Satellite network access method and device, electronic equipment and storage medium

Abstract

The invention discloses a satellite network access method and device, electronic equipment and a storage medium, and relates to the technical field of mobile communication. The method comprises the steps that a network access request of terminal equipment is generated through a ground network, the ground network is a mobile network deployed on the ground, and the network access request represents that the terminal equipment requests to be accessed to a satellite network; detecting whether the terminal equipment meets an access condition of a satellite network through a ground network; and under the condition that the terminal equipment meets the access condition of the satellite network, controlling the terminal equipment to access the satellite network according to a negotiation result of the ground network and the satellite network, or controlling the terminal equipment to search the satellite network according to a search range returned by the satellite network, and accessing the satellite network after the satellite network is searched. The technical problems that in the prior art, when terminal equipment of a user accesses a satellite network from a ground network, network search time is long, and satellite network access efficiency is low are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of mobile communication technology, and in particular to a satellite network access method, device, electronic device and storage medium. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, when a user needs to switch from a terrestrial network to a satellite network, the user is first required to manually disconnect the terminal device from the terrestrial network, and then initiate a connection request to the satellite network through the terminal device. However, since the terminal device cannot accurately obtain network management information such as the ephemeris and position of the satellite network, the terminal device needs to search for the satellite network again. During the search, the terminal device is disconnected from the network, and the search time is usually long, which leads to the problem of low efficiency in satellite network access.

[0003] To address the above-mentioned problems, no effective solution has been proposed yet. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present application provides a satellite network access method, device, electronic device and storage medium to at least solve the technical problems in the prior art of long network search time and low satellite network access efficiency when a user's terminal device accesses a satellite network from a ground network.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present application, a method for accessing a satellite network is provided, comprising: generating a network access request of a terminal device through a ground network, wherein the ground network is a mobile network deployed on the ground, and the network access request represents a request of the terminal device to access the satellite network; detecting through the ground network whether the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network; if the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network, controlling the terminal device to access the satellite network according to the negotiation result between the ground network and the satellite network, or controlling the terminal device to search for the satellite network according to the search range returned by the satellite network, and accessing the satellite network after the satellite network is searched.

[0006] Optionally, in the satellite network access method provided in the present application, a network access request for a terminal device is generated through a ground network, including: after the ground network identifies that the terminal device has successfully triggered an activation operation of a satellite network service, obtaining identification information, wherein the identification information includes at least service feature information of the satellite network service and network address information of the terminal device; and generating the network access request based on the identification information.

[0007] Optionally, in the satellite network access method provided in the present application, detecting whether the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network through the ground network includes: obtaining network contract information of the terminal device, wherein the network contract information is used to record the network services for which the terminal device has pre-signed; judging whether the terminal device has pre-signed for the network services of the satellite network according to the network contract information; if it is determined that the terminal device has pre-signed for the network services of the satellite network, determining that the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network; if it is determined that the terminal device has not pre-signed for the network services of the satellite network, determining that the terminal device does not meet the access conditions of the satellite network.

[0008] Optionally, in the satellite network access method provided in the present application, when the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network, the terminal device is controlled to access the satellite network according to the negotiation results of the ground network and the satellite network, including: when the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network, a network negotiation request is sent to the satellite network through the ground network, wherein the network negotiation request includes at least device information, location information of the terminal device and user information of the user of the terminal device; receiving the negotiation result returned by the satellite network for the network negotiation request through the ground network, wherein the negotiation result includes at least the bearer resource information and ephemeris information reserved by the satellite network for the terminal device; and controlling the terminal device to access the satellite network according to the negotiation result.

[0009] Optionally, in the satellite network access method provided in the present application, after controlling the terminal device to access the satellite network based on the negotiation result, and after the ground network receives the notification information sent by the satellite network that the terminal device has successfully accessed the satellite network, the connection between the terminal device and the ground network is disconnected.

[0010] Optionally, in the satellite network access method provided in the present application, when the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network, the terminal device is controlled to search for the satellite network according to the search range returned by the satellite network, and before accessing the satellite network after searching the satellite network, when the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network, satellite position management information is obtained from the satellite network through the ground network, wherein the satellite position management information is used to assist the terminal device in searching for the satellite network.

