Communication method and device

Abstract

The invention provides a communication method and device, and relates to the technical field of communication. In the method, the first mobility management network element or the access network element can obtain the position of the terminal and directly perform terminal position verification based on the position of the terminal, so that the method suitable for performing terminal position verification on various terminals such as IoT (Internet of Things) equipment and the like is provided, and the terminal position verification can be performed in time according to the terminal position verification result. And indicating the cell identifier to the first mobility management network element or the second mobility management network element, thereby being beneficial to improving the network access efficiency of the terminal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and device. Background Art

[0002] Third Generation Partnership Project (3 rd Under the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), it was proposed that the terminal location verification (or compliance verification of the terminal location, or verification or checking of the terminal location, etc.) be performed using the location service (LCS) to determine whether the terminal is located within the service range of the public land mobile network (PLMN) currently serving the terminal. However, there is currently no corresponding solution for how to verify the terminal location in the satellite communication scenario. Summary of the invention

[0003] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and device for providing a solution for terminal location verification.

[0004] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. The method can be executed by a first communication device, and the first communication device can be, for example, a first mobility management network element, or a software or hardware module (such as a chip) in the first mobility management network element, or an access network element, or a software module or a hardware module (such as a chip) in an access network element, etc., and the present application does not limit this. For the convenience of description, the communication method is performed by a first communication device as an example. The method includes: receiving first information from a second communication device, the first information indicating the location of the terminal, and sending a cell identifier corresponding to the location to the first mobility management device when the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first public land mobile network (which can be regarded as the terminal location verification is compliant or passed); or, when the location of the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first public land mobile network (which can be regarded as the terminal location verification is not compliant or passed), sending the cell identifier corresponding to the location to the second mobility management device.

[0005] When the first communication device is the first mobility management network element and the second communication device is the terminal, optionally, the first information is carried in a non-access stratum message. When the first communication device is an access network element and the second communication device is a mobility management network element, optionally, the first information is carried in an N2 interface message or an S1 interface message. The first mobility management network element can be understood as the mobility management network element in the first public land mobile network for providing services to the terminal. The second mobility management network element can be understood as the mobility management network element in the second public land mobile network for providing services to the terminal. The service range allowed by a certain public land mobile network can also be referred to as the service range of a certain public land mobile network, the operating range allowed by a certain public land mobile network, the operating range of a certain public land mobile network, or the signal coverage range of a certain public land mobile network, etc. The service range not allowed by a certain public land mobile network can also be referred to as beyond the service range of a certain public land mobile network, the operating range not allowed by a certain public land mobile network, or beyond (or not within) the signal coverage range of a certain public land mobile network, etc., and no specific limitation is made thereto. The cell identifier indicates the identifier of the cell corresponding to the location of the terminal. The cell identifier can be the identifier corresponding to a physical cell or a logical cell, and no limitation is made thereto. Additionally, with the continuous evolution of standards, the mobility management network element, access network element, or public land mobile network, etc. may have other names, and no specific limitation is made thereto.

[0006] In an embodiment of the present application, the first mobility management network element can obtain the location of the terminal from the terminal, verify the compliance situation based on the terminal location, and adaptively send the cell identifier to the first mobility management network element or the second mobility management network element, providing a method for verifying the terminal location. Moreover, the cell identifier can be timely fed back to the mobility management network element, enabling the mobility management network element to register or serve the terminal in a timely manner based on the cell identifier, which is conducive to improving the efficiency of registering or serving the terminal and can also timely correct the registration of the terminal with non-compliant location verification to a compliant network. Optionally, the first mobility management network element can obtain the location of the terminal through a non-access stratum message, or the access network element can obtain the location of the terminal from the first mobility management network element. Since the non-access stratum message has high encryption reliability, the security of the terminal location can be improved.

[0007] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: determining whether the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first public land mobile network. It can be alternatively described as: determining that the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first public land mobile network, or not within the service range allowed by the first public land mobile network (or can be described as beyond the service range allowed by the first public land mobile network).

[0008] In a possible implementation, the first information further indicates that the location of the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first public land mobile network; or, the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first public land mobile network.

[0009] When the first communication device determines whether the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first public land mobile network, the first information does not need to indicate that the location of the terminal is not within or is within the service range allowed by the first public land mobile network. Alternatively, when the first information indicates that the location of the terminal is not within or is within the service range allowed by the first public land mobile network, the first communication device may not need to determine whether the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first public land mobile network. Alternatively, when the first information indicates that the location of the terminal is not within or is within the service range allowed by the first public land mobile network, the first communication device may also determine whether the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first public land mobile network. In this way, it is equivalent to verifying twice whether the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first public land mobile network, which is beneficial to the reliability of the terminal location verification result.

[0010] In this way, the first communication device does not need to determine whether the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first public land mobile network, relatively reducing the processing amount of the first communication device. Moreover, the first information can indicate the location of the terminal and whether the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first public land mobile network, which can relatively reduce the number of interactions between the first communication device and the second communication device.

[0011] In a possible implementation, when the location of the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first public land mobile network, the method further includes the following: sending second information to the terminal, where the second information indicates that the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first public land mobile network; and / or, sending third information to the terminal, where the third information indicates one of the following: the terminal enters the idle state; or, the terminal enters the deactivated state.

[0012] If the first communication device is the first mobility management network element, then the first communication device may send the second information and / or the third information to the terminal through the access network element.

[0013] In this way, when the terminal location verification is non-compliant, the terminal can be notified in a timely manner that its location verification is non-compliant, and / or the terminal can be controlled to enter the idle state or the deactivated state to save the terminal power and avoid the terminal from attempting to communicate with the first mobility management network element ineffectively and wasting resources.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the location of the terminal is the location of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). In this way, this implementation can be applied to verify the location of terminals such as IoT devices, and the applicability of this implementation is relatively good.

[0015] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. This method can be executed by a first mobility management network element, or can be a software or hardware module (such as a chip) in the first mobility management network element, etc., and the present application does not make any limitations in this regard. For the sake of convenience of description, the case where the first mobility management network element executes this communication method is used as an example for description. This method includes: receiving fourth information from a terminal, the fourth information indicating the location of the terminal, and sending first information to an access network element, the first information indicating the location of the terminal.

[0016] In a possible implementation, before sending the first information to the access network element, the method further includes: determining that a first condition is met, and the first condition includes at least one of the following: determining that the type of the terminal is a first type; determining that the access type used by the terminal is satellite access; determining that the access network element supports terminal location verification; or, the access network element is deployed on a first satellite.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the location of the terminal is the GNSS location of the terminal.

[0018] In a third aspect, a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application can be executed by a location compliance proxy network element, or can be a software or hardware module (such as a chip) in the location compliance proxy network element, etc., and the present application does not make any limitations in this regard. As the standard continues to evolve, the location compliance proxy network element may have other names, and no specific limitations are made in this regard. For the sake of convenience of description, the case where the location compliance proxy network element executes this communication method is used as an example for description. This method includes: receiving first information from a terminal, the first information being used to request registration or service for the terminal; if the terminal is within the service range allowed by a first public land mobile network, sending second information to the first mobility management network element, the second information requesting registration or service for the terminal; or, if the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first public land mobile network, sending third information to the terminal, the third information being used to indicate rejection of registration or service.

[0019] A first public land mobile network currently serves a terminal, and a first mobility management network element belongs to the first public land mobile network. A location compliance proxy network element can be deployed on a first satellite. The first satellite can be, for example, the satellite currently serving the terminal, or the satellite that will serve the terminal next time, etc., and no specific limitation is made thereto. The satellite that will serve the terminal next time can be understood as the satellite that will serve the terminal in the future. For example, it can be the satellite that serves the terminal within a first time period, or the satellite that serves the terminal when the terminal is at the next location, etc. The start (or starting) moment of the first time period can be the current moment.

[0020] In an embodiment of the present application, the location compliance network element deployed on the first satellite can perform terminal location verification without relying on a core network element to perform terminal location verification, so that terminal location verification can still be performed when the feeder link corresponding to the terminal is abnormal.

[0021] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving fourth information from the first mobility management network element, where the fourth information is used to trigger the location compliance proxy network element to perform terminal location verification. The first mobility management network element belongs to the first public land mobile network and currently serves the terminal.

[0022] In this way, the location compliance proxy network element performs terminal location verification based on the authorization or trigger of the first mobility management network element, so that the location compliance proxy network element or the first mobility management network element can perform terminal location verification based on specific situations, which is beneficial to improving the flexibility of terminal location verification.

[0023] In a possible implementation manner, the fourth information includes the identifier of the terminal; or, the fourth information includes the identifier of the terminal and the identifier of the first public land mobile network.

[0024] In this way, the location compliance proxy can identify the terminal for which terminal location verification is to be performed based on the fourth information, and can also identify the public land mobile network that currently serves the terminal, which is convenient for performing terminal location verification.

[0025] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving fifth information from an access network element, where the fifth information indicates a first location of the terminal; based on the fifth information, determining that the terminal is located in a preset area.

[0026] The preset area can be, for example, the border area of a country or the border area of a province, etc., and no limitation is made thereto. The preset area can be pre-stored, pre-configured or predefined in the location compliance proxy network element.

[0027] In this way, the location compliance proxy network element can determine that the terminal is located in a preset area, perform terminal location verification, avoid multiple terminal location verifications, reduce unnecessary terminal location verifications, and minimize the processing volume of the location compliance proxy network element while ensuring terminal location compliance.

[0028] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: sending sixth information to the access network element, and the sixth information further indicates one of the following: deleting (or releasing) the context information of the terminal; the terminal enters the inactive state; or, the terminal enters the idle state.

[0029] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: sending seventh information to the first positioning network element, where the seventh information is used to request the location of the terminal, and the first positioning network element is deployed on the first satellite; receiving eighth information from the first positioning network element, where the eighth information indicates the second location of the terminal; and determining whether the terminal is located within the service range allowed by the first public land mobile network according to the second location.

[0030] In this way, the location compliance proxy network element can directly obtain the second location of the terminal based on the first positioning network element on the first satellite, and perform terminal location verification based on the second location, providing a way to obtain the location of the terminal, and determining the second location does not need to rely on the core network element either, reducing the interaction between the location compliance proxy network element and the core network element.

[0031] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving ninth information from the access network element, where the ninth information indicates the third location of the terminal; and determining whether the terminal is located within the service range allowed by the first public land mobile network based on the third location.

[0032] In this way, the location compliance proxy network element obtains the third location of the terminal from the access network element, and performs terminal location verification based on the third location, providing a way to obtain the location of the terminal, and determining the second location does not need to rely on the core network element either, reducing the interaction between the location compliance proxy network element and the core network element.

[0033] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving key information from the first mobility management network element; and decrypting the ninth information based on the key information to obtain the third location of the terminal.

[0034] In this way, the ninth information can carry the encrypted third location, which can ensure the security of the third location while ensuring that the location compliance proxy network element obtains the third location of the terminal.

[0035] In a possible implementation manner, when the terminal is located within the service range allowed by the first public land mobile network, send the cell identifier corresponding to the third location to the first mobility management network element.

[0036] In a possible implementation, the second position or the third position is the GNSS position of the terminal.

[0037] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving tenth information for triggering the termination of the terminal location verification; and terminating the terminal location verification according to the tenth information. Optionally, the tenth information may carry the identifier of the terminal to facilitate the identification of the termination of the terminal location verification. The tenth information may be received from the first mobility management network element.

[0038] In this way, the location compliance proxy network element can stop the terminal location verification, enabling the location compliance proxy network element to execute the terminal location verification relatively flexibly or not execute the terminal location verification.

[0039] In a fourth aspect, a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application can be executed by the first mobility management network element, or can be a software or hardware module (such as a chip) in the first mobility management network element, etc., and the present application does not make any limitations in this regard. For the sake of description, an example is given with the location compliance proxy network element executing this communication method. The method includes: determining to provide a store-and-forward service for the terminal, where the terminal supports the store-and-forward function or has subscribed to the store-and-forward service; and sending fourth information to the location compliance proxy network element, where the fourth information is used to trigger the location compliance proxy network element to perform terminal location verification, and the location compliance proxy network element is deployed on the first satellite.

[0040] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving second information from the location compliance proxy network element, where the second information requests to register or serve the terminal.

[0041] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving eleventh information from the terminal, where the eleventh information triggers the deregistration of the terminal or the release of the session corresponding to the terminal; and sending tenth information to the location compliance proxy network element according to the eleventh information, where the tenth information is used to trigger the termination of the terminal location verification.

[0042] In a possible implementation, the first satellite is the current serving satellite of the terminal; or the first satellite is the satellite that will serve the terminal next time.

[0043] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: sending the key information of the terminal to the location compliance proxy network element.

[0044] Fifth aspect, a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. This method can be executed by an access network element, or can be a software or hardware module (such as a chip) in the access network element, etc. The present application does not make any limitations in this regard. For the sake of convenience in description, the case where the access network element executes this communication method is taken as an example for illustration. The method includes: receiving sixth information from a location compliance proxy element, where the sixth information indicates one of the following: deleting the context information of the terminal, the terminal entering the inactive state, or the terminal entering the idle state, and the location compliance proxy element is deployed on the first satellite; according to the sixth information, deleting the context information of the terminal, instructing the terminal to enter the inactive state, or instructing the terminal to enter the idle state.

[0045] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving first information from the terminal, where the first information is used to request to register or serve the terminal; sending the first information to the location compliance proxy element.

[0046] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: sending ninth information to the location compliance proxy element, and the fifth information indicates the third location of the terminal.

[0047] Sixth aspect, a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. This method can be executed by an access network element, or can be a software or hardware module (such as a chip) in the access network element, etc. The present application does not make any limitations in this regard. For the sake of convenience in description, the case where the access network element executes this communication method is taken as an example for illustration. The method includes: receiving first information from a location compliance proxy element, where the first information indicates the location of the terminal, and the location compliance proxy elements are all deployed on the first satellite; if the terminal is within the service range of the first public land mobile network, then according to the first information, sending second information to the first mobility management device, where the second information indicates the cell identifier, and the first mobility management device belongs to the first public land mobile network and is currently serving the terminal; or, if the terminal is not within the service range of the first public land mobile network, then sending third information to the terminal, where the third information is used to indicate rejecting the registration or service of the terminal; where the first public land mobile network is currently serving the terminal.

[0048] In an embodiment of the present application, the access network element deployed on the first satellite can perform terminal location verification without relying on the core network element to perform terminal location verification, so that when the power supply link corresponding to the terminal is abnormal, terminal location verification can still be performed.

[0049] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving fourth information from the terminal, where the fourth information carries the location of the terminal; based on the fourth information, sending fifth information to the location compliance proxy element, and the fifth information indicates the location of the terminal.

[0050] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: determining whether the location of the terminal is within the service area of a first public land mobile network; or receiving sixth information from a location compliance proxy network element, where the sixth information indicates that the location of the terminal is within the service area of the first public land mobile network, or not within the service area of the first public land mobile network.

[0051] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: sending seventh information to the terminal, where the seventh information indicates that the terminal is not within the service area allowed by the first public land mobile network.

[0052] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: sending eighth information to the terminal, where the eighth information indicates one of the following: the terminal enters the inactive state; or the terminal enters the idle state.

[0053] In a possible implementation, the first satellite is the service satellite of the terminal device currently; or the first satellite is the satellite that will provide service to the terminal next time.

[0054] In a possible implementation, the location of the terminal is the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) location of the terminal.

[0055] In a seventh aspect, a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application can be executed by a location compliance proxy network element, or can be a software or hardware module (such as a chip) in the location compliance proxy network element, etc., and the present application does not make a limitation thereto. For ease of description, the case where the location compliance proxy network element executes this communication method is used as an example for description. The method includes: receiving fifth information from an access network element, where the fifth information carries the location of the terminal, and the access network element is deployed on the first satellite; receiving the key information of the terminal from the first mobility management network element; decrypting the fifth information according to the key information to obtain the location of the terminal; sending first information to the access network element, where the first information indicates the location of the terminal.

[0056] In a possible implementation, the first satellite is the service satellite of the terminal device currently; or the first satellite is the satellite that will provide service to the terminal next time.

[0057] In a possible implementation, the fifth information is carried in a non-access stratum message.

[0058] In a possible implementation, the location of the terminal is the GNSS location of the terminal.

[0059] In an eighth aspect, a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application can be executed by a first mobility management network element, or can be a software or hardware module (such as a chip) in the first mobility management network element, etc., and the present application does not make any limitations in this regard. For ease of description, the case where the first mobility management network element executes this communication method is used as an example for illustration. The method includes: obtaining key information of a terminal; sending the key information of the terminal to a location compliance proxy network element, where the location compliance proxy network element is deployed on a first satellite.

[0060] In a possible implementation manner, the first satellite is the current serving satellite of the terminal device; or, the first satellite is the satellite that will serve the terminal next time.

[0061] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: determining to provide a store-and-forward service for the terminal; receiving a ninth piece of information from the terminal, where the ninth piece of information indicates that the terminal supports the store-and-forward function; or, receiving a tenth piece of information from a unified data management function, where the tenth piece of information indicates that the terminal has subscribed to the store-and-forward service.

[0062] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: sending an eleventh piece of information to the location compliance proxy network element, where the eleventh piece of information is used to trigger the location compliance proxy network element to perform terminal location verification.

[0063] In a ninth aspect, a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application can be executed by a terminal, or can be a software or hardware module (such as a chip) in the terminal, etc., and the present application does not make any limitations in this regard. For ease of description, the case where the terminal executes this communication method is used as an example for illustration. The method includes: receiving a ninth piece of information from the terminal, where the ninth piece of information indicates that the terminal supports the store-and-forward function; sending a fourth piece of information to an access network element, where the fourth piece of information carries the location of the terminal.

[0064] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving a third piece of information from the access network element, where the third piece of information is used to indicate rejecting the registration or service of the terminal.

[0065] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving a seventh piece of information from the access network element, where the seventh piece of information indicates that the terminal is not within the service range allowed by a first public land mobile network.

[0066] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving an eighth piece of information from the access network element, where the eighth piece of information indicates one of the following: the terminal enters an inactive state; or, the terminal enters an idle state.

[0067] In a possible implementation manner, the location of the terminal is the GNSS location of the terminal.

[0068] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may be the first communication device in the first aspect above, or a software or hardware module (such as a chip or a chip system, etc.) configured in the first communication device, or a device having the function of the first communication device in the first aspect. The communication device includes corresponding means or modules for performing the corresponding content in the first aspect or any possible implementation manner. For example, the communication device includes a transceiver module. Optionally, the communication device further includes a processing module (sometimes also referred to as a processing unit).

[0069] For example, the transceiver module is used to receive first information from a second communication device; when the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first public land mobile network, send the cell identifier corresponding to the location to the first mobility management device; or, when the location of the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first public land mobile network, send the cell identifier corresponding to the location to the second mobility management device.

[0070] The communication device can also execute the methods in any possible implementation manner in the first aspect, which will not be listed one by one here.

[0071] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may be the first mobility management network element in the second aspect above, or a software or hardware module (such as a chip or a chip system, etc.) configured in the first mobility management network element, or a device having the function of the first mobility management network element in the second aspect. The communication device includes corresponding means or modules for performing the corresponding content in the second aspect or any possible implementation manner. For example, the communication device includes a transceiver module. Optionally, the communication device further includes a processing module (sometimes also referred to as a processing unit).

[0072] For example, the transceiver module is used to receive third information from the terminal, where the third information indicates the location of the terminal, and send first information to the access network element, where the first information indicates the location of the terminal.

[0073] The communication device can also execute the methods in any possible implementation manner in the second aspect, which will not be listed one by one here.

[0074] In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may be the location compliance proxy network element in the third aspect above, or a software or hardware module (such as a chip or a chip system, etc.) configured in the location compliance proxy network element, or a device having the function of the location compliance proxy network element in the third aspect. The communication device includes corresponding means or modules for performing the third aspect or any possible implementation manner. For example, the communication device includes a transceiver module. Optionally, the communication device further includes a processing module (sometimes also referred to as a processing unit).

[0075] For example, the transceiver module is used to receive first information from a terminal, and the first information is used to request registration or service for the terminal; if the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first public land mobile network, the transceiver module sends second information to the first mobility management network element, and the second information requests registration or service for the terminal; or, if the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first public land mobile network, the transceiver module sends third information to the terminal, and the third information is used to indicate rejection of registration or service.

[0076] The communication device can also execute the methods in any possible implementation manner in the third aspect, which will not be enumerated one by one here.

