Satellite management method, system and device, storage medium and computer program product

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a satellite management method, system and device, a storage medium and a computer program product, the method is applied to a satellite management system, the satellite management system comprises N satellite constellations, each satellite constellation comprises M satellites, each satellite is provided with a base station, one satellite is provided with a core network, and the other satellite is provided with a base station. The method comprises the following steps: after a first satellite receives a first registration request sent by first terminal equipment, accessing the first terminal equipment to a satellite management network through a first core network deployed by a second satellite; wherein the first core network comprises a first network function and a second network function, and the first network function is at least used for managing access and mobility of the terminal equipment; and when the first satellite moves out of the coverage range of the first terminal equipment, the first network function selects a third satellite based on the current position of the first terminal equipment, and initiates a switching process to a first base station on the third satellite, so that the first terminal equipment accesses the satellite management network.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of satellite technology, and in particular to a satellite management method, system, device, storage medium and computer program product. Background Art

[0002] The Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite system is an important component of the next generation global communication system. It has the advantages of low transmission delay, low satellite cost and low launch cost. Building a LEO satellite network with global coverage has become the direction of future space network transmission development. Since LEO satellites move at high speed relative to the ground in low-Earth orbit, when connecting to the target satellite through a satellite ground station, it is currently possible to connect to the target satellite at fixed time periods every day.

[0003] However, based on current related technologies, when the link between the ground station and the target satellite switches, it is necessary to re-authenticate and establish a connection, during which data loss may occur and the switching may be interrupted in seconds, resulting in reduced network performance. Summary of the invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present application provide a satellite management method, system, device, storage medium and computer program product, which can avoid the problem of data loss when the satellite link is switched, thereby improving network performance.

[0005] The technical solution of the embodiment of the present application is implemented as follows:

[0006] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a satellite management method, which is applied to a satellite management system, wherein the satellite management system includes N satellite constellations, each of the satellite constellations includes M satellites, a base station is deployed on each of the satellites, a core network is deployed on one of the satellites, and M and N are positive integers. The method includes:

[0007] After receiving the first registration request sent by the first terminal device, the first satellite connects the first terminal device to the satellite management network through the first core network deployed by the second satellite; wherein the first core network includes a first network function and a second network function, the first network function is at least used to manage the access and mobility of the terminal device, and the second network function is at least used to authenticate the terminal device;

[0008] When the first satellite moves out of the coverage of the first terminal device, the first network function selects a third satellite based on the current location of the first terminal device, and initiates a switching process to the first base station on the third satellite to enable the first terminal device to access the satellite management network.

[0009] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a satellite management system, the satellite management system comprising N satellite constellations, each of the satellite constellations comprising M satellites, the M satellites including a first satellite and a second satellite; wherein,

[0010] The first satellite is configured to, after receiving a first registration request sent by a first terminal device, connect the first terminal device to the satellite management network through a first core network deployed by the second satellite; wherein the first core network includes a first network function and a second network function, the first network function is at least used to manage access and mobility of the terminal device, and the second network function is at least used to authenticate the terminal device;

[0011] The second satellite is used to select a third satellite based on the current position of the first terminal device when the first satellite moves out of the coverage of the first terminal device, and initiate a switching process to the first base station on the third satellite to enable the first terminal device to access the satellite management network.

[0012] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an electronic device, the electronic device comprising: a processor and a memory; wherein:

[0013] The memory is used to store a computer program that can be run on the processor;

[0014] The processor is used to execute the satellite management method as described above when running the computer program.

[0015] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program code stored thereon. When the computer program code is executed by a computer, the satellite management method as described above is implemented.

[0016] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, including a computer program, which, when executed by a processor, implements the satellite management method as described above.

[0017] An embodiment of the present application provides a satellite management method, system, device, storage medium and computer program product, the method is applied to a satellite management system, the satellite management system includes N satellite constellations, each satellite constellation includes M satellites, base stations are deployed on each satellite, and a core network is deployed on one satellite, the method includes: after a first satellite receives a first registration request sent by a first terminal device, the first terminal device is connected to a satellite management network through a first core network deployed on a second satellite; wherein the first core network includes a first network function and a second network function, the first network function is at least used to manage access and mobility of the terminal device, and the second network function is at least used to authenticate the terminal device; when the first satellite moves out of the coverage of the first terminal device, the first network function selects a third satellite based on the current position of the first terminal device, and initiates a switching process to the first base station on the third satellite, so that the first terminal device can access the satellite management network. It can be seen that after the first satellite receives the first registration request sent by the first terminal device, the first terminal device can be connected to the satellite management network through the first core network deployed by the second satellite. The first core network includes a first network function and a second network function, so that the first terminal device can be authenticated through the first network function and the second network function deployed on the second satellite. When the first satellite moves out of the coverage of the first terminal device, the first network function can select a third satellite based on the current position of the first terminal device, and can directly initiate a switching process to the first base station on the third satellite. That is, the embodiment of the present application only needs to complete authentication once through the core network deployed by the second satellite, avoiding the need to re-authenticate and establish a connection after switching between satellites, thereby avoiding data loss and satellite management interruption when the satellite link is switched, thereby improving network performance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of satellite connection in the related art;

[0019] Figure 2 The satellite management method proposed in this application embodiment is shown in FIG. Figure 1 ;

[0020] Figure 3 The satellite management method proposed in this application embodiment is shown in FIG. Figure 2 ;

[0021] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of satellite management in a roaming scenario proposed in an embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the deployment network proposed in the embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the basic access process proposed in the embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a satellite switching process proposed in an embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the structure of a satellite management system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application. It is understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the related applications, rather than to limit the applications. It should also be noted that, for ease of description, only the parts related to the related applications are shown in the drawings.