[0011] Optionally, in the satellite network access method provided in the present application, the terminal device is controlled to search for the satellite network according to the search range returned by the satellite network, and access the satellite network after the satellite network is searched, including: sending the satellite position management information to the terminal device through the ground network, and disconnecting the network connection between the ground network and the terminal device; controlling the terminal device to determine the search range of the satellite network according to the satellite position management information; controlling the terminal device to search for the satellite network within the search range, and accessing the satellite network after the satellite network is searched.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present application, a satellite network access device is also provided, wherein the satellite network access device includes: a first processing unit, used to generate a network access request of a terminal device through a ground network, wherein the ground network is a mobile network deployed on the ground, and the network access request represents a request by the terminal device to access the satellite network; a second processing unit, used to detect whether the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network through the ground network; and a control unit, used to control the terminal device to access the satellite network according to the negotiation result between the ground network and the satellite network when the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network, or to control the terminal device to search for the satellite network according to the search range returned by the satellite network, and access the satellite network after searching the satellite network.

[0013] Optionally, the first processing unit includes: a first acquisition subunit and a generation subunit. The acquisition subunit is used to acquire identification information after identifying through the ground network that the terminal device has successfully triggered the activation operation of the satellite network service, wherein the identification information at least includes service feature information of the satellite network service and network address information of the terminal device; and the generation subunit is used to generate a network access request according to the identification information.

[0014] Optionally, the second processing unit includes: a second acquisition subunit, a judgment subunit, a first determination subunit, and a second determination subunit. The second acquisition subunit is used to acquire network contract information of the terminal device, wherein the network contract information is used to record the network services that the terminal device has pre-contracted; the judgment subunit is used to determine whether the terminal device has pre-contracted for the network services of the satellite network according to the network contract information; the first determination subunit is used to determine that the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network when it is determined that the terminal device has pre-contracted for the network services of the satellite network; the second determination subunit is used to determine that the terminal device does not meet the access conditions of the satellite network when it is determined that the terminal device has not pre-contracted for the network services of the satellite network.

[0015] Optionally, the control unit includes: a first sending subunit, a first receiving subunit, and a first control subunit. The first sending subunit is used to send a network negotiation request to the satellite network through the ground network when the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network, wherein the network negotiation request at least includes the device information, location information of the terminal device, and user information of the user of the terminal device; the first receiving subunit is used to receive the negotiation result returned by the satellite network for the network negotiation request through the ground network, wherein the negotiation result at least includes the bearer resource information and ephemeris information reserved by the satellite network for the terminal device; the first control subunit is used to control the terminal device to access the satellite network according to the negotiation result.

[0016] Optionally, the satellite network access device further includes: a third processing unit, configured to disconnect the terminal device from the terrestrial network after the terrestrial network receives notification information sent by the satellite network indicating that the terminal device has successfully accessed the satellite network.

[0017] Optionally, the satellite network access device also includes: a satellite position management information acquisition unit, which is used to obtain satellite position management information from the satellite network through the ground network when the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network, wherein the satellite position management information is used to assist the terminal device in searching for the satellite network.

[0018] Optionally, the control unit includes: a second sending subunit, a second control subunit, and a third control subunit. The second sending subunit is used to send the satellite position management information to the terminal device through the ground network and disconnect the network connection between the ground network and the terminal device; the second control subunit is used to control the terminal device to determine the search range of the satellite network according to the satellite position management information; the third control subunit is used to control the terminal device to search for the satellite network in the search range and access the satellite network after searching for the satellite network.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present application, a computer-readable storage medium is also provided, wherein a computer program is stored in the computer-readable storage medium, wherein when the computer program is executed, the device where the computer-readable storage medium is located executes the above-mentioned satellite network access method.

[0020] According to another aspect of the present application, an electronic device is also provided, wherein the electronic device includes one or more processors and a memory, the memory being used to store one or more programs, wherein when the one or more programs are executed by the one or more processors, the one or more processors execute the above-mentioned satellite network access method.

[0021] In the present application, a network access request of a terminal device is first generated through a ground network, wherein the ground network is a mobile network deployed on the ground, and the network access request represents that the terminal device requests to access a satellite network. Then, the ground network is used to detect whether the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network. If the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network, the terminal device is controlled to access the satellite network according to the negotiation result between the ground network and the satellite network, or the terminal device is controlled to search for the satellite network according to the search range returned by the satellite network, and access the satellite network after the satellite network is found.

