Communication method and related device

Abstract

The invention discloses a communication method and a related device, in the method, a first satellite receives first storage demand information associated with a first terminal from a mobility management network element, then can store acquired data of a first service of the first terminal according to the first storage demand information, and sends the data of the first service of the first terminal to the first satellite when a service link or a feed link exists subsequently. And forwarding the data stored in the first satellite, so that communication with only a single-side link between the satellite and the terminal and the ground gateway station can be realized, and the communication performance can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to a communication method and related devices. Background Art

[0002] Satellite communication has advantages such as long communication distance, large coverage area, and wide communication frequency band. With the development of satellite communication technologies, the application prospects of satellite communication are also constantly expanding. For example, a satellite communication system can be integrated with a cellular communication system (such as the 5th generation mobile communication system (5GS)), so that the powerful coverage ability of the satellite communication system can help the cellular communication system cover remote areas with sparse population, as well as areas such as the ocean and isolated islands that are difficult to reach by ground networks.

[0003] Currently, satellites can be divided into low-earth orbit satellites, medium-earth orbit satellites, and geostationary orbit satellites according to their orbital altitudes. Except for geostationary orbit satellites that are relatively stationary with respect to the ground, low-earth orbit satellites and medium-earth orbit satellites are both constantly moving relative to the ground. In the scenario of low-earth orbit satellites or medium-earth orbit satellites, a single satellite or multiple satellites that have not yet formed a network based on inter-satellite links may not be able to cover both the terminal and the ground gateway station simultaneously. For example, in the case where the terminal is located in an area such as the sea surface or polar region, when the terminal is covered by a satellite (i.e., there is a service link / radio interface connection link between the terminal and the satellite), the satellite may not be able to establish a connection with the ground gateway station (i.e., there is no connection); or, when the ground gateway station is covered by a satellite (i.e., there is a connection between the ground gateway station and the satellite), the satellite may not be able to establish a connection with the terminal (i.e., there is no service link). Currently, the existing technologies cannot support this type of communication where there is only a one-sided link between the satellite and the terminal and the ground gateway station. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and related devices, which are beneficial to improving communication performance.

[0005] The following introduces this application from different aspects. It should be understood that the implementation manners and beneficial effects of the following different aspects can be referred to each other.

[0006] In a first aspect, this application provides a communication method, which is executed by a communication device. The communication device can be a first satellite or a module in the first satellite. In this method, the first satellite receives storage requirement information from a mobility management network element. The storage requirement information includes first storage requirement information associated with a first terminal. Then, the first satellite obtains data of a first service of the first terminal and stores the data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information. Optionally, the first service is a non-real-time, delay-tolerant service.

[0007] It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the first satellite receives the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal from the mobility management network element, and then can store the data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information, and when there is a service link or a power supply link subsequently, forward the data stored in the first satellite. Based on this, communication with only one-sided links between the satellite, the terminal, and the ground gateway station can be achieved (or the on-board storage and forwarding function for non-real-time and delay-tolerant services can be achieved), which is beneficial to improving communication performance.

[0008] In a possible implementation, the storing of the data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information includes:

[0009] In the case where there is no connection between the first satellite and the mobility management network element, store the uplink data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information; or,

[0010] In the case where there is no connection between the first satellite and the first terminal, store the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information.

[0011] The embodiments of the present application can be applied to the sending of uplink data and downlink data, and the solution has a wide range of applications.

[0012] In a possible implementation, when the first storage requirement information includes the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, the amount of data of the first service of the first terminal stored in the first satellite is less than or equal to the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal.

[0013] In a possible implementation, when the first storage requirement information includes the data retention period associated with the first terminal, the storage duration of the data of the first service of the first terminal in the first satellite is less than or equal to the data retention period associated with the first terminal.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the storage requirement information further includes the second storage requirement information associated with the second terminal, and the second storage requirement information includes the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the second terminal; the first storage requirement information includes the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the first terminal, and the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the first terminal is higher than the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the second terminal;

[0015] The storing of the data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information includes:

[0016] When the remaining storage space of the first satellite does not meet the data volume size of the data to be transmitted for the first service, delete the data of the second service of the second terminal stored in the first satellite, and store the data of the first service of the first terminal.

[0017] In this implementation, a terminal with a high storage and forwarding priority can preempt the storage space of a terminal with a low storage and forwarding priority, which has high applicability.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0019] Send a first indication message to the mobility management network element, where the first indication message indicates that the storage space of the second terminal is preempted.

[0020] In this implementation, by informing the mobility management network element that the storage space of the second terminal is preempted, it is convenient for the mobility management network element to continue allocating resources for the second terminal subsequently.

[0021] In a possible implementation, the obtaining of the data of the first service of the first terminal includes:

[0022] When there is a connection between the first satellite and the first terminal, receive the uplink data of the first service from the first terminal.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0024] When the data volume size of the data of the first service of the first terminal stored in the first satellite is greater than or equal to a first preset data volume size, send a second indication message to the first terminal, where the second indication message indicates that the first terminal stops sending data to the first satellite within a first time period;

[0025] Wherein, the first preset data volume size is related to the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal.

[0026] In this implementation, when the storage space allocated for the first terminal in the first satellite is insufficient, by instructing the first terminal to stop sending data within the first time period, it is beneficial to relieve the storage pressure of the first satellite.

[0027] In a possible implementation, after sending the second indication message to the first terminal and before the end of the first time period, the method further includes:

[0028] When the data volume of the data of the first service of the first terminal stored in the first satellite is less than the first preset data volume, send third indication information to the first terminal, where the third indication information instructs the first terminal to continue sending data.

[0029] In this implementation manner, before the expiration of the first time period, if the storage space allocated for the first terminal in the first satellite becomes sufficient again, the first terminal can be instructed to continue sending data, which is beneficial to improving the transmission efficiency.

[0030] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0031] When there is a connection between the first satellite and the mobility management network element, send the uplink data of the first service from the first terminal stored in the first satellite to the mobility management network element;

[0032] Delete the uplink data of the first service of the first terminal stored in the first satellite.

[0033] In this implementation manner, after forwarding the data stored in the first satellite, deleting the data stored in the first satellite can release the storage space for subsequent use.

[0034] In a possible implementation, the obtaining of the data of the first service of the first terminal includes:

[0035] When there is a connection between the first satellite and the ground storage server or the first application function, receive the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal from the ground storage server or the first application function, where the first application function is the application function corresponding to the first terminal.

[0036] In this implementation manner, the downlink data of the first service can be sent by the ground storage server or the first application function to the first satellite, and then stored and forwarded by the first satellite to the terminal, and the scheme has high applicability.

[0037] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0038] When there is a connection between the first satellite and the first terminal, send the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal stored in the first satellite to the first terminal;

[0039] Delete the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal stored in the first satellite.

[0040] In this implementation manner, after forwarding the data stored in the first satellite, deleting the data stored in the first satellite can release the storage space for subsequent use.

[0041] In a possible implementation, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal is the data storage space quota required for the first service of the first terminal, the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the first terminal is the data storage and forwarding priority of the first service of the first terminal, or the data retention period associated with the first terminal is the data retention period required for the first service of the first terminal.

[0042] In this implementation manner, the configuration information associated with the first terminal can be the service-level configuration information in the first terminal, which better meets the actual requirements.

[0043] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is executed by a communication device. The communication device can be a mobility management network element or a module in the mobility management network element. In this method, the mobility management network element obtains the remaining storage space of the first satellite; when the first satellite can establish a connection with the first terminal and the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal or the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets the data volume size of the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal, the mobility management network element sends the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal to the first satellite.

[0044] Optionally, the remaining storage space of the first satellite can be informed to the mobility management network element by the first satellite, or can be pre-configured, default-known or obtained from other core network elements by the mobility management network element, which is not limited.

[0045] In a possible implementation, the first storage requirement information includes one or more of the following information:

[0046] The data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the first terminal, or the data retention period associated with the first terminal.

[0047] In a possible implementation, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal is the data storage space quota required for the first service of the first terminal, the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the first terminal is the data storage and forwarding priority of the first service of the first terminal, or the data retention period associated with the first terminal is the data retention period required for the first service of the first terminal.

[0048] In a possible implementation, the data volume size of the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal is the data volume size of the data to be transmitted for the first service associated with the first terminal.

[0049] In a possible implementation, the data volume size of the data to be transmitted for the first service associated with the first terminal includes one or more of the following:

[0050] The data volume size of the uplink data of the first service, the data generation period of the uplink data of the first service, the data volume size of the downlink data of the first service, or the data generation period of the downlink data of the first service.

[0051] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0052] Receiving fourth indication information from the satellite control center, where the fourth indication information indicates the identification information of the first satellite capable of establishing a connection with the first terminal.

[0053] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0054] Based on the information of the first terminal and the information of the first satellite, determining that the first satellite can establish a connection with the first terminal, and the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal or the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets the data volume size of the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal;

[0055] Wherein, the information of the first terminal includes one or more of the identification information of the first terminal, the location information of the first terminal, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, and the data volume size of the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal; the information of the first satellite includes one or more of the remaining storage space of the first satellite, the ephemeris information of the first satellite, and the identification information of the first satellite.

[0056] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0057] In the case where the maximum transmission data volume during the period when the first satellite is connected to the first terminal is less than the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, sending the first storage demand information to the second satellite; or,

[0058] In the case where the maximum transmission data volume during the period when the first satellite is connected to the first terminal is less than the data volume size of the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal, sending the first storage demand information to the second satellite;

[0059] Wherein, the second satellite can establish a connection with the first terminal.

[0060] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0061] When there is a connection between the first satellite and the mobility management network element, receive the uplink data of the first service of the first terminal from the first satellite.

[0062] In a possible implementation, the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal is the downlink data of the first service, and the transmission mode of the downlink data is unicast;

[0063] The method further includes:

[0064] Send a notification message to the ground storage server or the first application function, where the notification message includes one or more of the following information: the identification information of the first satellite, the identification information of the first terminal, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, or the data transmission time period; where the first application function is the application function corresponding to the first terminal.

[0065] In a possible implementation, the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal is the downlink data of the first service, and the transmission mode of the downlink data is multicast;

[0066] The method further includes:

[0067] Send a notification message to the ground storage server or the first application function, where the notification message includes one or more of the following information: the identification information of the first satellite, the identification information of each terminal included in the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, or the data transmission time period; where the first application function is the application function corresponding to the first terminal.

[0068] In a possible implementation, when sending the notification message to the ground storage server; the method further includes:

[0069] Send the address information of the ground storage server to the first application function.

[0070] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0071] Send the address information of the first application function to the ground storage server.

[0072] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is executed by a communication device. The communication device can be a ground storage server or a module in the ground storage server. In this method, the ground storage server receives notification information from a mobility management network element; and according to the notification information, sends data of a first service of a first terminal to a first satellite; wherein the notification information includes one or more of the following information: identification information of the first satellite, identification information of the first terminal, identification information of each terminal included in a first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs, a data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, or a data transmission time period.

[0073] In a possible implementation, the step of sending, according to the notification information, data of a first service of a first terminal to a first satellite includes:

[0074] During the data transmission time period, send downlink data of the first service of the first terminal to the first satellite;

[0075] Wherein, the data volume of the downlink data of the first service is less than or equal to the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal.

[0076] In a possible implementation, before sending the data of the first service of the first terminal to the first satellite, the method further includes:

[0077] Receive downlink data of the first service of the first terminal from a first application function, where the first application function is the application function corresponding to the first terminal;

[0078] Store the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal.

[0079] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0080] Receive address information of the first application function from the mobility management network element;

[0081] The step of storing the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal includes:

[0082] When the source address information in the packet header of the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal is the address information of the first application function, store the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal.

[0083] Fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is executed by a communication device. The communication device can be a first terminal or a module in the first terminal. In this method, the first terminal receives second indication information from a first satellite, and the second indication information instructs the first terminal to stop sending data to the first satellite within a first time period; the first terminal sends data to the first satellite after the first time period according to the second indication information.

