Method for transmitting data by an unmanned aerial vehicle satellite base station and the unmanned aerial vehicle satellite base station

Abstract

The present application provides a method for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) satellite base station to transmit data and a UAV satellite base station, belonging to the field of communication technologies. In a scenario where multiple terminals in a target area all need to transmit data, based on the positions of the terminals and the number of terminals within the preset ranges corresponding to the candidate positions, the hovering positions and passing positions of the UAV satellite base station in the target area are determined, and a flight path of the UAV is generated based on all the hovering positions and passing positions. In the present application, the hovering positions and passing positions in the UAV flight path are determined according to the positions of the terminals in the target area. When the UAV reaches a hovering position, the terminals within the hovering position range complete data transmission. When the UAV reaches a passing position, the terminals within the passing position range complete data transmission. On the basis of meeting the terminal data transmission requirements, by reducing the communication distance between the terminals and the UAV satellite base station, the power consumption of the terminals and the UAV satellite base station is minimized as much as possible.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to a method for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) satellite base station to transmit data and a UAV satellite base station. Background Art

[0002] Figure 1 Shown in the figure is a structural diagram of a traditional cellular mobile communication system. As Figure 1 shown, a terminal is connected to a ground base station through a wireless interface, the ground base station is connected to a core network through an optical fiber, and the core network is connected to an external network through an optical fiber. Compared with the wireless interface, optical fiber transmission is more reliable and has a larger transmission capacity. Therefore, the optimization of existing cellular mobile communication systems mainly focuses on the wireless interface. However, once natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods occur, the optical fiber interface is easily damaged, and in this scenario, the UAV satellite base station emerges as the times require. The UAV satellite base station establishes a connection with a satellite through a wireless interface, and the satellite is connected to the core network, thereby realizing the communication service of the terminal.

[0003] For a temporary communication island caused by disasters or the like, the UAV satellite base station can provide temporary communication services. After the ground base station resumes normal communication, the UAV satellite base station stops serving. In the scenario of a temporary communication island, there is usually no power supply device, and the power saving requirement for the terminal is relatively high.

[0004] In the scenario where the area of the temporary communication island is relatively large, there may be multiple terminals that all need to transmit data. In this scenario, there is a lack of a feasible solution for how to meet the relatively high power saving requirements of the terminals. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a method for a UAV satellite base station to transmit data and a UAV satellite base station, so as to solve the problem of how to meet the relatively high power saving requirements of terminals in the scenario where multiple terminals need to transmit data in the prior art.

[0006] In a first aspect, this application provides a method for a UAV satellite base station to transmit data, and the method includes:

[0007] The UAV satellite base station determines at least one candidate location within a target area;

[0008] For any one of the candidate locations, the UAV satellite base station determines the number of first terminals located within a preset range corresponding to the candidate location; wherein, the preset range is the range within which the UAV satellite base station provides wireless signal coverage at the candidate location; the first position where the first terminal is currently located is within the preset range corresponding to the candidate location;

[0009] The drone satellite base station determines the candidate position as the hovering position or the passing position of the drone satellite base station according to the number of the first terminals; the working duration of the drone satellite base station at the hovering position is greater than the working duration of the drone satellite base station at the passing position; wherein, when the number of the first terminals is greater than a first preset number, the candidate position is determined as the hovering position; when the number of the first terminals is greater than a second preset number and less than the first preset number, the candidate position is determined as the passing position;

[0010] The drone satellite base station generates a flight path based on all the determined hovering positions and passing positions, so that when the drone satellite base station moves to the hovering position according to the flight path, it transmits data to the first terminals within a preset range corresponding to the hovering position, and when moving to the passing position, it transmits data to the first terminals within a preset range corresponding to the passing position.

[0011] In a possible design, before determining the number of the first terminals located within the preset range corresponding to the candidate position, the method further includes:

[0012] The drone satellite base station obtains a target terminal list from a core network element, where the target terminal list includes the identifiers and second positions of at least one second terminal, or the identifiers of the at least one second terminal; wherein, the target terminal list is determined by the core network element based on the location area where the historical serving cell corresponding to the target area is located;

[0013] The drone satellite base station determines the identifier and third position of a third terminal according to the target terminal list; wherein, the third terminal is a second terminal whose current location is within the target area, or the third terminal is a fourth terminal located outside the target terminal list and whose current location is within the target area;

[0014] Determining the number of the first terminals located within the preset range corresponding to the candidate position includes:

[0015] Based on the third position of the third terminal, determining the number of the first terminals located within the preset range corresponding to the candidate position.

[0016] In a possible design, the drone satellite base station determines the identifier and third position of a third terminal according to the target terminal list, including:

[0017] The drone satellite base station sends a first message to the second terminal, and the first message carries the identifier and the second position of the second terminal;

[0018] The UAV satellite base station receives the first response sent by the second terminal; when the fourth position of the second terminal is the same as the second position, the first response includes the identifier of the second terminal; when the fourth position is different from the second position, the first response includes the identifier of the second terminal and the fourth position; wherein, the fourth position is the current position of the second terminal;

[0019] The UAV satellite base station determines the identifier of the third terminal and the third position based on the first response.

[0020] In a possible design, the UAV satellite base station determines the identifier of the third terminal and the third position according to the target terminal list, including:

[0021] The UAV satellite base station sends a second message to the second terminal, and the second message carries the identifier of the second terminal;

[0022] The UAV satellite base station receives the second response sent by the second terminal, and the second response includes the identifier of the second terminal and the fourth position;

[0023] The UAV satellite base station determines the identifier of the third terminal and the third position based on the second response.

[0024] In a possible design, the UAV satellite base station determines the identifier of the third terminal and the third position according to the target terminal list, including:

[0025] The UAV satellite base station sends a third message to the target area, and the third message carries the target terminal list;

[0026] The UAV satellite base station receives the third response sent by the fourth terminal, and the third response includes the identifier of the fourth terminal and the fifth position; wherein, the fourth terminal is a terminal located outside the target terminal list and within the target area;

[0027] The UAV satellite base station determines the identifier of the third terminal and the third position according to the third response.

[0028] In a possible design, the method further includes:

[0029] The UAV satellite base station starts a timer for any one of the second terminals;

[0030] When the timer corresponding to the second terminal in the drone satellite base station times out and the first response sent by the second terminal is not received, the identifier of the second terminal and the second location in the target terminal list are deleted.

[0031] In a possible design, the target terminal list further includes the data transmission time of the at least one second terminal;

[0032] After the drone satellite base station generates a flight path based on all the determined hovering positions and passing positions, the method further includes:

[0033] The drone satellite base station determines the moving direction of the drone satellite base station moving along the flight path according to the flight path and the data transmission time of the at least one second terminal, so that the working period of the drone satellite base station at the hovering position is earlier than or includes the data transmission time of the third terminal within the preset range corresponding to the hovering position, and the working period of the drone satellite base station at the passing position is earlier than or includes the data transmission time of the third terminal within the preset range corresponding to the passing position.

[0034] In a possible design, after the drone satellite base station determines the identifier and the third location of the third terminal according to the target terminal list, the method further includes:

[0035] The drone satellite base station updates the target terminal list based on the identifier of the third terminal and the third location to obtain an updated target terminal list;

[0036] The drone satellite base station sends the updated target terminal list to the core network element.

