Connection management method for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) base stations and UAV base stations

Abstract

This application provides a connection management method for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) base station and an UAV base station, relating to the field of communication technology. In this method, the UAV base station determines a first message and sends it to a target UE at a first moment. The first message indicates that there is no wireless signal coverage in the target area within a preset time period, and simultaneously instructs the target UE not to trigger an RLF (Remote Link Request). It retains the identification information corresponding to the target cell and the first C-RNTI (Cell-Received Registered Identifier) ​​corresponding to the first cell managed by the UAV base station. This allows the target UE to directly re-establish an RRC (Remote Link Control) connection using the pre-reserved first C-RNTI when wireless signal coverage is subsequently restored in the target area, and the identification information of the restored cell matches the identification information of the target cell. This eliminates the need to re-acquire the C-RNTI, reducing signaling overhead and improving the overall performance of the communication system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a connection management method for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) base stations and an UAV base station. Background Technology

[0002] To extend the coverage of the backpack base station, it can work in conjunction with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to provide network coverage for hard-to-reach temporary communication islands. Specifically, the UAV is flown to an area 10 to 20 kilometers from the vehicle-mounted backpack base station, maintaining a vertical altitude below 120 meters. The UAV connects to the vehicle-mounted backpack base station via a direct line-of-sight (LOS) path, thereby providing stable communication services to user equipment (UE) within the temporary communication island. In this configuration, the UE's communication transmission path is: UE - UAV - backpack base station - satellite - core network.

[0003] However, due to the limited endurance of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a single charge can only sustain communication for 10 to 30 minutes. Therefore, when the UAV's battery is low, it needs to return to the communication vehicle to recharge before it can resume communication missions.

[0004] Each time the UAV leaves the target area for charging, the UE in RRC connection state will determine that the radio link has failed if no radio signal coverage is detected. It will attempt to search for and connect to a new cell; if no new cell is found, the network will be disconnected. After the UE disconnects, when the UAV returns to the target area, i.e., when the UE detects radio signal coverage again, the UE will re-initiate the RRC connection establishment request, reacquire the C-RNTI, and have the core network restore network service for the UE by reporting the Serving Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (S-TMSI). This frequent disconnection and reconnection process will lead to a significant consumption of communication resources between the backpack base station, satellite, and core network nodes, resulting in high signaling overhead, thereby increasing the burden on the communication system and reducing its overall performance. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a connection management method for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) base stations and an UAV base station to solve the problem in the prior art that every time an UAV leaves the target area for charging and returns to the target area after charging, the connection between the UE and the core network is rebuilt, resulting in high signaling overhead.

[0006] In a first aspect, this application provides a connection management method for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) base station, the method comprising:

[0007] The UAV base station determines a first message, which is used to indicate to the target user equipment (UE) that there is no wireless signal coverage in the target area within a preset time period, and to instruct the target UE not to trigger a radio link failure (RLF). The first message retains the first cell temporary user identifier (C-RNTI) assigned to the target UE by the entity containing the first cell, and records the identifier information corresponding to the target cell. The target area is the area where the UAV provides wireless signal coverage this time, and the UAV is communicatively connected to the UAV base station. The target UE is a UE within the target area connected to the UAV base station. The first cell is the cell managed by the UAV base station this time.

[0008] The unmanned aerial vehicle base station sends a first message to the target UE at a first moment, so that the target UE does not trigger RLF, retains the first C-RNTI, and records the identification information corresponding to the target cell based on the first message; wherein, the first moment is located before the start time of the preset time period, and the identification information corresponding to the target cell is the Cell Global Identifier (CGI) and / or Physical Cell Identifier (PCI) of the target cell.

[0009] In one possible design, the target cell is a first cell or a second cell, wherein the second cell is the cell that the UAV base station expects to manage when the UAV next provides wireless signal coverage in the target area;

[0010] When the target cell is the first cell, the first message is used to instruct the target UE to record the first identification information corresponding to the first cell, wherein the first identification information is the CGI and / or PCI of the first cell;

[0011] When the target cell is the second cell, the first message is used to instruct the target UE to record the second identification information corresponding to the second cell, wherein the second identification information is the CGI and / or PCI of the second cell.

[0012] In one possible design, the first message is further used to indicate a first timing duration, which is used to indicate the duration for which the target UE retains the first C-RNTI and records the identification information corresponding to the target cell.

[0013] In one possible design, the unmanned aerial vehicle base station sends a first message to the target UE via System Information Block (SIB), Downlink Control Information (DCI), or Media Access Control Layer Control Element (MAC CE).

[0014] Secondly, this application provides a connection management method for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) base station, the method comprising:

[0015] The target user equipment (UE) receives a first message sent by the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) base station. This first message is sent by the UAV base station at a first moment. The first message is used to indicate to the target UE that there is no wireless signal coverage in the target area during the preset time period, and to instruct the target UE not to trigger a Radio Link Failure (RLF). It retains the first cell temporary user identifier (C-RNTI) allocated to the target UE by the entity containing the first cell, and records the identifier information corresponding to the target cell. The first moment is before the start of the preset time period; the target area is the area where the UAV provides wireless signal coverage this time; the UAV is communicatively connected to the UAV base station; the target UE is a UE within the target area connected to the UAV base station; and the first cell is the cell managed by the UAV base station this time.

[0016] Based on the first message, the target UE does not trigger RLF, retains the first C-RNTI, and records the identification information corresponding to the target cell; wherein, the identification information corresponding to the target cell is the Cell Global Identifier (CGI) and / or Physical Cell Identifier (PCI) of the target cell.

[0017] In one possible design, the target cell is a first cell or a second cell, wherein the second cell is the cell that the UAV base station expects to manage when the UAV next provides wireless signal coverage in the target area;

[0018] When the target cell is the first cell, the target UE records the first identification information corresponding to the first cell, wherein the first identification information is the CGI and / or PCI of the first cell;

[0019] When the target cell is the second cell, the target UE records the second identification information corresponding to the second cell, wherein the second identification information is the CGI and / or PCI of the second cell.

[0020] In one possible design, after the target UE, based on the first message, does not trigger an RLF, retains the first C-RNTI, and records the identification information corresponding to the target cell, the method further includes:

[0021] If the target UE detects wireless signal coverage after the second time point, the target UE determines the third identification information corresponding to the third cell; wherein, the third cell is the cell actually managed by the UAV base station when the UAV provides wireless signal coverage in the target area next time; the third identification information is the CGI and / or PCI of the third cell; the second time point is the start time of the preset time period;

[0022] When the target UE receives the third identification information and the identification information corresponding to the target cell, it sends a second message to the UAV base station. The second message is used to request the UAV base station to re-establish the Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection with the target UE, or to indicate the first C-RNTI to the UAV base station. The second message carries the first C-RNTI.

