Network switching method and device, equipment and storage medium

Abstract

The invention discloses a network switching method. The method comprises the following steps: determining terminal feature information of at least one terminal device; wherein the at least one terminal device is a device whose position is not moved out of a target area covered by a satellite currently providing service, and the terminal feature information is determined according to a measurement quantity reported by the at least one terminal device; acquiring satellite set information covering the target area in the next service time period from a satellite control center; based on the terminal feature information and the satellite set information, determining a first target device to which each terminal device or each terminal device group can be switched and linked in the next service time period; wherein the first target device is a first target satellite or a first target base station. The invention further discloses a first network switching device, a second network switching device, a source base station, terminal equipment and a storage medium.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of wireless communication technologies, and in particular, to a network handover method, apparatus, device, and storage medium. Background Art

[0002] Satellite networks have advantages such as wide coverage and little impact from natural disasters, and are effective supplements to terrestrial mobile communication networks such as the 5th Generation Mobile Communication Technology (5G) network. That is, satellite networks and terrestrial networks form a complementary, tightly integrated, and three-dimensional hierarchical integrated network system to achieve the transmission and interaction of information globally. Since Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites are relatively close to the ground and have a moderate communication delay with ground terminals, and at the same time, they also have characteristics such as fast moving speed, large path loss, and limited on-board power, generally, LEO satellites are used to implement the satellite network of the integrated network system that complements the terrestrial network. During the existing satellite communication service process, due to the movement of satellites, the terminal devices served by LEO cells may only be able to maintain a connection for a few minutes. Therefore, a User Equipment (UE) needs to re-connect to the satellite to be served to ensure communication services.

[0003] During the implementation of the above-mentioned handover process for the UE to re-connect to the satellite to be served, although special handover trigger conditions of the satellite network such as location, time, and elevation angle are considered, the handover process is not optimized, resulting in problems such as signaling storms easily occurring in the handover process, possible failure to trigger handover in time, and long handover time.

[0004] Content of the Application

[0005] To solve the above technical problems, this application expects to provide a network handover method, apparatus, device, and storage medium.

[0006] The technical solution of this application is implemented as follows:

[0007] An embodiment of this application provides a network handover method, which is applied to a source base station, and the method includes:

[0008] Determine the terminal feature information of at least one terminal device; wherein, the at least one terminal device is a device whose location has not moved out of the target area covered by the currently serving satellite, and the terminal feature information is determined based on the measurement values reported by at least one of the terminal devices;

[0009] Obtain the satellite set information covering the target area during the next service time period from the satellite control center;

[0010] Based on the terminal feature information and the satellite set information, determine the first target device to which each of the terminal devices or each terminal device group can switch and link during the next service time period; wherein, the first target device is a first target satellite or a first target base station.

[0011] In the above implementation solution, the terminal feature information at least includes the following information:

[0012] The remaining switching time of each terminal device;

[0013] The radio network temporary identifier RNTI of each terminal device;

[0014] The frequency point of each terminal device;

[0015] The service bearer of each terminal device;

[0016] The service rate corresponding to the service bearer of each terminal device.

[0017] In the above implementation solution, the terminal feature information is obtained by sorting the feature information of each terminal device according to the remaining switching time, and the feature information of each terminal device has an associated relationship with the measurement quantity of the corresponding terminal device.

[0018] In the above implementation solution, the satellite set information at least includes the following information:

[0019] The satellite identification information of each satellite;

[0020] The service duration of each satellite;

[0021] The frequency point of each satellite;

[0022] The remaining available channel number of each satellite.

[0023] In the above implementation solution, the determining, based on the terminal feature information and the satellite set information, the first target device to which each of the terminal devices or each terminal device group can switch and link during the next service time period includes:

[0024] From the satellite set information, determine the satellite with the frequency point matching the frequency point of each of the terminal devices or each terminal device group in the terminal feature information, the remaining available channel number satisfying the estimated channel number of each of the terminal devices or each terminal device group, and the longest service duration as the first target satellite.

[0025] In the above implementation solution, after determining, based on the terminal feature information and the satellite set information, the first target device to which each of the terminal devices or each terminal device group can switch and link during the next service time period, the method further includes:

[0026] When the remaining handover time of each of the terminal devices or each group of terminal devices is a preset time, send a link handover request to a second target device; wherein, the second target device is the satellite control center or the first target base station corresponding to the first target satellite;

[0027] If a first reply message sent by the second target device is received, re-select a third target device for each of the terminal devices or each group of terminal devices;

[0028] If a second reply message sent by the second target device is received, send a link failure signaling to each of the terminal devices or each group of terminal devices; wherein, the link failure signaling is used to instruct each of the terminal devices or each group of terminal devices to disconnect, and is used to notify each of the terminal devices or each group of terminal devices that there is a connection time or connection interval time difference;

[0029] If a third reply message sent by the second target device is received, trigger link handover for each of the terminal devices or each group of terminal devices after a preset duration; wherein, the third reply message is used to indicate triggering link handover after the preset duration, and the first reply message, the second reply message, and the third reply message are generated by the second target device according to the load of the first target device after receiving the link handover request.

[0030] In the above implementation solution, the link handover request at least includes the following parameters:

[0031] The device identifier of each of the terminal devices, or the device identifiers included in each group of terminal devices;

[0032] The RNTI of each of the terminal devices, or the RNTIs of the devices included in each group of terminal devices;

[0033] The required bandwidth of each of the terminal devices, or the required bandwidths of the devices included in each group of terminal devices.

[0034] In the above implementation solution, when the first target device is the first target base station, the link handover request further includes the following parameters: the timing advance TA of each of the terminal devices, or the timing advance TA of the devices included in each group of terminal devices.

[0035] In the above implementation solution, when the first target device is the first target satellite, triggering link handover for each of the terminal devices or each group of terminal devices includes:

[0036] Trigger each of the terminal devices or each group of terminal devices to initiate a passive random access procedure at a preset time in a first manner.

[0037] In the above implementation solution, when the first target device is the first target base station, the third reply message further includes indication information on whether the RNTI of each of the terminal devices or each group of terminal devices is occupied. Triggering the link switching of each of the terminal devices or each group of terminal devices includes:

[0038] If the RNTI is not occupied by the first target base station, trigger each of the terminal devices or each group of terminal devices to initiate a non-competitive random access procedure using the RNTI at a preset time in a first manner;

[0039] If the RNTI is occupied by the first target base station, trigger each of the terminal devices or each group of terminal devices to initiate a competitive random access procedure at a preset time in a second manner.

[0040] In the above implementation solution, the first manner includes: a paging manner, or an RRC control signaling manner, or a physical downlink control channel PDCCH command manner.

[0041] In the above implementation solution, the second manner includes: a paging manner or an RRC control signaling manner.

[0042] In the above implementation solution, the first manner further includes the following parameters: the time for each of the terminal devices or each group of terminal devices to initiate passive random access, or the delay time of each of the terminal devices or each group of terminal devices.

[0043] An embodiment of the present application provides a network switching method, which is applied to a terminal device. The method includes:

[0044] When the current connection network of the terminal device is a satellite network, detect the position change information of the terminal device;

[0045] Based on the position change information, determine the measurement period and reporting period of the measurement quantity of the terminal device;

[0046] Measure the measurement quantity according to the measurement period;

[0047] Report the measurement quantity to the source base station according to the reporting period; wherein, the measurement quantity is used to enable the source base station to determine the characteristic information of the terminal device so as to switch the satellite connection link of the terminal device.

[0048] In the above implementation solution, the determining the measurement period and reporting period of the measurement quantity of the terminal device based on the position change information includes:

[0049] If the location change information indicates that the location of the terminal device remains unchanged, or if the moving speed of the terminal device is less than or equal to a preset speed, determine that the reporting period is a first preset period and the measurement period is a second preset period;

[0050] If the location change information indicates that the location of the terminal device changes, or the moving speed is greater than the preset speed, determine that the reporting period is a third preset period and the measurement period is a fourth preset period; wherein, the first preset period is greater than the third preset period, and the second preset period is greater than the fourth preset period.

[0051] An embodiment of the present application provides a first network switching device, and the device includes: a first determination unit, an acquisition unit, and a second determination unit; wherein:

[0052] The first determination unit is configured to determine terminal feature information of at least one terminal device; wherein, the at least one terminal device is a device whose location has not moved out of the target area covered by the currently serving satellite, and the terminal feature information is determined according to the measurement quantities reported by the terminal device;

[0053] The acquisition unit is configured to acquire satellite set information covering the target area during the next service time period from a satellite control center;

[0054] The second determination unit is configured to determine, based on the terminal feature information and the satellite set information, a first target device to which each of the terminal devices or each group of terminal devices can switch links during the next service time period; wherein, the first target device is a first target satellite or a first target base station.