[0037] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication device, and the device includes:

[0038] A processing module, further configured to determine at least one candidate location within a target area;

[0039] The processing module is further configured to, for any one of the candidate locations, determine the number of first terminals located within a preset range corresponding to the candidate location; wherein the preset range is the range where the drone satellite base station provides wireless signal coverage; the first location where the first terminal is currently located is within the preset range corresponding to the candidate location;

[0040] The processing module is further configured to determine, according to the number of the first terminals, whether the candidate position is a hovering position or a passing position of the unmanned aerial vehicle satellite base station; the working duration of the unmanned aerial vehicle satellite base station at the hovering position is greater than that at the passing position; wherein, when the number of the first terminals is greater than a first preset number, it is determined that the candidate position is the hovering position; when the number of the first terminals is greater than a second preset number and less than the first preset number, it is determined that the candidate position is the passing position;

[0041] The processing module is further configured to generate a flight path based on all the determined hovering positions and passing positions, so that when the unmanned aerial vehicle satellite base station moves to the hovering position along the flight path, it transmits data to the first terminals within a preset range corresponding to the hovering position, and when moving to the passing position, it transmits data to the first terminals within a preset range corresponding to the passing position.

[0042] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication system, including: a terminal, a core network, and an unmanned aerial vehicle satellite base station for executing the method in the first aspect and any possible design of the first aspect.

[0043] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides an unmanned aerial vehicle satellite base station, including: a memory and a processor;

[0044] The memory is configured to store computer program instructions;

[0045] The processor is configured to execute the computer program instructions to implement the method as described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect.

[0046] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides an electronic device, including: a memory and at least one processor;

[0047] The memory stores computer-executable instructions;

[0048] The at least one processor executes the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory, so that the at least one processor executes the method as described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect.

[0049] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which computer-executable instructions are stored, and when the computer-executable instructions are executed, the method as described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect is implemented.

[0050] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, which includes computer program code. When the computer program code runs on a computer, the computer is caused to implement the method described in the first aspect above or various possible designs of the first aspect.

[0051] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a chip, including: an interface circuit and a logic circuit. The interface circuit is configured to receive signals from other chips outside the chip and transmit them to the logic circuit, or send signals from the logic circuit to other chips outside the chip. The logic circuit is configured to implement the method described in the first aspect above or various possible designs of the first aspect.

[0052] The present application provides a method for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) satellite base station to transmit data and a UAV satellite base station. In a scenario where multiple terminals in a target area all need to transmit data, the UAV satellite base station determines the hovering position and passing position of the UAV satellite base station in the target area according to the positions of the terminals and the number of terminals within the preset range corresponding to each candidate position, and generates a flight path of the UAV carrying the UAV satellite base station based on all the hovering positions and passing positions in the target area. In the present application, the hovering positions and passing positions in the UAV flight path are determined according to the positions of the terminals in the target area. When the UAV reaches the hovering position according to the flight path, the terminals within the preset range corresponding to the hovering position transmit data with the UAV satellite base station. When the UAV reaches the passing position according to the flight path, the terminals within the preset range corresponding to the passing position transmit data with the UAV satellite base station. On the basis of meeting the terminal data transmission requirements, by reducing the communication distance between the terminals and the UAV satellite base station, the power consumption of the terminals and the UAV satellite base station is minimized as much as possible, which is particularly suitable for temporary communication requirements in emergency scenarios such as communication islands. Description of the Drawings

[0053] Figure 1 is a structural diagram of a traditional cellular mobile communication system;

[0054] Figure 2A is a schematic diagram of an application scenario of a UAV satellite base station provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] Figure 2B is a schematic diagram of a scenario where two terminals in a disaster area work with a UAV satellite base station at two preset positions shown in an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] Figure 3 is a schematic flowchart of a method for a UAV satellite base station to transmit data provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0057] Figure 4Schematic flowchart of another method for a drone to transmit data to a satellite base station provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0058] Figure 5 Schematic flowchart of a method for determining the identifier and the third location of a third terminal provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0059] Figure 6 Schematic flowchart of another method for determining the identifier and the third location of a third terminal provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0060] Figure 7 Schematic flowchart of yet another method for determining the identifier and the third location of a third terminal provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0061] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of a flight path provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0062] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the structure of a drone satellite base station provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0063] Figure 10 Schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device provided by an embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0064] To make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Apparently, the described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of the present application. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without making creative efforts based on the embodiments in the present application belong to the scope of protection of the present application.

[0065] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which this application belongs; the terms used in the specification of this application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application; the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof in the specification, claims and drawings of this application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0066] Reference to "embodiment" herein means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The phrase "embodiment" appearing in various places in the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment, nor is it an independent or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. Those skilled in the art will explicitly and implicitly understand that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0067] In this text, the term "and / or" is merely a relational description of associated objects, indicating three possible relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent three cases: the existence of A, the coexistence of A and B, and the existence of B. Additionally, in this text, the character " / " generally indicates an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after.

[0068] Furthermore, terms such as "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of this application or in the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish different objects, rather than to describe a specific order, and may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features.

[0069] In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, the meanings of "multiple" and "at least two" refer to more than two (including two). Similarly, "multiple groups" and "at least two groups" refer to more than two groups (including two groups).

[0070] In the description of this application, it should be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, the terms "connected" and "coupled" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, "connected" or "coupled" can refer not only to a physical connection but also to an electrical connection or a signal connection. For example, it can be a direct connection, i.e., a physical connection, or it can be indirectly connected through at least one intermediate component, as long as the circuit is connected. It can also be the connection inside two components; a signal connection can refer not only to a signal connection through a circuit but also to a signal connection through a media medium, such as radio waves. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific situations.

[0071] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the solution of this application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings. It should be noted that, without conflict, different technical features in this application can be combined with each other.

[0072] First, the noun terms involved in one or more embodiments of this specification are explained.

[0073] A serving cell refers to the area covered by a base station or a part of a base station. The serving cell focuses on providing actual wireless communication services for terminals, including voice, data transmission, etc. Multiple serving cells can cover a larger area through adjacent and overlapping methods.

[0074] A location area, which consists of multiple serving cells, is mainly used to manage the location information of users in a mobile communication network. A location area usually includes the serving cells of multiple base stations. When a terminal roams within a location area, the network tracks and manages the location of the terminal through the location area. The location area focuses on the management of the terminal's location information to ensure that the network can correctly handle tasks such as location updates and call handovers when the terminal moves. When a terminal moves from one location area to another, the network records this information so that the network can correctly perform operations such as call routing and SMS delivery.

[0075] A terminal can be a wireless terminal. A wireless terminal can be a device that provides voice and / or other service data connectivity to users, such as a handheld device with wireless connection capabilities or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem. A wireless terminal can communicate with one or more core networks via a Radio Access Network (RAN). A wireless terminal can be a mobile terminal, such as a mobile phone (or "cellular" phone) and a computer with a mobile terminal. For example, it can be a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-integrated, or vehicle-mounted mobile device that exchanges voice and / or data with the radio access network.

[0076] Next, the implementation background of the technical solution provided in the embodiments of this application will be introduced.

[0077] Figure 2A This is a schematic diagram of the application scenario of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) satellite base station provided in the embodiments of this application. As Figure 2A shown, a portable satellite base station is carried on the UAV. The satellite base station communicates with the satellite through a wireless interface, the satellite communicates with the core network through a wireless interface, and the core network communicates with the external network through an optical fiber.

[0078] In Figure 2A the shown scenario, the UAV can fly over the ground area and hover at a fixed position, and then start working by controlling the portable satellite base station carried on the UAV, so as to provide wireless coverage to the ground area.

[0079] In the uplink transmission scenario, a terminal device located in the ground area can send an uplink data to the satellite base station by sending a wireless signal to the satellite base station. The satellite base station then sends the uplink data to the satellite by sending a satellite signal. Subsequently, the satellite transmits the uplink data to the core network by emitting a satellite signal, and the core network sends the uplink data to the external network through an optical fiber.

