Communication method and device, communication equipment, storage medium and computer program product

Abstract

The invention relates to a communication method and device, communication equipment, a storage medium and a computer program product. The method comprises the following steps: acquiring first information sent by a satellite network element, wherein the first information at least comprises a working mode of the satellite network element; and performing communication processing according to the terminal capability and the first information. By adopting the method, the cooperation between the terminal and the network can be effectively realized under the condition that both the terminal and the satellite network element support a plurality of working modes, and the communication reliability is improved.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on May 17, 2024, with application number 2024106182115 and application name “Communication method, device, communication equipment, storage medium and computer program product”, all contents of which are incorporated by reference in this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, apparatus, communication equipment, storage medium and computer program product. Background Art

[0003] At present, IoT-NTN (Internet of Things -Non ground network) technology can be widely used in vertical industries such as shipping, wilderness transportation, energy collection, agriculture, and environmental protection. It has the characteristics of wide coverage and low speed.

[0004] Due to the limited number of satellites and gateways, there are situations where the service link and feeder link of the satellite cannot be available at the same time. In order to improve the communication service capability of IoT-NTN, in the regeneration mode, the satellite network element can have the ability to store and forward. That is, when the service link is available but the feeder link is not available, the satellite network element can communicate with the terminal, receive messages sent by the terminal within the coverage area, cache them in the satellite network element, and forward the cached messages from the ground network to the terminal; when the feeder link is available but the service link is not available, the satellite network element can communicate with the ground network through the gateway, transmit the terminal messages cached on the satellite back to the ground, and receive messages sent to the terminal by the ground network, cache them in the satellite network element.

[0005] However, since both the satellite network element and the terminal have multiple working modes, how to enable the terminal to communicate through the satellite network element in multiple working modes is a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently. Summary of the invention

[0006] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, apparatus, communication equipment, storage medium and computer program product, which can effectively achieve collaboration between a terminal and a network and improve the reliability of communication when both the terminal and the satellite network element support multiple working modes.

[0007] A communication method, the method being applied to a terminal, the method comprising:

[0008] Acquire first information sent by a satellite network element, where the first information at least includes a working mode of the satellite network element;

[0009] Communication processing is performed according to the terminal capability and the first information.

[0010] In one of the embodiments, the satellite network element working mode includes at least one of a normal working mode, a store-and-forward mode and a coexistence mode.

[0011] In one of the embodiments, when the satellite network element working mode indication is a normal working mode and / or a coexistence mode, the method further includes:

[0012] The second information is obtained, where the second information includes time information at which the satellite network element can serve the terminal.

[0013] In one of the embodiments, the time information of the satellite network element serviceable terminal includes the start time of the satellite network element serviceable terminal and the end time of the satellite network element serviceable terminal.

[0014] In one of the embodiments, the terminal capability specifically refers to whether the terminal supports a store-and-forward mode.

[0015] In one embodiment, performing communication processing according to the terminal capability and the first information includes:

[0016] If the satellite network element working mode indicates the coexistence mode and the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, a connection request is sent to the satellite network element, and the connection request carries information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode.

[0017] In one embodiment, performing communication processing according to the terminal capability and the first information includes:

[0018] If the satellite network element working mode indicates the coexistence working mode and the terminal does not support the store-and-forward mode, the second information is judged, and if the current time is within the time range in which the satellite network element can serve the terminal, a connection request is sent to the satellite network element.

[0019] In one embodiment, performing communication processing according to the terminal capability and the first information includes:

[0020] If the satellite network element working mode indicates the store-and-forward mode and the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, a connection request is sent to the satellite network element, and the connection request carries information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode.

[0021] In one embodiment, performing communication processing according to the terminal capability and the first information includes:

[0022] If the operating mode of the satellite network element is indicated as the store-and-forward mode and the terminal does not support the store-and-forward mode, no connection request is sent to the satellite network element.

[0023] In one embodiment, performing communication processing according to the terminal capability and the first information includes:

[0024] If the working mode of the satellite network element indicates a normal working mode, the second information is judged, and if the current time is within the time range in which the satellite network element can serve the terminal, a connection request is sent to the satellite network element.

[0025] In one of the embodiments, the connection request includes at least one or more of an RRC connection request, an RRC recovery request, and an RRC reestablishment request.

[0026] In one embodiment, performing communication processing according to the terminal capability and the first information includes:

[0027] If the satellite network element working mode indicates the coexistence mode and the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, an attach request NAS message is sent to the satellite network element, and the attach request NAS message carries information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode.

[0028] In one embodiment, performing communication processing according to the terminal capability and the first information includes:

[0029] If the satellite network element working mode indicates the store-and-forward mode and the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, an attach request NAS message is sent to the satellite network element, and the attach request NAS message carries information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode.

[0030] In one of the embodiments, the first information also includes a satellite ID.

[0031] A communication method, the method being applied to a satellite network element, the method comprising:

[0032] First information is sent to the terminal, where the first information at least includes an on-satellite network element working mode, and is used to enable the terminal to perform communication processing based on the terminal capability and the first information.

[0033] In one of the embodiments, the satellite network element working mode includes at least one of a normal working mode, a store-and-forward mode and a coexistence mode.

[0034] In one of the embodiments, when the satellite network element working mode indication is a normal working mode and / or a coexistence mode, the method further includes:

[0035] Sending second information to the terminal, where the second information includes time information at which the satellite network element can serve the terminal.

[0036] In one of the embodiments, the time information of the satellite network element serviceable terminal includes the start time of the satellite network element serviceable terminal and the end time of the satellite network element serviceable terminal.

[0037] In one of the embodiments, the time information of the terminal that can be served by the satellite network element is calculated by the satellite network element according to the satellite ephemeris and the ground gateway information.

[0038] In one of the embodiments, the on-board network element working mode is configured by a preset strategy.

[0039] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0040] A connection request sent by the terminal is received.

[0041] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0042] If the satellite network element working mode indicates the coexistence mode, and the received connection request contains information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, the feeder link status is determined:

[0043] If the feeder link is unavailable, sending a connection message to the terminal, wherein the connection message carries configuration information indicating that the terminal operates in a store-and-forward mode;

[0044] If the feeder link is available, a connection message is sent to the terminal, wherein the connection message carries configuration information indicating that the terminal operates in a normal mode.

[0045] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0046] If the satellite network element working mode indicates the coexistence mode, and the received connection request does not contain information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, the feeder link status is determined:

[0047] If the feeder link is unavailable, sending a rejection message to the terminal, wherein the rejection message carries a rejection reason, and the rejection reason indicates that the feeder link is unavailable;

[0048] If the feeder link is available, a connect message is sent to the terminal.

[0049] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0050] If the satellite network element working mode indicates the store-and-forward mode, and the received connection request contains indication information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, a connection message is sent to the terminal, and the connection message carries configuration information indicating that the terminal works in the store-and-forward mode.

[0051] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0052] If the satellite network element working mode indicates the normal working mode and receives the connection message sent by the terminal, the feeder link status is determined:

[0053] If the feeder link is unavailable, sending a rejection message to the terminal, the rejection message including a rejection reason, the rejection reason indicating that the feeder link is unavailable;

[0054] If the feeder link is available, a connect message is sent to the terminal.

[0055] In one of the embodiments, the connection request includes at least one or more of an RRC connection request, an RRC recovery request, and an RRC reestablishment request;

[0056] When the connection request is an RRC connection request, the connection message is an RRC connection establishment message, and the rejection message is an RRC connection rejection message;

[0057] When the connection request is an RRC connection recovery request, the connection message is an RRC connection recovery message, and the rejection message is an RRC connection rejection message;

[0058] When the connection request is an RRC connection reestablishment request, the connection message is an RRC connection reestablishment message, and the rejection message is an RRC connection reestablishment rejection message.

[0059] In one embodiment, the method further comprises

[0060] An attach request NAS message sent by the terminal is received, where the attach request NAS message carries information indicating that the terminal supports a store-and-forward mode.

[0061] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0062] Determining whether an attach request NAS message of the terminal is cached;

[0063] If an attach request NAS message of the terminal is cached, obtaining the cached authentication vector information of the terminal, and performing authentication processing on the terminal based on the authentication vector information;

[0064] If the attach request NAS message of the terminal is not cached, the attach request NAS message and the identification information of the terminal are cached, and an attach rejection message is sent to the terminal, where the attach rejection message carries a rejection reason, a waiting time, and a list of available satellite IDs, where the rejection reason indicates that the attach process cannot be completed due to a store-and-forward mode; and the identification information is one of IMSI or GUTI.

[0065] In one of the embodiments, after sending the attachment rejection message to the terminal, the method further includes:

[0066] When the feeder link is available, forwarding the attach request NAS message and the identification information of the terminal to a ground network element;

[0067] Receive authentication vector information of the terminal sent by a ground network element, cache the terminal authentication vector information, and establish a binding relationship between the authentication vector information, the attachment request NAS message, and the identification information of the terminal.

[0068] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0069] If the satellite network element working mode indicates the coexistence mode, the feeder link state is determined;

[0070] If the feeder link is unavailable, the step of determining whether an attach request NAS message of the terminal is cached is performed.

[0071] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0072] After receiving the attach completion message sent by the terminal, deleting the cached authentication vector information of the terminal, the attach request NAS message, and the identification information of the terminal;

[0073] An attachment completion notification of the terminal is sent to a ground network element, where the attachment completion notification is used to instruct the ground network element to delete the authentication vector information of the terminal, the attachment request NAS message, and the identification information of the terminal.

[0074] In one of the embodiments, the first information also includes a satellite ID.

[0075] A communication device, the device is applied to a terminal, the device comprising:

[0076] A first acquisition module is used to acquire first information sent by the satellite network element, where the first information at least includes a working mode of the satellite network element;

[0077] A communication module is used to perform communication processing according to the terminal capability and the first information.

[0078] In one of the embodiments, the satellite network element working mode includes at least one of a normal working mode, a store-and-forward mode and a coexistence mode.

[0079] In one of the embodiments, when the satellite network element working mode indication is a normal working mode and / or a coexistence mode, the device further includes:

[0080] The second acquisition module is used to acquire second information, where the second information includes time information of the terminal that can be serviced by the satellite network element.