[0077] In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may be the first mobility management network element in the fourth aspect above, or a software or hardware module (such as a chip or a chip system, etc.) configured in the first mobility management network element, or a device having the function of the first mobility management network element in the fourth aspect. The communication device includes corresponding means or modules for performing the fourth aspect or any possible implementation manner. For example, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module (sometimes also referred to as a processing unit).

[0078] For example, the processing module is used to determine to provide a store-and-forward service for the terminal, the terminal supports the store-and-forward function, or the terminal has subscribed to the store-and-forward service; the transceiver module is used to send fourth information to the location compliance proxy network element, and the fourth information is used to trigger the location compliance proxy network element to perform terminal location verification, and the location compliance proxy network element is deployed on the first satellite.

[0079] The communication device can also execute the methods in any possible implementation manner in the fourth aspect, which will not be enumerated one by one here.

[0080] In a fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may be the access network element in the above fifth aspect, or a software or hardware module (such as a chip or a chip system, etc.) configured in the access network element, or a device having the functions of the access network element in the fifth aspect. The communication device includes corresponding means or modules for executing the above fifth aspect or any possible implementation manner. For example, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module (sometimes also referred to as a processing unit).

[0081] The transceiver module is configured to receive sixth information from a location compliance proxy network element, where the sixth information indicates one of the following: deleting the context information of the terminal, the terminal entering the inactive state, or the terminal entering the idle state, and the location compliance proxy network element is deployed on the first satellite; the processing module is configured to delete the context information of the terminal according to the sixth information, or the transceiver module is configured to instruct the terminal to enter the inactive state, or instruct the terminal to enter the idle state.

[0082] The communication device can also execute the methods in any possible implementation manner in the fifth aspect, which will not be listed one by one here.

[0083] In a fifteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may be the access network element in the above sixth aspect, or a software or hardware module (such as a chip or a chip system, etc.) configured in the access network element, or a device having the functions of the access network element in the sixth aspect. The communication device includes corresponding means or modules for executing the above sixth aspect or any possible implementation manner. For example, the communication device includes a transceiver module. Optionally, the communication device further includes a processing module (sometimes also referred to as a processing unit).

[0084] The transceiver module is configured to receive first information from a location compliance proxy network element, the first information indicating the location of the terminal, and the location compliance proxy network elements are all deployed on the first satellite; if the terminal is within the service range of the first public land mobile network, then according to the first information, send second information to the first mobility management device; or, if the terminal is not within the service range of the first public land mobile network, then send third information to the terminal.

[0085] The communication device can also execute the methods in any possible implementation manner in the sixth aspect, which will not be listed one by one here.

[0086] In a sixteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may be the location compliance proxy network element in the above seventh aspect, or a software or hardware module (such as a chip or a chip system, etc.) configured in the location compliance proxy network element, or a device having the function of the location compliance proxy network element in the seventh aspect. The communication device includes corresponding means or modules for implementing the above seventh aspect or any possible implementation manner. For example, the communication device includes a transceiver module. Optionally, the communication device further includes a processing module (sometimes also referred to as a processing unit).

[0087] A transceiver module, configured to receive key information of a terminal from a first mobility management network element; decrypt fifth information according to the key information to obtain the location of the terminal; and send first information to an access network element, where the first information indicates the location of the terminal.

[0088] The communication device can also execute the methods in any possible implementation manner in the seventh aspect, which will not be listed one by one here.

[0089] In a seventeenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may be the first mobility management network element in the above eighth aspect, or a software or hardware module (such as a chip or a chip system, etc.) configured in the first mobility management network element, or a device having the function of the first mobility management network element in the eighth aspect. The communication device includes corresponding means or modules for implementing the above eighth aspect or any possible implementation manner. For example, the communication device includes a transceiver module. Optionally, the communication device further includes a processing module (sometimes also referred to as a processing unit).

[0090] A transceiver module, configured to obtain key information of a terminal; and send the key information of the terminal to a location compliance proxy network element, where the location compliance proxy network element is deployed on a first satellite.

[0091] The communication device can also execute the methods in any possible implementation manner in the eighth aspect, which will not be listed one by one here.

[0092] In an eighteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may be the terminal in the above ninth aspect, or a software or hardware module (such as a chip or a chip system, etc.) configured in the terminal, or a device having the function of the terminal in the ninth aspect. The communication device includes corresponding means or modules for implementing the above ninth aspect or any possible implementation manner. For example, the communication device includes a transceiver module. Optionally, the communication device further includes a processing module (sometimes also referred to as a processing unit).

[0093] A transceiver module, configured to receive a ninth piece of information from the terminal, where the ninth piece of information indicates that the terminal supports the store-and-forward function; and send a fourth piece of information to an access network element, where the fourth piece of information carries the location of the terminal.

[0094] The communication device can also execute the methods in any possible implementation manner of the ninth aspect, which will not be enumerated one by one here.

[0095] In a nineteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The communication device includes a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is configured to receive a signal from another communication device outside the communication device and transmit it to the processor, or send a signal from the processor to another communication device outside the communication device. The processor is configured to implement any of the methods described in the first aspect to the ninth aspect through logic circuits or by executing code instructions.

[0096] In a specific implementation process, the communication device can be a chip, and the processor can be transistors, gate circuits, flip-flops, and various logic circuits, etc. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific implementation manner of the processor.

[0097] In one implementation manner, the communication device can be a wireless communication device, that is, a computer device supporting wireless communication functions. Specifically, the wireless communication device can be a terminal device such as a smart phone, or a network device such as a wireless access network device (such as a base station).

[0098] In another implementation manner, the communication device can be some components in a wireless communication device, such as integrated circuit products such as a system-on-chip or a communication chip. The system-on-chip can also be referred to as a system on chip (SoC), or simply as an SoC chip. The communication chip can include a baseband processing chip and a radio frequency processing chip. The baseband processing chip is sometimes also referred to as a modem or a baseband chip. The radio frequency processing chip is sometimes also referred to as a radio frequency transceiver or a radio frequency chip. In a physical implementation, some or all of the chips in the communication chip can be integrated inside the SoC chip. For example, the baseband processing chip is integrated in the SoC chip, and the radio frequency processing chip is not integrated with the SoC chip. The interface circuit can be the radio frequency processing chip in the wireless communication device, and the processor can be the baseband processing chip in the wireless communication device. The interface circuit can be an input / output interface, an interface circuit, an output circuit, an input circuit, pins, or related circuits on the chip or chip system. The processor can also be embodied as a processing circuit or a logic circuit.

[0099] In yet another implementation, the communication device may be a chip system, which may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices. For example, the chip system may include a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a system on chip (SoC), a CPU, a network processor (NP), a DSP, a micro controller unit (MCU), a programmable logic device (PLD), or other integrated chips, etc.

[0100] In a twentieth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. An embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which includes: a processor; when the communication device is running, the processor executes any one of the methods described in the first aspect to the ninth aspect. Optionally, the communication device further includes a memory, and one or more computer programs stored in the memory, and the processor can execute the one or more computer programs to implement any one of the methods described in the first aspect to the ninth aspect.

[0101] Optionally, the communication device further includes other components, such as an antenna, an input / output module, an interface (such as a communication interface), etc. These components may be hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0102] In a twenty-first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system. The communication system can implement any one of the methods described in the first aspect to the ninth aspect.

[0103] In a possible embodiment, the communication system includes any one of the communication devices described in the tenth aspect and any one of the communication devices described in the eleventh aspect.

[0104] In another possible embodiment, the communication system includes any one of the communication devices described in the twelfth aspect, any one of the communication devices described in the thirteenth aspect, and any one of the communication devices described in the fourteenth aspect.

[0105] In yet another possible embodiment, any one of the communication devices described in the fifteenth aspect, any one of the communication devices described in the sixteenth aspect, any one of the communication devices described in the seventeenth aspect, and any one of the communication devices described in the eighteenth aspect.

[0106] In a twenty-second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip system. The chip system includes a processor. Optionally, the chip system may further include an interface (such as a communication interface). The processor can be used to implement any of the methods described in the first aspect to the ninth aspect. Optionally, the chip system further includes a memory. The memory is used to store a computer program (which may also be referred to as code or instruction). The processor is used to call and run the computer program from the memory, so that a device equipped with the chip system executes any of the methods described in the first aspect to the ninth aspect. The implementation manner of the chip system can refer to the content of the chip system involved above, and will not be listed here.

[0107] In a twenty-third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium is used to store a computer program or instruction, and when it runs, it implements any of the methods described in the first aspect to the ninth aspect.

[0108] In a twenty-fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product. When it runs on a computer, it implements any of the methods described in the first aspect to the ninth aspect.

[0109] In a possible implementation manner, the computer program product includes a computer program. When the computer program runs on a computer, it causes the computer to execute any of the methods described in the first aspect to the ninth aspect.

[0110] In another possible implementation manner, the computer program product includes instructions. When the instructions run on a computer, it causes the computer to execute any of the methods described in the first aspect to the ninth aspect.

[0111] Regarding the beneficial effects of any of the technical solutions in the second aspect, the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, the seventh aspect to the twenty-fourth aspect, reference can be made to the beneficial effects of the corresponding technical solutions in the first aspect, the third aspect or the sixth aspect, and the repeated parts will not be listed here. Description of the Drawings

[0112] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0113] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0114] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of performing terminal location verification;

[0115] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of a discontinuous coverage scenario;

[0116] Figure 5Schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0117] Figures 6 to 13 Schematic diagrams of six communication methods provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0118] Figures 14 to 16 Schematic diagrams of the structures of three communication devices provided by an embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0119] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the embodiments of the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0120] For ease of understanding, some technical terms related to the embodiments of the present application are introduced below. These explanations are provided to make the embodiments of the present application easier to understand and should not be regarded as limiting the scope of protection required by the embodiments of the present application.

[0121] 1. Cell: It can be understood as an area that can provide wireless communication services for terminal devices and belongs to a constituent unit of a communication network. Alternatively, a cell can be regarded as a division unit of a communication coverage area. An access network element (such as a base station) can correspond to one or more cells, or it can be considered that these one or more cells are one or more cells of the access network element. Optionally, the cell is a cell managed by an access network element. For example, when the access network element is a base station, a base station can manage one cell or multiple cells. For example, a cell is a coverage area centered on a base station. For example, when a base station manages multiple cells, the base station can have antennas in multiple directions, and one antenna is used to cover a certain geographical area in the corresponding direction. This geographical area is called a sector. A sector uses one or more radio frequencies to complete wireless coverage, and one radio frequency uses one carrier frequency point. The sector and the carrier frequency form the smallest service unit for providing access to terminal devices, that is, a cell.

[0122] A physical cell can be divided into one or more logical cells, or multiple physical cells can be grouped into one logical cell, or a logical cell can also correspond one-to-one with a geographical area. For example, a network operator can divide multiple geographical areas, and each geographical area in the multiple geographical areas corresponds to a logical cell. In this case, the logical cell has nothing to do with the physical cell. For example, a certain geographical area A corresponds to logical cell 1. When a satellite moves over geographical area A, within this geographical area A, devices accessing through the satellite can be regarded as accessing from the corresponding logical cell 1.

[0123] Both logical cells and physical cells can be represented by a cell identifier (cell ID). For example, the identifier of a physical cell is a physical cell identifier (PCI). The cell identifier involved in the embodiments of this application can be the identifier of a physical cell or a logical cell, and this is not limited herein.

[0124] 2. The identifier (ID) of a PLMN, which can also be referred to as a PLMN identifier, is used to indicate a PLMN. For example, the identifier of a PLMN may include a mobile country code (MCC) and a mobile network code (MNC). The MCC can be uniformly allocated and managed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and is used to uniquely identify the country to which a mobile user belongs. The MCC can be a specific value. The MNC is used to identify the mobile network to which a mobile customer belongs and can be two or three digits. In the same country, if there are multiple PLMNs, they can be distinguished by the MNC. The identifier of the PLMN corresponding to the location of a certain terminal not only indicates the PLMN but also reflects the PLMN where the terminal is currently located, that is, the identifier of the PLMN can function to represent the location of the terminal.

[0125] 3. The location of a terminal can be the specific (or precise) location of the terminal or the coarse location of the terminal (coarse UE location).

[0126] The specific (or precise) location of a terminal can represent the specific location point of the terminal or can represent the high-precision location of the terminal. For example, the specific location of the terminal is the location (or coordinates) of the terminal in a certain coordinate system (such as the world coordinate system or other coordinate systems). When the location of the terminal is the location of the terminal in the world coordinate system, the location of the terminal can be regarded as the geographical location of the terminal, specifically including the longitude and latitude of the terminal. Optionally, it also includes the relative height of the terminal. The relative height of the terminal is, for example, the height of the terminal relative to the ground or the horizon.

[0127] The coarse location of the terminal, for example, represents the approximate location of the terminal, but may not specifically clarify which location point the terminal is at, or there is a large uncertainty or low accuracy in the coarse location of the terminal, such as the accuracy can only be guaranteed within 2 km. The coarse location of the terminal is, for example, the GNSS location of the terminal. The GNSS location can also be referred to as GNSS coordinates or the area where the terminal is located.

[0128] The GNSS location includes the longitude and latitude of the terminal (the longitude and latitude can be collectively referred to as the longitude and latitude). Optionally, the GNSS location further includes the relative altitude of the terminal. For example, if the GNSS location of the terminal is (30, 60, 10), it means the terminal is located at a position with a longitude of 30 degrees (°), a latitude of 60°, and an altitude of 10 meters (m).

[0129] The area where the terminal is located can be represented in the following ways or the area where the terminal is located includes one of the following: the PLMN corresponding to the geographical location of the terminal. For example, if the location of the terminal is represented as PLMN1, it means the geographical location of the terminal corresponds to PLMN1; the cell corresponding to the geographical location of the terminal. For example, if the location of the terminal is represented as cell 2, it means the geographical location of the terminal corresponds to cell 2; the index of the synchronization signal corresponding to the geographical location of the terminal. For example, if the network side sends synchronization signals with different indices in different areas, then the approximate location of the terminal can be indicated by indicating the synchronization signal. Or, the physical area where the terminal is located. Here, the physical area can be the same as or different from the geographical area used to map the logical cell before, and no specific limitation is made in this regard. Among them, the synchronization signal includes / is replaced by any one or more of the following: synchronization signal (SS), synchronization signal block (SSB), or synchronization signal and PBCH block (or, SS / PBCH block, SSB).

[0130] Different network elements or devices may all be able to obtain the location of the terminal, but the locations of the terminal obtained by different network elements or devices may be of the same type, such as the specific location of the terminal or the approximate location of the terminal. However, the locations of the terminal obtained by different network elements or devices may be different. Or, the locations of the terminal obtained by different network elements may be of different types, and no limitation is made in this regard. For the convenience of distinction, hereinafter, the locations of the terminal obtained from different network elements or devices are respectively referred to as the first location of the terminal, the second location of the terminal, or the third location of the terminal, etc.

[0131] Of course, there may be other ways to represent the location of the terminal, and the embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations in this regard.

[0132] 4. The identifier (ID) of the terminal, which is used to identify the terminal. The identifier of the terminal can be, for example, the permanent identifier and / or the temporary identifier of the terminal. The permanent identifier can be, for example, the subscription permanent identifier (SUPI), the permanent equipment identifier (PEI), or the generic public subscription identifier (GPSI), etc. The temporary identifier can be, for example, the subscription concealed identifier (SUCI) or the globally unique temporary identity (GUTI), etc.

[0133] 5. The registration request, which can also be referred to as the registration request message, is used to request the registration of the terminal, or can be understood as requesting to register the terminal to the network so that the network can serve the terminal. The registration request can be used for the initial registration of the terminal. In this case, the registration request can also be referred to as the initial registration request. For example, the terminal can initiate an initial registration request after power-on. Or it can be a request to update the registration of the terminal. In this case, the registration request can also be referred to as the registration update request. For example, when the terminal moves from one country to another country, it can initiate a registration update request. Optionally, the registration request can include the identifier of the terminal, such as SUPI. Optionally, the registration request can also include the network slice selection assistance information (NSSAI). The NSSAI is used to identify a network slice. For example, the value of the NSSAI of a network slice is 0x01000000.

[0134] 6. The service request, which can also be referred to as the service request message, is used to request to provide services for the terminal. Specifically, for example, it can establish a session for the terminal. The session can be, for example, a protocol data unit (PDU) session. Optionally, the service request can include the identifier of the terminal and / or information about the type of service requested by the terminal, etc.

[0135] 7. PLMN, a communication network that provides mobile communication services. The PLMN can be operated by the government or an operator approved by it.

[0136] 8. The service scope permitted by the PLMN can be understood as the service area or operation area that the PLMN can provide, or the signal coverage area of the PLMN, or the agreed service area of the PLMN, etc. The service scope permitted by the PLMN can be alternatively described as one of the following: the service area permitted by the PLMN, the service area of the PLMN, the service scope of the PLMN, the PLMN, the operation scope permitted by the PLMN, the operation scope of the PLMN, or the signal coverage area of the PLMN, etc., and no specific limitation is made thereto.

[0137] The first service area may include one or more location areas, and the location area is the area covered by the gateway station. That is to say, the first service area may include one or more areas covered by the gateway station. Among them, the area covered by the gateway station can be understood as the local area covered by the gateway station, and the local area can be understood as the area providing actual services, or the local part of the theoretically coverable area.

[0138] 9. The terminal is located within the service scope permitted by the PLMN or the terminal is not located within the service scope permitted by the PLMN.

[0139] The terminal being located within the service scope permitted by the PLMN can also be alternatively described as one of the following: the location of the terminal is within the service scope permitted by the PLMN; the location (or the terminal) of the terminal is within the service scope (or service area) of the PLMN; the location (or the terminal) of the terminal is within the signal coverage area (signal coverage region) of the PLMN; the location (or the terminal) of the terminal is within the operation scope (or operation area) of the PLMN; or, the location (or the terminal) of the terminal is within the operation scope (or operation area) permitted by the PLMN, and no specific limitation is made thereto. Similarly, the terminal not being located within the service scope permitted by the PLMN can also be alternatively described as one of the following: the location of the terminal is not within (or beyond) the service scope permitted by the PLMN; the location (or the terminal) of the terminal is not within (or beyond) the service scope (or service area) of the PLMN; the location (or the terminal) of the terminal is not within (or beyond) the signal coverage area (signal coverage region) of the PLMN; the location (or the terminal) of the terminal is not within (or beyond) the operation scope (or operation area) of the PLMN; or, the location (or the terminal) of the terminal is not within (or beyond) the operation scope (or operation area) permitted by the PLMN, and no specific limitation is made thereto.

[0140] The terminal being located within the service range allowed by the PLMN can be that the current location of the terminal actually falls within (or is in) the service range allowed by the PLMN, or that the signal coverage range of the terminal overlaps with the service range allowed by the PLMN, or that the overlapping range between the signal coverage range of the terminal and the service range allowed by the PLMN is greater than or equal to a first preset range, or that the terminal can receive signals sent by network elements within the PLMN, or that the geographical area or physical area corresponding to the logical cell to which the terminal belongs overlaps with the service range allowed by the PLMN by a range greater than or equal to a second preset range. There is no limitation on this.

[0141] Similarly, the terminal not being located within the service range allowed by the PLMN can be that the current location of the terminal does not fall within (or is not in) the service range allowed by the PLMN, or that the overlapping range between the signal coverage range of the terminal and the service range allowed by the PLMN is less than the first preset range, or that the terminal cannot receive signals sent by network elements within the PLMN, or that the geographical area or physical area corresponding to the logical cell to which the terminal belongs overlaps with the service range allowed by the PLMN by a range less than the second preset range, etc. There is no limitation on this.

[0142] For example, if the service range allowed by a certain PLMN includes the entire area of Country C, and the current location of the terminal is at a certain place within Country C, then it means the terminal is located within the service range allowed by that PLMN. The terminal not being located within the service range allowed by the PLMN means that the current location of the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the PLMN. For example, if the service range allowed by a certain PLMN includes the entire area of Country C, and the current location of the terminal is at a certain place within Country B, then it means the terminal is not located within the service range allowed by that PLMN.

[0143] In the embodiments of this application, for the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, it means "singular noun or plural noun", that is, "one or more". "At least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects and indicates that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally means that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B means: A or B. "At least one (item)" or its similar expression refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single item (s) or plural item (s). For example, at least one (item) of a, b, or c means: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0144] In the embodiments of this application, ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish multiple objects, and are not used to limit the size, content, order, time sequence, priority, or importance of multiple objects. For example, the first information and the second information refer to two pieces of information, and do not indicate differences in the content, priority, or importance of these two pieces of information.