[0028] The LEO satellite system is an important component of the next generation global communication system, with the advantages of low transmission delay, low satellite cost and low launch cost. Building a LEO satellite network with global coverage has become the direction of future space network transmission development.

[0029] Since LEO satellites move at high speed relative to the ground in low-Earth orbit, the traditional method of directly connecting to the target satellite through a satellite ground station can only connect to the target satellite in a few short time periods every day. Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of satellite connection in related technology, such as Figure 1 As shown, in order to be able to connect to and maintain the target satellite at any time, an inter-satellite link is introduced. When the connected target satellite is not within the coverage of the current ground station, it is relayed through other satellites within the coverage area to connect to the target satellite.

[0030] For constellations with a small number of satellites, global coverage cannot be achieved, and satellites can only be accessed at fixed times, and cannot be accessed at any time. Based on current technology, the link between the ground station and the target satellite needs to be switched when it is authenticated again and the connection needs to be established. During this period, data packets will be lost, and the switching will be interrupted in seconds, which will lead to reduced network performance.

[0031] In order to solve the problem that data is lost when switching satellite links, thereby causing network performance to deteriorate, an embodiment of the present application provides a satellite management method, system, device, storage medium and computer program product. The method is applied to a satellite management system, where the satellite management system includes N satellite constellations, each satellite constellation includes M satellites, base stations are deployed on each satellite, and a core network is deployed on one of the satellites. The method includes: after a first satellite receives a first registration request sent by a first terminal device, the first terminal device is connected to a satellite management network through a first core network deployed on a second satellite; wherein the first core network includes a first network function and a second network function, the first network function is at least used to manage access and mobility of the terminal device, and the second network function is at least used to authenticate the terminal device; when the first satellite moves out of the coverage of the first terminal device, the first network function selects a third satellite based on the current position of the first terminal device, and initiates a switching process to a first base station on the third satellite, so that the first terminal device can access the satellite management network. It can be seen that after the first satellite receives the first registration request sent by the first terminal device, the first terminal device can be connected to the satellite management network through the first core network deployed by the second satellite. The first core network includes a first network function and a second network function, so that the first terminal device can be authenticated through the first network function and the second network function deployed on the second satellite. When the first satellite moves out of the coverage of the first terminal device, the first network function can select a third satellite based on the current position of the first terminal device, and can directly initiate a switching process to the first base station on the third satellite. That is, the embodiment of the present application only needs to complete authentication once through the core network deployed by the second satellite, avoiding the need to re-authenticate and establish a connection after switching between satellites, thereby avoiding data loss and satellite management interruption when the satellite link is switched, thereby improving network performance.

[0032] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0033] The present application embodiment provides a satellite management method, which is applied to a satellite management system, wherein the satellite management system includes N satellite constellations, each satellite constellation includes M satellites, a base station is deployed on each satellite, a core network is deployed on one of the satellites, and M and N are positive integers. Figure 2 The satellite management method proposed in this application embodiment is shown in FIG. Figure 1 ,like Figure 2 As shown, the satellite management method may include the following steps:

[0034] Step 101: After the first satellite receives the first registration request sent by the first terminal device, the first terminal device is connected to the satellite management network through the first core network deployed by the second satellite; wherein the first core network includes a first network function and a second network function, the first network function is at least used to manage the access and mobility of the terminal device, and the second network function is at least used to authenticate the terminal device.

[0035] In an embodiment of the present application, after receiving a first registration request sent by a first terminal device, a first satellite in a satellite management system may connect the first terminal device to a satellite management network through a first core network deployed by a second satellite.

[0036] It should be noted that in an embodiment of the present application, the satellite management system may include N satellite constellations, each satellite constellation may include M satellites, and the present application does not specifically limit the number of satellite constellations and the number of satellites included in each satellite constellation.

[0037] It should be noted that, in an embodiment of the present application, a base station may be deployed on each of the M satellites, and a core network may be deployed on one of the M satellites.

[0038] It should be noted that in an embodiment of the present application, the first core network may include a first network function and a second network function. The present application does not specifically limit the number and type of network functions included in the first core network.

[0039] It should be noted that, in an embodiment of the present application, the first network function may be an access and mobility management function (AMF), and the present application does not specifically limit the type of the first network function.

[0040] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of the present application, the second network function may be unified data management (UDM), and the present application does not specifically limit the type of the second network function.

[0041] It should be noted that, in an embodiment of the present application, the first satellite may be one of M satellites, and the first terminal device is currently within the coverage of the first satellite.

[0042] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of the present application, the second satellite may be a satellite for deploying a core network.

[0043] It should be noted that, in an embodiment of the present application, the first core network may further include a third network function, and the third network function is at least used to manage the routing and forwarding functions of user plane data packets.

[0044] It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present application, the third network function may be a user plane function (UserPlaneFunction, UPF), and the present application does not specifically limit the type of the third network function.

[0045] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of the present application, the base station on each satellite may only cover one independent tracking area code (TAC) area.

[0046] It should be noted that in an embodiment of the present application, the network functions in the first core network can cover all TAC areas of the entire satellite constellation, for example, AMF / Session Management Function (SMF) / UPF can cover all TAC areas of the entire satellite constellation.

