Switching method, terminal, communication system and electronic equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to a switching method, a terminal, a communication system and electronic equipment, and relates to the technical field of communication. The method comprises the steps that a first terminal sends a switching request to a second terminal through a source satellite, a communication link is established between the first terminal and the second terminal through the source satellite, and the switching request comprises at least one item of satellite reselection indication and ephemeris information of candidate satellites; the first terminal receives a switching confirmation message sent by the second terminal through the source satellite, the switching confirmation message comprising information of a target satellite, and the target satellite is determined by the second terminal according to the switching request; and the first terminal is switched to the target satellite and establishes a communication link with the second terminal through the target satellite.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a switching method, a terminal, a communication system and an electronic device. Background Art

[0002] Currently, 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) or academia has conducted relevant research on the space-ground integration scenario. Satellites have gradually acquired some functions of base stations or core networks in various architectures.

[0003] At present, in the integrated air-ground-space scenario, communication between terminals still needs to go through the ground network, that is, communication between a terminal device and another terminal device is usually carried out through the path of terminal-satellite-ground network (-satellite)-terminal. Summary of the invention

[0004] The inventors found that due to the mobility of satellites, terminals need to switch between satellites. Currently, there is no solution for how to switch terminals between satellites in the air-ground integration scenario. In addition, since communication between terminals currently needs to go through the ground network, the switching process may cause a large delay and increase signaling overhead.

[0005] A technical problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to propose a method for switching in an air-ground integrated scenario to improve switching efficiency and reduce signaling overhead.

[0006] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a switching method is provided, comprising: a first terminal sends a switching request to a second terminal via a source satellite, wherein the first terminal establishes a communication link between the second terminal via the source satellite, and the switching request includes: a satellite reselection indication and at least one of ephemeris information of a candidate satellite; the first terminal receives a switching confirmation message sent by the second terminal via the source satellite, wherein the switching confirmation message includes information of a target satellite, and the target satellite is determined by the second terminal according to the switching request; the first terminal switches to the target satellite, and establishes a communication link with the second terminal via the target satellite.

[0007] In some embodiments, the method also includes: the first terminal determines whether to perform satellite switching based on the ephemeris information of each satellite and the connection information between each satellite; wherein the first terminal sends a switching request to the second terminal through the source satellite includes: when the first terminal determines to perform satellite switching, the first terminal sends a switching request to the second terminal through the source satellite.

[0008] In some embodiments, the candidate satellites are determined by the first terminal according to ephemeris information of each satellite and connection information between each satellite.

[0009] In some embodiments, the handover confirmation message also includes: security information for verifying whether the communication link is successfully established.

[0010] In some embodiments, when the switching request includes ephemeris information of the candidate satellite or when the satellite reselection indication includes the identifier of the candidate satellite, the target satellite is determined by the second terminal based on the ephemeris information of the candidate satellite; or, when the switching request does not include the ephemeris information of the candidate satellite and the satellite reselection indication is used to indicate reselection of the connected satellite, the target satellite is determined by the second terminal based on the ephemeris information of each satellite; or, when the switching request does not include the ephemeris information of the candidate satellite and the satellite reselection indication includes the identifier of the target satellite, the target satellite is determined by the second terminal directly based on the identifier of the target satellite.

[0011] In some embodiments, the method further includes: the first terminal establishing a connection with a source satellite, and establishing a communication link with the second terminal through the source satellite.

[0012] In some embodiments, the method further includes: before the first terminal receives a switching confirmation message sent by the second terminal via the source satellite, when the switching request includes ephemeris information of the candidate satellite or when the satellite reselection indication includes an identifier of the candidate satellite, the source satellite sends the stored context information of the first terminal and the context information of the second terminal to the candidate satellite, wherein the context information of the first terminal and the context information of the second terminal are used for authorization and authentication of the first terminal and the second terminal during the switching process.

[0013] In some embodiments, the method further includes: after the first terminal receives a switching confirmation message sent by the second terminal via the source satellite, the source satellite sends the stored context information of the first terminal and the context information of the second terminal to the target satellite, wherein the context information of the first terminal and the context information of the second terminal are used for authorization and authentication of the first terminal and the second terminal during the switching process.

