Communication method, network device, communication system and storage medium

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a communication method, a first service satellite access network device, a second service satellite access network device, a first core network device, a communication system and a storage medium. The method executed by the first service satellite access network equipment comprises the following steps: determining that a feeder line link is interrupted, and storing first data; wherein the feeder line link is a transmission link between the first service satellite access network equipment and the ground station; the first data comprises user plane data and / or control plane data transmitted between the first service satellite access network equipment and core network equipment; determining whether the feeder line link is recovered or not, and obtaining a first determination result; and transmitting the first data to the core network device or transmitting the first data to the core network device through a second service satellite access network device based on the first determination result, the second service satellite access network device being a device having a feeder line link with a ground station. In this way, the storage and forwarding method of the user plane and / or control plane data is defined.

Description

Communication method, network device, communication system and storage medium Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, a first service satellite access network device, a second service satellite access network device, a first core network device, a communication system, and a storage medium. Background Art

[0002] In the field of communications technology, a communication architecture with satellite-based RAN (Radio Access Satellite) functionality has been introduced. In a network with this functionality, satellites must support data storage and forwarding to support delay-tolerant services. However, implementing this storage and forwarding functionality remains a major concern.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] In a satellite network with onboard base station functions, it is not clear how to realize the satellite's data storage and forwarding functions.

[0005] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a first service satellite access network device, a second service satellite access network device, a first core network device, a communication system, and a storage medium.

[0006] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided. The method is performed by a first serving satellite access network device, and the method includes:

[0007] Determining that a feeder link is interrupted and storing first data; wherein the feeder link is a transmission link between a first serving satellite access network device and a ground station; the first data includes user plane data and / or control plane data transmitted between the first serving satellite access network device and a core network device;

[0008] Determine whether the feeder link is restored to obtain a first determination result; based on the first determination result, transmit the first data to the core network device or transmit the first data to the core network device through the second service satellite access network device, where the second service satellite access network device is a device with a feeder link between the ground station.

[0009] According to a second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided. The method is performed by a second serving satellite access network device, and the method includes:

[0010] receiving second information sent by the first core network device;

[0011] The second information indicates the first serving satellite access network device and is used to trigger the forwarding of the first data stored in the first serving satellite access network device to the core network device through the second satellite access network device; the first data includes user plane data and / or control plane data transmitted between the first serving satellite access network device and the core network device.

[0012] According to a third aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, where the method is performed by a first core network device, and the method includes:

[0013] The first core network device sends second information to the second service satellite access network device;

[0014] The second information indicates the first serving satellite access network device and is used to trigger the forwarding of the first data stored in the first serving satellite access network device to the core network device through the second satellite access network device; the first data includes user plane data and / or control plane data transmitted between the first serving satellite access network device and the core network device.

[0015] According to a fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, the method comprising:

[0016] The first serving satellite access network device determines that a feeder link is interrupted, and the first serving satellite access network device stores first data; wherein the feeder link is a transmission link between the first serving satellite access network device and a ground station; and the first data includes user plane data and / or control plane data transmitted between the first serving satellite access network device and a core network device.

[0017] The first serving satellite access network device determines that the feeder link is restored, and the first serving satellite access network device transmits the first data to the core network device; or

[0018] If the terminal switches from the first service satellite access network device to the second service satellite access network device, the first core network device sends second information to the second service satellite access network device, wherein the second information indicates the first service satellite access network device and the second information is used to trigger the forwarding of the first data stored in the first service satellite access network device to the core network device through the second satellite access network device.

[0019] According to a fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first serving satellite access network device is provided, the first serving satellite access network device comprising:

[0020] The processing module is configured to:

[0021] Determining that a feeder link is interrupted and storing first data; wherein the feeder link is a transmission link between a first serving satellite access network device and a ground station; the first data includes user plane data and / or control plane data transmitted between the first serving satellite access network device and a core network device;

[0022] Determine whether the feeder link is restored to obtain a first determination result; based on the first determination result, transmit the first data to the core network device or transmit the first data to the core network device through the second service satellite access network device, where the second service satellite access network device is a device with a feeder link between the ground station.

[0023] According to a sixth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a second serving satellite access network device is provided, where the second serving satellite access network device includes:

[0024] The transceiver module is configured as follows:

[0025] receiving second information sent by the first core network device;

[0026] The second information indicates the first serving satellite access network device and is used to trigger the forwarding of the first data stored in the first serving satellite access network device to the core network device through the second satellite access network device; the first data includes user plane data and / or control plane data transmitted between the first serving satellite access network device and the core network device.

[0027] According to a seventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first core network device is provided, wherein the first core network device includes:

[0028] The transceiver module is configured as follows:

[0029] Sending second information to the second serving satellite access network device;

[0030] The second information indicates the first serving satellite access network device and is used to trigger forwarding of the first data stored in the first serving satellite access network device to the core network device via the second serving satellite access network device; the first data includes user plane data and / or control plane data transmitted between the first serving satellite access network device and the core network device.

[0031] According to the eighth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, wherein the communication system includes a first service satellite access network device, a second service satellite access network device and a first core network device; the first service satellite access network device is configured to implement the method described in the first aspect, the first service satellite access network device is configured to implement the method described in the second aspect, and the first core network device is configured to implement the method described in the third aspect.

[0032] According to a ninth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first serving satellite access network device is provided, the first serving satellite access network device comprising:

[0033] one or more processors;

[0034] The first service satellite access network device is used to execute the method described in the first aspect.

[0035] According to a tenth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a second serving satellite access network device is provided, where the second serving satellite access network device includes:

[0036] one or more processors;

[0037] The second service satellite access network device is used to execute the method described in the first aspect.

[0038] According to an eleventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first core network device is provided, wherein the first core network device includes:

[0039] one or more processors;

[0040] The first core network device is used to execute the method described in the third aspect.

[0041] According to the twelfth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided, wherein the storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the method provided by the first aspect, the second aspect or the third aspect.

[0042] The technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure clarifies the storage and forwarding method of user plane and / or control plane data.

[0043] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the embodiments of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0045] FIG1a is a schematic diagram showing an architecture of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0046] FIG1b is a schematic diagram showing a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0047] FIG2a is a schematic flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0048] FIG2 b is a schematic flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0049] FIG3a is a schematic flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0050] FIG3 b is a schematic flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0051] FIG4a is a schematic flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0052] FIG4b is a schematic flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0053] FIG5a is a schematic flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0054] FIG6a is a schematic flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0055] FIG7a is a schematic flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0056] FIG7b is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0057] FIG7c is a schematic flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0058] FIG8a is a schematic structural diagram of a first serving satellite access network device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0059] FIG8b is a schematic structural diagram of a second serving satellite access network device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0060] FIG8c is a schematic structural diagram of a first core network device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0061] FIG9a is a schematic structural diagram of a UE according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0062] Fig. 9b is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a first service satellite access network device, a second service satellite access network device, a first core network device, a communication system, and a storage medium.

[0064] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, the method being performed by a first serving satellite access network device, the method comprising:

[0065] Determining that a feeder link is interrupted and storing first data; wherein the feeder link is a transmission link between a first serving satellite access network device and a ground station; the first data includes user plane data and / or control plane data transmitted between the first serving satellite access network device and a core network device;

[0066] Determine whether the feeder link is restored to obtain a first determination result; based on the first determination result, transmit the first data to the core network device or transmit the first data to the core network device through the second service satellite access network device, where the second service satellite access network device is a device with a feeder link between the ground station.

[0067] In the above embodiment, when it is determined that the feeder link is interrupted, the first data will be stored and the first data can be transmitted to the core network device based on a method that matches the recovery of the feeder link, so that it can adapt to the recovery of the feeder link and reliably transmit the first data to the core network device using a transmission method that matches the feeder link.

[0068] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments,

[0069] The transmitting the first data to the core network device based on the first determination result or transmitting the first data to the core network device through the second serving satellite access network device includes one of the following:

[0070] Determining that the feeder link is restored, and transmitting the first data to the core network device;

[0071] Determine that during the interruption of the feeder link, the service satellite access network device of the terminal switches from accessing the first service satellite access network device to accessing the second service satellite access network device, and transmits the first data to the core network device through the second service satellite access network device.