[0047] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of the present application, the entire satellite constellation may be allocated an independent Public Land Mobile Network Identity (PLMN ID).

[0048] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of the present application, each satellite is equipped with an inter-satellite link, so that information transmission and exchange between satellites can be achieved through the inter-satellite link.

[0049] It should be noted that in an embodiment of the present application, the second base station on the first satellite can receive the first registration request sent by the first terminal device and forward the first registration request to the first network function; after the first network function and the second network function authenticate the first terminal device, a first data tunnel can be created through the third network function; then the second base station can be connected to the third network function through the first data tunnel to enable the first terminal device to access the satellite management network.

[0050] Exemplarily, in an embodiment of the present application, the second base station on the first satellite can receive the first registration request sent by the first terminal device, and forward the first registration request to the AMF. After the AMF and UDM authenticate the first terminal device, the AMF can select a suitable SMF based on the data network name (Data Network Name, DNN) signed by the first terminal device, and then the SMF can select UPF to create a first data tunnel for the user, and then the second base station can be connected to the UPF through the first data tunnel to enable the first terminal device to access the satellite management network.

[0051] For example, in an embodiment of the present application, during the process of AMF and UDM authenticating the first terminal device, UDM can work in coordination with the authentication server function (AUSF) and network functions such as AMF to ensure the legitimacy and security of the terminal device. The present application does not specifically limit the authentication process.

[0052] It should be noted that in an embodiment of the present application, after accessing the satellite management network, the first terminal device can access the operation and maintenance management system on any satellite based on the inter-satellite link, for example, it can access the operation and maintenance management system on the target satellite.

[0053] It should be noted that, in an embodiment of the present application, the DNN signed by the first terminal device is consistent with the satellite identification information (ID) of the target satellite to be accessed.

[0054] Step 102: When the first satellite moves out of the coverage of the first terminal device, the first network function selects a third satellite based on the current location of the first terminal device, and initiates a switching process to the first base station on the third satellite to enable the first terminal device to access the satellite management network.

[0055] In an embodiment of the present application, a first satellite in a satellite management system receives a first registration request sent by a first terminal device, and after the first terminal device is connected to the satellite management network through a first core network deployed by a second satellite, when the first satellite moves out of the coverage of the first terminal device, the first network function in the second satellite can select a third satellite based on the current location of the first terminal device, and initiate a switching process to the first base station on the third satellite to enable the first terminal device to access the satellite management network.

[0056] It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present application, the third satellite is a satellite that moves to the current coverage area of ​​the first terminal device after the first satellite moves out of the coverage area of ​​the first terminal device.

[0057] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of the present application, Figure 3 The satellite management method proposed in this application embodiment is shown in FIG. Figure 2 ,like Figure 3 As shown, after the first network function selects the third satellite based on the current location of the first terminal device and initiates a handover process to the first base station on the third satellite, that is, after step 102, the following steps may also be included:

[0058] Step 103: The third network function creates a second data tunnel and forwards the data in the first data tunnel to the second data tunnel.

[0059] It should be noted that, in an embodiment of the present application, after the first network function selects the third satellite based on the current location of the first terminal device and initiates a switching process to the first base station on the third satellite, the third network function remains unchanged.

[0060] Exemplarily, in an embodiment of the present application, the third network function (ie, UPF) can create a second data tunnel (ie, a new data tunnel) and forward the data in the first data tunnel (ie, the old data tunnel) to the second data tunnel, thereby ensuring data integrity during the switching process.

[0061] Step 104: The first base station on the third satellite is connected to the third network function through the second data tunnel, so that the first terminal device accesses the satellite management network.

[0062] It should be noted that in an embodiment of the present application, after the first network function selects a third satellite based on the current location of the first terminal device and initiates a switching process to the first base station on the third satellite, the first base station on the third satellite can be connected to the third network function through a second data tunnel to enable the first terminal device to access the satellite management network.

[0063] Exemplarily, in an embodiment of the present application, the first base station on the third satellite can be connected to the UPF through a second data tunnel, so that the terminal device can enter the operation and maintenance management network of the third satellite and access the operation and maintenance management system on the third satellite.

[0064] It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, in the satellite management system deployed by the present application, the core network is deployed on one of the satellites in the satellite constellation (if disaster recovery and backup are considered, it can be deployed on two satellites as master-slave sharing), and signaling processing is performed for authorized access users. A base station is deployed on each satellite to undertake data processing for user access. In this way, the satellite can be managed and controlled through the onboard 5G base station and the core network. At the same time, based on the authentication mechanism of the 5G core network, the re-authentication mechanism for switching between satellites is avoided, thereby avoiding data loss and satellite management interruption when the satellite link is switched, thereby improving network performance.

[0065] It should be noted that, in an embodiment of the present application, when the first satellite constellation corresponding to the first satellite moves out of the coverage of the first terminal device, the fourth satellite in the second satellite constellation receives the second registration request sent by the first terminal device; wherein the first terminal device is located within the coverage of the fourth satellite; then the fourth satellite can forward the second registration request to the fifth satellite, so that the fifth satellite forwards the data corresponding to the first terminal device to the second satellite; wherein the satellite constellation corresponding to the second satellite has signed a roaming agreement.

[0066] It should be noted that in an embodiment of the present application, in a roaming scenario, a gateway satellite can be provided for a satellite constellation that has signed a roaming agreement. The gateway satellite needs to be deployed with AMF / SMF / UPF / UDM / Radio Access Network (RAN).