[0022] It can be seen from the above content that the solution of the present application does not require user intervention. When it is necessary to access the satellite network, the initiator of the network access request is directly the ground network, and the ground network detects whether the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network. If it does, two operations, network switching or network redirection, can be implemented. The network switching is a seamless switch from the ground network to the satellite network after the negotiation between the ground network and the satellite network is completed. During this period, the user will not feel the network disconnection, and there is no problem of long satellite network search time. The network redirection operation requires the terminal device to search the satellite network by itself. However, since the satellite network will return the search range to the terminal device via the ground network (equivalent to the satellite network informing the terminal device of the location of the satellite network itself), it can also greatly shorten the search time and improve the access efficiency of the satellite network, thereby solving the technical problems of long network search time and low satellite network access efficiency when the user's terminal device accesses the satellite network from the ground network in the prior art. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The drawings described herein are used to provide a further understanding of the present application and constitute a part of the present application. The illustrative embodiments of the present application and their descriptions are used to explain the present application and do not constitute an improper limitation on the present application. In the drawings:

[0024] Figure 1 is a flowchart of an optional satellite network access method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an optional network switching process according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 3 is a timing diagram of an optional network switching process according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an optional network redirection according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 5is a timing diagram of an optional network redirection process according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of an optional satellite network access device according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the solution of the present application, the technical solution in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work should fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0031] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of the present application and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the data used in this way can be interchangeable where appropriate, so that the embodiments of the present application described herein can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any of their variations are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, for example, a process, method, system, product or device comprising a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units clearly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0032] It should also be noted that the information (including but not limited to user device information, user personal information, etc.) and data (including but not limited to data used for analysis, stored data, displayed data, etc.) collected by this application are information and data authorized by the user or fully authorized by all parties, and the collection, storage, use, processing, transmission, provision, disclosure and application of relevant data are in compliance with the relevant laws, regulations and standards of the relevant regions, necessary confidentiality measures are taken, and public order and good customs are not violated, and corresponding operation portals are provided for users to choose to authorize or refuse. For example, an interface is set up between this system and relevant users or organizations. Before obtaining relevant information, it is necessary to send an acquisition request to the aforementioned user or organization through the interface, and obtain relevant information after receiving the consent information fed back by the aforementioned user or organization.

[0033] According to an embodiment of the present application, an embodiment of a method for accessing a satellite network is provided. It should be noted that the steps shown in the flowchart of the accompanying drawings can be executed in a computer system such as a set of computer executable instructions, and although a logical order is shown in the flowchart, in some cases, the steps shown or described can be executed in an order different from that shown here.

[0034] Figure 1 is a flow chart of an optional satellite network access method according to an embodiment of the present application, such as Figure 1 As shown, the method comprises the following steps:

[0035] Step S101: Generate a network access request for a terminal device through a ground network.

[0036] In step S101, the terrestrial network is a mobile network deployed on the ground, and the network access request represents a request by a terminal device to access a satellite network.

[0037] Alternatively, the terrestrial network can be referred to as a TN (Terrestrial Network) network, where a TN network refers to a communication network implemented through ground communication facilities. This type of network usually relies on physical media such as radio waves, optical fibers, copper wires, etc. to transmit data. Terrestrial networks are widely used around the world to provide people with telephone, Internet, television and other communication services.

[0038] Optionally, key features of the ground network include:

[0039] 1. Wide coverage: The terrestrial network can cover cities, villages and remote areas, providing communication services to users in different regions.

[0040] 2. Mature technology: Ground network technology has been developed for a long time and has mature technology and equipment.

[0041] 3. Relatively low cost: Compared with satellite communications, the construction and maintenance costs of terrestrial networks are generally lower.

[0042] 4. High reliability: In most cases, the ground network can provide stable communication services and is less affected by natural conditions such as weather.

[0043] 5. Easy to expand: The ground network can be expanded according to demand to increase communication capacity and coverage.

[0044] Optionally, the above-mentioned terminal devices include but are not limited to: smart phones, laptops, smart wearable devices, car computers and other devices that can realize mobile communications.

[0045] Alternatively, the satellite network is also called NTN (Non Terrestrial Network) network, where non-terrestrial network technology can generally refer to the technology of using satellites, drones, high-altitude platforms and other non-terrestrial platforms to achieve communication network coverage. This network technology can solve the coverage blind spot problem of terrestrial networks in certain special areas (such as remote areas, oceans, disaster sites, etc.), and improve the coverage and reliability of communication networks.

[0046] The following are some commonly used satellite networks:

[0047] GEO network: Geostationary Orbit, refers to the network services provided by a high-orbit satellite system at an altitude of 35786km.