[0072] In the above embodiment, the first data may be transmitted to the core network device through two different paths.

[0073] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0074] Restoring a first connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the first core network device;

[0075] Restoring a second connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the second core network device;

[0076] The transmitting the first data to the core network device includes at least one of the following:

[0077] Sending the control plane data to the first core network device through the first connection;

[0078] The user plane data is sent to the second core network device through the second connection.

[0079] In the above embodiment, control plane data may be sent through the restored first connection and user plane data may be sent through the restored second connection.

[0080] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0081] Establishing a third connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the second serving satellite access network device;

[0082] receiving first information sent by the second serving satellite access network device, wherein the first information is used to request acquisition of the first data;

[0083] The transmitting the first data to the core network device through the second service satellite access network device includes:

[0084] The first data is sent to the second serving satellite access network device through the third connection.

[0085] In the above embodiment, the first data may be sent to the second serving satellite access network device through the established third connection, so that the second serving satellite access network device may receive the first data and send the first data to the core network device.

[0086] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first connection includes a first sub-connection; the first sub-connection is a connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the first proxy core network device; and restoring the first connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the first core network device includes:

[0087] Restore the first sub-connection.

[0088] In the above embodiment, when a first proxy core network device is provided between the first service satellite access network device and the first core network device, the first connection can be restored by restoring the first sub-connection between the first service satellite access network device and the first proxy core network device.

[0089] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the second connection includes a third sub-connection; the third sub-connection is a connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the first proxy access network device; and restoring the second connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the second core network device includes:

[0090] The third sub-connection is restored.

[0091] In the above embodiment, when a first proxy access network device is arranged between the first service satellite access network device and the second core network device, the second connection can be restored by restoring the third connection between the first service satellite access network device and the first proxy access network device.

[0092] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, which is performed by a second serving satellite access network device, and includes:

[0093] receiving second information sent by the first core network device;

[0094] The second information indicates the first serving satellite access network device and is used to trigger the forwarding of the first data stored in the first serving satellite access network device to the core network device through the second satellite access network device; the first data includes user plane data and / or control plane data transmitted between the first serving satellite access network device and the core network device.

[0095] In the above embodiment, the second information may be used to trigger the second satellite access network device to forward the first data stored in the first serving satellite access network device to the core network device.

[0096] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the second information includes an identifier of the first serving satellite access network device.

[0097] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0098] Establishing a third connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the second serving satellite access network device;

[0099] Sending first information to the first serving satellite access network device; the first information is used to request acquisition of the first data;

[0100] Receive the first data sent by the first serving satellite access network device.

[0101] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0102] sending the control plane data to the first core network device through a fourth connection between the second serving satellite access network device and the first core network device;

[0103] The user plane data is sent to the second core network device through a fifth connection between the second serving satellite access network device and the second core network device.

[0104] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the fourth connection includes a fifth sub-connection and a sixth sub-connection; the fifth sub-connection is the connection between the second service satellite access network device and the first proxy core network device, and the sixth sub-connection is the connection between the second proxy core network device and the first core network device.

[0105] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the fifth connection includes a seventh sub-connection and an eighth sub-connection; the seventh sub-connection is the connection between the second service satellite access network device and the first proxy access network device, and the eighth sub-connection is the connection between the first proxy access network device and the second core network device.

[0106] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, which is performed by a first core network device, and includes:

[0107] Sending second information to the second serving satellite access network device;

[0108] The second information indicates the first serving satellite access network device and is used to trigger the forwarding of the first data stored in the first serving satellite access network device to the core network device through the second satellite access network device; the first data includes user plane data and / or control plane data transmitted between the first serving satellite access network device and the core network device.

[0109] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, sending the second information to the second serving satellite access network device includes:

[0110] determining that the serving satellite access network device accessed by the terminal during the feeder link interruption period switches from access to the first serving satellite access network device to access to the second serving satellite access network device, and sending the second information to the second serving satellite access network device;

[0111] The feeder link is a transmission link between the first service satellite access network device and the ground station.

[0112] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the second information includes an identifier of the first serving satellite access network device.

[0113] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, the method comprising:

[0114] The first serving satellite access network device determines that a feeder link is interrupted, and the first serving satellite access network device stores first data; wherein the feeder link is a transmission link between the first serving satellite access network device and a ground station; and the first data includes user plane data and / or control plane data transmitted between the first serving satellite access network device and a core network device.

[0115] The first serving satellite access network device determines that the feeder link is restored, and the first serving satellite access network device transmits the first data to the core network device; or

[0116] If the terminal switches from the first service satellite access network device to the second service satellite access network device, the first core network device sends second information to the second service satellite access network device, wherein the second information indicates the first service satellite access network device and the second information is used to trigger the forwarding of the first data stored in the first service satellite access network device to the core network device through the second satellite access network device.

[0117] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first serving satellite access network device, the first serving satellite access network device comprising:

[0118] The processing module is configured to:

[0119] Determining that a feeder link is interrupted and storing first data; wherein the feeder link is a transmission link between a first serving satellite access network device and a ground station; the first data includes user plane data and / or control plane data transmitted between the first serving satellite access network device and a core network device;

[0120] Determine whether the feeder link is restored to obtain a first determination result; based on the first determination result, transmit the first data to the core network device or transmit the first data to the core network device through the second service satellite access network device, where the second service satellite access network device is a device with a feeder link between the ground station.

[0121] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a second serving satellite access network device, the second serving satellite access network device including:

[0122] The transceiver module is configured as follows:

[0123] receiving second information sent by the first core network device;

[0124] The second information indicates the first serving satellite access network device and is used to trigger the forwarding of the first data stored in the first serving satellite access network device to the core network device through the second satellite access network device; the first data includes user plane data and / or control plane data transmitted between the first serving satellite access network device and the core network device.

[0125] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first core network device, characterized in that the first core network device includes:

[0126] The transceiver module is configured as follows:

[0127] Sending second information to the second serving satellite access network device;

[0128] The second information indicates the first serving satellite access network device and is used to trigger the forwarding of the first data stored in the first serving satellite access network device to the core network device through the second satellite access network device; the first data includes user plane data and / or control plane data transmitted between the first serving satellite access network device and the core network device.

[0129] In the eighth aspect, the embodiment of the present disclosure provides that the communication system includes a first service satellite access network device, a second service satellite access network device and a first core network device; the first service satellite access network device is configured to implement the method described in the first aspect, the first service satellite access network device is configured to implement the method described in the second aspect, and the first core network device is configured to implement the method described in the third aspect.

[0130] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first serving satellite access network device, the first serving satellite access network device including:

[0131] one or more processors;

[0132] Among them, the first service satellite access network device is used to execute the method provided by the first aspect.

[0133] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a second serving satellite access network device, the second serving satellite access network device including:

[0134] one or more processors;

[0135] Among them, the second service satellite access network device is used to execute the method provided by the first aspect.

[0136] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first core network device, the first core network device including:

[0137] one or more processors;

[0138] Among them, the first core network device is used to execute the method provided by the third aspect.

[0139] In the twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a storage medium, wherein the storage medium stores instructions, which, when the instructions are executed on a communication device, enable the communication device to execute the method described in the optional implementation of the first aspect, the second aspect and the third aspect.

[0140] In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a program product. When the program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in the optional implementation of the first, second and third aspects.

[0141] In a fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method described in the optional implementation of the first, second and third aspects.

[0142] In a fifteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a chip or a chip system, which includes a processing circuit configured to execute the method described in the optional implementation of the first, second, and third aspects above.

[0143] It is understandable that the first serving satellite access network device, the second serving satellite access network device, the first core network device, the communication system, the storage medium, the program product, the computer program, the chip, or the chip system are all used to perform the method proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can be referred to the beneficial effects of the corresponding methods, and will not be repeated here.

[0144] The present disclosure provides a communication method, a first serving satellite access network device, a second serving satellite access network device, a first core network device, a communication system, and a storage medium. In some embodiments, the terms "communication method" and "information indication method," "information processing method," and "information transmission method" are interchangeable, and the terms "communication system" and "information processing system" are interchangeable.