[0014] According to some other embodiments of the present disclosure, a switching method is provided, comprising: a second terminal receives a switching request sent by a first terminal through a source satellite, wherein the first terminal establishes a communication link between the source satellite and the second terminal, and the switching request includes: a satellite reselection indication and at least one of ephemeris information of a candidate satellite; the second terminal determines information of a target satellite according to the switching request; the second terminal sends a switching confirmation message to the first terminal through the source satellite, wherein the switching confirmation message includes information of the target satellite; the second terminal switches to the target satellite, and establishes a communication link with the first terminal through the target satellite.

[0015] In some embodiments, the handover confirmation message also includes: security information for verifying whether the communication link is successfully established.

[0016] In some embodiments, the second terminal determines the information of the target satellite based on the switching request, including: when the switching request includes the ephemeris information of the candidate satellite or when the satellite reselection indication includes the identifier of the candidate satellite, the second terminal determines the information of the target satellite based on the ephemeris information of the candidate satellite; or, when the switching request does not include the ephemeris information of the candidate satellite and the satellite reselection indication is used to indicate reselection of the connected satellite, the second terminal determines the information of the target satellite based on the ephemeris information of each satellite; or, when the switching request does not include the ephemeris information of the candidate satellite and the satellite reselection indication includes the identifier of the target satellite, the second terminal directly determines the information of the target satellite based on the identifier of the target satellite.

[0017] According to some further embodiments of the present disclosure, a terminal is provided, which is configured as a first terminal, comprising: a transmitter, used to send a switching request to a second terminal via a source satellite, wherein the switching request comprises: a satellite reselection indication and at least one of ephemeris information of a candidate satellite; a receiver, used to receive a switching confirmation message sent by the second terminal via the source satellite, wherein the switching confirmation message comprises information of a target satellite, and the target satellite is determined by the second terminal according to the switching request; and a controller, used to control the first terminal to switch to the target satellite, and establish a communication link with the second terminal via the target satellite.

[0018] According to some further embodiments of the present disclosure, a terminal is provided, which is configured as a second terminal, including: a receiver, used to receive a switching request sent by a first terminal through a source satellite, wherein the switching request includes: a satellite reselection indication and at least one of ephemeris information of a candidate satellite; a controller, used to determine information of a target satellite according to the switching request, and control the second terminal to switch to the target satellite, and establish a communication link with the first terminal through the target satellite; and a transmitter, used to send a switching confirmation message to the first terminal through the source satellite, wherein the switching confirmation message includes information of the target satellite.

[0019] According to some further embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, including: a first terminal of any of the aforementioned embodiments and a second terminal of any of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0020] In some embodiments, the system further includes: a source satellite, configured to receive a handover request sent by the first terminal and forward the handover request to the second terminal, receive a handover confirmation message sent by the second terminal and forward the handover confirmation message to the first terminal.

[0021] In some embodiments, the source satellite is also used to store the context information of the first terminal and the context information of the second terminal, and before receiving the switching confirmation message sent by the second terminal, when the switching request includes the ephemeris information of the candidate satellite or when the satellite reselection indication includes the identifier of the candidate satellite, the context information of the first terminal and the context information of the second terminal are sent to the candidate satellite; or, after receiving the switching confirmation message sent by the second terminal, the context information of the first terminal and the context information of the second terminal are sent to the target satellite, wherein the context information of the first terminal and the context information of the second terminal are used for authorization and authentication of the first terminal and the second terminal during the switching process.

[0022] In some embodiments, the system further includes: a target satellite, configured to establish a connection with the first terminal and the second terminal to form a communication link in response to the switching of the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0023] According to some further embodiments of the present disclosure, an electronic device is provided, comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, for storing instructions, wherein when the instructions are executed by the processor, the processor executes a switching method as described in any of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0024] According to some further embodiments of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is provided, on which a computer program is stored, wherein the program, when executed by a processor, implements the switching method of any of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0025] The present disclosure proposes a new communication method, in which a first terminal establishes a communication link with a second terminal through a satellite, and the first terminal and the second terminal can communicate directly through the satellite. The first terminal sends a switching request to the second terminal through the source satellite, and the switching request includes: a satellite reselection indication and at least one of the ephemeris information of the candidate satellite. The second terminal determines the target satellite according to the switching request, and sends a switching confirmation message to the first terminal carrying the information of the target satellite, and then the first terminal and the second terminal are both switched to the target satellite, and the first terminal establishes a communication link between the target satellite and the second terminal. The scheme of the present disclosure realizes the switching of terminals between satellites in the air-ground integrated scenario, and the terminals interact with each other through satellites, thereby improving the switching efficiency and reducing the signaling overhead.

