Fig.16 In the software architecture shown, the communication method between various modules related to realizing satellite communication.

[0334] With the previous article Figure 8 The communication methods in the software architecture shown are the same: in the AP, the layers communicate through software interfaces, and the modules in the application framework layer also communicate through software interfaces. In the modem, the satellite physical layer can communicate with other modules through interface calls.

[0335] However, with Figure 8 The communication methods in the software architecture shown are different:

[0336] The satellite HAL and the satellite protocol stack communicate with each other through inter-process communication. In addition, a first logical channel is added to the physical channel between the AP and the Modem to support data transmission between the satellite protocol stack and the satellite physical layer. In this way, satellite communication data can be transmitted between the satellite HAL, the satellite protocol stack and the satellite physical layer.

[0337] The satellite protocol stack in the AP can communicate with the user identification card 3 through the card communication channel of the cellular communication, such as Fig.16 As shown in the communication path ⑦ in . Specifically, inter-process communication is adopted between the satellite protocol stack and the cellular HAL in the AP. A second logical channel is added in the physical channel between the AP and the Modem to support data transmission between the cellular HAL of the AP and the cellular protocol stack layer of the Modem. In addition, the cellular protocol stack in the Modem can call the card driver to realize communication with the user identification card 3, such as obtaining IMSI, transmitting authentication requests and authentication responses, etc. In this way, data can be transmitted between the satellite protocol stack and the user identification card 3.

[0338] Further, the form communication of request (request)-response (response) is adopted between satellite protocol stack, cellular HAL, cellular protocol line, card driver and subscriber identification card 3. Then, satellite protocol stack requests to obtain IMSI, then after obtaining IMSI through cellular HAL, cellular protocol line, card driver and subscriber identification card 3, can successively pass through subscriber identification card 3, card driver, cellular protocol line and cellular HAL, finally return to satellite protocol stack. And, satellite protocol stack requests authentication, then after obtaining authentication result through cellular HAL, cellular protocol line, card driver and subscriber identification card 3, can successively pass through subscriber identification card 3, card driver, cellular protocol line and cellular HAL, finally return to satellite protocol stack. Like this, initiate request from satellite protocol stack, then finally data can be fed back to satellite protocol stack, avoid confusion with the communication between cellular protocol stack and subscriber identification card 3 in cellular communication process.

[0339] Using the above communication method, we can construct Fig.16 There are multiple communication paths in , namely communication path ① - communication path ⑨. It should be noted that Fig.16 The communication path ⑦ in Figure 8 The communication paths ⑦ in FIG. 7 are all used for communication between the satellite protocol stack and the user identification card 3, but Figure 8 The satellite protocol stack can directly call the card driver to communicate with the user identification card 3, and Fig.16 In the communication path ⑦, the satellite protocol stack needs to go through the cellular HAL and the cellular protocol stack to call the card driver, and finally realize communication with the user identification card 3.

[0340] Below Fig.16 On the basis of the multiple communication paths shown, further combined with process 1, process 2 and process 3, the communication process of the terminal provided in the embodiment of the present application is described:

[0341] exist Fig.16 In the software architecture shown, process 1 is the same as the previous Fig.11A and Fig. 11B The process shown is the same and will not be repeated here.

[0342] See also Fig.17 ,In process 2, using communication path ⑦, during the registration process, the satellite protocol stack can communicate with the ,user identification card 3 to achieve the relevant data transmission of identity ,recognition and card authentication, such as Fig.17 As shown in S1701-S1713 during the registration process. Fig.17 S1701-S1706 in the Fig.13 S1310-S1311 in, and Fig.17 S1707-S1713 in the Fig.13In addition, Fig.17 The remaining steps in Fig.13 The corresponding steps are the same as in .

[0343] Specifically, the process of a terminal accessing a satellite network includes:

[0344] S1701. The satellite protocol stack sends a read request to the cellular HAL.

[0345] The read request is used to request to read the identification of the user identification card 3.