[0023] In one possible design, after the target UE, based on the first message, does not trigger an RLF, retains the first C-RNTI, and records the identification information corresponding to the target cell, the method further includes:

[0024] The target UE starts a timer, and the timer duration is a first timer duration, which is used to indicate the duration for which the target UE retains the first C-RNTI and the identification information corresponding to the target cell;

[0025] If the timer expires and no wireless signal coverage is detected, the target UE deletes the first C-RNTI and the identification information corresponding to the target cell.

[0026] Thirdly, this application provides an unmanned aerial vehicle base station, including: a memory and a processor;

[0027] The memory is configured to store computer program instructions;

[0028] The processor is configured to run the computer program instructions, causing the unmanned aerial vehicle base station to perform the method as described in any of the first aspects.

[0029] Fourthly, this application provides a communication device, comprising: a module for performing the method described in the first aspect or various possible designs of the first aspect, or a module for performing the method described in the second aspect.

[0030] Fifthly, this application provides a communication system comprising: an unmanned aerial vehicle base station for performing the method described in the first aspect and various possible designs of the first aspect, and a target UE for performing the method described in the second aspect and various possible designs of the second aspect.

[0031] Sixthly, this application provides an electronic device, including: a memory and at least one processor;

[0032] The memory stores computer-executed instructions;

[0033] The at least one processor executes computer execution instructions stored in the memory, causing the at least one processor to perform the method as described in the first aspect, various possible designs of the first aspect, the second aspect, or various possible designs of the second aspect.

[0034] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions, which, when executed, implement the methods described in the first aspect, various possible designs of the first aspect, the second aspect, or various possible designs of the second aspect.

[0035] Eighthly, this application provides a computer program product including computer program code, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to implement the methods described in the first aspect, various possible designs of the first aspect, the second aspect, or various possible designs of the second aspect.

[0036] Ninthly, this application provides a chip, including: an interface circuit and a logic circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to receive signals from other chips outside the chip and transmit them to the logic circuit, or to send signals from the logic circuit to other chips outside the chip, and the logic circuit is used to implement the methods described in the first aspect, various possible designs of the first aspect, the second aspect, or various possible designs of the second aspect.

[0037] This application provides a connection management method for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) base station and an UAV base station. In this method, the UAV base station determines a first message. This first message indicates to the target UE that the target area where the UAV is currently providing wireless signal coverage will temporarily lack wireless signal coverage for a preset time period. Simultaneously, it instructs the target UE not to trigger an RLF (Restricted Link Request), retains the first C-RNTI (Cell-Based Receiver Identity Item) corresponding to the cell managed by the UAV base station, and records the identification information corresponding to the target cell. Subsequently, before the start of the preset time period, the UAV base station sends the first message to the target UE to ensure that the target UE will not trigger an RLF when there is no wireless signal coverage in the target area, retains the first C-RNTI, and records the identification information corresponding to the target cell. In this application, the unmanned aerial vehicle base station can enable the target UE to restore wireless signal coverage in the target area by sending a first message. If the identification information of the cell that restores wireless signal coverage is consistent with the identification information of the target cell, the RRC connection can be re-established directly through the pre-reserved first C-RNTI without having to reacquire the C-RNTI. This effectively saves communication resources between the backpack base station, satellite, and core network nodes, reduces signaling overhead, alleviates the burden on the communication system, and improves the overall performance of the communication system. Attached Figure Description

[0038] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the network structure of an existing cellular communication system;

[0039] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a satellite communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application;

[0040] Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating a connection management method for an unmanned aerial vehicle base station provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0041] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating another connection management method for an unmanned aerial vehicle base station provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0042] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating another connection management method for an unmanned aerial vehicle base station provided in this application embodiment;

[0043] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating another connection management method for an unmanned aerial vehicle base station provided in this application embodiment;

[0044] Figure 7 A flowchart illustrating another connection management method for an unmanned aerial vehicle base station provided in this application embodiment;

[0045] Figure 8 A flowchart illustrating another connection management method for an unmanned aerial vehicle base station provided in this application embodiment;

[0046] Figure 9 A schematic flowchart illustrating another connection management method for an unmanned aerial vehicle base station provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0047] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an unmanned aerial vehicle base station provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0048] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0049] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0050] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains; the terminology used herein in the specification of the application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the application; the terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, in the specification, claims and drawings of this application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0051] The term "embodiment" as used herein means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of the phrase "embodiment" in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0052] In this article, the term "and / or" simply describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists, A and B can exist simultaneously, and B exists. Additionally, the character " / " in this article generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0053] Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification and claims of this application or in the aforementioned drawings are used to distinguish different objects rather than to describe a specific order, and may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features.

[0054] In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" and "at least two" mean two or more (including two), and similarly, "multiple groups" and "at least two groups" mean two or more (including two groups).

[0055] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connected" or "linked" can refer not only to a physical connection, but also to an electrical connection or a signal connection. For instance, it can be a direct connection, i.e., a physical connection, or an indirect connection through at least one intermediate component, as long as the circuit is connected. It can also refer to the internal connection between two components. A signal connection can refer not only to a signal connection through a circuit, but also to a signal connection through a medium, such as radio waves. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0056] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, different technical features in this application can be combined with each other.

[0057] First, the terms and concepts used in one or more embodiments of this specification will be explained.

[0058] A backpack base station is a type of base station that relies on a high-throughput satellite platform as its transmission carrier to provide communication between user equipment and the satellite. Backpack base stations can also be called portable backpack base stations or mobile backpack base stations. Backpack base stations communicate with the core network of the communication network via satellite. The mobile communication system can be a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) system, a Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) system, an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) system, a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) system, a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, or a 5th Generation Mobile Communication Technology (5G) system, as well as other similar communication systems.

[0059] A UE can be a wireless terminal, which can be a device that provides voice and / or other service data connectivity to a user, a handheld device with wireless connectivity, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem. The wireless terminal can communicate with one or more core networks via a Radio Access Network (RAN). The wireless terminal can be a mobile terminal, such as a mobile phone (or "cellular"), or a computer with a mobile terminal, for example, a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-embedded, or vehicle-mounted mobile device, which exchanges voice and / or data with the radio access network.