[0055] An embodiment of the present application provides a second network switching device, and the device includes: a detection unit, a third determination unit, a measurement unit, and a reporting unit; wherein:

[0056] The detection unit is configured to detect location change information of the terminal device when the currently connected network of the terminal device is a satellite network;

[0057] The third determination unit is configured to determine a measurement period and a reporting period of the measurement quantities of the terminal device based on the location change information;

[0058] The measurement unit is configured to measure the measurement quantities according to the measurement period;

[0059] The reporting unit is configured to report the measurement quantities to a source base station according to the reporting period; wherein, the measurement quantities are used to enable the source base station to determine the terminal feature information of the terminal device so as to switch the satellite connection link of the terminal device.

[0060] An embodiment of the present application provides a source base station, and the source base station includes: a first communication interface, a first memory, a first processor, and a first communication bus; wherein:

[0061] The first memory is used for storing executable instructions;

[0062] The first communication bus is used for implementing communication connections among the first communication interface, the first processor, and the first memory;

[0063] The first processor is used for executing the network switching program stored in the first memory to implement the steps of the network switching method as described in any one of the above.

[0064] An embodiment of the present application provides a terminal device, and the terminal device includes: a second communication interface, a second memory, a second processor, and a second communication bus; wherein:

[0065] The second memory is used for storing executable instructions;

[0066] The second communication bus is used for implementing communication connections among the second communication interface, the second processor, and the second memory;

[0067] The second processor is used for executing the network switching program stored in the second memory to implement the steps of the network switching method as described in any one of the above.

[0068] An embodiment of the present application provides a storage medium, and a network switching program is stored on the storage medium. When the network switching program is executed by a processor, the steps of the network switching method as described in any one of the above are implemented.

[0069] The network switching method, device, equipment and storage medium provided by the embodiments of the present application. When the connection network of the current terminal device is a satellite network, the terminal device detects the position change information of the terminal device, and based on the position change information, determines the measurement period and reporting period of the measurement quantity of the terminal device. Then, it measures the measurement quantity according to the measurement period and reports the measurement quantity to the source base station according to the reporting period. After the source base station determines the terminal characteristic information of at least one terminal device, it obtains the satellite set information covering the target area in the next service time period from the satellite control center, and based on the terminal characteristic information and the satellite set signal, determines the first target device that each terminal device or each terminal device group can switch to link to in the next service time period. In this way, the source base station determines whether the position information of the terminal device will move out of the target area covered by the currently providing service satellite according to whether it receives the measurement quantity sent by the terminal device, or when it receives the measurement quantity sent by the terminal device, analyzes the received measurement quantity. And when it is determined that at least one terminal device has not moved out of the target area, it determines the terminal characteristic information of the at least one terminal device, determines the satellite set information covering the target area in the next service time period, and then determines the first target device providing network services for each terminal device or each terminal device group in the next service time period according to the terminal characteristic information and the satellite set information, solving the problems in the prior art that due to satellite movement, signaling storms are likely to occur in the terminal switching process, the handover may not be triggered in time, and the handover time is prolonged. When the source base station is about to be unable to provide services for the terminal device, it pre-determines the accessible satellite or base station for the terminal device whose position has not changed, reducing the possibility that a large number of signaling requests for handover need to be generated by the terminal device during the handover process, realizing the timely triggering of the handover process of the terminal device, reducing the handover delay, and ensuring the service quality provided for the terminal device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0070] Figure 1 It is a schematic flowchart of a network switching method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0071] Figure 2 It is a schematic flowchart of another network switching method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0072] Figure 3 It is a schematic flowchart of yet another network switching method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0073] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of an application scenario of a transparent forwarding mode provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0074] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of an application scenario of a regeneration mode provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0075] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of an earth fixed application scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0076] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of an earth moving scenario application scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0077] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the implementation process of an application embodiment of a network switching method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0078] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the implementation process of an application embodiment of another network switching method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0079] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of the implementation process of a competitive random access process provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0080] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of the implementation process of a non-competitive random access process provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] Figure 12 A schematic diagram of the structure of a first network switching device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] Figure 13 A schematic diagram of the structure of a second network switching device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0083] Figure 14 A schematic diagram of the structure of a source base station provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0084] Figure 15 A schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device provided by an embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0085] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0086] An embodiment of the present application provides a network switching method. Referring to Figure 1 as shown, the method is applied to a source base station, and the method includes the following steps:

[0087] Step 101: Determine the terminal characteristic information of at least one terminal device.

[0088] Among them, the at least one terminal device is a device whose location has not moved out of the target area covered by the currently serving satellite, and the terminal characteristic information is determined according to the measurement reported by the terminal device.

[0089] In the embodiments of the present application, the source base station is the base station that currently provides satellite network services for at least one terminal device. The terminal feature information is the information about the relevant features of the terminal device obtained by the source base station after analyzing the measurement quantities reported by the at least one terminal device currently accessing, for each terminal device.

[0090] Step 102: Obtain the satellite set information covering the target area in the next service time period from the satellite control center.

[0091] In the embodiments of the present application, in the satellite network, since each satellite providing network services is constantly rotating around the earth, the time when its provided network services cover a certain area is called the service time period. The source base station communicates with the satellite control center and sends a request to the satellite control center to obtain the satellite set information that will cover the target area in the next service time period after the currently providing service satellite moves away.

[0092] Step 103: Based on the terminal feature information and the satellite set information, determine the first target device to which each terminal device or each terminal device group can switch the link in the next service time period.

[0093] Wherein, the first target device is the first target satellite or the first target base station.

[0094] In the embodiments of the present application, the source base station analyzes the terminal feature information of the determined at least one terminal device and the satellite set information fed back by the satellite control center, and determines the first target device to which each terminal device or each terminal device group can switch access in the next service time period. In this way, the base station pre-determines the first target satellite or the first target base station to which the terminal device accesses in the next service time period, reducing the possibility of generating a large amount of signaling during the process that the terminal device detects and requests to access a new satellite or base station after the satellite moves away, ensuring that the terminal device can access the new satellite or base station in time, reducing the handover delay of the terminal device, ensuring the smoothness of the services provided for the terminal device, and improving the user experience effect.

[0095] In the network switching method provided by the embodiment of the present application, after the source base station determines the terminal characteristic information of at least one terminal device, it obtains the satellite set information covering the target area in the next service time period from the satellite control center, and determines the first target device to which each terminal device or each terminal device group can switch and link based on the terminal characteristic information and the satellite set signal. In this way, when the source base station determines that at least one terminal device has not moved out of the target area, it determines the terminal characteristic information of the at least one terminal device, determines the satellite set information covering the target area in the next service time period, and then determines the first target device providing network services for each terminal device or each terminal device group in the next service time period according to the terminal characteristic information and the satellite set information, so that the terminal device can access the first target device, solving the problems in the prior art that due to satellite movement, signaling storms are likely to occur in the terminal switching process, switching may not be triggered in time, and the switching time is prolonged. When the source base station is about to be unable to provide services for the terminal device, it pre-determines the accessible satellite or base station for the terminal device whose position has not changed, reducing the possibility that the terminal device needs to generate a large number of signaling requests for switching during the switching process, realizing the timely triggering of the switching process of the terminal device, reducing the switching delay, and ensuring the service quality provided for the terminal device.

[0096] Based on the foregoing embodiments, an embodiment of the present application provides a network switching method. Refer to Figure 2 As shown, the method is applied to a terminal device, and the method includes the following steps:

[0097] Step 201, when the connection network of the current terminal device is a satellite network, detect the position change information of the terminal device.

[0098] In the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device detects its own currently connected network. If it is determined that the current connected network is a satellite network, especially a low-earth orbit satellite network, the terminal device detects its own position information to determine its own position change information. The position change information can indicate whether the position of the terminal device has moved, or the moving speed during the moving process, etc. The terminal device can be a smart mobile terminal device, such as a smart phone, a smart car, etc., which are terminal devices that can perform mobile communication.

[0099] Step 202, based on the position change information, determine the measurement period and reporting period of the measurement quantity of the terminal device.

[0100] In the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device determines the measurement period and reporting period of the measurement quantity of the terminal device according to the detected position change information, that is, different position change information corresponds to different measurement periods and reporting periods.