[0145] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive and are merely illustrative of some embodiments, and are not intended to be a specific limitation on the scope of protection of the present disclosure. In the absence of contradiction, each step in a certain embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a certain embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily exchanged. In addition, the optional implementation methods in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; in addition, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. For example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0146] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified or provided for by logic, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form a new embodiment based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0147] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0148] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, elements expressed in the singular, such as "a", "an", "the", "above", "said", "the", "the", etc., may mean "one and only one", or "one or more", "at least one", etc. For example, when using articles such as "a", "an", "the" in English in translation, the noun following the article may be understood as a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0149] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, “plurality” refers to two or more.

[0150] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one," "one or more," "a plurality of," "multiple," etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0151] In some embodiments, descriptions such as "at least one of A and B," "A and / or B," "A in one case, B in another case," or "in response to one case A, in response to another case B" may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); and in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0152] In some embodiments, "A or B" and other descriptions may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0153] The prefixes such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only used to distinguish different description objects and do not constitute any restriction on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. For the statement of the description object, please refer to the description in the context of the claims or embodiments, and no unnecessary restriction should be constituted due to the use of prefixes. For example, if the description object is a "field", the ordinal number before the "field" in the "first field" and the "second field" does not limit the position or order between the "fields". "First" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they limit the order of the "first field" and the "second field". For another example, if the description object is a "level", the ordinal number before the "level" in the "first level" and the "second level" does not limit the priority between the "levels". For another example, the number of description objects is not limited by the ordinal number and can be one or more. Taking "first device" as an example, the number of "devices" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the description object is "device", then the "first device" and the "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different; for another example, if the description object is "information", then the "first information" and the "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their contents can be the same or different.

[0154] In some embodiments, “including A,” “comprising A,” “used to indicate A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0155] In some embodiments, terms such as "in response to...", "in response to determining...", "in the case of...", "at the time of...", "when...", "if...", "if...", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0156] In some embodiments, terms such as "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not less than", and "above" can be replaced with each other, and terms such as "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", and "below" can be replaced with each other.

[0157] In some embodiments, devices and equipment can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. In some cases, they can also be understood as "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", "subject", etc.

[0158] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in the network, such as access network equipment, core network equipment, etc.

[0159] In some embodiments, "access network device (AN device)" may also be referred to as "radio access network device (RAN device)", "base station (BS)", "radio base station", "fixed station", and in some embodiments may also be understood as "node", "access point", "transmission point (TP)", "reception point (RP)", "transmission and / or reception point (TRP)" "panel", "antenna panel", "antenna array", "cell", "macro cell", "small cell", "femto cell", "pico cell", "sector", "cell group", "serving cell", "carrier", "component carrier", "bandwidth part (BWP)", etc.

[0160] In some embodiments, "terminal" or "terminal device" may be referred to as "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal" "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, etc.

[0161] In some embodiments, obtaining data, information, etc. may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the data is obtained.

[0162] In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0163] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in the table of the embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of any elements, any rows, and any columns can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0164] FIG1a is a schematic diagram showing the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0165] As shown in FIG. 1 a , a communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 and a network device 102 .

[0166] In some embodiments, the network device 102 may include at least one of an access network device and a core network device.

[0167] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 includes, for example, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device, a car with communication function, a smart car, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, and at least one of a wireless terminal device in a smart home, but is not limited thereto.

[0168] In some embodiments, the access network device may be, for example, a node or device that accesses a terminal to a wireless network. The access network device may include an evolved NodeB (eNB), a next generation evolved NodeB (ng-eNB), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a node B (NB), a home node B (HNB), a home evolved nodeB (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an open base station (Open RAN), a cloud base station (Cloud RAN), a base station in other communication systems, and at least one of an access node in a Wi-Fi system, but is not limited thereto.

[0169] In some embodiments, the technical solution of the present disclosure can be applied to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within the access network devices involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of the Open RAN, and the processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented through software or programs.

[0170] In some embodiments, the access network device can be composed of a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), where the CU can also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can be used to split the protocol layer of the access network device, with the functions of some protocol layers centrally controlled by the CU, and the functions of the remaining part or all of the protocol layers distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU, but is not limited to this.

[0171] In some embodiments, a core network device may be a device including one or more network elements, or may be multiple devices or device groups, each including all or part of the one or more network elements. The network element may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of an Evolved Packet Core (EPC), a 5G Core Network (5GCN), and a Next Generation Core (NGC).

[0172] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiment of the present disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of the system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure is also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0173] The following embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1a, or a portion thereof, but are not limited thereto. The entities shown in FIG1a are illustrative only. The communication system may include all or a portion of the entities shown in FIG1a, or may include other entities other than those shown in FIG1a. The number and form of the entities may be arbitrary. The connection relationship between the entities is illustrative only. The entities may be connected or disconnected, and the connection may be in any manner, including direct or indirect, wired or wireless.

[0174] The embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), future radio access (FRA), new radio access technology (RAT), new radio (NR), new radio access (NX), future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth (registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) networks, Device-to-Device (D2D) systems, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), systems utilizing other communication methods, and next-generation systems based on and extending these methods. Furthermore, multiple systems may be combined (for example, a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0175] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 1b, if the satellite is operating in regenerative mode, the satellite operates with a gNB, with the satellite payload performing all or part of the gNB functionality. The satellite radio interface carries data between the terrestrial 5G Core Network (5GCN) and the onboard gNB via the N1, N2, or N3 interfaces.

[0176] In some embodiments, satellite connectivity may be intermittent. For example, due to the limited number of ground stations, non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellites are not always connected to the terrestrial network via a feeder link (between the satellite and the ground station). Therefore, a store-and-forward satellite service has been proposed to support delay-tolerant communication services in satellite networks. Store-and-forward satellite operation enables the satellite to store data packets when the feeder link connection is interrupted and forward the data packets when the connection to the terrestrial network is available.

[0177] In satellite networks, store and forward satellite operations are needed to support delay-tolerant services. However, how to operate the store and forward function is an issue that needs to be considered.

[0178] FIG2a is an interactive diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2a, the present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication method for a communication system 100, the method comprising:

[0179] Step S2101: The first service satellite access network device stores first data;

[0180] In some embodiments, the feeder link is a transmission link between the first serving satellite access network device and the ground station.

[0181] In some embodiments, the ground station may be a processing device on the ground for user receiving and transmitting signals set up for satellite access network equipment.

[0182] In some embodiments, the first serving satellite access network device is an access network device accessed by a terminal.

[0183] In some embodiments, the first serving satellite access network device is an access network device serving the terminal currently accessing.

[0184] In some embodiments, the satellite access network device (eg, the first serving satellite access network device) may be a satellite with RAN on-board function, which may also be referred to as an integrated base station function.

[0185] Exemplarily, the satellite access network devices include SAT11 and SAT12. If the terminal accesses the network through SAT11, SAT11 is the first serving satellite access network device. If the terminal switches from accessing the network through SAT11 to accessing the network through SAT12 due to the movement of the satellite access network device relative to the ground, SAT12 is the second serving satellite access network device.

[0186] In some embodiments, the first data includes user plane data and / or control plane data transmitted between the first serving satellite access network device and the core network device. Exemplarily, the first data may be data sent by a terminal to a network.

[0187] In some embodiments, user plane (UP) data may be service data, and control plane (CP) data may be control signaling.

[0188] In some embodiments, the core network device may be a Mobility Management Entity (MME), a Serving Gateway (S-GW) and / or a Packet Data Network Gateway (P-GW).

[0189] In some embodiments, the core network device may be an access and mobility management function (AMF) or a user plane function (UPF).

[0190] Step S2102: The first service satellite access network device obtains a first determination result.

[0191] In some embodiments, the first serving satellite access network device determines whether the feeder link is restored to obtain a first determination result.

[0192] In some embodiments, the feeder link recovery may be that the connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the ground station is restored to enable normal communication.

[0193] In some embodiments, the first serving satellite access network device determines that the feeder link is restored, and the first determination result obtained indicates that the feeder link is restored.

[0194] In some embodiments, the first serving satellite access network device determines that the feeder link has not been restored, and the first determination result obtained indicates that the feeder link has not been restored.