[0145] In the embodiments of this application, "when", "if", and "in case" all mean that the device will perform corresponding processing under certain objective circumstances, not limited to time, and do not require the device to have a judgment action when implemented, nor does it mean there are other limitations. Unless otherwise specified, "if" and "in case" can be replaced, and "when" can be replaced with "in the case of". "When" can be replaced with "if" / "in case".

[0146] In the embodiments of this application, "indication" may include direct indication, indirect indication, display indication, and implicit indication. When it is described that a certain indication information is used to indicate A, it can be understood that the indication information carries A, directly indicates A, or indirectly indicates A. In this application, the information indicated by the indication information is called the information to be indicated. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to indicate the information to be indicated. For example, but not limited to, it can directly indicate the information to be indicated, such as the information to be indicated itself or the index of the information to be indicated. It can also indirectly indicate the information to be indicated by indicating other information, where there is an association relationship between the other information and the information to be indicated. It can also only indicate a part of the information to be indicated, while the other parts of the information to be indicated are known or pre-agreed. For example, it can also rely on the pre-agreed (such as protocol-defined) arrangement order of each piece of information to achieve the indication of specific information, thereby reducing the indication overhead to a certain extent. In addition, the information to be indicated can be sent as a whole, or divided into multiple sub-information and sent separately, and the sending cycle and / or sending timing of these sub-information can be the same or different.

[0147] In the embodiments of the present application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "sending a message to XX" can be understood as the destination of the message being XX, which may include directly sending through the air interface, or indirectly sending through other units or modules via the air interface. "Receiving a message from YY" can be understood as the source of the message being YY, which may include directly receiving from YY through the air interface, or indirectly receiving from YY through other units or modules via the air interface. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface. In other words, sending and receiving can be carried out between devices, for example, between a network device and a terminal device, or can be carried out within a device, for example, sending or receiving between components, modules, chips, software modules or hardware modules within a device through a bus, trace or interface.

[0148] In the embodiments of the present application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to give examples, illustrations or explanations. Any embodiment or design solution described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the present application should not be construed as being more preferred or having more advantages than other embodiments or design solutions. Rather, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present related concepts in a specific manner.

[0149] 3GPP has proposed the fifth generation mobile communication system (the 5 th generation system, 5GS). 5GS has capabilities such as high bandwidth, high reliability, and low latency. With the development of satellite communication technology, the bandwidth capacity of communication satellites has been greatly improved, and the cost has been reduced. The integration of satellite networks and 5G networks has emerged. Its powerful coverage ability can help 5G networks cover remote areas with sparse populations, as well as areas such as the ocean and isolated islands that are difficult to reach by terrestrial networks.

[0150] 3GPP has proposed using a satellite as the radio frequency module of a base station to provide transparent forwarding capabilities, that is, a satellite communication system in transparent mode. In addition, 3GPP has also proposed that a satellite supports data processing, that is, the satellite provides non-transparent forwarding capabilities (or called regenerative capabilities), that is, a satellite communication system in regenerative mode.

[0151] For example, Figure 1 illustrates a satellite communication system in regenerative mode. As Figure 1 shown, the access network element (such as a base station) in the radio access network (RAN) is deployed on the satellite. The terminal accesses the 5G core network (CN) (which can be abbreviated as 5GC) through the RAN. The RAN deployed on the satellite can also be called an on-board RAN or an on-board base station, etc., and it has regenerative capabilities.

[0152] Alternatively, Figure 2 Figure 6 schematically shows a satellite communication system in another regeneration mode. As Figure 2 shown, the RAN and the user plane function (UPF) are deployed on the satellite. The UPF deployed on the satellite may be referred to as an on-board UPF, which has the ability to forward user plane data.

[0153] The implementation forms of the above-mentioned various devices or network elements will be introduced by way of example below.

[0154] A terminal is a device with wireless transceiver functions, and is sometimes also referred to as a user equipment (UE), a terminal device, an access station, a UE station, a remote station, a wireless communication device, or a user device, etc. It can be a fixed device, a mobile device, a handheld device, a wearable device, a vehicle-mounted device, or a wireless device (such as a communication module or a chip system, etc.) built into the above devices. The terminal is used to connect people, things, machines, etc., and can be widely used in various scenarios, such as including but not limited to the following scenarios: cellular communication, device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-to-machine / machine-type communications (M2M / MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), industrial control, self-driving, remote medical, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart city, drones, robots, and other scenarios of terminal devices.

[0155] The RAN involved in the embodiments of this application may be a 3GPP-related cellular system. For example, it can be a 5G / new radio (NR) mobile communication system or a future evolved system (such as a 6G mobile communication system). The RAN can also be an open RAN (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a virtualized RAN (vRAN), etc. The RAN can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems. The access network element in the RAN can also be referred to as a RAN device, a RAN node, a RAN entity, or an access node, etc.

[0156] In a possible scenario, the access network element can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a next generation base station in a 6G mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, etc. The access network element can be a macro base station, a micro base station, an indoor station, a relay node, a donor node / host node, or a radio controller, etc. The access network element can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle, or an in-vehicle device, etc. For example, the access network element in V2X technology can be a road side unit (RSU).

[0157] In another possible scenario, the access network network element can be a module or unit that completes some functions of the base station; or multiple access network network elements cooperate to assist the terminal device to achieve wireless access, and different access network network elements respectively implement some functions of the base station. For example, the access network network element can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a radio unit (RU), etc. The functions of the CU can be implemented by one entity, or can also be implemented by different entities. For example, the functions of the CU can be further divided, that is, the control plane and the user plane are separated and implemented by different entities, namely the control plane CU entity (i.e., the CU-control plane (CP) entity) and the user plane CU entity (i.e., the CU-user plane (UP) entity). The CU-CP entity and the CU-UP entity can be coupled with the DU to jointly complete the functions of the access network network element. The CU and the DU can be set separately, or can also be included in the same network element, such as the baseband unit (BBU).

[0158] In different systems, the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in the ORAN system, the CU can also be called an open CU (O-CU), the DU can also be called an O-DU, the CU-CP can also be called an O-CU-CP, the CU-UP can also be called an O-CU-UP, and the RU can also be called an O-RU. The access network network element in the embodiments of the present application can be any one of the CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU, and can be implemented through a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0159] The CU and DU can be configured according to the protocol layer functions of the wireless network they implement. For example, the CU is configured to implement the functions of the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer and the protocol layers above (such as the radio resource control (RRC) layer and / or the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, etc.); the DU is configured to implement the functions of the protocol layers below the PDCP layer (such as the radio link control (RLC), media access control (MAC) layer, and / or the physical (PHY) layer, etc.). Another example is that the CU is configured to implement the functions of the protocol layers above the PDCP layer (such as the RRC layer and / or the SDAP layer), and the DU is configured to implement the functions of the PDCP layer and the protocol layers below (such as the RLC layer, MAC layer, and / or the PHY layer, etc.). For the specific descriptions of the above various protocol layers, reference can be made to the relevant technical specifications of 3GPP or the technical specifications of other applicable communication protocols. The division of the processing functions of the CU and DU according to the protocol layer above is only an example, and it can also be divided in other ways, which is not limited in the embodiments of this application. For example, in one design, the CU or DU can also be divided into parts with partial processing functions of the protocol layer. In one design, some functions of the RLC layer and the functions of the protocol layers above the RLC layer are set in the CU, and the remaining functions of the RLC layer and the functions of the protocol layers below the RLC layer are set in the DU.

[0160] The 5GC can include one or more core network elements. For example, it can include an access and mobility management function (AMF), a unified data repository (UDR), an authentication server function (AUSF), and a location management function (LMF), etc., which are not specifically limited herein. The AMF is mainly responsible for access management functions, the UDM is used to store subscription data and store policy data, etc. The AUSF is used to implement user authentication. The LMF is used to locate the terminal.

[0161] In the embodiments of the present application, the entity for implementing the functions of a certain terminal may be a device or a device capable of supporting the terminal to implement such functions, such as a chip system or a chip. The device may be installed in the terminal, and this is not limited. In the embodiments of the present application, a network element may be a single device, or may also be a device integrating multiple devices, or a software or hardware module in the device (such as a chip or a chip system, etc.). The network element shown in the embodiments of the present application may also be a logical concept, such as a software module, or a network function corresponding to the services provided by each network element. The network function may be understood as a virtualized function under virtualized implementation, and may also be understood as a network function providing services in a service-based network. The embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations on this.

[0162] In a possible implementation manner, in some cases, the core network element may use the location service (LCS) defined by 3GPP to perform verification of the UE location (which may also be referred to as location verification of the terminal, or verification of the location of the terminal, etc.) to confirm that the physical location where the terminal is located belongs to the service range (or operation range) allowed by the accessed PLMN, so as to meet the regulatory compliance requirements. For example, the terminal may be located at the national border, and due to the inaccurate reflection of the UE's location based on the cell information reported by the RAN or the distrust of the location reported by the UE itself based on GNSS, the core network will call the LCS service to perform terminal location verification.

[0163] Specifically, the access and mobility management element or the mobility management entity (MME) sends a location request of the terminal to the location management function (LMF) or the evolved serving mobile location center (E-SMLC). The LMF / E-SMLC calculates the terminal location by interacting with the RAN and the terminal for location-related messages, and returns the terminal location to the AME or MME. The AMF / MME depends on the terminal location returned by the LMF / E-SMLC to perform terminal location verification, that is, to determine whether the area represented by the terminal location is the service range allowed by the current PLMN. If it is found that the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the current PLMN serving the terminal, the network will initiate deregistration, that is, the terminal is not allowed to access the network to meet the compliance requirements.

[0164] Among them, the LMF / E-SMLC can determine the terminal location through multiple round-trip times (RTT) (which can be abbreviated as Multi-RTT / multi-RTT). The following is an example introduction to the positioning process of multi-RTT.

[0165] The LMF / E-SMLC can obtain the round-trip delay of signal transmission between the terminal and the access network element by measuring the transmission and reception times of the signals between the access network element and the terminal, and obtain the distance from the terminal to the access network element based on the round-trip delay of signal transmission between the terminal and the access network element, so as to infer the position of the terminal. For example, taking the access network element as the center of the circle and the distance from the terminal to the access network element as the radius to determine a circle, the intersection of the three circles is the position of the terminal. Therefore, this positioning method depends on at least three access network elements.

[0166] Specifically, Multi-RTT combines uplink positioning and downlink positioning, requiring the terminal and multiple access network elements or so-called transmission receive points (TRP) (or transmission and reception points) to send reference signals to each other. The LMF / E-SMLC determines the position of the terminal according to the time difference between the signal received by the terminal and the signal sent, and the time difference between the signal received by the access network element and the signal sent.

[0167] In the positioning process, it is required that both the terminal and the transmitting node (access network element) measure the arrival time of the signal. For the downlink signal, the access network element records the transmission time t0 with the local clock of the access network element, and the terminal measures the arrival time t1 of the downlink signal with the local clock of the terminal; for the uplink signal, the terminal records the transmission time t2 with the local clock of the terminal, and the access network element measures the arrival time t3 of the uplink signal with the local clock of the access network element. The finally measured RTT time is (t3 - t0) - (t2 - t1). This RTT can be used to estimate the position of the terminal.

[0168] In the terrestrial 5GS, the RAN and core network elements (such as LMF) can interact with new radio positioning protocol A (NRPPa) messages to transfer information related to RAN measurements; the terminal and the LMF can also interact with NRPPa messages to transfer information related to terminal measurements; the LMF can calculate the position of the terminal based on the obtained measurement information.

[0169] The LMF can send a request to the access network element via NRPPa to request the measurement results of the access network element. This request can carry the transmission characteristic information of the requested uplink-sounding reference signaling (UL-SRS), including the number / duration of the requested UL-SRS transmission, bandwidth, resource type, the requested SRS resource set, the quantity of each SRS resource set, and the carrier frequency of the SRS transmission bandwidth, etc. The LMF can send a request to the RAN via NRPPa, carrying the TRP measurement request information, including the TRP ID, the NR cell global identifier (NCGI) of the TRP receiving the UL-SRS, the terminal-SRS configuration, the measurement period, the measurement quality, and the response time, etc.

[0170] The RAN can send the uplink information / terminal configuration data to the LMF via NRPPa. The configuration data is, for example, the sounding reference signal configuration (SRS configuration) of the terminal, and some auxiliary information can also be sent, such as the cell global identifier and the TRP ID, etc. The measurement results can also be sent, including the cell ID and TRP ID corresponding to the measurement results, the Rx-Tx (receive-transmit) time difference of the RAN, and the time stamp of the measurement, etc.

[0171] The LMF can send a request to the terminal via the LPP protocol, carrying the auxiliary data, and the auxiliary data includes the cell global identifier, the downlink-positioning reference signaling (DL-PRS) configuration of the candidate TRPs, etc. The LMF can also request the positioning method / capability supported by the terminal via the LPP.

[0172] The terminal can send the measurement results to the LMF via the LPP protocol, including the cell ID and TRP ID corresponding to the measurement results, the Rx-Tx (receive-transmit) time difference of the terminal, the time stamp of the measurement, etc. The terminal can also return the positioning method it supports to the LMF via the LPP, such as supporting the implementation of Multiple-RTT positioning in the satellite access scenario.

[0173] In the 4G system, the NRPPa protocol involved in the above positioning process can be replaced by the Long-Term Evolution positioning protocol (LPP) protocol. The LMF can be correspondingly replaced by the E-SMLC.

[0174] The following combines Figure 3 a schematic diagram of a terminal location verification to introduce the terminal location verification by way of example. As Figure 3As shown, the PLMN currently serving the terminal is PLMN #1. If the actual location of the terminal is within the service area permitted by PLMN #1, it indicates that the terminal location verification is compliant; if the location of the terminal is not within the service area permitted by PLMN #1, it indicates that the terminal location verification is non-compliant.

[0175] In addition, due to the relative movement of non-geostationary satellites such as low earth orbit (LEO) and medium earth orbit (MEO) satellites with respect to the ground, a single satellite or multiple satellites that have not yet formed a network based on inter-satellite links, or a constellation with a small number of sparse inter-satellite links, when a terminal uses satellite access, there will be a situation of discontinuous coverage.

[0176] To avoid the terminal continuously searching for signals when there is no satellite coverage, enhancements have been made for this situation. After the terminal loses satellite coverage, it deactivates the access stratum (AS) function and enters the sleep mode. Based on information such as the ephemeris obtained from the RAN and the timer set based on the coverage availability information obtained from the core network, the terminal wakes up when the satellite covers again (the terminal will store the AS information). Correspondingly, high-latency communication also supports discontinuous coverage scenarios, and the MME also considers the discontinuous satellite access coverage situation when configuring the buffer timer (setting the storage duration based on the time when the terminal is reachable).

[0177] In actual situations, the terminal may be located in areas such as the sea surface or polar regions. When covered by a satellite, the satellite cannot establish a connection with the ground station, that is, there is no available feeder link. For example, Figure 4 illustrates a discontinuous coverage scenario. As Figure 4 shown, at time #1, the satellite is over the ocean and can cover the terminal, but because there is no feeder link, the satellite cannot establish a connection with the 5GC on land through the ground gateway station; at time #2, the satellite moves over land and can be connected to the 5GC through the ground gateway station; at time #3, the satellite covers the terminal over the ocean again. In this case of discontinuous coverage, if the terminal is to send and receive data, satellite support for store-and-forward is required, and the satellite needs to support the caching of uplink and downlink data to achieve tolerance for latency and interruption. Therefore, 3GPP is discussing the support for store-and-forward services in this scenario (i.e., the scenario where the service link and the feeder link are not available simultaneously) based on the regenerative satellite mode.

[0178] Based on the above content, the above method for verifying the terminal location based on the LCS service may have the following two problems:

[0179] First problem, due to reasons such as hardware capabilities, Internet of Things (IoT) devices may not support the LCS service and thus cannot apply the above-mentioned terminal location verification. Therefore, how to verify the location of IoT devices in the satellite access scenario is an urgent problem to be solved.

[0180] Second problem, since the LCS service depends on network elements in the core network, and the satellite and the ground station cannot establish a connection when the feeder link is disconnected, how to perform terminal location verification in this scenario remains to be solved.

[0181] To solve the first problem above, the embodiment of the present application provides a first communication method. In this communication method, the first communication device can obtain first information for indicating the location of the terminal from the second communication device. When the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first public land mobile network, it sends the cell identifier corresponding to the location of the terminal to the first mobility management device; when the location of the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first public land mobile network, it sends the cell identifier corresponding to the location of the terminal to a compliant mobility management network element (such as the second mobility management device). In this way, the terminal location verification can be directly performed based on the location of the terminal, providing a mechanism for terminal location verification. Moreover, when the terminal location verification is non-compliant, the cell identifier corresponding to the location of the terminal is sent to the second mobility management network element, enabling the second mobility management network element to page the terminal in a timely manner based on the cell identifier, improving the efficiency of registering or serving the terminal.

[0182] To solve the second problem above, the embodiment of the present application provides a second communication method. In this communication method, network elements (such as location regulation proxy (LRP) network elements) can be deployed on the satellite, and the location regulation proxy network elements can perform terminal location verification. In this way, there is no need to rely on core network elements for terminal location verification, enabling this method to perform terminal location verification even when the feeder link is unavailable.

[0183] To solve the second problem above, the embodiment of the present application also provides a third communication method. In this communication method, access network elements can be deployed on the satellite, and the access network elements can clarify the result of terminal location verification. For example, the access network elements can directly perform terminal location verification, or the access network elements can obtain the result of terminal location verification from the location regulation proxy network elements. In this way, there is no need to rely on core network elements, etc., for terminal location verification, enabling this method to perform terminal location verification even when the feeder link is unavailable.

[0184] Any of the above communication methods provided by the embodiments of the present application can be applicable to the above Figures 1 to 4The communication system involved. In addition, the first communication method described above can be applied to a satellite communication system in transparent access mode or a satellite communication system in regeneration mode without limitation. In addition, any of the communication methods provided in the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to the following Figure 5 shown communication scenarios. The following Figure 5 shown communication scenarios will be introduced.

[0185] As Figure 5 shown, this communication scenario includes a terminal, a satellite, and a mobility management network element (such as a first mobility management network element or a second mobility management network element, etc.). An access network element can be deployed on the satellite. Optionally, a location compliance proxy network element and a positioning network element can also be deployed on the satellite.

[0186] The access network element can be used to connect the terminal to the network. The location compliance proxy network element can receive uplink messages and / or downlink messages, for example, receive uplink messages and / or downlink messages when the service link and the feeder are not established simultaneously, and forward positioning-related messages. The positioning network element can be used to receive positioning requests and determine the terminal location. For example, the terminal location can be obtained by invoking NRPPa and LPP messages. The positioning network element can be, for example, LMF / E-SMLC. The mobility management network element can be used for the terminal to access the network. For example, it can be AMF / MME.

[0187] The location compliance proxy network element is deployed on the satellite. It can be understood that the function for terminal location verification is deployed on the satellite. The location compliance proxy network element may be an independent network element on the satellite, or the function of terminal location verification may be added to an existing network element on the satellite, or the function for terminal location verification may be integrated and set on the first satellite. In the embodiments of the present application, the specific implementation manner of the location compliance proxy network element is not specifically limited, and the name of the location compliance proxy network element is not specifically limited either. That is, the location compliance proxy network element may have other names, which are not specifically limited. An interface can be newly added between the location compliance proxy network element and the mobility management network element for communication between the two. Figure 5 In Figure 5 it is taken as an example that this interface is the Np2 or Sp1 interface, but the name of the interface is not actually limited. The location compliance proxy network element and the access network element can communicate through the N2 or S1 interface without specific limitation on the name of the interface. The location compliance proxy network element and the positioning network element can communicate through the NL1 interface or the SLs interface.

[0188] Figure 5 The first mobility management network element involved belongs to the first PLMN. In other words, the first mobility management network element provides services for terminals accessing the first PLMN. The second mobility management network element belongs to the second PLMN. In other words, the second mobility management network element provides services for terminals accessing the second PLMN.

[0189] In a possible implementation, the first communication device mentioned in the first communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application may be Figure 5 the first mobility management network element involved, and the second communication device is Figure 5 the terminal involved. Alternatively, the first communication device is Figure 5 the access network element involved, and the second communication device is Figure 5 the first mobility management network element involved.

