A network switching method, device, medium and program product

Abstract

The present application discloses a network switching method, device, medium and program product, which is used to improve the probability of continuing to perform UE-satellite-UE communication with a target terminal after the terminal network is switched. Among them, the method includes: receiving an NG link establishment request message sent by an on-board base station; sending an NG link establishment response message to the on-board base station, where the response message includes neighboring base station information, and the neighboring base station information is used to record the handover priority of at least one neighboring base station of the on-board base station, and the handover priority represents the success rate of establishing user-satellite-user UE-satellite-UE communication for voice users by the neighboring base station.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and particularly to a network switching method, device, medium, and program product. Background Art

[0002] UE-satellite-UE communication, that is, user-satellite-user communication, means that the communication data of a terminal reaches the target terminal after passing through the coverage of one or more satellites, and the user plane traffic does not pass through the terrestrial network during this process.

[0003] UE-satellite-UE services rely on the Inter-Satellite Link (ISL). When a voice session starts, the signaling plane is processed through the feeder link to the terrestrial core network and the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network. After allocating the access gateway (AGW) for the voice session, the subsequent data link reaches the target terminal through the IMS-AGW, and there is no need to sink to the terrestrial network through the feeder link anymore, which can effectively reduce the voice session delay.

[0004] Currently, in UE-satellite-UE communication, when a terminal performs a network handover, due to problems such as the lack of IMS-AGW deployment in the satellite after the network handover, no inter-satellite link or inter-satellite link failure between the two satellites before and after the handover, it is easy to cause the inability to continue UE-satellite-UE communication with the target terminal after the handover. Therefore, how to improve the probability of continuing UE-satellite-UE communication with the target terminal after the terminal network handover has become an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a network switching method, device, medium, and program product to improve the probability of continuing UE-satellite-UE communication between a terminal and a target terminal after the terminal network handover.

[0006] In a first aspect, a network switching method provided by an embodiment of this application includes:

[0007] Receiving a Next Generation (NG) link establishment request message sent by an on-board base station;

[0008] Sending an NG link establishment response message to the on-board base station, where the response message includes neighbor base station information, and the neighbor base station information is used to record the handover priorities of at least one neighbor base station of the on-board base station, and the handover priority represents the success rate of establishing UE-satellite-UE communication for a voice user by the neighbor base station.

[0009] As an alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0010] Maintaining the stored neighboring base station information based on the event message reported by the Session Management Function (SMF) network element.

[0011] As an alternative implementation, maintaining the stored neighboring base station information based on the event message reported by the SMF network element includes:

[0012] Receiving the UE-satellite-UE communication establishment success event message reported by the SMF network element, where the message includes the base station identifier of the first target base station;

[0013] Increasing the handover priority of the first target base station in the stored neighboring base station information.

[0014] As an alternative implementation, the UE-satellite-UE communication establishment success event message is triggered and reported by the SMF network element when the voice user served by the first target base station successfully establishes UE-satellite-UE communication, or when the number of times the voice user served by the first target base station successfully establishes UE-satellite-UE communication is greater than the first preset threshold.

[0015] As an alternative implementation, maintaining the stored neighboring base station information based on the event message reported by the SMF network element includes:

[0016] Receiving the UE-satellite-UE communication establishment failure event message reported by the SMF network element, where the message includes the base station identifier of the second target base station;

[0017] Decreasing the handover priority of the second target base station in the stored neighboring base station information.

[0018] As an alternative implementation, the UE-satellite-UE communication establishment failure event message is triggered and reported by the SMF network element when the voice user served by the second target base station fails to establish UE-satellite-UE communication, or when the number of times the voice user served by the second target base station fails to establish UE-satellite-UE communication is greater than the second preset threshold.

[0019] As an alternative implementation, the stored neighboring base station information is initial neighboring base station information or the initial neighboring base station information after maintenance and update. The initial neighboring base station information is obtained from a network management system or a data center, or is established based on the network topology of the satellite network where the spaceborne base station is located and the network element deployment information on the satellite.

[0020] As an alternative implementation, the initial neighboring base station information at least includes the handover priorities of the following neighboring base stations:

[0021] Neighboring base stations having inter-satellite links with the spaceborne base station, neighboring base stations where access gateways are deployed.

[0022] As an alternative implementation, the neighboring base station information is obtained from a network management system or a data center.

[0023] As an alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0024] Maintaining the neighboring base station information for terminals of different device types respectively.

[0025] As an alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0026] Receiving a neighboring base station information subscription request message sent by the base station;

[0027] Periodically sending the neighboring base station information to the base station.

[0028] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a network handover method, and the method includes:

[0029] Receiving a measurement report reported by a terminal using user-satellite-user (UE-satellite-UE) communication for voice services, where at least one cell identifier is carried in the measurement report;

[0030] Based on the neighboring base station information, selecting, from the serving cells corresponding to the cell identifiers included in the measurement report, a cell served by a neighboring base station whose handover priority meets a preset requirement as the target cell after handover, where the neighboring base station information is obtained from a core network and includes the handover priorities of at least one neighboring base station, and the handover priority represents the success rate of establishing UE-satellite-UE communication for a voice user by the neighboring base station.

[0031] As an alternative implementation, the step of selecting, as the target cell after handover, a cell served by a neighboring base station whose handover priority meets a preset requirement includes:

[0032] Among the preferred neighboring base stations where the handover priority meets the preset requirements, select, in the order from high to low of the handover priority, the cell whose identifier is included in the measurement report and belongs to the preferred neighboring base station as the target cell.

[0033] As an alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0034] In the case where the target cell is not selected from the cells served by the preferred neighboring base station, select the target cell from the serving cells corresponding to the cell identifiers included in the measurement report, or after excluding the ineligible neighboring base stations from the base stations to which the cell identifiers included in the measurement report belong, determine the remaining base stations, and select the cell whose identifier is included in the measurement report and belongs to the remaining base stations as the target cell, where the ineligible neighboring base stations are the neighboring base stations whose handover priority does not meet the preset requirements.

[0035] As an alternative implementation, the neighboring base station information is maintained by the core network for terminals of different device types respectively;

[0036] The step of selecting, based on the neighboring base station information, from the serving cells corresponding to the cell identifiers included in the measurement report, the cell served by the base station whose handover priority meets the preset requirements as the target cell after handover includes:

[0037] Determine the target neighboring base station information maintained by the core network for the device type of the terminal, and based on the target neighboring base station information, perform the operation of selecting the target cell.

[0038] As an alternative implementation, the step of selecting, based on the neighboring base station information, from the serving cells corresponding to the cell identifiers included in the measurement report, the cell served by the base station whose handover priority meets the preset requirements as the target cell after handover includes:

[0039] In the case where it is determined to activate the handover priority service, based on the neighboring base station information, perform the operation of selecting the target cell, where the handover priority service is used to instruct the satellite-based base station to select the serving cell after handover based on the neighboring base station information when a network handover occurs for the terminal served by itself.

[0040] As an alternative implementation, the neighboring base station information is periodically obtained from the core network through the NG interface after subscribing to the neighboring base station information from the core network, or is obtained from the core network through the NG interface when establishing an NG link connection with the core network.