[0067] For example, in an embodiment of the present application, it is assumed that the satellite constellation corresponding to the second satellite has signed a roaming agreement, and a first core network is deployed on the second satellite. The first core network includes network functions such as AMF / SMF / UPF / UDM, that is, the second satellite can be used as a gateway satellite, or other satellites can be used as gateway satellites. The present application does not specifically limit the setting of gateway satellites.

[0068] It should be noted that, in an embodiment of the present application, the fourth satellite in the second satellite constellation may be a roaming satellite.

[0069] It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present application, the fifth satellite may be a roaming party gateway satellite, on which the second core network is deployed.

[0070] It should be noted that in an embodiment of the present application, the second core network includes at least a fourth network function, a fifth network function and a sixth network function; wherein the fourth network function includes an intermediate session management function (IntermediateSession Management Function, I-SMF), the fifth network function includes an intermediate user plane function (IntermediateUserPlaneF, I-UPF), and the sixth network function is used to manage the access and mobility of terminal devices. This application does not specifically limit the number and type of network functions included in the second core network.

[0071] It should be noted that, in an embodiment of the present application, the sixth network function may be AMF, and the present application does not specifically limit the type of the sixth network function.

[0072] It should be noted that in an embodiment of the present application, when the fourth satellite forwards the second registration request to the fifth satellite, the third base station on the fourth satellite can receive the second registration request sent by the first terminal device; then the third base station can forward the second registration request to the sixth network function (ie, AMF) in the fifth satellite.

[0073] It should be noted that, in an embodiment of the present application, the first core network deployed by the second satellite may also include a seventh network function. The present application does not specifically limit the number of network functions included in the first core network.

[0074] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of the present application, the seventh network function may be an SMF, and the present application does not specifically limit the type of the seventh network function.

[0075] Further, in an embodiment of the present application, after the third base station forwards the second registration request to the sixth network function in the fifth satellite, the sixth network function selects the fourth network function and the fifth network function, and forwards the data corresponding to the first terminal device to the second satellite through the fourth network function and the fifth network function, so that the first terminal device can access the second satellite; wherein the seventh network function is at least used to control and manage user sessions.

[0076] Exemplarily, in an embodiment of the present application, after the third base station forwards the second registration request to the AMF in the fifth satellite, the AMF may select the gateway SMF / UPF of the satellite constellation as the I-SMF / I-UPF for bridging, the original SMF / UPF remains unchanged, and forwards the data corresponding to the first terminal device to the SMF / UPF of the second satellite through the I-SMF / I-UPF, so that the first terminal device can access the second satellite. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of satellite management in a roaming scenario proposed in an embodiment of the present application, such as Figure 4 As shown, user data can be connected from the current roaming party coverage satellite (i.e., the fourth satellite) to the roaming party gateway satellite (i.e., the fifth satellite), and then connected back to the gateway satellite of this constellation (i.e., the second satellite), thereby entering the satellite management network and connecting to the target satellite for operation and maintenance management.

[0077] That is to say, in the embodiments of the present application, for users whose current constellation has a small number of satellites and do not meet global coverage requirements, the embodiments of the present application can, based on the roaming characteristics of the mobile core network, achieve satellite access at any time by signing roaming agreements with other constellations.

[0078] In summary, the satellite management system proposed in the embodiment of the present application includes N satellite constellations, each satellite constellation includes M satellites, base stations are deployed on each satellite, and a core network is deployed on one of the satellites, that is, in the satellite management system deployed in the present application, the core network is deployed on one of the satellites in the satellite constellation to perform signaling processing for authorized access users, and a base station is deployed on each satellite to undertake data processing for user access, so that the satellite can be managed and controlled through the onboard 5G base station and the core network. At the same time, based on the authentication mechanism of the 5G core network, the re-authentication mechanism of switching between satellites is avoided, thereby avoiding data loss and satellite management interruption problems when the satellite link is switched, thereby improving network performance. For users who currently have a small number of constellation satellites and do not meet global coverage, the embodiment of the present application can be based on the roaming characteristics of the mobile core network, and can access the satellite at any time by signing a roaming agreement with other constellations.

[0079] An embodiment of the present application provides a satellite management method, which is applied to a satellite management system, wherein the satellite management system includes N satellite constellations, each satellite constellation includes M satellites, base stations are deployed on each satellite, and a core network is deployed on one of the satellites. The method includes: after a first satellite receives a first registration request sent by a first terminal device, the first terminal device is connected to a satellite management network through a first core network deployed on a second satellite; wherein the first core network includes a first network function and a second network function, the first network function is at least used to manage access and mobility of the terminal device, and the second network function is at least used to authenticate the terminal device; when the first satellite moves out of the coverage of the first terminal device, the first network function selects a third satellite based on the current location of the first terminal device, and initiates a switching process to the first base station on the third satellite, so that the first terminal device can access the satellite management network. It can be seen that after the first satellite receives the first registration request sent by the first terminal device, the first terminal device can be connected to the satellite management network through the first core network deployed by the second satellite. The first core network includes a first network function and a second network function, so that the first terminal device can be authenticated through the first network function and the second network function deployed on the second satellite. When the first satellite moves out of the coverage of the first terminal device, the first network function can select a third satellite based on the current position of the first terminal device, and can directly initiate a switching process to the first base station on the third satellite. That is, the embodiment of the present application only needs to complete authentication once through the core network deployed by the second satellite, avoiding the need to re-authenticate and establish a connection after switching between satellites, thereby avoiding data loss and satellite management interruption when the satellite link is switched, thereby improving network performance.