[0080] In the downlink transmission scenario, the external network sends downlink data to the core network via optical fiber. The core network transmits the downlink data to the satellite by emitting satellite signals. The satellite then transmits the downlink data to the satellite base station by emitting satellite signals again. The satellite base station finally sends the downlink data to the terminal devices in the ground area by emitting wireless signals.

[0081] In scenarios such as earthquakes and floods, the affected area may be relatively large, for example, reaching 3 to 5 square kilometers. There are a large number of terminals in the affected area, and usually there is a lack of charging devices, so the power saving requirement for terminals is very high. Therefore, when multiple terminals in the affected area need to transmit data, there is no feasible solution to meet the relatively high power saving requirements of the terminals.

[0082] Figure 2B This is a schematic diagram of the scenario where two terminals and a drone satellite base station work at two preset positions in the affected area shown in the embodiments of this application. As Figure 2B shown, the diameter of the service cell corresponding to the drone satellite base station is d1, and the flight altitude of the drone is d2. When the drone satellite base station is at the first preset position, the straight-line transmission distance between terminal A and the drone satellite base station is d2. Terminal A can establish a connection with the drone satellite base station and transmit data. Since the distance d2 between terminal A and the drone satellite base station is relatively short, the power consumption of terminal A for transmitting a unit amount of data is relatively small. However, the distance between terminal B and the drone satellite base station is greater than d2. Although terminal B can establish a connection with the drone satellite base station and transmit data, due to the relatively long distance between terminal B and the drone satellite base station, the power consumption of terminal B for transmitting a unit amount of data is relatively large. Correspondingly, when the drone satellite base station is at the second preset position, the power consumption of terminal A for transmitting a unit amount of data is relatively large, while the power consumption of terminal B for transmitting a unit amount of data is relatively small.

[0083] Therefore, in Figure 2B the scenario shown, in order to meet the power saving requirements of terminal A and terminal B, terminal A should perform data transmission as much as possible when the drone satellite base station reaches the first preset position. At this time, the power consumption of terminal A is the smallest. Terminal B should perform data transmission as much as possible when the drone satellite base station reaches the second preset position. At this time, the power consumption of terminal B is the smallest.

[0084] Based on this, the present application provides a method for a drone satellite base station to transmit data and a drone satellite base station. In a scenario where multiple terminals in a target area all need to transmit data, the drone satellite base station determines the hovering positions and passing positions of the drone satellite base station in the target area according to the positions of each terminal and the number of terminals within the preset range corresponding to each candidate position, and generates a flight path of the drone carrying the drone satellite base station based on all the hovering positions and passing positions in the target area. In the present application, the hovering positions and passing positions in the drone flight path are determined according to the positions of the terminals in the target area. When the drone reaches the hovering position according to the flight path, the terminals within the preset range corresponding to the hovering position transmit data with the drone satellite base station. When the drone reaches the passing position according to the flight path, the terminals within the preset range corresponding to the passing position transmit data with the drone satellite base station. On the basis of meeting the terminal data transmission requirements, by reducing the communication distance between the terminal and the drone satellite base station, the power consumption of the terminal and the drone satellite base station is reduced as much as possible, which is particularly suitable for temporary communication requirements in emergency scenarios such as communication islands.

[0085] Next, through some specific embodiments and accompanying drawings, the present application will be introduced in detail on how to solve the problem of meeting the high power-saving requirements of terminals in the scenario where multiple terminals need to transmit data.

[0086] Figure 3 It is a schematic flowchart of a method for a drone satellite base station to transmit data provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 3 shown, the method for a drone satellite base station to transmit data provided by an embodiment of the present application specifically includes S301 to S304, and S301 to S304 will be described in detail below.

[0087] It should be noted that the execution subject of the method for a drone satellite base station to transmit data provided by an embodiment of the present application can be a drone satellite base station.

[0088] S301. The drone satellite base station determines at least one candidate position within the target area.

[0089] Among them, the candidate position refers to a preset position within the target area where the drone satellite base station may move to and provide communication services. The candidate position is a specific coordinate point within the target area and can be represented by longitude and latitude.

[0090] It should be noted that the target area refers to the geographical area where the drone satellite base station needs to provide communication coverage and services in the current task.

[0091] The target area can be an area set by the user before deploying the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) satellite base station, or it can be an area determined by the UAV satellite base station by receiving signals from ground terminals to dynamically identify the scope of a temporary communication island. This embodiment does not make specific limitations for comparison.

[0092] The target area can be represented using geographical coordinates. Specifically, a triangular target area can be described by the longitude and latitude of three corner points, a rectangular target area can be described by the longitude and latitude of four corner points, and a circular target area can be described by the center and radius. In addition, a polygonal target area can be described by the longitude and latitude of five corner points, six corner points, or multiple corner points.

[0093] For example, the target area is a circular area centered at (30.1234°N, 120.5678°E) with a radius of 5000 meters.

[0094] It should be noted that the candidate locations are preset by the user during the mission planning stage of the UAV satellite base station according to the scope of the target area and communication coverage requirements.

[0095] For example, within the target area, the target area is divided into several equal sub-areas, and the center point of each sub-area is set as a candidate location.

[0096] S302. For any candidate location, the UAV satellite base station determines the number of first terminals located within the preset range corresponding to the candidate location.

[0097] Among them, for any candidate location, the preset range corresponding to the candidate location refers to the range within which the UAV satellite base station can provide wireless signal coverage at the candidate location.

[0098] It should be noted that the size of the preset range can be set by the user according to the range of the service cell of the UAV satellite base station. This embodiment does not make specific limitations. The preset range corresponding to the candidate location is less than or equal to the range of the service cell of the UAV satellite base station.

[0099] Among them, the first terminal refers to a terminal located within the preset range corresponding to the candidate location.

[0100] It should be noted that the UAV satellite base station can determine the first terminals located within the preset range corresponding to the candidate location according to the preset range corresponding to the candidate location, and count the number of first terminals. And for all the first terminals at the first positions, filter out the first terminals located within the preset range corresponding to the candidate location, and regard the first terminals within the preset range corresponding to the candidate location as second terminals.

[0101] S303. The drone satellite base station determines the candidate position as the hovering position or the passing position of the drone satellite base station according to the number of first terminals.

[0102] Among them, when the number of first terminals is greater than the first preset number, the candidate position is determined as the hovering position; when the number of first terminals is greater than the second preset number and less than the first preset number, the candidate position is determined as the passing position. The working duration of the drone satellite base station at the hovering position is longer than that at the passing position.

[0103] It should be noted that the first preset number is greater than the second preset number. The first preset number and the second preset number can be set by the user himself, and this embodiment does not make specific limitations on this.

[0104] For example, the first preset number is 5, and the second preset number is 1.

[0105] It should be noted that since the number of first terminals in the preset range corresponding to the hovering position is large, in order to ensure that all first terminals in the preset range corresponding to the hovering position can complete data transmission, the working duration of the drone satellite base station at the hovering position is long; while the number of first terminals in the preset range corresponding to the passing position is small, the working duration of the drone satellite base station at the passing position is short.

[0106] The working duration of the drone satellite base station at the hovering position and the passing position can be set by the user himself, or can be set by the drone satellite base station according to the number of first terminals in the preset ranges corresponding to the hovering position and the passing position. This embodiment does not make specific limitations on this.

[0107] For example, the working duration of the drone satellite base station at the hovering position is 3 minutes, and the working duration of the drone satellite base station at the passing position is 1 minute.

[0108] Another example is that when there are 23 first terminals in the preset range corresponding to the hovering position and 5 first terminals in the preset range corresponding to the passing position, the drone satellite base station sets its working duration at the hovering position to be 4 minutes and the working duration at the passing position to be 1 minute.