[0026] Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present disclosure or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present disclosure. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0028] Figure 1 A schematic flow chart showing a switching method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating the system architecture of some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 3 A schematic flow chart showing a switching method according to other embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of a first terminal according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0032] Figure 5 A schematic structural diagram of a second terminal according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0033] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing the structure of a communication system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 7 A schematic diagram showing the structure of an electronic device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 8 A schematic diagram showing the structure of an electronic device according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, rather than all of the embodiments. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is actually only illustrative and is by no means intended to limit the present disclosure and its application or use. Based on the embodiments in the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0037] For the air-ground integrated scenario, a switching method is proposed. Figures 1 to 3 Give a description.

[0038] Figure 1 Flowcharts of some embodiments of the switching method disclosed herein. Figure 1As shown, the method of this embodiment includes: steps S102 to S108.

[0039] In step S102, the first terminal sends a handover request to the second terminal via the source satellite, and correspondingly, the second terminal receives the handover request sent by the first terminal via the source satellite.

[0040] The first terminal establishes a communication link between the source satellite and the second terminal. Figure 2 As shown, a communication link is established between UE A and UE B via satellite 1, and a communication link is established between UE C and UE D via satellite 2. The satellite is also connected to the ground network, but signaling interaction between terminals can be performed only via the satellite.

[0041] Satellites can have functions such as storage and forwarding, that is, satellites can have terminal capabilities, which can be called terminal-on-satellite. On the one hand, terminal-on-satellite avoids the requirements for load and processing power brought by base stations and core network functions on satellites, and is more conducive to lightweight deployment and implementation. Compared with base stations and core network functions, terminal functions have lower hardware requirements for satellites, and the satellite production cycle is short and the cost is low, which makes it easy to achieve rapid and large-scale deployment. On the other hand, terminal-on-satellite can provide a terminal-satellite-terminal communication method. The terminal-satellite-ground network (-satellite)-terminal communication method requires data to be transmitted through the core network, which increases the transmission delay and radio resource overhead, especially in emergency situations, such as in navigation, exploration and other application scenarios. The terminal-satellite-terminal communication method can reduce the number of signaling interactions with the ground network, reduce radio resource overhead, reduce delay, and improve communication efficiency. In addition, compared with the traditional terminal-to-terminal communication method, terminal-satellite-terminal can ensure that two terminals can communicate directly within the satellite coverage area, greatly improving the geographical range of terminal-to-terminal communication, thereby improving the service quality of the communication network, expanding application cases, and better serving the communication services in remote areas and uninhabited areas.

[0042] The first terminal now sends the switching request to the source satellite, which is then forwarded to the second terminal by the source satellite. In some embodiments, the switching request includes: at least one of a satellite reselection indication and ephemeris information of a candidate satellite. The satellite reselection indication may include at least one of an indicator for indicating the reselection of a connected satellite, an identifier of a target satellite, and an identifier of a candidate satellite. The candidate satellite may be one or more. The ephemeris information of the candidate satellite may include the identifier of each candidate satellite and the corresponding ephemeris information.

[0043] In some embodiments, the candidate satellite is determined by the first terminal according to the ephemeris information of each satellite and the connection information between each satellite. Alternatively, when the satellite reselection indication includes the identifier of the target satellite, the target satellite is determined by the first terminal according to the ephemeris information of each satellite and the connection information between each satellite. The first terminal may also determine the candidate satellite or the target satellite only according to the ephemeris information of each satellite.

[0044] For example, the first terminal determines one or more satellites covering the location of the first terminal within a preset time period in the future according to the ephemeris information of each satellite, determines whether the one or more satellites are connected to the source satellite according to the connection information between the satellites, and selects one or more satellites connected to the source satellite as candidate satellites, or selects a satellite connected to the source satellite as a target satellite. The connection information between satellites can be represented by an intersatellite link or an intersatellite connection matrix.

[0045] The first terminal can learn about changes in satellite coverage areas through ephemeris information and connection information between satellites, decide whether to perform satellite switching, and determine candidate satellites or target satellites.

[0046] In step S104, the second terminal determines information of the target satellite according to the handover request.