[0060] The Serving Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (S-TMSI) is a temporary identifier used in LTE and 5G mobile communication systems. The S-TMSI of a user equipment (UE) is assigned to the UE by the core network control plane elements, and different S-TMSIs are used to identify different UEs. The core network control plane elements can be the Mobility Management Entity (MME) of the LTE communication system or the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) entity of the 5G communication system; this embodiment does not specifically limit this.

[0061] The following section introduces the implementation background of the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0062] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the network architecture of an existing cellular communication system. (Example:) Figure 1 As shown, the UE connects to the base station via a wireless interface, and the base station connects to the core network via a fiber optic interface. However, in the event of natural disasters such as earthquakes or floods, the fiber optic interface is easily damaged, leading to an interruption of the connection between the base station and the core network, thus creating a temporary communication island where the UE cannot communicate normally. Furthermore, in naturally formed temporary communication islands such as deserts or open oceans, although there may be multiple UEs with communication needs within a small area, traditional solutions are ineffective due to the difficulty and high cost of laying fiber optic cables.

[0063] To address these issues, backpack base stations were developed. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a satellite communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application. Figure 2 As shown, the backpack base station connects to the satellite via a wireless interface, and the satellite then connects to the core network elements on the ground via a wireless interface, enabling UEs within the coverage area of ​​the backpack base station to communicate normally. Even when traditional communication infrastructure is damaged or difficult to build, reliable communication services can still be provided.

[0064] However, during natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods, or when using backpack base stations in environments such as deserts, a continuous power supply can be a major challenge. Backpack base stations typically rely on batteries for power, and battery life is usually between 2 and 4 hours.

[0065] Furthermore, the backpack base station can also work with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to provide network coverage for hard-to-reach temporary communication islands. Specifically, the UAV flies to an area 10 to 20 kilometers from the vehicle-mounted backpack base station, maintaining a vertical altitude below 120 meters. The UAV connects to the vehicle-mounted backpack base station via a direct LOS link, thus providing signal coverage for the UEs within the temporary communication island. Under these conditions, the UE's communication transmission path is: UE - UAV - backpack base station - satellite - core network. However, the UAV has limited endurance; a single charge only sustains 10 to 30 minutes of communication time, after which it must return to the communication vehicle for recharging before it can perform communication tasks again.

[0066] In related technologies, when an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) leaves the target area (the area covered by the UAV's signal), a UE in Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection mode may be transmitting data. If the UE does not detect radio signal coverage at this time, it will determine that the radio link has failed, thus triggering a cross-frequency band signal search operation.

[0067] If the UE detects a new cell signal during the search process, it initiates an RRC connection establishment request to the new cell. If the UE fails to detect a new cell signal during the search process, it disconnects from the existing network. Subsequently, when the UE detects radio signal coverage again, it will re-initiate the RRC connection establishment request, reacquire the C-RNTI, and report its locally stored S-TMSI to the core network through the backpack base station. The core network identifies the UE based on the S-TMSI, then completes the key update and provides network services to the UE. This frequent disconnection and reconnection process will lead to a large consumption of communication resources between the backpack base station, satellite, and core network nodes, resulting in high signaling interaction overhead, thereby increasing the burden on the communication system and reducing the overall performance of the communication system.

[0068] This application provides a connection management method for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) base station and an UAV base station. In this method, the UAV base station determines a first message. This first message indicates to the target UE that the target area where the UAV is currently providing wireless signal coverage will temporarily lack wireless signal coverage for a preset time period. Simultaneously, it instructs the target UE not to trigger an RLF (Restricted Link Request), retains the first C-RNTI (Cell-Received Number Identifier) ​​corresponding to the cell managed by the UAV base station, and records the identification information corresponding to the target cell. Subsequently, before the start of the preset time period, the UAV base station sends the first message to the target UE to ensure that the target UE will not trigger an RLF when there is no wireless signal coverage in the target area, retains the first C-RNTI, and records the identification information corresponding to the target cell. In this application, the unmanned aerial vehicle base station can enable the target UE to restore wireless signal coverage in the target area by sending a first message. If the identification information of the cell that restores wireless signal coverage is consistent with the identification information of the target cell, the RRC connection can be re-established directly through the pre-reserved first C-RNTI without having to reacquire the C-RNTI. This effectively saves communication resources between the backpack base station, satellite, and core network nodes, reduces signaling overhead, alleviates the burden on the communication system, and improves the overall performance of the communication system.

[0069] Next, through some specific embodiments and accompanying drawings, this application will explain in detail how it solves the problem that each time the unmanned aerial vehicle leaves the target area for charging and returns to the target area after charging, the connection between the UE and the core network is rebuilt, resulting in high signaling overhead.

[0070] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a connection management method for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) base station, provided as an embodiment of this application. Figure 3 As shown, the connection management method for unmanned aerial vehicle base stations provided in this application specifically includes S301 and S302, which will be described in detail below.

[0071] S301, the first message confirming the unmanned aerial vehicle base station.

[0072] The target UE is the UE connected to the UAV base station within the target area.

[0073] It should be noted that the target area is the area where the UAV provides wireless signal coverage for this mission, and the UAV communicates with the UAV base station.

[0074] It should be noted that the target area is the geographical area currently covered by the wireless signal emitted by the UAV. The target area is the place where the signal emitted by the UAV through its communication equipment (such as a radio transmitter) can effectively reach. Within the target area, the target UE can communicate with the UAV base station.

[0075] The first message is used to indicate to the target standby UE that there is no wireless signal coverage in the target area within a preset time period, and to instruct the target UE not to trigger a radio link failure (RLF). It also retains the first C-RNTI assigned to the target UE by the entity where the first cell is located, and records the identification information corresponding to the target cell.

[0076] The entity where the first cell is located is the unmanned aerial vehicle base station that provides wireless signal coverage to the target area.

[0077] It should be noted that the absence of wireless signal coverage in the target area within the preset time period means that the UAV leaves the target area within the preset time period. The preset time period can be set by the user or calculated by the UAV based on its own battery information; this embodiment does not impose a specific limitation on it.

[0078] For example, if a drone is used to provide temporary communication services in area A, the user can pre-set the drone to provide wireless signal coverage to area A at time X, based on the drone's battery level, for a duration of Y hours. Then, based on the pre-set time X and Y, the start time of the preset time period can be determined; and based on the drone's departure time, the end time of the preset time period can be determined.