[0190] The above is a specific introduction to some scenarios applicable to the embodiments of the present application. In fact, the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various similar scenarios, and no specific limitation is made thereto.

[0191] The communication solution provided by the embodiments of the present application will be introduced below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings corresponding to the various embodiments of the present application, all steps represented by dashed lines are optional steps. In addition, the access network elements involved in the various embodiments of the present application may be, for example Figure 1 the RAN involved, Figure 2 the RAN involved, or Figure 5 the access network element involved, etc.; the first mobility management network element involved in the various embodiments of the present application may be, for example Figure 5 the first mobility management network element involved; the second mobility management network element involved in the various embodiments of the present application may be, for example Figure 5 the second mobility management network element involved; the terminal involved in the various embodiments of the present application may be, for example Figures 1 to 4 or Figure 5 any of the terminals involved, the location compliance proxy network element involved in the various embodiments of the present application may be Figure 5 the LRP involved, the first satellite involved in the various embodiments of the present application is, for example Figures 1 to 5 any of the satellites involved, etc., and the first positioning network element is, for example Figure 5 the positioning network element involved. In addition, with the continuous evolution of the standards, the names and / or functions, etc. of the network elements, information, or messages involved in the various embodiments of the present application may change, and no limitation is made thereto.

[0192] The first communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application will be introduced first below.

[0193] Please refer to Figure 6 , which is a schematic diagram of the first communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application. The following will introduce Figure 6 each step involved.

[0194] S601. The second communication device sends the first information to the first communication device. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the first information from the second communication device. The first information indicates the location of the terminal. Exemplarily, the first information may include N bits, where N is a positive integer, and these N bits may indicate the location of the terminal.

[0195] Since the content of the location of the terminal is different, correspondingly, the way the first information indicates the location of the terminal (specifically, the way the N bits indicate the location of the terminal) is also different, which will be introduced separately below.

[0196] First, if the location of the terminal is the geographical location of the terminal, then the first information includes the information of the geographical location of the terminal. The content of the geographical location of the terminal can refer to the content of the geographical location discussed above and will not be listed here. For example, the geographical location of the terminal is the GNSS location of the terminal, and the content of the GNSS location can also refer to the content of the GNSS location discussed above.

[0197] Exemplarily, the information of the geographical location of the terminal can be the longitude and latitude of the geographical location of the terminal, and may also include the relative height, etc. These N bits can carry or hold the longitude and latitude of the geographical location of the terminal, and may also include the relative height, etc. In this way, the location of the terminal can be indicated intuitively and precisely.

[0198] Exemplarily, N1 bits out of the N bits can be used to carry the longitude of the terminal, and N2 bits out of the N bits can be used to carry the latitude of the terminal. Both N1 and N2 are positive integers, and the sum of N1 and N2 is less than or equal to N. The N1 bits can be the N1 bits starting from the highest bit or the lowest bit or a preset bit among the N bits, and the N2 bits can be the N2 bits starting after the N1 bits, or can be the N2 bits starting from the highest bit or the lowest bit or a preset bit among the N bits, etc. The position of the starting bit of the N1 bits or the N2 bits among the N bits is not limited.

[0199] Optionally, N3 bits out of the N bits can be used to carry the relative height of the terminal, where N3 is a positive integer, and the sum of N1, N2, and N3 can be equal to N. The N3 bits can be the N3 bits starting after the N1 bits, or can be the N3 bits starting after the N2 bits, or can be the N3 bits starting from the highest bit or the lowest bit or a preset bit among the N bits, etc., and this is not limited.

[0200] For example, if the geographical location of the terminal is (20, 20, 100), the second communication device can use N bits, which can be 10100101001100100. This is equivalent to the first information indicating the location of the terminal. Among these N bits, the first 5 bits from left to right represent longitude, the 6th to 10th bits from left to right represent latitude, and the 6th to 12th bits represent the relative height of the terminal.

[0201] Second, if the location of the terminal is the PLMN to which the geographical location of the terminal belongs, then the first information includes the identifier of the PLMN.

[0202] Exemplarily, N bits in the first information are used to carry the identifier of the PLMN. For example, if the PLMN to which the geographical location of the terminal belongs is the first PLMN and the identifier of the first PLMN is 1, then N bits can carry 1, which is equivalent to indicating the location of the terminal; or, if the PLMN to which the geographical location of the terminal belongs is the second PLMN and the identifier of the second PLMN is 2, then N bits can carry 2, which is equivalent to indicating the location of the terminal.

[0203] Third, if the location of the terminal is the cell identifier corresponding to the geographical location of the terminal, then the first information includes the cell identifier. The content of the cell identifier can refer to the content discussed above and will not be listed here.

[0204] For example, if the cell identifier corresponding to the geographical location of the terminal is 1, then N bits can carry 1, which is equivalent to indicating the location of the terminal.

[0205] Fourth, if the location of the terminal is the synchronization signal corresponding to the terminal, then the first information can indicate the index of the synchronization signal.

[0206] For example, if the synchronization signal corresponding to the terminal is SSB2, then N bits can carry 2, which is equivalent to indicating the location of the terminal.

[0207] Fifth, the physical area where the terminal is located (for the sake of distinction, the physical area where the terminal is located mentioned here will be referred to as the first physical area below), then the first information can indicate the number of the physical area where the terminal is located. N bits in the first information carry the number of the first physical area, which is equivalent to the first information indicating the location of the terminal. The number of the first physical area can be negotiated between the second communication device and the first communication device, or pre-configured or predefined by the protocol, such as determined by the protocol, and will not be specifically limited. Optionally, the number of the first physical area can be, for example, the administrative area code corresponding to the location of the terminal, etc. By indicating the number of the geographical location of the terminal, it is beneficial to save bit overhead.

[0208] For example, if the number of the first physical area is 1 and the geographical location of the terminal belongs to Province A, it means that the terminal is located at a certain position within Province A.

[0209] Of course, there can be multiple ways for the first information to indicate the position of the terminal, and the embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations on this.

[0210] Since the first communication device is different from the second communication device, the implementation form of the first information and the way for the second communication device to send the first information to the first communication device may be different, which are introduced separately below.

[0211] A1. The first communication device is an access network element, and the second communication device is a first mobility management network element. The first mobility management network element is the mobility management network element currently serving the terminal. The first mobility management network element belongs to the first PLMN, or it can be understood that the first mobility management network element is the mobility management network element serving the terminal in the first PLMN. Optionally, the first mobility management network element can directly send the first information to the access network element. The type of the first information can be a NAS message. The first information can be specifically carried in a registration request or a service request.

[0212] Under A1, optionally, the second communication device determines whether the position of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN. Furthermore, the second communication device also indicates through the first information that the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, or the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN. In this way, when the first communication device receives the first information, it can clarify whether the position of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN.

[0213] Exemplarily, the second communication device can determine that the PLMN currently serving the terminal is the first PLMN based on the first information, or the second communication device pre-stores that the PLMN currently serving the terminal is the first PLMN. For example, the second communication device can pre-store the first PLMN currently serving the terminal during the process of accessing the terminal. Furthermore, the second communication device can directly determine whether the position of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN based on the position of the terminal.

[0214] Among them, determining whether the position of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN can be alternatively described as one of the following: determining that the position of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, or not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN; determining whether the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN; or, determining that the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, or not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, and no specific limitations are made on this.

[0215] Among them, since the specific content of the position of the terminal is different, the way for the second communication device to determine whether the position of the terminal belongs to the service range allowed by the first PLMN is also different, which are introduced separately below.

[0216] B1. The location of the terminal is the geographical location of the terminal.

[0217] Under B1, the second communication device can directly determine whether the geographical location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN.

[0218] If the geographical location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, it means that the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN. If the geographical location of the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, it means that the location of the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN.

[0219] B2. The location of the terminal is the cell corresponding to the terminal.

[0220] If the cell represents a physical cell, the second communication device can directly determine whether the physical cell corresponding to the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN.

[0221] Exemplarily, if all the cells corresponding to the terminal are within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, or the center of the cell corresponding to the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, or the first specific area of the cell corresponding to the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, or the overlapping area between the cell corresponding to the terminal and the service range allowed by the first PLMN is greater than or equal to the second preset range, it means that the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN. The first specific area is, for example, the central area of the cell. If all the cells corresponding to the terminal are not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, or the center of the cell corresponding to the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, or the first specific area of the cell corresponding to the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, or the edge area corresponding to the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, or the overlapping area between the cell corresponding to the terminal and the service range allowed by the first PLMN is less than the second preset range, it means that the location of the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN. The ranges of the first specific area, the edge area, and the second preset range can all be pre-configured or predefined in the second communication device, or determined by the second communication device itself, and this is not limited.

[0222] If the cell represents a logical cell and the logical cell corresponds to a physical cell, the second communication device can directly determine whether the physical cell corresponding to the logical cell corresponding to the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN. The method for determining whether the physical cell is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN can refer to the content discussed above and will not be listed here.

[0223] If the cell identifier identifies a logical cell and the logical cell corresponds to a geographical area, then the second communication device can directly determine whether the geographical area is within the service range permitted by the first PLMN.

[0224] Exemplarily,

[0225] B3. The location of the terminal is the PLMN corresponding to the terminal.

[0226] Under B3, the second communication device can directly determine whether the PLMN to which the geographical location of the terminal belongs is the first PLMN.

[0227] If the PLMN to which the geographical location of the terminal belongs is the first PLMN, it means that the location of the terminal is within the service range permitted by the first PLMN. If the PLMN to which the geographical location of the terminal belongs is not the first PLMN, it means that the location of the terminal is not within the service range permitted by the first PLMN.

[0228] If the geographical areas are all within the service range permitted by the first PLMN, or a geographical area is within the service range permitted by the first PLMN, or the second specific areas of the geographical area are all within the service range permitted by the first PLMN, or a geographical area and the service range permitted by the first PLMN, or the overlapping area between a geographical area and the service range permitted by the first PLMN is greater than or equal to the second preset range, then it means that the location of the terminal is within the service range permitted by the first PLMN. The second specific area is, for example, the central area of the geographical area. If the geographical areas are not all within the service range permitted by the first PLMN, or the center of the geographical area is not within the service range permitted by the first PLMN, or the second specific areas of the geographical area are not within the service range permitted by the first PLMN, or the edge areas of the geographical area are not within the service range permitted by the first PLMN, or the overlapping area between a geographical area and the service range permitted by the first PLMN is less than the second preset range, then it means that the location of the terminal is not within the service range permitted by the first PLMN. The ranges of the second characteristic area, the edge area, and the second preset range can all be pre-configured or predefined in the second communication device, or determined by the second communication device itself, and no limitation is made thereto.

[0229] B4. The location of the terminal is the synchronization signal corresponding to the terminal.

[0230] Under B4, the second communication device can directly determine whether the area corresponding to the synchronization channel (hereinafter referred to as the first area for ease of description) is within the first PLMN.

[0231] If the first area is entirely within the service scope permitted by the first PLMN, or the first area is within the service scope permitted by the first PLMN, or the third specific area of the first area is entirely within the service scope permitted by the first PLMN, or the first area and the service scope permitted by the first PLMN, or the overlapping area between the first area and the service scope permitted by the first PLMN is greater than or equal to the second preset scope, then it indicates that the position of the terminal is within the service scope permitted by the first PLMN. The third specific area is, for example, the central area of the first area. If the first area is not entirely within the service scope permitted by the first PLMN, or the center of the first area is not within the service scope permitted by the first PLMN, or the third specific area of the first area is not within the service scope permitted by the first PLMN, or the edge area of the first area is not within the service scope permitted by the first PLMN, or the overlapping area between the first area and the service scope permitted by the first PLMN is less than the second preset scope, then it indicates that the position of the terminal is not within the service scope permitted by the first PLMN. The scopes of the third specific area, the edge area, and the second preset scope can all be pre-configured or pre-defined in the second communication device, or determined by the second communication device itself, and no limitation is imposed on this.

[0232] B5. The position of the terminal is the physical area corresponding to the terminal.

[0233] Under B5, the second communication device can directly determine whether the PLMN to which the physical area corresponding to the terminal belongs is the first PLMN.

[0234] If the physical area is entirely within the service scope permitted by the first PLMN, or the physical area is within the service scope permitted by the first PLMN, or the fourth specific area of the physical area is entirely within the service scope permitted by the first PLMN, or the physical area and the service scope permitted by the first PLMN, or the overlapping area between the physical area and the service scope permitted by the first PLMN is greater than or equal to the second preset scope, then it indicates that the position of the terminal is within the service scope permitted by the first PLMN. The fourth specific area is, for example, the central area of the physical area. If the physical area is not entirely within the service scope permitted by the first PLMN, or the center of the physical area is not within the service scope permitted by the first PLMN, or the fourth specific area of the physical area is not within the service scope permitted by the first PLMN, or the edge area of the physical area is not within the service scope permitted by the first PLMN, or the overlapping area between the physical area and the service scope permitted by the first PLMN is less than the second preset scope, then it indicates that the position of the terminal is not within the service scope permitted by the first PLMN. The scopes of the fourth specific area, the edge area, and the second preset scope can all be pre-configured or pre-defined in the second communication device, or determined by the second communication device itself, and no limitation is imposed on this.

[0235] A2. The first communication device is the first mobility management network element, and the second communication device is the terminal.

[0236] The type of the first information may also be, for example, an N2 interface message or an S1 interface message, etc., and no specific limitation is made thereto. The first information may be carried in a registration request or a service request. The content of the registration request and the service request may refer to the content described above, and will not be listed again except for repetitions. Optionally, under A2, the terminal may send the first information to the first mobility management network element through the access network element.

[0237] S602. When the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, the first communication device sends the cell identifier to the first mobility management network element.

[0238] When the first information indicates that the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, or the location of the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, after receiving the first information, the first communication device can determine whether the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN. Alternatively, the first communication device determines whether the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN based on the location of the terminal. The manner in which the first communication device determines whether the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN may refer to the content described above in which the second communication device determines whether the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN based on the location of the terminal, and repetitions will not be listed.

[0239] In short, the first communication device can determine that the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, or the location of the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN. If the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, then the first communication device may send the cell identifier to the first mobility management network element.

[0240] Exemplarily, the first communication device may be pre-configured or pre-defined with a first correspondence, and the first correspondence includes the correspondence between the geographical area and the cell identifier. Thus, the first communication device can determine the geographical area corresponding to the location of the terminal based on the first correspondence and the location of the terminal, and then determine the cell identifier corresponding to the geographical area, which is the cell identifier corresponding to the location of the terminal. There may be partial overlaps among the multiple geographical areas corresponding to the multiple cell identifiers, and no limitation is made thereto. Alternatively, when the first information indicates the location of the terminal through the cell identifier, then the first communication device can directly determine the cell identifier based on the first information.

[0241] The content of the cell identifier may refer to the content in the previous text and will not be elaborated here. The cell identifier is equivalent to representing the location of the terminal and can be used to clarify the location of the terminal and page the terminal, etc. In the satellite communication system, the satellite moves at a relatively high speed. Therefore, the first communication device timely sends the cell identifier to the first mobility management network element, which is convenient for the first mobility management network element to timely perceive the location of the terminal, register the terminal more timely, and provide services for the terminal, etc.

[0242] In addition to sending the cell identifier to the first mobility management network element, if the first information is carried in the registration request or service request and is optional, then the first communication device may also forward the registration request or service request to the first mobility management network element together, so that the first mobility management network element can register the terminal in a timely manner or provide services for the terminal. In this case, the first communication device may carry the cell identifier in the registration request or service request and send it to the first mobility management network element together.

[0243] S603. When the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, the first communication device sends the cell identifier to the second mobility management network element.

[0244] The second mobility management network element belongs to the PLMN corresponding to the location of the terminal, or it can be understood that the second mobility management network element is the mobility management network element serving the terminal in the second PLMN. That is to say, the current mobility management network element serving the terminal is the first mobility management network element, but in fact, the PLMN corresponding to the actual location of the terminal may not be the first PLMN to which the first mobility management network element belongs, and it may be the second PLMN. In this case, the first communication device may send the cell identifier to the second mobility management network element in the second PLMN. In this way, the second mobility management network element can page the terminal earlier based on the cell identifier and provide services for the terminal, which is beneficial for the terminal to quickly switch and access the network.

[0245] The following gives an example of the method for the first communication device to determine the second mobility management network element.

[0246] The first communication device may pre-store a second correspondence relationship, which indicates the correspondence relationship between the second PLMN and the mobility management network element. For example, the second correspondence relationship includes the correspondence relationship between the identifier of the second PLMN and the identifier of the mobility management network element. In this way, the first communication device can directly determine that the mobility management network element corresponding to the second PLMN is the second mobility management network element and send the cell identifier to the second mobility management network element.

[0247] In the case where there are multiple mobility management network elements corresponding to the second PLMN, the first communication device may determine the mobility management network element closest to the terminal among the multiple mobility management network elements as the second mobility management network element, or determine the mobility management network element with the best communication quality with the terminal among the multiple mobility management network elements as the second mobility management network element, and no specific limitation is made thereto.

[0248] In addition to sending the cell identifier to the second mobility management network element, if the first information is carried in a registration request or a service request, optionally, then the first communication device may also forward the registration request or the service request to the second mobility management network element together, so that the second mobility management network element can register the terminal in a timely manner or provide services for the terminal. In this case, optionally, the first communication device may carry the cell identifier in the registration request or the service request and send it to the second mobility management network element together. In this way, it is not necessary for the terminal to initiate a registration or service request to the second mobility management network element separately, reducing the number of interactions in the communication system.

[0249] S602 and S603 are two possible situations. During a terminal location verification process, either the steps of S602 are executed or the steps of S603 are executed.

[0250] In the embodiments of the present application, the second communication device may send the location of the terminal to the first communication device, so that the first communication device can perform terminal location verification by itself, or the first communication device can obtain the terminal location verification result from the first mobility management network element, providing a mechanism applicable to various terminal devices such as IoT devices for terminal location verification. And, if the terminal location verification is compliant, then the first communication device may map the location of the terminal into a cell identifier and send it to the first mobility management network element, so that the first mobility management network element can quickly register the terminal and serve the terminal; if the terminal location verification is non-compliant, then the first communication device may reselect a mobility management network element based on the actual location of the terminal, so that the new mobility management network element can quickly register the terminal and serve the terminal, reducing the time for the terminal to switch networks.

[0251] The first communication device is different from the second communication device, and the interaction processes among the various network elements involved are also different. The following combines Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a communication method shown to give an example introduction to the interaction among the various network elements. Figure 7 The above is an example of the situation shown in A1 above (i.e., the first communication device is an access network element and the second communication device is the first mobility management). The following introduces Figure 7 The various steps shown.

[0252] S701. Establish a non-access stratum (NAS) connection between the terminal and the first mobility management entity. The first mobility management entity currently serves the terminal, the first mobility management entity belongs to the first PLMN, and the first PLMN currently serves the terminal.

[0253] Exemplarily, the terminal may request the first mobility management entity to send a connection establishment request message. Optionally, the connection request message may carry the identifier of the terminal. After receiving the connection establishment request message, the first mobility management entity may send a NAS security mode command message to the terminal. The NAS security mode command message includes key information, and the key information is used to encrypt the messages between the terminal and the first mobility management entity. Optionally, the NAS security mode command message may further include algorithm information, so that the terminal can identify the algorithm used between the terminal and the first mobility management entity, or the algorithm information may also be pre-configured or predefined in the terminal.

[0254] In this way, the terminal can establish a NAS connection with the first mobility management entity through the access network element. In this way, it is convenient for the terminal to communicate with the first mobility management entity based on the NAS connection subsequently. And, when the terminal is an IoT device, specifically an NB IoT device, the terminal may not support AS or the AS communication is insecure. Then, the terminal can use the established NAS connection to communicate with the first mobility management entity.

[0255] When a NAS connection or other communication connections have been established between the terminal and the first mobility management entity, then the steps of S701 do not need to be executed, that is, S701 is an optional step, which is shown by a dotted line in Figure 7 the figure.

[0256] S702. The terminal sends the fourth information to the access network element. Correspondingly, the access network element receives the fourth information from the terminal. The fourth information indicates the location of the terminal.

[0257] The fourth information may be a NAS message or other messages, and no specific limitation is made thereto. Exemplarily, the fourth information may be carried in a registration request or a service request. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific form of the fourth information. The manner in which the fourth information indicates the location of the terminal may refer to the content of the first information indicating the location of the terminal discussed above, and the repeated parts will not be listed. The meaning of the location of the terminal may refer to the content of the location of the terminal involved above, and will not be listed here. Figure 6 The content of the first information indicating the location of the terminal discussed above, and the repeated parts will not be listed. The meaning of the location of the terminal may refer to the content of the location of the terminal involved above, and will not be listed here. Figure 6 the content involved above, and will not be listed here.