[0109] In addition, it should be noted that when the number of first terminals in the preset range corresponding to the candidate position is less than the first preset number, the candidate position is discarded. At this time, the candidate position is not used as the hovering position / passing position.

[0110] S304. The drone satellite base station generates a flight path based on all the determined hovering positions and passing positions, so that when the drone satellite base station moves to the hovering position along the flight path, it transmits data to the first terminals within the preset range corresponding to the hovering position, and when it moves to the passing position, it transmits data to the first terminals within the preset range corresponding to the passing position.

[0111] It should be noted that the drone satellite base station is carried on the drone. The flight path of the drone covers all the hovering positions and passing positions within the target area, and the flight path of the drone is generated by using the shortest path planning algorithm.

[0112] For example, in a certain disaster area, there are five candidate positions: candidate position A, candidate position B, candidate position C, candidate position D, and candidate position E. Candidate position A and candidate position C are hovering positions, candidate position B and candidate position E are passing positions, and there are no first terminals within the preset range corresponding to candidate position D, so candidate position D is discarded; in this disaster area, the flight path of the drone can be candidate position A → candidate position C → candidate position B → candidate position D. When the drone flies along this flight path, the drone satellite base station first arrives at the hovering position and works at the hovering position for the corresponding working duration of this hovering position, and then arrives at the passing position and works at each passing position for the corresponding working duration of this passing position.

[0113] This application provides a method for a drone satellite base station to transmit data and a drone satellite base station. In a scenario where multiple terminals in a target area all need to transmit data, the drone satellite base station determines the hovering positions and passing positions of the drone satellite base station in the target area according to the positions of the terminals and the number of terminals within the preset range corresponding to each candidate position, and generates a flight path for the drone carrying the drone satellite base station based on all the hovering positions and passing positions in the target area. In this application, the hovering positions and passing positions in the drone flight path are determined according to the positions of the terminals in the target area. When the drone arrives at the hovering position along the flight path, the terminals within the preset range corresponding to the hovering position transmit data to the drone satellite base station. When the drone arrives at the passing position along the flight path, the terminals within the preset range corresponding to the passing position transmit data to the drone satellite base station. On the basis of meeting the terminal data transmission requirements, by reducing the communication distance between the terminal and the drone satellite base station, the power consumption of the terminal and the drone satellite base station is reduced as much as possible, which is particularly suitable for temporary communication requirements in emergency scenarios such as communication islands.

[0114] In the above embodiment, the drone satellite base station needs to determine the number of first terminals located within the preset range corresponding to the candidate position. Next, the specific process of the drone satellite base station determining the number of first terminals located within the preset range corresponding to the candidate position will be described in detail.

[0115] Figure 4 This is a schematic flowchart of another method for a drone satellite base station to transmit data provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 4 shown, in a possible embodiment, before S302, the method for the drone satellite base station to transmit data further includes Sa1 and Sa2, which are described in detail below.

[0116] Sa1. The drone satellite base station obtains a target terminal list from a core network element.

[0117] The core network element can be a Mobility Management Entity (MME) of a Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication system, or an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) of a 5th Generation Mobile Communication Technology (5G) system. This embodiment does not make specific limitations in this regard.

[0118] Among them, the target terminal list is determined by the core network element based on the location area where the historical serving cell corresponding to the target area is located.

[0119] It should be noted that the drone can obtain the terminal list within the target area, that is, the target terminal list, from the core network element by reporting the target area to the core network element.

[0120] Specifically, the drone satellite base station establishes communication with the core network element through the S1 interface and sends a message to the core network element to request the target terminal list corresponding to the target area. It can be understood that the drone satellite base station can also update the message through the S1 interface subsequently.

[0121] After receiving the target area information sent by the drone satellite base station, the core network element first maps the target area to the list of ground serving cells that covered the target area before the disaster; secondly, determines the location areas to which all the serving cells in the serving cell list belong, and filters out all the terminals (second terminals) registered in this location area from the location area database to form a candidate terminal list; finally, processes the candidate terminal list to obtain the target terminal list and returns the target terminal list to the drone satellite base station.

[0122] For example, the historical serving cells corresponding to the target area are Cell1 and Cell2, and both Cell1 and Cell2 belong to Tracking Area1. The core network element filters out all the terminals registered in the tracking area from the location area database to form a candidate terminal list.

[0123] Among them, the target terminal list includes the identifiers and second locations of at least one second terminal, or the identifiers of at least one second terminal.

[0124] It should be noted that the second terminal is a terminal that was historically registered in the location area corresponding to the target area, and the second location of the second terminal is the location of the serving cell where the second terminal was last registered.

[0125] The candidate terminal list only includes the identifiers of all second terminals. After the core network element obtains the candidate terminal list, the core network element sends the candidate terminal list to the positioning node and requests the specific location information (second location) of each second terminal in the candidate terminal list from the positioning node.

[0126] For any second terminal in the candidate terminal list, when the positioning node can obtain the second location of the second terminal, the positioning node returns the second location of the second terminal to the core network element; when the positioning node cannot obtain the second location of the second terminal, the positioning node returns a failure message to the core network element.

[0127] The core network element generates a target terminal list based on the candidate terminal list and the feedback information of the positioning node. For the second terminal whose second location can be obtained by the positioning node, the target terminal list includes the identifier and second location of the second terminal; for the second terminal whose second location cannot be obtained by the positioning node, the target terminal list only includes the identifier of the second terminal.

[0128] Among them, the identifier of the second terminal in the target terminal list can be the serving temporary mobile subscriber identity (S-TMSI) of the second terminal, or the international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) of the second terminal. This embodiment does not make specific limitations on the comparison.

[0129] It should be noted that S-TMSI is a temporary identifier used in LTE and 5G mobile communication systems. The S-TMSI of a terminal is allocated by the core network element for the UE, and different S-TMSIs are used to identify different UEs.

[0130] The IMSI is a number that uniquely identifies a mobile network terminal globally. The IMSI is usually stored in the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card of the terminal.

[0131] Sa2. The drone satellite base station determines the identifier and the third location of the third terminal according to the target terminal list.

[0132] Wherein, the third terminal is the second terminal whose current location is within the target area, or the third terminal is the fourth terminal that is outside the target terminal list and whose current location is within the target area.

[0133] It should be noted that the drone satellite base station can send a paging message to the second terminal in the target terminal list to notify the second terminal in the target terminal list, and determine the identifier and the third location of the third terminal based on the response message sent by the second terminal.

[0134] For any second terminal in the target terminal list, if the target terminal list includes the identifier and the second location of the second terminal, the drone satellite base station can embed the second location of the second terminal in the paging message.

[0135] If the paging message cannot carry the identifier and the second location of the second terminal, the drone satellite base station can add a new Radio Resource Control (RRC) message outside the paging message and include the second location of the second terminal in the RRC message. The paging message and the additional RRC message can be transmitted in the same transport block.

[0136] In addition, the drone satellite base station can also notify the target terminal list to all terminals in the target area through a broadcast message, so as to discover the fourth terminal that is outside the target terminal list and whose current location is within the target area while obtaining the current location of the second terminal, and determine the identifier and the third location of the third terminal according to the response message sent by the second terminal and / or the third terminal.

[0137] Specifically, the drone satellite base station can use the Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) to broadcast the target terminal list as multicast information to all terminals in the target area, or can use the Earthquake and Tsunami Warning System (ETWS) method to quickly broadcast the target terminal list to all terminals in the target area. This embodiment does not make specific limitations on this.