[0101] Step 203, measure the measurement quantity according to the measurement period.

[0102] In an embodiment of the present application, the terminal device measures relevant measurement quantities according to the determined measurement period.

[0103] Step 204: Report the measurement quantity to the source base station according to the reporting period.

[0104] Among them, the measurement quantity is used to enable the source base station to determine the terminal characteristic information of the terminal device, so as to switch the satellite connection link of the terminal device.

[0105] In an embodiment of the present application, the terminal device reports the measurement quantity measured according to the measurement period to the source base station according to the reporting period, so that the source base station can determine the terminal characteristic information of the terminal device according to the measurement quantity sent by the terminal device, and trigger the terminal device to perform a satellite connection link switch according to the terminal characteristic information of the terminal device, improving the probability of successful satellite link switch of the terminal device, reducing the link switch delay, and ensuring the user experience effect provided by the terminal device.

[0106] For the network switching method provided by the embodiment of the present application, when the connection network of the current terminal device is a satellite network, the terminal device detects the position change information of the terminal device, and based on the position change information, determines the measurement period and reporting period of the measurement quantity of the terminal device, and then measures the measurement quantity according to the measurement period, and reports the measurement quantity to the source base station according to the reporting period. In this way, the source base station can determine whether the position information of the terminal device will move out of the target area covered by the currently serving satellite according to whether it receives the measurement quantity sent by the terminal device, or when it receives the measurement quantity sent by the terminal device, analyze the received measurement quantity, so that when it is subsequently determined that at least one terminal device has not moved out of the target area, determine the terminal characteristic information of the at least one terminal device, and determine the satellite set information covering the target area in the next service time period, and then according to the terminal characteristic information and the satellite set information, determine the first target device that provides network services for each terminal device or each terminal device group in the next service time period, solving the problems in the prior art that due to satellite movement, signaling storms are likely to occur in the terminal switching process, the switch may not be triggered in time, and the switching delay is long, etc., realizing that when the source base station is about to be unable to provide services for the terminal device, pre-determine the accessible satellite or base station for the terminal device whose position has not changed, reducing the possibility that a large number of signaling requests for switching need to be generated by the terminal device during the switching process, realizing the timely triggering of the switching process of the terminal device, and reducing the switching delay, and ensuring the service quality provided for the terminal device.

[0107] Based on the foregoing embodiments, an embodiment of the present application provides a network switching method, as shown in Figure 3 The method includes the following steps:

[0108] Step 301: When the connection network of the current terminal device is a satellite network, the terminal device detects the location change information of the terminal device.

[0109] In the embodiments of the present application, taking the terminal device as a smart mobile phone as an example, when the smart mobile phone determines that the currently connected communication network is a satellite network, the terminal device detects its own location change information. The terminal device can determine the location change information of the terminal device through a positioning system. The positioning system can be, for example, a satellite positioning system or a Global Positioning System (GPS).

[0110] Step 302: Based on the location change information, the terminal device determines the measurement period and reporting period of the measurement quantity of the terminal device.

[0111] In the embodiments of the present application, the smart mobile phone determines the measurement period for measuring the corresponding measurement quantity next and the reporting period for reporting the measurement quantity to the source base station according to the determined location change information.

[0112] Step 303: The terminal device measures the measurement quantity according to the measurement period.

[0113] In the embodiments of the present application, the smart mobile phone measures the measurement quantity periodically according to the determined measurement period.

[0114] Step 304: The terminal device reports the measurement quantity to the source base station according to the reporting period.

[0115] Among them, the measurement quantity is used to enable the source base station to determine the terminal feature information of the terminal device to switch the satellite connection link of the terminal device.

[0116] In the embodiments of the present application, the smart mobile phone reports the measured measurement quantity to the source base station periodically according to the reporting period for subsequent analysis by the source base station.

[0117] Step 305: The source base station determines the terminal feature information of at least one terminal device.

[0118] Among them, the at least one terminal device is a device whose location has not moved out of the target area covered by the currently serving satellite. The terminal feature information is determined according to the measurement quantity reported by the terminal device. The terminal feature information at least includes the following information: the remaining switching time of each terminal device; the Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI) of each terminal device; the frequency point of each terminal device; the service bearer of each terminal device; the service rate corresponding to the service bearer of each terminal device.

[0119] In the embodiment of the present application, the source base station analyzes the measurement quantities sent by each terminal device received, and determines the terminal feature information of at least one terminal device that is still within the target area covered by the currently providing service satellite. In the terminal feature information, the remaining handover time of each terminal device can be determined according to the position of each terminal device and the position of the currently providing service satellite.

[0120] Step 306: The source base station obtains the satellite set information covering the target area during the next service time period from the satellite control center.

[0121] In the embodiment of the present application, the satellite set information includes at least one satellite identification information covering the target area during the next service time period, and parameters such as the service time, frequency point, and remaining available channel number corresponding to each satellite. The satellite control center is used to manage and control the LEO.

[0122] Step 307: The source base station determines the first target device to which each terminal device or each terminal device group can switch the link during the next service time period based on the terminal feature information and the satellite set information.

[0123] Wherein, the first target device is the first target satellite or the first target base station.

[0124] In the embodiment of the present application, the source base station analyzes according to the terminal feature information and the satellite set information corresponding to each terminal device, and determines the first target device that can provide network services for each terminal device or each terminal device group during the next service time period.

[0125] Based on the foregoing embodiment, in other embodiments of the present application, step 302 can be implemented by step 302a or step 302b:

[0126] Step 302a: If the position change information indicates that the position of the terminal device remains unchanged, or if the moving speed of the terminal device is less than or equal to the preset speed, the terminal device determines that the reporting period is the first preset period and the measurement period is the second preset period.

[0127] In the embodiment of the present application, the fact that the position of the terminal device remains unchanged means that the position of the terminal device does not exceed the target area covered by the currently providing network service satellite. The preset speed is an empirical value obtained based on a large number of experiments and can be corrected and adjusted during actual application. When the position change information of the terminal device indicates that the position of the terminal device remains unchanged, or when the moving speed of the terminal device is less than or equal to the preset speed, the terminal device determines that the reporting period is the first preset period and the measurement period is the second preset period. Among them, the first preset period is longer than the default reporting period of the terminal device. Similarly, the second preset period is also longer than the default measurement period.

[0128] Step 302b: If the location change information indicates a location change of the terminal device or the moving speed is greater than a preset speed, determine that the reporting period is the third preset period and the measurement period is the fourth preset period.

[0129] Among them, the first preset period is greater than the third preset period, and the second preset period is greater than the fourth preset period.

[0130] In the embodiments of the present application, the location change of the terminal device means that the location of the terminal device exceeds the target area covered by the satellite currently providing network services. When the location of the terminal device changes or the moving speed is greater than the preset speed, determine that the reporting period is the third preset period or the fourth preset period. Among them, the third preset period can be the default reporting period of the terminal device or less than the default reporting period, and the fourth preset period can be the default measurement period of the terminal device or less than the default measurement period.

[0131] Based on the foregoing embodiments, in other embodiments of the present application, the terminal feature information is obtained by sorting the feature information of each terminal device according to the remaining handover time, and the feature information of each terminal device has an association relationship with the measurement quantity of the corresponding terminal device.

[0132] In the embodiments of the present application, after the source base station receives the measurement quantity of each terminal device, according to the measurement quantity of each terminal device, the feature information of each terminal device is determined, including the remaining handover time t of the terminal device, the Radio Network Temporary Identity (RNTI) of the terminal device, the frequency point f of the terminal device, the service bearer A of the terminal device, and the service rate S corresponding to the service bearer of the terminal device, etc. Then, according to the remaining handover time of the terminal device, the feature information of at least one terminal device is sorted to obtain the terminal feature information. Among them, the Radio Network Temporary Identity (RNTI) of the terminal device, the frequency point f of the terminal device, the service bearer A of the terminal device, and the service rate S corresponding to the service bearer of the terminal device, etc. can be some of the measurement parameters in the measurement quantity of the terminal device, and the remaining handover time of the terminal device is calculated according to the position relationship between the terminal position parameter in the measurement quantity of the terminal device and the position of the currently connected satellite.