[0346] S1702: The cellular HAL sends a read request to the cellular protocol stack.

[0347] The cellular HAL can communicate with the cellular protocol stack through the physical channel between the AP and the Modem and the second logical channel, such as transmitting a read request.

[0348] S1703: The cellular protocol stack sends a read request to the subscriber identity card 3.

[0349] The cellular protocol stack can communicate with the subscriber identification card 3 through the card driver, such as reading the identification.

[0350] S1704: The subscriber identity card 3 returns an identification to the cellular protocol stack.

[0351] S1705. The cellular protocol stack returns an identifier to the cellular HAL.

[0352] S1706. The cellular HAL returns an identifier to the satellite protocol stack.

[0353] It should be understood that the communication between the satellite protocol stack and the subscriber identity card 3 is in the form of request-response. Therefore, the identifier of the subscriber identity card 3 can be returned to the satellite protocol stack along the original transmission path of the read request.

[0354] S1707. The satellite protocol stack sends an authentication request to the cellular HAL.

[0355] S1708. The cellular HAL sends an authentication request to the cellular protocol stack.

[0356] S1709: The cellular protocol stack sends an authentication request to the user identification card 3.

[0357] S1710. The user identification card 3 calculates the check value in the authentication request to obtain an authentication result.

[0358] S1711. The user identification card 3 sends the authentication result to the cellular protocol stack.

[0359] S1712. The cellular protocol stack sends the authentication result to the cellular HAL.

[0360] S1713. The cellular HAL sends the authentication result to the satellite protocol stack.

[0361] Similarly, since the communication from the satellite protocol stack to the user identification card 3 is in the form of request-response, the authentication result can be returned to the satellite protocol stack along the original transmission path of the authentication request.

[0362] In process 3, using communication path ⑦, the satellite protocol stack can communicate with the user identification card 3 to realize the relevant data transmission of the user identification card identity recognition and authentication before the call. Fig.13 Replace S1310-S1311 in with S1701-S1706 above, and Fig.13 Just replace S1318-S1320 with the above S1707-S1713, and no further details will be given here.

[0363] Of course, in Fig.16 In the embodiment shown, the satellite protocol stack in the AP may also communicate with the user identification card 3 not through the card communication channel of the cellular communication, but directly call the card driver through the inter-core communication, thereby realizing communication with the user identification card 3. Note that Fig.16 This communication path is not shown in the figure. Specifically, a fourth logical channel is added to the physical channel between the AP and the Modem to support the satellite protocol stack of the AP to call the card driver of the Modem. In addition, the card driver in the Modem can communicate with the user identification card 3, thereby realizing data transmission between the satellite protocol stack and the user identification card 3, such as obtaining IMSI, transmitting authentication requests and authentication responses, etc. In this way, data can be transmitted between the satellite protocol stack and the user identification card 3. In this implementation, process 1 is the same as the above process. Fig.11A and Fig. 11B The process shown is the same as that in the previous Fig.13 The process shown is the same as that in the previous Fig.15 The process shown is the same and will not be described here.

[0364] The present application also provides a chip system, such as Fig.18As shown, the chip system 1800 includes at least one processor (such as an application processor AP and a baseband processor Modem) 1801 and at least one interface circuit 1802. The processor 1801 and the interface circuit 1802 can be interconnected via lines. For example, the interface circuit 1802 can be used to receive signals from other devices (such as the memory of the terminal). For another example, the interface circuit 1802 can be used to send signals to other devices (such as the processor 1801). Exemplarily, the interface circuit 1802 can read the instructions stored in the memory and send the instructions to the processor 1801. When the instructions are executed by the processor 1801, the terminal can execute the various steps in the above embodiments. Of course, the chip system can also include other discrete devices, which are not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0365] This embodiment further provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which computer instructions are stored. When the computer instructions are executed on a terminal, the terminal executes each function or step in the above method embodiment.

[0366] This embodiment also provides a computer program product. When the computer program product is run on a computer, it enables the computer to execute each function or step in the above method embodiment.