[0041] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a network handover device, including:

[0042] A receiving unit, configured to receive an NG link establishment request message sent by a satellite-based base station;

[0043] A sending unit, configured to send an NG link establishment response message to the spaceborne base station, where the response message includes neighbor base station information for recording the handover priorities of at least one neighbor base station of the spaceborne base station, and the handover priority characterizes the success rate of establishing user-satellite-user (UE-satellite-UE) communication for a voice user by the neighbor base station.

[0044] As an optional implementation manner, the apparatus further includes:

[0045] A processing unit, configured to maintain the stored neighbor base station information based on the event message reported by the SMF network element.

[0046] As an optional implementation manner, the receiving unit is further configured to: receive a UE-satellite-UE communication establishment success event message reported by the SMF network element, where the message includes the base station identifier of a first target base station;

[0047] The processing unit is specifically configured to: increase the handover priority of the first target base station in the stored neighbor base station information.

[0048] As an optional implementation manner, the UE-satellite-UE communication establishment success event message is triggered and reported by the SMF network element when the UE-satellite-UE communication for a voice user served by the first target base station is successful, or when the number of successful UE-satellite-UE communications for a voice user served by the first target base station is greater than a first preset threshold.

[0049] As an optional implementation manner, the receiving unit is further configured to:

[0050] receive a UE-satellite-UE communication establishment failure event message reported by the SMF network element, where the message includes the base station identifier of a second target base station;

[0051] The processing unit is specifically configured to: decrease the handover priority of the second target base station in the stored neighbor base station information.

[0052] As an optional implementation manner, the UE-satellite-UE communication establishment failure event message is triggered and reported by the SMF network element when the UE-satellite-UE communication for a voice user served by the second target base station fails, or when the number of failed UE-satellite-UE communications for a voice user served by the second target base station is greater than a second preset threshold.

[0053] As an alternative implementation manner, the stored neighboring base station information is initial neighboring base station information or the initial neighboring base station information after maintenance and update. The initial neighboring base station information is obtained from a network management system or a data center, or is established based on the network topology of the satellite network where the spaceborne base station is located and the network element deployment information on the satellite.

[0054] As an alternative implementation manner, the initial neighboring base station information at least includes the handover priorities of the following neighboring base stations:

[0055] Neighboring base stations having inter-satellite links with the spaceborne base station, neighboring base stations where access gateways are deployed.

[0056] As an alternative implementation manner, the neighboring base station information is obtained from a network management system or a data center.

[0057] As an alternative implementation manner, the processing unit is further configured to:

[0058] Maintain the neighboring base station information for terminals of different device types respectively.

[0059] As an alternative implementation manner, the receiving unit is further configured to:

[0060] Receive a neighboring base station information subscription request message sent by the base station;

[0061] The sending unit is further configured to: send the neighboring base station information to the base station periodically.

[0062] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a network handover device, including:

[0063] A receiving unit, configured to receive a measurement report reported by a terminal using user-satellite-user UE-satellite-UE communication for voice services, where at least one cell identifier is carried in the measurement report;

[0064] A processing unit, configured to select, based on neighboring base station information, a cell served by a neighboring base station whose handover priority meets a preset requirement from the serving cells corresponding to the cell identifiers included in the measurement report as a target cell after handover, where the neighboring base station information is obtained from a core network and includes the handover priorities of at least one neighboring base station, and the handover priority represents the success rate of establishing UE-satellite-UE communication for a voice user by the neighboring base station.

[0065] As an alternative implementation manner, the processing unit is specifically configured to:

[0066] Among the preferred neighbor base stations where the handover priority meets the preset requirements, select, in the order from high to low of the handover priority, a cell whose identifier is included in the measurement report and belongs to the preferred neighbor base station as the target cell.

[0067] As an alternative implementation, the processing unit is further configured to:

[0068] In the case where the target cell is not selected from the cells served by the preferred neighbor base station, select the target cell from the serving cells corresponding to the cell identifiers included in the measurement report, or after excluding the ineligible neighbor base stations from the base stations to which the cell identifiers included in the measurement report belong, determine the remaining base stations, and select a cell whose identifier is included in the measurement report and belongs to the remaining base stations as the target cell, where the ineligible neighbor base stations are neighbor base stations whose handover priority does not meet the preset requirements.

[0069] As an alternative implementation, the neighbor base station information is maintained by the core network for terminals of different device types respectively;

[0070] The processing unit is specifically configured to:

[0071] Determine the target neighbor base station information maintained by the core network for the device type of the terminal, and perform the operation of selecting the target cell based on the target neighbor base station information.

[0072] As an alternative implementation, the processing unit is specifically configured to:

[0073] In the case where it is determined to activate the handover priority service, perform the operation of selecting the target cell based on the neighbor base station information, where the handover priority service is used to instruct the satellite base station to select the serving cell after handover based on the neighbor base station information when a network handover occurs for the terminal served by itself.

[0074] As an alternative implementation, the neighbor base station information is periodically obtained from the core network through the NG interface after subscribing to the neighbor base station information from the core network, or is obtained from the core network through the NG interface when establishing an NG link connection with the core network.

[0075] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a network handover device, which includes a processor and a memory. The memory is used to store a program executable by the processor, and the processor is used to read the program in the memory and execute the method according to any one of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0076] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer storage medium, on which a computer program is stored, and when the program is executed by a processor, it is used to implement the steps of the method according to the first aspect or the second aspect described above.

[0077] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, which includes computer program code that, when running on a computer, causes the computer to execute the method described in any one of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0078] Advantageous effects of the embodiments of the present application:

[0079] For a network switching method, device, medium and program product provided by an embodiment of the present application, after a core network receives an NG link establishment request message sent by a spaceborne base station, it sends an NG link establishment response message to the spaceborne base station. The response message includes neighboring base station information, which is used to record the handover priorities of at least one neighboring base station of the spaceborne base station. The handover priority characterizes the success rate of establishing UE-satellite-UE communication for voice users by the neighboring base station. By sending the handover priorities of its respective neighboring base stations to the spaceborne base station, when the spaceborne base station receives a measurement report reported by a terminal, it can select a target cell from the cells included in the measurement report based on the handover priorities of the respective neighboring base stations. Since the handover priority characterizes the success rate of establishing UE-satellite-UE communication for voice users by the neighboring base station, a high handover priority means a high success rate of establishing UE-satellite-UE communication for voice users. Therefore, by selecting neighboring base stations and target cells according to the handover priority, it is possible to select, as much as possible, a target cell served by a neighboring base station with a high success rate of establishing UE-satellite-UE communication, thereby maximizing the probability of the terminal continuing to perform UE-satellite-UE communication with the target terminal after network handover.

[0080] These aspects or other aspects of the present application will be more clearly understood in the following description of the embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0081] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and those of ordinary skill in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0082] Figure 1 It is a schematic flowchart of a network switching method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0083] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the principle of an AMF network element maintaining neighboring base station information provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0084] Figure 3Schematic diagram of the principle for another AMF network element to maintain neighboring base station information provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0085] Figure 4 Schematic flowchart of another network switching method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0086] Figure 5 Interaction flowchart for a spaceborne base station to obtain neighboring base station information provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0087] Figure 6 Interaction flowchart for another spaceborne base station to obtain neighboring base station information provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0088] Figure 7 Interaction flowchart of the overall switching process of the network switching method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0089] Figure 8 Schematic flowchart of the specific implementation process of a network switching method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0090] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the structure of a network switching device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0091] Figure 10 Schematic diagram of the structure of another network switching device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0092] Figure 11 Schematic diagram of a network switching device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0093] Figure 12 Schematic diagram of another network switching device provided by an embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0094] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present application clearer, the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Apparently, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments in the present application without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0095] In the embodiments of the present application, the term "and / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. The character " / " generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after.