[0133] Exemplarily, assume that the base station receives the characteristic information of 3 terminals. The characteristic information T1 corresponding to the terminal device 1 is denoted as (t1, RNTI1, f1, A1, S1), the characteristic information T2 corresponding to the terminal device 2 is denoted as (t2, RNTI2, f2, A2, S2), and the characteristic information T3 corresponding to the terminal device 3 is denoted as (t3, RNTI3, f3, A3, S3). Among them, when t2 > t3 and t3 > t1, the terminal characteristic information obtained by the corresponding base station can be denoted as {(t2, RNTI2, f2, A2, S2), (t3, RNTI3, f3, A3, S3), (t1, RNTI1, f1, A1, S1)}.

[0134] Based on the foregoing embodiments, in other embodiments of the present application, the satellite set information at least includes the following information: the satellite identification information of each satellite; the service duration of each satellite; the frequency point of each satellite; the remaining available channel number of each satellite.

[0135] In the embodiments of the present application, the satellite identification information may be identification information used to uniquely identify a satellite, such as the unique number of the satellite or the identity identification information.

[0136] Based on the foregoing embodiments, in other embodiments of the present application, step 307 may be implemented by the following steps:

[0137] From the satellite set information, determine the satellite with the frequency point matching the frequency point of each terminal device or each terminal device group in the terminal characteristic information, and the remaining available channel number satisfying the estimated channel number of each terminal device or each terminal device group, and the longest service duration as the first target satellite.

[0138] In the embodiments of the present application, the process for the source base station to determine the first target satellite may specifically be: the source base station selects, from the satellite set information, the satellite whose frequency point range includes the frequency point of each terminal device or each terminal device group in the terminal characteristic information, and whose remaining available channel number can support the preset channel number of all terminal devices or each terminal device group included in the terminal characteristic information, and can support the longest service duration as the first target satellite.

[0139] Based on the foregoing embodiments, in other embodiments of the present application, referring to Figure 3 As shown, after the source base station executes step 307, it is further configured to execute steps 308 to 311:

[0140] Step 308, when the remaining handover time of each terminal device or each terminal device group is the preset time, the source base station sends a link handover request to the second target device.

[0141] Among them, the second target device is the satellite control center or the first target base station corresponding to the first target satellite.

[0142] In an embodiment of the present application, the source base station detects the remaining handover time of each terminal device or each group of terminal devices. When the remaining handover time of each terminal device or each group of terminal devices reaches a preset time, the source base station sends a link handover request to a second target device, so that the second target device and the corresponding terminal device or group of terminal devices perform a link handover process to ensure the communication network service of the corresponding terminal device or group of terminal devices.

[0143] After the source base station executes step 308, it can choose to execute step 309, or step 310, or step 311. When there is a satellite but the satellite can be accessed, it can choose to execute step 309. When there is no satellite providing services currently, it can choose to execute step 310. Or when there is a satellite and it can be accessed, it can choose to execute step 311.

[0144] Step 309: If the source base station receives a first reply message sent by the second target device, the source base station reselects a third target device for each terminal device or each group of terminal devices.

[0145] In an embodiment of the present application, the first reply message is a reply sent by the second target device to the source base station according to the load of the first target satellite after receiving the link handover request sent by the source base station, for indicating to the source base station that the second target device cannot provide network communication services for the corresponding terminal device or group of terminal devices. After the source base station receives the first reply message sent by the second target device, the source base station starts a device selection process and reselects a third target device for the corresponding terminal device or group of terminal devices. The third target device is a satellite control center or a first target base station corresponding to the first target satellite that finally provides services.

[0146] Step 310: If the source base station receives a second reply message sent by the second target device, the source base station sends a link failure signaling to each terminal device or each group of terminal devices.

[0147] The link failure signaling is used to instruct each terminal device or each group of terminal devices to disconnect, and is used to notify each terminal device or each group of terminal devices of the connection time or the connection interval time difference.

[0148] In an embodiment of the present application, the second reply message is used to indicate that there is no available satellite currently. Usually, it is an indication from the control center to the source base station when no suitable satellite can be determined to provide services after receiving the link request. In this way, after the source base station receives the second reply message sent by the second target device, the source base station sends a link failure signaling to the corresponding terminal device or group of terminal devices, instructing each corresponding terminal device or group of terminal devices to disconnect the communication connection and there is a connection time or a connection interval time difference.

[0149] Step 311: If the source base station receives a third reply message sent by the second target device, it triggers link switching for each terminal device or each group of terminal devices after a preset duration.

[0150] The third reply message is used to indicate triggering link switching after a preset duration. The first reply message, the second reply message, and the third reply message are generated by the second target device based on the load of the first target device after receiving the link switching request.

[0151] In an embodiment of the present application, when the source base station receives a third reply message sent by the second target device indicating that access is possible, it triggers link switching for each terminal device or each group of terminal devices after a preset duration. The preset duration is determined by conditions such as the processing time of the satellite control center and the time that the service can be maintained.

[0152] Based on the foregoing embodiments, in other embodiments of the present application, the link switching request at least includes the following parameters: the device identifier of each terminal device, or the device identifiers included in each group of terminal devices; the RNTI of each terminal device, or the RNTIs of the devices included in each group of terminal devices; the required bandwidth of each terminal device, or the required bandwidths of the devices included in each group of terminal devices.

[0153] Based on the foregoing embodiments, in other embodiments of the present application, when the first target device is the first target base station, the link switching request further includes the following parameters: the timing advance (TA) of each terminal device, or the timing advance (TA) of the devices included in each group of terminal devices.

[0154] Based on the foregoing embodiments, in other embodiments of the present application, when the first target device is the first target satellite, "triggering link switching for each terminal device or each group of terminal devices" in Step 311 can be implemented by the following steps: triggering each terminal device or each group of terminal devices to initiate a passive random access procedure at a preset moment through a first method.

[0155] In an embodiment of the present application, if it is determined that the first target device is the first target satellite, the source base station uses the first method to trigger the corresponding terminal device or group of terminal devices, so that the corresponding terminal device or group of terminal devices establishes a communication connection with the first target satellite in a passive random access manner at a preset moment.

[0156] Based on the foregoing embodiments, in other embodiments of the present application, when the first target device is the first target base station, the third reply message further includes indication information on whether the RNTI of each terminal device or each terminal device group is occupied. "Triggering link switching of each terminal device or each terminal device group" in step 311 can be implemented by step 311a or step 311b:

[0157] Step 311a: If the RNTI is not occupied by the first target base station, the source base station triggers each terminal device or each terminal device group to initiate a non-competitive random access procedure using the RNTI at a preset moment in a first manner.

[0158] In an embodiment of the present application, when the first target device is the first target base station, the source base station receives a third reply message sent by the second target device. Among them, the indication information in the third reply message is detected. If the indication information indicates that the RNTI of the corresponding terminal device or the RNTI of the corresponding terminal device group is not occupied by the first target base station, the source base station may trigger the corresponding terminal device or the corresponding terminal device group to initiate a non-competitive random access procedure using its own RNTI at a preset moment, access the first target base station, and establish a communication connection with the first target base station.

[0159] Step 311b: If the RNTI is occupied by the first target base station, the source base station triggers each terminal device or each terminal device group to initiate a competitive random access procedure at a preset moment in a second manner.

[0160] In an embodiment of the present application, when the first target device is the first target base station, the source base station receives a third reply message sent by the second target device. Among them, the indication information in the third reply message is detected. If the indication information indicates that the RNTI of the corresponding terminal device or the RNTI of the corresponding terminal device group has been occupied by the first target base station, the source base station uses the second manner to trigger the corresponding terminal device or terminal device group to establish a communication connection with the first target base station in a competitive random access manner at a preset moment.

[0161] Based on the foregoing embodiments, in other embodiments of the present application, the first manner includes: a paging manner, or an RRC control signaling manner, or a physical downlink control channel PDCCH command manner.

[0162] Based on the foregoing embodiments, in other embodiments of the present application, the second manner includes: a paging manner or an RRC control signaling manner.

[0163] Based on the foregoing embodiments, in other embodiments of the present application, the first manner further includes the following parameters: the time when the device in each terminal device or each terminal device group initiates passive random access, or the delay time of the device in each terminal device or each terminal device group.

[0164] In the embodiment of the present application, the first method further includes the following parameters: the time when each terminal device or the devices in each terminal device group initiate passive random access, or the delay time of each terminal device or the devices in each terminal device group is used to determine a preset moment.