[0079] Specifically, in the case of using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to provide temporary communication services in area A, the charging time for each UAV is 0.5 hours. The user pre-sets the UAV to provide wireless signal coverage to area A starting at 13:20, and the duration of the wireless signal coverage is 1 hour. In this case, the preset time period starts at 14:20 and ends at 14:50.

[0080] For example, if an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is used to provide temporary communication services in area B, the UAV monitors its own battery level in real time and estimates the duration it can provide wireless signal coverage to area B at that battery level based on its power consumption rate. In this case, the start time of the preset time period can be determined based on the time the UAV monitors its own battery level and the estimated duration it can provide wireless signal coverage to area B; the end time of the preset time period can be determined based on the time the UAV remains in operation.

[0081] Specifically, in the case of using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to provide temporary communication services in Area B, the charging time for each UAV is 0.5 hours. At 15:40, the UAV detected that its battery level was 60%, allowing it to continue providing wireless signal coverage to Area B for another 0.8 hours. In this scenario, the preset time period begins at 16:28 and ends at 16:58.

[0082] Radio Link Failure (RLF) refers to the phenomenon where the UE is unable to maintain a reliable wireless connection with the base station, resulting in communication interruption.

[0083] It should be noted that in the communication system, the target UE continuously monitors the connection quality between itself and the UAV base station. If the RLF condition is met, the target UE will trigger the RLF, abandon the currently accessed first cell, and begin searching for other frequency bands or neighboring cells. The RLF condition is the same as the existing RLF condition, and will not be described again in this embodiment.

[0084] The first cell is the cell managed by the unmanned aerial vehicle base station this time.

[0085] It should be noted that the Cell Radio Network Temporary Identifier (C-RNTI) is a temporary identifier primarily used to uniquely identify a UE's connection within a specific cell in a wireless communication system. The UE's C-RNTI is assigned by the base station for a single session or connection, and it typically becomes invalid when the UE disconnects from the base station. When the UE reconnects or establishes a new connection, the base station assigns it a new C-RNTI.

[0086] When the UAV provides wireless signal coverage to the target area and the target UE accesses the first cell managed by the UAV base station, the UAV assigns a first C-RNTI to the target UE to identify the target UE's connection in the first cell.

[0087] S302. The UAV base station sends a first message to the target UE at the first moment, so that the target UE does not trigger RLF, retains the first C-RNTI, and records the identification information corresponding to the target cell based on the first message.

[0088] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating another connection management method for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) base station provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 4 As shown, the target UE executes Sa1, the target UE does not trigger RLF based on the first message, retains the first C-RNTI, and records the identification information corresponding to the target cell.

[0089] The first moment is located before the start time of the preset time period.

[0090] It should be noted that the first message is sent by the UAV base station to the target UE at the very first moment before and adjacent to the start time of the preset time period.

[0091] It should be noted that after the target UE receives the first message sent by the UAV base station, the target UE will not trigger RLF during the target time period, regardless of whether the target UE detects a wireless signal.

[0092] The target identification information includes the Cell Global Identifier (CGI) and / or Physical Cell Identifier (PCI) of the target cell.

[0093] It should be noted that the Cell Global Identity (CGI) is a global identifier used to uniquely identify each cell in a wireless communication system. In a communication system, the CGI is used to uniquely identify a cell globally, ensuring that each cell can be uniquely identified worldwide and avoiding identification conflicts.

[0094] The Physical Cell Identity (PCI) is a physical identifier used to identify each cell in a wireless communication system. The PCI is a relatively small identifier, typically used for signal synchronization and identification during the wireless link establishment process.

[0095] In this embodiment, by avoiding the target UE triggering RLF, unnecessary connection reconstruction can be reduced, thereby reducing signaling overhead and communication resource consumption. By recording the identification information corresponding to the target cell, it can be used to determine whether the cell managed by the UAV after restoring wireless signal coverage in the target area is consistent with the target cell. By retaining the first C-RNTI, if the cell managed by the UAV after restoring wireless signal coverage is consistent with the target cell, RRC connection re-establishment can be directly performed using the pre-reserved first C-RNTI without re-acquiring the C-RNTI, reducing signaling overhead, shortening the latency for the target UE to restore connection, alleviating the burden on the communication system, and improving the overall performance of the communication system.

[0096] This application provides a connection management method for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) base station. The UAV base station determines a first message, which instructs a target UE that the target area where the UAV is currently providing wireless signal coverage will temporarily lack wireless signal coverage for a preset time period. Simultaneously, it instructs the target UE not to trigger an Restricted Link Default (RLF), retains the first C-RNTI corresponding to the cell managed by the UAV base station, and records the identification information corresponding to the target cell. Subsequently, before the start of the preset time period, the UAV base station sends the first message to the target UE to ensure that the target UE will not trigger an RLF when there is no wireless signal coverage in the target area, and can retain the first C-RNTI while recording the identification information corresponding to the target cell. In this application, by sending the first message to the target UE, the UAV base station enables the target UE to directly re-establish an RRC connection using the pre-reserved first C-RNTI when wireless signal coverage is restored in the target area, and the identification information of the restored cell matches the identification information of the target cell. This eliminates the need to reacquire the C-RNTI, effectively saving communication resources between the base station, satellite, and core network nodes, reducing signaling overhead, alleviating the burden on the communication system, and improving the overall performance of the communication system.

[0097] In the above embodiments, the first message is used to instruct the target UE to record the identification information corresponding to the target cell. Next, the target cell and the identification information corresponding to the target cell will be described in detail.

[0098] In one possible embodiment, the target cell is either a first cell or a second cell.

[0099] The second cell is the cell that the UAV base station expects to manage when the UAV provides wireless signal coverage in the target area next time.

[0100] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating another connection management method for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) base station provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 5 As shown, in one embodiment of this application, the target cell is the first cell, and the first message is used to instruct the target UE to record the first identification information corresponding to the first cell.

[0101] The first identification information is the CGI and / or PCI of the first cell.

[0102] It should be noted that the first identification information can be determined by the target UE through the System Information Block (SIB) broadcast by the UAV base station in this instance. Alternatively, it can be sent by the UAV base station to the target UE in the first message, so that the target UE records the first identification information corresponding to the first cell based on the first message.

[0103] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating another connection management method for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) base station provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 6 As shown, in another embodiment of this application, the target cell is a second cell, and the first message is used to instruct the target UE to record the second identification information corresponding to the second cell.