[0367] In addition, an embodiment of the present application also provides a device, which can specifically be a chip, component or module, and the device may include a connected processor and memory; wherein the memory is used to store computer-executable instructions, and when the device is running, the processor can execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory so that the chip performs the various functions or steps in the above-mentioned method embodiments.

[0368] Among them, the chip system, computer-readable storage medium, computer program product or device provided in this embodiment are all used to execute the corresponding methods provided above. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0369] Through the description of the above implementation methods, technical personnel in the relevant field can clearly understand that for the convenience and simplicity of description, only the division of the above-mentioned functional modules is used as an example. In actual applications, the above-mentioned functions can be assigned to different functional modules as needed, that is, the internal structure of the device can be divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

[0370] In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of the modules or units is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another device, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0371] The unit described as a separate component may or may not be physically separated, and the component shown as a unit may be one physical unit or multiple physical units, that is, it may be located in one place or distributed in multiple different places. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the embodiment.

[0372] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit. The above-mentioned integrated unit may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional units.

[0373] If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application is essentially or the part that contributes to the prior art or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium, including several instructions to enable a device (which can be a single-chip microcomputer, chip, etc.) or a processor (processor) to perform all or part of the steps of each embodiment method of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: U disk, mobile hard disk, read-only memory (Read-Only Memory, ROM), random access memory (Random Access Memory, RAM), disk or optical disk and other media that can store program code.

[0374] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solution of the present application and are not intended to limit it. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments, a person of ordinary skill in the art should understand that the technical solution of the present application may be modified or replaced by equivalents without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solution of the present application.

Claims

1. A chip system, characterized in that: The chip system includes an application processor AP and a baseband processor Modem, and the AP is communicatively connected with the Modem; The Modem includes a first protocol stack module for cellular communication and a first physical layer module for cellular communication, wherein the first protocol stack module communicates with the first physical layer module and a user identification card respectively to realize cellular communication; The Modem also includes a second physical layer module for satellite communication; The AP includes a second protocol stack module for satellite communication, and the chip system implements satellite communication in the following manner: communicating with the user identification card through the second protocol stack module in the AP, and implementing communication between the second protocol stack module and the second physical layer module through the AP and the Modem; Alternatively, the modem includes a second protocol stack module for satellite communication, and the chip system implements satellite communication in the following manner: the second protocol stack module communicates with the user identification card through the modem, and the second protocol stack module communicates with the second physical layer module through the modem.

2. The chip system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The chip system is used to: communicate with the radio frequency (RF) component through the first physical layer module to send and receive cellular signals to achieve cellular communication; and communicate with the RF component through the second physical layer module to send and receive satellite signals to achieve satellite communication.

3. The chip system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The AP includes a second protocol stack module for satellite communication, and the second protocol stack module communicates with the user identification card, including: The second protocol stack module communicates with the subscriber identification card through the first protocol stack module.

4. The chip system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The AP includes a hardware abstraction layer, the second protocol stack module is configured in the hardware abstraction layer, and the hardware abstraction layer also includes a first hardware abstraction layer for cellular communication; The second protocol stack module communicates with the user identification card through the first protocol stack module, including: The second protocol stack module communicates with the first protocol stack module through the first hardware abstraction layer, so as to communicate with the subscriber identification card through the first protocol stack module, wherein the second protocol stack module and the first hardware abstraction layer communicate with each other in an inter-process communication manner.

5. The chip system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that: The chip system is used to: respond to a first event and a second event through the AP, the first event is used to trigger switching to the cellular communication, and the second event is used to trigger switching to the satellite communication; The AP responds to the first event, including: in response to the first event, notifying the modem to start communication between the first physical layer module and the RF component, and notifying the modem to close communication between the second physical layer module and the RF component; The AP responds to the second event, including: in response to the second event, notifying the modem to close the communication between the first physical layer module and the RF component, and notifying the modem to open the communication between the second physical layer module and the RF component.