[0047] In some embodiments, when the switching request includes ephemeris information of the candidate satellite or when the satellite reselection indication includes the identifier of the candidate satellite, the second terminal determines the target satellite based on the ephemeris information of the candidate satellite; or, when the switching request does not include the ephemeris information of the candidate satellite and the satellite reselection indication is used to indicate reselection of the connected satellite, the second terminal determines the target satellite based on the ephemeris information of each satellite; or, when the switching request does not include the ephemeris information of the candidate satellite and the satellite reselection indication includes the identifier of the target satellite, the second terminal directly determines the target satellite based on the identifier of the target satellite.

[0048] If the switching request only includes the ephemeris information of the candidate satellite or only includes the satellite reselection indication and the satellite reselection indication includes the identifier of the candidate satellite, the second terminal can obtain the ephemeris information of the candidate satellite and determine the target satellite according to the ephemeris information of the candidate satellite. For example, the second terminal determines the target satellite that covers the location of the second terminal in a preset time period in the future according to the ephemeris information of each candidate satellite, and the second terminal can also determine whether the target satellite is connected to the source satellite according to the connection information between each satellite. If the target satellite is not connected to the source satellite, the target satellite can be reselected.

[0049] The first terminal selects a candidate satellite and sends the ephemeris information of the candidate satellite to the second terminal, and the second terminal selects a target satellite. This can ensure that the selected target satellite can accurately cover both terminals and reduce the process of the second terminal obtaining ephemeris information, thereby improving efficiency.

[0050] If the switching request only includes a satellite reselection indication and the satellite reselection indication is only used to indicate reselection of a connected satellite, the second terminal may determine the target satellite based on ephemeris information of each satellite, or based on ephemeris information of each satellite and connection information between each satellite.

[0051] If the handover request only includes a satellite reselection indication and the satellite reselection indication includes an identifier of the target satellite, the second terminal may directly determine the target satellite. The second terminal may determine whether the target satellite covers the position of the second terminal in a future preset time period based on the ephemeris information of the target satellite. If the target satellite cannot cover the position of the second terminal in a future preset time period, the second terminal may return a handover response to the first terminal, and the handover response carries indication information that the target terminal is not suitable.

[0052] In step S106, the second terminal sends a switching confirmation message to the first terminal via the source satellite, and correspondingly, the first terminal receives the switching confirmation message sent by the second terminal via the source satellite.

[0053] Once the handover is decided, the second terminal sends a handover confirmation message to the source satellite and then to the first terminal. The handover confirmation message includes information of the target satellite, such as an identifier of the target satellite.

[0054] In some embodiments, the handover confirmation message also includes: security information for verifying whether the communication link is successfully established.

[0055] In step S108, the first terminal switches to the target satellite and establishes a communication link with the second terminal through the target satellite. Correspondingly, the second terminal switches to the target satellite and establishes a communication link with the first terminal through the target satellite.

[0056] In the above embodiment, a new communication method is proposed, in which a communication link is established between the first terminal and the second terminal through a satellite, and the first terminal and the second terminal can communicate directly through the satellite. The first terminal sends a switching request to the second terminal through the source satellite, and the switching request includes: at least one of a satellite reselection indication and the ephemeris information of the candidate satellite. The second terminal determines the target satellite according to the switching request, and sends a switching confirmation message to the first terminal carrying the information of the target satellite, and then the first terminal and the second terminal are both switched to the target satellite, and the first terminal establishes a communication link between the target satellite and the second terminal. The scheme of the above embodiment realizes the switching of terminals between satellites in the air-ground integration scenario, and the terminals interact with each other through satellites, thereby improving the switching efficiency and reducing the signaling overhead.

[0057] Combine the following Figure 3 Other embodiments of the switching method disclosed herein are described.

[0058] Figure 3 Flowcharts of other embodiments of the switching method disclosed in the present invention. Figure 3 As shown, the method of this embodiment includes: steps S302 to S316.

[0059] In step S302, the first terminal establishes a connection with the source satellite and establishes a communication link with the second terminal through the source satellite. Correspondingly, the second terminal establishes a connection with the source satellite and establishes a communication link with the first terminal through the source satellite.

[0060] The first terminal establishes a communication link between the source satellite and the second terminal. After the first terminal is connected to the source satellite, it can also obtain satellite ephemeris information or connection information between satellites from a ground network (such as a core network). Service authorization and pre-configuration of the first terminal and the second terminal are completed before the first terminal-source satellite-second terminal connection is established.