[0084] In a possible implementation, within the first time period, the method further includes:

[0085] Receiving third indication information from the first satellite, where the third indication information instructs the first terminal to continue sending data;

[0086] Sending data to the first satellite according to the third indication information.

[0087] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0088] Sending the data volume size of the uplink data of the first service and / or the data generation period of the uplink data of the first service to the mobility management network element.

[0089] Fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is executed by a communication device. The communication device can be a satellite control center or a module in the satellite control center. In this method, the satellite control center determines a first satellite based on the ephemeris information of the first satellite and the location information of the first terminal; then, the satellite control center sends fourth indication information to the mobility management network element, and the fourth indication information indicates the identification information of the first satellite capable of establishing a connection with the first terminal.

[0090] Sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which includes units or modules for executing any method in the first aspect to the fifth aspect, or any method shown in any possible implementation manner of any of these aspects.

[0091] Seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which includes a processor, a transceiver, and a memory. The processor, the transceiver, and the memory are coupled, and a computer program is stored in the memory; the processor and the transceiver are used to call the computer program in the memory, so that the communication device executes any method in the first aspect to the fifth aspect, or any method shown in any possible implementation manner of any of these aspects.

[0092] In a possible design, the communication device can be a chip or a device including a chip that implements the above method.

[0093] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which 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 in the first aspect to the fifth aspect, or the method shown in any possible implementation of any of these aspects, through a logic circuit or by executing code instructions.

[0094] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program or instruction is stored. When the computer program or instruction is executed by a computer, it implements any of the methods in the first aspect to the fifth aspect, or the method shown in any possible implementation of any of these aspects.

[0095] In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product. When a computer reads and executes the computer program product, it causes the computer to execute any of the methods in the first aspect to the fifth aspect, or the method shown in any possible implementation of any of these aspects.

[0096] In an eleventh aspect, the present application provides a communication system, which may include a first satellite and a mobility management network element. The first satellite is configured to execute the method shown in the above first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, and the mobility management network element is configured to execute the method shown in the above second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. Optionally, the communication system may further include a ground storage server, which is configured to execute the method shown in the above third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect. Optionally, the communication system may further include a first terminal, which is configured to execute the method shown in the above fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect. Optionally, the communication system may further include a satellite control center, which is configured to execute the method shown in the above fifth aspect or any possible implementation of the fifth aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0097] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system to which the embodiments of the present application are applied;

[0098] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the application scenario of the communication system provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0099] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a satellite access scenario where a satellite is deployed with an on-board RAN and an on-board S&F;

[0100] Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0101] Figure 5 It is another schematic flowchart of the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0102] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the first satellite performing data storage on terminals with different priorities provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0103] Figure 7 It is another schematic flowchart of the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0104] Figure 8 It is another schematic flowchart of the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0105] Figure 9 It is another schematic flowchart of the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0106] Figure 10 It is a schematic structural diagram of a possible communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0107] Figure 11 It is a schematic structural diagram of a possible communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0108] The following further describes in detail the specific embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0109] Terms such as "first" and "second" in the specification, claims and drawings of the present application are used to distinguish different objects, rather than to describe a specific order. In addition, the terms "include" and "have" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but optionally further includes steps or units not listed, or optionally further includes other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0110] Referring to "embodiments" herein means that specific features, structures or characteristics described in connection with the embodiments can be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The phrase appears in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it an independent or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. Those skilled in the art will explicitly and implicitly understand that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0111] In this application, "at least one (item)" means one or more, "multiple" means two or more, "at least two (items)" means two, three or more, and "and / or" is used to describe the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, "A and / or B" can represent: only A exists, only B exists, and both A and B exist at the same time. Here, A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. "At least one (item) of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one (item) of a, b or c can represent: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c", where a, b, c can be single or multiple.

[0112] In this application, "sending information to... (such as a terminal)" can be understood as the destination of the information being the terminal. It can include directly or indirectly sending information to the terminal. "Receiving information from... (such as a terminal)" or "receiving information from... (such as a terminal)" can be understood as the source of the information being the terminal, and it can include directly or indirectly receiving information from the terminal. Necessary processing may be performed on the information between the source and destination of the information transmission, such as format changes, etc., but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be understood similarly, and will not be elaborated here.

[0113] To better understand the embodiments of this application, the system architecture related to the embodiments of this application will be introduced first as follows:

[0114] The technical solution of this application can be applied to non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), or scenarios where NTNs are integrated with terrestrial networks (TNs). For example, NTN systems can be satellite communication systems, high altitude platform station (HAPS) communication systems, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), etc. TN systems can be, for example, 4th generation (4G) communication systems (e.g., long term evolution (LTE) systems), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication systems, 5th generation (5G) communication systems (e.g., new radio (NR) systems), 6th generation mobile communication (6G) systems, and future mobile communication systems, etc.

[0115] The communication system provided by this application may include one or more network devices and one or more terminals.

[0116] The following uses Figure 1 the shown system architecture for an exemplary explanation. Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 which is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system to which the embodiments of this application are applied. As Figure 1 shown, the communication system 1000 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. Exemplarily, the communication system 1000 may also include the Internet 300. The RAN 100 includes at least one network device (such as Figure 1 110a and 110b in Figure 1 , collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal (such as Figure 1etc. (not shown in the figure). The terminal 120 is connected to the network device 110 wirelessly. The network device 110 is connected to the core network 200 wirelessly or by wire. The core network device in the core network 200 and the network device 110 in the RAN 100 may be different physical devices respectively, or may be the same physical device integrating the core network logic function and the radio access network logic function.

[0117] It should be noted that the RAN 100 may be a cellular access system related to the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP), for example, 4G, 5G mobile communication systems, or an evolved system after 5G (such as 6G mobile communication system). The RAN 100 may also be an open RAN (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), etc. The RAN 100 may also be a communication system integrating two or more of the above systems. It should be declared that Figure 1 the number of network devices and terminals in the figure is only illustrative and should not be regarded as a specific limitation of this application. The terminals and network devices involved in the system architecture will be described in detail below.

[0118] I. Terminal

[0119] A terminal can also be referred to as a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), mobile terminal device, mobile equipment (ME), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, user terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user device, etc., or a device used to provide voice or data connectivity to users, and can also be an Internet of Things device. For example, terminals include handheld devices with wireless connection capabilities, in-vehicle devices, etc. Currently, terminals can be: mobile phones, tablets, laptop computers, palmtop computers, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices (such as smart watches, smart bracelets, pedometers, etc.), in-vehicle devices (such as cars, bicycles, electric vehicles, airplanes, ships, trains, high-speed trains, etc.), satellite terminals, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, intelligent point of sale (POS) machines, customer-premises equipment (CPE), wireless terminals in industrial control, smart home devices (such as refrigerators, TVs, air conditioners, electricity meters, etc.), intelligent robots, robotic arms, workshop equipment, wireless terminals in autonomous driving, wireless terminals in remote healthcare, wireless terminals in smart grid, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, or wireless terminals in smart homes, flying devices (such as intelligent robots, hot air balloons, drones, airplanes), etc. A terminal can also be other devices with terminal functions. For example, a terminal can also be a device that serves as a terminal function in D2D communication.

[0120] In addition, the terminal involved in the embodiments of the present application is a terminal that supports NTN access technology or has NTN capabilities.

[0121] The embodiments of the present application do not limit the device form of the terminal. The device for implementing the functions of the terminal can be the terminal; it can also be a device that can support the terminal to implement this function, such as a chip system. This device can be installed in the terminal or used in matching with the terminal. In the embodiments of the present application, the chip system can be composed of chips or can also include chips and other discrete devices.

[0122] II. Network Equipment

[0123] The network device is a node in a radio access network (RAN), also known as an access network device, and can also be called a RAN node (or radio access network device). The network device is used to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access. The multiple network devices 110 in the communication system 1000 can be of the same type of node or different types of nodes. In some scenarios, the roles of the network device 110 and the terminal 120 are relative. For example, Figure 1 the network element 120i in the figure can be a helicopter or a drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station. For the terminals 120j that access the RAN 100 through the network element 120i, the network element 120i is a base station; but for the base station 110a, the network element 120i is a terminal. The network device 110 and the terminal 120 are sometimes both called communication devices. For example, Figure 1 the network elements 110a and 110b in the figure can be understood as communication devices with base station functions, and the network elements 120a - 120j can be understood as communication devices with terminal functions.

[0124] In a possible scenario, the network device can be a device with base station functions, such as an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmitting and receiving point (TRP), a transmitting point (TP), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a next generation base station in a 6G mobile communication system, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node.

[0125] In a possible scenario, the network device can also be a non - terrestrial network device in NTN, such as a device deployed on a high - altitude platform, such as a satellite, etc. Optionally, the RAN function and the store and forward (S&F) function can be deployed on the satellite. The network device can also be a macro base station (such as Figure 1 110a in the figure), a micro base station or an indoor station (such as Figure 1 110b in the figure), a relay node or a donor node, or a radio controller in a CRAN scenario. The network device can also be a device that serves as a base station function in device - to - device (D2D) communication, vehicle - to - everything (V2X) communication, drone communication, or machine communication. Exemplarily, the network device can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle, or an in - vehicle device, etc. For example, the network device in vehicle - to - everything (V2X) technology can be a road side unit (RSU).

[0126] All or part of the functions of the network device in this application can also be implemented by software functions running on hardware, or by virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (such as a cloud platform). The network device in this application can also be a logical node, logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the network device functions. In the embodiments of this application, the form of the network device is not limited. The device for implementing the functions of the network device can be a network device or a device that can support the network device to implement the functions, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the network device or used in combination with the network device.

[0127] In another possible scenario, multiple network devices cooperate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, and different network devices respectively implement some functions of the base station. For example, the network device can include a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and DU can be set separately or can also be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as included in a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH). It can be understood that the network device can be a CU node, or a DU node, or a device including a CU node and a DU node. In addition, the CU can be classified as a network device in the radio access network (RAN), or the CU can be classified as a network device in the core network (CN), which is not limited here.

[0128] 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 O-CU (Open 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. For the convenience of description, the CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU are used as examples in this application. Any unit of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0129] Optionally, CN 200 may include one or more network function entities (also referred to as core network elements, logical network elements, network elements, or entities, etc.). For example, in a 5G communication system, the core network elements in CN 200 may include a mobility management element (such as an access and mobility management function (AMF)), a unified data management element (such as unified data management (UDM)), an application function element (such as an application function (AF)), etc., which are not limited in this application. Among them, the mobility management element is mainly used for mobility management and access management, etc.; the unified data management element is mainly responsible for the management of user identities, subscribed data, authentication data, and the registration management of the user's serving network elements, etc.; the application function element is mainly used to support interactions with the core network to provide services, such as data routing decisions, policy control functions, or providing some third-party services to the network side.

[0130] It should be noted that in a 5G communication system, each functional network element may have the name of each functional network element described above. In a communication system evolved after 5G (such as a 6G communication system), each functional network element may still have the name of each functional network element described above, or may also have other names. For example, in a 5G communication system, the mobility management element may be an AMF. In a communication system evolved after 5G (such as a 6G communication system), the mobility management element may still be an AMF, or may also have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0131] Optionally, in a 4G communication system, the core network elements in the evolved packet core (EPC) may include a mobility management entity (MME) and a home subscriber server (HSS). Among them, the MME provides non-access stratum (NAS) signaling transmission with the terminal, and the HSS stores information related to the user's subscription.

[0132] Optionally, the Internet 300 may refer to a data network (DN), which may provide, for example, operator services, Internet access, or third-party services, and includes servers. The server side implements video source encoding, rendering, etc.

[0133] To facilitate the understanding of the content of this solution, some terms involved in the embodiments of this application are further explained below, so as to facilitate the understanding of those skilled in the art. This part is only for the convenience of understanding and should not be regarded as a specific limitation of this application.