[0048] MEO network: Medium Earth Orbit refers to the network services provided by the medium-orbit satellite system with an altitude of 8000km to 25000km.

[0049] LEO network: Low Earth Orbit, refers to the network services provided by low-orbit satellite systems with an altitude below 2000km.

[0050] It should be noted that the triggering timing of the network access request of the terminal device generated by the ground network may not be perceived by the user. For example, when the user has applied for a satellite network service, it is assumed that the user's terminal device moves to the target area, where the signal strength of the ground network in the target area is lower than the preset strength value. When the terminal device moves to the target area, the ground network can generate a network access request for the terminal device to request access to the satellite network. Alternatively, when the user activates a function on the terminal device that requires the use of the satellite network, the ground network can also automatically generate a network access request for the terminal device.

[0051] Step S102: Detecting through the ground network whether the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network.

[0052] In step S102, the access condition of the satellite network is used to indicate that the terminal device has pre-subscribed for the network service of the satellite network.

[0053] Step S103, when the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network, the terminal device is controlled to access the satellite network according to the negotiation results of the ground network and the satellite network, or the terminal device is controlled to search for the satellite network according to the search range returned by the satellite network, and access the satellite network after searching the satellite network.

[0054] Optionally, according to the solution of the present application, when access to the satellite network is required, the initiator of the network access request is directly the ground network, and the ground network detects whether the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network. If so, two operations, network switching or network redirection, can be implemented. The network switching is a seamless switch from the ground network to the satellite network after the negotiation between the ground network and the satellite network is completed. During this period, the user will not feel the network disconnection, and there is no problem of long satellite network search time. The network redirection operation requires the terminal device to search for the satellite network by itself. However, since the satellite network will return the search range to the terminal device via the ground network (equivalent to the satellite network informing its own location), it can also greatly shorten the search time and improve the access efficiency of the satellite network.

[0055] Based on the contents of the above steps S101 to S103, it can be known that in the present application, a network access request of a terminal device is first generated through a ground network, wherein the ground network is a mobile network deployed on the ground, and the network access request represents a request by the terminal device to access a satellite network. Then, the ground network is used to detect whether the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network. If the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network, the terminal device is controlled to access the satellite network according to the negotiation result between the ground network and the satellite network, or the terminal device is controlled to search for the satellite network according to the search range returned by the satellite network, and access the satellite network after the satellite network is searched.

[0056] It can be seen from the above content that the solution of the present application does not require user intervention. When it is necessary to access the satellite network, the initiator of the network access request is directly the ground network, and the ground network detects whether the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network. If it does, two operations, network switching or network redirection, can be implemented. The network switching is a seamless switch from the ground network to the satellite network after the negotiation between the ground network and the satellite network is completed. During this period, the user will not feel the network disconnection, and there is no problem of long satellite network search time. The network redirection operation requires the terminal device to search the satellite network by itself. However, since the satellite network will return the search range to the terminal device via the ground network (equivalent to the satellite network informing the terminal device of the location of the satellite network itself), it can also greatly shorten the search time and improve the access efficiency of the satellite network, thereby solving the technical problems of long network search time and low satellite network access efficiency when the user's terminal device accesses the satellite network from the ground network in the prior art.

[0057] In an optional embodiment, after the ground network recognizes that the terminal device has successfully triggered the activation operation of the satellite network service, the ground network can obtain identification information, wherein the identification information at least includes service feature information of the satellite network service and network address information of the terminal device. Then, the ground network generates a network access request according to the identification information.

[0058] Optionally, the network address information of the terminal device may be IP five-tuple information of the terminal device, and the ground network may encapsulate the identification information into a request message and use the request message as a network access request.

[0059] It should be noted that, since the network access request includes the service feature information of the satellite network service, the satellite network can determine whether it supports the satellite network service requested by the terminal device after receiving the network access request. In addition, since the network access request also includes the network address information of the terminal device, the satellite network can determine the relevant positioning information of the terminal device after receiving the network access request.

[0060] In an optional embodiment, when detecting whether the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network through the ground network, the ground network can obtain the network contract information of the terminal device, wherein the network contract information is used to record the network services that the terminal device has pre-signed. Then, the ground network determines whether the terminal device has pre-signed for the network services of the satellite network based on the network contract information. If it is determined that the terminal device has pre-signed for the network services of the satellite network, it is determined that the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network; if it is determined that the terminal device has not pre-signed for the network services of the satellite network, it is determined that the terminal device does not meet the access conditions of the satellite network.