[0096] The application scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application. Those of ordinary skill in the art can know that with the emergence of new application scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems. Among them, in the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified, the meaning of "a plurality of" is two or more.

[0097] Before introducing the network switching method provided by the embodiments of the present application, for the convenience of understanding, first, the technical background of the embodiments of the present application will be introduced in detail below.

[0098] UE-satellite-UE communication, that is, user-satellite-user communication, means that the communication data of the terminal finally reaches the target terminal after passing through the coverage of one or more satellites. In this process, the user plane traffic does not pass through the terrestrial network.

[0099] The UE-satellite-UE service depends on the ISL. When a voice session starts, the signaling plane is processed through the feeder link to the terrestrial core network and the IMS network. After the AGW for the voice session is allocated, the subsequent data link reaches the target terminal through the IMS-AGW, and there is no need to sink to the terrestrial network through the feeder link in the middle, which can effectively reduce the voice session delay.

[0100] Currently, in UE-satellite-UE communication, when a terminal undergoes network switching, due to problems such as the lack of IMS-AGW deployed in the satellite after network switching, no inter-satellite link or inter-satellite link failure between the two satellites before and after switching, it is easy to cause the inability to continue UE-satellite-UE communication with the target terminal after switching. Therefore, how to improve the probability of continuing UE-satellite-UE communication with the target terminal after the terminal network switches has become an urgent problem to be solved.

[0101] In view of this, for a network switching method, device, medium, and program product provided in an embodiment of the present application, after the core network receives an NG link establishment request message sent by an on-board base station, it sends an NG link establishment response message to the on-board base station. The response message includes neighboring base station information, which is used to record the handover priorities of at least one neighboring base station of the on-board base station. The handover priority characterizes the success rate of the neighboring base station in establishing UE-satellite-UE communication for voice users. By sending the handover priorities of its respective neighboring base stations to the on-board base station, when the on-board base station receives a measurement report reported by a terminal, it can select a target cell from the cells included in the measurement report based on the handover priorities of the respective neighboring base stations. Since the handover priority characterizes the success rate of the neighboring base station in establishing UE-satellite-UE communication for voice users, a high handover priority means a high success rate of establishing UE-satellite-UE communication for voice users. Therefore, by selecting neighboring base stations and target cells according to the handover priorities, it is possible to select, as much as possible, the target cells served by neighboring base stations with a high success rate of establishing UE-satellite-UE communication, thereby maximizing the probability of the terminal continuing to perform UE-satellite-UE communication with the target terminal after network handover.

[0102] It should be noted that the base stations mentioned in the embodiments of the present application are all base stations carried by satellites, that is, on-board base stations; and the network handover in the embodiments of the present application refers to the handover of a terminal accessing an on-board base station in UE-satellite-UE communication; in the embodiments of the present application, the handover priority characterizes the success rate of the neighboring base station in establishing UE-satellite-UE communication for voice users. In other words, the handover priority is determined according to the success rate of the neighboring base station in establishing UE-satellite-UE communication for voice users in the past. If the neighboring base station has successfully established UE-satellite-UE communication for voice users in the past, it is considered that the neighboring base station has a high success rate of establishing UE-satellite-UE communication for voice users, and the handover priority of the neighboring base station is relatively high. On the contrary, if the neighboring base station has failed to establish UE-satellite-UE communication for voice users in the past, it is considered that the neighboring base station has a low success rate of establishing UE-satellite-UE communication for voice users, and the handover priority of the neighboring base station is relatively low.

[0103] After introducing the technical background of the embodiments of the present application, the overall concept of the network switching solution provided in the embodiments of the present application will be described below.

[0104] In the embodiment of the present application, on the core network side, for example, in the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) network element, the neighbor base station information of each spaceborne base station is maintained, the handover priority of the neighbor base stations of each spaceborne base station is recorded, and then the neighbor base station information of each spaceborne base station is notified to the corresponding spaceborne base station through the NG interface as the reference information when the terminal served by the spaceborne base station performs network handover.

[0105] When the spaceborne base station receives the measurement report reported by the terminal it serves, according to the handover priority of each neighbor base station recorded in the neighbor base station information obtained from the core network side, from the serving cell corresponding to the cell identifier included in the measurement report, the cell served by the neighbor base station whose handover priority meets the preset requirements is selected as the target cell after handover, so that the terminal can maintain UE-satellite-UE communication with the target terminal as much as possible after network handover.

[0106] After introducing the overall concept of the network handover solution provided by the embodiment of the present application, the implementation processes of the network handover method provided by the embodiment of the present application on the base station side and the core network side will be described in detail below with specific embodiments.

[0107] On the core network side, taking the AMF network element as an example, as Figure 1 shown, the implementation process of the network handover method provided by the embodiment of the present application is as follows:

[0108] Step 101, receive the NG link establishment request message sent by the spaceborne base station.

[0109] Step 102, send an NG link establishment response message to the spaceborne base station, and the response message includes neighbor base station information, where the neighbor base station information is used to record the handover priority of at least one neighbor base station of the spaceborne base station, and the handover priority characterizes the success rate of establishing UE-satellite-UE communication for voice users by the neighbor base station.

[0110] Of course, the AMF network element can also receive the neighbor base station information subscription request message sent by the spaceborne base station, and then periodically send the neighbor base station information to the spaceborne base station according to the period included in the subscription request message.

[0111] It should be noted that the neighbor base station information sent by the AMF network element to the spaceborne base station can be maintained by the AMF network element itself, or can be obtained by the AMF network element from the network management or data center when it needs to send the neighbor base station information to the spaceborne base station, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit this.

[0112] Specifically, in the solution where the AMF network element maintains the neighbor base station information, the AMF network element can maintain the stored neighbor base station information based on the event message reported by the SMF network element.

[0113] Among them, the stored neighboring base station information is the initial neighboring base station information or the initial neighboring base station information after maintenance and update. The initial neighboring base station information can be obtained from the network management or the data center, or can be established by the AMF network element based on the network topology of the satellite network where the spaceborne base station is located and the network element deployment information on the satellite. The initial neighboring base station information at least includes the handover priorities of the following neighboring base stations: neighboring base stations with inter-satellite links to the spaceborne base station, neighboring base stations deployed with access gateways.

[0114] It should be noted that in other embodiments of the present application, a switch for controlling and maintaining the neighboring base station information can also be added in the AMF network element. When the switch for maintaining the neighboring base station information is turned on, the AMF network element maintains the neighboring base station information of each base station, and when the switch for maintaining the neighboring base station information is turned off, the AMF does not need to maintain the neighboring base station information of each base station.

[0115] The following combines specific embodiments to illustrate the specific process of the AMF network element establishing the initial neighboring base station information and maintaining the neighboring base station information.

