Equipment energy saving method and satellite base station in satellite communication scenario

Abstract

The present application provides a device energy saving method and a satellite base station in a satellite communication scenario. In a satellite communication scenario, a satellite base station provides network services discontinuously, and the satellite base station sends auxiliary information to a UE in a first time period in which the network service is currently provided, so as to optimize the behavior of the UE in a second time period in which the next satellite base station provides network services; specifically, the auxiliary information includes first information indicating whether the system information of the satellite base station in the second time period has changed relative to the first time period, and / or second information indicating whether the UE performs a TA update in the second time period, so that the UE does not perform a parsing operation on the first message containing the system information of the second time period in the second time period if the system information of the satellite base station has not changed, and does not perform a TA update in the second time period if the satellite base station indicates that a TA update is not required in the second time period, thereby reducing the power consumption of the UE in the second time period.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a device energy-saving method and a satellite base station in a satellite communication scenario. Background Art

[0002] Existing cellular communication systems such as Figure 1 As shown in the figure, the user equipment (UE) is connected to the base station through a wireless interface, and the base station is connected to the core network through an optical fiber interface. However, once a natural disaster occurs, such as an earthquake or flood, the optical fiber interface is easily damaged. In this case, satellite base stations come into being. Figure 2 The schematic diagram of the satellite communication system with the satellite base station is shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, the satellite base station is connected to the satellite through a wireless interface, and the satellite is connected to the core network through a wireless interface. The satellite base station uses the satellite to communicate with the core network on the ground, thereby providing communication services to the UE. The satellite base station can be used in areas where natural disasters occur, as well as in areas such as deserts and ocean cruise ships where a small number of UEs exist in a small area for a short period of time. The cost of laying optical fibers in these areas is high. In this case, deploying satellite base stations and using satellite links to meet communication needs becomes a convenient and fast way.

[0003] Currently, in a satellite communication scenario in which a satellite base station is introduced, the power consumption of the UE is relatively high during the communication between the UE and the satellite base station. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present application provides a device energy-saving method and a satellite base station in a satellite communication scenario. The satellite base station optimizes the behavior of the UE by sending auxiliary information to the UE, so that the UE does not parse the message containing the system information when the satellite base station system information does not change, and does not update the Tracking Area (TA) in a second time period when the satellite base station indicates that no TA update is required, thereby reducing the power consumption of the UE in the second time period.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides a device energy saving method in a satellite communication scenario, including: a satellite base station sends auxiliary information to a UE within a first time period; wherein the auxiliary information includes first information and / or second information, the first information is used to indicate whether the system information of the satellite base station in the second time period has changed relative to the system information of the first time period, and the second information is used to indicate whether the UE needs to update the tracking area within the second time period; the satellite base station provides network services discontinuously, the first time period is the time period in which the satellite base station currently provides network services, and the second time period is the next time period in which the satellite base station provides network services; the auxiliary information is used to indicate the UE to determine, based on the first information, whether to perform a parsing operation on a first message to obtain the system information of the second time period carried by the first message, and / or to indicate the UE to determine, based on the second information, whether to perform a TA update within the second time period; the first message is a message carrying the system information sent by the satellite base station in the second time period.

[0006] In some embodiments, when the first information indicates that the system information of the second time period has changed relative to the system information of the first time period, when there is data service transmission in the second time period, the system information for the UE to establish a connection with the satellite base station is the system information received by the UE in the second time period; when the first information indicates that the system information of the satellite base station in the second time period has not changed relative to the first time period, when there is data service transmission in the second time period, the system information for the UE to establish a connection with the satellite base station is the system information of the first time period.

[0007] In some embodiments, when the second information indicates that the UE needs to perform a TA update within the second time period, the method further includes: within the second time period, the satellite base station receives the first TA information sent by the UE, and forwards the first TA information to the core network connected to the satellite base station; the satellite base station receives a TA update completion message sent by the core network; within the second time period, the satellite base station receives a first paging request message sent by the core network based on the first TA information, and forwards the first paging request message to the UE; when the second information indicates that the UE does not need to perform a TA update within the second time period, the method further includes: within the second time period, when the core network has a paging requirement, the satellite base station receives a second paging request message sent by the core network based on the second TA information stored in the core network, and forwards the second paging request message to the UE; wherein, within the second time period, the satellite base station does not receive the first TA information sent by the UE.

[0008] In some embodiments, the auxiliary information also includes first time information and second time information; the first time information is used to indicate the end time of the first time period, and the second time information is used to indicate the start time of the second time period; when the UE supports communication with the satellite through the first transmission path, the auxiliary information is used by the UE to determine whether to transmit data through the first transmission path between the first time period and the second time period; wherein, when there is a data packet to be transmitted at the end of the first time period, the UE determines whether to transmit the data packet to be transmitted through the first transmission path between the first time period and the second time period based on the comparison result of the allowable waiting time of the data packet to be transmitted and the start time of the second time period; wherein, the first transmission path is the transmission path between the UE and the satellite base station, and there are no other transmission nodes in the first transmission path except the satellite base station and the UE.

[0009] In some embodiments, the auxiliary information further includes: third time information determined by the satellite base station when generating the auxiliary information; and the auxiliary information is also used to instruct the UE to perform clock synchronization operation based on the third time information.

[0010] In some embodiments, the auxiliary information also includes information of at least one third time period, and a control list corresponding to each of the at least one third time period; the third time period is a time period after the second time period in which the satellite base station provides network services; the information of the third time period includes time information of the starting moment of the third time period and time information of the ending moment of the third time period; wherein the control list includes: at least one of a first list, a second list, a third list, and a fourth list, the first list being a list of UEs allowed to access by the satellite base station in the third time period; the second list being a list of UEs not allowed to access by the satellite base station in the third time period; the third list being a list of UEs to which the satellite base station will initiate paging in the third time period; the fourth list being a list of UEs to which the satellite base station will not initiate paging in the third time period; the auxiliary information is used to instruct the UE to control the RF transmitting module and the RF receiving module in the UE based on the control list within the third time period.

[0011] In some embodiments, the satellite base station is connected to a drone via a wireless interface, and the drone is used to achieve wireless network coverage within a preset range; the satellite base station provides network services within the preset range through the drone; the duration of the first time period and the duration of the second time period are related to the battery life of the satellite base station and the battery life of the drone; the UE belongs to the preset range.

[0012] In some embodiments, the satellite base station sends auxiliary information to the UE within a first time period, including: the satellite base station determines a first sending period based on the total duration of the first time period, and periodically sends the auxiliary information to the UE within the first time period according to the first sending period; or, the satellite base station determines a second sending period based on the duration of a partial time period of the first time period, and periodically sends the auxiliary information to the UE in the partial time period according to the second sending period, and the satellite base station does not send auxiliary information in other time periods in the first time period different from the partial time period.

[0013] In a second aspect, the present application provides a device energy saving method in a satellite communication scenario, including: a user equipment UE receives auxiliary information sent by a satellite base station in a first time period; wherein the auxiliary information includes first information and / or second information, the first information is used to indicate whether the system information of the satellite base station in the second time period has changed relative to the system information of the first time period, and the second information is used to indicate whether the UE needs to update the tracking area within the second time period; the satellite base station provides network services discontinuously, the first time period is the time period in which the satellite base station currently provides network services, and the second time period is the next time period in which the satellite base station provides network services; the UE determines, based on the first information, whether to perform a parsing operation on a first message to obtain the system information of the second time period carried by the first message, and / or the UE determines, based on the second information, whether to update the tracking area TA within the second time period; the first message is a message carrying the system information sent by the satellite base station in the second time period.