6. The chip system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that: The chip system is further used for: after establishing communication between the first physical layer module and the RF component, sending a first instruction to the RF component through the first physical layer module, wherein the first instruction is used to instruct the RF component to receive electromagnetic waves in a first frequency band, where the first frequency band is a frequency band of electromagnetic waves for the cellular communication; The chip system is also used to: after communication is established between the second physical layer module and the RF component, send a second instruction to the RF component through the second physical layer module, and the second instruction is used to instruct the RF component to receive electromagnetic waves in a second frequency band, and the second frequency band is the frequency band of the electromagnetic waves of the satellite communication.

7. The chip system according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The chip system is applied to a mobile terminal; The first event includes: an operation of turning on the cellular communication; or an operation of turning off the satellite communication; or, the satellite communication is turned on, the foreground of the mobile terminal does not display a call interface or a text message interface, and the mobile terminal is not in a call; The second event includes: an operation of turning on the satellite communication; or an operation of turning off the cellular communication; or, the cellular communication is turned on, the mobile terminal has no cellular signal, but the mobile terminal has a GPS signal.

8. The chip system according to claim 7, characterized in that: The AP includes an application framework layer, and the application framework layer is configured with a communication management module; The AP is used to respond to the first event and the second event, including: The communication management module is used to respond to the first event and the second event.

9. The chip system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The AP also includes an application layer; The chip system is further used for: receiving an operation of turning on the cellular communication or turning off the cellular communication through a cellular application in the application layer, and receiving an operation of turning on the satellite communication or turning off the satellite communication through a satellite application in the application layer; The chip system is also used to: monitor, through the communication management module, whether the cellular application receives an operation to turn on the cellular communication or an operation to turn off the cellular communication, and monitor, through the communication management module, whether the satellite application receives an operation to turn on the satellite communication or an operation to turn off the satellite communication.

10. The chip system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The chip system is a system on chip (SoC), and the AP and the Modem are integrated into the SoC.

11. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a chip system, the chip system includes an application processor AP and a baseband processor Modem, the Modem includes a first protocol stack module for cellular communication, a first physical layer module for the cellular communication and a second physical layer module for satellite communication, the method includes: The first protocol stack module communicates with a user identification card, and the first protocol stack module communicates with a cellular network through the first physical layer module to implement the cellular communication; The AP includes a second protocol stack module for the satellite communication, the second protocol stack module in the AP communicates with the user identification card, and the second protocol stack module in the AP communicates with the satellite network through the second physical layer module to achieve the satellite communication; Alternatively, the modem includes a second protocol stack module for the satellite communication, the second protocol stack module in the modem communicates with the user identification card, and the second protocol stack module in the AP communicates with the satellite network through the second physical layer module to achieve the satellite communication.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The second protocol stack module in the AP communicates with the user identification card, including: The second protocol stack module in the AP communicates with the subscriber identification card through the first protocol stack module.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The second protocol stack module communicates with the user identification card through the first protocol stack module, including: After completing the radio resource control RRC link establishment in response to the first event, the second protocol stack module forwards the authentication request from the satellite network to the user identification card through the first protocol stack module, the authentication request is used to verify the identity of the user identification card, and the first event is used to trigger the switch to the satellite communication; The second protocol stack module receives an authentication result from the user identification card through the first protocol stack module, wherein the authentication result corresponds to the authentication request; The second protocol stack module communicates with the satellite network through the second physical layer module, including: The second protocol stack module sends the authentication result to the satellite network through the second physical layer module; The second protocol stack module receives a message indicating successful authentication from the satellite network through the second physical layer module.

14. A mobile terminal, characterized in that: The mobile terminal comprises the chip system and a user identification card interface according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the chip system is communicatively connected with the user identification card interface, and the user identification card interface is used for inserting a user identification card.

15. The mobile terminal according to claim 14, characterized in that: The mobile terminal also includes a radio frequency (RF) component, which is communicatively connected to the chip system and is used to send and receive cellular signals or satellite signals.

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