[0061] In step S304, the first terminal determines whether to perform satellite switching according to the ephemeris information of each satellite and the connection information between each satellite. If it is determined to perform satellite switching, step S306 is executed.

[0062] In step S306, the first terminal sends a handover request to the second terminal via the source satellite.

[0063] The switching request includes at least one of: a satellite reselection indication and ephemeris information of a candidate satellite.

[0064] Optionally, in step S308, when the handover request includes ephemeris information of the candidate satellite or when the satellite reselection indication includes an identifier of the candidate satellite, the source satellite sends the stored context information of the first terminal and the context information of the second terminal to the candidate satellite.

[0065] The source satellite may store the context information of the first terminal and the context information of the second terminal. If the handover request includes information of the candidate satellite, the source satellite may send the stored context information of the first terminal and the context information of the second terminal to the candidate satellite. The context information of the first terminal and the context information of the second terminal are used for authorization and authentication of the first terminal and the second terminal during the handover process.

[0066] There is an intersatellite link between the source satellite and the candidate satellite. Therefore, after receiving the switching request sent by the first terminal, the source satellite can send context information about the first terminal and the second terminal to the candidate satellite according to the satellite reselection instruction. The candidate satellite stores the resources and context of the first terminal and the second terminal, thereby assisting the candidate satellite in authorizing access to the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0067] In step S310, the second terminal determines information of the target satellite according to the handover request.

[0068] In step S312, the second terminal sends a handover confirmation message to the first terminal via the source satellite.

[0069] The handover confirmation message includes the information of the target satellite.

[0070] Optionally, in step S314, the source satellite sends the stored context information of the first terminal and the stored context information of the second terminal to the target satellite.

[0071] If the source satellite has sent the context information of the first terminal and the context information of the second terminal to the candidate satellite, step S314 does not need to be performed.

[0072] In step S316, the first terminal and the second terminal switch to the target satellite, and the first terminal establishes a communication link with the second terminal through the target satellite.

[0073] If step S308 or S314 is executed, the link establishment between the first terminal and the target satellite, and the target satellite and the second terminal can be simplified, and the target satellite can complete the relevant authorization and authentication of the first terminal and the second terminal based on the stored context information. If steps S308 and S314 are not executed, it is necessary to reselect and establish a new communication link between the target satellite and the two terminals.

[0074] The solution disclosed in the present invention is aimed at the integrated air-space-ground communication network scenario. Due to the mobility of satellites, the network topology is highly dynamic and there is a problem of weak coverage in some areas. Long-distance communication is achieved by equipping satellites with terminal capabilities (such as storage and forwarding functions), and a mobility switching method is proposed to solve the high dynamics of the network topology, so as to better serve remote areas and uninhabited areas.

[0075] The scheme disclosed in the present invention utilizes the regularity and predictability of the constellation operation of the intersatellite network, and the relatively fixed intersatellite topology, and assists in solving the satellite mobility switching by obtaining the satellite ephemeris information. The ground terminal determines the target satellite for switching through the ephemeris information and the connection information between satellites. The mobility switching method based on the terminal on the satellite proposed in the present invention can transmit the terminal information between satellites through the intersatellite link, and store the terminal context information for subsequent auxiliary satellite access authorization to the terminal, etc., to improve the switching efficiency.

[0076] The present disclosure also provides a terminal, which is configured as a first terminal. Figure 4 Give a description.

[0077] Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of some embodiments of the first terminal of the present disclosure. Figure 4 As shown, the first terminal 40 of this embodiment includes: a transmitter 410 , a receiver 420 , and a controller 430 .

[0078] The transmitter 410 is used to send a switching request to the second terminal via the source satellite, wherein the switching request includes at least one of a satellite reselection indication and ephemeris information of a candidate satellite.

[0079] The receiver 420 is used to receive a switching confirmation message sent by the second terminal via the source satellite, wherein the switching confirmation message includes information of the target satellite, and the target satellite is determined by the second terminal according to the switching request.

[0080] The controller 430 is used to control the first terminal to switch to the target satellite and establish a communication link with the second terminal through the target satellite.

[0081] In some embodiments, the controller 430 is also used to determine whether to perform satellite switching based on the ephemeris information of each satellite and the connection information between each satellite; when it is determined to perform satellite switching, the transmitter 410 is triggered to send a switching request to the second terminal via the source satellite.