[0061] It should be noted that the determination of network access conditions is carried out by the ground network. If it is determined that the terminal device does not meet the access conditions of the satellite network, the ground network will no longer interact with the satellite network to avoid unnecessary occupation of satellite network resources. At this time, the terminal device always remains connected to the ground network and the terminal device will not be disconnected from the network.

[0062] In an optional embodiment, when the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network, a switching operation between the terrestrial network and the satellite network may be performed, and the process is as follows:

[0063] When the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network, a network negotiation request is sent to the satellite network through the ground network, wherein the network negotiation request includes at least device information, location information and user information of the user of the terminal device; a negotiation result returned by the satellite network in response to the network negotiation request is received through the ground network, wherein the negotiation result includes at least bearer resource information and ephemeris information reserved by the satellite network for the terminal device; and the terminal device is controlled to access the satellite network according to the negotiation result.

[0064] Optionally, Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an optional network switching process according to an embodiment of the present application, comprising the following steps:

[0065] Step ①, triggering operation based on satellite network services, including: triggering based on service DNN (i.e., NTN) services, indicating that the user has activated a service that requires the use of NTN network services on the terminal device, thereby triggering the generation operation of a network access request; triggering based on IP quintuple (NTN), indicating the network address information of the terminal device.

[0066] In step ②, a terrestrial network, such as gNB (GNodeB, a base station device of a 5G wireless access network), generates a NAS (Network Attached Storage message) message (i.e., a network access request), wherein the NAS message carries the identification information with satellite service characteristics in step ①.

[0067] Step ③: The ground network (e.g., ground core network) and NTN core network negotiate the satellite network user plane link, reserve satellite base station resources for terminal devices, satellite access parameters, and other information based on user subscription information, QoS (Quality of Service) strategy, and other information.

[0068] Step ④: The gNB network of the ground network instructs switching to the NTN network.

[0069] Step ⑤: gNB network sends a message to the user terminal (i.e. Figure 2 The UE in the process sends a switching instruction.

[0070] Step ⑥: The user terminal switches to the NTN network according to the switching instruction.

[0071] Optionally, Figure 3 is a timing diagram of an optional network switching process according to an embodiment of the present application, comprising the following steps:

[0072] First, the user based on the terminal device (corresponding Figure 3The UE in the satellite network triggers the NTN service, and the gNB network collects information such as DNN and IP quintuple with NTN service characteristics that can be identified by the gNB network or the core network. Then, the ground network obtains the user subscription information from the UDM. When it is determined that the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network according to the user subscription information, the ground network sends a handover request to the NTN network, wherein the handover request carries at least the information of the terminal device, user information, location information of the terminal device, QoS policy information, etc. After receiving the handover request, the NTN network reserves the base station and bearer resources, and then sends a response message of the handover request to the ground network, wherein the response message carries at least the bearer information, satellite resources and ephemeris information prepared by NTN, etc. After the ground network receives the response message, the negotiation process between the ground network and the NTN network is completed. The ground network sends a handover command to the terminal device, and the terminal device accesses the NTN network according to the handover command. Then the NTN network notifies the ground network that the terminal device has successfully switched networks. Finally, the ground network deregisters (that is, the ground network disconnects from the terminal device), and the NTN network starts billing.

[0073] Through the above process, after the negotiation between the ground network and the satellite network is completed, the ground network can be seamlessly switched to the satellite network. During this period, the user will not feel the network disconnection, and there will be no problem of long satellite network search time.

[0074] In an optional embodiment, after the ground network receives the notification information sent by the satellite network that the terminal device has successfully accessed the satellite network, the connection between the terminal device and the ground network is disconnected.

[0075] As mentioned above Figure 3 As shown, the terminal device accesses the NTN network according to the switching command, and then the NTN network notifies the ground network that the terminal device has successfully switched networks. Finally, the ground network deregisters (i.e., the ground network disconnects from the terminal device), and the NTN network starts billing.

[0076] In an optional embodiment, when the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network, the terminal device is controlled to search for the satellite network according to the search range returned by the satellite network, and before accessing the satellite network after searching the satellite network, when the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network, satellite position management information is obtained from the satellite network through the ground network, wherein the satellite position management information is used to assist the terminal device in searching for the satellite network.

[0077] Optionally, the terminal device is controlled to search for the satellite network according to the search range returned by the satellite network, and access the satellite network after the satellite network is searched, including: sending satellite position management information to the terminal device through the ground network, and disconnecting the network connection between the ground network and the terminal device; controlling the terminal device to determine the search range of the satellite network according to the satellite position management information; controlling the terminal device to search for the satellite network within the search range, and accessing the satellite network after the satellite network is searched.