[0080] Based on the above embodiments, another embodiment of the present application provides a satellite management method, which is applied to a satellite operation and maintenance management technical architecture (i.e., a satellite management system). By deploying a mobile communication base station + core network on the satellite and using an integrated mobile terminal to connect to the satellite, the satellite operation and maintenance management can be performed, so that the control link switching process data is lossless and the access is secure. The mobile communication function used in the embodiment of the present application is a basic function, and the technical architecture can be the fourth generation mobile communication technology (4G), the fifth generation mobile communication technology (5G), or even the future sixth generation mobile communication (6G) technology. For ease of description, 5G is used as an example. The key networking configuration is as follows: (1) The DNN signed by the terminal is consistent with the satellite ID of the target satellite to be accessed; (2) RAN is deployed on each satellite to process user access data; (3) AMF (i.e., the first network function) / SMF (i.e., the seventh network function) / UDM (i.e., the second network function) / UPF (i.e., the third network function) is fixed on one of the satellites in the satellite constellation (i.e., the second satellite) (if disaster recovery and backup are considered, it can be deployed on two satellites as the primary and backup sharing) to perform signaling processing for authorized access users; (4) The entire satellite constellation is assigned an independent PLMN ID; (5) The RAN (base station) on each satellite only covers an independent TAC area; (6) AMF / SMF / UPF covers all TAC areas of the entire satellite constellation.

[0081] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of the present application, Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the deployment network proposed in the embodiment of the present application, such as Figure 5 As shown, a RAN (base station) is deployed on each satellite in the satellite constellation, and a first core network is deployed on one of the satellites (i.e., the second satellite). The first core network includes AMF / SMF / UDM / UPF. This application does not specifically limit the number and type of network functions included in the first core network.

[0082] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of the present application, Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the basic access process proposed in the embodiment of the present application, such as Figure 6As shown, the basic access process can be summarized as the following steps: 1. The user selects the RAN on the satellite in the current coverage area (i.e., the first satellite) to activate the user; 2. Access through AMF (i.e., the first network function), after UDM (i.e., the second network function) authentication, SMF selects UPF (i.e., the third network function) to create a data tunnel (i.e., the first data tunnel) for the user; 3. The user connects to UPF through the RAN (i.e., the second base station) on the satellite in the current coverage area (i.e., the first satellite), enters the satellite operation and maintenance management network, and then accesses the operation and maintenance management system on any satellite based on the inter-satellite link.

[0083] Exemplarily, in an embodiment of the present application, the second base station on the first satellite can receive the first registration request sent by the first terminal device, and forward the first registration request to the AMF. After the AMF and UDM authenticate the first terminal device, the AMF can select a suitable SMF based on the DNN signed by the first terminal device, and then the SMF can select the UPF to create a first data tunnel for the user, and then the second base station can be connected to the UPF through the first data tunnel to enable the first terminal device to access the satellite management network.

[0084] For example, in an embodiment of the present application, during the process of AMF and UDM authenticating the first terminal device, UDM can work in collaboration with AUSF and network functions such as AMF to ensure the legitimacy and security of the terminal device. The present application does not specifically limit the authentication process.

[0085] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of the present application, Figure 7 The satellite switching process diagram proposed in the embodiment of the present application is as follows: Figure 7 As shown, the satellite switching process can be summarized into the following steps: 1. The current satellite (i.e., the first satellite) moves out of the terminal coverage, triggering mobility switching; 2. AMF initiates the switching process for the user to select the RAN (i.e., the first base station) on the satellite (i.e., the third satellite) that is moved to the terminal coverage, and the UPF remains unchanged; 3. Based on the mobility switching control process, a new tunnel (i.e., the second data tunnel) is established in advance, and the data being sent in the old tunnel (i.e., the first data tunnel) is forwarded to the new tunnel (i.e., the second data tunnel) to ensure that the data is intact during the switching process; 4. The user connects to the UPF based on the new satellite base station (i.e., the first base station on the third satellite), enters the satellite's operation and maintenance management network, and accesses the operation and maintenance management system on the satellite.

[0086] Exemplarily, in an embodiment of the present application, after the first network function initiates a switching process to the first base station on the third satellite, the first base station on the third satellite can be connected to the third network function through a second data tunnel to enable the first terminal device to access the satellite management network.

[0087] It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, in the satellite management system deployed by the present application, the core network is deployed on one of the satellites in the satellite constellation (if disaster recovery and backup are considered, it can be deployed on two satellites as master-slave sharing), and signaling processing is performed for authorized access users. A base station is deployed on each satellite to undertake data processing for user access. In this way, the satellite can be managed and controlled through the onboard 5G base station and the core network. At the same time, based on the authentication mechanism of the 5G core network, the re-authentication mechanism for switching between satellites is avoided, thereby avoiding data loss and satellite management interruption when the satellite link is switched, thereby improving network performance.