[0116] Taking the handover priorities including the first handover priority, the second handover priority, the third handover priority, and the fourth handover priority as an example, and the first handover priority (the highest priority) is the neighboring base station that has established UE-satellite-UE communication, the second handover priority is the neighboring base station with an ISL connection to the current spaceborne base station, the third handover priority is the neighboring base station deployed with an IMS-AGW, and the fourth handover priority (the lowest priority) is the neighboring base station where the UE-satellite-UE communication establishment fails.

[0117] When establishing the initial neighboring base station information, the AMF network element determines the neighboring base stations that may be able to successfully establish UE-satellite-UE communication for the user based on the network topology of the satellite network where the spaceborne base station is located and the network element deployment information on each satellite. In this example, the neighboring base stations with the second handover priority and the third handover priority are determined, and the first handover priority and the fourth handover priority are empty.

[0118] After that, the AMF network element receives the UE-satellite-UE communication establishment success event message reported by the SMF network element. The message includes the base station identifier of the first target base station. Here, the first target base station refers to the base station to which the terminal that has successfully established UE-satellite-UE communication belongs. Then, the AMF network element increases the handover priority of the first target base station in the stored neighboring base station information, such as taking the first target base station as the neighboring base station with the first handover priority, to obtain the updated neighboring base station information.

[0119] Among them, when increasing the handover priority of the first target base station, the handover priority of the first target base station can be increased to the highest level, or the handover priority of the first target base station can be increased by a preset level (which can be set according to experience), and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0120] Of course, it should be noted that if the first target base station is not in the neighboring base station information currently stored in the AMF network element, the identifier of the first target base station is added to the corresponding handover priority in the neighboring base station information currently stored in the AMF network element. If the first target base station is already in the neighboring base station information currently stored in the AMF network element, while increasing the handover priority of the first target base station, it is removed from its previous handover priority.

[0121] Among them, the UE-satellite-UE communication establishment success event message is triggered and reported by the SMF network element when the UE-satellite-UE communication of the voice user served by the first target base station is successfully established, or when the number of times the UE-satellite-UE communication of the voice user served by the first target base station is successfully established is greater than the first preset threshold. The first preset threshold can be set according to empirical values, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0122] Of course, the AMF network element may also receive the UE-satellite-UE communication establishment failure event message reported by the SMF network element, and the message includes the base station identifier of the second target base station. Here, the second target base station refers to the base station to which the terminal that fails to establish the UE-satellite-UE communication belongs. Then, the AMF network element reduces the handover priority of the second target base station in the stored neighboring base station information, such as taking the second target base station as a neighboring base station with the fourth handover priority, to obtain the updated neighboring base station information.

[0123] Among them, when reducing the handover priority of the second target base station, the handover priority of the second target base station can be reduced to the lowest level, or the handover priority of the second target base station can be reduced by a preset level (which can be set according to experience), and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0124] Similarly, if the second target base station is not in the neighboring base station information currently stored in the AMF network element, the identifier of the second target base station is added to the corresponding handover priority in the neighboring base station information currently stored in the AMF network element. If the second target base station is already in the neighboring base station information currently stored in the AMF network element, while reducing the handover priority of the second target base station, it is removed from its previous handover priority.

[0125] Among them, the UE-satellite-UE communication establishment failure event message is triggered and reported by the SMF network element when the UE-satellite-UE communication establishment fails for the voice user served by the second target base station, or when the number of times of UE-satellite-UE communication establishment fails for the voice user served by the second target base station is greater than the second preset threshold. The second preset threshold can be set according to empirical values, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0126] In one example, as Figure 2 shown, assuming that in the initial neighboring base station information, among the neighboring base station information of the spaceborne base station G1, the neighboring base stations with the second handover priority are G2 and G3, and the neighboring base station with the third handover priority is G4.

[0127] If the AMF network element receives the UE-satellite-UE communication establishment success event message reported by the SMF network element, which includes the identifier of base station G4, that is, it indicates that the UE-satellite-UE communication establishment is successful for the voice user in G4, then the handover priority of G4 is changed to the first handover priority, and at the same time, G4 is removed from the third handover priority to obtain the updated neighboring base station information of base station G1.

[0128] If the AMF network element receives the UE-satellite-UE communication establishment failure event message reported by the SMF network element, which includes the identifier of base station G2, that is, it indicates that the UE-satellite-UE communication establishment fails for the voice user in G2, then the handover priority of G2 is changed to the fourth handover priority, and at the same time, G2 is removed from the second handover priority to obtain the updated neighboring base station information of base station G1.

[0129] Next, in combination with Figure 3 , the process of the AMF network element in the embodiments of the present application for maintaining the neighboring base station information of each spaceborne base station will be described.

[0130] As Figure 3 shown, the implementation process of the AMF network element for maintaining the neighboring base station information of each spaceborne base station includes:

[0131] 1. The SMF network element reports the UE-satellite-UE communication establishment success / failure event message to the AMF network element.

[0132] 2. The AMF network element adjusts the handover priority of each neighboring base station in the neighboring base station information according to the event message reported by the SMF network element to obtain the updated neighboring base station information.

[0133] 3. The AMF network element periodically sends the latest neighboring base station information to each spaceborne base station.

[0134] It should be noted that since the capabilities of terminals of different device types are different, when the AMF network element maintains the neighboring base station information of the spaceborne base station, it maintains the neighboring base station information separately for terminals of different device types. For example, the AMF network element can maintain one neighboring base station information for terminals of device type A and another neighboring base station information for terminals of device type B.

[0135] The above has described the specific implementation process on the core network side of the network switching method provided by the embodiments of the present application in combination with specific embodiments. Next, the specific implementation process on the spaceborne base station side of the network switching method provided by the embodiments of the present application will be described in combination with specific embodiments.

[0136] On the spaceborne base station side, as Figure 4 shown, the implementation process of the network switching method provided by the embodiments of the present application is as follows:

[0137] Step 401: Receive a measurement report reported by a terminal using UE-satellite-UE communication for voice services, where the measurement report carries at least one cell identifier.

[0138] In specific implementation, the spaceborne base station sends handover-related measurement event configurations to the terminal through the air interface, and specifically can be sent through a Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration message.

[0139] After receiving the measurement event configuration sent by the spaceborne base station, the terminal continuously measures the signals of neighboring cells according to the measurement event configuration. When it is determined that there are neighboring cells that meet the handover conditions, the terminal reports a measurement report to the spaceborne base station, where the measurement report carries the cell identifiers of at least one cell that meets the handover conditions. The specific method for determining whether a neighboring cell meets the handover conditions can adopt the methods of related technologies, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0140] Step 402: Based on the neighboring base station information, select a cell served by a neighboring base station whose handover priority meets the preset requirements from the serving cells corresponding to the cell identifiers included in the measurement report as the target cell after handover, where the neighboring base station information is obtained from the core network and includes the handover priorities of at least one neighboring base station, and the handover priority represents the success rate of the neighboring base station in establishing UE-satellite-UE communication for voice users.

[0141] In practical applications, the neighboring base station information can be obtained by the spaceborne base station from the core network periodically through service subscription. For example, when the spaceborne base station subscribes to the neighboring base station information, the core network sends the neighboring base station information to the spaceborne base station periodically through the NG interface. If the spaceborne base station does not subscribe to the neighboring base station information, the core network does not need to send its neighboring base station information to the spaceborne base station periodically.