[0078] In an optional embodiment, Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an optional network redirection according to an embodiment of the present application, such as Figure 4 As shown, the following steps are included:

[0079] Step ①, triggering operation based on satellite network services, including: triggering based on service DNN (i.e., NTN) services, indicating that the user has activated a service that requires the use of NTN network services on the terminal device, thereby triggering the generation operation of a network access request; triggering based on IP quintuple (NTN), indicating the network address information of the terminal device.

[0080] Step ②: The ground network (e.g., gNB) generates a NAS message (i.e., a network access request), wherein the NAS message carries the identification information with satellite service characteristics in step ①.

[0081] Step ③: The ground core network determines whether to allow the terminal device to access the NTN network based on the user's contract information.

[0082] Step ④: 5GC instructs to fall back to the NTN network.

[0083] Step ⑤, gNM sends an RRC release instruction to the terminal device, wherein the RRC release instruction carries at least NTN mobility information (ie, satellite location management information).

[0084] Step ⑥: The terminal device accesses the NTN network according to the RRC release instruction.

[0085] Optionally, Figure 5 : is a timing diagram of an optional network redirection process according to an embodiment of the present application, comprising the following steps:

[0086] First, the user triggers the NTN service based on the terminal device, and the gNB network collects information such as DNN and IP quintuple with NTN service characteristics that can be identified by the gNB network or core network. Then, the ground network obtains the user's contract information from the UDM. When it determines that the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network based on the user's contract information, the ground network subscribes to and obtains the satellite position management information from the NTN network. Then, the ground network generates an RRC release instruction based on the satellite position management information and sends this instruction to the terminal device. The RRC release instruction carries not only the satellite position management information but also the satellite's ephemeris information. Subsequently, the terminal device measures the search range based on the satellite position management information provided by the ground network, and accesses the NTN network after searching the NTN network. Finally, the PDU connection is started according to the service characteristics of the terminal device.

[0087] From the above content, it can be seen that although the network redirection operation requires the terminal device to search for the satellite network by itself, since the satellite network will return the search range to the terminal device via the ground network (equivalent to the satellite network informing the terminal device of the location of the satellite network itself), it can also greatly shorten the search time and improve the access efficiency of the satellite network.

[0088] According to another aspect of the present application, a satellite network access device is also provided, wherein: Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of an optional satellite network access device according to an embodiment of the present application, such as Figure 6 As shown, including:

[0089] The first processing unit 601 is used to generate a network access request of the terminal device through the ground network, wherein the ground network is a mobile network deployed on the ground, and the network access request represents a request by the terminal device to access the satellite network; the second processing unit 602 is used to detect whether the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network through the ground network; the control unit 603 is used to control the terminal device to access the satellite network according to the negotiation results between the ground network and the satellite network when the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network, or control the terminal device to search for the satellite network according to the search range returned by the satellite network, and access the satellite network after searching the satellite network.

[0090] Optionally, the first processing unit 601 includes: a first acquisition subunit and a generation subunit. The acquisition subunit is used to acquire identification information after identifying through the ground network that the terminal device has successfully triggered the activation operation of the satellite network service, wherein the identification information at least includes service feature information of the satellite network service and network address information of the terminal device; and the generation subunit is used to generate a network access request according to the identification information.

[0091] Optionally, the second processing unit 602 includes: a second acquisition subunit, a judgment subunit, a first determination subunit, and a second determination subunit. The second acquisition subunit is used to acquire network contract information of the terminal device, wherein the network contract information is used to record the network services that the terminal device has pre-contracted; the judgment subunit is used to determine whether the terminal device has pre-contracted for the network services of the satellite network according to the network contract information; the first determination subunit is used to determine that the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network when it is determined that the terminal device has pre-contracted for the network services of the satellite network; the second determination subunit is used to determine that the terminal device does not meet the access conditions of the satellite network when it is determined that the terminal device has not pre-contracted for the network services of the satellite network.

[0092] Optionally, the control unit 603 includes: a first sending subunit, a first receiving subunit, and a first control subunit. The first sending subunit is used to send a network negotiation request to the satellite network through the ground network when the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network, wherein the network negotiation request at least includes device information, location information of the terminal device, and user information of the user of the terminal device; the first receiving subunit is used to receive the negotiation result returned by the satellite network for the network negotiation request through the ground network, wherein the negotiation result at least includes the bearer resource information and ephemeris information reserved by the satellite network for the terminal device; and the first control subunit is used to control the terminal device to access the satellite network according to the negotiation result.