[0104] The second identification information is the CGI and / or PCI of the second cell.

[0105] It should be noted that the unmanned aerial vehicle base station can carry the second identification information in the first message so that the target UE can record the second identification information corresponding to the second cell based on the first message.

[0106] In this embodiment, by indicating the second identification information in the first message, the UAV base station can enable the target UE to know in advance the identification information of the second cell that the UAV base station expects to manage when it provides wireless signal coverage in the target area next time. This allows the target UE to quickly access the second cell when the UAV base station provides wireless signal coverage in the target area next time, effectively shortening the target UE's network outage time and providing a better user experience.

[0107] In the above embodiments, the first message is used to indicate to the target UE that there is no wireless signal coverage in the target area within a preset time period, and to instruct the target UE not to trigger RLF, retain the first C-RNTI, and record the identification information corresponding to the target cell. Next, another implementation of the first message will be described in detail.

[0108] In one possible embodiment, the first message is also used to indicate the first timing duration.

[0109] The first timing duration can be set by the user based on the time it takes for the UAV base station to leave the target area; this embodiment does not impose specific limitations on this.

[0110] For example, the first timer duration is 5 minutes.

[0111] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating another connection management method for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) base station provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 7As shown, in another embodiment of this application, the first message is used to indicate to the target UE that there is no wireless signal coverage in the target area within a preset time period, to instruct the target UE not to trigger RLF, to retain the first C-RNTI, to record the first identifier information corresponding to the first cell, and to instruct the target UE to record the first timing duration.

[0112] The first timing duration is used to instruct the target UE to retain the first C-RNTI and the duration for recording the first identification information.

[0113] It should be noted that the first message is not only used to indicate to the target UE that there is no wireless signal coverage in the target area within a preset time period, and to instruct the target UE not to trigger RLF, retain the first C-RNTI, and record the first identification information, but also used to instruct the target UE to retain the first C-RNTI and record the first identification information for a first timing duration.

[0114] It should be noted that after the target UE receives the first message sent by the UAV base station, the target UE does not trigger RLF within a preset time period based on the first message, and retains the first C-RNTI and records the first identification information within a first time interval. After the first preset time interval has elapsed, the target UE releases the retained first C-RNTI and first identification information.

[0115] Specifically, the start time of the first timing duration is the start time of the preset time period.

[0116] Furthermore, after the first preset time period has elapsed, the target UE releases various security keys and other information it has stored. If the target UE detects wireless signal coverage again, it re-initiates the RRC establishment procedure.

[0117] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating another connection management method for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) base station provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 8 As shown, in another embodiment of this application, the first message is used to indicate to the target UE that there is no wireless signal coverage in the target area within a preset time period, to instruct the target UE not to trigger RLF, to retain the first C-RNTI, to record the second identifier information corresponding to the second cell, and to instruct the target UE to record the first timing duration.

[0118] The first timing duration is used to instruct the target UE to retain the first C-RNTI and the duration for recording the second identification information.

[0119] It should be noted that the first message is not only used to indicate to the target UE that there is no wireless signal coverage in the target area within a preset time period, and to instruct the target UE not to trigger RLF, retain the first C-RNTI, and record the second identification information, but also used to instruct the target UE to retain the first C-RNTI and record the second identification information for a first timing duration.

[0120] It should be noted that after the target UE receives the first message sent by the UAV base station, the target UE does not trigger RLF for a preset time period based on the first message, and retains the first C-RNTI and records the second identification information within a first time interval. After the first preset time interval has elapsed, the target UE releases the retained first C-RNTI and second identification information.

[0121] Furthermore, after the first preset time period has elapsed, the target UE releases various security keys and other information it has stored. If the target UE detects wireless signal coverage again, it re-initiates the RRC establishment procedure.

[0122] In this embodiment, by indicating a first timing duration in the first message, the target UE can flexibly decide the effective time for retaining the first C-RNTI and the first identification information or the second identification information according to the first timing duration. This avoids the target UE releasing the first C-RNTI and the first identification information or the second identification information due to excessive network interruption time, thereby ensuring that the target UE can quickly and seamlessly restore network connection when wireless signal coverage is restored in the target area.

[0123] In the above embodiments, the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) base station needs to send a first message to the target UE before the start time of a preset time period. Next, the specific method by which the UAV base station sends the first message to the target UE will be described in detail.

[0124] In one possible embodiment, the unmanned aerial vehicle base station sends a first message to the target UE via System Information Block (SIB), Downlink Control Information (DCI), or Media Access Control Layer Control Element (MAC CE).

[0125] The SIB is broadcast periodically by the UAV base station. No request is required from the target UE; as long as the target UE is within the signal coverage area of ​​the UAV base station, it can receive the broadcast SIB. The SIB is used by the UAV base station to broadcast important system configuration information to all UEs within the cell.

[0126] In this embodiment, when the UAV base station sends the first message to the target UE via SIB, it can ensure that all UEs in the target area can receive the first message, and the UAV base station does not need to send the first message separately for each target UE, which effectively reduces signaling overhead and is suitable for large-scale network configuration or message transmission.

[0127] Downlink Control Information (DCI) is control information transmitted through the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH).

[0128] It should be noted that the UAV base station can send the first message simultaneously to all target UEs in the target area via DCI, or it can send the first message separately to each target UE in the target area via DCI.

[0129] The UAV base station can send the first message N times to the target UE through downlink control information (DCI) to ensure that even if some target UEs do not receive the first message in a certain time slot, they can still receive the first message in subsequent DCI transmissions, thereby ensuring that all target UEs in the target area can receive the first message.

[0130] Specifically, N is a positive integer, and N≥1.

[0131] In this embodiment, the UAV base station sends the first message to the target UE multiple times via DCI to ensure that all UEs in the target area can receive the first message, which is suitable for scenarios that require real-time and precise control.

[0132] Among them, the Media Access Control Element (MACCE) is a type of control information transmitted through the MAC layer.

[0133] It should be noted that the unmanned aerial vehicle base station can send the first message to the target UE through a dedicated MAC CE.

[0134] Specifically, in order to identify the dedicated MAC CE used to send the first message to the target UE, the UAV base station can assign a new Logical Channel Identifier (LCH ID) to the dedicated MAC CE. The LCH ID is used to uniquely identify the dedicated MAC CE to ensure that the target UE can correctly process and distinguish the first message carried by the dedicated MAC CE.