[0134] I. NTN

[0135] NTN, namely non-terrestrial network, is a general term for networks involving flying objects, including satellite communication networks, high altitude platform systems (HAPS), and air-to-ground networks, etc.

[0136] HAPS is carried on airborne platforms, mainly including airplanes, balloons, and airships. The high altitude platform station is used as a mobile communication base station to provide mobile services using the same frequency band as the terrestrial mobile network. That is to say, by deploying the base station or some base station functions on non-terrestrial network devices (such as ships, high altitude platforms, drones, or satellites), seamless communication coverage is provided for terminals to improve the reliability of the communication system. It should be noted that for the convenience of understanding, only the non-terrestrial network device in NTN being a satellite is taken as an example for illustration in the following text, which should not be regarded as a specific limitation of this application.

[0137] A satellite communication system usually includes satellites and terrestrial gateway stations. The terrestrial gateway station can also be called a satellite gateway or gateway or hub, which is a terrestrial station that transmits data (from satellites) to a local area network. It houses antennas and devices to convert radio frequency (RF) signals into Internet protocol (IP) signals for terrestrial connection. According to different orbital altitudes, satellites can be classified into the following three types: geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellites, also known as geosynchronous orbit satellites or high-orbit satellites; medium earth orbit (MEO) satellites, also simply referred to as medium-orbit satellites; and low earth orbit (LEO) satellites, also simply referred to as low-orbit satellites. In the scenario of low-orbit satellites or medium-orbit satellites, due to the relative movement of non-geostationary satellites such as low-orbit satellites and medium-orbit satellites with respect to the ground, a single satellite or multiple satellites that have not yet formed a network based on inter-satellite links may not be able to cover terminals and terrestrial gateway stations simultaneously (that is, the service link between the satellite and the terminal and the feeder link between the satellite and the terrestrial gateway station cannot exist simultaneously at the same time, or there is only a unilateral link between the satellite and the terminal and the terrestrial gateway station). For example, Figure 2 as shown, at time 1, the satellite is over the ocean and can cover terminal 1, but cannot establish a connection with the 5G core network (5GC) on land through the terrestrial gateway station; at time 2, the satellite moves over land and can be connected to the 5GC through the terrestrial gateway station; at time 3: the satellite covers terminal 1 over the ocean again.

[0138] At present, the integration of satellites and 5GS can be divided into two scenarios. The first scenario: The satellite is used as a 3GPP access, and the terminal accesses 5GS through the satellite. The second scenario: The satellite link is used as a backhaul link to provide bearers between network elements (for example, providing bearers for N3 or N9). When discussing the satellite as a 3GPP access in Release 17, 3GPP only considers the satellite as the radio frequency module of the base station to provide transparent forwarding capabilities; when discussing satellite backhaul, the satellite only acts as a bearer node and is also transparent to the data of the terminal. In addition, 3GPP also considers that the satellite supports data processing, that is, considering that the satellite provides non-transparent forwarding capabilities or renewable capabilities. Specifically, it is considered that the base station and the S&F functions are deployed on the satellite, that is, on-board RAN and on-board S&F.

[0139] This solution assumes that the satellite has renewable capabilities, considering that on-board RAN and on-board S&F are deployed on the satellite at the same time, and the terminal accesses the 5G core network through the on-board RAN and on-board S&F. As Figure 3 shown in the satellite access scenario where on-board RAN and on-board S&F are deployed on the satellite. It should be understood that when there is only a one-sided link between the satellite, the terminal, and the terrestrial gateway station, since the data interaction between the terminal and the core network needs to be stored on the satellite, the S&F function needs to be deployed on the satellite for data storage and forwarding.

[0140] Optionally, in some implementations, the S&F function can belong to the access network or the core network, which is not limited in this application.

[0141] II. Ephemeris Information

[0142] Ephemeris, which can also be called ephemeris table, almanac, ephemeris book, etc., is information used to locate the position of celestial bodies at any moment. Ephemeris information refers to some information related to the satellite constellation. Generally speaking, it can include the three-dimensional spatial position information of the satellite, the velocity state vector information, the orbital information of the satellite, etc. Specifically, this information can be divided into the position and velocity state vector of the satellite, orbital plane parameters, and satellite level parameters, etc. The basic elements (parameters) included in the satellite ephemeris at the RAN2#108 meeting of the 3GPP RAN working group are shown in Table 1 below.

[0143] Table 1

[0144]

[0145] It should be understood that Table 1 is only an example to illustrate some specific parameters that ephemeris parameters may include. In the embodiments of the present application, the ephemeris parameters may not include one or more of the above parameters, or may include other types of parameters. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific content of the ephemeris parameters.

[0146] It should also be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, ephemeris information may also be referred to as ephemeris parameters, satellite ephemeris parameters, ephemeris parameters of satellites in the satellite access network, ephemeris parameters of satellites in the satellite backhaul, or other possible names. The present application does not limit this.

[0147] The ephemeris occupies a large amount of space. Generally, the ephemeris information is pre-configured when configuring it. In some embodiments of the present application, all orbit parameters and all satellite parameters that may serve the terminal can be pre-configured on the core network element.

[0148] III. Ground Coverage Information

[0149] Ground coverage information is also known as satellite ground coverage information, satellite coverage information, satellite reachability information, satellite availability information, or satellite coverage availability information, etc. Ground coverage information can represent the area on the ground that can be covered by the signal of a certain satellite. Exemplarily, the ground coverage information may include: for each of one or more regions (such as grid points, matrix area maps, service area ranges), the time points when one or more satellites cover the region, or the time periods when one or more satellites cover the region. For example, for the first service area and the first satellite that can cover the area, the ground coverage information includes the time point information when the first satellite covers the first service area. The time point can be the starting point of entry and the coverage duration, or the time period information when the first satellite covers the first service area.

[0150] The ground coverage information of the satellite can be determined through the ephemeris information. That is to say, there is a mapping relationship between the ephemeris information and the ground coverage information. For example, the ground coverage information 1 of satellite A can be determined through the ephemeris information 1 of satellite A.

[0151] IV. Feeder Link Connection Information and Service Link Connection Information

[0152] Based on Figure 3 the schematic diagram shown, the feeder link connection information is used to describe the connection between the on-board network element (such as on-board RAN, on-board S&F) and the gateway station (also called the ground station or ground gateway station, see Figure 3) The state of the signal channel between them, for example, whether the signal channel is unobstructed. When the signal can be sent and received by both parties, it is considered that the signal channel is unobstructed. Similarly, the connection information of the service link is used to describe the state of the signal channel between the spaceborne RAN and the terminal. For example, whether the signal channel is unobstructed. When the signal can be sent and received by both parties, it is considered that the signal channel is unobstructed.

[0153] In a possible implementation manner of the embodiments of the present application, the connection information of the feeding link may be signal strength information. When the spaceborne RAN receives the signal from the gateway station and the strength of the signal becomes stronger and stronger and reaches the set threshold, it can be considered that the signal channel between the spaceborne RAN and the gateway station is unobstructed, or the satellite enters the area covered by the gateway station; when the spaceborne RAN senses that the signal strength with the gateway station becomes weaker and weaker and is lower than the set threshold, it can be considered that the signal channel between the spaceborne RAN and the gateway station is unobstructed, or the satellite leaves (or moves out of) the area covered by the gateway station.

[0154] Furthermore, the spaceborne RAN can send the information indicating whether the channel of the feeding link is unobstructed or not to spaceborne devices such as the spaceborne store-and-forward function (S&F) through the internal connection / interface of the satellite.

[0155] In another possible implementation manner of the embodiments of the present application, the connection information of the feeding link can also be sensed by the spaceborne router or the spaceborne S&F. When the feeding link between the satellite and the gateway station uses optical communication, the router or the spaceborne S&F can sense the optical communication situation on the link, and then send the sensed information indicating whether the channel of the feeding link is unobstructed or not to spaceborne devices such as the spaceborne RAN through the internal connection / interface of the satellite.

[0156] It should be understood that in the scenario as Figure 2 shown, the current existing technologies cannot support the communication with only one-sided links between the satellite, the terminal, and the ground gateway station. Based on this, the present application proposes a communication method that can achieve the communication with only one-sided links between the satellite, the terminal, and the ground gateway station, improving the communication performance.

[0157] It should be noted that the mobility management network element involved in the subsequent embodiments may specifically be an MME or an AMF, etc., which is not limited herein. The unified data management network element may be an HSS\UDM, and the first application function may be a DN, an AF, or an application server (AS).

[0158] It should be noted that the service link between the terminal and the satellite in the present application may also be referred to as an air interface connection link.

[0159] The communication method and communication device provided by the present application will be introduced in detail below:

[0160] Please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 which is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 4 shown, the communication method may include the following steps S401 to S403. Figure 4 The execution subject of the method shown may be the first satellite, the first terminal, the mobility management network element, etc. Alternatively, Figure 4 the execution subject of the method shown may be a chip in the first satellite or the first terminal or the mobility management network element. For ease of description, the present application mainly describes the execution subject as the first satellite, the first terminal, and the mobility management network element. The first satellite includes an on-board RAN and an on-board S&F. It should be understood that Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of a method embodiment of the present application, which shows the detailed communication steps or operations of the method. However, these steps or operations are only examples. The embodiments of the present application may also perform other operations or Figure 4 variations of various operations in Figure 4 . In addition, Figure 4 each step in Figure 4 may be executed in a different order from that presented in

[0161] S401. The mobility management network element sends storage requirement information to the first satellite. Correspondingly, the first satellite receives the storage requirement information from the mobility management network element.

[0162] The storage requirement information includes first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal. Optionally, the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal may also be understood as the content included in the subscription information of the first terminal.

[0163] Optionally, after the storage requirement information is sent to the first satellite, it may be stored in the on-board S&F.

[0164] Optionally, in addition to including the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal, the storage requirement information may also include the storage requirement information of other terminals, such as the second storage requirement information associated with the second terminal, etc. For ease of description, the following mainly uses the first storage requirement information as an example for schematic illustration.

[0165] In a possible implementation, the first storage requirement information may include one or more of the following pieces of information: the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the first terminal, or the data retention period associated with the first terminal. Optionally, the data storage space quota described in this application may also be referred to as the S&F data storage quota or the data storage quota, etc.; the data retention period described in this application may also be referred to as the S&F data retention period, the data retention duration, the data storage period, the data storage duration, the data validity period, or the data validity duration, etc., and no limitation is imposed thereon. Among them, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal may also be understood as the size of the storage space subscribed by the first terminal.

[0166] It can be understood that in one implementation, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal may be a terminal-level data storage space quota (that is, one first terminal corresponds to one data storage space quota, or it can be understood that all services in one first terminal correspond to one data storage space). Similarly, the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the first terminal may also be a terminal-level data storage and forwarding priority (that is, one first terminal corresponds to one data storage and forwarding priority, or it can be understood that all services in one first terminal correspond to the same data storage and forwarding priority). Similarly, the data retention period associated with the first terminal may also be a terminal-level data retention period (that is, one first terminal corresponds to one data retention period, or it can be understood that all services in one first terminal correspond to the same data retention period).

[0167] In another implementation, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal may be the data storage space quota at the service level in the first terminal (for example, different services on the same terminal correspond to different data storage space quotas). Similarly, the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the first terminal may also be the data storage and forwarding priority at the service level in the first terminal (for example, different services on the same terminal correspond to different data storage and forwarding priorities). Similarly, the data retention period associated with the first terminal may also be the data retention period at the service level in the first terminal (for example, different services on the same terminal correspond to different data retention periods). It should be understood that the first terminal involved in this application may be an Internet of Things device, where the first terminal may support one or more services. For ease of description, hereinafter, mainly an example of one service supported by the first terminal (for example, the first service) will be used for illustrative purposes. Similarly, for ease of distinction, hereinafter, the service supported by the second terminal may be referred to as the second service. The first service and the second service may be the same or different, and this application does not limit this. Exemplarily, the first service associated with the first terminal is a non-real-time, delay-tolerant service, such as a climate detection service in a polar environment, or a detection service for the activities of polar animals (such as a health detection task / movement tracking task, etc.), or a temporary service (such as a terminal upgrade service), etc., which will not be listed one by one here.