[0014] In a third aspect, the present application provides a device energy saving apparatus in a satellite communication scenario, including a module for implementing the device energy saving method in the satellite communication scenario described in the first aspect.

[0015] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a satellite base station, comprising a memory and a processor; the memory is configured to store computer program instructions; the processor is configured to run the computer program instructions so that the satellite base station implements the method of the first aspect.

[0016] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a chip comprising an interface circuit and a logic circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to receive signals from other chips outside the chip and transmit them to the logic circuit, or to send signals from the logic circuit to other chips outside the chip, and the logic circuit is used to implement the method described in the first aspect or the second aspect of the present application.

[0017] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the method described in the first aspect or the second aspect of the present application.

[0018] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method described in the first aspect or the second aspect of the present application.

[0019] The present application provides a device energy saving method and a satellite base station in a satellite communication scenario. The satellite base station sends auxiliary information to the UE in a first time period in which the network service is currently provided, so as to optimize the behavior of the UE in a second time period in which the next satellite base station provides network services; specifically, the auxiliary information includes first information indicating whether the system information of the satellite base station in the second time period has changed relative to the first time period, and / or information indicating whether the UE performs TA update in the second time period, so that the UE does not perform parsing operations on the message containing the system information when the system information of the satellite base station has not changed, and / or does not perform TA update in the second time period when the satellite base station indicates that the TA update is not required, thereby reducing the power consumption of the UE in the second time period. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the network structure of an existing cellular communication system;

[0021] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a network structure of a satellite communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 3 A flowchart for implementing a device energy saving method in a satellite communication scenario provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the positional relationship between the first time period and the second time period provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a network structure of a satellite communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Figure 6 A flowchart for implementing a device energy saving method in a satellite communication scenario provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 7 A flowchart for implementing a device energy saving method in a satellite communication scenario provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 8 A flowchart for implementing a device energy saving method in a satellite communication scenario provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Fig. 9 A flowchart for implementing a device energy saving method in a satellite communication scenario provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Fig.10 A flowchart for implementing a device energy saving method in a satellite communication scenario provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Fig.11A and Fig. 11B A schematic diagram of sending auxiliary information in two different periods provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Fig.12 A schematic diagram of the structure of a device energy-saving device in a satellite communication scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Fig.13 A schematic diagram of the structure of a satellite base station provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "plurality" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: 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 objects associated before and after are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c alone can mean: a alone, b alone, c alone, a and b in combination, a and c in combination, b and c in combination, or a, b, and c in combination, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0034] The directions or positional relationships indicated by terms such as "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "left", "right", "front", and "back" are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description. They do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0035] The terms "connected" and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, the "connected" or "connected" of a circuit structure can refer to not only physical connection, but also electrical connection or signal connection. For example, it can be directly connected, that is, physically connected, or indirectly connected through at least one intermediate element, as long as the circuit is connected, or it can be the internal connection of two elements; signal connection can refer to signal connection through a circuit or through a media medium, such as radio waves. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0036] Satellite communication systems were developed to meet the communication needs of disaster areas, deserts, and ocean cruise ships where there are only a few UEs in a short period of time. Figure 2 As shown, in a satellite communication system, uplink data of the UE is transmitted to the core network via a satellite base station and a satellite in sequence; downlink data sent by the core network is transmitted to the UE via a satellite and a satellite base station in sequence.

[0037] The device that directly communicates with the UE is a satellite base station, which may be a backpack base station. The satellite base station provides network services for the UE. During the communication process between the UE and the satellite base station, the UE needs to update the TA and obtain the system information of the satellite base station.

[0038] The satellite base station provides network services to the UE discontinuously; in this case, the UE needs to obtain system information of the satellite base station and perform TA update in each time period of providing network services, and the power consumption when the UE communicates with the satellite base station is relatively large.

[0039] Based on this, an embodiment of the present application provides a device energy-saving method in a satellite communication scenario. During the time period when network services are currently provided, the satellite base station sends auxiliary information to inform the UE whether its system information will change in the next service time period, and informs the UE whether to perform TA update in the next service time period, so as to optimize the UE's communication behavior and save UE power.

[0040] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of the implementation of the device energy saving method in the satellite communication scenario provided by the embodiment of the present application. Figure 3 As shown, the method includes:

[0041] S301. A satellite base station sends auxiliary information to a UE in a first time period in which a network service is currently provided to the UE. The auxiliary information includes first information and / or second information, and the auxiliary information is used to instruct the UE to determine, based on the first information, whether to perform a related parsing operation on a first signaling in a second time period to obtain system information of the second time period, and is used to instruct the UE to determine, based on the second information, whether to perform a TA update in the second time period.

[0042] This application applies to Figure 2 The satellite communication scenario shown, in which the satellite base station provides network services discontinuously.

[0043] The satellite base station provides network services discontinuously, which means that the satellite base station has the function of providing network services, but implements this function discontinuously. The time period during which the satellite base station provides network services is the time period during which the satellite base station can provide network services. During this time period, the satellite base station can provide network services to UEs that need to perform communication services within the cell coverage of the satellite base station.

[0044] For example, Figure 4 FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a satellite base station providing network services discontinuously; Figure 4 As described, in the time period △t1 between time T1 and time T2, the satellite base station can realize the function of providing network services; in the time period △t2 between time T2 and time T3, the satellite base station cannot realize the function of providing network services; in the time period △t3 between time T3 and time T4, the satellite base station can realize the function of providing network services, and so on; it can be seen that the satellite base station intermittently realizes the function of providing network services.

[0045] The first time period may be any time period during which the satellite base station implements the function of providing network services. Figure 4 △t1 or △t3 in.

[0046] In some embodiments, the auxiliary information further includes time information of the end time of the first time period, and time information of the start time and end time of each time period for providing network services after the first time period (including the second time period).

[0047] The UE locates the second time period based on time information of a start time and an end time of the second time period.

[0048] The UE locates the first time period based on the time information of the end time of the first time period in the satellite base station auxiliary information and the time information of the start time of the first time period in the auxiliary information sent last time.

[0049] Since the satellite base station relies on battery power supply and the battery capacity is limited, the satellite base station may need to be charged more frequently. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the time period during which the satellite base station provides network services is related to the battery life of the satellite base station and can be determined based on the battery life of the satellite base station.

[0050] The battery life of a satellite base station is the time it takes for the satellite base station to consume power from a full charge state until the power level of the satellite base station is greater than a preset power level. During this time, the satellite base station is turned on and works, and the satellite base station can provide network services. When the power level of the satellite base station is less than or equal to the preset power level, the satellite base station is turned off due to insufficient power and needs to be charged. After it is fully charged, the satellite base station is turned on to provide network services. During the time from the above-mentioned shutdown to the startup of the satellite base station, the satellite base station cannot provide network services.

[0051] In some embodiments, the time when the satellite base station is exhausted to a preset power level can be determined based on the battery life of the satellite base station, and then the time from the start of charging to the completion of charging of the satellite base station can be estimated. Time period 1 between the time when the satellite base station is turned on after being charged to full power and the time when the satellite base station is exhausted to a preset power level is the time period in which the satellite base station can provide network services. Time period 2 between the time when the satellite base station is exhausted from full power to a preset power level and the time when the satellite base station is turned on after being charged to full power is the time period in which the satellite base station cannot provide network services.