[0135] Similar to the method in the above embodiments where the UAV base station sends the first message to the target UE via DCI, the UAV base station can ensure that all target UEs in the target area can receive the first message in a timely manner by transmitting a dedicated MAC CE multiple times.

[0136] In the above embodiments, regardless of whether the UAV base station sends the first message to the target UE through SIB, DCI or dedicated MAC CE, the first message can be a Boolean field or a choice field. This embodiment does not make specific limitations on this.

[0137] Boolean fields are used to indicate whether to perform a certain operation. For example, whether to trigger an RLF (Restricted Response Function). Another example is whether to retain the first C-RNTI (Continuous Restricted Response Time). The choice field provides multiple options, and the target UE can select different configurations based on the value of the choice field.

[0138] In the above embodiments, the target UE does not trigger RLF based on the first message, retains the first C-RNTI, and records the identification information corresponding to the target cell. Next, the method for the target UE to retain the first C-RNTI and record the identification information corresponding to the target cell will be described in detail.

[0139] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating another connection management method for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) base station provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 9 As shown, in one possible embodiment, after the method steps shown in Sa1, the method further includes Sa2 to Sa6, which are described in detail below.

[0140] Sa2, the target UE performs wireless signal coverage detection after the second time point.

[0141] Sa3. If the target UE detects wireless signal coverage after the second time point, the target UE determines the third identification information corresponding to the third cell.

[0142] The third cell is the cell actually managed by the UAV base station when the UAV provides wireless signal coverage in the target area next time; the third identification information is the CGI and / or PCI of the third cell.

[0143] It should be noted that the method by which the target UE determines the third identification information corresponding to the third cell is similar to the method by which the target UE determines the first identification information corresponding to the first cell in the above embodiment, and will not be described again in this embodiment.

[0144] The third identification information may be the same as or different from the first and second identification information.

[0145] For example, a user prepares UAV A and UAV B to alternately provide wireless signal coverage to a target area F. When UAV A is providing wireless signal coverage to target area F, if UAV A's battery is about to run out and it needs to leave target area F to recharge, the target UE records the first identification information as the identification information of the cell managed by the UAV base station through UAV A. Later, while UAV A is recharging, UAV B provides wireless signal coverage to target area F. At this time, the target UE detects wireless signal coverage again, and the third identification information determined by the target UE is the identification information of the cell managed by the UAV base station through UAV B. In this case, the first and third identification information are inconsistent.

[0146] For example, a user prepares UAV A and UAV B to alternately provide wireless signal coverage to a target area F. When UAV A is providing wireless signal coverage to target area F, if UAV A's battery is about to run out and it needs to leave target area F to recharge, the UAV base station sends a first message to the target UE within target area F, indicating second identification information. The target UE records the second identification information, which is the identification information of the cell managed by the UAV base station when UAV B was providing wireless signal coverage to target area F. Later, when UAV A is charging, UAV B provides wireless signal coverage to target area F. At this time, the target UE detects wireless signal coverage again, and the target UE determines the third identification information as the identification information of the cell managed by the UAV base station through UAV B. In this case, the second and third identification information are consistent.

[0147] For example, a user prepares UAV A and UAV B to alternately provide wireless signal coverage to a target area F. When UAV A is providing wireless signal coverage to target area F, if UAV A's battery is about to run out and it needs to leave target area F for charging, the UAV base station sends a first message to the target UE in target area F indicating second identification information. The target UE records the second identification information, which is the identification information of the cell managed by the UAV base station when UAV B was providing wireless signal coverage to target area F. Later, while UAV A is charging and UAV B is not yet providing wireless signal coverage to target area F, UAV C, which unexpectedly enters target area F, provides wireless signal coverage to target area F. At this time, the target UE detects wireless signal coverage again, and the third identification information determined by the target UE is the identification information of the cell managed by the UAV base station through UAV C. In this case, the second and third identification information are inconsistent.

[0148] Sa4. The target UE determines whether the third identification information is consistent with the identification information corresponding to the target cell.

[0149] It should be noted that when the target UE records the first identification information based on the first message, after determining the third identification information, the target UE determines whether the third identification information is consistent with the first identification information. If the third identification information is consistent with the first identification information, the target UE executes the method steps shown in Sa5; if the third identification information is inconsistent with the first identification information, the target UE executes the method steps shown in Sa6.

[0150] When the target UE records the second identification information based on the first message, after determining the third identification information, the target UE determines whether the third identification information is consistent with the second identification information. If the third identification information is consistent with the second identification information, the target UE executes the method steps shown in Sa5; if the third identification information is inconsistent with the second identification information, the target UE executes the method steps shown in Sa6.

[0151] Sa5. If the third identification information matches the identification information corresponding to the target cell, the target UE sends a second message to the unmanned aerial vehicle base station.

[0152] The second message is used to request the UAV base station to re-establish the Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection with the target UE, or to indicate the first C-RNTI to the UAV base station.

[0153] The second message carries the first C-RNTI.

[0154] In one embodiment of this application, the second message may be an RRC re-establishment request initiated by the target UE to the unmanned aerial vehicle base station, requesting the unmanned aerial vehicle base station to re-establish the connection with the target UE.

[0155] Specifically, the second message carries the first C-RNTI so that the UAV base station can quickly rebuild the RRC connection between the UAV base station and the target UE based on the first C-RNTI, avoiding the UAV base station from reallocating a new C-RNTI for the target UE and saving signaling overhead.

[0156] In another embodiment of this application, the second message may be a simple indication message used to indicate the first C-RNTI to the UAV base station, so that the UAV base station can quickly restore the network connection of the target UE based on the first C-RNTI reported by the target UE.

[0157] Sa6. If the third identification information of the target UE is inconsistent with the identification information corresponding to the target cell, delete the first C-RNTI and the identification information corresponding to the target cell.

[0158] It should be noted that if the third identification information is inconsistent with the first identification information, or if the third identification information is inconsistent with the second identification information, the first C-RNTI will no longer be applicable to the target UE's RRC connection re-establishment. Therefore, the target UE releases the first C-RNTI and the identification information corresponding to the target cell to ensure that when the target UE no longer uses the expired first C-RNTI, it can perform correct resource reclamation and reallocation. This helps improve the stability and reliability of the communication system, optimizes network resource management, enhances system flexibility, and thus improves the user's communication experience and the overall network performance.