[0081] In one of the embodiments, the time information of the satellite network element serviceable terminal includes the start time of the satellite network element serviceable terminal and the end time of the satellite network element serviceable terminal.

[0082] In one of the embodiments, the terminal capability specifically refers to whether the terminal supports a store-and-forward mode.

[0083] In one embodiment, the communication module is specifically used for:

[0084] If the satellite network element working mode indicates the coexistence mode and the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, a connection request is sent to the satellite network element, and the connection request carries information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode.

[0085] In one embodiment, the communication module is specifically used for:

[0086] If the satellite network element working mode indicates the coexistence working mode and the terminal does not support the store-and-forward mode, the second information is judged, and if the current time is within the time range in which the satellite network element can serve the terminal, a connection request is sent to the satellite network element.

[0087] In one embodiment, the communication module is specifically used for:

[0088] If the satellite network element working mode indicates the store-and-forward mode and the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, a connection request is sent to the satellite network element, and the connection request carries information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode.

[0089] In one embodiment, the communication module is specifically used for:

[0090] If the operating mode of the satellite network element is indicated as the store-and-forward mode and the terminal does not support the store-and-forward mode, no connection request is sent to the satellite network element.

[0091] In one embodiment, the communication module is specifically used for:

[0092] If the working mode of the satellite network element indicates a normal working mode, the second information is judged, and if the current time is within the time range in which the satellite network element can serve the terminal, a connection request is sent to the satellite network element.

[0093] In one of the embodiments, the connection request includes at least one or more of an RRC connection request, an RRC recovery request, and an RRC reestablishment request.

[0094] In one embodiment, the communication module is specifically used for:

[0095] If the satellite network element working mode indicates the coexistence mode and the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, an attach request NAS message is sent to the satellite network element, and the attach request NAS message carries information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode.

[0096] In one embodiment, the communication module is specifically used for:

[0097] If the satellite network element working mode indicates the store-and-forward mode and the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, an attach request NAS message is sent to the satellite network element, and the attach request NAS message carries information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode.

[0098] In one of the embodiments, the first information also includes a satellite ID.

[0099] A communication device, the device is applied to a satellite network element, the device comprises:

[0100] The first sending module is used to send first information to the terminal, where the first information at least includes a satellite network element working mode, and is used to enable the terminal to perform communication processing based on the terminal capability and the first information.

[0101] In one of the embodiments, the satellite network element working mode includes at least one of a normal working mode, a store-and-forward mode and a coexistence mode.

[0102] In one of the embodiments, when the satellite network element working mode indication is a normal working mode and / or a coexistence mode, the device further includes:

[0103] The second sending module is used to send second information to the terminal, where the second information includes time information of the terminal that can be served by the satellite network element.

[0104] In one of the embodiments, the time information of the satellite network element serviceable terminal includes the start time of the satellite network element serviceable terminal and the end time of the satellite network element serviceable terminal.

[0105] In one of the embodiments, the time information of the terminal that can be served by the satellite network element is calculated by the satellite network element according to the satellite ephemeris and the ground gateway information.

[0106] In one of the embodiments, the on-board network element working mode is configured by a preset strategy.

[0107] In one embodiment, the device further comprises:

[0108] The first receiving module is used to receive a connection request sent by the terminal.

[0109] In one embodiment, the device further comprises:

[0110] The first judgment module is used to judge the feeder link state if the satellite network element working mode indicates the coexistence mode and the received connection request contains information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode:

[0111] a third sending module, configured to send a connection message to the terminal if the feeder link is unavailable, wherein the connection message carries configuration information indicating that the terminal operates in a store-and-forward mode;

[0112] The fourth sending module is used to send a connection message to the terminal if the feeder link is available, wherein the connection message carries configuration information indicating that the terminal operates in a normal mode.

[0113] In one embodiment, the device further comprises:

[0114] The second judgment module is used to judge the feeder link state if the satellite network element working mode indicates the coexistence mode and the received connection request does not include information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode:

[0115] a fifth sending module, configured to send a rejection message to the terminal if the feeder link is unavailable, wherein the rejection message carries a rejection reason, and the rejection reason indicates that the feeder link is unavailable;

[0116] A sixth sending module is configured to send a connection message to the terminal if the feeder link is available.

[0117] In one embodiment, the device further comprises:

[0118] The seventh sending module is used to send a connection message to the terminal if the working mode of the satellite network element is indicated as the storage and forwarding mode, and the received connection request contains indication information indicating that the terminal supports the storage and forwarding mode, and the connection message carries configuration information indicating that the terminal works in the storage and forwarding mode.

[0119] In one embodiment, the device further comprises:

[0120] The third judgment module is used to judge the feeder link state if the satellite network element working mode indicates the normal working mode and receives the connection message sent by the terminal:

[0121] an eighth sending module, configured to send a rejection message to the terminal if the feeder link is unavailable, the rejection message including a rejection reason, the rejection reason indicating that the feeder link is unavailable;

[0122] A ninth sending module is configured to send a connection message to the terminal if the feeder link is available.

[0123] In one of the embodiments, the connection request includes at least one or more of an RRC connection request, an RRC recovery request, and an RRC reestablishment request;

[0124] When the connection request is an RRC connection request, the connection message is an RRC connection establishment message, and the rejection message is an RRC connection rejection message;

[0125] When the connection request is an RRC connection recovery request, the connection message is an RRC connection recovery message, and the rejection message is an RRC connection rejection message;

[0126] When the connection request is an RRC connection reestablishment request, the connection message is an RRC connection reestablishment message, and the rejection message is an RRC connection reestablishment rejection message.

[0127] In one embodiment, the device further comprises

[0128] The second receiving module is used to receive an attach request NAS message sent by the terminal, where the attach request NAS message carries information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode.

[0129] In one embodiment, the second receiving module is further used for:

[0130] Determining whether an attach request NAS message of the terminal is cached;

[0131] If an attach request NAS message of the terminal is cached, obtaining the cached authentication vector information of the terminal, and performing authentication processing on the terminal based on the authentication vector information;

[0132] If the attach request NAS message of the terminal is not cached, the attach request NAS message and the identification information of the terminal are cached, and an attach rejection message is sent to the terminal, where the attach rejection message carries a rejection reason, a waiting time, and a list of available satellite IDs, where the rejection reason indicates that the attach process cannot be completed due to a store-and-forward mode; and the identification information is one of IMSI or GUTI.

[0133] In one embodiment, the second receiving module is further used for:

[0134] When the feeder link is available, forwarding the attach request NAS message and the identification information of the terminal to a ground network element;

[0135] Receive authentication vector information of the terminal sent by a ground network element, cache the terminal authentication vector information, and establish a binding relationship between the authentication vector information, the attachment request NAS message, and the identification information of the terminal.

[0136] In one embodiment, the second receiving module is further used for:

[0137] If the satellite network element working mode indicates the coexistence mode, the feeder link state is determined;

[0138] If the feeder link is unavailable, the step of determining whether an attach request NAS message of the terminal is cached is performed.

[0139] In one embodiment, the second receiving module is further used for:

[0140] After receiving the attach completion message sent by the terminal, deleting the cached authentication vector information of the terminal, the attach request NAS message, and the identification information of the terminal;

[0141] An attachment completion notification of the terminal is sent to a ground network element, where the attachment completion notification is used to instruct the ground network element to delete the authentication vector information of the terminal, the attachment request NAS message, and the identification information of the terminal.

[0142] In one of the embodiments, the first information also includes a satellite ID.

[0143] A communication system, comprising a terminal and a satellite network element, wherein:

[0144] The satellite network access element is used to send first information to the terminal, where the first information at least includes a satellite network access element working mode;

[0145] The terminal is used to obtain the first information sent by the satellite network element and perform communication processing according to the terminal capability and the first information.

[0146] A communication device, comprising: a receiver and a processor;

[0147] The receiver is used to obtain first information sent by the satellite network element, where the first information at least includes a working mode of the satellite network element;

[0148] The processor is used to perform communication processing according to the terminal capability and the first information.

[0149] A communication device, comprising: a transmitter;

[0150] The transmitter is used to send first information to the terminal, where the first information at least includes a satellite network element working mode, and is used to enable the terminal to perform communication processing based on the terminal capability and the first information.

[0151] A computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, which, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0152] A computer program product includes a computer program, characterized in that when the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application are implemented.

[0153] The above communication method, apparatus, communication equipment, storage medium and computer program product can be applied to a terminal, and the terminal can obtain the first information sent by the satellite network element, the first information at least including the satellite network element working mode, and then perform communication processing according to the terminal capability and the first information. In this solution, the terminal can learn the working mode of the satellite network element, and perform communication processing in combination with the working mode of the satellite network element and its own capabilities. In this way, when both the terminal and the satellite network element support multiple working modes, the coordination between the terminal and the network can be effectively achieved, and the reliability of communication is improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0154] Figure 1 An application scenario diagram of a communication method in an embodiment;

[0155] Figure 2 is a flow chart of a communication method in one embodiment;

[0156] Figure 3 is a flow chart of a communication method in another embodiment;

[0157] Figure 4 A flow chart of a communication method when the satellite network element is in a coexistence mode and the terminal supports a store-and-forward mode;

[0158] Figure 5 A flow chart of a communication method when the satellite network element is in a coexistence mode and the terminal does not support a store-and-forward mode;

[0159] Figure 6 A flow chart of a communication method when the satellite network element is in a store-and-forward mode and the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode;

[0160] Figure 7 A flow chart of a communication method when the satellite network element is in a normal working mode;

[0161] Figure 8 A flow chart of another communication method when the satellite network element is in the store-and-forward mode and the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode;

[0162] Fig. 9 is a structural block diagram of a communication device in one embodiment;

[0163] Fig.10 is a structural block diagram of a communication device in another embodiment;

[0164] Fig.11 is an internal structure diagram of a terminal device in one embodiment;

[0165] Fig.12 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the internal structure of an on-board network element in one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0166] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present application more clearly understood, the present application is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and are not used to limit the present application.

[0167] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an application scenario of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 1 As shown, the scenario includes a terminal 100 and a satellite network element 200. The terminal 100 and the satellite network element 200 can communicate with each other through a communication link.