[0082] In some embodiments, the candidate satellites are determined by the first terminal according to ephemeris information of each satellite and connection information between each satellite.

[0083] In some embodiments, the handover confirmation message also includes: security information for verifying whether the communication link is successfully established.

[0084] In some embodiments, when the switching request includes ephemeris information of the candidate satellite or when the satellite reselection indication includes the identifier of the candidate satellite, the target satellite is determined by the second terminal based on the ephemeris information of the candidate satellite; or, when the switching request does not include the ephemeris information of the candidate satellite and the satellite reselection indication is used to indicate reselection of the connected satellite, the target satellite is determined by the second terminal based on the ephemeris information of each satellite; or, when the switching request does not include the ephemeris information of the candidate satellite and the satellite reselection indication includes the identifier of the target satellite, the target satellite is determined by the second terminal directly based on the identifier of the target satellite.

[0085] In some embodiments, the controller 430 is further configured to control the first terminal to establish a connection with the source satellite, and to establish a communication link with the second terminal through the source satellite.

[0086] The present disclosure also provides a second terminal, Figure 5 Give a description.

[0087] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of some embodiments of the second terminal of the present disclosure. Figure 5 As shown, the second terminal 50 of this embodiment includes: a receiver 510, a controller 520, and a transmitter 530.

[0088] The receiver 510 is configured to receive a switching request sent by the first terminal via a source satellite, wherein the switching request includes at least one of a satellite reselection indication and ephemeris information of a candidate satellite.

[0089] The controller 520 is used to determine the information of the target satellite according to the switching request, and control the second terminal to switch to the target satellite, and establish a communication link with the first terminal through the target satellite.

[0090] The transmitter 530 is configured to send a switching confirmation message to the first terminal via the source satellite, wherein the switching confirmation message includes information of the target satellite.

[0091] In some embodiments, the handover confirmation message also includes: security information for verifying whether the communication link is successfully established.

[0092] In some embodiments, the controller 520 is used to determine the information of the target satellite based on the ephemeris information of the candidate satellite when the switching request includes the ephemeris information of the candidate satellite or the satellite reselection indication includes the identification of the candidate satellite; or, to determine the information of the target satellite based on the ephemeris information of each satellite when the switching request does not include the ephemeris information of the candidate satellite and the satellite reselection indication is used to indicate reselection of the connected satellite; or, to determine the information of the target satellite directly based on the identification of the target satellite when the switching request does not include the ephemeris information of the candidate satellite and the satellite reselection indication includes the identification of the target satellite.

[0093] The transmitter, receiver and controller in the first terminal and the transmitter, receiver and controller in the second terminal may be integrated into one terminal to implement corresponding functions.

[0094] The present disclosure also provides a communication system, Figure 6 Give a description.

[0095] Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of some embodiments of the communication system disclosed in the present invention. Figure 6 As shown, the system 6 of this embodiment includes: a first terminal 40 and a second terminal 50 .

[0096] In some embodiments, the system 6 further includes a source satellite 62 for receiving a switching request sent by the first terminal 40 and forwarding it to the second terminal 50 , and receiving a switching confirmation message sent by the second terminal 50 and forwarding it to the first terminal 40 .

[0097] In some embodiments, the source satellite 62 is also used to store the context information of the first terminal 40 and the context information of the second terminal 50, and before receiving the switching confirmation message sent by the second terminal 50, when the switching request includes the ephemeris information of the candidate satellite or when the satellite reselection indication includes the identifier of the candidate satellite, the context information of the first terminal 40 and the context information of the second terminal 50 are sent to the candidate satellite; or, after receiving the switching confirmation message sent by the second terminal 50, the context information of the first terminal 40 and the context information of the second terminal 50 are sent to the target satellite, wherein the context information of the first terminal 40 and the context information of the second terminal 50 are used for authorization and authentication of the first terminal 40 and the second terminal 50 during the switching process.

[0098] In some embodiments, the system 6 further includes a target satellite 64, which is used to establish a connection with the first terminal 40 and the second terminal 50 to form a communication link in response to the switching of the first terminal 40 and the second terminal 50. The target satellite 64 is also used to receive the context information of the first terminal 40 and the context information of the second terminal 50 sent by the source satellite 62, and authorize and authenticate the first terminal 40 and the second terminal 50.