[0195] Step S2103: The first serving satellite access network device transmits the first data to the core network device or transmits the first data to the core network device through the second serving satellite access network device.

[0196] In some embodiments, the second service satellite access network device is a device having a feeder link with a ground station.

[0197] In some embodiments, the second serving satellite access network device may be a satellite access network device having a routing function, and the first serving satellite access network device may be capable of performing a data forwarding function.

[0198] In some embodiments, the second serving satellite access network device may be a satellite access network device having a base station function, and the first serving satellite access network device may be capable of performing the function of a base station.

[0199] In some embodiments, the first serving satellite access network device determines that the feeder link is restored, and the first serving satellite access network device transmits the first data to the core network device.

[0200] In some embodiments, the first service satellite access network device determines that during the interruption of the feeder link, the service satellite access network device of the terminal switches from accessing the first service satellite access network device to accessing the second service satellite access network device, and the first service satellite access network device transmits the first data to the core network device through the second service satellite access network device.

[0201] In some embodiments, the first satellite access network device restores the first connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the first core network device.

[0202] In some embodiments, the first satellite access network device restores the second connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the second core network device.

[0203] In some embodiments, the first core network device may be an MME or an AMF.

[0204] In some embodiments, the second core network device may be a GW or a UPF.

[0205] In some embodiments, the first connection may be S1-MME.

[0206] In some embodiments, the second connection may be S1-U.

[0207] In some embodiments, the first satellite access network device sends the control plane data to the first core network device through the first connection.

[0208] In some embodiments, the first satellite access network device sends the user plane data to the second core network device through the second connection.

[0209] In some embodiments, the first satellite access network device establishes a third connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the second serving satellite access network device.

[0210] In some embodiments, the third connection may be an X2 connection.

[0211] In some embodiments, the first satellite access network device receives first information sent by the second serving satellite access network device; the first information is used to request acquisition of the first data.

[0212] In some embodiments, the first satellite access network device sends the first data to the second serving satellite access network device through the third connection.

[0213] In some embodiments, the first connection includes a first sub-connection and a second sub-connection.

[0214] In some embodiments, the first sub-connection is a connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the first proxy core network device.

[0215] In some embodiments, the first proxy core network device may be a proxy of the MME, for example, a proxy MME.

[0216] In some embodiments, the first sub-connection may be S1-MME'. In some embodiments, the second sub-connection is a connection between the first proxy core network device and the first core network device.

[0217] In some embodiments, the second sub-connection may be S1-MME.

[0218] In some embodiments, restoring the first connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the first core network device includes: restoring the first sub-connection.

[0219] In some embodiments, the second connection includes a third sub-connection and a fourth sub-connection. In some embodiments, the third sub-connection is a connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the first proxy access network device.

[0220] In some embodiments, the third sub-connection may be S1-U'.

[0221] In some embodiments, the fourth sub-connection is a connection between the first proxy access network device and the second core network device.

[0222] In some embodiments, the first proxy access network device may be a proxy radio access network (RAN) node (Proxy RAN node) deployed near each satellite ground gateway, which may also be referred to as a Proxy RAN node.

[0223] In some embodiments, the fourth sub-connection may be S1-U.

[0224] In some embodiments, restoring the second connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the second core network device includes: restoring the third sub-connection.

[0225] In some embodiments, the term "information" can be interchangeable with terms such as "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "field", and "data".

[0226] In some embodiments, the term "send" can be interchanged with terms such as "transmit", "report", and "transmit".

[0227] The information indication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S2101 to S2103. For example, step S2101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S2103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, step S2101 combined with step S2103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S2102 combined with step S2103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0228] FIG2b is an interactive diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2b, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method for use in a communication system 100, the method comprising:

[0229] Step S2201: The first core network device sends second information to the second service satellite access network device.

[0230] In some embodiments, the second serving satellite access network device receives the second information sent by the first core network device.

[0231] In some embodiments, the first core network device determines that the service satellite access network device accessed by the terminal during the feeder link interruption is switched from accessing the first service satellite access network device to accessing the second service satellite access network device, and the first core network device sends the second information to the second service satellite access network device.

[0232] In some embodiments, the feeder link is a transmission link between the first serving satellite access network device and a ground station.

[0233] In some embodiments, the second information indicates a first serving satellite access network device and the second information is used to trigger forwarding of the first data stored in the first serving satellite access network device to the core network device through the second satellite access network device.

[0234] In some embodiments, the first data includes user plane data and / or control plane data transmitted between the first serving satellite access network device and the core network device.

[0235] In some embodiments, the second information includes an identification of the first serving satellite access network device.

[0236] In some embodiments, the second serving satellite access network device receives the second information sent by the terminal.

[0237] In some embodiments, after receiving the second information sent by the first core network device, the terminal sends the first message to the second serving satellite access network device.

[0238] In some embodiments, a core network device (eg, a first core network device) may be referred to as a network element, a network function, or a network entity, etc., which is not limited herein.

[0239] Step S2202: The second service satellite access network device obtains the first data.

[0240] In some embodiments, a third connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the second serving satellite access network device is established.

[0241] In some embodiments, first information is sent to the first serving satellite access network device based on the third connection; the first information is used to request to obtain the first data;

[0242] In some embodiments, the first data sent by the first serving satellite access network device is received.

[0243] Step S2203: The second service satellite access network device sends the first data to the core network device.

[0244] In some embodiments, the core network device receives the first data sent by the second serving satellite access network device.

[0245] In some embodiments, the control plane data is sent to the first core network device via a fourth connection between the second serving satellite access network device and the first core network device.

[0246] In some embodiments, the user plane data is sent to the second core network device via a fifth connection between the second serving satellite access network device and the second core network device.

[0247] In some embodiments, the fourth connection may be S1-MME.

[0248] In some embodiments, the fifth connection may be S1-U.

[0249] In some embodiments, the fourth connection includes a fifth sub-connection and a sixth sub-connection.

[0250] In some embodiments, the fifth sub-connection may be S1-MME'.

[0251] In some embodiments, the sixth sub-connection may be S1-MME. In some embodiments, the fifth sub-connection is a connection between the second serving satellite access network device and the first proxy core network device.

[0252] In some embodiments, the sixth sub-connection is a connection between the first proxy core network device and the first core network device.

[0253] In some embodiments, the fifth connection includes a seventh sub-connection and an eighth sub-connection.

[0254] In some embodiments, the seventh sub-connection may be S1-U'.

[0255] In some embodiments, the eighth sub-connection may be S1-U.

[0256] In some embodiments, the seventh sub-connection is a connection between the second serving satellite access network device and the first proxy access network device.

[0257] In some embodiments, the eighth sub-connection is a connection between the second proxy access network device and the second core network device.

[0258] In some embodiments, the term "information" can be interchangeable with terms such as "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "field", and "data".

[0259] In some embodiments, the term "send" can be interchanged with terms such as "transmit", "report", and "transmit".

[0260] The information indication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S2201 to S2203. For example, step S2201 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2202 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S2203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, step S2201 combined with step S2203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S2202 combined with step S2203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0261] FIG3a is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3a, the present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication method, which is executed by a first serving satellite access network device, and the method includes:

[0262] Step S3101: Store first data.

[0263] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0264] Step S3102: Obtain a first determination result.

[0265] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0266] Step S3103: Transmit the first data to the core network device or transmit the first data to the core network device through the second service satellite access network device.

[0267] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0268] The information indication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3101 to S3103. For example, step S3101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S3103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, step S3101 combined with step S3103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S3102 combined with step S3103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0269] FIG3b is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3b, the present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication method, which is executed by a first serving satellite access network device, and the method includes:

[0270] Step S3201: Determine that the feeder link is interrupted and store the first data; wherein, the feeder link is a transmission link between the first service satellite access network device and the ground station; the first data includes user plane data and / or control plane data transmitted between the first service satellite access network device and the core network device.

[0271] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0272] Step S3202: Determine whether the feeder link is restored, and obtain a first determination result.

[0273] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3202 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0274] Step S3203: Based on the first determination result, transmit the first data to the core network device or transmit the first data to the core network device through the second service satellite access network device; the second service satellite access network device is a device with a feeder link between it and the ground station.