[0168] The terminal 100 may be a wireless terminal, which may be a device that provides voice and / or other business data connectivity to a user, or a handheld device with a wireless connection function, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem. The wireless terminal may communicate with one or more core networks via a radio access network (Radio Access Network, referred to as RAN). The wireless terminal may be a mobile terminal, such as a mobile phone (or "cellular" phone) and a computer with a mobile terminal, for example, a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-built-in or vehicle-mounted mobile device, which exchanges language and / or data with a radio access network. The wireless terminal may also be referred to as a system, a subscriber unit (Subscriber Unit), a subscriber station (Subscriber Station), a mobile station (Mobile Station), a mobile station (Mobile), a remote station (Remote Station), a remote terminal (Remote Terminal), an access terminal (Access Terminal), a user terminal (User Terminal), a user agent (User Agent), a user device (User Device or User Equipment) or other Internet of Things devices, which are not limited here.

[0169] In the regeneration mode, in order to improve the communication service capability of IoT-NTN, the satellite network element can have the ability to store and forward. That is, when the service link is available but the feeder link is not available, the satellite network element can communicate with the terminal, receive messages sent by the terminal within the coverage area, cache them in the satellite network element, and forward the cached messages from the ground network to the terminal; when the feeder link is available but the service link is not available, the satellite network element can communicate with the ground network through the gateway station, transmit the terminal messages cached on the satellite back to the ground, and receive messages sent to the terminal by the ground network, cache them in the satellite network element.

[0170] In traditional technology, both satellite network elements and terminals have multiple working modes. Therefore, how to enable the terminal to communicate through the satellite network element in multiple working modes is a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently. Based on the above traditional technology, the embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, and the terminal can combine the working mode of the satellite network element and its own capabilities to perform communication processing. When both the terminal and the satellite network element support multiple working modes, the coordination between the terminal and the network can be effectively achieved, thereby improving the reliability of communication.

[0171] It should be noted that the beneficial effects brought about by the embodiments of the present application or the technical problems solved are not limited to this one, but may also include other implicit or related problems. For details, please refer to the description of the following embodiments.

[0172] The technical solution of the present application and how the technical solution of the present application solves the above-mentioned technical problems are described in detail below with specific embodiments. The following specific embodiments can be combined with each other, and the same or similar concepts or processes may not be repeated in some embodiments. The embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0173] In one embodiment, Figure 2 As shown, a communication method is provided, which is applied to Figure 1 The terminal device in the example is used to illustrate, including the following steps:

[0174] Step 202: Acquire the first information sent by the satellite network element.

[0175] The first information at least includes the working mode of the satellite network element.

[0176] In an embodiment of the present application, the satellite network element may broadcast and send the first information, and the first information may include the satellite network element working mode. Among them, the satellite network element working mode includes at least one of the normal working mode (i.e., transparent transmission mode), storage and forwarding mode, and coexistence mode (i.e., the normal working mode and the storage and forwarding mode exist at the same time). In one implementation, the first information may be carried by a SIB (System Information Block, system message block) 1 message. For example, the satellite network element may add identification information corresponding to the working mode to the SIB1 message according to the current working mode, and then broadcast the SIB1 message. The terminal may monitor the SIB1 message and parse the SIB1 message to obtain the first information.

[0177] Optionally, the satellite network element may be a base station, or the satellite network element may include a base station and an MME (Mobility Management Entity). The embodiment of the present application may be executed by the base station included in the satellite network element.

[0178] Step 204: perform communication processing according to the terminal capability and the first information.

[0179] In the embodiment of the present application, after the terminal obtains the satellite network element working mode, it can perform communication processing according to its own terminal capabilities and the satellite network element working mode. For example, it can determine whether to initiate a connection with the satellite network element. Among them, the terminal capability specifically refers to whether the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode.

[0180] Based on the above scheme, the terminal can learn the working mode of the satellite network element, and perform communication processing based on the working mode of the satellite network element and its own capabilities. In this way, when both the terminal and the satellite network element support multiple working modes, the collaboration between the terminal and the network can be effectively achieved, thereby improving the reliability of communication.

[0181] Optionally, when the working mode of the satellite network element is indicated as a normal working mode and / or a coexistence mode, the method further includes: acquiring second information, the second information including time information of the terminal that the satellite network element can serve.

[0182] In an embodiment of the present application, the satellite network element may also broadcast second information, and the second information may include time information of the satellite network element serviceable terminal. The second information may be carried by a SIB message. Optionally, the first information and the second information may be carried by different SIB messages. After the terminal obtains the working mode of the satellite network element, if the working mode of the satellite network element indicates a normal working mode and / or a coexistence mode, the terminal may monitor the second information and parse the second information to obtain the time information of the satellite network element serviceable terminal. The satellite network element serviceable terminal is a terminal for which the satellite network element can provide communication services, that is, a terminal within the coverage range of the satellite network.

[0183] Optionally, the time information of the satellite network element serviceable terminal includes the start time of the satellite network element serviceable terminal and the end time of the satellite network element serviceable terminal. That is, the time information is a time range.

[0184] Based on the above scheme, when the satellite network element works in the normal working mode and / or the coexistence mode, the terminal can also obtain the time information of the satellite network element that can serve the terminal, so as to communicate with the satellite network element within the time, thereby improving the success rate of communication.

[0185] Optionally, communication processing is performed according to the terminal capability and the first information, including: if the working mode of the satellite network element is indicated as coexistence mode and the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, a connection request is sent to the satellite network element, and the connection request carries information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode.

[0186] In the embodiment of the present application, after the terminal obtains the satellite network element working mode, if the satellite network element working mode indicates the coexistence mode, the terminal can determine whether its terminal capability supports the store-and-forward mode. If supported, a connection request is sent to the satellite network element, and the connection request carries information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode.

[0187] Based on the above solution, when the satellite network element working mode indicates the coexistence mode and the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, the terminal can directly send a connection request to the satellite network element to communicate with the satellite network element.

[0188] Optionally, communication processing is performed according to the terminal capabilities and the first information, including: if the working mode of the satellite network element is indicated as the co-existence working mode and the terminal does not support the storage and forwarding mode, then judging the second information, if the current time is within the time range where the satellite network element can serve the terminal, then sending a connection request to the satellite network element.

[0189] In the embodiment of the present application, after the terminal obtains the satellite network element working mode, if the satellite network element working mode indicates the coexistence mode, the terminal can determine whether its terminal capability supports the store-and-forward mode. If not, the terminal determines whether the current time is within the time range of the satellite network element serving the terminal according to the time information of the satellite network element serving the terminal in the acquired second information. If it is, a connection request is sent to the satellite network element. The connection request may not carry information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode; or the connection request may carry information indicating that the terminal does not support the store-and-forward mode. If it is not, the terminal does not send a connection request.

[0190] Based on the above scheme, a collaborative working mode is provided when the satellite network element working mode indicates the coexistence working mode and the terminal does not support the store-and-forward mode, thereby ensuring the reliability of communication between the terminal and the satellite network element.

[0191] Optionally, communication processing is performed according to the terminal capability and the first information, including: if the working mode of the satellite network element is indicated as the storage and forwarding mode and the terminal supports the storage and forwarding mode, a connection request is sent to the satellite network element, and the connection request carries information indicating that the terminal supports the storage and forwarding mode.

[0192] In the embodiment of the present application, after the terminal obtains the satellite network element working mode, if the satellite network element working mode indicates the store-and-forward mode, the terminal can determine whether its terminal capability supports the store-and-forward mode. If supported, a connection request is sent to the satellite network element, and the connection request carries information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode.

[0193] Based on the above scheme, when the working mode of the satellite network element indicates the store-and-forward mode and the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, the terminal can directly send a connection request to the satellite network element to communicate with the satellite network element.

[0194] Optionally, communication processing is performed according to the terminal capability and the first information, including: if the working mode of the satellite network element is indicated as the store-and-forward mode and the terminal does not support the store-and-forward mode, then no connection request is sent to the satellite network element.

[0195] In the embodiment of the present application, after the terminal obtains the satellite network element working mode, if the satellite network element working mode indicates the store-and-forward mode, the terminal can determine whether its terminal capability supports the store-and-forward mode. If not, it is impossible to communicate with the satellite network element, and the terminal does not send a connection request to the satellite network element.

[0196] Based on the above scheme, a collaborative working mode is provided when the satellite network element working mode indicates the store-and-forward mode and the terminal does not support the store-and-forward mode, which can save communication resources and terminal power consumption.

[0197] Optionally, communication processing is performed according to the terminal capabilities and the first information, including: if the working mode of the satellite network element indicates a normal working mode, judging the second information, and if the current time is within the time range where the satellite network element can serve the terminal, sending a connection request to the satellite network element.

[0198] In the embodiment of the present application, after the terminal obtains the satellite network element working mode, if the satellite network element working mode indicates a normal working mode, the terminal determines whether the current time is within the time range of the satellite network element serving the terminal according to the time information of the satellite network element serving the terminal in the obtained second information. If it is, a connection request is sent to the satellite network element. The connection request may not carry information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode. If it is not, the terminal does not send a connection request.

[0199] Based on the above scheme, a collaborative working mode is provided when the satellite network element working mode indication is in the normal working mode, so as to ensure that the terminal and the satellite network element can communicate normally.

[0200] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the connection request includes at least one or more of an RRC connection request, an RRC recovery request, and an RRC reconstruction request, which is not limited in the present application.

[0201] Optionally, the first information also includes a satellite ID.

[0202] Optionally, communication processing is performed according to the terminal capability and the first information, including: if the working mode of the satellite network element is indicated as coexistence mode and the terminal supports the storage and forwarding mode, an attachment request NAS message is sent to the satellite network element, and the attachment request NAS message carries information indicating that the terminal supports the storage and forwarding mode.

[0203] In the embodiment of the present application, the satellite network element includes a base station and an MME. If the satellite network element working mode indicates a coexistence mode and the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, the terminal can send an RRC connection completion message to the base station in the satellite network element. The RRC connection completion message includes an attachment request NAS (Non-Access Stratum) message. The attachment request NAS message carries information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode. After receiving the RRC connection completion message, the base station forwards the attachment request NAS message to the MME through the initialUE Message message.

[0204] Based on the above solution, indication information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode can be sent to the on-board MME via an attach request NAS message, so as to complete the communication processing.