[0138] Further, in the method step shown in S302, when the UAV satellite base station determines the number of first terminals located within the preset range corresponding to the candidate position, the UAV satellite base station determines the number of first terminals located within the preset range corresponding to the candidate position based on the third position of the third terminal.

[0139] Wherein, the third terminal is a second terminal or a fourth terminal whose current location is within the target area and has established an RRC connection with the UAV satellite base station.

[0140] When the UAV satellite base station knows the identifier and the third position of the third terminal within the target area, the UAV satellite base station screens the third position of the third terminal within the target area according to the preset range corresponding to the candidate position, and then can determine the number of first terminals within the preset range corresponding to the candidate position.

[0141] It should be noted that for the preset range corresponding to any candidate position, a third terminal whose third position is within the preset range corresponding to the candidate position is a first terminal within the preset range corresponding to the candidate position.

[0142] In the embodiment of the present application, the UAV satellite base station quickly obtains the target terminal list by using the historical service data of the core network. At the same time, the third terminals currently existing within the target area are determined through the target terminal list. The third terminal can be the second terminal in the target terminal list or the fourth terminal outside the target terminal list and whose current location is within the target area, realizing real-time update of the second position of the second terminal in the target terminal list, facilitating ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of terminal management; in addition, unknown fourth terminals can also be discovered, enhancing the service ability and adaptability of the UAV satellite base station, and effectively improving the accuracy of the subsequent determined hovering position and passing position.

[0143] In the above embodiment, the UAV satellite base station needs to determine the identifier and the third position of the third terminal according to the target terminal list. Next, a method for the UAV satellite base station to determine the identifier and the third position of the third terminal according to the target terminal list will be described in detail.

[0144] Figure 5 It is a schematic flowchart of a method for determining the identifier and the third position of a third terminal provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 5 shown, in a possible embodiment, the method step shown in Sa2 can be implemented through Sa21 to Sa23, and Sa21 to Sa23 will be described in detail below.

[0145] Sa21. The UAV satellite base station sends a first message to the second terminal.

[0146] Among them, the first message carries the identifier of the second terminal and the second location.

[0147] It should be noted that after the drone satellite base station obtains the target terminal list from the core network element, based on the target terminal list, for any second terminal in the target terminal list, when the target terminal list includes the identifier of the second terminal and the second location, the drone satellite base station sends a first message to the second terminal, so that the second terminal that receives the first message sends the location where the second terminal is currently located to the drone satellite base station, so as to facilitate the drone satellite base station to update the second location of the second terminal recorded in the target terminal list.

[0148] Sa22. The drone satellite base station receives the first response sent by the second terminal.

[0149] Among them, when the fourth location of the second terminal is consistent with the second location, the first response includes the identifier of the second terminal.

[0150] When the fourth location is inconsistent with the second location, the first response includes the identifier of the second terminal and the fourth location.

[0151] It should be noted that the fourth location is the location where the second terminal is currently located.

[0152] After the second terminal receives the first message sent by the drone satellite base station, the second terminal obtains its own current location (the fourth location), and determines whether the second location in the first message is consistent with the fourth location. When the second location is consistent with the fourth location, the first response sent by the second terminal to the drone satellite base station only includes the identifier of the second terminal to save communication resources; when the second location is inconsistent with the fourth location, the first response sent by the second terminal to the drone satellite base station includes the identifier of the second terminal and the fourth location, so as to facilitate the subsequent drone satellite base station to update the target terminal list based on the fourth location of the second terminal.

[0153] Sa23. The drone satellite base station determines the identifier of the third terminal and the third location based on the first response.

[0154] It should be noted that by parsing the first response, the drone satellite base station can obtain the identifier of the second terminal, or the identifier of the second terminal and the fourth location.

[0155] When the drone satellite base station obtains the identifier of the second terminal, the drone satellite base station uses the identifier of the second terminal as the identifier of the third terminal, and uses the second location of the second terminal in the target terminal list as the third location of the third terminal.

[0156] When the UAV satellite base station obtains the identifier of the second terminal and the fourth location, the UAV satellite base station uses the identifier of the second terminal as the identifier of the third terminal, and uses the fourth location of the second terminal as the third location of the third terminal, so as to obtain the identifier and the third location of the third terminal.

[0157] In the above embodiment, the UAV satellite base station needs to determine the identifier and the third location of the third terminal according to the target terminal list. Next, another method for the UAV satellite base station to determine the identifier and the third location of the third terminal according to the target terminal list will be described in detail.

[0158] Figure 6 It is a schematic flowchart of another method for determining the identifier and the third location of the third terminal provided by the embodiment of the present application. As Figure 6 shown, in a possible embodiment, the method steps shown in Sa2 can be implemented by Sa24 to Sa26, and Sa24 to Sa26 will be described in detail below.

[0159] Sa24: The UAV satellite base station sends a second message to the second terminal.

[0160] Wherein, the second message carries the identifier of the second terminal.

[0161] It should be noted that after the UAV satellite base station obtains the target terminal list from the core network element, based on the target terminal list, for any second terminal in the target terminal list, when the target terminal list only includes the identifier of the second terminal, the UAV satellite base station sends a second message to the second terminal, so that the second terminal that receives the second message sends the current location of the second terminal to the UAV satellite base station, so that the UAV satellite base station can record the current location of the second terminal in the target terminal list.

[0162] Sa25: The UAV satellite base station receives a second response sent by the second terminal.

[0163] Wherein, the second response includes the identifier of the second terminal and the fourth location.

[0164] It should be noted that the fourth location is the current location of the second terminal.

[0165] After the second terminal receives the second message sent by the UAV satellite base station, the second terminal obtains its own current location (the fourth location), and uses the identifier of the second terminal and the fourth location of the second terminal as the content of the second response and sends it to the UAV satellite base station.

[0166] Sa26: The UAV satellite base station determines the identifier and the third location of the third terminal based on the second response.

[0167] It should be noted that by analyzing the second response, the UAV satellite base station can obtain the identifier of the second terminal and the fourth location.

[0168] When the UAV satellite base station obtains the identifier of the second terminal and the fourth location, the UAV satellite base station uses the identifier of the second terminal as the identifier of the third terminal and the fourth location of the second terminal as the third location of the third terminal, so as to obtain the identifier and the third location of the third terminal.

[0169] In the above embodiment, the UAV satellite base station needs to determine the identifier and the third location of the third terminal according to the target terminal list. Next, another method for the UAV satellite base station to determine the identifier and the third location of the third terminal according to the target terminal list will be described in detail.

[0170] Figure 7 It is a schematic flowchart of another method for determining the identifier and the third location of the third terminal provided by the embodiment of the present application. As Figure 7 shown, in a possible embodiment, the method steps shown in Sa2 can be implemented through Sa27 to Sa29, and Sa27 to Sa29 will be described in detail below.

[0171] Sa27: The UAV satellite base station sends a third message to the target area.

[0172] Among them, the third message carries the target terminal list.

[0173] It should be noted that the third message can be the broadcast message mentioned in the above embodiment, so as to facilitate the UAV satellite base station to discover a fourth terminal that is outside the target terminal list and whose current location is within the target area.

[0174] Sa28: The UAV satellite base station receives a third response sent by the fourth terminal, and the third response includes the identifier of the fourth terminal and the fifth location.

[0175] Among them, the fourth terminal is a terminal that is outside the target terminal list and within the target area.

[0176] After the fourth terminal receives the third message broadcast by the UAV satellite base station, the fourth terminal determines that the identifier and location of the fourth terminal do not exist in the target terminal list carried in the third message. The fourth terminal obtains its own current location (the fifth location), and uses the identifier of the fourth terminal and the fifth location of the fourth terminal as the content of the third response and sends it to the UAV satellite base station.