[0258] Exemplarily, the terminal measures the GNSS signal from the network side (such as an access network element) to obtain the location of the terminal, specifically, the GNSS location of the terminal. Alternatively, the terminal may pre-store its own location, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit the manner in which the terminal obtains its location.

[0259] When the terminal receives the key information from the first mobility management element, the terminal may also use the key information to encrypt the first information, or may encrypt the information carried in the first information for indicating the location of the terminal, to ensure the security of the location of the terminal.

[0260] Optionally, in addition to indicating the location of the terminal, the fourth information may further include the identifier of the terminal. Optionally, the fourth information may further include the identifier of the PLMN currently serving the terminal (i.e., the identifier of the first PLMN), etc. The content of the identifier of the terminal and the identifier of the PLMN may refer to the content of the identifier of the terminal and the identifier of the PLMN described above, and will not be listed here.

[0261] S703. The access network element sends the fifth information to the first mobility management element. Correspondingly, the first mobility management element receives the fifth information from the access network element. The fifth information indicates the location of the terminal.

[0262] The manner in which the fifth information indicates the location of the terminal may refer to the content of the first information indicating the location of the terminal described above, and will not be listed here. The fifth information may also be a NAS message. The third information may also be carried in a registration request or a service request, and this is not limited. The content of the registration request and the service request may refer to the content of the registration request or the service request described above, and will not be listed here. In addition to indicating the location of the terminal, the fifth information may further include the identifier of the terminal. Optionally, the fifth information may further include the identifier of the PLMN currently serving the terminal (i.e., the identifier of the first PLMN), etc. Figure 6 The fifth information and the fourth information may be exactly the same or different. For example, the access network element may perform format conversion or encapsulation on the fourth information to obtain the fifth information, and this is not limited.

[0263] The fifth information and the fourth information may be exactly the same or different. For example, the access network element may perform format conversion or encapsulation on the fourth information to obtain the fifth information, and this is not limited.

[0264] S704. The first mobility management element determines whether the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN.

[0265] If the third piece of information indicates the identifier of the first PLMN, then the first mobility management entity may determine, based on the fifth piece of information, that the PLMN currently serving the terminal is the first PLMN. Alternatively, if the first mobility management entity corresponds to only one PLMN (or exclusively occupies one PLMN), then the first mobility management entity may itself determine that the PLMN it corresponds to is the first PLMN. Alternatively, the first mobility management entity may pre-store the first PLMN serving the terminal. Furthermore, the first mobility management entity may directly determine whether the location of the terminal is within the service range permitted by the first PLMN. Among them, the manner in which the first mobility management entity determines whether the location of the terminal is within the service range permitted by the first PLMN may refer to the content described above regarding how the second communication device determines whether the location of the terminal is within the service range permitted by the first PLMN, and the repeated parts will not be elaborated. Figure 6 Regarding the content described above regarding how the second communication device determines whether the location of the terminal is within the service range permitted by the first PLMN, the repeated parts will not be elaborated.

[0266] Before the first mobility management entity determines whether the location of the terminal is within the service range permitted by the first PLMN, optionally, if the fifth piece of information is encrypted using key information, or the information in the fifth piece of information used to indicate the location of the terminal is encrypted, then the first mobility management entity may use the key information corresponding to the terminal to decrypt the fifth piece of information to obtain the location of the terminal.

[0267] S705. The first mobility management entity sends the first piece of information to the access network entity. Correspondingly, the access network entity receives the first piece of information from the first mobility management entity.

[0268] The content of the first piece of information may refer to the content of the first piece of information described in S601 above, and the repeated parts will not be listed. In this case, the information in the first piece of information used to indicate the location of the terminal may be unencrypted information, facilitating the access network entity to directly obtain the location of the terminal.

[0269] In the case where the third piece of information includes the identifier of the terminal, optionally, the first piece of information may further include the identifier of the terminal. In the case where the third piece of information further includes the identifier of the PLMN currently serving the terminal (i.e., the identifier of the first PLMN), optionally, the first piece of information may further include the identifier of the PLMN currently serving the terminal (i.e., the identifier of the first PLMN), etc.

[0270] In the case of executing S704, optionally, the first piece of information further indicates that the location of the terminal (or the terminal) is within or not within the service range permitted by the first PLMN. In this way, the access network entity can directly determine, based on the first piece of information, that the location of the terminal is within the service range permitted by the first PLMN, or not within the service range permitted by the first PLMN.

[0271] The first mobility management network element may directly execute step S705 after obtaining the location of the terminal. Alternatively, the first mobility management network element may also execute step S705 when the following first condition is met. The first condition includes at least one of the following C1 to C4.

[0272] C1. The type of the terminal is the first type. For example, the first type indicates a terminal belonging to the category of IoT devices, or the first type indicates a terminal that does not support the LCS service, etc., and there is no limitation in this regard.

[0273] The first type may be pre-configured or pre-defined in the first mobility management network element, or may be obtained by the first mobility management network element from the terminal, and then determine whether the type of the terminal is the first type.

[0274] C2. The access type used by the terminal is satellite access. The access type used by the terminal may be the access technology or method that the terminal can support, or may be the access technology used by the terminal for this access. Satellite access can be understood as the terminal accessing the network (such as the core network) through a satellite, or the terminal realizing network services through a satellite.

[0275] The access type used by the terminal may be pre-configured or pre-defined in the first mobility management network element, or may be obtained by the first mobility management network element from the terminal, and then determine whether the access type of the terminal is satellite access.

[0276] C3. The access network element supports terminal location verification. The access network element supporting terminal location verification can be understood as the access network element having the ability (or function) of terminal location verification, or the access network element having the ability to assist in terminal location verification.

[0277] Exemplarily, the access network element supporting terminal location verification may be obtained by the first mobility management network element from the access network element.

[0278] The above S704 to S705 can be regarded as a first way for the access network element to determine whether the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN.

[0279] S706. The access network element determines whether the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN.

[0280] The method for the access network element to determine whether the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN may refer to the content of whether the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN in S704 and the content of whether the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN determined by the first mobility management network element respectively, and will not be listed one by one here.

[0281] The above S705 to S706 are the second method for the access network element to clarify whether the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN.

[0282] In the actual execution process, only the steps of S704 - S705 can be executed, or only the steps of S705 - S706 can be executed. Therefore, one of the steps of S704 and S706 is an optional step, which is indicated by a dotted line in Figure 7 . Or, the steps of S704 and S706 can both be executed. In this way, it is equivalent to performing the terminal location verification twice, improving the reliability of the terminal location verification.

[0283] S707. When the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, the access network element sends the cell identifier to the first mobility management network element.

[0284] When the access network element can determine, based on the first information, that the location (or the terminal) of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, or can determine by itself that the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, the access network element can map the location of the terminal into a cell identifier. The method for the access network element to determine the cell identifier can refer to the content of the first communication device determining the cell identifier discussed above, which will not be listed here. Or, when the first information indicates the location of the terminal through the cell identifier, the access network element can directly obtain the cell identifier according to the first information. Furthermore, the access network element sends the cell identifier to the first mobility management network element. The cell identifier can also be carried in the N2 interface message or the S1 interface message, and no specific limitation is made here. The content of the cell identifier can refer to the content of the cell identifier discussed above, which will not be listed here. The cell identifier is equivalent to representing the location of the terminal, which can be used to clarify the location of the terminal and page the terminal, etc. In the satellite communication system, the satellite moves at a relatively high speed. Therefore, the access network element timely sends the cell identifier to the first mobility management network element, which is convenient for the first mobility management network element to timely perceive the location of the terminal, register the terminal more timely, and provide services for the terminal, etc. Figure 6

[0285] S708. When the location of the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, the access network element sends the cell identifier to the second mobility management network element. Correspondingly, the second mobility management network element receives the cell identifier from the access network element.

[0286] The method for the access network element to determine the cell identifier can refer to the content discussed above, and the meaning of the cell identifier can also refer to the content discussed above, which will not be repeated here.

[0287] ​When the access network element can determine, based on the first information, that the location of the terminal (or the terminal) is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, or can itself determine that the location of the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, in the case where the location of the terminal (or the terminal) is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, it means that the terminal location verification is non-compliant (or fails). Therefore, the access network element can determine the PLMN actually corresponding to the location of the terminal (in this embodiment of the present application, the second PLMN is taken as an example). The access network element can send the cell identifier to the second mobility management network element in the second PLMN. The cell identifier can also be carried in the N2 interface message or the S1 interface message, and there is no limitation on this. Among them, the method for the access network element to determine the second mobility management network element can refer to the content of the first communication device determining the second mobility management network element described above, and will not be listed here. Figure 6 The content of the first communication device determining the second mobility management network element discussed above will not be listed here.

[0288] If the first information is carried in the registration request or the service request, optionally, the access network element can also forward the registration request or the service request to the second mobility management network element together, so that the second mobility management network element can register the terminal in a timely manner or provide services for the terminal. In this case, optionally, the cell identifier can be carried in the registration request or the service request.

[0289] The above S707 and S708 are two possible situations. During a terminal location verification process, either the steps of S707 are executed or the steps of S708 are executed.

[0290] S709: The access network element sends the second information to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the second information from the access network element. The second information indicates that the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN. In this way, the terminal is made aware that its location verification is non-compliant.

[0291] S710: The access network element sends the sixth information to the first mobility management network element. Correspondingly, the first mobility management network element receives the sixth information from the first mobility management network element. The sixth information indicates deregistering the terminal or releasing the context information of the terminal.

[0292] When the location of the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, the access network element may notify the first mobility management network element to deregister the terminal or release (or delete) the context information of the terminal, so that the first mobility management network element can release (or delete) the context information of the terminal, which is equivalent to the first mobility management network element not providing services for the terminal. The context information of the terminal refers to the information stored related to the terminal, such as at least one of the session information, key information, or encryption algorithm of the terminal stored by the first mobility management network element, etc. Optionally, the sixth information may include the identifier of the terminal, so as to facilitate the first mobility management network element to identify which terminal is deregistered.

[0293] S711. The first mobility management network element sends the seventh information to the access network element. Correspondingly, the access network element receives the seventh information from the first mobility management network element. The sixth information indicates the completion of deregistration. Optionally, the seventh information includes the identifier of the terminal.

[0294] After the first mobility management network element deregisters the terminal, it may also send the seventh information to the access network element to notify the completion of deregistering the terminal. Optionally, the seventh information may include the identifier of the terminal, so as to facilitate the access network element to identify which terminal has completed deregistration.

[0295] S712. The access network element sends the third information to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the third information from the access network element. The third information indicates that the terminal enters the idle state or the inactive state.

[0296] The access network element may also notify the terminal to enter the idle state or the inactive state, etc., to prevent the first PLMN from continuing to serve the terminal, or to prevent the terminal from continuing to make invalid attempts to communicate with the first mobility management network element, resulting in waste of resources.

[0297] The access network element executes the steps of S709 and S712. The access network element may also execute one of the steps of S709 and S712, or neither execute S709 nor execute S712. There is no limitation on this. In short, both S709 and S712 are optional steps, as indicated by the dotted line in Figure 7 It is shown in a dotted line.

[0298] In another possible design, when the access network element sends the third information to the terminal, it is equivalent to indicating that the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN. In this case, sending the third information can be regarded as an implementation manner of sending the second information (in other words, S712 can be regarded as an implementation manner of S709). In this case, there is no need to execute the step of S709.

[0299] S709 to S712 are steps that may be executed when the location of the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN. Of course, these steps may not be executed, or only some of these steps may be executed (for example, execute S709, execute S710 and S711, execute S712, or execute S710 to S712, etc.). In short, S709 to S712 are all optional steps, and are schematically shown by dashed lines in Figure 7 as shown.

[0300] In the embodiments of the present application, the first mobility management network element may re-route the location of the terminal to the access network element, so that the access network element can perform terminal location verification by itself, or the first mobility management network element can perform terminal location verification based on the location of the terminal by itself and notify the access network element of the terminal location verification result, providing a mechanism applicable to various terminal devices such as IoT devices for terminal location verification. And, if the terminal location verification is compliant, then the access network element can map the location of the terminal into a cell identifier and send it to the first mobility management network element, so that the first mobility management network element can quickly register the terminal for terminal services; if the terminal location verification is non-compliant, then the access network element can reselect a mobility management network element based on the actual location of the terminal, or directly release the connection of the terminal and / or notify the first mobility management network element to release the connection of the terminal, which is beneficial to the terminal to quickly switch networks.

[0301] The first communication device is different from the second communication device, and the interaction processes between the involved network elements are also different. Below, with reference to Figure 8 the schematic diagram of a communication method shown, the interaction between the involved network elements will be introduced by way of example. Figure 8 In the above, the situation shown in A2 above (that is, the first communication device is the first mobility management device and the second communication device is the terminal) is taken as an example. Below, the Figure 8 steps shown will be introduced.

[0302] S801. A NAS connection is established between the terminal and the first mobility management network element. The content of establishing the NAS connection can refer to the content of establishing the NAS connection discussed in S701 above, and the repeated parts will not be listed again.

[0303] S802. The terminal sends the fourth information to the access network element. Correspondingly, the access network element receives the fourth information from the terminal. The fourth information indicates the location of the terminal. The content of the fourth information and the location of the terminal can refer to the content of the fourth information and the location of the terminal discussed in Figure 7 above respectively, and the repeated parts will not be listed again.

[0304] S803. The access network element sends the first information to the first mobility management element. Correspondingly, the first mobility management element receives the first information from the access network element. The first information indicates the location information of the terminal.

[0305] The first information may be a NAS message. For example, the first information may be carried in a registration request or a service request. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific form of the fourth information. The content of the registration request and the service request may refer to the registration request and the service request involved above respectively, and the repeated parts will not be listed again. The first information may also indicate the identifier of the terminal. Optionally, the first information also indicates the identifier of the PLMN that currently serves the terminal (i.e., the identifier of the first PLMN), etc.

[0306] S804. The first mobility management element determines whether the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN.

[0307] The manner in which the first mobility management element determines the first PLMN, the content of whether the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, and the manner of determining whether the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN may refer to the above Figure 7 The manner in which the first mobility management element determines the first PLMN, the content of whether the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, and the content of determining whether the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN involved above will not be repeated here.

[0308] S805. The first mobility management element determines the cell identifier corresponding to the location of the terminal. S805 may also be equivalent to the first mobility management element clarifying the cell identifier.

[0309] The content of the cell identifier and the content of the first mobility management element determining the cell identifier corresponding to the location of the terminal may refer to the above Figure 7 The content of the cell identifier involved above and the content of the access network element determining the cell identifier corresponding to the location of the terminal will not be listed again for the repeated parts.

[0310] S806. When the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, the first mobility management element registers the terminal or provides services for the terminal according to the cell identifier.

[0311] When the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, it means that the first mobility management element should serve the terminal. Therefore, when the first information is a registration request, the first mobility management element registers the terminal according to the cell identifier; or, when the first information is a service request, the first mobility management element provides corresponding services for the terminal according to the cell identifier.

[0312] S807. When the location of the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, the first mobility management entity sends a cell identifier to the second mobility management entity. Correspondingly, the second mobility management entity receives the cell identifier from the first mobility management entity.

[0313] When the location of the terminal (or the terminal) is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, it indicates that the terminal location verification is non-compliant (or fails). Therefore, the first mobility management entity can determine the PLMN actually corresponding to the location of the terminal (in this embodiment of the application, the second PLMN is taken as an example). The first mobility management entity can send the cell identifier to the second mobility management entity in the second PLMN. The cell identifier can also be carried in the N2 interface message or the S1 interface message, and this is not limited. The manner for the first mobility management entity to determine the second mobility management entity can refer to the content of the second communication device determining the second mobility management entity discussed above, and will not be listed here. Figure 6 The content of the second communication device determining the second mobility management entity discussed above will not be listed here.

[0314] In addition to sending the cell identifier to the second mobility management entity, if the fourth information is a registration request or a service request, optionally, then the first mobility management entity can also forward the registration request or the service request to the second mobility management entity together, so that the second mobility management entity can register the terminal in a timely manner or provide services for the terminal.

[0315] The above S806 and S807 are two possible situations. During a terminal location verification process, either the steps of S806 are executed or the steps of S807 are executed.

[0316] S808. The first mobility management entity deregisters the terminal. The manner for the first mobility management entity to deregister the terminal can refer to the content of the first mobility management entity deregistering the terminal discussed above, and will not be listed here. Figure 6 The content of the first mobility management entity deregistering the terminal discussed above will not be listed here.

[0317] S809. The first mobility management entity sends second information to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the second information from the first mobility management entity. The second information indicates that the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN.

[0318] Exemplarily, the first mobility management entity can send the second information to the terminal through the access network entity. The type of the second information is, for example, a NAS message. When the location of the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, the first mobility management entity can also notify the terminal that it is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN. In this way, the terminal can be made aware that its location verification is non-compliant.

[0319] S810. The first mobility management entity sends the third information to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the third information from the first mobility management entity. The third information indicates that the terminal enters the idle state or the inactive state.

[0320] Exemplarily, the first mobility management entity may send the third information to the terminal through an access network entity. The type of the third information is, for example, a NAS message. When the location of the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, the first mobility management entity sends the third information to the terminal so that the terminal does not access the first mobility management entity.

[0321] The first mobility management entity may execute the steps of S809 and S810, or may also execute one of the steps of S809 and S810, or may neither execute S809 nor execute the steps of S810, and there is no limitation on this.

[0322] In another possible design, when the first mobility management entity sends the third information to the terminal, it is equivalent to indicating that the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN. In this case, sending the third information can be regarded as an implementation manner of sending the second information (that is, S810 can be regarded as an implementation manner of S809). In this case, the step of S809 does not need to be executed.

[0323] S808 to S810 are steps that may be executed when the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN. Of course, these steps may not be executed, or some of these steps may also be executed (for example, execute S808, execute S809 and S810, or execute S810, or execute S808 to S810, etc.). In short, S808 to S810 are all optional steps, which are Figure 8 schematically shown by a dashed line.

[0324] In the embodiments of the present application, the first mobility management entity can perform terminal location verification based on the location of the terminal by itself, providing a mechanism for performing location verification on various types of terminal devices. And if the terminal location verification is compliant, then the first mobility management entity can directly serve the terminal according to the cell identifier corresponding to the location of the terminal; if the terminal location verification is non-compliant, then the first mobility management entity can reselect a mobility management entity based on the actual location of the terminal, or directly release the connection of the terminal and / or notify the first mobility management entity to release the connection of the terminal, which is beneficial to the terminal to quickly switch networks.

[0325] It should be noted that the access network entity involved in the above first communication method (such as Figure 6 , Figure 7 or Figure 8The access network element involved can be deployed on a satellite or not, and no specific limitation is made in this regard.

[0326] The second communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application is introduced below.

[0327] The following combines Figure 9 a schematic diagram of a communication method shown, and the second communication method above is introduced by way of example. The following steps shown Figure 9 are introduced.

[0328] S901. The terminal sends a first message to the location compliance proxy network element. Correspondingly, the location compliance proxy network element receives the first message from the terminal. The first message is used to request to register or serve the terminal.

[0329] The terminal can directly send the first message to the location compliance proxy network element. Or the terminal can send the first message to the location compliance proxy network element through the access network element. The access network element is deployed on the first satellite. For example, if the terminal sends the first message to the access network element and the access network element determines that the feeder link is disconnected, the first message can be directly forwarded to the location compliance proxy network element. The first message can be a NAS message.

[0330] The first message can be carried in a registration request or a service request. The content of the registration request and the service request can refer to the content of the registration request and the service request discussed above respectively, and will not be listed here. Optionally, the first message can carry the identifier of the terminal, and the content of the identifier of the terminal can refer to the content of the identifier of the terminal discussed above, and will not be listed here.

[0331] S902. When the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, the location compliance proxy network element sends a second message to the first mobility management network element. Correspondingly, the first mobility management network element receives the second message from the location compliance proxy network element. The second message is used to request to register or serve the terminal. Optionally, the second message can also carry the identifier of the terminal.