[0205] Optionally, communication processing is performed according to the terminal capability and the first information, including: if the working mode of the satellite network element is indicated as the storage and forwarding mode, and the terminal supports the storage and forwarding mode, then an attachment request NAS message is sent to the satellite network element, and the attachment request NAS message carries information indicating that the terminal supports the storage and forwarding mode.

[0206] In the embodiment of the present application, the satellite network element includes a base station and an MME. If the satellite network element working mode indicates the store-and-forward mode and the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, the terminal can send an RRC connection completion message to the base station in the satellite network element, and the RRC connection completion message includes an attachment request NAS message, and the attachment request NAS message carries information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode. After receiving the RRC connection completion message, the base station forwards the attachment request NAS message to the MME through the initial UE Message message.

[0207] Based on the above solution, indication information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode can be sent to the on-board MME via an attach request NAS message, so as to complete the communication processing.

[0208] In one embodiment, Figure 3 As shown, a communication method is provided, which is applied to Figure 1 The satellite network element in the example is used to illustrate, including the following steps:

[0209] Step 302: Send first information to the terminal.

[0210] The first information at least includes a satellite network element working mode, which is used to enable the terminal to perform communication processing based on the terminal capability and the first information.

[0211] In an embodiment of the present application, the satellite network element may broadcast and send the first information, and the first information may include the satellite network element working mode. Among them, the satellite network element working mode includes at least one of the normal working mode, the storage and forwarding mode and the coexistence mode. In one implementation, the first information may be carried by the SIB1 message. For example, the satellite network element may add the identification information corresponding to the working mode to the SIB1 message according to the current working mode, and then broadcast the SIB1 message. The terminal may monitor the SIB1 message and parse the SIB1 message to obtain the first information. After the terminal obtains the satellite network element working mode, it may perform communication processing according to its own terminal capabilities and the satellite network element working mode. For example, it may determine whether to initiate a connection with the satellite network element. Among them, the terminal capability specifically refers to whether the terminal supports the storage and forwarding mode.

[0212] Optionally, the satellite network element may be a base station, or the satellite network element may include a base station and an MME (Mobility Management Entity). The embodiment of the present application may be executed by the base station included in the satellite network element.

[0213] Based on the above scheme, the terminal can learn the working mode of the satellite network element, and perform communication processing based on the working mode of the satellite network element and its own capabilities. In this way, when both the terminal and the satellite network element support multiple working modes, the collaboration between the terminal and the network can be effectively achieved, thereby improving the reliability of communication.

[0214] Optionally, when the working mode of the satellite network element is indicated as a normal working mode and / or a coexistence mode, the method further includes: sending second information to the terminal; the second information includes time information at which the satellite network element can serve the terminal.

[0215] In an embodiment of the present application, when the satellite network element operates in a normal working mode and / or a coexistence mode, the satellite network element may also broadcast second information. The second information may include time information of the satellite network element serviceable terminal. The second information may be carried by a SIB message. Optionally, the first information and the second information may be carried by different SIB messages. After the terminal obtains the working mode of the satellite network element, if the working mode of the satellite network element indicates a normal working mode and / or a coexistence mode, the terminal may monitor the second information and parse the second information to obtain the time information of the satellite network element serviceable terminal. The satellite network element serviceable terminal is a terminal for which the satellite network element can provide communication services, that is, a terminal within the coverage range of the satellite network.

[0216] Based on the above scheme, when the satellite network element works in normal working mode and / or coexistence mode, the satellite network element can broadcast the time information that the satellite network element can serve the terminal, so that the terminal can communicate with the satellite network element within this time, thereby improving the success rate of communication.

[0217] Optionally, the time information of the satellite network element serviceable terminal includes the start time of the satellite network element serviceable terminal and the end time of the satellite network element serviceable terminal. That is, the time information is a time range.

[0218] Optionally, the time information of the terminal that can be served by the satellite network element is calculated by the satellite network element according to the satellite ephemeris and the ground gateway information.

[0219] Optionally, the satellite network element working mode is configured by a preset strategy. The preset strategy can be configured by a technician, and the specific content of the preset strategy is not limited in the embodiment of the present application. During the working process, the satellite network element can switch between different working modes according to the preset strategy.

[0220] Optionally, the method further includes: receiving a connection request sent by the terminal.

[0221] In an embodiment of the present application, if the terminal determines that it can communicate with the satellite network element, the terminal can send a connection request to the satellite network element. The connection request can be an RRC connection request, and / or an RRC recovery request, and / or an RRC reconstruction request. In this way, the terminal can establish a connection with the satellite network element in different scenarios, thereby communicating with the satellite network element. The satellite network element can receive the connection request sent by the terminal, and can process the connection request according to the current working mode and the connection request.

[0222] Optionally, the method also includes: if the working mode of the on-board network element is indicated as coexistence mode, and the received connection request contains information indicating that the terminal supports the storage and forwarding mode, then judging the status of the feeder link: if the feeder link is not available, sending a connection message to the terminal, and the connection message carries configuration information indicating that the terminal works in the storage and forwarding mode; if the feeder link is available, sending a connection message to the terminal, and the connection message carries configuration information indicating that the terminal works in the normal mode.

[0223] In an embodiment of the present application, after receiving a connection request sent by a terminal, the satellite network element can parse the connection request. If the satellite network element working mode indicates a coexistence mode, and the received connection request contains information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, the satellite network element determines the state of the feeder link. If the feeder link is unavailable, a connection message is sent to the terminal, and the connection message carries configuration information indicating that the terminal works in the store-and-forward mode. In this way, even if the feeder link is unavailable, the terminal can use the store-and-forward mode for message transmission. If the feeder link is available, the satellite network element sends a connection message to the terminal, and the connection message carries configuration information indicating that the terminal works in the normal mode. In this way, when the feeder link is available, the terminal only needs to use the normal working mode for message transmission, saving the processing resources of the terminal.

[0224] In one example, after the satellite network element receives the RRC connection request sent by the terminal, if the satellite network element working mode indicates the coexistence mode, and the received RRC connection request contains information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, the feeder link state is determined. If the feeder link is unavailable, an RRC connection establishment message is sent to the terminal, and the RRC connection establishment message carries configuration information indicating that the terminal works in the store-and-forward mode; if the feeder link is available, an RRC connection establishment message is sent to the terminal, and the connection message carries configuration information indicating that the terminal works in the normal mode.

[0225] In another example, after the satellite network element receives the RRC connection recovery request sent by the terminal, if the satellite network element working mode indicates the coexistence mode, and the received RRC connection recovery request contains information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, the feeder link state is determined. If the feeder link is unavailable, an RRC connection recovery message is sent to the terminal, and the RRC connection recovery message carries configuration information indicating that the terminal works in the store-and-forward mode; if the feeder link is available, an RRC connection recovery message is sent to the terminal, and the RRC connection recovery message carries configuration information indicating that the terminal works in the normal mode.

[0226] In another example, after the satellite network element receives the RRC connection reestablishment request sent by the terminal, if the satellite network element working mode indicates the coexistence mode, and the received RRC connection reestablishment request contains information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, the feeder link state is determined. If the feeder link is unavailable, an RRC connection reestablishment request is sent to the terminal, and the RRC connection reestablishment request carries configuration information indicating that the terminal works in the store-and-forward mode; if the feeder link is available, an RRC connection reestablishment request is sent to the terminal, and the RRC connection reestablishment request carries configuration information indicating that the terminal works in the normal mode.

[0227] Based on the above solution, when the satellite network element working mode indicates the coexistence mode, the terminal and the network can be coordinated, thereby improving the reliability of communication.

[0228] Optionally, the method also includes: if the working mode of the satellite network element is indicated as a coexistence mode, and the received connection request does not contain information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, then judging the status of the feeder link: if the feeder link is unavailable, sending a rejection message to the terminal, the rejection message carries the rejection reason, and the rejection reason indicates that the feeder link is unavailable; if the feeder link is available, sending a connection message to the terminal.

[0229] In an embodiment of the present application, after receiving a connection request sent by a terminal, the satellite network element can parse the connection request. If the satellite network element working mode indicates the coexistence mode, and the received connection request does not contain information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, the satellite network element can further determine the state of the feeder link. If the feeder link is unavailable, the satellite network element sends a rejection message to the terminal, and the rejection message carries a rejection reason, and the rejection reason indicates that the feeder link is unavailable. If the feeder link is available, the satellite network element sends a connection message to the terminal, thereby establishing a connection with the terminal.

[0230] In one example, after the satellite network element receives the RRC connection request sent by the terminal, if the satellite network element working mode indicates the coexistence mode, and the received RRC connection request does not contain information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, the feeder link status is judged: if the feeder link is unavailable, an RRC connection rejection message is sent to the terminal, and the RRC connection rejection message carries the rejection reason, and the rejection reason indicates that the feeder link is unavailable; if the feeder link is available, an RRC connection establishment message is sent to the terminal.

[0231] In another example, after the satellite network element receives the RRC connection recovery request sent by the terminal, if the satellite network element working mode indicates the coexistence mode, and the received RRC connection recovery request does not include information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, the feeder link status is judged: if the feeder link is unavailable, an RRC connection rejection message is sent to the terminal, and the RRC connection rejection message carries the rejection reason, and the rejection reason indicates that the feeder link is unavailable; if the feeder link is available, an RRC connection recovery message is sent to the terminal.

[0232] In another example, after the satellite network element receives the RRC connection reconstruction request sent by the terminal, if the satellite network element working mode indicates the coexistence mode, and the received RRC connection reconstruction request does not contain information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, the feeder link status is judged: if the feeder link is unavailable, an RRC connection reconstruction reject message is sent to the terminal, and the RRC connection reconstruction reject message carries the rejection reason, and the rejection reason indicates that the feeder link is unavailable; if the feeder link is available, an RRC connection reconstruction message is sent to the terminal.

[0233] Based on the above solution, when the satellite network element working mode indicates the coexistence mode, the terminal and the network can be coordinated, thereby improving the reliability of communication.

[0234] Optionally, the method also includes: if the working mode of the satellite network element is indicated as the storage and forwarding mode, and the received connection request contains indication information indicating that the terminal supports the storage and forwarding mode; then a connection message is sent to the terminal, and the connection message carries configuration information indicating that the terminal operates in the storage and forwarding mode.