[0168] In the following text of this application, mainly an example will be used for illustrative purposes where the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal is the data storage space quota required for the first service of the first terminal, the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the first terminal is the data storage and forwarding priority of the first service of the first terminal, and the data retention period associated with the first terminal is the data retention period required for the first service of the first terminal.

[0169] Optionally, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal involved in this application may refer to the data storage space quota corresponding to a single first terminal (or when the transmission mode of the data of the first service is described as unicast, the data storage space quota corresponding to the first terminal), or it may also refer to the data storage space quota corresponding to the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs (or when the transmission mode of the data of the first service is described as multicast, the data storage space quota corresponding to the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs). Generally speaking, the number of terminals included in the first terminal group is not less than 1, and the first terminal group includes at least the first terminal. For example, when the first service is a temporary service for the terminals within the first terminal group (such as a terminal upgrade service), the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal is the data storage space quota corresponding to the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs. Similarly, the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the first terminal may also refer to the data storage and forwarding priority corresponding to the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs, and the data retention period associated with the first terminal may also refer to the data retention period corresponding to the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs.

[0170] Optionally, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal involved in this application may refer to the data storage space quota required for the uplink data of the first service of the first terminal (that is, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal is only used to store uplink data), or it may also refer to the data storage space quota required for the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal (that is, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal is only used to store downlink data), or it may also refer to the data storage space quota required for the uplink data and downlink data of the first terminal (that is, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal can be used to store both uplink data and downlink data). It should be understood that when the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal is only used to store uplink data or downlink data, the data storage space quota required for the uplink data of the first terminal and the data storage space quota required for the downlink data of the first terminal may be the same, or they may also be different, and this is not limited. For ease of understanding, the following mainly takes the example that the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal can be used to store uplink data and downlink data for illustration.

[0171] Optionally, the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the first terminal involved in this application may include the data storage priority of the first terminal and the data forwarding priority of the first terminal. Among them, the data storage priority of the first terminal and the data forwarding priority of the first terminal are positively correlated, that is to say, the higher the data storage priority of the first terminal, the higher the data forwarding priority of the first terminal; similarly, the lower the data storage priority of the first terminal, the lower the data forwarding priority of the first terminal. For simplicity of description, hereinafter, the data storage priority and the data forwarding priority may be collectively referred to as the data storage and forwarding priority.

[0172] S402. The first satellite obtains the data of the first service of the first terminal.

[0173] It should be understood that the data of the first service involved in this application may refer to the uplink data of the first service, or the downlink data of the first service. Among them, the uplink data of the first service refers to the data of the first service sent / emitted by the first terminal, and the downlink data of the first service refers to the data of the first service sent by the ground storage server or the first application function to the first terminal. Among them, the transmission mode of the downlink data may be unicast, or the transmission mode of the downlink data may also be multicast (or called groupcast). Exemplarily, when the first service is a temporary service, such as a terminal upgrade service, the transmission mode of the downlink data of the first service is multicast, that is, each terminal in the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs can receive the downlink data.

[0174] The following will separately describe the transmission of the uplink data and the downlink data of the first service, and will not elaborate too much here.

[0175] S403. The first satellite stores the data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information.

[0176] Here, the first satellite stores the data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information can be understood as: the amount of data of the first service that can actually be stored in the first satellite is not greater than the data storage space quota required for the first service of the first terminal; and / or, the storage duration of the data of the first service of the first terminal in the first satellite is not greater than the data retention period required for the first service of the first terminal. In this application, not greater than means less than or equal to, not less than means greater than or equal to. In two opposite branches, the case of "equal to" may belong to either of the two branches, which is specifically determined according to the actual situation, and this application does not make any restrictions on this.

[0177] It can be understood that when the storage duration of the data of the first service of the first terminal in the first satellite is greater than the data retention period associated with the first terminal, the first satellite can release / delete the data of the first service already stored in the first satellite.

[0178] Optionally, when the amount of data of the first service to be stored in the first satellite is greater than / exceeds the data storage space quota, the first satellite can first delete the data already stored in the first satellite, but the data storage and forwarding priority of which is lower than the data storage and forwarding priority of the data of the first service of the first terminal, so as to free up storage space for storing data with a higher data storage and forwarding priority. That is to say, the service with a higher data storage and forwarding priority can preempt the data storage space of the service with a lower data storage and forwarding priority.

[0179] Optionally, if the data of the first service is downlink data, after the first satellite establishes a connection with the first terminal, the first satellite can forward the downlink data of the first service stored in the first satellite to the first device; if the data of the first service is uplink data, after the first satellite establishes a connection with the ground gateway station, the first satellite can forward the uplink data of the first service stored in the first satellite to the ground gateway station. Optionally, after completing the data forwarding, the first satellite can release the occupied storage space in the first satellite for subsequent use.

[0180] In the embodiment of this application, the first satellite receives the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal from the mobility management network element, and then can store the data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information, and forward the data stored in the first satellite when there is a service link or a power supply link subsequently. Based on this, one-way link communication between the satellite and the terminal and the ground gateway station can be realized, which is beneficial to improving communication performance.

[0181] Please refer to Figure 5 ,Figure 5 It is another schematic flowchart of the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application. This process mainly describes the transmission process of uplink data. For example, Figure 5 As shown, the communication method may include the following steps S501 to S505. Figure 5 The execution subject of the method shown can be the first satellite, the first terminal, the mobility management network element, etc. Or, Figure 5 The execution subject of the method shown can be the chip in the first satellite or the first terminal or the mobility management network element. For the convenience of description, the present application mainly uses the first satellite, the first terminal, and the mobility management network element as the execution subject for description. It should be understood that Figure 5 It is a schematic flowchart of the method embodiment of the present application, which shows the detailed communication steps or operations of the method. However, these steps or operations are only examples. The embodiment of the present application can also perform other operations or Figure 5 variations of various operations in Figure 5 Each step in Figure 5 can be executed in a different order from that presented in Figure 5 and it is possible that not all the operations in

[0182] S501. The mobility management network element obtains the remaining storage space of the first satellite.

[0183] Here, the information of the remaining storage space of the first satellite can be sent by the first satellite to the mobility management network element.

[0184] Exemplarily, in a possible way, in a 4G communication system, when there is a connection between the first satellite and a terminal (such as the first terminal), the first terminal can send an attachment request to the first satellite. The attachment request may include one or more pieces of information such as the identification information of the first terminal and the location information of the first terminal. Correspondingly, the first satellite receives the attachment request from the first terminal and stores the attachment request. When there is a connection between the first satellite and the mobility management network element subsequently, the first satellite sends the attachment request and the information of the remaining storage space of the first satellite to the mobility management network element. Correspondingly, the mobility management network element receives the attachment request from the first satellite and the information of the remaining storage space of the first satellite.

[0185] Exemplarily, in a possible manner, in a 5G communication system, when there is a connection between a first satellite and a terminal (such as a first terminal), the first terminal may send a registration request to the first satellite, and the registration request may include information such as the identification information of the first terminal. Accordingly, the first satellite receives the registration request from the first terminal and stores the registration request. When there is a connection between the first satellite and a mobility management network element subsequently, the first satellite sends the registration request and information about the remaining storage space of the first satellite to the mobility management network element. Accordingly, the mobility management network element receives the registration request from the first satellite and the information about the remaining storage space of the first satellite.

[0186] Exemplarily, in a possible manner, the mobility management network element may calculate the remaining storage space of the first satellite based on the preconfigured or default-known storage space sizes of each satellite and the storage space already allocated by the mobility management network element to the first satellite; or the mobility management network element may obtain the storage space size information or the so-called total storage space information of the first satellite from other network elements, subtract the storage space already allocated to the first satellite, and calculate the information about the remaining storage space of the first satellite.

[0187] It should be understood that the remaining storage space of a certain satellite may also be referred to as the satellite storage space margin or storage space margin, etc., which is not limited herein.

[0188] It should be noted that the connection between the first satellite and the first terminal involved in this application can be understood as that communication can be carried out between the first satellite and the first terminal, or the signal channel between the first satellite and the first terminal is unobstructed, or the connection information of the service link indicates that the signal channel between the first satellite and the first terminal is unobstructed. Similarly, the connection between the first satellite and the mobility management network element can be understood as that communication can be carried out between the first satellite and the mobility management network element, or the signal channel between the first satellite and the mobility management network element is unobstructed, or the connection information of the feeder link indicates that the signal channel between the first satellite and the mobility management network element is unobstructed.

[0189] Exemplarily, in another possible manner, the first satellite may periodically report / send the information about the remaining storage space of the first satellite to the mobility management network element, or report / send the information about the remaining storage space of the first satellite to the mobility management network element when there is a message interaction with the mobility management network element.

[0190] Through step S501, the mobility management network element can know the information about the remaining storage space of all satellites currently connected to it.

[0191] S502. When the first satellite can establish a connection with the first terminal, and the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal or the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets the data volume size of the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal, the mobility management network element sends storage requirement information to the first satellite. Correspondingly, the first satellite receives the storage requirement information from the mobility management network element.

[0192] In some feasible implementation manners, the mobility management network element may select and allocate satellite storage resources based on the ephemeris information of the known satellites in the constellation, the satellite operation conditions, the location information of the first terminal, etc.

[0193] Here, that the first satellite can establish a connection with the first terminal can be understood as that the satellite coverage information of the first satellite includes the area where the location of the first terminal is located (or described as the first satellite can cover the location where the first terminal is located during a certain time period, or it is said that the first satellite can cover the location where the first terminal is located). For the understanding of the satellite coverage information, reference can be made to the foregoing term explanation, and details are not described herein.

[0194] It can be understood that the location information of the first terminal can be reported by the first terminal to the mobility management network element or the satellite control center, or alternatively, it can also be sent by the application function corresponding to the first terminal (hereinafter referred to as the first application function) to the mobility management network element or the satellite control center. This application does not make any restrictions on this.

[0195] In a possible implementation, the mobility management network element may determine whether the first satellite can cover the location where the first terminal is located according to the ephemeris information of the first satellite and the location information of the first terminal. In another possible implementation, the satellite control center may also determine whether the first satellite can cover the location where the first terminal is located according to the ephemeris information of the first satellite and the location information of the first terminal. If the satellite control center determines that the first satellite can cover the location where the first terminal is located, then the satellite control center may send an indication information (hereinafter referred to as the fourth indication information for easy distinction) to the mobility management network element, and the fourth indication information indicates the identification information of the first satellite that can establish a connection with the first terminal. Correspondingly, the mobility management network element receives the fourth indication information from the satellite control center, and thus can determine that the first satellite can cover the location where the first terminal is located based on the fourth indication information.

[0196] Optionally, the mobility management network element may also determine whether the remaining storage space of the first satellite can meet the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal according to the obtained remaining storage space of the first satellite, or the mobility management network element may determine whether the remaining storage space of the first satellite can meet the data volume of the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal according to the obtained remaining storage space of the first satellite. It should be understood that the remaining storage space of the first satellite meeting the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal can be understood as the remaining storage space of the first satellite being greater than or equal to the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal. Similarly, the remaining storage space of the first satellite meeting the data volume of the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal can be understood as the remaining storage space of the first satellite being greater than or equal to the data volume of the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal. Here, the data volume of the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal may refer to the data volume of the uplink data of the first service to be sent by the first terminal (or the data volume to be sent by the first terminal). In addition, the data volume of the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal may also include the data generation period of the uplink data of the first service.