[0142] In one example, as Figure 5 shown, a service subscription mechanism is added between the spaceborne base station and the core network. Taking the AMF network element as an example of the core network, the spaceborne base station subscribes to the neighboring base station information from the AMF network element through a subscription message. The subscription message may include, but is not limited to, the subscription period of the neighboring base station information, and its specific format can be customized according to actual needs. This application embodiment does not make any limitations in this regard. After the spaceborne base station subscribes to the neighboring base station information from the AMF network element, the AMF network element periodically sends the latest neighboring base station information to the spaceborne base station.

[0143] Of course, the neighboring base station information can also be obtained from the core network through the NG interface when establishing an NG link connection with the core network.

[0144] In one example, as Figure 6 shown, taking the AMF network element as an example of the core network again, when the spaceborne base station establishes an NG link with the AMF network element, the spaceborne base station sends an NG link establishment request message to the AMF network element, and the AMF network element replies to the spaceborne base station with an NG link establishment request reply message, and the neighboring base station information of the spaceborne base station may be carried in the reply message.

[0145] In specific implementation, the neighboring base station information includes the handover priority of at least one neighboring base station, and the handover priority of the neighboring base station represents the success rate of establishing UE-satellite-UE communication for voice users. Among them, there can be multiple levels of handover priority, and the specific handover priority can be flexibly adjusted according to network characteristics. The calculation algorithm of the handover priority can be extended and adjusted. At the same time, the handover priority can also be set as a configurable item, and network maintenance personnel can flexibly configure it according to regional characteristics.

[0146] In one example, assume that the handover priority is divided into 4 levels. The first handover priority (the highest priority) is the neighboring base station that has established UE-satellite-UE communication, the second handover priority is the neighboring base station that has an ISL connection with the current spaceborne base station, the third handover priority is the neighboring base station deployed with IMS-AGW, and the fourth handover priority (the lowest priority) is the neighboring base station where UE-satellite-UE communication establishment fails.

[0147] In specific implementation, when selecting, based on neighbor base station information, a cell served by a neighbor base station with a handover priority meeting a preset requirement as the target cell after handover from among the serving cells corresponding to the cell identifiers included in the measurement report, since the success rate of establishing UE-satellite-UE communication for neighbor base stations with a higher handover priority is high, therefore, the preset requirement can be set such that the handover priority is greater than a certain priority (for example, in the above example, the first handover priority, the second handover priority, and the third handover priority can be set as the handover priorities meeting the preset requirement), so as to preferably select neighbor base stations with a higher handover priority, enabling the terminal to maintain UE-satellite-UE communication with the target terminal as much as possible after network handover.

[0148] It should be noted that the preset requirement can be flexibly set according to actual needs. For example, the handover priority is greater than a certain priority, or several handover priorities can be specified. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0149] When specifically selecting, based on neighbor base station information, a cell served by a neighbor base station with a handover priority meeting the preset requirement as the target cell after handover from among the serving cells corresponding to the cell identifiers included in the measurement report, first, among the preferred neighbor base stations with a handover priority meeting the preset requirement, a cell whose identifier is included in the measurement report and belongs to the preferred neighbor base station is selected in descending order of handover priority as the target cell.

[0150] In one example, still using the case of the four-level handover priority listed in the above example, and taking the first handover priority, the second handover priority, and the third handover priority as the handover priorities meeting the preset requirement as an example, in this case, the neighbor base stations with the first handover priority, the second handover priority, and the third handover priority are the preferred neighbor base stations.

[0151] When selecting the target cell after handover, first, it is determined whether there is a cell that belongs to the preferred neighbor base station with the first handover priority and whose identifier is included in the measurement report. If so, this cell is determined as the target cell after handover. If not, it is continued to determine whether there is a cell that belongs to the preferred neighbor base station with the second handover priority and whose identifier is included in the measurement report. If so, this cell is determined as the target cell after handover. If not, it is continued to determine whether there is a cell that belongs to the preferred neighbor base station with the third handover priority and whose identifier is included in the measurement report. If so, this cell is determined as the target cell after handover.

[0152] It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, according to the order of switching priorities from high to low, it is successively determined whether the cells served by neighboring base stations under each switching priority can be used as target cells. In other embodiments of the present application, multiple service cells available for handover may also be selected first from the cells served by neighboring base stations with switching priorities meeting preset requirements, and then a target cell is further selected from the multiple service cells available for handover.

[0153] Certainly, in practical applications, if no target cell is selected from the cells served by the preferred neighboring base stations, the non - selectable neighboring base stations can be excluded from the base stations to which the cell identifiers included in the measurement report belong, the remaining base stations are determined, and a cell whose identifier is included in the measurement report and belongs to the remaining base stations is selected as the target cell to ensure successful network handover. Among them, the non - selectable neighboring base stations are neighboring base stations whose switching priorities do not meet the preset requirements.

[0154] Still using the above example, if the fourth switching priority does not meet the preset requirements, the neighboring base station with the fourth switching priority is a non - selectable neighboring base station.

[0155] If no target cell is selected from the cells served by the preferred neighboring base stations, the non - selectable neighboring base stations (i.e., the neighboring base stations with the fourth switching priority) can be excluded from the base stations to which the cell identifiers included in the measurement report belong, the remaining base stations are determined, and then a cell whose identifier is included in the measurement report and belongs to the remaining base stations is selected as the target cell.

[0156] Certainly, if there are no remaining base stations after excluding the non - selectable neighboring base stations from the base stations to which the cell identifiers included in the measurement report belong, a target cell can be directly selected from the serving cells corresponding to the cell identifiers included in the measurement report to ensure successful network handover. The specific method of selecting a target cell from the serving cells corresponding to the cell identifiers included in the measurement report can adopt the methods in related technologies, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0157] In practical applications, considering that the device types of terminals are different, the ability of terminals to establish UE - satellite - UE communication may not be the same. In the embodiments of the present application, the AMF network element can respectively maintain neighboring base station information for terminals of different device types. In this case, when selecting, based on the neighboring base station information, a cell served by a base station with a switching priority meeting the preset requirements from the serving cells corresponding to the cell identifiers included in the measurement report as the target cell after handover, first, the target neighboring base station information maintained by the core network for the device type of the terminal is determined, and then, based on the target neighboring base station information, a cell served by a base station with a switching priority meeting the preset requirements is selected from the serving cells corresponding to the cell identifiers included in the measurement report as the target cell after handover.

[0158] In this case, the core network does not need to send the neighboring base station information to the satellite-borne base station when the NG link is initially established. Instead, it can wait until the terminal establishes a voice bearer and then send the neighboring base station information of the corresponding device type to the satellite-borne base station, so that the satellite-borne base station can use it as a reference when the terminal performs network handover.

[0159] In practical applications, an embodiment of the present application can also set a switch for the handover priority service in the satellite-borne base station. This handover priority service is used to indicate whether the satellite-borne base station selects the target serving cell after handover based on the neighboring base station information when a network handover occurs for a terminal served by itself.

[0160] Specifically, when selecting the target cell, if it is determined to activate the handover priority service, based on the neighboring base station information obtained from the core network, select, from the serving cells corresponding to the cell identifiers included in the measurement report, the cell served by the neighboring base station whose handover priority meets the preset requirements as the target cell after handover.