[0235] In the embodiment of the present application, after receiving the connection request sent by the terminal, the satellite network element can parse the connection request. If the satellite network element working mode indicates the store-and-forward mode, and the received connection request contains indication information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, the satellite network element sends a connection message to the terminal, and the connection message carries configuration information indicating that the terminal works in the store-and-forward mode.

[0236] In one example, after the satellite network element receives an RRC connection request sent by a terminal, if the satellite network element working mode is indicated as a store-and-forward mode, and the received RRC connection request contains indication information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode; then an RRC connection establishment message is sent to the terminal, and the RRC connection establishment message carries configuration information indicating that the terminal works in the store-and-forward mode.

[0237] In another example, after the satellite network element receives the RRC connection recovery request sent by the terminal, if the satellite network element working mode is indicated as the store-and-forward mode, and the received RRC connection recovery request contains indication information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode; then an RRC connection recovery message is sent to the terminal, and the RRC connection recovery message carries configuration information indicating that the terminal works in the store-and-forward mode.

[0238] In another example, after the satellite network element receives the RRC connection reconstruction request sent by the terminal, if the satellite network element working mode is indicated as the storage and forwarding mode, and the received RRC connection reconstruction request contains indication information indicating that the terminal supports the storage and forwarding mode; then an RRC connection reconstruction message is sent to the terminal, and the RRC connection reconstruction message carries configuration information indicating that the terminal works in the storage and forwarding mode.

[0239] Based on the above scheme, when the working mode of the satellite network element is indicated as the store-and-forward mode, the coordination between the terminal and the network can be achieved, thereby improving the reliability of communication.

[0240] Optionally, the method also includes: if the working mode of the satellite network element is indicated as a normal working mode, and a connection message sent by the terminal is received, then judging the status of the feeder link: if the feeder link is unavailable, sending a rejection message to the terminal, the rejection message includes a rejection reason, and the rejection reason indicates that the feeder link is unavailable; if the feeder link is available, sending a connection message to the terminal.

[0241] In the embodiment of the present application, if the satellite network element working mode indicates a normal working mode, and the satellite network element receives a connection message sent by the terminal, the satellite network element can further determine the state of the feeder link. If the feeder link is unavailable, the satellite network element sends a rejection message to the terminal, the rejection message includes a rejection reason, and the rejection reason indicates that the feeder link is unavailable; if the feeder link is available, a connection message is sent to the terminal.

[0242] In one example, if the satellite network element working mode is indicated as normal working mode and an RRC connection request sent by a terminal is received, the feeder link status is judged: if the feeder link is unavailable, an RRC connection rejection message is sent to the terminal, the RRC connection rejection message includes a rejection reason, and the rejection reason indicates that the feeder link is unavailable; if the feeder link is available, an RRC connection establishment message is sent to the terminal.

[0243] In another example, if the satellite network element working mode is indicated as normal working mode and an RRC connection recovery request sent by the terminal is received, the feeder link status is judged: if the feeder link is unavailable, an RRC connection rejection message is sent to the terminal, the RRC connection rejection message includes a rejection reason, and the rejection reason indicates that the feeder link is unavailable; if the feeder link is available, an RRC connection recovery message is sent to the terminal.

[0244] In another example, if the satellite network element working mode is indicated as normal working mode and an RRC connection reconstruction request sent by the terminal is received, the feeder link status is judged: if the feeder link is unavailable, an RRC connection reconstruction reject message is sent to the terminal, and the RRC connection reconstruction reject message includes a rejection reason, and the rejection reason indicates that the feeder link is unavailable; if the feeder link is available, an RRC connection reconstruction message is sent to the terminal.

[0245] Based on the above solution, when the working mode of the satellite network element is indicated as the normal working mode, the coordination between the terminal and the network can be achieved, thereby improving the reliability of communication.

[0246] Optionally, the connection request includes at least one or more of an RRC connection request, an RRC recovery request, and an RRC reestablishment request. Specifically, when the connection request is an RRC connection request, the connection message is an RRC connection establishment message, and the rejection message is an RRC connection rejection message; when the connection request is an RRC connection recovery request, the connection message is an RRC connection recovery message, and the rejection message is an RRC connection rejection message; when the connection request is an RRC connection reestablishment request, the connection message is an RRC connection reestablishment message, and the rejection message is an RRC connection reestablishment rejection message.

[0247] Optionally, the first information also includes a satellite ID.

[0248] Optionally, the method further includes: receiving an attach request NAS message sent by the terminal, where the attach request NAS message carries information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode.

[0249] In the embodiment of the present application, the terminal may send an RRC connection completion message to the base station in the satellite network element, the RRC connection completion message includes an attachment request NAS message, and the attachment request NAS message carries information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode. After receiving the RRC connection completion message, the base station forwards the attachment request NAS message to the MME through the initial UE Message message.

[0250] Based on the above solution, indication information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode can be sent to the on-board MME via an attach request NAS message, so as to complete the communication processing.

[0251] Optionally, the method also includes: determining whether an attachment request NAS message of the terminal is cached; if an attachment request NAS message of the terminal is cached, obtaining the cached authentication vector information of the terminal, and performing authentication processing on the terminal based on the authentication vector information; if the attachment request NAS message of the terminal is not cached, caching the attachment request NAS message and the identification information of the terminal, and sending an attachment rejection message to the terminal, the attachment rejection message carries a rejection reason, a waiting time and a list of available satellite IDs, the rejection reason indicates that the attachment process cannot be completed due to the storage and forwarding mode; the identification information is one of IMSI or GUTI.

[0252] In an embodiment of the present application, after receiving the attachment request NAS message, the MME can determine whether the attachment request NAS message of the terminal is cached locally. If the attachment request NAS message of the terminal is cached, the authentication vector information of the cached terminal is obtained, and the terminal is authenticated by AKA (Authentication and Key Agreement) based on the authentication vector information; if the MME does not cache the attachment request NAS message of the terminal, the attachment request NAS message and the identification information of the terminal are cached. The identification information of the terminal can be one of IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) or GUTI (Globally Unique Temporary Identity). The MME can also send an attachment rejection message to the base station, and the attachment rejection message carries the rejection reason, the waiting time and the list of available satellite IDs, and the rejection reason indicates that the attachment process cannot be completed due to the storage and forwarding mode. Optionally, the MME can also cache the request time of the attachment request NAS message. The base station forwards the attachment rejection message to the terminal. After receiving the attachment rejection message, the terminal starts a timer. If the service link is available, it receives the SIB (System Information Block) message of the available satellite after the waiting time is reached. Then, the terminal resends an attachment request NAS message to the base station of the satellite network element. The attachment request NAS message carries information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode.

[0253] Based on the above solution, a method for the on-board MME to process the attach request NAS message is provided so that the terminal can communicate normally.

[0254] Optionally, after sending an attachment rejection message to the terminal, the method also includes: forwarding an attachment request NAS message and the identification information of the terminal to the ground network element when the feeder link is available; receiving the authentication vector information of the terminal sent by the ground network element, caching the terminal authentication vector information, and establishing a binding relationship between the authentication vector information, the attachment request NAS message, and the identification information of the terminal.

[0255] In an embodiment of the present application, after the satellite network element sends an attachment rejection message to the terminal, the satellite network element (on-board MME) can forward the terminal's identification information and attachment request NAS message to the ground network element when it detects that the feeder link is available. Optionally, the request time of the attachment request NAS message can also be forwarded to the ground network element. Among them, the ground network element can be a ground MME. After the ground network element receives the information sent by the on-board MME, it can obtain the authentication vector of the terminal, and then synchronize the authentication vector information of the terminal, the attachment request NAS message, the request time of the attachment request NAS message, and the identification information of the terminal to the satellite network element that covers the area where the terminal is located next time. After receiving the authentication vector information sent by the ground MME, the on-board MME caches the authentication vector information of the terminal and establishes a binding relationship between the authentication vector information, the attachment request NAS message, and the identification information of the terminal. Optionally, the binding relationship can also include the request time of the attachment request NAS message.

[0256] Optionally, the ground network element may synchronize the terminal identification information, attachment request NAS message, authentication vector information, request time and other information to other available satellite network elements when the feeder link of the network element on other satellites is available.

[0257] In this way, after the on-board MME receives the attach request NAS message resent by the terminal, it can re-determine whether the attach request NAS message of the terminal is cached. If the attach request NAS message of the terminal is cached, the cached authentication vector information of the terminal is obtained, and the terminal is authenticated based on the authentication vector information; if the attach request NAS message of the terminal is not cached, the attach request NAS message and the identification information of the terminal are cached, and an attach rejection message is sent to the terminal, the attach rejection message carries the rejection reason, the waiting time and the list of available satellite IDs, and the rejection reason indicates that the attach process cannot be completed due to the store-and-forward mode.

[0258] Optionally, the method further includes: if the satellite network element working mode indicates a coexistence mode, determining the feeder link status; if the feeder link is unavailable, executing the step of determining whether an attachment request NAS message of the terminal is cached.

[0259] In an embodiment of the present application, if the satellite network element working mode indicates a coexistence mode, the satellite MME determines the feeder link status after receiving the attachment request NAS message sent by the terminal; if the feeder link is unavailable, the step of determining whether the terminal's attachment request NAS message is cached and its subsequent steps are executed.

[0260] Optionally, the method also includes: after receiving the attachment completion message sent by the terminal, deleting the cached authentication vector information, attachment request NAS message, and identification information of the terminal; sending the terminal's attachment completion notification to the ground network element, the attachment completion notification is used to instruct the ground network element to delete the terminal's authentication vector information, attachment request NAS message, and identification information of the terminal.

[0261] In an embodiment of the present application, after the AKA authentication is passed, the on-board MME can return an attachment reception message to the base station when the feeder link is available, and the base station forwards the attachment reception message to the terminal. After receiving the attachment reception message, the terminal sends an attachment completion message to the base station, and the base station forwards the attachment completion message to the on-board MME. After receiving the attachment completion message sent by the terminal, the on-board MME deletes the cached authentication vector information, attachment request NAS message, and identification information of the terminal, and sends the terminal's attachment completion notification to the ground network element when the feeder link is available. After receiving the attachment completion notification, the ground network element deletes the terminal's authentication vector information, attachment request NAS message, and identification information of the terminal. Optionally, in the case where the on-board MME and the ground network element still cache the request time of the attachment request NAS message, the on-board MME and the ground network element can also delete the request time of the attachment request NAS message.