[0197] In some feasible embodiments, when the mobility management network element determines that the first satellite can establish a connection with the first terminal and the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal or the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets the data volume of the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal, the mobility management network element may send the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal to the first satellite. Correspondingly, the first satellite may receive the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal from the mobility management network element and save the first storage requirement information. Optionally, the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal sent by the mobility management network element in this application may be carried in the context information of the first terminal (or the context information of the first terminal includes the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal, or the first storage requirement information of the first terminal is a part of the context information of the first terminal). Optionally, the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal sent by the mobility management network element may not be carried in the context information of the first terminal (or the first storage requirement information of the first terminal does not belong to / is not a part of the context information of the first terminal).

[0198] Optionally, after the first satellite stores the first storage requirement information, if the first satellite determines that its local storage space will be insufficient, for example, the local storage space of the first satellite is less than a preset storage space threshold, then the first satellite may send indication information (hereinafter referred to as the fifth indication information for easy distinction) to the mobility management network element, and the fifth indication information indicates that the remaining storage space of the first satellite is insufficient. Correspondingly, after receiving the fifth indication information, the mobility management network element may not consider including the first satellite in the selection range when selecting a satellite that meets the requirements subsequently.

[0199] It can be understood that the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal in this application may come from the unified data management network element. Generally speaking, the unified data management network element stores the storage requirement information associated with different terminals. Therefore, the mobility management network element may request the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal from the unified data management network element. For example, the mobility management network element may send a first request to the unified data management network element, and the first request is used to request the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal. Correspondingly, the unified data management network element receives the first request from the mobility management network element and sends a first response to the mobility management network element, and the first response includes the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal. The first request and the first response may be existing messages, or the first request and the first response may also be newly designed messages, which are not limited herein.

[0200] Exemplarily, in a 4G communication system, the first request may be a location update request, and the first response may be a location update response. After the mobility management network element receives the attachment request and the information about the remaining storage space of the first satellite, the mobility management network element may send a location update request to the unified data management network element. The location update request is used to request the subscription information of the user and the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal. The location update request may include information such as the identification information of the first terminal. Correspondingly, the unified data management network element receives the location update request from the mobility management network element and sends a location update response to the mobility management network element. The location update response includes the subscription information of the user. In addition, the location update response may also include the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal. Optionally, in this application, the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal sent by the unified data management network element to the mobility management network element may be carried in the subscription information of the first terminal (or the subscription information of the first terminal includes the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal, or the first storage requirement information of the first terminal is part of the subscription information of the first terminal). Optionally, the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal sent by the unified data management network element to the mobility management network element may also not be carried in the subscription information of the first terminal (or the first storage requirement information of the first terminal does not belong to / is not part of the subscription information of the first terminal).

[0201] Exemplarily again, in a 5G communication system, the first request may be a UE registration / subscription information request, and the first response may be a UE registration / subscription information response.

[0202] Optionally, when the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal included in the unified data management network element is updated, the unified data management network element may also actively send a subscription information update notification to the mobility management network element. The subscription information update notification includes the updated first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal.

[0203] For other understandings of the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal, reference may be made to the relevant descriptions in the foregoing Figure 4 and will not be elaborated here.

[0204] It should be noted that the foregoing mainly takes the mobility management network element sending storage requirement information to one satellite (i.e., the first satellite) as an example for illustration. Optionally, in some scenarios, in addition to sending storage requirement information to the first satellite, the mobility management network element may also need to send storage requirement information to other satellites. That is to say, the mobility management network element may need to determine multiple satellites for storing and forwarding data. Therefore, the mobility management network element needs to send storage requirement information to the determined multiple satellites so that after the terminal accesses, these multiple satellites can store and forward the data associated with the terminal based on the received storage requirement information of the terminal. For the convenience of description, the following mainly takes the first satellite and the second satellite as examples of multiple satellites for illustrative description.

[0205] The following mainly introduces two scenarios that require the participation of multiple satellites:

[0206] In one scenario, when the maximum amount of data that can be transmitted during the period when the first satellite is connected to the first terminal is less than the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, the mobility management network element may send first storage requirement information to the first satellite and the second satellite. Optionally, the first storage requirement information sent by the mobility management network element to the first satellite and the second satellite may be the same, or may be different. Therefore, the mobility management network element sending first storage requirement information to the first satellite and the second satellite can be understood as: the mobility management network element sends first storage requirement information 1 to the first satellite, and the mobility management network element sends first storage requirement information 2 to the second satellite, where the data storage space quota in the first storage requirement information 1 may be the data storage space quota allocated by the mobility management network element to the first satellite based on the amount of data to be sent by the first terminal, and the data storage space quota in the first storage requirement information 2 may be the data storage space quota allocated by the mobility management network element to the second satellite based on the amount of data to be sent by the first terminal. The data storage space quota in the first storage requirement information 1 and the data storage space quota in the first storage requirement information 2 may be the same or may be different. For the sake of simplicity of description, when no additional explanation is made subsequently, they are all treated the same. Therefore, the following description can be simplified to first storage requirement information.

[0207] In another scenario, when the maximum amount of data that can be transmitted during the period when the first satellite is connected to the first terminal is less than the amount of data of the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal, the mobility management network element may send first storage requirement information to the first satellite and the second satellite.

[0208] It should be noted that the maximum amount of data transmitted during the period when the first satellite is connected to the first terminal can be understood as the maximum amount of data received by the first satellite during the overflight period. Here, the overflight period can be understood as the period / duration when the first satellite is connected to the first terminal, or the period / duration when the first satellite and the first terminal can communicate normally, or the period / duration when the signal channel between the first satellite and the first terminal is unobstructed. Exemplarily, the communication quality can be measured by the signal strength. For example, when the signal strength is greater than or equal to the set signal strength threshold, the channel can be considered unobstructed, and when the signal strength is less than the set signal strength threshold, the channel can be considered obstructed.

[0209] For example, assume that the length of the period when the first satellite is connected to the first terminal is 100 s (or the overflight period is 100 s). If the data transmission rate is 1 kbps, then the maximum amount of data transmitted during the period when the first satellite is connected to the first terminal is 100 kb. Also assume that the amount of data to be transmitted for the uplink data of the first terminal is 200 kb. Since 100 kb < 200 kb, in addition to the first satellite, the mobility management network element also needs to select other satellites to participate in the storage and forwarding of the uplink data of the first terminal, such as the second satellite. The maximum amount of data transmitted during the period when the second satellite is connected to the first terminal is 120 kb. Therefore, the first satellite and the second satellite meet the uplink data transmission requirements of the first terminal. In this case, the data storage space quota included in the first storage requirement information 1 sent by the mobility management network element to the first satellite can be 100 kb, and the data storage space quota included in the first storage requirement information 2 sent by the mobility management network element to the second satellite can be 100 kb; or, the data storage space quota included in the first storage requirement information 1 sent to the first satellite can be 90 kb, and the data storage space quota included in the first storage requirement information 2 sent to the second satellite can be 110 kb, etc., which is not limited.

[0210] It can be understood that the determined multiple satellites can subsequently store the data of the first service of the first terminal based on the first storage requirement information. Among them, the following mainly takes the first satellite storing the data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information as an example for illustrative description. The understanding of the second satellite storing the data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information can refer to the relevant description of the first satellite, which will not be elaborated later.

[0211] S503. The first terminal sends the uplink data of the first service to the first satellite. Correspondingly, the first satellite receives the uplink data of the first service from the first terminal.

[0212] It should be understood that when there is a connection between the first satellite and the first terminal, the first terminal can send the uplink data of the first service to the first satellite. Correspondingly, the first satellite can receive the uplink data of the first service from the first terminal.

[0213] Exemplarily, in some feasible implementation manners, when the first satellite covers the first terminal, the first satellite can implement the subsequent access / attachment / registration process of the first terminal through paging. After the first terminal successfully accesses the first satellite, the first terminal can send the uplink data of the first service to the first satellite. Correspondingly, the first satellite can receive the uplink data of the first service from the first terminal. Optionally, when performing paging, the first satellite can also preferentially page the terminal with a higher storage and forwarding priority based on the information of the storage and forwarding priority, or can set different registration acceptance response times based on different storage and forwarding priorities, that is, send the registration acceptance response to the terminal with a higher storage and forwarding priority first, and send the registration acceptance response to the terminal with a lower storage and forwarding priority later, so that the terminal with a higher storage and forwarding priority can send service data first.

[0214] S504. The first satellite stores the uplink data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information.

[0215] It should be noted that since the scenario applicable to this application is a single-link scenario as Figure 2 shown, that is, when there is a connection between the first satellite and the first terminal, there is no connection between the first satellite and the mobility management network element. Therefore, the first satellite needs to store the received uplink data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information, so that when there is a connection between the first satellite and the mobility management network element subsequently, the first satellite can forward the uplink data of the first service stored locally to the mobility management network element. Optionally, in addition to the first storage requirement information of the first terminal, the first satellite can also store the uplink data of the first service of the first terminal in combination with the context information of the first terminal.

[0216] Exemplarily, in a possible implementation manner 1, when the first storage requirement information includes the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, the fact that the first satellite stores the data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information can be understood as: the data volume of the uplink data of the first service stored in the first satellite is less than or equal to the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal.

[0217] Optionally, when the data volume of the data of the first service of the first terminal stored in the first satellite is greater than or equal to the first preset data volume, the mobility management network element may send indication information (hereinafter referred to as the second indication information for easy distinction) to the first terminal, and the second indication information instructs the first terminal to stop sending data to the first satellite within the first time period. Accordingly, the first terminal receives the second indication information from the mobility management network element and stops sending data to the mobility management network element within the first time period. Optionally, after the first time period, the first terminal may continue to send data to the first satellite. Optionally, the first time period involved in this application may be a specified time duration, which may be implemented by means of a timer. For example, before the timer times out, the first terminal no longer performs data transmission. Or, the first time period may also refer to a specific time period. For example, the first terminal no longer performs data transmission between 9:00 am and 9:30 am Beijing time.

[0218] Optionally, after sending the second indication information to the first terminal and before the end of the first time period, if the data volume of the data of the first service of the first terminal stored in the first satellite is less than the first preset data volume (for example, when the first satellite forwards the uplink data of the first service to the mobility management network element and then the first satellite releases the storage space again due to deleting the forwarded data), then the first satellite may send indication information (hereinafter referred to as the third indication information for easy distinction) to the first terminal, and the third indication information instructs the first terminal to continue sending data (or described as the third indication information instructs the first terminal to resume sending data, or the third indication information is used to terminate the timer). Accordingly, the first terminal receives the third indication information from the first satellite and may continue to send data to the first satellite before the end of the first time period.

[0219] Optionally, the above first preset data volume may be related to the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal. For example, the first preset data volume is equal to the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, and this is not limited.

[0220] Exemplarily, in a possible implementation 2, when the first storage requirement information includes the data retention period associated with the first terminal, the storage of the data of the first service of the first terminal by the first satellite according to the first storage requirement information may be understood as: the storage duration of the uplink data of the first service in the first satellite is less than or equal to the data retention period associated with the first terminal.

[0221] Optionally, when the storage duration of the uplink data of the first service in the first satellite is greater than / exceeds the data retention period associated with the first terminal, the first satellite may release / delete the uplink data of the first service of the first terminal stored in the first satellite.

[0222] Exemplarily, in a possible implementation 3, when the first storage requirement information includes the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the first terminal, the first satellite stores the data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information, which can be understood as follows: Before storing the uplink data of the first service, if the remaining storage space of the first satellite is insufficient (for example, the remaining storage space of the first satellite does not meet the data volume size of the uplink data to be stored for the first service), then the first satellite can compare the relationship between the data storage and forwarding priority of other terminals (such as the second terminal) already stored in the first satellite and the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the first terminal. If the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the first terminal is higher than the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the second terminal, then the first satellite can release / delete the data of the second service of the second terminal (such as the uplink data of the second service, or it can also be the downlink data of the second service, etc.) stored in the first satellite, so as to use the released storage space to store the uplink data of the first service. Optionally, if the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the first terminal is lower than the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the second terminal, the first satellite abandons storing / discards the uplink data of the first service.