[0275] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3203 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0276] In some embodiments, the transmitting the first data to the core network device based on the first determination result or transmitting the first data to the core network device through the second serving satellite access network device includes one of the following:

[0277] Determining that the feeder link is restored, and transmitting the first data to the core network device;

[0278] Determine that during the interruption of the feeder link, the service satellite access network device of the terminal switches from accessing the first service satellite access network device to accessing the second service satellite access network device, and transmits the first data to the core network device through the second service satellite access network device.

[0279] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0280] Restoring a first connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the first core network device;

[0281] Restoring a second connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the second core network device;

[0282] The transmitting the first data to the core network device includes at least one of the following:

[0283] Sending the control plane data to the first core network device through the first connection;

[0284] The user plane data is sent to the second core network device through the second connection.

[0285] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0286] Establishing a third connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the second serving satellite access network device;

[0287] receiving first information sent by the second serving satellite access network device, wherein the first information is used to request acquisition of the first data;

[0288] The transmitting the first data to the core network device through the second service satellite access network device includes:

[0289] The first data is sent to the second serving satellite access network device through the third connection.

[0290] In some embodiments, the first connection includes a first sub-connection; the first sub-connection is a connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the first proxy core network device; and restoring the first connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the first core network device includes:

[0291] Restore the first sub-connection.

[0292] In some embodiments, the second connection includes a third sub-connection; the third sub-connection is a connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the first proxy access network device; and restoring the second connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the second core network device includes:

[0293] The third sub-connection is restored.

[0294] FIG4a is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4a, the present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication method, which is executed by a second serving satellite access network device, and the method includes:

[0295] Step S4101: Obtain the second information.

[0296] In some embodiments, second information sent by the first core network device is received.

[0297] In some embodiments, the second service satellite access network device receives the second information sent by the first core network device, but is not limited thereto and may also receive the second information sent by other entities.

[0298] In some embodiments, the second serving satellite access network device obtains second information specified by the protocol.

[0299] In some embodiments, the second serving satellite access network device obtains the second information from an upper layer(s).

[0300] In some embodiments, the second serving satellite access network device performs processing to obtain the second information.

[0301] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S4101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2201 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0302] Step S4102: Acquire data.

[0303] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S4102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2202 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0304] Step S4103: Send first data to the core network device.

[0305] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S4103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2203 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0306] The information indication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S4101 to S4103. For example, step S4101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S4102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S4103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, step S4101 combined with step S4103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S4102 combined with step S4103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0307] FIG4 b is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4 b , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is executed by a second serving satellite access network device, and the method includes:

[0308] Step S4201: Receive second information sent by the first core network device.

[0309] In some embodiments, the second information indicates the first serving satellite access network device and the second information is used to trigger the forwarding of the first data stored in the first serving satellite access network device to the core network device through the second satellite access network device; the first data includes user plane data and / or control plane data transmitted between the first serving satellite access network device and the core network device.

[0310] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S4201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2201 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0311] In some embodiments, the second information includes an identification of the first serving satellite access network device.

[0312] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0313] Establishing a third connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the second serving satellite access network device;

[0314] Sending first information to the first serving satellite access network device; the first information is used to request acquisition of the first data;

[0315] Receive the first data sent by the first serving satellite access network device.

[0316] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0317] sending the control plane data to the first core network device through a fourth connection between the second serving satellite access network device and the first core network device;

[0318] The user plane data is sent to the second core network device through a fifth connection between the second serving satellite access network device and the second core network device.

[0319] In some embodiments, the fourth connection includes a fifth sub-connection and a sixth sub-connection; the fifth sub-connection is the connection between the second service satellite access network device and the first proxy core network device, and the sixth sub-connection is the connection between the second proxy core network device and the first core network device.

[0320] In some embodiments, the fifth connection includes a seventh sub-connection and an eighth sub-connection; the seventh sub-connection is the connection between the second service satellite access network device and the first proxy access network device, and the eighth sub-connection is the connection between the first proxy access network device and the second core network device.

[0321] Figure 5a is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 4a, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is executed by a first core network device, and the method includes:

[0322] Step S5101: Send second information to the second service satellite access network device.

[0323] In some embodiments, the second information indicates the first serving satellite access network device and the second information is used to trigger the forwarding of the first data stored in the first serving satellite access network device to the core network device through the second satellite access network device; the first data includes user plane data and / or control plane data transmitted between the first serving satellite access network device and the core network device.

[0324] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S5101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2201 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0325] In some embodiments, sending the second information to the second serving satellite access network device includes:

[0326] determining that the serving satellite access network device accessed by the terminal during the feeder link interruption period switches from access to the first serving satellite access network device to access to the second serving satellite access network device, and sending the second information to the second serving satellite access network device;

[0327] The feeder link is a transmission link between the first service satellite access network device and the ground station.

[0328] In some embodiments, the second information includes an identification of the first serving satellite access network device.

[0329] Figure 6a is an interactive diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 6a, the present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication method, which is used in a communication system 100. The method includes one of the following steps:

[0330] Step S6001: A first serving satellite access network device determines that a feeder link is interrupted, and the first serving satellite access network device stores first data; wherein the feeder link is a transmission link between the first serving satellite access network device and a ground station; and the first data includes user plane data and / or control plane data transmitted between the first serving satellite access network device and a core network device.

[0331] The first serving satellite access network device determines that the feeder link is restored, and the first serving satellite access network device transmits the first data to the core network device; or

[0332] If the terminal switches from the first service satellite access network device to the second service satellite access network device, the first core network device sends second information to the second service satellite access network device, wherein the second information indicates the first service satellite access network device and the second information is used to trigger the forwarding of the first data stored in the first service satellite access network device to the core network device through the second satellite access network device.

[0333] Optional implementations of step S6001 may refer to steps S2201 to S2103 in FIG. 2a and 2b , as well as optional implementations of S2201 to S2203 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in FIG. 2a , which will not be described in detail here.

[0334] In some embodiments, the above method may include the methods of the above-mentioned communication system side, the first service satellite access network equipment side, the second service satellite access network equipment side, the first core network equipment side, etc., which will not be repeated here.

[0335] In order to better understand the embodiments of the present disclosure, some exemplary embodiments are further described below:

[0336] The embodiments of the present disclosure can solve the problem of how to forward data stored in a radio access network (RAN).

[0337] In some embodiments, the serving satellite eNB (corresponding to the serving satellite access network device) is configured to perform at least one of the following:

[0338] If the feeder link is restored, data or signaling is forwarded to the MME or S-GW;

[0339] If the serving satellite eNB changes during a feeder link outage, the following actions should be performed:

[0340] Receive a data forwarding indication and a satellite eNB identity document (ID). The satellite eNB ID is the ID of the satellite eNB serving the UE before the satellite is changed.

[0341] Initiate an X2 connection with the satellite eNB based on the id and indication;

[0342] Receives data forwarding from the satellite eNB and forwards it to the MME or S-GW via the proxy satellite eNB.

[0343] In some embodiments, the MME is configured to perform at least one of the following:

[0344] When the MME acts as a proxy MME, it stores and updates the mapping relationship between the serving satellite eNB ID and the proxy satellite eNB ID.

[0345] In some embodiments, a data forwarding directive and a satellite eNB id are sent to the serving satellite eNB.

[0346] It should be noted that this solution is also applicable to the 5GS system. Therefore, the MME can be replaced by the AMF, the MME proxy can be replaced by the AMF proxy, and the S-GW can be replaced by the UPF, but is not limited to this.

[0347] Example 1:

[0348] A communication system is provided. SAT-11-eNB first acts as a serving eNB (a first serving satellite access network device). When a UE accesses the network, the serving eNB (SAT-11-eNB) establishes an S1-MME connection with the MME and an S1-U connection with the S-GW. As time passes, the SAT-11-eNB moves out of the coverage area of ​​the UE. At the same time, the SAT-12-eNB (a second serving satellite access network device, which is a switched device) enters the coverage area and acts as the serving eNB of the UE. Please refer to FIG7a, which is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG7a, an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, and the method includes:

[0349] Step S6101: Execute the attachment procedure or IP-CAN session establishment. The UE accesses the EPC through the SAT-11-eNB, S1-MME connection, S1-U connection and S1 connection, and is established through the UE connection process and IP-CAN session establishment process. It is assumed that the satellite access (RAN node), UE and EPC support store and forward operations.