[0262] Optionally, the ground network element may notify other satellite network elements to delete the terminal identification information, attachment request NAS message, authentication vector, request time and other information in the cache when the feeder link of the other satellite network elements is available.

[0263] In one embodiment, Figure 4 As shown, the present application provides an example of a communication method, which can be applied to a communication system, the communication system at least comprising a satellite network element and a terminal, wherein the satellite network element is in a coexistence mode and the terminal supports a store-and-forward mode, and the specific steps include:

[0264] Step 401: The satellite network element sends first information to the terminal.

[0265] The first information at least includes a satellite network element working mode, and the satellite network element working mode is indicated as a coexistence mode.

[0266] Step 402: The satellite network element sends second information to the terminal.

[0267] The second information includes the time information of the terminal that can be served by the satellite network element.

[0268] Step 403: The terminal supports the store-and-forward mode and sends a connection request to the satellite network element.

[0269] The connection request carries information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode.

[0270] Step 404: The satellite network element determines the state of the feeder link.

[0271] If the feeder link is not available, step 405 is executed; if the feeder link is available, step 406 is executed.

[0272] Step 405: Send a connection message to the terminal.

[0273] The connection message carries configuration information indicating that the terminal operates in a store-and-forward mode.

[0274] Step 406: Send a connection message to the terminal.

[0275] The connection message carries configuration information indicating that the terminal operates in a normal mode.

[0276] In one embodiment, Figure 5 As shown, the present application provides an example of a communication method, which can be applied to a communication system, the communication system at least including a satellite network element and a terminal, wherein the satellite network element is in a coexistence mode and the terminal does not support a store-and-forward mode, and the specific steps include:

[0277] Step 501: The satellite network element sends first information to the terminal.

[0278] The first information at least includes a satellite network element working mode, and the satellite network element working mode is indicated as a coexistence mode.

[0279] Step 502: The satellite network element sends second information to the terminal.

[0280] The second information includes the time information of the terminal that can be served by the satellite network element.

[0281] Step 503: If the terminal does not support the store-and-forward mode, the second information is determined.

[0282] If the current time is within the time range in which the satellite network element can serve the terminal, then step 504 is executed. If the current time is not within the time range in which the satellite network element can serve the terminal, then no connection request is sent.

[0283] Step 504: The terminal sends a connection request to the satellite network element.

[0284] The connection request does not include information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode.

[0285] Step 505: The connection request received by the satellite network element does not contain information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, and the feeder link status is determined.

[0286] If the feeder link is not available, step 506 is executed; if the feeder link is available, step 507 is executed.

[0287] Step 506: Send a rejection message to the terminal.

[0288] The rejection message carries a rejection reason, and the rejection reason indicates that the feeder link is unavailable.

[0289] Step 507: Send a connection message to the terminal.

[0290] In one embodiment, Figure 6 As shown, the present application provides an example of a communication method, which can be applied to a communication system, the communication system at least comprising a satellite network element and a terminal, wherein the satellite network element is in a store-and-forward mode, and the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, and the specific steps include:

[0291] Step 601: The satellite network element sends first information to the terminal.

[0292] The first information at least includes a satellite network element working mode, and the satellite network element working mode is indicated as a store-and-forward mode.

[0293] Step 602: The terminal supports the store-and-forward mode and sends a connection request to the satellite network element.

[0294] The connection request carries information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode. In addition, if the terminal does not support the store-and-forward mode, the connection request is not sent to the satellite network element.

[0295] Step 603: The connection request received by the satellite network element includes indication information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, and a connection message is sent to the terminal.

[0296] The connection message carries configuration information indicating that the terminal operates in a store-and-forward mode.

[0297] In one embodiment, Figure 7 As shown, the present application provides an example of a communication method, which can be applied to a communication system, the communication system at least comprising a satellite network element and a terminal, wherein the satellite network element is in a normal working mode, and the specific steps include:

[0298] Step 701: The satellite network element sends first information to the terminal.

[0299] The first information at least includes a satellite network element working mode, and the satellite network element working mode is indicated as a normal working mode.

[0300] Step 702: The satellite network element sends second information to the terminal.

[0301] The second information includes the time information of the terminal that can be served by the satellite network element.

[0302] Step 703: The terminal determines the second information.

[0303] If the current time is within the time range in which the satellite network element can serve the terminal, step 704 is executed. If the current time is not within the time range in which the satellite network element can serve the terminal, no connection request is sent to the satellite network element.

[0304] Step 704: Send a connection request to the satellite network element.

[0305] Step 705: The satellite network element determines the state of the feeder link.

[0306] If the feeder link is not available, step 706 is executed; if the feeder link is available, step 707 is executed.

[0307] Step 706: Send a rejection message to the terminal.

[0308] The rejection message includes a rejection reason, and the rejection reason indicates that the feeder link is unavailable;

[0309] Step 707: Send a connection message to the terminal.

[0310] In one embodiment, Figure 8 As shown, the present application provides an example of a communication method, which can be applied to a communication system, wherein the communication system at least includes a satellite network element, a terminal and a ground network element, wherein the satellite network element includes a base station (which may be referred to as a satellite base station eNodeB) and an MME-S (which may be referred to as a satellite MME), and the ground network element includes an MME-G and an HSS, the satellite network element is in a store-and-forward mode, and the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, and the specific steps include:

[0311] Step 801: The onboard MME notifies the onboard base station that the store-and-forward mode is supported, and the onboard base station forwards first information to the terminal.

[0312] The first information at least includes information such as the satellite network element working mode and the satellite ID, and the satellite network element working mode is indicated as a store-and-forward mode.

[0313] Step 802: The terminal supports the store-and-forward mode and sends a connection request to the onboard base station.

[0314] The connection request carries information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode.

[0315] Step 803: The onboard base station receives a connection request including indication information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, and sends a connection message to the terminal to establish an RRC connection.

[0316] Step 804: The terminal sends an RRC connection completion message to the onboard base station.

[0317] The RRC connection completion message includes an attach request NAS message, and the attach request NAS message carries information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode.

[0318] Step 805: The onboard base station forwards the attach message to the onboard MME.

[0319] Step 806: The onboard MME determines whether an attach request NAS message of the terminal is cached.

[0320] If the attach request NAS message of the terminal is cached, the cached authentication vector information of the terminal is obtained, and step 816 is executed; if the attach request NAS message of the terminal is not cached, the attach request NAS message and the identification information of the terminal are cached, and step 807 is executed.

[0321] Step 807: The onboard MME sends an attach reject message to the terminal via the onboard base station.

[0322] The attachment rejection message carries a rejection reason, a waiting time, and a list of available satellite IDs. The rejection reason indicates that the attachment process cannot be completed due to the store-and-forward mode, triggering the terminal to execute step 812.

[0323] Step 808: When the feeder link is available, the onboard MME forwards the attach request NAS message and the identification information of the terminal to the ground network element.

[0324] The identification information of the terminal is one of IMSI and GUTI.

[0325] Step 809: MME-G obtains authentication vector information of the terminal.

[0326] Step 810: MME-G synchronizes the authentication vector information, the attach request NAS message, the identification information of the terminal and other information to the satellite network element that will cover the area where the terminal is located next time.

[0327] Step 811, the onboard MME receives the authentication vector information of the terminal sent by the ground network element, caches the terminal authentication vector information, and establishes a binding relationship between the authentication vector information, the attach request NAS message, and the identification information of the terminal.

[0328] Step 812: The terminal starts a timer.

[0329] Step 813: If the service link is available, after the waiting time is reached, receive the SIB message of the available satellite.

[0330] Step 814: The terminal resends an attach request NAS message to the onboard base station.

[0331] The attach request NAS message carries information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode.

[0332] In step 815 , the on-board base station forwards the attach request NAS message resent by the terminal to the on-board MME, and the on-board MME executes step 806 .

[0333] Step 816: The satellite network element performs AKA authentication on the terminal.

[0334] Step 817: When the feeder link is available, the satellite network element updates its position.

[0335] Step 818: When the service link is available, the on-board MME sends an attach reception message to the terminal via the on-board network element.

[0336] Step 819: The terminal sends an attach completion message to the onboard base station, and the onboard base station forwards the attach completion message to the onboard MME.

[0337] Step 820: The onboard MME deletes the cached authentication vector information of the terminal, the attach request NAS message, and the identification information of the terminal.

[0338] Step 821: When the feeder link is available, the onboard MME sends an attachment completion notification of the terminal to the MME-G.

[0339] The attachment completion notification is used to instruct the ground network element to delete the authentication vector information of the terminal, the attachment request NAS message, and the identification information of the terminal.

[0340] Step 822: MME-G deletes the authentication vector information of the terminal, the attach request NAS message, the identification information of the terminal, and other information.

[0341] It should be understood that although Figure 2-8 The steps in the flowchart are shown in sequence as indicated by the arrows, but these steps are not necessarily executed in the order indicated by the arrows. Unless otherwise specified in this document, there is no strict order restriction for the execution of these steps, and these steps can be executed in other orders. Moreover, Figure 2-8At least part of the steps may include multiple steps or multiple stages. These steps or stages are not necessarily performed at the same time, but can be performed at different times. The execution order of these steps or stages is not necessarily sequential, but can be performed in turn or alternately with other steps or at least part of the steps or stages in other steps.

[0342] In one embodiment, Fig. 9 As shown, a communication device is provided, the device is applied to a terminal, and the device includes:

[0343] A first acquisition module 910 is used to acquire first information sent by a satellite network element, where the first information at least includes a satellite network element working mode;

[0344] The communication module 920 is used to perform communication processing according to the terminal capability and the first information.

[0345] In one of the embodiments, the satellite network element working mode includes at least one of a normal working mode, a store-and-forward mode and a coexistence mode.

[0346] In one of the embodiments, when the satellite network element working mode indication is a normal working mode and / or a coexistence mode, the device further includes:

[0347] The second acquisition module is used to acquire second information, where the second information includes time information of the terminal that can be serviced by the satellite network element.

[0348] In one of the embodiments, the time information of the satellite network element serviceable terminal includes the start time of the satellite network element serviceable terminal and the end time of the satellite network element serviceable terminal.