[0223] For example, assume that the maximum storage space of the first satellite is 100 kb, and the first satellite will first pass through the area where the second terminal is located and then pass through the area where the first terminal is located. Before the first satellite runs to the area where the first terminal is located, the remaining storage space of the first satellite is 5 kb, and the other 95 kb is occupied by the data of the second terminal. Assume that the data volume size of the uplink data of the first service is 50 kb. Since the remaining storage space of the first satellite does not meet the data volume size to be transmitted by the first terminal, and the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the first terminal is higher than the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the second terminal, the first satellite can release all / part of the space occupied by the data of the second terminal to store the uplink data of the first service.

[0224] Optionally, in the case where the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the first terminal is higher than the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the second terminal (or in the case where the first terminal preempts the data storage space of the second terminal in the first satellite), the first satellite can also send an indication information (hereinafter referred to as the first indication information for easy distinction) to the mobility management network element. The first indication information indicates that the storage space of the second terminal is preempted. Exemplarily, the first indication information can carry information such as the identifier of the second terminal, the identifier of the preempted resource, and optionally the identifier of the first terminal. Correspondingly, the mobility management network element can receive the first indication information from the first satellite. Based on the first indication information, the mobility management network element can learn that the data storage space of the second terminal is preempted by other terminals, so there is still an allocation of the transmission resources for the service data of the second terminal in the future.

[0225] Exemplarily, Figure 6 The schematic diagram shows a first satellite performing corresponding data storage for terminals with different priorities. Assume that the first satellite will first pass through the area where the second terminal with a lower storage and forwarding priority is located (e.g., location area 2), and then pass through the area where the first terminal with a higher storage and forwarding priority is located (e.g., location area 1). Among them, a terminal with a higher storage and forwarding priority can preempt the storage space already occupied by a terminal with a lower storage and forwarding priority. As Figure 6 shown:

[0226] S601. The second terminal sends the uplink data of the second service to the first satellite. Correspondingly, the first satellite receives the uplink data of the second service from the second terminal.

[0227] Specifically, when the first satellite passes through location area 2, if the second terminal has a service transmission requirement, then the second terminal can send the uplink data of the second service to the first satellite after accessing.

[0228] S602. The first satellite stores the uplink data of the second service of the second terminal.

[0229] Specifically, the uplink data of the second service of the second terminal can be stored in the on-board S&F.

[0230] S603. The first terminal sends the uplink data of the first service to the first satellite. Correspondingly, the first satellite receives the uplink data of the first service from the first terminal.

[0231] Specifically, when the first satellite passes through location area 1, if the first terminal has a service transmission requirement, then the first terminal can send the uplink data of the first service to the first satellite after accessing.

[0232] S604. If the local storage space of the first satellite is insufficient and the storage and forwarding priority of the first terminal is higher than that of the second terminal, then delete the uplink data of the second service already stored in the first satellite to free up storage space for storing the uplink data of the first service.

[0233] In a possible implementation, assume that the maximum storage space of the first satellite is 100 kb, and the transmission data volume of the uplink data of the second service of the second terminal is 100 kb, so the local storage space of the first satellite. When passing through location area 1, since the storage and forwarding priority of the first terminal is higher and the local storage of the first satellite has reached the maximum storage space, the first satellite can delete the uplink data of the second service already stored in the first satellite to free up storage space for storing the uplink data of the first service.

[0234] S605. The first satellite sends first indication information to the mobility management network element. Correspondingly, the mobility management network element receives the first indication information from the first satellite, and the first indication information indicates that the storage space of the second terminal is preempted.

[0235] Exemplarily, the first indication information may carry information such as the identifier of the second terminal, the identifier of the preempted resource, and optionally the identifier of the first terminal.

[0236] In a possible implementation, since the first terminal preempts the occupied storage space of the second terminal, the first satellite may further record the identifier of the second terminal and form an alarm indication, and when there is a connection between the first satellite and the mobility management network element, then send the alarm prompt (i.e., the first indication information) to the mobility management network element, so that the mobility management network element can continue to allocate resources for the service data transmission of the second terminal subsequently.

[0237] It should be noted that the above implementation manners 1 to 3 can be implemented separately, or can be combined with each other, and there is no limitation here.

[0238] S505. The first satellite sends the uplink data of the first service from the first terminal stored in the first satellite to the mobility management network element. Correspondingly, the mobility management network element receives the uplink data of the first service of the first terminal from the first satellite.

[0239] Specifically, when there is a connection between the first satellite and the mobility management network element, the first satellite sends the uplink data of the first service from the first terminal stored in the first satellite to the mobility management network element. It can be understood that after the first satellite forwards the uplink data of the first service of the first terminal to the mobility management network element, the first satellite can release / delete the uplink data of the first service of the first terminal stored in the first satellite to release the storage resources.

[0240] This application embodiment mainly introduces the uplink data transmission process when there is only a unilateral link between the satellite, the terminal, and the ground gateway station. Specifically, the first satellite receives the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal from the mobility management network element, and then can store the uplink data of the first service from the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information, and when there is a feeder link subsequently, forward the data stored in the first satellite to the mobility management network element. Based on this, communication with only a unilateral link between the satellite, the terminal, and the ground gateway station can be realized, which is beneficial to improving the communication performance.

[0241] A specific implementation solution for the uplink data transmission is given below. Specifically, in a 4G communication system, the mobility management network element may specifically be an MME, and the unified data management network element may specifically be an HSS, as Figure 7 shown:

[0242] S701. The first terminal sends an attachment request to the first satellite. Correspondingly, the first satellite receives the attachment request from the first terminal.

[0243] S702. The first satellite stores the attachment request.

[0244] S703. The first satellite sends the attachment request and the remaining storage space of the first satellite to the MME. Correspondingly, the MME receives the attachment request and the remaining storage space of the first satellite from the first satellite.

[0245] S704. The MME sends a location update request to the HSS. Correspondingly, the HSS receives the location update request from the MME.

[0246] S705. The HSS sends a location update response to the MME. Correspondingly, the MME receives the location update response from the HSS.

[0247] The location update response includes the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal.

[0248] S706. When the MME determines that the first satellite can establish a connection with the first terminal, and the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal or the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets the data volume size of the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal, the MME sends the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal to the first satellite. Correspondingly, the first satellite receives the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal from the MME.

[0249] S707. The first satellite stores the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal.

[0250] Optionally, when the first satellite discovers that the local storage space has reached the threshold, the first satellite sends the fifth indication information to the MME, and the fifth indication information indicates that the remaining storage space of the first satellite is insufficient, so that the MME will not continue to allocate the data storage space associated with other terminals to the first satellite subsequently.

[0251] S708. The first satellite and the first terminal execute the paging and attachment acceptance processes.

[0252] S709. The first terminal sends the uplink data of the first service to the first satellite. Correspondingly, the first satellite receives the uplink data of the first service from the first terminal.

[0253] S710. The first satellite stores the uplink data of the first service.

[0254] Optionally, when the data volume of the data of the first service of the first terminal stored in the first satellite is greater than or equal to the first preset data volume, the first satellite sends second indication information to the first terminal, and the second indication information instructs the first terminal to stop sending data to the first satellite within the first time period.

[0255] S711. The first satellite sends the uplink data of the first service stored in the first satellite to the MME.

[0256] S712. The first satellite releases the storage space occupied by the uplink data of the first service of the first terminal.

[0257] Please refer to Figure 8 , Figure 8 which is another schematic flowchart of the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application. This process mainly describes the transmission process of downlink data, and the downlink data is sent by the ground storage server. It should be understood that the ground storage server in this embodiment may refer to a storage server belonging to an operator. As Figure 8 shown, the communication method may include the following steps S801 to S808. Figure 8 The execution subject of the method shown may be the first satellite, the first terminal, the mobility management network element, etc. Or, Figure 8 The execution subject of the method shown may be a chip in the first satellite or the first terminal or the mobility management network element, where the first satellite includes an on-board RAN and an on-board S&F. For the convenience of description, the present application mainly uses the first satellite, the first terminal, and the mobility management network element as the execution subject for description. It should be understood that Figure 8 is a schematic flowchart of the method embodiment of the present application, which shows the detailed communication steps or operations of the method. However, these steps or operations are only examples, and the embodiment of the present application may also perform other operations or Figure 8 variations of various operations in. In addition, Figure 8 each step in may be executed in a different order from that presented in Figure 8 , and it is possible that not all the operations in Figure 8 need to be executed. Among them:

[0258] S801. The mobility management network element obtains the remaining storage space of the first satellite.

[0259] For the understanding of step S801 here, reference can be made to the description of step S501 in the corresponding embodiment described above, and details will not be repeated here. Figure 5

[0260] S802. When the first satellite can establish a connection with the first terminal, and the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal or the size of the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal, the mobility management network element sends a storage requirement message to the first satellite. Correspondingly, the first satellite receives the storage requirement message from the mobility management network element.

[0261] Here, for the understanding of how the mobility management network element determines that the first satellite can establish a connection with the first terminal, and the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal or the size of the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal, reference can be made to the relevant description of step S502 in the foregoing Figure 5 corresponding embodiment. The difference is that in this embodiment, the size of the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal refers to the size of the downlink data of the first service to be received by the first terminal (or the size of the data to be received by the first terminal), and the data generation period of the downlink data of the first service.

[0262] It can be understood that the information about the size of the downlink data of the first service to be received by the first terminal obtained by the mobility management network element in this embodiment can come from the first application function. That is to say, the mobility management network element can obtain the information about the size of the downlink data of the first service and the information about one or more terminals to which the downlink data needs to be sent from the first application function network element.

[0263] It should be understood that the first application function involved in this application is the application function corresponding to the first terminal (or the application function to which the first terminal belongs, or the application function serving the first terminal, or the application function managing the first terminal). For example, the first application function is an application server managed by an enterprise or individual to which the first terminal assets belong, and is used to manage all the first terminals in all the first terminal groups within the enterprise or of the individual.

[0264] Optionally, the mobility management network element may also send the information of the first terminal to the first satellite. For example, the information of the first terminal may include one or more of the identification information of the first terminal, the location information of the first terminal, etc.

[0265] S803. The mobility management network element sends the address information of the ground storage server to the first application function. Correspondingly, the first application function receives the address information of the ground storage server from the mobility management network element.

[0266] In a possible implementation, when the amount of downlink data is large, or for security considerations, the data that the first application function needs to send down can be relayed through a ground storage server. Therefore, the mobility management network element can send the address information of the ground storage server to the first application function, so that the first application function can know which ground storage server should be used to send the downlink data that needs to be sent.

[0267] S804. The first application function sends the downlink data of the first service to the ground storage server. Correspondingly, the ground storage server receives the downlink data of the first service from the first application function.

[0268] It can be understood that in this embodiment, specifically, the first application function can send the downlink data of the first service to the ground storage server. Correspondingly, the ground storage server receives the downlink data of the first service from the first application function and stores the corresponding downlink data of the first service in the ground storage server, so that the ground storage server can send the downlink data of the first service to the first satellite subsequently.

[0269] It should be noted that the reason why the first application function knows which ground storage server should be used to send the downlink data of the first service is that the mobility management network element / unified data management network element has previously sent the address information of the ground storage server to the first application function (as shown in step S803, the mobility management network element sends the address information of the ground storage server to the first application function). Therefore, the first application function can know which ground storage server should be used to send the downlink data of the first service based on the received address information of the ground storage server. Figure 8 In step S803, the mobility management network element sends the address information of the ground storage server to the first application function), so the first application function can know which ground storage server should be used to send the downlink data of the first service based on the received address information of the ground storage server.