[0099] The system 6 may include multiple satellites and multiple terminals, any terminal may be used as the first terminal or the second terminal, and any satellite may be used as the source satellite or the target satellite.

[0100] The electronic devices (first terminal, second terminal, satellite, etc.) in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented by various computing devices or computer systems. Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 Give a description.

[0101] Figure 7 FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of some embodiments of the electronic device disclosed in the present invention. Figure 7 As shown, the electronic device 70 of this embodiment includes: a memory 710 and a processor 720 coupled to the memory 710 , and the processor 720 is configured to execute the switching method in any of some embodiments of the present disclosure based on instructions stored in the memory 710 .

[0102] The memory 710 may include, for example, a system memory, a fixed non-volatile storage medium, etc. The system memory may store, for example, an operating system, an application program, a boot loader, a database, and other programs.

[0103] Figure 8 FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of some other embodiments of the electronic device disclosed in the present invention. Figure 8 As shown, the electronic device 80 of this embodiment includes: a memory 810 and a processor 820, which are similar to the memory 710 and the processor 720 respectively. It can also include an input and output interface 830, a network interface 840, a storage interface 850, etc. These interfaces 830, 840, 850 and the memory 810 and the processor 820 can be connected, for example, via a bus 860. Among them, the input and output interface 830 provides a connection interface for input and output devices such as a display, a mouse, a keyboard, and a touch screen. The network interface 840 provides a connection interface for various networked devices, for example, it can be connected to a database server or a cloud storage server. The storage interface 850 provides a connection interface for external storage devices such as SD cards and USB flash drives.

[0104] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of the present disclosure may be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, the present disclosure may take the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware. Moreover, the present disclosure may take the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable non-transient storage media (including but not limited to disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0105] The present disclosure is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be understood that each process and / or box in the flowchart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of the processes and / or boxes in the flowchart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device to generate a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device generate instructions for implementing the processes in the flowchart and / or block diagram. Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in a block or multiple blocks.

[0106] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory capable of directing a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture comprising an instruction device, which implements the process Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A function specified in one or more boxes.

[0107] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device so that a series of operating steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions for implementing the process. Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A step that specifies a function in one or more boxes.

[0108] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present disclosure should be included in the protection scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A switching method, comprising: The first terminal sends a handover request to the second terminal through a source satellite, wherein the first terminal establishes a communication link with the second terminal through the source satellite, and the handover request includes at least one of a satellite reselection indication and ephemeris information of a candidate satellite; The first terminal receives a handover confirmation message sent by the second terminal through the source satellite, wherein the handover confirmation message includes information of a target satellite, and the target satellite is determined by the second terminal according to the handover request; The first terminal switches to the target satellite and establishes a communication link with the second terminal through the target satellite.

2. The switching method according to claim 1, further comprising: The first terminal determines whether to perform satellite switching according to the ephemeris information of each satellite and the connection information between each satellite; The first terminal sending a switching request to the second terminal through the source satellite includes: When determining to execute satellite switching, the first terminal sends a switching request to the second terminal through the source satellite.

3. The switching method according to claim 1, wherein: The candidate satellites are determined by the first terminal according to the ephemeris information of each satellite and the connection information between each satellite.

4. The switching method according to claim 1, wherein: The switching confirmation message also includes: security information, which is used to verify whether the communication link is successfully established.

5. The switching method according to claim 1, wherein: In a case where the handover request includes the ephemeris information of the candidate satellite or the satellite reselection indication includes the identifier of the candidate satellite, the target satellite is determined by the second terminal according to the ephemeris information of the candidate satellite; or, In a case where the handover request does not include the ephemeris information of the candidate satellite and the satellite reselection indication is used to indicate reselection of a connected satellite, the target satellite is determined by the second terminal according to the ephemeris information of each satellite; or In a case where the handover request does not include the ephemeris information of the candidate satellite and the satellite reselection indication includes the identifier of the target satellite, the target satellite is determined by the second terminal directly according to the identifier of the target satellite.

6. The switching method according to claim 1, further comprising: The first terminal establishes a connection with the source satellite, and establishes a communication link with the second terminal through the source satellite.