[0349] In one of the embodiments, the terminal capability specifically refers to whether the terminal supports a store-and-forward mode.

[0350] In one embodiment, the communication module 920 is specifically used for:

[0351] If the satellite network element working mode indicates the coexistence mode and the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, a connection request is sent to the satellite network element, and the connection request carries information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode.

[0352] In one embodiment, the communication module 920 is specifically used for:

[0353] If the satellite network element working mode indicates the coexistence working mode and the terminal does not support the store-and-forward mode, the second information is judged, and if the current time is within the time range in which the satellite network element can serve the terminal, a connection request is sent to the satellite network element.

[0354] In one embodiment, the communication module 920 is specifically used for:

[0355] If the satellite network element working mode indicates the store-and-forward mode and the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, a connection request is sent to the satellite network element, and the connection request carries information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode.

[0356] In one embodiment, the communication module 920 is specifically used for:

[0357] If the operating mode of the satellite network element is indicated as the store-and-forward mode and the terminal does not support the store-and-forward mode, no connection request is sent to the satellite network element.

[0358] In one embodiment, the communication module 920 is specifically used for:

[0359] If the working mode of the satellite network element indicates a normal working mode, the second information is judged, and if the current time is within the time range in which the satellite network element can serve the terminal, a connection request is sent to the satellite network element.

[0360] In one of the embodiments, the connection request includes at least one or more of an RRC connection request, an RRC recovery request, and an RRC reestablishment request.

[0361] In one embodiment, the communication module is specifically used for:

[0362] If the satellite network element working mode indicates the coexistence mode and the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, an attach request NAS message is sent to the satellite network element, and the attach request NAS message carries information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode.

[0363] In one embodiment, the communication module is specifically used for:

[0364] If the satellite network element working mode indicates the store-and-forward mode and the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, an attach request NAS message is sent to the satellite network element, and the attach request NAS message carries information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode.

[0365] In one of the embodiments, the first information also includes a satellite ID.

[0366] In one embodiment, Fig.10 As shown, a communication device is provided, the device is applied to a satellite network element, and the device includes:

[0367] The first sending module 1010 is used to send first information to the terminal, where the first information at least includes a satellite network element working mode, and is used to enable the terminal to perform communication processing based on the terminal capability and the first information.

[0368] In one of the embodiments, the satellite network element working mode includes at least one of a normal working mode, a store-and-forward mode and a coexistence mode.

[0369] In one of the embodiments, when the satellite network element working mode indication is a normal working mode and / or a coexistence mode, the device further includes:

[0370] The second sending module is used to send second information to the terminal, where the second information includes time information of the terminal that can be served by the satellite network element.

[0371] In one of the embodiments, the time information of the satellite network element serviceable terminal includes the start time of the satellite network element serviceable terminal and the end time of the satellite network element serviceable terminal.

[0372] In one of the embodiments, the time information of the terminal that can be served by the satellite network element is calculated by the satellite network element according to the satellite ephemeris and the ground gateway information.

[0373] In one of the embodiments, the on-board network element working mode is configured by a preset strategy.

[0374] In one embodiment, the device further comprises:

[0375] The receiving module is used to receive the connection request sent by the terminal.

[0376] In one embodiment, the device further comprises:

[0377] The first judgment module is used to judge the feeder link state if the satellite network element working mode indicates the coexistence mode and the received connection request contains information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode:

[0378] a third sending module, configured to send a connection message to the terminal if the feeder link is unavailable, wherein the connection message carries configuration information indicating that the terminal operates in a store-and-forward mode;

[0379] The fourth sending module is used to send a connection message to the terminal if the feeder link is available, wherein the connection message carries configuration information indicating that the terminal operates in a normal mode.

[0380] In one embodiment, the device further comprises:

[0381] The second judgment module is used to judge the feeder link state if the satellite network element working mode indicates the coexistence mode and the received connection request does not include information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode:

[0382] a fifth sending module, configured to send a rejection message to the terminal if the feeder link is unavailable, wherein the rejection message carries a rejection reason, and the rejection reason indicates that the feeder link is unavailable;

[0383] A sixth sending module is configured to send a connection message to the terminal if the feeder link is available.

[0384] In one embodiment, the device further comprises:

[0385] The seventh sending module is used to send a connection message to the terminal if the working mode of the satellite network element is indicated as the storage and forwarding mode, and the received connection request contains indication information indicating that the terminal supports the storage and forwarding mode, and the connection message carries configuration information indicating that the terminal works in the storage and forwarding mode.

[0386] In one embodiment, the device further comprises:

[0387] The third judgment module is used to judge the feeder link state if the satellite network element working mode indicates the normal working mode and receives the connection message sent by the terminal:

[0388] an eighth sending module, configured to send a rejection message to the terminal if the feeder link is unavailable, the rejection message including a rejection reason, the rejection reason indicating that the feeder link is unavailable;

[0389] A ninth sending module is configured to send a connection message to the terminal if the feeder link is available.

[0390] In one of the embodiments, the connection request includes at least one or more of an RRC connection request, an RRC recovery request, and an RRC reestablishment request;

[0391] When the connection request is an RRC connection request, the connection message is an RRC connection establishment message, and the rejection message is an RRC connection rejection message;

[0392] When the connection request is an RRC connection recovery request, the connection message is an RRC connection recovery message, and the rejection message is an RRC connection rejection message;

[0393] When the connection request is an RRC connection reestablishment request, the connection message is an RRC connection reestablishment message, and the rejection message is an RRC connection reestablishment rejection message.

[0394] In one embodiment, the device further comprises

[0395] The second receiving module is used to receive an attach request NAS message sent by the terminal, where the attach request NAS message carries information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode.

[0396] In one embodiment, the second receiving module is further used for:

[0397] Determining whether an attach request NAS message of the terminal is cached;

[0398] If an attach request NAS message of the terminal is cached, obtaining the cached authentication vector information of the terminal, and performing authentication processing on the terminal based on the authentication vector information;

[0399] If the attach request NAS message of the terminal is not cached, the attach request NAS message and the identification information of the terminal are cached, and an attach rejection message is sent to the terminal, where the attach rejection message carries a rejection reason, a waiting time, and a list of available satellite IDs, where the rejection reason indicates that the attach process cannot be completed due to a store-and-forward mode; and the identification information is one of IMSI or GUTI.

[0400] In one embodiment, the second receiving module is further used for:

[0401] When the feeder link is available, forwarding the attach request NAS message and the identification information of the terminal to a ground network element;

[0402] Receive authentication vector information of the terminal sent by a ground network element, cache the terminal authentication vector information, and establish a binding relationship between the authentication vector information, the attachment request NAS message, and the identification information of the terminal.

[0403] In one embodiment, the second receiving module is further used for:

[0404] If the satellite network element working mode indicates the coexistence mode, the feeder link state is determined;

[0405] If the feeder link is unavailable, the step of determining whether an attach request NAS message of the terminal is cached is performed.

[0406] In one embodiment, the second receiving module is further used for:

[0407] After receiving the attach completion message sent by the terminal, deleting the cached authentication vector information of the terminal, the attach request NAS message, and the identification information of the terminal;

[0408] An attachment completion notification of the terminal is sent to a ground network element, where the attachment completion notification is used to instruct the ground network element to delete the authentication vector information of the terminal, the attachment request NAS message, and the identification information of the terminal.

[0409] In one of the embodiments, the first information also includes a satellite ID.

[0410] For the specific definition of the communication device, please refer to the definition of the communication method above, which will not be repeated here. Each module in the above communication device can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware and a combination thereof. The above modules can be embedded in or independent of the processor in the computer device in the form of hardware, or can be stored in the memory of the computer device in the form of software, so that the processor can call and execute the operations corresponding to the above modules.

[0411] In one embodiment, a communication device is provided. Fig.11 . Fig.11 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Fig.11 The terminal device 1100 shown includes: at least one processor 1101, a memory 1102, at least one network interface 1104 and a user interface 1103. The various components in the terminal device 1100 are coupled together via a bus system 1105. It is understood that the bus system 1105 is used to achieve connection and communication between these components. In addition to the data bus, the bus system 1105 also includes a power bus, a control bus and a status signal bus. However, for the sake of clarity, the bus system 1105 is not shown in FIG. Fig.11 Various buses are labeled as bus system 1105. In addition, the embodiment of the present invention also includes a transceiver 1106, which can be multiple components, that is, including a transmitter and a receiver, providing a unit for communicating with various other devices on a transmission medium.

[0412] The user interface 1103 may include a display, a keyboard, or a pointing device (eg, a mouse, a trackball, a touch pad, or a touch screen).

[0413] It can be understood that the memory 1102 in the embodiment of the present invention can be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory can be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory can be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDRSDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM) and direct RAM bus random access memory (DRRAM). The memory 1102 of the system and method described in the embodiments of the present invention is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0414] In some embodiments, the memory 1102 stores the following elements, executable modules or data structures, or a subset thereof, or an extended set thereof: an operating system 11021 and an application program 11022 .

[0415] The operating system 11021 includes various system programs, such as a framework layer, a core library layer, a driver layer, etc., which are used to implement various basic services and process hardware-based tasks. The application 11022 includes various application programs, such as a media player (MediaPlayer), a browser (Browser), etc., which are used to implement various application services. The program for implementing the method of the embodiment of the present invention can be included in the application 11022.

[0416] In an embodiment of the present invention, by calling a program or instruction stored in the memory 1102, specifically, it may be a program or instruction stored in the application 11022, wherein the receiver is used to obtain first information sent by the satellite, the first information at least including working mode indication information and / or storage and forwarding mode auxiliary parameters; the processor is used to perform communication processing based on the first information.

[0417] It is to be understood that the embodiments described in the embodiments of the present invention may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode or a combination thereof. For hardware implementation, the processing unit may be implemented in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), digital signal processors (DSP), digital signal processing devices (DSPD), programmable logic devices (PLD), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), general purpose processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, other electronic units for performing the functions described in the present application or a combination thereof.

[0418] For software implementation, the technology described in the embodiments of the present invention can be implemented by a module (such as a process, function, etc.) that performs the functions described in the embodiments of the present invention. The software code can be stored in a memory and executed by the processor 1101. The memory can be implemented in the processor 1101 or outside the processor 1101.