[0088] It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present application, in the roaming scenario, it is necessary to provide a gateway satellite for the satellite constellation that has signed a roaming agreement. The satellite needs to be deployed with AMF / SMF / UPF / UDM / RAN and can be interconnected with the other party's gateway satellite (ie, the fifth satellite); Figure 4 As shown, the satellite connection process in the roaming scenario can be summarized into the following steps: 1. The satellite constellation of the current user (i.e., the first satellite constellation corresponding to the first satellite) moves out of the user coverage range, triggering mobility switching; 2. Since the AMF (i.e., the first network function) of the original satellite constellation can no longer cover the current user range, it is necessary to select the AMF of the roaming party (i.e., the fifth satellite); 3. Since the SMF / UPF of the original satellite constellation can no longer cover the current user range, the AMF of the roaming party (i.e., the fifth satellite) needs to select the gateway SMF / UPF of this satellite constellation as the I-SMF (i.e., the fourth network function) / I-UPF (i.e., the fifth network function) for bridging, and the original SMF / UPF remains unchanged; 4. User data is connected from the current roaming party coverage satellite to the roaming party gateway satellite, and then connected back to the gateway satellite of this constellation, enters the satellite management network, and connects to the target satellite for operation and maintenance management.

[0089] Exemplarily, in an embodiment of the present application, when the first satellite constellation corresponding to the first satellite moves out of the coverage of the first terminal device, the fourth satellite in the second satellite constellation can receive a second registration request sent by the first terminal device; wherein the first terminal device is located within the coverage of the fourth satellite; then the fourth satellite can forward the second registration request to the fifth satellite, so that the fifth satellite forwards the data corresponding to the first terminal device to the second satellite; wherein the satellite constellation corresponding to the second satellite has signed a roaming agreement.

[0090] It should be noted that in an embodiment of the present application, in a roaming scenario, a gateway satellite can be provided for a satellite constellation that has signed a roaming agreement, and the gateway satellite needs to be deployed with AMF / SMF / UPF / UDM / RAN.

[0091] For example, in an embodiment of the present application, it is assumed that the satellite constellation corresponding to the second satellite has signed a roaming agreement, and a first core network is deployed on the second satellite. The first core network includes network functions such as AMF / SMF / UPF / UDM, that is, the second satellite can be used as a gateway satellite, or other satellites can be used as gateway satellites. The present application does not specifically limit the setting of gateway satellites.

[0092] It should be noted that, in an embodiment of the present application, the fourth satellite in the second satellite constellation may be a roaming satellite.

[0093] It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present application, the fifth satellite may be a roaming party gateway satellite, on which the second core network is deployed.

[0094] It should be noted that in an embodiment of the present application, the second core network includes at least a fourth network function, a fifth network function and a sixth network function; wherein the fourth network function includes I-SMF, the fifth network function includes I-UPF, and the sixth network function is used to manage the access and mobility of terminal devices. The present application does not specifically limit the number and type of network functions included in the second core network.

[0095] It should be noted that, in an embodiment of the present application, the sixth network function may be AMF, and the present application does not specifically limit the type of the sixth network function.

[0096] It should be noted that in an embodiment of the present application, when the fourth satellite forwards the second registration request to the fifth satellite, the third base station on the fourth satellite can receive the second registration request sent by the first terminal device; then the third base station can forward the second registration request to the sixth network function (ie, AMF) in the fifth satellite.

[0097] Exemplarily, in an embodiment of the present application, after the third base station forwards the second registration request to the AMF in the fifth satellite, the AMF may select the gateway SMF / UPF of the satellite constellation as the I-SMF / I-UPF for bridging, the original SMF / UPF remains unchanged, and forwards the data corresponding to the first terminal device to the SMF / UPF of the second satellite through the I-SMF / I-UPF, so that the first terminal device can access the second satellite, such as Figure 4 As shown, user data can be connected from the current roaming party coverage satellite (i.e., the fourth satellite) to the roaming party gateway satellite (i.e., the fifth satellite), and then connected back to the gateway satellite of this constellation (i.e., the second satellite), thereby entering the satellite management network and connecting to the target satellite for operation and maintenance management.

[0098] That is to say, in the embodiments of the present application, for users whose current constellation has a small number of satellites and do not meet global coverage requirements, the embodiments of the present application can, based on the roaming characteristics of the mobile core network, achieve satellite access at any time by signing roaming agreements with other constellations.

[0099] In summary, the satellite management system proposed in the embodiment of the present application includes N satellite constellations, each satellite constellation includes M satellites, base stations are deployed on each satellite, and a core network is deployed on one of the satellites, that is, in the satellite management system deployed in the present application, the core network is deployed on one of the satellites in the satellite constellation to perform signaling processing for authorized access users, and a base station is deployed on each satellite to undertake data processing for user access, so that the satellite can be managed and controlled through the onboard 5G base station and the core network. At the same time, based on the authentication mechanism of the 5G core network, the re-authentication mechanism of switching between satellites is avoided, thereby avoiding data loss and satellite management interruption problems when the satellite link is switched, thereby improving network performance. For users who currently have a small number of constellation satellites and do not meet global coverage, the embodiment of the present application can be based on the roaming characteristics of the mobile core network, and can access the satellite at any time by signing a roaming agreement with other constellations.