[0177] Sa29: The UAV satellite base station determines the identifier and the third location of the third terminal according to the third response.

[0178] It should be noted that by analyzing the third response in the drone satellite base station, the identifier of the fourth terminal and the fifth location can be obtained.

[0179] When the drone satellite base station obtains the identifier of the fourth terminal and the fifth location, the drone satellite base station uses the identifier of the fourth terminal as the identifier of the third terminal, and uses the fifth location of the fourth terminal as the third location of the third terminal, so as to obtain the identifier and the third location of the third terminal.

[0180] In the above embodiment, after the drone satellite base station sends the first message to the second terminal, it is necessary to receive the first response sent by the second terminal. Next, the specific process of the drone satellite base station receiving the first response sent by the second terminal will be described in detail.

[0181] In a possible embodiment, after the method steps shown in Sa21, the method for the drone satellite base station to transmit data further includes Sc1 and Sc2. Next, Sc1 and Sc2 will be described in detail.

[0182] Sc1: For any second terminal, the drone satellite base station starts a timer.

[0183] It should be noted that after the drone satellite base station sends the first message to the second terminal, for the second terminal to which the first message has been sent, the drone satellite base station starts a timer to wait for the second terminal to send the first response to the drone satellite base station.

[0184] The timing durations of different timers can be the same, or can be set to different timing durations according to the capabilities of different second terminals. This embodiment does not make specific limitations in this regard.

[0185] For example, the timing duration of all timers is 10 seconds.

[0186] For another example, the timing duration of the timer corresponding to the second terminal with fast processing ability is 5 seconds, and the timing duration of the timer corresponding to the second terminal with slow processing ability or poor network performance is 15 seconds.

[0187] Sc2: When the timer corresponding to the second terminal times out and the drone satellite base station does not receive the first response sent by the second terminal, the identifier and the second location of the second terminal in the target terminal list are deleted.

[0188] It should be noted that when the timer corresponding to the second terminal times out, the drone satellite base station checks whether it has received the first response sent by the second terminal. If the drone satellite base station has received the first response sent by the second terminal, the method steps shown in Sa23 above are executed; if the drone satellite base station has not received the first response sent by the second terminal, timeout processing is triggered.

[0189] The specific content of the timeout processing is as follows: for any second terminal that triggers the timeout processing, when the target terminal list only includes the identifier of the second terminal that triggers the timeout processing, the drone satellite base station deletes the identifier of the second terminal that triggers the timeout processing in the target terminal list; when the target terminal list includes the identifier of the second terminal that triggers the timeout processing and the second location, the drone satellite base station deletes the identifier of the second terminal that triggers the timeout processing and the second location in the target terminal list.

[0190] In the embodiments of the present application, the drone satellite base station sets a timer for each second terminal in the target terminal list, and optimizes the response time of the second terminal corresponding to the timer by adjusting the timing duration of the timer, effectively reducing the waste of system resources. When the timer times out and the second terminal corresponding to the timer does not send the first response to the drone satellite base station, the information of the second terminal that does not send the first response in the target terminal list is deleted, so as to provide more accurate data support for the generation of subsequent flight paths.

[0191] In addition, it should be noted that after the drone satellite base station sends the second message to the second terminal, the method steps shown in Sc1 and Sc2 above can also be executed, which will not be elaborated in this embodiment.

[0192] In the above embodiments, the target terminal list includes the identifiers and second locations of at least one second terminal. Next, other contents of the second terminals included in the target terminal list will be described in detail.

[0193] In a possible embodiment, in the method step shown in Sa1, the target terminal list sent by the core network element to the drone satellite base station further includes the data transmission time of at least one second terminal.

[0194] It should be noted that the data transmission time of the second terminal can be absolute time, that is, the time starting from 0:00:00 on January 1, 1980.

[0195] After the method step shown in S304, the method for the drone satellite base station to transmit data further includes S305. Next, S305 will be described in detail.

[0196] S305. The drone satellite base station determines the moving direction of the drone satellite base station moving according to the flight path and the data transmission time of at least one second terminal, so that the working time period of the drone satellite base station at the hovering position is earlier than or includes the data transmission time of the second terminal within the preset range corresponding to the hovering position, and the working time period of the drone satellite base station at the passing position is earlier than or includes the data transmission time of the second terminal within the preset range corresponding to the passing position.

[0197] It should be noted that each hovering position and passing position is associated with at least one first terminal. When the first terminal is the second terminal in the target terminal list, the drone satellite base station determines the moving direction of the drone satellite base station moving along the flight path according to the data transmission time of the second terminal associated with the hovering position and the passing position, and then adjusts the working time periods of the drone satellite base station at the hovering position and the passing position to ensure that the drone satellite base station arrives at the hovering position or passing position with urgent time first.

[0198] Specifically, the working time period of the drone satellite base station at the hovering position covers the data transmission times of all second terminals within the preset range corresponding to the hovering position.

[0199] The working time period of the drone satellite base station at the passing position covers the data transmission times of all second terminals within the preset range corresponding to the passing position.

[0200] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a flight path provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 8 shown, in the target area 801, there are a first candidate position 802, a second candidate position 803, a third candidate position 804, and a fourth candidate position 805 preset in the target area 801; the preset range corresponding to the first candidate position 802 is the first preset range 8021, the preset range corresponding to the second candidate position 803 is the second preset range 8031, the preset range corresponding to the third candidate position 804 is the third preset range 8041, and the preset range corresponding to the fourth candidate position 805 is the fourth preset range 8051.

[0201] The number of first terminals within the first preset range 8021 is 3, the number of first terminals within the second preset range 8031 is 2, and the number of first terminals within the third preset range 8041 and the fourth preset range 8051 is 1 each; when the preset number is 1, the first candidate position 802 and the second candidate position 803 are determined as hovering positions, and the third candidate position 804 and the fourth candidate position 805 are determined as passing positions. At this time, the flight path 806 of the drone is the first candidate position 802 → the second candidate position 803 → the third candidate position 804 → the fourth candidate position 805.

[0202] When the data transmission time of a first terminal within the first preset range 8021 corresponding to the first candidate position 802 is 14:34:23 on December 3, 2024, and the data transmission time of a first terminal within the second preset range 8031 corresponding to the second candidate position 803 is 14:35:50 on December 3, since the data transmission time of the first terminal within the second preset range 8031 is earlier than that of the first terminal within the first preset range 8021, when the drone moves along the flight path 806, the moving direction is clockwise.

[0203] In the embodiments of the present application, by combining the data transmission times of the second terminals in the target terminal list, the moving direction of the drone satellite base station moving along the flight path is optimized to ensure that the working time periods of the drone satellite base station at the hovering position and the passing positions can cover the data transmission times of the relevant terminals, effectively reducing communication delays, improving the timeliness of terminal data transmission, and at the same time optimizing the flight efficiency and resource utilization rate of the drone.

[0204] In a possible embodiment, after the method steps shown in Sa2 above, the method for the drone satellite base station to transmit data further includes Sa3 and Sa4. Next, Sa3 and Sa4 will be described in detail.

[0205] Sa3: The drone satellite base station updates the target terminal list based on the identifier of the third terminal and the third position to obtain the updated target terminal list.

[0206] It should be noted that the drone satellite base station compares the identifier of the third terminal with the identifier of the second terminal in the target terminal list.

[0207] If there is no second terminal in the target terminal list with the same identifier as the third terminal, that is, the third terminal is outside the target terminal list, the identifier of the third terminal and the third position of the third terminal are added to the target terminal list.

[0208] If there is a second terminal in the target terminal list with the same identifier as the third terminal, that is, the third terminal is in the target terminal list, then further compare whether the third position of the third terminal is consistent with the second position.