[0052] Satellite base stations can be deployed on vehicles or carried by staff. In some disaster areas, vehicles and personnel cannot enter. Figure 5 As shown in the figure, drones can be introduced into the satellite communication system and used to fly over the disaster area to find out the situation in the disaster area. The satellite base station and the drone cooperate to control the drone to fly to an area 10 to 20 kilometers away from the satellite base station and below 120 meters in vertical height. The drone is connected to the satellite base station through a direct line of sight (LOF) path, and the drone provides network services to UEs in isolated islands and disaster areas.

[0053] Drones also rely on batteries for power supply, and their working time is shorter than that of satellite base stations. In this scenario, the time period during which the satellite base station provides network services is also related to the flight time of the drone.

[0054] The flight time of a drone is the time it takes for the drone to consume power from a fully charged state to a preset power level. During this time after the satellite base station is fully charged and turned on, the drone can fly normally and provide communication services to UEs within the coverage area of ​​the satellite base station.

[0055] In some embodiments, the time when the drone is turned off because the power is less than the preset power can be determined based on the drone's flight time and the time when the drone is fully charged, and the period between the above two times is described as time period 3. In time period 3, the drone can support providing communication services to UEs. The time when the drone is turned on after being charged to a full power state is estimated; the period between the time when the drone is turned off because the power is less than the preset power and the time when the drone is turned on after being charged to a full power state is described as time period 4. In time period 4, the drone cannot provide communication services to UEs within the coverage area of ​​the satellite base station cell.

[0056] It can be seen that in Figure 5 In this case, the satellite base station start time period (time period 1) can be determined based on the endurance of the satellite base station, the drone start time period (time period 3) can be determined based on the endurance of the drone, and the satellite base station provides network services based on time period 1 and time period 3. Specifically, the satellite base station provides network services during the overlapping time period of time 1 and time period 3. Outside of this overlapping time period, the satellite base station cannot provide network services.

[0057] Since the satellite base station has a longer flight time, generally 4 to 5 hours, and the drone has a shorter flight time, generally 10 minutes, it can be seen that the time period during which the satellite base station provides network services is mostly determined by the drone's flight time.

[0058] Each time period for providing network services, including a first time period for currently providing network services and a second time period for next providing network services, can be determined according to the above method.

[0059] The auxiliary information can be carried in the RRC message, NAS message and application layer message sent by the satellite base station. If the satellite base station sends the auxiliary information through the RRC message, the RRC message is generated by the RRC entity inside the satellite base station. The satellite base station broadcasts the RRC message to the UE within the coverage area of ​​the satellite base station cell through the broadcasting method of the System Information Block (SIB).

[0060] If the satellite base station sends auxiliary information through NAS messages; the NAS message is generated by the core network entity and sent to the satellite base station in advance, and the satellite base station periodically transmits it to the UE. Specifically, the satellite base station sends NAS messages by transmitting Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) data. Or by transmitting information of the emergency telecommunications alert system, NAS messages are sent to all UEs within the coverage area of ​​the satellite base station cell; among them, if there are other transmission nodes between the satellite base station and the UE, the other transmission nodes do not parse the NAS message, but only forward the NAS message to the UE to increase the transmission speed.

[0061] If the satellite base station sends auxiliary information through application layer messages; the application layer message is generated by the network management or application server, and is sent to the satellite base station in advance, and the satellite base station periodically transmits it to the UE. Similar to sending NAS messages, the satellite base station sends application layer messages by transmitting Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) data. Or by transmitting information of the emergency telecommunications alert system, the application layer message is sent to all UEs within the coverage area of ​​the satellite base station cell; among them, if there are other transmission nodes between the satellite base station and the UE, the other transmission nodes do not parse the application layer message, but only forward the application layer message to the UE.

[0062] S302. The UE determines whether to parse the first message in the second time period to obtain system information of the second time period based on the first information, and / or determines whether to update the TA in the second time period based on the second information.

[0063] The first message is a message carrying system information sent by the satellite base station in the second time period. That is, before S302, the satellite base station will send the first message to the UE in the second time period; this step is as follows Figure 3 As shown in S3011.

[0064] It can be understood that the system information broadcast by the satellite base station in two adjacent time periods for providing network services can be the same or different; the satellite base station will broadcast system information in every time period for providing network services, so that UE with service needs can establish a communication connection with the UE based on the system information to transmit data services.

[0065] If the first information indicates that the system information of the satellite base station in the second time period has changed relative to the system information in the first time period, the UE receives and parses the first message in the second time period to obtain the system information of the second time period, and updates the system information stored in the UE based on the system information of the second time period.

[0066] The core network connected to the satellite base station stores the TA information of the UE. The UE needs to update the TA information stored in the core network periodically or according to its own situation, so that the core network can initiate paging to the UE through the satellite base station based on the TA information of the UE.

[0067] In the auxiliary information, the first information is information indicating whether the system information of the satellite base station in the second time period has changed relative to the first time period, and the second information is information indicating whether the UE needs to update the tracking area in the second time period.

[0068] Whether the system information broadcasted between two adjacent time periods of providing network services will change is related to changes in the hardware of the satellite base station and changes in the external environment.

[0069] If the hardware or external environment of the satellite base station has not changed in the second time period compared to the first time period, the system information broadcast by the satellite base station in the second time period is consistent with the system information broadcast in the first time period; if the hardware or external environment of the satellite base station has changed in the second time period compared to the first time period, the system information broadcast by the satellite base station in the second time period may also change.

[0070] The TA information at least includes the identifier of the cell that the UE supports accessing. The UE performs TA update, which means that the UE sends its current TA information to the core network at a certain period, or the UE sends the current TA information to the core network when the physical location moves. In the case that the cell that the UE supports accessing changes, after updating the TA information stored in itself, the UE can send the updated TA information to the core network through the satellite base station in a timely manner, so that the core network updates the TA information stored in itself. In this way, the core network can initiate paging to the UE based on the updated TA information.

[0071] Whether the UE needs to perform TA update in the second time period is related to the regional environment and communication scenario where the UE is located. If the UE is in a disaster-stricken area or an isolated island in the ocean, the mobility range of the area is limited, and the probability of the UE moving long distances is very low, and it is unlikely that a TA update caused by mobility will occur. In addition, in the satellite communication scenario, the transmission resources of the satellite link are relatively precious. If signaling transmission is required due to periodic TA updates, satellite link transmission resources will be used exclusively, increasing the power consumption of the UE. In this case, the second information instructs the UE not to perform TA update in the second time period; otherwise, the second information instructs the UE to update in the second time period.

[0072] In some embodiments, a timer for controlling TA update is maintained in the UE, and when the timer times out, it indicates that the UE needs to update the TA; if the UE receives second information indicating that the UE does not update the TA in the second time period, even if the timer for maintaining the TA update times out, the UE does not need to update the TA, that is, it does not need to send the current TA information to the satellite base station.

[0073] In the present application, the satellite base station sends auxiliary information to the user equipment within a first time period; the auxiliary information includes first information indicating whether the system information of the satellite base station in the second time period has changed relative to the first time period, and information indicating whether the UE performs a TA update in the second time period, thereby optimizing the behavior of the UE in the second time period, so that when the system information of the satellite base station has not changed, the UE does not perform related parsing operations on the signaling containing the system information, and, when the satellite base station indicates not to update the TA, does not update the TA in the second time period, thereby reducing the power consumption of the UE.