7. The switching method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising: Before the first terminal receives the handover confirmation message sent by the second terminal via the source satellite, When the switching request includes the ephemeris information of the candidate satellite or when the satellite reselection indication includes the identifier of the candidate satellite, the source satellite sends the stored context information of the first terminal and the context information of the second terminal to the candidate satellite, wherein the context information of the first terminal and the context information of the second terminal are used for authorization and authentication of the first terminal and the second terminal during the switching process.

8. The switching method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising: After the first terminal receives the handover confirmation message sent by the second terminal via the source satellite, The source satellite sends the stored context information of the first terminal and the context information of the second terminal to the target satellite, wherein the context information of the first terminal and the context information of the second terminal are used for authorization and authentication of the first terminal and the second terminal during a handover process.

9. A switching method, comprising: The second terminal receives a handover request sent by the first terminal through the source satellite, wherein the first terminal establishes a communication link with the second terminal through the source satellite, and the handover request includes at least one of: a satellite reselection indication and ephemeris information of a candidate satellite; The second terminal determines information of the target satellite according to the switching request; The second terminal sends a switching confirmation message to the first terminal through the source satellite, wherein the switching confirmation message includes information of the target satellite; The second terminal switches to the target satellite and establishes a communication link with the first terminal through the target satellite.

10. The switching method according to claim 9, wherein: The switching confirmation message also includes: security information, which is used to verify whether the communication link is successfully established.

11. The switching method according to claim 9, wherein: The information of the target satellite determined by the second terminal according to the switching request includes: In a case where the handover request includes the ephemeris information of the candidate satellite or the satellite reselection indication includes the identifier of the candidate satellite, the second terminal determines the information of the target satellite according to the ephemeris information of the candidate satellite; or In a case where the handover request does not include the ephemeris information of the candidate satellite and the satellite reselection indication is used to indicate reselection of a connected satellite, the second terminal determines the information of the target satellite according to the ephemeris information of each satellite; or In a case where the handover request does not include the ephemeris information of the candidate satellite and the satellite reselection indication includes the identifier of the target satellite, the second terminal directly determines the information of the target satellite according to the identifier of the target satellite.

12. A terminal, configured as a first terminal, comprising: A transmitter, configured to send a handover request to the second terminal via a source satellite, wherein the handover request includes at least one of a satellite reselection indication and ephemeris information of a candidate satellite; a receiver, configured to receive a handover confirmation message sent by the second terminal via the source satellite, wherein the handover confirmation message includes information of a target satellite, and the target satellite is determined by the second terminal according to the handover request; The controller is used to control the first terminal to switch to the target satellite and establish a communication link with the second terminal through the target satellite.

13. A terminal, configured as a second terminal, comprising: A receiver, configured to receive a handover request sent by the first terminal through a source satellite, wherein the handover request includes at least one of a satellite reselection indication and ephemeris information of a candidate satellite; a controller, configured to determine information of a target satellite according to the switching request, and control the second terminal to switch to the target satellite, and establish a communication link with the first terminal through the target satellite; A transmitter is used to send a switching confirmation message to the first terminal through the source satellite, wherein the switching confirmation message includes information of the target satellite.

14. A communication system comprising: The first terminal as claimed in claim 12 and the second terminal as claimed in claim 13.

15. The communication system according to claim 14, further comprising: The source satellite is configured to receive the switching request sent by the first terminal and forward it to the second terminal, and receive the switching confirmation message sent by the second terminal and forward it to the first terminal.

16. The communication system according to claim 15, wherein: The source satellite is further used to store the context information of the first terminal and the context information of the second terminal, and before receiving the handover confirmation message sent by the second terminal, when the handover request includes the ephemeris information of the candidate satellite or the satellite reselection indication includes the identifier of the candidate satellite, send the context information of the first terminal and the context information of the second terminal to the candidate satellite; or, after receiving the handover confirmation message sent by the second terminal, sending the context information of the first terminal and the context information of the second terminal to the target satellite, The context information of the first terminal and the context information of the second terminal are used for authorization and authentication of the first terminal and the second terminal during the switching process.

17. The communication system according to any one of claims 14 to 16, further comprising: The target satellite is used to establish a connection with the first terminal and the second terminal to form a communication link in response to the switching of the first terminal and the second terminal.

18. An electronic device, comprising: processor; as well as A memory coupled to the processor, used for storing instructions, wherein when the instructions are executed by the processor, the processor executes the switching method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

19. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, wherein: When the program is executed by a processor, the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 are implemented.

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