[0100] An embodiment of the present application provides a satellite management method, which is applied to a satellite management system, wherein the satellite management system includes N satellite constellations, each satellite constellation includes M satellites, base stations are deployed on each satellite, and a core network is deployed on one of the satellites. The method includes: after a first satellite receives a first registration request sent by a first terminal device, the first terminal device is connected to a satellite management network through a first core network deployed on a second satellite; wherein the first core network includes a first network function and a second network function, the first network function is at least used to manage access and mobility of the terminal device, and the second network function is at least used to authenticate the terminal device; when the first satellite moves out of the coverage of the first terminal device, the first network function selects a third satellite based on the current location of the first terminal device, and initiates a switching process to the first base station on the third satellite, so that the first terminal device can access the satellite management network. It can be seen that after the first satellite receives the first registration request sent by the first terminal device, the first terminal device can be connected to the satellite management network through the first core network deployed by the second satellite. The first core network includes a first network function and a second network function, so that the first terminal device can be authenticated through the first network function and the second network function deployed on the second satellite. When the first satellite moves out of the coverage of the first terminal device, the first network function can select a third satellite based on the current position of the first terminal device, and can directly initiate a switching process to the first base station on the third satellite. That is, the embodiment of the present application only needs to complete authentication once through the core network deployed by the second satellite, avoiding the need to re-authenticate and establish a connection after switching between satellites, thereby avoiding data loss and satellite management interruption when the satellite link is switched, thereby improving network performance.

[0101] Based on the above embodiments, the present application provides a satellite management system. Figure 8 The schematic diagram of the satellite management system is shown in Figure 2. Figure 8 As shown, the satellite management system 10 includes N satellite constellations, each of which includes M satellites, and the M satellites include a first satellite 11 and a second satellite 12; wherein,

[0102] The first satellite 11 is used to connect the first terminal device to the satellite management network through the first core network deployed by the second satellite after receiving the first registration request sent by the first terminal device; wherein the first core network includes a first network function and a second network function, the first network function is at least used to manage the access and mobility of the terminal device, and the second network function is at least used to authenticate the terminal device;

[0103] The second satellite 12 is used to select a third satellite based on the current position of the first terminal device when the first satellite moves out of the coverage of the first terminal device, and initiate a switching process to the first base station on the third satellite to enable the first terminal device to access the satellite management network.

[0104] In the embodiments of the present application, further, Fig. 9 It is a schematic diagram of the composition structure of the electronic device, such as Fig. 9 As shown, the electronic device 20 proposed in the embodiment of the present application may also include a processor 13, a memory 14 storing executable instructions of the processor 13, and further, the electronic device 20 may also include a communication interface 15, and a bus 16 for connecting the processor 13, the memory 14 and the communication interface 15.

[0105] In the embodiment of the present application, the processor 13 can be at least one of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a digital signal processing device (DSPD), a programmable logic device (PLD), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a central processing unit (CPU), a controller, a microcontroller, and a microprocessor. It can be understood that for different devices, the electronic device used to implement the function of the processor can also be other, and the embodiment of the present application is not specifically limited. The electronic device 20 can also include a memory 14, which can be connected to the processor 13, wherein the memory 14 is used to store executable program code, the program code includes computer operation instructions, and the memory 14 may include a high-speed RAM memory, and may also include a non-volatile memory, for example, at least two disk memories.

[0106] In the embodiment of the present application, the bus 16 is used to connect the communication interface 15, the processor 13 and the memory 14, and the mutual communication between these devices.

[0107] In the embodiment of the present application, the memory 14 is used to store instructions and data.

[0108] Furthermore, in an embodiment of the present application, the above-mentioned processor 13 is used to, after receiving a first registration request sent by a first terminal device, connect the first terminal device to the satellite management network through a first core network deployed by a second satellite; wherein the first core network includes a first network function and a second network function, the first network function is at least used to manage the access and mobility of the terminal device, and the second network function is at least used to authenticate the terminal device; when the first satellite moves out of the coverage of the first terminal device, a third satellite is selected based on the current position of the first terminal device, and a switching process is initiated to the first base station on the third satellite to enable the first terminal device to access the satellite management network.

[0109] In practical applications, the memory 14 may be a volatile memory, such as a random access memory (RAM); or a non-volatile memory, such as a read-only memory (ROM), a flash memory, a hard disk (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD); or a combination of the above types of memory, and provide instructions and data to the processor 13.

[0110] An embodiment of the present application provides a satellite management system, which includes N satellite constellations, each satellite constellation includes M satellites, base stations are deployed on each satellite, and a core network is deployed on one of the satellites. After a first satellite receives a first registration request sent by a first terminal device, the first terminal device is connected to a satellite management network through a first core network deployed on a second satellite; wherein the first core network includes a first network function and a second network function, the first network function is at least used to manage access and mobility of the terminal device, and the second network function is at least used to authenticate the terminal device; when the first satellite moves out of the coverage of the first terminal device, the first network function selects a third satellite based on the current location of the first terminal device, and initiates a switching process to the first base station on the third satellite, so that the first terminal device can access the satellite management network. It can be seen that after the first satellite receives the first registration request sent by the first terminal device, the first terminal device can be connected to the satellite management network through the first core network deployed by the second satellite. The first core network includes a first network function and a second network function, so that the first terminal device can be authenticated through the first network function and the second network function deployed on the second satellite. When the first satellite moves out of the coverage of the first terminal device, the first network function can select a third satellite based on the current position of the first terminal device, and can directly initiate a switching process to the first base station on the third satellite. That is, the embodiment of the present application only needs to complete authentication once through the core network deployed by the second satellite, avoiding the need to re-authenticate and establish a connection after switching between satellites, thereby avoiding data loss and satellite management interruption when the satellite link is switched, thereby improving network performance.

[0111] An embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium having a program stored thereon, which implements the satellite management method as described above when executed by a processor.