[0074] Furthermore, in scenarios involving drones, the drones have a short flight time and the satellite base station frequently interrupts network services, resulting in a short time period for each network service provided by the satellite base station. In this scenario, the satellite base station can avoid parsing the first message and performing TA updates in each time period for providing network services, thereby saving UE power.

[0075] As described above, the first information may indicate that the system information of the satellite base station in the second time period has changed relative to the first time period, or may indicate that the system information of the satellite base station in the second time period has not changed relative to the first time period; the second information may indicate that the UE needs to perform a TA update in the second time period, or may indicate that the UE does not need to perform a TA update in the second time period.

[0076] The first information and the second information indicate different contents, the auxiliary information has different functions, and the UE behaves differently.

[0077] As described in S301, there are three situations for the auxiliary information: it may include the first information but not the second information, include the second information but not the first information, or include the first information and the second information.

[0078] If the auxiliary information does not include the second information, the auxiliary information does not indicate the UE to determine whether to update the tracking area TA within the second time period based on the second information; if the auxiliary information does not include the first information, the auxiliary information does not indicate the UE to determine whether to parse the first message based on the first information to obtain the system information of the second time period carried by the first message.

[0079] The following takes the auxiliary information including the first information and the second information as an example to illustrate the interaction between the UE and the satellite base station of the present application; the situation where the auxiliary information includes the first information but does not include the second information, and includes the second information but does not include the first information is similar to the interaction method between the UE and the satellite base station corresponding to the auxiliary information including the first information and the second information, and will not be repeated here.

[0080] Table 1 specifically describes different situations in which the auxiliary information includes the first information and the second information.

[0081] Table 1

[0082]

[0083] As shown in Table 1, the first information and the second information in the auxiliary information include the following situations:

[0084] Case 1: the first information indicates that the system information of the satellite base station in the second time period has changed relative to the first time period; the second information indicates that the satellite base station needs to perform TA update in the second time period.

[0085] Case 2: the first information indicates that the system information of the satellite base station in the second time period has changed relative to the first time period; the second information indicates that the satellite base station does not need to perform TA update in the second time period.

[0086] Case 3: The first information indicates that the system information of the satellite base station in the second time period has not changed compared with the first time period, and the second information indicates that the satellite base station needs to perform TA update in the second time period.

[0087] Case 4: the first information indicates that the system information of the satellite base station in the second time period has not changed relative to the first time period; the second information indicates that the satellite base station does not need to perform TA update in the second time period.

[0088] Next, through Figure 6 The embodiment specifically describes the role of different first information and second information in auxiliary information and the behavior of UE in different situations.

[0089] Figure 6 A flowchart for implementing a device energy saving method in a satellite communication scenario provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0090] like Figure 6 As shown, S302 can be implemented by any one of steps S302a, S302b, S302c and S302d.

[0091] After S302a, it also includes S303a to S304a; after S302b, it also includes S303b to S304b; after S302c, it also includes S303c to S304c; after S302d, it also includes S303d to S304d;

[0092] Among them, S302a to S304a correspond to situation 1, S302b to S304b correspond to situation 2, S302c to S304c correspond to situation 3, and S302d to S304d correspond to situation 4.

[0093] S302a. The UE parses the received first message within the second time period to obtain system information of the second time period, and sends first TA information to the core network through the satellite base station within the second time period.

[0094] In case 1, the first information indicates that the system information of the satellite base station in the second time period has changed relative to the first time period; the auxiliary information is used to instruct the UE to perform relevant parsing operations on the first message containing system information sent by the satellite base station in the second time period within the second time period to obtain the system information of the second time period, and when there is data service transmission in the second time period, establish a connection with the satellite base station based on the system information of the second time period to transmit data services.

[0095] In this case, the system information broadcast by the satellite base station in the second time period is different from the system information stored by the UE in the first time period. The system information stored by the UE in the first time period may be obtained by the UE parsing a message containing the system information broadcast by the satellite base station in the first time period in the first time period, or may be obtained by parsing a message containing the system information sent in the last time period when the system information in the first time period is the same as that in the last time period.

[0096] It should be noted that the use of the above method does not mean that the system information of the satellite base station will not change. The satellite base station can update the system information at any time in the first time period, and before updating, use a paging request message to notify the UE to read the updated system information after the time in the first time period. Whether the system information in the second time period changes relative to the first time period refers to whether the system information broadcast by the satellite base station in the second time period changes relative to the latest system information broadcast by the satellite base station in the first time period.

[0097] In case 1, the second information indicates that the UE needs to update the TA within the second time period, and the auxiliary information instructs the UE to send the first TA information to the UE core network through the satellite base station within the second time period to update the second TA information stored in the core network, so that when the core network has a paging demand in the second time period, it sends a first paging request message to the UE through the satellite base station based on the first TA information.

[0098] Correspondingly, after the core network completes the TA update, the core network sends an update completion message to the UE through the satellite base station. Specifically, the core network sends the update completion message to the satellite base station, and the satellite base station forwards the update completion message to the UE. Based on this, the UE, the core network and the satellite base station can perform subsequent operations.

[0099] The first TA information may be the same as or different from the second TA information.

[0100] S303a: When there is data service transmission in the second time period, the satellite base station and the UE establish a connection based on the system information of the second time period to perform data service transmission.

[0101] S304a: When there is a paging demand in the second time period, the satellite base station sends a first paging request message to the UE based on the first TA information.

[0102] In case 1, the satellite base station sends auxiliary information to the UE so that the first message is parsed only when the satellite base station indicates that the system information of the UE in the second time period has changed, and the TA is updated only when the satellite base station indicates that the UE needs to update the TA, so as to optimize the UE behavior and save UE power.

[0103] S302b. The UE parses the received first message in the second time period to obtain system information of the second time period, and does not send the first TA information to the satellite base station in the second time period.

[0104] Compared with Case 1, in Case 2, the content indicated by the first information is the same, and the content indicated by the second information is different. The second information indicates that the UE does not need to update the TA within the second time period. The auxiliary information instructs the UE not to send the first TA information to the UE core network through the satellite base station within the second time period, so that when the core network has a paging demand in the second time period, it initiates paging to the UE through the satellite base station based on the currently stored second TA information.

[0105] The second TA information currently stored in the core network may be the latest system information sent by the UE during the time period when the UE provided services previously.

[0106] S303b: When there is data service transmission in the second time period, the satellite base station and the UE establish a connection based on the system information of the second time period to perform data service transmission.

[0107] S304b: When there is a paging demand in the second time period, the satellite base station sends a second paging request message to the UE based on the second TA information currently stored in the core network.

[0108] In case 2, the satellite base station sends auxiliary information to the UE so that the first message is parsed only when the satellite base station indicates that the system information of the UE has changed in the second time period, and the TA is not updated when the satellite base station indicates that the UE does not need to update the TA, so as to optimize the UE behavior and save UE power.

[0109] S302c. The UE does not parse the received first message within the second time period, and sends first TA information to the satellite base station in the second time period.

[0110] The satellite base station sends auxiliary information to the UE in the first time period, and the first information and the second information in the auxiliary information are situation 3.

[0111] In case 3, compared with case 1, the content indicated by the first information is different, and the content indicated by the second information is the same. The first information indicates that the system information of the satellite base station in the second time period has not changed relative to the first time period; the auxiliary information is used to instruct the UE not to perform relevant parsing operations on the first message containing system information sent by the satellite base station in the second time period within the second time period, and to establish a connection with the satellite base station based on the system information in the first time period when there is data service transmission in the second time period to transmit data services.