[0159] In this embodiment, after the target UE detects wireless signal coverage again after a preset time period, the target UE decides whether to continue using the first C-RNTI for RRC connection reconstruction based on the consistency between the third identification information and the first or second identification information. If the third identification information is consistent with the first or second identification information, the target UE will use the first C-RNTI to restore the connection, avoiding the process of the UAV base station reassigning a C-RNTI to the target UE, reducing signaling overhead and improving the efficiency of connection restoration.

[0160] In the above embodiments, the first message is further used to indicate a first timing duration, which instructs the target UE to retain the first C-RNTI and record the first identification information or the second identification information for a certain duration. Next, the method by which the target UE retains the first C-RNTI and the first identification information or the second identification information based on the first duration will be described in detail.

[0161] In one possible embodiment, after the method steps shown in Sa1, the method further includes Sc1 and Sc2, which are described in detail below.

[0162] Sc1, Target UE starts timer.

[0163] The timer duration is the first timer duration, which is used to indicate the duration for which the target UE retains the first C-RNTI.

[0164] It should be noted that when the target UE receives the first message sent by the UAV base station and the first message indicates the first timing duration, the target UE starts the timer at the second moment and sets the timing duration of the timer to the first timing duration.

[0165] At the same time that the target UE starts the timer at the second moment, the target UE executes the method steps shown in Sa2 above.

[0166] Sc2. If the target UE times out and no wireless signal coverage is detected, delete the first C-RNTI and the first or second identification information.

[0167] It should be noted that if the target UE detects wireless signal coverage within the timer's duration, the target UE executes the method steps shown in Sa3 to Sa6 above; if the target UE does not detect wireless signal coverage, the target UE deletes the retained first C-RNTI, as well as the first identification information or the second identification information.

[0168] In this embodiment, after the target UE receives the first message, a timer is started. The timer duration is the first duration indicated by the first message, which instructs the target UE to retain the first C-RNTI and either the first or second identification information for a specified period. If the timer expires and no wireless signal coverage is detected, the target UE deletes the first C-RNTI and either the first or second identification information. This ensures that the target UE releases resources promptly when the signal cannot be restored, thereby optimizing network resource utilization, reducing unnecessary identifier occupation, improving network resource management efficiency, and preventing system burden or potential connection problems caused by expired C-RNTIs.

[0169] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) base station provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 10 As shown, the unmanned aerial vehicle base station 1000 provided in this embodiment is used to implement the operations corresponding to the unmanned aerial vehicle base station in the above method embodiment.

[0170] The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) base station 1000 may include a transceiver module 1001 and a processing module 1002. The processing module 1002 is used for data processing, and the transceiver module 1001 can implement corresponding communication functions. The transceiver module 1001 may also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication unit.

[0171] Optionally, the unmanned aerial vehicle base station 1000 may further include a storage unit, which can be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing module 1002 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage unit so that the unmanned aerial vehicle base station 1000 can implement the steps implemented by the unmanned aerial vehicle base station in the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0172] The transceiver module 1001 is used to perform the receiving-related operations of the unmanned aerial vehicle base station in the above method embodiment, and the processing module 1002 is used to perform the processing-related operations of the unmanned aerial vehicle base station in the above method embodiment.

[0173] Optionally, the transceiver module 1001 may include a sending module and a receiving module. The sending module is used to perform the sending operation in the above method embodiments. The receiving module is used to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiments.

[0174] It should be noted that the UAV base station 1000 may include a transmitting module but not a receiving module. Alternatively, the UAV base station 1000 may include a receiving module but not a transmitting module. The specific choice depends on whether the above-described scheme executed by the UAV base station 1000 includes both transmitting and receiving actions.

[0175] As an example, the unmanned aerial vehicle base station 1000 is used to perform the aforementioned... Figure 3 The actions performed by the unmanned aerial vehicle base station in the illustrated embodiment.

[0176] The unmanned aerial vehicle base station 1000 may include a transceiver module 1001 and a processing module 1002.

[0177] The processing module 1002 is used to determine a first message, which is used to indicate to the target user equipment (UE) that there is no wireless signal coverage in the target area within a preset time period, and to instruct the target UE not to trigger a radio link failure (RLF). The first message retains the first cell temporary user identifier (C-RNTI) assigned to the target UE by the entity where the first cell is located, and records the identifier information corresponding to the target cell. The target area is the area where the UAV provides wireless signal coverage this time, and the UAV is communicatively connected to the UAV base station. The target UE is the UE within the target area connected to the UAV base station. The first cell is the cell managed by the UAV base station this time.

[0178] The transceiver module 1001 is used to send a first message to the target UE at a first moment, so that the target UE does not trigger RLF, retains the first C-RNTI, and records the identification information corresponding to the target cell based on the first message; wherein, the first moment is located before the start time of a preset time period, and the identification information corresponding to the target cell is the Cell Global Identifier (CGI) and / or Physical Cell Identifier (PCI) of the target cell.

[0179] It should be understood that the corresponding processes performed by each module have been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0180] The processing module 1002 in the preceding embodiments can be implemented by at least one processor or processor-related circuitry. The transceiver module 1001 can be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuitry. The transceiver module 1001 can also be referred to as a communication unit or communication interface. The storage unit can be implemented by at least one memory.

[0181] Figure 11This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 11 As shown, the electronic device 1100 provided in this embodiment includes a memory 1101 and a processor 1102.

[0182] The memory 1101 can be a separate physical unit, connected to the processor 1102 via a bus 1103. Alternatively, the memory 1101 and processor 1102 can be integrated and implemented in hardware. The memory 1101 stores program instructions, which the processor 1102 calls to execute the operations performed by the unmanned aerial vehicle base station in any of the above method embodiments.

[0183] Optionally, when some or all of the methods in the above embodiments are implemented by software, the electronic device 1100 may also include only the processor 1102. The memory 1101 for storing programs is located outside the electronic device 1100, and the processor 1102 is connected to the memory via circuits / wires to read and execute the programs stored in the memory. The processor 1102 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), or a combination of a CPU and an NP. The processor 1102 may further include a hardware chip. The hardware chip may be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a combination thereof. The PLD may be a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a generic array logic (GAL), or any combination thereof.

[0184] The memory 1101 may include volatile memory, such as random-access memory (RAM); the memory may also include non-volatile memory, such as flash memory, hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD); the memory may also include a combination of the above types of memory.