[0350] Step S6102: Data or signaling is stored. Due to satellite mobility within the constellation and the limited number of deployed ground stations, the feeder link between the SAT-11-eNB and the ground station is interrupted. Consequently, the UE's S1-MME and S1-U connections are disconnected. The serving eNB detects the feeder link interruption and initiates store and forward (S&F) operations. The SAT-11-eNB stores data (including user and control plane data).

[0351] Next, the store-and-forward of SAT-11-eNB can be triggered in the following two cases:

[0352] Case 1:

[0353] 1. The SAT-11-eNB detects that the feeder link is restored and it still provides coverage to the UE.

[0354] 2. SAT-11-eNB restores the S1-MME connection through MME and restores the S1-U connection through S-GW.

[0355] 3. The SAT-11-eNB forwards the stored signaling to the MME and forwards the stored user plane data to the S-GW via the feeder link.

[0356] Case 2:

[0357] Step S6103: When the feeder link is restored, the terminal accesses the UE via the satellite or base station. During the feeder link interruption between the SAT-11-eNB and the ground station, the SAT-11-eNB moves out of coverage to the UE. Simultaneously, the SAT-12-eNB moves into coverage and acts as the serving eNB. The UE renews its access to the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) via the SAT-12-eNB through an X2 handover or tracking area update procedure.

[0358] Step S6104: S1-MME or S1-U connection recovery. Based on step S6103, the MME determines that the serving eNB for the UE has changed from SAT-11-eNB to SAT-12-eNB. The MME notifies the serving eNB (SAT-12-eNB) that data forwarding should be performed. The data forwarding indication and the previous serving eNB ID (SAT-11-eNB ID) should be sent to the current serving eNB (SAT-12-eNB). This can be achieved through the following two possible methods:

[0359] Option a: The MME sends a message (corresponding to the first message) directly to the serving eNB (SAT-12-eNB), which includes the data forwarding indication and the SAT-11-eNB ID;

[0360] Option b: The MME sends a data forwarding indication and SAT-11-eNB ID to the UE via a DL NAS message. After receiving the information, the UE sends a message (SAT-12-eNB) containing the information to the serving eNB.

[0361] Step S6105: Forwarding the stored data. Based on the indication and the SAT-11-eNB ID, the SAT-12-eNB initiates an X2 connection establishment with the SAT-11-eNB and notifies the SAT-11-eNB that the UE's data forwarding should begin.

[0362] Step S6106: Forwarding data. The stored UE data is forwarded by the SAT-11-eNB to the SAT-12-eNB, and further forwarded to the S-GW. The stored signaling for the UE is forwarded by the SAT-11-eNB to the SAT-12-eNB, and further forwarded to the MME.

[0363] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, some or all of the steps and their optional implementations may be arbitrarily combined with some or all of the steps in other embodiments, or may be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementations of other embodiments.

[0364] Example 2:

[0365] Referring to Figure 7b , in some embodiments, to reduce the frequency changes in the S1-MME and S1-U connections caused by changes in the serving satellite eNB, a proxy MME is introduced to mitigate the EPC's awareness of frequency changes. The proxy MME is located near each satellite ground station. The MME manages the mapping between the serving satellite eNB and the proxy serving satellite eNB. The MME establishes an S1-MME connection with the UE's proxy serving satellite eNB. The proxy serving satellite eNB (proxy MME) establishes an S1-MME connection with the serving satellite eNB. Therefore, if the serving satellite eNB changes from SAT-11-eNB to SAT-12-eNB, only the S1-MME connection needs to be changed. That is, the connection change terminates at the MME proxy, which avoids the EPC's awareness of frequency changes. In this solution, the MME should manage the mapping between the serving satellite eNB and the proxy serving satellite eNB (corresponding to the first proxy access network device).

[0366] In some embodiments, the SAT-11-eNB initially acts as a serving eNB. When a UE accesses the network, the serving eNB (SAT-11-eNB) establishes an S1-MME' connection with the MME proxy and an S1-U' connection with the proxy serving satellite eNB (MME proxy). Over time, the SAT-11-eNB moves out of the UE's coverage area. Simultaneously, the SAT-12-eNB enters the coverage area and serves as the UE's serving eNB. Please refer to Figure 7c, which is an interactive diagram illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 7c, an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which includes:

[0367] Step S6201: Execute the attach procedure or IP-CAN session establishment. The UE accesses the EPC via the SAT-11-eNB. The S1-MME' connection, S1-MME connection, S1-U' connection, S1-U connection, and S1 connection are established through the UE attach procedure and IP-CAN session establishment procedure. It is assumed that the satellite access (RAN node), UE, and EPC can support store and forward operations.

[0368] The MME agent assigns a proxy satellite nNB to the UE and manages the mapping between the service satellite eNB ID (SAT-11-eNB ID) and the proxy satellite eNB ID.

[0369] Step S6202: Data or signaling is stored. Due to satellite mobility within the constellation and the limited number of deployed ground stations, the feeder link between the SAT-11-eNB and the ground station is interrupted. Consequently, the UE's S1-MME' and S1-U' connections are disconnected. The serving eNB detects the feeder link interruption and initiates S&F operations. The SAT-11-eNB stores data (including user plane data and control plane signaling).

[0370] Next, the store-and-forward of SAT-11-eNB can be triggered in the following two cases:

[0371] Case 1:

[0372] The SAT-11-eNB detects that the feeder link is restored and it still provides coverage to the UE.

[0373] SAT-11-eNB restores the connection between S1-MME' and MME and the connection between S1-U' and S-GW.

[0374] The SAT-11-eNB forwards the stored signaling to the MME via the proxy satellite eNB, and forwards the stored user plane traffic to the S-GW via the proxy satellite eNB.

[0375] Case 2:

[0376] Step S6203: When the feeder link is restored, the terminal accesses the UE via the satellite or base station. During the feeder link interruption between the SAT-11-eNB and the ground station, the SAT-11-eNB moves out of coverage of the UE. Conversely, the SAT-12-eNB moves into coverage and acts as the serving eNB. The UE updates its EPC connection with the SAT-12-eNB. During this process, the MME proxy updates the mapping between the SAT-12-eNB ID and the proxy satellite eNB ID.

[0377] Step S6204: S1-MME or S1-U connection recovery. Based on step S6203, the MME proxy determines that the serving eNB for the UE has changed from SAT-11-eNB to SAT-12-eNB. The MME proxy notifies the serving eNB (SAT-12-eNB) that data forwarding should be forced. The data forwarding indication and the previous serving eNB ID (SAT-11-eNB ID) should be sent to the current serving eNB (SAT-12-eNB). This can be achieved through the following two possible methods:

[0378] Option a: The MME proxy sends a message directly to the serving eNB (SAT-12-eNB), which contains the data forwarding indication and the SAT-11-eNB ID;

[0379] Option b: The MME agent sends the data forwarding indication and SAT-11-eNB ID to the UE via a DL NAS message. After receiving the information, the UE sends a message containing this information to the serving eNB (SAT-12-eNB)

[0380] Step S6205: Forwarding the stored data. Based on the indication and the SAT-11-eNB ID, the SAT-12-eNB initiates an X2 connection establishment with the SAT-11-eNB and notifies the SAT-11-eNB that the UE's data forwarding should begin.

[0381] Step S6206: Forwarding data. The stored UE data is forwarded by SAT-11-eNB to SAT-12-eNB, and further forwarded to the proxy satellite eNB and S-GW. The stored UE signaling is forwarded by SAT-11-eNB to SAT-12-eNB, and further forwarded to the proxy satellite eNB and MME.

[0382] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, some or all of the steps and their optional implementations may be arbitrarily combined with some or all of the steps in other embodiments, or may be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementations of other embodiments.

[0383] A communication method is provided, which is performed by a first core network device, the method comprising:

[0384] receiving first data sent by a first serving satellite access network device; or,

[0385] The first data is received from the first serving satellite access network device through the second serving satellite access network device.

[0386] In some embodiments, the method further includes sending second information to a second serving satellite access network device.