[0112] S303c: When there is data service transmission in the second time period, the satellite base station and the UE establish a connection based on the system information in the first time period to perform data service transmission.

[0113] S304c: When there is a paging demand in the second time period, the satellite base station sends a first paging request message to the UE based on the first TA information.

[0114] In case 3, the satellite base station sends auxiliary information to the UE so that the TA is updated only when the satellite base station instructs the UE not to parse the first message if the system information in the second time period does not change, and the satellite base station instructs the UE to update the TA, so as to optimize the UE behavior and save UE power.

[0115] S302d. The UE does not parse the received first message in the second time period, and does not send the first TA information to the satellite base station in the second time period.

[0116] In case 4, compared with case 1, the content indicated by the first information is different, and the content indicated by the second information is different.

[0117] The first information indicates that the system information of the satellite base station in the second time period has not changed relative to the first time period; the auxiliary information is used to instruct the UE not to perform relevant parsing operations on the first message containing system information sent by the satellite base station in the second time period within the second time period, and to establish a connection with the satellite base station based on the system information saved in the first time period when there is data service transmission in the second time period to perform data service transmission.

[0118] If the second information indicates that the UE does not need to update the TA within the second time period, the auxiliary information indicates that the UE does not send the first TA information to the UE core network through the satellite base station within the second time period, so that when the core network has a paging demand in the second time period, it can initiate paging to the UE through the satellite base station based on the currently stored second TA information.

[0119] S303d, when there is data service transmission in the second time period, the satellite base station and the UE establish a connection with the UE based on the system information in the first time period to perform data service transmission.

[0120] S304d: When there is a paging demand in the second time period, the satellite base station sends a second paging request message to the UE based on the second TA information stored in the core network.

[0121] In situation 4, the satellite base station sends auxiliary information to the UE so that when the satellite base station instructs the UE not to parse the first message and when the satellite base station instructs the UE not to update the TA, the UE does not update the TA, so as to reduce the UE's parsing and updating behavior and save UE power.

[0122] The UE in the present application can not only communicate with the satellite through the satellite base station, but also in some other embodiments, the UE in the present application can directly communicate with the satellite. Specifically, the UE in the present application supports the terminal of the 4G narrowband Internet of Things (Narrow Band Internet of Things) technology and the terminal of the R18 version protocol of the 5G.

[0123] The UE can directly communicate with the satellite, which means that the UE supports communication with the satellite through a first transmission path, the first transmission path is a transmission path between the UE and the satellite base station, the starting node of the first transmission path is the UE, the ending node is the satellite, and there are no other transmission nodes on the first transmission path. In other words, there is no transmission node on the communication path between the UE and the satellite.

[0124] As described above, the auxiliary information also includes first time information of the end time of the current network service provision time period and second time information of the start time of the next network service provision time period.

[0125] Next, Figure 5 The embodiment illustrates that the auxiliary information also includes first time information and second time information, and the interactive behavior between the satellite base station and the UE when the UE supports direct communication with the satellite.

[0126] Figure 7 Flowchart for implementing the device energy saving method in the satellite communication scenario provided by the embodiment of the present application; Figure 7 As shown, S301 to S302 can be implemented through step S301a and step S302e;

[0127] Step S301a: The satellite base station sends auxiliary information to the user equipment within a first time period of currently providing network services; wherein the auxiliary information includes the first information and / or the second information, and the first time information and the second time information.

[0128] Accordingly, the UE receives the assistance information.

[0129] That is to say, based on S301, the auxiliary information further includes the first time information and the second time information.

[0130] The auxiliary information is also used by the UE to determine whether to transmit data through the first transmission path between the first time period and the second time period.

[0131] After receiving the auxiliary information, the UE obtains the information of the end time of the first time period, determines whether there is a data packet to be transmitted at the end of the first time period, and if there is a data packet to be transmitted, determines whether to transmit the data packet to be transmitted through the first transmission path between the first time period and the second time period based on the comparison result of the allowable waiting time of the data packet to be transmitted and the start time of the second time period.

[0132] If the allowable waiting time is before the starting time of the second time period, the UE establishes a connection with the satellite through the first transmission path at the end time of the first time period, and the UE sends the data packets to be transmitted to the satellite between the first time period and the second time period. If the allowable waiting time is after the starting time of the second time period, the UE establishes a connection with the satellite base station at the starting time of the second time period, and sends the data packets to be transmitted to the satellite through the satellite base station in the second time period.

[0133] S302e. The UE determines whether to parse the first message in the second time period to obtain system information of the second time period based on the first information, determines whether to update the TA in the second time period based on the second information, and determines whether there is a data packet to be transmitted at the end of the first time period based on the first time information; if there is a data packet to be transmitted, determine whether to transmit the data packet to be transmitted through the first transmission path between the first time period and the second time period based on the comparison result of the allowable waiting time of the data packet to be transmitted and the starting time of the second time period.

[0134] Specifically, if the allowable waiting time is before the starting time of the second time period, the UE establishes a connection with the satellite through the first transmission path at the end time of the first time period, and sends the data packets to be transmitted to the satellite between the first time period and the second time period; if the allowable waiting time is after the starting time of the second time period, the UE establishes a connection with the satellite base station at the starting time of the second time period, and sends the data packets to be transmitted to the satellite through the satellite base station in the second time period.

[0135] It can be understood that the auxiliary information includes the first time information and the second time information, and the UE can determine the end time of the first time period and the start time of the second time period based on the first time information. That is, it can be determined whether there is a data packet to be transmitted at the end of the first time period, and whether the allowable waiting time is before the start time of the second time period.

[0136] The allowable waiting time for the data to be transmitted is determined by the validity delay of the satellite base station; if the data to be transmitted has not been transmitted after the allowable waiting time, the data to be transmitted is invalid and cannot be used.

[0137] In this embodiment, the auxiliary information also includes first time information and second time information. When the UE supports communication with the satellite through the first transmission path, the auxiliary information is also used by the UE to determine whether to communicate directly with the satellite base station based on the allowable waiting time of the data packets to be transmitted when there are data packets to be transmitted at the end of the first time period, thereby ensuring timely transmission of data.

[0138] It is understood that the satellite base station maintains a clock module inside to record the time on the base station side. Figure 3 or Figure 7 Based on the embodiment, the auxiliary information also includes third time information when the satellite base station generates the auxiliary information; the third time information is generated by a clock module maintained by the satellite base station.

[0139] Next, through Figure 8 The embodiment illustrates the interaction process between the satellite base station and the UE when the auxiliary information includes the third time information.

[0140] Figure 8 Flowchart for implementing the device energy saving method in the satellite communication scenario provided by the embodiment of the present application; Figure 8 As shown, S301 to S302, or S301a to S302e, can be implemented by the following S301b and S302f:

[0141] S301b. The satellite base station sends auxiliary information to the user equipment within the first time period of currently providing network services; wherein the auxiliary information also includes third time information determined when the satellite base station generates the auxiliary information.

[0142] That is, on the basis that the auxiliary information includes the first information and the second information in step S301, the auxiliary information also includes the third time information.

[0143] Alternatively, on the basis that the auxiliary information in S301a includes the first information and / or the second information, the first time information, and the second time information, the auxiliary information further includes the third time information.

[0144] Accordingly, based on the content indicated by the auxiliary information in S301, or based on the content indicated by the auxiliary information in S301a, the auxiliary information is also used for the UE to perform a clock synchronization operation based on the third time information.