[0093] Optionally, the satellite network access device further includes: a third processing unit, configured to disconnect the terminal device from the terrestrial network after the terrestrial network receives notification information sent by the satellite network indicating that the terminal device has successfully accessed the satellite network.

[0094] Optionally, the satellite network access device also includes: a satellite position management information acquisition unit, which is used to obtain satellite position management information from the satellite network through the ground network when the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network, wherein the satellite position management information is used to assist the terminal device in searching for the satellite network.

[0095] Optionally, the control unit 603 includes: a second sending subunit, a second control subunit, and a third control subunit. The second sending subunit is used to send the satellite position management information to the terminal device through the ground network, and disconnect the network connection between the ground network and the terminal device; the second control subunit is used to control the terminal device to determine the search range of the satellite network according to the satellite position management information; the third control subunit is used to control the terminal device to search for the satellite network in the search range, and access the satellite network after searching for the satellite network.

[0096] In summary, in the present application, a network access request of a terminal device is first generated through a ground network, wherein the ground network is a mobile network deployed on the ground, and the network access request represents that the terminal device requests to access a satellite network. Then, the ground network is used to detect whether the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network. If the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network, the terminal device is controlled to access the satellite network according to the negotiation result between the ground network and the satellite network, or the terminal device is controlled to search for the satellite network according to the search range returned by the satellite network, and access the satellite network after the satellite network is searched.

[0097] It can be seen from the above content that the solution of the present application does not require user intervention. When it is necessary to access the satellite network, the initiator of the network access request is directly the ground network, and the ground network detects whether the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network. If it does, two operations, network switching or network redirection, can be implemented. The network switching is a seamless switch from the ground network to the satellite network after the negotiation between the ground network and the satellite network is completed. During this period, the user will not feel the network disconnection, and there is no problem of long satellite network search time. The network redirection operation requires the terminal device to search the satellite network by itself. However, since the satellite network will return the search range to the terminal device via the ground network (equivalent to the satellite network informing the terminal device of the location of the satellite network itself), it can also greatly shorten the search time and improve the access efficiency of the satellite network, thereby solving the technical problems of long network search time and low satellite network access efficiency when the user's terminal device accesses the satellite network from the ground network in the prior art.

[0098] According to another aspect of the present application, a computer-readable storage medium is also provided, wherein a computer program is stored in the computer-readable storage medium, wherein when the computer program is executed, the device where the computer-readable storage medium is located executes the above-mentioned satellite network access method.

[0099] According to another aspect of the present application, an electronic device is also provided, wherein the electronic device includes one or more processors and a memory, the memory being used to store one or more programs, wherein when the one or more programs are executed by the one or more processors, the one or more processors execute the above-mentioned satellite network access method.

[0100] The above-mentioned embodiments or examples disclosed in the present application are not exhaustive, but are only illustrative of some embodiments or examples, and are not intended to be specific limitations on the scope of protection disclosed in the present application. In the absence of contradiction, each step in a certain embodiment or example in the present application can be implemented as an independent example, and the steps can be combined arbitrarily. For example, the scheme after removing some steps in a certain embodiment or example can also be implemented as an independent example, and the order of the steps in a certain embodiment or example can be arbitrarily exchanged. In addition, the optional methods or optional examples in a certain embodiment or example can be combined arbitrarily; in addition, the various embodiments or examples can be combined arbitrarily, for example, some or all steps of different embodiments or examples can be combined arbitrarily, and a certain embodiment or example can be combined arbitrarily with the optional methods or optional examples of other embodiments or examples.

[0101] The serial numbers of the above-mentioned embodiments of the present application are for description only and do not represent the advantages or disadvantages of the embodiments.

[0102] In the above embodiments of the present application, the description of each embodiment has its own emphasis. For parts that are not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant description of other embodiments.

[0103] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed technical content can be implemented in other ways. Among them, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of the units can be a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of units or modules, which can be electrical or other forms.

[0104] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed on multiple units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the present embodiment.

[0105] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit. The above-mentioned integrated unit may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional units.

[0106] If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, and the computer software product is stored in a storage medium, including a number of instructions to enable a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server or a network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: U disk, read-only memory (ROM, Read-Only Memory), random access memory (RAM, Random Access Memory), mobile hard disk, disk or optical disk and other media that can store program codes.