[0165] Based on the foregoing embodiments, the embodiment of the present application provides a networking architecture for a Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN), and the NTN networking architecture includes two modes: a transparent forwarding mode and a regeneration mode. Among them, the transparent forwarding mode is relatively simple, the base station is still on the ground, and the satellite is equivalent to a communication signal repeater, which is relatively easy to implement; compared with the transparent forwarding mode, the biggest difference in the regeneration mode is that the base station or the core network goes on the satellite. The specific architecture of the transparent forwarding mode can be referred to Figure 4 , and the specific architecture of the regeneration mode can be referred to Figure 5 . Figure 4 and Figure 5 both include a UE, a Next Generation Radio Access Network / 5G Radio Access Network (NG-GAN), a 5G Core Network (5GCN), and a Data Network. Among them, the NG-GAN is composed of a satellite, an NTN Gateway, and a gNB (Generation Node B). In Figure 4 , the satellite and the NTN Gateway constitute a Remote Radio Unit, and communication between the Utran and the UE is achieved through a New Radio Uu. In Figure 5 , the feeder link between the NTN Gateway and the satellite is a Satellite Radio Interface (SRI). Among them, the transparent forwarding mode can be further divided into an earth fixed scenario and an earth moving scenario. The earth fixed scenario can be as shown in Figure 6 , from time t0 to time t1, the satellite switches cells, and the terminal does not need to switch cells, that is, the Physical Cell Identifier (PCI) of the satellite cell is bound to the ground, and the PCI does not move with the satellite; the earth moving scenario can be as shown in Figure 7 , from time t0 to time t1, the satellite does not switch cells, and the terminal switches cells, that is, the PCI of the satellite cell is bound to the satellite, and the PCI moves with the satellite.

[0166] That is to say, in the earth moving scenario and the regeneration mode under the transparent forwarding mode, the satellite and the base station can be understood as an integrated entity, and the terminal needs to switch according to the movement of the satellite. In the earth fixed scenario under the transparent forwarding mode, the base station remains unchanged, and the terminal needs to frequently switch the satellite link.

[0167] Thus, based on the foregoing embodiments, the embodiments of the present application provide a network switching method for the earth fixed scenario under the transparent forwarding mode. Most of the switching occurs when the UE does not move or does not leave the coverage area of the current satellite (source satellite). Due to the movement of the satellite, a service satellite switch is required. The specific implementation process of the switch can be referred to Figure 8 as shown below. The specific implementation steps are as follows:

[0168] Step a11: The source base station obtains the serviceable time of different beams of the source satellite and the satellite situation that will cover this area in the future from the satellite control center.

[0169] Among them, the source base station does not consider the original UE measurement report. The serviceable time of different beams of the source satellite is obtained through the orbital parameters of the satellite network itself. The satellite situation that will cover this area in the future includes at least the following: the number of satellites that will cover this area in the future, satellite identifiers, satellite service time, satellite frequency points, the remaining available channels of the satellite, etc. The source base station corresponds to the source satellite and is the base station currently providing network communication services.

[0170] Step a12: The source base station detects the location information of the UE served by the current source base station. When the location information of the UE changes or the UE does not report location information, the original handover process is started. When the location information of the UE does not change (the UE does not move out of the satellite coverage area), a list of users to be switched caused only by the movement of the satellite is generated.

[0171] Among them, the list of users to be switched corresponds to the foregoing terminal characteristic information. The list of users to be switched includes the remaining handover time of the UE (which can be determined by the UE location and satellite location), the RNTI of the UE, the frequency point of the UE, the service bearer of the UE, and the corresponding service rate of the UE, etc. The content included in the list of users to be switched can be sorted according to the remaining handover time of the UE.

[0172] Step a13: The source base station determines a target satellite from the satellite situation that will cover this area in the future, whose frequency point, remaining available channels, service time, etc. meet the requirements of the UE in the list of users to be switched.

[0173] Among them, the determination process is as follows: First, the source base station screens out the set of serviceable satellites that can serve the UEs in the handover list according to the frequency point correspondence. Second, it determines an intermediate satellite set from the set of serviceable satellites whose remaining available channel numbers meet the service requirements of the UEs in the handover list. Third, it selects the satellite with the longest service time from the intermediate satellite set as the target satellite for the UEs in the handover list.

[0174] Step a14: When the remaining handover time of the UE or UE group is T1, the source base station sends a link handover request to the satellite control center.

[0175] Among them, the link handover request includes information such as the number of UEs to be handed over, the RNTIs of different UEs, and the required bandwidth.

[0176] Step a15: After receiving the link handover request, the satellite control center determines whether it can be admitted according to the current load situation of the target satellite and sends a reply message to the source base station.

[0177] Step a16: The source base station performs corresponding operations according to the reply message.

[0178] Among them, if the reply message indicates that access is not possible, the source base station reselects the target satellite for the UE or UE group; if the reply message indicates that there are no available satellites, the source base station sends a link failure signaling to the UE or UE group, instructing the terminal to disconnect the connection and informing the time of connection or the time difference of the interval; if the reply message indicates that access is possible, the satellite control center prepares for link handover and notifies the source base station to start enabling the new link after time T2.

[0179] The process for the source base station to start enabling the new link after time T2 can be as follows: The base station triggers the UE or UE group to initiate a passive random access process at time T3 through paging, or RRC control signaling, or PDCCH order process. The UE or UE group accesses the base station through the target satellite and still uses the original PCI and RNTI. The time when the UE initiates passive random access or the UE delay time is added to the Pdcch order or RRC control signaling or paging message to determine T3.

[0180] It should be noted that after the handover is successful, the satellite control center needs to adjust the available channel number of the selected target satellite to the original available channel number minus the estimated occupied channel number of the UE or UE group.

[0181] Step a17: The handover ends.

[0182] Based on the foregoing embodiments, an embodiment of the present application further provides a network switching method for the earth moving scenario or the regeneration mode in the transparent forwarding mode. In this scenario, most UEs or UE groups need to perform satellite handovers due to the movement of satellites. At this time, the satellite and the base station are integrated. The implementation process of the corresponding network handover can refer to Figure 9 as shown, and specifically includes the following implementation steps:

[0183] Step b11: The source base station obtains the serviceable time of different beams of the source satellite and the satellite situation that can cover this area in the future from the satellite control center.

[0184] Among them, the source base station does not consider the original UE measurement report. The serviceable time of different beams of the source satellite is obtained through the orbital parameters of the satellite network itself. The satellite situation that can cover this area in the future at least includes the following contents: the number of satellites that can cover this area in the future, satellite identification, satellite service time, satellite frequency point, the remaining available channels of the satellite, etc. The source base station corresponds to the source satellite and is the base station that provides network communication services currently.

[0185] Step b12: The source base station detects the location information of the UEs served by the current source base station. When the location information of the UE changes or the UE does not report location information, the original handover process is started. When the location information of the UE does not change (the UE has not moved out of the satellite coverage area), a list of users to be handed over due only to the movement of the satellite is generated.

[0186] Among them, the list of users to be handed over corresponds to the foregoing terminal characteristic information. The list of users to be handed over includes the remaining handover time of the UE (which can be determined by the UE location and the satellite location), the RNTI of the UE, the frequency point of the UE, the service bearer of the UE, and the corresponding service rate of the UE, etc. The contents included in the list of users to be handed over can be sorted according to the remaining handover time of the UE.

[0187] Step b13: The source base station determines a target base station from the satellite situation that can cover this area in the future, whose frequency point, remaining available channels, service time, etc. meet the requirements of the UEs in the list of users to be handed over.

[0188] Among them, the determination process is as follows: The source base station first screens out the set of serviceable satellites that can serve the UEs in the list of users to be handed over according to the frequency point correspondence. Secondly, it determines the intermediate satellite set whose remaining available channels meet the service requirements of the UEs in the list of users to be handed over from the set of serviceable satellites. Secondly, it selects the satellite with the longest service time from the intermediate satellite set as the target satellite for the UEs in the list of users to be handed over. Since the satellite and the base station are integrated, therefore, determining the target satellite can determine the target base station.

[0189] Step b14: When the remaining handover time of the UE or UE group is T1, the source base station sends a link handover request to the target base station.

[0190] Among them, the link handover request includes information such as the number of UEs to be handed over, the RNTI of different UEs, the required bandwidth, and the TA of the UE.

[0191] Step b15: After receiving the link handover request, the target base station determines whether it can be admitted according to the current load situation of the target base station and replies with a reply message to the source base station.

[0192] Step b16: The source base station performs corresponding operations according to the reply message.