[0270] Optionally, the mobility management network element / unified data management network element can also send the address information of the first application function to the ground storage server. Correspondingly, the ground storage server receives the address information of the first application function from the mobility management network element for verification. That is to say, the ground storage server will only store the downlink data of the first service from the specified application function and will not store the data sent by non-specified application functions. Specifically, when the source address information in the packet header of the downlink data of the first service is the address information of the first application function, the ground storage server stores the downlink data of the first service from the first application function; otherwise, the received downlink data is discarded.

[0271] S805. The mobility management network element sends a notification message to the ground storage server. Correspondingly, the ground storage server receives the notification message from the mobility management network element.

[0272] In a possible implementation, the ground storage server may be co-deployed with or independently deployed from the user plane function (UPF). When independently deployed, the ground storage server may communicate directly with the first satellite by establishing a tunnel or communicate through the UPF for relaying. This application does not limit this.

[0273] It can be understood that the notification information may include the identification information of the first satellite, the identification information of the first terminal (in the case of unicast) / the identification information of each terminal included in the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs (in the case of multicast), the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, the data transmission time period, and other information. Generally speaking, when the transmission mode of the downlink data is unicast, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal is the data storage space quota corresponding to the first terminal. When the transmission mode of the downlink data is multicast, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal is the data storage space quota corresponding to the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs.

[0274] It can be understood that the above data transmission time period can be understood as the time when the ground storage server sends the downlink data of the first service to the first satellite. Exemplarily, the data transmission time period may be one or more time periods, or the data transmission time period may also be a starting time point and the data transmission duration, or the data transmission time period may also be periodic. This application does not limit this.

[0275] Optionally, when the number of satellites determined by the mobility management network element is multiple (for example, taking the first satellite and the second satellite as an example), the notification information may further include the identification information of the second satellite, the operation information (or ephemeris information, or the order of passing through the first terminal) of the first satellite and the second satellite, etc. This application does not limit this.

[0276] S806. The ground storage server sends the downlink data of the first service to the first satellite. Correspondingly, the first satellite receives the downlink data of the first service from the ground storage server.

[0277] It can be understood that in the case where there is a connection between the first satellite and the ground storage server, the ground storage server sends the downlink data of the first service to the first satellite. Optionally, the ground storage server may specifically send the downlink data of the first service to the first satellite during the data transmission time period indicated by the notification information. Optionally, the amount of data sent by the ground storage server to the first satellite for the downlink data of the first service may be less than or equal to the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal.

[0278] Optionally, when the number of satellites determined by the mobility management network element is multiple (for example, taking the first satellite and the second satellite as examples), the mobility management network element may also send first storage requirement information to the first satellite and the second satellite. Optionally, the first storage requirement information sent by the mobility management network element to the first satellite and the second satellite may be the same, or may be different. Therefore, the mobility management network element sending the first storage requirement information to the first satellite and the second satellite can be understood as: the mobility management network element sending the first storage requirement information 1 to the first satellite, and the mobility management network element sending the first storage requirement information 2 to the second satellite. The data storage space quota in the first storage requirement information 1 may be the data storage space quota allocated by the mobility management network element to the first satellite based on the amount of data to be received by the first terminal (or described as the amount of data to be sent by the first application function / ground storage server). The data storage space quota in the first storage requirement information 2 may be the data storage space quota allocated by the mobility management network element to the second satellite based on the amount of data to be received by the first terminal. The data storage space quota in the first storage requirement information 1 and the data storage space quota in the first storage requirement information 2 may be the same or different. For the sake of simplicity of description, when there is no additional explanation later, they are all treated the same. Therefore, the following description can be simplified to the first storage requirement information.

[0279] It can be understood that the determined multiple satellites can subsequently store the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal based on the first storage requirement information. Among them, the following mainly takes the first satellite storing the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information as an example for illustrative description. The understanding of the second satellite storing the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information can refer to the relevant description of the first satellite and will not be elaborated later.

[0280] S807. The first satellite stores the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information.

[0281] Here, the understanding of step S807 can refer to the description of step S504 in the corresponding foregoing Figure 5 embodiment. The difference is that when the transmission mode of the downlink data is unicast, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal is the data storage space quota corresponding to the first terminal. When the transmission mode of the downlink data is multicast, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal is the data storage space quota corresponding to the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs. That is, in the case of multicast, this data storage space quota only occupies one storage space, but when transmitted to the terminals over the air interface, the service data in the corresponding storage space can be sent to all terminals in the first terminal group.

[0282] S808. The first satellite sends the downlink data of the first service from the ground storage server stored in the first satellite to the first terminal or each terminal in the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs. Correspondingly, the first terminal or each terminal in the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs receives the downlink data of the first service from the first satellite.

[0283] Specifically, when there is a connection between the first satellite and the first terminal or each terminal in the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs, the first satellite sends the downlink data of the first service from the ground storage server stored in the first satellite to the first terminal or each terminal in the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs.

[0284] It can be understood that after the first satellite forwards the downlink data of the first service to the first terminal or each terminal in the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs, the first satellite can release / delete the downlink data of the first service stored in the first satellite.

[0285] This embodiment of the present application mainly introduces the transmission process of downlink data when there is only a one-way link between the satellite, the terminal and the ground gateway station. Specifically, the first satellite receives the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal from the mobility management network element, and then can store the downlink data of the first service from the ground storage server according to the first storage requirement information, and when there is a service link subsequently, forward the data stored in the first satellite to the terminal. Based on this, communication with only a one-way link between the satellite, the terminal and the ground gateway station can be achieved, which is beneficial to improving communication performance.

[0286] Please refer to Figure 9 , Figure 9 which is another schematic flow diagram of the communication method provided by this embodiment of the present application. This process mainly describes the transmission process of downlink data, and the downlink data is sent by the first application function, which is the application function corresponding to the first terminal (or the application function to which the first terminal belongs, or the application function serving the first terminal, or the application function managing the first terminal). As Figure 9 shown, the communication method may include the following steps S901 to S906. Figure 9 The execution subject of the method shown may be the first satellite, the first terminal, the mobility management network element, etc. Or, Figure 9 the execution subject of the method shown may be a chip in the first satellite or the first terminal or the mobility management network element. For the convenience of description, this application mainly describes the execution subject as the first satellite, the first terminal, and the mobility management network element. The first satellite includes an on-board RAN and an on-board S&F. It should be understood that Figure 9is a schematic flowchart of a method embodiment of the present application, which shows the detailed communication steps or operations of the method. However, these steps or operations are only examples, and the embodiments of the present application can also perform other operations or Figure 9 variations of various operations in. In addition, Figure 9 each step in can be respectively executed in a different order from that presented in Figure 9 and it is possible that not all operations in Figure 9 need to be executed. Among them:

[0287] S901. The mobility management network element obtains the remaining storage space of the first satellite.

[0288] For the understanding of step S901 here, reference can be made to the description of step S501 in the foregoing Figure 5 corresponding embodiment, and details will not be elaborated here.

[0289] S902. When the first satellite can establish a connection with the first terminal and the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal or the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets the data volume size of the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal, the mobility management network element sends storage requirement information to the first satellite. Correspondingly, the first satellite receives the storage requirement information from the mobility management network element.

[0290] Here, for the understanding of how the mobility management network element determines that the first satellite can establish a connection with the first terminal and the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal or the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets the data volume size of the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal, reference can be made to the relevant description of step S502 in the foregoing Figure 5 corresponding embodiment. The difference is that the data volume size of the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal involved in this embodiment refers to the data volume size of the downlink data of the first service to be received by the first terminal (or the data volume size to be received by the first terminal) and the data generation period of the downlink data of the first service.

[0291] Optionally, the mobility management network element can also send information of the first terminal to the first satellite. For example, the information of the first terminal can include one or more of the identification information of the first terminal, the location information of the first terminal, etc.

[0292] S903. The mobility management network element sends notification information to the first application function. Correspondingly, the first application function receives the notification information from the mobility management network element.

[0293] It can be understood that the notification information may include the identification information of the first satellite, the identification information of the first terminal (in the case of unicast) / the identification information of each terminal included in the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs (in the case of multicast), the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, the data transmission time period, and other information. Generally speaking, when the transmission mode of the downlink data is unicast, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal is the data storage space quota corresponding to the first terminal. When the transmission mode of the downlink data is multicast, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal is the data storage space quota corresponding to the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs.

[0294] It can be understood that the above data transmission time period can be understood as the time when the first application function sends the downlink data of the first service to the first satellite. Exemplarily, the data transmission time period can be one or more time periods, or the data transmission time period can also be a time transmission cycle, etc., which is not limited in this application.

[0295] Optionally, when the number of satellites determined by the mobility management network element is multiple (for example, taking the first satellite and the second satellite as an example), the notification information may further include the identification information of the second satellite, the operation information (or ephemeris information, or the order passing through the first terminal) of the first satellite and the second satellite, etc., which is not limited in this application.

[0296] S904. The first application function sends the downlink data of the first service to the first satellite. Correspondingly, the first satellite receives the downlink data of the first service from the first application function.

[0297] It can be understood that in the case where there is a connection between the first satellite and the first application function, the first application function sends the downlink data of the first service to the first satellite. Optionally, the first application function may specifically send the downlink data of the first service to the first satellite during the data transmission time period indicated by the notification information. Optionally, the data volume size of the downlink data of the first service sent by the first application function to the first satellite may be less than or equal to the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal.

[0298] S905. The first satellite stores the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information.

[0299] The understanding of step S905 here can be referred to the description of step S504 in the corresponding Figure 5 embodiment. The difference is that when the transmission mode of the downlink data is unicast, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal is the data storage space quota corresponding to the first terminal. When the transmission mode of the downlink data is multicast, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal is the data storage space quota corresponding to the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs.

[0300] S906. The first satellite sends the downlink data of the first service from the first application function stored in the first satellite to the first terminal or each terminal in the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs. Correspondingly, the first terminal or each terminal in the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs receives the downlink data of the first service from the first satellite.

[0301] Specifically, when there is a connection between the first satellite and the first terminal or each terminal in the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs, the first satellite sends the downlink data of the first service from the first application function stored in the first satellite to the first terminal or each terminal in the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs.

[0302] It can be understood that after the first satellite forwards the downlink data of the first service to the first terminal or each terminal in the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs, the first satellite can release / delete the downlink data of the first service stored in the first satellite to release storage resources.

[0303] This embodiment of the present application mainly introduces the transmission process of downlink data when there is only a single-sided link between the satellite, the terminal, and the ground gateway station. Specifically, the first satellite receives the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal from the mobility management network element, and then can store the downlink data of the first service from the first application function according to the first storage requirement information. When there is a service link subsequently, the first satellite forwards the data stored in the first satellite to the terminal. Based on this, communication between the satellite, the terminal, and the ground gateway station with only a single-sided link can be achieved, which is beneficial to improving communication performance.

[0304] The following will be combined with Figures 10 to 11 to describe the communication device provided in the present application in detail.

[0305] It can be understood that in order to implement the functions in the above embodiments, the communication device includes the corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules for executing each function. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, combining 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.

[0306] Figure 10 and Figure 11Schematic diagram of a possible communication device provided for an embodiment of the present application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of the terminal (such as the first terminal), or the satellite (such as the first satellite), or the mobility management network element, or the ground storage server, or the satellite control center in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments. In the embodiments of the present application, the communication device can be a communication device or a module (such as a chip) applied to a communication device.

[0307] As Figure 10 shown, the communication device 1000 includes a processing unit 1010 and a transceiver unit 1020. The communication device 1000 is used to implement the functions of the terminal (such as the first terminal), or the satellite (such as the first satellite), or the mobility management network element, or the ground storage server, or the satellite control center in the method embodiments shown above. Among them: Figures 4 to 9 When the communication device 1000 is used to implement the function of the first satellite in the method embodiment shown

[0308] When the communication device 1000 is used to implement the function of the first satellite in the method embodiment shown Figures 4 to 9 :

[0309] The transceiver unit 1020 is configured to receive storage requirement information from the mobility management network element, where the storage requirement information includes first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal; the transceiver unit 1020 is configured to obtain data of a first service of the first terminal; the processing unit 1010 is configured to store the data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information.