[0145] S302f: Based on S302 or S302e, the UE further performs a clock synchronization operation based on the third time information.

[0146] Specifically, the UE adjusts the clock module of the UE so that the time information generated by the UE clock module for the first time after the adjustment is the same as the third time information, thereby completing the clock synchronization between the UE and the satellite base station.

[0147] Specifically, when the UE parses and obtains the third time information, the UE adjusts the clock module so that the first time information generated by the clock module after the adjustment is the same as the third time information.

[0148] It can be understood that the clock module continuously generates the time information corresponding to the current moment with a very small clock cycle; as time passes, the current moment is different, and the time information is also different. The time information generated by the clock modules maintained in the satellite base station and the UE at the same moment may be different, or even differ greatly. Since the time elapsed between the satellite base station generating auxiliary information, sending auxiliary information, and the UE obtaining and parsing the auxiliary information to obtain the third time information is extremely short, it can be ignored. The time for the UE to adjust the clock module and generate the clock module is extremely short and can also be ignored. In this embodiment, the UE adjusts the clock module after obtaining the third time information so that the time information generated by the clock module for the first time after the adjustment is the same as the third time information. When the time information maintained by the satellite and the UE is relatively different, clock synchronization between the UE and the satellite base station can be achieved.

[0149] When the time on the UE side determined by the UE based on the first time information, the second time information, etc. is subsequently synchronized with the time on the satellite base station side, the UE can accurately determine the accurate time information of the first time period and the second time period.

[0150] In some embodiments, after the UE performs clock synchronization with the satellite base station, if the UE does not support direct communication with the satellite, the RF transceiver module and the baseband transceiver module are turned off when the UE ends the communication with the satellite base station based on the first time information, and no longer sends signals. However, the clock module is still running and still periodically generates the current time.

[0151] As described above, the auxiliary information may also include time information of each third time period for providing network services after the first time period. That is, the auxiliary information also includes time information of the start moment and the end moment of at least one third time period. That is, based on S301, or S301a, or S301b, the auxiliary information may also include the above information.

[0152] In this case, the assistance information is also used for the UE to locate the third time period based on the time information of the third time period.

[0153] Furthermore, the auxiliary information also includes at least one control list corresponding to the third time period, and the control list includes at least one of a first list, a second list, a third list, and a fourth list. The first list is a list of UEs that the satellite base station allows access to in the third time period. The second list is a list of UEs that the satellite base station does not allow access to in the third time period. The third list is a list of UEs that the satellite base station will initiate paging in the third time period, and the fourth list is a list of UEs that the satellite base station will not initiate paging in the third time period.

[0154] Next, through Fig. 9The embodiment exemplarily illustrates a method of the interaction process between the UE and the satellite base station when the auxiliary information also includes the above-mentioned control list.

[0155] Fig. 9 This is a flowchart of the implementation of the device energy saving method in the satellite communication scenario provided by the embodiment of the present application. Fig. 9 As shown, S301 to S302 can be implemented through S301c to S302g:

[0156] S301c. The satellite base station sends auxiliary information to the UE, where the auxiliary information also includes time information of at least one third time period and a control list corresponding to at least one third time period.

[0157] That is, on the basis that the auxiliary information in step S301 includes the first information and / or the second information, the auxiliary information also includes time information of at least one third time period and a control list corresponding to at least one third time period.

[0158] As described above, the first list is: a list of UEs that the satellite base station is allowed to access during the third time period.

[0159] The second list is: a list of UEs that the satellite base station is not allowed to access during the third time period.

[0160] The third list is: a list of UEs to which the satellite base station will initiate paging in the third time period.

[0161] The fourth list is: a list of UEs for which the satellite base station will not initiate paging in the third time period.

[0162] Based on the content indicated by the auxiliary information in step S301, the auxiliary information is also used by the UE to turn on or off the RF transmission module and the RF reception module of the UE in the third time period based on at least one of the first list, the second list, the third list, and the fourth list.

[0163] Specifically, when the UE belongs to the first list, it turns on the RF transmitting module and the RF receiving module in the third time period; receives system information sent by the satellite base station based on the RF receiving module, and sends a connection establishment request to the satellite base station based on the RF transmitting module and the system information.

[0164] And / or, when the UE belongs to the second list, the UE turns off the RF transmitting module and turns on the RF receiving module in a third time period, and turns on the RF transmitting module when the RF receiving module receives a connection establishment request sent by the satellite base station to establish a connection with the satellite base station for data communication.

[0165] And / or, when the UE does not belong to the third list, it determines to turn on or off the RF transmitting module and the RF receiving module based on its own business needs.

[0166] And / or, when the UE belongs to the fourth list, the UE turns off the RF transmission module and the RF reception module. If the UE has a service demand in the third time period, the UE turns on the RF transmission module and the RF reception module; if the UE has no service demand in the third time period, the UE turns off the RF transmission module and the RF reception module.

[0167] S302g. Based on S302, the UE further determines the third time period based on the time information of at least one third time period, and turns on or off the RF transmitting module and / or the RF receiving module in the third time period based on the control list corresponding to at least one third time period.

[0168] Specifically, the UE turns on or off the RF transmitting module and / or the RF receiving module in the manner described above.

[0169] After the UE turns on the RF module, the UE can send radio signals to communicate data with the satellite base station; after the UE turns off the RF module, the UE cannot receive radio signals.

[0170] In this embodiment, the auxiliary information also includes multiple lists corresponding to the satellite base station in the third time period, so as to inform the UE in advance whether the satellite base station allows the UE to access in the third time period, and whether the satellite base station will initiate paging to the UE in the third time period, so that the UE can optimize its own behavior and turn off the RF receiving module and / or RF transmitting module when it is not necessary, so as to achieve the technical effect of reducing the power consumption of the UE.

[0171] The satellite base station can send auxiliary information to the UE in the form of a long period or a short period in the first time period; Fig.10 The examples illustrate these two approaches.

[0172] Fig.10 Flowchart for implementing the device energy saving method in the satellite communication scenario provided by the embodiment of the present application; Fig.10 As shown, regarding how the satellite base station sends auxiliary information to the UE, S301 may be implemented through S301d or S301e:

[0173] S301d. The satellite base station determines a first sending cycle based on the total duration of the first time period, and periodically sends auxiliary information within the first time period using the first sending cycle.

[0174] In some embodiments, the number of times A that the satellite base station sends auxiliary information in the first time period is fixed; the first sending cycle is the total duration of the first time period / A.

[0175] The satellite base station sends auxiliary information to the UE in a first time period with a first sending cycle a; in this way, it can be ensured that the UE can receive the auxiliary information in every time period within the first time period covered by the satellite.

[0176] S301e. The satellite base station determines a second sending cycle based on the duration of a partial time period of the first time period, and periodically sends auxiliary information in the partial time period with the second sending cycle.

[0177] The auxiliary information may be any one of S301, S301a, S301b and S301c.

[0178] The partial time period may be any continuous time period within the first time period. Fig. 9 As shown, the partial time period is a time period close to the end time of the first time period, and the end time of the partial time period coincides with the time of the first time period.

[0179] The second sending cycle b is: the duration of the partial time period / A. The first sending cycle is greater than the second sending cycle.

[0180] In order to more intuitively explain the difference between the first sending cycle and the second sending cycle, Fig.11A and Fig. 11B Schematic diagrams showing the sending of auxiliary information in a first sending cycle and a second sending cycle respectively; wherein a is the first sending cycle and b is the second sending cycle.