[0387] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a terminal in any of the above methods. For another example, another apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network function node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0388] It should be understood that the division of the various units or modules in the above device is merely a division of logical functions. In actual implementation, they may be fully or partially integrated into a physical entity, or they may be physically separated. In addition, the units or modules in the device may be implemented in the form of a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor, the processor is connected to a memory, and the memory stores instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or implement the functions of the various units or modules of the above device, wherein the processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory within the device or a memory outside the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits, and the functions of some or all of the units or modules can be realized by designing the hardware circuits. The above-mentioned hardware circuits can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), which realizes the functions of some or all of the above units or modules by designing the logical relationship of the components in the circuit; for example, in another implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit can be realized by a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by configuring the configuration file, thereby realizing the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. All units or modules of the above devices can be realized in the form of software called by the processor, or in the form of hardware circuits, or in part by the form of software called by the processor, and the rest by hardware circuits.

[0389] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and execution capabilities, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationship of the hardware circuit. The logical relationship of the above-mentioned hardware circuit is fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and implementing the hardware circuit configuration can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. In addition, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), etc.

[0390] Figure 8a is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first serving satellite access network device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 8a, the serving satellite access network device 7100 may include at least one of a transceiver module 7101 and a processing module 7102. In some embodiments, the transceiver module is used to transmit and receive information. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to perform at least one of the communication steps, such as sending and / or receiving, performed by the first serving satellite access network device in any of the above methods, which are not further described here. Optionally, the processing module is used to perform at least one of the other steps performed by the first serving satellite access network device in any of the above methods, which are not further described here.

[0391] In some embodiments, the processing module 7102 is configured to:

[0392] Determining that a feeder link is interrupted and storing first data; wherein the feeder link is a transmission link between a first serving satellite access network device and a ground station; the first data includes user plane data and / or control plane data transmitted between the first serving satellite access network device and a core network device;

[0393] Determine whether the feeder link is restored to obtain a first determination result; based on the first determination result, transmit the first data to the core network device or transmit the first data to the core network device through the second service satellite access network device, where the second service satellite access network device is a device with a feeder link between the ground station.

[0394] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 7101 is configured as one of the following:

[0395] Determining that the feeder link is restored, and transmitting the first data to the core network device;

[0396] Determine that during the interruption of the feeder link, the service satellite access network device of the terminal switches from accessing the first service satellite access network device to accessing the second service satellite access network device, and transmits the first data to the core network device through the second service satellite access network device.

[0397] In some embodiments, the processing module 7102 is configured to:

[0398] Restoring a first connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the first core network device;

[0399] Restoring a second connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the second core network device;

[0400] The transceiver module 7101 is configured as at least one of the following:

[0401] Sending the control plane data to the first core network device through the first connection;

[0402] The user plane data is sent to the second core network device through the second connection.

[0403] In some embodiments, the processing module 7102 is configured to:

[0404] Establishing a third connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the second serving satellite access network device;

[0405] receiving first information sent by the second serving satellite access network device, wherein the first information is used to request acquisition of the first data;

[0406] The transmitting the first data to the core network device through the second service satellite access network device includes:

[0407] The first data is sent to the second serving satellite access network device through the third connection.

[0408] In some embodiments, the processing module 7102 is configured as follows: the first connection includes a first sub-connection; the first sub-connection is a connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the first proxy core network device; and restoring the first connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the first core network device includes:

[0409] Restore the first sub-connection.

[0410] In some embodiments, the processing module 7102 is configured as follows: the second connection includes a third sub-connection; the third sub-connection is a connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the first proxy access network device; and restoring the second connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the second core network device includes:

[0411] The third sub-connection is restored.

[0412] Figure 8b is a schematic structural diagram of a second serving satellite access network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 8b, the serving satellite access network device 7200 may include at least one of a transceiver module 7201 and a processing module 7202. In some embodiments, the transceiver module is used to transmit and receive information. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to perform at least one of the communication steps, such as sending and / or receiving, performed by the second serving satellite access network device in any of the above methods, which are not further described here. Optionally, the processing module is used to perform at least one of the other steps performed by the second serving satellite access network device in any of the above methods, which are not further described here.

[0413] In some embodiments, the receiving module 7201 is configured to:

[0414] receiving second information sent by the first core network device;

[0415] The second information indicates the first serving satellite access network device and is used to trigger the forwarding of the first data stored in the first serving satellite access network device to the core network device through the second satellite access network device; the first data includes user plane data and / or control plane data transmitted between the first serving satellite access network device and the core network device.

[0416] In some embodiments, the receiving module 7201 is configured such that: the second information includes an identifier of the first serving satellite access network device.

[0417] In some embodiments, the processing module 7202 is configured to:

[0418] Establishing a third connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the second serving satellite access network device;

[0419] Sending first information to the first serving satellite access network device; the first information is used to request acquisition of the first data;

[0420] Receive the first data sent by the first serving satellite access network device.

[0421] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 7201 is configured to:

[0422] sending the control plane data to the first core network device through a fourth connection between the second serving satellite access network device and the first core network device;

[0423] The user plane data is sent to the second core network device through a fifth connection between the second serving satellite access network device and the second core network device.

[0424] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 7201 is configured as follows: the fourth connection includes a fifth sub-connection and a sixth sub-connection; the fifth sub-connection is the connection between the second service satellite access network device and the first proxy core network device, and the sixth sub-connection is the connection between the second proxy core network device and the first core network device.

[0425] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 7201 is configured as follows: the fifth connection includes a seventh sub-connection and an eighth sub-connection; the seventh sub-connection is the connection between the second service satellite access network device and the first proxy access network device, and the eighth sub-connection is the connection between the first proxy access network device and the second core network device.

[0426] Figure 8c is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first core network device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 8c, the first core network device 7300 may include: at least one of a transceiver module 7301, a processing module 7302, etc. In some embodiments, the above-mentioned transceiver module is used to send and receive information. Optionally, the above-mentioned transceiver module is used to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the first core network device in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here. In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a sending module and / or a receiving module, and the sending module and the receiving module may be separate or integrated together. Optionally, the transceiver module can be interchangeable with the transceiver.

[0427] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 7301 is configured to:

[0428] Sending second information to the second serving satellite access network device;

[0429] The second information indicates the first serving satellite access network device and is used to trigger the forwarding of the first data stored in the first serving satellite access network device to the core network device through the second satellite access network device; the first data includes user plane data and / or control plane data transmitted between the first serving satellite access network device and the core network device.

[0430] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 7301 is configured to:

[0431] determining that the serving satellite access network device accessed by the terminal during the feeder link interruption period switches from access to the first serving satellite access network device to access to the second serving satellite access network device, and sending the second information to the second serving satellite access network device;

[0432] The feeder link is a transmission link between the first service satellite access network device and the ground station.

[0433] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 7301 is configured such that: the second information includes an identifier of the first serving satellite access network device.

[0434] In some embodiments, the processing module can be a single module or can include multiple submodules. Optionally, the multiple submodules respectively execute all or part of the steps required to be executed by the processing module. Optionally, the processing module can be interchangeable with the processor.

[0435] Figure 9a is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 8100 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Communication device 8100 can be a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., a user equipment, etc.), a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a network device to implement any of the above methods, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a terminal to implement any of the above methods. Communication device 8100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description of the above method embodiments.

[0436] As shown in Figure 9a, the communication device 8100 includes one or more processors 8101. The processor 8101 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device (such as a base station, baseband chip, terminal device, terminal device chip, DU or CU, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. The communication device 8100 is used to perform any of the above methods.

[0437] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more memories 8102 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 8102 may be located outside the communication device 8100.

[0438] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more transceivers 8103. When the communication device 8100 includes one or more transceivers 8103, the transceiver 8103 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (for example, step S2101 and step S3101, but not limited thereto), and the processor 8101 performs at least one of the other steps (for example, step S2102 and step S3102, but not limited thereto).

[0439] In some embodiments, a transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter. The receiver and transmitter may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, and transceiver circuit may be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, and transmitting circuit may be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, and receiving circuit may be used interchangeably.

[0440] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 may include one or more interface circuits 8104. Optionally, the interface circuit 8104 is connected to the memory 8102. The interface circuit 8104 may be configured to receive signals from the memory 8102 or other devices, and may be configured to send signals to the memory 8102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 8104 may read instructions stored in the memory 8102 and send the instructions to the processor 8101.