[0419] In one embodiment, Fig.12 A schematic diagram of the structure of a satellite network element provided in an embodiment of the present application. The satellite network element may include a receiver 1201, a memory 1202, a processor 1203, at least one communication bus 1204 and a transmitter 1205. The communication bus 1204 is used to realize the communication connection between the components. The memory 1202 may include a high-speed RAM memory, and may also include a non-volatile storage NVM, such as at least one disk memory. Various programs may be stored in the memory 1202 to complete various processing functions and implement the method steps of this embodiment. In this embodiment, the transmitter 1205 may be a radio frequency processing module or a baseband processing module in the satellite network element, and the receiver 1201 may also be a radio frequency processing module or a baseband processing module in the satellite network element. The transmitter 1205 and the receiver 1201 can be integrated together to realize a transceiver. The transmitter 1205 and the receiver 1201 can both be coupled to the processor 1203, and they can realize the receiving or sending action under the instruction or control of the processor 1203.

[0420] In one embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, on which a computer program is stored, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the above method are implemented.

[0421] In one embodiment, a computer program product includes a computer program, which implements the steps of the above method when executed by a processor.

[0422] Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that all or part of the processes in the above-mentioned embodiment methods can be completed by instructing the relevant hardware through a computer program, and the computer program can be stored in a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium. When the computer program is executed, it can include the processes of the embodiments of the above-mentioned methods. Among them, any reference to memory, storage, database or other media used in the embodiments provided in this application can include at least one of non-volatile and volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can include read-only memory (ROM), tape, floppy disk, flash memory or optical memory, etc. Volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM) or external cache memory. As an illustration and not limitation, RAM can be in various forms, such as static random access memory (SRAM) or dynamic random access memory (DRAM).

[0423] The technical features of the above embodiments may be combined arbitrarily. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0424] The above-mentioned embodiments only express several implementation methods of the present application, and the descriptions thereof are relatively specific and detailed, but they cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be pointed out that, for a person of ordinary skill in the art, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present application, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of the present application shall be subject to the attached claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is applied to a terminal, and the method includes: Acquire first information sent by a satellite network element, where the first information at least includes a working mode of the satellite network element; Communication processing is performed according to the terminal capability and the first information.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The satellite network element working mode includes at least one of a normal working mode, a store-and-forward mode and a coexistence mode.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that When the satellite network element working mode indication is a normal working mode and / or a coexistence mode, the method further includes: The second information is obtained, where the second information includes time information at which the satellite network element can serve the terminal.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The time information of the satellite network element serviceable terminal includes the start time of the satellite network element serviceable terminal and the end time of the satellite network element serviceable terminal.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The terminal capability specifically refers to whether the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode.

6. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The performing communication processing according to the terminal capability and the first information includes: If the satellite network element working mode indicates the coexistence mode and the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, a connection request is sent to the satellite network element, and the connection request carries information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode.

7. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The performing communication processing according to the terminal capability and the first information includes: If the satellite network element working mode indicates the coexistence working mode and the terminal does not support the store-and-forward mode, the second information is judged, and if the current time is within the time range in which the satellite network element can serve the terminal, a connection request is sent to the satellite network element.

8. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The performing communication processing according to the terminal capability and the first information includes: If the satellite network element working mode indicates the store-and-forward mode and the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, a connection request is sent to the satellite network element, and the connection request carries information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode.

9. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The performing communication processing according to the terminal capability and the first information includes: If the operating mode of the satellite network element is indicated as the store-and-forward mode and the terminal does not support the store-and-forward mode, no connection request is sent to the satellite network element.

10. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that: The performing communication processing according to the terminal capability and the first information includes: If the working mode of the satellite network element indicates a normal working mode, the second information is judged, and if the current time is within the time range in which the satellite network element can serve the terminal, a connection request is sent to the satellite network element.

11. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that: The connection request includes at least one or more of an RRC connection request, an RRC recovery request, and an RRC reestablishment request.

12. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The performing communication processing according to the terminal capability and the first information includes: If the satellite network element working mode indicates the coexistence mode and the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, an attach request NAS message is sent to the satellite network element, and the attach request NAS message carries information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode.

13. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The performing communication processing according to the terminal capability and the first information includes: If the satellite network element working mode indicates the store-and-forward mode and the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, an attach request NAS message is sent to the satellite network element, and the attach request NAS message carries information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode.

14. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The first information also includes a satellite ID.

15. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is applied to a satellite network element, and the method comprises: First information is sent to the terminal, where the first information at least includes an on-satellite network element working mode, and is used to enable the terminal to perform communication processing based on the terminal capability and the first information.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The satellite network element working mode includes at least one of a normal working mode, a store-and-forward mode and a coexistence mode.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that When the satellite network element working mode indication is a normal working mode and / or a coexistence mode, the method further includes: Sending second information to the terminal, where the second information includes time information at which the satellite network element can serve the terminal.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The time information of the satellite network element serviceable terminal includes the start time of the satellite network element serviceable terminal and the end time of the satellite network element serviceable terminal.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The time information of the terminal that can be served by the satellite network element is calculated by the satellite network element according to the satellite ephemeris and the ground gateway information.

20. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The satellite network element working mode is configured by a preset strategy.

21. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The method further comprises: A connection request sent by the terminal is received.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that The method further comprises: If the satellite network element working mode indicates the coexistence mode, and the received connection request contains information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, the feeder link status is determined: If the feeder link is unavailable, sending a connection message to the terminal, wherein the connection message carries configuration information indicating that the terminal operates in a store-and-forward mode; If the feeder link is available, a connection message is sent to the terminal, wherein the connection message carries configuration information indicating that the terminal operates in a normal mode.

23. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that The method further comprises: If the satellite network element working mode indicates the coexistence mode, and the received connection request does not contain information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, the feeder link status is determined: If the feeder link is unavailable, sending a rejection message to the terminal, wherein the rejection message carries a rejection reason, and the rejection reason indicates that the feeder link is unavailable; If the feeder link is available, a connect message is sent to the terminal.

24. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that The method further comprises: If the satellite network element working mode indicates the store-and-forward mode, and the received connection request contains indication information indicating that the terminal supports the store-and-forward mode, a connection message is sent to the terminal, and the connection message carries configuration information indicating that the terminal works in the store-and-forward mode.

25. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that The method further comprises: If the satellite network element working mode indicates the normal working mode and receives the connection message sent by the terminal, the feeder link status is determined: If the feeder link is unavailable, sending a rejection message to the terminal, the rejection message including a rejection reason, the rejection reason indicating that the feeder link is unavailable; If the feeder link is available, a connect message is sent to the terminal.

26. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 25, characterized in that: The connection request includes at least one or more of an RRC connection request, an RRC recovery request, and an RRC reestablishment request; When the connection request is an RRC connection request, the connection message is an RRC connection establishment message, and the rejection message is an RRC connection rejection message; When the connection request is an RRC connection recovery request, the connection message is an RRC connection recovery message, and the rejection message is an RRC connection rejection message; When the connection request is an RRC connection reestablishment request, the connection message is an RRC connection reestablishment message, and the rejection message is an RRC connection reestablishment rejection message.

27. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The method further comprises: An attach request NAS message sent by the terminal is received, where the attach request NAS message carries information indicating that the terminal supports a store-and-forward mode.

28. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that The method further comprises: Determining whether an attach request NAS message of the terminal is cached; If an attach request NAS message of the terminal is cached, obtaining the cached authentication vector information of the terminal, and performing authentication processing on the terminal based on the authentication vector information; If the attach request NAS message of the terminal is not cached, the attach request NAS message and the identification information of the terminal are cached, and an attach rejection message is sent to the terminal, where the attach rejection message carries a rejection reason, a waiting time, and a list of available satellite IDs, where the rejection reason indicates that the attach process cannot be completed due to a store-and-forward mode; and the identification information is one of IMSI or GUTI.

29. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that After sending the attachment rejection message to the terminal, the method further includes: When the feeder link is available, forwarding the attach request NAS message and the identification information of the terminal to a ground network element; Receive the authentication vector information of the terminal sent by the ground network element, cache the terminal authentication vector information, and establish a binding relationship between the authentication vector information, the attachment request NAS message, and the identification information of the terminal.

30. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that The method further comprises: If the satellite network element working mode indicates the coexistence mode, the feeder link state is determined; If the feeder link is unavailable, the step of determining whether an attach request NAS message of the terminal is cached is performed.

31. The method according to claim 27 or 28, characterized in that The method further comprises: After receiving the attach completion message sent by the terminal, deleting the cached authentication vector information of the terminal, the attach request NAS message, and the identification information of the terminal; An attachment completion notification of the terminal is sent to a ground network element, where the attachment completion notification is used to instruct the ground network element to delete the authentication vector information of the terminal, the attachment request NAS message, and the identification information of the terminal.

32. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The first information also includes a satellite ID.

33. A communication system, characterized in that: The system includes a terminal and a satellite network element, wherein: The satellite network access element is used to send first information to the terminal, where the first information at least includes a satellite network access element working mode; The terminal is used to obtain the first information sent by the satellite network element and perform communication processing according to the terminal capability and the first information.

34. A communication device, characterized in that: The device is applied to a terminal, and the device includes: A first acquisition module is used to acquire first information sent by the satellite network element, where the first information at least includes a working mode of the satellite network element; A communication module is used to perform communication processing according to the terminal capability and the first information.

35. A communication device, characterized in that: The device is applied to a satellite network element, and the device comprises: The first sending module is used to send first information to the terminal, where the first information at least includes a satellite network element working mode, and is used to enable the terminal to perform communication processing based on the terminal capability and the first information.

36. A communication device, characterized in that: include: Receiver and processor; The receiver is used to obtain first information sent by the satellite network element, where the first information at least includes a working mode of the satellite network element; The processor is used to perform communication processing according to the terminal capability and the first information.

37. A communication device, characterized in that: include: Transmitter; The transmitter is used to send first information to the terminal, where the first information at least includes a satellite network element working mode, and is used to enable the terminal to perform communication processing based on the terminal capability and the first information.

38. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that: When the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the method of any one of claims 1 to 14 or claims 15 to 32 are implemented.

39. A computer program product comprising a computer program, characterized in that When the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the method of any one of claims 1 to 14 or claims 15 to 32 are implemented.

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