[0181] In this embodiment, any of the long and short cycles can be used to send auxiliary information to the UE. The auxiliary information is sent in a long cycle (first sending cycle), and the duration of sending the auxiliary information is longer, which can improve the reliability of message transmission. Avoid the situation where the UE cannot receive the auxiliary information due to a message transmission failure caused by a change in the network environment; use a short cycle (second sending cycle) to send auxiliary information in a certain time period, and the sending duration is shorter, which can reduce the power of the satellite base station. The choice of long cycle or short cycle transmission can be determined by the satellite base station based on factors such as its own power and network signal strength.

[0182] The content included in the above auxiliary information is only an example of the present application. In some embodiments, the auxiliary information also includes the service schedule of other satellite base stations for providing network services, the service frequency of other satellite base stations, the communication standard, and the operator information of other satellite base stations: If there are multiple operators in the same area providing communication services through their own backpack base stations, and the backpack base stations of each operator provide services during different time periods, then each backpack base station can inform each other of each other's service time periods and frequencies to facilitate UE access.

[0183] Based on the above embodiments, the present application provides an energy-saving device for equipment in a satellite communication scenario. The modules included in the device and the units included in each module can be implemented by a processor; of course, they can also be implemented by a specific logic circuit; in the implementation process, the processor can be a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor (MPU), a digital signal processor (DSP) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc.

[0184] Fig.12 The schematic diagram of the structure of the device energy saving device in the satellite communication scenario provided by the embodiment of the present application is as follows: Fig.12 As shown, the device energy saving device 120 in the satellite communication scenario includes a transmission module 121, wherein:

[0185] The transmission module 121 is used to send auxiliary information to the UE within a first time period; wherein the auxiliary information includes first information and / or second information, the first information is used to indicate whether the system information of the satellite base station in the second time period has changed relative to the system information of the first time period, and the second information is used to indicate whether the UE needs to update the tracking area within the second time period; the satellite base station provides network services discontinuously, the first time period is the time period in which the satellite base station currently provides network services, and the second time period is the next time period in which the satellite base station provides network services; the auxiliary information is used to indicate the UE to determine, based on the first information, whether to perform a parsing operation on the first message to obtain the system information of the second time period carried by the first message, and / or to indicate the UE to determine, based on the second information, whether to update the tracking area TA within the second time period; the first message is a message carrying the system information sent by the satellite base station in the second time period.

[0186] In some embodiments, when the first information indicates that the system information of the second time period has changed relative to the system information of the first time period, when there is data service transmission in the second time period, the system information for establishing a connection between the UE and the satellite base station is the system information of the second time period; when the first information indicates that the system information of the satellite base station in the second time period has not changed relative to the first time period, when there is data service transmission in the second time period, the system information for establishing a connection between the UE and the satellite base station is the system information of the first time period.

[0187] In some embodiments, when the second information indicates that the UE needs to perform a TA update within the second time period, the transmission module 121 is further used for, within the second time period, the satellite base station receives the first TA information sent by the UE, and forwards the first TA information to the core network connected to the satellite base station; the satellite base station receives a TA update completion message sent by the core network; within the second time period, when the core network has a paging requirement, the satellite base station receives a first paging request message sent by the core network based on the first TA information, and forwards the first paging request message to the UE; when the second information indicates that the UE does not need to perform a TA update within the second time period, the transmission module 121, within the second time period, the satellite base station receives a second paging request message sent by the core network based on the second TA information stored in the core network, and forwards the second paging request message to the UE; wherein, within the second time period, the satellite base station does not receive the first TA information sent by the UE.

[0188] In some embodiments, the auxiliary information also includes first time information and second time information; the first time information is used to indicate the end time of the first time period, and the second time information is used to indicate the start time of the second time period; when the UE supports communication with the satellite through the first transmission path, the auxiliary information is used by the UE to determine whether to transmit data through the first transmission path between the first time period and the second time period; wherein, when there is a data packet to be transmitted at the end of the first time period, the UE determines whether to transmit the data packet to be transmitted through the first transmission path between the first time period and the second time period based on the comparison result of the allowable waiting time of the data packet to be transmitted and the start time of the second time period; wherein, the first transmission path is the transmission path between the UE and the satellite base station, and there are no other transmission nodes in the first transmission path except the satellite base station and the UE.

[0189] In some embodiments, the auxiliary information further includes: third time information determined by the satellite base station when generating the auxiliary information; and the auxiliary information is also used to instruct the UE to perform clock synchronization operation based on the third time information.

[0190] In some embodiments, the auxiliary information further includes time information of at least one third time period, and a control list corresponding to each of the at least one third time period; the third time period is a time period after the second time period during which the satellite base station provides network services; the information of the third time period includes time information of the start time of the third time period and time information of the end time of the third time period;

[0191] Among them, the control list includes: at least one of a first list, a second list, a third list, and a fourth list, the first list is a list of UEs that the satellite base station allows to access in the third time period; the second list is a list of UEs that the satellite base station does not allow to access in the third time period; the third list is a list of UEs for which the satellite base station will initiate paging in the third time period; the fourth list is a list of UEs for which the satellite base station will not initiate paging in the third time period; the auxiliary information is used to instruct the UE to determine the third time period based on the time information of the third time period, and to control the RF transmitting module and the RF receiving module in the UE based on the control list within the third time period.

[0192] In some embodiments, the satellite base station is connected to a drone via a wireless interface, and the drone is used to achieve wireless network coverage within a preset range; the satellite base station provides network services within the preset range through the drone; the duration of the first time period and the duration of the second time period are related to the battery life of the satellite base station and the battery life of the drone; the UE belongs to the preset range.

[0193] In some embodiments, the transmission module 121 is specifically used to determine a first sending period based on the total duration of the first time period, and periodically send the auxiliary information to the UE within the first time period according to the first sending period; or, the satellite base station determines a second sending period based on the duration of a partial time period of the first time period, and periodically sends the auxiliary information to the UE within the partial time period according to the second sending period, and the satellite base station does not send auxiliary information in other time periods within the first time period that are different from the partial time period.

[0194] The description of the above device embodiment is similar to the description of the above method embodiment, and has similar beneficial effects as the method embodiment. For technical details not disclosed in the device embodiment of the present application, please refer to the description of the method embodiment of the present application for understanding.

[0195] It should be noted that in the embodiments of this application Fig.12 The division of modules in the equipment energy-saving device in the satellite communication scenario shown is schematic, which is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation. In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application can be integrated into a processing unit, or it can exist physically alone, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The above-mentioned integrated unit can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional unit. It can also be implemented in the form of a combination of software and hardware.

[0196] The present application embodiment provides a satellite base station, Fig.13 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a hardware entity of a satellite base station according to an embodiment of the present application. Fig.13 As shown, the satellite base station 130 includes a memory 131 and a processor 132. The memory 131 stores a computer program that can be run on the processor 132. When the processor 132 executes the program, the steps in the method provided in the above embodiment are implemented.

[0197] It should be noted that the memory 131 is configured to store instructions and applications executable by the processor 132, and can also cache data to be processed or processed by various modules in the processor 132 and the satellite base station 130 (for example, image data, audio data, voice communication data, and video communication data), which can be implemented through flash memory (FLASH) or random access memory (Random Access Memory, RAM).