[0112] Specifically, the program instructions corresponding to a satellite management method in this embodiment can be stored in a storage medium such as a CD, a hard disk, a USB flash drive, etc. When the program instructions corresponding to a satellite management method in the storage medium are read or executed by an electronic device, the following steps are included:

[0113] After receiving the first registration request sent by the first terminal device, the first satellite connects the first terminal device to the satellite management network through the first core network deployed by the second satellite; wherein the first core network includes a first network function and a second network function, the first network function is at least used to manage the access and mobility of the terminal device, and the second network function is at least used to authenticate the terminal device;

[0114] When the first satellite moves out of the coverage of the first terminal device, the first network function selects a third satellite based on the current location of the first terminal device, and initiates a switching process to the first base station on the third satellite to enable the first terminal device to access the satellite management network.

[0115] The embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, including a computer program, which can be executed by the processor 13 of the electronic device 20 to complete the steps of any of the aforementioned methods.

[0116] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of the present application may be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, the present application may adopt the form of hardware embodiments, software embodiments, or embodiments in combination with software and hardware. Moreover, the present application may adopt the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to disk storage and optical storage, etc.) that contain computer-usable program code.

[0117] The present application is described with reference to implementation flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to the embodiments of the present application. It should be understood that each process and / or box in the flowchart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of processes and / or boxes in the flowchart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device to generate a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device generate instructions for implementing the process in the flowchart. Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in a block or multiple blocks.

[0118] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce a manufactured product including an instruction device, which is implemented in the implementation flow diagram. Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A function specified in one or more boxes.

[0119] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device so that a series of operation steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions for executing the steps in the flowchart. Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1The steps for the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0120] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A satellite management method, characterized in that: The method is applied to a satellite management system, the satellite management system includes N satellite constellations, each of the satellite constellations includes M satellites, a base station is deployed on each of the satellites, a core network is deployed on one of the satellites, M and N are positive integers, and the method includes: After receiving the first registration request sent by the first terminal device, the first satellite connects the first terminal device to the satellite management network through the first core network deployed by the second satellite; wherein the first core network includes a first network function and a second network function, the first network function is at least used to manage the access and mobility of the terminal device, and the second network function is at least used to authenticate the terminal device; When the first satellite moves out of the coverage of the first terminal device, the first network function selects a third satellite based on the current location of the first terminal device, and initiates a switching process to the first base station on the third satellite to enable the first terminal device to access the satellite management network.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first core network also includes a third network function, and the third network function is at least used to manage the routing and forwarding functions of user plane data packets.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The second base station on the first satellite receives the first registration request sent by the first terminal device, and forwards the first registration request to the first network function; After the first network function and the second network function perform authentication processing on the first terminal device, creating a first data tunnel through a third network function; The second base station is connected to the third network function through the first data tunnel so that the first terminal device can access the satellite management network.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: After the first network function selects a third satellite based on the current location of the first terminal device and initiates a handover process to a first base station on the third satellite, the method further includes: The third network function creates a second data tunnel and forwards the data in the first data tunnel to the second data tunnel; The first base station on the third satellite is connected to the third network function through the second data tunnel, so that the first terminal device accesses the satellite management network.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The method further comprises: When the first satellite constellation corresponding to the first satellite moves out of the coverage of the first terminal device, a fourth satellite in the second satellite constellation receives a second registration request sent by the first terminal device; wherein the first terminal device is located within the coverage of the fourth satellite; The fourth satellite forwards the second registration request to the fifth satellite, so that the fifth satellite forwards the data corresponding to the first terminal device to the second satellite; wherein the satellite constellation corresponding to the second satellite has signed a roaming agreement.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that A second core network is deployed on the fifth satellite, and the second core network includes at least a fourth network function, a fifth network function and a sixth network function; wherein the fourth network function includes an intermediate session management function, the fifth network function includes an intermediate user plane function, and the sixth network function is used to manage access and mobility of terminal equipment.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The fourth satellite forwarding the second registration request to the fifth satellite includes: The third base station on the fourth satellite receives the second registration request sent by the first terminal device; The third base station forwards the second registration request to a sixth network function in the fifth satellite.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The first core network further includes a seventh network function, and after the third base station forwards the second registration request to the sixth network function in the fifth satellite, the method further includes: The sixth network function selects the fourth network function and the fifth network function, and forwards the data corresponding to the first terminal device to the second satellite through the fourth network function and the fifth network function, so that the first terminal device can access the second satellite; wherein the seventh network function is at least used to control and manage user sessions.

9. A satellite management system, characterized in that: The satellite management system includes N satellite constellations, each of which includes M satellites, and the M satellites include a first satellite and a second satellite; wherein, The first satellite is configured to, after receiving a first registration request sent by a first terminal device, connect the first terminal device to a satellite management network through a first core network deployed by the second satellite; wherein the first core network includes a first network function and a second network function, the first network function is at least used to manage access and mobility of the terminal device, and the second network function is at least used to perform authentication processing on the terminal device; The second satellite is used to select a third satellite based on the current position of the first terminal device when the first satellite moves out of the coverage of the first terminal device, and initiate a switching process to the first base station on the third satellite to enable the first terminal device to access the satellite management network.

10. An electronic device, characterized in that: The electronic device comprises: a processor and a memory; wherein, The memory is used to store a computer program that can be run on the processor; The processor is configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 when running the computer program.

11. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The storage medium stores computer program codes, and when the computer program codes are executed by a computer, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is executed.

12. A computer program product, comprising a computer program, characterized in that The computer program implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 when executed by a processor.

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