[0161] Of course, if it is determined that the handover priority service is not activated, the target cell can be directly selected from the serving cells corresponding to the cell identifiers included in the measurement report.

[0162] Next, in combination with Figure 7 , taking the AMF network element in the core network as an example, the overall handover process of the network handover method provided by the embodiment of the present application on the satellite-borne base station side will be described.

[0163] As Figure 7 shown, the overall handover process of the network handover method provided by the embodiment of the present application on the satellite-borne base station side includes:

[0164] 1. The satellite-borne base station sends an RRC reconfiguration message to the terminal, which includes measurement event configuration.

[0165] 2. The terminal measures the signals of neighboring cells based on the measurement event configuration in the RRC reconfiguration message. When the signals of neighboring cells meet the handover conditions, the terminal reports a measurement report to the satellite-borne base station, which includes the cell identifiers of the neighboring cells that meet the handover conditions.

[0166] 3. The satellite-borne base station selects the target cell after handover based on the neighboring base station information obtained from the AMF network element.

[0167] Specifically, the neighboring base station information includes the handover priorities of at least one neighboring base station. The handover priority of a neighboring base station represents the success rate of establishing UE-satellite-UE communication for voice users. The satellite-borne base station selects, based on the neighboring base station information, from the serving cells corresponding to the cell identifiers included in the measurement report, the cell served by the neighboring base station whose handover priority meets the preset requirements as the target cell after handover.

[0168] 4. The spaceborne base station sends a handover request message to the AMF network element, including the cell identifier of the target cell, for subsequent handover procedures.

[0169] The following combines Figure 8 , and describes the process of the spaceborne base station selecting the target cell after handover based on neighbor base station information. Taking the handover priorities as the first handover priority, the second handover priority, the third handover priority, and the fourth handover priority listed in the above example, and the first handover priority, the second handover priority, and the third handover priority meet the preset requirements, while the fourth handover priority does not meet the preset requirements.

[0170] As Figure 8 shown, the specific implementation process of the spaceborne base station selecting the target cell after handover based on the pre-acquired neighbor base station information includes:

[0171] Step 801, receive the measurement report reported by the terminal. The measurement report includes at least one cell identifier.

[0172] Step 802, determine whether there is a neighbor base station belonging to the first handover priority and the cell whose identifier is included in the measurement report. If so, execute Step 809; otherwise, execute Step 803.

[0173] Step 803, determine whether there is a preferred neighbor base station belonging to the second handover priority and the cell whose identifier is included in the measurement report. If so, execute Step 809; otherwise, execute Step 804.

[0174] Step 804, determine whether there is a preferred neighbor base station belonging to the third handover priority and the cell whose identifier is included in the measurement report. If so, execute Step 809; otherwise, execute Step 805.

[0175] Step 805, exclude the neighbor base stations of the fourth handover priority from the base stations to which the cell identifiers included in the measurement report belong.

[0176] Step 806, after excluding the neighbor base stations of the fourth handover priority from the base stations to which the cell identifiers included in the measurement report belong, determine whether there are remaining base stations. If so, execute Step 807; otherwise, execute Step 808.

[0177] Step 807, use the cell whose identifier is included in the measurement report and belongs to the remaining base stations as the target cell.

[0178] Step 808, select the target cell from the serving cells corresponding to the cell identifiers included in the measurement report.

[0179] Step 809, determine this cell as the target cell after handover.

[0180] Based on the same inventive concept, on the core network side, such as Figure 9 shown, an embodiment of the present application further provides a network switching device, including:

[0181] A receiving unit 901, configured to receive an NG link establishment request message sent by a spaceborne base station;

[0182] A sending unit 902, configured to send an NG link establishment response message to the spaceborne base station, where the response message includes neighboring base station information, and the neighboring base station information is used to record the handover priorities of at least one neighboring base station of the spaceborne base station, and the handover priority characterizes the success rate of establishing UE-satellite-UE communication for a voice user by the neighboring base station.

[0183] As an optional implementation manner, the device further includes:

[0184] A processing unit 903, configured to maintain the stored neighboring base station information based on the event message reported by the SMF network element.

[0185] As an optional implementation manner, the receiving unit 901 is further configured to: receive a UE-satellite-UE communication establishment success event message reported by the SMF network element, where the message includes the base station identifier of the first target base station;

[0186] The processing unit 903 is specifically configured to: increase the handover priority of the first target base station in the stored neighboring base station information.

[0187] As an optional implementation manner, the UE-satellite-UE communication establishment success event message is triggered and reported by the SMF network element when the UE-satellite-UE communication for a voice user served by the first target base station is successfully established, or when the number of successful UE-satellite-UE communications for a voice user served by the first target base station is greater than a first preset threshold.

[0188] As an optional implementation manner, the receiving unit 901 is further configured to:

[0189] receive a UE-satellite-UE communication establishment failure event message reported by the SMF network element, where the message includes the base station identifier of the second target base station;

[0190] The processing unit 903 is specifically configured to: decrease the handover priority of the second target base station in the stored neighboring base station information.

[0191] As an alternative implementation, the UE-satellite-UE communication establishment failure event message is triggered and reported by the SMF network element when the UE-satellite-UE communication establishment fails for a voice user served by the second target base station, or when the number of times of UE-satellite-UE communication establishment failure for a voice user served by the second target base station is greater than a second preset threshold.

[0192] As an alternative implementation, the stored neighboring base station information is the initial neighboring base station information or the initial neighboring base station information after maintenance and update. The initial neighboring base station information is obtained from the network management or the data center, or is established based on the network topology of the satellite network where the spaceborne base station is located and the network element deployment information on the satellite.

[0193] As an alternative implementation, the initial neighboring base station information at least includes the handover priorities of the following neighboring base stations:

[0194] The neighboring base station having an inter-satellite link with the spaceborne base station, the neighboring base station where the access gateway is deployed.

[0195] As an alternative implementation, the neighboring base station information is obtained from the network management or the data center.

[0196] As an alternative implementation, the processing unit 903 is further configured to:

[0197] Maintain the neighboring base station information for terminals of different device types respectively.

[0198] As an alternative implementation, the receiving unit 901 is further configured to:

[0199] Receive a neighboring base station information subscription request message sent by the base station;

[0200] The sending unit 902 is further configured to: Periodically send the neighboring base station information to the base station.

[0201] Based on the same inventive concept, on the spaceborne base station side, as Figure 10 shown, the embodiment of the present application further provides a network handover device, including:

[0202] A receiving unit 1001, configured to receive a measurement report reported by a terminal using UE-satellite-UE communication for a voice service, where the measurement report carries at least one cell identifier;

[0203] A processing unit 1002 is configured to select, based on neighbor base station information, a cell served by a neighbor base station with a handover priority meeting a preset requirement from the serving cells corresponding to the cell identifiers included in a measurement report as a target cell after handover. The neighbor base station information is obtained from the core network and includes the handover priorities of at least one neighbor base station. The handover priority represents the success rate of the neighbor base station in establishing UE-satellite-UE communication for voice users.

[0204] As an optional implementation manner, the processing unit 1002 is specifically configured to:

[0205] Among the preferred neighbor base stations with handover priorities meeting the preset requirement, select, in descending order of the handover priorities, a cell whose identifier is included in the measurement report and belongs to a preferred neighbor base station as the target cell.