[0107] The above is only a preferred implementation of the present application. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this technical field, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the present application. These improvements and modifications should also be regarded as the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A method for accessing a satellite network, characterized in that: include: Generate a network access request of the terminal device through a terrestrial network, wherein the terrestrial network is a mobile network deployed on the ground, and the network access request represents that the terminal device requests access to a satellite network; Detecting, through the ground network, whether the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network; When the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network, the terminal device is controlled to access the satellite network according to the negotiation results between the ground network and the satellite network, or the terminal device is controlled to search for the satellite network according to the search range returned by the satellite network, and access the satellite network after searching the satellite network.

2. The satellite network access method according to claim 1, characterized in that: Generate a network access request for a terminal device through the ground network, including: After the terrestrial network recognizes that the terminal device has successfully triggered an activation operation of the satellite network service, obtaining identification information, wherein the identification information at least includes service feature information of the satellite network service and network address information of the terminal device; The network access request is generated according to the identification information.

3. The satellite network access method according to claim 1, characterized in that: Detecting, through the ground network, whether the terminal device meets the access condition of the satellite network includes: Acquire network contract information of the terminal device, wherein the network contract information is used to record the network services that the terminal device has pre-signed; Determining whether the terminal device has pre-signed for the network service of the satellite network according to the network contract information; In the case where it is determined that the terminal device has pre-subscribed for the network service of the satellite network, determining that the terminal device meets the access condition of the satellite network; In a case where it is determined that the terminal device has not pre-subscribed for the network service of the satellite network, it is determined that the terminal device does not meet the access condition of the satellite network.

4. The satellite network access method according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the terminal device meets the access condition of the satellite network, controlling the terminal device to access the satellite network according to the negotiation result between the terrestrial network and the satellite network includes: When the terminal device meets the access condition of the satellite network, sending a network negotiation request to the satellite network through the ground network, wherein the network negotiation request includes at least device information and location information of the terminal device and user information of a user of the terminal device; Receiving, through the ground network, a negotiation result returned by the satellite network in response to the network negotiation request, wherein the negotiation result at least includes bearer resource information and ephemeris information reserved by the satellite network for the terminal device; Control the terminal device to access the satellite network according to the negotiation result.

5. The satellite network access method according to claim 4, characterized in that: After controlling the terminal device to access the satellite network according to the negotiation result, the satellite network access method further includes: After the ground network receives the notification information sent by the satellite network that the terminal device has successfully accessed the satellite network, the connection between the terminal device and the ground network is disconnected.

6. The satellite network access method according to claim 1, characterized in that: In a case where the terminal device meets the access condition of the satellite network, before controlling the terminal device to search for the satellite network according to the search range returned by the satellite network, and before accessing the satellite network after searching for the satellite network, the satellite network access method further includes: When the terminal device meets the access conditions of the satellite network, satellite position management information is obtained from the satellite network through the ground network, wherein the satellite position management information is used to assist the terminal device in searching for the satellite network.

7. The satellite network access method according to claim 6, characterized in that: Controlling the terminal device to search for the satellite network according to the search range returned by the satellite network, and accessing the satellite network after searching for the satellite network, comprises: Sending the satellite position management information to the terminal device via the ground network, and disconnecting the network connection between the ground network and the terminal device; Controlling the terminal device to determine a search range of the satellite network according to the satellite position management information; The terminal device is controlled to search for the satellite network within the search range, and access the satellite network after finding the satellite network.

8. A satellite network access device, characterized in that: include: A first processing unit is configured to generate a network access request of a terminal device through a terrestrial network, wherein the terrestrial network is a mobile network deployed on the ground, and the network access request represents a request by the terminal device to access a satellite network; A second processing unit, configured to detect, through the ground network, whether the terminal device meets the access condition of the satellite network; A control unit is used to control the terminal device to access the satellite network according to the negotiation result between the terrestrial network and the satellite network when the terminal device meets the access condition of the satellite network, or to control the terminal device to search for the satellite network according to the search range returned by the satellite network and access the satellite network after searching the satellite network.

9. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, wherein when the computer program is executed, the device where the computer-readable storage medium is located executes the satellite network access method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. An electronic device, characterized in that: The invention comprises one or more processors and a memory, wherein the memory is used to store one or more programs, wherein when the one or more programs are executed by the one or more processors, the one or more processors execute the satellite network access method as described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

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