[0209] When the third position of the third terminal is consistent with the second position, the second position of the third terminal in the target terminal list is not updated.

[0210] When the third position of the third terminal is inconsistent with the second position, the second position of the third terminal in the target terminal list is updated to the third position of the third terminal.

[0211] If there are redundant second terminals in the target terminal list, when the target terminal list includes the identifier of the second terminal and the second location, delete the identifier of the second terminal and the second location in the target terminal list; when the target terminal list only includes the identifier of the second terminal, delete the identifier of the second terminal in the target terminal list.

[0212] When the second terminals in the target terminal list correspond one-to-one with the third terminals, and the locations of the second terminals in the target terminal list are consistent with the third location, obtain the updated target terminal list.

[0213] Sa4. The drone satellite base station sends the updated target terminal list to the core network element.

[0214] It should be noted that the drone satellite base station can send the updated target terminal list to the core network element through the S1 interface or other interfaces. After receiving the updated target terminal list, the core network element stores the updated target terminal list as important reference data for subsequent tasks.

[0215] In the embodiments of the present application, based on the identifier and the third location of the third terminal, the target terminal list is updated to obtain the updated target terminal list, and the updated target terminal list is sent to the core network element, which can not only ensure the timeliness and accuracy of the terminal identifier and location information in the current task, but also provide a high-precision target terminal list for the next task of the drone satellite base station in the target area, thereby improving the efficiency and continuity of communication services, and is particularly suitable for dynamic scenarios such as disaster communication.

[0216] In the embodiment shown in Sa1 above, the drone satellite base station needs to obtain the target terminal list from the core network element. Next, the specific process of the drone satellite base station obtaining the target terminal list from the core network element will be described in detail.

[0217] As Figure 4 shown, in a possible embodiment, the method steps shown in Sa1 can be implemented through Sd1 and Sd2. Next, Sd1 and Sd2 will be described in detail.

[0218] Sd1. The drone satellite base station sends a fourth message to the core network element. Correspondingly, the core network element receives the fourth message.

[0219] Among them, the fourth message carries the target area.

[0220] It should be noted that the information format of the target area carried by the drone satellite base station in the fourth message depends on the representation method of the target area.

[0221] When the target area is a circular area and the representation of the target area is a center point and a radius, the information format of the target area carried in the fourth message may be the geographical coordinates of the center of the target area and the radius length of the target area.

[0222] When the target area is a polygon area and the representation of the target area is multiple corner points of the polygon area, the information format of the target area carried in the fourth message may be the geographical coordinates of multiple corner points of the polygon area.

[0223] In addition, the fourth message also carries the identifier of the drone satellite base station, so that the core network element can clarify the source of the fourth message, and thus correctly process the fourth message and return the target terminal list to the drone satellite base station.

[0224] Sd2. The drone satellite base station receives the fourth response sent by the core network element, and the fourth response carries the target terminal list.

[0225] It should be noted that after receiving the fourth message sent by the drone satellite base station, the core network element determines the target terminal list according to the target area carried in the fourth message, and sends the fourth response to the drone satellite base station based on the target terminal list. Correspondingly, the drone satellite base station receives the fourth response sent by the core network element.

[0226] The specific process of the core network element determining the target terminal list according to the target area has been described in detail in the above embodiments, and this embodiment will not be elaborated here.

[0227] In the embodiment of the present application, the drone satellite base station requests the core network element to send the target terminal list corresponding to the target area by sending the fourth message carrying the target area, realizing the preliminary acquisition of the terminal data in the target area, and effectively improving the efficiency of the drone satellite base station task execution.

[0228] In the above embodiment, the target terminal list includes at least one second terminal. Next, the sorting method of at least one second terminal in the target terminal list will be described in detail.

[0229] In a possible embodiment, at least one second terminal in the target terminal list is arranged according to the probability of the second terminal being located in the target area.

[0230] It should be noted that the core network element can calculate the probability of the second terminal being located in the target area according to the historical location data, activity trajectory of each second terminal and the relevant information of the target area, and arrange all the second terminals in the target terminal list in descending order according to the probability of each second terminal being located in the target area.

[0231] In the embodiments of the present application, the core network element sorts the second terminals in the target terminal list, providing an accurate and efficient basis for the subsequent identification of the first terminal, determination of the first position, flight path optimization, and resource allocation by the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) satellite base station, improving the service efficiency and adaptability of the UAV satellite base station in dynamic scenarios, and being particularly applicable to emergency communication scenarios such as disaster rescue and communication islands that require quick response.

[0232] Figure 9 FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a UAV satellite base station provided in an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 9 shown, the UAV satellite base station 900 provided in this embodiment can exist independently and is used to implement the operations corresponding to the UAV satellite base station in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0233] The UAV satellite base station 900 may include: a transceiver module 901 and a processing module 902. The processing module 902 is used for data processing, and the transceiver module 901 can implement corresponding communication functions. The transceiver module 901 may also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication unit.

[0234] Optionally, the UAV satellite base station 900 may further include a storage unit, which can be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing module 902 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage unit so that the UAV satellite base station 900 can implement the steps implemented by the UAV satellite base station in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0235] The transceiver module 901 is used to perform the operations related to the reception of the UAV satellite base station in the foregoing method embodiments, and the processing module 902 is used to perform the operations related to the processing of the UAV satellite base station in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0236] Optionally, the transceiver module 901 may include a sending module and a receiving module. The sending module is used to perform the sending operation in the foregoing method embodiments. The receiving module is used to perform the receiving operation in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0237] It should be noted that the UAV satellite base station 900 may include a sending module but not a receiving module. Or, the UAV satellite base station 900 may include a receiving module but not a sending module. Specifically, it depends on whether the foregoing scheme implemented by the UAV satellite base station includes a sending action and a receiving action.

[0238] As an example, the UAV satellite base station 900 is used to perform the actions performed by the UAV satellite base station in the foregoing Figure 3 shown embodiments.

[0239] The UAV satellite base station 900 may include: a processing module 902.

[0240] The processing module 902 is configured to determine at least one candidate location within the target area.

[0241] The processing module 902 is further configured to, for any candidate location, determine the number of first terminals located within the preset range corresponding to the candidate location; wherein, the preset range is the range within which the drone satellite base station provides wireless signal coverage at the candidate location; the first location where the first terminal is currently located is within the preset range corresponding to the candidate location.

[0242] The processing module 902 is further configured to determine, according to the number of first terminals, whether the candidate location is a hovering position or a passing position of the drone satellite base station; the working duration of the drone satellite base station at the hovering position is greater than the working duration of the drone satellite base station at the passing position; wherein, when the number of first terminals is greater than the first preset number, it is determined that the candidate location is the hovering position; when the number of first terminals is greater than the second preset number and less than the first preset number, it is determined that the candidate location is the passing position.

[0243] The processing module 902 is further configured to generate a flight path based on all the determined hovering positions and passing positions, so that when the drone satellite base station moves to the hovering position according to the flight path, it transmits data with the first terminals within the preset range corresponding to the hovering position, and when moving to the passing position, it transmits data with the first terminals within the preset range corresponding to the passing position.

[0244] It should be understood that the execution of the above corresponding processes by each module has been described in detail in the above method embodiments. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0245] The processing module 902 in the foregoing embodiments may be implemented by at least one processor or processor-related circuits. The transceiver module 901 may be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuits. The transceiver module 901 may also be referred to as a communication unit or a communication interface. The storage unit may be implemented by at least one memory.

[0246] Figure 10 It is a schematic structural diagram of an electronic device provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 10 shown, the electronic device 1000 provided in this embodiment includes: a memory 1001 and a processor 1002.