[0193] Among them, if the reply message indicates that access is not possible, the source base station reselects a target base station for the user or user group. If the reply message indicates that there is no available base station, the source base station sends a link failure signaling to the UE or UE group, instructing the terminal to disconnect the connection and informing the time of connection or the time difference of the interval. If the reply message indicates that the target base station can be accessed, the target base station also adds two new items in the reply message: one is to notify the source base station to perform the handover after time T2, and the other is to notify the source base station whether the RNTI of the UE or UE group is occupied. In this way, after the source base station receives the reply message, if the reply message indicates that the RNTI of the UE or UE group is not occupied at the target base station, the source base station triggers the UE or UE group to initiate a non-competitive random access procedure at time T3 through paging or RRC control signaling or PDCCH order procedure. The UE or UE group accesses the target base station, and at this time, the original RNTI of the UE or UE group is still used. If the RNTI of the UE or UE group has been occupied at the target base station, the source base station notifies the UE or UE group to perform handover and reconfiguration through paging or RRC control signaling, and adopts a competitive random access procedure. It should be noted that the time for the UE to initiate passive random access or the UE delay time needs to be added in the PDCCH order or RRC control signaling or paging message to determine T3.

[0194] It should be noted that after the handover is successful, the satellite control center needs to adjust the number of available channels of the selected target satellite to the original number of available channels minus the estimated number of occupied channels of the UE or UE group.

[0195] Step b17: The handover ends.

[0196] It should be noted that in steps a12 and b12, when the source base station determines the location information of the served UE, the location information of the UE is actively reported by the UE itself to the source base station. Among them, when the UE confirms that the accessed network is a satellite network and the terminal position remains unchanged or the moving speed is slow, the UE lengthens the reporting measurement period and the measurement report period of measurement quantities such as position, time, and elevation angle, reducing unnecessary measurement and signaling overhead of the terminal. In this way, when the satellite does not receive the measurement quantities reported by the terminal for more than a certain period of time, it can quickly determine that the position of the terminal has not changed or the moving speed is slow. When the terminal position changes or the terminal moving speed is greater than a certain value, its reporting measurement period and measurement report period are restored to the original period N times. Among them, the reporting measurement period corresponds to the aforementioned reporting period, and the measurement report period corresponds to the aforementioned measurement period.

[0197] The usage scenarios of UE random access generally include: initial access in the RRC idle state, RRC connection reestablishment process, handover, when there is downlink or uplink data arrival in the RRC connected state but the uplink is out of sync at this time, state transition in the RRC deactivated state, sending requests for on-demand acquisition of system messages, Beam Failure Recovery (BFR) process, etc. The random access processes described in the aforementioned steps a16 and b16 are initiated at the MAC layer and are divided into two categories: Contention Free Random Access (CFRA) and Contention Based Random Access (CBRA). Among them, the contention-based random access process can refer to Figure 10 as shown, including the following steps:

[0198] Step c11: The UE sends a random preamble msg1 to the base station (Generation Node B, gNB).

[0199] Step c12: The gNB sends a random access response msg2 to the UE.

[0200] Among them, the random access response msg2 is obtained by the gNB in response to the random preamble msg1.

[0201] Step c13: The UE sends msg3 including the UE identification code to the gNB.

[0202] Step c14: The gNB sends a conflict resolution msg4 to the UE.

[0203] Among them, in the gNB's conflict resolution mechanism, a unique identifier is carried in msg4 to specify the winning UE.

[0204] The contention-free access process can refer to Figure 11As shown, it includes the following steps:

[0205] Step d11: The gNB allocates a random access preamble to the UE.

[0206] Step d12: The UE sends msg1 including the random access preamble to the gNB.

[0207] Step d13: The gNB sends the random access response msg2 to the UE.

[0208] Wherein, in the case of inter-cell handover of the UE, or before the case of uplink out-of-synchronization when in the RRC_connected state, or before the start of the BFR process, if the UE receives RRC dedicated signaling or a non-competitive random access preamble is configured in the PDCCH order, the UE preferentially uses the non-competitive random access preamble.

[0209] In this way, based on the description of the implementation processes of the foregoing embodiments for different scenarios, the satellite network handover process is optimized according to different scenarios, the UE handover process triggered by the network is added, the control of the handover process is made more accurate, and the complex communication interaction process between the UE and the base station, and between the base station and the satellite during the handover process is simplified, effectively reducing the interaction signaling, improving the handover efficiency, and reducing the handover delay.

[0210] It should be noted that the descriptions of the same steps and the same content in this embodiment and other embodiments can refer to the descriptions in other embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0211] In the network switching method provided by the embodiments of the present application, when the connection network of the current terminal device is a satellite network, the terminal device detects the position change information of the terminal device, and based on the position change information, determines the measurement period and reporting period of the measurement quantity of the terminal device. Then, the measurement quantity is measured according to the measurement period, and the measurement quantity is reported to the source base station according to the reporting period. After the source base station determines the terminal feature information of at least one terminal device, it obtains the satellite set information covering the target area in the next service time period from the satellite control center, and based on the terminal feature information and the satellite set signal, determines the first target device to which each terminal device or each terminal device group can be switched and linked in the next service time period. In this way, the source base station determines whether the position information of the terminal device will move out of the target area covered by the currently serving satellite by analyzing whether it receives the measurement quantity sent by the terminal device or, when it receives the measurement quantity sent by the terminal device, analyzing the received measurement quantity. And when it is determined that at least one terminal device has not moved out of the target area, it determines the terminal feature information of the at least one terminal device, determines the satellite set information covering the target area in the next service time period, and then determines the first target device providing network services for each terminal device or each terminal device group in the next service time period according to the terminal feature information and the satellite set information, solving the problems in the prior art that due to satellite movement, signaling storms are likely to occur in the terminal handover process, handover may not be triggered in time, and the handover time is prolonged. When the source base station is about to be unable to provide services for the terminal device, it pre-determines the accessible satellite or base station for the terminal device whose position has not changed, reducing the possibility that the terminal device needs to generate a large number of signaling requests for handover during the handover process, realizing timely triggering of the handover process of the terminal device, reducing the handover delay, and ensuring the service quality provided for the terminal device.

[0212] Based on the foregoing embodiments, an embodiment of the present application provides a first network switching device, which can be applied to Figure 1 and Figure 3 the network switching method provided in the corresponding embodiment, referring to Figure 12 as shown, the first network switching device may include: a first determination unit 41, an acquisition unit 42, and a second determination unit 43; where:

[0213] The first determination unit 41 is configured to determine the terminal feature information of at least one terminal device; where, the at least one terminal device is a device whose position has not moved out of the target area covered by the currently serving satellite, and the terminal feature information is determined according to the measurement quantity reported by the terminal device;

[0214] The acquisition unit 42 is configured to obtain the satellite set information covering the target area in the next service time period from the satellite control center;

[0215] A second determination unit 43, configured to determine, based on the terminal feature information and the satellite set information, a first target device to which each terminal device or each terminal device group can switch and link in the next service time period; wherein the first target device is a first target satellite or a first target base station.

[0216] In other embodiments of the present application, the terminal feature information at least includes the following information:

[0217] The remaining switching time of each terminal device;

[0218] The radio network temporary identifier RNTI of each terminal device;

[0219] The frequency point of each terminal device;

[0220] The service bearer of each terminal device;

[0221] The service rate corresponding to the service bearer of each terminal device.

[0222] In other embodiments of the present application, the terminal feature information is obtained by sorting the feature information of each terminal device according to the remaining switching time, and there is an association relationship between the feature information of each terminal device and the measurement quantity of the corresponding terminal device.

[0223] In other embodiments of the present application, the satellite set information at least includes the following information:

[0224] The satellite identification information of each satellite;

[0225] The service duration of each satellite;

[0226] The frequency point of each satellite;

[0227] The remaining available channel number of each satellite.

[0228] In other embodiments of the present application, the second determination unit is used to implement the following steps:

[0229] From the satellite set information, determine a satellite whose frequency point matches the frequency point of each terminal device or each terminal device group in the terminal feature information, and the remaining available channel number meets the estimated channel number of each terminal device or each terminal device group, and whose service duration is the longest as the first target satellite.