[0441] The communication device 8100 described in the above embodiment may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 8100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 8100 may not be limited by FIG. 9a. The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: 1) an independent integrated circuit IC, or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the above IC collection may also include a storage component for storing data or programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, an intelligent terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handheld device, a mobile unit, an in-vehicle device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0442] FIG9 b is a schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 8200 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. If the communication device 8100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 8200 shown in FIG9 b , but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0443] The chip 8200 includes one or more processors 8201 , and the chip 8200 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0444] In some embodiments, the chip 8200 further includes one or more interface circuits 8202. Optionally, the interface circuit 8202 is connected to the memory 8203. The interface circuit 8202 can be used to receive signals from the memory 8203 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory 8203 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 8202 can read instructions stored in the memory 8203 and send the instructions to the processor 8201.

[0445] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 8202 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (for example, step S2101, step S3101, but not limited to this), and the processor 8201 performs at least one of the other steps (for example, step S2102, step S3102, but not limited to this).

[0446] In some embodiments, terms such as interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, and transceiver may be used interchangeably.

[0447] In some embodiments, the chip 8200 further includes one or more memories 8203 for storing instructions. Alternatively, all or part of the memories 8203 may be outside the chip 8200.

[0448] The present disclosure also proposes a storage medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed on the communication device 8100, causes the communication device 8100 to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but is not limited thereto, and may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited thereto, and may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0449] The present disclosure also provides a program product, which, when executed by the communication device 8100, enables the communication device 8100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0450] The present disclosure also proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform any one of the above methods.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is performed by a first service satellite access network device, and the method includes: Determine that a feeder link is interrupted, and store first data; wherein the feeder link is a transmission link between a first service satellite access network device and a ground station; the first data includes user plane data and / or control plane data transmitted between the first service satellite access network device and a core network device; Determine whether the feeder link is restored to obtain a first determination result; based on the first determination result, transmit the first data to the core network device or transmit the first data to the core network device through the second service satellite access network device, where the second service satellite access network device is a device with a feeder link between the ground station.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The transmitting the first data to the core network device based on the first determination result or transmitting the first data to the core network device through the second serving satellite access network device comprises one of the following: Determine that the feeder link is restored, and transmit the first data to the core network device; Determine that during the interruption of the feeder link, the service satellite access network device of the terminal switches from accessing the first service satellite access network device to accessing the second service satellite access network device, and transmits the first data to the core network device through the second service satellite access network device.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The method further comprises: Restoring a first connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the first core network device; Restoring a second connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the second core network device; The transmitting the first data to the core network device includes at least one of the following: Sending the control plane data to the first core network device through the first connection; The user plane data is sent to the second core network device through the second connection.

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Establishing a third connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the second serving satellite access network device; receiving first information sent by the second service satellite access network device; the first information is used to request to obtain the first data; The transmitting the first data to the core network device through the second service satellite access network device includes: The first data is sent to the second service satellite access network device through the third connection.

5. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first connection includes a first sub-connection; the first sub-connection is a connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the first proxy core network device; The restoring the first connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the first core network device includes: The first sub-connection is restored.

6. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The second connection includes a third sub-connection; the third sub-connection is a connection between the first service satellite access network device and the first proxy access network device; The restoring the second connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the second core network device includes: The third sub-connection is restored.

7. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is performed by a second service satellite access network device, and the method includes: Receiving second information sent by the first core network device; The second information indicates the first service satellite access network device and is used to trigger the forwarding of the first data stored in the first service satellite access network device to the core network device through the second satellite access network device; the first data includes user plane data and / or control plane data transmitted between the first service satellite access network device and the core network device.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The second information includes an identifier of the first serving satellite access network device.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Establishing a third connection between the first serving satellite access network device and the second serving satellite access network device; Sending first information to the first service satellite access network device; the first information is used to request to obtain the first data; Receive the first data sent by the first service satellite access network device.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending the control plane data to the first core network device through a fourth connection between the second serving satellite access network device and the first core network device; The user plane data is sent to the second core network device through a fifth connection between the second service satellite access network device and the second core network device.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The fourth connection includes a fifth sub-connection and a sixth sub-connection; the fifth sub-connection is a connection between the second serving satellite access network device and the first proxy core network device, and the sixth sub-connection is a connection between the second proxy core network device and the first core network device.

12. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The fifth connection includes a seventh sub-connection and an eighth sub-connection; the seventh sub-connection is a connection between the second service satellite access network device and the first proxy access network device, and the eighth sub-connection is a connection between the first proxy access network device and the second core network device.

13. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is performed by a first core network device, and the method includes: Sending second information to a second service satellite access network device; The second information indicates the first service satellite access network device and is used to trigger the forwarding of the first data stored in the first service satellite access network device to the core network device through the second satellite access network device; the first data includes user plane data and / or control plane data transmitted between the first service satellite access network device and the core network device.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The sending the second information to the second service satellite access network device comprises: Determine that the service satellite access network device accessed by the terminal during the interruption of the feeder link is switched from accessing the first service satellite access network device to accessing the second service satellite access network device, and send the second information to the second service satellite access network device; The feeder link is a transmission link between the first service satellite access network device and the ground station.

15. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The second information includes an identifier of the first serving satellite access network device.

16. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The first service satellite access network device determines that the feeder link is interrupted, and the first service satellite access network device stores first data; wherein the feeder link is a transmission link between the first service satellite access network device and a ground station; the first data includes user plane data and / or control plane data transmitted between the first service satellite access network device and a core network device; The first serving satellite access network device determines that the feeder link is restored, and the first serving satellite access network device transmits the first data to the core network device; or, If the terminal switches from the first service satellite access network device to the second service satellite access network device, the first core network device sends second information to the second service satellite access network device, wherein the second information indicates the first service satellite access network device and the second information is used to trigger the forwarding of the first data stored in the first service satellite access network device to the core network device through the second satellite access network device.

17. A first service satellite access network device, characterized in that: The first service satellite access network device comprises: The processing module is configured as follows: Determine that a feeder link is interrupted, and store first data; wherein the feeder link is a transmission link between a first service satellite access network device and a ground station; the first data includes user plane data and / or control plane data transmitted between the first service satellite access network device and a core network device; Determine whether the feeder link is restored to obtain a first determination result; based on the first determination result, transmit the first data to the core network device or transmit the first data to the core network device through the second service satellite access network device, where the second service satellite access network device is a device with a feeder link between the ground station.

18. A second service satellite access network device, characterized in that: The second service satellite access network device comprises: The transceiver module is configured as follows: Receiving second information sent by the first core network device; The second information indicates the first service satellite access network device and is used to trigger the forwarding of the first data stored in the first service satellite access network device to the core network device through the second satellite access network device; the first data includes user plane data and / or control plane data transmitted between the first service satellite access network device and the core network device.

19. A first core network device, characterized in that: The first core network device includes: The transceiver module is configured as follows: Sending second information to a second service satellite access network device; The second information indicates the first service satellite access network device and is used to trigger the forwarding of the first data stored in the first service satellite access network device to the core network device through the second satellite access network device; the first data includes user plane data and / or control plane data transmitted between the first service satellite access network device and the core network device.

20. A communication system, characterized in that: The communication system includes a first service satellite access network device, a second service satellite access network device and a first core network device; the first service satellite access network device is configured to implement the method described in any one of claims 1 to 6, the first service satellite access network device is configured to implement the method described in any one of claims 7 to 12, and the first core network device is configured to implement the method described in any one of claims 13 to 15.

21. A first service satellite access network device, characterized in that: The first service satellite access network device comprises: one or more processors; Wherein, the first service satellite access network device is used to execute the method described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

22. A second service satellite access network device, characterized in that: The second service satellite access network device comprises: one or more processors; Wherein, the second service satellite access network device is used to execute the method described in any one of claims 7 to 12.

23. A first core network device, characterized in that: The first core network device includes: one or more processors; The access network device is used to execute the method described in any one of claims 13 to 15.

24. A storage medium, characterized in that The storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, claims 7 to 12, and claims 13 to 15.

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