[0247] Among them, the memory 1001 may be an independent physical unit and may be connected to the processor 1002 through a bus 1003. The memory 1001 and the processor 1002 may also be integrated together and implemented by hardware, etc. The memory 1001 is used to store program instructions, and the processor 1002 calls the program instructions to execute the operations performed by the drone satellite base station in any of the above method embodiments.

[0248] Optionally, when part or all of the methods in the above embodiments are implemented by software, the electronic device 1000 may also include only the processor 1002. The memory 1001 for storing programs is located outside the electronic device 1000. The processor 1002 is connected to the memory through a circuit / wire and is used to read and execute the programs stored in the memory. The processor 1002 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), or a combination of a CPU and an NP. The processor 1002 may further include a hardware chip. The above hardware chip may be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a combination thereof. The above PLD may be a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a generic array logic (GAL), or any combination thereof.

[0249] The memory 1001 may include a volatile memory, such as a random-access memory (RAM); the memory may also include a non-volatile memory, such as a flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), or a solid-state drive (SSD); the memory may further include a combination of the above types of memories.

[0250] Exemplarily, the present application provides a chip, including: an interface circuit and a logic circuit. The interface circuit is used to receive signals from other chips outside the chip and transmit them to the logic circuit, or send signals from the logic circuit to other chips outside the chip. The logic circuit is used to perform the operations performed by the drone satellite base station in the above method embodiments.

[0251] Exemplarily, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, on which computer program instructions are stored. The computer program instructions are run by the processor of the electronic device, causing the electronic device to perform the operations performed by the drone satellite base station in the above method embodiments.

[0252] Exemplarily, the present application provides a computer program product. When the computer program product runs on an electronic device, it causes the electronic device to perform the operations executed by the drone satellite base station in the above method embodiments.

[0253] The above are only specific embodiments of the present application, enabling those skilled in the art to understand or implement the present application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be obvious to those skilled in the art. The general principles defined herein can be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present application. Therefore, the present application will not be limited to these embodiments described herein, but rather will conform to the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting data between a drone and a satellite base station, characterized in that, The method includes: The drone satellite base station determines at least one candidate location within the target area; For any one of the candidate locations, the drone satellite base station determines the number of first terminals located within the preset range corresponding to the candidate location; wherein, the preset range is the range within which the drone satellite base station provides wireless signal coverage at the candidate location; the first position where the first terminal is currently located is within the preset range corresponding to the candidate location; The drone satellite base station determines the candidate location as the hovering position or the passing position of the drone satellite base station according to the number of the first terminals; the working duration of the drone satellite base station at the hovering position is greater than the working duration of the drone satellite base station at the passing position; wherein, when the number of the first terminals is greater than the first preset number, the candidate location is determined as the hovering position; when the number of the first terminals is greater than the second preset number and less than the first preset number, the candidate location is determined as the passing position; The drone satellite base station generates a flight path based on all the determined hovering positions and passing positions, so that when the drone satellite base station moves to the hovering position according to the flight path, it transmits data with the first terminals within the preset range corresponding to the hovering position, and transmits data with the first terminals within the preset range corresponding to the passing position when moving to the passing position.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein Before determining the number of the first terminals located within the preset range corresponding to the candidate location, the method further includes: The drone satellite base station obtains a target terminal list from the core network element, the target terminal list includes the identifiers and second positions of at least one second terminal, or the identifiers of the at least one second terminal; wherein, the target terminal list is determined by the core network element based on the location area where the historical serving cell corresponding to the target area is located; The drone satellite base station determines the identifier and third position of a third terminal according to the target terminal list; wherein, the third terminal is a second terminal whose current location is within the target area, or the third terminal is a fourth terminal located outside the target terminal list and whose current location is within the target area; Determining the number of the first terminals located within the preset range corresponding to the candidate location includes: Based on the third position of the third terminal, determining the number of the first terminals located within the preset range corresponding to the candidate location.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The drone satellite base station determines the identifier and third position of a third terminal according to the target terminal list, including: The drone satellite base station sends a first message to the second terminal, and the first message carries the identifier and second position of the second terminal; The drone satellite base station receives the first response sent by the second terminal; when the fourth position of the second terminal is the same as the second position, the first response includes the identifier of the second terminal; when the fourth position is different from the second position, the first response includes the identifier of the second terminal and the fourth position; wherein, the fourth position is the current position of the second terminal. The drone satellite base station determines the identifier of the third terminal and the third position based on the first response.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein The drone satellite base station determines the identifier of the third terminal and the third position according to the target terminal list, including: The drone satellite base station sends a second message to the second terminal, and the second message carries the identifier of the second terminal. The drone satellite base station receives a second response sent by the second terminal, and the second response includes the identifier of the second terminal and the fourth position. The drone satellite base station determines the identifier of the third terminal and the third position based on the second response.

5. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The drone satellite base station determines the identifier of the third terminal and the third position according to the target terminal list, including: The drone satellite base station sends a third message to the target area, and the third message carries the target terminal list. The drone satellite base station receives a third response sent by the fourth terminal, and the third response includes the identifier of the fourth terminal and the fifth position; wherein, the fourth terminal is a terminal located outside the target terminal list and within the target area. The drone satellite base station determines the identifier of the third terminal and the third position according to the third response.

6. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: The drone satellite base station starts a timer for any one of the second terminals. When the timer corresponding to the second terminal times out and the drone satellite base station does not receive the first response sent by the second terminal, the drone satellite base station deletes the identifier of the second terminal and the second position in the target terminal list.

7. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The target terminal list further includes the data transmission time of the at least one second terminal. After the drone satellite base station generates a flight path based on all the determined hovering positions and passing positions, the method further includes: The drone satellite base station determines the moving direction of the drone satellite base station moving along the flight path according to the flight path and the data transmission time of the at least one second terminal, so that the working period of the drone satellite base station at the hovering position is earlier than or includes the data transmission time of the third terminal within the preset range corresponding to the hovering position, and the working period of the drone satellite base station at the passing position is earlier than or includes the data transmission time of the third terminal within the preset range corresponding to the passing position.

8. The method according to claim 2, wherein After the drone satellite base station determines the identifier of the third terminal and the third position according to the target terminal list, the method further includes: The drone satellite base station updates the target terminal list based on the identifier of the third terminal and the third location, and obtains an updated target terminal list; The drone satellite base station sends the updated target terminal list to the core network element.

9. A communication device is applied to a drone satellite base station, characterized in that, The device includes: A processing module, further configured to determine at least one candidate location within a target area; The processing module is further configured to, for any one of the candidate locations, determine the number of first terminals located within a preset range corresponding to the candidate location; wherein, the preset range is the range within which the drone satellite base station provides wireless signal coverage at the candidate location; the first location where the first terminal is currently located is within the preset range corresponding to the candidate location; The processing module is further configured to determine, according to the number of the first terminals, that the candidate location is the hovering location or the passing location of the drone satellite base station; the working duration of the drone satellite base station at the hovering location is greater than the working duration of the drone satellite base station at the passing location; wherein, when the number of the first terminals is greater than a first preset number, it is determined that the candidate location is the hovering location; when the number of the first terminals is greater than a second preset number and less than the first preset number, it is determined that the candidate location is the passing location; The processing module is further configured to generate a flight path based on all the determined hovering locations and passing locations, so that when the drone satellite base station moves to the hovering location according to the flight path, it transmits data with the first terminals within the preset range corresponding to the hovering location, and transmits data with the first terminals within the preset range corresponding to the passing location when moving to the passing location.

10. A drone satellite base station, characterized in that, Includes: A memory and a processor; The memory is configured to store computer program instructions; The processor is configured to execute the computer program instructions to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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