[0230] In other embodiments of the present application, after the second determination unit, the first network switching device further includes: a sending unit, a selection unit, and a triggering unit; wherein:

[0231] A sending unit, configured to send a link switching request to a second target device when the remaining switching time of each terminal device or each terminal device group reaches a preset time; wherein, the second target device is a satellite control center or a first target base station corresponding to a first target satellite;

[0232] A selecting unit, configured to re-select a third target device for each terminal device or each terminal device group if a first reply message sent by the second target device is received;

[0233] The sending unit is further configured to send a link failure signaling to each terminal device or each terminal device group if a second reply message sent by the second target device is received; wherein, the link failure signaling is used to instruct each terminal device or each terminal device group to disconnect, and is used to notify each terminal device or each terminal device group of the existence of a connection time or a connection interval time difference;

[0234] A triggering unit, configured to trigger link switching of each terminal device or each terminal device group after a preset duration if a third reply message sent by the second target device is received; wherein, the third reply message is used to indicate that link switching is to be triggered after a preset duration, and the first reply message, the second reply message, and the third reply message are generated by the second target device according to the load of the first target device after receiving the link switching request.

[0235] In other embodiments of the present application, the link switching request at least includes the following parameters:

[0236] The device identifier of each terminal device, or the device identifiers included in each terminal device group;

[0237] The RNTI of each terminal device, or the RNTIs of the devices included in each terminal device group;

[0238] The required bandwidth of each terminal device, or the required bandwidths of the devices included in each terminal device group.

[0239] In other embodiments of the present application, when the first target device is a first target base station, the link switching request further includes the following parameter: the timing advance TA of each terminal device, or the timing advance TA of the devices included in each terminal device group.

[0240] In other embodiments of the present application, when the first target device is a first target satellite, the triggering unit is configured to implement the following steps:

[0241] Trigger each terminal device or each terminal device group to initiate a passive random access procedure at a preset moment through a first manner.

[0242] In other embodiments of the present application, when the first target device is the first target base station, the third reply message further includes indication information on whether the RNTI of each terminal device or each terminal device group is occupied, and the triggering unit is further configured to implement the following steps:

[0243] If the RNTI is not occupied by the first target base station, trigger each terminal device or each terminal device group to initiate a non-competitive random access procedure using the RNTI at a preset moment in a first manner;

[0244] If the RNTI is occupied by the first target base station, trigger each terminal device or each terminal device group to initiate a competitive random access procedure at a preset moment in a second manner.

[0245] In other embodiments of the present application, the first manner includes: a paging manner, or an RRC control signaling manner, or a physical downlink control channel PDCCH command manner.

[0246] In other embodiments of the present application, the second manner includes: a paging manner or an RRC control signaling manner.

[0247] In other embodiments of the present application, the first manner further includes: the time when the device in each terminal device or each terminal device group initiates passive random access, or the delay time of the device in each terminal device or each terminal device group.

[0248] It should be noted that for the specific implementation process of the steps executed by the units and modules in this embodiment, reference may be made to Figure 1 and Figure 3 the implementation process in the network switching method provided in the corresponding embodiment, which will not be elaborated here.

[0249] A first network switching device provided by an embodiment of the present application, after determining the terminal characteristic information of at least one terminal device, obtains the satellite set information covering the target area during the next service time period from the satellite control center, and determines, based on the terminal characteristic information and the satellite set signal, the first target device to which each terminal device or each terminal device group can switch and link during the next service time period. In this way, when the source base station determines that at least one terminal device has not moved out of the target area, it determines the terminal characteristic information of the at least one terminal device, determines the satellite set information covering the target area during the next service time period, and then determines, according to the terminal characteristic information and the satellite set information, the first target device that provides network services for each terminal device or each terminal device group during the next service time period, so that the terminal device can access the first target device, solving the problems in the prior art that due to satellite movement, signaling storms are likely to occur in the terminal handover process, handover may not be triggered in time, and handover latency is prolonged, etc. When the source base station is about to be unable to provide services for the terminal device, it pre-determines the satellite or base station that the terminal device with unchanged position can access, reducing the possibility that the terminal device needs to generate a large number of signaling requests for handover during the handover process, realizing timely triggering of the handover process of the terminal device, reducing the handover latency, and ensuring the service quality provided for the terminal device.

[0250] Based on the foregoing embodiments, an embodiment of the present application provides a second network switching device, which can be applied to Figures 2 - 3 the network switching method provided by the corresponding embodiment, as shown in Figure 13 The second network switching device 5 may include: a detection unit 51, a third determination unit 52, a measurement unit 53, and a reporting unit 54; where:

[0251] The detection unit 51 is configured to detect the position change information of the terminal device when the connection network of the current terminal device is a satellite network;

[0252] The third determination unit 52 is configured to determine the measurement period and the reporting period of the terminal device measurement quantity based on the position change information;

[0253] The measurement unit 53 is configured to measure the measurement quantity according to the measurement period;

[0254] The reporting unit 54 is configured to report the measurement quantity to the source base station according to the reporting period; where the measurement quantity is used to enable the source base station to determine the terminal characteristic information of the terminal device to switch the satellite connection link of the terminal device.

[0255] In other embodiments of the present application, the third determination unit includes: a first determination module and a second determination module; where:

[0256] The first determination module is configured to determine that the reporting period is a first preset period and the measurement period is a second preset period if the location change information indicates that the location of the terminal device remains unchanged, or if the moving speed of the terminal device is less than or equal to a preset speed;

[0257] The second determination module is configured to determine that the reporting period is a third preset period and the measurement period is a fourth preset period if the location change information indicates that the location of the terminal device changes, or if the moving speed is greater than the preset speed; wherein, the first preset period is greater than the third preset period, and the third preset period is greater than the fourth preset period.

[0258] It should be noted that the specific implementation process of the steps executed by the units and modules in this embodiment can be referred to Figures 2 - 3 the implementation process in the network switching method provided in the corresponding embodiment, which will not be elaborated here.

[0259] For the second network switching device provided in the embodiment of the present application, when the connected network of the current terminal device is a satellite network, if the location of the terminal device remains unchanged, or if the moving speed of the terminal device is less than or equal to a preset speed, it is determined that the reporting measurement period of the measurement quantity of the terminal device is a first preset period, and the measurement report period is a second preset period. If the location of the terminal device changes, or the moving speed is greater than the preset speed, it is determined that the reporting measurement period is a third preset period, and the measurement report period is a fourth preset period. When the period is the reporting measurement period, the measurement quantity is measured, and when the period is the measurement report period, the measurement quantity is sent to the source base station. In this way, the source base station can determine whether the location information of the terminal device will move out of the target area covered by the currently serving satellite according to whether it receives the measurement quantity sent by the terminal device, or when it receives the measurement quantity sent by the terminal device, analyze the received measurement quantity, so that when it is determined that at least one terminal device has not moved out of the target area, determine the terminal feature information of the at least one terminal device, and determine the satellite set information covering the target area in the next service time period, and then according to the terminal feature information and the satellite set information, determine the first target device that provides network services for each terminal device or each terminal device group in the next service time period, solving the problems in the prior art that due to satellite movement, signaling storms are likely to occur in the terminal handover process, handover may not be triggered in time, and the handover time is prolonged, etc. When the source base station is about to be unable to provide services for the terminal device, it pre-determines the accessible satellite or base station for the terminal device whose location has not changed, reduces the possibility that a large number of signaling requests for handover need to be generated by the terminal device during the handover process, realizes timely triggering of the handover process of the terminal device, and reduces the handover delay, ensuring the service quality provided for the terminal device.

[0260] Based on the foregoing embodiments, an embodiment of the present application provides a source base station, which can be applied to Figure 1 andFigure 3 In the network switching method provided by the corresponding embodiment, with reference to Figure 14 as shown, the source base station 6 may include: a first communication interface 61, a first memory 62, a first processor 63, and a first communication bus 64; where:

[0261] The first memory 62 is used to store executable instructions;

[0262] The first communication bus 64 is used to implement communication connections among the first communication interface 61, the first processor 63, and the first memory 62;

[0263] The first processor 63 is used to execute the network switching program stored in the first memory 62 to implement the steps of the network switching method as described in any one of Figure 1 and Figure 3 the network switching method steps.

[0264] Based on the foregoing embodiments, an embodiment of the present application provides a terminal device, which can be applied to Figures 2 - 3 the network switching method provided by the corresponding embodiment, with reference to Figure 15 as shown, the terminal device 7 may include: a second communication interface 71, a second memory 72, a second processor 73, and a second communication bus 74; where:

[0265] The second memory 72 is used to store executable instructions;

[0266] The second communication bus 74 is used to implement communication connections among the second communication interface 71, the first processor 73, and the second memory 72;

[0267] The second processor 73 is used to execute the network switching program stored in the second memory 72 to implement the steps of the network switching method as described in any one of Figures 2 - 3 the network switching method steps.