[0332] The location compliance proxy network element can obtain information from other network elements, and this information indicates whether the terminal is within or not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN. In this way, the location compliance proxy network element can clarify whether the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN. Or, the location compliance proxy network element determines whether the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN based on the location of the terminal. The way for the location compliance proxy network element to determine whether the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN can refer to the above Figure 6The content of the second communication device's determination of whether the terminal is within the service range permitted by the first PLMN will not be repeated here. Regarding how the location compliance proxy network element obtains the location of the terminal, the methods for the location compliance proxy network element to obtain the location of the terminal will be introduced below.

[0333] D1. The location compliance proxy network element obtains the second location of the terminal from the first positioning network element. In this way, the location compliance proxy network element determines whether the terminal is within the service range permitted by the first PLMN based on the second location.

[0334] D2. The location compliance proxy network element obtains the third location of the terminal from the access network element. In this way, the location compliance proxy network element determines whether the terminal is within the service range permitted by the first PLMN based on the third location. The third location is, for example, the GNSS location of the terminal.

[0335] Both the second location and the third location mentioned above represent the location of the terminal. It's just that the locations are from different network elements. The specific locations indicated by the second location and the third location can be the same type of location of the terminal, such as both being GNSS locations, or different types of locations, and no specific limitations are imposed on this.

[0336] When the terminal is within the service range permitted by the first PLMN, the location compliance proxy network element can directly request to register or serve the terminal to the first mobility management network element, enabling the first mobility management network element to register the terminal or provide services to the terminal in a compliant and timely manner.

[0337] S903. When the terminal is not within the service range permitted by the first PLMN, the location compliance proxy network element sends the third information to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the third information from the location compliance proxy network element. The third information indicates rejection of registration or service.

[0338] When the terminal is not within the service range permitted by the first PLMN, the location compliance proxy network element can directly feedback rejection of registration or service to the terminal, enabling the terminal to promptly perceive that its location verification is non-compliant. Optionally, the third information further includes a cause value, which indicates that the terminal is not within the service range permitted by the first PLMN.

[0339] The above S902 and S903 are two possible situations. During a terminal location verification process, either the steps of S902 are executed or the steps of S903 are executed.

[0340] In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal location verification can be directly performed by the location compliance proxy network element deployed on the first satellite without relying on the core network element for terminal location verification, so that the terminal location verification can still be performed in the case of abnormal feeder link. Moreover, after the location compliance proxy network element determines that the terminal location verification is compliant, it can timely feedback to the first mobility management network element, enabling the first mobility management network element to quickly register the terminal or register services for the terminal; or after determining that the terminal location verification is non-compliant, it can timely feedback to the terminal to facilitate the terminal to perform subsequent steps in a timely manner.

[0341] In the case where the location compliance proxy network element obtains the location of the terminal in different ways, the interaction processes between the involved network elements are also different. The following combines Figure 10 the schematic diagram of the communication method shown in, to give an example of the interaction between the involved network elements in the situation shown in D1 above (that is, the location compliance proxy network element obtains the second location of the terminal from the first positioning network element). The following is an introduction to Figure 10 each step shown in the figure.

[0342] S1001. The terminal sends the twelfth information to the first mobility management network element. Correspondingly, the first mobility management network element receives the twelfth information from the terminal. The twelfth information indicates that the terminal supports store-and-forward and / or communication plan.

[0343] The terminal's support for store-and-forward can be alternatively described as the function (or ability) of the terminal to support store-and-forward. It can be understood that the terminal has the ability to cooperate in implementing store-and-forward, rather than the terminal itself being able to perform store-and-forward. The communication plan is used to indicate the satellites serving the terminal at different times. The communication plan includes the identifier of at least one satellite expected to be used by the terminal; or, includes one or more groups of location information of the terminal and one or more groups of time information of the terminal. One or more groups of location information are used to indicate the locations where the terminal is expected to use satellite communication, and one or more groups of time information are used to indicate the corresponding times when the terminal is expected to use satellite communication. Optionally, the type of the twelfth information can be a NAS message. For example, the twelfth information can be carried in a registration request, and the content of the registration request can refer to the content of the registration request discussed above, and the repeated parts will not be listed.

[0344] In another possible implementation manner, the first mobility management network element may already be aware that the terminal supports store-and-forward and / or the communication plan of the terminal, or arbitrarily default that the terminal supports the function of store-and-forward. Then, the step of S1001 can be skipped, that is, S1001 is an optional step, and is shown by a dotted line in Figure 10 the figure.

[0345] S1002. The first mobility management network element sends the fourth information to the location compliance proxy network element. Correspondingly, the location compliance proxy network element receives the fourth information from the first mobility management network element. The fourth information is used to trigger the terminal location verification. Specifically, the fourth information is used to trigger the location compliance proxy network element to perform the terminal location verification.

[0346] Exemplarily, the first mobility management network element sends the fourth information to the location compliance proxy network element on the satellite that currently serves the terminal (i.e., an example of the first satellite). Alternatively, the first mobility management network element sends the fourth information to the location compliance proxy network element on the satellite that will serve the terminal next time (i.e., an example of the first satellite). The satellite that will serve the terminal next time can be understood as the satellite that serves the terminal within the first time period. The starting moment of the first time period is, for example, the current moment, or the satellite that will serve the terminal at the next location, and the next location is different from the current location of the terminal. Optionally, the first mobility management network element can determine the satellite that will serve the terminal next time according to the communication plan, and thus use this satellite as the first satellite. For example, the current moment is 13:00, the satellite serving the terminal is satellite A, and the first mobility management network element determines according to the communication plan that the satellite serving the terminal at 16:00 is satellite B. Then the first mobility management network element can determine satellite B as the first satellite.

[0347] Exemplarily, the fourth information can indicate the identifier of the terminal, and the identifier of the terminal indicates to trigger the execution of the terminal location verification. Optionally, the fourth information can also indicate the identifier of the first PLMN that currently serves the terminal.

[0348] In addition to triggering the execution of the terminal location verification, optionally, the fourth information can also indicate the conditions for stopping the execution of the terminal location verification. For example, the fourth information includes the number of times the location compliance proxy network element performs the terminal location verification, the stop moment of performing the terminal location verification, or the duration of performing the terminal location verification, etc. For example, if the fourth information includes that the number of times the location compliance proxy network element performs the terminal location verification is 2 times, then after the location compliance proxy network element performs the terminal location verification twice, it can actively stop the terminal location verification. If the fourth information includes that the duration of the location compliance proxy network element performing the terminal location verification is 3 hours, then after 3 hours of receiving the fourth information, the location compliance proxy network element can actively stop the terminal location verification.

[0349] In a possible design, the first mobility management network element can send the fourth information to the location compliance proxy network element when it determines that the second condition is met. The second condition includes at least one of the following conditions: determining to provide the store-and-forward service for the terminal, the terminal supports the store-and-forward function, or the terminal has subscribed to the store-and-forward service. Optionally, the second condition can also include the first condition discussed above Figure 7 discussed.

[0350] For example, the first mobility management network element determines, according to the communication plan indicated by the twelfth piece of information, that the feeder link corresponding to the terminal is abnormal, and further determines that the terminal needs a store-and-forward service, that is, it is determined to provide a store-and-forward service for the terminal. For another example, the first mobility management network element determines that the terminal supports the store-and-forward function according to the store-and-forward supported by the terminal indicated by the twelfth piece of information. For another example, the first mobility management network element can query from the unified data storage network element whether the terminal has subscribed to the store-and-forward service, so as to determine that the terminal has subscribed to the store-and-forward service.

[0351] Optionally, before executing S1002 or S1001, the first mobility management network element can establish a connection (such as a NAS connection) with the terminal, and / or the terminal can also establish a session, etc., which is not specifically limited herein.

[0352] In another possible implementation manner, the location compliance proxy network element may also pre-store the fourth piece of information, or the location compliance proxy network element is pre-configured or pre-defined to perform terminal location verification. In these cases, the location compliance proxy network element does not need to execute the step of S1002, that is, S1002 is an optional step, which is shown by a dotted line in Figure 10 as shown.

[0353] S1003. The terminal sends the first piece of information to the access network element. Correspondingly, the access network element receives the first piece of information from the terminal. The first piece of information is used to request to register or serve the terminal. The access network element may also be deployed on the first satellite, and the first satellite is, for example, the satellite currently serving the terminal or the satellite that will serve the terminal next time. Among them, the content of the satellite that will serve the terminal next time can refer to the content of the satellite that will serve the terminal next time discussed in S1002 above, which will not be elaborated here.

[0354] The type of the first piece of information is a NAS message, and the first piece of information can also be carried in a registration request or a service request. The content of the registration request and the service request can refer to the content of the registration request or the service request discussed in Figure 7 above, and the repeated parts will not be described again. Optionally, the first piece of information can also indicate the first location of the terminal. The first location can be, for example, the GNSS location of the terminal.

[0355] S1004. The access network element sends the first piece of information to the location compliance proxy network element. Correspondingly, the location compliance proxy network element receives the first piece of information from the access network element. The content of the first piece of information can refer to the content of the first piece of information in S1003 above, which is not limited herein.

[0356] The access network element may carry the first information in the N2 interface message or the S1 interface message and send it to the location compliance proxy network element. The access network element may send the first information to the location compliance proxy network element when it determines that the feeder link corresponding to the terminal is abnormal, or the access network element may also send the first information to the location compliance proxy network element when it determines that the first condition is met. The content of the first condition may refer to the content of the first condition discussed above Figure 6 The content of the first condition discussed above will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0357] S1005. The access network element sends the fifth information to the location compliance proxy network element. Correspondingly, the location compliance proxy network element receives the fifth information from the terminal. The fifth information indicates the first location of the terminal.

[0358] For example, the access network element may map the first location of the terminal to a cell identifier, and the fifth information may include the cell identifier. In this way, the fifth information indicates the first location of the terminal through the cell identifier. Alternatively, the fifth information may directly include the first location of the terminal, and this is not limited.

[0359] S1006. The location compliance proxy network element determines that the terminal is located in a preset area.

[0360] Exemplarily, the location compliance proxy network element may determine whether the terminal is located in a preset area according to the first location. The preset area may be pre-configured or predefined in the location compliance proxy network element. The preset area may be a national border area or a provincial border area, etc., and this is not limited. The location compliance proxy network element may also perform terminal location verification when it determines that the terminal is located in the preset area.

[0361] In another possible implementation, the location compliance proxy network element may perform terminal location verification when it receives the fourth information. In this implementation, the steps of S1005 and S1006 may not be required, that is, S1005 and S1006 are optional steps, which are indicated by dashed lines in Figure 10 as shown.

[0362] S1007. The location compliance proxy network element sends the seventh information to the first positioning network element. Correspondingly, the first positioning network element receives the seventh information from the location compliance proxy network element. The seventh information is used to request the location of the terminal. The first positioning network element may also be deployed on the first satellite. The content of the first satellite may refer to the content of the first satellite discussed in S1003 above and will not be repeated here.

[0363] S1008. The first positioning network element sends the eighth information to the location compliance proxy network element. Correspondingly, the location compliance proxy network element receives the eighth information from the first positioning network element. The eighth information indicates the second location of the terminal. The specific content of the second location of the terminal may refer to the content of the location of the terminal discussed above and will not be listed one by one here.

[0364] The first positioning network element can determine the second position of the terminal based on the LCS positioning technology, for example, the multi-RTT positioning technology. For example, the first positioning network element can measure the transmission and reception times of the signals between the access network element and the terminal, and obtain the distance between the access network element and the terminal by obtaining the round-trip delay of signal transmission between the access network element and the terminal, so as to determine the second position of the terminal. The specific content of the LCS positioning technology can refer to the relevant content of the LCS positioning technology discussed above, and the repeated parts will not be listed again.

[0365] S1007 to S1008 are a way for the location compliance proxy network element to obtain the second position of the terminal. When the location compliance proxy network element obtains the second position of the terminal by other means, the steps of S1007 to S1008 do not need to be executed, that is, the steps of S1007 to S1008 are optional steps, which are indicated by a dotted line in Figure 10 It is shown by a dotted line.

[0366] S1009. When the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, the location compliance proxy network element sends the second information to the first mobility management network element. Correspondingly, the first mobility management network element receives the second information from the location compliance proxy network element. The second information is used to request to register or serve the terminal. In this way, the location compliance proxy network element provides a store-and-forward service for the terminal, enabling the first mobility management network element to clearly know in time that it needs to register or serve the terminal, which is beneficial to improving the efficiency of accessing or serving the terminal.

[0367] Exemplarily, the location compliance proxy network element can determine whether the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN based on the second position. If the second position is within (or belongs to) the service range allowed by the first PLMN, it means that the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN. If the second position is not within (or does not belong to) the service range allowed by the first PLMN, it means that the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN.

[0368] Optionally, the location compliance proxy network element can also map the second position into a cell identifier and carry the cell identifier in the second information and notify it to the first mobility management network element. In this way, the first mobility management network element can clearly know the second position of the terminal and can also page the terminal in time, etc.

[0369] S1009 can be executed when the power supply link corresponding to the terminal is restored.

[0370] S1010. When the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, the location compliance proxy network element sends the third information to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the third information from the location compliance proxy network element. The third information indicates to reject registering or serving the terminal.

[0371] In this way, the terminal can be made aware that its registration or service has been rejected. Optionally, the third piece of information may also carry a cause value for rejecting the registration or service of the terminal. For example, the cause value is that the terminal is not within the service range permitted by the first PLMN.

[0372] S1009 and S1010 are two possible cases. During a terminal location verification process, either the steps of S1009 are executed or the steps of S1010 are executed.

[0373] S1011. In the case where the second location is not within the service range permitted by the first PLMN, the location compliance proxy network element sends the sixth piece of information to the access network element. Correspondingly, the access network element receives the sixth piece of information from the location compliance proxy network element. The sixth piece of information instructs to delete the context information of the terminal, enter the inactive state or enter the idle state.

[0374] The sixth piece of information can be carried in an N2 interface message or an S1 interface message, and there is no limitation on this. Optionally, the sixth piece of information instructs the terminal to enter the inactive state or enter the idle state, which is equivalent to indirectly indicating that the terminal location verification is non-compliant.

[0375] In the case where the sixth piece of information instructs to delete (or release) the context information of the terminal, the access network element can directly delete the context information of the terminal.

[0376] S1012. In the case where the second location is not within the service range permitted by the first PLMN, the access network element sends the thirteenth piece of information to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the thirteenth piece of information from the access network element. The thirteenth piece of information instructs the terminal to enter the inactive state or enter the idle state.

[0377] In the case where the sixth piece of information instructs the terminal to enter the inactive state, then the thirteenth piece of information can instruct the terminal to enter the inactive state. In the case where the sixth piece of information instructs the terminal to enter the idle state, then the thirteenth piece of information can instruct the terminal to enter the idle state.

[0378] S1011 to S1012 are optional steps, shown by dashed lines in Figure 10

[0379] S1013. The terminal sends the eleventh piece of information to the first mobility management network element. Correspondingly, the first mobility management network element receives the eleventh piece of information from the terminal. The eleventh piece of information triggers the deregistration of the terminal or the release of the session corresponding to the terminal.

[0380] When the terminal deregisters, or when the terminal determines that the store-and-forward service has ended, then the terminal can send the eleventh piece of information to the first mobility management network element to request the deregistration of the terminal or the release of the session corresponding to the terminal. In this way, a mechanism for the terminal to actively deregister is provided.​

[0381] S1014. The first mobility management network element sends the tenth piece of information to the location compliance proxy network element. Correspondingly, the location compliance proxy network element receives the tenth piece of information from the first mobility management network element. The tenth piece of information triggers the termination of the terminal location verification.

[0382] After receiving the tenth piece of information, the location compliance proxy network element may release (or delete) the information related to the terminal location verification stored locally and / or the context information of the terminal. The information related to the terminal location verification may include, for example, the fourth piece of information mentioned above, and the context information of the terminal here may include, for example, the second location of the terminal. The tenth piece of information may be carried in an Np2 interface message or an Sp1 interface message, and there is no limitation on this. Optionally, the tenth piece of information may carry the identifier of the terminal, which is convenient for the location compliance proxy network element to clarify which terminal location verification needs to be terminated.

[0383] Optionally, the location compliance proxy network element returns a response message to the first mobility management network element, and the response message indicates that the terminal location verification has been terminated.

[0384] S1013 to S1014 are optional steps, which are shown by a dashed line in Figure 10 ...

[0385] In the embodiments of the present application, in the case of an abnormal power supply link, the location compliance proxy network element can directly perform the terminal location verification without relying on the core network element for the terminal location verification. And after determining that the terminal location verification is compliant, it can promptly feedback to the first mobility management network element, enabling the first mobility management network element to quickly register the terminal or register services for the terminal; or after determining that the terminal location verification is non-compliant, it can promptly feedback to the terminal, facilitating the terminal to promptly execute subsequent steps. And during the execution of the terminal location verification, the location compliance proxy network element can use the positioning network element on the first satellite for positioning, so that the positioning can still obtain the accurate location of the terminal without relying on the core network. And the first mobility management network element can flexibly instruct or cancel the location compliance proxy network element to perform the terminal location verification, enabling the first mobility management network element or the location compliance proxy network element to flexibly perform the terminal location verification and improving the flexibility of performing the terminal location verification.

[0386] Next, in combination with Figure 11 the schematic diagram of the communication method shown below, an example introduction is given to the interaction between the various network elements involved in the situation shown in D2 above (that is, the location compliance proxy network element obtains the second location of the terminal from the access network element). Next, an introduction is given to Figure 11 each step shown below.

[0387] S1101. The terminal sends the twelfth piece of information to the first mobility management network element. Correspondingly, the first mobility management network element receives the twelfth piece of information from the terminal. The twelfth piece of information indicates that the terminal supports store-and-forward and / or communication plans.

[0388] The content of the store-and-forward supported by the terminal, the content of the communication plan, and the content of the twelfth piece of information can refer to the content of the store-and-forward supported by the terminal, the content of the communication plan, and the content of the twelfth piece of information discussed in the foregoing respectively. Repetitive parts will not be listed again. Figure 10 in the content of the store-and-forward supported by the terminal, the content of the communication plan, and the content of the twelfth piece of information discussed in the foregoing respectively. Repetitive parts will not be listed again.

[0389] In another possible implementation manner, the first mobility management network element may already be aware that the terminal supports store-and-forward and / or the communication plan of the terminal, or arbitrarily defaults that the terminal supports the store-and-forward function. Then, the step of S1101 may not need to be executed, that is, S1101 is an optional step, which is indicated by a dotted line in Figure 11 the figure.

[0390] S1102. The first mobility management network element sends the fourth piece of information to the location compliance proxy network element. Correspondingly, the location compliance proxy network element receives the fourth piece of information from the first mobility management network element. The fourth piece of information is used to trigger terminal location verification.

[0391] The manner in which the first mobility management network element determines the location compliance proxy network element can refer to the content of the first mobility management network element determining the location compliance proxy network element discussed in the foregoing Figure 9 and repetitive parts will not be elaborated again.

[0392] In a possible design, the first mobility management network element may send the fourth piece of information to the location compliance proxy network element when it determines that the second condition is met. The content of the second condition and the content of the first mobility management network element determining that the second condition is met can both refer to the content of the second condition involved in the foregoing Figure 10 and the content of the first mobility management network element determining that the second condition is met, which will not be elaborated here.

[0393] Optionally, before executing S1102 or S1101, the first mobility management network element may establish a connection (such as a NAS connection) with the terminal, and / or the terminal may also establish a session, etc., which is not specifically limited herein.

[0394] In another possible implementation manner, the location compliance proxy network element may also pre-store the fourth piece of information, or the location compliance proxy network element is pre-configured or pre-defined to perform terminal location verification. In these cases, the location compliance proxy network element does not need to execute the step of S1002, that is, S1002 is an optional step, which is indicated by a dotted line in Figure 11 the figure.

[0395] S1103. The terminal sends the first information to the access network element. Correspondingly, the access network element receives the first information from the terminal. The first information is used to request registration or service for the terminal. The access network element may also be deployed on the first satellite, such as the satellite currently serving the terminal or the satellite that will serve the terminal next time. The content of the satellite that will serve the terminal next time can refer to the content of the satellite that will serve the terminal next time discussed in the previous S1002, which will not be elaborated here.

[0396] The content of the first information can refer to the content of the first information in the previous text Figure 9 and will not be elaborated here. Optionally, the first information may also indicate the third location of the terminal. The third location may be, for example, the GNSS location of the terminal.

[0397] S1104. The access network element sends the first information to the location compliance proxy element. Correspondingly, the location compliance proxy element receives the first information from the access network element. The content of the first information can refer to the content of the first information in S1103 above, and no limitation is made here.