[0206] As an optional implementation manner, the processing unit 1002 is further configured to:

[0207] In the case where no target cell is selected from the cells served by the preferred neighbor base stations, select a target cell from the serving cells corresponding to the cell identifiers included in the measurement report, or determine remaining base stations after excluding non-selectable neighbor base stations from the base stations to which the cell identifiers included in the measurement report belong, and select a cell whose identifier is included in the measurement report and belongs to the remaining base stations as the target cell, where the non-selectable neighbor base stations are neighbor base stations with handover priorities not meeting the preset requirement.

[0208] As an optional implementation manner, the neighbor base station information is maintained by the core network for terminals of different device types respectively;

[0209] The processing unit 1002 is specifically configured to:

[0210] Determine the target neighbor base station information maintained by the core network for the device type of the terminal, and perform an operation of selecting a target cell based on the target neighbor base station information.

[0211] As an optional implementation manner, the processing unit 1002 is specifically configured to:

[0212] In the case where it is determined to activate the handover priority service, perform an operation of selecting a target cell based on the neighbor base station information, where the handover priority service is used to instruct the satellite base station to select a serving cell after handover based on the neighbor base station information when a network handover occurs to the terminal served by itself.

[0213] As an optional implementation manner, the neighbor base station information is periodically obtained from the core network through the NG interface after subscribing to the neighbor base station information from the core network, or is obtained from the core network through the NG interface when establishing an NG link connection with the core network.

[0214] Based on the same inventive concept, such as Figure 11 As shown, on the core network side, an embodiment of the present application further provides a network switching device, which includes a processor 1100 and a memory 1101. The memory 1101 is used to store programs executable by the processor 1100, and the processor 1100 is used to read the programs in the memory 1101 and execute:

[0215] Receive an NG link establishment request message sent by the satellite-based base station;

[0216] Send an NG link establishment response message to the satellite-based base station. The response message includes neighboring base station information, and the neighboring base station information is used to record the handover priorities of at least one neighboring base station of the satellite-based base station. The handover priority characterizes the success rate of establishing UE-satellite-UE communication for voice users by the neighboring base station.

[0217] As an optional implementation manner, the processor 1100 is further configured to execute:

[0218] Maintain the stored neighboring base station information based on the event messages reported by the SMF network element.

[0219] As an optional implementation manner, the processor 1100 is specifically configured to execute:

[0220] Receive a UE-satellite-UE communication establishment success event message reported by the SMF network element. The message includes the base station identifier of the first target base station;

[0221] Increase the handover priority of the first target base station in the stored neighboring base station information.

[0222] As an optional implementation manner, the UE-satellite-UE communication establishment success event message is triggered and reported by the SMF network element when the voice user served by the first target base station successfully establishes UE-satellite-UE communication, or when the number of times the voice user served by the first target base station successfully establishes UE-satellite-UE communication is greater than the first preset threshold.

[0223] As an optional implementation manner, the processor 1100 is specifically configured to execute:

[0224] Receive a UE-satellite-UE communication establishment failure event message reported by the SMF network element. The message includes the base station identifier of the second target base station;

[0225] Decrease the handover priority of the second target base station in the stored neighboring base station information.

[0226] As an alternative implementation, the UE-satellite-UE communication establishment failure event message is triggered and reported by the SMF network element when the UE-satellite-UE communication establishment fails for a voice user served by the second target base station, or when the number of times the UE-satellite-UE communication establishment fails for a voice user served by the second target base station is greater than a second preset threshold.

[0227] As an alternative implementation, the stored neighboring base station information is the initial neighboring base station information or the initial neighboring base station information after maintenance and update. The initial neighboring base station information is obtained from the network management or data center, or is established based on the network topology of the satellite network where the spaceborne base station is located and the network element deployment information on the satellite.

[0228] As an alternative implementation, the initial neighboring base station information at least includes the handover priorities of the following neighboring base stations:

[0229] The neighboring base station with an inter-satellite link to the spaceborne base station, and the neighboring base station where the access gateway is deployed.

[0230] As an alternative implementation, the neighboring base station information is obtained from the network management or data center.

[0231] As an alternative implementation, the processor 1100 is further configured to execute:

[0232] Maintain the neighboring base station information for terminals of different device types respectively.

[0233] As an alternative implementation, the processor 1100 is further configured to execute:

[0234] Receive a neighboring base station information subscription request message sent by the base station;

[0235] Periodically send the neighboring base station information to the base station.

[0236] Based on the same inventive concept, as Figure 12 shown, on the spaceborne base station side, the embodiment of the present application further provides a network handover device, which includes a processor 1200 and a memory 1201. The memory 1201 is used to store programs executable by the processor 1200, and the processor 1200 is used to read the programs in the memory 1201 and execute:

[0237] Receive a measurement report reported by a terminal using UE-satellite-UE communication for voice services, where the measurement report carries at least one cell identifier;

[0238] Based on the neighboring base station information, select, from the serving cells corresponding to the cell identifiers included in the measurement report, the cells served by the neighboring base stations whose handover priorities meet the preset requirements as the target cells after handover, where the neighboring base station information is obtained from the core network and includes the handover priorities of at least one neighboring base station, and the handover priority characterizes the success rate of the neighboring base station in establishing UE-satellite-UE communication for voice users.

[0239] As an alternative implementation, the processor 1200 is specifically configured to execute:

[0240] Among the preferred neighboring base stations whose handover priorities meet the preset requirements, select, in the order from high to low of the handover priorities, the cells whose identifiers are included in the measurement report and belong to the preferred neighboring base stations as the target cells.

[0241] As an alternative implementation, the processor 1200 is further configured to execute:

[0242] In the case where no target cell is selected from the cells served by the preferred neighboring base stations, select the target cell from the serving cells corresponding to the cell identifiers included in the measurement report, or after excluding the ineligible neighboring base stations from the base stations to which the cell identifiers included in the measurement report belong, determine the remaining base stations, and select the cells whose identifiers are included in the measurement report and belong to the remaining base stations as the target cells, where the ineligible neighboring base stations are the neighboring base stations whose handover priorities do not meet the preset requirements.

[0243] As an alternative implementation, the neighboring base station information is maintained by the core network for different types of terminal devices respectively;

[0244] The processor 1200 is specifically configured to execute:

[0245] Determine the target neighboring base station information maintained by the core network for the device type of the terminal, and based on the target neighboring base station information, perform the operation of selecting the target cell.

[0246] As an alternative implementation, the processor 1200 is specifically configured to execute:

[0247] In the case of determining to activate the handover priority service, based on the neighboring base station information, perform the operation of selecting the target cell, where the handover priority service is used to instruct the satellite base station to select the serving cell after handover based on the neighboring base station information when a network handover occurs for the terminal served by itself.

[0248] As an alternative implementation, the neighboring base station information is periodically obtained from the core network through the NG interface after subscribing to the neighboring base station information from the core network, or is obtained from the core network through the NG interface when establishing an NG link connection with the core network.

[0249] Based on the same inventive concept, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a computer storage medium, which includes: computer program code that, when running on a computer, causes the computer to execute any of the network switching methods discussed above. Since the principle of the above computer storage medium for solving problems is similar to that of the network switching method, the implementation of the above computer storage medium can refer to the implementation of the method, and the repeated parts will not be elaborated.