[0198] It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, if the energy-saving method for the device in the above-mentioned satellite communication scenario is implemented in the form of a software function module and sold or used as an independent product, it can also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application can be essentially or partly reflected in the form of a software product, and the computer software product is stored in a storage medium, including a number of instructions for enabling the satellite base station to execute all or part of the methods described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: various media that can store program codes, such as a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk. In this way, the embodiments of the present application are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software.

[0199] An embodiment of the present application provides a chip, including an interface circuit and a logic circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to receive signals from other chips outside the chip and transmit them to the logic circuit, or to send signals from the logic circuit to other chips outside the chip, and the logic circuit is used to implement the method described in the embodiment of the present application.

[0200] An embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the device energy saving method in the satellite communication scenario provided in the above embodiment are implemented.

[0201] An embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product containing instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the steps of the device energy saving method in the satellite communication scenario provided by the above method embodiment.

[0202] The above is only an implementation method of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art who is familiar with the present technical field can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be included in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A device energy saving method in a satellite communication scenario, characterized in that: include: The satellite base station sends auxiliary information to the user equipment UE within a first time period; wherein the auxiliary information includes first information and / or second information, the first information is used to indicate whether the system information of the satellite base station in the second time period changes relative to the system information of the first time period, and the second information is used to indicate whether the UE needs to update the tracking area TA within the second time period; the satellite base station provides network services discontinuously, the first time period is the time period in which the satellite base station currently provides network services, and the second time period is the next time period in which the satellite base station provides network services; The auxiliary information is used to instruct the UE to determine, based on the first information, whether to perform a parsing operation on the first message to obtain the system information of the second time period carried by the first message, and / or to instruct the UE to determine, based on the second information, whether to perform a TA update within the second time period; the first message is a message carrying the system information sent by the satellite base station in the second time period; wherein the auxiliary information is used to instruct the UE to determine, based on the second information, whether to perform a TA update within the second time period, including: the auxiliary information is used to instruct the UE to determine, based on the second information, whether to send first TA information to the core network through the satellite base station within the second time period; the first TA information is used to update the second TA information currently stored in the core network, and the first TA information is information required for the core network to initiate paging to the UE; The auxiliary information also includes first time information and second time information; the first time information is used to indicate the end time of the first time period, and the second time information is used to indicate the start time of the second time period; when the UE supports communication with the satellite through the first transmission path, the auxiliary information is used by the UE to determine whether to transmit data through the first transmission path between the first time period and the second time period; wherein, when there is a data packet to be transmitted at the end of the first time period, the UE determines whether to transmit the data packet to be transmitted through the first transmission path between the first time period and the second time period based on the comparison result of the allowable waiting time of the data packet to be transmitted and the start time of the second time period; wherein, the first transmission path is the transmission path between the UE and the satellite, and there are no other transmission nodes in the first transmission path except the satellite and the UE.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that When the first information indicates that system information of the second time period changes relative to system information of the first time period, when there is data service transmission in the second time period, the system information for establishing a connection between the UE and the satellite base station is the system information of the second time period; The first information indicates that when the system information of the satellite base station in the second time period does not change relative to the first time period, and when there is data service transmission in the second time period, the system information for the UE to establish a connection with the satellite base station is the system information of the first time period.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that When the second information indicates that the UE needs to perform TA update within the second time period, the method further includes: In the second time period, the satellite base station receives the first TA information sent by the UE, and forwards the first TA information to the core network connected to the satellite base station; The satellite base station receives a TA update completion message sent by the core network; In the second time period, the satellite base station receives a first paging request message sent by the core network based on the first TA information, and forwards the first paging request message to the UE; When the second information indicates that the UE does not need to perform TA update in the second time period, the method further includes: During the second time period, the satellite base station receives a second paging request message sent by the core network based on the second TA information stored in the core network, and forwards the second paging request message to the UE; wherein, during the second time period, the satellite base station does not receive the first TA information sent by the UE.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The auxiliary information further includes: third time information determined by the satellite base station when generating the auxiliary information; The auxiliary information is also used to instruct the UE to perform a clock synchronization operation based on the third time information.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The auxiliary information also includes time information of at least one third time period, and a control list corresponding to each of the at least one third time period; the third time period is a time period after the second time period during which the satellite base station provides network services; the information of the third time period includes time information of a start time of the third time period and time information of an end time of the third time period; The control list includes: at least one of a first list, a second list, a third list, and a fourth list, the first list is a list of UEs that the satellite base station allows to access in the third time period; the second list is a list of UEs that the satellite base station does not allow to access in the third time period; the third list is a list of UEs that the satellite base station will initiate paging in the third time period; the fourth list is a list of UEs that the satellite base station will not initiate paging in the third time period; The auxiliary information is used to instruct the UE to determine the third time period based on time information of the third time period, and to control the radio frequency transmitting module and the radio frequency receiving module in the UE based on the control list within the third time period.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The satellite base station is connected to the drone via a wireless interface, and the drone is used to achieve wireless network coverage within a preset range; the satellite base station provides network services within the preset range through the drone; the duration of the first time period and the duration of the second time period are related to the battery life of the satellite base station and the battery life of the drone; the UE belongs to the preset range.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The satellite base station sends auxiliary information to the UE within a first time period, including: The satellite base station determines a first sending cycle based on the total duration of the first time period, and periodically sends the auxiliary information to the UE within the first time period according to the first sending cycle; or, The satellite base station determines a second sending cycle based on the duration of a partial time period of the first time period, and periodically sends the auxiliary information to the UE in the partial time period according to the second sending cycle. In other time periods in the first time period that are different from the partial time period, the satellite base station does not send the auxiliary information.

8. A device energy saving method in a satellite communication scenario, characterized in that: include: The user equipment UE receives auxiliary information sent by the satellite base station in a first time period; wherein the auxiliary information includes first information and / or second information, the first information is used to indicate whether the system information of the satellite base station in the second time period changes relative to the system information of the first time period, and the second information is used to indicate whether the UE needs to update the tracking area TA in the second time period; the satellite base station provides network services discontinuously, the first time period is a time period in which the satellite base station currently provides network services, and the second time period is a time period in which the satellite base station next provides network services; The auxiliary information further includes first time information and second time information; the first time information is used to indicate the end time of the first time period, and the second time information is used to indicate the start time of the second time period; The UE determines, based on the first information, whether to perform a parsing operation on the first message to obtain the system information of the second time period carried by the first message, and / or the UE determines, based on the second information, whether to perform a TA update within the second time period; the first message is a message carrying the system information sent by the satellite base station in the second time period; wherein the UE determines, based on the second information, whether to perform a TA update within the second time period, including: the UE determines, based on the second information, whether to send first TA information to the core network through the satellite base station within the second time period; the first TA information is used to update the second TA information currently stored in the core network, and the first TA information is information required for the core network to initiate paging to the UE; In the case that the UE supports communication with the satellite via a first transmission path, the UE determines whether to transmit data via the first transmission path between the first time period and the second time period based on the first time information and the second time information; wherein, in the case that there is a data packet to be transmitted at the end of the first time period, the UE determines whether to transmit the data packet to be transmitted via the first transmission path between the first time period and the second time period based on a comparison result of an allowable waiting time for the data packet to be transmitted and a start time of the second time period; wherein, the first transmission path is a transmission path between the UE and the satellite, and there are no other transmission nodes in the first transmission path except the satellite and the UE.

9. A satellite base station, characterized in that: include: Memory and processor; The memory is configured to store computer program instructions; The processor is configured to execute the computer program instructions so that the satellite base station implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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