[0398] The access network element may carry the first information in an N2 interface message or an S1 interface message and send it to the location compliance proxy element. The access network element may also send the first information to the location compliance proxy element when it determines that the feeder link corresponding to the terminal is abnormal, or when the access network element determines that the first condition is met. The content of the first condition can refer to the content of the first condition discussed in the previous text Figure 7 and the repeated parts will not be listed again.

[0399] S1105. The first mobility management element sends key information to the location compliance proxy element. Correspondingly, the location compliance proxy element receives the key information from the first mobility management element. The key information is the key information of the terminal and can be used to decrypt NAS messages, etc. Optionally, the first mobility management element may also send algorithm information to the location compliance proxy element, or the location compliance proxy element may be preconfigured or predefined with the algorithm information. The first mobility management element may pre-store the key information or obtain the key information from the unified data storage element or the authentication service element, and no specific limitation is made here.

[0400] S1106. The terminal sends the fifteenth information to the access network element. Correspondingly, the access network element receives the fifteenth information from the terminal. The fifteenth information indicates the third location of the terminal. The content of the third location of the terminal can refer to the content of the location of the terminal in the previous text and will not be listed one by one here. The third location is, for example, the GNSS location of the terminal. The fifteenth information may be carried in an NAS message.

[0401] Optionally, both the first information and the fifteenth information are carried in the same message or request, for example, both are carried in a registration request or a service request. The content of the registration request and the service request can be referred to the registration request and the service request discussed above respectively. Figure 6 The content of the registration request and the service request discussed above.

[0402] S1107. The access network element sends the ninth information to the location compliance proxy network element. Correspondingly, the location compliance proxy network element receives the ninth information from the access network element. The ninth information indicates the third location of the terminal.

[0403] Optionally, both the ninth information and the first information can be carried in the same message or request, for example, both are carried in a NAS message.

[0404] In this way, the location compliance proxy network element can decrypt the ninth information based on the key information, so as to determine the third location of the terminal. That is to say, in this case, although the ninth information indicates the location of the terminal, it indicates the location of the terminal in ciphertext. In this way, the security of the terminal's location can be guaranteed. Or, the location compliance proxy network element pre-stores the subsequent key, or the ninth information does not need to be decrypted. In these cases, the step of S1105 does not need to be executed, that is, S1105 is an optional step.

[0405] Optionally, the access network element can map the third location of the terminal into a cell identifier, and the fifth information can include the cell identifier. In this way, the fifth information indicates the third location of the terminal through the cell identifier. Or, the fifth information can also directly include the third location of the terminal, which is not limited herein. In this case, the third location can be equivalent to the first location involved above.

[0406] In a possible implementation manner, the location compliance proxy network element determines that the terminal is located in a preset area.

[0407] Exemplarily, the location compliance proxy network element can determine whether the terminal is located in a preset area according to the third location. The content of the preset area can be referred to the content of the preset area discussed above. Figure 11 The content of the preset area discussed above.

[0408] S1108. When the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, the location compliance proxy network element sends the second information to the first mobility management network element. Correspondingly, the first mobility management network element receives the second information from the location compliance proxy network element. The second information is used to request to register or serve the terminal. In this way, the location compliance proxy network element provides a store-and-forward service for the terminal, enabling the first mobility management network element to clearly know in time that it needs to register or serve the terminal, which is beneficial to improving the efficiency of accessing or serving the terminal.

[0409] Exemplarily, the location compliance proxy network element may determine whether the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN based on the third location. If the third location is within (or belongs to) the service range allowed by the first PLMN, it means that the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN. If the third location is not within (or does not belong to) the service range allowed by the first PLMN, it means that the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN.

[0410] Optionally, the location compliance proxy network element may also map the third location to a cell identifier, or obtain a cell identifier from the access network element, and carry the cell identifier in the second information and notify the first mobility management network element. In this way, the first mobility management network element can clarify the third location of the terminal and can also page the terminal in a timely manner, etc.

[0411] S1109. In the case where the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, the location compliance proxy network element sends third information to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the third information from the location compliance proxy network element. The third information indicates the rejection of registering or serving the terminal.

[0412] In this way, the terminal can clarify that its registration or service is rejected. Optionally, the third information may also carry a cause value for rejecting the registration or service of the terminal. For example, the cause value is that the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN.

[0413] S1108 and S1109 are two possible cases. During a terminal location verification process, either the steps of S1108 are executed or the steps of S1109 are executed.

[0414] S1110. In the case where the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, the location compliance proxy network element sends sixth information to the access network element. Correspondingly, the access network element receives the sixth information from the location compliance proxy network element. The sixth information indicates to delete the context information of the terminal, enter the inactive state or enter the idle state.

[0415] The content of the sixth information may refer to the content of the sixth information in the previous text Figure 10 and the repeated parts will not be listed again. In the case where the sixth information indicates to delete (or release) the context information of the terminal, the access network element may directly delete the context information of the terminal.

[0416] S1111. In the case where the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, the access network element sends thirteenth information to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the thirteenth information from the access network element. The thirteenth information indicates that the terminal enters the inactive state or enters the idle state.

[0417] When the sixth piece of information indicates that the terminal enters the inactive state, then the thirteenth piece of information may indicate that the terminal enters the inactive state. When the sixth piece of information indicates that the terminal enters the idle state, then the thirteenth piece of information may indicate that the terminal enters the idle state.

[0418] S1110 to S1111 are steps that may be performed when the second location is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN. These steps may not be performed either, that is, S1110 to S1111 are optional steps, as Figure 11 shown by the dashed line in

[0419] S1112. The terminal sends the eleventh piece of information to the first mobility management network element. Correspondingly, the first mobility management network element receives the eleventh piece of information from the terminal. The eleventh piece of information triggers deregistering the terminal or releasing the session corresponding to the terminal.

[0420] When the terminal deregisters, or when the terminal determines that the store-and-forward service ends, then the terminal may send the eleventh piece of information to the first mobility management network element to request deregistering the terminal or releasing the session corresponding to the terminal. In this way, a mechanism for the terminal to actively deregister is provided.

[0421] S1113. The first mobility management network element sends the tenth piece of information to the location compliance proxy network element. Correspondingly, the location compliance proxy network element receives the tenth piece of information from the first mobility management network element. The tenth piece of information triggers stopping the terminal location verification.

[0422] After receiving the tenth piece of information, the location compliance proxy network element may release (or delete) the information related to the terminal location verification stored locally and / or the context information of the terminal. The information related to the terminal location verification may include, for example, the fourth piece of information mentioned above. The context information of the terminal here may include, for example, the second location of the terminal. The tenth piece of information may be carried in the Np2 interface message or the Sp1 interface message, and there is no limitation on this. Optionally, the tenth piece of information may carry the identifier of the terminal.

[0423] Optionally, the location compliance proxy network element returns a response message to the first mobility management network element, and this response message indicates that the terminal location verification has been stopped.

[0424] S1112 to S1113 are optional steps, as Figure 11 shown by the dashed line in

[0425] In the embodiments of the present application, the location compliance proxy network element can perform terminal location verification in the case of abnormal power supply links, without relying on the core network element to perform terminal location verification. Moreover, during the process of performing terminal location verification, the access network element can indicate the third location of the terminal to the location compliance proxy network element, so that the location compliance proxy network element can perform terminal location verification based on the third location. In addition, the location compliance proxy network element can obtain key information from the first mobility management network element to decrypt and obtain the third location of the terminal, ensuring the information security of the terminal while realizing terminal location verification. Furthermore, the first mobility management network element can flexibly instruct or cancel the location compliance proxy network element to perform terminal location verification, enabling the first mobility management network element or the location compliance proxy network element to flexibly perform terminal location verification and improving the flexibility of performing terminal location verification.

[0426] The following introduces the third communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0427] The following combines Figure 12 With the schematic diagram of a communication method shown in, the above-mentioned third communication method is introduced by way of example. The following introduces Figure 12 The steps shown.

[0428] S1201. The location compliance proxy network element sends a first message to the access network element. The first message indicates the location of the terminal.

[0429] The location of the terminal can refer to the content of the location of the terminal discussed above, and the manner in which the first message indicates the location of the terminal can also refer to the Figure 6 Content in the above discussion about the first message indicating the location of the terminal, and repeated parts will not be listed again.

[0430] In a possible implementation manner, the location compliance network element determines whether the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN. The manner in which the location compliance network element determines whether the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN can refer to the Figure 6 Content in the above discussion about the second communication device determining whether the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, and repeated parts will not be listed again. Furthermore, the location compliance network element also indicates through the first message that the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, or the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN.

[0431] S1202. When the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, the access network element sends a second message to the first mobility management network element. Correspondingly, the first mobility management network element receives the second message from the access network element. The second message indicates the cell identifier.

[0432] If the first piece of information also indicates that the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, or the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, then the access network element can determine, based on the first piece of information, whether the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN. Alternatively, the access network element can also determine on its own whether the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN based on the location of the terminal indicated by the first piece of information. The method by which the access network element determines whether the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN can refer to the content described above Figure 6 regarding how the second communication device determines whether the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, which will not be listed here.

[0433] The method by which the access network element determines the cell identifier, and the content of the cell identifier can refer to the content described above Figure 6 regarding the content of how the access network element determines the cell identifier and the content of the cell identifier respectively, and the repeated parts will not be listed.

[0434] S1203. When the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, the access network element sends the third piece of information to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the third piece of information from the access network element. The third piece of information indicates the rejection of registering or serving the terminal. Optionally, the third piece of information may include a cause value for rejecting registering or serving the terminal, and this cause value indicates, for example, that the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN.

[0435] In the embodiments of this application, the access network element performs terminal location verification, or determines the terminal location verification result based on the location compliance proxy network element deployed on the first satellite, without relying on the core network element for terminal location verification, so that this method can be applicable to performing terminal location verification when the feeder link is abnormal.

[0436] Next, in combination with Figure 13 the schematic diagram of the method shown, an example introduction of the interaction between Figure 12 each network element involved will be given. Next, an introduction to Figure 13 each step shown will be given.

[0437] S1301. The terminal sends the ninth piece of information to the first mobility management network element. Correspondingly, the first mobility management network element receives the ninth piece of information from the terminal. The ninth piece of information indicates that the terminal supports store-and-forward and / or communication plan. The content of the terminal's support for store-and-forward, the content of the communication plan, and the content of the ninth piece of information can respectively refer to the content described above Figure 9 regarding the content of the terminal's support for store-and-forward, the content of the communication plan, and the content of the twelfth piece of information, and the repeated parts will not be listed.

[0438] S1302. The unified data storage network element sends the tenth information to the first mobility management network element. Correspondingly, the first mobility management network element receives the tenth information from the unified data storage network element. The tenth information indicates that the terminal has subscribed to the store-and-forward service.

[0439] Either one of S1301 and S1302 can be executed, or both can be executed, or neither can be executed, and there is no limitation in this regard. S1301 and S1302 are optional steps and are shown as dashed lines in Figure 13 this figure.

[0440] S1303. The terminal sends the fourth information to the access network element. Correspondingly, the access network element receives the fourth information from the terminal. The fourth information indicates the location of the terminal. The location of the terminal can be the GNSS location of the terminal.

[0441] The fourth information can be carried in a NAS message, for example. In addition to carrying the location of the terminal, the fourth information can also request to register or serve the terminal. In other words, the fourth information can be carried in a registration request or a service request.

[0442] S1304. The access network element sends the fifth information to the location compliance proxy network element. Correspondingly, the location compliance proxy network element receives the fifth information from the access network element. The fifth information indicates the location of the terminal. Optionally, the access network element carries the fifth information in an N2 interface message or an S1 interface message.

[0443] S1303 to S1305 are a way for the location compliance proxy network element to obtain the location of the terminal. In fact, there is no limitation on the way for the location compliance proxy network element to obtain the location of the terminal. That is, S1303 to S1305 are optional steps and are shown as dashed lines in Figure 13 this figure.

[0444] S1305. The first mobility management network element sends the key information to the location compliance proxy network element. Correspondingly, the location compliance proxy network element receives the key information from the first mobility management network element.

[0445] The way for the first mobility management network element to obtain the key information can refer to the content of obtaining the key information in the previous Figure 10 text, and the repeated parts will not be elaborated. The content of the key information can refer to the content of the key information discussed in the previous Figure 10 text, and the repeated parts will not be listed. Optionally, the first mobility management network element can also send the algorithm information to the location compliance proxy network element. The content of the algorithm information can refer to the content of the algorithm information discussed in the previous text, and the repeated parts will not be listed.

[0446] Exemplarily, after receiving the fifth information, the location compliance proxy network element can decrypt the fifth information based on the key information to obtain the location of the terminal.

[0447] Optionally, in addition to sending the key information to the location compliance proxy network element, the first mobility management network element may also instruct the location compliance proxy network element to trigger the execution of the terminal location verification. In this way, the location compliance proxy network element is promoted to execute the terminal location verification.

[0448] In another possible design, if the location compliance proxy network element pre-stores the key information or the fifth information does not need to be decrypted, the step of S1305 may not need to be executed.

[0449] S1306. The location compliance proxy network element sends the first information to the access network element. Correspondingly, the access network element receives the first information from the location compliance proxy network element. The first information indicates the location of the terminal.

[0450] The above S1305 and S1306 can be used as an independent embodiment, providing a mechanism for the access network element to obtain the location of the terminal.

[0451] S1307. The location compliance proxy network element determines whether the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN.

[0452] The manner in which the location compliance proxy network element determines whether the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN can refer to the content described above regarding how the second communication device determines whether the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, and will not be listed here. If the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, the location compliance proxy network element determines that the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN. If the location of the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, the location compliance proxy network element determines that the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN. Figure 6

[0453] S1308. The location compliance proxy network element sends the sixth information to the access network element. Correspondingly, the access network element receives the sixth information from the location compliance proxy network element. The sixth information indicates whether the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN. Specifically, the sixth information indicates that the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, or the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN.

[0454] S1309. The access network element determines whether the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN.

[0455] Exemplarily, the access network element may determine whether the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN based on the location of the terminal indicated by the first information. Among them, the manner in which the access network element determines whether the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN can refer to the content described in S1306 regarding how the location compliance proxy network element determines whether the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, and the repeated parts will not be listed.​

[0456] The above S1308 and S1309 are the second way for the access network element to determine whether the location of the terminal is within or not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN. During actual execution, only the steps of S1307 and S1308 can be executed, or only the step of S1309 can be executed. Therefore, one of the steps of S1307 and S1309 can be an optional step, and these two steps are indicated by dashed lines in Figure 13 . Or, when the first information indicates that the location (or the terminal) of the terminal is within or not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, the step of S1309 can also be executed. In this way, it is equivalent to performing the terminal location verification twice, improving the reliability of the verification.

[0457] S1310: When the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, the access network element sends the second information to the first mobility management network element. Correspondingly, the first mobility management network element receives the second information from the access network element. The second information indicates the cell identifier.

[0458] The access network element can determine the cell identifier corresponding to the location of the terminal based on the location of the terminal indicated by the first information. The method for the access network element to determine the cell identifier and the content of the cell identifier can refer to the content of the access network element determining the cell identifier and the content of the cell identifier discussed separately in the previous Figure 6 , and the repeated parts will not be listed again.

[0459] S1311: When the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, the access network element sends the third information to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the third information from the access network element. The third information indicates rejection of registering or serving the terminal.

[0460] S1310 and S1311 are two possible situations. During a terminal location verification process, either the step of S1310 is executed or the step of S1311 is executed.

[0461] S1312: When the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, the access network element sends the seventh information to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the seventh information from the access network element. The seventh information indicates that the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN.

[0462] S1313: When the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first PLMN, the access network element sends the eighth information to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the eighth information from the access network element. The eighth information indicates that the terminal enters the inactive state or the idle state.

[0463] Exemplarily, the eighth piece of information may include the identifier of the terminal, and the identifier of the terminal indicates that the terminal enters the inactive state or the idle state.

[0464] In a possible design, the access network element may further determine the cell identifier corresponding to the location of the terminal, determine the second mobility management network element corresponding to the terminal location, and send the cell identifier to the second mobility management network element. Among them, for the content of determining the cell identifier and determining the second mobility management network element, reference may be made to the content of determining the cell identifier and determining the second mobility management network element discussed above, which will not be listed here. Figure 7 For the content of determining the cell identifier and determining the second mobility management network element discussed above, it will not be listed here.

[0465] S1312 to S1313 are optional steps, which are shown by dashed lines in Figure 13 it.

[0466] In the embodiments of the present application, the location compliance proxy network element may perform terminal location verification in the case of a power feed link anomaly, without relying on the core network element to perform terminal location verification, or the location compliance proxy network element may obtain the location of the terminal and indicate the location of the terminal to the access network element, so that the access network element performs terminal location verification. Moreover, the location compliance proxy network element may obtain key information from the first mobility management network element to decrypt and obtain the third location of the terminal, so as to ensure the information security of the terminal while realizing terminal location verification.

[0467] It can be understood that, in order to implement the functions in the above embodiments, the base station and the terminal include corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules for performing each function. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, in combination with the units and method steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed in the present application, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is executed in the way of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application scenario and design constraint conditions of the technical solution.

[0468] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication device. Please refer to Figure 14 for the structural schematic diagram of the communication device. The communication device can be used to implement the functions of the access network element, the first mobility management network element, the location compliance proxy network element or the terminal in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects possessed by the above method embodiments. In the embodiments of the present application, the communication device may be the Figure 1 RAN involved in Figure 2 the RAN involved in Figure 5 the access network element involved in Figure 5 the first mobility management network element involved in Figures 1 to 4 or Figure 5 any one of the terminals involved Figure 5The LRP and the like involved may also be software modules or hardware modules (such as chips) applied to terminals, access network elements, first mobility management network elements, or location compliance proxy network elements, etc.

[0469] Such as Figure 14 As shown, the communication device 1400 includes a transceiver module 1410 and a processing module 1420. The communication device 1400 can be used to implement the functions of any of the access network elements, first mobility management network elements, location compliance proxy network elements, or terminals involved in the above Figures 6 to 13 above.

[0470] In the first embodiment, the communication device 1400 can be used to implement the functions of the first communication device involved in the foregoing Figure 6 above.

[0471] Exemplarily, the transceiver module 1410 is used to receive the first information. The transceiver module 1410 is also used to send the cell identifier to the first mobility management network element, or to send the cell identifier to the second mobility management network element.

[0472] Optionally, the communication device 1400 can also be used to implement the remaining steps performed by the first communication device in the foregoing Figure 6 above, which will not be listed one by one here.

[0473] In a possible implementation manner, the communication device 1400 can be used to implement the functions of the access network element involved in the foregoing Figure 7 above.

[0474] Exemplarily, the transceiver module 1410 is used to receive the first information. The transceiver module 1410 is also used to send the cell identifier to the first mobility management network element or to send the cell identifier to the second mobility management network element.

[0475] Optionally, the communication device 1400 can also implement Figure 7 the remaining steps performed by the access network element involved above, which will not be listed one by one here.

[0476] In another possible implementation manner, the communication device 1400 can be used to implement the functions of the first mobility management network element involved in the foregoing Figure 8 above.

[0477] Exemplarily, the transceiver module 1410 is used to receive the first information, and to send the cell identifier and the like to the second mobility management network element.

[0478] Optionally, the communication device 1400 can also implement Figure 8 the remaining steps performed by the first mobility management network element involved above, which will not be listed one by one here.

[0479] In the second embodiment, the communication device 1400 can be used to implement the foregoing Figure 6Function of the second communication device involved.

[0480] Exemplarily, the transceiver module 1410 is used to send the first information to the first communication device.

[0481] Optionally, the communication device 1400 can also implement Figure 6 The remaining steps performed by the second communication device involved are not listed one by one here.

[0482] In a possible implementation, the communication device 1400 can be used to implement the function of the first mobility management network element mentioned above Figure 7 involved.

[0483] Exemplarily, the transceiver module 1410 is used to send the first information to the access network element. Optionally, the transceiver module 1410 can also be used to receive the cell identifier from the access network element.

[0484] Optionally, the communication device 1400 can also implement Figure 7 The remaining steps performed by the first mobility management network element involved are not listed one by one here.

[0485] In another possible implementation, the communication device 1400 can be used to implement the function of the access network element mentioned above Figure 8 involved.

[0486] Exemplarily, the transceiver module 1410 is used to send the first information to the first mobility management network element.

[0487] Optionally, the communication device 1400 can also implement Figure 8 The remaining steps performed by the access network element involved are not listed one by one here.