[0185] For example, this application provides a chip including: an interface circuit and a logic circuit. The interface circuit is used to receive signals from other chips outside the chip and transmit them to the logic circuit, or to send signals from the logic circuit to other chips outside the chip. The logic circuit is used to perform the operations performed by the unmanned aerial vehicle base station in the above method embodiments.

[0186] For example, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer program instructions thereon, which are executed by a processor of an electronic device to cause the electronic device to perform the operations performed by the unmanned aerial vehicle base station in the above method embodiments.

[0187] For example, this application provides a computer program product that, when run on an electronic device, causes the electronic device to perform the operations performed by the unmanned aerial vehicle base station in the above method embodiments.

[0188] The above are merely specific embodiments of this application, enabling those skilled in the art to understand or implement this application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this application. Therefore, this application is not to be limited to these embodiments, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A connection management method for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) base station, characterized in that, The method includes: The UAV base station determines a first message, which is used to indicate to the target user equipment (UE) that there is no wireless signal coverage in the target area within a preset time period, and to instruct the target UE not to trigger a radio link failure (RLF). The first message retains the first cell temporary user identifier (C-RNTI) assigned to the target UE by the entity containing the first cell, and records the identifier information corresponding to the target cell. The target area is the area where the UAV provides wireless signal coverage this time, and the UAV is communicatively connected to the UAV base station. The target UE is a UE within the target area connected to the UAV base station. The first cell is the cell managed by the UAV base station this time. The UAV base station sends a first message to the target UE via a System Information Block (SIB) at a first moment, so that the target UE does not trigger an RLF, retains the first C-RNTI, and records the identification information corresponding to the target cell based on the first message; wherein, the first moment is before the start time of the preset time period, and the identification information corresponding to the target cell is the Cell Global Identifier (CGI) and / or Physical Cell Identifier (PCI) of the target cell; the UAV base station controls the target UE to record the identification information corresponding to the target cell, so that when the target area restores wireless signal coverage, the target UE determines whether the third identification information corresponding to the third cell is consistent with the identification information corresponding to the target cell, and if the third identification information is consistent with the identification information corresponding to the target cell, it directly performs RRC connection re-establishment based on the first C-RNTI; the third cell is the cell actually managed by the UAV base station when the UAV base station provides wireless signal coverage in the target area next time; the third identification information is the CGI and / or PCI of the third cell; the first message is also used to indicate a first timing duration, which is used to instruct the target UE to retain the first C-RNTI and record the identification information corresponding to the target cell for a certain duration; The target cell is either a first cell or a second cell, where the second cell is the cell that the UAV base station expects to manage when the UAV provides wireless signal coverage in the target area next time. When the target cell is the first cell, the first message is used to instruct the target UE to record the first identification information corresponding to the first cell, wherein the first identification information is the CGI and / or PCI of the first cell; When the target cell is the second cell, the first message is used to instruct the target UE to record the second identification information corresponding to the second cell, wherein the second identification information is the CGI and / or PCI of the second cell.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The unmanned aerial vehicle base station sends a first message to the target UE via downlink control information (DCI) or media access control layer control element (MAC CE).

3. A connection management method for an unmanned aerial vehicle base station, characterized in that, The method includes: The target user equipment (UE) receives a first message sent by the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) base station. This first message is sent by the UAV base station at a first moment. The first message is used to indicate to the target UE that there is no wireless signal coverage in the target area within a preset time period, and to instruct the target UE not to trigger a Radio Link Failure (RLF). It also retains the first cell temporary user identifier (C-RNTI) allocated to the target UE by the entity containing the first cell, and records the identification information corresponding to the target cell. The first moment is before the start of the preset time period; the target area is the area where the UAV provides wireless signal coverage this time; the UAV is communicatively connected to the UAV base station; the target UE is a UE within the target area connected to the UAV base station; the first cell is the cell managed by the UAV base station this time; the first message also indicates a first timing duration, which instructs the target UE to retain the first C-RNTI and record the identification information corresponding to the target cell for the specified duration. Based on the first message, the target UE does not trigger RLF within the first time interval, retains the first C-RNTI, and records the identification information corresponding to the target cell; wherein, the identification information corresponding to the target cell is the Cell Global Identifier (CGI) and / or Physical Cell Identifier (PCI) of the target cell; the UAV base station controls the target UE to record the identification information corresponding to the target cell, so that when the target area restores wireless signal coverage, the target UE determines whether the third identification information corresponding to the third cell is consistent with the identification information corresponding to the target cell, and if the third identification information is consistent with the identification information corresponding to the target cell, it directly performs RRC connection re-establishment based on the first C-RNTI; the third cell is the cell actually managed by the UAV base station when the UAV base station provides wireless signal coverage in the target area next time; the third identification information is the CGI and / or PCI of the third cell; The target cell is either a first cell or a second cell, where the second cell is the cell that the UAV base station expects to manage when the UAV next provides wireless signal coverage in the target area. When the target cell is the first cell, the target UE records the first identification information corresponding to the first cell, wherein the first identification information is the CGI and / or PCI of the first cell; When the target cell is the second cell, the target UE records the second identification information corresponding to the second cell, wherein the second identification information is the CGI and / or PCI of the second cell.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, After the target UE, based on the first message, does not trigger RLF, retains the first C-RNTI, and records the identification information corresponding to the target cell, the method further includes: If the target UE detects wireless signal coverage after the second time point, the target UE determines the third identification information corresponding to the third cell; wherein, the third cell is the cell actually managed by the UAV base station when the UAV provides wireless signal coverage in the target area next time; the third identification information is the CGI and / or PCI of the third cell; the second time point is the start time of the preset time period; When the target UE receives the third identification information and the identification information corresponding to the target cell, it sends a second message to the UAV base station. The second message is used to request the UAV base station to re-establish the Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection with the target UE, or to indicate the first C-RNTI to the UAV base station. The second message carries the first C-RNTI.

5. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, After the target UE, based on the first message, does not trigger RLF, retains the first C-RNTI, and records the identification information corresponding to the target cell, the method further includes: The target UE starts a timer, and the timer duration is a first timer duration, which is used to indicate the duration for which the target UE retains the first C-RNTI and the identification information corresponding to the target cell; If the timer expires and no wireless signal coverage is detected, the target UE deletes the first C-RNTI and the identification information corresponding to the target cell.

6. A base station for unmanned aerial vehicles, characterized in that, include: Memory and processor; The memory is configured to store computer program instructions; The processor is configured to run the computer program instructions, causing the unmanned aerial vehicle base station to implement the method as described in claim 1 or 2.

7. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 5.

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