[0268] In an exemplary embodiment, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, simply referred to as a storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores one or more programs, and the one or more programs can be executed by one or more processors to implement the implementation process in the resource determination method provided by the corresponding solution embodiment with reference to Figures 1 - 3 which will not be elaborated here.

[0269] Those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments of the present application can be provided as a method, a system, or a computer program product. Therefore, the present application can take the form of a hardware embodiment, a software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Moreover, the present application can take the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to disk storage and optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0270] This application is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the present application. It should be understood that each flow and / or block in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams, and the combination of flows and / or blocks in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams, can be realized by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to the processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device to generate a machine, such that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device produce a means for realizing the functions specified in one flow Figure 1 one flow or multiple flows and / or blocks Figure 1 or multiple blocks.

[0271] These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to work in a specific manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce a manufactured article including an instruction means that realizes the functions specified in one flow Figure 1 one flow or multiple flows and / or blocks Figure 1 or multiple blocks.

[0272] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device, such that a series of operation steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to generate a computer-implemented process, and thus the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device provide steps for realizing the functions specified in one flow Figure 1 one flow or multiple flows and / or blocks Figure 1 or multiple blocks.

[0273] As mentioned above, it is only a preferred embodiment of the present application and is not used to limit the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A network switching method, characterized in that The method is applied to a source base station, and the method includes: Determine terminal characteristic information of at least one terminal device; wherein, the at least one terminal device is a device whose location has not moved out of the target area covered by the currently serving satellite, and the terminal characteristic information is determined based on measurement quantities reported by at least one of the terminal devices; Obtain satellite set information covering the target area during the next service time period from a satellite control center; Based on the terminal characteristic information and the satellite set information, determine a first target device to which each of the terminal devices or each group of terminal devices can switch links during the next service time period; wherein, the first target device is a first target satellite or a first target base station.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The terminal characteristic information at least includes the following information: The remaining handover time of each terminal device; The radio network temporary identifier RNTI of each terminal device; The frequency point of each terminal device; The service bearer of each terminal device; The service rate corresponding to the service bearer of each terminal device.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein The terminal characteristic information is obtained by sorting the characteristic information of each terminal device according to the remaining handover time, and the characteristic information of each terminal device has an association relationship with the measurement quantity of the corresponding terminal device.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The satellite set information at least includes the following information: The satellite identification information of each satellite; The service duration of each satellite; The frequency point of each satellite; The remaining available channel number of each satellite.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The determining, based on the terminal characteristic information and the satellite set information, a first target device to which each of the terminal devices or each group of terminal devices can switch links during the next service time period includes: From the satellite set information, determine a satellite whose frequency point matches the frequency point of each of the terminal devices or each group of terminal devices in the terminal characteristic information, and whose remaining available channel number meets the estimated channel number of each of the terminal devices or each group of terminal devices, and whose service duration is the longest as the first target satellite.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that After the determining, based on the terminal characteristic information and the satellite set information, a first target device to which each of the terminal devices or each group of terminal devices can switch links during the next service time period, the method further includes: When the remaining handover time of each of the terminal devices or each group of terminal devices is a preset time, send a link handover request to a second target device; wherein, the second target device is the satellite control center or the first target base station corresponding to the first target satellite; If a first reply message sent by the second target device is received, reselect a third target device for each of the terminal devices or each group of terminal devices; If a second reply message sent by the second target device is received, send a link failure signaling to each of the terminal devices or each group of terminal devices; wherein, the link failure signaling is used to instruct each of the terminal devices or each group of terminal devices to disconnect, and is used to notify each of the terminal devices or each group of terminal devices of the connection time or connection interval time difference; If the third reply message sent by the second target device is received, trigger link switching for each of the terminal devices or each of the terminal device groups after a preset duration; wherein, the third reply message is used to indicate triggering link switching after the preset duration, and the first reply message, the second reply message, and the third reply message are generated by the second target device based on the load of the first target device after receiving the link switching request.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The link switching request at least includes the following parameters: The device identifier of each terminal device, or the device identifiers included in each terminal device group; The RNTI of each terminal device, or the RNTIs of the devices included in each terminal device group; The required bandwidth of each terminal device, or the required bandwidths of the devices included in each terminal device group.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that When the first target device is the first target base station, the link switching request further includes the following parameters: the timing advance TA of each terminal device, or the timing advance TAs of the devices included in each terminal device group.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein When the first target device is the first target satellite, triggering link switching for each of the terminal devices or each of the terminal device groups includes: Triggering each terminal device or each terminal device group to initiate a passive random access procedure at a preset moment by a first method.

10. The method according to claim 6, wherein When the first target device is the first target base station, the third reply message further includes indication information on whether the RNTI of each terminal device or each terminal device group is occupied. Triggering link switching for each of the terminal devices or each of the terminal device groups includes: If the RNTI is not occupied by the first target base station, triggering each terminal device or each terminal device group to initiate a non-competitive random access procedure using the RNTI at a preset moment by a first method; If the RNTI is occupied by the first target base station, triggering each terminal device or each terminal device group to initiate a competitive random access procedure at a preset moment by a second method.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The first method includes: a paging method, or an RRC control signaling method, or a physical downlink control channel PDCCH command method.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein The second method includes: a paging method or an RRC control signaling method.

13. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that The first method further includes the following parameters: the time when each terminal device or the devices in each terminal device group initiate passive random access, or the delay time of each terminal device or the devices in each terminal device group.

14. A network switching method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a terminal device, and the method includes: When the current connection network of the terminal device is a satellite network, detecting the position change information of the terminal device; Based on the position change information, determining the measurement period and reporting period of the measurement quantity of the terminal device; Measuring the measurement quantity according to the measurement period; Reporting the measurement quantity to the source base station according to the reporting period; wherein, the measurement quantity is used to enable the source base station to determine the characteristic information of the terminal device to switch the satellite connection link of the terminal device.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that Determining a measurement period and a reporting period of the measurement quantity of the terminal device based on the position change information includes: If the position change information indicates that the position of the terminal device remains unchanged, or if the moving speed of the terminal device is less than or equal to a preset speed, determine that the reporting period is a first preset period and the measurement period is a second preset period; If the position change information indicates that the position of the terminal device changes, or the moving speed is greater than the preset speed, determine that the reporting period is a third preset period and the measurement period is a fourth preset period; wherein, the first preset period is greater than the third preset period, and the second preset period is greater than the fourth preset period.

16. A first network switching device, characterized in that, The device includes: a first determination unit, an acquisition unit, and a second determination unit; wherein: The first determination unit is configured to determine terminal feature information of at least one terminal device; wherein, the at least one terminal device is a device whose position has not moved out of the target area covered by the currently serving satellite, and the terminal feature information is determined based on the measurement quantity reported by the terminal device; The acquisition unit is configured to acquire satellite set information covering the target area during the next service time period from a satellite control center; The second determination unit is configured to determine a first target device to which each terminal device or each terminal device group can be switched and linked during the next service time period based on the terminal feature information and the satellite set information; wherein, the first target device is a first target satellite or a first target base station.

17. A second network switching device, characterized in that, The device includes: a detection unit, a third determination unit, a measurement unit, and a reporting unit; wherein: The detection unit is configured to detect position change information of the terminal device when the connection network of the current terminal device is a satellite network; The third determination unit is configured to determine a measurement period and a reporting period of the measurement quantity of the terminal device based on the position change information; The measurement unit is configured to measure the measurement quantity according to the measurement period; The reporting unit is configured to report the measurement quantity to a source base station according to the reporting period; wherein, the measurement quantity is used to enable the source base station to determine the terminal feature information of the terminal device to switch the satellite connection link of the terminal device.

18. A source base station, characterized in that, The source base station includes: a first communication interface, a first memory, a first processor, and a first communication bus; wherein: The first memory is configured to store executable instructions; The first communication bus is configured to implement communication connections among the first communication interface, the first processor, and the first memory; The first processor is configured to execute a network switching program stored in the first memory to implement the steps of the network switching method according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

19. A terminal device, characterized in that, The terminal device includes: a second communication interface, a second memory, a second processor, and a second communication bus; wherein: The second memory is configured to store executable instructions; The second communication bus is configured to implement communication connections among the second communication interface, the second processor, and the second memory; The second processor is configured to execute the network switching program stored in the second memory, so as to implement the steps of the network switching method according to any one of claims 14 to 15.

20. A storage medium, characterized in that, A network switching program is stored on the storage medium. When the network switching program is executed by a processor, the steps of the network switching method according to any one of claims 1 to 13 or claims 14 to 15 are implemented.

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