[0250] In a specific implementation process, the computer storage medium may include: various storage media that can store program code, such as a Universal Serial Bus Flash Drive (USB), a mobile hard disk, a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disc.

[0251] Based on the same inventive concept, embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a computer program product, which includes: computer program code that, when running on a computer, causes the computer to execute any of the network switching methods discussed above. Since the principle of the above computer program product for solving problems is similar to that of the network switching method, the implementation of the above computer program product can refer to the implementation of the method, and the repeated parts will not be elaborated.

[0252] The computer program product can adopt any combination of one or more readable media. The readable media can be a readable signal medium or a readable storage medium. The readable storage medium can be, for example, but not limited to, an electrical, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any combination of the above. More specific examples (non-exhaustive list) of the readable storage medium include: an electrical connection with one or more wires, a portable disk, a hard disk, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Read-Only Memory (ROM), an Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the above.

[0253] Those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments of the present application can be provided as a method, a system, or a computer program product. Therefore, the present application can adopt the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Moreover, the present application can adopt the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to disk storage and optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0254] This application is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the present application. It should be understood that each flow and / or block in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams, and the combinations of flows and / or blocks in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to the processors of general-purpose computers, special-purpose computers, embedded processors, or other programmable data processing devices to generate a machine, such that the instructions executed by the processors of the computer or other programmable data processing devices produce a device for implementing the functions specified in the Figure 1 one or more flows and / or blocks Figure 1 one or more blocks.

[0255] These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to work in a specific manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce a manufacture including the instruction device, and the instruction device implements the functions specified in the Figure 1 one or more flows and / or blocks Figure 1 one or more blocks.

[0256] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device, such that a series of operation steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to generate a computer-implemented process, and thus the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the Figure 1 one or more flows and / or blocks Figure 1 one or more blocks.

[0257] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of this application fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalent technologies, this application is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A network switching method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receiving a next-generation NG link establishment request message sent by a spaceborne base station; Sending an NG link establishment response message to the spaceborne base station, where the response message includes neighboring base station information for recording the handover priorities of at least one neighboring base station of the spaceborne base station, the handover priority characterizing the success rate of establishing user-satellite-user (UE-satellite-UE) communication for a voice user by the neighboring base station, and maintaining the neighboring base station information for different device types of terminals respectively, and when establishing a voice bearer for a first terminal served by the spaceborne base station, sending the neighboring base station information corresponding to the device type of the first terminal to the spaceborne base station so that the spaceborne base station can use it as a reference when the first terminal performs network handover.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The method further includes: Maintaining the stored neighboring base station information based on event messages reported by a session management function (SMF) network element.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The maintaining the stored neighboring base station information based on event messages reported by the SMF network element includes: Receiving a UE-satellite-UE communication establishment success event message reported by the SMF network element, where the message includes the base station identifier of a first target base station; Increasing the handover priority of the first target base station in the stored neighboring base station information.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein The UE-satellite-UE communication establishment success event message is triggered and reported by the SMF network element when the voice user served by the first target base station successfully establishes UE-satellite-UE communication, or when the number of times the voice user served by the first target base station successfully establishes UE-satellite-UE communication is greater than a first preset threshold.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein The maintaining the stored neighboring base station information based on event messages reported by the SMF network element includes: Receiving a UE-satellite-UE communication establishment failure event message reported by the SMF network element, where the message includes the base station identifier of a second target base station; Decreasing the handover priority of the second target base station in the stored neighboring base station information.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein The UE-satellite-UE communication establishment failure event message is triggered and reported by the SMF network element when the voice user served by the second target base station fails to establish UE-satellite-UE communication, or when the number of times the voice user served by the second target base station fails to establish UE-satellite-UE communication is greater than a second preset threshold.

7. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The stored neighboring base station information is initial neighboring base station information or the initial neighboring base station information after maintenance and update, and the initial neighboring base station information is obtained from a network management or a data center, or is established based on the network topology of the satellite network where the spaceborne base station is located and the network element deployment information on the satellite.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein The initial neighboring base station information at least includes the handover priorities of the following neighboring base stations: Neighboring base stations having inter-satellite links with the spaceborne base station, neighboring base stations deployed with access gateways.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein The neighboring base station information is obtained from the network management system or the data center.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receiving a neighboring base station information subscription request message sent by the base station; Periodically sending the neighboring base station information to the base station.

11. A network switching method, characterized in that, Including: Receiving a measurement report reported by a terminal using user-satellite-user (UE-satellite-UE) communication for voice services, where at least one cell identifier is carried in the measurement report; Based on the neighboring base station information, selecting, from the serving cells corresponding to the cell identifiers included in the measurement report, a cell served by a neighboring base station whose handover priority meets a preset requirement as the target cell after handover. The neighboring base station information is obtained from the core network and includes the handover priorities of at least one neighboring base station, and the handover priority represents the success rate of the neighboring base station in establishing UE-satellite-UE communication for voice users; The neighboring base station information is maintained by the core network for terminals of different device types respectively; The step of, based on the neighboring base station information, selecting, from the serving cells corresponding to the cell identifiers included in the measurement report, a cell served by a base station whose handover priority meets a preset requirement as the target cell after handover includes: Determining the target neighboring base station information maintained by the core network for the device type of the terminal, and based on the target neighboring base station information, performing an operation of selecting the target cell.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The step of selecting a cell served by a neighboring base station whose handover priority meets a preset requirement as the target cell after handover includes: Among the preferred neighboring base stations whose handover priorities meet the preset requirement, selecting, in descending order of handover priority, a cell whose identifier is included in the measurement report and belongs to the preferred neighboring base station as the target cell.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The method further includes: In the case where the target cell is not selected from the cells served by the preferred neighboring base stations, selecting the target cell from the serving cells corresponding to the cell identifiers included in the measurement report, or after excluding non-selectable neighboring base stations from the base stations to which the cell identifiers included in the measurement report belong, determining the remaining base stations, and selecting a cell whose identifier is included in the measurement report and belongs to the remaining base stations as the target cell, where the non-selectable neighboring base stations are neighboring base stations whose handover priorities do not meet the preset requirement.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein The step of, based on the neighboring base station information, selecting, from the serving cells corresponding to the cell identifiers included in the measurement report, a cell served by a base station whose handover priority meets a preset requirement as the target cell after handover includes: In the case where it is determined to activate the handover priority service, based on the neighboring base station information, performing an operation of selecting the target cell, where the handover priority service is used to instruct the on-board base station to select a serving cell after handover based on the neighboring base station information when a network handover occurs for a terminal served by itself.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11-14, characterized in that, The neighboring base station information is periodically obtained from the core network through the NG interface after subscribing to the neighboring base station information from the core network, or is obtained from the core network through the NG interface when establishing an NG link connection with the core network.

16. A network switching device, characterized in that, The device includes a processor and a memory, where the memory is used to store programs executable by the processor, and the processor is used to read the programs in the memory and execute the steps of any one of the methods recited in claims 1-15.

17. A computer storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that, When the program is executed by the processor, it implements the steps of any one of the methods recited in claims 1-15.

18. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes: computer program code, which when running on a computer, causes the computer to execute the steps of any one of the methods recited in claims 1-15.

Images