[0310] When the communication device 1000 is used to implement the function of the mobility management network element in the method embodiment shown Figures 4 to 9 :

[0311] The transceiver unit 1020 is configured to obtain the remaining storage space of the first satellite; the transceiver unit 1020 is configured to send the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal to the first satellite when the first satellite can establish a connection with the first terminal and the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal or the data volume size of the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal.

[0312] When the communication device 1000 is used to implement the function of the ground storage server in the method embodiment shown Figures 4 to 9 :

[0313] A transceiver unit 1020 is configured to receive notification information from a mobility management network element; the transceiver unit 1020 is further configured to send data of a first service of a first terminal to a first satellite according to the notification information; wherein the notification information includes one or more of the following: identification information of the first satellite, identification information of the first terminal, identification information of each terminal included in a first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs, a data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, or a data transmission time period.

[0314] When the communication device 1000 is configured to implement Figures 4 to 9 the function of the first terminal in the method embodiment shown:

[0315] A transceiver unit 1020 is configured to receive second indication information from the first satellite, where the second indication information indicates that the first terminal stops sending data to the first satellite within a first time period; the transceiver unit 1020 is further configured to send data to the first satellite after the first time period according to the second indication information.

[0316] When the communication device 1000 is configured to implement Figures 4 to 9 the function of the satellite control center in the method embodiment shown:

[0317] A processing unit 1010 is configured to determine the first satellite based on ephemeris information of the first satellite and location information of the first terminal;

[0318] A transceiver unit 1020 is configured to send fourth indication information to the mobility management network element, where the fourth indication information indicates identification information of the first satellite capable of establishing a connection with the first terminal.

[0319] For a more detailed description of the above processing unit 1010 and transceiver unit 1020, reference may be made to Figures 4 to 9 the relevant description in the method embodiment shown.

[0320] As Figure 11 shown, the communication device 1100 includes a processor 1110 and an interface circuit 1120. The processor 1110 and the interface circuit 1120 are coupled to each other. It can be understood that the interface circuit 1120 may be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device 1100 may further include a memory 1130, configured to store instructions executed by the processor 1110 or store input data required for the processor 1110 to run instructions or store data generated after the processor 1110 runs instructions.

[0321] When the communication device 1100 is configured to implement Figures 4 to 9When implementing the method shown, the processor 1110 is used to implement the functions of the above-mentioned processing unit 1010, and the interface circuit 1120 is used to implement the functions of the above-mentioned transceiver unit 1020.

[0322] 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 embodiment. The terminal chip receives the information sent by the satellite to the terminal through other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in 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 satellite.

[0323] When the above communication device is a module applied to a satellite, the satellite module implements the functions of the satellite in the above method embodiment. The satellite module receives the information sent by the terminal to the satellite from other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the satellite; or, the satellite module sends information to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the satellite, and this information is sent by the satellite to the terminal.

[0324] When the above communication device is a chip applied to a mobility management network element, the mobility management network element chip implements the functions of the mobility management network element in the above method embodiment. The mobility management network element chip receives the information sent by the satellite to the mobility management network element through other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the mobility management network element; or, the mobility management network element chip sends information to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the mobility management network element, and this information is sent by the mobility management network element to the satellite.

[0325] When the above communication device is a chip applied to a satellite control center, the satellite control center chip implements the functions of the satellite control center in the above method embodiment. The satellite control center chip receives the information sent by the satellite to the satellite control center through other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the satellite control center; or, the satellite control center chip sends information to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the satellite control center, and this information is sent by the satellite control center to the satellite.

[0326] When the above communication device is a chip applied to a ground storage server, the ground storage server chip implements the functions of the ground storage server in the above method embodiment. The ground storage server chip receives the information sent by the satellite to the ground storage server through other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the ground storage server; or, the ground storage server chip sends information to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the ground storage server, and this information is sent by the ground storage server to the satellite.

[0327] It can be understood that the processor in the 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.

[0328] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented in hardware or in software instructions executable by a processor. The software instructions may be composed of corresponding software modules, and the software modules may be stored in a random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, registers, hard disks, removable hard disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium well-known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. The storage medium may also be a component of the processor. The processor and the storage medium may be located in an ASIC. Additionally, the ASIC may be located in a satellite, a terminal, a mobility management network element, a ground storage server, or a satellite control center. The processor and the storage medium may also exist as discrete components in a satellite, a terminal, a mobility management network element, a ground storage server, or a satellite control center.

[0329] 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. 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 that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or a data center that integrates 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.

[0330] In various embodiments of the present application, if there is no special description and logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced to each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their internal logical relationships.

[0331] It can 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 serial numbers of the above processes does not mean the order of execution. The order of execution of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a first satellite and includes: Receiving storage requirement information from a mobility management network element, where the storage requirement information includes first storage requirement information associated with a first terminal; Obtaining data of a first service of the first terminal; Storing the data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The storing the data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information includes: In the case where there is no connection between the first satellite and the mobility management network element, storing uplink data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information; or, In the case where there is no connection between the first satellite and the first terminal, storing downlink data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, In the case where the first storage requirement information includes a data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, the amount of data of the first service of the first terminal stored in the first satellite is less than or equal to the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that In the case where the first storage requirement information includes a data retention period associated with the first terminal, the storage duration of the data of the first service of the first terminal in the first satellite is less than or equal to the data retention period associated with the first terminal.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The storage requirement information further includes second storage requirement information associated with a second terminal, and the second storage requirement information includes a data storage and forwarding priority associated with the second terminal; The first storage requirement information includes a data storage and forwarding priority associated with the first terminal, and the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the first terminal is higher than the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the second terminal; The storing the data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information includes: In the case where the remaining storage space of the first satellite does not meet the amount of data of the data to be transmitted of the first service, deleting the data of the second service of the second terminal stored in the first satellite and storing the data of the first service of the first terminal.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The method further includes: Sending first indication information to the mobility management network element, where the first indication information indicates that the storage space of the second terminal has been preempted.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The obtaining the data of the first service of the first terminal includes: In the case where there is a connection between the first satellite and the first terminal, receiving the uplink data of the first service from the first terminal.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein The method further includes: In the case where the amount of data of the first service of the first terminal stored in the first satellite is greater than or equal to a first preset data amount, sending second indication information to the first terminal, where the second indication information indicates that the first terminal stops sending data to the first satellite within a first time period; Wherein, the first preset data amount is related to the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein After sending the second indication information to the first terminal and before the end of the first time period, the method further includes: When the amount of data of the first service of the first terminal stored in the first satellite is less than the first preset data amount, sending third indication information to the first terminal, where the third indication information instructs the first terminal to continue sending data.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7-9, characterized in that, The method further includes: When there is a connection between the first satellite and the mobility management network element, sending the uplink data of the first service from the first terminal stored in the first satellite to the mobility management network element; Deleting the uplink data of the first service of the first terminal stored in the first satellite.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The obtaining the data of the first service of the first terminal includes: When there is a connection between the first satellite and the ground storage server or the first application function, receiving the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal from the ground storage server or the first application function, where the first application function is the application function corresponding to the first terminal.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein The method further includes: When there is a connection between the first satellite and the first terminal, sending the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal stored in the first satellite to the first terminal; Deleting the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal stored in the first satellite.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1-12, characterized in that, The data storage space quota associated with the first terminal is the data storage space quota required for the first service of the first terminal, the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the first terminal is the data storage and forwarding priority of the first service of the first terminal, or the data retention period associated with the first terminal is the data retention period required for the first service of the first terminal.

14. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a mobility management network element and includes: Obtaining the remaining storage space of the first satellite; When the first satellite can establish a connection with the first terminal and the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal or the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets the amount of data of the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal, sending the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal to the first satellite.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein The first storage requirement information includes one or more of the following information: The data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the first terminal, or the data retention period associated with the first terminal.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The data storage space quota associated with the first terminal is the data storage space quota required for the first service of the first terminal, the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the first terminal is the data storage and forwarding priority of the first service of the first terminal, or the data retention period associated with the first terminal is the data retention period required for the first service of the first terminal.

17. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that, The amount of data of the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal is the amount of data of the data to be transmitted of the first service associated with the first terminal.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The data volume size of the data to be transmitted for the first service associated with the first terminal includes one or more of the following: The data volume size of the uplink data of the first service, the data generation period of the uplink data of the first service, the data volume size of the downlink data of the first service, or the data generation period of the downlink data of the first service.

19. The method according to any one of claims 14 - 18, characterized in that The method further includes: Receiving fourth indication information from a satellite control center, where the fourth indication information indicates the identification information of the first satellite capable of establishing a connection with the first terminal.

20. The method according to any one of claims 14-19, characterized in that The method further includes: Determining, according to the information of the first terminal and the information of the first satellite, that the first satellite can establish a connection with the first terminal, and the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal or the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets the data volume size of the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal; Wherein, the information of the first terminal includes one or more of the identification information of the first terminal, the location information of the first terminal, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, and the data volume size of the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal; the information of the first satellite includes one or more of the remaining storage space of the first satellite, the ephemeris information of the first satellite, and the identification information of the first satellite.

21. The method according to any one of claims 14-20, characterized in that, The method further includes: In the case where the maximum data transmission volume during the period when the first satellite is connected to the first terminal is less than the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, sending the first storage requirement information to a second satellite; or, In the case where the maximum data transmission volume during the period when the first satellite is connected to the first terminal is less than the data volume size of the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal, sending the first storage requirement information to a second satellite; Wherein, the second satellite can establish a connection with the first terminal.

22. The method according to any one of claims 14-21, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receiving the uplink data of the first service of the first terminal from the first satellite when the first satellite is connected to the mobility management network element.

23. The method according to any one of claims 14-21, characterized in that, The data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal is the downlink data of the first service; The method further includes: Sending notification information to a ground storage server or a first application function, where the notification information includes one or more of the following information: the identification information of the first satellite, the identification information of the first terminal, the identification information of each terminal included in the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, or the data transmission time period; wherein the first application function is the application function corresponding to the first terminal.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein In the case of sending the notification information to the ground storage server; the method further includes: Sending the address information of the ground storage server to the first application function.

25. The method according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that, The method further includes: Sending the address information of the first application function to the ground storage server.

26. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a ground storage server and includes: Receiving notification information from a mobility management network element; Send the data of the first service of the first terminal to the first satellite according to the notification information; Among them, the notification information includes one or more of the following information: the identification information of the first satellite, the identification information of the first terminal, the identification information of each terminal included in the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, or the data transmission time period.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein The step of sending the data of the first service of the first terminal to the first satellite according to the notification information includes; During the data transmission time period, send the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal to the first satellite; Among them, the data volume of the downlink data of the first service is less than or equal to the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal.

28. The method according to claim 26 or 27, characterized in that, Before sending the data of the first service of the first terminal to the first satellite, the method further includes: Receive the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal from the first application function, where the first application function is the application function corresponding to the first terminal; Store the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein The method further includes: Receive the address information of the first application function from the mobility management network element; The step of storing the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal includes: When the source address information in the packet header of the downlink data packet of the first service of the first terminal is the address information of the first application function, store the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal.

30. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a unit or module for executing the method according to any one of claims 1-13, or includes a unit or module for executing the method according to any one of claims 14-25, or includes a unit or module for executing the method according to any one of claims 26-29.

31. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is used 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 uses logic circuits or executes code instructions to implement the method according to any one of claims 1-13, or to implement the method according to any one of claims 14-25, or to implement the method according to any one of claims 26-29.

32. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed by the communication device, it implements the method according to any one of claims 1-13, or implements the method according to any one of claims 14-25, or implements the method according to any one of claims 26-29.

33. A computer program product, characterized in that, Includes computer program code. When the computer program code runs on a computer, it implements the method according to any one of claims 1-13, or implements the method according to any one of claims 14-25, or implements the method according to any one of claims 26-29.

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