[0488] In the third embodiment, the communication device 1400 can be used to implement the function of the location compliance proxy network element mentioned above Figure 9 involved.

[0489] Exemplarily, the transceiver module 1410 is used to receive the first information and send the second information or the third information, etc.

[0490] Optionally, the communication device 1400 can also implement Figure 9 The remaining steps performed by the location compliance proxy network element involved are not listed one by one here.

[0491] In a possible implementation, the communication device 1400 can be used to implement the function of the location compliance proxy network element mentioned above Figure 10 involved.

[0492] Exemplarily, the transceiver module 1410 is used to receive the first information and send the second information or the third information, etc.

[0493] Optionally, the communication device 1400 may also implement Figure 10 the remaining steps performed by the involved location compliance proxy network element, which will not be listed one by one here.

[0494] In another possible implementation, the communication device 1400 may be used to implement the Figure 11 functions of the previously involved location compliance proxy network element.

[0495] Exemplarily, the transceiver module 1410 is used to receive the first information and send the second information or the third information, etc.

[0496] Optionally, the communication device 1400 may also implement Figure 11 the remaining steps performed by the involved location compliance proxy network element, which will not be listed one by one here.

[0497] In the fourth embodiment, the communication device 1400 may be used to implement the Figure 9 functions of the previously involved first mobility management network element.

[0498] Exemplarily, the transceiver module 1410 is used to receive the second information, etc.

[0499] Optionally, the communication device 1400 may also implement Figure 9 the remaining steps performed by the involved first mobility management network element, which will not be listed one by one here.

[0500] In a possible implementation, the communication device 1400 may be used to implement the Figure 10 functions of the previously involved first mobility management network element.

[0501] Exemplarily, the transceiver module 1410 is used to receive the second information. Optionally, the first mobility management network element sends the fourth information, etc.

[0502] Optionally, the communication device 1400 may also implement Figure 10 the remaining steps performed by the involved first mobility management network element, which will not be listed one by one here.

[0503] In another possible implementation, the communication device 1400 may be used to implement the Figure 11 functions of the previously involved first mobility management network element.

[0504] Exemplarily, the transceiver module 1410 is used to receive the second information. Optionally, the first mobility management network element sends the fourth information or key information, etc.

[0505] Optionally, the communication device 1400 may also implement Figure 11 the remaining steps performed by the involved first mobility management network element, which will not be listed one by one here.

[0506] In the fifth embodiment, the communication device 1400 can be used to implement the functions of the access network element involved in the foregoing Figure 12 matters.

[0507] Exemplarily, the transceiver module 1410 is used to receive the first information and send the second information, the third information, etc.

[0508] Optionally, the communication device 1400 can also implement Figure 12 the remaining steps performed by the access network element involved, which will not be enumerated one by one here.

[0509] In a possible implementation manner, the communication device 1400 can implement the functions of the access network element involved in the foregoing Figure 13 matters.

[0510] Exemplarily, the transceiver module 1410 is used to receive the first information and send the second information, the third information, etc.

[0511] Optionally, the communication device 1400 can also implement Figure 13 the remaining steps performed by the access network element involved, which will not be enumerated one by one here.

[0512] In the sixth embodiment, the communication device 1400 can be used to implement the functions of the first mobility management network element involved in the foregoing Figure 13 matters.

[0513] Exemplarily, the transceiver module 1410 is used to send key information and receive the second information, etc. under the control of the processing module 1420.

[0514] Optionally, the communication device 1400 can also implement Figure 13 the remaining steps performed by the first mobility management network element involved, which will not be enumerated one by one here.

[0515] In the seventh embodiment, the communication device 1400 can be used to implement the functions of the first mobility management network element involved in the foregoing Figure 13 matters.

[0516] Exemplarily, the transceiver module 1410 is used to send key information and receive the second information, etc. under the control of the processing module 1420.

[0517] Optionally, the communication device 1400 can also implement Figure 11 the remaining steps performed by the first mobility management network element involved, which will not be enumerated one by one here.

[0518] In the eighth embodiment, the communication device 1400 can be used to implement the functions of the location compliance proxy network element involved in the foregoing Figure 13 matters.

[0519] Exemplarily, the transceiver module 1410 is used to receive key information, and the processing module 1420 is used to decrypt the fifth information to obtain the location of the terminal. The transceiver module 1410 is used to send the first information to the access network element, etc.

[0520] Optionally, the communication device 1400 can also implement Figure 13 the remaining steps performed by the involved location compliance proxy network element, which will not be listed one by one here.

[0521] In the ninth embodiment, the communication device 1400 can be used to implement the Figure 13 functions of the terminal involved above.

[0522] Exemplarily, the transceiver module 1410 is used to send the ninth information under the control of the processing module 1420, and receive the third information, etc.

[0523] Optionally, the communication device 1400 can also implement Figure 13 the remaining steps performed by the involved terminal, which will not be listed one by one here.

[0524] For a more detailed description of the above transceiver module 1410 and processing module 1420, reference can be directly made to Figures 6 to 13 the relevant descriptions in any of the method embodiments shown, and no further elaboration will be provided here.

[0525] An embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. Please refer to Figure 15 , which is a schematic structural diagram of the communication device. As Figure 15 shown, the communication device 1500 includes a processor 1510 and an interface circuit 1520. The processor 1510 and the interface circuit 1520 are coupled to each other. It can be understood that the interface circuit 1520 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device 1500 can also include a memory 1530, which is used to store instructions executed by the processor 1510 or store input data required for the processor 1510 to run instructions or store data generated after the processor 1510 runs instructions.

[0526] When the communication device 1500 is used to implement Figures 6 to 13 any of the methods shown, the processor 1510 is used to implement the functions of the above processing module 1420, and the interface circuit 1520 is used to implement the functions of the above transceiver module 1410.

[0527] When the above communication device is a chip applied to a terminal, the terminal chip implements the functions of the terminal in the above method embodiments. The terminal chip receives information from other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the terminal, and this information is sent by the base station to the terminal; or, the terminal chip sends information to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the terminal, and this information is sent by the terminal to the base station.

[0528] When the above communication device is a module applied to a network element (such as an access network element, a location compliance proxy network element, or a mobility management network element), the network element module implements the functions of the network element in the above method embodiments. The network element module receives information from other modules in the network element (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna), and this information is sent by the terminal to the network element; or, the network element module sends information to other modules in the network element (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna), and this information is sent by the network element to the terminal. The access network element module here can be the baseband chip of the access network element, or a DU or other modules. Here, the DU can be a DU under the open radio access network (O-RAN) architecture.

[0529] Another example of a communication device is provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device includes at least one processor and at least one memory. The at least one processor and the at least one memory are coupled. The at least one memory is used to store instructions. When the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the communication device executes the method in the above embodiments. Taking the communication device including one processor and one memory as an example, as Figure 16 shown, the communication device 1600 includes a processor 1610 and a memory 1620. The processor 1610 and the memory 1620 are coupled. Instructions are stored in the memory 1620. When the instructions stored in the memory 1620 are executed by the processor 1610, the communication device 1600 executes any of the above Figures 6 to 13 methods.

[0530] It can be understood that the processors involved in the various embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (CPU), or may also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. Also, the memories involved in the various embodiments of the present application may include volatile memories, such as random access memories (RAM). The memories may also include non-volatile memories, such as read-only memories (ROM), flash memories, hard disk drives (HDDs), or solid state drives (SSDs).

[0531] An embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which can be used to execute the method described above Figures 6 to 13 in any one of the above.

[0532] For example, if the communication system is used to implement the method described above Figure 6 then the communication system includes a first communication device and a second communication device. Optionally, the communication system further includes at least one of a terminal and / or a second mobility management network element. Among them, the content of the first communication device, the second communication device, the first mobility management network element, and the second mobility management network element can refer to the content described above Figure 6 and will not be listed here.

[0533] For example, if the communication system is used to implement the method described above Figure 7 then the communication system includes an access network element. Optionally, the communication system further includes at least one of a terminal, a first mobility management network element, or a second mobility management network element. Among them, the content of the access network element, the terminal, the first mobility management network element, and the second mobility management network element can refer to the content described above Figure 7 and will not be listed here.

[0534] Alternatively, if the communication system is used to implement the method described above Figure 8For the method described above, the communication system includes a first mobility management network element. Optionally, the communication system further includes at least one of a terminal, an access network element, a location compliance proxy network element, or a second mobility management network element. Among them, the content of the access network element, the terminal, the first mobility management network element, the location compliance proxy network element, and the second mobility management network element can be referred to the content described above Figure 8 and will not be listed here.

[0535] Alternatively, the communication system is used to implement the method described above Figure 9 , Figure 10 or Figure 11 described above. Then, the communication system includes a location compliance proxy network element. Optionally, the communication system further includes at least one of a terminal, a first mobility management network element, an access network element, or a second mobility management network element. Among them, the content of the access network element, the terminal, the first mobility management network element, the location compliance proxy network element, and the second mobility management network element can be referred to the content described above Figure 9 , Figure 10 or Figure 11 and will not be listed here.

[0536] Alternatively, the communication system is used to implement the method described above Figure 12 or the method described in 13. Then, the communication system includes an access network element. Optionally, the communication system further includes at least one of a terminal, a first mobility management network element, a location compliance proxy network element, or a second mobility management network element. Among them, the content of the access network element, the terminal, the first mobility management network element, the location compliance proxy network element, and the second mobility management network element can be referred to the content described above Figure 12 or Figure 13 and will not be listed here.

[0537] An embodiment of the present application provides a chip system, which includes: a processor and an interface. Among them, the processor is used to call and run instructions from the interface. When the processor executes the instructions, the method described in any one of the above Figures 6 to 13 is implemented.

[0538] An embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which is used to store a computer program or instructions. When it runs, the method described in any one of the above Figures 6 to 13 is implemented.

[0539] An embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product containing instructions. When it runs on a computer, the method described in any one of the above Figures 6 to 13 is implemented.

[0540] The method steps in the various embodiments of the present application can be implemented in hardware or in software instructions executable by a processor. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, and the software modules can be stored in a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, an erasable programmable read-only memory, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, a register, a hard disk, a removable hard disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium well-known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. The storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC. Additionally, the ASIC can be located in a base station or a terminal. The processor and the storage medium can also exist as discrete components in the base station or the terminal.

[0541] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are executed in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user device, or other programmable devices. The computer program or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer program or instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center in a wired or wireless manner. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or a data center integrating one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a magnetic tape; it can also be an optical medium, such as a digital video disc; or it can be a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive. The computer-readable storage medium can be a volatile or non-volatile storage medium, or can include both volatile and non-volatile types of storage media.

[0542] In the various embodiments of the present application, if there is no special explanation and logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be cross-referenced to each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0543] It should be understood that the various numerical numbers involved in the embodiments of the present application are only for the convenience of description and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. The magnitude of the sequence numbers of the above processes does not mean the order of execution, and the order of execution of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a first communication device, the method includes: Receiving first information from a second communication device, the first information indicating the location of the terminal, wherein the first communication device is a first mobility management network element, the second communication device is the terminal, or the first communication device is an access network element and the second communication device is the first mobility management network element; If the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by a first public land mobile network, sending the cell identifier corresponding to the location to the first mobility management device; or, If the location of the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first public land mobile network, sending the cell identifier corresponding to the location to a second mobility management device, the second mobility management device belonging to a second public land mobile network and the location of the terminal being within the service range allowed by the second public land mobile network; Wherein, the first public land mobile network currently serves the terminal.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The method further includes: Determining whether the location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first public land mobile network.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first information further indicates: The location of the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first public land mobile network; or, The location of the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first public land mobile network.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 - 3, characterized in that When the first communication device is a first mobility management network element and the second communication device is the terminal, the first information is carried in a non-access stratum message; or, When the first communication device is an access network element and the second communication device is a mobility management network element, the first information is carried in an N2 interface message or an S1 interface message.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The method further includes: Sending second information to the terminal, the second information indicating that the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first public land mobile network.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The method further includes: When the terminal is not within the service range of the first public land mobile network, sending third information to the terminal, the third information indicating one of the following: The terminal enters the idle state; or, The terminal enters the inactive state.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The location of the terminal is the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) location of the terminal.

8. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a first mobility management network element, the method includes: Receiving fourth information from the terminal, the fourth information indicating the location of the terminal; Sending first information to the access network element, the first information indicating the location of the terminal.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The method further includes at least one of the following: Determining that the type of the terminal is a first type; Determining that the access type used by the terminal is satellite access; Determining that the access network element supports the verification of the terminal location; Or, The access network element is deployed on a first satellite.

10. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The location of the terminal is the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) location of the terminal.

11. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a location compliance proxy network element, the location compliance proxy network element is deployed on a first satellite, the method includes: Receive first information from a terminal, where the first information is used to request registration or service for the terminal; If the terminal is within the service range allowed by a first public land mobile network, send second information to a first mobility management network element according to the first information, where the second information requests registration or service for the terminal, the first mobility management network element belongs to the first public land mobile network, and currently serves the terminal; or, If the terminal is not within the service range allowed by the first public land mobile network, send third information to the terminal, where the third information is used to indicate rejection of the registration or the service; Wherein, the first public land mobile network currently serves the terminal.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein The method further includes: Receive fourth information from the first mobility management network element, where the fourth information is used to trigger the location compliance proxy network element to perform terminal location verification, the first mobility management network element belongs to the first public land mobile network, and currently serves the terminal.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, The fourth information includes an identifier of the terminal; or, The fourth information includes an identifier of the terminal and an identifier of the first public land mobile network.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 - 13, wherein, The first satellite is the current serving satellite of the terminal; or, The first satellite is the satellite that will serve the terminal next time.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11-14, characterized in that The method further includes: Receive fifth information from an access network element, where the fifth information indicates a first location of the terminal; Based on the fifth information, determine that the terminal is located in a preset area.

16. The method according to any one of claims 11-15, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send sixth information to the access network element, where the sixth information also indicates one of the following: Delete the context information of the terminal; The terminal enters an inactive state; or, The terminal enters an idle state.

17. The method according to any one of claims 11-16, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send seventh information to a first positioning network element, where the seventh information is used to request the location of the terminal, and the first positioning network element is deployed on the first satellite; Receive eighth information from the first positioning network element, where the eighth information indicates a second location of the terminal; According to the second location, determine whether the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first public land mobile network.

18. The method according to any one of claims 11-16, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive ninth information from the access network element, where the ninth information indicates a third location of the terminal; Based on the third location, determine whether the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first public land mobile network.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein, The method further includes: Receive key information from the first mobility management network element; Based on the key information, decrypt the ninth information to obtain the third location of the terminal.

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that, The method further includes: In the case where the terminal is within the service range allowed by the first public land mobile network, send a cell identifier corresponding to the third location to the first mobility management network element.

21. The method according to any one of claims 18 - 20, characterized in that The third location is the GNSS location of the terminal.

22. The method according to any one of claims 11-21, characterized in that The method further includes: Receive the tenth information, where the tenth information is used to trigger the termination of the terminal location verification; Stop the terminal location verification according to the tenth information.

23. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a first mobility management network element, the method includes: Determine to provide a store-and-forward service for a terminal, where the terminal supports the store-and-forward function, or the terminal has subscribed to the store-and-forward service; Send a fourth information to a location compliance proxy network element, where the fourth information is used to trigger the location compliance proxy network element to perform terminal location verification, and the location compliance proxy network element is deployed on a first satellite.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein The method further includes: Receive a second information from the location compliance proxy network element, where the second information requests to register or serve the terminal.

25. The method according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive an eleventh information from the terminal, where the eleventh information triggers deregistering the terminal or releasing the session corresponding to the terminal; According to the eleventh information, send a tenth information to the location compliance proxy network element, where the tenth information is used to trigger the termination of the terminal location verification.

26. The method according to any one of claims 23-25, wherein The first satellite is the current serving satellite of the terminal; or, The first satellite is the satellite that will serve the terminal next time.

27. The method according to any one of claims 23-26, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send the key information of the terminal to the location compliance proxy network element.

28. A communication method, characterized in that Applied to an access network element, the access network element is deployed on a first satellite, the method includes: Receive a sixth information from a location compliance proxy network element, where the sixth information indicates one of the following: deleting the context information of the terminal, the terminal entering the inactive state, or the terminal entering the idle state, and the location compliance proxy network element is deployed on the first satellite; According to the sixth information, delete the context information of the terminal, indicate that the terminal enters the inactive state, or indicate that the terminal enters the idle state.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein The method further includes: Receive a first information from the terminal, where the first information is used to request to register or serve the terminal; Send the first information to the location compliance proxy network element.

30. The method according to claim 28 or 29, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a ninth information to the location compliance proxy network element, where the fifth information indicates the third location of the terminal.

31. A communication method, characterized in that Applied to an access network element, the access network element is deployed on a first satellite, the method includes: Receive a first information from a location compliance proxy network element, where the first information indicates the location of the terminal, and the location compliance proxy network elements are all deployed on the first satellite; If the terminal is within the service range of a first public land mobile network, then according to the first information, send a second information to a first mobility management device, where the second information indicates a cell identifier, and the first mobility management device belongs to the first public land mobile network and is currently serving the terminal; or, If the terminal is not within the service range of the first public land mobile network, then send a third information to the terminal, where the third information is used to indicate rejecting the registration or service of the terminal; Wherein, the first public land mobile network is currently serving the terminal.

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein The method further includes: Receive fourth information from the terminal, where the fourth information carries the location of the terminal; Based on the fourth information, send fifth information to the location compliance proxy network element, where the fifth information indicates the location of the terminal.

33. The method according to claim 31 or 32, characterized in that, The method further includes: Determine whether the location of the terminal is within the service scope of a first public land mobile network; or, Receive sixth information from the location compliance proxy network element, where the sixth information indicates that the location of the terminal is within the service scope of the first public land mobile network or is not within the service scope of the first public land mobile network.

34. The method according to any one of claims 31 - 33, characterized in that The method further includes: Send seventh information to the terminal, where the seventh information indicates that the terminal is not within the service scope allowed by the first public land mobile network.

35. The method according to any one of claims 31 - 34, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send eighth information to the terminal, where the eighth information indicates one of the following: The terminal enters the inactive state; or, The terminal enters the idle state.

36. The method according to any one of claims 31-35, wherein The first satellite is the current serving satellite of the terminal device; or, The first satellite is the satellite that will serve the terminal next time.

37. The method according to any one of claims 31 - 36, characterized in that, The location of the terminal is the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) location of the terminal.

38. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a location compliance proxy network element deployed on a first satellite, the method includes: Receive fifth information from an access network element, where the fifth information carries the location of the terminal, and the access network element is deployed on the first satellite; Receive the key information of the terminal from a first mobility management network element; Decrypt the fifth information according to the key information to obtain the location of the terminal; Send first information to the access network element, where the first information indicates the location of the terminal.

39. The method according to claim 38, wherein The first satellite is the current serving satellite of the terminal device; or, The first satellite is the satellite that will serve the terminal next time.

40. The method according to claim 38 or 39, wherein The fifth information is carried in a non-access stratum message.

41. The method according to any one of claims 38 - 40, characterized in that, The location of the terminal is the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) location of the terminal.

42. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes: A module for executing the method according to any one of claims 1-7; or, A module for executing the method according to any one of claims 8-10; or, A module for executing the method according to any one of claims 11-22; or, A module for executing the method according to any one of claims 23-27; or, A module for executing the method according to any one of claims 28-30; or, A module for executing the method according to any one of claims 31-37; or, A module for executing the method according to any one of claims 38-41.

43. A communication device, characterized in that, Comprising a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being configured to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor or send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device, the processor being configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 1-7, the method according to any one of claims 8-10, the method according to any one of claims 11-22, the method according to any one of claims 23-27, the method according to any one of claims 28-30, the method according to any one of claims 31-37, or the method according to any one of claims 38-41 through logic circuits or by executing code instructions.

44. A computer program product comprising instructions, characterized in that, When the instruction is run by the communication device, the communication device is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1-7, the method according to any one of claims 8-10, the method according to any one of claims 11-22, the method according to any one of claims 23-27, the method according to any one of claims 28-30, the method according to any one of claims 31-37, or the method according to any one of claims 38-41.

45. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, A computer program or instruction is stored in the storage medium, and when the computer program or instruction is executed by the communication device, the method according to any one of claims 1-7, the method according to any one of claims 8-10, the method according to any one of claims 11-22, the method according to any one of claims 23-27, the method according to any one of claims 28-30, the method according to any one of claims 31-37, or the method according to any one of claims 38-41 is implemented.

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